Why are you doing this?

I have a very long list of reasons that I did this, but I have a short list that I keep in my wallet, on the back of a 'fat photo' and on post-its on my mirror, in my car and in my kitchen.

I look at that list everyday and affirm to myself why I'm doing what I'm doing. If I am going to make a choice that is questionable, I review the list and ask myself if temporary pleasure is with the risk.

I'll share my list of why I'm doing this, please share your list of reasons you are doing this.

I am doing this because:

I want to live longer and healthier.

I want to provide a good, healthy example for my daughter.

I want to feel beautiful

I love feeling so much stronger and younger

I don't hurt all the time anymore.

I can fit anywhere and into anything; clothes, airline seats, booths.

 

I still carry around my debit card with my "fat picture" on it.  I went to the Credit Union and had my picture retaken, but I wanted to leave the fat picture on there to remind me of where I came from and where I do not want to go back to.  I also look at those pictures often.  I have had people in stores not want to take my card because it looks so different, but it is my reminder.  AND until it expires in 2010 I will continue to carry it.  LOL 

 

Of course it do it to remind me of the tremendous journey I have taken.  Looking good is not the ultimate reward of WLS.  Feeling better, being healthier and living a higher quality life are my rewards!  

Like you I have my before version of my debit card. I actually had another picture taken because too many people didn't want to accept the card anymore. I have both now, the before photo and the thinner one that was taken last fall ... I guess that one is an 'in progress' photo, but looks enough like me now that people don't hesitate.

I too do it because it reminds me of this incredible journey and as you say it feeling so much better that is the real reward to this journey.

As always, thanks for your input.

i really like that.  i might try that as well . that for all the input u are great friend love u.

I am doing this because:

I want to feel better both physically and mentally.

I want to become more active.

I want to regain confidence.

I had to choose - do I want to continue hurting myself? or do I want to start taking care of myself?  I choose taking care of myself.

The way I'm living life right now does not reflect 'me' - who I am.  I'm in here somewhere.  I'm looking forward to rediscovering myself.

Hi Kathleen,

Your response touched my heart. I look forward to watching you unfold as you escape from your caccoon.

Hi Barbara!

I had this surgery because I felt that there are worse things in life than death.  When your quality of life would never be better then it was at that moment and all you had to look forward to was a decline than surgery with any of its complications looks better than not having the surgery.

I continue to work my tool because:

I never want to physically or mentally hurt the way it did "before"

I want to continue to wake up in the morning and look forward to the day ahead

I want to continue becoming healthier and stronger

I love finding new adventures I enjoy that I could not even comprehend doing "before"

Although I still suffer from depression, the bad days are far and fewer in between

I can now fit in an airplane seat and have extra room, not take extra room from someone else

I no longer avoid chairs with arms

I enjoy or am not bothered by stairs or inclines

I like feeling more "normal" then "before".

Hi Carrie,

I love your list. I can see and hear myself in soooo many of the things you have on your list. I'm sure that they too are on my own.

Wishing you continued success,

There are so many reasons....but I'll try to post a few to look back on...

I want to easily fit in airline seats...through turnstiles, etc.

I love to travel, and I no longer want to be the one person in the group having trouble getting up the hills, etc...

I want to get out in the world and try things that I was never able to do physically or that I was afraid to try.

No more yo-yo diets that make you feel awful when you gain more weight back.

I want to improve my self-esteem and confidence.

I want to be treated fairly and seen as a confident, intelligent person rather than being prejudged before people meet me.

I no longer want to be the heavy sister and have people say, "You two look nothing alike...I never would have known you were sisters."

I want to buy clothes that I actually like and are easy to find, rather than searching all over for expensive clothes that are not flattering to overweight people.

And I want to break my dependence on food as "comfort"...

I want to start living and quit hiding...

By the way, thanks for this post...it is awfully empowering to get some of these things out...I will definitely keep these so I can keep myself on track...

Hey Ladybug,

Thanks for your reply. I have found that my list has been really helpful to me as I have needed to make hard decisions or when I have struggled. It helps to put those decisions and struggles into perspective.

I wish you all the best,