When do NSV's become a way of life?

Jan 04, 2017

6+ years post weight loss surgery, life keeps going on. Of course its not all peachy, but I'm really enjoying this stage of my life.  In some ways, I feel like I'm finally getting to experience and enjoy the things I missed as an overweight young adult.  Things that I actually was able to do back then are also exciting now as I participate in a completely different way.

NSV's seem to happen frequently.  I keep thinking-- document it your obesity help blog! So here I go.

On a vacation to a Carribean island over the holiday, we spent most of the time on the beach or in the water.  This means I was wearing swimwear or just a light beach coverup or skirt when we'd grab a bite to eat. 

• When a stranger whose seen you all week in a bathing suit says "I can tell you work out.  Are you a runner?", thats totally a NSV, right?  Especially if you are more of a biker and walker lol.

After a week of eating resturant food, drinking, too much sun and then a bad flu for both of us, we decided we would still run our new years day 5k because that is our tradition.  Since we were both sick, we agreed we wouldn't run for time.  We would run together and finish together with no expectation of a good time. Just a fun couple/date thing to do.  We never get to run together because it hurts me too much. Normally he runs outside, and I do my running on the treadmill.  I only make exceptions for outside running for the two or three 5k's we run each year. 

• When you run a 5K when feeling sick AND still set a new personal record...26:44 for you...    thats a NSV, right? 

There are many more examples... clothes fitting, trying new sports, being good at those sports, far less depression, etc.

At this point where maintaining my weight at about 140-145lbs is a fairly routine thing, the fact that i was 394 pounds has less relavance to my daily life. 

You know how you're always tempted to pull out your 'before' picture?  Yes.  do that!  For a long time.  You worked your butt off.  You should be proud.  Its a very good reminder that can help you get through the rough weeks when you want to give up or think you're a failure. You know how people say in amazement "You're a totally different person now."? You are.

A good friend that met me after I lost the bulk of my weight said the same"You're a totally different person now" when she saw my before photo.  But she continued. She said I'm just me.  I'm the friend that motivates her to be active.  I'm the friend that has a great attitude and outlook on life.  I'm strong.  I'm healthy.  Period.  Not with the qualifier that I lost a lot of weight.  This is who I am now.

Isn't this what I dreamed of?  To just be a regular person fitting in a regular world.  I'm not saying that I'm not proud or excited about continued progress and sucesses. 

My baseline is different.  I'm healthy.  I'm strong.  Now just watch and see what I can do.  =)

--Becca

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