<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>This might sound silly but, I have always counted my weight loss based on my weight from surgery day, 342, not my all time high of 375 lbs. What did you decide to do? I know it doesn't matter as long as it goes, I'm just curious. Thanks<o:p></o:p>

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I used the weight when I weighed at my first lapband appointment, which was about 1 month before my actual surgery. It just so happens that it was my highest weight ever. I used that weight because that's when I actually started my process with the pre-op diet and I was very proud of myself for sticking to it.

I use my highest, because that is where I was when I began this journey!

On my signature line I include my "highest ever" (at least that I know of) of 409 pounds. That was back in 1994. I want to include that number, because it is a reminder of where I have been, how much I have accomplished and where I never want to go again.

In 1994 I lost some weight through Weight watchers and then didn't weigh again for a few years and was then down to about 350. Unfortunately that weight loss was not due to diet, but rather undiagnosed diabetes. I hung out at about 350 for many years, until I got really sick in 2006 and lost a lot of weight due to that illness.

My ticker reflects the weight I was when I really became serious about weight loss (322 pounds) in June of 2007. For me, this date has been a total turn around in my journey and my life. :tongue:

For me it is important to acknowledge, in some way, that I am actually down 174 pounds from my highest, although only 1 or 2 people in my real life has quite that much information :cursing:.