Only just the start...let's get real.

Hi Nikkal,

Yes! Being willing and even expressly looking for these stories shows that you understand not only yourself-but you can see we are all vulnerable in some way to the changes we go through. I think this can only make your own sauces stronger and also make you a great go-to person for support when others start walking down the path you are now on.

Thanks!
T

 Wonderful post and by the way you are gorgeous.  Love that hair.  This is a journey.  People think surgery is the first step, it is just one of the steps.  The first step was the day we decided that we would make a change for the better.

I was four years on October 17.  I am still learning every day.  But I have gone through the bounceback weight gain, the obsessive and emotional eating days, the low blood sugar attacks, the fear of gaining it all back.

My biggest friend has been my scale. I almost never go a day without standing on it and honestly facing what it has to say. It keeps me focused and out of denial.

My surgeon's goal is 136. Today I was 137.5.   I am happiest when I am 135.  I am ultimately planning to get to 132, what I weighed in high school.  I was at 128 for quite a while, but bounceback was almost 20 pounds and it has taken several years to get rid of that.

There is always going to be a journey.  I do not struggle, do not deny myself anything, do not obsess about food.  I do not ever get hungry.  I get sick if I eat too much too fast.  I taste and enjoy everything I eat.  I make very healthy choices, drink a lot of water and get a lot of exercise.  It is really pretty easy.

Hi White Dove,

I LOVED your post! This is exactly what I "needed" to see so many years ago.

This "I was four years on October 17.  I am still learning every day.  But I have gone through the bounce back weight gain, the obsessive and emotional eating days, the low blood sugar attacks, the fear of gaining it all back."

Exactly!! We GO THROUGH it. We go through it, we get past it, we sometimes decide to go through it again.  Or better yet-it's just PART of it. Isn't it great?! LOL! Who thought shouting the above paragraph you wrote would be so fabulous.

Also-the scale? YOU better believe it's my buddy. Eh-well some days we don't love each other as much as other days-but yes..my good friend indeed. LOL!

I log the weight-everyday. I log the food-everyday. Why? Because if I don't I get amnesia. Some people don't get amnesia and maybe they don't look as often. But for  me-it's a must.

I also love that you said you do NOT struggle. Although you listed every single "experience" -you did not call it a struggle. This supports my theory that it's how this word has been used that has hurt many of us.

It's how we see it-and what we believe it to be. Loved your post!!

Peace,
T

In my mind I was never fat, so now when I see myself I think I look like I always should have.  The twenty years of MO are gone from my head, erased, that was never me, will never be me again until I am old and I don't care anymore and I will probably die with a pint of Ben & Jerrys in my hand.  Other then being super hormonal and completely perimenopausally ****** up life is just peachy keen.

I just posted this elsewhere but I will put it here too.  Its my 1982 high school picture and the fade through is from one taken last year after I got my hair done really blond.  I think I look okay for 47, people who knew me when I was 16 recognize me now and didn't when I was MO, people who knew me as MO have no clue who I am now.  Its like those 20 years disappeared.  Awesome ****

Heidi!!
Awesome comparrison pics!! I LOVE it!!!! Absolutely love it.

No way in the world do you look 47 NO way!!

As always-you rock it!!!!

Hugs,
T

 I am a struggling success!

here....here..

So many things, so many issues. So many success stories...

Maintenance.  Love and hate that word.   I don't have ghost butt, and after close to 4 years - I know I look good.   I can wear size 6 or 8.. and nice high heels and boots..

I do look hot.  I do know I look hot.  how do I know? I bought 4 full length mirrors and put them all over the house.  I wear nice, flattering clothes. (thrift stores, pieces on major sale, salvation army, e-bay - you do not need to spend $$$ to look nice), I wear makeup and make sure I get mu hair color and good cut.  I do take care of myself.  Even when I am home by myself I try to wear nice clean clothes.  A simple flattering T-shirt or a dress ... and when I can my reflection in any of the mirrors - I do recognize myself.  (it took a while).

Reprogramming the brain... as my ptherapist used to call it.  It worked for me.  Try it. 

H.B.!!!

I love this post!!! I sat reading and re-reading it this morning. (I am in England..so you may be fast asleep!)

I closed my eyes and imagined "KNOWING I look hot"! OoooOOhhh how I love that idea. It goes to show there is still so much more I can do and imagine and experience-and that has to be a good thing.

I have a therapist too. I really think we should not leave home without one! LOL! Oh! And the making sure you are "put together" even if you are at home alone. I need to remember this. I work from home and I am quite isolated in that I've not met any friends in the 3 years I have been in England (my fault-I am isolating!). There are some days where I am a frumpasaurus! LOL

Thanks so much for the post!
Peace,
T

 I would love to hear from more lt success and failure stories. 
LO also have to say MyLady seriously I looked at your profile pic and your pic fade and I always thought how lucky she is to be so young and doing this when she was young not 37 like me.girl no way are you 47 27 I would buy but 47 no way. Rock on sister friend you look awesome!

Thanks, I have all the wrinkles, grey hair and menopausal issues to prove I am 47, but I am enjoying every minute I can wear whatever I want and do whatever I want, age is just a number and I refuse to be defined by it.

Hey Michelle!

I agree-the more real the better. You know-the thing is that EVERY single person here has something to share that someone else needs. I think folks don't realize it! You don't have to be FAR out from surgery, or even have had the surgery to share something of value!

Peace,
T