I have decided to keep a blog which I know is a going to be hard because I keep myself so busy daily. I am a single mother, worker and a student. I am trying to make this weight loss process for me better and easier. I am twenty-five years old and I had my lap-band surgery on Nov 9th, 2010. Since my surgery I have lost over 45 LBS, which is wonderful but only the starting of my process. I started my weight at 403 lbs in may of 2010, I currently weigh 354 LBS, which is super wonderful and brings me down to a 49LBS. I pray that I continue to lose the weight and be successful, I am hoping to get under 200lbs during my journey. A little more about me is that I have always been a big young woman, never small so when I decided to get the surgery I picked the band because I did not want to be small. I am not cultured to be small only big, so I wanted to know that I was strictly getting this surgery for health reasons. I just want to be healthy, no joint disease and no high blood pressure. I am glad I have made the decision because my blood pressure is never high and I don't have to take my pills for it anymore. Yes however my joints are still bad and my body still hurts but that does not mean that I will give up. I am going to lose this excess weight and be the woman I want to be. I have gotten a membership to workout and plan to workout at the gym at least 4 days a week or more, but no less then 4. I want to look nice if I am going to lose weight so i will also be trying to tighten up my skin. i want to look good and my dresses in the summer. So this blog will keep me motivated to do so, if i gain supporters along with it. I have and will also post this on facebook. I want my people to help me and support the journey of Ms. Shonda as she changes daily and a weekly with a great weight lost and being able to face the struggles that made me over weight. So please read and comment as often as possible so i can continue to write.