Small (but amazing) accomplishments

[SusanDavenporr2015 20]

Many of us know the morning battle of getting dressed each day. For most people, this is a fairly simple routine, but for the morbidly obese it can be a daunting task.

For me it goes sitting on the edge of the bed and placing my pants on the floor, while holding one side. I catch the other side with my left toe (I'm holding them the my right hand), then kind of kick my foot into the leg. Once the left leg is encased, the real battle begins. I have trouble getting my right leg high enough to get it where it belongs, so I have to lift the leg with my hand while trying to hang on to the pants at the same time. By the time I have won this battle with my clothes, or given up in defeat and put on a skirt (yes folks, that's why I wear skirts so often) I feel like I've been "Sweating to the Oldies" with Richard Simmons.

The next task is shoes. If I have decided against flip flops that requires placing foot in shoe and getting it as far as my swollen foot will go. Then I either pick up the leg and cross it over the other knee and while holding it in place with one hand, work it in place with the other, or twist it into an unnatural position beside me and work it on. I never buy lace up shoes because we all know where that bow will wind up.

Well, I've been doing a lot of walking lately and needed a decent pair of shoes. The pair I had were slipped on canvas shoes that were just not made for that purpose, so I went looking for a pair of athletic shoes that wouldn't kill my budget. The only pair I could find were lace up. I prepared for the up coming battle. First , I loosened up the laces and put my foot in the shoe. With out even thinking about what I was doing, instead of wrestling my leg into position, I reached down, and with very little effort, got my foot the rest of the way in the shoe. Then , amazingly, I proceeded to tie the shoe with the bow in the middle where it belongs. Then I did the same thing with the other shoe.

I was so proud of myself that I took a picture and posted it on fb.

This morning when I got dressed, I realized when I was done, that I had not gone into battle, but had simply stepped into my pants like everyone else!

While I thought this little tale might get a laugh, I also thought it might offer up some encouragement to someone who also wears skirts because they are easier to put on.

VIVA LA PANTS AND SHOES!!!!!!!

[Djmohr 6,965]

Yeah! These things seem so small in the scheme of things but people just do not understand until they have suffered with obesity.

Congratulations on a significant accomplishment! There will be so many more positives in the future.

The other day I was sitting in my recliner after dinner. I had the seat reclined back and I noticed that I had my whole left leg crossed over the opposite leg completely putting my left foot up by my hip. It was almost as if I was 10 years old again! I have lost so much weight that I can sit cross legged on the floor too. I have not been able to do that since after the birth of my second child. He is now 32!

Good luck on all of the upcoming victories you will have. It starts really getting exciting now!

[The Candidate 3,215]

I love the comment about "bow placement"! Since starting this process I've become so much more open and honest with myself and others about how truly fat I am. In a way I never could before.

A couple of months ago I attended one of my programs required seminars. My brother and sister who are both of normal weight attended with me in support. Before it started I was up and down in my seat numerous times as I warmly greeted the fellow bariatric friends I've made along the way.

I suddenly realized how very different it was conversing about surgery with my family and others of normal weight, than it is with people going through the same experience as me. I told my sister later that it's sort of like being adopted. That on some level she will never fully understand what I go through every single day, and all the negatives that go along with it. So when I'm with my "people" my fellow fatties, in many ways it's like finding the family I never knew was missing. It's allowed me to be free with myself in a way I never could before.

[SusanDavenporr2015 20]

I have never had a problem admitting that I am fat. My children get all ,"Mom, don't say that about yourself!'

I'm honest and know what I look like. On the other hand, I take care of myself. I dress in clothes that are attractive, take care that I am neat and clean and sometimes, even take the time to put on make-up.

I refuse to be the steriotipical fat woman, slovenly dressed with greasy hair and a candy bar in one hand and a bucket of KFC in the other. I'm also able yo laugh at myself ad seen above as I discribed the antics of simply getting dressed.