Many of you know of my journey from very limited mobility, joint pain, and morbid obesity to a nearly normal life. Things are still new for me and I'm continuing to find amazement when I can do or participate in normal activities.

I know alot of you run, do strenuous exercise, etc. I'm not there yet and I may never be. But I know that right now my version of a 5K is when I can step over the tub to get into the shower. When I can move comfortably in the small half bath in the kid's vacation home. When I can climb up onto the picnic table to take a picture with my son on Mother's Day. When I can get in and out of their Suburban. When I can simply walk and keep up in Walmart. When I can shop for clothes and change in and out without sweating like it was 100 degrees in the store.

I'm not being dramatic here people. I'm telling the truth. I've been reborn. I've gotten my life back and I will be grateful for the rest of my life to have this tool I've been given. I can't believe how many years I wasted eating to excess and watching my world shrink as I got heavier and sicker. I try to justify it by saying I'd never appreciate what I have now if I didn't hit bottom first. Maybe...I don't know, all I see is how much time I wasted. Ugh.

OK, on to a more positive thought process. I just wanted to say again that I'll always be grateful for the caring and support I get on this site. You've all been a part of my success and I thank you for that.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Gowalking...... I told my sister, who has never been overweight......some of those same things.

She takes that all for granted because it is her normal way of life....whereas, we are experiencing

this from a whole different perspective. It IS like being "REBORN." To be able to do the things

that most people do everyday without thinking about it, and we marvel over being able to do it.

It must be like that for someone who had a cochlea implant, or corrective eye surgery. Things we

take for granted, like hearing or seeing clearly, and they are experiencing it for the first time in years.

A rebirth for them.......

Happy reBIRTH, Gowalking......... and all my BAND BUDDIES!

It is a NEW Life.....I''m 62 years old, but I feel so much reborn I run around and do things like I was 30.....I feel that good about myself....

Only regret is that I didn't do something like this when I was 30, instead of wasting my time and $$ on every diet gimmick that came along....

Newly banded people need to be assured this does work!

Edited May 13, 201412 yr by B-52

I feel the same gowalking it is a life change , congratulations in your success so happy for you,

"When I can simply walk and keep up in Walmart."

Well, that's no fun? Now I'll have to stop looking for you in all those "People of Walmart" pics

I am thankful that you are feeling the way you are gowalking, you are truly an inspiration. I am not in good spirits right now, I am so sorry forgive me. you have come along long way and reborn is a good choice of words to use where you are in life. God bless

You are amazing Gowalking and as always an awesome inspiration to me and everyone else here. Thank you for sharing