WENDYF

I finally have my date set. October 1st 2008. Woot!! This is such an exciting time for me. The main reason why I am doing this is because I know that if I could just get down to my ideal weight, I could keep it off and be proud of myself. Right now, I feel like I am at the bottom of Mt. Everest and no way to get there without some good hiking boots. I have lost about 22 lbs since June by changing my lifestyle and working with the nutritionist. This is a tool for me to get the weight off and keep it off. I can't do it alone and I have accepted that. I let myself get out of control not knowing what was triggering me to overeat. I am getting clarity and learning new ways to deal with my feelings...and even just recognizing them when they happen! This is a huge breakthrough for me.

I currently have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. Diabetes runs in both side of my family and my father died from a stroke at the young age of 60. My sister is 400 lbs, 40 years old, and already had a stroke, out of control diabetic. I don't want to go out like that!! I have to much to live for and want to live to be a 100!!!

I thought I should list all my hopes, dreams, and goals. Here they are in no particular order and at random:

1. Become an avid Kayaker. This has always been something I've wanted to do. The world must be beautiful from the view of a kayak.

2. Become a frequent hiker. I have this dream to hike Mt. Rainier. I also would love to hike different trails without becoming embarrassingly winded.

3. I really want to wear a pair of sexy knee high boots and a mini skirt.

4. Shop at Victoria Secret

5. Practice yoga on a regular basis.

6. Become a black belt in Karate

7. Take up snow and water skiing again. Been about 9 years and I miss it!

8. I want to be proud to walk into a place and know that I am the sexiest woman in the room and REALLY know it inside myself. Absolute self love.

Weight 245 lbs 5'2"

Highest weight 267 (jan 08)

Goal weight 125 lbs

I have been waiting for this day. Approval from my insurance company. When I picked up the phone and it was Dr. Srikanth's patient coordinator on the other end, I suddenly got nervous. She said 3 words You are approved. I jumped up and down like I won the lottery. I couldn't stop smiling. I called a few friends and shared the fantastic news. I am doing this for me and doing this so I can live a long and productive life. I want to do athletic things with my children and not let my genetic make-up and food continue to rule my life. I've been going through all the steps necessary to get my insurance to pay for the lapband procedure. I had to do 3 month supervised diet with a doctor and a nutritionist. I have learned a lot from the nutritionist and plan to use her as a resource the rest of my life. I've done all my labs and testing. Somehow I was so scared that I would not get approved. Now that I am, it's exciting but scary at the same time. I am going to change everything about my lifestyle. I have to. It's the only way to be successful. Failure is not an option for me...and that is what I am most scared of. I am not going this far to fail. I have to many hopes and dreams. All of them which require the body and health to do it. This is the first day of the rest of my life. :frown: