I consider myself truly blessed right now - sitting on a lanai watching the moon rise over the ocean, hearing the waves crash on the shore. I am in Hawaii - on my favorite island Kauai. I was last here 5 years ago.

At that time I was probably about 30 lbs heavier than I am now - (this was of course before I packed on another 50+ lbs). It has me thinking about the next time I might get to come (hopefully only 1-2 years away)

I have learned there are many levels of being obese and overweight for that matter. Maybe, just maybe this will be my last trip to Hawaii as being obese (of any kind) and maybe this trip or the next would be the last where I'm even overweight.

Wouldn't that be something!

This last summer (about 3.5 months after being banded) I went on a trip and laughed at the joy I found that I didn't need a seatbelt extender on the flight (something new to my world the last 2-3 years)

Well this trip I was overjoyed that not only did I not need an extender - but my thighs did not just barely fit in the seat - there was plenty of room!

It's these small joys, not realizing they're coming, that sometimes give me the biggest kicks!

It will be if you want it to. (well want and work really hard).

I hear you about the airplane seats and unexpected joys. Remember them the next time you're trying to pry yourself out of bed in the early am to hit the treadmill.