It's been a long time since I've posted anything on here. It's been almost 2 years since I had my lapband. I've done great. Met my goal weight about a year ago and have maintained since then. However, I have to admit that over the past couple of months I have noticed some of my old habits creeping back up. Eating too fast. Eating slider foods. Not exercising as much. The problem is that A) I'm extremely stressed out right now as I am in school working on a master's degree and my husband and I are getting a divorce. And I think some of it is that, having met my goal and maintained for a little while, I've gotten a little too comfortable, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm trying to get back to the basics of eating the right foods, eating slowly, chewing everything to mush, etc. In addition, I'm trying to remind myself of how much better life is now than it was before so that I remember why I don't want to go back to being what I was before. And it needs to be more than just "being skinny and beautiful". So, here are some of the things I've come up with that I can do now that I couldn't do before my surgery and weight loss:

*Tie my shoes without difficulty

*Run

*Shop for clothes in the regular size section rather than the big girl section

* Apply lotion to my own legs & feet

* Wear knee high boots

*Go to the gym without feeling embarrassed

* Walk up hills or stairs without becoming winded

* Ride roller coasters with my kiddos

* Fit comfortably into restaurant booths and theater seats

*Squat(who knew this would be an accomplishment)

* Get myself up off the floor/ground should I choose to squat/sit/lay on said floor or ground

That's all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment.

So, what are some things that YOU can do now that you couldn't do before? Or, if you are just starting out, what are some of the things you are looking forward to being able to do?

Divorcing here too. It's tough.

I can:

Cross my legs

Eat a normal size meal

Stop eating before "full"

Walk a LOT

sleep much better

Wear the same clothes a year later

Fit in an airplane seat without a belt extender

Ride a horse

Ride a bike

Climb stairs easily

Shave my legs

Dress up for Halloween without wearing a robe-type costume

Happily pose for pictures

Divorcing here too. It's tough.

I'm sorry to hear this. Yes, it is tough. In fact, it freaking sucks.

Wear the same clothes a year later

Happily pose for pictures

By the way, I LOVE both of these! I remember being excited to buy new clothes as I lost weight but frustrated when they didn't fit for very long. I was so excited last winter when I got to buy my winter wardrobe because I was at my goal weight and knew I'd be able to wear them again this year! And I was determined I wouldn't need bigger clothes ever again!lol...and I'm still determined I'm not ever buying bigger sizes.

And posing for pictures...wow! I used to hide from the camera and now when someone asks me to pose for a picture, I'm happy to do so! No more hiding from the camera for this girl!