One year and 20 days ago I went into surgery weighing 270 lbs.  I lost little, if anything during the liquid pre-op diet. My blood work was a mess (high everything...despite eating WW or a PCOS type diet).  I worked out HARD and saw no results.

I couldnt find any pretty clothes that I like in my size XXL-XXXL.  I had rolls/lumps and bumps. Burda style didnt have patterns in my size and I was in the upper limit of the patterns in BurdaPlus.  I couldnt cross my legs.  When I hiked up and down mountains I was winded. My fiancee would have to take breaks and wait for me.

Today, I am 142 lbs with about 14-14.5% body fat (by calipers).  I just bought XS nighties for my honeymoon.  I am 5'5.5 and have 38 inch hips and wear a size 6 panty and a size 6 pair of jeans (i.e. dockers and rock republic).

I can run 5Ks again and am training for a 10K in May and a half marathon by January 2016 (I will be 39...bucket list says get it done by 40).  I can run 11 miles WITHOUT STOPPING.

I can cross my legs.

There are too many beautiful clothes at inexpensive prices. I want to buy them all and wear them all!  I want to live like a fashion show!!  I know this is not reasonable but it still is a hearts desire.

I DONT have that nightmareish hanging skin that one sees on the internet (see wedding photos in my photos).   It was a combination of things-youth (I am 38), luck, genetics, and working out pre and post op.  The only place where things are unattractive is my upper thighs..but whatever.  I dont have to look at my upper thighs in a bathing suit..other people have to. And it doesnt bother Groomy. It doesnt bother him or me...so I will probably not get a thigh lift. I will train the area (lots of figure skating, bands and cable machines) and give it time and see what happens.

Today my pouch (lower tummy) doesnt protrude so I can honestly say there is no unsightly lumps or bumps.  OH!  There is some matching cellulite spots on the backs of my thighs but you dont see it when wear tights or leggings.  I dont spend too much time looking at my backside in a mirror either so...I have a tendency to forget they are there for long periods of time.. Like right now

Things havent always been easy. I am scale motivated and sometimes things would stall for weeks despite watching my diet and working out. I would cry.  Then something awesome would happen. Someone would tell me that I LOOKED skinnier or my clothes are too big. They were right. The scale was stalling but I was loosing inches and sizes!

My hair has lost substantial thickness, it has not grown back in despite hair vitamins. Oh well, I had to try...

My way of eating really hasnt changed (i.e. low carb and high protein)...but the amount I have. I have learned trade offs though such as eating only egg whites and getting rid of the egg yolk (In a hard boiled or poached egg) so I can have DOUBLE the amount of egg (cuz it is all of the protein, none of the cholestrol, and only a bit of the calories).. I like texture more than taste so to keep the mouth feel of coffee and tea I use ff half and half with just a touch of the flavored creamers or taste.  This reduced the calories.

People and their reactions to me are..interesting. Initially everyone was supportive. At around 160 lbs they said "you can stop now" but that would still make me overweight so why the hell did I do that. Now, I have recovering aneroxics coming out of the closet at work trying to have interventions because they are concerned.  I give them a pass because it is coming for lovin concern and not a desire to poop on my parade. Groomy assures me that I look normal. My fitness performance hasnt decreased so I know I am eating enough.  I like where I am.

Interestingly, little asian people are telling me that I am too skinny now too..and that culture is all about its women being slender.

Work...has been weird and mixed messages. They are all about "we got this flexible schedule" yada yada yada. But they want consistency in numbers biweek to biweek...  MY immediate boss who knows that I have surgery leaves me alone and has faith in me...but sometimes HIS higher ups make him send me notes...just for CYA. So..sometimes I get pissed at work.  However, I decided work DOESNT get to ruin my body and I am not going to be one of patent examiners that died over the weekend and no one finds their dead body until monday.  I decided...I keep my health, my sanity, my workouts and my love (Groomy). It is just a ******g job. It doesnt love me and it doesnt care if it ruins my health or family. It is a ******g job. And that helps me keep perspective.

I am looking forward to everything this year brings and discovering learning about maintainance. I have always been on the losing phase of diets and never the maintainance phase. So this is a a new challenge for me...and I am up for it.

I will be away from teh computer for 3 weeks on my honeymoon.  See you guys again in Feb!

OMG.... I am so super excited for you.  You're right in that a job doesn't love or care about your well being and you have the utmost best attitude to not allow it to affect you.  Congrats on a job well done!!!  Congrats on your upcoming nuptials and have an excellent honeymoon.

Have a great time Skinny and enjoy! Congratulations on an amazing year!

Congratulations!

WOW!!! Congrats!!! You are such an inspiration. I have my initial surgeon's visit this week and so excited to see when my surgery date will be. I only hope that I have the same discipline and outcome as you. Keep up the good work and congrats on the wedding.

Congratulations!!!!!!

Congratulations. Enjoy your honeymoon.

Congratulations! 

Congratulations.  Have a wonderful time.

Congrats on reaching your goal. Now the real work begins.

Have fun on your honeymoon.