Hi, everyone!

I posted this in the veterans forum, but I thought y'all might really benefit from hearing/reading this, too.

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."

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❤??HAPPY 14th SURGIVERSARY??❤

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Edited January 3, 20197 yr by GreenTealael

Great words of advice, thank you!!!!! Happy surgiversary and thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!!!!

Congrats on 14 years!!! And thank you for sharing!

Congratulations.???

Great advice! And wow, look at you! You look 14 years younger now than you did in your "before" pics!

Great advice! And wow, look at you! You look 14 years younger now than you did in your "before" pics! [emoji4]

Thank you! There's been a lot of miles on these tires in 14 years, so I'm happy to hear that! ??

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

Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on your long-term success! We need more input like this from vets!