Birthday Gift To Myself

My surgery is set for February 25th which is my 66th birthday. I quit smoking 5 years ago on my birthday and have not had a cigarette since - not even a puff. My mother fell over dead in 2009 at age 79 and in addition to her sudden death being the profoundest loss of my life, it was a wake up call to me. I quit smoking but gained even more weight. I retired one year ago and continued to pack on pounds as retirement life is wonderful but certainly more sedentary. I am scared silly but VERY excited to conquer this last frontier - I am an all or nothing kind of girl and I am confident that I WILL be successful. I have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren and want to enjoy a long, happy life. I am doing this for health and mobility. I will think of my precious mother as I go to surgery. She gave me birth. I am giving myself a chance at rebirth. Keep me in your thoughts.