What a whirlwind these past three years have been. I had no idea the impact that losing weight would have on how I view my life. I feel that I am worthy of being whomever I can dream of being and have just as much right to try as anyone else does. Even when I was smaller/younger I didn't feel that I was an equal. If someone wanted my place, I moved aside. If someone was approaching, I would yield. If someone was looking at the last Mitchum deodorant stick that I wanted to buy, I would buy another brand! In my mind I thought it was courtesy but looking back, I know that it was a feeling of inadequacy that led me to submit. Going hand in hand with that was me quitting college to work in a factory when I was 19. I never got my degree, my job moved to Juarez, Mexico and I once again had failed. Well, In October of last year I mustered up my confidence to look for a job doing something that I love yet had no work experience doing.. cooking. I was hired to work in the kitchen at a retirement center making desserts where they consider me a Pastry Chef and I've started taking classes to become an RN. I've been torn between following my heart and going to culinary school or following my head and going to nursing school so that I can support my family in case my husband loses his job. So far my head is winning because I already have the job of my dreams and no college training is necessary. I just hope I can keep up the steam to make it through college doing something that I am comfortable with but not passionate about. It amazes me that 3 short years ago I was basically housebound at only 29 years old and terrified that I would die while home alone with my children. Now the possibilities are endless and I find it hard to restrain myself. I am hovering between 175 and 185 lbs, wearing size 10/medium clothes and enjoying being a girly girl. I wear makeup every day, just got gel nails with french tips put on for the first time and wear heels when I can. Loving life up one side and down the other! I have my food moments too when I let the junk win but every day is a battle in a war that I am winning. I haven't taken 3 year post op pics yet though my anniversary was on the 13th. Will post when I do. Please check in, friends. Good or bad we understand better than others could what you are going through.

Sounds like you're doing great Rick. You're exercising and getting out to experience what life has to offer you. As for the extra 23, you know how they appeared and you know how to make them disappear again if you choose to. You have control, not the food ( like it used to). Isn't that a great feeling?


Lauren

Hi Trish! It's great to see you! Great job losing the weight after Sofea was born! That is WAY hard to do. I'll check in soon to see if you have any new photos uploaded :)


Lauren

Way to go Rick....there are ups and downs to everyone's lifes and we know what we have to do but sometimes life and reality kick in and tries to take over...you are doing wonderful....and keep up the work...I have recently left the YMCA because one it was too expensive so I have joined Planet Fitness with is more than half the price of the YMCA....I will tell you what if you come in once a day and report in I will as well...maybe we can show the example to everyone else and get some of our friends to check in..

Have a wonderful weekend....

God Bless
Jannine

Jannine,

I'm glad you stopped in. By the number of views to each post it seems that many people have turned into lurkers. I hope they come out and say hello.

I'm sorry to hear about your families health problems. It seems like we all go through stages in our lives when our loved ones seem to be falling apart and we do our best to help them and hold on to our own sanity.

I'm sorry to hear about the mess up from the doctor's office with your plastic surgery approval. I hope that works out for you.

Congratulations on maintaining your weight loss.

I don't plan on hiding the fact that I had weight loss surgery. Hopefully I can help others who have gone down the difficult road we have already taken and make it easier for them.

Take care, Rick