What if I looked at the scale this morning and it said I was at my goal weight? What if it was real, and all my excess weight was gone?

How would I spend my day?

Would I eat well?

Would I exercise happily?

Would I congratulate my fabulous self and walk around with a big grin?

Would I put myself "out there" more and participate in new things?

Today I am acting as if I am at my goal weight. Where the mind goes, the body will follow.

Who's with me?

The day I hit my goal weight I am scheduling professional family pictures. I have dodged the camera for the last forty years and it will be time to stand in front.

I agree 100% with you Miss Mac. I take my two kids all the time for pictures. Everytime I go I get a lil sad because I would love to be in the pictures with them. And the photographer always asks me if I want to...which sux to always be reminded that I avoid pictures.

Ah ladies you need to live like there was NO tomorrow. Get out there and take those pictures now and then take them again later...and you will love what you see and you'll have a professional record for posterity!!

Ah ladies you need to live like there was NO tomorrow. Get out there and take those pictures now and then take them again later...and you will love what you see and you'll have a professional record for posterity!!

Exactly !!!

I agree!!! I am still about 10 pounds from my goal. I know if I worked a little harder I could make it. However, a few weeks ago I decided to "live like I was a goal",and to focus on non weight related goals. It has been wonderful. This Thursday night I am going to a Pole Dance fitness class- something that I would never have done before. Also this weekend will be my first ever camping trip and kayaking. I still want to zip line and go to a water park this summer and then all my short term goals will be met and I can make new ones. Chasing after the perfect number on a scale isn't near as much fun as chasing after a fun filled life!!! Good topic.

I'd like to be with you but I'm just not there yet. I do find I am less self conscious as the weight goes down, only 4 months post so maybe when I am a little farther along?

I love this idea. Unfortunately for me it's not my mind that is keeping me from living life fully but my physical limitations. As I gain more mobility and the physical barriers decrease I fully intend to live life to the fullest. Each day I see improvements.

If I get to goal weight I'll shout you all a pizza and ice cream.

Ok, but just one slice of a little Caesar's pizza with sausage, mushroom, green pepper, onions, olives and extra cheese scraped off the crust, and 1/2 cup of Breyer's full fat butter pecan.......just this once, and after a light Breakfast and lunch, and then not again for another year and a half. Maybe make that on my birthday!

I guess I would have to say that with all my husband's issues, I don't take much interest in myself or my weight anymore. I just don't have time! I weigh each morning, just to keep up with what is going on, and I am still slowly losing (depending on the day - if it's real busy, I lose more!!!). But I just can't seem to care about it so much anymore. The surgery did what I wanted it to do, and it has made what I am dealing with now easier to contend with, now that I think about it.

One thing that has not only called my attention, but has downright SLAPPED me silly is HOW SELF-CENTERED I was before my husband's diagnosis. I got away from focusing on the REAL reason for my surgery (diabetes control), and spent too much time with the vanity mirror!

SO. If I am truthful NOW, I must say IF I were at goal weight, I'm not sure I would notice so much, except for the fact my clothes would be falling off, and they tend to FROWN on that at the chemo facility!

I'm pre-op, and that is the question i've been running over and over lately.

What if i'll actually can be below 200 lbs, will i be happy finally?

What if my husband doesn't like me smaller (he's always been with bigger women)?

What if i actually can run/walk/hike/bike/swim again, will i do it like i keep saying i will?

What if I might actually be able to go into any store to shop, not just "plus-size" stores?

I've been dealing with depression most of my life actually, and even though i tend to always have a dark cloud on my shoulder, since starting this surgery process, I actually feel a ray of sunshine and a smidge of hope.

Most of my questions are not a fear point now, just an inner dialogue about dealing with my changes needed regarding my thought process. I know i have some serious self-hatred issues i'm still working on. But actually I feel like I will be more ok with my imperfections if I am smaller sized. I am ok with certain things now, and that's been a process, so i hope I can get even further before the surgery date actually hits.

I'm pre-op, and that is the question i've been running over and over lately.

What if i'll actually can be below 200 lbs, will i be happy finally?

What if my husband doesn't like me smaller (he's always been with bigger women)?

What if i actually can run/walk/hike/bike/swim again, will i do it like i keep saying i will?

What if I might actually be able to go into any store to shop, not just "plus-size" stores?

I've been dealing with depression most of my life actually, and even though i tend to always have a dark cloud on my shoulder, since starting this surgery process, I actually feel a ray of sunshine and a smidge of hope.

Most of my questions are not a fear point now, just an inner dialogue about dealing with my changes needed regarding my thought process. I know i have some serious self-hatred issues i'm still working on. But actually I feel like I will be more ok with my imperfections if I am smaller sized. I am ok with certain things now, and that's been a process, so i hope I can get even further before the surgery date actually hits.

This is very much a physical and emotional journey. I for one, have been in therapy a year after being banded and down around 100 lbs. I did not recognize myself in the mirror nor did I know how to process all the changes i was going through. I understand all the questions you noted in your post. It's very hard to imagine such a different life than the one you are currently living.

My life is as different now as could possibly be and I would not have been able to cope without professional help. I'm not saying we all should be in therapy but I am honest in telling others that I would not be as successful or as happy as I am without it.

I'm sure you will determine at some point what you need and will do what is needed for you to have that happy life you want. Good luck and here's to your success.

What if I looked at the scale this morning and it said I was at my goal weight? What if it was real, and all my excess weight was gone?

How would I spend my day?

Would I eat well?

Would I exercise happily?

Would I congratulate my fabulous self and walk around with a big grin?

Would I put myself "out there" more and participate in new things?

Today I am acting as if I am at my goal weight. Where the mind goes, the body will follow.

Who's with me?

For me, I just kept on doing what I was doing.....and I passed MY goal and slowly continued to loose until my body settled out where it should be.....

It's not a diet where I can turn it on and off, go on maintenance, etc, ....it was surgery that permanently changed my digestive system resulting in how and what I eat, and will remain that way for the rest of my life.

The process is complete, finished, and I just get on with my new life.....

I still have to pay taxes, face life's crisis, challenges...they don't go away....but my self confidence, attitude could not be better....and I have become more successful in things other than being a normal weight.

I just got back from a Caribbean vacation and it felt good to walk around the pool with just my bathing suit, showing off my muscles rather than hiding my fat.