Bari Bits "Reflections of a weight loss surgery patient"

Be The Best You!!! We are Perfectly Imperfect..

2012-01-09T06:30:00.000-05:00

This is one of those poems I just have to share!!

In our picture perfect world remember no one truly is Perfect..

Besides Perfect is boring......

We are perfectly imperfect
and beautiful within
because beauty isn’t skin deep
it’s deeper than the skin

We are who we allow ourselves to become
we get what we give, we give what we get
so give it your all
and don’t ever give up

Be the best you

be the person you want to be
just remember to be yourself
not who others want to see

This day is yours
it belongs to no one but you

put one foot in front of the other
and take a step closer
to making all your dreams come true

You are perfectly imperfect
and this is okay
because no one is flawless
no one is perfectly made

You are beautiful within
and your smile reflects
the love inside your heart
So, share a grin
and let others see who you are

Be the best you

just be who you are inside
be the person that makes you happy
and live your best life..............

Own your personal journey!!

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ever heard a statement like this from someone:

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

How about the conversation where we compare ourselves to otherWLS 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 butit's up to us to use those tools to the best of their ability. You could line10 of Dr. X’s & Dr. Y’s patients up who had the exact same surgery aroundthe 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 ourbehaviors, not make a lifelong lifestyle change and commit to taking care ofour "tool" we have to own it.

My thought for you today is don’t make other WLS storiesyour own....the person sitting next to you at group who has gained weight, theperson you read about who eats sugar and doesn't dump so why not have donutsfor breakfast and pie for dessert but complains that they have never gotten togoal, the person who eats bread 3x a day and never works out, the one who hasnever taken a vitamin because their labs were good at the 2 year mark and at 5years have vitamin deficiency and are hospitalized then go back to the surgeonand 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 YOURjourney.

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

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

2011-11-14T07:47:00.001-05:00

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.....

2011-10-18T22:54:00.000-04:00

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...

2011-08-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

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?

2011-08-02T09:00:00.001-04:00

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:

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.
Pick a specific time frame each night and agree to designate this as “family dinner time” with no interruptions.
Make it a habit to sit together at a kitchen or patio table to encourage the importance of doing this together as a family.
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.
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????

2011-07-26T09:00:00.002-04:00

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

2011-07-13T14:00:00.006-04:00

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..

2011-07-05T19:00:00.001-04:00

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???

2011-06-25T18:26:00.001-04:00

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!

2011-06-20T08:30:00.003-04:00

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..

2011-06-15T22:28:00.003-04:00

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...

2011-06-06T11:36:00.003-04:00

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.

2011-05-26T09:00:00.001-04:00

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..

2011-05-24T08:30:00.006-04:00

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

2011-05-13T15:05:00.003-04:00

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..

2011-05-11T19:14:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-11T00:19:00.020-04:00

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 !

2011-05-07T14:57:00.003-04:00

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....

2011-04-23T23:59:00.010-04:00

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"

2011-03-14T23:02:00.019-04:00

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

2011-02-21T17:59:00.013-05:00

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...

2011-02-05T15:38:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-02-01T18:44:00.007-05:00

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"

2011-01-26T11:23:00.005-05:00

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!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-17T13:21:00.002-05:00

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! -

2010-11-16T13:56:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-11T07:39:00.001-05:00

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...

2010-10-28T15:57:00.001-04:00

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......

2010-10-24T09:52:00.002-04:00

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

2010-10-18T07:46:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-22T07:34:00.002-04:00

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

2010-09-19T23:08:00.002-04:00

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

2010-08-22T17:11:00.007-04:00

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?

2010-08-10T07:17:00.011-04:00

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

2010-08-06T14:12:00.011-04:00

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

2010-07-29T09:22:00.003-04:00

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?

2010-07-19T22:04:00.008-04:00

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 :)

2010-07-12T14:40:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-06T08:53:00.004-04:00

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

2010-07-01T07:20:00.002-04:00

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

Today's Quote~

2010-06-29T17:14:00.002-04:00

Energy and persistence conquer all things! ~ Benjamin Franklin

Inspirational quote for today!

2010-06-27T15:36:00.001-04:00

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

Quote for the day..

2010-06-23T19:14:00.000-04:00

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

Bariatric Life Coach website!

2010-06-16T20:12:00.000-04:00

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

2010-06-09T15:51:00.000-04:00

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..

2010-06-05T22:28:00.000-04:00

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

2010-05-31T22:21:00.001-04:00

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

2010-05-05T09:55:00.000-04:00

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

2010-04-23T23:05:00.000-04:00

People often say that motivation doesn't last.

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

~ Zig Ziglar

Quote for today!!

2010-04-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

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

~Mahatma Gandhi

Quote for the day..

2010-04-20T22:10:00.000-04:00

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!!

2010-04-07T09:25:00.000-04:00

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!!

2010-02-03T17:11:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-18T09:58:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

Low-Stress Thanksgiving for Bariatric Surgery Patients

Here are 10 Tips for a Low-Stress Thanksgiving, by Cathy Wilson, ACC,CLC, Director of ObesityHelp Support Group Leader Program

As weight loss surgery patients, some of our stress comes from all the food choices that we aren't faced with normally. Here are a few tips to help lower stress and make this Thanksgiving holiday one that you will not see reflected on the scale.

1. Plan ahead. If you are hosting the Thanksgiving get-together, include some healthy dishes that you will be able to enjoy. If you are a guest, bring your own weight loss surgery friendly dish. You'll know there will be a dish and a protein that will be available for you to enjoy.

2. Rally the troops. Make this year's Thanksgiving get-together a potluck and let each guest bring a dish of their own. The guests can bring the traditional meal items.

3. Move it or lose it. Take part in some type of physical activity before and after the meal.

4. Clean it up. Offer to help clear the table and clean up the kitchen. No bites during the clean up process. Burn some calories.

5. Just say NO to leftovers. Don't accept any of the leftovers that will have survived the Thanksgiving meal. Resist temptation!

6. Don't fall back into old family patterns. If a family member can push your buttons, be aware of this probability and think in advance how to deal with it so it doesn't impact your holiday. Promise yourself you will not indulge in emotional eating to cope with stressful situations.

7. Lower your expectations. The "perfect" Thanksgiving doesn't exist. Keep your expectations in check so you don't set yourself up for disappointment in striving for perfection.

8. Dine out for Thanksgiving. Go out to a restaurant for your Thanksgiving meal. For many people, it is preferable - no leftovers, no fuss, no preparations or cleanup. All you have to do is make reservations.

9. Volunteer. If you're alone this Thanksgiving or want to spend your holiday in a different way, volunteer. Sharing time with those in need can be a meaningful way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Give the gift of yourself this Thanksgiving.

10. Gratitude. The reason for Thanksgiving is to be grateful. Focus on what you're grateful for in your life.

2009-11-18T09:04:00.001-05:00

2-year surgiversary 10 2009

October 2009 marks my 2 year re-birth date! I’m still learning to be a Bariatric patient even after two years into my weight loss journey. Some thoughts I’d like to share:

Bari bellies are a sensitive piece of real estate! It is crucial that I respect my piece of real estate and give it the proper nourishment/vitamins it needs. Protein, protein and more protein along with hydration or I’m feeling down in the dumps!

A lifestyle/behavior change is a necessary daily practice. If I choose to continue my old behaviors I’m choosing to sabotage myself. Life happens and when it does I have the choice to repeat my old behavior or make the better/healthier choice in those moments. These are times when I find myself reaching out to a friend.

I still have good days, great days and bad days.

I truly believe in having “Safe People” in my life who understand what I’m going through as a Bariatric patient. I need people who can relate with me physically, emotionally and spiritually to help support me while being genuine.

I have to be mindful of head hunger because it is always lingering. Each day is different and sometimes it can be very challenging to overcome the head hunger. This is another time when I know I need to change the scenery or reach out for help.

Honesty and open communication is essential with my surgeon, dietitian, and my support people along with myself. Being sincere helps me stay on track and not self-sabotage. Denying the truth only hurts me.

Handful Harry is a demon on my shoulder who will probably always exist and is a constant reminder to me that the operation was performed on my stomach not my head.

I am a firm believer of following the program guidelines but I am not perfect, I am human and I will make mistakes. I have made myself very aware of the consequences of what happens when I venture off the beaten path.

I have a “Healthy” fear of dumping and hope that fear stays with me for a long time.

Reality has shown me that some people will never understand or support my decision to have Bariatric surgery and I have chosen to be at peace with that.

I want people to know that Bariatric surgery is no way the easy way out in fact it’s quite the opposite. This is a lifelong lifestyle change that takes hard work and dedication. This surgery not only affects me but also those closest to me.

No matter how much research I did before surgery, nothing could ever truly prepare me for the life changing events it would bring to me physically, mentally and spiritually.

It takes 20 minutes for my head to catch up with my stomach. Slowing down to eat in this fast past world is challenging but a necessary part of my weight loss journey.

Learning to put myself first and take care of ME is still something I struggle with but strive to accomplish daily.

No Bariatric patient is a perfect mirror image of me. We are all very individual people with different experiences but seem to have the unspoken understanding of what the other has gone through.

No matter what my physical size or shape is, people will always have an opinion and the only one that truly matters is MINE!! What’s most important is how I feel about myself!

If it wasn’t for the love and support of my family and friends I would not be the person I am today.

2009-10-29T08:14:00.000-04:00

Daily Inspiration by Katie Jay:

Treat Yourself !

You have chosen a new way of life with WLS-a new way that isn’t supposed to include a lot of unhealthy eating. But as Halloween approaches, and other holidays follow close behind, your sense will be assaulted more and more with holiday treats. Are they really treats? When you look at a piece of candy and think, “Oh that looks good! One won’t hurt,” you are not contemplating treating yourself, you are contemplating sabotaging yourself.

If you really don’t want to eat things that are unhealthy for you around the holidays, think of the candy as the damaging force it really is. No matter how much we love it, sugar is NOT good for us. Eating candy is like digging a hole. One bite can be the first shovel-full of dirt. Do you really want to risk falling into that hole?

Action for the day:
Treat yourself by putting those unhealthy foods out of sight as best you can, and resolve to eat only satisfying, healthy foods today.

Quote from Oprah..

2009-10-14T09:28:00.000-04:00

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

WOW moment..

2009-09-13T21:41:00.000-04:00

Today was a wow moment that I have to share! My 9-year old has loved the fact that I can now go on bike rides with him since my weight loss surgery. Tonight he asked if I would like to go on a REAL bike ride one like he and daddy have gone on in the past. I told him that it was time to make up our own bike riding path and I let him lead the way. Mason started off with a smooth ride through town, ventured down a road he'd never been on and then decided to head towards the bike path.

First off we had a BLAST, secondly he had me going up and down hills, across bridges, down the bike path and to top it off all the way around the park then back to the south side of town where we live. Can you say "Feeling the burn". My legs were feeling every inch of those hills but you know what? I did it. I kept up with him every step of the way and even passed him a few times just to be funny.

These are the moments I wouldn't trade for anything... :)

Handful Harry...

2009-08-19T22:50:00.000-04:00

I have a demon that was a huge part of my life before surgery and I like to call him Handful Harry. Harry was the little gremlin always sitting on my shoulder just waiting for me to grab a handful of something. That something was anything from crackers to Reese’s pieces. Harry sat patiently waiting for me to grab a handful of food and once that happened I was doomed.

He would constantly babble on and on over and over “One more handful won’t hurt.”

Over the course of my journey I have worked on taming that animal through therapy and self-help in hopes to never hear his voice again. There are times when I can feel Mr. Harry peaking over my shoulder in anticipation of me grabbing a handful. This is something I personally struggle with and is a constant reminder to me that the operation was performed on my stomach not my head.

This is a perfect example of a time when having a bariatric friend is a saving grace. When those head games start and you go into panic mode make a call, journal what's going on and how you feel, get on your local website forum and call out to your bariatric extended family. Get support in whatever form you need it! Find a local support group and attend as often as you can.

I am here to help whenever I can no matter how far you are in your journey, no matter what type of surgery, where you live or what program you are in.

What personal struggles are you facing?

What steps do you need to take today to conquer your demons?

Putting yourself first!!

2009-08-08T23:21:00.000-04:00

Put Yourself First
Reach Other Goals by Starting With Yourself

You’re a parent, school volunteer, football coach, team mom, have a full-time job along with being a part-time student, assistant to your boss, colleague and jack of all trades! You’ve been up since 6 a.m., made breakfast, packed lunches, cleaned the house, chauffeured the neighborhood kids, helped with homework, read bedtime stories, and finished extra work from the office. It’s 11:30. You’re exhausted and, in about five hours you’ll begin the whole 24-hour cycle…again.

If you find yourself saying ‘Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!’ you’re not alone. Most of us (especially women) but men too have at some time found ourselves at the bottom of the heap when it comes to taking care of our needs.

The problem with that is that if we don’t take care of ourselves, sooner or later we won’t be of much use to anyone else, or to ourselves. Just as the airline attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask in an emergency before helping a child with theirs, you must take care of your own basic needs before you can attend to the needs of others.

That statement is hard for many of us to make reality!

If “putting yourself first” sounds too selfish or too hard, try something simpler: put yourself on an equal footing with those you love and tend to. Do you insist that they get enough sleep? Start making that a priority for yourself too. Do you give them time for fun and socializing with friends? Do you tell them to stop and smell the roses? Do you make sure they are eating nutritiously? Then you do the same!

Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: human beings must meet their basic needs before they can move on to higher-level goals.

Here are some guidelines to help get you there:

Preserve your physical health with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
Value your emotional health as much as the physical, with a support system of friends and a willingness to laugh, especially at yourself. Do things that make you happy.
Schedule fun activities on a regular basis.

It’s just as important to plan pleasure as it is to plan work.

Identify “busy behaviors” (or people) that drain your time and energy but aren’t really important, then dump ‘em, or at least minimize their hold on you. Negative energy can be a physical/emotional and spiritual drain on us just as much as stress from work or physical labor.
Combine family time with exercise which benefits everyone involved. Make it fun! Explore your environment and take a journey.

Try to look at the problems in your life with new eyes to find solutions. If you’re a new mom see if you can trade childcare with another new mom to get some time for yourself.
Learn to say “No!” Those of us who are "Yes" people find this very hard to accomplish. Try saying "No" a few times this week and see what happens. Reserve that “yes” statement for the things that are most important to you.

Don’t try to change every problem area in your life all at once. Make a list of problem areas or tasks you would like to complete. Start out small, prioritize and accomplish things one by one.

Your life should be like a checking account, balancing out on a regular basis so that you always have assets to draw upon. By making even small deposits, taking care of yourself with a

15-minute walk, nutritious meal, meditation, time with friends.

Try it! You will be amazed at the results.

What will you do for yourself today? Tomorrow? This week?

When Life Happens...

2009-08-06T02:52:00.000-04:00

What do we do in those situations when “life happens?" The new bariatric lifestyle we have adopted becomes habit and part of our daily routine. When life happens and it throws a wrench in our new system how we react can be detrimental in our success.

I recently experienced the loss of my grandfather along with the loss of my long time, four legged, furry companion of 15 years. For me that was the loss of two family members within a short period of each other. Can you say emotional wreck?My initial thoughts are how do I numb this pain and make it disappear? Life happened and I have no desire to face it head on. I would simply prefer to dull the pain by indulging myself in a huge foot long chili cheese dog followed by a Reese’s peanut butter cup blizzard. Once I finished I would embrace the euphoric feeling of my sugar high laughing at the grim reaper screaming take that!

Would I eventually crash from the euphoric feeling and be miserable? Yes… Would the pain still be there? Yes…As a bariatric patient the above mentioned option would not be a wise choice for me. Life is going to happen and we need a backup plan. Personally, I know if I’m not careful emotional eating will undermine my weight loss surgery success. I’m taking this minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day.

The day it happened I chose to take my son on a long bike ride, feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair and take deep breaths. The following evening I chose to continually keep myself busy by re arranging my bedroom, hanging curtains, dusting and vacuuming. Whenever I slowed down I physically had to take a step back, let myself cry, take a few deep breaths and start another task.

Today my choice is to blog about my personal struggles with you!

Tomorrow is a new day and I again will have to make a choice!

What path will you choose today???

Reply to my blog from a fellow weight loss surgery patient!!

2009-07-30T13:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much for your blog. I am 8 months out and have lost 77 lbs and reached my goal in 6 months. I am so happy. I am 63 years young and so pleased there was a way for me to get the weight off and to be completely off all medication. I have not taken one pill except for vitamins since the day of surgery. I am so thankful for this second chance. I was on a lot of diabetes med. When my doc told me I would have to add another diabetic pill I decided that day I would do something to not be diabetic. I am also off blood pressure med and high cholesterol med. Not to mention I look like a new person. After I saw the picture you took in the jeans I tried on a pair of pants I wore 77 lbs ago and can take the same kind of picture. I love to get dressed in the morning now. I like the no cheat rule. I will never eat sugar or white flour again. I also have many other rules I will not break. I feel great and so blessed to have been able to get the surgery and a 2ND chance.

Yes I would like to encourage or help anyone trying to make this difficult decision. The decision to have surgery has been one of the best decisions I ever made. Not to say it is easy, but in this battle nothing is easy that produces results. This is a glorious lifestyle change and I would definitely make the same decision again. My Doctor was Jones at St Vincent’s of Carmel she was very good and is very strict about your diet restrictions.

Praising God for a second chance
Janet

Obesity Action Coalition "Weight of the Nation" Conference info

2009-07-28T21:01:00.000-04:00

Hi all-

I wanted to share somethings with you that have been posted on the OAC blog regarding a conference called "Weight of the Nation". The president and CEO of OAC is attending the conference in Washington, DC that is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

I found this quote very interesting and I hope this is the start of a new outlook on obesity!

“Almost 30% of the rise in medical costs is attributable to obesity, so prevention and control of this problem is critical to reducing total medical costs,” says William Dietz, director of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “We tend to view obesity as a consequence of individual choices, but it’s clear that the environment is a major contributing factor. Place matters.”

A letter from First Lady Michelle Obama, here’s an excerpt:

“This gathering comes at a critical moment: the rising rate of obesity and its impact on our Nation’s health and health care system has become one of the most pressing issues we face. The trend is alarming. For the first time, our youngest generation is predicted to live a shorter life span than their parents because of the growth in childhood obesity and its related diseases. Every day, more and more Americans are affected by diseases that could be prevented if we could reverse the upward trend in obesity occurring in communities across the country.”

There is more information about the conference from the OAC President at oacblog.org so check it out!

Welcome to my new blog for weight loss surgery patients!

2009-07-25T16:54:00.000-04:00

As my first post for this blog let me give you a bit of history about me. I had Roux-en-Y (RNY) gastric bypass in October 2007. I fought with my insurance company for 2 years to cover this surgery and lost the battle but ended up at a new job with bariatric coverage. April of 2008 I started working in the medical field with bariatric patients which had been a passion of mine for quite some time. This was a very exciting time for me. I was at my 6 month mark from surgery and had lost 100lbs. I NEVER thought that was possible in such a short period of time.

In just a few months I will be celebrating my 2-year surgiversary. I can tell you the past 21 months have been more eventful than I ever imagined physically, emotionally and spiritually. In my personal opinion anyone who thinks weight loss surgery is the easy way out is an uneducated person when it comes to bariatric surgery. My personal story is a long one with many bumps in the road which truly has made me stronger and the person I am today!

Bariatric surgery is a very personal decision which requires a major lifestyle change and commitment to a new healthier way of life. One of my goals is to continually be involved in our community, be one of the biggest advocates for bariatric surgery and educate society on obesity as a disease. I leave you with a list of accomplishments I wrote down last year at my 1-year surgery anniversary.

1. Ride my bike for miles with my son and not be in pain
2. Walk 3+ miles without passing out
3. Cross my legs
4. Look down and see my feet
5. No longer having health issues like; sleep apnea, high blood pressure, PCOS, joint pain, extreme back pain
6. Mobility to work outside in the yard
7. Celebrating my 10-year wedding anniversary with a deeper love and bond than I could ever imagine : )
8. Better quality of life/self-esteem
9. Energy/Desire to live life to its fullest
10. Attending the Indianapolis Colts game, walking from the parking lot, past the stadium ½ mile to grab some dinner, walk a ½ mile back to the stadium, up all the stairs to our seats without being winded/exhausted, and the ability to FIT in the seat……

~~~PRICELESS~~~