These are the exact words that came pouring out of my niece's mouth when she saw me last weekend!!! Mind you, I am not SMALL by any stretch of the imagination, but since she has only known me fat, I guess I do look quite different! I haven't posted on here in a while since I'm back in the real world again. I was such a hermit when I weighed 300+ pounds. I quit working from home and now have an amazing job! I'm enjoying my life again and I didn't think that was possible. I have officially lost...drum roll please...113 pounds!!!!!! People look me in the eyes now! I didn't realize how invisible I had become. I notice that now I look people in the eyes. I was hidden underneath an enormous layer of fat and shame. The world is different now. The world is beautiful. I am beautiful. I like to take pics with my husband. I like compliments. The nickname at work is "Smiley"! At first they thought I was "another fake department head just sitting on their ass". I was recently told this by a co-worker. I held my head up and explained that nobody up there understood why I was so happy and if they would ask me, I would tell them that I have lost 100+ pounds and I have nothing to be sad about anymore! I bust my butt at work and it shows! They see me walking and moving around all day and not just sitting there. They like me now (which on a human level does make me feel better), but they like me because I can help put a smile on their face with my stories. They like me because I live my life. They like me because I like me! This has been the most physically demanding job I have ever had, but because of my weight loss, I can do my job and do it well! I started this job a month ago this week and I have lost an additional 20 pounds since I started! I've been working my butt off, quite literally! So, to all the "rookies", keep your head up! I'm 8 months out today and this has been the best 8 months I can remember and also the most difficult and worth every bit of it!!!!

Here is the most recent pic of my sweet little family!

You even sound happy in typed print!! I am so happy for you! Your positive attitude will keep folks around you happy, too!

You look great. This is very inspirational.

What a beautiful post. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I wish you continued success and may you realize how many people on this bored you have inspired.

So happy for you! Keep up the positive attitude! You are doing amazing!!!!! You have lots to be happy about!

So, there really are "pirate dogs!" out there? Just one more question, where are your buccaneers? Under my bucking hat! bwaaaaaah :-P

You look great,

Keep Pimpin' that Sleeve!