Lyra

Yeah, I like Torrid and also Dots (I've never heard of that online store, but I'm gonna go check it out, thanks!). I just wish I could go into Kohls or any other department store and find the same shirts that are in the 'normal' area also in plus sizes. My thin friends always want me to go shopping with them because of my 'sense of style' but it would be nice to be the person who could wear those clothes!

Yeah, for me it was always "smile smile smile" when shopping with my friends and then later I always wanted to cry because I wanted to buy cute, trendy clothes too. I never really told my best friend that I felt that way until I told her that I was going to get this surgery. Luckly all my friends have been supportive and they all helped me come up with an amazing "Lyra gets a 'cookie' " rewards list. Except the 'cookie' are things like horseback riding, skiing, zip lining, ballroom dance lessons, kyaking etc that we're all going to do together!

I had some of the same goals already listed - fit into an airplane seat when I traveled - be able to shop for nicer looking clothes. Here are some that were mine that haven't been listed yet:
- Weigh less than my husband - DONE
- Wear my wedding rings again - DONE - they are now loose!
- Be smaller than my husband's ex wife the next time I had to see her at an extended family gathering. - DONE
- Be able to select from a wide variety of positions to put my body in with ease and grace - I'm really enjoying this one
- Not be the "Fat" sister at the Christmas celebration - DONE
- Have formal portraits taken with my husband, son, daughter in law and two grandkids - DONE
- Not have anything in my closet that is too little to wear - Almost there - still have a few to go
- Get rid of any clothes that don't look terrific on me - I am no longer settling for "it fits, it's OK" - this is a continuous process during the weight loss phase for me. I need to do another sweep of my closet and get rid of more things. I want to live in two closets - one in season, one out of season. No more clothes of every size squirrelled away all over the place.

I went for my lunchtime walk today. I finally remembered to bring my IPOD to work. I had not used it since before being sleeved. I put on the arm band, but it kept slipping. Irritating! So I tightened it. Then I realized, I TIGHTENED IT! My upper arms were smaller. YAY!!!!

Awesome idea!
- buying knee high boots without expansion panels
- buying pretty bras/panties
- being able to wear my hair up without wondering if my face looks too fat
- horseback riding
- wearing clothes that show my fun, funky side rather than just whatever fits.
- DATING and no longer only being the 'funny fat girl'.

Oh I totally agree with the hair thing! I love the way my curly hair looks in a messy bun but I always think it makes my face look huge!

Yeah, why is it that designers think that just because a girl is bigger, that all she wants to wear are button down shirts with either stripes (I hate stripes), the side breast pocket (yuck), or only come in muted solid colors. Why don't they make the same clothes they make for thin girls but only in a bigger size?

Awesome idea!
- buying knee high boots without expansion panels
- buying pretty bras/panties
- being able to wear my hair up without wondering if my face looks too fat
- horseback riding
- wearing clothes that show my fun, funky side rather than just whatever fits.
- DATING and no longer only being the 'funny fat girl'.

Oh I know!
I too like the idea of looking cute in clothes that don't make me look like Meryl Streep, I am very fond of layers right now!
Getting to class looking crisp, not like I biked uphill for 45 mins when in reality it was 10 on flat ground!
Feeling confident again!

I'm looking forward to ziplining, rock climbing, being able to actually FIND and FIT in knee length boots. Leather ones without the 'expansion panel' in the back. I want to go to the state fair and ride any ride that I want without having to get off because I don't fit. I want pretty clothes, and to have a guy look at me and find me attractive. I want to find myself attractive. I want to go dancing and to be able to wear my hair up without worrying that it will show how chubby my face is. I would also like to be able to see my cheek and collar bones.

I'm looking forward to ziplining, rock climbing, being able to actually FIND and FIT in knee length boots. Leather ones without the 'expansion panel' in the back. I want to go to the state fair and ride any ride that I want without having to get off because I don't fit. I want pretty clothes, and to have a guy look at me and find me attractive. I want to find myself attractive. I want to go dancing and to be able to wear my hair up without worrying that it will show how chubby my face is. I would also like to be able to see my cheek and collar bones.

I hear ya on the roller coasters thing! One of the most embarrassing moments of my life involved me being left behind while my friends went to go on a ride.
I also want to ride a horse and wear cute clothes!

Hi,
Lucky for me, I had total support from my family and friends. Please don't let others get you down, even if they are family. You know what's right for you. I can't understand why people feel that they have the right to decide about your health and your body. This could mean a healthier and longer life for you. How can anyone scoff at that? Go ahead, girl! In a year, you will be doing cartwheels around them!