Bariatric Babe- Shelly Hollon

Face to face Friday!

I celebrate my surgiversary every September and October. September 10, 2015 was my sleeve and October 9, 2018 was my bypass revision. I am so thankful for my tools. Total weight lost 113 lbs.

Friends: today while I was shopping at the grocery store I was walking near the register area as a man walked right in front of my cart barely missing the cart. He was no less than 2 feet from me as I had a smaller grocery cart. He looked me in the eye and apologized for getting to close to me. He stared just a second to long and immediately my spidey senses were going off. I walked off without thinking twice as he had creeper vibes all over him. I walked down another aisle. I saw him follow me down the aisle. I stopped near the end as I knew if he was going to do anything I would have to fight him near where more people would be. I saw him get close to me and say "HI.. HI how are you?..." I video called my husband. Upon him answering the man ran off. I immediately found an employee. He got the store manager and within a minute the store was covered looking for the man I described. I was upset. In the moment I did what I thought was best which was get on my phone and call my husband and friends so it looked like I was on the phone with people til I got to my car. After reflecting I should have been LOUD! LOUDER and definitely more aggressive.

This is me being loud now! Watch your backs. If something feels off it probably is. If you see something say something. It may save someones life.

I struggle with confidence and intrusive thoughts.

"Can I do this by myself?"
"No way I could ever go anywhere by myself."
"I'm not smart enough to do that."
"That seems really hard."
"I'm not loved."

The list goes on and on. I struggle with intrusive thoughts. Today's IG story is a prime example. I *LOVE* that outfit. Like, LOVE it. I put it on and made my video only to watch it back and think, "Someone out there is going to say I'm too old to wear something like that." Immediately, that voice that does stick up for me fought back and said,"GURL WE DON'T CARE WHAT NOBODY THINKS. " I looked at myself in the mirror, and I said out loud, "I know that's right!"with a smart look on my face.

Any time I catch those intrusive thoughts telling me something ridiculous, I tell it no. That is not the truth. I will not listen to lies that my brain wants to make up. That is my old self that wants to bring me down. There is so much light I radiate when I tell that voice to hush.

There are days when I just am not "feeling it". Lately, I've just been plagued with body dysmorphia and feeling insecure. Today I was Live on Tiktok with some friends and I looked at myself and thought I looked really good. I took a screenshot from that Live. Today is a good day and I'm glad to not be riddled with crippling dysmorphia and the voices that go along with it that tell me I'm unattractive or worse... ugly.

Like anyone else, there are days I feel beautiful and days I don't, and when I don't, I do something about it. Cheryl Tiegs

I always hear from folks that their friends, family, and significant others say "you've changed a lot." They were probably there for the transformation, but didn't see or missed the many facets of what change actually looks like. The person just blinked and you were "changed". They may love it or may not like it. Which ever it is that is STILL you. The new you should be respected and is still worthy of love.

You can bet your bottom dollar I am not the same person as I was before... and THAT is ok. Growing and learning is part of life. Wisdom comes with age. Always continue to grow and be the best YOU you can be! ❤️

bariatricbabe

Just a few ideas for those who are struggling in their journey!

Yesterday, while at dinner , I asked every person at my table to dance. I was sadly turned down. 🤣 As George Strait's song "I Just Want To Dance With You" came on, this sweet angel came over and asked ME to dance. I was so surprised and elated. I told her, "YES, but you gotta lead." 🤣 Thank you, for being brave and asking a stranger to dance!

Gosh, this seems so relevant to me. The night before my gastric sleeve, all I could think about was, "Here we are. Your new life starts tomorrow."

I was just talking to a friend about shedding old versions of ourselves. Learning and growing can be uncomfortable and painful sometimes. Some people seem to be able to just roll with the punches while others of us have a harder time with change.

This was the change for me. You HAVE to change to be successful. The tool is merely a tool. You have to change your thought process, the way we manipulate and gaslight ourselves around food, and change your whole life... basically.

This is hard. Raw honest moment: this s**t is hard. Food used to comfort me in depressions. It was there when I was lonely or sad. This week was a super hard one for me. Luckily, I've made plans for days or weeks like these. In the end, I know that growth, shedding, and learning are always a good thing, but damn it's excruciating at times. 🦋

Crazy to see the transformation.

Friendly reminder: YOU ARE NOT A TRASH CAN! If your kids, spouse, partner etc has left over food on their plate DO NOT feel guilty about throwing it away. Throw it away or put it in a container for another day. YOU ARE NOT A TRASH CAN!

Boy, sure hit the nail on the head with this one. Love your whole body! It got you through everything. The good, the bad and the inbetween!

💋💋💋