Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Hi Gemello, what a busy and productive year you have had! Congratulations on it, and I loved your ramble about it! Perhaps next year I shall be on the other side of wls and will be experiencing some of the obvious joy you feel, sure hope so. I hope that your hard won happiness will do nothing but grow by leaps and bounds in '05! LaWanda At 12:12 AM 12/31/04, you wrote: >Hello all you wonderful co-travelers in this journey. > >Wow, where has this year gone? What a year of milestones for me. >Here are some reflections of my year's worth of experiences that were >made possible because of my weight loss via gastric bypass. I have >been transformed in mind, body and spirit. > >In 2004, I did things I have always dreamed of but never thought >possible. I reached goal weight (and have been there for 10 >weeks!). I sat in an airplane seat with room to spare. I road a >roller coaster for the first time in 23 years, and I ran, yes RAN >around to line up 4 times in a row with all the kids. My hips no >longer touch the sides of any turnstile. > >I survived two reconstructive surgeries: abdominoplasty and >gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction). My diabetes, high >blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, joint pain and >frequent headaches all went into remission, and my lab work continues >to be fantastic. > >I jogged at 6.5 mph on my treadmill. I prepared and served meals to >hungry and needy people at Thanksgiving. I bought a bicycle for a >child in a homeless/domestic abuse shelter for Christmas. > >I was received into membership in my church. I joined a square >dancing club. I went out dancing 5 times, which I love and had not >done in about 25 years. > >I made several new friends, replacing the ones who abandoned me one >week before my open rny surgery. I met several men who fell in love >with me (strange milestone… totally unexpected and difficult to deal >with). I fell in love—more deeply than ever—with me. I learned to >appreciate food and not abuse it. I learned to feel my feelings, >both good and bad, without resorting to food to medicate myself. > >I've successfully transitioned from weight-loss mode to maintenance >mode, increasing my caloric intake without gaining weight. I've >successfully maintained my workout schedule. I watched Weight >Watchers and Craig commercials, joyful in the knowledge that I >will never again be a slave to the weight loss industry. > >I bought new clothes, several times over, and enjoyed, really enjoyed >shopping for clothes for the first time in my life. I slipped into a >size Medium, and it fits perfectly. My size 34 waist jeans still >have a bit of room to spare. I learned the joy of gleaning the >clearance rack, and took special joy in finding great stuff in my new >size and discovering that I can find such great bargains at my size >that I could never find at a 3X-5X. > >I bought a cowboy hat and wore it without a care about what others >might think. I wear it to please me and no one else. Some friends >and I played our silly game of " who would play us in the movie of our >lives? " and everyone agreed that I should no longer be played by >Oliver Platt. The consensus was that Bob Thornton should play >me. > >Well, I'm rambling, and I'm sure that I've missed so many little >moments of joy that have made this all worthwhile. Another great >thing is I stayed with this group. We had some rough times in early >2004, but we made it through and we've gotten stronger. > >How would I make it without you all? In a nutshell: " It would be >much more difficult. " Thanks, Shell and all you wonderful people >I've met here. > >Gemello >At goal with a heart full of gratitude and joy > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Thanks LaWanda! Best wishes to you for a great 2005 too! Soon it will be your turn to get to the other side. And we'll all be cheering (and supporting) you every step of the way. Gemello > > > >Hello all you wonderful co-travelers in this journey. > > > >Wow, where has this year gone? What a year of milestones for me. > >Here are some reflections of my year's worth of experiences that were > >made possible because of my weight loss via gastric bypass. I have > >been transformed in mind, body and spirit. > > > >In 2004, I did things I have always dreamed of but never thought > >possible. I reached goal weight (and have been there for 10 > >weeks!). I sat in an airplane seat with room to spare. I road a > >roller coaster for the first time in 23 years, and I ran, yes RAN > >around to line up 4 times in a row with all the kids. My hips no > >longer touch the sides of any turnstile. > > > >I survived two reconstructive surgeries: abdominoplasty and > >gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction). My diabetes, high > >blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, joint pain and > >frequent headaches all went into remission, and my lab work continues > >to be fantastic. > > > >I jogged at 6.5 mph on my treadmill. I prepared and served meals to > >hungry and needy people at Thanksgiving. I bought a bicycle for a > >child in a homeless/domestic abuse shelter for Christmas. > > > >I was received into membership in my church. I joined a square > >dancing club. I went out dancing 5 times, which I love and had not > >done in about 25 years. > > > >I made several new friends, replacing the ones who abandoned me one > >week before my open rny surgery. I met several men who fell in love > >with me (strange milestone… totally unexpected and difficult to deal > >with). I fell in love—more deeply than ever—with me. I learned to > >appreciate food and not abuse it. I learned to feel my feelings, > >both good and bad, without resorting to food to medicate myself. > > > >I've successfully transitioned from weight-loss mode to maintenance > >mode, increasing my caloric intake without gaining weight. I've > >successfully maintained my workout schedule. I watched Weight > >Watchers and Craig commercials, joyful in the knowledge that I > >will never again be a slave to the weight loss industry. > > > >I bought new clothes, several times over, and enjoyed, really enjoyed > >shopping for clothes for the first time in my life. I slipped into a > >size Medium, and it fits perfectly. My size 34 waist jeans still > >have a bit of room to spare. I learned the joy of gleaning the > >clearance rack, and took special joy in finding great stuff in my new > >size and discovering that I can find such great bargains at my size > >that I could never find at a 3X-5X. > > > >I bought a cowboy hat and wore it without a care about what others > >might think. I wear it to please me and no one else. Some friends > >and I played our silly game of " who would play us in the movie of our > >lives? " and everyone agreed that I should no longer be played by > >Oliver Platt. The consensus was that Bob Thornton should play > >me. > > > >Well, I'm rambling, and I'm sure that I've missed so many little > >moments of joy that have made this all worthwhile. Another great > >thing is I stayed with this group. We had some rough times in early > >2004, but we made it through and we've gotten stronger. > > > >How would I make it without you all? In a nutshell: " It would be > >much more difficult. " Thanks, Shell and all you wonderful people > >I've met here. > > > >Gemello > >At goal with a heart full of gratitude and joy > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Cool deal Gem! Glad to hear someone had a good year in 2004. Mine wasn't too bad, but it seems like I know a lot of folks who haven't enjoyed this last year. You provide the picture of where I want to be in 2-3 years. (actually 2-3 years ago...but I'm trying to be realistic!) ; ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 awwwwww....again....u made me cry.... having almost died...in feb....everyday is a day to rejoice just breathing for me...everyday is a good day no matter what i face or may cross...my x died in feb...only 52...in perfect health...no weight problems in his life...just diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and made it one month and six days after diagnosis...weird how we almost died at the same time...and have been divorced since 1986...so...i thank u god...i survived....and im still here to face whatever may come my way...each day here on earth is a wonderful day...no matter what your going thru...its a wonderful gift... just my thoughts as this new yr approaches... kisses...barbie (postponed my wls until ? due to alot of weight loss from my near death...being fat saved my life...but i cant bear to leave the group... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Hi Gemello Happy New Year to You!!!!!!!! What a difference a year makes! Congratulations on the new you!! I too have been reflecting on what this last year has brought and taught me. While I am not at my personal goal, I am at Dr Fisher's goal for me. I want to lose another 15. I have lost 165 pounds altoghether and thats more than what I weigh now! I have gone from a 3X top and 30/32 jeans to small/medium tops and a size 10 pants!! I continue walking 6 days a week on my treadmill and am beginning to add in toning excerises for my thighs(the only part of me Im not happy with). I had reconstructive surgery on my tummy and arms, but cant afford anything else. Sigh...maybe soon. Milestones...wow so many!! I played softball and ran the bases myself. I can hold a child in my lap as I now have one. I can jog. I can tie my shoes without turning sideways. I can shop in any store and now shop to accentuate not hide. I can wear cute little matching bras and panties. I have so much more energy. I laugh at the sheer joy of laughing...not laughing to hide my pain. Im beginning to feel normal. I dont wonder if something will hold my weight anymore. I sometimes still pass a mirror or store window and wonder if thats really me and sometimes I look in the mirror and still see the shadow of the 315 lb me..,.but those days are further and further apart. I feel like a woman, feminine, sexy, desired and loved. I cant thank you enough my friend, for all the support you have given me on and off the site. Shell, you too have totally given of yourself to support me, even while planning your wedding!! There are so many of you that have helped me through this journey and I dont want to offend anyone by leaving you out...you know who you are...I thank you all. To those of you just starting the journey, may 2005 be filled with amazing self discoveries and joys!! To those of you in the middle of the process, keep going you are so worth this!! To those like me who are now in maintanence mode, keep all you have learned and experienced close to your heart like precious jewels...We made it and will continue to suceed. Huggles > > Hello all you wonderful co-travelers in this journey. > > Wow, where has this year gone? What a year of milestones for me. > Here are some reflections of my year's worth of experiences that were > made possible because of my weight loss via gastric bypass. I have > been transformed in mind, body and spirit. > > In 2004, I did things I have always dreamed of but never thought > possible. I reached goal weight (and have been there for 10 > weeks!). I sat in an airplane seat with room to spare. I road a > roller coaster for the first time in 23 years, and I ran, yes RAN > around to line up 4 times in a row with all the kids. My hips no > longer touch the sides of any turnstile. > > I survived two reconstructive surgeries: abdominoplasty and > gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction). My diabetes, high > blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, joint pain and > frequent headaches all went into remission, and my lab work continues > to be fantastic. > > I jogged at 6.5 mph on my treadmill. I prepared and served meals to > hungry and needy people at Thanksgiving. I bought a bicycle for a > child in a homeless/domestic abuse shelter for Christmas. > > I was received into membership in my church. I joined a square > dancing club. I went out dancing 5 times, which I love and had not > done in about 25 years. > > I made several new friends, replacing the ones who abandoned me one > week before my open rny surgery. I met several men who fell in love > with me (strange milestone… totally unexpected and difficult to deal > with). I fell in love—more deeply than ever—with me. I learned to > appreciate food and not abuse it. I learned to feel my feelings, > both good and bad, without resorting to food to medicate myself. > > I've successfully transitioned from weight-loss mode to maintenance > mode, increasing my caloric intake without gaining weight. I've > successfully maintained my workout schedule. I watched Weight > Watchers and Craig commercials, joyful in the knowledge that I > will never again be a slave to the weight loss industry. > > I bought new clothes, several times over, and enjoyed, really enjoyed > shopping for clothes for the first time in my life. I slipped into a > size Medium, and it fits perfectly. My size 34 waist jeans still > have a bit of room to spare. I learned the joy of gleaning the > clearance rack, and took special joy in finding great stuff in my new > size and discovering that I can find such great bargains at my size > that I could never find at a 3X-5X. > > I bought a cowboy hat and wore it without a care about what others > might think. I wear it to please me and no one else. Some friends > and I played our silly game of " who would play us in the movie of our > lives? " and everyone agreed that I should no longer be played by > Oliver Platt. The consensus was that Bob Thornton should play > me. > > Well, I'm rambling, and I'm sure that I've missed so many little > moments of joy that have made this all worthwhile. Another great > thing is I stayed with this group. We had some rough times in early > 2004, but we made it through and we've gotten stronger. > > How would I make it without you all? In a nutshell: " It would be > much more difficult. " Thanks, Shell and all you wonderful people > I've met here. > > Gemello > At goal with a heart full of gratitude and joy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Dont leave the group!! WL is WL...we support you in whatever you chose to do!! Life struggles are the same regardless and we would be lost without you here. Huggles > awwwwww....again....u made me cry.... > > having almost died...in feb....everyday is a day to rejoice just breathing > for me...everyday is a good day no matter what i face or may cross...my x died > in feb...only 52...in perfect health...no weight problems in his life...just > diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and made it one month and six days after > diagnosis...weird how we almost died at the same time...and have been divorced > since 1986...so...i thank u god...i survived....and im still here to face > whatever may come my way...each day here on earth is a wonderful day...no matter > what your going thru...its a wonderful gift... > > just my thoughts as this new yr approaches... > > kisses...barbie > > (postponed my wls until ? due to alot of weight loss from my near > death...being fat saved my life...but i cant bear to leave the group... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Hey , and congratulations to you as well. Your year too has been one of many positive changes. As with Gemello and my wishes for him, I hope that things get nothing but better for you in the coming year. LaWanda At 08:36 AM 12/31/04, you wrote: >Hi Gemello > >Happy New Year to You!!!!!!!! > >What a difference a year makes! Congratulations on the new you!! > >I too have been reflecting on what this last year has brought and >taught me. > >While I am not at my personal goal, I am at Dr Fisher's goal for me. >I want to lose another 15. I have lost 165 pounds altoghether and >thats more than what I weigh now! I have gone from a 3X top and >30/32 jeans to small/medium tops and a size 10 pants!! I continue >walking 6 days a week on my treadmill and am beginning to add in >toning excerises for my thighs(the only part of me Im not happy >with). I had reconstructive surgery on my tummy and arms, but cant >afford anything else. Sigh...maybe soon. > >Milestones...wow so many!! I played softball and ran the bases >myself. I can hold a child in my lap as I now have one. I can jog. I >can tie my shoes without turning sideways. I can shop in any store >and now shop to accentuate not hide. I can wear cute little matching >bras and panties. I have so much more energy. I laugh at the sheer >joy of laughing...not laughing to hide my pain. > >Im beginning to feel normal. I dont wonder if something will hold my >weight anymore. I sometimes still pass a mirror or store window and >wonder if thats really me and sometimes I look in the mirror and >still see the shadow of the 315 lb me..,.but those days are further >and further apart. I feel like a woman, feminine, sexy, desired and >loved. > >I cant thank you enough my friend, for all the support you have >given me on and off the site. Shell, you too have totally given of >yourself to support me, even while planning your wedding!! There are >so many of you that have helped me through this journey and I dont >want to offend anyone by leaving you out...you know who you are...I >thank you all. > >To those of you just starting the journey, may 2005 be filled with >amazing self discoveries and joys!! > >To those of you in the middle of the process, keep going you are so >worth this!! > >To those like me who are now in maintanence mode, keep all you have >learned and experienced close to your heart like precious >jewels...We made it and will continue to suceed. > >Huggles > > > > > > > > > Hello all you wonderful co-travelers in this journey. > > > > Wow, where has this year gone? What a year of milestones for me. > > Here are some reflections of my year's worth of experiences that >were > > made possible because of my weight loss via gastric bypass. I >have > > been transformed in mind, body and spirit. > > > > In 2004, I did things I have always dreamed of but never thought > > possible. I reached goal weight (and have been there for 10 > > weeks!). I sat in an airplane seat with room to spare. I road a > > roller coaster for the first time in 23 years, and I ran, yes RAN > > around to line up 4 times in a row with all the kids. My hips no > > longer touch the sides of any turnstile. > > > > I survived two reconstructive surgeries: abdominoplasty and > > gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction). My diabetes, high > > blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, joint pain and > > frequent headaches all went into remission, and my lab work >continues > > to be fantastic. > > > > I jogged at 6.5 mph on my treadmill. I prepared and served meals >to > > hungry and needy people at Thanksgiving. I bought a bicycle for a > > child in a homeless/domestic abuse shelter for Christmas. > > > > I was received into membership in my church. I joined a square > > dancing club. I went out dancing 5 times, which I love and had >not > > done in about 25 years. > > > > I made several new friends, replacing the ones who abandoned me >one > > week before my open rny surgery. I met several men who fell in >love > > with me (strange milestone… totally unexpected and difficult to >deal > > with). I fell in love—more deeply than ever—with me. I learned >to > > appreciate food and not abuse it. I learned to feel my feelings, > > both good and bad, without resorting to food to medicate myself. > > > > I've successfully transitioned from weight-loss mode to >maintenance > > mode, increasing my caloric intake without gaining weight. I've > > successfully maintained my workout schedule. I watched Weight > > Watchers and Craig commercials, joyful in the knowledge that >I > > will never again be a slave to the weight loss industry. > > > > I bought new clothes, several times over, and enjoyed, really >enjoyed > > shopping for clothes for the first time in my life. I slipped >into a > > size Medium, and it fits perfectly. My size 34 waist jeans still > > have a bit of room to spare. I learned the joy of gleaning the > > clearance rack, and took special joy in finding great stuff in my >new > > size and discovering that I can find such great bargains at my >size > > that I could never find at a 3X-5X. > > > > I bought a cowboy hat and wore it without a care about what others > > might think. I wear it to please me and no one else. Some >friends > > and I played our silly game of " who would play us in the movie of >our > > lives? " and everyone agreed that I should no longer be played by > > Oliver Platt. The consensus was that Bob Thornton should >play > > me. > > > > Well, I'm rambling, and I'm sure that I've missed so many little > > moments of joy that have made this all worthwhile. Another great > > thing is I stayed with this group. We had some rough times in >early > > 2004, but we made it through and we've gotten stronger. > > > > How would I make it without you all? In a nutshell: " It would be > > much more difficult. " Thanks, Shell and all you wonderful people > > I've met here. > > > > Gemello > > At goal with a heart full of gratitude and joy > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 WOW What a great year! I don't post often, but read everything. This message from you really hit home what a life changing event GBS is. It renewed my hopes the same can be for me this year. I am still waiting to finish all the prerequisites even though I have lost the 10% and hoping that soon I can write a story like yours. Thanks for a great message.Merrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.