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June 3, 2005 ~ Happy Friday everyone! Well I am officially 11 months Post-Op and can honestly say where'd the time go so fast? We have been enjoying the weather here in Minnesota and having fun just being together as a family! Jaden is keeping me busy and I like it that way ... she isn't the best partner to take on my 3 mile walk though ... a whole lot of "Where are we going mom?" "I want to go home" "I want to walk" "I need a drink" ... you get my drift! But I am trying to keep my walking schedule at 3 miles at least 3 times a week! I feel so much better after I get back from a walk! I had a pretty dissapointing month this month though so the walking helps my head at least feel productive! I am down another 3 pounds and only 3 inches for a total loss of 118 pounds and 128.75" all together ... now I know your body is supposed to get to a resting point here and there to adjust but it still sucks and makes you wonder what you are doing wrong ... I can sit back and say I have come a long way but it is still dissapointing when a plateau comes ... I am hoping that my walking and getting back to basics with upping my protein intake will help jump start the weight loss once again! My goal is to be a size 14 for my 1- High School Reunion on July 23rd! I am confident that I can get there - afterall it is only a size away! Other than that things around here are going perfect! I feel good and have a lot more energy ... I am planning on cleaning the dust off my bicycle some time next week ... then I can cross another thing off my list ... oh and speaking of lists ... here is a goal I didn't have on there but should have ... I had my yearly "girl" exam this past week and as is routine I had my blood pressure taken ... now think back to a year ago when I was put on Altenalol for my 180/100 resting blood pressure ... well my arms were HUGE so I always had to use the extended blood pressure cuff ... well at my Dr's Appt Tuesday I just sat down and had my blood pressure taken ... 130/72 ... then it occurred to me that the cuff looked "small" so I asked the nurse ... BINGO - I was right, a NORMAL SIZED person Blood Pressure CUFF! I couldn't believe it ... it definately made me SMILE inside and out! What else happened ... well it seems as though the IUD I had placed in September usually increases your monthly "Aunt Flow" by about 30% WHAT!?!?!?! Was my respones ... maybe theat explains the anemia I get during that time ... so I opted to have it taken out so now I am back on the good 'ol "PILL" ... only this one has added hormones to combat my cramps, depression and of course ANGER and mood swings I get on the 3rd day of EVERY cycle ... boy that really sucks! So here is hoping these news pills help with my overall "visitor" ... Let's see ... my niece attended her 1st prom last weekend ... boy what an amazingly beautiful young lady she is ... can't wait for her to come back with us in July so I can bond with her one on one ... what else ... Jaden got 4 inches cut off her hair ... not alot when you see how much she has left but it still put a lump in my throat ... it is all layered and styled and I found myself wondering where'd my baby go? I am so glad I had this surgery now while I can still watch her grow-up and actually participate with her ... in fact she starts her 1st year of soccer on Wednesday the 15th! That will be unteresting to watch ... what else ... well we are all just enjoying our lives together ... healthy, happy and together! I will be back sooner rather than later .... and if you have some time please say a prayer for Jason's Grandma Beatrice ... she is pretty under the weather and could use your prayers and thoughts ... thank you all for being such an amazing support for me ... can't wait to see most of you in July! Hugs and Kisses ...

XXOOXXOOXXOO:0) ~ Rebekah

May 28, 2005 ~ Happy Un-Official Start to Summer! I will be back to update again this weekend but I thought I would just tell you I updated my picture page ... Enjoy!

May 16, 2005 ~ I know I just updated this on Friday and it isn't like me to come back on here to add more BUT I can cross #1 off my "TO DO" List because I just got back from a JOG - that's right, you read it correctly! A JOG with Harley ... I walked 1/2 way (the uphill part) but I actuall ran the other half that was down hill ... I FEEL wonderful and so does my body ... wonder what it will say tomorrow!

May 13, 2005 ~ Happy Friday the 13th everyone! Yeah, normally I really hate this day but maybe I can turn that around too! There hasn’t been too much going on around here … aside from May showers a few days out of the week but everything sure is lush and green! I love this time of the year and this year is my re-birth so it makes an even greater impact on me. I am managing a new exercise and diet plan going on … I know that some people have the idea that surgery is the "easy" way to lose weight BUT eventually the fast weight loss ends and you actually have to work at it 150% … well I am not saying that I am at that point; after all, I am only 9 months Post-Op but I do need to get myself prepared. I am starting my daily walking rain or shine on Monday … this will be a good thing for me and especially for our puppy Harley … it will surely exhaust her and give me some company while I stride. I would take Jaden but now that she is 3 years old she doesn’t like to sit in the stroller at all so a walk to the corner may take 30 minutes but it isn’t exactly 30 minutes of exercising if you know what I mean. So Monday I start my walking to the local gas station which is 3 miles round-trip. I am hoping to dust off the old bicycle and be using it regularly but the beginning of summer … we live on the top of a HUGE hill so I am trying to find ways around it for the first few rides so I don’t kill myself. I actually can not wait to get on the bike and ride without having to stop because my lungs were burning and my heart was hopping out of my chest. Should be a wonderful feeling! Now onto the diet part of my plan – the thing is even at 9 months Post-Op I can eat almost everything I could before surgery … now that is a good thing in some ways and very bad in others. The good points are that if I am craving something I feel I don’t have to sacrifice a craving once a week … it is like a reward to me … if I had a good week and by the end I am craving a cup of ice cream then guess what! I have it on the weekend … that is the way to work. I am making sure the things I buy are health conscious (ie. Fat free, sugar free, low carb etc.) … this makes the guilt I have after less of an impact. It has come down now to exactly what my surgeon said – PORTION CONTROL is the key and he is 100% correct. Could I eat a lot more that I do – YUP … do I sometimes eat more than I should – YUP … do I eat things that are in the surgery handbook – YUP (most of the time) … I eat a LOT of chili still and of course Chicken Noodle Soup … I CRAVE meat of any kind … beef jerky, the meat and beans in the chili, the chicken in the soup, pork chops, steak (you get my drift!?) I am very happy with where I am and I wouldn’t change it for a thing – your body only loses what it can handle … do I dread the "bounce-back" weight that comes along with the new territory – YUP but I am prepared to deal with that when it comes (hopefully not for another year or so!) I am in an online Weight Loss Surgery Support Group and it is very uplifting to hear that so many others are going through or already have gone through the same things I am … it is a never-ending battle with your subconscious and I am going to WIN! I am healthier now that I think I have been in a long time and I am forever grateful to all of my support out there and of course to Dr. Jacob’s. NOW enough of my rambling … where am I at these days? Well I am now down to 188 pounds which is a total loss of 115 pounds in 9 months … that to me is amazing … I have 43 pounds to go to get a NORMAL BMI for my height … I know it is going to take work and determination but I am well prepared for that! I have lost a total of 125.75" overall which makes my jaw hit the floor … who would have thought I had that much extra "stuff" hanging around! Here are my current measurements … READY?

Neck : July’04 ~ 15.0" / April’05 ~ 13.0" (loss of 2")

Shoulders : July’04 ~ 57.0" / April’05 ~ 42.0" (loss of 15.0")

Chest : July’04 ~ 45.5" / April’05 ~ 36.0" (loss of 9.5")

Bust : July’04 ~ 50.0" / April’05 ~ 37.0" (loss of 13.0")

Waist : July’04 ~ 50.5" / April’05 ~ 35.0" (loss of 15.5")

Hips : July’04 ~ 60.0" / April’05 ~ 44.5" (loss of 15.5")

Right Thigh : July’04 ~ 34.5" / April’05 ~ 19.5" (loss of 15.0")

Left Thigh : July’04 ~ 34.0" / April’05 ~ 19.5" (loss of 14.5")

Right Calf : July’04 ~ 19.0" / April’05 ~ 16.25" (loss of 2.75")

Left Calf : July’04 ~ 19.5" / April’05 ~ 16.25" (loss of 3.25")

Right Ankle : July’04 ~ 10.5" / April’05 ~ 9.5" (loss of 1.0")

Left Ankle : July’04 ~ 10.5" / April’05 ~ 9.0" (loss of 1.5")

Right Bicep : July’04 ~ 18.5" / April’05 ~ 13.0" (loss of 5.5")

Left Bicep : July’04 ~ 18.0" / April’05 ~ 13.0" (loss of 5.0")

Right Forearm : July’04 ~ 12.0" / April’05 ~ 9.5" (loss of 2.5")

Left Forearm : July’04 ~ 11.75" / April’05 ~ 9.5" (loss of 2.25")

Right Wrist : July’04 ~ 7.5" / April’05 ~ 6.5" (loss of 1.0")

Left Wrist : July’04 ~ 7.5" / April’05 ~ 6.5" (loss of 1.0")

Ring Size : July’04 ~ 9.5 / April’05 ~ 7.5 (loss of 4 sizes)

Pants Size : July’04 ~ 28-30 / April’05 ~ 15-16

Shirt Size : July’04 ~ 3X Women’s / April’05 ~ L

Underwear Size : July’04 ~ 12 / April’05 ~ 7

Bra Size : July’04 ~ 42D / April’05 ~ 36C

So that sums things up I suppose … I managed to find a pair of size 15 jeans at Maurice’s with my Sister-In-Law Adrienne and they are the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn … so I suppose I am in a size 15 then right? My goal is to be a size 12 by October 28th since I am in a wedding that day and the dress that was ordered is a size 12! So I will be pushing and pushing and pushing to get my rear and chest into that … I am going to try to find a corset type thing to suck in all the "excess" that I may have to make the dress fit a little smoother but other than that I am THRILLED with my loss so far! The MOST important aspect of this journey is that I am healthy! I no longer need the Altenalol for hyper-tension … my ankles, knees and joints no longer ache and scream when they are used … I like to think my mood has improved (on most days!) and I am looking forward to a long and healthy life with my family and friends. I do have my yearly "girl" exam on the 27th and it is then I will discuss the extended visit of "Aunt Flow" that I get every month. She visits every 3 weeks and her stay (although it is getting shorter) is very depressing and draining. I am not on any type of hormone pills (ie. Birth control pill – I have an IUD instead) and I think this is part of my issue. I think my body needs some hormone supplements to help with the weepy and crying days that I go through every month. I hope my Doctor and I can come up with some type of alternative but aside from that I feel GREAT! I am looking forward to the next few weeks and months – when the weather gets steady and warm … in July Jason, Jaden and I are off on our road trip to NY for my 10 year H.S. Reunion and of course to spend time with family … I am a new Aunt to the most beautiful little girl – Hannah Alexis was born on May 7th to my little brother Harry and his wife Amanda – I can’t wait to get my hands on her … and to see my niece Amanda and nephews Zachary and Justyn … my family is SO important in my success! So I suppose I have blabbed a little longer than usual huh? Well I hope you are all doing well – and if there are any questions from ANYONE regarding this surgery and change of lifestyle please email me … until next month … I have added some new pictures to my slide show (click on website under my name at the top of the page … I have also added a guestbook for those of you stopping by let me know what how you are and what you think! And of course the new little ticker to track my weight loss!) Love you all and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for ALL of your support!

April 2, 2005 ~ Yes I know what day it is and that I am "past" my official date to update but like they ALL say better late than NEVER right? Now what has been going on here you may ask? Well the weather has turned the corner and spring has sprung with fierce which is perfectly fine with all of us. It was 75 outside yesterday which meant nothing more than gossiping with all the neighbors who have come out of hibernation and of course teaching Jaden how to pedal her new Big Girl Bike she got from Nanny and Poppy for her 3rd birthday. I am impressed that she has taken to it so fast and really enjoys cruising back and forth in front of the house. The roller skates on the other hand might need to stay in "storage" for a few more months – We really don’t want to head to the ER from a roller skating mishap … Now what else might you come here to read up on … oh I know, well our puppy is growing up pretty fast and it actually 7 months old today – yup, that means she shares a birthday with my nephew Justyn! Little Princess Harley heads into the vet to be spayed tomorrow morning and I am sure it will be a rough week or two for her … she has been spending a LOT of time outside as well and the poor thing is EXHAUSTED when it comes time to head indoors … she barely makes it up the stairs at night! Sad sight, both Harley and Jaden have had the energy sucked right out of them by all the fresh air … let’s see, what else? Okay, okay – I will satisfy you all and tell you that I am officially a member of the "Century Club!" What does that mean? Well that means in Weight Loss Surgery terms that I have reached the 100 pounds lost level … and in my case I have lost 105 pounds in 8 months! I was pretty excited to see that when I stood on the scale … that means that I have reached yet another milestone … it is now the first time since high school that I weigh LESS than 200 pounds … 198 to be exact and that number is music to my ears! I can honestly remember weighing in at 210 pounds my senior year in High School and that was 10 years ago … so I haven’t seen pants this size in quite a while! What size you are asking? Well I am officially into size 16 jeans and pants … in fact I can squeeze into a pair of size 14 khaki’s that my Sister In Law Adrienne gave me this past weekend … granted they would be a little scary to wear out in public but they were on, buttoned and zipped so that counts for something! I also managed to accomplish yet another thing on my List and that was to shop at Victoria’s Secret … now I was in there around Thanksgiving and managed to purchase a nice bra that put the "girls" up where they are supposed to be but that is all that I have bought … until now! I bought myself a pair of size 16 Victoria’s Secret Jeans … they will be here by the 15th and I am excited to put them on! I actually have some very generous friends and family and have a lot of size 16 and now 14 pants in my closet. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I am 1 size away from not being able to shop at Lane Bryant because they don’t carry my size, I was almost there last year at this time but it was on the other end of the spectrum … I was getting to large for the store, now the store is getting to large for me! I also managed to lose another 17" for a total of 117.25" overall! Now that is nice too … what was an even bigger surprise was to measure my waist and see that it is now at 36.5" around … that means that Jason’s pants are FINALLY TOO BIG for me to wear and I of course had to make sure and try them on … luckily they were or I might’ve had a breakdown :0) I chalk up the weight loss and inches lost this month to the warmer weather and a few trips to Mall of America which always = LOTS OF WALKING … it is the walking and the outdoor activity that has added to the loss so obviously I will continue … I have a goal to achieve by October 29th and that is to be in a size 12 Bridesmaid Dress for my friend Sarah’s wedding … not to mention the dress is knee length, pink and STRAPLESS … hmm, wonder how that will look! But I am pretty sure with hard work, eating right and some exercising I will get there by, oh say, July maybe! I am feeling great, I think I am acting a little happier (other than those few days of the month!) and I feel as though this was still a great decision for me to make … I am eating pretty much everything that I used to eat minus the junk food and sweets but I am able to eat sandwiches, bread, meat, rice and plenty of soup, soup and more soup … I seem to crave meat more that I used to and eat a TON of Chili a month I think! Usually I just eat the hamburger and the beans but I eat chili none the less … I am looking forward to more nice weather, lots of walks to the park, swimming at the beach and some family vacations this summer. We are heading to NY in July for my 10 year High School Reunion and then hopefully my niece Amanda will head back with us for a month long visit. Then we head out to Sandusky, Ohio to Cedar Pointe to meet up with Niki, Scott, Zach, Jenny and Justyn for a weekend full of rides, swimming, family time and hopefully NO BARFING on the rides! It should be a great time … Well this is getting a little LONG-WINDED on my part but at least it’s an update … oh and I will edit my Goal List and cross off what I have accomplished … one of those happened the other day at the Park with Jaden, yup I went down the slide with her and I fit just fine … it wasn’t really that fun because we almost flipped over and I nailed my elbow on the way but we both laughed hard and Jaden’s smile was worth every minute of it! Well thank you all for staying with me on this journey … and for those of you considering this as a way to get "healthy" and get your life back in control email me … Thank you to all my friends and family … without every one of you I wouldn’t be the person I am! Love you … Rebekah

1.~ Be able to actually RUN "freely" without turning blue

*Haven’t really ran too much but had to move "fast" to get Jaden’s basketball before it reached the road … she LOVES that game!

2.~ play with my daughter EVERYWHERE and ANYTIME she asks me

*I have a great time playing with Jaden … just Sunday we spent the morning with 5 of her closest Princess friends having a Tea Party inside her castle!

3.~ Fit down the slides at the park

*Like I said … did this last week but I really wasn’t missing anything … except the smile on my daughter’s face … guess I was missing more than I thought huh?

4.~ Go shopping ANYWHERE and actually buy something that will fit

*Yup … OLD NAVY is my FAVORITE place to go!

5.~ Bend over and tie my shoes

*Funny, I can’t remember when I could do this but when I think about it now I do it without realizing!

6.~ Tuck my shirt in and feel comfortable

*Come to think of it, my shirt is tucked in right now!

7.~ Not panick when there are only booths left at a restaurant

*Just like the shoe thing … don’t remember when this panicky feeling went away but I don’t even think about it until I am already sitting down … then I comment, "A year ago I wouldn’t have fit in this booth!"

8.~ Sit on Jason's lap without him turning BLUE in the face

*Well, most husband aren’t stupid so even at 303lbs. he wouldn’t have said a thing but he does seem to have a normal shade on his face when I sit on his lap now vs. last year!

9.~ Travel by air without stares and feeling comfy in the seat

*Did this in November when I flew home for Thanksgiving … it really was an incredible feeling to be able to use the seat belt and not hide the fact that it really wasn’t fastened …

10.~ Hang clothes out to dry without them looking like giant tarps

*Not sure why I put this up anyhow … never hang my clothes out to dry , maybe I should start though!

11.~ Swim with my daughter without feeling self-conscious

*I did this for the 1st time in January at a co-workers house and it felt great … then again a few weeks ago when my parents came out for Jaden’s b-day and they stayed at the Casino/Hotel … once again, it felt amazing to just SWIM and not worry about anything else …

12.~ Ride a bike as a family WITH no "I'm tired" excuses for stopping

*Haven’t gotten the bicycles out yet but I am sure we will in no time

13.~ Have my weight be within the limits listed on those folding camp chairs

*It’s official I am within the weight limit!

14.~ Feel pretty again (and look it too)

*I actually do feel pretty and some days I feel I even look that way … still have those fat and ugly days though ~ that’s just a girl thing I think!

15.~ Buy tons of new clothes for a new ME

*Haven’t done this yet but I only have 1 pair of shorts in my closet and they are a size 28 … so it looks like a shopping spree is in my near future!

16.~ Buy underwear from Victoria's Secret and have them fit my waist not my ankle

*Haven’t bought underwear from there yet but I did have to buy new underwear in general … the old size 12’s looked a little saggy on the rear so I had to get some 7’s … I do own a Victoria’s Secret bra and like I said my jeans will be arriving shortly!

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17.~ Adding this goal … to go for a ride on the back of Jason’s Motorcycle … my rear almost fits comfortably! (will keep you updated on this!)

February 26, 2005 ~ Happy 7 months for me ... and 1st off I would like to say SORRY to all of you that may be checking in for an update! Where in the heck did January go? Well as I sit here and type to all of you I can say that I am now down 97 pounds and went from a size 28 to an "almost" size 16 ... HOLY MOLY is all I have to say to that! Now drun-roll for my mom ... I am not sure how tall Wilt Chamberlin is mom but I may have lost him! Down 99.5" all together ... pretty astonishing even to me but really GROSS when you convert that into feet - UMM, yup I lost Wilt Chamberlin since 99.5"=a little OVER 8' ... that's right FEET! Now that is pretty wild if you ask me ... so how are things other than my shrinking rear end? Well my BABY will be 3 years old in one weeek from today! I can't believe that either ... pretty crazy ... where'd the past 3 years go? Let's see ... we are gearing up for her Chuck E Cheeses Party with 8 of her little friends on the 5th and then she will have her family party at home on the 12th ... I can't wait for either one ... my mom and dad get here on the 10th and leave on the 15th .... it should be a lot of fun! I just finished painting her bedroom Princess Purple and Sleeping Beauty Pink ... it came out cute ... other than that I am exhausted from the painting and I am going to head to bed ... I will update with some other "Day in the Life of ... " Later on ... until then ... thank you all for being such a GREAT Support System! And of course to any of you out there ... and I mean ANY (even if I know you) ... if you want advice or information on how/what/where/when feel free to email me ... I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love ~ Rebekah

December 29, 2004 ~ Read update below from yesterday! I am just adding that in 5 months I have not only lost 88 pounds but 82.75" overall! HOLY MOLY!

December 28, 2004 ~ Well … it has been 5 months since my surgery and I must say I have come farther than I thought I would have at this point. I feel great and must say I look close to that too! I haven’t done a measurement yet but will tonight. I have weighed in though and I am down 88 pounds total since July 26th! Can you believe that? Not only am I down 88 pounds but I am also out of any size 20 anything pants. Jason bought me a pair of 18 jeans from OLD NAVY and they actually fit already! He also bought me an XL T-Shirt and an XL Fleece Pullover and I must admit I was surprised to see that they fit as well! This was the 1st time EVER that I gave out my size to my husband and actually sent him out shopping for clothes for me … He did a great job! I hope everyone had a GREAT Holiday Season … although it is almost over already … we had a GREAT Thanksgiving in New York and it was wonderful to see my family again and of course depressing to have to leave. We did a lot of fun things (including more shopping) and Jaden really enjoyed playing with all of her cousins! Most in my family were surprised at how I look and said that the pictures don’t de me justice … remember the camera adds 10 pounds – that must be true huh? Of course I was complimented and it was nice to hear … I also found a picture of me and Jaden from last year. We are kneeling next to Santa and somehow my sweatshirt managed to be pushed up a bit so you could surely see my jelly rolls hanging out. That picture was horrible and sad … I told everyone that they should have told me to put the fork down! My mom said that if someone would have said that to me I would have been insulted and depressed … she said I had to figure it out on my own! Thank Goodness I have! Thanksgiving dinner and the food in general was good … I ate turkey and corn/potatoes and made some Sugar Free Pumpkin Bars … so I was able to eat just like everyone else! In fact with so much food around and so many people just eating I felt as though I was over-eating too … as soon as we got back to Minnesota I checked the scale and managed to lose 5 pounds while in NY so I felt much better! Our Christmas was wonderful at home and Jaden has figured out the whole "Santa Clause" idea and was truly excited and giddy. We spent our Christmas Day at home with our new Christmas Puppy and my soon-to-be walking buddy once the weather warms up a bit. We had Jason’s side of the family over for some great food, laughs and gift giving. My husband once again thought of me and bought me a Sugar-Free Banana Crème Pie so I could feel included in the desert aspect of the day … I still have yet to try a piece but his thoughtfulness was noted. On Christmas Eve I let him open one gift and boy was he surprised to see a floor-length, red silk nightgown! No, no, no it was not for him even though he did put it up to himself … it was a to me, from me, love me gift and it made him smile … I felt beautiful wearing it and was happy to read size 18 on the tag. My sister-in-law Adrienne gave me a Gift Card to Victoria’s Secret and I am itching to head there for some new things … all-in-all we had a GREAT Holiday Season … though I missed my family TONS and TONS they will be here in few weeks to help celebrate Jaden’s 3rd Birthday! I hope you all have a Safe and Happy New Year and to those of you starting out on this journey – Good Luck … and for all of you out there that continue to support me I LOVE YOU ALL!

October 27, 2004 ~ Well LONG time No type huh? Well yesterday marked my 3 month post-op date! Boy that sure went by faster than I thought it would! 3 months already? Well let’s see where I am this week … unfortunately I am having my 1st BUMMER month … down only 8 pounds this month for a total loss of 61 pounds since July 26th! Now that is a GREAT number but I am a little disappointed in myself for not following the walking rule and drinking plenty of water rule. Don’t get me wrong, I TRY to drink as much water that I am supposed to but it gets a little boring drinking water day in and day out! The GOOD thing is that it has been 13 weeks since I have had a drink of soda … any kind of soda including the allowable "diet" soda out there! That in itself is a HUGE thing for me … Soda is a horrible thing to get hooked on and I was once hooked … Jaden actually has never had soda before … in fact if you ask her what happens when you drink it she says "Your teeth will fall out!" I am not sure who told her that but it sure has kept her away from it so that is a GREAT thing. Okay, what else … well I am down another 16" this month for a total loss of 68" all together! NOW that number puts a smile on my face … keep in mind that 5’=60" so I have lost over 5’ of "mass" off my body! When it is put that way my jaw sort of drops! I am still eating my meals the way I am supposed to and have even tried eating my raw veggies. The books all saw those are the hardest to eat so I waited a while to start them and thankfully they sit well in my pouch. I also have no problems with ground meats of any kind and can eat a whole hard shell taco with no issues … I have the hardest time eating bread of any kind and stay away from it 100%. After surgery I would crave subway sandwiches SO badly when I would see a commercial … well lets just say that after some bad experiences with bread I no longer CRAVE any of that … in fact those commercials and the smell of bread puts me praying to the porcelain God if you know what I mean! So I don’t eat any of those carbs … I am craving a TON of meat jerky of any kind … not sure why but I can’t get enough of Beef Jerky, Turkey Jerky, Meat Sticks etc. That is okay since they pack such a good amount of protein in it so I don’t feel guilty eating it! I am still in my size 22’s but they aren’t as "snug" on me as they were last month … I am hoping to be in my 20’s by Thanksgiving … Speaking of Thanksgiving … We (Jason, Jaden and I) should be flying into Albany on or around the 20th of November and staying until either the 29th or the 30th … SO I will be sure to give you a call so we can get together! I am interested in finally FITTING into an airplane seat with comfort! Oh and of course to see my family that haven’t SEEN me since before surgery! Well I promised I’d update at my 3 month and I didn’t fib this time … I hope you all have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Love you all!

October 18, 2004 ~ Happy Fall to everyone who is reading this! It is officially COLD outside here in Minnesota and I would have to say the 70 degree days are long gone … last night it was 29 degrees outside and YES I have turned my heat on. I am missing some of those extra layers of fat to keep me warm … well not REALLY "missing" them but I am feeling a lot colder than I normally would so I guess that would be a good and bad thing right? Let’s see … I am 12 weeks post op as of today and I am down 53 pounds and a total of 51" overall! I am a little in shock at the progress I have had so far and I must admit my "Fat and Ugly Days" have been disappearing! I am down from a WHOPPING size 28 to a happy size 22! I never thought I would get into those sizes again so I must have thrown them out because I am without my old jeans. Thanks to Jill I have a few size 22’s and thanks to a friend of mine I have 1 pair of each size down to a 16 … after that I will have to go shopping and buy some NEW clothes for myself! I am enjoying the "new" me and am anxious to see what happens over the next few months. I am still only weighing in on the 26th of every month unless of course I get a little discouraged! Jason now says he notices a lot of the loss and especially sees it in my face and neck! That seems to be where everyone can tell it first. I can tell in my rear end THANKFULLY! It is funny how men have figured out how horrible us women are when it comes to truthful answers … they have been trained to say the right thing to keep themselves out of trouble that I just have to laugh. You see my parents made a surprise visit to see us about 3 weeks ago … neither has seen me since before the surgery so they weren’t sure what to expect. My mom of course said I looked great and she could notice the weight loss in my face and neck. Now when it came to asking my dad how I looked his response was cute … "Um, I notice it all over!" Now if that isn’t one of the safest statements I ever heard I don’t know what is! It made me laugh … Now Jason must have taken the same class as my dad when it comes to answering these type of questions … I was in the car the other day and I asked my husband this question … "Do you think my butt is smaller?" He didn’t even look at me it was so funny … his answer was a safe … "do you think it’s smaller? Because I can tell". I wonder what the name of that class that all husbands take is called! Well I know that it is now almost at my 3 month post-op date but I will go ahead and post this entry because I know some of you are still following me! Well I will see some of you in just 3 ½ weeks when we fly home for Thanksgiving! Hope you all had a GREAT time at Harriet’s Halloween Party and I look forward to seeing pictures of everyone … well ALMOST everyone! A mental visual of my brother in law Scott in a diaper is just wrong! HAHAHA! As always thank you to so many of you for standing by me and supporting me … I LOVE YOU ALL! And to Jason … you are my Knight! I will update again soon! I PROMISE!