Well as of today a whole year has passed since I had my surgery last July in New York.  Lots of things have changed physically, emotionally and mentally.  I'm somewhat pleased with my progress so far, but I still have a bit to go to reach my own personal goal.  Before surgery I weighed 292lbs.  I have officially lost 110lbs to date, countless inches and 12 dress sizes.

As I have wrote in previous blogs regarding my progress, I can pretty much eat anything including sugar.  But as of late my symptoms of Dumping have increased, minus the vomiting aspect of things.  I have yet to vomit on anything really, though when I do eat something I shouldn't, it sure feels like I'm going to.  I usually have to lay down and let the nausea pass along with sometimes the shakes and heart palps.  I'm always going to push my limits because there are still so many foods I can't eat that I could before that I do miss eating.  Regardless of what people say, EVERYONE is addicted to food.  There are some days that I regret having surgery for the shear selfish fact that I want to chow down on just one thing that I really want, that I indeed cannot eat.  But soon the feeling passes and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to drop 110lbs in a year.

I tend to stall more than ever now but I know that is my own fault really.  Depression plays a key role in weightloss itself, and after losing my son in November I've never really gotten out of that funk.  I dont know if I ever will.  I find myself 100 times more active and I'm pleased that I can actually RUN up and down a set of stairs without being winded.  I can bend over and put on a simple pair of socks or tie my shoes, or even paint my toe nails without difficulty.  Its still a challenge buying clothes in the normal section of a store rather than shopping in the "Tents and Awnings" section but I can thank my husband for having a good eye and great taste in clothes.  He seems to be a better judge than I am when it comes to finding clothes that look good and enhance my new figure rather than covering it up.

There are days I struggle even still remembering to take my vitamins or eat enough protein.  Water is never a problem and thats probably why I find myself never eating enough during the day.  I still can't drink plain water and after trying so many different kinds of bottled water I have settled for being able to enjoy and drink Wylers instead.

Eventually I know I will lose the remaining 50lbs I have left to lose, which seems like peanuts compared to the number I started at.  Its just finding the will and drive to do it.  Its not always a simple feat but I will indeed give it my all.  So hopefully by the time next July 2010 rolls around, I'll be a happy, healthy 130 or 140lbs.

Cheers to all of my family and friends who have supported me in the last year.  Without them I couldn't have done it and I'm so grateful.