What are your favorite self-care/soothing activities and products since WLS?

Definitely makeup and jewelry. I quit wearing both for years because, frankly, I just didn't figure it was worth the effort. I felt at that size I looked like crap, and "guilding the crappy lily" was pointless.

Now, I love putting on makeup when I go out in public, and have purchased a nice ring as a treat and a vintage watch. I love how these little things make me feel like I did when I was young and not quite so MO. I'm even considering having my ears re-pierced, since the holes closed up years ago.

Going to give yoga a try, and looking to have my first real massage soon, I hope. Looking forward to discovering more things along the path of my journey.

Yes!

I totally get the jewelry thing. I always did wear simple earrings and a simple bracelet. Never felt dressed without them. But since WLS, I am wearing bulkier pieces, things that call attention to me. Also wearing necklaces. I also inherited my mother-in-laws huge collection of SouthWest jewelry. She has some amazing pieces like large squash blossom/lapis necklaces and spirit animal necklaces. I am enjoying trying out those too. Part of that is age, I think. When our skin color fades, we want to not disappear, so the jewelry helps us show up. (This is a theme with my friend and I lately--how as we become middle aged women, we feel like we are becoming invisible. So we need those spirit animals on our necks!)

LOL I can't identify with the fading skin color...I've always been exceedingly pale. I tried patiently getting a tan (I always burned) about 20 years ago. My boyfriend at the time said "Why are you doing that? You're pale, you're supposed to be pale. Stop trying to get skin cancer!" That was the last time I tried lol. I figured, if he's fine with my pale skin, then so am I.

I think the makeup and jewelry are definitely my way of saying "It's okay to look at me now." I always hated being stared at so much for being big, now I don't worry about that anymore. I'm still big and I might get a glance now and then, but it's rare. It's a very nice feeling.

My ex gave me an upper ear piercing and the pair to the gold and diamond hoop he wore in his ear ( the day after we first made love ) . It was a really nice unexpected and romantic gift ... at least so I thought at the time

my guilty pleasures-trying on and wearing trendy cheap "teenage " ghetto clothes

mani-pedis especially in the summer with sexy sandals

straightened shiny high/low lighted swingy hair

I have always been awful at remembering to do things like moisturize my body. I've started using the in-shower moisturizers and keeping scented hand lotion at my desk (I like Bath & Body Works warm vanilla sugar) since WLS. I started to do so because I'm hoping it helps the skin take up some and reduce the sagging, but I'm finding I like pampering myself a little too. I'm finding overall I'm more interested in general body maintenance - pedicures, hair removal, etc. as well as makeup and hair stuff.

Agreed! It all feels so good now. (I, too, wi**** would help the sagging, but I don't think it does.)

My favorite is Origins Ginger line . . . body balm, scrub, etc. It's amazing!

Aha! Something new to try! Thanks!

I'll sound like a broken record, but I'm doing a lot more moisturizing of face and body. In other words, I'm finally actually using all those expensive skin care products I've been buying for years.

I put on makeup almost every time I leave the house. And I give considerable thought to what I'm going to wear and try to do much more than just pull on yoga pants again. Unless I'm going to yoga class, of course.

And yoga -- it is changing my life! I don't know how I could be more enthusiastic about its many benefits. Ten months now with an amazing teacher. So lucky!

And sleep -- sleep has become a big deal to me. We no longer turn the TV on to "go to sleep by." For Christmas I got a new iPad that automatically turns the blue light off at 7:00 pm. It has made a big, big difference, I think. I probably don't last anymore than 10 minutes now playing spider solitaire to zone out most nights.

Exercise -- in winter aquarobics and other seasons fast walking in the sunshine is something I will not miss. I feel worse without 2 days of yoga and 3 days of pool or street. Who knew this was going to be my new normal?!

At 2 years and 7 months post op and holding very steady at my goal weight, I do love my daily treats -- dark chocolate, 1 biscotti, and (most days) 3-5 ounces of wine. Except for those 300-400 calories/day, I eat so nutritiously -- am protein-forward, but working hard in 2017 to keep my daily veggies/fruits at 7/day. I'm not carb-sensitive, so I get to enjoy whole grains, too. I'm now all about nutrition. :) That's self-care, too.

Thank you! There's so much to like in this post! I really appreciate the reminder of sleep. I am not good at getting enough sleep, and I have been thinking more and more that I need to make it a bigger priority. I once read part of an interview with Sophia Loren. She said her most important beauty secret was getting plenty of sleep.