1 1/2 Years out

Well, it has been a while since I have posted on this site, but I read it every day and sometimes multiple times a day. As of today, I am officially 18 months out from surgery, 169 lbs gone, and holy crap has my life changed. I am really not loosing weight anymore and I am just fine with that. Very comfortable right where I am at and loving life!

From This:
Attachment 28280
To This:
Attachment 28281

I have recently got back into weight lifting, which I always loved and have managed to put on quite a bit of muscle, which I think lends to the fact I am not really losing any more weight. I am also getting back into playing baseball again, which has been my life's passion! I have my first game this weekend. Can't weight.

As far as life after surgery, all I can say is, it has been easy. I know that it has not been for others, and for that I feel for ya! I just know that my mind has been so laser focused for 18 months now that is is now just a way of life for me. I still go out to eat with friends and family. I still have a beer with my sons. I still have scotch with my father in law. I do all these things, I just do them smarter now. I go out to fast food places, but I make better choices. Let's face it, we all know how we got here. We CHOSE to not follow the proper way to eat. We CHOSE to over eat. We CHOSE to go with the easy, slider foods. We CHOSE the easy lifestyle.

I now CHOSE to own my life and not look back.

The main advise I can give after going through the last 18 months to any one contemplating the surgery or have completed the surgery, STICK TO THE PLAN!!!! The plan the doctors and dietitians have developed has been put in place for a reason. It is not a suggestion. They have proven, THIS IS WHAT WORKS!! Don't look for reasons to deviate, just to satisfy a sweet tooth or a craving! Not you have your mind in order. Once to get to that place where your head is on straight, then you can have that one little indulgence and know it stops there and not leading to other slips. Never have truer words been said than the surgery is just a tool. Your mind and mindset are the main things that will lead to long term success. You have to believe in yourself and the process.

I wish you all the best and I will keep checking in daily and may have an occasional word or two. I thank you all for your support and look forward to the future!

You look fantastic!
Your words are so true, mindset is EVERYTHING!!!
Congratulations on your hard work!

WOW! Congrats on your journey. You look fantastic!

A positive attitude goes along with this new lease on life, and yours shines through! ;-)

Look at you, Stud! Loving that grey facial hair, too. Way to rock the success!

You look fantastic! I love success stories! Congratulations!

Love reading success stories like this.

You have done so well on taking control of your life.
I love that you are loving your life too!

You are so right when you say that mind and mind set are the keys to success - so true. Having a positive attitude will only help you in your quest for health and happiness.

Enjoy your baseball game - I know that you will!

You look fantastic! It’s nice to hear you’re doing so well, it makes us newbies very hopeful that we can be as successful.

I already wrote a reply but it's not here, so forgive me if I post the same thing twice...

You look incredible! In the after pictures, you look confident, happy, healthy and taller! Very inspiring for those of us at the beginning of our journey. Congratulations on your success! All of your hard work has really paid off.

Great job! You look amazing and dang....169 lbs is a complete person!!! WOW!! Cheers to continued success! And you are absolutely right about mindset. You can not do it without getting your head straight!

Wow!
Look at you!
And it sounds like you have it nailed.
Keep up the good work.

Wonderful post and Congratulations I am so happy for you!

Great advice it IS a mindset thing and yes, I agree to be focussed on what you are doing every day is the key to be in charge and you have changed your mindset, as a result, you have a healthy body.

You look Fantastic and I wish you so much happiness with your sports and activities.

Thank you for posting.

Amen, brother! On everything you said. And you look just wonderful.

It feels so good, doesn't it? Just yesterday I told some people (while speaking to my surgeon's pre-WLS educational seminar) that the whole reason to do this surgery is to change our lives. So while you are losing the excess weight and while you are building a healthy lifestyle to help you keep the weight of for the rest of your life, don't forget to actually CHANGE YOUR LIFE! That's why you went to all this trouble -- to have the life you wanted.

And you, Hookydad, are living that dream. So impressive. :)

P.S. And please don't be a stranger. :)