Hi everyone!

Today is my 35th birthday! I am kinda stoked about it! This year has been an interesting one. Full of challenges and many successes. I am so glad I finally decided to move forward with getting my lap band removed and having the gastric bypass surgery. Recovery was tough and I still struggle with healthy eating, but overall I am doing well.

People have noticed I have lost weight. I am finally able to shop in the regular department stores...but for some reason, I struggle with these changes. I still see myself as "Morbidly Obese" and struggle with the physical changes. I spend hours browsing stores for new clothes (I have a new job)...I KNOW I cannot fit my old clothes, but it's like I can't bring myself to buy my current size with ease. I still buy a size bigger because that's what I use to do...in case I gained weight *insert shamed face here"...

I see pictures of myself and yes I can "see the changes"...but I still see the things I hated 50 pounds ago. I am 13 pounds away from my goal, but now I wonder if I should subtract another 10 pounds to really feel normal. I don't know what I expected, but not sure if where I am is that place.

I was wondering if anyone else had these problems and what helps you move forward?

Goal weight is an arbitrary number. Your body will actually determine when you have reached bottom. I would not be a bit surprised if you fall below your goal weight.

You are in the "Weight Loss" phase. Your weight loss will slow down and eventually stop and then you will transition quite naturally into the "Maintenance" phase.

Hi everyone!

Today is my 35th birthday! I am kinda stoked about it! This year has been an interesting one. Full of challenges and many successes. I am so glad I finally decided to move forward with getting my lap band removed and having the gastric bypass surgery. Recovery was tough and I still struggle with healthy eating, but overall I am doing well.

People have noticed I have lost weight. I am finally able to shop in the regular department stores...but for some reason, I struggle with these changes. I still see myself as "Morbidly Obese" and struggle with the physical changes. I spend hours browsing stores for new clothes (I have a new job)...I KNOW I cannot fit my old clothes, but it's like I can't bring myself to buy my current size with ease. I still buy a size bigger because that's what I use to do...in case I gained weight *insert shamed face here"...

I see pictures of myself and yes I can "see the changes"...but I still see the things I hated 50 pounds ago. I am 13 pounds away from my goal, but now I wonder if I should subtract another 10 pounds to really feel normal. I don't know what I expected, but not sure if where I am is that place.

I was wondering if anyone else had these problems and what helps you move forward?

I actually think I'm on the reverse side of this head not catching up to my body thing. I think my head never accepted how overweight I was, so now that i'm loosing, the mirror is finally showing me what I saw in my head. So in my scenario, its much easier to adapt.

I know exactly what you mean. I was in a size 20 when I started this journey a year ago. I am now in a loose size 12. I have always loved to shop for clothes. Even when I was at my biggest I tried to dress fashionable - BUT I tended to buy loose shirts. It took me a lot of pep talking to get my head to understand I was not that person anymore and I needed to buy clothes that actually fit like they should! It makes a world of difference to have a tailored top on instead of a flowing one! I still hide certain parts of my body - but now every time I go into the store and I pick up something I ask myself is this something the old me would wear or is it something the new me wants to wear? If I answer as the old me I put it back on the rack. I didn't go through surgery - pain - throwing up - starvation - monthly shots - daily vitamin regime to wear the same stuff I did back then. I suggest standing in a mirror and really taking a look at yourself. Look at all the wonderful changes and embrace the new you. I find that I am still uncomfortable when people say things like "hey skinny" or how much more weight are you going to lose as though I am

anorexic looking or something (which I am most certainly not!) I feel so uncomfortable sometimes - almost like I have to defend my new found body?