Onderland at last......

[Webchickadee 716]

I have finally arrived. My entire adult life I have been in the high 200's and low 300's. Being less than 200 lbs seemed like a pipe dream.

The closest I ever came was in 2006 when I put myself on a strict 1200 calorie diet and started walking. By the end of 8 months I had lost 100 lbs and was walking 12K per day. Even then, I was 230 lbs.

Then my mother died suddenly, my brother 5 months later and the stress just packed on the pounds. I gave myself permission to eat away the grief, and all it did was bring me more........

I had the VSG performed in Mexico in May 2012 and 2 days ago (Feb. 17, 2013), I finally reached that "impossible" dream: 199.7 lbs (and as of this morning, I'm 198.6 lbs!).

My goal weight is 135 lbs and it was chosen based on the best BMI for my height (5'4" if I stand up VERY straight!). I don't know if that goal weight is going to be too high, too low, or just right. But honestly, I'm not that fixed on the number any more. The past 9 months have been a dream for me.

I no longer take asthma meds (I was on 3 puffers and 2 oral meds and still was not under control). I can exercise HARD and no puffer needed! I am planning on starting running once the weather improves and I'd like to do a 5K by October 2013. Next year, I plan on doing the Tough Mudder. I KNOW I can do it.

I used to be an avid cyclist, but gave it up once my weight started climbing into the the higher numbers. I couldn't bend over the handle bars because my stomach was choking the breath out of me! My legs couldn't move due to the size of my thighs. It was embarassing and demoralizing.

This spring, a shiny new bike is on my wish list and I will be riding A LOT, going forward.

I have always wanted to rollerblade, but never could take the weight on my feet, or balance well enough without breaking a limb or my neck.

This summer, I'm buying rollerblades and lookout world, I'm going to speed by everyone (with full safety equipment on, of course!).

I used to play competitive volleyball, softball, field hockey and soccer. But not since I entered university and became too busy, too big and too out of shape.

This year, I'm joining recreational leagues for all of those sports, and I'm going to have a BLAST playing with my teammates!

These are just a few of the things I've given up over the course of my adult life (I'm 43 yrs old now). My lowest weight ever (since being a teen) was 177 lbs. I KNOW I will easily pass that weight by the summer and never look back.

I've got the life I've always wanted back and it's all due to the amazing confidence this surgery has given me. For the first time, I KNEW that I would succeed. No stall was going to stop me, no binge eating was going to derail me. I KNEW that once I started exercising, it would be something I would fall back in love with forever and the positive results would keep me going strong.

I KNEW that I would be able to live life in moderation (I have a treat now and then and ENJOY it....no more guilty pleasures!). I fuel my body with my food, but I still enjoy it without the gluttony and desires I used to have. The surgery helped me change my body, and the amazing support of my peers here at VST have helped me change my mindset and outlook on life, food, exercise, moderation and the joy of living more healthy!

Thank you to everyone for your on-going support. I honestly couldn't have done it without you. Your struggles, cheers, questions, answers, successes, failures, honesty, and faith have given me the strength, energy and desire to keep going.

There's another 64 lbs left on my "goal scale", but I feel like a big winner already. The rest is "gravy" (LOL). And I KNOW I can do it.

[ISleevedIt 380]

You are a big winner! Congrats!

[LisaT678 225]

Wow! Your an inspiration. Congratulations!

[kcinpa 159]

Congrats, great job!!

[joatsaint 2,814]

Thanks for such an inspiring post.

[Momonanomo 534]

I am so excited for you!

I love your attitude, and I love that you have plans to keep your new, healthy body active and have fun doing it! It's obvious that you're loving life I hope I can be very much like you when my time on the "loser's bench" comes, because you seem to have found the right path to health of the body, mind and soul. You're an inspiration for sure!

Congratulations in your accomplishments!