One Year Later!

2 Corinthiand 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

WOW! I cannot believe that it's been a whole year since I had my Lap-band surgery. One year ago I weighed over 300 pounds (this is the first time I'm admitting that publicly, by the way). I was so unhappy and had reached a point of desperation. After trying every diet under the sun without any long term success, I was convinced that the Lap-band was my last hope of ever winning my life-long battle with obesity.

One year later I am thrilled to say that I've lost around 55 pounds and gained something that cannot be measured, hope. A real optimism that I will beat this. I can see the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel" and it is getting brighter and closer with each inch and pound lost.

One of the most common questions I'm asked is, "Do you have any regrets?" My answer is a resounding NO. I can honestly say that (with the exception of the first few hours out of surgery when I was dealing with anesthesia-induced grogginess and really bad gas pains) I have never regretted my decision to have surgery or wished that I had never had it done. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been easy. In fact, I get really annoyed with people who actually think weight loss surgery is an easy way out. One of the main things I have learned this year is that, Lap-band or no Lap-band, I will still always have to watch what I eat and make exercise a regular part of my life. The Lap-band is only a tool, it helps with appetite control and satiety. But, the rest is squarely up to me.

Today, as I head into year number two, I realize that I am going to have to work harder to get the second half of my excess weight off. I have gotten careless in my food choices and very lax about exercise. My specific goal is to lose 50 lbs by my 37th birthday on October 27, 2009. I will need to lose 2 pounds per week to make that happen.

Here is my action plan, will you help me by praying that I will have the strength and motivation to stick with these goals?

1. Pray-I need God's strength to get through this every day.


2. Get a fill-I had been on the fence about whether or not I needed my band tightened, but I am sure of it now. I am often able to eat more than I should at one sitting, which means the band is not at the right fill level.


3. Keep a Food Journal-I have stopped doing this faithfully, and it does make a difference. I definitely eat better when I write down everything that goes in my mouth. According to "The Daily Plate" website, I will need to stick to around 2,300 per day (assuming that I am doing some physical activity each day) in order to lose 2 lbs. per week.


4. Physical Activity Every Day- I know I need to be physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, every day. I'm renewing my commitment to walk every day. I will also journal my exercise.

So, there you have it, the skinny on my one year "band-i-versary" (the skinny, get it?). I'll keep blogging about year number two, so check back often for updates. And, a big thank you to the hundreds of you who have walked along side me this year. I am so thankful for your love, prayers and support!