liking my space

Every once in a while I define myself by the things that I can now do that I couldn't do before WLS.  Just like all of you, I am amazed that I can do the simpliest of things.  For instance, today, my hubby and I went to the park to watch a play.  We walked about three miles from our car to the location of the play.  I carried a bag filled with fresh fruit and flavored water.  He carried a blanket.  I wore a white sun dress and a gold pair of sandals and floppy hat that was as bright yellow as the sun.  When we found our spot, he spread the blanket out, and I graciously sat down.  I sat crosslegged while he simply stretched out on the blanket.  Friends joined us, and after it was all over, I had one moment of anxiety: I thought, how in the hell am I going to get up off this blanket.  But, that was unwarranted; I graciously stood up.  As we walked back to our car, DH said, you know you are beautiful.  I said, shut up.  He said, no. I mean it.  While we were back there on the ground, I noticed that you were the most beautiful of all the women there.  

I hope all of you fresh post ops keep a journal of all these wonderful changes that are happening to you.  It all happens so quickly and those feelinsg of happiness over the simpliest of things like getting into a booth, sitting in a fold out chair, cutting your own toenails should be recorded.  All of those things will feel you with such pleasure; you should just write it all down.  

Anyway, nothing ever makes wls folks as happy as occupying space comfortably.  

YOu all, have a good week.  And remember, this might just be the best damn journey you will ever go on, so be good to yourself.  

 

 

That is an awesome "Wow" moment for you.  What a wonderful  day.

Hugs,
Trish

Good morning, Jeannie!  How wonderful and timely it is to see you here this morning. As I read your story of your outing to the play, I thought of the conversation I had with Gary just two days ago.

We went for a long (5 miles) walk along the river trail Sunday morning. We both get so caught up in our own things in the evenings we don't chat much, so being alone with each other and the quiet of the morning gave us a chance to really talk. He has starting running, and has done 2 half marathons and is now training for a full in Mountain Home in November. He was saying how good it feels to becoming more athletic, and I had to agree that it does feel better than I expected. Then it dawned on me, here I was, walking a 5 mile course, getting ready for my own 1/2 marathon (walking, no running for me) when he goes north in Nov. Since my tummy/arm surgery in January, I have finally come to the realization that I am no longer that morbidly obese person I had been all my life. It's actually hard now for me to remember how miserable I had become, the feelings of being an outcast, ridiculed, passed over for jobs, and judged by others. There are less than a handful of people here in AR *****member me at a size 24, and I'm quickly leaving those memories behind as well.

I've thought about not doing my support group at Baptist Hospital because it's become hard for me to relate to the members. Not that I'm becoming a snob, it's just that I've moved on and grown into a "normal" (whatever that is;...lol) person. After a lot of thought and discussion, I know I need to continue it to stay grounded and to remind myself, even if it's just once a month, of the gift I've been given and how far I've come.

It's so nice to see you here, Jeannie. Please don't be a stranger, and I'll try not to be as well!

Susan,

Nice reading about your life as it is now, sounds like you've come a long way from where you started and that even your head is straight.  Gives me hope that one day I will be there too, with my regain, very often when I look in the mirror I see how I used to look, which is not real, but how I have been seeing myself, as fear of failure crept in.  I am combating it now by getting back to the things that make this a lifelong journey, detours happen, but finding our way back before we go too far off track is the key.  Like you, I, too, have considered giving up my support group stuff, I do have some friends that I made as a result of this journey, which meet monthly, but I've decided that given where I am right now, I will be best served by continuing to be a part of the group, at least for now.  The newbies are very exciting to watch and it does reignite the spark, not to mention my being there shows what it is like to regain, recommit and that doing what you need to do works, so that is my decision for today. 

The other parts of your's and Jeanne's post is also very touching because the freedom I have today, at a size 14 is amazing, there is little I can't do, some things I choose not to do, but can't is not a word I like and I certainly won't let myself go to a place where my weight keeps me from enjoying life the way I can today. . .

Good to see you, miss you, Hugs, Laureen

Laureen, I miss you too.

Head on straight?  Hmmmm, not too sure about that, since I always seem to have a ****eyed look at the world...lol

Yes, I guess the newbies need us as much as we need them, even if it is for different reasons.

Take care, my friend.  Off to work I go!

Hi Jeannie!!! Yeah that is awesome that we can now do things like get up off the blanket on the ground or off the lounge chair that we laid out on....that was my wow moment yesterday!! I laid there and then I thought omg how am I going to get up off here after laying here for so long? But I did it all by myself with NO problem at all!!! :-) So yes we have come a long way baby!!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

HUGS

Jeanne,

First of all it is nice to see you here and 2nd of all, what a very touching story and a sure encouragement to anyone in the early stages, it is that sort of thing, that makes all of the hard work worth while and gives encouragement to me, who got a little off course for a time, but is working my way back to my comfort zone. . .

Hope to see more of you.

Laureen

What a beautiful story. You are truly blessed. I'm looking forward to many "Wow" moments to come in my life. Take care and thanks for sharing.   Mag  

Hello Jeannie.....so nice to see your post!!

Congratulations on your WOW moment....you are doing just great. I am sure your hubby is right....I have never seen a  picture of you....but l am sure you are a beautiful woman...you sure are in the inside!!

HUGS....connie d

Speaking as a newbie, I can't tell you veterans how much it helps to hear your stories.  There is value in every stage of the journey. 

Loved the story of your outing to the park.  LOVED that you could get up and down gracefully all by yourself!  I'm looking forward to that day. 

Thanks for sharing!