I have been single for a very long time at least 10 years. I never thought myself to be worthy of a relationship prior because I was ashamed of how I looked. Now that I have had bypass surgery and have lost a total of 180 lbs from my highest weight I'd like to find someone. Don't get me wrong I still have a long way to go on this journey I am still very much over weight but not nearly as over weight as I once was. I still have self esteem issues but I think putting myself out there and dating again could help with that too. It's been so long since I've went through the dating phase it's like I've forgotten how to date I have no idea where to even start. I am quite shy in person so that tends to be off putting to some.. any ideas or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I have been on and off dating sites for longer than I would like to admit

I have found that free sites like POF, OKC, were all about hook ups. Nothing wrong with that, but not what I was looking for.

Match seems to be less hook up oriented, so I've had the best luck there. So I'd say pay sites are better, BUT, I was on Elite Singles and Bagels and Coffee and it seemed most the profiles were fake.

I generally dislike dating, especially first dates. But I just put my best foot forward, be myself, open and honest, and hope they are the same.

I have been on Bumble for a few months and really like it. If you aren't familiar, it's like Tinder, but when you "match" someone the female always has to send the first message if you are interested in the match. So I get to control if I really want to talk to someone or not. I've been on a lot of just drink dates that have fizzled into nothing more than a one time date, but it's helping me be way more social and help with my anxiety issues. I might have lost almost 100lbs, but my anxiety is just as strong as it was when I was the overweight girl