OMG, I was totally shocked and excited today when I tried on clothes that were given to me, size 16 and they fit.....ok, they were tight, but hey, they snapped and zipped, so I was happy. I am at a weight that is only about 8 pounds heavier than I was when I was in the delivery room 18 years ago! This in itself is a major news flash!
My journey has been a great one - at times discouraging with the stalls ( of course, I am a slower loser as well). From what I figured, I have lost about 62% of my excess weight at this point. I am grateful for this, but to be honest, had expected to be in the 80% or higher. I just keep on keepin on and things will go as God will's it to be. I am healthier and happier than I have been in what seems like a lifetime. I have not had to take tylenol or sinus medication in the past year, and my allergies are almost non-existent. My blood pressure is normal, my legs feel better and I have ribs, and collar bones!  and everything!. I am stuck with a massive amount of loose skin around my tummy, and the butt and thighs are bad, but in the grand scheme of things, I will take this over have to special order clothes and not fit into a chair at school during conferences. I will continue to take one day at a time and in the end, I will be so much better because of this journey.

And my life has changed in so many wonderful ways.
My son is going to be a senior in high school this year, I have been at my job now since March...and I am wearing clothing sizes that I wore 25 years ago! This journey has been such a joy...full of unexpected joys.
Buying clothes at discount stores, only to find that by the time I want to wear them, they are already too large. Walking up sand dunes, without stopping every few feet, gasping for breath, and having to pant for a half hour after getting to the top.
Of walking the beaches for hours and seeing a video my husband took, of me from the back...AND i HAVE A NORMAL (or as much as normal) BUTT! That was the WOW moment for me. I have not taken photos of myself from the back...and really did not realize the difference. It is amazing what changes you will all go thru.
My life has been blessed with so much inspiration here at OH, and I can only hope to pass on the knowledge to others that was given to me.

Wednesday, I had my one year appointment with Dr. Foote. I was expecting to hear something along the lines of "you haven't lost enough weight since the last visit" instead I was told that I had doubled my weight loss in the last 3 month span! . I was so excited to hear that. I am about 54 pounds away from the goal I have set for myself (Dr. Foote doesn't set goals for us, just wants us to be happy and healthy). 

In one year, so much has changed. I no longer want to sit by and watch life pass me. I want to participate in it...to treasure each minute. This is hard since my husband is now me last year before surgery. I want to live spontaneously, spur of the moment, and he is planning and planning...I want to run, he wants to walk, this is going to be a tough road ahead. 

He has also told me that I am vain - that I enjoy having my photo taken, and for what reason! I have them taken to remember where I started in this process, so I never go back there again. I am being selfish, I need to be, for me. I hope he can understand that eventually. If not, oh well, it is his problem to deal with.
I am my number one priority, until I can become confident in the choices I make, and the place I am in , it has to be that way.
I am feeling so much better, still not getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night, still stressed with  my son being deployed and in danger, but I am strong, and I am working hard at being a better image of myself and healthier self.