All The Pretty Girls

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary of beginning my weight loss endeavor. I'm nearing the finish line of this, having only about three more months until I hit my ultimate number goal.

It feels weird being in this place. It would have been silly to think that finally losing this weight would have solved all of life's difficulties for me, but I still find myself feeling a little uncertain now. I'm not quite sure that it's sunk in. I'm doing it. I did it.

A friend of mine was giving me grief the other day because I had bought a shirt that was way too big for me without realizing it. It has taken me a long time to turn off my auto pilot. I don't have to shop in plus-size stores anymore, but I feel like an intruder when I walk into Ann Taylor. It's scary, I think in part because there's the possibility that I could be back in those stores.

I read something awhile back by a woman who lost a significant amount of weight. She was worried that she would gain the weight back, and started a list of all the differences she noticed in herself after she lost weight. She would refer back to the list when she was feeling scared, or down, or taunted by a bag of potato chips. I thought it might help if I put together something similar.

I can take the stairs at work and not be winded by the time I get to the third floor. In fact, I actually feel energized.
It takes less alcohol to feel a nice buzz.
I can run an entire mile without stopping. Not even once.
Sex is more fun. I feel less inhibited and more confident in my abilities.
I've found that it's way more fun to share plates when I go out to eat. I don't feel deprived, and I get to enjoy my friend time (and crab cakes).
Airplane seats are much more comfortable.
Yoga. So much yoga. Even the bendiest of poses. And Pilates.
I love restaurant booths now that I fit comfortably in them.
I don't feel self conscious on public transportation. My butt takes up only the space it's allotted.
I have way more confidence in front of clients. Whether real or imagined, I felt like I was always fighting that initial negative reaction I was sure people had based on my appearance.
I can shop with my girlfriends and actually buy things from the same stores.

I know it's going to take awhile for the reality of what I have done to sink it. For the reflection in the mirror to show the person I actually am, instead of the girl I used to be.