What an experience!!

Okay, friends--CLEANED OUT my winter things. I mean, CLEANED OUT. It was the oddest experience and I'm not sure I can explain it. As I packed away shirts, pants, sweaters I kept thinking, "I bought this becuase it FIT. No other reason--it was the only thing that fit when I went shopping." I kept saying aloud "I will never wear YOU again!!" LOL--Luckily I was home alone, cuz I probably sounded a little off my rocker. I think I was packing away my fat with those outfits! (maybe I AM off my rocker!) It was strangely empowering. But I felt like I was packing away years of bad shopping days, years of feeling badly about my clothing, years of wishing (dreaming!) about shopping for cute things instead of the big 'ole flowery things they seem to think plus people like. I packed it all up. When I was done, I stood back and looked at my very clean closet and thought "Blank Slate!" What happens now is up to me, I can fill it with more plus size stuff OR I can stick with the program to the letter and fill it with my dreams. Oh man--I'm really rattling on, I suppose! I'm just really starting to see the depth of this whole experience. My life is already changing! I can't wait to see what happens after surgery! I'll quit boring you--but this is just sooooo 'wowing' to me!! thanks for listening... Michelle

Trust me - I KNOW what you're talking about!!!! I am a clothes-a holic but I haven't spent a great deal of money on clothes because I'm still shrinking out of them. These "WOW" expirences are something we want to share with you!!!! I think it's fantastic!!! Kepp up the FANTASTIC work! You'll have the "Because it looks good" wardrobe to fill your closet soon enough! Much Dee Dee

I love what you said about it being "up to me, I can fill it with plus sizes or stick with the program". I am one month post op (still lurking here) and have lost 30#'s and refuse to buy anything until I go through all the smaller stuff in my closet. But I am going home and doing what you did and sending all the hateful "I had to buy this because it was the only thing that fit" clothes to the recycle bin. Thanks for the inspiration! Barbara

Michelle You are such an inspiration. I am a little over 3 weeks out and have lost 22 lbs...you cant believe the difference. I decided to go ahead and buy the scale no matter what they said. I like to track my daily progress. Early in the morning I get up and go to the bathroom, strip to my skibbies and weigh...a true weight without clothes. Each day I lose 1-2 lbs. I think the hardest thing to do it get all my protein in. I have been eating more food with protein rather than drink the shakes all the time because I have gotten to where I cant tolerate them as well. You will be a success because you want to be. I need to do what you did with the closet and drawers. I have clothes out the ying yang. I guess since your surgery is the 26th you wont be at the get together on the 30th. Hopefully you will be at the May one. You are a wonderful person and I know you will do wonderful with this new tool. D'Lynn 232/299/210

Talk about insprirations!! 22 pounds in three weeks??!! I really needed to hear that today, too. I had my pre-op appt with dr. hart yesterday-and got the scoop on what the first few weeks will be like. Wow--I was a little overwhelmed when I left. Amanda was out-and the lady who did my appt almost scared my DH to death. We got in the car and he said "Honey, are you really sure about this--she made it sound so bad!" To tell the truth, it was the first time I'd really had any second thoughts at all. They disappeared quickly, mind you---ha! To hear you've lost 22 pounds in three weeks really makes me feel good. I know the first few weeks are going to be tough--but the weight loss would sure make me tolerate the tough times a bit better!! Have you gone thru a mourning period for food? She told me to get prepared for it-cuz I will have one and sometimes it's really bad. How have you coped? Hugs... Michelle