SillyAuntDi

Girlfriend!!! I am so with you on this! The first guy that I semi-seriously dated this summer kept telling me how hot I was. I just laughed. But it made me feel good. I hadn't been told that in so long! He did make me feel desirable and beautiful. And when he flaked out on me, I was tempted to shut down. But I realized that I wanted more of that feeling The guy I've been seeing for a few weeks now gives me that feeling. He smiles when he sees me. I smile when I see him...it's fun and exciting and terrifying all at the same time!

Work activity from May 2013 (can you guess which one is me...LOL) Me in October... Me thinks I see an imposter in the October picture No, this picture comparison really helped me see all the changes! Life is pretty good right now!

I still don't always see what everyone else sees. I have been able to finally realize how much of a transformation I have made. Someone sent me a picture from May 2013. I almost didn't know me in that picture. I was smiling, but I clearly remember that day and how miserable I was. The friend who sent me the "reminder" said "I want you to see just how far you have come." I realized then that I don't always give myself credit. I do the "I still have a ways to go" or "Stop it...I am NOT sexy." But darn it...I don't have a ways to go anymore...25 lbs isn't very far. And I am sexy I am a bad a*s, boxer chick who goes into beast mode punching a heavy bag. I rock my jeans and my new boots. Now, I just have to convince myself that the person in the mirror is really me...I'm getting there

You are amazing!!!! I am so fortunate to have you in my arsenal of banded buddies Continue onward and upward, friend. I'm right there with you.

I strive not to let numbers dictate my life, but I get giddy thinking about that fact I am under 200lbs. Awesome job, friend Enjoy every moment of it!

I crossed my legs for the first time a few months ago. I didn't even think, I just did it. And when I realized what I was doing, I uncrossed and crossed them for about 30 minutes straight! Then, I was sitting with my legs neatly crossed and my bestie looks at me and screams "OMG...you have your legs crossed!" We laughed until we cried! It is an awesome feeling...that only you guys here understand Congrats on your achievement...enjoy the feeling!

Name: SillyAuntDi (Diane) Town: Raleigh State: NC Country: USA I hope we get this done!!!! Would love to meet everyone in person (Proud member of the Sassy Haircut Brigade)

Arthritis sucks...it's why I dread the cold weather. I've had this new pain in my jaw for a month now. One doc told me to watch it, because it could be a new joint that my friend arthur as moved to. My feet hurt, the xrays are pitiful. I do see a rheumotologist. He loves that I've lost weight, doesn't force meds on me that interfere with my band, suggests alternatives to those drugs. We make a pretty good team. But, pain sucks. And there are days when I get tired of having to grin and bear it. I went into a deep funk when I got the latest xrays of my feet. But, you can't live that way, so I just push on. Anyway...thoughts of warm sunny beaches...

Hi Friends! I got the courage to cut my hair...walked in a place on Saturday and said "cut it off." It has been a very long time since I felt brave enough to have short hair. This makes me very happy...here is a picture Happy Tuesday!

I have just celebrated my one year bandiversary I LOVE it. I would do it all again if I needed to. No regrets! How can I complain? I walk better, breath better, eat better, smile more, laugh often, experience life more fully....all because of my band and my new normal. My weight loss has stalled a bit over the summer (back injury has kept me out of the gym), but I have decided this was my practice period to learn how to maintain my weight when I hit my goal And I have been successful at maintaining this summer. Good luck to all!

Awesome! Congrats on the milestone...and the new hair do Both look great on you!

Hi there! I had been taking Biotin for a few years prior to my surgery. I still had hair loss. It's growing back like a champ right now. So, my experience is that taking it prior to the surgery didn't really make a difference. Good luck!

Love it! You are awesome! I chuckle when my friends that I have known FOREVER, don't recognize me from behind. Once I turn around, the recognition on their faces is funny to me. I also enjoy not having to turn sideways when I meet someone on the stairs at work, and fitting in roller coaster seats with room to spare. The theater is another great place! I don't feel squished anymore. I can't wait to fly again. I am loving this banded life!

Congrats! I totally understand where you are coming from. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I told my sister-friend, while in the pre-op area, that I wanted to go home. I wanted to run. And then they wheeled me back to the OR. I even said at one point in the OR, I can still get up and leave. Then I fell asleep. I woke up a different person and I haven't looked back with a single regret. Not much about this has been easy, but it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. I have been banded a year now...and my life is totally different. But, my friends are still my friends. My family is still my family. I may have changed on the outside, and some on the inside, but I am still me. I am just happier and healthier now. That said, my friends had to make some adjustments...I was always the "Fat Friend" and now I am not So, I get attention now when I used to go unnoticed. BUT...they are enjoying my dating adventures and the stories that come with them...LOL. You are going to do great....

I totally get this. People who are just getting to know me now are amazed when they hear me talk about my weight loss, or they see pictures of me from "before." They mean well in what they say, but it makes me cringe. I no longer answer in specifics when I am randomly asked how much I have lost. I just say "a LOT." The number I am so proud of when I think about what I have accomplished sounds horrific when I tell it to someone who is curious...