After a four month absence I’m back to blog about my progress – which (sad to say) has not been that great since my surgery.

I lost 27.4 lbs on my 12 week insurance mandated, doctor supervised pre-op weight loss program (from 308.4 lbs. to 281 lbs.) I was banded on September 7^th and lost an additional 12.3 lbs. in the first 10 days immediately following my surgery – bringing my weight down to 268.7 lbs. From that date to now, approximately 11 weeks – I have regained 4.1 lbs. then lost 6.8 lbs. - bringing my current weight to 266 lbs. While this is a total weight loss of 42.4 lbs. over the course of my almost 6 months weight loss experience pre and post-op (not too shabby), I am concerned that I've lost so little weight post-op since I started eating normal foods.

I’ve had 2 fills to date - initially 5cc and then an additional 1.25cc. However, I feel very little restriction and can pretty much eat anything I want, not as much as before I was banded but certainly more than the ¾ –1cup of food that I should be having at a meal.

Of course, therein lies the problem. So what am I to do about this lack of progress?

1. I commit to take full responsibility for the foods I choose to eat and the activities I choose to do.

2. I commit to maintaining this blog as an accountability tool which will help to keep me focused on my short, medium and long term health, fitness and weight loss goals.

3. I commit to preparing healthy meals in advance so that I would not be tempted by the convenience of “fast food”.

4. I commit to drinking 80oz of water per day.

5. I commit to exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes at least 5 days per week.

6. I commit to posting my weight (the good, the bad and the ugly) every Friday morning.

7. I commit to attending my surgeon's support meetings.

7. I commit to loving myself at every phase of this journey to optimal health and fitness because - dammit - I’m worth it!