Phew!!!

[Guest guest]

I feel like I've been holding my breath for the last few days, but today is

my 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY and now I can finally post! ) I've been lurking

for several months and learning SO much from you guys. I love the " feel "

of this list too and am looking forward to being a part of the gang.

The past year has seemed like a whirlwind to me - so many changes in such a

short time! I've lost a grand total of 125 pounds - and I'd like to lose

about 25 more, but the going is getting rough now. It took me 2 months to

battle off another 2 lbs. The thing of it is, I've already accomplished

what I set out to do with the surgery. #1 Health: I am off my GERD and

asthma medications - symptom free. I not longer suffer with crippling pain

from my arthritis in my knees and feet (yes, they do still hurt

occasionally, but nothing like before!). My blood pressure has returned to

normal. The edema in my ankles is gone, as is the stress incontinence

(thank goodness!). #2 Activity: I have a daily yoga practice. I went

cross-country skiing. I've been hiking in the Laurel Mountains. I take

long walks with my dogs. I can do marathon shopping days at the mall. I

can walk up several flights of stairs without being winded. I don't worry

about finding the closest possible parking space. #3 Fitting In: I no

longer feel like a freak show when I walk down the street. I can sit in

any booth or table in a restaurant. I have space (lots of it!) between my

belly and the steering wheel of my car. I am no longer afraid of chairs.

I'm flying for the first time in a couple of weeks - I do not have to worry

about being required to buy two seats. The regular blood pressure cuff

fits on my arm. I can shop in any store I want for clothes now.

So why be hung up on numbers on the scale? I think part of it is because I

am a goal-oriented person in general - I set 150 as a goal, and I want to

achieve it. So I have done some readjusting of my outlook - the numbers

are not as important as the other stuff. But they aren't *unimportant*

either. So my plan now is to continue to work at watching what I eat,

moving as much as possible, and let the numbers fall where they may. If it

get to 150 (actually 149 ;o), so be it. If not, there are worse things.

Thanks for being here! (I'm actually heading off today for a dog show, so

I won't be on-line for a couple of days - I'll catch up with everyone when

I get back!)

Sally

298 (BMI 49)/-125/173

Goal: 150

lap RNY 7/10/02

Dr. Quinlin/Pittsburgh