A New New Dawn

Di, what a beautiful tribute to your mother and I always appreciate you keeping it real. I haven't been on here much these days and didn't see your post earlier. You are an inspiration and a great friend. I appreciate that you are encouraging and not afraid to keep it real. This journey isn't easy but you are proof that through trials and tribulations, successes and failures, it can be done!!! The picture is lovely and I am so happy you and your family were able to truly celebrate the holiday. <3

LOL, I opened this thinking you were another person unhappy with the new site.

You have done amazing. Thank you for sharing your story and your encouragement.

Thanks for sharing your story. Your time on this Earth wasn't up and you are here for a reason so make it the best it can be. You deserve to be happy and to feel better. How long have you been banded? Best wishes to you!

Thankfully, you have someone to help you with the aftercare. You will do great. Just heed your surgeon's orders and it should all go well. I was amazed how well I felt after surgery. The only real discomfort I had was getting up and down from a chair from the incision. But the rest was easy peasy for me! Please let us know how it went. Very excited for you!

I miss that at times too. I have been out with family as they are "chowing down" and I kind of missed being able to enjoy a hearty/hefty meal. My smaller belly doesn't miss it though.

I "love" reading your story and what an inspiration. I appreciate that you share the trials and triumphs and know that it may take longer for others but it can be done. You look amazing and your energy is incredible. Thank you for sharing and keeping it real.

That is awesome aj!!! So happy for you. Wish I lived closer so I could enjoy the fruits of your labor as well.

Thanks and I thank you as well for your encouragement!

So true! I cannot believe my "babies" are 18 and 20 already. I missed out on far too much but NO MORE!!

Thanks AJ!!! I loved reading about your weekend as well. Ain't life grand? Thanks for all your encouragement along the way.

You should go! Rock that new body (go on a weekday though as the lines are soooo long) but you can enjoy the waterpark and the amusement park. Thanks for the kind words and thanks for all your inspiration in this journey!

Thanks everyone! It was a great day indeed. It felt soooo good to be a part of the fun, not put on a happy face and be hurting or sad inside, and have the endurance to walk the park all day.

Though I often read the blogs, I rarely write my own..... Well, this time is different!!!! This weekend my fiance and I went to Six Flags Great America with my daughter and 2 of his kids. He hadn't been to an amusement park in over 20 years. For me, it hasn't been that long since I have been there (it's only 45 minutes away). I have been there and to several other amusement parks through road trips with the kids and family as well. I always wanted my kids to have fun, even though I had to wait while they went on the rides as I was too big to ride. My kids always had a great time but I felt an emptiness that I could only stand on the sidelines and not have fun WITH them. In addition, my sister ended up meeting us up there yesterday with her boys and husband. My b.i.l. is quite overweight and unable to go on the rides. Of course, he and my sister gave other reasons, but having been there... I got it. It was sad knowing that was ME for so many years. Well, a year after being banded and down 80lbs. I WENT ON THE FREAKING RIDES AND I FIT!!! The best part of the day was going on XFlight w/ my daughter, for the first time, and her looking over at me, doing a fist pump and saying she was proud of me and asking if I was excited. HECK YAH I was. I even rode the go karts and bumper cars w/ my fiance's son and have always avoided those as well as the seatbelt wouldn't fit! I am still a ways from goal, but this was a great reminder of what I have been missing out on in life and how much more this is than just losing weight. We walked the park for 12 hours (yes, from open - to close) and though I was exhausted, I DID IT!! YAY, ME!!!

The house is beautiful and it sounds like the pool will be a great source of enjoyment and therapy. I am very happy for you and great job on living w/ the band and being successful. I, agree, that we need to find our own comfortable weight and glad you have found yours.