Hi Everyone,

I am new to the group and Have recently started my journey to a new healthy, fabulous life. I met with a nutritionist last week and hope to be approved within the next few months. Here are my stats:

34 yrs old

5'3"

266 pounds

BMI 46.7

Live in Utah

Suffer from sleep Apnea, Asthma, chronic muscle aches, chronic joint pain (knees and hips), constant headaches (due to size of breasts), extreme fatigue

Even if I don't receive approval, I have started taking the steps to achieve weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. just recently, I started envisioning life being healthy and thin...something I have never really done. Here are the things (besides all the health benefits that are priority to me) I think about to keep me motivated:

-Having a family portrait taken for the first time in a decade

-Going on an exotic vacay with my husband

-taking my daughter to a local amusement park and riding ALL the rides

-Visiting old' friends that I have been too embarrassed to see

-working in my garden

-Going to a Water park for the first time ever

-Wearing a swim suit

-hiking to a cave

-Buying and wearing cute bra and panty set

-Painting my toe nails...not having husband do it for me

-not being afraid to squeeze into a booth at a restaurant

-cutting my Lane Bryant card in half and throwing away

-not sleeping with a pillow under my gut when I lay on my side

-wading through mtn stream without fear of falling

And of course.....

-enjoying sexuall intimacy again!!

What are the things you look forward to??

All these are great!! I just want to be able to wipe my own ass without being a contortionist!

Oh guuuurrrllllll...

And groom up the girly bits without pulling a muscle.

Awesome!

I actually just passed up a vacation to go to Disney World because I'm too afraid I can't fit in the rides. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I'm looking forward to not passing up things like this.. Parties' date=' vacations, serving in friends weddings (ugh, DREAD that!)

Oh, and I want to learn to ride a bicycle! lol[/quote']

Great post....I Disney World is awesome...you deserve to experience that! I haven't been on a bike in years, but perhaps when I am confident my ass won't swallow the seat, I will give it a try again!

Keep me posted on your progress!

I loved all of your comments! There were so many that made me laugh and so many that I related too. For years I have felt so alone and have been unable to discuss my limitations with family or friends. It feels sooooo good to know I am not alone and to hear from others that have same challenges! Whoop, whoop...We are on our way folks!

Love this thread, I could so relate to almost all! Crossing legs, running into ex-husband, Amusement rides is a biggie, shopping at normal stores, smaller boobs, or at least losing all my side boob!

Oh guuuurrrllllll...

And groom up the girly bits without pulling a muscle.

Omg...I haven't even seen my girls bits in years! Lol

I'm looking forward to - doing more things with my 10 yr old daughter' date=' my knee/hip pain going away, not having anymore fat rolls that my belt cuts into, not shopping at Lane Bryant, getting out of breath while walking upstairs, riding the coasters at Six Flags, fitting thru a turnstyle and hopefully falling in love with a great guy! My next 35 years are going to be FANTASTIC!![/quote']

You go!!

I look forward to wearing shorts!!!!! And skirts and high heels!

I look forward to feeling sexy.

I look forward to taking more pictures.

I looked at pictures last night and I am hiding in all of them...so sad! Can't wait to be proud of my body again!

I am looking forward to...wearing shorts.. Haven't since I was a teenager and man does that make for a hot summer' date=' taking my kids swimming to a public pool.. My oldest is 6 and I have been too embarrassed to go, horseback riding.. I couldn't get up on the saddle for many years, and the thing I currently look forward to everyday is the smile on my face when I look into the mirror every morning <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Facing the dreaded mirror...totally understand!

- wearing skinny jeans

- putting a thin picture up on facebook

- running into an ex-husband when i get to goal

- getting hit on

- going up 3 flights of stairs without passing out

- taking a bath and having my tummy be submerged and not poking out of the Water

- skinny sex!

Skinny sex, skinny sex, skinny sex!! So exciting!!

I hear ya gals' date=' I am looking forward to being happy with myself again. I have always been thick but I used to feel fabulous. Never would you see me at walmart or target in sweays and no make up... I loved doing my hair and putting together an outfit. These days my husband litetally refers to my clothes as comfy clothes and dressy sweats. I cannot wait to feel comfortable on my own skin again. Loose skin and all![/quote']

It will be nice to have energy again to even want to do my hair and dress nicely! I am a bit worried about loose skin....already saving for a couplr nips and tucks!

That is a fantastic list!!! Love it!

Some of mine are:

1. Sitting in my husband's lap (he's 135ish...I'll break him now)

2. Rock climbing walls...seriously' date=' I want to do this.

3. Shopping in "normal" sizes... haven't been able to since I was a pre-teen.

4. Being in better shape for hiking...equaling more epic trips.

5. Bungee jumping in New Zealand in 2 years (seriously)[/quote']

Love your list! I haven't even thought about sitting on my husbands lap!

Things I'm looking forward to:

Crossing my legs

Wearing heels

Sharing clothes with my sisters

Being in my cousin's wedding' date=' and my best friend's wedding

Having a photo shoot done

Not hiding in the back for group pictures

Competing in mud runs and not just walking!

Being able to sit comfortably in seats

Using a regular sized towel

Being able to stand for more than 5 minutes without my thigh going numb

Sent from my iPhone using VST[/quote']

Great list!! No more beach towels....hadn't even thought about that!

What a wonderful topic! The things I am looking forward to are: not worrying about fitting in a booth; not being in pain all the time; being able to go shopping with my daughter; having more energy; being able to do more around the house; being able to keep up with my coworkers; not turning down invitations because I am too tired or because I am too fat; being able to do more things with my son.

Great list! I can't wait to shed my fat prison and live again!

I think my list could go on and on but the main things:

-feeling confident

-shopping at the stores I like and not the stores with clothes that will fit me

-going to the lake or pool with my friends

-going on a hot vacation!

-getting a massage

-being able to do more workouts without feeling so exhausted' date=' and being able to see the muscle under all the current flab!

-meeting a new guy <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

-being healthy and enjoying my new life![/quote']

Love your list!!

This may sound weird' date=' but I can't wait to see my collarbones and the indentation in my throat instead of a double chin![/quote']

Omg...do I even have collarbones?? Lmao...it has been way to long!