A wonderful young man who was well loved in our community died in an accident recently. One of the speakers at his memorial said that one of the last things he said was, "life is for living, not surviving." That really struck me. But I realized while thinking about it that the statement means something different to me today than it would have before I began my quest to recover my health. I still think it means that I should enjoy my pleasures whenever I can, but my definition of pleasure has changed. I seek out non-food pleasures much more than I used to, and really am grateful for them. I love my life even more now, even though I have become very careful when it comes to food.

That's a great Moto!

Now that I have lost all my excess weight, I have developed a new lifestyle....I still enjoy food now as much as ever...along with drink, parties, etc etc....

...I can do all things, just nothing in excess...the WLS, specifically lap band for me, prohibits me and takes away the urge to be a glutton....

I don't need to eat to the point of being stuffed anymore, and frankly I have no desire to...take it or leave it.

I don't worry about calories anymore, Diet is a four letter word I will never have to do again....the diabetes, cholesterol, high BP, etc, etc are all gone!

I have no fear of ever being fat again....

I am enjoying life, and all it has to offer, more now than I have in a long time. (I'm 63 years old) All the result of WLS...something I could not accomplish on my own.

Bottom line....over a 24hr period, I eat less, WAY less, ( a 1/10?) than I used to....what I do eat I try to make the most of nutritionally...and I stay as active as possible, a real health and fitness addict.......a new Lifestyle that feels great!

Over the past few years, I have found this to be true for me, having been on cruises, vacations to foreign countries, business travel, weddings, parties, picnics, holiday family get togethers....I have no fear and enjoy myself at them all!

It's a new way of living.....opposite from the way I was that made me Obese and unhealthy to death's doorstep

There is life after weight loss!!!

And you know what? I am not ashamed that it was EASY! Why should I not want to admit it?? (learning and breaking old habits was the hard part) I don't care what other people may think....When it comes to this, it's all about me.

Ditto. I wouldn't say that this new life style is easy, it requires daily maintenance and planning. It is mostly forgiving, but doesn't tolerate a lot of "bad" food choices before you know you're off track. I'm so very happy with the new, healthier me. I'm only 4 months out and I hope and pray that the choices I'm making now will stay with me for the rest of my life. Lots of walks, gym time with my husband or daughter, logging my food intake are all part of the new me.