tennesseequeen

WOW, what a response. I never imagined so many people paid attention or were looking for good news. I AM the good news, folks. I was 250. I had high bp. My mom died of an aneurism and I knew it was time to make a change. Been overweight my whole life, hated every minute. I was sooooo tired of people telling me I had a pretty face.....(sound familiar!?) My husband was banded by Dr. Ponce in Dalton. We were skeptical. Completely unconvinced. Well, 230 pounds later, for him, he turned into a cover guy! I was so jealous I could have died, so I did it, too. I hardly remember the journey - I had a tough start getting used to being limited in food. I will admit that. But then I learned how to eat smaller portions, get full, and of course - when I started seeing the scale slide every month, and I started fitting into jeans that were like real people - it was all worth it. Exercise. I won't lie. I don't like it. I try to "move" when I can. I'll take a walk or hit the mall or something. I used to be a college athlete, but I hate the exercise. My arms were getting jiggly from the weight loss, so I put some weights next to my bed and pick them up whenever I look over at them. I now have arms to show up Michelle Obama! Listen, ladies - I am you. You will be me. I"m not special at all. Don't let the new eating habit take over your life. Make something else more important. If you think about eating all day and night, you'll never lose it. Find something else to focus on. For me, I'm an old lady, and I enjoy competing in pageants. I was Ms Plus America in 2001. I vowed never to go on a stage as a plus contestant ever again. I entered a swimsuit pageant. I was heavy - but I was proud as heck. I now consider it a challenge to compete against the 20 year olds in my bathing suit. I am so proud to be on the stage knowing that I used to weigh 250. I got down to 120 at one point - too thin for my frame, so I gained some back. But it was something that most of us only dream of! I'll try to post pictures, cause you won't believe them... I am a storybook Lapbander and am very proud and thankful. Don't ever ever get down about the journey - you will be thin, healthy and happier than you have ever been in your life.