Because I have lost weight...

I can't tell you how proud I am of this picture. It was a long hard road to get here. We both had worked hard! I am going to make a list here of all the things that have changed or is different in my life since I have had surgery.

I don't know where to start... and there is no particular order...

1) I have lost almost 120#. This was never possible without surgery. My Dr. and I have tried. I've spent my whole life trying!

2) I no longer have to worry about future health problems that accompanies obesity. For example Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, high blood preasure, etc.

3) My body is much more comfortable to be in. I am more flexable and agile. I hope this makes sense... I also have more stamina. This showed the most when we were in Colorado earlier this year. Usually the higher elevation makes us short on breath. This year we felt like athletes. We walked everywhere and hiked and was never out of breath. It was a great feeling.

4) Since we feel healthier, we find ourselves doing healthier things. For example... we hardly ever use the elevator... the stairs are more fun! It doesn't matter anymore how close our parking spot is at the store... we don't mind walking the extra distance.

5) At restaurants, we don't have to worry if we fit in the booth. They use to be really tight, or we can barely squeeze in them. Or the chairs were just plain uncomfortable and small. Now, most booths seem a little too big!

6) Shopping is such a joy now. Each year in the Fall we go to Branson and go shopping with Theron's parents. Gloria and I use to be similar in sizes. This year, however, I tried shopping in the same stores and nothing fit! Ha Ha, what a great fealing. For the first time ever, I am not limmited to the little tiny section of "Womens" or "Plus Sizes". I can walk into a clothing store now, and go anywhere in the store I want!!

7) I can be a lady and cross my legs. That has never happened before!

8) Clients will see me at work and a few of them claim they didn't recognize me until I said something to them. It's hard to beleive that my wt. loss was enouph to change my physical apperence. The thin person, that I always knew who was hiding inside me, finally came out.

If you have never been overweight, you may not understand what I am trying to say.

9)I am eating healthier and eating less. I am unable to eat high sugared foods (ice cream, desserts, etc.) or foods high in fat. They can physically make me ill. Stomack cramps, vomitting, etc. But that's ok. Splenda has become my best-friend. There are only a handfull of foods that bother me now that I didn't have a problem before... For example... scrambled eggs are not nice to my stomach, this includes omletts. Now eggs cooked any other way are ok. I know, weird. And breakfast meats are no longer kosher for me either... must be the fat content...

10) About a year before my surgery, I had a humiliating experience. I am sure just about every obese person has experience this. I was kicked off a carnival ride because I couldn't fit in it. It's a fear I have had everytime we go someplace that has rides. 'Would I be able to fit?' 'What would happen if I don't fit the ride?' It finally came true. From then on, I swore off rides. This killed me because I loved the rides. There wasn't any ride I wouldn't go on. Three months post-op we baught season tickets to Silver Dollar City. No longer did I have to worry if I didn't fit. I was able to enjoy myself!

11) Similar experince in flying. The seat belts never fit, I had to ask the flight attendant for an extension. I would receive it, after she used it to demonstrate how to use the buckle in their opening flight speech. Plus, I always thought that the chairs were realy small. Now the chairs seem quite roomy and my buckle fits fine, and then some.

12) Why is it cold all the time. Oh yeah, cause I lost almost all of my insulation when I lost my weight. One of the few downfalls... I am constantly cold, but it's well worth the discomfort!! I am glad that I have electricity and can use my electric blanket in bed at night!

13) I lost enough weight that I had to pull my car seat up so I can reach my pedals again. That was kinda weird...

14) We need to buy new temple clothing... And by next summer I get to have a whole new Summer wardrobe. By then I would have gone from a size 26/28 to a 10... maybe an 8 by then!

15) I am hopefull that we get pregnant this year, one of the main reasons for having the surgery.

16) With Theron haveing the surgery also, I think this life changing experience has brought us closer together. We understand what the other is going through... that is priceless.

17) I think I look younger.

18) I have lost a total of 55.75"! And I am still losing!!

I will add more as I think of them... but I think this is a good start!