Reflections on a Year (warning-pretty long!) pics too!

 Wow Gaby, you wrapped it all up. I have only been referred , not even had the 1st appt. But what you said gives me even more courage. You Gaby, are very wise !!!!
And Megan, congrats, 100lbs is a feat to be very proud of, the courage to even have the surgery is something to be very proud of !!!

Megan, you're a beautiful, caring, thoughtful person.

You've done so well, you're right about that. Perhaps you're not at your goal yet, and that's ok. I too, haven't lost as much as i'd like to have lost in the past six months. But, as people have reminded me, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Accept yourself. You're the only person you have to compare yourself to. Like they say in running, you're running your own race, no one else's.

You're amazing!!! You've gained so much in a year! You're a whole new person! Youre an active participant in your life.

(and btw, you don't need drugs. You're not depressed, you've got normal doubts and fears.)


Huge hugs.
Mon

 Thanks for the kind and realistic words. I am a work in progress, and I've never been very patient. Mental head shake and reminder that patience is a virtue. This is a total change in lifestyle and sometimes things take time. These are all words of advice I would give to others - time I started listening to myself. Thanks for all your thoughts, everyone.  Ps  Monica - I'm not a pill-taker, just what I need for my bp. Much prefer to tackle things with a clear, non-medicated head.

sometimes people do need medication, if you appeared clinically depressed, i definitely reccomend that, but you've got a good head on your shoulders.

my facebook status the other day said that i should start listening to my own advice, and be as good a friend to myself as i am to other people.

listen, you're a pretty smart lady. and gorgeous!!!

Hi Megan,

Congrats on the success you have brought about in your life this past year! Your achievements both scale and non-scale and a 100 pound loss is amazing! While you may be upset to find your body start slowing down, don't worry that you are done loosing. I know that's easier said than done and I have to remind myself of that as I approach my one year, but everything I have read on this forum and on the RNY forum suggest that the weight loss slows down incredibly after a year and you have to work on loosing that last little bit. From the perspective I've gained of you through your thoughts and postings on the forum, I think you can achieve your goals but don't forget to also try to embrace the distance you've travelled already and the achievements you've already made! Way to go! 

 I think 176 looks great on you!  Congratulations on your success.  You look beautiful and I hope that you begin to feel that way too :)

Hi Megan:  I haven't had surgery yet, but I would imagine that the battle of the body image/scale/confidence issues re: body size would not disappear even after any amount of weight loss.  In fact, I KNOW that there are skin and bone people out there that still see "fat" when they look in the mirror .  Our relationship with food and subsequent opinions/thoughts about our bodies can't just disappear - no way.  When I think back to myself before I would say I started to have a more obvious problem with food, etc...I NEVER liked my body, even when I was a tween...I always felt "bigger" and "different" than the other girls...and I seriously was not a "fat" young lady.  Not skinny, but definitely not fat.  I think the body image confusion and negative thoughts that go along with it must be the "usual" for most people on here....otherwise we wouldn't be here.  Nothing wrong with therapy at all - go for it and enjoy your journey!  As I've mentioned before, my therapist is waiting for me 'cause I know she will be a necessary part of all of this.
100lbs is amazing and I would encourage you to step away from the scale for awhile and focus on your life now - how it feels to walk into a room, sit in a chair, on a couch, in the car, walk stairs, buy clothing, bend, breathe.

Kerry
P.S.  Your recent pics look terrific!  You look healthy and vibrant!

Congrats Megan!  I looked at your pics and for someone that is 5ft 2in....you hold those 176 lbs extremely well.  My sister is the same height and if she weighed that she would look much larger.  Could it be the extra skin that is keeping your weight higher?

Good luck in seeing the psychologist to sort your feelings out.  You can always prepare short messages of encouragement and say them to yourself in the mirror.  Say it until you believe it!!

Judy

Hi Megan

I haven't looked at your pics....but by all accounts you look great

You are ONLY one year out.....you still have a chance to lose more if your body is able....I lost right into year two...yes it slows down....but losing up to 5 pounds per month is still a possibility

Maybe you are at your set point....and I do believe our body finds that spot...then we have to figure out how much exercise/calories per day will keep us there

Why dont you post your eats on the What are you eating thread....or just look at it to see what people who are a few years out are eating....

The head stuff is likely the toughest of all to conquer....just dont give up ok?

Good luck

Barb

Megan...thanks for your post...I can relate to what you have said...I know for me that I will never be able to afford further surgery...so I deal with the loose skin, the bat wings, etc...I still haven't bot a bathing suit, I'm still not there yet..however I would like too!!  I am a wee bit over 4 years post op...and over this past year I have managed to loose a wee  bit...just keep following your clinics rules, and doing what you know to be right....I've never owned scales...I just get weighed at my Dr's office..that way I don't stress about it( up and down would drive me crazy, and I vowed that this time I would not let that happen)!!!  Good luck on your journey, because it truly is a journey!!  Patti K.