As some of you might recall, a girlfriend and I signed up for semi-private lessons with a local pro. Yesterday was our first lesson and I was so ridiculously excited!!! The lesson went GREAT. So of course we had to rush over to Sports Authority last night to buy "tennis" shoes, which our instructor said were important for ankle support, and she told me my grip size and I "had" to buy a racket!!! It's a Head titanium and you should've seen my face when I found out it came with a carrying case! I was like a little kid getting a great toy! I told my girlfriend to call me "Chrissie!" (AKA Chris Evert for those of you too young to remember her, haha!) And I'll probably carry the racket over my shoulder to the bus stop everyday . . . just kidding, that would be over the top! I feel like this is another step toward a new IDENTITY. Do you guys know what I mean? I'm no longer going to be the fat mom. I'm molding myself into a new person that I would admire. A cute active slim (well, someday soon!) mom who works out 6 days a week and plays tennis. And another girlfriend said something to me that really hit home, that the more I mold myself into that person, the more likely it will be a self fulfilling prophecy. And the less likely it is that I will slip up and gain weight ever again. AND, here's another thing to think about as we are "reinventing" ourselves. The more we project this new identity to others, THE WORLD WILL SEE US DIFFERENTLY AND TREAT US DIFFERENTLY! Which of course, will further reinforce our new positive attitudes and behaviors! OK, didn't mean to get philosophical so early in the morning, just wanted to share some positive thoughts! Hugs, Sandy 268/170/136

KT Giddy is a good way to describe it! My brain is having a hard time realizing that this is me!

Thanks Marianne. Isn't it great to not be recognized? I cried when I saw my pic show up on the post. I am in such awe that I could actually look like this again. Until this surgery I had no hope left. What a new world has opened up for me! No more worrying where I am going to sit, will I fit, who is going to talk about/humiliate me! I feel so free now!

This is a great story---- sometimes it takes someone who hasn't seen us in awhile to make us realize how far we have come!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Victoria

Carol You look totally different! WOW! You are so beautiful! You should be proud of yourself! The other day when I went to have my taxes done it was so funny because my accountant walked past me twice to go outside to have a cigarette. I could not figure out why I was waiting so long and she was outside smoking--when I finally said something she was shocked! Her reaction was OMG--I did not recognize you! Here I was waiting for you to show up and you were here all the time! Certainly made me feel good! Keep up the great work! Hugs Marianne