Happy Anniversary to me!!

Yes Folks...it has been one year since my surgery November 20, 2007. The night before I was at my aunt's house waiting for my brother to get up here to Salt Lake to make sure that everything goes smoothly. I remember how my excitement overrode my nervousness of how life changing this surgery was going to be. Life changing it was and more subtle than you would think. Besides the way that I look, my outlook on life has changed. I recently had a conversation with a co-worker who had no idea that I had surgery. After telling her about my experience, she said that she never ever saw me as an overweight person. I told her that there were a lot of people that saw me and didn't think that I needed surgery. I realized at the moment that I never let people see me as overweight. I have always been cheerful, loving, accepting...a little obnoxious if you will. But it was like I was putting up a smokescreen so that I wouldn't have that title of overweight because of the connotations that come with being heavier. Now, at 72 lbs lost as of today, I feel more authentic than I have ever been. I am still cheerful, loving, accepting, maybe a little more obnoxious because that is the core of me. I still have my days, hours, minutes of doubt and being very critical of this new body. I struggle getting to the gym and working out. I struggle with eating too much or eating things that are not so good. My sweet tooth gets me into trouble almost daily. I want pizza, fries, a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger from Crown Burger, a really big Vanilla Dr. Pepper, pumpkin cheesecake, a pb&j...the list goes on. BUT...I will tell you what is even better than that. Nothing is better than slipping into those jeans that are one size away from your high school jeans. Nothing is better than someone telling you that you inspire them. Nothing is better than FINALLY seeing your potential and FINALLY getting up off the couch and FINALLY moving toward all that is good and healthy (inside and out) and real. I know I have said this before and I'll keep saying it...I couldn't do it without the likes of family, friends, co-workers and the staff at the clinic. All of you have been so supportive and encouraging. I am truly blessed to have you in my life. I am looking forward to the next year and I know with all the support and love that I have received, my goal of at least 50 lbs lost by November 20, 2009 will happen. It is going to be very difficult...more difficult than the last year but not impossible. I've become a pretty tough chick and I'm not scared. I'm ready to face this new challenge head on. Thanks again and I love you all!