Good afternoon VST!! This Feel Good Friday is in response to the changing of our Calendar in only a few days. But, we will be looking back not only on the past year but more the past 5, which is probably where most of you started your journey's. Taking a look at where you are today, how have you changed since then? Not only the physical sense, but on the inside as well. Now look in your future. What are your goals, and where do you want to be in 5 years?

Past:

5 years ago, I was struggling with my weight. I was just starting to take a hard look at WLS as an option. I had High Blood Pressure, I was over 330 Lbs - up and down 50 Lbs. I was scared for my life, as I was diagnosed with Hypertension just recently. My darling Uncle had just passed not too much sooner than that due to many complications from his hypertension. His kidneys malfunctioned and was forced on dialysis for a few years. He was finally given a transplant, but unfortunately the anti-rejection medication gave him cancerous brain tumors. He passed in weeks. This was an extremely scary thought! I knew I had to do something, or I was looking into my future.

Today, I am on top of the world!!! I went through a lot in that last 5 years, including many more weight losses and weight gains. A failed attempt with the Lap Band. Losing 50 with it and gaining it all back. Never ever being able to connect with it the way I'd hoped. Anyhow, I had my revision to the VSG on 9/15/10. Since then I've been on a weight loss trend better than I could have ever imagined! I created so many goals for myself, stayed positive and kept believing there was hope for me. No matter what there would be a day I'd be at goal. My goal has always been to be happy with me, inside and out. Today, I encompass that feeling. I had the help of plastic surgeries even above my weight loss surgery, though I felt it was completely necessary and it was.

My future goals and how I see myself in 5 years is pretty simple. To continue feeling happy with me inside and out. I plan to work hard to stay at goal, right here. I am also thinking my Husband and I will finally be ready to have our "cubbies" as he so lovingly puts it... haha I am also thinking of buying a new home as well. I am interested in a particular area in North Sacramento that I came across as we were house hunting 2 years ago. I do plan to make it there by then.

I really don't have a lot of future worries. My life has changed so much and for the better that my desires are just to really live for each moment. To GOD be the glory, and I am always thankful for his blessings. HIS lessons good and bad have molded me into the woman I am at this moment, and that's enough.

Have a wonderful and safe Holiday this weekend everyone!! Have a ball!!

That is awesome.

My goal as well has always to be happy with myself inside and out. 2012 will be the year to get there, I am so much closer at the end of 2011 than I have been in any year I remember

May 2012 bring everyone much happiness.

5-years ago I was single,working for a consulting firm, and had purchased my own home. I came back to my town to be close to family and friends. A year later I meet a man who I married. My weight had stabled off around 250 and I was comfortable with myself. I was looking for a new job, trying to get one closer to my home and that came in place about a year later. At this point I had been remodeling my home and was completed with everything but the kitchen, deck, and new roof

At the beinging of this year I was at my HW of 305. I never saw myself there, but knew beacue of clothes. Then I had to have carparl tunnal surgery in April. I couldn't handle the pain my left arm any longer. After that...a second sinus surgery (i've had chrontic sinus infections for 4-years) and my life was miserable. 5-months after the sinus surgery I noticed I wasn't getting sinus infections every 6-weeks....this was a great thing. It was also the time when I friend of mine had here VSG and got me thinking again about stepping of that ledge. During this time, I also lost my best friends because I choose to watch a football game with my dad and not them. (Mind you, I had been with them the 3-weeks before)...oh well.

So, I review my insurance and they finally approved the sleeve. That was it. I was going back for a consult. Here I am 9-days post op and just imaginig the posibilities.

What will 2012 bring...transformation of Michele. I want to focus on changing my career, completing the remodeled kitchen, take my health seriously and become whom I've always known I was. And maybe study French again. :-)

These are great!!! Cheers to the New Year!! May it lead into many more great ones. 2013... 2014... etc.