58-ish Weeks Post Op + 1 Year Post Op Pics

Becki88wls RnY who had her surgery the same day I did, is on week 58. Ok, I'm really bad with week counting. I'm really bad with numbers that are like more than 10. When people say 'She's 26 weeks old" about a baby, I'm like doing the math in my head only to exclaim "So, she's 6 months old!" at an inappropriate moment. Like, can't we just say that? I don't need to know where your baby is on the developmental scale, I just want to know if she needs her head supported. Anyhow, I had surgery on Oct. 7, 2015. So, do the math yourself...or don't.

Oct. 7, 2016 I was being a world traveler. I was actually flying from Madrid to Dodro, then driving to Santiago de Compostela, and later to Petín, Spain. I spent my surgeversary eating a ton of food, seeing a beautiful cathedral, and singing songs/dozing off in a swanky car with my friends, and ending the day with a MASSIVE steak dinner. Here's what that looked like.

What a way to celebrate a new lease on life, right?!? Seriously, that was only one day of a 2.5 week trip. It was magical. And I'm so thankful I got to have that experience. Thank God, my friend met her person in an international MBA program, and got married in Spain! Look how great that worked out for ME! I'm kidding! But it was an amazing trip that I think about every day and has made me look forward to traveling more. 

So, since I was traveling I didn't have the opportunity to do my 1 year post op photo shoot. But I did now! My friend Chi is an amazing art director. She's been building a beautiful portfolio that you can find at Line + Letter on Instagram. She was kind enough to battle the elements of late fall in Chicago and do a photo shoot. After a few hours long fight with the wind, we moved the shoot inside, but I adore these shots! 

I mentioned six reasons I was celebrating my 6 month wls journey mark. This time, I'll give you some things about myself that sort of play parts in my wls journey. 

12 THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF IN THE LAST YEAR

1. I was a food addict. I was a food addict not in the way that I ate A TON, but I ate to celebrate good things. I ate to placate bad feelings. I've learned to be more mindful of WHY I'm eating.

2. I am a hopeless romantic. I put myself out there because I very much want to be in love, but I have a lot of self work with my insecurities from my past to deal with to be in a mutually beneficial, healthy relationship. 

3. I love roasted kale. I've started to cook big bunches of it weekly! I used to think I hated pretty much all vegetables. 

4. Therapy is crucial. Finding a therapist that moves me forward in my progression to mental healthiness has been crucial for me...and there's no shame in admitting that. 

5. I am still wondering if I will really reach my goal weight. It's 40 lbs away...but that just seems SO far! 

6. I need to learn balance. I am either focusing on eating right, working out, and wls life or I'm partying with my friends, going to concerts, and not getting enough rest. Very rarely in the last year have I felt like these things were in balance. 

7. Alcohol. I sometimes wish I didn't like to drink so much. I would probably be at goal already if I didn't like to drink as much as I do. Do I have a drinking problem? No. But, I enjoy drinking. 

8. Patience. When I want things, I want them immediately. Growth is a crucial part of any process. I have to remind myself to be patient and allow things to happen as they will...and also that I can't control everything...which is rulllllllll hard for me. 

9. The thirst is real. I often forget that when you are taking your body through such massive changes in BMI, your hormones change. I feel like a pre-pubescent boy sometimes around sexy people! I'm pretty sex positive so that's not problematic, except it is because revert to #2. I have to remind myself to tone down the feels sometimes, which I am incapable of doing. I either like someone A LOT or not at all. 

10. My bullshit meter is off the charts. When you are so used to having your own insecurities racing in your head for years, the last thing you have time for is other people's unnecessary drama. I can be concerned and offer advice, but I'm learning the roots of my own stuff, I really don't have time to be recklessly involved in others' messes. 

11. Control yo'self around sweets. Cakes, pies, cookies, candy...the demon spawn of Satan. So good, yet so bad! 

12. Inspire. One of my favorite compliments I've received while on this weight loss journey is that I have inspired and motivated other people to make positive changes in their lives. That means a lot to me.