Saturday, August 28, 2010

Attitude of gratitude

This morning, I had my last pre-paid Pilates class, and I really do like it.  I'm trying to figure out a way to pay for more sessions, as I think it really helps get me in touch with my body as it's changing post-bariatric surgery. 

On the way home, I was overwhelmed by a sense of how grateful I am for so much in my life.  It's easy to get caught up in the number on the scale (which hasn't changed more than a pound or two in the last month and a half!), or a still-bulging belly, or how hard it is to eat differently.  I feel compelled to wear my "before" picture on my shirt so that people can see, saying, "Yeah, I'm still fat, but look how far I've come!"  I even find myself comparing how much I've lost to other people who have gone through gastric bypass--have I lost more than them, or more quickly, or am I on track?  I wonder if I could have started exercising earlier how much more I would have lost by now.  I worry that because I ate some croutons yesterday that I'm blowing my chance to lose more weight and get to my goal.

I've been doing a lot of beating myself up lately for all of this, and this morning I just took a breath and realized I need to concentrate more on the positives (I think the Pilates reminded me of this).  For me that starts with being grateful.  So it was time to check in with my center of gratitude and fill it up.

I am so grateful:
*That my parents support me, both in paying for the surgery and for the moral and physical support following it.  Yeah for Mom and Dad!  You guys rock!
*For my job.  I have wonderful people I work with, and they are very understanding.  How many bosses have you had that tell you to take time off?  And I also know that with this economy, I'm lucky to be employed.
*For Sophie the cat, aka. The Beast.  She keeps me company and reminds me to be less self-centered.
*For my friend Goldilocks, who reminds me to go to the gym, who keeps me company there, and who even slows herself to be patient with me and my physical limitations.
*For my body.  As much as I resent it, and tell it how ugly it is, it still gets me around.  It's easy to forget how wonderful your body is when you focus on how it looks and not how it feels.  And I need to continually remind myself how I couldn't walk without pain, or go to restaurants with booths, or go swimming.

I'm sure there's more, but I'm meeting with a friend to eat some low-cal Japanese food for lunch and then walk the mall, so I gots to go. 

What are you grateful for?

7 comments:

  1. I love the attitude of gratitude! We truly have so much to be thankful for in this country.

    I hope you are able to get your Pilates classes. I have never tried them, but maybe I should? I always shy away from organized exercise classes. I'm afraid I'll be the fattest one there, or I'll look ridiculous/gross trying to do the movements and I'll be so embarassed I won't ever be able to show my face in the gym again. :-P

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  2. This is a great post [and you are looking fabulous btw :)] - and it is easy to get caught up in the bad part of life, but I always say "it's the little things" that get us through. Then there are the big things I am grateful for - my husband and that he loves me, really, really loves me [and that is no easy feat. heehee] that I have five healthy children 4 of which are successful on their own, but that I still have my baby at home with me. My dogs - goofballs that are ruining my carpet, but who bring me unlimited smiles and kisses all day long. Heck, I could write a bunch more, but I see your point. We all have our roadblocks in life [mine being Lupus and CHF] but there are so many other things to be happy for.
    Thanks and I hope you have a great week. Skippymom

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  3. 100 lbs in 4 months? You are a miracle worker! Congrats on your amazing loss.

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  4. Great post :)
    Sometimes it's hard to realize how great we have it, when we feel like crap. Thinking about all the things you're thankful for is good therapy :)

    I'm thankful for my son and my fiance. I'm also thankful that I finally decided to loose weight, along with that comes a GIANT list that I won't include here. (One being able to do things without sweating my butt off or being out of breath!)

    Your doing great, don't let the scale get you down. Now that your exercising so much, I'm sure you'll see/feel it soon whether your scale shows more difference or not!!!

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  5. I am grateful for your recommendations. Those Dr. krackers are yum! Down 51 lbs since June 15th even with the occasional cracker. I'm grateful for weight-loss and wls.

    In fact, all of your recommendations have caused me to feel gratitude.
    Thanks!

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  6. I love hearing what you all have to say about gratitude.

    Diann: I'm very self-conscious too, which is why I'm doing a one-on-one class for as long as I can afford it, or until I get a whole lot better at it (whichever comes first!).

    Skippymom: I love your attitude! It sounds like you have a beautiful family.
    Donna: Thanks very much for the compliments!

    TinaM: As always, I love that you have something to include. Just think of how far you've come, and all the things you have to look forward to.

    Janell: I'll have to do another recommendation post, just for you! BTW, you are doing AMAZING! Oh, and thank you so much for the postcard--it's just my style and I put it up in my home office to admire it. :-)

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  7. Hey Lady, sorry I was playing catch-up on reading these. I am grateful to you as well for the constant inspiration to get to the gym and make healthy choices. You are not slowing me down at all, you are keeping me going!
    Love you! Goldilocks

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