Own your personal journey!!

Ever heard a statement like this from someone:

I have a friend who had surgery with Dr. X and she has gained all of her weight back so I don’t want to see Dr. X but my co-worker had surgery with Dr. Y and she is doing great so I’m going to Dr. Y. 

How about the conversation where we compare ourselves to other WLS patients and their success??

One thing about WLS is that we have to own our journey! Surgeons give us a physical tool dietitians give us the nutritional tool but it's up to us to use those tools to the best of their ability. You could line 10 of Dr. X’s & Dr. Y’s patients up who had the exact same surgery around the same time and no two would be exactly alike. Every day we have a choice!! If we choose to not follow the proper nutritional guidelines, not change our behaviors, not make a lifelong lifestyle change and commit to taking care of our "tool" we have to own it.

My thought for you today is don’t make other WLS stories your own....the person sitting next to you at group who has gained weight, the person you read about who eats sugar and doesn't dump so why not have donuts for breakfast and pie for dessert but complains that they have never gotten to goal, the person who eats bread 3x a day and never works out, the one who has never taken a vitamin because their labs were good at the 2 year mark and at 5 years have vitamin deficiency and are hospitalized then go back to the surgeon and say this surgery failed me.  Is that truly a surgeon/surgery issue?

Don't let someones story become yours.  Make your own story! 

 Remind yourself this is a personal journey. This is YOUR journey.

You are not "them" and you can choose how to make this work for YOU!!!!

Bias Busters & OAC help us put an END to weight bias!

If you haven't joined the Obesity Action Coalition yet my first question is WHY??? But let me show you one more reason to join!  You need to check out the Bias Busters page to see the next level of action we are taking.  Here is a bit of information from the site:

Welcome to “Bias Busters.” Weight bias is the last acceptable form of discrimination in today’s society. Each day, individuals affected by obesity are stigmatized in a variety of settings, such as work, school, health care, pop culture and more. Unfortunately, little is done to combat this stigmatization and even more damaging, the public often fails to recognize this stigmatization because we are conditioned to seeing it for years.

And, that is why "Bias Busters" is now here - to put an END to weight bias!

SO what are you waiting for???

Click on the link below and

join us in making a difference!!

http://bit.ly/rsUyg5

Four Year Surgiversary.....

Today I am celebrating my 4 year surgiversary of my RNY Gastric Bypass! Looking back into my pre-op life I remember reading stories about what people were doing after weight loss surgery and imagining how my post op life would look.  I could not wait to start shedding my excess weight because it would solve so many of my issues.  Life would be good and Handful Harry would never show his ugly face again. I was morbidly obese/miserable and was convinced that the grass was greener on the other side because society told me I was outside of the norm.  It was my impression that being “normal” was the gold standard of happiness. 

I always knew that surgery was not the easy way out and that making a lifelong lifestyle change would be hard.  After all of my research, chatting in the forums and attending support group for 2-years I truly felt educated and prepared for life after surgery. 

I’ve come to realize that no matter how much I researched, investigated, talked to patients etc. nothing can fully prepare you for what happens mentally, physically and spiritually until you have gone through the process. 

This journey has introduced me to an amazing community of bariatric professionals and fellow patients who have given me a world of support.   I’ve learned that this is a very individual journey and part of my journey is discovering what works for me.

Things that ring true for me:

·         Handful Harry still shows his ugly head and I deal with him minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day

·         Size/Shape/Weight does not define who I am

·         My journey is personal,  I have to own it and do what works for me

·         I’m human, I make mistakes and I’m not perfect

·         Every day I have the opportunity to make healthy choices

I’m truly grateful for those of you who have touched my life and shared this journey with me.  If it wasn’t for you I would be the person I am today!  MUAH…  (((HUG)))

Moments that take our breath away...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away!

That is probably one of my most favorite quotes...

Those who have followed my blog for a while know that my WLS journey has been eventful and challenging at times.  I've been asked more than once why I chose to have bariatric surgery and if I regretted my decision because of my complications/obstacles. 

We all have different reasons why we chose this path and like many things in life, for me it's the little things! Football season recently started again for the elementary kids so the past two weeks have included practice two days a week and Saturday game times.   

Saturday I was reminded again what this journey has allowed me to do..

Having the ability to carry shoulder pads and a helmet, water cooler, chairs and walking up and down the field without stopping every few feet. There was no stopping every few feet to catch my breath, no racing heart, no sweat pouring down my forehead or the thought that if I took one more step I would collapse!

Sharing the energy with him before each game, seeing the elation on his face after each tackle and being there when he looks for me cheering him on in the crowd....

These are some of my most precious breath taking moments... 

Family Eating Habits - How do we change them?

I recently wrote an article in the summer 2011 Your Weight Matters magazine for the OAC. We all struggle with poor eating habits at some point and this is about trying  different approaches.  Enjoy!

In today’s fast paced world, many of us consume food in a very different manner and time frame due to time constraints brought on by our professional/personal commitments. Families are busy with different social functions, school/church events, sports, appointments and the list continues to grow. The convenience of food is continually growing and can be found on any street corner at a fast food chain or your local convenient store.

Then there are the times our minds tell us we don’t have enough time to prepare a healthy well-balanced meal. We say things like, “I don’t have time to cook,” and “Eating healthy is too expensive and healthy food doesn’t taste as good.” All of these factors can lead to poor family eating habits. What about those meals you prepare and believe you are making a healthy choice? How do you identify if your family’s eating habits are poor?

Fun Ideas on How to Change Your Family’s Poor Eating Habits

IDEA #1: Tell your family you want to do an experiment for a week about the family’s eating habits and you need their assistance. Be creative and give each family member a fun pad of paper or create something simple on your computer to print off along with their favorite color pen. Come up with a prize to work toward at the end of the experiment, such as a sleepover with friends and movie night, new CD/DVD, day at the pool with friends, or a canoe/camping trip.

Start by asking them to write down what they think about the family’s overall eating habits. Do they think the family has good or bad habits, and why? Ask each family member to write down their meals and snacks throughout the next week, the environment while eating (in the car, in front of the TV, standing at the counter, cleaning my plate because mom told me to) and what they do after each meal or snack (took a nap, walked the dog, played basketball, etc.).

At the end of the week, everyone will pass their entries to another family member for review. The goal is to highlight any repeated poor eating habits within the week. Here are some red flags to look for:

• Eating a limited variety of foods
  
• Indulging in too many foods like soft drinks, doughnuts, chips, candy or ice cream
  
• Not including all food groups such as vegetables
  
• Skipping breakfast

Ask everyone to give feedback on any items they highlighted and why they identified those as poor habits, then what a healthier choice would be.

IDEA #2: As a family, make a list of healthy meal/snack choices and post the list in a visible space for everyone to see. Then, make a list of all the recognized poor eating habits and ideas on how to change those to healthy eating habits. Decide together which family members deserve recognition and earn prizes on things such as:

• Identifying the poorest eating habits
  
• Providing healthier choices
  
• Creative ways to change those habits

At the end of the week, ask each family member the same question you did before the experiment started. Do they think the family has good or bad habits, and why? Then compare both answers.

Create a plan of action on how to replace the poor eating habits and what other changes will help promote healthy eating habits.

Make this a fun project by including all family members and assigning tasks they enjoy. For example, purchase a bright colored poster board/trifold science board and create a title that fits your family. Make it visual by cutting out pictures of healthy foods, asking someone to be creative and decorate the board, create a healthy food list, list new habits to promote change and keep it visible in the kitchen as a reminder for the family.

Sample Changes to Help You Get Started

Here is a list to help get you started on some changes to promote healthy eating habits:

1. Keep only healthy food options in your home. Have a family participation session to “purge the pantry” and remove all items not on your healthy list.
   
2. Pick a specific time frame each night and agree to designate this as “family dinner time” with no interruptions.
   
3. Make it a habit to sit together at a kitchen or patio table to encourage the importance of doing this together as a family.
   
4. Slow down – it takes our minds 20 minutes to catch up with our stomachs. Practice putting your fork down between bites to force yourself to eat at a more leisurely pace. Engage in conversation as another way to slow your pace of eating.
   
5. Stop eating when you feel full. The “clean your plate” mentality will lead to extra unnecessary calories in your body.

Ask each person to pick a day of the week and create a healthy meal plan and then help by preparing the meal. Make it fun by adding a theme, (Mexican, American, Italian, etc.) researching the Internet for healthy recipes or a specific color and use paper/plastic (cups, utensils, plates, napkins) to set the table.

Be creative, have fun and step out of your comfort zone while tasting new healthy food items. By encouraging your family to stay involved and repeating these behaviors, their healthy eating will become a daily habit!

Fighting for the education and treatment of obesity.. Who are they????

Have you ever wondered who or what are the names of the organizations out there fighting for the treatment of obesity and how do we find out more information? 

These are some of the most amazing groups of

passionate people fighting for the cause...and for YOU!!

Take a moment to read the latest....

The Obesity Care Continuum (OCC) CONTINUES Discussions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Expanding Treatment Options for patients with Obesity

Washington, DC – On Monday, July 18, 2011, the Obesity Care Continuum (OCC), represented by The Obesity Society (TOS), the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) again met with the FDA to discuss expanding treatment options for patients with serious medical obesity.

                “We are very pleased that the FDA has taken the time to meet with the OCC to allow us to further elaborate on the need to help those struggling with significant health problems due to their obesity,” said Joe Nadglowski, Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) President and CEO.

                FDA Participants in Monday’s meeting included Janet Woodcock, M.D., Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), and other senior CDER officials and representatives from the Endocronologic and Metabolic Drug Division.  OCC and the FDA discussed numerous topics including improving the benefit risk ratio of obesity drugs by limiting the medications to those with serious obesity health related issues and ensuring that individuals who receive such medications do so as part of a comprehensive obesity management program.  In addition, TOS presented a list of 40 obesity experts as potential Advisory Committee Members.

“The tenor of the meeting was positive with the FDA expressing an understanding of the profound impact obesity has on patient health and the significant benefit derived from a modest 5-10% weight loss.  Furthermore, we are encouraged by the FDA’s commitment to continue working with obesity experts in finding safe solutions,” said Dr. Caroline Apovian, The Obesity Society.

The OCC is grateful that the FDA continues to dialogue with the obesity community to help ensure that the more than 90 million Americans affected by obesity have treatment options. Such options have the potential to prevent numerous obesity related deaths, lower cost of the chronic diseases associated with obesity and improve the lives of many Americans.

About the Obesity Care Continuum (OCC)

All of our organizations work together representing patients, registered dietitians, scientists, clinicians, and surgeons to elevate the recognition of both the prevention and treatment of obesity. 

About the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)

The OAC is a nonprofit, national charity dedicated to helping those affected by obesity. The OAC was formed to bring together individuals struggling with weight issues and provide educational resources and advocacy tools.  Visit OAC at obesityaction.org. 

About The Obesity Society (TOS)

The Obesity Society is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. Since 1982, The Obesity Society has been committed to encouraging research on the causes and treatment of obesity, and to keeping the medical community and public informed of new advances.  Visit TOS at obesity.org. 

About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)

The mission of the ASMBS is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery by continued encouragement of its members to:  improve the care and treatment of people with obesity and related diseases; advance the science and understanding of metabolic surgery; foster communication between health professionals on obesity and related conditions; and advocate for health care policy that ensures patient access to high-quality prevention and treatment of obesity.  Visit ASMBS at asmbs.org. 

About the American Dietetic Association (ADA)

The American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.  Visit ADA at eatright.org.

Listening as Spiritual Hospitality

I loved this saying by sunnibrown.com and just had to share with my post today!

A friend of mine shared this with me and after I read it she said these words to me " I strive to be more like you!" which made my heart smile!  Here is what she shared:

To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements or declarations.  True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known.  They are free to receive, to welcome, to accept.

Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond.  Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very being.  The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you!

With that being said my friends - Take some time out of your day and truly listen!

Don't overreact to overeating..

Daily Inspiration from Katie Jay and Small Bites: Don’t overreact to overeating.


Remember those days of dieting and veering off the path then beating our selves up for eating something not on our plan?  After years of repeating this behavior it can be a hard one to break. Here are some tips from Katie Jay -


So you’ve made a small blunder in your diet. Treat it as a small blunder. When you make a misstep, do not then give in to the temptation to throw in the towel altogether. Just say “Oops,” and then do the next right thing. The mistake is not as important as what you do in response to it. Chalk up the incident to being human, forgive yourself, and jump right back on track!


Action for the day: Whenever you find yourself straying from your WLS lifestyle, pause and ask yourself, "What is the next right thing to do?" Then, do it!!


Remember: You deserve to live a happy healthy life!  You are worth making the healthier choice!!

Why is journaling important???

A fellow WLS friend asked me "Why is journaling important?" so I thought I would share my answer with all of my WLS friends!

Journaling for me is accountability along with a reminder of where I have been. It was always ingrained in me “If I bite it, I write it.” I’m a visual person so writing down what I ate helped me stay on track because seeing it in black and white made it feel almost like permanent proof that I could never take back. In my mind if I just said what I ate and how I felt then later I could deny deny deny! This way it actually hurt a bit more when I was admitting in writing what was truly going in my mouth and happening in my environment!

When I journal I actually do it online because it’s easier for me to type while my brain is going 100mph. I write everything from what I ate to how I felt physically/mentally and what was going on in my life. I will write down if it was a good/bad day and detailed events if necessary. It’s been a key part of my journey to show me in black and white what is happening in my environment how I felt about it and finding out if my eating patterns change. It has also been crucial for me as a post op with complications to decipher any patterns of actions/foods/feelings that either were or were not associated with what was going on with me physically.

I like to look back and recall where I have been and be reminded of how far I have come. Those times when I felt like I wasn’t doing well in my journey and the stinking thinking would set in I would go back and read where I had been. We get to a certain point in our journey when we are so focused on what we have not achieved and tend to forget how far we have come. This has always been a great reminder for me and like a mini timeline of my journey!

So my fellow WLS friends what would you write about today??

Eat it Up! - A must have in your post op resources!

I have always viewed the choice to have weight loss surgery as a lifelong life style change. For me this life style change affects us not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. After years of obesity how many times did we attempt diet after diet, have weight loss only to gain more back ? Many of us still have a healthy fear of weight regain in our post op lives. We need resources and professionals that recognize those fears and give us the support we truly deserve.

This book was written by Dr. Connie Stapleton who is one of the most supportive/positive/inspiring professionals I’ve met in our bariatric community.

She has a profound knowledge of the psychological struggles we face and has provided us with additional insight and strategies to overcome our barriers. She recognizes the need for a comprehensive approach to mind/body/spirit as a whole.

I highly recommend this book for all post-op patients no matter where you are in your journey.

I am a resource junkie and feel like you can never have enough resources/support in our weight loss journey! By clicking on the link below and scrolling down you will find information on Dr. Stapleton's book. While you are there check out the other additional resources for patients/professionals in the bariatric community.

**Side note this is also a PERFECT gift idea for any weight loss surgery patient**

http://healthyeverydaylp.com/

One of my favorite resources in the bariatric community..

As a weight loss surgery patient I am a fanatic about support and using every resource available to me. One of those resources has always been Obesity Help where I have been a member since 2006. OH gives us a place to go for support on all levels. You can choose to reach out to other WLS friends through the main forum /state forums and even local support groups that have been set up by Obesity Help support group leaders like me.

Another level of support they offer is the OH Magazine which is published 6 times a year and includes a wealth of information. In the magazine you will find personal weight loss journeys from your fellow WLS friends, WOW moments, before & after pictures, articles from professionals who support all of us in the bariatric community, information on bariatric friendly products/fitness/recipes and one of my favorites the OH event information.

Look on the right side of the blog for the offer and discount code for a 1-year subscription.

I encourage all of you no matter where you are in your journey to take a moment and check out this resource which is a wealth of information and support for you.

True Meaning of Stress...

This is something I received from my other mother "Mom H" at the perfect moment. Enjoy!!


The True Meaning of Stress

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'..... She fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?", she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... Pick them up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"

1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can't push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.

20 * It was I, your friend!

*Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!*

The OAC needs your vote!! Please show your support.

The OAC needs your help! They are participating in a Facebook contest for nonprofits sponsored by Vivint. This is a great opportunity for the OAC because the grand prize, going to the nonprofit who receives the most overall votes, is $250,000!

The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is an IRS registered 501(c)3 National non profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to those affected by obesity. To increase obesity education, the OAC offers a wide variety of free educational resources on obesity, morbid obesity and childhood obesity, in addition to consequences and treatments of these conditions. The OAC also conducts a variety of advocacy efforts throughout the U.S. on both the National and state levels, and encourages individuals to become proactive advocates.

With everyone’s support we can help the OAC win this contest and use the money to continue helping those affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support.

Click on the orange box on the right side of my blog where it says Endorse Now

Thank you for your support!!

C.H.O.I.C.E. Choosing Health over Obesity Inspiring Change through Empowerment..

I have always been an advocate for the education and treatment of obesity as a disease. Please take a few moments to read about C.H.O.I.C.E. and what we can do to advocate.. There is an option to sign a petition and find CHOICE on facebook..

Remember we have POWER in numbers so I encourage all of you who have been affected by obesity to sign the petition...

Also take this opportunity to learn more about the Obesity Action Coalition with your FREE membership!

http://www.mychoicecampaign.com/choice.aspx

http://www.mychoicecampaign.com/issue.aspx

It's time to get involved and become an advocate for our community..

Obesity Help Magazine

As a professional in the bariatric community I am blessed with the opportunity to meet weight loss patients on a daily basis. Many share their personal stories from living life as an obese person to having conversations as a fellow weight loss patient. I am very passionate about the education and treatment of obesity along with advocacy in my local community and on a national level. When I am surrounded by colleagues and fellow weight loss patients who share that same passion, it truly makes my heart smile.

I believe that weight loss surgery is a very personal choice which requires hard work and a lifelong lifestyle change. October 18, 2007 is my re-birth date when I made that commitment to myself by having Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

My personal journey has consisted of many road bumps but I still consider myself to be one of the biggest advocates for this lifestyle change. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason (even if we don’t know the reason when it happens) and I am using my experience to help others by giving back to the bariatric community.

I have shared portions of my story on different levels with patients and professionals because of my passion to give back and touch lives. After sharing bits and pieces I decided to elaborate and share more information about my journey.

Today I was elated/honored to see that my story had been published in the May/June 2011 Obesity Help magazine!

We all need support during our journey and Obesity Help is a huge additional resource for the weight loss community on different levels. One avenue of support through this organization is the OH Magazine which is full of personal stories, information on obesity and the treatment options, recipes, contests etc.

Support is a vital component for success in my personal weight loss journey. I always want different levels of support therefore I am a member/support group leader with Obesity Help. I encourage anyone looking for additional resources to take some time and look at what OH has to offer. Click on the OH magazine on the side of my blog and type in my code baker11 to receive a discounted rate for a 1 year subscription.

I wish you the best of luck in your personal journey!

Sharing my personal journey..

As a professional in the bariatric community I am blessed with the opportunity to meet weight loss patients on a daily basis. Many share their personal stories from living life as an obese person to having conversations as a fellow weight loss patient. I am very passionate about the education and treatment of obesity along with advocacy in my local community and on a national level. When I am surrounded by colleagues and fellow weight loss patients who share that same passion, it truly makes my heart smile.

I believe that weight loss surgery is a very personal choice which requires hard work and a lifelong lifestyle change. October 18, 2007 is my re-birth date when I made that commitment to myself by having Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

My personal journey has consisted of many road bumps but I still consider myself to be one of the biggest advocates for this lifestyle change. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason (even if we don’t know the reason when it happens) and I am using my experience to help others by giving back to the bariatric community.

I have shared portions of my story on different levels with patients and professionals because of my passion to give back and touch lives. After sharing bits and pieces I decided to elaborate and share more information about my journey.

Today I was elated/honored to see that my story had been published in the May/June 2011 Obesity Help magazine!

We all need support during our journey and Obesity Help is a huge additional resource for the weight loss community on different levels. One avenue of support through this organization is the OH Magazine which is full of personal stories, information on obesity and the treatment options, recipes, contests etc.

Support is a vital component for success in my personal weight loss journey. I always want different levels of support therefore I am a member/support group leader with Obesity Help. I encourage anyone looking for additional resources to take some time and look at what OH has to offer.

I wish you the best of luck in your personal journey!

Obesity Online Influencers Event in New York Part #1

Last month I was invited to attend an Obesity Online Event in New York hosted by
Ethicon Endo-Surgery http://www.ethiconendosurgery.com/
and Obesity Action Coalition http://www.obesityaction.org/home/index.php.

My invite included travel and hotel accommodations paid for by Ethicon Endo-Surgery along with a welcome reception Thursday night and the event on Friday.

When I first read the invite I told myself it wasn't real. First off how did these people find me and secondly what was the catch? You don't get a FREE trip to New York without the underling fine print right? It was like those times when someone calls you from the radio station and says "You've won an all expense paid trip for a weekend in Vegas" then you get there and you have to spend 4 hours listening to a spiel about time shares or 2 months after your trip the bills start rolling in because you didn't read the fine print on what you were responsible for!

After many conversations it became clear to me that this was the real deal! Ok so it's real now why are they knocking on my door? It was explained to me like this: research shows that patients who are seeking weight loss surgery or who have had surgery are spending many hours researching online. Many are turning to social media and seeking out people who have had surgery and who blog/talk/face book about it. Because of this a group of bloggers were invited to attend this event in New York.

After the initial shock was over I was ecstatic to hear that a large corporation is recognizing the impact social media has in the community. I was still intrigued on how they choose specific bloggers to invite to this event. I was told that Ethicon had worked with their marketing firm Porter Novelli who researched bloggers in the bariatric community and that we were among the top 25 online influencers.

WOW once again I was flabbergasted! My goal with this blog has always been to touch someone in the bariatric community and give support on all levels. There are times when I wondered if I was really reaching anyone or just writing to myself. This was good confirmation for me personally knowing that I am making a difference!

So my WLS friends that is all I'm sharing in this post... There is more to come!!!

To be continued.........................

Join me today by becoming a member of the Obesity Action Coalition !

The Obesity Action Coalition is an advocacy organization that helps individuals affected by obesity. This is a great place for you to become involved and give back to the cause of obesity. I am a proud member of this organization and I encourage all of you who have been affected by obesity to join me by becoming a member and bringing a stronger voice to your community. The OAC is a non-profit organization and is striving to reach a membership level of 50,000 to show how strong our community is.

Click on the link below and join today!! There is POWER in NUMBERS… Every voice will help make a difference!

http://www.obesityaction.org/membership/overview.php

Want more information? Below is a link for you to view about the OAC and how they educate and advocate for obesity awareness.

http://www.obesityaction.org/multimedia/takingaction.php

Self-Loathing no more....

I watched the movie Eat Pray Love the other day and one of the lines Julia Roberts says hit home. She and a girlfriend are chatting at a restaurant before getting ready to dive into a scrumptious real Italian pizza in Italy. Her girlfriend makes a comment about having a "Muffin Top" and feeling a bit guilty about eating and gaining weight. Julia’s response is "I'm tired of saying NO then waking up the next morning, recalling every single thing I ate the day before and counting every calorie I consumed so I know-how much self-loathing to take into the shower. I'm not interested in being obese I'm just through with the guilt."

How familiar does that sound? How many times have we beaten ourselves up because of what we consumed? I can replay all of those negative/hurtful words I said to myself and remember exactly how bad it made me feel. I already felt alienated by society and my environment because of not being in the "normal" category but rather in the lazy "obese" category. Here I am completely degrading myself with negative words and helping demolish any small amount of self-worth/image that I truly needed to be building up.

So the question is - Why are we so hard on ourselves? Why does our natural first reaction immediately focus on the negative? Think about that question for a minute and how would you respond?

For me in the past that was all I really knew and I didn’t know any different. I felt that I lived in a society where physical appearance focused on me fitting into the specific standards/norms and if I didn’t meet that criteria I wasn’t “normal” and being obese automatically kicked me out of “normal standards”. People looked at me as the obese lazy person who just needed to push myself away from the table and go run 5 miles every day. After many years of hearing that I finally gave up and gave in. If this was the way society saw me as a person then maybe that was truly who I was and I needed to accept that.

Looking back now it saddens me to remember how many times I participated in self-loathing and to realize now that there are times my brain still goes there. When I start to veer off my safe path my mind tends to go back to what it knows from the past which is beating me up and the cycle of self-loathing starts again. No one is perfect and we all veer off of our personal path that we consider to be acceptable in our journey.

When those times happen, take a few steps and remind yourself of how far you have come. Reach out to your support system if needed. Do whatever you need to do for YOU. Pick yourself back up and know that one step off your personal path does not have to turn into five more steps and self-loathing.

If the veering started at Breakfast then make the promise to yourself to get back on at lunch, if it started at lunch then make the promise to yourself at dinner to get back on. If the entire day was spent veering off the path then tell yourself tomorrow is a new day!

Be kind to yourself! Give yourself the credit you deserve! Be your own best advocate!

I leave you with this quote: Like a Butterfly, I have been Reborn with Bold Colors and Strong Wings!

Front cover of magazine reads "Better Than Gastric Bypass"

Over the weekend I picked up a few magazines with big headlines like "Better Than Gastric Bypass" and "Weight Management for Dogs". The first article was about someone who had lost a tremendous amount of weight without undergoing weight loss surgery. The second article was promoting weight management for dogs showing pre-packaged dog food and dog treats as a portion control method. It's sad to know that obesity is so predominant in our lives that it also affects our four-legged furry friends.


I am continually flabbergasted with the negative perception many magazines splash on the front cover in regards to weight loss surgery. It makes my heart sad to read so many articles that discredit weight loss surgery and the huge impact it can have on our health. Especially the comments like "Weight Loss Surgery is the easy way out". That is far beyond the truth.


Is weight loss surgery for everyone? Absolutely not.. Can people loose weight by participating in something like the Biggest Loser or making everyday lifestyle changes and choosing the non-surgical route? Definitely... Does this work for everyone? Absolutely not..


Here are some of my personal thoughts. How about not focusing so much on surgical vs. non-surgical and why one is better than the other. Let's think more about the individual person's needs and health issues. What's good for the goose is not good for the gander.


Weight loss surgery was the right personal choice for me and was not an easy decision. I commend each and everyone of you who have chosen to take control of your life and become a healthier person!


I'm looking forward to the day that a magazine like People etc. steps up and puts a non-celebrity, normal everyday weight loss surgery patient on the Front Cover and shares their successful personal weight loss journey!


A huge Thank You to our WLS community magazines like Obesity Help, WLS lifestyles, Obesity Action Coalition etc. for supporting us and sharing our stories!!

Food Addiction & Addiction Transfer

Hello everyone!

I am a licensed psychologist currently working for the IU Health Bariatric & Medical Weight Loss in Indianapolis, IN. I have been involved in working with people with various types of eating disorders for over 10 years now. Traci has asked that I write about a rarely talked about phenomenon called ‘Addiction Transfer’.

First off, we have to first talk about “food addiction”. Now, there is a lot of controversy about whether or not food can be addictive. This has to do with the way the brain works and how the major components of substance abuse addiction affect the body. These components consist of tolerance (becoming immune to the effects of taking in the same amount of a substance over time and therefore needing more of that substance to have the same effect) and withdrawal that then causes craving (that is, having specific effects after the substance has been metabolized through the body). Some people argue that these factors are operative with food. Others say that they are not, that food does not have these kinds of effects on the body. Let’s leave biology alone for now (not my specialty anyway!) and focus more on the psychological side of things.

We probably need to focus on the abuse of food to understand “food addiction.” The abuse of food happens when we begin to use food for reasons other than simply to keep our body’s energy supply at an appropriate level. Eating because you are depressed, reaching for food when you are bored, thinking that you need that cake to make you feel better…These are all emotional reactions that use have food abuse at the core because they use food to cope. That is the sign of food abuse: when a person depends on food to help them get through a situation. Just as with any other addiction, there is a sense of loss of control over being able to stop this behavior. Even though the individual can see their pattern is harmful, they continue the destructive behavior.

Now, the “transfer addiction” problem emerges for those, like Bariatric patients, who have had that primary means of coping taken away. However, the feelings that drove the search for food may not have been addressed before or during surgery. We all know that surgery is the tool, not the miracle cure. So, you may still have those feelings of depression or still be bored. But food is no longer an option. This is the point where a person may seek out other substances such as alcohol or drugs. Or, they may engage in new destructive behaviors, like gambling or shopping, to fill the void that food once did for them. The problem, as you can see, is that the real issue is never appropriately addressed and therefore, these destructive patterns just continue.

The first important step one must take to stop this harmful pattern is to be aware. So many Americans engage in “mindless eating”; that is, reaching for food without thinking why they are doing so. In fact, eating because one is appropriately hungry seems to be one of the least used motivators for eating these days. And in these situations, we make poor choices, we eat too much and we aren’t aware of all of the qualities of the food we are eating (for instance, not noticing the texture, the smell, and sometimes, even the taste). So, the next time you reach for food, or alcohol, or your purse to go shopping, ask yourself “what am I hungry for?”. Seriously. Simply stopping and asking this question makes you consider what you are doing in that moment. And that is the moment that you can choose to assess what you are doing. Then once you have figured out that “hey, I’m just bored” you can choose to act in a different way. Maybe you aren’t hungry, just bored. Well, then you can choose to do something else (take a walk, call someone, crochet (my favorite!).)

Awareness, assessment action. These are the keys to change.

If you find that you are unable to stop this on your own, please consider talking a professional about this. Addictive behaviors are harmful to you, your relationships and ultimately your health.

Best wishes to all of you in your journey to better health!

~Kim Gorman Ph.D HSPP
Licensed Psychologist

Learning to let go...

Learning to let go..

I recently read an article about learning to let go. This applies to so many of us on different levels of our lives. One that caught my attention was “Stop holding on to clothes that don’t fit”. How many of us have an array of sizes in our closets either the too big section or the too small section?

Having weight loss surgery changes our physical appearance in such a dramatic way but so many of us truly don’t see those changes when we look in the mirror. It’s difficult at times for our minds to catch up to what has really happened to our bodies. Many of us lived for years as obese people trying to hide not only behind the walls we physically created but also with the clothes we wore.

So my fellow WLS friends – What’s in your closet?

Maybe it’s time to let go of the old you and start embracing the new you!

Birthday Wishes...

For my birthday today I received many well wishes and cards along with this gentle reminder about focusing on things that truly matter! One of my goals for 2011 is not to reflect on what has gone wrong in the past instead make my daily life a reflection of what truly matters to me! Enjoy...

What matters most in life is often viewed as peripheral to the things that we usually focus on. Passion takes a backseat to production, wellness to working, and balance to busyness. The old adage that “life is not a dress rehearsal” is so true, and yet we act to the contrary by putting off what is truly important or indulging in things that are not. On your birthday, stop focusing on your age and start meditating on your life at this exact moment. Spend more time with family and friends, take care of your body and health by eating well and exercising regularly, and offer to help others in need. Discover what matters most to you, and make your daily life into a true reflection of those ideas, beliefs and attitudes!

Thank You and Quote about our "Inner Fire"

I can across a quote that made me think about many of my WLS friends and those who have been a part of my journey. “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit!” ~ Albert Schweitzer

Think about those times in your journey when you were struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or your inner fire went out and who was there to spark that fire and pick you back up. Take a minute today to send that person/persons a card, email or text message and let them know how much they are appreciated. Think of family, friends, mentors, colleagues, doctors, dieticians, or someone who has inspired you!

Thanks to all of you who have touched my life during my WLS journey. I would not be the person I am today without your support!