Beth, I was just talking to a nurse I used to work with who was a size or two smaller than I was when we worked together (I had the surgery a couple months after she left the job) and she hasn't seen me in over a year.
She is a beautiful person and takes pride in her appearance despite her size--something I never could do when I was that big. But I was a happy person....not happy about my size, but I wasn't depressed or anything, if you know what I mean.
I, too, was 'disgustingly healthy', having no problems but just being so fat. But it was only a matter of time, really.
I told my nurse friend that my goal is to be an inspiration to others. I believe that will be part of the key to my continued success as well. I'm also thinking of starting or heading a support group for overweight people whether they are dieting, having surgery, or planning on doing either one.
I also want to be careful that I don't ever get self-righteous. I mean, there is only one thing worse than a non-smoker and that's an ex-smoker...if you see my point. I don't want to project that because I'm successful, others should be just as successful.
I can still fail. I'm not even at the two-year mark yet. Most people who regain start at about the three year mark, so I have a while to go. But I want to help others achieve their goals...and if they don't, I want to be there for them all the same. We are all still human regardless of what we look like on the outside.
I had wonderful skinny friends (still do....LOL) who never judged me nor excluded me from events. I have overweight friends but I don't judge them for not trying to lose weight or act any differently toward them than I always have. We are friends!!
I'm also careful not to encourage people to have surgery. This isn't for everyone. This is an extreme lifestyle change that has the potential for hazardous side effects that I've thankfully never had. I wish I could have done it the 'easy way'.....LOL! Ok, dieting isn't easy.......but I've been accused of taking the easy way out, can you believe that??
Anyway, thanks to all for the comments and support. Posting these pics was a big step for me.
Hey, we have a group at church (old name Five Fat Friends) Happy Healthy Hearts. We weigh ourselves, we do our own meal planning, etc. In other words....we do our own "thang". We share good low cal recipes and if we find a good (is there a good) fast food choice we share those as well. Hopefully we'll be able to get some exercising done together when the weather breaks. But, our entire goal is to be a support to one another.
I think you already ARE an inspiration to many and you may not even be aware of who they are.
FOr some of us falling UP the stairs is as normal as gracefully entering or exiting a car., something always gets caught, usually my purse handle or skirt, shoes it can be anything..definitely being on the cellphone is an everpresent accident waiting to happen.
Kudos to these before/after pics sure wish I could do this but I can't afford any surgery sooo it'll have to be the ole fashioned way - exercise more, eat less [and more often]. *sigh*
May take 4yrs but oh well it will still be worth it.
Funny how losing weight can make one look sooo much younger., its cool!
People always tell me I don't look my age, but I imagine what it'd be like aft losing 100lbs., watch out!
D, you can do it. And if you don't, you are still the same person regardless.
And yes, I like that I look more my age. I looked quite old before.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
I haven't been here long, but I've enjoyed reading your posts and feel like I already know you.....so I say a huge "I'm Proud Of You!!"
Thank you so much, AJ.
I didn't post pics nor avatars of myself before last year. It's nice hiding behind a computer screen...it was the only thing I could hide behind that wasn't bigger than me! LOL!
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Exactly. Thanks for saying that... I probably wouldn't have been quite as nice with what was going through my mind! Just because a person is overweight, people want to pass judgement on how they got that way. For me, it's been a battle with a medical condition for most of my life. It took 18 YEARS for me to find a medical professional that cared enough to find the root of the problem, and help find something that's working to cure it. I've dropped 2 skirt sizes in two months. I think that's pretty good considering how long this medical problem has ruled my life. I thank God every day for this nurse practioner... and one day, I will look like you do.
I'll be your cheerleader!!
Way to go, Girlfriend!!
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I hate to see you frown. So wear a bag over your head until you cheer up!
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