I know it has been forever...

But I wanted to drop in and say hi. Life has just been a whirlwind, but it has been ALL good.  For those starting the journey, this board is the BEST place to come and I cannot stress enough how important it is to attend support groups, surround yourself with positive people, and take tons of pictures of your journey  and most importantly, follow the rules given to you by the weight loss team.   All of these things have been a godsend for me.

Just to upate about my progression and where I am now...

These past few weekends I have been running back and forth to my niece's dance recital, walking to the bus stops, back from the bus stops, going out to dinner and comfortably sliding into the small booth and having room for both my hubby and niece to sit with me and it caused me to reflect once again on how far I have come.

I am now just a little over 16 months out of surgery. I have not had a carbonated beverage since November 27, 2011 (and I do not miss it one little bit), I have stuck to the sugar intake levels, I do not drink with my meals, and I make sure I exercise at least 4 days a week. I try for but always get in at least 4. We also added a new addition to our family, our little shih-tzu/bichon cross named Sierra. She helps get the whole family out walking. She was an early birthday present to my son, who is now also starting this journey. I cannot wait for him to experience the joys I have this past 16 months.

I weighed myself last Wednesday before going to my support group meeting. I was beyond excited to discover I had reached  ''twoonieville''. Could not believe it when the scale read 198lbs. Another huge milestone for me. I have now dropped a total of 230 lbs since beginning the journey and am only 23lbs away from the goal the hospital set for me.

I am feeling absolutely physically fantastic and have more energy than I know what to do with. I achieved my winter goal of tobogganing, I attended my first zumba class, luved it and was able to keep up with everyone there. I could not dance as well as everyone there lol, but I was moving. This summer I plan on achieving my summer goal of bicycling. I am still not able to jog (mainly because I have had children and I need depends if jogging lol) , but I can walk faster than ever before and I am luving the treadmill, eliptical machine, and the rowing machine.

I am so looking forward to being able to tour the streets of Calgary and BC this summer and climbing the 100 step walk to the top of the look out at Bon Echo Provincial Park with my nieces and sis in law.

Onward and downward I go and I wish all of the others out there on this journey, the joys and success I have come to know. I have attached a picture of my most recent progression pic. I hope you can see it.

Take care all.

WOW,  you are such an inspiration!!! thanks for posting!!!

Great job April.  You look amazing and sounds like you are really enjoying yourself which is most important. You are definitly rocking your new tool.

Remarkable progress!   Thanks for posting your inspirational story!  Keep up the great work!

Very inspirational! I think I needed to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am 3 days postoperative. Any advise for us newbies. 

Joanne

Happy belated birthday I am the same age, or close and you look wonderful and young, have you begun to think of your next Halloween costum, last year I was the fork in the road white lines sewn down the front of my black dress with a fork sown on.  Any way glad you are enjoying the new you

You are doing so great. I tried zumba and loved it. Congrats on your great success

Thank you SO much for your post. I worry a lot about whether or not I'll be able to lose 200lbs - and you've lost more than that already! Amazing. :) Congratulations, and congratulations on your new pup as well! :)

Congratulations April!  We are all so proud of you!

Sandy P