Who is this Woman?

I was looking back at the journal I've been keeping since my first pre-surgical consult, and what I'm doing now, and I'm not sure I know who the woman living in my skin is, anymore. Just 8 months ago I was desperate, unhappy and uncomfortable. Today there is an active and vital woman here! I've gone from being uncomfortable and tired all the time, to wanting to, and enjoying, all the physical activity I can get. This is not the me I remember! (Not complaining, mind you, I love it!) A naturally thin friend was telling me to slow down yesterday. (We were talking about the 10k CROP walk I'm doing this afternoon.) Says she's worried that I'm doing too much and will wear myself out. Nah...I just have years worth of catching up to do, and I'm getting out there and DOING IT! Life is GREAT! Deb

Thanks for the great testimony on what a life changing event we have all given ourselves. It is amazing how depressed I was this time last year, and waiting for insurance approval made me feel like a caged, enraged animal waiting to escape. Thank God for this second opportunity at doing life right. Lisa G

I agree. When I think back to how trapped in despair I felt last year, the difference in my life is MAGNIFICENT! Don't you feel like the possibilities are endless now? Like the world has finally opened up and invited you in? I also had a long, tortured wait for insurance approval, and had my surgery at LITERALLY the 11th hour - New Year's Eve - because that's when CIGNA stopped paying for it. Miraculous. This is why we fought so hard for this, ladies. We KNEW it would transform our lives from mere existence to actually LIVING. My gratitude knows NO bounds. Little things THRILL me. Like being able to touch my fingers around my wrist. Being able to get my face over my plate at the table, instead of dropping food all over me. Buying clothes without "X"s in the size. The almost total lack of the carb cravings that used to control my life in so many ways. Not having my neck in my ears when I look down. My "shelf butt" disappearing. My waist reappearing. Even my nose is skinnier. Feeling more comfortable in workout clothes. Walking through turnstiles, not squeezing sideways. Walking for long periods of time without making excuses to sit. Fitting in a squishy bathroom stall. To be sure, I still have a long way to go, weight-wise. But I am truly loving this "honeymoon phase", these nice little moments of self-discovery that keep me amused, joyful, and motivated to succeed. I swear to you, I will have a PARTY the day I discover I can cross my legs! Three cheers to us all! Donna

Hi Donna , I know the what you mean I can Cross my leggggggs