4 years ago today

I have been spending my 4 th surgiversary working hard on a presentation on Obesity Sensitivity for a personal training class. That alone is representative of the changes I have been thru in the past 4 years. 4 years ago walking up a fight of staris left me tired and out of breath, now I work out strenuously several times a week., and am taking personal training classes ( to get certified as a trainer) 4 years ago I ate what ever. Now I am on a great, healthy eating plan that makes me strong and healthy. 4 years my health was in jeapordy from super morbid obesity, Now I am heathy and strong. 4 years ago I could only shop Lane Bryant, and pray they had the size 28-30 I needed and that something would be decent quality and not too ugly. and at 4'11" that something would at least be close in length of pants and sleeves. Now, I can shop anyplace and find more pretty clothes that FIT well than I can begin to afford to buy. In an 8 petite no less! 4 years ago I was tired and unable to really enjoy life or really get out and play with my grandkids. Now I have more energy than I know what to do with and I fit the slides and tunnels at the park, and I wore them out at 6 Flags Great America going on the rides. 4 years ago I was an invisible woman. Now I get doors opened and smiles that I never expected to happen. 4 years ago I was just existing. Now I am seeing so many possiblilities in life that I don't know which one to grab on to first. The past 4 years have been a roller coaster ride. Some times exciting, sometimes a little nauseating, lots of us and downs and twists and turns and surprises around the bend. 4 years ago, I never would have thought plastic surgery would be any part of my life and now I have had reconstructive surgery on just about every part of my body below the shoulders. There has been the unexpected - like the adaption to the new body and still working on recognizing my own body. Sometimes knowing I have body image issues and and not seeing what is real and others not seeing what is real and not knowing the difference. Who would have thought losing 130 pounds would take an emotional adjustment.? I thought it would be only happy and thrilling, but have sometimess struggled with the concept that I have lost a large piece of ME. It has also been unexpected when others say I am a completely different person and I have to say that only the package is changed, the soul is the same. The relly important things like my heart and soul, my capacity to love, and be loved, my intelligence and ambition all were there before. Then I wonder - Am I different? I have lost friends who now don't have time for me, and had people who were aquaintences suddenly become friendly. Both situations can be hurtful.

Val, you have come a long way baby. Great job and keep up the good work on yourself. One of these days we will meet face to face and will be able to hug one another. We live so near but yet so far. . . . . Are you going to be at the Walk From Obesity this Saturday? I will be there. Chris

wow ... sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago, sometimes just like yesterday, eh? In my past three years, I've been through things I would have never expected. And its still a challenge. I would love to be your first client when you get your personal trainer certification!! Good for you ... great journey and congrats ... you are the epitome of successful WLS surgery. Yeah you!! Karyn