Monday, September 26

It's happening to me, too.

I remember reading some blogs about people who were much further along in the band process than I was, and I would read their blogs and I would honestly think to myself, "Yep, she's full of shit. Totally lying."

And now, yep, it's happening to me, too. And I swear, I'm not full of shit!

I have NO idea what size I really am. I am not really content with my body where it's at. And I feel like I am in the twilight zone.

Now, let me preface this by saying that I AM happy where I am. I mean, I'd be a fool not to be happy at having lost 180 lbs. And you know, I do wear my floppy, saggy, baggy, elephant skin with a bit of pride.

However, there is that part of my brain that has been damaged by being fat for so long that is just not on board with the rest of my brain.

Problemo Numero Uno: I don't know what size I am.

I am not really in plus sizes any more. I am pretty solidly in size 16 on the bottom (some 18s) and L or XL on top. However, regular 16s are cut so differently than 16W. And I have a nice saggy belly now that regular 16s don't always accommodate. Some do. Some don't. I'm not used to that. Pants have always been too big in my waist to make up for my thunder thighs and booty. AND my boobs are shrinking. I'm not really complaining, but I do kinda miss the girls sometimes. I'm still filling out my DDDs, so I must have been much bigger than that previously. I look around, and I see other women's bodies, and I wonder if I look like them. I really have no concept of what I look like. I should take some pics I do realize. Sometimes I feel like I still have sooooo far to go. And other days, I feel like I am almost there. And that kind of leads to my second point...

Problemo Numero Zwei: I am not really content with my body.

I am saggy. Very, very saggy. Part of it is my fault for not working out as much as I should have. But a large part of it is just due to being so heavy for so long. In a sick twisted way, I sometimes miss my round, full belly. It may have been big, but it was soft in a Renaissance painting kind of way. Is that totally twisted? Now my belly looks like it has cross hatch marks on it. Don't believe me? Ask Stephanie - I showed her. And she didn't disagree. You know when someone kind of nods along with you that it's as bad as you think. Because it is. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm glad she didn't lie to me - Stephanie wouldn't! - but it confirms that it's not the most attractive look in the whole world.

And my thighs. They're horrific. If I have enough wine some night, I'll take pics and post. It's as bad as you can possibly imagine.

Sooooo....

I have 3 lbs to lose until my first goal (190 lbs), 13 lbs to my second goal (180 lbs) and 20 lbs to my aspirational goal (173 lbs and a BMI of 24.9). I can't even begin to imagine 3 or 13 or 20 lbs is going to solve these issues. Because they aren't. These issues are mainly in my head and in my inability to redefine myself as a "thin" or at least "thinner" person.

I think part of it is I see myself now as I thought I looked at 374 lbs. Does that make any sense?

It is just going to take time. And acceptance. The bottom line is I am NORMAL now. I wear a 16. Not generous 16s like I tell myself. Not select 16s like I sometimes tell myself. The other bottom line is I did a lot of permanent damage to my body. I am never going to have a bikini body.  But you know what? Bikini bodies are a dime a dozen. Bodies that have the history of significant weight loss are not. And I am going to strut this for-real-16-with-lots-of-saggy-skin body with pride, and that small part of my brain that is totally fucked up? It's just going to have to get over itself!

One last thing, I have shared my blog with a real-life friend for the first time. HI, D! She's in the process of going through her lap-band classes and hopes to have her surgery before the end of the year. How about a few shout-outs to her to start a blog?! Work your magic, BOOBS!

9 comments:

  1. OK remember we were honest with each other? You insisted I am a medium? You are a 16. You re beautiful and amazing and I am so proud of you!! Stretch marks and all...which we ALL have!! They are our battle scars.

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  2. you've achieved so much with your weight loss girl...you need to be so very proud of yourself for all that hard work which accumulated those saggy thighs and crosshatch belly. Just think of every saggy skin wrinkle as another year of your life you added to be around that much longer for your babies!!

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  3. You look amazing, have you checked to see if your insurance will help you get rid of the loose skin yet... I find that my body image is worse now than when I was almost 500 pounds... Firm Fat seems to be more attractive than loose skin, but be proud of where you've been and where you are now. I miss you, *M*

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  4. Congratulations on your amazing success. It does take a while for your brain to catch up. Honestly: Taking lots of pictures and looking in the mirror a lot really help you get grounded with the new you.
    Continue shopping whenever you enjoy it-- it will really focus you on the changes you've made....

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  5. The next time we are together we will play the game "Am I bigger or smaller than her?" while we are out because I have the same issue too. I really have no idea what size I am compared to others. I am a pretty solid 16 in clothes but that looks different others. I still have clothes to send you but I am waiting on one more thing to put in the box, then I will ship it on! Will miss you horribly this weekend. Wish you were coming to boobs. :(

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  6. You have done something incredible! You have to get to a place where you are comfortable with that! No matter how much loose anything is left. You are an amazing woman, who has done something that most people could not even begin to accomplish.

    You inspire me so much and I agree I wish you were coming to BOOBS!!!

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  7. Wow Amy! You have come so far Honey and I am soooooo proud of you! I also love your attitude! When do I get to see you? Let me know when you are Steph are planning your next outting and I will invite myself!

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  8. I completely relate to your feelings...after having lost 112 lbs (and needing to lose about 38 more to reach my goal), I am looking like a sharpei these days. My husband told me the other day that all of my sagging skin is a badge of honor...the visible daily proof of how far I've come. And you know what? He's right.

    Am I happy with the way my body looks? Absolutely not but I have already made the decision to have plastic surgery (even if I have to find a way to pay for it myself). If I don't do that, I will never feel like my journey is complete.

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  9. amy we miss you here in blog land! come back! :)

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