A Year In the Life...
Holy cow, today is my bandiversary. I’m just going to let my fingers do the walking and see where this story takes me, so try to stay with me if I get a little boring!
On March 4th, 2009 I drove to my clinic with my mom so early that she had time to get McDonalds breakfast. I was so glad the day had finally arrived, more than anything glad that pre-op was over and the medical issues I was going through weren’t stopping me from having surgery. I weighed 255lbs that day, down 15lbs from my highest weight of 270 which was recorded at my consultation for lap-band surgery, January 13th.
What a year. I now weigh 90lbs less than I did when I started this journey at my consultation, 75bs less than when I had surgery. For those doing the math, that averages to just under 1.5lbs a week - slow losing IS STILL LOSING. That is probably my biggest piece of advice to remember, and surely advice I need to remind myself of. Even if you lose a small amount, week after week, when you don’t give up, those small numbers turn in to big ones. I had lost more most weeks I was on weight watchers. But I never stayed on a diet before.
I was twenty-three years old when I had this surgery, and at that point was really wondering if I would ever be a normal weight. I had struggled with my weight since puberty, and could not remember a time past the age of seven where food wasn’t a crutch or a treat or a secret or a shame. I saw a nutritionist for the first time when I was seven years old, after all. To think that one year later, I’ve done it. Sure I am not at my ideal weight by my nor my doctor’s standards, I’m so freaking close. I’m close enough that I get to-
Shop at any store
Buy (overpriced) designer jeans from lines like Citizens of Humanity and JBrand
Buy Hunter boots that fit over my calves... OK so there’s clearly a shopping theme here.
I am fit. Or Phit, rather. I work out a minimum of eight hours a week, and I love every moment of it. I love that last night I did 144 push-ups - real perfect push ups. I couldn’t do five when I started seeing Julie in September. I struggle a lot still with loving my body - I struggle to see how different it is and how much closer to ideal than not it is. But after a workout, when my muscles burn and my hair is matted down with sweat, I love my body because it is strong and it is powerful. I didn’t start working out seriously until about six months post-op, for whatever reason it took that long for it to click with me. For those waiting for that moment, it will come, I truly believe that everyone can love exercise if they find the right workout, and in my lucky case, trainer for them.
It is hard to say how much this surgery and losing weight has changed my life. In many ways I have not changed at all, and in others, I am becoming the person who I always hoped I could be. I am accomplishing the thing I knew I never could, and doing that is beyond empowering. I am more settled in myself, I can let my whole self just exist and not worry quite as much as to what I’m projecting.
I am so grateful for the band... And so incredibly grateful to all of you for the support you’ve given me. I could never have come as far as I have without the support I get from my friends online, as well as a select few in my real life and my family. No one without the band can understand what we go through - the highs and the lows, the stucks to the the elation at experiencing a huge NSV. I have come so far in my first year with the band, and am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with it.
Lots and lots of love to you all, I’ll speak to you when I come back from Mexico with lots of pictures to share!
This is me now... at 160!
with my bestest friend!
24 comments:
Angie--I am SOOOO happy for you and am celebrating your one year bandiversary with you today! I am especially inspired by what you said about slow losses adding up to big ones. And what victory it is to be happy in your own skin!! You better have a BIG shopping spree when you hit 100 pounds!!!
Congrats on your bandiversary!!! You are awesome!
Happy Bandiversary!!!!!!!!
Amazing!
You were a great inspiration when I was researching and waiting. And you still are, cause you aren't perfect and you let people know it - it is a very powerful thing that you do, sharing your ups and downs with us.
I will give my standard birthday greeting, that I always mean - I hope this next year brings you wonderful things - and I know it will.
Happy Bandiversary and have a great trip!
Happy 1 year my lapband BFF! I am so happy for how far you have come and that I have been able to get to know you over this year and we have grown (and shrunk come to think about it) together. This second year is going to be a whole new experience for us. We will reach goal. You might have your TT...
I cant wait to see where it takes us. Be safe in Mexico. Take plenty of safety precautions with the water, foods, and BOYS! Love yourself every moment. Don't compare. Enjoy.
Take tons of pictures!
Happy Bandiversary Angie! You look great and more importantly, you look and sound so happy!
Angie, Happy Bandiversary! What a touching & inspiring post. You give us baby bandsters hope!
Happy Bandiversary! Thank you so much for the insight! I'm glad you had this done when you're so young! I think if I have one regret, it's that I didn't do this sooner, although I do think I've learned a lot of valuable lessons from being a fat chick, but that's a whole blog entry in and of itself. Thank you for sharing! And congratulations on all you've achieved!
Thanks for sharing Angie and have a great time in Mexico :-)
What an inspiration
Wow Angie what a great post. It is just amazing - 90 pounds. This could be the best decision you have ever made, to do this while you are so young. How I wish I could have done this 20 years ago! You are saving yourself from YEARS of struggle and unhappiness. So happy for you!
Can't wait to compare tans when we return from Mexico ;)
Congratulations! Very inspiring to us new bandsters!
What a great post. You were one of the first few blogs that I followed and you have been such a big inspiration to me and I have loved every moment of getting to see how you've progressed. 90 pounds is truly amazing and I love how you've really put it into perspective.
With everyone's great 1 year posts, I should probably start thinking about mine (even though I've got 3 months!). Have a wonderful (and safe) time in Mexico. What a great reward for yourself :)
So proud of you! That is a great accomplishment!
Happy Bandiversary!!!!
Great post! Congratulations...
COngratulations girlie !! So happy and proud of you !!!
You are a great inspiration for me Angie. Please keep posting your wonderful, insightful thoughts! And it goes without saying, you look AWESOME.
Congratulations and thank you for inviting us to share this special time with you!
It is great to see that while you have had your struggles, you really seem to feel as fantastic as you look and that is what it is all about!
Wishing you nothing but continued success.
kagead
Angie! Congratulations, great post
I really liked your description of food "a crutch or treat, a secret or a shame!" So much the way I feel. I hope to be were you are someday.
award time...come see my blog!
I am so happy for you Angie!! I hope you are having a wonderful time in Mexico and enjoying the skinny, healthy new you! xoox
HAPPPYYYY BANDIVERSARY ANGIE!!!!! HAVE FUN IN MEXICO!!!
"slow losing IS STILL LOSING"
I know I speak for many when I say, THANK YOU! I need to hear this...a lot!
-Nicole
Awww happy ANNIVERSARY! And have a blast on the trip!
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