Sandy nugged me so here's an update. I'll try to post a picture later...

So, I went to the party, and wore the teal jersey dress.  We had such a nice time, it was fun to see the people we usually only see in sweats and working out, dressed up and having fun. 

I admit, I did get caught eating a chocolate covered strawberry from the incredible edible fruit basket.  That gave a lot of us a great laugh...

But, the incredible part of the evening came when Lorraine (our leader, mentor, owner of Viva) gave her talk. At the end she said she had a presentation for the Member of the Year.  I didn't even know there was going to be a member of the year...and as soon as she started talking about it, I leaned over to my friend and said, 'Please tell me I don't have to kick her down the steps"..to which Lorraine said, "yes Misty, it's you". 

Imagine my shock and surprise to be her very first "member of the year" when I still have well over 100 pounds to lose.  But everyone was so kind and congratulated me.  Now, I've been told I have to choose the person for next year. Scary..
I am so lucky to have met her and have her on my 'team' to get me to goal. 

So, my mentor is having a big party tonight.  She was my WW leader and she opened her own studio where she does exercise and group meetings.  She's a big reason for my success and I adore her. She's become one of my best friends this year.

So, tonight's her launch party and I have a few dresses to decide on -- none are really what I wanted but that'll be next year.  I should be happy that I have a CHOICE and not this is the only one that would fit me, right?

Everyone is having fun getting gussied up -- and we've kinda made it the event of the season..and now she's freaked out!  :) 

She has about 65 people coming, including my surgeon and bariatric coordinator.  She's speaking at our meeting support group meeting on Monday and I've been encouraging my surgeon to recommend her to patients. She 'gets it' and really cares about helping people...she's been working so hard to learn everything about bariatric surgeries and how to help us -- she's a doll.

So tonight I'll be dressed up and in heels (if I don't kill myself).  Should be interesting..

So, I've been in a bit of a stall, but with 195 pounds gone I really can't be upset.  I feel so normal -- even though I still have quite a way to go.  I feel like 'everyone' else at this point...I need to lose weight but I am almost at 250 and that's normal really. I'm in a size 18 shirts, 22 pants...nowhere near the largest size anymore.  SOOOO amazing.

I'm doing kickboxing classes, and just started to get serious about doing the C25K.  Last May I did a 5 mile walk for the AHA -- I am hoping that this year I will be able to run it -- or at least cut the time in half. It took me four hours last year. I'd love to do it in under 2 hrs this year!

Life is so different now...it still amazes me how different my life is now, than last year -- and last year I was so happy.  It's been an amazing ride.

Now, if I can just maintain the momentum for the next few months. Tax season has started so I am now working 3 jobs..one full time and two part time. I am still committed to fitting my exercise in each day and to not falling into fast food eating...but it's going to take a lot of planning and work to do it. 

Yet -- with my HS reunion being April 17th, that should be enough incentive to stay on track. 

I just realized that I may be under 200 pounds by April 15th.  Now keep in mind that I work tax season so every year I try to see how much I can lose during tax season.  Last year was the first year I had actually lost, of course that was right after surgery.  So with fall here, Block training and classes have begun and my head has started to get into the block zone, I realized that by the end of tax season, I should be in onederland.

April 17, 2010 is my high school reunion.  I should be 1something for my HS REUNION!!!!!

WOW. 

I always try to get away the end of April for a few days.  Last year I went up to Niagara Falls and I did indoor skydiving.  I'm not sure what I want to do next year.  I do know that I want to do a really great trip next summer.  Europe, Israel, an all inclusive...not sure, but I want to do something really big to celebrate onderland.  Especially since I weighed in at 200 in 8th grade and have been growing ever since.  OMG...by April I could weigh less than when I graduated middle school.  How nuts is that?

I still can't believe it when I see 2something in the mirror.  I can't fanthom 1something. 

While I still see the fat me in the mirror, I keep telling myself to focus on the size of my clothes and everything I can do today that I couldn't do last year. 

When I had this surgery, I just wanted to be where I am now.  To be in a "normal" plus size was fine.  Now, I can see what I once thougth was unattainable.  I can't believe it hasn't even been a year yet. I can't believe that this time last year I was counting down the days to surgery...wondering what life would be like and if I'd be able to do this or if this would be just another diet I'd fail.

I have treats now and then, but so less than ever before.  I have made a committment to exercise and I enjoy it for the most part.  My goal for this year is to ride a "real" bike.  I rented an adult trike over vacation and rode everywhere, but I'd love to be able to ride a real bike.

My surgery has made 2009 a wonderful year, but I can't wait to see what 2010 is going to bring....wow.

Last year I went on vacation and I was dreading it the week before.  Nothing fit, I was huge, and while I was happy to be seeing friends, I was so tired all the time and had so much to do before leaving.

Last year, I could barely help carry my own things in to the condo, let alone help with others.  I just stood there, well sat there panting and sweating and wondering when we would go to dinner.

I barely left the condo. I didn't go to the pool or the beach. I didn't go to the outlets or the boardwalk. I just sat on the balcony and watched everyone having fun.

I was angry and depressed because I had been denied surgery...and didn't have the money to hire a lawyer.

I left the condo that week, full of hope and a check for the lawyer fees that one of my friends basically said "enough of this. here's the money, hire the lawyer and get the surgery".  I went home, hired the lawyer and paid her back in payments for the money my friend lent me.

Now this year, well, 13 months later, we are going on vacation again.  Rather than our usual jaunt to OCMD, we are going to Kiawah Island, SC. We have a three bedroom/three bath villa on a private lagoon, just a quick walk to the beach.

and....

I am down 177 pounds. I am down almost 40 pounds more than the friend that lent me the check to hire the laywer.

We've ordered bikes and I can't wait to ride bikes around the Island

I've sent a bunch of healthy recipes and offered to cook a few nights so we a) eat healthy and b) save money

I'm taking my laptop and two exercise dvds just in case it rains and we can't get out.  For the first time I see the laptop as a way to keep exercising -- and not just to keep in touch.

I can't wait to see Charleston and explore.

I'm not worried about where will I sit in the car and will there be room for me. (although, there goes the "i'm too fat to sit in the back excuse". 

I'm not ashamed to wear my bathing suit.  I had purchased two last year, but never wore either. Now, don't get me wrong, I'll be wearing my tshirt over my suit, but still...i will be going to the beach!

I'm getting new clothes (a friend has a bunch of hand me downs waiting for me).

For the first time in forever I can't wait to see how much I LOSE on vacation rather than how much I GAIN!!

What a difference a year makes.  It exciting to know that NONE of my friends have ever seen me this thin.  Sure. I have a long way to go..but in just over 81 pounds I'll be in wonderland..something I haven't seen since 7th grade. When I had surgery in September I told my surgeon that I'd be happy to be able to say I weight "twosomething".  Now, "onesomething" is on the horizon.  In just 32 pounds I will be closer to "onesomething" than "twosomething.  I never thought I'd ever be able to say that...

I can't wait to see their faces...and leave them all in the dust and tire them out for a change!!