You can look at my stats and see that I still have a long way to go...I started my journey at 386 pounds and am currently 265. I know that some people START this journey at a weight lower than what I currently am, but I have lost over 120 pounds and I feel so great. I feel like I am living again! I have energy and a will to go out and do things that I never thought I'd do again.

I am a teacher and this past week I had my spring break. I made a vow to do something every day to be active. If I wasn't at the gym, I was out LIVING! I walked around NYC (and I've lived here my whole life, but never really just walked around...) and yesterday I went to the Bronx Zoo and walked for 4 hours straight. I would never have been able to do that a year ago. I wasn't even tired! Everytime I thought about what I was doing I just became so surprised that I was actually doing it because a year ago I would have spent my vacation sitting on my couch and vegetating. This time I actually set out to move and see things and enrich myself and I was able to do it because I wasn't being dragged down by my weight!

I know I have come so far, but I know I still have such a long way to go. But I am so inspired to get there because I can't imagine how great it will feel when I'm below 200 pounds... and it seems like such an attainable goal now! I mean, now that I CAN move, I WILL move, which will make it easier for me to lose weight. I didn't realize what a horribly vicious circle I had chained myself into, but now that I'm outside of it I just couldn't be happier and I never want to go back. I really am proud of myself and my accomplishments and I can't wait to see what lies ahead...

If you're still reading...haha thanks for putting up with my rant!

Elisa

Congratulations, you have a reason to be proud. You have completely turned your life around. With the positive attitude you have, you will achieve your goal. Isn't it amazing how much more we can do when we start moving? Good luck with the rest of your journey.

Congratulations! I love your post!

Good for you to be active on your week off, and wow, yest was a great day for the zoo!

Keep up the great work!

AND YOU SHOULD be proud girl!!! I am even proud of you!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Sounds like you have given yourself a gift beyond weight loss -- you're discovering the joys of your hometown. So, it just happens to be NYC where there's a lot to discover. You might check on an annual membership to the Zoo. I have an annual membership to the Georgia Aquarium. Some of the benefits include an email every month about special events, I can buy discount tickets to take guests with me, and there are some members-only things. They have music stuff on Fridays during the summer, too. If the Zoo has anything similar you could have access to all that for a reasonable price.

Thank you so much for writing this post! I think you are a wonderful inspiration. I also am starting this journey out with a whole lotta weight to lose, and it is a little overwhelming sometimes. I was banded a little over a week ago, and was feeling a little sorry for myself today (so hungry!!!!). I haven't found a scale that will weigh me (I started at 368) so I have to wait until my Dr. appointment next Tuesday to find out how much I have lost so far. Reading about your success makes me really feel like this is all possible. I am committed, and I just have to remember that it is not going to happen overnight.

Be proud! You've earned it. I wish you nothing but successs as you continue to keep movin' and skinny up! (And thanks again for sharing your thoughts with us!)

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are doing fantastic! Keep up the great work! It does feel wonderful to do all those 'normal' things that we couldn't do a year ago, doesn't it? As you continue losing, there will be more and more little things that will amaze you... I know. I've lost 108 pounds so far and want to lose 30 to 60 more. simple things like picking something up off the floor... taking a real bath... flying up the stairs before you have the time to think about using the elevator... my favorite - being able to get in and out of the car when the idiot next to you parks too close! LOL

You can look at my stats and see that I still have a long way to go...I started my journey at 386 pounds and am currently 265. I know that some people START this journey at a weight lower than what I currently am, but I have lost over 120 pounds and I feel so great. I feel like I am living again! I have energy and a will to go out and do things that I never thought I'd do again.

I am a teacher and this past week I had my spring break. I made a vow to do something every day to be active. If I wasn't at the gym, I was out LIVING! I walked around NYC (and I've lived here my whole life, but never really just walked around...) and yesterday I went to the Bronx Zoo and walked for 4 hours straight. I would never have been able to do that a year ago. I wasn't even tired! Everytime I thought about what I was doing I just became so surprised that I was actually doing it because a year ago I would have spent my vacation sitting on my couch and vegetating. This time I actually set out to move and see things and enrich myself and I was able to do it because I wasn't being dragged down by my weight!

I know I have come so far, but I know I still have such a long way to go. But I am so inspired to get there because I can't imagine how great it will feel when I'm below 200 pounds... and it seems like such an attainable goal now! I mean, now that I CAN move, I WILL move, which will make it easier for me to lose weight. I didn't realize what a horribly vicious circle I had chained myself into, but now that I'm outside of it I just couldn't be happier and I never want to go back. I really am proud of myself and my accomplishments and I can't wait to see what lies ahead...

If you're still reading...haha thanks for putting up with my rant!

Elisa

Congrats to you what an awesome job. I feel the same way you do I started at 361 I am now at 254 and feel like a new person I just bought a new bike and plan to go to the gym before work and bike after. My new goal is to get to 200 Its amazing how much more energy and enthusiasm you have to get motivated. The lap Band is the best thing I ever did.

Keep up the good work and if you ever want to chat via email let me know.

Thank you for inspiring me today. I have lost out on a lot of living because of my weight and I now see through this board the life and health people gain. Congrats and keep it up.

Good weekend to you,

Philtrannie in Tucson, AZ

(barb)

Congratulations, you should be proud of yourself! You've accomplished something amazing & are still going strong... I can't wait to hear from you when you reach your goal. Thanks for the inspiration!

You can look at my stats and see that I still have a long way to go...I started my journey at 386 pounds and am currently 265. I know that some people START this journey at a weight lower than what I currently am, but I have lost over 120 pounds and I feel so great. I feel like I am living again! I have energy and a will to go out and do things that I never thought I'd do again.

I am a teacher and this past week I had my spring break. I made a vow to do something every day to be active. If I wasn't at the gym, I was out LIVING! I walked around NYC (and I've lived here my whole life, but never really just walked around...) and yesterday I went to the Bronx Zoo and walked for 4 hours straight. I would never have been able to do that a year ago. I wasn't even tired! Every time I thought about what I was doing I just became so surprised that I was actually doing it because a year ago I would have spent my vacation sitting on my couch and vegetating. This time I actually set out to move and see things and enrich myself and I was able to do it because I wasn't being dragged down by my weight!

I know I have come so far, but I know I still have such a long way to go. But I am so inspired to get there because I can't imagine how great it will feel when I'm below 200 pounds... and it seems like such an attainable goal now! I mean, now that I CAN move, I WILL move, which will make it easier for me to lose weight. I didn't realize what a horribly vicious circle I had chained myself into, but now that I'm outside of it I just couldn't be happier and I never want to go back. I really am proud of myself and my accomplishments and I can't wait to see what lies ahead...

If you're still reading...haha thanks for putting up with my rant!

Elisa

ELISA

CONGRATULATION FOR A GREAT JOB DONE ON LOSING :thumbup:120 LBS WTG !!!

YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE PROUD !!!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND YOU WILL GET TO YOUR GOAL - IT IS ACHIEVABLE

Thank you guys so much! Sometimes it really is overwhelming and I just felt like I'd never get there...but now it's almost like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...and I'm just trying to take baby steps and set small goals...

My next goal is 200 pounds also...it's 65 pounds away but I can get there. I would also like to buy a bike and start using that to get around the neighborhood rather than driving.. Does anyone know anything about bikes?! I haven't ridden one since I was a teenager...and even then it was a problem!! lol. Well until then I will keep kicking my own ass on the elliptical!

Thanks again for all of the support, guys! It really does help :sad:

amceache: I felt the same way..I really did. And it was hard for me to exercise at first, but you have to push yourself and do it. Even if it's a light walk, just get your body used to moving. You WILL be able to build up...now I can do 30 minutes on the elliptical, which is still not much compared to others but when I was at my highest weight, just walking one block winded me...so just push yourself to your limit...and keep re-evaluating and see if you can do more. This will work for you...it's an amazing tool and it will change your life:) Congrats on being banded!!!