2 Year Bandiversary....

Time flies when you are having fun...

Here is my 1 year anniversary post ~ Around that time I weighed 159ish.... Now I'm at 163.4.
Four ish pound gain over a year and the scale is moving down now.  
Can't hate on that.  I blame stress, not having my head on right and sugar.

Kicking the white devil - aka sugar - has been the best thing for me - I just don't eat that way anymore.  What a great thing to say.

So two years out...what can I say.  I'm not at the weight I had hoped to be.  But weight is just a #.  I am free from the guilt-shame-self hatred cycle.  Do I fall off the wagon - sure but I've been able to get back on every time without too much damage.

I'm so thankful for having the lap band.  Again it is just a tool and along with it comes the major major major MAJOR -mental work. 
Its been a journey that I am still working on but am now in a good place.

What does it take?  Lots of exercise and commitment to making good choices.   Having accountability partners is a huge help - I have 3 of them - they are all just a text away - I know that there is someone out there who I can reach out to when I am weak or to share my joys and accomplishments at any moment.  Although my regular friends (non banded) are thrilled for me - they don't quite get the joy and excitement of turning down chocolate or being psyched that the scale moved an inch!


What would I say to my pre-op self?  
Buckle up - life is about to change.  You are taking a huge step that will forever change everything.  How people treat you, your ability to earn money, and your happiness.

Know that the journey is never done - it will always be a struggle - some times easier than others.

Just because you loose 80 pounds you will not look like Eva Mendes ~ you will look like you only smaller - still thigh heavy with saggy boobs and cellulite.  And thats ok - thats why there are spanx.

Know that you are worth every effort.  Stop apologising to people for who you were - grab life by the balls and march on. 

Today on my 2 year bandiversary, I'm heading off to Rincon PR for vacation with some friends ~ nothing to hold me back from paddle boarding, surf lessons, wearing cute sundresses and definitely not giving a shit about the airplane seat or the dreaded seat belt.  Boom! Its worth every minute of sweat and sacrifice.

 April 5 2011 day before surgery

April 3 2013

I'll have to find or take a recent full body shot for real comparison.