Bvrwrer
Wow - I saw the new me!
Apr 20, 2009
This weekend, I attended a 40th birthday party for my best friend. I figured I have only a few months to rag on him about being 40 before I hit it myself, so I made it a priority to get there and start the hassling! 
Anyhow - I hadn't seen my friend since late June - about 80 pounds ago. It was a surprise party, so he didn't know anyone would be there other than his family. There were several of us there that went to college together, so when he came around the corner, he saw us all standing in a line. I could see him start looking at everyone from the other end of the line, and then when he got to me he broke out in a huge smile and then in tears. When he came across the room to give me a hug, he said "You were always in there, and I'm so happy that you made it out alive." Then we were both tear-ed up....
Anyhow, I made my way to the bathroom later in the evening, and realized that for the first time in a very long time, I had on a shirt and pants that both fit. I could see my belt in the mirror. The pleats on my pants were laying flat as I stood there, and thanks to the impression it all made on my friends, I could see that I have come a long way, baby! It was a very powerful moment to be able to look in the mirror and not see the morbidly obese image, but rather see one that is almost down to overweight. That guy had a neck! and a flat chest and stomach! and I could see both ears at once while looking straight ahead at the mirror.
I guess once things settle down a bit around my house, I'm going to have to make an effort to get out and find some clothes that actually fit to replace the ones I'm wearing that are not-so-much-too-big-as-to-be-ridiculous,-but-still-don't-really-fit... It does make a difference in how I see myself.
So, there you have it - the high point of my weekend was being able to look in a restaurant mirror and see my new body standing there. I know - it's a little weird, but if you've found your way to this site, you probably understand.
John
