How can I possibly describe how this feels? All I can say is that those of you still contemplating whether this is the right decision for you, trust me you will feel better about yourself in so many ways. Clothes and fitting into them is a whole different ballgame now. I have gone from size 24-26, which is horrifying in itself, down to a size 14-16 at the moment. The clothes I wore at the larger sizes were not my favorite and I dealt with it, barely. Now, I can actually fit into fun clothes that look good. My problem now when I go into the dressing room with a pile of clothes is not, "What is going to actually fit?" but more like, "Wow, what do I really need now?" I know buying clothes right now is kind of dumb since I still have another 50-60lbs to get to my ultimate goal but I still want to feel and look good along the way. It's worth it! It's been years since I actually felt excited to go shopping.
New York, let me explain that trip's meaning. Mom and I a few years ago made a deal that if I ever lost 50lbs, she'd buy me an all expense paid trip to New York. Last year when I knew I was going into surgery I re-negotiated the deal with her. I said to her that if I hit 100lbs the deal was on. I think she kind of didn't know what to say, so she went along with it. 100lbs is a bit of a hefty goal, no pun intended. But at that time, I knew that with this surgery and my first year hitting 100lbs was a great possibility. I also knew that once I got this extra 100lbs off of me that life itself would be forever changed to a level of "Now I know I can actually move and do things again". Sure enough, I was exactly right! I have energy again, it is easier to exercise, easier to shop, easier to do everything again. It's amazing how the weight literally "weighs you down". As pictures of me are being posted on my facebook page, people are seeing the changes in me over the past 10 months. Looking in the mirror is a shock everyday. My face no longer has that puffy, triple-chin effect that was happening at my heaviest. I look like me again!
So New York...was a most wonderful reward for this half of my journey. I could walk the city with little discomfort, which was on average 7-10 miles a day. I could shop anywhere and fit in clothes that I wouldn't have a few months ago. I bought a Tommy Hillfiger jean jacket at Macys, the first thing other than a pair of shoes from that brand I've ever owned! I also bought a few DKNY shirts, another first for me - another brand I never could hope to fit in either. I even got a Lucky brand top that again, a brand typically for the "thinner" crowd. All fit, and even some were in size Large, not XL. I was over the moon! I enjoyed the trip with my mom, younger sister, and my aunt. It was a great time had by all! I saw most of the sights in New York and now can add this amazing, fascinating city to my list! Would I live there? No way. Too much stimulation and too many people! Not my cup of tea.
So next on my list for next May, I am talking to my mother again about a possible trip to the Grand Canyon! Perhaps a hike down the Bright Angel trail to stay down at the Phantom Ranch at the bottom?! I have booked so many of these trips over the years with my business that the time has finally come to make the trek myself. I would also love to raft the Colorado River too!
I would never have dreamt that I could do any of things before, especially in the last 10-15 years. Don't take your health for granted, it doesn't take much to get to a place of what on earth did I do to myself?! It is so easy to do.
this is me about 1 1/2 months ago - around 93lbs lost
I'll post more photos next time! Photos truly tell the story of one's weight-loss
**Until next time!!! Daphne
