Really Enjoying the NEW me

Okay gang, I have been missing in action for some time now but I do try and read many of the posts and play catch up.  Anyway I decided to post because I am finally feeling really different in my new me and wanted to share.

I am having a blast this summer shopping and just trying on new clothes in size 8 and medium tops.  I actually don't mind looking at myself in a mirror when I am in a bathing suit. I sometimes do it just becuase I never really took the time to look at myself in a mirror before.  I used to run past them and only check things out when I had to.  I was never comfortable in my own skin!  Now I do my own double take and walk back and look again and I actually get in those three way mirrors that let you see from so many angels and sides.  I look good!  I look DAMN GOOD!  It's is so incredible to me. 

I have never ever been this size in my entire life and I absolutely LOVE it!  I am thoroughly enjoying myself this summer.  I have a tan this year because I don't mind wearing a bathing suit on a public beach.  I am wearing some really cute and young looking clothes.  And, I have to admit, I am feeling incredibly more feminine or at least I am enjoying wearing more fashionable clothing and accessories.  I don't know if it's my age, my new look or what but I have found myself wearing more attractive clothing and jewelry than I ever had in the past.  I guess what I am saying is that for the first time in my life I really don't mind drawing attention to myself and the way I look.  Now that's an incredible jump forward.  Don't get me wrong, I would have to say that in the appearnce area, I was always a free spirit about what people thought.  You know, like who gives a crap, but now not only don't I care what people think, I find myself dressing for me rather than for someone else or blending in.  Again, it's a great feeling!  It's a real freedom and a  tremendous release from simply trying to blend in or hide.

I guess my point here is to say that not only am I successing at this weight loss surgery, but I am also successing at feeling very alive, attractive and comfortable in how I look.  I don't think I realized until now how much I did not like how I looked in the past.  Lastly and most importantly, I feel the healthiest I have ever felt in my life.  I eat right, I exercise, and I just love what all of this is doing for me.  It has certainly made turning 50 a lot easier to accept and an age and place in my life to be very proud of.  I worked hard to get here and I can't wait to see how the next 50 go!

So for all you pre-op folks and new post-ops, incredible things are waiting for you!  It's a great ride and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Jan

Forgive me if a little too boastful but hell, it truly is an awesome time and awareness in my life because of WLS.

Jan,
You sound fantastic, and I don't think you are too boastful at all.  Successing, is what this surgery is all about.  Keep up the great work.  Good to hear from you.  Don't be such a stranger.

Hugs,
Trish

Hi Trish!

I really feel and am fantastic.  It is so unreal at time but is finally sinking in.  People from my hometime didn't know who I was and one friends said "my God!  Eat  donut or something, you're too skinny"!  That was amazing.

Jan

Jan,

That wasn't a boastful post at all - you deserve all the happiness and wonders you are experiencing!!

I smiled at every single sentence of that post.  I'm not at the point where you quite are yet - although I have noticed that I do check myself out in the mirrors all the time now.  Many of the times are still related to ""This is hugging here" or "That is pulling here" to me - but there HAVE been times where I've said "wow - I look that good?!"

I never much cared about what people thought about how I looked.  Don't get me wrong - I didn't go out dressed as a slob, but I also didn't care about bathing suits and what not (although all of mine did have those little skirts on them because I didn't like my upper thighs - and they still do - just smaller skirts!) but I went out and wore them even at my heaviest.

I feel much more vein now, and sometimes I wonder if that's ok.  I don't like leaving the house in just "any old thing"  Jeans and an oversized t shirt used to be what I wore every day.  I still wear jeans often - but I wear fitted tops and dressier tops/shoes/accessories with them.  Today I was exhausted and pulled on a t shirt, shorts, and flip flops.  I didn't do my hair or makeup - just pulled it back, sprayed it down and left.  I was only doing laundry today at my parents house.  Yet - I felt like a slob.  I felt like I shouldn't even be at my parents house dressed like that.  It was an interesting feeling.  Where as 1 year ago - that would have been EXACTLY what I wore most days.

Thanks for shedding some light on the road further down and you continue to enjoy the exciting life you are living.  You definately don't look 50 and I am so glad you are having such a great time!

Pam

Thanks Pam,

By the way, I still bomb around in shorts and a T, but I tend to wear colorful T's and yup, I will have on a matching watch or some different earrings.

It is so FUN.

Jan

Hi Jan
  I am so happy for you and you do look great.
MISS YOU
Susan

Thank Susan,

You look pretty damn good yourself woman! 

Nice being at your pre-op support meeting.  I hope to make the August post op meeting.

Jan

You are very inspiring!
Thank you!!

Thanks!  I owe my success on the inspiring people here too.  Folks like Nan, Heather, Mary Ivins . . . Keeping your eyes oin the prize and you'll get there if you aren't there yet!

Jan

Jan, as a new post-op (almost 8wks out), thank you for sharing your very inspirational and heart-felt thoughts with all of us :) You look FABULOUS!! And I'm glad that you can see it and most importantly that you feel it!! {{hugs}}.........Stefanie