What did/do you dream of doing?
Inspired by an earlier post by another user about all the wonderful things that she’s gained in her life since losing the excess weight, I started to think about a question that used to pop into my head:
What would I do if I wasn’t obese?
I’m guessing that at some point many of you have felt that there were certain things in life that would always be beyond your reach as an obese individual. I think back to being eighteen and all of the things I felt like I was missing out on, and the things I didn’t do because I was too embarrassed or didn’t think I was able.
I distinctly remember the flight back to Boston after I’d gone home to Pittsburgh for a week over spring break during my freshman year of college. While in Pittsburgh, I’d had my surgery scheduled and knew that it was only 2 months away. Squeezing myself into the airplane seat and praying I wouldn’t have to ask for a belt-extender, I thought, “If I never have to feel this way again, it will be enough."
Four months later I was on a plane to Florence, grinning ear to ear at how easily I’d slid into the chair and buckled the belt.
Over the last eight years, my life has changed dramatically.
I went to England and each weekend, picked a city, took a train, and just walked wherever I wanted to go once I got there. The pier at Brighton! Canterbury Cathedral! Shakespeare’s house! Stonehenge!
I ran a 5k race (AIDS Walk Washington) and raised money to benefit the Whitman-Walker clinic and provide low-cost or free HIV/AIDS treatment and care for those in need. This fall, I'm running Warrior Dash!
In 2010, I jumped out of a plane from 13,500 ft. in the air. It was the most exhilarating, incredible thing I’ve ever felt. When I pulled the parachute and looked over the Virginia countryside, it took my breath away.
And finally…probably the most amazing thing…
The day I got home from the hospital after my surgery eight long years ago, I turned on the computer and logged onto AOL instant messenger to see what my friends were up to. Almost immediately, a window popped open: “Hey, are you home? How did everything go?" It was my friend Joe, one of the few college buddies I’d told about the operation. I was surprised that he even remembered that my surgery was that week, but thought it was really sweet that he was checking up on me.
We went on our first date when I moved back to Boston four months later, a date I'd never have had the guts to go on at my heaviest weight.
We’re getting married in two and a half weeks! 
How time flies, and how life changes. So for you post-ops, what’s changed for you, and what can you do now that you never thought you could or would? If you’re pre-op, what do you hope to do? What’s a special goal that you have in mind? It could be just wanting to get on an airplane or roller coaster without fear, or something health-related like being able to sleep without a CPAP machine. If it means something to you, that’s all that matters. Goals and accomplishments are what keep us going when the road gets rocky, so share away!
Long-term post-ops with regain struggles, click here to see some steps for getting back on track (without the 5-day pouch fad or liquid diet): http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/bananafish711/blog/2013/04/05/don-t-panic--believe-and-you-will-succeed-/
Always cooking at www.neensnotes.com!
Need a pick-me-up? Read this: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/it-will-be-sunny-one-day.html
Long-term post-ops with regain struggles, click here to see some steps for getting back on track (without the 5-day pouch fad or liquid diet): http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/bananafish711/blog/2013/04/05/don-t-panic--believe-and-you-will-succeed-/
Always cooking at www.neensnotes.com!
Need a pick-me-up? Read this: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/it-will-be-sunny-one-day.html
Long-term post-ops with regain struggles, click here to see some steps for getting back on track (without the 5-day pouch fad or liquid diet): http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/bananafish711/blog/2013/04/05/don-t-panic--believe-and-you-will-succeed-/
Always cooking at www.neensnotes.com!
Need a pick-me-up? Read this: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/it-will-be-sunny-one-day.html
Long-term post-ops with regain struggles, click here to see some steps for getting back on track (without the 5-day pouch fad or liquid diet): http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/bananafish711/blog/2013/04/05/don-t-panic--believe-and-you-will-succeed-/
Always cooking at www.neensnotes.com!
Need a pick-me-up? Read this: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/it-will-be-sunny-one-day.html
Long-term post-ops with regain struggles, click here to see some steps for getting back on track (without the 5-day pouch fad or liquid diet): http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/bananafish711/blog/2013/04/05/don-t-panic--believe-and-you-will-succeed-/
Always cooking at www.neensnotes.com!
Need a pick-me-up? Read this: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/it-will-be-sunny-one-day.html
