So, after having a lovely afternoon with a fabulous friend, who had managed to rationalise and put into perspective a work problem I've been enduring since 2008. To Celebrate, as I finally felt free of this burden, I decided to drag my man out for an evenings entertainment.

We went and had a few drinkies and then decided to go dancing at the local 80's nightclub. I love 80's music, me.

So, the club was jumping and I, was having a wonderful time bopping around. My man doesn't like to dance, so he stood on the sidelines - effectively on guard!

Apart from the fact two drunk males who had decided to use the dance floor as a race track and knocked me flying, which resulted in a considerably bruised hip bone today and a fiance who wanted to literally kill these two youths; something very nice happened.

We'd been standing near a group of more mature Polish males, who were a jolly nice bunch. Who, too, were bopping around and having a good time. One of them asked of my man 'is that your wife?' to which he replied 'yes, sir'. The Polish blokes all said 'You are a very very lucky man'. He replied 'I know'. <raises an eyebrow at how men can be sometimes!>

A bit later, a, well, how would you refer to him as? A bit of a geeky looking/studious male, approached me whilst dancing. Nervously he said 'I am really sorry to disturb you. I am with a group of blokes who think you are gorgeous. We've been talking about it and they reckon that I would never be able to approach someone like you. (Someone like you?!!!) Would you mind if I just stood here for a bit, because I want to prove them wrong.'

Feeling taken aback, I replied 'Aww, thank you! But of course! In fact I can go one better than that. Would you like to dance with me?' His young bespectacled face lit up as I grabbed his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor. (My man didn't mind as he clearly didn't feel threatened by it). This young lad's mates were left open-mouthed at the bar and I got such an effusive 'thank you!' when our dance was concluded.

Towards the end of the night, as the Polish men were leaving, one of them approached me to say goodbye. With his thick accent and courteous demeanor, he leant forward and said 'I just want to say, your husband is one very very lucky man. You are a beautiful woman. Have a good evening.' At which point he kissed me on the cheek and left.

Now, I have been excited about inches disappearing, I have been shocked by the scale dropping, I have been bemused by all my new found bones - I have also been devastated at the hair loss, but nothing. Nothing, compared to how last night made me feel.

I am normal again. I am a 'someone like you'. I am humbled, slightly embarrassed - but elated.

And you know what's even better? I logged my three hours of dancing on MyFitnessPal and I'd burnt up 1,293 calories! (Which more than offset the 5 pints of Guinness and the couple of vodka and red bulls I'd consumed!)

Yay, me!

You go girl! And I get excited when I still get carded at 50...LOL...

But seriously. The little victories that we win whether someone noticing us or we noticing the little things. I can feel the bones of my hips and I can wear necklaces that are shorter in length and I can feel my collar bones and my rings fit and my feet are shrinking. I can go on and on but I have to say the greatest thing is feeling closer to my husband when he holds me close.

You have inspired me to look closer at the little things we are going thru.

Please keep your stories coming.

Madam R, Girl you must still be dancing high on the clouds for such a great night of Nsv! From the wonderful complements to the kiss on the cheek and top it off you went home with your wonderful man and got to count the nights calorie burning sucess!!

I am so happy for you!!

I always enjoy reading your posts and this one made me smile a little wider (even though I'm 5 days post op:). You deserve every compliment pretty lady:)

I can go on and on but I have to say the greatest thing is feeling closer to my husband when he holds me close.

You have inspired me to look closer at the little things we are going thru.

Never miss a moment.

Madam R, Girl you must still be dancing high on the clouds for such a great night of Nsv! From the wonderful complements to the kiss on the cheek and top it off you went home with your wonderful man and got to count the nights calorie burning sucess!!

I am so happy for you!!

Thank you, Bella. I am indeed feeling pretty fabulous today and I didn't even have a hangover. Yippppeee!

Pics!! We want to see your loveliness too! :-)

I always enjoy reading your posts and this one made me smile a little wider (even though I'm 5 days post op:). You deserve every compliment pretty lady:)

Thank you, darling. You wait. Give it a short bit of time and you, too, will be feeling like this. Congratulations on having your op and hope you recover quickly.

Look forward to charting your progress

Madame R....that's a wonderful victory!!! It's great your sweetie pie didn't mind. Mine is the same way and gets a kick out of male attention I get because he knows I'm leaving with him. Conversely, I feel happy for him when he is appropriately flirted with. We were sleeved on the same day and he has lost 57 pounds and I enjoy watching his ego inflate and his confidence grow. Guys need it, too. Keep up your good work....you can go ahead and, like they say. "dance like no one is watching", but I guarantee that someone IS watching you!! (My sweetie would be watching you...lol).

Congrats Madame! That is a great NSV and I'm glad you and hubby had a good time too. Life's short, so it might as well be happy.

Lynda

This is a bad-ass story. I love every bit of it. You must feel (and look!) like a million bucks.

Awesome, awesome story and nsv! Doesn't get any better than that. Good for you!

Okay and as requested. It's not the best photo ever, but in comparison to my before photo - I can see a difference!

This was taken on the 23rd Feb. 60.38% of my excess weight lost.

23lbs to go! If this stall ever bloody ends, I might just get there!!!!

Before:

Now:

Madame R....that's a wonderful victory!!! It's great your sweetie pie didn't mind. Mine is the same way and gets a kick out of male attention I get because he knows I'm leaving with him. Conversely, I feel happy for him when he is appropriately flirted with. We were sleeved on the same day and he has lost 57 pounds and I enjoy watching his ego inflate and his confidence grow. Guys need it, too. Keep up your good work....you can go ahead and, like they say. "dance like no one is watching", but I guarantee that someone IS watching you!! (My sweetie would be watching you...lol).

Aw, thank you! I don't think my man would be too happy if he caught your hubby looking though! He can get a bit grumpy like that! Particularly if your hubby is hot! lol

Congrats Madame! That is a great NSV and I'm glad you and hubby had a good time too. Life's short, so it might as well be happy.

Lynda

Damn skippy, Lynda. Damn skippy

This is a bad-ass story. I love every bit of it. You must feel (and look!) like a million bucks.

I feel strangely content today, this is true. All the stars and planets colliding.

Maybe its because its my birthday tomorrow. Hit another milestone. The exception this time, is that I'm not hating the way I look going into it.

For the first time in the longest time - I'm strangely content.