Keeping my eye on that prize...

I’ve got my eye on the prize. That prize is a long, active life where I live long enough to meet my great-grandchildren. To get there, I’ve made a commitment to myself to eat healthy, remain active and enjoy the ride along the way.

As someone who has struggled most of her life with my weight, I don’t want it to all be about looking good or fitting into that new pair of jeans. I want it to be about what really matters - a long, comfortable life with lots of joys and memories that are built.

Looking good is important, but feeling good is essential. It took me 48 years to realize this. I’ve been on this journey way too long in life and turns out that I was heading down the wrong path all along. I was more concerned with fitting into those size 10 pants again instead of feeling proud of myself for being able to walk up three flights of stairs without feeling winded.

Now that I am finally looking at life through the right lense, it feels damn good. Every little thing feels like a major accomplishment. I’m down 31 pounds and absolutely love my workouts at the gym 4-5 nights/week. I still have another 34 pounds to get me back to where I was after my WLS, but I’m not in a rush. I feel good about myself and love working out at the gym with my husband. Life is good...it really is.

I am officially back. For good this time. I have been off the grid for a few years now. My only real excuse is that I’ve been caught up in life. My job. My family. In that time, I have definitely regressed a bit and went back to some poor eating habits. Since my weight loss surgery 9 years ago, I had literally put back on 65 pounds. I honestly was focusing on everyone but myself. My husband, my kids, my parents, my pets, my co-workers. Everyone but myself. I was last on my list.

In March of this year, I hit a low point in my life when I realized I was disgusted with my body ONCE AGAIN and I had jumped back up to 235 pounds (my highest weight right before WLS was 271 pounds). I returned from a business trip to South America in March and decided it was time to take my life back. I joined Weight Watchers and have been tracking using the online app pretty obsessively and also attending the weekly meetings. I also started back at the gym and have been going 4-5 days a week. Since starting this new journey to find myself again, I am down 28 pounds and have added some definition to my body.

So, I have been thinking a lot about why I am successful this time in my weight loss journey using Weight Watchers when I had tried it many times in the past unsuccessfully. In past attempts to lose weight (before the WLS), I would lose a few pounds here and there but never anything dramatic or impactful. This time, the combination of Weight Watchers and a commitment to the gym is what I think is the magic recipe.

My husband and I started personal training sessions this week as a way to bump up our game. I’d been feeling a bit complacent lately and doing the same exercises each time at the gym. Our trainer worked our tails off on Thursday night and I’m really feeling it today. I look forward to continuing our workouts and personal training sessions. I hope that this is the jumpstart that I need to kick myself into gear.

My goal is to lose another 30 pounds by October. I know it’s a stretch, but I have 15 weeks to do it and I’m 150% committed! I can do this. I know I can.

I'm back!

Hi everyone. I'm back! April 30th will be my four-year surgiversary. I can honestly say that my decision to have WLS was the best decision that I've ever made in my entire life! I lost a total of 101 pounds, and it truly did give me my life back. However, over the last 1-1/2 years, I've managed to go back to some old poor eating habits (convenience foods, carbs, etc.) and I've put back on about 35 pounds. I made the decision last weekend to kick-start things again -- it was definitely time. My clothes were very tight (I'd gotten as low as a size 12, but am now back up to a 16). I was feeling sluggish and just knew that if I didn't do something now, then I was on my way back to plus sizes and just feeling miserable about myself.

So, last Monday, I started back to the basics - lots of water, protein shakes for breakfast, salads and low-fat and low-carb meals, and lots of fruits and veggies. I haven't had any sugar since last weekend either (that was also part of my downfall - the realization that I could handle sugar again). Since starting my "back to the basics" diet last Monday, I'm down a total of 5 pounds!!! This week, my goal is to start exercising again and keep up with the healthy eating habits! I really want to lose that other 30 pounds by summer. I'd love to lose half of that before April when I head to Cancun for a business trip!

Blogging and being active on several WLS message boards was one thing that kept me focused during my initial weight loss. It's something that I want to start again with a renewed focus. When I made this commitment four years ago, I knew it was going to be a lifelong commitment. A few bumps in the road later, I'm back on track now and look forward to my renewed commitment!!

Happy Independence Day!

We had some neighbors over today for a cookout, and I was a little naughty. We had three completely scrumptious desserts (baked smores, Rice Krispie treats, brownies). I just had to taste a little of each. It was honestly the first time that I've had that much sugar intake. Fortunately (or maybe I should say unfortunately), I wasn't phased by the sugar intake at all!

Up until this point, I have really tried to watch my sugar intake. I still have Splenda in my coffee in the morning, and I very rarely ever have a sweet or dessert. If I'm in the mood, I'll make myself some sugar-free rice pudding or have some fresh fruit for dessert. Today was just overkill (as evidenced by me still being up at 12:15 am - wired from the sugar, I suppose).

I have definitely become more complacent over the last few months. I haven't been packing my lunch at work very much, which has resulted in more eating out, and of course, eating unhealthy foods. I've been blessed that all of this lack of planning hasn't caught up with me too much. I'm still down about 90 pounds from where I started a little over two years ago. If I can get my act together, I'd like to lose another 10 pounds and stay there for the rest of my life.

This whole journey has been so life changing and at the same time mind boggling for me. I cannot even imagine going back to that same embarrassed, unconfident, and shy person that I was before my gastric bypass surgery. It's hard to recall those days, but I can sure remember the feeling of wanting to hide behind everything and everyone.

Still around...

Wow, it's been a really, really long time since I've blogged on here. Guess it's called complacency. When you're comfortable with your weight and not struggling like I did so many times in the past, I suppose you don't really focus on things like weight loss.

It's been more than two years since I had my WLS, and I'm happy to say that I'm still down about 90 pounds. I did put back a few of the initial pounds that I've lost, but I guess that's all due to my lack of focus and with my body just basically figuring out where it's supposed to be. I'm not as active as I'd like to be, but with my busy schedule, I do tend to be up and about a lot.

I would like to focus on being more active - taking walks in the evenings, lifting some light weights, and taking a few laps around our pool. It will be easier now that summer is here and I've graduated from grad school (whoopie!).

I guess that I'd like to acknowledge once again what a wonderful decision it was to have the WLS and change my life. I can't imagine going back to the insecure person that I was before. I am so grateful to have this new lease on life, and promise myself - and my kids - that I won't ever go back!

Until next time, I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors and if WLS is something you are considering, I would highly recommend that you do your research and know the positives and negatives of this wonderful medical tool!

Struggling a bit...

It's been a while since I've blogged on here...a really long while. I am approaching my two-year surgiversary and have been having some issues the last few months:

- eating on the run (too many convenience foods)
- inproper planning of meals
- eating too many carbs
- not getting enough protein
- not drinking enough water
- NO exercise

Seriously, some of these have been problems all along (carbs, not enough water), so I might as well just write them off now and acknowledge that they will be struggles for the rest of my life.

However, some of the other issues seem to be just me falling back into bad habits. I am hoping that with spring coming and the weather getting nicer, I will get outside more and be more active. I feel like I've been a bear hibernating the last few months. I've been grazing all the time and I've even discovered that my body can tolerate small amounts of sugar. Not that I sit around eating three cupcakes at a time, but now I know that I can have a bite of that cupcake...and that is dangerous!

I'm really hoping that by getting back on track with this blogging (putting my thoughts down), that I will be more cognizant of what I'm eating and doing. I need to snap out of this funk, and get back to the basics (protein first, lots and lots of water).

My lowest weight (for just one day) was 169 pounds...and that was about 9 months out after surgery. I've slowly tickered back up to 179 pounds, which still isn't too bad. My initial goal was 160 pounds...and I think I can still do it. Just have to start exercising and drinking the water...and cutting back on the carbs and snacking.

Here's hoping to a new outlook for me this spring! Peace out!

An amazing transformation...

I know I've blabbed on here so much about the amazing physical transformation that I've lived through in the last 16 months, but this week for the first time, I've experienced and realized another sort of transformation: my confidence level.

I've never really been a very confident person, and my weight has been the biggest reason for that. Throughout the years, I have been a bit on the shy side and not very confident speaking in front of large groups.

This week, I was given the assignment at work of presenting two hours worth of material to a group of about 55-60 co-workers: fellow administrators, building secretaries, and district office employees. The topic wasn't the easiest to present (customer service/family-school partnerships), so I was very intimidated when my boss asked me to do this.

I spent about two weeks preparing my presentation and the activities that would go along with it. I started getting nervous a few days before the presentation, mostly because these were my co-workers that I had to present to. If it would have been a group of individuals at a conference that I'd never see again, that would have been a different story. But, these were my co-workers that I had to see each and every day.

As I got up to give the presentation, my nerves started acting up...I felt my voice start to crack as I began talking. But, I quickly recovered and the rest of the presentation went smoothly. My confidence level really allowed me to get through the presentation, keep an active audience, and even garnered a round of applause at the end! I was shocked.

I've been mulling things over the last day or two, and came to the conclusion that I NEVER would have been able to pull this off a few years ago before my surgery. Not only did I not have the confidence to stand up in front of a crowd that size, I also don't think I could have pulled off the content as effectively.

So, this is just another reason to be happy with the decision that I made to have WLS. Not only have I changed on the outside for the positive, but I've also changed on the inside. What a wonderful feeling...

Getting into the groove...

I finally took the initiative this weekend and started a workout program. Although my family had a membership to our local YMCA, we really didn't use it very much except for an occasional swim. A new LA Fitness opened about 3 minutes from my house, and I've been toying for a while with checking it out. I figured it was so close to home, that I'd have no excuse for not working out.

So, I went on Friday and joined the LA Fitness and cancelled our YMCA membership. The greatest perk to the LA Fitness membership is that I can bring two guests with me at any time! My husband came with me on Friday night and we had a great workout together. Then, my friend Karen came with me this morning and we had a wonderful time (it was her birthday too!).

I feel much more comfortable at the new gym than I did at the YMCA -- for some reason, I was so intimidated at the Y. I don't know if it was the people or the facility, but it just didn't work for me. I'm very hopeful that my new gym will be easier for me to get my exercise in. I'm even going to try to take some classes this week!

I'm at the point now where I've been plateaued for about 8 months...stuck at a 100-101 pound weight loss. I'm very happy where I am, but would still love to lose another 10-15 pounds and tone the jiggle that I've got left. It's been a long road to get to this point (hard to believe my WLS was more than 15 months ago!). I've come so far and I'm so close to the finish line -- I just don't want to throw in the towel now. I'm not aiming for perfection (after all, what is perfection?). I'm down to a size 12 pants now, which is something I couldn't have even dreamed of a year ago. I'm not shooting for an unrealistic size 6 or anything like that -- maybe a size 10? That doesn't seem so hard after how far I've come already (from a size 22/24).

So, now it's time for me to make time for ME! I'm going to do my best to get to the gym 4-5 times a week. If I have some company with me, that just makes it even more fun!

I leave for vacation in just about five weeks, so we'll see if I can tone anything up by then! My ultimate goal is next summer! Woohoo!

Until next time, I hope you all have a great week. Peace out!

Summer is in full swing!!!

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here. Life just gets so busy sometimes. Between work, kid activities, and going back to grad school, I sometimes feel that I don't have any time to focus on myself -- meaning my "diet" and "exercise." I know that I've blogged about this before...and I wish I could say that I've been able to change some of these bad habits.

But, unfortunately, things haven't changed. I'm still struggling with the carbs and the lack of exercise. It's not that I would call myself an inactive person. It's just I can't fit a regular exercise workout into my daily routine.

As for my weight, I've been fortunate that I've been at the same plateau for about six months now. I teeter between 2-3 pounds and I'm really happy with where I am, but I would honestly like to lose another 10 pounds. I'm finally in a size 12 and I'm very comfortable here -- it's been a while since I've been here (11th grade, to be exact).

Now that it's swimsuit season, I notice all of the "wouldn't it be nice if's". Wouldn't it be nice if:

- I could lose just one more roll from my stomach
- I could have toner legs
- I could lose the jiggle from under my arms

These are all things that I'll have to work on as I continue this LIFE LONG journey. It's all worth it and so am I.

To all of my friends out there who are reading this and struggling with their own journey, we can do this together. Our decisions to have WLS was a huge decision in and of itself. Everything that we've been through all ready was well worth it. We will continue to have struggles throughout the next 2 years, 5 years, and throughout the rest of our lives. Just think of the wonderful new lives we've created for ourselves and remember that, in the end, WE ARE ALL WORTH IT!!!

Quick Update!

Today, I had my one-year follow-up appointment with Dr. Boe. Everything is going well, and all of my bloodwork came back normal. No vitamin deficiencies and nothing to be worried about. We talked about me wanting to lose another 10-15 pounds and I've set some calorie and activity goals with the nutritionist. Hell, if I've already lost 100 pounds, one would think that another 10-15 pounds would be cake, right? NOT.

These last 10-15 pounds are the hardest as my body reached its plateau a few months back, and now I really have to work to lose any more. Don't get me wrong -- I'm extremely happy where I am right now, but those 10-15 pounds are something for me to work on and look forward to losing.

I'm just glad that my bloodwork looks good and I have no vitamin deficiencies. I've heard that a lot of WLS patients start having problems after a year or so because they stop taking all of their vitamins and get back to some old bad habits. I'm still very anal about my vitamin intake and my sugar control. I still read labels like a freak and make sure that my sugar content is below where it should be (less than 2 grams per serving).

I'm trying to rely on healthy snacks (Greek yogurt with fresh berries, almonds, etc.) instead of reaching for a carb fix. Most days, I reach my protein goal and calorie goal, but I know that I still need to work on getting more fluids in (coffee doesn't count, boo!).

It's been an amazing rollercoaster ride this past year...I can still remember back to one of my first blog posts after I had decided to have this surgery. I used a rollercoaster image to describe what this journey would be like, and it surely was true to life. A wild, exhiliarating, and sometimes unexpected rollercoaster ride...but one that I would take all over again if need be!!!

Until next time, peace out!

One year later!!!

Today is my one-year surgiversary! It's a beautiful day outside...the sun is shining...it's supposed to be a gorgeous 82 degrees. What a day to celebrate the new me!

I took a few minutes this morning (while drinking my morning coffee) to reflect on just how much has changed in my life in the past year.

1. Confidence. I no longer am embarrassed to walk into a room. I like the way I look and feel. Normal. That's all I ever wanted. To feel and look normal. This newfound confidence has even given me a boost at work. I serve as the spokesperson for a school district and have handled a few issues with the media lately. I feel that this newfound confidence really helped me react in these situations and I felt more confident being under pressure and in front of the news cameras. I can't imagine what it would have been like in those situations with the "old" me.

2. Clothing. I love buying clothing again, although my wallet doesn't. I'm finally in a size 12 -- that is somewhere that I haven't been since probably my junior year of high school (24 years ago!!).

3. Activity. I am no longer winded walking up a set of stairs or running around with my kids. I'm very much looking forward to this summer and doing lots of outdoor activities with my three young children.

There is so much to be happy for and so much has changed in the past year. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to restart my life, and am thankful for all of my family and friends who put up with me for the past year (especially those first few weeks).

Until next time, peace out!

Some people really piss me off!

So, I had a dentist appointment this morning and my hygienist (who hasn't seen me in 6 months) asked me how I'd lost so much weight. We talked for a bit about how I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day, eating proteins first, not eating any sugars, etc. Even after that, she still questioned me as if she didn't believe that I'd lost that much weight. I finally confided in her that I'd had WLS and explained that by no means was it easy and that I worked really, really hard to get where I am today.

Some people always look at the negative in things. My dental hygienist commented how great I looked and all, but had to throw in the cautionary comments about "Well, be careful because I know 3 people that had the surgery and they've gained it all back."

Why do people turn something positive into something negative? I just don't get it.

- Of course, I know that I have to be careful of what I eat for the rest of my life.
- Of course, I know that I cannot revert back to my old eating habits.
- Of course, I don't EVER want to look the way I did a year ago.

I am determined to be happy and healthy for the rest of my life. I'm just glad that I can take people's negative comments and let them go in one ear, and out the other. I have a hard shell, and I'm sure not going to let someone else's pessimism get me down!

Until next time, peace out!

A New Day...

OK, so I think that I've mentioned the problem that I've been having lately with carbs. Some of my Barix friends suggested that I try a 5-day pouch test. That involves going back to the basics -- only liquids for the first two days and then gradually weening back onto solid foods. It's supposed to help cure the addiction to carbs, which I really need. However, horrible thoughts and memories of the 10-day pre-surgery liquid diet are still on my mind, and I don't think I'm ready for anything that drastic yet.

That said, I am going to start a refresher today in the basics. I spent Saturday and Sunday at the gym and did cardio, weights, and swimming. I really enjoyed myself and it was really nice to finally get back into that routine. I look forward to spending a few hours on me each week.

I got on the scale this morning and I was back down to 171 (after going up to 176 slightly a few days ago). I don't know if I was just retaining water or if those carbs I've been snacking on lately finally reared their ugly face and added a few pounds on my hips. Either way, I'm focusing on getting down a few more pounds. My one-year surgiversary is this coming Friday. If you would have asked me a year ago if I ever thought it was possible that I'd be down 100 pounds in one year, I would have laughed in your face. Seriously.

I'd like to spend the next few months focusing on my exercise -- toning what I have. Being in a swimsuit this weekend at the Y made me realize that I'm not ready for the beach and vacation yet. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE where I am, but I'd honestly like to lose another 10 pounds (especially right around the spare tire around my hips). Being at 160 pounds is my ultimate goal, and I know that I won't get there without a lot of a hard work and exercise. And a focused and determined mind -- I need to limit my carbs and increase my fruits and vegetables. I need to drastically increase my water intake.

Hell, I've already lost 100 pounds -- another 10 shouldn't be a problem, right? Ha. Those first 100 pounds almost fell off my bones. These last 10 pounds are going to be a challenge, but I'm up for the challenge! I've come a long way and I am not going to let this challenge beat me! Game on!

Until next time, peace out! Have a great week everyone!!

Reality is here...

I am going to be celebrating my one-year surgiversary next Friday -- I can't believe it's really been an entire year. I am down just about 100 pounds, although the number on the scale has gone up a few pounds in the last 2-3 weeks.

For the first time since surgery, I actually feel that my old appetite is back. I don't know if this is normal, but I'd be willing to bet money that it is. I remember seeing lots of postings on here about people struggling after a year out. Well, I suppose it's finally my turn.

I have had this continual desire to graze for about a month now. Unfortunately, the grazing consists of carbs -- pretzels, crackers, and these Ritz Crackerfuls that I'm addicted to.

I'm trying to think of the reason why my appetite has suddenly become less than desirable, and I think that I've pinpointed one of the reasons. In addition to having his grazing problem, I've also substantially increased my intake of caffeine. Whereas I used to be fine with a small cup of coffee each morning, I now find myself having another cup in the afternoon at work and sometimes even having another cup when I get home from work at night. I do remember reading that caffeine is an appetitie stimulant, so maybe that's the reason for my increased appetite?

I really need to decrease my caffeine and carb intake and increase my activity and exercise. The weather is getting nicer out, and I need to focus on being outside. As soon as I sign off of this blog, I'm taking the kids to the YMCA for some swimming. I think I'll work out on the eliptical for 30 minutes first, but then maybe I'll enjoy a relaxing swim.

Until next time, peace out!

Do You Share, or Do You Lie?

I have a question for all of those WLS patients: do you share how you've lost your weight with others who ask? Up to this point, I have always been very open when asked. I tell people that I had gastric bypass surgery. I don't try to hide it. It's been a very positive thing for me. Other than the minor stricture that I had at 3 months out, my recovery has been normal and I've adapted well to my new way of living and eating.

However, this weekend, I was at an event with my daughter and her Girl Scouts troop. A mom who I hardly know comes over to me and says almost matter-of-factly "I didn't know you had gastric bypass surgery??" As if she was my BFF and she was pissed that I hadn't told her. First of all, I hardly know this woman. Second of all, I wondered how she had found out. So, I asked. She told me that one of the other moms was talking about it...and well, you know the rest...

I told her the whole story and she seemed very surprised. It got me to thinking whether or not I'm doing the right thing by revealing that I had WLS. Does it have a stigma related to it that I'm just not seeing? Do people say how wonderful it is to your face, and then go behind your back gossiping that "I can't believe what she did..."?? For me, this has been an amazing experience and one that has changed my life for the positive. Is there the expectation that I will gain the weight back, because many do? Do people think I took the easy way out? Why is doing something positive for yourself frowned upon?

I guess I'm still just a little peeved by the reaction that this woman had. Maybe I shouldn't give two shits because she's really not a friend and is barely even an acquaintance.

I was just wondering what you all thought. Please post a comment if you have time.

Until next time, peace out!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is definitely here. New life is everywhere you look. Flowers peering through the soil, buds blooming on the trees, and even the sounds of the birds reminds you that spring is here. As I sit at my kitchen table looking outside at all the new life, I can't help thinking about the new life that I now have. It is amazing to think how different I am now over how I was just a year ago.

My best friend was at my house this morning (for my daughter's First Communion) and someone took a picture of us. The same time last year (mid-April), we were at my sister-in-law's baby shower and also took pictures. For shits and giggles, I put the two pictures together...and WOW. Words cannot describe the feeling I had when I looked at the pictures side by side. I honestly feel sick in my stomach when I look at how large I used to be. I really can't fathom how I let myself get that big!!! See for yourself. Here we are:



As I look back at that photo of myself, all those horrible thoughts and feelings of being overweight come flooding back. I never, and I repeat never, want to look anything remotely that horrible again!

So, this Spring, Lisa and I both have something to be happy about -- our new lives. Spring is a season for renewal, and Lisa and both are blessed to have had the opportunity to renew ourselves.

Here's to you, Lisa...

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends!

I had a wonderfully inspiring day today. For the first time since my surgery, I attended a support group meeting at Barix Clinics in Langhorne. My best friend attended last month and invited me to go along with her today. Seriously, it's just one of those things that I kept saying "Yea, I'll get there one of these months." But, then one month becomes another month...and well, you get the picture.

Barix is about an hour from my house, so it's not a quick trip. But, it was well worth the ride (especially having some catch up time with Lisa in the car!). There were about 30-40 people there today and it was really interesting hearing everyone's stories. We were split into two groups: pre-op patients and those up to 3 months out, and then the rest of us (3 months out of surgery and up). We basically went around the group and shared things on our mind. Some people were having specific problems (fear of returning to sugars, putting on a few pounds of late, etc.). Others just shared that they are feeling great and are happy to be where they are. I fit into the latter group (insert grin here).

For the most part, I am happy and feel great. I'm really trying to get my water intake up and my carb intake down. Carbs have always been a problem for me, and that's the reason why I got in the situation I was in to start with. It is a really tough thing trying to curb those cravings. I guess it could be worse...a few pretzels are surely better than a few jellybeans, right? I really have no craving for sugars, which is a good thing. A lot of people at today's support group meeting talked about their struggles with cravings for cookies, chocolate, cakes, etc. Although I'm just a year out, those cravings haven't returned for me.

I have been receiving some negative vibes lately from some folks about my "poor eating habits" and how they've continued -- even after surgery. I don't know what people think when they hear about this surgery. Weight loss surgery is not a cure all for everything. We still struggle with the same addictions and weight problems that we did before surgery. The surgery was just a tool to give us a jump start on a new life. We still have to work on maintaining, exercising, etc. -- just like anyone else on any other kind of diet.

I will be the first one to admit that when I go out to eat (which isn't too often), I do treat myself. It's not like I eat that way all the time. A few gravy fries or a few broccoli bites aren't the end of the world. My homemade macaroni and cheese is definitely a treat! It's not like I eat that stuff five times a week. It's a treat, and anything in moderation is acceptable. It's unrealistic to think I could go through the rest of my life and never have that stuff again. For the most part, I make sure I eat a salad once a day, get some sort of protein in (chicken, pork), and try to limit the carb intake.

I know that I'm not perfect -- and I don't claim to be. I know that this will be a struggle for the remainder of my life -- and I don't think it will be easy.

But, what I do know is that I have been given a new lease on life. And I will do whatever it takes to keep living this way -- healthy and enjoying myself and living life to the fullest. Oh, and I will also do my best to ignore all the negative vibes that come my way. I'm proud of how far that I've come, and I sure the hell aren't going to let someone get me down because they are waving a finger at me or rolling their eyes at me because I have a slice of pizza or a few french fries.

Until next time, peace out!

11 Months Ago...

Wow, I really can't believe it's been 11 whole months since I had my WLS. In those 11 months, my life has changed so dramatically. I feel like the same person on the inside (well, maybe a little bit more confident), but the outside is so different. My husband took a photo of me to update my Facebook profile picture this weekend, and I had to do a second look to make sure it was me. What a wonderfully refreshing feeling that was!

For the record, I am down a total of 101 pounds. My weight fluctuates between 170 and 172, depending on what time of the day it is (and how many snacks I've eaten that day!). I have been at that mark for about 3-4 months now, with no major movement.



Some things that I need to work on (and these will continue to be a struggle for me for the rest of my life, no doubt):

1. More exercise - seems that there's never enough time in the day to get any regular exercise in. I do try to do at least 20-30 minutes on my treadmill a few times a week, but I will be the first to admit that those have been few and far between the last two months.

2. Eat less carbs - this has always been a problem for me. The urge to graze still comes back every once and a while, but of course, I cannot eat as much as I used to. Whereas before surgery, I could have sat down and snacked on an entire bag of pretzels or chips, now I have a handful and I'm content. What I need to work on is eating healthier snacks. Instead of crackers or pretzels, I have to make an effort to eat a piece of fruit or a piece of cheese. It's something that I'm aware of, but a carb addiction really is a hard habit to break.

Overall, I feel so fortunate to have had this much success with my WLS. I know it's a life long commitment, and something I can't give up on. I'm worth it, after all!

Until next time, peace out!

Good day...bad day!

Well, my day started off wonderfully this morning. I got on the scale for the first time in about a week...and low and behold, I have finally hit 100 pounds lost! I almost couldn't believe my eyes. I have been stuck in a holding pattern for the last 2-3 months -- teetering between 95 pounds lost and 97 pounds lost. What a wonderful, exhiliarating feeling it was to see that scale this morning!

So, that's how my day started. As I sat down to enjoy my morning cup of coffee a few minutes later, my day took a turn for the worst. I hadn't even taken my first sip of my morning "wake up call" when my cell phone rang and I received a phone call from my boss, the superintendent of the school district I work for. He asked if I could come in immediately -- one of our school buses was involved in an accident and the passenger in the car that was also involved was killed. Being the communications person for the district, I needed to get in immediately to deal with the media influx.

Needless to say, dinner tonight was my first meal of the day -- it was a very long and hard day. So, as I write this note tonight, I am thinking of the wonderful start to my day...and I will take this exhiliarating feeling with me to bed. It will be a short-lived feeling as I need to be out of the house at the crack of dawn to head to our school building to help with media control again (hopefully there won't be any, but you never know).

So, until next time, peace out and wishes for a wonderful day to you all!

Feeling really good...for the first time in my life!

I've finally started being accountable for that New Year's Resolution that I've made so many years...lose weight...get in shape...eat healthier.

For the first time in my entire life, I can actually say that I'm taking the bull by the horns and I'm making it happen. The WLS last April was the first step into making this frequently-requested New Year's Resolution a reality. The WLS has given me the tool that I needed to restart my life.

So far, I've lost 95 pounds...gone from a size 22/24 to a size 12/14...and have become more active than I ever thought possible. I am trying my darnest to exercise at least 3-4 times a week. For the last couple of weeks, that's mostly meant 30 minutes/night on the treadmill in my basement.

Tonight, for the first time in 386 days (yes, that's right), I hopped onto the Wii Fit. I had fun hula hooping, running, and doing step aerobics. It was a nice warmup for the treadmill tonight. What a moment it was when I did my body test and it told me that I lost 86 pounds since the last time I was on. I was a little disappointed, however, when the Wii Fit told me that my body age was 45 -- I'm only 40! That's bad enough -- I don't need someone telling me (machine or not) that I'm any older than I really am!

Anyway, I'm going to try to do the Wii Fit a few times a week in addition to cardio -- it's a fun way to do some strength training and aerobics without ever having to leave the living room.

I had another one of those "moments" today when one of my principals stopped by my office and said: "Professionally speaking, I want to tell you how awesome you look. You must be so proud of yourself." I felt all warm inside receiving such a nice compliment, and politely replied "I feel really good, and that's what matters."

Several people have asked me how I lost so much weight, and I honestly don't hide the fact that I had WLS. There's no way that I could have done this all on my own, and I really am proud of how far I've come. I can't take all of the credit for it, and I have no problem telling people that I had WLS. It can be a tremendous tool for someone who was in the same boat as I was, and I think it's something to be considered for anyone overweight. It's not for everyone, however, and demands careful research and thought!

Anyway, I wish everyone a good week. Until next time, peace out!