Goals and successes
I'm curious as to what your very personal goals and successes are/have been in this journey.
I could tell you some of the obvious things (tying shoes, bending over, keeping up, activities, etc.) but...the truth is, my real deep down inside goal was to be able to be in a group of people and NOT stand out as "the fattest woman in the room."
And...it happened Thursday night. That's the success of the week.
I was at a writing class, at a table with 9 women. Out of habit, I did my mental inventory to compare myself with all of them...and realized that I was NOT the fattest woman in the room. Not even 2nd. In fact, I was actually somewhere in the middle.
I have not verbalized this goal, but it's probably been at the center of my thinking for years, since I developed this rather demoralizing habit of taking those inventories and realizing that most often, no one was heavier than I was.
So if you wish, can you share one of your own very personal goals and/or successes?
I could tell you some of the obvious things (tying shoes, bending over, keeping up, activities, etc.) but...the truth is, my real deep down inside goal was to be able to be in a group of people and NOT stand out as "the fattest woman in the room."
And...it happened Thursday night. That's the success of the week.
I was at a writing class, at a table with 9 women. Out of habit, I did my mental inventory to compare myself with all of them...and realized that I was NOT the fattest woman in the room. Not even 2nd. In fact, I was actually somewhere in the middle.
I have not verbalized this goal, but it's probably been at the center of my thinking for years, since I developed this rather demoralizing habit of taking those inventories and realizing that most often, no one was heavier than I was.
So if you wish, can you share one of your own very personal goals and/or successes?
Great post! LOL!
I can definately relate to your story. While I don't remember actually looking around to see if I were the heaviest in the room, I've FELT that way.
Here are a few of my successes...
Bunch of Moms standing around after preschool talking about losing weight. One of them actually mentioned a number...such as (for example...can't recall actual)..."I guess 185 is an average weight. I just don't like the way I look when I'm at this weight." My eyes almost popped out of my head. Usually I don't pay much attention to other people's weight, but I always thought this particular woman was thin-to-average weight. When she said the number (185) the only thing that came into my mind was "I weight less than that!" WooHoo! I can recall MANY times when I would have just cringed, praying no one would mention me or my weight!
Sitting in church, I crossed my legs, without any effort. It felt so good. It's happened several times recently, but it just makes me smile each and every time!
I pull my new size 14 jeans out of the drier and look at them as I fold them into the basket. I can't help but grin at how small they look to me. (I still have my 26/28 jeans up in my closet...waiting for the right moment for the big before/after shot!)
I bought a Halloween costume directly from a catalog without trying it on. Any costume I've ever had (and I LOVE this holiday) has been home-made and very flowing! Well, this year, with my accumulation of "disney reward dollars", I purchased a Minnie Mouse costume! When it arrived, it just fit. Well, that was a month ago and I can't wait to try it on again on for the party we're attending. (I invested this $$, though it actually cost me nothing, because I also have two sisters that can probably fit into it. They're thrilled to be able to wear it next year!) Yea! Halloween Costumes!
Ok, that's enough gloating for today! I just think that many of us have had a lifetime of feeling embarrased, uncomfortable and ashamed of our bodies. It's so much fun to be able to leave that behind us!
Yippee!
Pat
I can definately relate to your story. While I don't remember actually looking around to see if I were the heaviest in the room, I've FELT that way.
Here are a few of my successes...
Bunch of Moms standing around after preschool talking about losing weight. One of them actually mentioned a number...such as (for example...can't recall actual)..."I guess 185 is an average weight. I just don't like the way I look when I'm at this weight." My eyes almost popped out of my head. Usually I don't pay much attention to other people's weight, but I always thought this particular woman was thin-to-average weight. When she said the number (185) the only thing that came into my mind was "I weight less than that!" WooHoo! I can recall MANY times when I would have just cringed, praying no one would mention me or my weight!
Sitting in church, I crossed my legs, without any effort. It felt so good. It's happened several times recently, but it just makes me smile each and every time!
I pull my new size 14 jeans out of the drier and look at them as I fold them into the basket. I can't help but grin at how small they look to me. (I still have my 26/28 jeans up in my closet...waiting for the right moment for the big before/after shot!)
I bought a Halloween costume directly from a catalog without trying it on. Any costume I've ever had (and I LOVE this holiday) has been home-made and very flowing! Well, this year, with my accumulation of "disney reward dollars", I purchased a Minnie Mouse costume! When it arrived, it just fit. Well, that was a month ago and I can't wait to try it on again on for the party we're attending. (I invested this $$, though it actually cost me nothing, because I also have two sisters that can probably fit into it. They're thrilled to be able to wear it next year!) Yea! Halloween Costumes!
Ok, that's enough gloating for today! I just think that many of us have had a lifetime of feeling embarrased, uncomfortable and ashamed of our bodies. It's so much fun to be able to leave that behind us!
Yippee!
Pat
Things I have accomplished:
To be able to work a shift without coming home feeling like I was 80 and every joint aching.
To be able to not have to open my car door in order to reach down and hit the gas tank release button
Driving with a winter coat on. To many, this seems trivial...but I was always to hot and felt to bulky behind the wheel to wear my jacket (I normally didn't even have my jacket because I was so hot)
To not be afraid to do activities because I "was to fat to do that"
to have relationships with friends that didn't JUST revolve around food - going out to eat etc.
To feel comfortable in my own skin (this I still struggle with on occassion, don't get me wrong...)
To be able to work a shift without coming home feeling like I was 80 and every joint aching.
To be able to not have to open my car door in order to reach down and hit the gas tank release button
Driving with a winter coat on. To many, this seems trivial...but I was always to hot and felt to bulky behind the wheel to wear my jacket (I normally didn't even have my jacket because I was so hot)
To not be afraid to do activities because I "was to fat to do that"
to have relationships with friends that didn't JUST revolve around food - going out to eat etc.
To feel comfortable in my own skin (this I still struggle with on occassion, don't get me wrong...)
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
The thing that immediately leapt to mind was the ability to walk into ANY store selling clothing and to look at fashionable clothes without having everyone assume they were for gifts (which would have been a correct assumption). To find that I can purchase clothes in "real people sizes" (the way I've always thought of anything without a W after or X in front) has forced me to confront that I've always purchased things on the basis of "well, it fits me and who knows when I'll find something else that fits" rather than "hey, this looks nice and is my style." I don't even know what "my style" really is - still experimenting!
The other thing is being able to walk to and from the shower at the gym in my underwear (or with a towel wrapped around me) without feeling totally like people are going "OMG why is SHE here! Look at that jiggly blob!" Well, actually, just going to the gym and feeling like people aren't staring is a major milestone for me.
Karen
The other thing is being able to walk to and from the shower at the gym in my underwear (or with a towel wrapped around me) without feeling totally like people are going "OMG why is SHE here! Look at that jiggly blob!" Well, actually, just going to the gym and feeling like people aren't staring is a major milestone for me.
Karen
When I was younger I always said to myself that I didn't want to be another face in the crowd. Unfortunatley they way that came about was not what I had in mind. At 534lb I deffinetly wasn"t just a face in the crowd.
I had many great milestones along the way my first was not having to buy clothes from a catalog. I was excited to be able to go to a big and tall store.
Then when I could buy pants at Old Navy. Another joyous day.
But the best was when my wife was able to hug me and put her arms completely around me. She then proceeded to tell me I was too skinny..
That was three years ago I have bounced back some since then. my body seems to like were it is weight wise now. So everything is good.
I had many great milestones along the way my first was not having to buy clothes from a catalog. I was excited to be able to go to a big and tall store.
Then when I could buy pants at Old Navy. Another joyous day.
But the best was when my wife was able to hug me and put her arms completely around me. She then proceeded to tell me I was too skinny..
That was three years ago I have bounced back some since then. my body seems to like were it is weight wise now. So everything is good.
Mike
OMG... I thought I was the only one who thought that way. I was always aware that I was one of the biggest wherever I went. It is sooo nice to be able to walk into a room and not be that person anymore.
To go into stores and pick out clothing in regular sizes and not have someone look at you as if to say " that's not going to fit you".
Go to the gym and not be self concious of my weight and not be afraid to look at myself while I'm exercising.
To go to the movies, sit in the seat any way I want to... right, left or center and be comfortable.
Great post Lynne
Most Active
Recent Topics
