AlanSimmons

I've always been overweight. I may have been the only fetus ever advised to lose some weight. It's been difficult. Over the years I've tried diets and diet programs with varying degrees of success, but always ended up heavier than I began. I attempted to get the weight-loss-surgery ball rolling a few years ago with gastric bypass, but my head and heart just weren't in it. I was doing it because other people wanted me to do it. For some reason they wanted me to live longer, a concept I had pretty much given up on. Then last year my wife had  a Lupus flare (a period of immobility caused by extreme inflammation and pain) and I had a moment of clarity. I can't even take care of myself, so how can I take care of her? Then it got worse. What if I get sick and she has to take care of me? She can't move me. I decided it was time to start getting serious about weight loss and overall fitness. In February of this year I attended a seminar about bariatric surgery hosted by Roller Weight Loss in Northwest Arkansas. I was ready this time. My head and my heart were both in it this time. I began a 1200-calorie diet in March. I also began swimming every day. Fifteen minutes at first; baby steps. It's now mid-July and I've been eating better and swimming nearly every day. I'm up to an hour a day, which is close to a mile. I've lost 100 pounds so far. My surgery is Wednesday July 20, and I'm looking forward to being half the man I was. I can't wait to meet all of you, work with you, and learn from you. Thanks!
~Alan