Happy New Year!!!

Above is a photo of Times Square . . which I will be avoiding tonight like the plague!! It is (brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!) freezing out tonight and very windy! Even inside my cosy apartment, I can hear the wind whistling outside and the building is creaking a bit as it sways (don't worry . . it's supposed to do that, apparently. . !)

I am heading out to my friend Erika's apartment in about 40 minutes for a dinner party/celebration. I'm bringing two very nice bottles of wine -- a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and a Pinot Noir from The Eire Vineyards in Oregon. My goals for tonight are twofold -- (1) Not to freeze my behind off outside; and (2) not to drink too much wine. I'm EXTREMELY nervous about the idea of having a hangover with the band, which is bound to keep me honest.

At this point in my Bandland, I am 2 months and 9 days post-op. Here is how I am feeling:

* I have decent restriction (though I think a wee bit more would be even better);

* I still have shoulder pain from time to time, though it doesn't last very long and isn't anything near as painful as it was post-op;

* I've completely changed my approach to breakfast and have made great strides in changing my overall approach to portion size (I was generally a healthy eater before);

* I could be doing much better on the exercise front, and will work on that in the months to come;

* I am down (!!!) 18.4 lbs -- Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!

* I am so glad that I got banded -- I know that I would not be this close to 20 lbs down and still so motivated to keep going if not for my band;

* I've found that the hardest part about being banded was Bandster Inferno, and that the food thing really isn't that big of a deal to me;

* I can actually SEE a difference in my body when I look in the mirror, and my face looks much thinner and better!

* I'm a little worried about what all this weight loss is going to do to "the girls" (God, I hope my Dad isn't reading this one) but so far, so good; and

* It's been a real pleasure to find so much solidarity with other Bandits!

It's going to be an amazing year, and I can't wait to see what wonderful things it has in store for me. I hope it has much happiness, great health, love and friendship in store for all of us.

Happy New Year!!