There have been ups and downs. Loss of motivation and triumps. The scale has dropped to new lows. Clothes purchased just a 6 months ago are loo large. Pictures from last Christmas look foreign.

And in the end, it is all me. I have grown emotionally and shrunk physically. It has been over a year now and what a difference. I am not, under any circumstances THIN, but that was NEVER my goal.

I glanced at my reflection in the window while shopping today and one word came to my mind. NORMAL. I do not think that anyone without a weight problem would understand how that word can lift your spirit. NORMAL. I can now shop in the NORMAL sizes. I can now sit comfortable in NORMAL chairs. I can run up the stairs like a NORMAL person. I am not constantly sick, I just feel NORMAL.

A size 28 to a size 14 - NORMAL

A size 14 undie to a size 7 - NORMAL

A size 48, we won't say cup size, to a 36 bra band - NORMAL

I went to breakfast with family and I ordered my NORMAL breakfast. My Mother how is very overweight had the whole enchilada and ate the ENTIRE thing, eggs, ham, potatoes and toast. I have in the past felt funny ordering out. But this time, I felt confident. A small bowl of oatmeal, 1 scrambled egg white. I had brought my own applesause. The waitress didn't even blink her eyes. She wrote my order as if I was NORMAL. And when I only ate 1/4 of what she brought (okay, that was not a small bowl), she just asked are you done and took my plate.

Normal -

Maybe it was me. Maybe in the past I felt I had to explain. But now - I just want a scoop of tuna and avocado, salmon on the side, and no one questions no bread. That I can thank Atkins for.

But NORMAL, the unabtainable dream of just fitting in, just being part of the life I was missing. Not being that huge fat lady who brought stares on her own. Reaching my dream of Normal,

Normal - blood sugar

Normal - blood pressure

Normal - cholestrol

Normal - heart

Normal Life

I thank God for my band everyday I know that without it I would NEVER have acheived Normal.

Wow, you motivate me so much... I understand what you were going thru.. I have been approved and waiting. I feel like you, wanting to be normal, wanting to go into any store and buy clothes....I would like to keep in touch with you if that is okay?

Thanks for sharing your feeling with us, it sure makes me more motivated. I am very happy & proud of you.

All the best.

Thanks for sharing your story.. That's awsome and I can relate to some of your normal things.. This band is truly a blessing to me.. I've had it for 6 months and I feel a 100% better. I have had serval test done since the lap band and like you they are normal.. I'm estatic and so happy for you and everyone who has lapband. It's a life changing event.. Keep up the good work.. this is truly an encouragment..

Awesome blog! Here's to normal!! -Bg