i just turned 30 last July & i swore that after having 4 kids (my 1st at age 18) that I would get my "body back" & be hot in my 30's.. but this July I turn 31 & I'm not really feeling so hot. I had my surgery on Nov 3rd. I have lost 27 lbs so far & I am learning a LOT about the band. Everyday I learn something new it seems... I am so thankful for all the friends that I have who have gone before me & can offer advice, but there are some things you def have to learn & work thru yourself.. I heard on biggest loser tonight that you have to change in this order 1. How you think 2. How you eat 3. How you exercise. That is so true! I've really had to look at myself and ask the questions like "why do I want to eat even though I am full?" "why do I purposely sabatoge myself?" "why am I so scared of the unknown?".. I know that I want so bad to feel better about myself & to be happy, healthy, and hot! but I realize that it's gonna be scary & I am confortable with how I am because it's been all I know.. which sounds so crazy at times.. like yeah right, i DO not want to look like this forever! but it is hard.. and I am trying to be very aware.. aware of what I am feeling and why & learning how to change it. I DO want a new me, i DO want to be hot in my 30's & i WILL do it! I know I can.. and although I am scared of the unknown, I know I will be so proud & happy when I get there. So.. wish me luck!

Best of Luck to you...I watch this youtube.com video for motivation and to get pumped up!!

Today gentlemen, I am honored to coach you

More honored to be leading you onto the field of battle

But theres another honor to be bestowed upon you

And that is in the answer that comes with that question:

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Thats right, and you need to remember that all through this game

I will conquer what has not been conquered

Defeat will not be in my creed

I will believe what others have doubted

I will always endeavor to pull esteem, honor, and respect out of my team

I have trained my mind and my body will follow

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

I will acknowledge the fact that my opponent does not expect me to win

But I will never surrender

Weakness will not be in my heart

I will look to my comrades and to those who are a part of me in this world and those who have trained me

And I will draw strength from them

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

I will gladly go out into the field of battle

And I will move in everything I can do

And I will reach my field of battle by any means at my disposal

And when I get there, I will arrive violently

I will rip the heart from my enemy, and leave it bleeding on the ground

Because he cannot stop me

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

To my side I have comrades, comrades that have been with me through thick and thin

Who have sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears

Never will I let them fall, never will I let them down, and I will never leave an enemy behind

Because our opponent does not know my heart

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

No one will deny me, no one will define me

And no one will tell me who and what I am and can be

Belief will change my world

It has moved continents, it has moved countries, it has put men on the moon

And it will carry me through this battle

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Defeat, retreat: those are not in my words

I dont understand those definitions

I dont understand when things go wrong

I dont understand mistakes

But I do understand this:

I understand victory,

And I understand never surrendering

No matter how bad things go my heart and my mind will carry my body through limits and weakness

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Today will be that day

Not tomorrow, not next week, but right now, right here

In your house and in your homes

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

History will remember me

I will not let worrying affect my cause

I will define myself

I will write my own pages

And no one will tell me what I cannot be

I will never give up

Not until Ive given everything I got

Because who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION!

Thanks so much!! I'm gonna print that out & keep it up where I can see it @ home & work!