Before/After? Adjusting to life-continuing the conversation

Hi all,

I wanted to share my most recent groupings of pictures. I actually sent the after pictures to some family-for their view and feedback. I do not have many folks in my everyday life who have seen me make this change-and that means not much feedback on where I "am" at this point.

I broke up with my boyfriend a few months ago-have a new job since February and as you ALL know-it feels like CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE!!

So-now I am at 162 (LOL! I lost a lb since my picture last Friday!)

My "personal" goal is 150-or to have an average BMI. I wanted to sort of continue the discussion of how we see ourselves-what does GOAL mean? What IS success? I weighed nearly 400 lbs. And yet-I do find myself really investing in that "normal" thing.

How do you all feel about where you are? Would love to hear your story.


Thanks and Peace,
Therese

Therese, you are absolutely beautiful--as always!  Good to see you again! Wanda

YOU look gorgeous-and thank you SO very much for your kindness, always! Peace, Therese

In my opinion, for what that's worth!, you look Mahvelous!!!

Thank you so very kindly! Peace, Therese

Hi Therese,

It's nice to meet you. Your photos intrigued me and I decided to check out your profile. You are an amazingly beautiful woman. You were lovely larger, but are decidely striking now. I have blogged on this subject myself. If you look at my signature, you'll see a reference to it.

Congratulations on your success ...

Barb

You are absolutely gorgeous, Therese...always have been! It looks like you are doing a wonderful job negotiating the changes affecting your life. I am struggling getting off the last 10 pounds, but if I never lost another pound I will be happy! Settling into "maintenance" is harder than I thought it would be...I just keep telling myself "Just because I can doesn't mean I should" and "Keep the hands and mind out of the kitchen!" I am determined to keep the bad habits that I had prior to surgery out of my new life and have been trying to keep in close touch with my body and mind to do that.

what you wrote:   "Keep the hands and mind out of the kitchen!" I am determined to keep the bad habits that I had prior to surgery out of my new life and have been trying to keep in close touch with my body and mind to do that. i dont seem to think of that until AFTER i have eaten all day what is different?

How do you all feel about where you are? Would love to hear your story.
I wanted to be BMI normal (168).  The Dr. wanted me stop and some number above 200.  Ultimately, I saw some pictures of me when I was 220 or so and thought "Oh man, that is skeletal" and so I then decided looking good was more important that being 168 so I set 200 as my goal. I've since moved my goal down to 195 and have been stable there for a long time.  I still look "skeletal" in the pictures but don't care much about that and concentrate more on the 195.

~*~Therese~*~ GREAT post! Thank you so very much for starting this important conversation. The metamorphasis of "fatty" to "fit girl" is one that I think about every single day. The topic just turns over and over in my mind and I cannot believe I'm me sometimes.  At moments, I feel like a fat girl trapped in a skinny suit. I'm still slightly over weight though! When I'm having these moments where I feel GREAT but also cannot seem to see myself as the rest of the world sees me, I go take a picture. At first I thought I was becoming very vain and self absorbed. Then I realized the reason I do it...it's something to do with affrimation of self. I take lots of pics to get an objective handle on the new me! Here's part of my journey: