Yes, it's my bandiversary! I looked back at my previous blogs and I cannot believe how much has changed, but shockingly, how much has stayed the same. I can sum up the positive changes in one instance - my husband & I went on an escape this weekend downtown (got a hotel room for the night & went out). A year ago I would not have even agreed to go. That day and night we walked all over downtown, probably over 5 miles total. A year ago, that would have killed me! We had lunch at a hotdog shack (hubby's choice), I ordered a chili cheese dog and ate 1/4 of it, avoiding the cheese & bread. A year ago I would have eaten the entire thing and more than half of the chili cheese fries hubby ordered. We walked some more & went back to the hotel to nap & "have fun". A year ago, I would have napped, then made an excuse for not being able to "have fun". I'm not gonna elaborate there, lets just say we had fun. After that, we went out for dinner at an amazing steak house. A year ago, I would have ordered everything; appetiser, salad, dinner, desert, the whole 9 yards. This time I only ordered an appetizer of pan seared Ahi tuna because of my guilt from my lunch choice! And I was totally satisfied. Then we walked some more and found a place with an awesome band, and I danced! I danced like a fool! A year ago, I would have already been in bed, overstuffed and exhausted from and exertion! It was a great getaway for us, because of the changes the lapband has made for me.

Ok, now on to what hasn't changed. I still eat when I get stressed. I still eat when I am happy. If I find a loophole (when I find a food that my band doesn't hate) I over indulge. Living with my band is an organic, ever changing thing that I still have to force myself to learn from.

I have learned so much this year and am so thankful for that! I know if I hadn't been "banded" when I was, my life would not be in the positive place it is now.