And what a six months it's been!!! I have discovered Heather (me). It's been a wonderful journey that is SO not over. My start weight (when I decided to have surgery) was 229; although I know my weight has been higher in the past. I lost really well over the next 4 months, and slowly over the last 2. My official goal was 140, although I put my ticker to 138 as my BMI would be concitered "normal" (whatever that means). As of tonight, I am 141lbs!!!!!! That is 89 lbs lost to date!!!!! I'm so excited to be here and I am enjoying life so much more. Over this summer I have found it so important to do things for ME. I started hiking up a local Mountain here. Grouse mountain was part of the last winter Olympics here in Vancouver Canada. There is a trail here called the Grouse Grind. It's actually 2.9 km of stairs!!! Start to finish, you climb an elevation of 2800 metres and there is a total of almost 3000 stairs (made of rocks and trees). I have been doing it at least once a week and I am now doing times of a seasoned grinder

My reward for doing so well over the last 6 months was to buy myself a real recumbent trike. It''s a 3 wheeler that sits really low to the ground and will allow me to run my dog with out her tripping me over. I paid a fortune for it, and haven't been able to ride yet, but I can't wait!!

My ultimate goal will be achieved in 6 months. I have signed up for the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon!!!! It's been a goal of mine since I was a kid. Now my dream will come true in the land where dreams come true!!!!

For anyone on the fence, I look to Nike - JUST DO IT!!! It truly is the best thing I could've done for myself and my family. I have 2 little ones (3 and 5) and I want to be around to see them have their own little ones and so on........

Enjoy the pics- I hope they work

The before- giving my little guy an airplane ride

With my daughter on the roller coaster last year

About 3-4 months out

At the beach with my weimaraner - Keala

On the same roller coaster at about 5 months out with my son

My daughter and I on the swings ride this year - I couldn't get on them last year!!!

Me at the top of Grouse grind for the first time (I'm showing there is still snow at the top in JUNE!!!)

Me at about 5 1/2 months out

a view from the tram on the way down. See that bald spot close to the middle right of the pic? my car is there and that's how far/high I climb every week!!!

A goofy pic of me while on the grind

Me and my baby girl - who thinks she's not my baby anymore

That is just AMAZING! You look like a new woman and look how active you have been. Congrats and get the beautiful dog running!

Thanks for sharing your story and your pics. You look great and I can see the joy in your face. I'm so glad you are healthier now while your kids are young and you will be able to do more with them.

Lynda

Heather ~ that is awesome! Congratulations on all of your monumental achievements. You look wonderful, but more importantley you look very happy!

You have done great and you look amazing!

I can't wait to get where you are! It is so wonderful to be able to do things with the kids. I don't know who gets more joy out of it...the mommas or the babies!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Fern, I loved your post! You look fantastic! Congratulations on all your hard work and progress! Enjoy all the hard earned success!!!

Heather!

You look amazing and have come SO far in such a short time. I am a week behind you surgery wise and I feel much the same. We've talked before about both of us training for a half and I often wonder how you're doing. So glad to hear that the answer is AWESOME.

Amanda

You look awesome.

Thanks everyone! I love this site simply because I know you guys know how I feel!!! It hard to explain to someone who has never been through the "process".

Hdubsleevery- I don't know who's having more fun either but we all love how much mommy can play now!!!!

Amanda!! I'm doing really well thanks. I've often thought of you too!! I haven't done alot of running lately because my foot was giving me some issues ( needless to say I chucked my rally shoes and bought better ones). So I've done lots of hiking and biking to work my stamina up ( where I think I need the most work). How's your training going? Feel free to message me anytime. We can plot our success ; )

Simply fantastic, you look great and happy!!

Great job! Your smiles say it all!