I'm 40, I weighed 331 pounds. Passing 300 was not a good day. My biggest issue was beer. I liked my afternoon beers.

My father in law is not doing well with his weight, in the hospital a lot for knees and other weight related issues.

I'm not diving, I go snow boarding less. It was easy to blame "getting older" but I was realizing I wasn't the functional fat guy I used to be.

I got surgery on June 18th.

I've lost 56 pounds, 20 of that was pre surgery.

I thought I'd miss the beer and caffeine, but I really miss not being able to chug water. I learned the hard way I can eat a lot more by cutting into small pieces and eating very slow. Yes they told me that; but sometimes you have to learn it on your own.

Constipation is a bit of an issue but not yet dire. I can eat with the family, had some pepperoni and cheese of pepperoni pizza the other day at a family 4th of July party.

I went out to the bar the other night with a coworker, ordered grilled tuna, no beer while he had a fish and chips and a beer. No big deal, brought a lot of food home.

Need to work on exercise, I haven't had much time off of work since I started back . In September I go back on travel and live in a hotel for 3 weeks. That should be interesting.

Our journey is all about small successes and more good days than bad. Aside from your new tummy, your next best tool will be preparation and planning ahead. If you must do fast food and business lunches, plan now for what you can safely order too keep you successful. Sitting at the table with a boss or client is not the time to agonize over a menu. I wish you good luck and good health.

Good job avoiding the beer while your coworker was drinking!