Hi, everyone!

Today (1/3/19) is my 14 year surgi-versary, and I wanted to celebrate by sharing the gift of knowledge with anyone who may be a few steps behind me.

1. Be kind to yourself. This journey is long and hard and most definitely bumpy - but it's yours to do with as you see fit. Don't settle, but don't beat yourself up for a misstep. We did that for too long before surgery, k?

2. Be strong. You are your own best advocate. You know your body, and you know when something is not right. Push for answers. Assert yourself. Fight for what you need.

3. Be vulnerable. Cry, scream, punch pillows - do whatever works and won't get you in trouble, hurt or arrested. Be emotional. Keeping those feelings stuck deep inside is what lead many of us to overeating. Don't give feelings back that power.

4. Be open. Ask for help. Seek help. It may feel weird and strange and icky, I know. But take care of yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. It's totally selfLESS. We can't do anything for people that need us if we fall apart, so flip the script and practice recognizing self-care as the greatest gift you can give others.

5. Be grateful. Every day. Even for something small. Each time we wake up, it's a reminder that we get another opportunity to make a change in ourselves and the world.

And above all else...

BE YOU. [emoji175][emoji175][emoji175][emoji175]

~SW: 278 CW: 165~

RNY 1/5/2005

"What got you here won't get you there."

Thank you for the tips. I am very far behind you LOL and am looking forward to each step of the way . Congratulations! Awesome job!

OMG! How much do I owe you? [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

You made me feel good!

You hit it head on, I'm almost 4 years out and the thought of pounds creeping up on me is embarrassing (if you let it be, at least I am).

I don't want to really acknowledge it, I want to act like it's not happening and give half efforts to fix and today I finally acknowledged it out loud to my mate and now I am determined and not alone in this issue!

For first time since weight has be creeping up over past 6 months have I really understood I need to take it seriously and be determined to take care of issue..

And I am relaxed because I'm not hiding my self imposed shame!

Thanks again!

OMG! How much do I owe you? [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

You made me feel good!

You hit it head on, I'm almost 4 years out and the thought of pounds creeping up on me is embarrassing (if you let it be, at least I am).

I don't want to really acknowledge it, I want to act like it's not happening and give half efforts to fix and today I finally acknowledged it out loud to my mate and now I am determined and not alone in this issue!

For first time since weight has be creeping up over past 6 months have I really understood I need to take it seriously and be determined to take care of issue..

And I am relaxed because I'm not hiding my self imposed shame!

Thanks again!

This makes my [emoji175] so happy! That's all the payment in the world! ?

It's a super hard thing to own our stuff. We don't want to admit it's happening because then we have to do the work to change it - so really, you did the most amazing thing! [emoji122][emoji122][emoji122]

Steady progress, baby steps. It's not about getting it perfect. You're already ahead of the game! [emoji175]

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

oops

Edited January 6, 20197 yr by 2shea