So, I wasn't going to post anything about my one year anniversary but here I am. Am I glad I did it? YES, YES, YES!

One year and a day ago I was floundering around my exercise routine and every diet I tried. I've only lost 50 lbs so far but then I only have about 30 to get to my goal(which I may change). Lots of exercise has added some extra muscle so I may increase my goal to 150 so I'm really only 25 lbs away.

I've found old clothes that I stopped wearing back in the 90's that now fit very comfortably. Fortunately for us guys, fashion doesn't really change all that much. I've bought some new pants, shirts and a nice jacket. All my friends and associates compliment me on how much better I look. Feels so good My confidence is sky high. My business is soaring. Life is so good now and I can do so much more than I could do before.

I see bandsters posting how they miss chocolate, ribs, fried chicken, steak and ice cream. I don't miss them but then again, I'm not really denying myself these luxuries. I just eat them less often and eat much less when I do. I don't crave any foods now. The only downside I've come across is that many of these comfort foods I once worshipped, don't have the same taste or effect they once had. I eat to live now, not live to eat.

The other downsides such as stuck episodes, sliming, inability to eat certain foods(dry chicken, ick!) pale in comparison to the joy of being thinner and healthier. I'm so much more intimate with my wife than before. She exclaims that had she known how frisky I was going to be, she would have demanded I be banded long ago

For those who are reading this and are just starting or re-entering their journey, it is so worth it. Don't despair over the week or month long plateaus. Don't be discouraged if you've only lost 20 lbs in 6 months. I only lost 20 lbs the first 5 months but I kept on moving forward. Sure, there were days I doubted my decision, but those days are behind me now. Good luck to all and tomorrow I enter year 2 of my journey and I will be here to comment and advise.

Dan(tmf)

Thanks for sharing. I get banded on the 17th of Dec.

Hope I share your joy in a year!

Congrats

That is awesome! Grats.. It is amazing how we change.. inside and out with food. Best of luck on your journey and maintenance

So' date=' I wasn't going to post anything about my one year anniversary but here I am. Am I glad I did it? YES, YES, YES!

One year and a day ago I was floundering around my exercise routine and every diet I tried. I've only lost 50 lbs so far but then I only have about 30 to get to my goal(which I may change). Lots of exercise has added some extra muscle so I may increase my goal to 150 so I'm really only 25 lbs away.

I've found old clothes that I stopped wearing back in the 90's that now fit very comfortably. Fortunately for us guys, fashion doesn't really change all that much. I've bought some new pants, shirts and a nice jacket. All my friends and associates compliment me on how much better I look. Feels so good My confidence is sky high. My business is soaring. Life is so good now and I can do so much more than I could do before.

I see bandsters posting how they miss chocolate, ribs, fried chicken, steak and ice cream. I don't miss them but then again, I'm not really denying myself these luxuries. I just eat them less often and eat much less when I do. I don't crave any foods now. The only downside I've come across is that many of these comfort foods I once worshipped, don't have the same taste or effect they once had. I eat to live now, not live to eat.

The other downsides such as stuck episodes, sliming, inability to eat certain foods(dry chicken, ick!) pale in comparison to the joy of being thinner and healthier. I'm so much more intimate with my wife than before. She exclaims that had she known how frisky I was going to be, she would have demanded I be banded long ago

For those who are reading this and are just starting or re-entering their journey, it is so worth it. Don't despair over the week or month long plateaus. Don't be discouraged if you've only lost 20 lbs in 6 months. I only lost 20 lbs the first 5 months but I kept on moving forward. Sure, there were days I doubted my decision, but those days are behind me now. Good luck to all and tomorrow I enter year 2 of my journey and I will be here to comment and advise.

Dan(tmf)[/quote']

Very insightful! Thank you for sharing and congratulations!

ONLY 50 pounds? Come on, you deserve a big hug for such good weight loss. We all want miracles and instantly want our weight to disappear magically over night. It takes very hard work with or without band.

You've done something to make a new YOU! Keep up your hard work!

Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

tmf

you have been a rock for me since i joined this forum

i am so proud of you and look for you for encouragement/support/advice (even though you went to cabo w/o me) but congrats and well done sir :wub:

Tmf, happy bandiversary! And congrats on your success! You are an inspiration to everyone on this forum. You offer us all live, support and a couple of good jokes! Luv ya!

Great story. Thank you for sharing.

TMF, congrats on your Bandiversary! You have done amazing, and you have been a wonderful support for everyone. Karen

Thanks for sharing, today is 6 months for me and I am down 44 lbs. I agree that the benefits, for me, have surely outweighed the few bad days. Keep up the good work!

First, Congratulations....

I like your attitude, healthy and realistic.....

Many people cannot see the Forrest because of the trees.....this is a lifestyle change, not a diet plan....

I am coming up on 2 years.....the first 6 months was all about getting the band adjusted properly.

The 2nd 6 months was about learning the new rules I need to live by, and making them my new habits, forgetting the old.

The 2 nd year has been all about living the new life. Never felt so free and unburdened.

I have made it a habit if observing normal, thin people, how they eat and behave, and I realized my new lifestyle is no different.

Not obsessed with food or overheating, yet still enjoying the good things in life.

Everything you said I could not agree with more.....look forward to your 2 nd year!

Congratulations and love your attitude too! Every pound lost is a success regardless of whether you loose ten pound or 100 pounds. Well done!