What a year.
Well, here I am, just 9 days from completing all three phases of LL: Foundation, Development and Route to Management!!!! It will have taken me JUST 348 days to do that. My god. I really have done it. I was so frightened at the start, and this day – just 9 days from now – seemed so so far out of sight – out of reach. And, said with true wonder and gratitude, that time has come.
At first glance, 348 looks like a big number. But, I began putting on weight when I was 25, soon after my first marriage. Therefore, I have spent 8,395 days fat. It suddenly does not seem like such a large number. In fact, I think it’s my new favourite number. It took just 348 days to find myself, free myself and love myself. And to finally forgive myself. To welcome myself home. Every moment of everyday a worthwhile step towards that end.
What have I learned over this year?
I have learned, that “I could never do that” is a useless sentence, and one I will be less likely to use in the future. I have learned that the saying, “All good things come to those who wait” is true, and that patience is a virtue. Indeed.
I’ve learned to have faith in myself, something that was lost long ago on my various paths of destruction. And to know I am worthy of that faith. I CAN do what I put my mind to doing. I DO have strength and determination. And tenacity. And I am worth it and a better person for it.
I have learned that the little girl still lives in me, and always will. What I had forgotten, all those years ago, is that she was there, and that she needed protecting – nurturing. Not neglect and abandonment. And punishment. That will never happen again. It doesn’t matter how old us women get – we are all still girls. Always will be.
I have learned what it feels like, now, to do things I used to see slim people do, and always with a heavy heart thought “I’ll never be like that”, or worse “it’s not meant for me – I am just meant to be fat. That is the life that was chosen for me, I must not deserve it”. I now know what its like to sit down and see my legs – not have a belly resting on them. I know what its like to have my boobs cast a shadow. I know what it is like to curl up in a chair, or to sit cross-legged, snuggly, like a lady. To be submerged completely under water in a tub. To prop myself up against a wall and realize the only part of my body toughing the wall is my shoulder blades. Or to feel uncomfortable in a chair because it is too hard, and I have not enough padding. Or to be cold, because my insulating blubber has vanished. Just to name a few new wonders.
All these things – that I reckon only a fat person can truly understand - that are undoubtedly taken for granted by most naturally slim people – these are my rewards. This is my spoil for the years of deep unhappiness, sorrow, and self-hatred. Guilt and regret. Grief. I have earned these wonderful things, by putting in hard, blindingly honest work, by reallllllly looking at, and, inside of myself, saying “Enough IS ENOUGH!” I deserve them!!! I DO have the right to be a happy woman. And now, I am, and I will treasure each and every gift I am receiving every day.
This is the biggest achievement of my life. And the second biggest life changing event of my life. Losing my dad was my biggest. But this is MY work. I have done it with intent. So it feels different. Obsviously, much more joyous and triumphant.
But lest not forget – with these highs – there come lows as well. Though it is not all doom and gloom.
But I am left with a body that shows signs of being ravaged by self-loathing. My battle wounds. My scars. Every time I step from the shower, I see a reminder of all sad things. It is hard not to feel saddened by this in an emotional way. And it is also hard not to feel saddened by vanity as well. I can’t help but at times feel I have missed my …erm…opportunity is not really the right word – but I wish I were 20, and had the skin of a 20 year old. However, to be true to what I have written above – I will be patient, and hope over the next year that the elasticity will come back at least a little. If it doesn’t I will consider my options and see where my priorities settle.
It is by far, so worth it in the long run – I would 1000 times rather the excess skin then the weight – but lets face it – its still part of my baggage, for me anyway, that is attached – and I would feel so liberated if I did not have it – could not see it every day. It is different for everyone. This is how it is for me. I hate it.
This is the first diet I have ever completed from day 1 to the end. A feeling of pride comes with that, that still makes me break into a giant grin when I catch my reflection in a mirror. And that’s another thing – it is wonderful to see ME in a mirror. Not just a shell. But me - <sigh>. That is indeed one of the greatest rewards – to find the girl who was trapped all those years and to let her go.
The road ahead is scary. And I know there will be ups as well as downs. I must remember to never lose faith in myself again. And to know I can do what I put my mind too. To remain calm, and focused. I already know that is going to be much easier to say then to do! But I will master it. In time.
At the end of the day, and as I approach the next junction of my journey, it feels wonderful to be “home”.
Here’s to the next 348 days. What an exciting thing this all is.