Submitting Before & After

Sep 21, 2011

Don't be afraid of it.  Do it.  If you have lost over 100 pounds or are close to your goal, submit before and after pics. 

Personally, I am not really thinking of the picture I took today as my after photo because who knows if I am done losing.  I decided to submit it because I am proud of where I have come from, and want other people to see my success and know they can do the same thing.

I am not perfect.  My weight loss journey has not been perfect.  But it has been enlightening.  In so many ways.  I am healthier now than I have been since I was on swim team and played soccer in elementary school. 

I can walk up the stairs or the up the grade in my parking garage and not lose my breath.  I no longer search out the closest parking spot when shopping (searching out the shade is a different story, that will never die).  I go try on clothes (in an actual department store!) and am not bright red and covered in sweat when I get done trying everything on.  I get ready in the morning and don't walk out of my house sweating from all the exertion it takes to take a shower, do my hair, makeup, get dressed and get two boys out the door.  I walk to the Farmer's Market on my lunch.  I take my boys to the park.

I have become more aware of what goes in my mouth, and think about the nutritional value of everything that crosses my lips.  Some days are better than others when it comes to turning away from the non-nutritional items, but that is ok.  This is my life.  My intake is restricted so I need to make sure I am taking in protein, protein, protein first and foremost.  Then comes everything else.  I know I only have so much room in my pouch and that if I don't eat the protein I will get sick, weak, and possibly even throw-up.  Once again, this doesn't mean I am perfect.  But I can't claim ignorance anymore. 

So for me this journey is never ending, and there will never be an after.  But today, after losing so much weight I am confident that I can submit an "after" photo and know it is a true representation of what the gift of RNY has made possible for me in my life.

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