thank you! Sounds like you are doing great as well. Keep on going!

Thank you neighbor. I live in SC now. You look amazing. Isn't this just great?!

Terri, you are doing great, keep up the good work!

Thank you very much, you look pretty darn good yourself!

I remember the first thing I bought for myself after having surgery. I made a habit of rewarding myself just $1 for every pound so if I lost 50 pounds I went to the Bon Marche and either bought a new blouse a couple sizes smaller or some perfume or a special pair of earrings. It's really important for me anyway to reward myself and I really don't have to spend a lot on it....I love going to the bead store and I'll get a couple of beads and make some jewelry... I went through a lot of counselling and paid good money to learn these things...so don't beat yourself up if you just have a hard time with your image right now. Anyway, I watched that first blouse slowly fit me...it had a 2 inch gap in it at first. Next thing I knew I could close the blouse, but the arms were still snug....a week or two later, I could wear it. So I bought another and another. I didn't spend a lot of money on them, I don't want to do that either and that is where the support group really helps with the clothing exchange. I buy just a couple of pairs of slacks and one pair of jeans until I need the next size down. I'm excited because I can actually go in the store and buy clothes. I was getting too large for even the large and tall store...so had to order my clothes from the catalog...so you can see why I am so excited.... One thing I have learned is that beauty comes from within and when we feel good about ourselves it shows no matter what size we may be. I struggle sometimes when I look in the mirror cause I still have a long way to go but those little mini accomplishments just make me happy. For instance...today I got up early, rode my bike and had some fun came home did a few things and then I went for another bike ride in the afternoon. I was so proud...except I got a flat tire after getting home from a puncture weed in the tire...dang .... I measured with the car and I rode 2 1/2 miles this afternoon and I didn't measure what distance I rode this morning but I know it was over a mile....That just makes me really proud. I home in some way this gives you a little glimmer of sunshine and you can see shopping in a new light. Don't think of it as a stressor....think of it as an adventure. Just go and enjoy the experience for an hour or so and if you see something you like, fine...if not that's ok too. Reallize that you are beautifully and wonderfully made inside and out.