LOL Suz! The love of exercise is a fairly new thing. I never thought I would be there either but I actually got hooked on the way I felt AFTER exercise first and then just realized I had to do the exercise to get the feeling. Then it sort of snowballed in a good way from there. I started moving more and it felt good. I am a total creature of comfort! I have gotten to where everything feels better because I exercise, so I love that. Don't think for a second that I have gone to the dark side and enjoy sweating for the sake of sweating. LOL Hugs, Katy

Congrats on your first year and losing 157 pounds!! That is an awesome amount!! I agree with nearly every point that you say you have learned in this last year....but loving exercise? Sorry...I still haven't learned to like that ! Have a great second year, Katy! ~Suz

Lori: Thanks you so much for caring enough to share your personal story with us. I will be in prayer with you and yours about your treatment and healing! We serve an awesome God who is able to do much more than we can ever imagine. ((HUGS))

Hi My Friends! What a year it has been. Today is my surgiversary! I tear up as I think about where my life was headed just over a year and a few months ago. God is so good! I am so thankful for this surgery and the life it has provided me with. I am down 157 pounds from my start of this process. I am down from 367 to 210. The doc still wants me to lose down to 175 so that means that I still have 35 pounds to go but that is okay. Every week and month has brought huge celebrations and victories. When I have not lost weight, it has been in some other form of victory: good health, a clear mind, feeling good when I breathe and move, exercising without my legs rubbing together, buying cute clothes, not fidgeting with my clothes, feeling like smiling all the time and doing it, feeling proud of myself and enjoying life for the first time that I ever remember. I have learned that I existed in a food daze before. I have learned that good health feels great. I have learned that I can do all sorts of things that I didn't think I could. I have learned that I can cope with stress in other ways besides eating. I have learned that I like to exercise. I have learned that I enjoy moving. I have learned who I am and who I can be and I enjoy the person I am. I have learned that life is a treasure. And I appreciate the treasure that my friends here have become. Thank you all for your encouragement through the year and for the shoulders to cry on when I needed it. Here is to a great year to come! Hugs, Katy

I so agree! It's been a loooongg time since I felt what healthy really was...at least since the late 80's ! Once I started putting on weight I was always the active, healthy chunky girl....what denial I was in. Then...I stopped being active and healthy and just kept the chunky part. I am so glad that chunky finally left and healthy and active came home to stay!