Interview

Merriam-Webster defines "shame" as: 1 a: a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety  b: the susceptibility to such emotion shame?> 2: a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute : ignominy shame of being arrested> 3 a: something that brings censure or reproach; also : something to be regretted : pity shame you can't go>  b: a cause of feeling shame For me, there was no shame in being fat.  Being fat felt like I was putting my "issues" out there for the world to see.  Everyone has issues, but some, like being overweight, come with physical manifestations that are there for the world to see.  People who smoke, or drink, or abuse others have issues, you just can't see it by looking at them.   I do not hide the fact that I had gastric bypass.  If someone asks, I tell them the truth.  If they want to judge me, that's their problem and I refuse to make it mine.  Heck, I have enough of my own issues to manage, without taking on someone else's problems!  I made a choice to get healthy, to improve my quality of life, and to increase my chances of living to be old and cranky (already working on the cranky part!).   So Kix, while I understand your feelings, I gently encourage you to say goodbye and put them to rest.  You made a brave choice, and for that you should be commended, encouraged, and applauded. Kellie

OMG, Kix I know exactly what you are feeling and thinking. Their are moments that I sit and think "how could Ihave let it get to that point". I think about how I look compared to the rest of my family and think about how they felt introducing me to other people weighing almost 400 lbs. Then their are days...like today when I put on a size 16 skirt and it is too big and I am so overwelmed with pride that I could almost cry. You take the good, you take the bad, you take them all and then you have.....the facts of life. Tomorrow is another day  

Kix, I understand completely.  I easily tell people I've lost 150 lbs.  They always give me a look of shock.  I need to tell them though....I need to. Who better than you to be an inspiration to the many out there that truly feel trapped for life by their bodies???? Lori