Hi Everyone!

I love this new format!

I tried 2 times already to post this introduction so let's see if 3rd time is a charm.

Were to start?

I was banded on June 22, 2001 by Dr. Raul Rosenthal at the Cleveland Clinic in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I weighed 264lbs the day of surgery at 5'3. Today I weigh 147, a total loss of 117lbs. I lost 95lbs the first year and 22lbs the second year. I am hoping to lose the remaining 10-15lbs this next year. Doesn't that sound amazing? I am actually happy and thrilled that I "only" lose 22lbs in one year...tickles the heck out of me!

When I would diet pre-band, I was in such a hurry to lose all the weight NOW. With the band I knew this was going to be a life style change, not a diet. I was ready!

What a ride it has been! There have been ups and downs...but happy to report there are more ups then downs.

This surgery has changed my life in so many ways! I am living life, instead of just existing!

wednesday,

I see the third time was a charm

Wednesday, very doable!

Glad to see you over here and glad that your post finally went through .

Still in awe of your triatholon self...

Me

Originally posted by CoffeeWench

Still in awe of your triatholon self...

I am still in awe of it all myself!

Wednesday, I am in awe of your weight loss - CONGRATS!!! And you mean to tell me you participated in a triathlon, too?! You are my hero!!!

I'm waiting to be banded on August 27 - I hope that one day I can post here that I weigh 147. Thanks for sharing - you give hope to those of us who are waiting!

Originally posted by wednesday

Hi Everyone!

What a ride it has been! There have been ups and downs...but happy to report there are more ups then downs.

This surgery has changed my life in so many ways! I am living life, instead of just existing!

I am so happy for you! I hope to do as well as you did ..

Thanks, guys!

Yes, I did a sprint triathlon in May and I kicked butt! I did much better then I thought I would! I am now training for an international length triathlon which is a 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and a 6 mile run. It isn't for another year, but I am starting now.

Good luck to both of you on your band journey!

Hi Wednesday,

I just wanted to say Hi!

Any new developments on the upper GI? I can't remember when you said you were going in for it.

Anyway just wanted to say hello and that we are thinking about ya

Wednesday, you are the bomb! Did you ever have any interest in sports before losing all the weight? I can't imagine my getting involved in running no matter how little I weigh, but I did play volleyball right up until my first baby was born and I'd love to get back into that for real.

So how did the running start with you? A new thing, or revisiting an old thing?

Tina~My upper GI is tomorrow, Tuesday. Thanks for the well-wishes. I will post the results for all of you so you won't worry.

Alexandra~I was athletical before I became obese, but I was not a runner...absolutely hated it! Now, I love it! I run about 9-10 miles a week. I am working myself upto a 6 mile run. The only reason why I started running was for the the triathlon and now it has just kinda stuck.

I highly recommend finding exercise and activities that you enjoy, besides just going to the gym. You will be more inclined to stick with an exercise program that has variety. That is just my advice after 2 years of this.

I have never run in my life, except one lap around the reservoir in high school. I almost died.

I have dreams in which I'm running freely, though--so maybe I really do want to. Someday, I'd like to chase my daughters through a meadow and not die doing it.

It's totally doable, Alexandra.

How I started was when I was walking I would throw in small runs, even if it was for a block. I did this for almost 6 months until I could run a half mile without stopping. I think I could have done this sooner, but I really did not push it at all.

It took me another 5 months to work upto 2 miles comfortably. I have now been spending 1 month on my 3 mile with 2 and 1 mile runs thrown in.

So you see, all in all it took me a year and I haven't really pushed myself that hard. I really worked on distance and the more I did it and built up my endurance the better my times got.

I KNOW you can run through that meadow with your daughters someday, I have faith!

Well done on the weight loss Wednesday. I remember when you ran your tri I thought it was so amazing. One of my goals is to run in a marathon (not a good enough swimmer for a tri). You truly are an inspiration.

Gotta say am loving this site so many inspiring people.

Thanks, Wednesday! I'm going to keep my goals more modest than a marathon or triathlon, that's for sure. They are:

1. Learning, again, how to ice skate.

2. Rollerblades!

3. Keeping up with the girls for a whole day, even if it involves roller coasters.

4. Having the remotest possibility of swapping clothes with my daughters, some day. I want to be their size--not the other way around.

These are all doable goals, Alexandra. I found it very inspiring to set mini goals for myself. It was awesome when I actually hit them!

I look forward to watching you conquer your goals!

You have no idea how much inspiration you have given me. The idea of being able to run just boggles my mind! I actually had nightmares that something was chasing me and I was frozen to the spot. I physically cannot do it. Walking is ok if the surface is flat, but any incline, no matter how slight, has me huffing and puffing and going into an asthma attack. To be able to run around with my beautiful grandkids - that is something to strive for!!!

Lulu