Looking Back....

I found something today that has me looking back one year.  One year ago on 10/9/12 I had my initial consultation with my weight loss surgeon thus beginning my journey of preparing for surgery.  Decision made, just had to jump through all the hoops that the Docs and insurance require.  They do not make it easy.  You have to really really want to do it.

Anyway, a year ago in the Doctor's office he casually said, at the end of our appointment,  "let me quickly take a picture of you for our files".  Um, cheese?  It's this picture I came across today as it's now my profile picture when I log in.

Oh man.  Oh. Man.  That girl is sad, and tired and really really hates having her picture taken.  My incredible husband is sitting just to the right of me in this picture.  I remember loving that sweater and thinking it was flattering.  The jacket hanging up was the only one that fit at the time. I've long since given it away.....

Beyond the way my looks have changed, I just FEEL so much better.  I am able and want to do things I wasn't before.  I no longer dread just walking or taking my daughter to the park. I walked 3+ miles RT with her in the stroller AND played with her for an hour just this past weekend like it was no big deal because....it wasn't.  I mean it's a big deal in that I can do it now but it wasn't a big deal because...it's just how I am now.  I am happier, more confident, comfortable in my own skin and just better.  A friend (Hi Chica!) said I have a sparkle in my eye now that none of my old pictures do.  I think that's a good way of describing it.


Anyway, I wasn't great about taking measurements throughout this process but I have one concrete example.  I bought a North Face Denali fleece last year.  I had to get a Men's 3XL.  It was snug in the hips when I bought it (men have no asses, so annoying wearing men's sizing...).   I wore it all winter as my winter jacket.  It's Fall again and I was looking to wear it and it was beyond enormous.  I ended up selling it on eBay (sold in under 4 hours!) and then bought a gently used one that someone was getting rid of.  I got a Women's XL.  Today I looked up the size chart b/c I was curious:

Men 3XL:  Chest: 54-58, Waist: 46-49, Hip 50-52
Women's XL: Chest 42-44, Waist: 35-37, Hip 43-47.

So I've basically lost about 6 dress sizes and 10 or so inches off my chest and waist.   The hips were pretty snug on the original so I don't know how much I've lost there.

What a difference a year...and 119 pounds....makes.