When Am I Going To Start Feeling Thin?

Am I ever going to get over the idea that I am heavy? I constantly want to lose more weight, I don't feel that I look thin, and I am just plain miserable about all this extra skin? I just have that idea in my head that in order to be skinny I must weigh 120. I'm not quite there yet, but almost. How long did it take all of you before you actually started to see yourselves in the mirror in a different light? Sorry for being such a Debbie Downer. Julie

Dear Julie, First, let me say I was so totally impressed by your talent and singing abilities that I heard on your 'myspace' page online. WOW. Girl, you should really keep it up, you sound great! I'd buy a CD of yours! Second, about "feeling thin"? I've lost 168 lbs, am half the size and less that I use to be, look in the mirror and remind myself HOW huge I use to be, and sometimes I am in shock at what I see. I believe you need to start to train your mind to see what you are really looking at. I look in the mirror every day, and sometimes it's just a tear away when I remember that before, I couldn't fit my whole body in that mirror. Now, i can. It's about perspective, about seeing through the looking glass and seeing YOURSELF in a way you've never seen before. Every time you look in the mirror, or see yourself, remember how far you've come, how great you look, and keep telling yourself that you are thin. Over time, your brain will soak it in what your eyes see. I hope that helps, and doesn't make it more confusing. It's a time thing for me. And each of us will see ourselves thin when we are ready. Stacey W

Julie I felt really good about myself but not I feel strange since I have the sagging skin and really want it removed. I know for sure that will make me feel a ton better. I hit a point where the skin was a burden to me and was a sign that I was still heavy. I was in denial the first 18 months after surgery saying how good I felt and looked and that a TT was not really necessary. But now, oh now I really want one so bad. I wish I could afford the thigh lift as well because that is more of a sore spot for me than my TT. I think it all comes in time but we definately have to retrain our heads to think positive about our self image. I know I don't have much to say to help you but please know you are not the only one with image problems. Suzanne

Thank you.

Julie, Are you kidding me....You are absolutely stunning. I am only 7 weeks out & only down 26 lbs & I would give anything to be where you are right now. I know our minds play evil tricks on ourselves. But trust me the outside world looking in @ you must see a beautiful person. I know it means a lot of what we think of ourselves but that we have to retrain our brain. Every morning you should get up & repeat to yourself: I am a beautiful, intelligent, successful, gorgeous thin woman. Or whatever adjectives you choose to use. Seriously, you soon will be BELIEVING it & beliveing in your beautiful thin self !!! You go girl!!! Keep that chin up you have come a long way!!!! Holly

How sweet are you....thank you.

I was shopping today with a pal who is a couple of years out, has had her tt and has nothing shoing to indicate that she was ever fat. She moves well, seems comfortable in her body and KEPT TRYING ON CLOTHING THAT WAS A SIZE TOO BIG! So, even though she sees it, she still doesn't see all of it. I see a stranger in the mirror these days, and can't take in the whole picture. I see the pieces, good and bad, but I don't look like me anymore. I keep wondering who is standing there. I see the wobbly skin, the bunchy batwings and the draped thighs, but I don't know the face above them. So, I don't know when we "get it," and I don't know if plastics will help all that much.

Oh the clothing, don't even get me started on the clothing, lol. I am the WORST when it comes to buying the right size. I put something on that actually fits and then say, "oh, it's too tight". Really it's not too tight. Here's a prime example of how warped I am in the head, lol. I work at Lane Bryant part time and I bought a pair of pants there along with this corset top. Lane Bryant starts at a size 14 right, well I am a size 8 on the bottom. I am size 4-6 on top. Woo Hoo crazy lady. Yeah I thought for sure that those pants and that top fit. Um, not. And who knows if I am even an 8 on the bottom. Ugh, terrible.

Julie, I also checked out your myspace and you have a great voice. I really like song #3. I also live in Traverse City. Sounds like you just moved here recently. I've lived here about 19 years. Was that Father Ken that married you? Your wedding dress was beautiful. Lynn

Thanks. My husband and I will have lived here 4 years in July. That was Fr. Ken that married us? Do you belong to St. Francis? If yes, and you went to midnight mass, you heard me sing live. I was singing Mary Did You Know. Julie