10 months out - what's changed, my doctor's appt, and 1 photo of my "goal"...

Aww thank you!

Thanks for sharing all of your insights AND your picture with us. It is awesome to see photos, but so very helpful to a mid journey traveler like myself to see what potentially is ahead.

You look wonderful!

Laurie

Thank you!  It's helpful for me to write everything out, and I've gained so much insight and help from the people who are further out than I am.  I'm glad I can help anyone do the same.  It really is a journey, and I'm so not good with experimentation but I think this, like life, is all about learning and trusting yourself

Oh Deena, you are such a beautiful person inside and out (even without a stitch of makeup!) and you got this. Think about it, your daughter will only remember you as a fit and hot Mom! When she gets a little older and you start going to PTA meetings and all the school functions you're going to be that Mom all the others love to hate (because all their husbands are like "hot damn!"). I can't wait to meet you and give you a hug (ok that sounds creepy, sorry). But really, you're just awesome in my book and I love what a strong woman you are. I had to be anal like that too to lose it all. But life marches on and however terrified we may be food controlled us when we were fat and it shouldn't continue to when we're thin. And if you ever need me, for anything, I'm always here for you. 

I need a Summer hug! Not creepy at all. We are going to have so much fun! I adore you, and you really helped me through a tough time. I don't know how you did it, but you made it ok. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

My hubs calls me a milf now. It's hilarious. I just don't think of myself as sexy bc I'm such a dork. I hope Lainey is proud of me when she's older. My mom was always the hot mom, and I was always crazy proud to be her daughter.

i adore you, luvvie! You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me. I remember thinking before surgery, "I want to be just like Summer! Summer is so awesome!" :)

You are amazing... you look great!!! I can't imagine ever wearing skinny jeans or a size 10 or lower.. but you give me hope that it could happen someday!!

You will! I NEVER thought I'd wear skinnies, and I love them. Same with shorts. I'm currently wearing a romper, but I wouldn't wear it in public :) thank you!

ravenbrown:  You are such an inspiration, and for me it is not the weight loss.  i have my surgery scheduled for 8/28, and my greatest fear is that I will not achieve my goal of discovering, understanding,helping and accepting myself as just "Eileen".  your description of yourself  as to who you are on the inside vs. outside and your steps to self acceptance brought tears to my eyes.  I want to lose the weight , but more importantly live my best life with the hand I was dealt.  Obviously, I haven't done that up until now at over 250lbs.  PLEASE stay in touch with this forum as time goes by and you achieve maintenance.  It is the details of your journey, and your honest life experience that will help me move forward in mine!

Thanks again, and also- you DO look great- who cares about makeup?

Eileen

Oh wow, you brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you so much for your kind words.  I've had therapy, and I highly recommend it if you haven't tried it.  I actually probably need to find a therapist in Austin since there's a lot of stuff I'm still dealing with, but I owe my life now to the therapist I started seeing when I was 24.  I hope whatever happens with your surgery, your weight loss, your life that you can find the beauty in yourself both physically and internally.  I don't always see the physical, and I don't always feel great inside, but I do always love me.  Because honestly, what else is there if you don't love yourself?  You are worthy, you are strong, you can do anything you set your mind to.  You can love yourself, accept yourself and all your beautiful imperfections, craziness, bad days because those things make us human and being human is beautiful.  Feel free to PM me any time you want to chat.  I'm here for you! 

And I think OH is stuck with me for the long haul :)  I work from home, and checking in on the forum helps me stay focused and gives me a break so I don't poke my eyes out looking at spreadsheets for 9 hours a day.

Oh, the changes you have made and the growing you have done and are doing! Pretty inside and out. Wisdom resides within and you have it. So very well done! Who cares what the weather is outside, those jeans belong on you!