There are some struggles that are actually good struggles to have on this journey! Let me fill you in a little on what I mean cause I’m sure that sounds a little crazy. . And while I don’t always see them in the moment as good struggles, looking at the bigger picture they are signs that I am doing just fine on this forever journey!
Clothes: My lord, clothes (including bra’s and underwear 🤷♀️) are expensive, even for me being a super cheap shopper. You will go through A LOT of clothes/sizes losing weight. In the last year I went from wearing a size 32 jean and 4x top at my heaviest: to today being able to buy a pair of 14s, a pair of 16s, and a 1x top!! I can remember being eleven or twelve and wearing a pair of size 16 khaki pants for a school function! That is the LAST time I was in that small of a size; until now!
Back to my point though, shrinking through sizes can become expensive but it is also part of the success! To be able to go into a store and pick some thing off of a rack after only being able to order online for years is such an AMAZING feeling! And scoring jeans on a sale rack for as low as 5 dollars and not having to try them on is glorious! These are feelings I was never sure I would have but am so thankful I am experiencing them.
Some days I do get frustrated because I liked/like clothes I have and I put them on and they don’t fit! Crazy to say that because they used to be too tight or too small, not too big! So while this is a struggle when I’m spending more money on clothes or an outfit doesn’t fit anymore it is a good struggle to have. 🙂
& it’s a REALLY good thing I have a wonderful husband who promised to help me with a new wardrobe when I reach my doctors goal. 🙌🙌🙌
Shoes: Yes, I have lost weight in my feet. 😆 crazy, right?! But I’ve lost almost a full shoe size, I’m in regular width and I can even wear some regular calf boots. I haven’t been able to do that. Ever.
And just like clothes, shoes can be super expensive and I had/have super cute shoes!(I think so anyway.🤷♀️) so I still wear some of the boots that are too big with super thick or two pair of socks. 😂 and I’ve replaced some of my heals with a smaller size.
So again, this can be frustrating but ANYONE who knows me knows I LOVE shoes (my husband can attest and will bitch about it, too. 😂😂😂) so finding new shoes and having more options since I don’t need wide width or wide calf anymore makes buying them that much more fun and addicting. Another good struggle to have!
Loose Skin: okay, this one is a little harder to find the good in some days! I have been fairly fortunate that I don’t have an excessive amount or a noticeable amount most places, but it is there. And I notice it.
My arms and legs have the most loose skin and maybe some day I’ll pursue surgery to remove it. My stomach has some, as well, and again maybe some day I’ll fix that as well. But right now, after I get over looking in the mirror and being annoyed with the stretch marks and loose skin it reminds me what an incredible journey this has been!
The story of my journey is staring back at me in the mirror and I am proud of this chapter in my book. While I am not proud that it took me reaching 398lbs to make this decision and change the storyline; I am proud of myself for knowing I needed to make this a forever change and that I am just shy of a year out from surgery and doing well, overall!
So, while there are struggles and frustrations with everything in this life I think there can and are good struggles to have. It may just take a moment or a day or a week to step back and view it from a different angle. To see it as a good struggle to have. 😁
desiree.angelica 