The WOW moment that made me cry.

I was poking around in my computer looking for a picture, and I came across this old photo from last year (late June 2007).  Lori C. took it when I was a Dr. Ali's office for my one-on-one appointment about 2 weeks before surgery.

I couldn't believe it was me, I hardly recognized myself...especially in my face.  When I put it side-by-side with a picture from this past weekend I began to really freak out.  I emailed them both to a friend who is getting ready to have WLS surgery. 

I began to talk about how I felt about the two pictures and I began to cry here at my desk. Even now I'm still tearing up.  So often I walk around and I still feel as though I'm really really fat. I haven't lost weight as quickly as other people even though I'm really active.

Now I really see what someone else had commented on once. They told me "I can really see you now! You were buried for so long!"

So for those of you who are preparing for this wild ride, it's an awesome journey....not just physically, but emotionally too.  For you old-timers, it's good to take a look back and see how far you've come.  :)

 

Monica,
For some reason your post always put tears in my eyes. What a difference in the pictures however I can still see the beautiful and sweet person you are in both.  You are a true inspiration. 

Lola

Monica P. WOW!!!!! You are beautiful girl!!!

HUGS
JOY

Monica, I don't even know you, but I have tears in my eyes right now.  I think it's that shared thing that only another fat person can relate to...no matter how much weight we lose.  Good job and you're an inspiration for alot of us!  xo  Kim

Wow, such a difference.  You must be so proud of yourself!  Congratulations and keep up the good work.  You're doing great!

Hugs,
---jan---

 You are so pretty, that its not even funny!  

Good job, you look fantastic!

Marie

We've gone thru this journey for about the same period of time and I've had that WOW moment too. Reading about yours brought back familiar tears for me. I know exactly where you're coming from with this. Exactly.

I had a member of my choir say something touching to me in March (when i started this plateau). I'd just taken 8" off my hair and started wearing really pretty dresses and heels to the services we sing on Sundays. She said, "You were always beautiful. Now you're finally believeing it."

I was at first a little offended .. then realized, she was right. Hope to see you for the coffee. My mom, new to the losers' bench, will come with me.

Monica,

Those look like two different people.  You have come so far.  You should be very proud of the progress you have made, I know we are.  A complete 180 degree turnaround for sure.

Kim

Be proud of yourself girlie!!!  You've come so far and worked so hard!!  You look fantastic!  I keep a before and after pic in my profile so I NEVER forget how far I've come!

I know for me, I feel like this is the person I've always been meant to be.  But I make sure to NEVER EVER remember who I was!

Be soo proud of yourself..  you work hard and you are beautiful!!!! 

Take care,

Renee*

Monica - what a beautiful transformation! 

It is so funny that you posted this today.  About an hour ago I was filing a picture we took this past weekend at Disneyland on my computer.  While confirming that I put it in the right place, a picture of my family and I from last Thanksgiving (about 5 days before my surgery) caught my eye. 

I opened it and was speechless and my eyes welled up immediately.  I knew that woman, but had nearly forgotten her.  It didn't even look like me.  How did I not recognize how far I had gotten from who I really was?  I put the two pictures up on my screen and just stared.  I can really see it now. 

The past 3 months I have been in a wicked stall (down and up the same 4lbs or so) and this really set me straight.  I am 11 months out and I have lost a total of 117lbs - that is a huge gift, and I am going to start respecting it.  That doesn't mean I am not going to try to lose more, but if I don't lose another pound I will be THRILLED with my outcome and happy to work at not gaining an ounce back.

I can move, run, climb, lift, hike, laugh, like who I see in the mirror and live with more confidence than I can remember ever feeling.  That...is the real goal.

So to you beautiful, strong and sassy Monica - congratulations on your awesome accomplishment.  To the rest of us OHers - congratulations to us as well.

Life can be tough, but it is so terrific and precious that I want to get the most of every moment I have of it.

Take care,

Cathy C.