Amanda Dutton LPC

An exerpt from my full story (can be read on my website - totally free, no sign up or login required):
 
At 11 years out, I wear a Juniors size 11 comfortably (as a point of reference, I started out in Women’s 22-24). I continue to stay around 165, give or take 5 pounds. I honestly don’t know what I weigh right now. My scale lives in my closet. I am told all the time that I look like I weigh much less than that (why, thank you!), but I’m not afraid to OWN my weight now.
 
It’s an amazing feeling:
To go to an amusement park with my kids and know I will fit on all the rides. To cross my legs. To sit in a swing on the playground. To buckle my seatbelt. To not pray that the waitress will sit us at a table rather than a booth. But the part nobody talks about…the part that seems to be missing and forgotten at this point in the journey is this…are you wondering when you are supposed to get HAPPY?
 
I’ve gone through ups and downs throughout this journey.I’ve suffered through some times where I have wondered why I bothered and then I’ve had other times that I’ve sang the praises of the surgery. I’ve had medical issues as a result of not staying on top of my nutritional needs, and even though I have learned much through my education as a counselor and my own experience on this journey…
 
I still fall…I still cry…I still get angry…
 
But I get up and I keep going. And I know you can, too.