The Best Year Of My Life...

This time a year ago I had started my journey... I was laying in a hospital bed, in a fair amount of pain, not knowing what lay ahead of me. If I could go back and tell Old Bridget about my year in review, and how I feel about myself today.... I would say...
Sweetheart, everything will be fine. No, it will be better than fine. There won't be anymore feelings of fear, guilt, sorrow of the life you lead, worthlessness. You will be uplifted. In that first year you'll learn how to smile, to laugh, to look into the mirror and love the person starting back at you. Better yet- you will look back in the mirror and for the first time in your entire life, you will see the woman you've always wanted to see. You will learn how to walk proud, stand strong, speak your mind, not be afraid of new, exciting events or challenges. You will let go, and live. You will step outside of your box. You will respect yourself enough to say no to certain people, situations- even food.
This journey isn't purely about your body. Your internal being will reflect your outer being. You will shine from the inside out.
You will make friends, life long friends, who truly get you. Who you wouldn't have gotten through this without. You will meet people from all over the world who tell you that you've inspired them.

Words... they are words....words that do not come close the summing up my year, my new life. I really believe that I have had a very very emotional first banded year with a lot of growth. I really went from a scared little girl into a strong independant woman.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou... for reading my posts, my thoughts, my heart spilled out from a keyboard. Blogging has given me a lifeline to grab a hold of. Tonight, I'm going to go back to the start- and read from the beginning. I want to see for myself how far I've come.

So where to from here? I say- bring on my goal!! My second year of banded life will be a lot different from my first. I feel like the first year was the bricks, the foundation of myself. This year I think I'll be reaping the benefits. Getting to my goal weight wise and living the life I want to live. I'm going to write out my life list (post it of couse) and then start to cross the things I want to do off.

I saw my surgeon today for my one year follow up. I had blood tests a few weeks ago and got the results today. "Perfect" ....... wow..... first time in 7 years I havent had a medical issue. I am drug free and nothing health wise to worry about. No more insulin issues.... I'm so proud! My surgeon also asked me to speak and one of his information session nights. So May 6th I'll be in front of people who are ready to change their lives and tell them about my journey. Very exciting, a little nervy. I want to look my best for that night.... so I'm making it a goal- I've got 8 weeks.... and I want to be 85.... so that's 9 kilos..... let's see how we can go!!!

So here we go...... Year 2 begins.... I'm healthier, happier, FREAKING HOT (well getting there), more determined than ever before, fitter and loving life!!