Coats and Confidence

I had a great weekend! I got to spend time with my folks. I hung out at the pool and my tan is glowing. I got to hang out with good friends. I had a two hour massage. A dear friend returned from a two month stint on Mercy Ships. Life is good.

We are going to Canada late this fall - and my winter coat is miles too big - so a friend of my mother's sent down a coat for me to try. It is beautiful - long, bright red - with a hood (OK - my husband calls me little red riding hood) - but my Mom was a little concerned that I might not be able to wear it. I tried it on - and it fit perfectly! Then she told me what size it was...a 16W!!! I couldn't believe it! I know that coats are sized differently than many other clothes, but I absolutely CAN NOT remember the last time I was in a 16 anything! WHOOHOO!!!

I regularly read posts from other people on www.obesityhelp.com. And one recent post was talking about self-esteem. She started the post with these words..."I like myself." She went on to describe the change in her life - and how so much of it is mental and emotional rather than just simply physical. This really resonated with me - and I would have to agree with her.

Yesterday, someone teasingly said that I was flaunting my stuff...and I laughed and said, "Well, if you've got it..." This gentleman has been a wonderful cheerleader for this whole journey, as has very nearly everyone at my congregation. But what he was really saying is, "You seem happy with yourself, and it shows - in everything you do." I AM happy with myself. Seeing results every week has been a great motivator, and I'm sticking with this, like I have NEVER stuck with any diet plan before. I'm crossing off goals - one at a time. I'm losing weight every week. I'm paying more attention to how clothes fit - and what they look like. I'm wearing jewelry (especially the toe rings - lol!) I feel like I have been given this wonderful, precious gift - and I'm eternally grateful.