Happy Holidays!

This is the time of year for celebrations, parties, presents and everyone is very FOOD-Focused. Make this year about focusing on you and your health. Turn your focus to gratitude and goals. Send emails/cards to those who have been by your side during your journey and let them know how grateful you are. Make a list of your goals and share those with the people you will be spending your holiday time with. Ask for support from others to help you stay on task and reach your goals. Remind yourself why you chose this journey in the beginning and give yourself a pat on the back for what you have accomplished to date.

If you are celebrating at someone’s house offer to take a food choice that you can eat. When others push food items on you kindly say “Thank You” and then pass on the item. Tell yourself it’s OK to say NO. Other ways to deal with food: Eat before you go to a party, carry a drink with you at all times because we don’t eat and drink at the same time, don’t congregate around the food table, stay out of the kitchen and when everyone is done eating offer to help clean up to keep yourself busy and put away the leftovers.

If things get to overwhelming and you find yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in, remove yourself from the environment and go text/email or call a friend to help you. That’s what your WLS friends are for!! Asking for support is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and to others during these times when everything is very food focused.

You are in control of your life! You have choices and during this holiday season make the choice to take care of you by eating healthier. You are worth it!

Remember you deserve to live a happy healthy life!

Have a safe and warm holiday season!

A heartfelt Thanksgiving! -

At support group the other night I passed out something that was given to us by Obesity Help and it rang true to me so I wanted to share!


Keep your own “GRATEFUL” front and center in your life:

Good – it is easy to focus on the negative. When a situation occurs that appears negative, ask yourself “What is something good that I might have missed and can take away for myself?”

Reach Out- Help someone else. It can be a family member, a friend or supporting a WLS friend. Not only will you help another person but reaching out makes you feel good.

Attitude – Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Do you ever slow down enough to notice all the blessings in your life? Focus on three things from every day that you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal list.

Time – Value your time. Make the most of everyday. Don’t take your time for granted. Fill your days in a meaningful way.

Enthusiasm – Live your life with zest. Being enthusiastic about your day is a powerful way to be grateful.

Fun – When was the last time you had fun? Fun is important in order for you to feel grateful. Regularly schedule some fun.

Unusual – Do you do the same old same old each and every day? Life has many cool things available, so why die the daily death of “I’ve always done it this way before?”

Live full out – Want to feel very grateful this time next year and most days in between? Then live full out. Let it rip!

Daily Inspiration from Small Bites by Katie Jay

Manage your mood.

When it comes to food, sometimes people let unchecked emotions cloud their choices. When you are angry, you might crave something crunchy. When you are sad, you might want something warm and smooth. If you are an overeater, you will most likely eat when your emotions are swelling.

Consider working on managing your mood. Many things can affect your mood. You might have a chemical imbalance in your brain. You might not be getting enough sleep. You might have low blood sugar. You might be eating sweets. You might be ignoring your real needs. Maybe you are unwilling to feel certain feelings. No matter what the cause, allowing your emotions to take over your life can lead to overeating.

Action for the day:

Are your moods ruling you? First of all, don’t let yourself get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Second, meet with a professional (for example, a therapist who specializes in food addiction) to examine this aspect of your life and to determine what you need to do to manage your mood in a healthy way.

Don't contribute to the crap...

Don’t contribute to the crap – Just say NO

Sometime last year I started a just say No campaign which involved all aspects of my life. If it wasn’t good for me I was no longer going to say YES or participate. I decided I needed to do what was good for #1 ME.. Part of this just say NO campaign is also about food choices and with the holidays just around the corner the focus on food will be magnified. Everyday pressure with food is bad enough for me personally. As a bariatric patient I have to make healthy choices everyday and that is hard when our society focuses on large amounts of food (super size) and not to mention the not so healthy food choices. It’s about what kind of crap you can get for $1.00.

Pitch in’s at work go on all year long for baby showers, birthdays and celebrations and I always use to “contribute to the crap” and bring in desserts and goodies. The pitch in ends up being about how many desserts can be brought rather than focusing on the event surrounding the food; it’s the food surrounding the event that counts. Bagel Friday turned into donut and how much crap can you bring in Fridays. I can honestly say that I felt like my blood pressure would rise when I walked into the lunch room on Fridays to find all of the sugary, high caloric, fattening items lying on the counter. It was so bad that I would avoid the kitchen on Friday’s all together.

After surgery I made a vow that I was going to make healthier choices for me and that I deserve to live a happy healthy life. So now not only do I have the just say NO campaign but I also have the “I don’t contribute to the crap” campaign. When it’s time for a pitch in and the holiday parties start happening first I choose whether I want to participate or not. It is not mandatory that I be a part of all the festivities that revolve around food and that is my personal choice. If I choose to participate I sign up to bring a salad, or veggies/fruit or a cheese/meat tray.

Halloween is this weekend, (it’s all about the candy), Thanksgiving is next month (it’s all about who is bringing what favorite dish and the pumpkin pie), and Christmas is next (it’s all about the cookies, the bread, fudge and grandma’s pecan pie).

This year I say join my campaign and “Don’t contribute to the crap” First decide if you want to attend the festivity (not because you feel guilty) and then if asked offer to bring something bariatric friendly and healthy!

Take care of #1 YOU… You deserve to live a happy healthy life!

Persevere......

Persevere.

This is one of my most FAVORITE words. Coming from a post-op patient who has hit many bumps in the road, in the long run I can honestly say I have PERSEVERED!! Here is one of my favorite quotes from Small Bites Daily Inspirations by Katie Jay

Some days you wake up feeling tired or distracted. You just don’t have the time or energy to follow your WLS regimen at that moment. So you skip breakfast, ore eat that slice of cold pizza that you righteously avoided the night before. Days of discouragement shouldn’t surprise you. They are reminders that food will always be complicated- either a discomfort or a distraction.

The key to real change is perseverance. When you take a misstep, for whatever reason, know that you will continue to persevere in your WLS recovery. You will start over at the next meal – you will overcome the temptation next time. That is how you’ll succeed.

Being perfect just isn’t going to happen. SO persevere.

Action for the day: No matter where you are in your recovery, today you will persevere. Start over every time you stray from your plan. Start over as often as necessary.

** Don’t give up! Keep coming back, share your struggles and successes**

Big hugs (((( ))))

Carbs, Carbs and more Carbs

It might be time for a Carb Intervention!

Ever feel like you could eat every carb in sight and can’t get enough? That is where I am this week. There are days when a carb doesn’t enter my mind and then there are days like the past few when that is all I can think about and all I want to eat.

I want crackers, bread, pasta, muffins etc. You know those famous words of “If you don’t buy it You can’t eat it” Well guess what? I bought it and yes I ate it.

Because I love the internet person that I am I Googled “Why Do I Crave Carbs?” Here is what I found! ** This is a good reminder for me to be mindful of what is going on!”

One theory is that carbohydrates stimulate serotonin production and thus eating them is an attempt to self-medicate depression. Studies focused on this link do seem to back this up. High carbohydrate meals raise serotonin while fatty or protein rich meals tend to lower it. The type of carbohydrate chosen seems to be based upon it's glycemic index, or how high it causes blood sugar levels to peak. The higher glycemic index carbohydrates like sugar have a greater effect on serotonin than starchy, lower glycemic index foods like potatoes.

And it's not just sugar that we crave. There's chocolate. Certain alkaloids have been isolated in chocolate that may raise brain serotonin levels. Scientists now speculate that "chocoholism" may actually have a real biological basis with a serotonin deficiency being one factor. Another mechanism that has been proposed for why chocolate has such a powerful influence on mood is that chocolate has 'drug-like' constituents including anandamines, caffeine, and phenylethylamine.

During the holiday season there are many opportunities to indulge our sweet tooth and when stress or sadness strike our first impulse may be to pick up a cookie or piece of candy to help us cope. Unfortunately these frequent indulgences can be sources of weight gain, guilt and further depressed feelings. What can one do to cope with these urges? Here are a few tips from the experts:

· Be honest with yourself about how deep your problems with food go. If overeating has become a way of life you may have an eating disorder that requires professional assistance to overcome.

·Certain medications can stimulate appetite or blood sugar problems, including those for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Other drugs, both prescription and over the counter, may influence appetite as well. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist whether any of your current medications may be affecting your appetite for sweets. You may be able to find an alternative that doesn't send your cravings out of control.

·Become aware of your emotional triggers for eating. The next time you pick up a "comfort food" ask yourself why you are eating it. Bored? Do something you enjoy other than eating. Feeling neglected? Pamper yourself with a bubble bath or a good book.

·Distract yourself by doing something else. Chances are the craving will pass.

·One great way to feel better fast? Exercise. Exercise stimulates the feel-better chemicals called endorphins and improves your mood.

·Drink a glass of water. Sometimes our body mistakes the feeling of dehydration for hunger.

·If you're hungry, eat, but eat well. Sugar cravings are the strongest when you are hungry. Eat good foods with a promise to yourself that if you want it you may have a dessert after your meal. Chances are you won't even want it once your hunger is satisfied.

·If you slip, don't beat yourself up over it. You're a work in progress. Mistakes will happen. Dust yourself off and keep trying.

·Don't completely deprive yourself. Find healthier substitutes for what you're craving. Try eating a sugar free chocolate pudding instead of that large chocolate bar. Or allow yourself a small portion of the dessert that you are coveting so much. No food is totally bad. It's all in how much you eat of it.

·Be mindful of what you are consuming rather than grazing all day. A food journal can be very helpful.

The Curse of the Golden Arches

Those of us who have children understand the infatuation with the “Golden Arches” and anything that says McDonald's on it! I took my son to breakfast this morning and as we were chatting we started reading the nutrition information sheet and I have to admit I was amazed at some of the numbers!

Since surgery I don’t eat at the fast food restaurants and therefore have gotten out of the habit of checking out the nutrition information plus I think it’s one of those things we sometimes don’t necessarily want to know (out of sight out of mind).

While I was sipping on my ice tea he enjoyed his normal breakfast meal and was smiling with every bite. What surprised me the most was my son’s reaction to the numbers as he was reading the calorie and sugar content on what he would normally get for breakfast/lunch/dinner etc? The look on his face was priceless and I was astounded when he expressed to me that he would no longer be eating his normal orders at McDonald's and he wants to make a healthier choice next time.

Once again having bariatric surgery has made a difference in my life. If it hadn’t been for the education I received from my program and the lifestyle changes I’ve made this morning’s revolution may not have occurred.

I’m thankful everyday for the second chance at life that I have been given and for the small things like today which will make a positive impact on my son’s life.

Forgotten Past

The brightest future will always be based on a FORGOTTEN past, and
you can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches!

Seize the day as a weight loss patient and live in the NOW. Try not to revert to old habits or that “stinking thinking” we all did in the past. Appreciate what you have today and the gift you have been given.

Celebrate by doing something you didn’t do in the past because the excess weight you carried around for years. Ride a bike, go for a walk, take a swim, work in the garden, and learn to play tennis or join a volleyball team.

Just enjoy the new you!

OH Event Cincinnati August 2010

Just returned from my first Obesity Help event in Cincinnati Ohio this weekend and all I can say is WOW! I met some of the most passionate individuals in the bariatric community. The weekend was full of dynamic speakers, amazing weight loss stories and new friendships.

I was surrounded by those near and dear to my heart and many faces in the bariatric world who make a difference in our lives. Words can not describe my love and gratitude for Vince (my hubby), Yvonne (Bariatric Girl) and Nessa (Flourish) for the love and support I was given over the weekend. Thank you all XOXOXO!!

Here are a few pictures to share~

Nessa & Mom (Flourish)

Yvonne (Bariatric Girl)

Dr. Robert Davis, Big Medicine

Chef Dave

Dr. Garth Davis, Big Medicine

Yvonne describing her weight loss!

Me and Vinny hanging out..

Is it worth that bite of food?

I'm now 2yrs and 10months out from Gastric Bypass surgery. The further out I am the more things become abundantly clear how just one bite can lead me down the slippery slope.

I am not one for everything in moderation. I know that one handful leads to two which leads to four. I'm also very aware that if I take just one bite of something on my "forbidden" food list my mind would then start telling me it's ok just this one time which would lead to another time in the future. I do my best to choose not to go down that path and in my "perfect" world I never would but I am human.

I do have the fear if I continually re-introduce then I am slowly giving myself permission and I am personally self-sabotaging.

Does that mean I am perfect and never veer off the path heck no. Am I terrified of going down the slipper slope YES... To deal with this there is no one real answer for me, I have multiple things I have to do:

1. Ask myself - is it worth that bite of food? Is everything I've been through mentally/physically/spiritually worth that bite of (fill in the blank) Is it worth me dumping? (Which I truly have a healthy fear of) Is it worth me feeling miserable 20min later and then beating myself up because I then regret the choice I made.

2. Blog about what is going on! Put it out there for everyone to read which helps keep me on track.

3. Call a "safe" friend and talk it out. Someone who understands what I am feeling and will not judge but be there and help me through the situation.

4. Put my ear buds in and listen to whatever music I feel is appropriate at that time. Sometimes that's meditative or 80's rock! Whatever I think will help change my environment and calm my anxiety.

5. Take a bath!!! Don't laugh just try it. I even turn the lights off light a candle and listen to my favorite music. Very therapeutic and it helps relax all of your muscles!

So the next time you are out and craving that certain food or ready to take a bite of something on your forbidden food list ask yourself " Is it really worth a bite of ........ or a drink of this ......."

I am worth taking care of ME! I deserve to take care of ME and to not take that bite or that drink. I've worked hard to get to where I am today. Remind yourself how far you have come. :)

Setting Goals

I came across this today and wanted to share!

What goals will you set today that truly challenge you?

My goal is to do something outside of my comfort zone in the next two weeks which will be challenging and intimidating but I am willing/ready to accept the challenge!

The Power of Self-Esteem

The power of self-esteem is something we tend to forget about. Before weight loss surgery, I can remember times when I would do positive self-talk over and over. I would get just shy of that point where I started to feel good about myself and - WHAM - someone knocked me to my knees.

It could be the way someone looked at me (the elevator look of up and down with a nasty smirk), a small mumble under their breath about my appearance, comments about overweight people and remarks about what I was eating or a mention of obesity in today’s society.

Causes of obesity and self-esteem tend to fuel each other. When a bad experience devastates your confidence we tend to turn to food to soothe the pain. Our minds tell us comfort food will help us face the world again. We eat to cope with low self image, which makes us gain weight and ultimately makes our self-esteem even lower. Double whammy!

What is self-esteem? Basically it is feeling good about yourself mentally and physically! People with high self-esteem convey confidence, feel comfortable about their bodies and believe they are valuable. Surgery and weight loss combined can help you regain some of that lost self-esteem. Positive self-talk and changing your vocabulary will also help motivate yourself to continually feel good.

Try filling in the blank to this question and see how many positive things you come up with. Don’t stop at one thing try for five and push to get ten. We are ALL valuable!

When I’m at my best this is how I am __________________.

Try asking yourself these questions:

1. What are your physical attributes?
2. What skills and abilities do you possess?
3. What type of personality traits do you hold?

I remember those days pre-surgery when going to the fair was about what I was going to eat that day. My menu typically consisted of a lemon shakeup, corn dog, corn on the cob and dessert would be the biggest elephant ear I could find.

I just spent the past 4 days at our local 4-H fair because my son was showing hogs. I had mentally prepared my self for the typical atmosphere of 90+ degree weather along with the aroma of fried food and animals. I knew going to the fair would be a non bariatric friendly trip so before each visit I would try to eat a good amount of protein and grab a bottle of water and protein bar to have on hand.

I was surrounded by a plethora of lemon shake ups, corn dogs, elephant ears, funnel cakes, chicken fingers, french fries with cheese, milk shakes etc. I can honestly say I had no desire to indulge in any of the typical fried fair food.

I met some of the most giving people at the fair (who have no idea that I'm a bariatric patient) and were always offering me something to eat, a piece of pie, some french fries, part of their elephant ear etc.. I realized a few years ago I would have taken them up on their offer. Today 2 1/2 + post op I kindly declined their offer and know now that one bite, leads to four which leads to a whole piece.

It feels good to know that I choose the healthier foods these days and my goal is to continue down this path. It may not always be easy but I know in the long run I am worth it :)

It’s now been 2 years and 8 months since my gastric bypass surgery. I’ve shared many stories to date about my personal journey, my struggles, my successes and the passion I have for bariatrics.

Life after weight loss surgery is an amazing individual journey. Not only do we experience physical transformations but many of us find that our needs and goals have shifted directions.

My goals included losing weight and living a happy, healthier life but I also had a deep desire to live a more balanced life, gain additional self-awareness and continue to be successful.

I have been a huge advocate for fighting obesity within my community and I love giving back and supporting other patients. I realized that part of working my recovery (of being a food addict) is not only supporting other patients but getting support for myself. I am a patient first so I need direction/guidance and accountability. I’m one who loves to learn and grow and I’m always reading and researching anything that has to do with weight loss surgery. I always follow up with my surgeon, keep in touch with my dietitians and attend support groups whenever possible.

I discovered there is another resource available to me for that extra one on one support I personally need. I had made an important investment in my future and it was time to make an investment in my success.

Just like an athlete who needs a coach to improve performance I was compelled to have someone help me set some clear goals and take the steps necessary to find success. I decided to hire a “Life Coach” to work with me throughout my personal weight loss journey.

During my initial thoughts of hiring a bariatric life coach I contemplated the idea because I felt like investing time and money into me along with my recovery was selfish. How could I justify that when I have a family and home to take care of?

Then the light bulb came on! The question I asked myself was how could I NOT make an investment? This is about my health, my recovery and taking care of number one which is ME! If I don’t take care of myself how can I take care of others?

Coaching is a valuable tool and took me from wanting something to actually achieving it and seeing my goals through completion. Having a life coach has given me an extra level of support and has taken me to the next stage of working my recovery.

I’m very excited about this new stage in my life because I now have the opportunity to give back to the bariatric community on the next level.

I am now a certified life coach who specializes in supporting bariatric patients. Bariatric life coach association (www.bariatriclifecoachassociation.com) will have the opportunity to give back to the bariatric patients and community with personal intensity. I have received the specialized training/education and walked the weight loss surgery path.

We all need to take a moment and reflect on why we chose this journey along with where we want to go, who we want to be and how we will get there.

We deserve to live a happy, healthy life!

Self-Sabotage

Sabotage is a common word you hear during your weight loss journey to keep you mindful of obstacles surrounding you and the unintentional interfering with your weight loss.

Having weight loss surgery changed my life and makes me think the word sabotage only relates to food and making wrong choices. I recently participated in a support group session and the subject of sabotage came up not about those around you who unintentionally impair your journey it was about self-sabotage.

During your weight loss journey think about what you personally may be doing unintentionally to sabotage your weight loss. Do you eat enough protein? Are you drinking enough fluids? Are you taking your vitamins? Are you getting enough rest? Do you take time out of the day just for you? Do you give yourself credit for what you have accomplished to date? Do you exercise on a regular a basis?

Are you using your tool to its fullest potential?

Be mindful each and every day of how you treat your personal piece of real estate (your pouch) and ask if you are doing what is best for YOU!!

Remind yourself why you chose to take this personal journey and say out loud “I deserve to live a happy healthy life!”

Quote

Don't let the fear of "What If" ruin the joy of "What Is" ~ Melody Beattie

Today's Quote~

Energy and persistence conquer all things! ~ Benjamin Franklin

Inspirational quote for today!

In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia ~ Author Unknown

Quote for the day..

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal ~ Henry Ford

Bariatric Life Coach website!

I've officially published my new website called Bariatric Life Coach Association LLC.

I would like to invite everyone to take a look at the site and please help me spread the word about life coaching for bariatric patients.

I'm very excited to have this opportunity to give back to the bariatric community and become another resource for patients and professionals.

http://www.bariatriclifecoachassociation.com/

Today's Quote

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Quote for the day..

It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity. ~ Sir Francis Bacon

Step back and take a look

As I was reading a post today, from my friend Yvonne, who wrote about dealing with weight regain a lot of emotions came across me. She also talks about how the comment was made to her that she couldn't possibly know about regain because her life was perfect since she has maintained goal weight. She then goes on to talk about some of the struggles she faces in her daily personal life.

Some thoughts I'd like to share on this subject:

1. We all have a fear of weight regain at some point during our weight loss journey which is normal and expected. How we deal with that fear is individual.

2. Observing someone who has maintained their goal weight for a long period, in my opinion, should be viewed as an inspiration to all Bariatric patients.

3. Celebrate in your success and those fellow weight loss surgery friends around you!

4. Step back and take a look ~Remind yourself where you were before weight loss surgery and how far you have come.

5. Ask yourself what "Success" looks like to you and how do you take the steps to achieve it?

6. Remember that all of our weight loss journey's are personal and individual. Surround yourself with positive/supportive people and remove those who don't fit that criteria.

7. No one is perfect, we all have our own personal struggles and remember that when you look at someone and their outside appearance. Remember that it's what's inside who makes us who we are!

Restaurant Reflections

This past weekend I was blessed with TWO date nights with my husband. These are rare occasions so we try to make the best of each night that we have for just the two of us.

Friday night consisted of dinner with another couple at one of our favorite restaurants where I was able to order a scrumptious chicken breast with a side salad. Dinner consisted of good conversation and laughter followed by a nice long ride on our motorcycle!

Saturday night was an unexpected night alone and we went to an Italian restaurant which I have not visited since surgery 2 1/2 years ago! I was a bit nervous because when I think Italian I instantly think "Pasta and creamy white sauce full of calories."

While we were sitting in the restaurant I was astounded by the over sized plates of pasta being delivered along with the endless salad and bread sticks. The site of the large quantity of food was almost sickening to my belly. I was reminded of life before Bariatric surgery and how much food I consumed. Before surgery that plate of pasta drowned in white creamy sauce would be devoured along with the endless bread sticks and salad. During the consumption of the food I would feel quite euphoric and not want to stop. An hour later I would be miserable, lethargic and wondering why I put myself through such misery.

To my surprise the appetizer and entree menu offered more than just pasta filled dishes. I ordered off the appetizer menu and to my husband ordered a stuffed chicken breast item off of the dinner menu.

I again am happy to say we both ate off of each others dinners and both took leftovers home.

Once again weight loss surgery has opened my eyes to portion control and how much food we as Americans consume daily!

I'm blessed to have my bariatric tool along with my prime piece of real estate and plan to continue down the path to a healthier life style!

Friday's Quote

People often say that motivation doesn't last.

Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.

~ Zig Ziglar

Quote for today!!

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in Harmony!

~Mahatma Gandhi

Quote for the day..

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

~Helen Keller

Fun in the sun!!

It's Spring Break 2010 and we are on our first vacation since I had my RNY surgery in October 2007! It's been an amazing trip so far and I seriously don't want it to end..

Somethings I've enjoyed so far:

Taking endless walks on the beach with my husband, hand n hand wearing shorts and not feeling exhausted.

Walking up and down the strip for miles, not realizing how far we've been and never once did the sweat pour down my forehead, my heart race because of being overworked, my feet/back ache from walking or did I have to stop and sit down.

Playing for countless hours with my son at the pool and on the beach.

Taking a morning stroll everyday, smelling the ocean air and having the over all feeling of elation because I can do it.

(Notice a pattern here?)

Yesterday I watched my mom who is a 2x Breast Cancer survivor receive her first tattoo! It is the Pink Ribbon and it says Survivor and the years she was diagnosed! Helps remind me how precious life is and is an added memory to our long over due vacation.

Feeling the sand between my toes, sun on my face, wind in my hair and the sound of the waves is very therapeutic for me.

Instant stress relief! I'm a beach baby and can't seem to get enough.

This is what I call a little slice of Heaven for Traci !! :)

Vacation after surgery is a bit different for me not only physically/mentally but also socially like everyday life.

Remember the days of going on vacation and saying to yourself "I'm on vacation I can eat whatever I want, I deserve it" HA... I don't know where that originated from and why we always thought that vacations were the exception to the rule and that it was OK to eat crap all week long. Surgery didn't change those thoughts in my mind, they still come just like before surgery, the urge is still there and I know that I'm the only one who can control that behavior.

Being relaxed, on vacation and out of my daily routine opens the door for easy access to poor choices. Am I perfect?? NO but am I doing my best to plan as much as possible and make good choices?? YES.. Just like everyday at home I have to remind myself what is important to ME and to put myself first!

Vacation this year is focused on how much relaxation I can get, enjoying time with my friends and family and just breathing! It's not about what I'm going to eat!!

WOW what a difference for someone who is a food addict!

Dairy Queen 2x in one day!!

I have to share a WOW moment that I had yesterday.

My husband had his tonsils removed and well it's a little pitiful at my house! So on the way home from surgery he asked me to stop at DQ to get him some ice cream for his "sore throat" (not to mention it's his favorite treat)! Me being the wonderful wife that I am fulfilled his request cause lord knows that man has taken care of me over the past two years with all of my surgeries etc..

Later that evening he attempted to have some cottage cheese and by the look of his face I knew it wasn't going to go down well. I again headed to DQ to help his sore throat!

Now I have to tell you that before surgery I was a DQ kind of girl. Give me a foot long chili cheese dog along with a Reese's cup blizzard and I was one happy chic.. :)

Why is this a WOW moment for me? Well let me just say the first thing I imagined in my mind, while I was looking at the menu, was a red light blinking and all I heard was "Sugar, Sugar, Sugar". Oh my gosh my teeth hurt just looking at all the items to choose from. I actually made that scrunched up face look (like gross why would I want that) and said "Yuck".

I didn't realize until later that evening that I just went to DQ 2x in one day and didn't sit and dream about eating a Reese's cup blizzard and my mouth didn't salivate. I literally drove up, placed an order, didn't think twice about it and left. HOLY SCHNIKIES... 3 1/2 years ago I would have succumbed to the call of the sweet sensation of Mrs. DQ and her sugary treats. 1 1/2 years ago I would have seriously looked at him and said I love you but sorry you will have to find someone else to pick it up because I just can't mentally do it.

This was just an amazing personal defeat for me that I wanted to share!

Commerical and Print Ad

SOOOOOOOOOOOO I've just had my first commercial and print Ad run on our local TV station and in the papers!!

In this commerical I don't say anything but it's still exciting to me. I'm going to include the YouTube link and see if I can post the Print Ad also!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuHQNi-cU6c