The holidays were great - no problems whatsoever.   I just kept my portion sizes as they should be on the regular meals, and made sure I had my own sugar free dessert close by that I could enjoy.   The best part is, I am soooooooooooo different from last year, and people just couldn't stop talking about the changes in me.    Not just in my appearance, but in my level of happiness.    So true.   This time last year, I was miserable.  This year, I feel like dancing on air.   Thanksgiving 2008 is a time that I am thankful to God for another great thing that has happened to me this year... my RNY.   It  has changed my life.  

Time is flying, wow.   8 months ago today.   This morning the scale was kind and showed  a 110 pounds weight loss so far.  Yay!!!   I am very pleased.   Some days I wish it would come off faster, but that just shows my impatience, I guess.   : )   I have been working most days of the week lately, so I'm learning how to pack my lunches and snacks and work all the vitamins and water in while outside the house, which has been a little tricky at times.  Substitute teaching can be pretty stressful - today was a rough day, so I came home and had some comfort food - 1/2 a banana and 2 tbspns. peanut butter.  That was actually very satisfying.   In the old days, I would have turned to a king size Reeses PB Cup or maybe some donuts or even some cake icing or cookie dough.  Sugar was my comfort.  My addiction.   Not anymore.  I haven't even pushed my limits with sugar, because I am still sooooo afraid to dump.  I haven't dumped yet, and I really don't want to.   The idea makes me cringe!     Thank goodness for this surgery, keeping me on the straight and narrow.  : )

My next mini-goal is to have lost 125 total by Christmas.  That's just another 15 pounds, so maybe it's possible.    Then I would just need to lose another 25 or so to hit goal by one year out.   I don't know, I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up, but at the same time I want to remain positive.   I've been very blessed so far, so I won't complain if it takes me a little longer than a year to reach goal.   Thank you, Lord, for being with me.

Today marks my 6 month surgiversary.   Unreal.   I'm down around 93 pounds, and so thankful.   My good friend Michelle came by today and we were talking about how great it is to just feel "normal" again.   (By the way, she looks great, and is almost at her 1 year anniversary with amazing weight loss - she's been a real inspiration to me!)   All those normal things we can do again, buying normal sized clothing, sitting in chairs without worrying if we will fit, etc.  These things are awesome, and people who have never had a serious weight issue take them for granted.   I have a long way to go until I get to goal, but I believe that I can reach it.  For the first time, I believe in myself.  If I've gotten this far, why not go all the way?   God is good to me, and I couldn't do anything without Him.  I wouldn't even want to try. 

It was great to get up this morning and see 70 pounds down on the scale.   Today is exactly 4 months since I started the 10 day pre-op diet.   It's a good feeling to know that I have gotten rid of 70 pounds that was hurting my body the way they were.  I can't imagine what that strain must have been doing to my heart and lungs.  I have to say, I knew I was tired and in a bad way four months ago, but I don't think I really knew the extent of it - until now - because I feel SOOOOO much better.  I wonder how I kept functioning at that weight.   Truth is, I don't think I could have functioned for much longer.  It was going to kill me.   Now, I have lost 70, which is almost half of what I want to lose for my goal, and it feels like I have a whole new life waiting ahead for me.   A lot still to go, but certainly attainable.  Wow.  Thank you Lord for making this surgery a possibility for me.  It has changed my life forever.