A year ago today I:

• Weighed 295 pounds
• Took BP meds for high BP
• Was borderline diabetic. I was basically there.
• Took cholesterol meds for high cholesterol
• Used a CPAP machine for snoring
• Got tired after running 1 mile
• Had aching joints and knees
• Was generally disgusted with myself and my inability to control the volume of food I ate
• Was worried I'd not see my daughters get married and see my grandkids born
• Was ashamed of myself

Today, 1 year later:

• I weigh 177 pounds
• No BP meds
• No diabetes. Great blood test results. My cardiologist actually said I'd made him the happiest he had been all month after he examined me.
• No cholesterol meds
• No CPAP machine. No snoring.
• Best shape since a young kid. I exercise substantially. Running 5-10 miles daily. I did a 5K in 24:44 which is pretty fast for me.
• No aching joints or knees
• New clothes. New confidence.
• Belief I will be around for a long time to enjoy life and watch my kids Celebrate their important life events.
• Went skydiving, zip line through the jungles, and several other adventures I could have never done before.
• Not ashamed of myself. More of a quiet happiness and pride at what I've become versus what I was.

It has been an amazing year. Never could have wished for anything better when this process started. I wish each of you the best in your journey!

Longhorn

I am so happy for you!!! And so inspired, I could feel your happiness though your words. Congratulations.

WOW!!! What an incredible year!

Congratulations on making all those great goals happen, that is very exciting!

What an amazing and successful year for you!! You give me so much hope and inspire me to run a 5k in less than 25 minutes!! LOL!! I'm a long ways from that - but someday...

Good for you!! Looking forward to hearing more of your successes in the future.

That's amazing, you're doing great. I'm so happy.

That is just wonderful! I am so happy for you, and so inspired by your success. Thank you for sharing!!!

Thanks for posting your results. You've come a long way and deserve to be proud of your accomplishments! What an inspiration you are to all of us just starting out. Have a safe & happy new year!

Wow!! I love seeing someone who's been out a year tell us what life is like on the other side Thank you so much for sharing!

I love too that you have done much of what I want to do when I'm able -- run 5ks, zipline through the jungle, etc.

Thank you, thank you for sharing!!

You've done so amazing well, and I hope when I come to Texas, you'll be able to join us for a little lunch ! ! ! You've rocked your sleeve, and made so many awesome improvements in your life. Truly an inspiration to all ! ! !

It has been an amazing year. Never could have wished for anything better when this process started. I wish each of you the best in your journey!

Longhorn

Thanks for the inspiration! I'll have to step up my workouts so I can run that long. Where do you find the motivation? I mean, I should realize that I don't want to be saggy and flabby but still...it's tough to want to go run!

Chelsea

Im so happy for you! Thats just great. And awesome inspiration for us all.

Longhorn, you have soooooo got your mojo back! What a wonderful life you have now... I am really impressed, not only by your amazing weight loss, but by your sheer enjoyment of life. I too took this journey for a happier, healthier and fitter lifestyle... WELL DONE!!

Share a little ... just between us... how did you get to run 5k? I am knackered after 20mins on the running machine!!! x

Amazing! Congrats to you! Wonderful, wonderful news .

This post just made me so happy! Such great news!!! Congratulations.

AWESOME!!!!! I hope a year from January 11, 2011 I can write the SAME THING!! You are such an INSPIRATION to us that have and haven't been sleeved yet!! WAY TO GO!!!!

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

For those asking about the running. I just started out walking every day and increased from there. Once I was in decent shape the next step was to ramp it up by running. Then running more and more. It is enjoyable and allows me to worry less about the types of food I do eat. I really don't worry about the food types. I eat what I want. Of course the sleeve keeps me reigned in still.

As for motivation. I try to workout every day. I probably average 6 days a week. The days I feel tired and least want to work out are the days I force myself to do it. Most other days are not that hard. So far its all been worth it. I also consider it making time for myself.

Just start working out. Slowly and then build up from there. You don't need a fancy gym or big class of people. You just need a treadmill or a street to walk/run on. The more you progress the easier it gets both as a habit and the actual effort involved.

Anyways, that is what I've found. You can do it!!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

Longhorn