It has been a long time since I have updated my page. I have been so overwhelmed with school it’s unbelievable. I go in for 7:30 am – 8:00 am and I’m leaving about 8:30 or 9:00 pm. If I would have known that it was going to be this hard I would have chosen another profession to go into. My boyfriend so understands he has been my rock in these really hard times. These six months we have been dating have been moving by so fast.

I lost all my living room due to Hurricane Ike. The ceiling collapsed in during the storm, and I have been so busy that I have not been able to get all the repairs completed to date. I am thankful that I was not home when this happen but you can’t imagine my shock to walk in my home after the storm to see my entire living room trashed with the remnants of the ceiling the debris fell so hard it slide my 57 inch television all the way up against the wall from the edge of the entertainment center.

I have been managing to loose a few pounds here and there I’m down to 230 lbs from 412 lbs. I wanted to get down to 195-175 but know that is not going to be a good look for me since I am almost 6 ft tall. I’m starting to get that sick look, and the famous you’re getting to small you need to stop loosing weight seems to be the norm from everyone around me.

I have aged from the stress of school, and dealing with my loss since the storm. I don’t like how I look in the face, and that’s due to not getting enough rest. I’m working 16 hour days Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so I don’t really have anytime to myself. I’m surprised I have time for a relationship with my schedule.

So much has happened since my last update I couldn’t possible write it all, I’d need an entire day to write. I thank all of the people who sent me backline messages to check on me after the storm, and those who called and I was unable to return them due to one thing or another. Charge it to my brain, and not my heart Donna, and Faith!!!!!!!!!! Love you guys, and thanks for all the prayers….. BAF really has some wonderful people.

I am looking forward to December 12^th the last day of school. It was going to be the 8^th but thanks to the storm that has now changed. I’m going on a few mini vacations while I am out. My sweetie and I went to South Padre in July, and I have been to Las Vegas twice this year. I went in May, and had such a wonderful time I went back in August the week before school started. I have a few pictures of me in my first swimsuit in like ten years. I was sitting on the side of the pool, and a very handsome white guy leaned down gave me a high five, and said nice! I guess he like thick women who know. I live my life to the fullest, and everyday is a pure joy just to be alive. When you live through the storm like Ike you come to appreciate the little things. I knew people who didn’t make it through the storm, and even thought there gone their not forgotten. God has a plan for us all, and I do my part daily to be ready for when ever he calls me home.

This journey has taught me so many things about myself, and life. If I could do it all over again I would in a heart beat. I have no regrets everything happens for a reason. I do make time for church on Wednesday nights, and that is like the sweetest time in the week now. To be able to praise, and worship with my boyfriend has really brought us even closer over the last few weeks that we have been going. I had to make time for church. I was missing it due to work, and school then finally I said all not done by 7 o’clock won’t get done I have to go because God has been too good to me.

I wish everyone the best on their journey, and know that it’s only what you make of it, and not a thing less. Keep God first, and all else will fall exactly where he so desires.

Hey family I forgot to share my great new. Last month on April 12, I was accepted into the Physical Therapy Assistant Program. I am looking forward to the challenge. I will be going to school full time, and working part time. I am more excited to get away from my job through the week, and only work on the weekends. I uploaded a few pictures of my celebration dinner. My two coworkers who I have girls night with came out, and one of their sisters. My sisters, and my ex boyfriend two sisters came out. We had the most wonderful time. I will put up more pictures when they are developed from that night.

Well here I am back from Las Vegas my first vacation since weight loss surgery! Oh, boy I think my pouch is a drunk. The whole vacation she only wanted to drink, and not eat. I ate the bare minimum at meals. However, I was able to finish off every drink that was purchased. I think I gained 15 lbs from alcohol alone. Las Vegas is the place to be to walk and drink up, and down the street. You can even get on some bus with an open container “Depend on the driver”! I had a blast. I’m going back in a few months to get it out of my system again before school starts.

Donna thank you for the warm compliment’s and shout out you gave me on your page. Girl, your more than welcome for as you say southern hospitality. I had a great time meeting with you as well. I haven’t forgotten about you I promise to hit you up when I slow down from my trip. Girl you gotta go to Vegas!

I have not been working out because life has been so hectic since getting accepted into school I have been on the grind getting everything taken care of for that.

Today is the last day of school so I will be celebrating tonight pretty tough.  However, I have a tone of energy since I have been taking my vitamins, and water like a mad woman. I was able to walk up, and down the Vegas Strip in heels. Even the skinny women were like how you do it. I just laugh and say you should have seem me a year ago this was not even possible. Everywhere we went I took the stairs because I knew the alcohol was a tone of empty calories. I didn’t feel any pain from all the walking every night I went to bed like it was a normal day. If you never been to Vegas go just once to treat yourself. It’s well worth it.

I up loaded a few pictures that my friends took thinking they were cute of me drinking everyday. Notice the different outfit “new day new drink”. The Eiffel tower drinks were so good for $15.00 it needed to be. The drink on top of the Stratosphere was so dang strong my eyes tell it all. More pictures to come when there developed if I can slow down long enough to put them on the page.

Today back to the gym, and I am so proud of myself that I am on the vitamin and water horse. Until next time I pray all is well with everyone, and their journey is only getting better. As for me I can’t complain life has been blessed. I woke up this morning so I’m already ahead of the game. God is able is all I tell myself when the road gets tough.

I have not been myself these last few weeks, and I don’t know when I will come around. I have recently had life events that have consumed me to the point of a mental over load. I have went days with out eating, and drinking. I have been healed from that now. Praise God! I have always been one of those people who take how other people act to heart. Even though I can’t control how other people treat me I take it personal, and allow it to affect my life more than it should.

Critical observation! I now have a lot more attention from the opposite sex. It has been good attention. However, not all men have showed me the respect that I would like. I have been on so many dates, and I’m tired already. I hate the dates you go on with expectations based off the phone conversation only to be terribly disappointed when you spend time with them. I have guys walk up to me everywhere I go, and start conversations with me. We exchange numbers, and it shoots to hell fast for one reason or another. I don’t think that I’m cut out for this dating world of 2008. I’m a simple woman who knows what I want. When I address the issues it seems that based off my strength they become intimidated by what I’m looking for. I’m not even talking about a husband just who I want to date. I have changed my standards on who I entertain. I have a fresher outlook on life since my WLS. I know what “MY” man needs to posses in order to make me happy. God will you send my HUSBAND to me?  

I am so thankful that with this surgery it has given me an eternal strength that has allowed me to not RUN to food in times of adversity. I notice that this last incident has caused me to not even want to eat. That is a REALLY big change from the old Lesley. No Weapon Preformed Against Me Shall Prosper. God is MY Strength and Salvation.

My how time flies! Yes I made one Year out on March 26^th Praise The Lord!!!! I am down a total of 147 lbs. I feel like a new woman to say the least. My health is the best it has been in over ten years. I’m dating now after a five year relationship that ended several months back. I’m not a big fan of what I see out here but I have faith that God is able to send me “My Husband!” I have one guy that I’m dating and I really like him. I have put it in God’s hands and know that if this is his will it shall be done.  

Clothes I was wearing a size 30/32 for over seven years. For my 33^rd birthday March 2^nd my outfit was a size 16 from Avenue. I cried tears of joy just to be able to wear something that didn’t look like a tent when you held it up. I have a few pictures that I’m going to add to my profile. I found some before pictures that will show you why I NEEDED this surgery. I have been under sever stress lately, and went about a week without eating or drinking. God’s will is the only thing that sustained me through this time. I did lose some weight but I know that is not how I want to lose my weight through starvation. I just could not make myself eat or drink. The though of eating made me sick to my stomach so I wouldn’t. My life has been so hectic that I have only been making it to the gym about once a week. This week will be better for me I know this. I have started drinking one protein shake every morning {Unjury Chocolate}. I eat my lunch and no dinner. I don’t eat any sweet’s {Praise God} I would have been running to get my hand on junk when I got stressed before this surgery. Now my mind and body just shut down to the point where I can’t make myself eat.  

This journey was not easy to say the least but it is well worth it when you see where you are vs. where you use to be. I thank God for blessing me to still look nice in the face. I use to get upset when some of the other people monthly weight loss ran circles around mine. But now when I see their face it has that “OLD” look that scares the crap out of me. I know that losing my weight slower has kept my face pretty, and full looking. I’m not bragging I just happen to be in love with myself “NOW!” Well I promise to stop by, and update more often. I have lots to share, and the most amazing wow moments. Until next time Be Blessed. 

Hugs, 

Lesley 

Here are my numbers for those who might have stop by for the first time I'm 5'9 so i carry my 265 well Lol! 

Consult 412 lbs.

Day of Surgery 386 lbs.

One Year Anniversary 265 lbs.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!