Tell me some things you LIKE about your body now

Believe it or not, it doesn't seem to matter where you are in this journey, we seem struggle with developing a positive self image. I knew that I could be harsh with myself when I was large, but I was surprised that I seem to be harder on myself the smaller I got. I was more focused on the imperfections. As a matter of a fact, as we get smaller, it's not unusual for us to be MORE critical of our bodies, rather than more accepting. I think that for me, this is in part because I realize that I have 'done it to myself' when I see the extra skin. That said, I think it's important to not only appreciate the health aspects of our metamorphosis, but to also appreciate the positive changes in our physiques. So I'd like you to tell me at least one thing, and hopefully more, that you LIKE about your body now, no matter where you are in your journey. This is not about bragging. This is about really trying to see the positive in where you are. To be honest, it was harder for me than I thought it would be, but it's something I'm going to try to practice to see if it will help me become more comfortable with who I am now and what I look like. 

There are plenty of things that I like about how my body works, but these are the things about how my body looks. I like my

- slender frame

- the shape of my face... It's oval and I always thought is was round

- my feminine shape

- the length of my neck... I never realized I had a neck before!

- collar bones

- waist

Please tell me some things you like about your body now... 

I know some that read this will think I'm joking but I LOVE MY FEET!!!!! I actually have ankles and you can see the veins sticking up on the tops of my feet. Prior to surgery they were always swollen and they always ached. I guess it was their own way of protesting having to support a 300+ lb woman.

I never knew I had collar bones. Plus now I have an extra lump where the pacemaker sits just beneath my left collar bone.

I"ve just discovered that little divet in my throat.

I've always had shoulders like a linebacker but now they're sorta sexy.

In the heat of the summer I love, love, love that my thighs don't rub together. I just realized the other day that I haven't bought Gold Bond powder since last year.

I don't mind having to sleep with a pillow between my knees cause they've gotten boney.

I love that I fit in the bathtub with room to spare on the sides. Although I need a cushion of some sort to sit on because I feel my hip/leg/tail bones while I sit there.

What a great journey.
- Iris  =-)

Yep! I know just what you mean and I'll bet a lot of others will too. It's amazing to see the bones in my feet and hands... Except when I broke I toe, I wasn't even sure I had bones there before ;-). My ankles and knees are 'bony' enough that it can get uncomfortable if they sit on one another without a pillow to cushion them and we've talked before about not having enough padding on the tailbone. I didn't realize just how 'cushioned' I was before. 

Like you, I love being able to fit in a bathtub... Now, I just wish I had one to fit into. LOL

I also really related to not having my thighs rub together anymore. I was thinking about that last week. I can actually see daylight between my thighs when I stand in front of the mirror. I don't ever remember that before. 

Thanks for the responses, they helped me remember a few more things I like about me. 

Hugs,

I am starting to like my face again.  It is starting to look the same in the mirror as it does in my mind.  Currently, I am liking my thighs - they are turning out to have a nice shape.  My collar bones are coming back. Yay!  I have a waistline again Woo Hoo!  and luckily my stomach isn't sagging quite as much as I thought it would at this point. 

I can't wait to see the how things continue to change.

Holly,

I'm glad that your beautiful face is beginning to match the view in your mind's eye. I look forward to seeing the new you unfold.

Wow it is still weird to think about what you like about your body. But, thanks Barbara for making us
do what we forget is woth doing. I am liking my sleek face and sassy hair.
I also like my little hands
I stand 5'10 so little does not describe me, but it does describe my hands.
I like my skinny ass legs (as my sister calls them) ha ha
I like that my husband loves every part of my body.
I am suprised daily how well my belly has done and how small it is getting.

Thanks sll you Carolinians have a great week,
Audra

Hi Audra,

You are too funny. I really do hope to meet you and your 'skinny ass legs' in person one of these days. 

I like being a size 8!!!!!! And I like that my hair came back very curly although a bit uncontrollable. But most of all I like feeling nearly normal.

If you are talking about size, you aren't normal. You are smaller than normal. If you are talking about personality, you aren't normal there either... you are fabulous!

Barb, you've hit it right on the head that we tend to beat ourselves up because we're the ones who made this mess of our bodies!!!  As i look in the mirror, there are still plenty of things i dislike about my body.... there are still things that look the same to me even though i've lost over 200 lbs and i know that they're different... having said all that there are alot of things about my body that i really really like!! 

I Love my collar bones and that little dent in the front.
I Love my hands and my feet, they're no longer swollen & puffy!!
I Love my boobs... (thank you Dr. S!!!)
but most of all.... I Love my face, i think it's because i smile so much more now.  I'm happier and healthier than i've been in many, many years and it shows on my face and in my attitude and my self confidence.   I have to say... I actually like myself more than i have in longer than i can remember!!!

People ask me if i'm glad that i had RNY... i have to tell them that the only thing i would change, is that i should have done this so much earlier in my life!!!