I cant believe a year has passed! My life is soooo different today than it was just one year ago.

I remember waking up from my gastric bypass surgery on 5/29/12 groggy, in pain and ready to start a new journey. The FIRST thing I felt (other than horrid gas pains) was pure elation and excitement! I remember thinking at that moment to myself, “You will NEVER weigh this much EVER again in your life!” And all I could do was smile.

Many of you remember by my posts on Facebook that the first few weeks were VERY rough for me. I had immediate ‘buyers remorse’ and was angry I did it! But soon, I passed the hurdles and its been smooth sailing ever since. I’ve changed the way I eat, the way I see life, my activities and interests are so much more now! I’m a new person and I love it!

Like I said, things have changed a lot. I had wanted my mother with me on this journey, but sadly she had passed back in November. She sends me little ‘hello’s'  here and there though. And I had also wanted my husband to be able to support me throughout this whole thing and sadly that too has ended as we are now going through a separation/divorce. If Ive learned anything through this all, its that I am STRONG and that I can do ANYTHING that I put my mind to. I have friends and family that are there for me and I cant thank them all enough. I have this new life waiting to be lived and my children by my side through it all! What more do I need?!

So…. my stats a year later…..

I have gone from the LARGEST shirt size in my plus size store (32/34) to a normal size MEDIUM!!!! Dress size 8!!!!!! Pants have gone from size 28 (which were tight) to a size 8!!!! XXXXL pants (as shown below) to a SMALL!!!!! Im loving it all!!!! I have went from 320lbs to now 169!!! Thats 151lbs lost!!! AN ADULT! Im literally half the person I was! Id do it all again over and over. Thank you ALL for your continued support and encouragement throughout this past year! Through EVERYTHING Ive gone through! You all have a special place in my heart!

And now… pics! (Current photos complements of my daughter Jaclyn! That explains the big cheesy smiles and silly faces. She had me rolling!… not too shabby!)

left – 320 lbs……… right – current 169lbs

This difference is just from 2 months ago. CROSSFIT BABY!!!!

This was day ONE of crossfit (8/8/12) and today. (So DON’T tell me you’re too heavy/old/injured to start crossfit!!!)

Me standing in ONE pant leg of my XXXXL pants I used to LOVE to wear everywhere!!!!

And me having some fun with my boys! (I need to tan my legs to match my top half…lmao)