reflections of 2004

[Guest guest]

Hello all you wonderful co-travelers in this journey.

Wow, where has this year gone? What a year of milestones for me.

Here are some reflections of my year's worth of experiences that were

made possible because of my weight loss via gastric bypass. I have

been transformed in mind, body and spirit.

In 2004, I did things I have always dreamed of but never thought

possible. I reached goal weight (and have been there for 10

weeks!). I sat in an airplane seat with room to spare. I road a

roller coaster for the first time in 23 years, and I ran, yes RAN

around to line up 4 times in a row with all the kids. My hips no

longer touch the sides of any turnstile.

I survived two reconstructive surgeries: abdominoplasty and

gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction). My diabetes, high

blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, joint pain and

frequent headaches all went into remission, and my lab work continues

to be fantastic.

I jogged at 6.5 mph on my treadmill. I prepared and served meals to

hungry and needy people at Thanksgiving. I bought a bicycle for a

child in a homeless/domestic abuse shelter for Christmas.

I was received into membership in my church. I joined a square

dancing club. I went out dancing 5 times, which I love and had not

done in about 25 years.

I made several new friends, replacing the ones who abandoned me one

week before my open rny surgery. I met several men who fell in love

with me (strange milestone… totally unexpected and difficult to deal

with). I fell in love—more deeply than ever—with me. I learned to

appreciate food and not abuse it. I learned to feel my feelings,

both good and bad, without resorting to food to medicate myself.

I've successfully transitioned from weight-loss mode to maintenance

mode, increasing my caloric intake without gaining weight. I've

successfully maintained my workout schedule. I watched Weight

Watchers and Craig commercials, joyful in the knowledge that I

will never again be a slave to the weight loss industry.

I bought new clothes, several times over, and enjoyed, really enjoyed

shopping for clothes for the first time in my life. I slipped into a

size Medium, and it fits perfectly. My size 34 waist jeans still

have a bit of room to spare. I learned the joy of gleaning the

clearance rack, and took special joy in finding great stuff in my new

size and discovering that I can find such great bargains at my size

that I could never find at a 3X-5X.

I bought a cowboy hat and wore it without a care about what others

might think. I wear it to please me and no one else. Some friends

and I played our silly game of " who would play us in the movie of our

lives? " and everyone agreed that I should no longer be played by

Oliver Platt. The consensus was that Bob Thornton should play

me.

Well, I'm rambling, and I'm sure that I've missed so many little

moments of joy that have made this all worthwhile. Another great

thing is I stayed with this group. We had some rough times in early

2004, but we made it through and we've gotten stronger.

How would I make it without you all? In a nutshell: " It would be

much more difficult. " Thanks, Shell and all you wonderful people

I've met here.

Gemello

At goal with a heart full of gratitude and joy