Mary W

I was going through some old files and found a list that I wrote before my surgery. I was trying to come up with 100 things I wanted from my weight loss. I came up with 75. I went through it today and checked off everything that I have accomplished and found the few items that I have left to do. Their still on the list because I haven't had an opportunity to do them not because I can't.

For all of you pre-ops, think about making your list and soon you will see how far you have come. While I struggle with the last few pounds that I am trying to lose and the scale that hasn't moved in 3 weeks, this puts things in perspective for me.

Mary W
07/08/03
272/149/145?
MY 100 (ok 75) LIST
Things I want to do after the weight is gone.

1. Climb the stairs to my office with out being out of breath. Done
2. Have any seat belt fit me with out having to do contortions to get in. Done
3. Have my husband pick me up.
4. Sit in a chair and have room for my son beside me. Done
5. Put on my shoes without holding my breath. Done
6. Sit on the floor and be able to get back up again gracefully. Done
7. Sit Indian style. Done
8. Run Done
9. Skip
10. Jump Done
11. Play with my son at the playground. Done
12. Wear a pair of Levi’s. Done (size 8)
13. Scuba Dive again.
14. Never Shop at a Plus size store again. Done
15. Wear an ankle bracelet. Done
16. Stop being invisible. Done
17. Try Kayaking
18. Know I did something for my son that he will never truly understand, but I will. Done
19. Go to a water park and ride the slides.
20. Horseback ride.
21. Take any seat without worrying which will fit or hold my weight. Done
22. Fit in an airplane seat and still breathe.
23. Wear knee high boots.
24. Wear sexy underwear. Done
25. Have my husband make love to me because I turn him on, not just because he loves me. Done (a lot!)
26. Have sex standing up.
27. Take a shower with my husband.
28. Change clothes in front of my husband. Done
29. Tuck my shirt in. Done
30. Stop dreading the scale. Done
31. Stop looking to see if I’m the fattest person in the room. Done
32. Be able to buy clothes anywhere including thrift shops. Done
33. Not be exhausted at the end of the day. Done
34. Not wear out chairs and seats in cars. Done
35. Get out of bed without groaning. Done
36. Walk fast without being out of breath. Done
37. Dress for style instead of comfort. Done
38. Wear pantyhose without dying. Done
39. Take a bath and have all of me underwater. Done
40. Take my son to the beach and swim with him.
41. Join a gym and not look like a whale amongst minnows.
42. Wear a bathing suit (any bathing suit).
43. Have a man look at me. Done
44. Wear girly shoes. Done
45. Have a bra last more than 2 months and not cost a fortune. Done
46. See my high school friends and not be embarrassed.
47. Sit on my husband’s lap. Done
48. Paint my toenails. Done
49. Share clothes with my teenage stepdaughter. Not yet, she needs to get bigger she’s size 2
50. Not be embarrassed for my kids to be seen with me. Done
51. Stop knocking things over with my ass. Done
52. Walk through a group without it feeling like I’m parting the Red Sea. Done
53. Not worry about all the health problems down the line. Done
54. Eat in public without feeling self-conscious. Done
55. Fit comfortably in a restaurant booth. Done
56. Ride a bicycle without looking like a circus act. Done
57. Not be the biggest member of the family. Done (I’m now the smallest)
58. Dance in private and in public.
59. Be proud of my accomplishment. Done
60. Never go on another fad diet. Done (I hope)
61. Feel comfortable at a party. Done
62. Wear a sexy black dress. Done
63. Seduce my husband. Done
64. Stop snoring. Done
65. Stop buying Tums by the case. Done
66. Wear shorts. Done
67. Get a Tan. Done
68. Hike
69. One less thing for my son to be teased about. Done
70. Be Healthy Done
71. Qualify for Life and Disability Insurance.
72. Never be Morbidly Obese again. (God willing)
73. Let people take pictures of me. Done
74. Have a family portrait taken.
75. Get rid of high blood pressure/GERD/Diabetes Risk Done

JWheeler

I just wanted to add that I, too, am happy that I no longer dread the words... "say cheese." Even though I have another 50 pounds to lose, the loss of the first 70 has turned me in to a picture maniac. Now I look forward to having pictures taken and I don't cringe when I see pictures of myself.

This has been one of the best decisions of my life. I am so very grateful to Dr. C for giving me another chance to live a healthy life.

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

Suzanne-photog4fun

Hi Mary,
What a wonderful list. The greatest part is that your ARE THERE!!!!!!! And true for me also. It has been soo worth the hard work! Boy, do I agree with the photo thing. I love looking at pictures of myself. In fact, I think that it has helped me emotionally to see myself as a thinner, average weight lady. I'm so proud of and happy for you.

__________________
Suzanne-

Lap RNY 1-29-02 ...Pre-op 273+ lbs.
Kept off 120 lbs. for 2 yrs. then slowly
gained back 45 lbs. over next 4 1/2 yrs.

Stomaphyx revision 6-10-08
I've dropped 24 lbs. since 5-24-08
Currently 177 lbs. as of 7-15-08
BMI -28 ... 5'6" tall

lealphachienne

The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is a good night's sleep. I've lived with sleep apnea for so long that I don't recall what's it like to wake up refreshed....

Marie

reneezie

__________________
Renee
Lap 5/17/04

sandi

sandi

brutherford

Well, I'm sitting here biding my time until we go to the hospital tonight for admission at 12:30am... I'll be the second case tomorrow. I'm excited and anxious all in the same second!

I LOVE Mary's list and wanted to add a few of my own "to-do's" during and after the weight loss:

- Full extension in all yoga postures.
- Jogging with my pooch.
- 5K on my birthday (October!).
- Walking all the way up Cowles Mountain without having to stop.
- Wearing a short sleeved t-shirt without having the arms ride up.
- Faster pace (dare I say jog?!) downhill without being afraid of breaking all of my limbs.
- A triathlon.
- Liking the way I look in pictures.

I'm sure I'll think of more, and I'm going to have the next 4-6 weeks free to post them all! Yippee!

__________________
"You are where you are in your life because of what you believe is possible for you." - Oprah Winfrey
Barbara R.
Open RNY 4/28/04
317/165 AT GOAL
5'9", 126.5" lost
Starting BMI 46.8
Current BMI 24.2

Karen Wright

__________________
~Karen
Open RNY 04/13/04
313/230/158 (still pushing for that goal!)

"Don't take yourself so darn seriously!" Rule # 62

mspookie007

Hey girl, I started to cry when I went through your list because I use to feel soooo alone being the biggest person in my world. It is so nice to see other people saying things I use to say everyday. Isn't it funny how a thin person looks at life and how a heavy person sees life? Your example of knocking stuff over with your ass, or looking around to see if you are the heaviest person in the room. Thanks for sharing...
Melissa
08/25/03
296/190/150??