I thought I'd psych msyelf up by posting some pictures.

Here I was in 2000:

Then, I lost 30 lbs and looked like this in April of 2002:

Then I lost 100 lbs (diet and excercise) and looked like this by August 2002:

Here's what I looked liked before I lost the weight with my shirt off:

Here's what I look like now with my shirt off:

I still can't believe that I did all the work, lost the weight, then let it all come back. I really thought I could be one of the 3-5% of people who can actually keep weight off with just a "diet". But, it doesn't matter, cause here's what I *know* I can look like, because I *did* look like this 2 years ago!!:

So, there are some before and after pictures, as well as one last final never-gonna-happen-again before picture.

3 1/2 weeks can't come soon enough, dangit!!!

Jonathan

(Will be banded Jan 31st, 2005)

Jonathan,

We've all been done that road too many times to count but this time, you've got a grat tool and a great support group!

P.S. You ARE a cutie!!!

yea. How old ARE you anyway, Johnathon?? wink, wink..

Look out, Leatha's on the loose!

Oh Dear... Jonathan... it looks like you've got all of the single gals a waggin their tails! I think most of us have been there... done that... and we are all hoping that the band will be the end of that rollar coaster! Good luck!

Darcy

Haha! You guys are *great* for the heart and soul =)

I'm 31 (32 on Jan 20th), have been married for 12 years to my wife Kelly, and have 2 beauuuutiful kids... Matthew, 10, and Grace, 4.

Thank you EVERYONE for your kind words of support. 3 weeks to go!

Jonathan

(Will be banded Jan 31st, 2005)

Sounds like a lovely family, Jonathan! Can I be your "slightly" older Band Sister?

Sounds like a lovely family, Jonathan! Can I be your "slightly" older Band Sister?

You betcha =)

Here's a couple of my wife, so I can brag on her too.

Here's in 2000

Here's in 2004. She still wants to lose 100 lbs or so, and would really really really love to be banded. I'm hoping I win the fight with my insurance company to pave the way with her. (I'm private paying, but hoping to win on appeal and get reimbursed.) She lost 110 lbs when I lost my 100 lbs, and has put back on only about 30 of it after 2 years. That puts her in the 5% category of successful dieters, I believe. I wish she knew what an accomplishment she's made.

Isn't she gorgeous? =)

Jonathan

Wow, she was beautiful in the before pic too! I know she will be such a wonderful support for you!

Drats!! Yes, she's gorgeous... Story of my life!! lol j/k. It's great that you're both taking control of your lives this early. There is SO much to do out there! Go for it!!

You both seem very happy. I wish you lots of love and happiness. That sounds about right all the good guys are always taken....

Jonathon,

I must agree with the others, you are definitely on the right track to getting it off and KEEPING it off now. Many of us can totally emphasize with you having lost a bunch of weight only to gain it back and more, it's so distressing, disheartening and frustrating! It takes A LOT to get back on track and go through it all again because we feel like failures and it was a lot of work. But THIS TIME with the band, it'll stay off!

I must also agree that you are definitely a great looking guy!! That's so awesome that you have those pictures of when you were really buff..... what a wonderful motivator. I can't remember what I looked like when I was fit, and it's difficult for me to really envision it right now. But you've given me inspiration to dig through all my family photos to see if I can find just one that might inspire me to become the person I used to be!

Jonathan, you and your wife are a good-looking couple at any size. I see that you've already lost four pounds -- congratulations! You're already on your way. January 31 will be here before you know it.