Check me out.. doing the happy dance!!

That's me... doing the happy dance!!! I have to share a little bit of success with my support family.......... As you all know, I have really tried to get back on track in the last couple of weeks, and I am here to tell you that it is starting to pay off!!! I have been diligent about planning my meals, eating on schedule, tracking foods on FitDay.com, drinking ALL THA****ER, exercising (yes, the gym is OPEN!), steering clear of the carbs and sugary treats, etc. All my hard work and efforts has resulted in reduced carb cravings, increased energy levels, fairly decreased head-hunger and a loss of 6 1/2 pounds!!! I'm so excited - I almost feel like that first post-op month following surgery when everything seemed surreal and impossible to believe the weight could be coming off so easily!!! Hanging out with all of ya'll in this forum has had a major impact in the way I look at things on a daily basis, too. I really didn't realize how complacent I had become regarding my weight loss journey! Reading everyone's profiles and posts has really brought back to the front of my mind, the true meaning of the gift we have all been given with WLS. Somebody not long ago (a WLS post-op of 2+ years) told me that she just wanted to be normal - that she didn't want people to know about her surgery or her former "fat life" and would be happy when she could put it all behind her once and for all. I don't think I really responded to her statement, but I did go back and think about it for a long time afterwards, and I came to one major conclusion: I don't want to be normal. I like the idea that I'm "different" - that I'm special, both INSIDE (literally!) and outside! I like knowing that my body is so much different than it was before because I have a constant reminder of what I have been through in the last few years and I can constantly reflect on all my successes (and some slip-ups) along the way! Just because the weight is gone (okay - not all of it yet, but MOST!) doesnt' mean that my life is normal. It's anything BUT normal! Can I sit comfortably in a booth in a restaurant? Yes. Can I go to an amusement park without fear of rejection from the rides because of my size? Yes. Can I paint my own toenails? You betcha! But all of those wonderful things don't make me NORMAL - those great things just mean that I am capable of doing so much more than I ever could when I was heavy. I think I will enjoy relishing in the idea that I am different and special. That makes me smile! Hugs, ya'll! Kristi Still dancing!!!

Congrats on you success! WOO HOO!!!! Angela

Kristi, You are doing so fabulous girl!!!! I'm so proud of your determination and hard work. I'm still trying day-by-day to get back into the grove...doing better. When I hit my 100+lb goal, I did something outrageous...got a belly ring. It is absolutely hilirous seeing this belly ring surrounded by all this hanging flab But, it's a daily reminder to look at my belly and see what all those ab workouts are doing. Let me tell you, I have 2 cans of beer in my 6-pack....but it's more than I had a few months ago. Don't know what I'm going to do for my chest??? AND...I'm still trying to figure out what I'm watching when I got my nose pierced. Cindy

Hey Cindy!! Your post cracked me up! I think the belly ring was a great reminder of how far you have come!!!! Good for you! As for the nose ring - I suppose you could consider it a tool for reminding you to steer clear of foods that smell really good but are really bad for you! You rock!!!!! Hugs! Kristi