Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK.

I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something.

I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin.

I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago.

I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit.

Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread.

Liz

Thanks, Liz. ❤️

JustWatchMe

OMG , I am so sorry. hope you have a good judge who will see Mr. Wonderful for who and what he is.

We are all standing silently behind you as you calmly and maturely proceed through HIS issues. On the bright side, so glad you are away from such a manipulating man...soon I hope this is in your rear view mirror . There is a lot ahead .

The WOO HOO heard round the world!!! It's done. I'm an ex!!

I spent four hours in a conference room before the trial negotiating with, for lack of a better word, the terrorist. We settled at 3pm and signed at 3:30pm. We avoided trial. The judge accepted our settlement and declared us divorced.

I fought for, and got, all of the provisions I wanted in the agreement, including taxes, tuition, insurance for the girls, and more. He didn't wear me down and I didn't give in on points my lawyer thought were tradable but I did not.

I have not felt this powerful in years. My new life has truly begun.

Thank you all for your support. I felt you with me today.

JustWatchMe

so happy for you. Also so very proud of you for staying strong. it's very difficult no matter what the circumstances to get divorced . You now can concentrate on your future.

@@JustWatchMe You are FREE!!!!! What great news! You have been through the ringer for sure!

You did great!

I for one am soooo excited for you to start your new life. I expect it will be wonderful!!

I am just publicly declaring to you guys that I will NOT buy Halloween candy until the actual day; I shall buy what I DONT like, and I shall get rid of it shortly thereafter. BOO... not. Boo hoo.. just my coping strategy after many years of trial and error. Good luck to us all ![emoji260][emoji316][emoji316]

Omg omg omg I just put an offer on a house. I'm so scared and excited!!!

JustWatchMe

@@JustWatchMe so exciting! Good luck!

@@Julie norton right there with you. I am one of those mean house that give out candy from the big bag of junk food that's all sugar and suckers and nothing I want to eat. I put it all in a big cauldron and leave it out front for the kids to take. Most of the time it's still pretty full by the end of the day, and I bag it up and send it out to the troops.

After all my health issues over the last 6 months. I am going for a barium swallow tomorrow and hopefully will get a small fill in my band and see if we can start this thing again. I haven't been "sick" for over a month now so I think I'm in the clear. Need to start setting goals and focusing on my health...spend so much time taking care of everyone and everything else I have lost sight of me.

I got the house! I move in three weeks! My head is spinning.

JustWatchMe

Wow, am I ever glad I dropped by today -- what a boatload of great news! So happy for you @@JustWatchMe -- yippee!

JWM. What a life changing decision! Congratulations on moving forward. Hope it is all you want it to be.

It is lots of fun thinking about furniture placement, Wall color etc.

it is NOT food focused , which helps in the big picture of maintenance ...

(However moving can be a big pain in the as*)

After more than two years of my life being on hold, financially being held hostage, it is incredible how life has changed in only two weeks. Before, things moved too slowly. Now, things are moving incredibly fast! But it's all good. It feels good to feel good again.

JustWatchMe

So happy for you sweetie, it's been such a long hard road for you. I am proud of you for getting through it. After my year of losses of my loved ones I know that any loss no matter though death or divorce can be emotionally draining. But life does go on and life can change drastically. Enjoy your new life and take care of yourself.