57 Reasons to Lose Weight

I've been getting kind of down about this whole weight loss process -- it's happened before after I lost about 25 pounds, and I gave up and gained almost all of it back. To remind myself why I'm doing this, I've made a list of 57 reasons I want to lose this weight - one for each pound.

1. To be able to walk into any store I want and be able to find my size, not just the plus size section or Lane Bryant.
2. One word: Sleeveless. Dresses, shirts, halter tops...you name it, I will not wear it.
3. To be comfortable enough to wear shorts in public again (for the first time since 9th grade). I tried some on tonight at Kohls. We are not there yet.
4. To make my granma proud. She always believed that I could do it.
5. To continue to have regular periods (sorry, maybe TMI, but when I'm overweight I am irregular).
6. To not play the "Am I the biggest person here?" game every time I walk in a room.
7. To never hear "BUT you have such a pretty face." You have such a pretty face is fine. :)
8. To be able to wear tall cowboy boots and knee-high boots and not worry if they will fit over my calves.
9. Collar bones.
10. Shopping at Victoria's Secret for bras.
11. For my career. Appearance matters more in getting ahead at your job than I think anyone would like to admit.
12. To be an inspiration to family and friends.
13. To wear shoes with high heels and open toes that don't kill my feet after a half hour.
14. To meet guys. It's true.
15. To minimize my risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, etc.
16. So no one tells me that I remind them of Penelope Garcia on Criminal Minds.

Seriously?

17. So I can easily cross my legs.

18. So I can look awesome/be unrecognizable for my 10 year high school reunion or any weddings I have to attend. 

19. So men can pick me up and twirl me around. Lots of men are waiting in line to do this once I get small enough, haha. 

20. So I can wear cute rings without looking for a size 9 (which they never have). 

21. Amazing Facebook profile picture so all the stalkers from high school are all like, "Wow, she looks so good!"

22. Not avoiding mirrors like a vampire. 

23. Looking decent in a swimsuit and feeling comfortable hanging out by the pool, going on vacations to the beach, or going on cruises. 

24. To never again think "I can do that once I lose weight."

25. Going horseback riding again without feeling sorry for my horses. 

26. To never know or think someone is laughing or talking about me because of my weight. 

27. To never use weight as an excuse again - for anything. To never say "It would be so much better if I could just lose the weight." I hate believing that the extra weight is the only thing standing between me and happiness.

28. To never worry about a weight limit on anything - rides at the fair or amusement parks, chairs, etc.  

29. To be able to borrow clothes from friends. 

30. So when the time comes to go shopping for my wedding dress, I won't end up on "Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss." All the plus size brides are so sad when trying on dresses. Even if they say they "like their curves." 

But I still love Randy.

31. Little black dress. Not big black dress. 

32. So I can be a bridesmaid and not worry about whether the dress will fit or if they will have one in my size. To never again be the fat bridesmaid. To not dread going without those shawls that come with the dress because none of the other bridesmaids want to wear them. 

33. I think about weight ALL. THE. TIME. So my weight is not the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about when I go to sleep. 

34. To never get "that look" from the person who has to sit next to me on the plane. 

35. To be more confident and outspoken. 

36. To go on any ride at amusement parks and not be worried about being turned away or fitting into the seat harness. 

37. Flirting! Whee!

38. To get whatever haircut I want without worrying that it will make my face look fat(ter). 

39. So I don't crave winter when I can hide under big coats and sweaters. 

I can't put my arms down!

40. So I can tell people my weight and it not be a big deal or a huge secret.  

41. Running!

42. Not being hypersensitive about everything. Example: I went through the Chick Fil A drive thru and had ordered a caesar chicken wrap and a diet lemonade. When I got to the window, the cashier said, "You had a caesar chicken wrap, a diet lemonade, and .... a large Oreo shake." And I laughed nervously because I thought he was making a joke since CLEARLY I must normally order large shakes while going through drive thrus. I told him I didn't have the shake and he took it off. It had nothing to do with me, just an error on the cash register. 

43. Not feeling like I am an outsider - to feel normal. 

44. Participating in intermural sports or clubs. 

45. So my friends would feel proud to set me up with their friends. 

46. Halloween in girl world. I'm a mouse, duh!

47. Not feeling self-conscious about going to a spa for a facial or massage or spray tan. I can't really imagine going naked in front of anyone right now, much less a total stranger who is going to be all up in my personal business. (Frankly, I don't know if I'd be ok with it after the weight loss, but it's worth a shot.)

48. To not feel completely inadequate when guys talk about all the hot girls at work. 

49. So my twenties are not wasted and my life is not put on hold any longer. 

50. Single digit sizes. 

51. To not be ashamed or embarrassed to go to the gym. I'm totally getting better about this one. 

52. When the time comes, to be able to have a healthy pregnancy. 

53. To be able to look and act my age. 

54. To wear a belt with my jeans or skirt and show it off. 

55. So that it will be easier to make close girlfriends. 

56. To not be threatened by healthier people. 

57. Because I'm worth the time and effort it takes!

Whew, that was really long and full of feelings. I promise that won't happen again for a while. :)