Crossing Off My List

Cheri from Lap Band Fluxion posted her take on my "reasons why I want to lose weight" list and it reminded me that I haven't really looked at it in a long time to update where I am...

1. To be healthy - my cholesterol and blood pressure are perfect, I can do everything I want to do and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything because of my weight. "Healthy" is relative, but I'm doing pretty well.

2. To not have to use CPAP anymore for sleep apnea. - Done! Apnea is totally gone and I was able to donate my old CPAP to a deserving friend.

3. To be able to ride any roller coaster I want. - Done! But I really miss Heidi...where did she go?

4. To fit comfortably in an airplane seat. - Not a problem.

5. To be able to run up a flight of stairs. - Not a problem.

6. To not sweat so much. - This one is a little iffy. I sweat WAY more, but it's because I'm busting ass at the gym or the trail or bootcamp, not because I've walked half a block to the grocery store. WAY different.

7. To not worry constantly about getting diabetes. - It could still happen, of course, but my risk is way lower.

8. To not worry that I will eventually gain so much weight that the fire department will need to cut a hole in the side of the house to get me out. - Ugh, that was a nightmare of mine for a long time.

9. To be able to go to a show and feel comfortable in the seat. - It's not even really a concern anymore since I'd rather dance through the show anyway.

10. To never have to worry again whether I will fit in a booth at a restaurant. - Not a problem.

11. So my feet don’t hurt so much.

12. So my knees don’t hurt so much.

13. So my back doesn’t hurt so much. - Well...I've developed new and super fun assbone pain...but other than that, my back is fine.

14. So I’m not always huffing and puffing when I walk so far.

15. So my meralgia paresthetica (thigh pain and numbness) goes away. - It's mostly gone...but not 100%. I still get a little bit of numbness, but it's not debilitating anymore. I can stand/walk for hours now.

16. So doctors don’t blame EVERY symptom I experience on my weight.

17. So I can buy clothes anywhere. - Not ANYWHERE yet...but getting closer.

18. So I don’t feel out of place in a “normal” size clothing store. - Still working on this.

19. So I don’t feel disgusted looking at myself in the full-length mirror when I am getting a haircut.

20. So I can do my own pedicures easily. - Done! I haven't had a professional pedicure in ages.

21. So I don’t feel so out of control about my eating.

22. So I am not constantly hungry.

23. To be satisfied on small amounts of really good food.

24. To enjoy my food more.

25. So I don’t ever have to use a wheelchair just because I’m too fat to walk. So far, so good.

26. So that I have more energy.

27. So that I don’t ever have to deal with discrimination just due to my size.

28. To sit on the floor and not have to do ridiculous maneuvers to get up. - You should see me at boot camp maneuvering between positions.

29. To be able to cross my legs properly. - See photo above.

30. So my ankles don’t get swollen when it’s hot out or on an airplane.

31. To go horseback riding. - Haven't tried it yet, but I bet I could.

32. So I can get closer to the table when I’m eating to avoid getting food on the boobshelf. - Not a problem anymore.

33. To go to the park and swing on the swings. - I did this a few months after surgery and it was so fun!

34. So I can wear a button down shirt without worrying that I am going to break it open. - I haven't tried yet. We'll see!

35. To ease the symptoms of my PCOS, if not get rid of it altogether.

36. To have a regular hotel bath towel wrap ALL the way around me.

37. To have a regular spa robe wrap ALL the way around me. - Haven't tried yet - I doubt it's an issue.

38. So that I never have to see the term “morbidly obese” (unless combined with “formerly”) on my medical chart.

39. To be able to run all around any city with my sister, up and down hills and the subway stairs, without feeling like I am going to pass out from leg/knee pain. - Done!

40. To not have a couple of miles of city walking feel as daunting as a marathon. - I love city walking now.

41. To be successful at losing weight for the first time ever. - I'd call this success.

42. So my husband has a hot wife. - He seems to think so.

43. So that when my husband tells me that he thinks I’m beautiful no matter what I weigh, I don’t think he’s just humoring me.

44. So that if I’m ever stuck in a tall building during an emergency, I’ll know I can get down all the stairs.

45. To learn a sport. - Haven't yet, but I'm thinking about taking up kickball.

46. To prove to myself that I can meet any goal I set.

47. To be able to wear high heels every now and then.

48. To wear pretty bras and not just huge, functional ones.

49. So I can watch “The Biggest Loser” and not be jealous of all the people on it for having an amazing opportunity to change their lives.

50. So I don’t have to keep starting new diets in hopes that this will be “the one”.