I started my journey on 11/24/2009 at 282 pounds with my personal goal to get to 160 pounds. I continually lost weight for the first 10 months. As of September 2010, I was down to 218 pounds exercising at least 4 to 5 days per week and doing well. However, I have struggled with the horrific death of my father in February 2010 and have gone backwards. Since September things have slowed a bit and I have been getting discouraged and I am up to 233 pounds. Recently a friend asked me to begin working out with her and I am now back on track, working out every day and trying to track my food intake better. My father is the one that talked me into having the surgery because he was concerned for my health and I am not going go backwards....I've come too far! Never give up....keep working at it!!!