Living OUR Dreams

I have had a lot of positive things happen this week. I really appreciate the support I receive on here and at home. I have come to realize that before WLS I was slowly stopping to live life. When I was heavy, I swallowed my dreams and ambitions because I physically could not do them. Everyone else's joys and accomplishments became my own. It is funny what losing some weight does for a person-physically and mentally. I am still obese but I no longer let that stop me from jumping into life and going after my dreams. For me it is about the barrel racing. For you-it might be something else (I notice a lot of new bike riders on here). For so long we did not feel in control. Here is what I found this week. When I accomplished one of my goals of making a great, smooth run-everyone around me celebrated also. They wanted to root me on. You can not believe the support and well wishes, comliments, etc I received this weekend. Consequently, you can not believe how much this boosted my confidence in my ability to complete my goals. I urge all of you to find something you have always wanted to do or something you used to do before you got heavy and GO AFTER IT! Don't wait... I have always been my worst critic. This week brought me back my self respect and having this kind of feeling makes me know that no matter what, this surgery was a success. I got ME back.

I couldn't have said it better Congrats to you by the way for the barrel racing!!!

Sharra, Thank you so much for the motivation and Congratulation on your recent success!! How exciting for you. And for all us, that we can share it with you.

BINGO! Sharra. Time for all of us to get off the sidelines and get in the game. Don't be afraid to explore. Try EVERYTHING (legal, moral, and not really naughty... or not ) We've been given a second chance at a good life. USE IT. DD

I'm all for that. I love riding too, and have picked up from where I left off like 5 years ago. I'm still battling a lot of depression, though. I know I need to see a counselor but don't really want any more medical bills on top of what I already owe.

Wynette; The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person. There is a reason horses are used for therapy on people and even rehabilitation of prisoners. You can get two things done for one..... Happy trails.

Wynette (and anyone else), I'm an insurance administrator for a large company and I would suggest that you check w/ your EAP. There are usually 3-5 free sessions (sometimes phone, but usually they will cover face-to-face counseling sessions) that you can get PER ISSUE. You can really work this system to your advantage if you go in for (hypothetically) issue #1 Weight; then three sessions later, change it to #2 Depression, then to #3 Anxiety over future, etc. even w/ 3 "issues" you will be able to get anywhere from 9 - 15 free sessions with a counselor. Just know how many per issue and after the third, call the EAP and get another referral to the same counselor about the next issue. It's totally worth trying.