One year surgiversary!!!
I can't believe it's been a year already! Time really does fly when you get your life back.
I struggled with my weight for the longest time. I wasn't the type of person who could lose it but not keep it off. I just couldn't lose it PERIOD. I was stuck at 250lbs for many years... struggling to be comfortable in my own skin. I checked out the band at that time and after an informational meeting I decided that I wasn't "fat enough" for such a drastic step. Well... a year later I was 304lbs and miserable. My energetic and optimistic soul was muffled by the large body I carried around. It was an evil cycle. I was too fat so when I tried to exercise, it would hurt and I'd sprain my ankle. I tried to eat less but was always starving. I knew I had the ambition, the willpower... but I just didn't have a tool to get me past the horrible disadvantage of being really big and having PCOS.
I wish I could express in words what the band has done for me. It has given me a chance at the life that I felt I deserved. It doesn't solve every problem in the world, but it sure is nice to be able to face life's problems without an extra 100lbs on my shoulders.
I cry when I think about where I was. I am not ashamed... but I never want to go back. I truly was miserable. I felt like I was in a horrible neverending fat suit.
Today I am almost in onederland and at a weight that I never thought I'd see again. If I hadn't had the band a year ago, I would likely be creeping up to 400lbs by now.
My accomplishments this year thanks to my band:
--Walked a 5K
--Lost 100lbs
--Made friends for the first time in years
--Finally visited the place I grew up without fearing someone might see me
--Wore heels
--Wore a dress in public
--Wore capris in public
--Cut my hair short without looking horrible
--Skied all around the world
--Started exercising on a daily basis
--Learned to manage the ups and downs of hunger
--Cut out my soda addiction
--Reported on TV (gained confidence to do it!)
--Flew in an airplane comfortably
--Bought a skimpier bathing suit
--Fit comfortably on a rollercoaster
--Tried on clothes at a store without crying afterward
--Learned to forgive myself
There are a lot more, but I can't really think of them right now.
Here is my before and after (I've posted these photos before):
My biggest supporter ever (my mother):
I love OH and my OH family. I have made so many friends from every forum I frequent. It's been an absolutely blast to actually be social again and come out of my shell. I also post YouTube videos and a blog... and didn't think much of it until I started getting e-mails from all over the world from people interested in the LapBand. It has been unreal. I didn't know that my story could influence so many others. It warms my heart so much because I remember lurking here and saying, "I can't wait to be like him/her."
For the year to come... I have many other goals. I want to play hockey again, skydive and rollerblade, to name a few. I want to learn to stand up for myself and love and respect myself and my body. That will come with time and counseling perhaps. I want to reach my weight goal, run a 5K and perhaps do a marathon some day. And finally... I want to backpack through Europe again... but not at 304lbs like last year. Here are some photos from that trip:
ME NOW:
Here's to the next year.
I can't wait!
I struggled with my weight for the longest time. I wasn't the type of person who could lose it but not keep it off. I just couldn't lose it PERIOD. I was stuck at 250lbs for many years... struggling to be comfortable in my own skin. I checked out the band at that time and after an informational meeting I decided that I wasn't "fat enough" for such a drastic step. Well... a year later I was 304lbs and miserable. My energetic and optimistic soul was muffled by the large body I carried around. It was an evil cycle. I was too fat so when I tried to exercise, it would hurt and I'd sprain my ankle. I tried to eat less but was always starving. I knew I had the ambition, the willpower... but I just didn't have a tool to get me past the horrible disadvantage of being really big and having PCOS.
I wish I could express in words what the band has done for me. It has given me a chance at the life that I felt I deserved. It doesn't solve every problem in the world, but it sure is nice to be able to face life's problems without an extra 100lbs on my shoulders.
I cry when I think about where I was. I am not ashamed... but I never want to go back. I truly was miserable. I felt like I was in a horrible neverending fat suit.
Today I am almost in onederland and at a weight that I never thought I'd see again. If I hadn't had the band a year ago, I would likely be creeping up to 400lbs by now.
My accomplishments this year thanks to my band:
--Walked a 5K
--Lost 100lbs
--Made friends for the first time in years
--Finally visited the place I grew up without fearing someone might see me
--Wore heels
--Wore a dress in public
--Wore capris in public
--Cut my hair short without looking horrible
--Skied all around the world
--Started exercising on a daily basis
--Learned to manage the ups and downs of hunger
--Cut out my soda addiction
--Reported on TV (gained confidence to do it!)
--Flew in an airplane comfortably
--Bought a skimpier bathing suit
--Fit comfortably on a rollercoaster
--Tried on clothes at a store without crying afterward
--Learned to forgive myself
There are a lot more, but I can't really think of them right now.
Here is my before and after (I've posted these photos before):
My biggest supporter ever (my mother):
I love OH and my OH family. I have made so many friends from every forum I frequent. It's been an absolutely blast to actually be social again and come out of my shell. I also post YouTube videos and a blog... and didn't think much of it until I started getting e-mails from all over the world from people interested in the LapBand. It has been unreal. I didn't know that my story could influence so many others. It warms my heart so much because I remember lurking here and saying, "I can't wait to be like him/her."
For the year to come... I have many other goals. I want to play hockey again, skydive and rollerblade, to name a few. I want to learn to stand up for myself and love and respect myself and my body. That will come with time and counseling perhaps. I want to reach my weight goal, run a 5K and perhaps do a marathon some day. And finally... I want to backpack through Europe again... but not at 304lbs like last year. Here are some photos from that trip:
ME NOW:
Here's to the next year.
I can't wait!
Thanks so much Sarah!
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