The Person I LOST

My friend Jill said in a comment that she weighed 108 pounds when she graduated High School (thanks for the inspiration for this blog, Jill). So because I have now lost 120 pounds and that could easily be another person, this blog is about the person that I lost along the way.

The person I lost was Afraid. Afraid to go out in public. Afraid to go to movies because she didn't fit in the seat. Afraid to go to parties or social events where there might be people that she didn't know who might stare at her. Afraid to try physical things because she might fall, or worse, fail.

The person I lost was Angry. Angry because people stared and pointed at her. Angry at the universe because she was different than everyone else. Angry because sometimes her friends and family were embarrassed by her.

The person I lost was Greedy. She always ordered the item on the menu that would provide the most food. She never left food on her plate because that was a waste. She was a member of the Clean Plate Club for sure. She would sometimes hide candy and snacks so that visitors wouldn't eat her precious treats.

The person I lost was Ungrateful. Ungrateful of life's most simple pleasures like taking a walk in the crisp autumn air. Like being able to fasten her seat belt in a friend's car. Like having the most wonderful and supportive friends and family in the world. People who never judged her because of her size. People who loved her unconditionally.

Today I have lost alot of weight but have gained many things including confidence, fearlessness, self-esteem, and I am grateful for it. I'm grateful for the wonderful chance I have been given to live a life that will someday be free of prejudice and many medical problems. Grateful for my family and friends whom I love dearly.

So goodbye to that person I lost. Her name was Annette too, but more like the evil twin Annette with a mustache and goatee...

Things That Weigh One Hundred Pounds

So it's true, I'm down 103 pounds so far! I think that calls for a celebration. So I went online and started collecting things that weigh 100 pounds. I know that sounds weird, but for people who don't know what 100 pounds feels like, this might be helpful. So if you're wondering how much better I feel from losing the weight, try strapping any of the following onto your back and walking up the basement stairs:


First of all, a Burpee Big Maxx pumpkin with a 70" diameter weighs in at 100 pounds. That includes all the gunk inside that you have to scrape out to make a jack-o-lantern.



Next, for all you aviation fans out there, a Rotax 503 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, fan-cooled airplane engine weighs in at 100 pounds. But it can still fly...

A large male deer can easily weigh 100 pounds.

A hellfire missle (or HAL-3) weighs 100 pounds and can blow up a tank.

Baloo, the dog, is a sloppy-faced beast who weighs 100 pounds but thinks he weighs 10 pounds. He's very sweet - I found him online at Dogster.com. He's a Newfoundland! Try strapping this guy to your back!

A Barrett M-99 benchrest rifle also weighs 100 pounds (I don't know how I found this out, but here it is anyway)

A Hawkbill Sea Turtle can weigh up to 300 pounds, but most only weigh around 100-135 pounds. These turtles are about 2-1/2 feet long. Neat, huh?


Finally, here is a photo of a propane tank. This is a 48 pound tank, but most of our gas grill tanks are 30 pounds. TWO of these tanks, full of propane weigh 100 pounds. Now, if you have ever had to get a refill on your propane tank, you know how heavy these things are. Well, here are 2 of them, at a little more than your gas grill tank weighs. This is how much weight I have LOST. I went to buy cat food the other day, and was having trouble carrying a 25 pound bag of Science Diet up the front step! How did I ever carry around all that FAT? It boggles my mind, but I'm glad for it.

Thanks for listening!