17 months ago...

I was banded... February 20, 2009... It was, by far, the

BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Here are some ramblings about realizing this today... My numbers may not be as high as some others, but you know what? I'm still successful. It's interesting, because the first year I used to track every month's "bandiversary" and really look at the pounds. Not so much anymore... so what is different now? Well, here are some thoughts in no particular order...

• I feel great. I am running and walking. I am exercising in ways I never did 17 months ago. And it isn't as much as it could be, but it happens... and will keep happening.
• I went back and checked some goals from one of my early posts... guess what? I've met them!
• I am getting closer and closer to ONLY being considered overweight by BMI standards. When I started, my BMI was 47... now I am at 32.
• I can shop in the regular stores / sections now. No plus sizes needed anymore.
• My weight loss is A LOT slower... I've been at the same 10 pound range for over 6 months, and that is my own fault. But I am also not gaining. That would have been different 17 months ago.
• I find myself forgetting that I have the band - it used to be an all-consuming thing, and I would feel my port alot. I still feel it, but not as much. And I do forget sometimes about "the rules"... i.e. drinking with my meals (not too), not choosing sliders, etc... but all-in-all, I go with protein first and make a hell of a lot more healthy choices than I used to.

I went back and looked at my weekly weight loss... taking the first two weeks (liquid diet) and last couple weeks of this stall out of the equation, I'm looking at an average of 1 pound per week / 4-5 pounds per month. Fantastic. I'll take it slowly and steadily, because that means I am less likely to fall back into the old habits. I do wish I had kept better track of my body measurements - I think I'll have Dennis break out the measuring tape sometime this week... and I do want to get over this hump. BUT... if it takes another 6 months to get through it the right way, that is okay too. I'm not scared about my health anymore. I love living. I look forward to doing things with my family and don't think about what I can't do first... When I find myself facing something physical that would have deterred me in the past, I'm willing to try it now - and have succeeded at it every time. This lapband is a great tool, if I choose to use it correctly... which I am proud to say that I am choosing the vast majority of the time. Yes, I've made poor choices. BUT, more often than not, I make the right choice. And I can't wait to live the rest of my life with this tool, and use it to continue being successful!