Ah, what to say to my long-lost pounds? First, I held to you as long as I could. I kept waiting for that miracle that would give me the power to wish you along to someone who could really use you. Like starving children in
Third World countries, or anorexic actresses. But alas, that miracle never came.
By then, I was accustomed to having you around. Sheltering me from the world, giving me an excuse to cocoon myself in my safe, little world. Protecting me, keeping me warm during those long, cold winter days and nights. You gave me presence; after all, people couldn’t help but notice when we walked into a room. You gave me a sharp, nay, dangerous sense of humor, a way to help deflect unwelcome comments and to perhaps allow us to be on the offensive instead of the defensive. After all, if you get “them” first, you’ve won, right?
I enjoyed the perks that came with having you around. Servers didn’t look twice when we were out and I ordered an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, and ate them all. Four half-gallons of ice cream on the conveyor at the grocery store? You go girl, where’s the caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a spoon?
For a long time, you didn’t keep me down – folks always said I was “pretty darn active for a fat lady.” Well, if I was active for a “fat lady,” I began to imagine just how active I could be if I wasn’t so fat….
After our long, questionably healthy relationship, you finally began to get me down. My knees were hurting, my blood pressure was creeping up, and so were my fasting blood sugars. I knew I couldn’t shed you alone – you had become too powerful, too comfortable in your own right – and I needed help to wish you a fond adieu.
So, my long-lost pounds, I replaced you with one fantastic weight loss surgery, some new-found food habits, some much healthier coping mechanisms, and one kick-a$$ workout routine. And some really great friends *****ally understand where I’ve come from and where I’m going….
It’s been a great journey so far, and I look forward to seeing what’s around the next corner, especially since I know it won’t be you, my long-lost pounds… Instead, it’ll be another interesting, perhaps grand adventure, just waiting for me to grab hold, take off and fly -
Kellie