2yrs +....Oct 15,2012:)))))

WOW!!! It has just been amazing. I can hardly believe this is me after all this time, although it seems like just yesterday I was in Mexico having a serious eye to eye conversation with Dr Aceves just  beginning my experience with this completely life changing plan.

I completely needed a size 24 pants and a 3X shirt when I started. I now wear pants size 6 and can get in a 4 but need some upper thigh work to wear them respectfully. I wear a small shirt....TUCKED IN WITH A BELT:)))))))))))))))))!! Yes, it has been  mind and body changing. I live it every day. I am ever conscious of where I came from. I don't live in the past but I don't forget it.I have been able to embrace the body I have. It has come with work at the gym and I LOVE discovering my strength. I am ever faithful to the gym. I use fitness pal to keep me aware. I weigh about once a week but not during TOM. I know that during that time I gain 5 ish lbs but I know my 'dry weight".

I am a total tracker of my inches. They are consistent. My clothes and my inches are my true measure. I still have people that literally do not recognize me and they have known me my entire life...even as recent as this past sunday. My weight hangs around 150-155. I has for about a year now.

I can eat a bit more that I started out naturally but have GREAT restriction. For instance, I might can finish a short thigh at a meal. Now, if I want more than that it will have to come later in the day. I drink religiously. I can still tell when I am running short on fluids. I am very happy with where I am. There are no words that can adequately express being freed from the chains of food. I eat because I need to. One of my favorites statements I heard the other day on Doctor radio on Sirius XM: If you want to eat like you are on a farm you have to work like you are on a farm. It completely reinforces my reason to go to the gym because no matter WHAT I eat ----I have to exercise---FOREVER. I love the feeling of reaching goals at the gym. I feel amazing.

I need some assistance in refining parts of my body that will not change with the gym. Although, with the gym I have been UTTERLY  amazed at the changes that have come that I thought would never be possible. I use a trainer 3-4x a week and would never give that up. I would completely give up shopping to keep my trainer and the gym...no questions asked. My health is the ultimate reward. I actually find that I don't really need as many clothes when I can look good in a few:)). Of course, most of what any of us has follows the 80/20 rule.....you use 20% of what you have 80% fo the time.  Shopping was my cover for my lack of control in my diet.  I have always known that.

I have attempted to share this experience but no one is interested. The people I have shared it with have been obese all of their lives. A person has to be in the right place to truly receive this information and realize the life changing magnitude it will bring to them. It has completely been the single best personal decision I have ever made...HANDS DOWN. I would do it again in a heart beat. There are days I don't recognize myself:)...thank goodness.

No matter what you go thru getting to this surgery nothing will matter when you can live your life to the fullest.

EAT SMALL AND DRINK BIG!

LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!:))))))))))))))))))))))

Wonderful post!