HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Last weekend I started getting myself organized for the big day. I cleaned the house and stocked the kitchen pantry and fridge with the things they say I will need. I’m covered.             I also took some time to go through all those cloths I saved for some reason thinking some day,, I might be able to ware them again. I pulled them out and separated them into piles by size. So I will have clothes to ware and won’t have to purchase any new for a while. (I will probably be dressing 80’s for a while) Anyway as I went through the bins and bins of clothes I had stored I came across my ARMONI suit. I purchased it the last time I lost a significant amount of weight on sale at Macy’s about 15 years ago. The pants have a “32" INCH waist and I only got to ware it two times. Once to a friends wedding and once to a company Christmas party. Then I started to gain weight again and ended up packing it away. For some reason I didn’t remember keeping it. I promise I remember putting it in the goodwill pile a number of years ago thinking I would NEVER be that size again.             At the beginning of this little journey, my only goal was getting approval. (six mo ago that seamed impossible) Now not only am I approved for surgery. I am about to have surgery on MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, now I have finally figured out my next goal. My goal is to fit into that Armoni Suit again… I don’t know how long it will take but I do have an idea of how much work will be involved (even after surgery).. But, I’m ready for it.               With that new goal in mind I was wondering what others used to keep themselves motivated… So what was it?? A better Body? A healthier self? Quality time with family and friends? Please share……………………………………… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

One of my biggest "fart" moments was getting into size 36" pants.  I never thought that one would happen.  Maybe 40-42 if I was lucky.  I went way back into my closet when I started dropping the weight.  Pulled out my old bellbottoms...can you dig it??...Far out!!  I looked silly in them.  Then I tried on my old overalls.  I was looking for that Three Dog Night...Chicago...Saturday Night Fever look.  I ended up looking like a backwoods hillbilly.  Now I would like my clothes to relect the casual CEO type of look...which I am not.  Enjoy the ride...the first few weeks are really boring (slow healing process)...but then it gets real interesting.  Brian

My initial motivators were to fit in a coach airplane seat and not need an extension.  The other was to have enough weight off to be able to do a trip to Vegas without it hurting as much as it had physically back in Feb.  Having those two out of the way, as of this past Thanksgiving, guess the next motivator on the agenda is the getting to be getting back to work.

Happy New Year everyone.  I'm on the last days of my vacation in California.  I am actually ready to get back home.  Eating out and being with my parents is stressful and I have been noticing myself return to some unhealthy (unconscious) eating.  My pouch definately can hold more food and with some food (cheese) I can eat endlessly it seems at a slow snacking pace.  The good news is that I have been excercising and really only had one day (yesterday) when I made poor choices.

So, my goal for the New Year is to continue to make healthy choices with my eating and to continue excercising.  I am motivated by the desire to complete a sprint triatholon and perhaps a regular triatholon at the end of the summer.  I want to fit into size 32 pants (currently at 34).  Most of all, I want to feel healthy.

As my doctor has been stating,, he can give us the tool its our job to make it work. You can do it. You made it this far.

Wow a size 32!! I would love to fit in that. I can currently get on a 36 very snugly. That is a powerful goal.

You might want to consider a few other shorter term goals too. Just a suggestion.

Me I was motivated to be able to tie my shoes. To hold my kids easily on my lap. Buying a new pair of pants once a month was also a lot of fun. I bet you will find lots of land marks for yourself on the way. Hell fitting into a size large underwear was for me a really weird one. You never know what will surprise you.

My goal was really to only get off my meds for diabetes, High blood pressure, gastric reflux and sleep apnea. I am 1/2 way there and about to drop the high blood pressure med med soon. Leaving only the CPAP machine. I already know I do not need it set as high as it is.

Oh I have the underwear thing worked out.. I mean one pair I figure I could sell on email as a sail for a boat. I shoe ting thing I have already achieved actually. I no longer have to sit down and move my belly out of the way before I do that. Thanks to the six mo with the dietitian and Weigh****chers. Now,, the goal there is not to get so dizzy from holding my breath while doing it.

And good luck to you Monday!! It will be rough for the first week or so. I was constantly wondering WTF did I do to myself. But it does get better.

Follow your Drs orders. I know you want this to work the best it can!