New Life

Happy Independence Day!

This year I celebrate the birth of our great nation. This year I remember the blood and sacrifice of all those who serve to protect our freedoms. This year I celebrate personal independence.

I am 379 days post surgery. Yesterday I ran 6.68 miles. This morning I am down exactly 116 pounds. Today I'm going to be active, join the celebration, eat very little and be totally satisfied. It's going to be a great day.

Until June 20th, 2013, my life was defined by limits and regret. Today my life is defined by hope and opportunity. I know it sounds superlative, but I cannot over stress the positive impact weight loss surgery has had in my life. I dared hope for physical change, all though I grossly underestimated the impact to my physical well-being. The emotional and spiritual changes in my life only serve to illustrate the depressed state I was in and the positive direction I now move. My wife has said it many times, the surgeons operated on my stomach, but effects are in my mind.

Today I celebrate independence. Today I celebrate freedom. Today I celebrate new life.