2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY(embarrassingly ass long it turns out)

Being in the trenches with people like you helped tremendously.  Damn but this is not for the fainthearted.  What surprises me still is that we ever think we have the formula because it shifts all the time.  When I think of where we were at 6 months, one year even eighteen months, they all seemed like other lives in VSG.  A year from now it will have changed to.  Here's to the ebb and flow and the life jackets we've modeled from our blood sweat and tears..

I loved your post!

Thank you.  Loved yours too.

You've kept me going when I was on the edge, looking down. You've made me laugh when I wanted to eat my own ******g hand--or an entire cake. You've made those wet things drip out of my eyes a few times, too. I can honestly say that the ONLY ******g reason why I keep trudging along is because I want to feel what you feel from making it to goal--even if making it to goal will make me feel like a hooker that missed the climax at this point.

Just in case no one has told you today, you are a wonderful person.

I love you so, so much. Happy Surgiversary, edelu.

Ah my friend through the fire, my friend through the war, my friend through the very very crazy, yep my VSG friend. 

Damn, it's been a time.  You've given me a place to sort it out and to rant and when i'd read posts that were headed "I'm a slow loser, I've only lost 50lbs since Saturday" you gave me a pillow and a virtual Valium.  And for a long stretch of time you were the only reason i kept coming back to this board because you were the only one who was walking the same road as me. 

I'm still walking that road.  I know you think because of the goal it's different, it's not. 

I'm still trying to get to firm ground with what I can and can't do.  I still have to remind myself that I haven't had enough protein for the last week, something i never had to do in the losing phase.  I still feel lax and as if I haven't learned anything or at least the skills i need without doing  a checklist.  The only two things I feel are etched in stone and do not worry about is Vitamins and water.  The rest is one day "I got this" and the next I forget to eat for a day. 

So yeah, it's still a day to day thing, just the thing is different.  I mean think about it, here is someone who is afraid to gain 5lbs even though she knows she would look better because maybe she can't stop until 25 or 35 or 45.  Different **** same crazy.  But i know you know.

You are my rock in this incredibly slow and difficult journey.  By the way I have it  on good authority, Hookers don't climax.  Maybe if they get a good tip but other than that...you're chasing a rainbow my friend. 

This board has been a wealth of information, a cocoon at times and a friend, since i didn't share my surgery with anyone in the world, so it has been invaluable to me.  But the very best thing to come out of this board for me is you my friend. 

I love you and I thank you, especially for all the laughter.

Cheers

Edelu,

I've always enjoyed reading your posts and I've always respected your honesty. You are one of the people I always click on to read. You have had one hell of a frustrating yet rewarding journey. I remember your posts about losing slowly. But hell, if you aren't here and living it! You did it!  Did you think 12 months ago you would be okay with gaining a few pounds? I do honestly believe that maybe some people need healthy complex carbs to lose. That is not me or my journey  because carbs make me gain, but I believe you because I followed your journey every step of the way and read your frustrations. I remember you mentioning a balanced diet worked for you in the past. And so you add some healthy carbs and BAM you lose weight. So I do believe that while it is WAY less common, SOME people can lose more weight with healthy carbs. Who knew? You are living proof. Good job!

Twelve months ago I did not post an one year anniversary because I was so angry and frustrated and thought I was never going to get to goal. Go figure.  I guess the guy who coined the phrase "It's not over till it's over" knew a little something.

 Way to go!

Thank you.