Goooaaaallll !!!!!!!!!!!

[lessnless 1]

JJ - SMILE!!!!:biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

You're just amazing--I can't believe how quickly you've transformed yourself.

BTW, luvluvluv the pedicure. Hope you're planning on wearing sandals on your trip. Every time you look at your toes, you can think: GOAL!!!:cool2:

[ebinsc 0]

That's awesome! I started at 322 before my pre-op diet and my goal is also 180. Thanks for sharing! Now I know my goal is perfectly achievable.

[drlukemayes 0]

Super Cool!!!! way to go

[belle75067 0]

Congratulations! I so look forward to that day myself! Right now it is a vague hope but I am only hoping it will get better. Again, good going!

Dieta

[NY2LAGirl 0]

drlukemayes way to go yourself!! You look amazing thanks for sharing your pictures with the rest of us.

[jjsmiles 3]

Well I'm back home - THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR POSITIVE COMMENTS. I was kind of scared that no-one would respond :drool:.

I love looking at all your tickers - so many of you have already been phenomenally successful and others are waiting to begin their journey. I get a great deal of inspiration from this site.

A few people asked what my plan has been for the last 13 months. I started to get serious about this journey in June of 2007 while I was waiting for approval for the surgery. I went to Weight Watchers and followed the points program for most of the summer. Between WW and the pre-surgery diet, I lost 43 pounds.

After surgery, I have consciously chosen to eat all foods, in moderation. I do count calories (I usually am around 1000-1200 calories per day) and I find a real key to my success is documenting everything I eat, including quantities. I am a person who needs to be ultra aware of what I am eating, or I will eat unconsciously or obliviously all day and especially all night.

I do eat carbs, fruits, vegetables, as well as Protein. I try to eat natural foods (not really a rule, but easier to eat healthy) and whole grains. I still eat chocolate, pizza, Cookies and potato chips, but only a few and not very often. I go out to eat, but I don't do fast food and I always try to think about what I will order before I go, so that I am more likely to make a reasonably healthy choice. I am not overly restricted (I can eat 3-4 oz of Protein and a cup of cooked vegetables at a sitting), but that really works best for me.

I also exercise, ALOT. I go to the gym 3-5 times a week and combine cardio (eliptical and treadmill) with strength training. My workouts are at least an hour, and sometime two. I had to build up to that, as before this journey I counted the walk from the car to the grocery store as my daily walk.

Long story finally ending - here are a couple of pictures:

Blue blouse is from late 2005, when I was about 350 pounds. Yellowish blouse was about 1 month before sugery (I was around 300 pounds then). The other two were taken over the last couple of days.

[mzreeda 1]

You go gurl!!!!!!!! i was woundering if i can reach my goal in 1 yr you just proved to me that it can be done congrats' on your 1st goal ,now your 2nd goal will be a breeze. thanks for sharing

[losingjusme 12]

congrats!!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[HeatherO 7]

Wowww, what a tremendous difference. You look absolutely fabulous. Congratulations!!!!

[jjsmiles 3]

Thanks everyone. Heather O and Lil Miss - your pictures look pretty terrific as well.

LJM - congratulations!!!!- I see that you are pregnant - that is wonderful news. Make sure you take care of yourself!

Jacquie :biggrin: