5 year anniversary

Dear All...last Sunday I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with my sister in Las Vegas...she had asked me to attend a self help convention with her...it was called " I Can Do It" sponsored by Hay House ( Louise Hay). I had a GREAT time...the weather was sunny and warm and the people who attended made you feel so loved... I definetely would not have been ready for something like this 5 years ago. My first two years I concentrated on weight loss...I shed 110 lbs and a husband...My third year I concentrated on maintaince and lost an additional 11.5 lbs of skin by having an extended tummy tuck and lower body lift...but I was lonely and started dating, thinking a new man was the answer... My fourth year I still maintained my weight loss, restarted therapy to make sure I wasn't choosing the man as my ex-husband....since not relying on food as my source of comfort it would be so easy to start relationships with men and try and MAKE them work..I learned a big lesson...I can really enjoy being with myself..I don't have to be with someone...but....I was unhappy with my current job situation. I gained a supervisory postion during my first year of wls and felt challenged....now I was totally unsatisfied trying to motivate my direct reports who were only interested in collecting a pay check.. I was able to take a package from my job last month and will now embark on a new career as a life coach...this is so exciting...I love helping people stay focused and maintain their weight or helping them to get back on track and lose weight... I never would have the self esteem to pursue this 5 years ago...I tell everyone of my wls journey. I want all you who made this decision to feel proud that you did something positive by having this surgery...congrats to all I am determined to making this the best year of my life With love and excitement, Carol in NJ

Hi Carol! Thank you so much for taking the time to encourage us new-bes or wanta-bes! I gained much hope about how self-esteem can heal. Hugs--Sunny