What Firsts Will Happen for you This Year?

Winne - I love your post.  I can so identify with what you are saying!  So here's to a happy, healthy, skinny 2009!

Remind me again when your surgery is?

Way to go Winnebago!! You are already manifesting your dream!!

Debra...You are right on with your assessment...even after losing a lot of excess weight it takes quite a bit of courage to try something physically demanding...especially in public. I am so used to having the whole world watch me (seemingly) that I forget that I almost blend in to "normal" sized society. Also, there are lots of things I have NEVER been able to do ...even when I was a kid...because of the weight. Sooooooo...I am gonna do something I haven't done since I was about 12...RIDE A BIKE!!!!!!!  Then maybe a motorcycle!!!
~Lisa~

I bought a bike the end of last summer and rode it twice.  It is dang hard work.  Maybe you could try mine out and see what you think and then you'll get one and we'll ride together.  Wouldn't that be cute?

I too am looking forward to so many new things, like riding a bike, doing a 5K, riding a roller coaster, or being able to ride in a plane.  My first steps which were major to me was buying a shirt at WalMart last week.  Haven't done that since my marriage 28 years ago.  Also I fit in a booth!  We went to Taco Bell the other night where my daughter works.  My wife asked if I wanted to try a booth (we ALWAYS have had to ask for a table and chair at a restaraunt for so many years. I can't even remember the last time I sat in a booth).  Anyway I looked at her like she was crazy, then looked at the booth, then kind of looked around at the people there to see how many people would notice my trying to SQUEEZE into a booth, then have to SQUEEZE back out and try to stand because there wasn't enough room.  But, I FIT!! OMG!! I couldn't believe it.  My daughter even came out to talk for a few minutes and she flashed her beautiful smile at me and said, "Your in a booth!"  She hasn't really commented much (if at all, being an 18 yr old) about my loss, so this was really special to me. Also special was the smile on my wife's face.   On one side I feel this is so stupid to get excited about these things that are everyday nothing to most people, but on the other side, they are things that I thought would never be possible.  I too like Fleemore am trying to say "Thank you" to compliments, without having to add a "yeah, but...." to it.  That is one of the hardest things to do, HUH, GLITTER????  Here's to a wonderful year of new adventures and health.  I love you ALL!  Yes, ALL.  Michael

Huh?  You talking to me?  I'm always graceful and poised in conversation!  NOT!!!  Ok, so test me!  Say something really flattering and I'll just say thank you!  Go ahead!  Something really, really sickenly sweet! 

I love your response Michael....the things people take forgranted like sitting in a booth are the things that WOW us all now!!!!  Life is good and this is all such a Blessing for me and I know others as well.  I don't take it forgranted either.

My plan is to get to goal and learn to maintain my weight.  I have no idea how to do that.  I've been on a diet for 43 years!  Should be interesting!

The booth thing is great isnt it. Another for me wa snot having to use a seat belt extender, and new just this week not having to move the car seat all the way back after mom had drove it to beable to fit me and my stomach inside.

I have had such a great ride so far and had a few momentous firsts happen already.  Married to a travel agent and having been a travel agent for 17 years, I have flown a lot.  I cannot tell you how much easier it is now.  And there is zero stress.  I used to get so stressed out about where I would have to sit and if I would have to, God forbid, actually sit next to a stranger where I would bleed into their seat.  That was my worst nightmare was making someone else uncomfortable because I was fat.  That was the worst.  Now I could sit in a middle seat and not be concerned. That is HUGE for me!

Next on my agenda?  I want to go to Disney World and ride EVERYTHING and not have to worry whether I will fit and the bar will go down.  I always said I was scared of roller coasters and I am, a little, but the fear was really whether or not I would fit.  Now I say, bring on the tea cups!!!

I almost got sick on the tea cups.