Baron Speaketh Re: A Day in the News

[Guest guest]

Greetings Friends:

Thursday was an interesting day; I was interviewed by 3 different

publications. A crew from ABC filmed a procedure and interviewed me and a

fellow member who was having reconstructive surgery. I was also interviewed

by two reporters from newspapers. Needless to say, Baron talks like he

writes...lol...ENDLESSLY!! I guess I am just very passionate about this

whole thing. As many of you know, I recently posted a link to a before and

after picture of myself. It is a very dramatic change. I used to send them

out on a personal basis and always felt a bit strange, so I would preface it

by saying that it was not for an ego boost but rather as proof positive of

the possibilities that exist for us all. Interestingly enough, so many of

you have written to me telling me I should have an ego about all this weight

loss. Well.....truth is, I am proud, immensely grateful, but as for it

going to my head......NO. I must tell you though that when I was going

through pictures to put in the web site I put selected one that was before

any reconstructive surgery and a recent one. In both I was shirtless.

YES...I love my new abdomen; finally got it correct after 3 times and 2

doctors. Thank God!! Yet, my biggest source of pride came at looking at my

arms. Gosh....I have muscles growing there....and I know and have done every

push, pull, curl, push up and whatever it has taken to create them and make

them grow. NOW, NOW.....I am INFINITELY grateful for the weight

loss.....but if I took my hand off a hot stove would I be a hero??? That is

how I look at the surgery. I was on a hot stove, burning to death, and

surgery thank heavens was a means in removing myself from hopelessness.

I have been back teaching again, and am doing my best to get this web site

going. It is a bit intimidating because I see so many others out there.

Yet, I want to share my story, my journey, my trials and tribulations. It is

easier for me to get on a bike or treadmill than to make friends, date, even

decide my vocation. After so many years of being disabled from my obesity

and resulting problems, it is sooo frustrating at times sort of learing how

to live again. I must be careful at not switching addictions....I am certain

that I am not the only one that has abused more than just food!!

Anyway, I have not spoken to you all in a while and I wanted to say Hi. I

will appreciate ANY help, suggestions, and feedback on how the web site can

be of support to us all. The siten Bariworld.com is up but not totally

functional. I have not posted pictures yet but when I do there will be some

real interesting ones and informative ones. I also encourage you to send

your own pics in, and you can send any correspondence as well. There is a

chat room already functional, message boards and hopefully next week will

have more going on. The best I can do is present my journey in my style of

writing and share what got me thru the past three years and how I am still

dealing. I hope you all join me and help make it a viable tool for us all.

Lastly.....I was invited to speak to a WLS support group next Saturday, April

21st, at 10 AM in St sburg Florida.....the West Coast.

The address is 2299 9th Ave. North. Ste. 1G, St. sburg, FL.

So, for those people in the Tampa, Naples, St Pete area....I would love to

meet as many of you as possible. I feel kind of honored that I was asked to

speak; of course there was that " I'm not worthy " part of me on my

shoulder....but I told it to shut up!! I will also bring my guitar and

unveil Hungry Man Blues for you all that come......I think you will like it,

and I will have fun singing it for you all.

SO....I look forward to seeing many of you next Saturday at 10 AM, and hope

you are all doing well.

Remember, Bariworld.com is still under construction but feel free to check it

out and give me any suggestions.

Regards....baron

RnY.....4/29/98...............535lb (high 600) BMI - off the charts.

Current Wt. ..................195 - 200 BMI - 27 / Body Fat 20%

What that all means........Who Cares......rofl

<A

HREF= " http://www.ossg.org/jemt/barry.jpg " >http://www.ossg.org/jemt/barry.jpg</A>

<A HREF= " http://bariworld.com/ " >Bariworld.com - Welcome Mat</A>