No! You Can't Take Your Tummy Away from Me! I Will Guard Your Fluff! - Scottsdale, AZ

That is what my 6-year-old son, the youngest of my four "suns," said before throwing himself over my "fluffy tummy" after overhearing a conversation about my decision to finally get a tuck. I chuckled and assured him that my fluff would be around for awhile longer. I made the decision after considering have the procedure for years, but I had to reach a breaking point before I decided to go ahead.

Like many women, growing up I thought I was morbidly obese as a 5' 8" curvaceous female with hips, booty, and ample breasts. So ample, I was a 38 H, which I jokingly said meant "humongous," when I received my breast reduction in 1999. I was a size 10/12. Boo hoo. Fast forward to my first year of marriage, in which I gained over 100 pounds and was a size 24/26!

I consider gaining that weight to be one of the best things that had ever happened to me. If I had not had the experience of truly being obese, 268 lbs to be exact, I would not have the positive body image I have now after four pregnancies, 90+ lbs of weight loss, several group fitness licenses, and over a decade of falling in love with me, and all of my fabulous-ness! *side note, I think everyone needs to be there own favorite person :)

For a few years, the fact that I was a Group Fitness, Water Aerobics, Group Cycling, and Zumba instructor was enough. Me! The one alway picked last for kickball was teaching at least three fitness classes a week for the last two years. Yet, my stomach was still trying to win some future Halloween contest as "Best Jabba the Hutt." I kept tell myself that it did not matter. Look how far I had come! The flatsie 20 year olds in my Zumba classes can't keep up with me, and I am almost 40! I am fit and healthy! That is what matters.

But every time I looked in the mirror, I look down at my belly, sigh, stick out my bottom lip, and wish the skin was gone. In those moments, as much as I would try to blast my consciousness with positivity and gratitude for my health, sound mind, and able body, my spirit would sink. Just a little. Each and every time.

Reading the stories of you ladies over the past few months gave me the resolve and fortitude to say, "Enough." I had my consult with my highly recommended and researched plastic surgeon and put down a deposit on a date at the end of the appointment. :)

So, as I read through the stories amassing my lists of tips and tricks, oooooo-ing and aaaaaahhhhhh-ing at your transformations, refining my plans for how the five "boys" in my house will care for me, with a misty eye, a wide grin, a fluttering heart, and a lightened spirit, I say truly, madly, and deeply, "Thank you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey with me. Your ups. Your downs. Your struggles. Each of these aspects have been truly inspirational and have made a direct impact on me and my life. Your photos have given me courage, and moreover, a sense of belonging. Blessings of love and light to you."