I dont loose any weight for about 2 1/2 weeks then all the sudden im down 3 pounds!  go figure!  Sometimes it gets frustrating looking at that goofy scale in the moring and nothing happens.  and then when im just about to give up i loose 3, LOL!

Dear Dad,

Dad, It’s been 11 years since you have passed away.  At the time you left our world I felt relieved and happy that this was the end of your life on this earth.  Not happy that I am loosing a dad, but happy that you will not be suffering through your life as it is.  You have to understand, you were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This disease not only affects you but greatly affects your caretakers.  You were diagnosed with it years before.  I slowly watched the person I knew as “Dad”, the person I looked up to, the person I tried to emulate, become a person I do not know, a person that could not take care of themselves or even know who I am. 

Dad, I want to remember you as the dad I looked up to and revered.

I remember the time you took me fishing that we caught a TON of fish.  I think we caught a ton because it was stocked a lot and you paid for the use of the pond.  But to me I was catching fish with “MY DAD!”, and it meant the world to me to be fishing with dad!

I remember dad showing me how to ride my bike.  It wasn’t easy at first and I probably fell once or twice, but he got me back up and I did it.

I remember dad being there for me when they kicked me off the boys baseball team because I was too fat to make the weight limit for that team.  My dad simply got me in Boy Scouts softball and I had a ton of fun there!

I remember dad grounding me for a week and taking my privileges away when I caused a real small fire on back patio.

I remember dad waiting up til 3 am in the morning when I stayed up late with my friends.  I tried to sneak into the back so he wouldn’t notice, but he was there ready to talk to me.

I remember hugging my dad when I finished college and I could feel that I did something good in his eyes.

Dad, there were so many other things I remember about you, good and bad.  But most of my memories are truly good ones!  I was probably not the best son that you could have had, but I probably wasn’t the worst either.  But I hope that if you were still here on this life you could look at me and say you were proud of me.  Because I know that I am very PROUD to say that YOU are my dad.  You are in a better place now.   I love you DAD!

Love your son John

This summer I plan on keeping very active.  I just bought a real nice mountain bike.  There are about a million different trails around my neighborhood for me to explore.  Wow!  Its soo amazing!  Nine months ago, I was barely able to walk.  With my arthritus in my ankle and the extra weight, I could only walk about 10 minutes and my ankle would start hurting.  Everyone told me I didnt walked, but waddled! LOL!  Now, Im doing 40 minute walks and biking all over! Nine months ago I was hiding from the world.  I would go out with my girlfriend to the movies or dinner.  But I would always make up an excuse to not go to functions where theres alot of people.  I was loosing confidence in myself!  It was affecting everything, my job, my love life, my friends.  My friends were all wondering why I wouldnt want to go out.  They didnt care how much I weighed.  But I did! I felt bad about myself and was getting worse!  
My outlook on life has now changed DRAMATICALLY...Im so much more confident in myself.  At the moment I dont have a girlfriend, but I know that will change soon.  But now Im finding I am more confident talking and seeking out that special person.  This weight loss has opened up many more opportunities to do more and exciting things!  For example, I used to golf, but stopped playing because of my weight.  Well this summer I am planning on starting it back up.  I know I relly suck at it, but at least im out there!  So...anyway...wish me luck because im going to be OUT THERE this summer!!!!