I'm ok, you're ok.

It is so bizarre to be ok with seeing pictures of myself now. This photo was taken last night on the Riverwalk in San Antonio with my friend Rhonda, just before the Van Halen concert. I still see flaws in my appearance, but for the most part, I really like this photo! I can't remember the last time I was ok with a FULL BODY photo of myself! Weird.

The difference a year makes...

Holy cow. This is a photo of me (and my friend Betsy) in 2011 at an annual awards gala for an organization I've been involved with for years:

And this is a photo of me (and my co-chair Kim) at the same gala, but in 2012:

And here's another shot of me in the background:

Holy cow. I can't stop saying it! I never like pictures of myself, but I'm ok with these. In fact, I kinda like them! Special thanks to my friend Billy, who took photos at the event.

Right Now!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything. Update: I am down to almost 100 lbs lost. Some days I am 3 lbs away and others 4. Maybe it's because I'm going to see them in concert in a few days, but tonight I did something I haven't done in at least 20 years. Inspired by Van Halen's "Right Now" on my iPod, for 3 minutes I RAN on the treadmill tonight. Yes, me. RAN. Ok, so my running is like most people's slow walking, but still. I RAN! Then, inspired by my gasping for air and feeling like my body might fall into a million pieces, I slowed down and walked the rest of the time. And how was I rewarded for my efforts? The song that came on as I ended my workout was "Overweight" by Blue October. Sheesh. Thanks a lot! ;)

Popped Biscuit Can

So today I decided to try on some of my sister's hand-me-down bras because mine are way too big now. I can still get by with them, but I thought I'd see what the slightly smaller ones were like. I settled on a white plungy, lacy number. I was a little uncomfortable with the plunginess because I don't usually wear that style. But hey, my boobs fit in there just fine...and looked pretty darn good, I thought. And while standing there, not moving or walking, they stayed in the bra. Apparently not so much once you start walking around.

I went to run errands and stopped in at Vitamin Shoppe for some protein powder (good little bariatric surgery patient). At the register, I bent down to also grab an ostrich/beef stick for a snack. And I think that's when it must have happened. Half a boob fell out and ended up where my cleavage should have been. Only I didn't notice until after I flirted with the dude behind the counter. OMG! Then I had to walk through Target and H-E-B, trying to keep my boobs from migrating to the middle and looking like a popped biscuit canister with dough leaking out! I kept looking down and the Longhorn on my shirt looked puffy and misshaped. I tried to readjust without bringing too much attention to myself. One trick was to lean toward the cart and place my hand in between the two boobs and try to shove them back into place. Nothing worked well. Sigh.

Moral of the story: If you can fold your boobs in half because you've now lost 92 pounds, don't wear a plungy bra! And don't be too cheap to go out and buy bras that fit correctly!

What Matters Most

At this point in my weight loss journey, I am so proud of the 90 pounds that I've lost and so thankful for the new energy I have. I cannot tell you how much the weight loss has improved my quality of life. Actually, I dare say it SAVED my life.

That being said, it is still hard to stay on track and to not get discouraged. I want to lose 30 more pounds and I have been stuck for the last few months! I do Zumba 2-3 times a week and a strength training class once a week and still...no more weight loss. But no weight gain, either so that's good. Someone posted this photo today and I need to remember this. Yes, goals are important, but the number on the scale is not what matters most.

Onederland

A few weeks ago, I entered a world they call "onederland," as in no longer over 200 lbs! I really have no words to describe how good it feels. Today I bought something in size Medium. It was oversized and I think I bought it precisely because it was a Medium! Ha! 200...never, ever wanna see you again! Also calculated my BMI. It has gone from 51 to 35.3! Holy crap!

Fly Like a Butterfly

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~ Maya Angelou

Today all the changes that I've gone through on this journey have been on my mind. I am not the same person mentally or physically that I was almost eight months ago.