Yay!

I could not care less about the Super Bowl, but I did consider using a football metaphor to describe the feeling of meeting a goal. Are you glad I reconsidered?

I don't have a scale photo because in my sleepy daze this morning, I didn't think about it. I'll take one for when I reach "Onederland." And that should be really soon, because this morning, official weigh-in day and all, the scale read 200.6. 101.4 pounds down. I did it. 10 days before my one-year band anniversary.

I've been thinking about to what it felt like to weigh 302 pounds. I remember huffing and puffing in parking lots, asking Beau to slow down. I remember the shame and embarrassment of knowing I couldn't fit into some booths at restaurants (my preference) and having to ask for a table instead. I remember my size 28 pants feeling tight and realizing that Lane Bryant didn't go any higher (at least in the stores, they go up to 32 online). I remember going to a hair salon that had its patrons take off their shirts and wear smocks instead. I had to come out of the changing room to tell the stylist that none of the smocks would fit me.

I felt like I was Jabba the Hut. The Blob. Encased in a wobbling, jiggling prison.

So do I feel free, in comparison? Yes, in a lot of ways. I feel so much more energetic and mobile. I never have to think, oh, will the arms of that chair dig into my hips? When I went to a spa recently, I thought about how the "one size fits all robe" probably wouldn't have fit me before. I can shop in regular stores now. I'll be able to go to theme parks if I want and not wonder if I'll fit on the rides.

At one point in my life, I thought that everything would be perfect if I were just "normal weight." I certainly don't believe that anymore. But there are a lot of things that are easier because I have lost weight. It's also boosted my confidence in myself. I feel like I can do anything.

A lot of people set up rewards for themselves when they reach certain weight loss goals. I really didn't do that. Beau and I did take a vacation around my 50 pound loss. I don't have anything planned for 100. Maybe because I didn't quite believe it would happen. I feel like I should do something, though. Hmmm.