redheather

Well, it has finally happened...I have less than 100 pounds to lose until I am at my doc's "ideal" weight goal for me!!! I am completely ecstatic!! It will be 15 weeks on 9/10/8 and so far, I have lost 84 pounds!!! This is, by far, the best decision I have made in my life!!! If anyone out there is sitting on the fence, especially if you have health issues, seriously consider getting this done!! It has saved my life. My diabetes is basically gone, my sleep apnea is gone and I no longer hurt like I was tied to a whipping post at the end of every day. I will not mislead anyone...it takes more than "work", it takes a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MINDSET!!! You have to let your past life go...forget your diet history, your bad habits and previous failures!! Focus on your new life...one filled with health and fun. Don't think of being on a diet ever again--but make wise food choices. In all honesty, food holds no joy for me anymore...and I love it. My biggest fear was giving up this comfort blanket that I had so desperately clung to all of my life. But after several physically uncomfortable meals, I have let it go!!! So, everybody out there--good luck!! I mean it sincerely...stay focused and remember that you have life waiting for you out there!!!

Well, it has finally happened...I have less than 100 pounds to lose until I am at my doc's "ideal" weight goal for me!!! I am completely ecstatic!! It will be 15 weeks on 9/10/8 and so far, I have lost 84 pounds!!! This is, by far, the best decision I have made in my life!!! If anyone out there is sitting on the fence, especially if you have health issues, seriously consider getting this done!! It has saved my life. My diabetes is basically gone, my sleep apnea is gone and I no longer hurt like I was tied to a whipping post at the end of every day. I will not mislead anyone...it takes more than "work", it takes a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MINDSET!!! You have to let your past life go...forget your diet history, your bad habits and previous failures!! Focus on your new life...one filled with health and fun. Don't think of being on a diet ever again--but make wise food choices. In all honesty, food holds no joy for me anymore...and I love it. My biggest fear was giving up this comfort blanket that I had so desperately clung to all of my life. But after several physically uncomfortable meals, I have let it go!!! So, everybody out there--good luck!! I mean it sincerely...stay focused and remember that you have life waiting for you out there!!!

Well, it has finally happened...I have less than 100 pounds to lose until I am at my doc's "ideal" weight goal for me!!! I am completely ecstatic!! It will be 15 weeks on 9/10/8 and so far, I have lost 84 pounds!!! This is, by far, the best decision I have made in my life!!! If anyone out there is sitting on the fence, especially if you have health issues, seriously consider getting this done!! It has saved my life. My diabetes is basically gone, my sleep apnea is gone and I no longer hurt like I was tied to a whipping post at the end of every day. I will not mislead anyone...it takes more than "work", it takes a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MINDSET!!! You have to let your past life go...forget your diet history, your bad habits and previous failures!! Focus on your new life...one filled with health and fun. Don't think of being on a diet ever again--but make wise food choices. In all honesty, food holds no joy for me anymore...and I love it. My biggest fear was giving up this comfort blanket that I had so desperately clung to all of my life. But after several physically uncomfortable meals, I have let it go!!! So, everybody out there--good luck!! I mean it sincerely...stay focused and remember that you have life waiting for you out there!!!

Well, it has finally happened...I have less than 100 pounds to lose until I am at my doc's "ideal" weight goal for me!!! I am completely ecstatic!! It will be 15 weeks on 9/10/8 and so far, I have lost 84 pounds!!! This is, by far, the best decision I have made in my life!!! If anyone out there is sitting on the fence, especially if you have health issues, seriously consider getting this done!! It has saved my life. My diabetes is basically gone, my sleep apnea is gone and I no longer hurt like I was tied to a whipping post at the end of every day. I will not mislead anyone...it takes more than "work", it takes a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MINDSET!!! You have to let your past life go...forget your diet history, your bad habits and previous failures!! Focus on your new life...one filled with health and fun. Don't think of being on a diet ever again--but make wise food choices. In all honesty, food holds no joy for me anymore...and I love it. My biggest fear was giving up this comfort blanket that I had so desperately clung to all of my life. But after several physically uncomfortable meals, I have let it go!!! So, everybody out there--good luck!! I mean it sincerely...stay focused and remember that you have life waiting for you out there!!!

:thumbup:Thank you guys SOOO much for all of the encouragement!! You guys ROCK!!!

I was banded seven weeks ago tomorrow and could not be happier!! Every day I just think about Lucy (yes, we named my band--and call the port "Port Lucy"), smile and say a prayer of thanks. My life is finally becoming what I want it to. My issues of anxiety are not in the band, eating, etc...mine are in the other things in life. What I am referring to are things like shopping for clothes (oh wow---this was murder!! I had to take a Xanax and still ran to the bathroom in the mall to cry for 20 minutes before I went into Lane Bryant), going to parties, work, clubs, etc. I hate when people I see look at me!! I feel so nervous when they look at me (and I am looking FABULOUS). I am terrified of smaller clothes...I went in, grabbed the largest pair of jeans and ran to the counter. My friend came in and asked how they looked and the counter girl said that I didn't try them on. I was angry!! He made me try them on...they fell off. So, I had to try on another size (which is too big, but the next smaller one was a bit small). It made me a wreck. THIS IS NOT ME!!! I have never had any fear of being in the public eye!! I go to nude beaches, have alays dressed fairly provocatively, gone out dancing, etc. What is wrong with me?? If anyone has any sugestions on how to get over this silly mindset I have seem to have fallen into, please let me know!!

Forty-four pounds down!!! Five weeks tomorrow!! That is quite a bit to say...but the real amazing facts are that I am now noticing a lot of changes in my body. Let me tell you about my recent discoveries!! I can feel the contour of my bones in my arms and legs now. I can wrap my fingers around my wrists. I have collarbones. And, my favorite...I can cross my legs!!! Unfortunately, I am going through a bit of body dysmorphic disorder. I have gotten a bit agorophobic (fear of being around people--in short). I also have gotten a bit cynnical of people commenting on my weight loss. I know that they are genuinely happy for me, but after hearing "how great" I look, I think "what was wrong with me before?" I am dreading clothes shopping (which is imminent). I am so scared of gaining my lost weight back, that I do not want to get a smaller size. I think I will just go, buy the largest size without trying it on, and bring it home. Pretty self-defeating, huh? I know that these are just temporary feelings and that I will get past them...until then, keep your fingers crossed for me. I am still amazingly happy and know that this is the best decision I have ever made in my life, but I really do have to rely on my support structure to iron out the wrinkles.

Forty-four pounds down!!! Five weeks tomorrow!! That is quite a bit to say...but the real amazing facts are that I am now noticing a lot of changes in my body. Let me tell you about my recent discoveries!! I can feel the contour of my bones in my arms and legs now. I can wrap my fingers around my wrists. I have collarbones. And, my favorite...I can cross my legs!!! Unfortunately, I am going through a bit of body dysmorphic disorder. I have gotten a bit agorophobic (fear of being around people--in short). I also have gotten a bit cynnical of people commenting on my weight loss. I know that they are genuinely happy for me, but after hearing "how great" I look, I think "what was wrong with me before?" I am dreading clothes shopping (which is imminent). I am so scared of gaining my lost weight back, that I do not want to get a smaller size. I think I will just go, buy the largest size without trying it on, and bring it home. Pretty self-defeating, huh? I know that these are just temporary feelings and that I will get past them...until then, keep your fingers crossed for me. I am still amazingly happy and know that this is the best decision I have ever made in my life, but I really do have to rely on my support structure to iron out the wrinkles. :wink:

Forty-four pounds down!!! Five weeks tomorrow!! That is quite a bit to say...but the real amazing facts are that I am now noticing a lot of changes in my body. Let me tell you about my recent discoveries!! I can feel the contour of my bones in my arms and legs now. I can wrap my fingers around my wrists. I have collarbones. And, my favorite...I can cross my legs!!! Unfortunately, I am going through a bit of body dysmorphic disorder. I have gotten a bit agorophobic (fear of being around people--in short). I also have gotten a bit cynnical of people commenting on my weight loss. I know that they are genuinely happy for me, but after hearing "how great" I look, I think "what was wrong with me before?" I am dreading clothes shopping (which is imminent). I am so scared of gaining my lost weight back, that I do not want to get a smaller size. I think I will just go, buy the largest size without trying it on, and bring it home. Pretty self-defeating, huh? I know that these are just temporary feelings and that I will get past them...until then, keep your fingers crossed for me. I am still amazingly happy and know that this is the best decision I have ever made in my life, but I really do have to rely on my support structure to iron out the wrinkles.

Forty-four pounds down!!! Five weeks tomorrow!! That is quite a bit to say...but the real amazing facts are that I am now noticing a lot of changes in my body. Let me tell you about my recent discoveries!! I can feel the contour of my bones in my arms and legs now. I can wrap my fingers around my wrists. I have collarbones. And, my favorite...I can cross my legs!!! Unfortunately, I am going through a bit of body dysmorphic disorder. I have gotten a bit agorophobic (fear of being around people--in short). I also have gotten a bit cynnical of people commenting on my weight loss. I know that they are genuinely happy for me, but after hearing "how great" I look, I think "what was wrong with me before?" I am dreading clothes shopping (which is imminent). I am so scared of gaining my lost weight back, that I do not want to get a smaller size. I think I will just go, buy the largest size without trying it on, and bring it home. Pretty self-defeating, huh? I know that these are just temporary feelings and that I will get past them...until then, keep your fingers crossed for me. I am still amazingly happy and know that this is the best decision I have ever made in my life, but I really do have to rely on my support structure to iron out the wrinkles. :wink:

Well guys, I did it!!! I made my first goal today--to be under 300lbs. I weighed in at 298lbs...I did it!!! I am so thrilled!! I feel like I am a new woman today!!! So, what did I do? I gave myself a treat --unsweet tea from McDonald's. It seems insignifigant, but to me it is the greatest treat and the greatest accomplishment in my life at this moment. Please don't get discouraged out there--I know I have just started my new life, but I know that if you look at the path you are on instead of the destination ahead...you get to enjoy the flowers that line it!!! Set little goals along the way to the big one!!! Good luck!! Love yourselves!!! :thumbup: