A person asked me last week what it’s like to be thin? I had to pause for a moment because she was asking me. She has watched my transformation and was curious what it is like to change especially so quickly.
First, I really do not think of myself as thin. True I have lost a lot of weight and am at 83 pounds down now. I am very proud of my accomplishment and do not regret bariatric surgery as a tool to lose weight. The weight loss has improved my health greatly. This is the first time that I really remember being 176 pounds. I weighed in at 178 pounds on my wedding day. I literally only weighed that for the day:) I ordered my wedding dress by accident in a teen size instead of adult and had to lose 40 pounds to get in it. After the ceremony and I took the gown off, I went out to dinner with my new husband and saw the last of 178. I do not have a goal weight yet and figured I will know when I get there. I purposely slowed down my weight loss and am happy with this.
Sure, I had always imagined when I was younger what it would be like to have a better figure. I won’t lie about that. However, the truth is that I did learn to love myself the way I was and accepted myself. I am in a size 12 now which stuns me every day. I still believe when I go to put on something new it’s not going to fit and then I’m surprised when it does.
So, I told the woman who asked me that it does feel good to fit in smaller clothes. I said though I stand by loving yourself no matter what your size. If you want to make a change then go for it. I say do it for the right reasons although I read a book once about a woman who lost a ton of weight and she said do it for any reason even if it is for looks. I do say don’t get stuck there though. If you need to make changes quickly, I don’t mind telling people to consider bariatric surgery. The initial stages though do go slow, but working with the dietitian and team, I started losing weight and making changes right away.
Some days go by and I’ve eaten well, got my protein in and had no nausea or vomiting. Other days are different. I am six months out from surgery and doing better each day. Even today though my lunch did not go down well and I got sick. When that happens, I pause, drink water when I can and avoid food for a few hours. It’s a new lifestyle.
I appreciate all of the positive feedback I’ve had. One thing I promised myself though is that I would not change my philosophy. Love myself no matter what. I still look in the mirror and know I could use a lot more firming after that weight loss, but it’s still me. I will always be a woman who stands by loving ourselves at any weight! Beauty is so much more than that. Plus curves really are beautiful! I got stuck with the body shape of an egg and had to deal with that. I also might have lost 83 pounds, but like I said my body needs some serious firming now.
If you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see, consider talking to someone whether it be a counselor or someone you trust. I honestly feel it is important to love and appreciate yourself at any size or shape. Then, when you want to make a change it’s all for the right reasons.
Please leave me a comment if you have something you want me to share or you want to share with me. Best wishes,
Mandy
Mandy, always proud of you and who you have become. Your mom would have been a major cheerleader in this process! This picture really favors your grandma Betty Thomas. Miss her precious face, and thankful for the beautifil reminder in yours. You go girl!_
Thank you so much for responding! I miss my mom and grandma dearly and am proud to carry them forward every day. I understand now some of the struggles my mom faced. I wish this had been an option for her too. I think about this all of the time. I do plan to write about her soon. She and my grandma always appreciated your friendship! Blessings to you.
Mandy, i remember her struggle. I would love to read what you write. Both women were my friends!