Jess_22554's Journey

[Jess_22554]

Since today it my one year bandiversary I thought it would be the perfect time to start my own thread.

Here's some history -

I was always chunky as a kid. My parents both carried extra weight and we ate lots of fast food. By the time I was in the 6th grade I was much bigger than my classmates. By my freshman year I was in a 16/18 and most of my friends were much older. They accepted me for who I was and I preferred being with them than kids my own age. This continued all through high school and by the time I graduated I was in a 22. DH and I were high school sweethearts and struggled with weight gain/loss and our relationship. We were married in 1998 and while I loved my wedding dress, it was the largest size (26) the boutique I got it from could get. I look back at those pictures and realize that I was the fat bride I always feared I would be. Over the last 10 years my weight has increased and when I was banded I was a whopping 416lbs wearing a 34/36.

In the year since banding, lots of things have changed and I have celebrated many NSVs. Here are a few of the ones that I am most proud of:

~ I can (more than) comfortably wear my seatbelt every time I get in a car
~ I can fly without a seatbelt extender
~ My belly doesn't touch (or come anywhere near) my steering wheel when I drive
~ I can comfortably sit in a booth at a restaurant
~ I can walk for miles without being out of breath or feeling like I might collapse
~ I can jog
~ I enjoy going to the gym
~ I can fit in my chair at work without my saddlebags hanging over the edges
~ I no longer have sleep apnea
~ I have semi regular periods
~ I wear shorts
~ I can hike 7 miles up a mountain with little to no complaining

Here are a few pictures.

Pre-op
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April 2008

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Last Tuesday (after completing the Walk from Obesity)

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["Just Jess"]

JESS!!!!!!!!!!! I am so so so so SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very proud of you and how far you've come! You are one of the MOST motivated people I have ever seen and I admire you so much!

I still can't quite believe that your before picture is YOU because you look like nothing like that woman! You're so happy and healthy and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO inspirational! I wish I had a FRACTION of your stamina at the gym (or maybe the word would be MOTIVATION to get my ass TO the gym as regularly as you do!)

I am so proud to say I've met you and have had the chance to get to know you. You're fantastic and I hope to see you again soon!

BTW, who took that April 08 pic??? What a hot shot!!! ;)

Love ya, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS: I have something for you next time I see you!!

May I add a couple more of your beauty????? (i'm going to assume you said yes - bc here they are! hehe) I just admire you so much and KNOW others will be in utter disbelief on how far you've come in this year..... so forgive me!! :love:

first up --- LOOK AT THAT SKINNY NECK:
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now, onto the BEAUTIFUL smile:
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gotta throw in the "we can be silly" shot ((can also be called "we can set things on fire" shot!)) hehe:
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with all her DC b2g friends - aka: BIGGEST supporters (hey! who's the cute one in blue?):
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cutest jess sandwich anyone could ever asked to be stuffed into:
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[MoOrLess]

Congrats Jess! You truly have done an amazing job - and I agree - even though I haven't met you - your personality and vivaciousness and awesome workouts have kept me on my toes - yep - you are an awesome role model and have definitely shown us how it gets done!!! You are absolutely beautiful and your face just lights up! What a year!

[JDru]

Wow, Jess, you look AWESOME! You have made tremendous progress in a year and I know next will be bring you even more success. You always inspire me, especially when I'm at the gym! I'm so very proud of you and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you. Happy Bandiversary! :)

[Liberty]

Awesome Jess! Congratulation on reaching one year and making such great progress. Your photos and story is motivating and inspirational. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!

[stac1982]

Happy bandaversary! You have had one heck of a year! I agree that you look like such a different person. I know you are looking forward to what next year will bring.

[Jess_22554]

JESS!!!!!!!!!!! I am so so so so SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very proud of you and how far you've come! You are one of the MOST motivated people I have ever seen and I admire you so much!


Love ya, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS: I have something for you next time I see you!!

first up --- LOOK AT THAT SKINNY NECK:
5777



Thanks Jess, I <3 you!

What the heck was I doing in that picture?!?!?!?!



Congrats Jess! You truly have done an amazing job - and I agree - even though I haven't met you - your personality and vivaciousness and awesome workouts have kept me on my toes - yep - you are an awesome role model and have definitely shown us how it gets done!!! You are absolutely beautiful and your face just lights up! What a year!

Thanks Mo. It was quite a year and I thank you so much for your kind words and inspiration.


Wow, Jess, you look AWESOME! You have made tremendous progress in a year and I know next will be bring you even more success. You always inspire me, especially when I'm at the gym! I'm so very proud of you and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you. Happy Bandiversary! :)

Thanks Jess! I had a session with my trainer on Thursday and we were talking about the progress I had made there. When I think back, it really is amazing. When I started with her I was ready to keel over after 10 minutes on the elliptical. Now, I can go for an hour or more before feeling like I am going to die.


Awesome Jess! Congratulation on reaching one year and making such great progress. Your photos and story is motivating and inspirational. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!

Thanks Liberty!


Happy bandaversary! You have had one heck of a year! I agree that you look like such a different person. I know you are looking forward to what next year will bring.

Thanks stac! I am so looking forward to this next year and hope by this time next year I am contemplating plastics.

[Jess_22554]

At my 1 year appointment, the dietitian took updated pictures. I still don't see the changes in the mirror when I look and am hard on myself about how far I have left to go. Looking at these makes me realize I've come much further than I have left to go.

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[Neal R.]

WOW. You are looking great! Congrats. I understand it takes the head a while to catch up. Keep doing what your doing, cause its working

[JDru]

Wow Jess, pictures don't lie!! You have made incredible progress and I have no doubt that you will be able to get to goal. Keep up the great work! That dress is SO cute!! :)

[Dustbunny]

Oh man Jess;
You lost years!
You are looking so healthy! Happy Band Anniversery!! DB

Really like what I call the nostril pic. LOL You might call it the flaming marshmallow pic.

[Liberty]

Jess! Great new photos! You are lookin' good girl! Be proud of what you've accomplished so far. You're over half way to your goal weight. Wonderful!:you_rock:

[stac1982]

HOLY CRAP!!! Can't tell a difference! You are a totally different person!!! Look at that smile too! You are doing great. Just think of where you will be at 2 years!

["Just Jess"]

OMG OMG OMG! jess............ you look FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i truly cannot believe how incredible you are and how far you've come!!! (and ps: i love that dress!!!) ;) can't wait to give you a big hug!

[ginabobina]

I call dibs on the dress when you outgrow it!!! You have always been inspiring to me and remind me of the difference it makes to be able to get really serious about the exercise ... makes SO much difference and you look GREAT!!! So proud of you and I hope I'll get to meet you too - will you come into town for the DC g2g?

Keep up the GREAT work!!!

[brwneyedbeauty]

Wow Jess what a change...you look wonderful ;-)

[Jess_22554]

WOW. You are looking great! Congrats. I understand it takes the head a while to catch up. Keep doing what your doing, cause its working

Thanks Neal.


Wow Jess, pictures don't lie!! You have made incredible progress and I have no doubt that you will be able to get to goal. Keep up the great work! That dress is SO cute!! :)

Thanks Jess. This is the first dress I have worn in YEARS! I bought it for my godson's highschool graduation and figured that I'd never wear it again. I got brave a few weeks ago (the day these pics were taken) and wore it to work. Everyone was so complimentarly I put it in the "work clothes" rotation!


Oh man Jess;
You lost years!
You are looking so healthy! Happy Band Anniversery!! DB

Really like what I call the nostril pic. LOL You might call it the flaming marshmallow pic.

Thanks Dustbunny. Comparing how I felt then to now, I feel like I lost years!


Jess! Great new photos! You are lookin' good girl! Be proud of what you've accomplished so far. You're over half way to your goal weight. Wonderful!:you_rock:

Thanks Liberty!


HOLY CRAP!!! Can't tell a difference! You are a totally different person!!! Look at that smile too! You are doing great. Just think of where you will be at 2 years!

Thanks Stac!


OMG OMG OMG! jess............ you look FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i truly cannot believe how incredible you are and how far you've come!!! (and ps: i love that dress!!!) ;) can't wait to give you a big hug!

I can't wait to see you! Once you and Vin get back from your honeymoon we should get something set up. Waiting for the DC/NC g2g is too long to wait for that hug!


I call dibs on the dress when you outgrow it!!! You have always been inspiring to me and remind me of the difference it makes to be able to get really serious about the exercise ... makes SO much difference and you look GREAT!!! So proud of you and I hope I'll get to meet you too - will you come into town for the DC g2g?

Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Thanks Gina. The dress is yours! I hope to be out of it before the DC g2g so I'll bring it to you then.


Wow Jess what a change...you look wonderful ;-)

Thanks!

["Just Jess"]

I can't wait to see you! Once you and Vin get back from your honeymoon we should get something set up. Waiting for the DC/NC g2g is too long to wait for that hug!

sounds even better!!!! :)

[Txblue_eyedqt]

SHUUUTTT UPPPPPP....Girlllll, you can see a major difference.
You are just glowing and you look gorgeous might I add.
What a wonderful job you are doing, keep it up!

Cynthia

[Jess_22554]

I wanted to post a quick update and share a HUGE NSV.

This past weekend, DH and I went to Williamsburg with family. We had a great weekend, but the best part for me happened on Sunday at Busch Gardens. It's been years since I was able to ride a rollercoaster. I would stand in line with DH and when it was time to board, it would 'chicken out' and tell him I was too scared. He knew that wasn't the case but never said a word. I would step on the ride and then right off and walk over to the exit and stand and wait for him. Sometimes I'd cry, other times I'd get so angry with myself for pretending to be scared when the real reason I wouldn't get on was my fear of not fitting in the seat and being able to be strapped in. The one time I did try and ride was the most humiliating experience I have ever had, and I will never forget it. The overhead bar would lock and the ride was delayed because of me. They had to unlock everyone and I had to get up and walk off.

I didn't have that problem this weekend! I rode my first rollercoaster in years and cried when it was over. My tears were tears of joy, excitement, and satisfaction. I can't wait until the spring to go back and ride the ones we missed and once I've done that, King Dominion will be my next stop.

:lovelife:

[EmileeKaye]

WOW WOW WOW...I just saw this thread for e first time. You had such a great year!!

["Just Jess"]

awwwwwwwwwwwwww... that's FANTASTIC, jess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! good for you!!!! :) :) :) on to the next one... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[wingsfly825]

you have done such a tremendous job jess. keep up the great work. i can only imagine what joy you felt after riding that roller coaster. thats so awesome..you are an inspiration ...

[kristina]

jess- the rollar coaster-totally on my top 10 after losing this weight. your my amusement park ride inspiration!!! i got kicked off one too. humilating!!!
you look FAB! thanks for sharing! :)

[JDru]

Jess that is so awesome!! Great NSV. I LOVE rollercoasters! :)

[newlifeat57]

Jess, what an awesome nsv. I'm not a rollercoaster person....got sick the last time i rode one, and i remember that it was a tight fit. I certainly don't want to even try for at least another 50+ lbs. You look really good. keep up the good work.

[brwneyedbeauty]

Jess you are looking wonderful!!


Cheri

[CaribnQn]

Jess you have had a remarkable year. You look ABSOLUTELY fabulous.

[Jess_22554]

I've been running like crazy since the end of October and haven't been around much. I miss it here! Now that the holidays are over I'm going to get my butt back in gear here and at the gym! I'm really going to try to hit 199 by my 2 year bandiversary.

Here's our Christmas pic for this year.

http://www.band2gether.net/picture.php?albumid=81&pictureid=1854

["Just Jess"]

love you, jess!!! you're simly fantastic!

miss you!

[redgrldj]

Jess you are an awesome inspiration.. Wow you look really great.. Good luck next year with meeting your goal..

[kristina]

jess---u r so very pretty...and u make a gorgeous couple!

[brwneyedbeauty]

Jess you are looking great!

[Jess_22554]

It's been a while since I last updated this thread. Jess and I met for lunch and a wine tasting over the weekend. Updated pictures can be seen here - http://www.band2gether.net/showpost.php?p=200013&postcount=15 (http://www.band2gether.net/showpost.php?p=200013&postcount=15).

I also wanted to share a few old pictures I found that make me realize just how far I have come.

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When I first started my journey, water aerobics was my main form of exercise. The walk from the locker room to the pool and back was horrifying but once I was in the water I was unstoppable. After I lost my first 75lbs I felt much more comfortable in the regular gym. I continued to do water aerobics but when the gym moved to a new facility without a pool I began to take fewer and fewer classes. The local Park and Rec offers classes but the cost of the classes on top of my gym membership and paying for a trainer got to be too much. I took a class a few weeks ago and saw that they were looking for a substitute water aerobics instructor. I decided to become certified when I found out that instructors get free use of the pool and can take as many classes as they want for free! I am excited to say that I am now a CERTIFIED WATER AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR! This is something I would have never considered pre-banding. Now, I hope I get the job! :)

["Just Jess"]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh, Jess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so proud of you, girl!!!

and i know i'm just being redundant - but OMG, you look AWESOME! !

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Congrats on your certification Jess!!! That's absolutely AMAZING.. just think of the confidence booster knowing that you're helping other people along their way to feeling better.. I'm so happy for you!! Congrats on your weight loss too.. great job! :)

["Just Jess"]

has she mentioned she's also like an expert RUNNER now, too?????????????????

truly, sitting and talking with jess on saturday - i am in AWE of so many things about her!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jess_22554]

Donna - thanks!

Jess - An expert runner!?!?! I think you were talking with someone else at that table! Thanks so much for the compliments, you're the best!

["Just Jess"]

hey, did you get my email with the pics and possible dates for girls' get-a-way???

[kristina]

jess u are truly inspiring. the before and after..is AMAZING!!!! thank u for sharing it with us. :)

[Jess_22554]

Tomorrow marks my two year bandiversary. Another amazing year! I have accomplished SO much since being banded and I've never regretted my decision. I am so close to being down 200lbs it's not funny. I'm really hoping that tomorrow when I step on the scale at the doc's office I will have hit 200. If not, it's okay. My ultimate goal is to hit my goal weight of 185 by the end of the 2009.

Here are a few of my 2008-2009 milestones:

~ My bra size is officially in the 30's
~ My clothes are in the teens - 14/16 tops , 18 and some 16 bottoms
~ I had the confidence to get my water aerobics certification and confidently stand in front of a class several times a month to teach
~ I completed my first 5K in August 08, and my second in May 09. I finished the May 5k in 38 minutes, 8 minutes faster than the August 5K. I have since registered for 2 more 5k races this summer, a 10K in September, and 2 Half Marathons in November.
~ I can comfortably cross my legs and work that way for hours

There are more, but I won't bore you with all the little details.

When I set goals for 2009, a half marathon was what I decided on. I knew it would be challenge and in the end a huge accomplishment. In 2010, I am going to attempt a Tri. I NEVER, EVER thought I would be a runner much less being looking to tackle a triathlon.

I've been away from b2g for several months. I came back a few weeks ago and read through lots of posts and realized just how much I missed it here. I won't continue to be a stranger. I need the support of everyone on this board and only hope that I can be the support and encouragement someone else needs. Everyone is so positive and is such a motivator. Thanks to each and everyone here for helping me along the way. :heart:

[Jess_22554]

I don't have any recent "good" pictures, but here are a few from my weekend in DC with Jess at the Ruby Walk. I'll havw hubby take some in the next few days and post them.

http://www.band2gether.net/picture.php?albumid=81&pictureid=2887
http://www.band2gether.net/picture.php?albumid=81&pictureid=2886

[MoOrLess]

Jess - you have done phenomenal! Congratulations...truly. I'm thrilled for you - and WOW 200lbs lost in 2 years -- amazing!!! I can't say I've done anywhere near that well in just about the same amount of time - but I can celebrate being healthier and being able to exercise in ways I never could prior to banding.

Thank you, truly, for returning here --we DO all need you. There is not one person who doesn't learn and feel encouraged by those who have successful lived their banded life - and you are definitely in that category.

Great job on the marathons!!!!! You go girl! (and your picture shows just how "skinny minny" you are - woo hoo)

[Jess_22554]

Mo, you are so sweet! Thanks so much for the kind words!

[PattiDi07]

Hi, Jess. I don't know where to start. I am soooooo glad I found this thread today! You are an absolute inspiration! I love the before and after pictures. The joy that your smile radiates now is just amazing. You look amazing.... and not just the weight-loss... you look like you feel great! Good for you!!! I have about 175 - 200 pounds that I would like to lose, and to hear your story and to know that it's possible with the band, well.... that means so much to me. And you are a certified water aerobics instructor..... that is absolutely amazing! Not to mention the marathons! Holy crap! How many times I have thought ... "hmmm, I love water aerobics.... that would be a fun thing to do, to teach a class.... but I could never do that". Well, Jess, you have just proven that we CAN do that! I am taking this journey for me. I have to find me, as I've been buried alive under all this fat for years ... almost my whole life. There are days where I am struggling, wondering what the heck I'm going to make for dinner that will fit my current needs, nutrition-wise.... days that I wonder how the heck I'm going to lose all this weight... days I feel completely overwhelmed by the "numbers". But days like today when I was reading your post and crying all the way through it... well, today is a good day. I know that this will be a long process, but I am finally realizing that I am worth it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for sharing your journey here. I will definitely be watching for more of your inspirational posts and looking for your NSV's!

["Just Jess"]

jess.... 3 words: I LOVE YOU!

congrats and keep up the great work!!! you ARE an inspiration to so many and i'm proud to have watched you shrink before my very eyes along the way! xo