Veterans! Lets Paint a Picture for our Newbies!

thanks for all the inspirations. I'm three weeks post op and seeing these pictures leaves a very warm feeling in my heart. Thanks for sharing.

 Awesome! I am so encouraged

KIM-I've been "out of touch" a few days, so I'm bringing up the caboose, but wanted to respond to your GREAT thread,

Many of MY "top 5" are the same as other peeps's..and I'm proud to be in such good company..What is kinda sad is that many of these things are what "normal" people would totally take for granted, and never have to think twice about-and never realize they are things to be GRATEFUL for..BREATHING and WALKING at the SAME time, etc..

Let me TRY to name just 5..in no particular order...

1. HEALTH. I am 200% healthier than I was 10 yrs ago. Period.

2. MY SONS. They are 22 and 20 now. Lord willing I will see them marry/have children, etc. If not-it won't be because of my WEIGHT

3. RUNNING. Funny how so many of us picked this one. Who ever thought we would like leaving a perfectly good car to hit the streets??? I have completed 2 half marathons..wasn't first..but wasn't last..but that would be okay too-cuz I STARTED and I FINISHED

4. CLOTHES. Besides being able to buy them myself, it's so nice for OTHERS to be able to get them for me-instead of always getting bath oils, etc while your normal weight sisters get cute sweaters, cuz everyone is scared of not knowing your "big size"

5. CHOSEN FAMILY. I have never had peep "get me" like the chosen family I have acquired, via OH. Many I know IRL, some "in the computer", but they are all very special and LIFE SAVING to me

One of my chosen family members, Jennifer Scott, put my siggy line collage pics together. They include "before" and "during". I'll never be an "after"..I'll forever be a work in progress..a day at a time..

Gina, you are such a long-term amazing success and an inspiration to me and so many others.  Thank you so much for staying active on OH.

You are a beautiful person.

Best,

Aww..CHRIS..make an ole lady blush, why don't ya???

I'm having one of my "feeling fat days", today, so I NEEDED to read your comment!

The next time you're in TX we WILL hook up--and I'll get a bunch of peeps together, and show you how friendly we Texans we REALLY are! The last time you were here, we didn't do so hot...hanging my head in shame...

Awww Gina!  I know those days well, but you know that even this far out, our brains love to sabotage reality.  You are doing awesome!

and, thanks!  I will hold you to that OH date and I am looking forward to it!  ;)

Thank you for posting this thread! I'm 3 days from surgery and so ready for this change! First my health, happiness and I've always wanted one of those cute exercise outfits!  lol  and for the first time in my life....I actually think when I can I want to try running....I may not be the fastest or the most graceful but I know it will help me maintain both my weight and sanity.  :)

I've been running a for a few years now.  I do not time myself.  I only do it for me at the pace I can handle.  I have very bad knees so some days I can go like nobody's business and others I'm a bit faster than a crawl.  I am breathing heavy and sweating so I figure I'm doing good, and most of all the mental workout I get is sooo rewarding!  Happy running!

Oh, and I now have more athletic clothes than real ones!  I actually think I wear them more.....that is my go to outfit when I get home from work.

KIM--you sound soooooo much like ME..lol..I DO like to "match" my accessories..the stripes on my pants to my race shirts, etc...may not run quickly, but I can LOOK cute!! I just wish I could afford matching SHOES, don't cha know..but...at $150 a pop, that sure isn't going to happen..so-I settle for matching water bottles!!

People talk about having to "go far enough to get your heartrate up for it to count as CARDIO"...I just look at them blankly..."far enough" for ME is about a BLOCK...my heart beats just fine, tyvm..and I'll be sweating and about to pass out, at block 2..

But I still match and look cute !!!

 LOL! you made me smile!