Wow how much as changed in a year . Reluctantly I went to see The doctor about getting a lap band just to shut my PCP up. March 26,2013 I had my appointment determined not to be banded. Call it divine intervention but after my visit I wanted the band. And due to the fact for months prior I had seen doctors regarding my weight loss efforts and health issues I was banded July 1,2013. And how fitting close to my 1 year anniversary of deciding to be banded , the girl who could barely do a sit up won the transformation challenge at the gym. Me !!! I won a fitness challenge. I'm inspiring others at the gym. I have gym friends gym friends!! Not the one buffer friend because I'm afraid to be the fat chick at the gym but people I look forward to working out with on a daily basis and who wanna work out with me!!!! We encourage and motivate each other. Making protein bars and protein bites n replacing yogurt with ice cream wtf !!!! When I started this journey I was a size 22/24 pants and 2x/3x in shirts. Currently a 14/16 in pants n l/xl in shirts. People are calling me skinny -and worried about how much more weight I'm going to lose wtf is going on here lol.. Had about 150lbs to lose probably more if I look at bmi I randomly thought 150 was overwhelming . Well I'm down 90 .. 60 to go in less than a year and thinking Of getting to 125 if it's a heathy choice for my body. I am inspiring people at the gym me the girl who couldn't do a sit up. Now I'm doing explosive sit ups burpees , knee highs , sprints on bikes, spinning weight training mountain climbers and dead lifts etc. I get up 3 days a week at 4am to get my workout in before work. Working out 5-6 days a week n I love it. Drinking a spinach fruit smoothy with protein powder for breakfast. No more bacon egg and cheese on a bagel followed by a muffin n millions of snacks a day . I Make healthy food choices and really think about what I put in my mouth and yes occasionally it's ice cream or cake. But my band make sure I don't over do it n I love that it has my back or stomach if I was to make a poor choice. But I'm truly making choices not eating mindless. I am aware of everything I eat good or bad n rarely impulse eat anymore. I have wardrobe issues not because things are not too tight but are too big. When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror out in a store or gym I double take cause u can't believe its me. Folding these small pants is bizarre they are my pants not anyone else's. I take pictures bimonthly for progress and can't believe where I started From to now. I'm doing a spartan race and mud run in June. My workout clothes take up same amount of space on my laundry basket as my regular clothes. So much has changed. I'm happy really happy with me ! Thought I was happy before but not like I am now. I know this post is all over the place but the thoughts of how I changed are flooding my mind as I write this. Being banded was the best decision. For ME . Next goal onederland

You are inspiring people on this site as well. Congrats and best wishes for continued success!

Love it! Thrilled for you! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and enthusiasm!

This post made my day! Very inspiring. I'm a week post-op and walking on my daughter's NordicTrack. I can't bend into my band yet as it is still tender. But someday I want to do a situp! You look beautiful!

So, 2 very inspiring stories in one week. I'll be bookmarking this one for the many newbies who come here asking if WLS works? Obviously, in spite of ourselves sometimes, it works. Congrats to you.

Isn't it a great feeling , it sure is a good day for us I love the change in our minds , body and our nsv's fro where to now and where we are going and the things we can do , that we could not even do before whether it be small or big , yes I say big lol , I a loving being able to just have energy and not say no when some one says let's go here or there , fro being tired all the time or not being able to just breath, yes I know most of us were out of breath , just trying to move sometimes now we do all that we can do and just try to do a bit more than before , so we will keep on going, and won't worry when o last breath might be, cause we chose to better our selves, by being healthy and making choices on eating and drinking healthy.

Aww...this is a wonderful post. I do hope you can make it to the spring meet and greet. I'm looking forward to giving you a big ole hug!

Thank you so much for this post. It is so inspiring. I too, am highly motivated. I really feel like I'm changing my life for the better and for good. I love going to the gym. I feel great, I feel powerful. No one is complimenting me yet, but I no longer feel like that fat chick trudging along. I'm proud of my workouts. And I'm eating so healthy. I love it. I'm so proud of you and your accomplishments. Ramble on sister!

Wonderful post! So many great items but one I love is the way your band has your back AND your stomach -- that's very funny. And you are amazing, Ms. Fitness! Way to go!

Thank you so much for this post. It is so inspiring. I too, am highly motivated. I really feel like I'm changing my life for the better and for good. I love going to the gym. I feel great, I feel powerful. No one is complimenting me yet, but I no longer feel like that fat chick trudging along. I'm proud of my workouts. And I'm eating so healthy. I love it. I'm so proud of you and your accomplishments. Ramble on sister!

The compliments n beliefs we have in ourselves are way better then the ones other gives us. Now that I believe in myself I can accept compliments better.

Aww...this is a wonderful post. I do hope you can make it to the spring meet and greet. I'm looking forward to giving you a big ole hug!

Me too I hope I can make it you guys are my rock u have inspired me from the beginning you were inspiration

Great job!!! I can relate about the exercise clothes taking up as much room as regular clothes lol. My treat now is always new exercise stuff when I want to splurge just got a cute Under Armour hat.