oneyear ago I started this journey and Im loving the change

Well Yesterday I had my one year check up. it was very uneventful and I seem to be fine, Dr Jan said I have lost 58% of my excess weight. well I am 90 lbs down with 35 to go to goal of 180. I have to be honest that I find myself disapointed that I was not one of those that lost tons in he first year but I have to admit that I am as about as healthy as I have ever been so even though i am not as skinny as I wanted to be at this time I am way better off than I was a year ago.  I am looking forward to my new health I working hard on loosing the last of the weight I wanted to loose. I have learned to love strenious exercise like hiking hills and long walks in the woods, I still hate the tread mill and stuff like that but still try.  I have alot of plans for this summer and am looking forward to it.  I am learning to deal with the extra skin that hangs around me like a spare tire but at least it tucks in better that the fat did :) I hope to be able to see most of you soon at a breakfast  Kel

Kelly, Congratulations on being a year out.  You have done wonderfully.  Keep up the good work.  Julia

Hi Kelly!  Happy one year!!  I know you can't help the way you feel, but I have to say I consider losing 90 pounds in a year a smashing success.  Plus, it is 90 pounds with a strong chance of staying off and losing more.  I lost at least 20 plus pounds in the second year.  It comes off slower - a pound here a pound there.  You think you've stopped and that's all, but they add up.  1-2 pounds eventually is 5.  At a lower weight 5 pounds makes a big difference.  I think it was about equal to losing 20 pounds when I was heavier.  I think even now I probably am considered overweight, and until I get that excess skin removed (someday!) I will be.  The fact that you have hobbies that involve exercise is all the better.  You are not going to be able to eat like the old days, and you are moving like you never did before.  It is coming for you - sick of it as you are, you need to be patient.  Don't be so hard on yourself.  You were cute as heck before you had surgery.  I need to see you again, but I know you are looking GREAT!  How about an updated picture for us girl!  How's Jen doing?  I don't believe this, but Ava seems to be having a relapse.  She has been struggling with headaches recently, and has had a really bad one for the past week.  We had to see her neurologist Monday.  He thought he saw something in her eyes, but when the eye surgeon saw her Tuesday she thought the nerves looked fine.  She went back on the Neurontin and we are giving it a chance to do its thing before we resort to a spinal.  My intuition says she needs one, but I am trying to be patient.  God I hate it!!  Her being in pain is so hard for me to watch.  As you know too well!  I hope Jen's surgery has helped her. Patty

Patty you gorgeous thing!! I am so sorry to hear that Ava is struggling again, that really sucks, I have learned so much about this crappy disease in the last few months and one of the surprising things is that in 80% of the cases that get resolved with medication the condition will come back at some point. Man does that really suck it’s like a life long sentence that you never know when it will rear its ugly head.  Jen is doing sooooo much better. The surgery was a huge success for the pressure within 2 days the sparkle in her eyes was back, I had forgotten how bright eyed she usually is after a year of pressure behind her eyes she always had that glazed look that said "life sucks" she walked like an old lady always afraid she was going to fall grabbing every wall or piece of furniture she walked past to steady herself from the dizziness now she is walking just fine,, she used to have trouble making a full sentence having a hard time remembering words simple words and it made her seem somewhat mentally challenged to people that did not know her before ( like the exboss) now she back to her old self. She is having one side effect from the surgery and that is the catheter that is in her abdominal cavity that drains the fluid from her head is irritating her insides so she has pain  and it moves because the catheter moves so one day she will have a stabbing in her uterus are and the next it will be in her lung etc etc but it seems to be getting less and less,, We saw the neuron surgeon this week and he said they can go in an change the tube but it is not an easy surgery and because it seems to be getting better slow as it is he wants to wait another month and see if she can work it out. The option is to place the catheter in her cerated artery and that is somewhat risky as you can imagine doing anything to the heart is scary. I think its kind of like wearing flip flops between your toes when you are just not used to it its very irritating but after a while you don’t notice it and your body adjusts. at least I hope so  They did not shave her head as a matter of fact the hospital nurse said that they have found that there is less likely to get an infection if they do not shave then if they do shave,, and her surgeon said he hate when his patients look like they have surgery so he never shaves if he can avoid it so that made the hole thing so much easier on her. If you ever have to get to this point defiantly look into Dr O’Neal He was and is so good. But all in all my girl is back and making strides to recooperate and get her life back. Yes I know be easier on myself :) its so hard some days,, you read about all these people that get su*****redible results right away but I know that I feel so healthy and I suppose I could be a lot better about my food choices on a regular basis. (As I eat a subway smoke house salmon sand) as I write this :) I could easily eat a whole half if I choose to. It’s funny some days I just can’t eat hardly anything and others I can eat twice what I feel like I should be able to eat. Not sure why but that is just how it is. Yes I will have to get a new picture and have mine changed,  I think we should plan something this summer or spring for a family day for everyone like a camping trip or coast trip or maybe just a barbeque day Kel

What an incredible year of health and healing for you and your family!  Congrats on your success! Lori

Kelly: Keep up the great work, you are doing wonderful.  I know what you mean about weight coming off slow.  I seem to be losing really slow lately, I will lose 2 lbs, then gain 1 back.  I'm not that worried about it, I am doing better than I was when I started on this incredible journey almost 3 yrs ago ( feb 23, 2005) and 286 lbs less. And thanks to you, a whole new wardrobe, I gave away almost 4 big plastic garbage bags of fat clothes. I am also learning to deal with all the excess jello, I have to lose anothe 50 or so lbs before plastics. Peggy

thanks Peggy, Its funny how hard is is to give up the fat clothes I guess its years of learning that although we cant fit them we will be back again :) but after giving them away its so freeing. I am so glad they are working for you. and the Levis. well although I had to pull them up every time I moved because they were soo big it was hard to pass them on,, knowing they they are giving you as much pleasure as they did me makes me feel so good, I dont know what it is about that pair the cut is perfect for our past obese bodys they just fit nice and are comfertable even though they dont streach.  I can wait to see you in them  Kel

Hey Kelly!  Congratulations.  I agree -- losing 90 lbs in a year is fantastic.  I'm really glad to hear your daughter is doing well.  I've often wondered how she made out.  Keep up the good work! Linda

 thanks linda I should have kept you guys more up to date regarding jen but its amazing how fast life goes by always intending to log on and update but just not having the time to really write and before you know it a month is gone,,,  Kel

Kelly, you are doing wonderful!  90 lbs. is a great amount to lose in one year.  I'm also glad your daughter is doing so well.  I bet I have a hard time recognizing you next time we get together for breakfast.  Keep up the good work!