Another Day Another Year

So I was standing there this morning looking in the mirror reflecting on things...I was reflecting on things because as of 1:46 this morning I am now 1 year older...I'm 44 years old today. My first thought was how can I be 44 years old?? It was just yesterday that I turned 16 and got a driver's license, just graduated from high school, just turned 18...just got my first "legal drink" at 21...how can I be 44?????!!!!!!!????? Actually, when I think on it, I am well aware of the passage of time. I spent my whole adult life morbidly obese. I have a great life, great friends, the Best Mom and Sister and a great extended family, a good education, a great job and I've been greatly blessed. That being said, I've spent most of my adult life being completely miserable. Oh I'm thankful and appreciative of everything I've been blessed with but I was miserable because I was morbidly obese. I despised myself for my weakness with food and what I let happen to my body. Toward the end I felt like a drug addict who couldn't get enough food and I felt helpless. Toward the end I felt like the days/years of my life were like grains of sand slipping through my fingers. I knew I was out of control (eating wise) and I needed to do something. Enter WLS Surgery...oh sure, I resisted the idea for a few years. I thought I could do it on my own because after all I had lost close to 60lbs at Weigh****chers...only to see it plus another 40lbs packed back on within 18 months of "taking my eyes off of my goal". I lamented how hard it was to lose the weight and keep it off and so easy to regain it. I had serious reservations about WLS...I was concerned about the fact that it wasn't reversible and "what if I developed a complication?" A friend of mine who had WLS a year before me said "well why would I want it reversed?" Toward the end I realized that I was so miserable that I felt that WLS was my only option to losing weight and that I needed to do something or I might not make it to 50 years old and the quality of my life would not be good as I was experiencing health issues as a result of MO. In addition, I realized that I would continue to hate and despise myself if I didn't change something...so I made the appointment and the rest is history. Now that I'm 129lbs lighter, there are several things about myself that I've discovered. I'm no longer miserable. I even like myself now I'm no longer on any medications whatsoever and my health is great! Emotionally I'm still working my way through life. I'm really thrilled with the results of the surgery but I am still single (not by choice). I recently realized that I had one helluva love affair with food my entire life and in a way having WLS/losing weight was like "breaking up with food". I do not mean to imply that I don't enjoy eating now or that it's a chore. I enjoy eating things that I probably shouldn't, but these types of "indulgences" are the exception not the rule now. My diet revolves around protein now...protein, protein, protein. It's a good thing that I like all things protein I realized when I made the decision to have WLS that I needed to have WLS in order to lose weight and have a chance at finding someone special to share my life with. I apologize for the length of this post. I guess the bottom line is that I'm really thankful and happy these days and while life isn't perfect and I'm another year older, life is definitely better than it was 18 months ago prior to surgery and I wouldn't change a thing. Have a Wonderful Day! Terry

Just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAVE A GREAT DAY Kelly

Thanks Kelly You have a great day too!

Wow, girl, you are just SO profound today! I hope you have a wonderful day. Since you and I have decided that we were actually separated at birth, I feel comfortable echoing everything you said. Knowing your family, you have every reason to feel blessed to have them. That being said, make sure you know that YOU are a gift to those of us who are blessed to have you in our lives. You are beautiful, inside and out, caring (probably too much, if that's possible), strong both in conviction and faith, compassionate, funny, thoughtful, and all the other adjectives that I can't come up with this early in the a.m. I feel so lucky to have you in my life, both as a friend and a WLS supporter. So tell McMom she done good 44 years ago (in truth, you only look like your 30's!!!!) There are so many stupid men out there who truly don't know what they're missing by not beating down your door to date you. I know you feel like you're still a work in progress, inside and out, but I have faith that Mr. Right, not Mr. Right Now, will be along eventually. Let's hope he brings friends! You have so much to offer that God must be waiting for just the right moment to send him to you. Have a wonderful day and do something great to celebrate! LOVE YOU LOTS, Tia

Awww....thank you I feel exactly the same way about you too! Thanks so much Tia I know one thing, Mr. Right better come packing a friend! Love, T

Terry, HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Reading your post.....WOW you are truly an amazing woman and I feel very fortunate to have met you. I consider you an inspiration and I hope to have that kind of success in my future. I hope today brings you much more happiness, you don't look anywhere close to 44, and have a wonderful day! ~Heather

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Another year thinner.. couldn't be better to do Happy birthday Aime

A beautiful post that mirrors a lot of my thoughts on life. Have a wonderful birthday and enjoy the gift of a new, improved life that you've given to yourself. TraciL

Happy Birthday Terry!! I hope this year is even better than the last one. You deserve it. What a great post. Have a wonderful day!! Hugs, Robin

Happy Belated Birthday! I am sorry I missed seeing your post. I am so glad that you are doing wonderfully and loving yourself! I want to wish you happiness, much prosperity and a soulmate to spend the rest of your years loving life. Hugs, Cira