Update

Good evening to all. I hope that everyone in Cleveland is staying warm on this chilly weekend!! Nothing major going on with me. I am happy to report that I went to the Nutritionist today and she told me that I have lost 71% of my excess body weight! She also talked to me about a goal weight, which is something that I have never set for myself. We worked together and set a goal weight.

I will let you know when I hit it.

Stay warm.....Love to all.

Dawn

Happy New Year. I can't believe it is 2009 already! Amazing how quickly time is passing. I continue to lose weight at a more reduced rate, I have introduced new foods into my diet and have been tolorating them well. I have my one year appointment next week with my doctor, I had blood work drawn last week, hopefully the labs are ok.

Everyone has been asking me how Isabella is doing since her finger injury in November, I am happy to report she is healing well. Her quote to the doctor the other day was "I can finally be normal again". Thanks for all the prayers.

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right ~Oprah Winfrey

ONE YEAR TODAY

Today is my 1 year anniversary!!! I can't believe how much my life has changed in 365 days! AMAZING JOURNEY. Many people ask me if I have any regrets and I always say NO, and I mean it.

Thanks to EVERYONE who has encouraged me along the way, I could have never lost 166lbs without you.

These are the pants I wore on Christmas Day...2 days before my surgery. They are a size 32. I am now wearing a size 16.

In the picture below, I am in ONE LEG of the pants!

Here is me and Aunt Fran in the one pant leg each!

The holidays

Well I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I am nervous about the holidays. All the eating, drinking and being Merry scares me. I know that I am much more disciplined then I think I am but only time will tell. I survived thanksgiving and did very well eating. I drank alot of water during the day so I was full on liquids not food. My dinner consisted of turkey, soup and a little mashed potatoes.

I have come so far in 11 months that I can't help myself but smile. I know this sounds crazy but I am really proud of myself.

Traveling 150lbs less.....

We are back from Chicago and the Oprah Winfrey Show! What an amazing time. We arrived in Chicago on Wednesday AM and shopped all day long (purchased for myself a Beautiful Tiffany Ring) and had a delicious dinner at Roy's in Chicago. Thursday was the Oprah show, when we arrived at Harpo studios we learned the Drs. Oz and Roizen were going to be on. After going through extensive security we finally made it on set with fantastic seats in the center third row! The show was great, the topic was leading a healthy lifestyle. After the show Dr. Roizen took us back in the "Green Room" where we waited to meet Lady O....We were greated and Dr. Roizen mentioned my weight loss to her and she congratulated me. We then took a couple photos with her. The experience was awesome. Dr. Roizen told me that he will get the photos and forward them to me. I await patiently.

Thursday night was a whole other story.....We were dressed and ready to go to yet another dinner when we learned that Isabella had cut the top of her finger and might loss the tip on her middle finger. We immediately went into panic mode and tried to get back to Cleveland the quickest way. We ended up driving back to Cleveland the long 6 hours and arriving back about 4:30am. Stacey immediately went to Isabella. The hand surgeon was able to re-attach the finger tip and hopefully it will be OK. We will not now for 2 weeks. Please say a prayer for Isabella.

What I know for sure....traveling 150lbs lighter is MUCH easier. I was able to board the plane with ease, buckle my seat belt and sit comfortably in my seat!!!