still having wow moments....

Julie:  Your post was really inspirational!  Congratulations on the weight loss, and the new found confidence.  It is amazing how it all works, isn't it?  It's so freeing!  AND congrats on the raise and the fewer hours! 

Thanks! It IS pretty amazing... just when I think everything has settled into where it's going to be, something new and what appears to be unrelated comes up. It kind of smacks me with, "see, this has been changed by your weight, too!" I'm still in my shell most of the time (meeting new people, even from the board, scares me to death sometimes!) but it's a lifelong process, and I'm still working at it.

I think it's great that you are doing so well with all of it, and I have to tell you, at the OH conference I was really impressed with you -- and you sure managed to help everyone out with the dinner plans...it was awesome!  I hope we get a chance to meet again at another event!  :)

Good pm Julie, CONGRATS! What wonderful news you've shared! Hugs to you!

Thanks Kat, In a way, I felt a little bad posting when I did, like I was boasting when others seemed to be struggling. I ended up doing it because I thought that maybe I would make someone's day a little brighter, and show people who might not be as far along where things can "end up". I put that in quotes because I don't think I've completely finished this process yet, if I ever will.

DON'T feel bad. In fact, it DOES help (me anyway). I'm further along but its wonderful and inspiring and gives me something to think about it. ANY part of the journey we're on is important. So THANKS!

Julie - that is wonderful!!! I am so proud of you standing up for yourself! And you got what you wanted - a victory! You must be feeling extremely proud of yourself and quite rightly so!!! And you are right - being obese is a prison in itself.... and we are freeing ourselves from years of it!  You are an inspiration to everyone out there!!! Jackie

Thanks Jackie! Along my journey, a few ideas have stuck in my head: 1. My best friend's little brother (may as well be my little brother as well) told me once, when I was SMO, that he wanted me to lose weight so that I could be around for his grandchildren. I took that to heart and thought of him often as the weight came off. 2. Initially I literally envisioned myself in one of those old timey prisons, with no facilities, dark, damp, rats, filthy conditions. Then I saw my dad and my surgeon come to my cell with keys and unlock it, letting me out into the light for the first time in my life. It has only recently occurred to me that they would never have found that cell if not for my sister leading them to it. For whatever reason, this is a daydream that plays and replays in my head all of the time, though these days I can barely remember that horrible place I put myself into. Now the light just gets brighter.

Ah Julie...my little Pixie.  I am sooo very proud of you.  You have accomplished so much & as many have already said, you are an inspiration.  I like when we share our wow moments so you keep on sharing, sweetie.  Good job!!!!

Thanks, Ann. I hope that you are feeling better than you were yesterday. My wow moments are few and far between these days, but I'll keep sharing them as long as you and everyone else keep sharing yours! I love reading those as much as you guys like reading mine. PS: Trying to ride a horse is on my "to do" list, so I might have to come visit you sometime.