One Year... Long Post Ahead!

 

365 days and 122.4 pounds gone… I had hoped to be posting “GOOOAAAALLLLL!” along with this post, but I’m still juuust shy at 1.6 pounds to go until I’m at “Normal” BMI. No complaints here. I’ll likely be at goal within the next week and I’ll be shouting it from the rooftop. 

In the last year, I think it is safe to say that I have changed a lot as a person. I have not felt this level of confidence in my adult life. I look people in the eye again and no longer feel like I must shrink in on myself in order to make myself smaller… If you’ve been obese, you know the posture that I mean: arms crossed in an attempt to cover and “hide” your size. Not any more. I don’t mind standing with my hands on my hips! I avoided this posture at my HW because I felt like I was putting my girth on display… It’s strange how we overthink things like this when we’re obese, isn’t it? Everything revolves around our size. 

NOT. ANY. MORE.

Now, I get to live my life without being so hyper-focused on my body! I don’t have to avoid certain activities for fear of becoming an embarrassing, sweaty mess. I don’t avoid movie theaters for fear of crowding the person sitting next to me. And I don’t obsess over my (ugly, plus-sized) clothes - fussing and pulling at my hem for fear of things clinging in unflattering ways.

Instead, I am comfortable being outside in the Southern summer heat. Yes, I get hot, but I don’t look like any more of a mess than anyone else I’m with. Instead, I can curl up in chairs without my hips touching the sides. Instead, I can buy clothes off of the sale racks in regular sizes in regular stores without worrying about that crushing moment in the fitting room where something won’t fit over my boobs or my belly… Instead, I’ve had more moments lately where I try something on and it’s miles TOO BIG! My size 24/2X mind hasn’t caught up with my size 14/M-L body!

Along with an elevated level of confidence comes with changing relationships. My friends have been amazing to me as I have lost weight - something that I am more than grateful for… When I started this process, I had very real fears that there would be a lack of support among some of my friends since I hadn’t done this the “normal” way. But I am very happy to say that I was wrong. Sure, some people didn’t quite understand the WLS process, but they asked questions and supported me whole-heartedly. A few have even started taking better care of themselves over the last several months. I won’t be so vain as to say that I was the catalyst for the newfound health-consciousness of my friends, but it is nice to be able to be supportive of each other, regardless of chosen method.

I am much more open now… an interesting side-effect of weight loss. I don’t feel the need to hide, physically, which has translated into me being willing to stop “hiding” (in a more metaphorical sense) and speak up and say what I want without any feelings of guilt. I got on eHarmony and met a wonderful man almost 2 months ago. I feel incredibly blessed to have found someone who is so accepting of the fact that I’ve had WLS. He actually lost 100+ pounds himself a few years ago, so he has been incredibly understanding when it comes to any leftover insecurities that I am still working my way through… Seriously, y’all. I’ve found a good one and couldn’t be happier!

I’ve also made the decision to complete another Master’s degree! I know from experience that I would not have really pursued this a year ago… I actually tried to enter this program last year (100 pounds ago), and as soon as I ran into a few roadblocks, I gave up in defeat assuming that I wasn’t good enough. Now? Out of the way, world. I’ve got **** to do. I’ll have my M.A. in English by this time next year!

For anyone starting on this journey, please hear me when I say this next: Find your own way. There are plenty of successful vets here who have much to teach, but, in the end, we all have to find what works for us. For me, that looks like a protein bar for breakfast, living “in moderation” when it comes to carbs, the rare treat of a carbonated beverage, and an occasional carb detox when I feel any cravings start… all methods that many vets would immediately hail as “WRONG.” But, you know what? Given that my “wrong” method has kept me from battling with low blood sugar, has kept me from having to rely on stool softeners, and has brought me to 1.6 pounds from Goal in 365 days, then I don’t want to be “right” :) In the last 365 days, I have had exactly ONE stall that lasted almost 2 weeks. And, it truth, that stall happened when I tried to change things up because I thought that I was doing things “wrong.” Once I went back to what worked for me, the scale started moving again! The scale has moved consistently over the last year, eventually settling into a gradual “stair step” over the last month or two as I’ve closed in on goal.

Find what works for you. Whether that looks like occasional carbs and carbonation or a super strict regime of low carb/high protein 100% of the time… In the end, YOU are in the driver’s seat. As long as you get to your destination, the road you take is up to you.

 

PRE OP STATS:

Weight – 298

Sizes – 24 pants, 2X tops

Diagnoses – Pre-diabetes, occasional hypoglycemia, hip pain, knee pain, foot/ankle pain, irregular periods, low progesterone, PMDD, depression

Meds – Metformin, Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatories for pain

 

ONE YEAR STATS:

Weight – 175.6

Sizes – 14 pants, M-L tops

Diagnoses: PMDD hung around, but is MUCH more manageable!

Meds – (besides vitamins)… NONE!

 

Life is GOOD… I’m holding off on posting pictures until I can call “GOAL!” So hopefully that will be next week ;)

Chrissy - I've been waiting to see this post!  You have done such an amazing job and the transformation you've gone through - physically, emotionally and mentally - is nothing short of outstanding!  I want to get up on a chair and cheer for you 

I'm excited to see what the next year brings into your life.  I think it's going to be just awesome...like you! 

Thanks, Tracy! You're always so encouraging and I appreciate it more than you know!

Congrats on your weight loss, your BF and educational goals. It has been a great year for you.

Thanks, girl ;) It really has been an amazing year!

Congratulations on your loss, your 'rebirth,' going to school--welcome to the new reality.  It's crazy, huh?  The journey continues. :)

"Rebirth!" I hadn't thought of it like that but it's so true! Thanks, Sarah!

So super happy for you and even more proud!

Thanks, girl! That means a lot!

Chicka you have done the damn thing for real. I have been trying to follow you in silence. You have done it!!!

Congrats on your new man and I hope all things work out for the best.