Congratulations Sally - there are so many victories in everything you wrote. It's difficult when the people who are supposed to love us most, unconditionally (and they do, they just don't know how to show it) are the most critical. You did survive, and you thrived.

Try on some boots! Take some pictures! I have some wide calf boots I haven't worn in years that I wore yesterday - I posted in the Ontario forum because I was so excited! They have a heel, and heels have hurt my knees and feet, but yesterday I could wear them. :)

Here's the pic for you too! Maybe you'll feel inspired to go try some boots on and take a pic!!! Even just the boots if that's all you're comfortable with! (or not even, if you're not comfortable with that!)

Stay great! You're doing amazing!

We are very much alike. I didn't want to deal with the scale bouncing around either. I don't love the 170 number, but I'm ok with it. I flew across the country, ate out, celebrated, etc. Had a pretty normal Thanksgiving, complete with a super critical mother, who criticized the skin on my legs and my saddlebags on my thighs. She also criticized my hair and told me I had lost too much in my butt. But you know what? I survived!

My final goal was to be 180 when I started this journey. I am still striving for the normal BMI. But what you said about perspective rings true for me too. 170 is pretty damn awesome. My clothes look good. My stomach is flat. I am healthy and feel good. I can walk without pain or the burden of lugging myself around. I flew on the airplane alone without needing my honey there so I could take up part of his seat. Perspective.

My calves are still big. I think I will try some boots on and see. I can't imagine I could wear them though.

I too have a weirdo brain. It tells me that I am as big as I ever was or that I am on the way back up when I haven't been perfect. Trying to love myself, but I often get in the way.

HW: 375

LW: 167

TW: 170

goal: 159 Healthy BMI

Morning!

Ran out of time yesterday, and didn't get a chance to post.

Might also have to do with the fact the scale is all over the place, and i didn't want to deal with it..... I know I'm still on the right track, clothes are shifting etc, but my carbs are higher than they should be, and it shows on the scale.

When I stepped off the scale this morning, i was kicking myself for not losing more before my trip, but then I just remembered that my original goal was to be as close to 200 pounds as possible before my flight in December. And I remember not even writing down that goal, because it seemed to unrealistic. Well, I've blown past that one!

It can be tricky for those of us with higher BMIs to keep perspective. at least it is for me it is.

I can go from not being sure people will notice I've lost weight, to worrying about no being recognized, on the same day, at the same event even. I was talking to my sister about a pair of lace-up boots I didn't buy because my calves were too big, and it would make the boots look weird. She gave me a crazy look and said your calves aren't big.... I still ended up buying shorter style boots.

i actually haven't even tried on a pair of tall boots, because I'm worried they won't zip up...but then in the same store, I caught my reflection and wanted to take a selfie right there because I didn't recognize my body, and how could i look so slim while wearing a winter coat!?

Brains are weird.

how are you all doing?

stats:

HW:378

LW: 167. Something

TW: 168.4

goal: 145, normal BMI, but first I'm focusing on getting consistently under 165. I was there for a day last week, but popped back up.

I just wanted to check in to say I'm alive, I just haven't weighed myself since 11/5 - the day before surgery!

Yay! Such a major milestone. Congratulations!