Weight loss journey continues

Real talk time................................................

First of all, I refuse to be a statistic and I am not saying weight loss surgery failed me.  I am saying that weight loss surgery helped me reset my metabolism and relationship with food.  I am far from perfect and about a year out from reaching my goal in a healthy manner.  But I WILL reach my goal, even if it takes longer than I hoped.

I saw this quote and it resonated with me:  "Little by little becomes a lot."

When I started my journey in April 2016, I had the right mindset, I was dedicated, started working out (even though I threw up during my first strength class) and really focused on mindful eating and healthy choices 90% of the time.

I decided to revisit my blog and I miss that woman!  Her passion for herself and her journey is inspiring and I'm ready to find her again.

You may be asking, how the hell are you going to do that during a pandemic.  Well, at first I wasn't going to share my new chapter with people, but decided FUCK IT.  I have never hid my weight loss decision and journey, why start now.  That would mean I am ashamed and I'm not.

COMP at GBMC has started a medical weight loss program.  Just like when I started thinking about having the surgery, I decided it can't hurt to listen to the information and then make a decision.  I joined the group zoom and then did a 1:1 with Dr. Dovec.  I decided to give the meds a try to help me get some control.  I have been feeling really out of control with everything, as many of us are right now.  My depression kicked in and I was spiraling.  So I committed to doing this for 3 months.

I allowed many things to be excuses for getting off track.  I ended up having back surgery in October and yes, the pain did prevent me from being able to be active, but that snowballed into not changing my eating habits to match my lack of activity.  Not that I ate horrible most of the time, but I ate more than I should have because of lack of activity.

I have never made excuses for any regain that I have had.  I allowed my old mind set to creep in.  Now that some of the restrictions are lifted, I have been walking more with the pup.  It is slow because I am still recovering from COVID-19, and my lungs are still weak, but any movement is better than no movement.  I can't wait for gyms to re-open because even before surgery, that is how I was really able to increase my metabolism and build muscle.  The muscle mass is crucial to burning fat.

I just signed up for a virtual 10K and I am hoping the Father's Day 5K is still on!

You may be wondering about the meds.  Part of journaling is for me track how the meds are interacting with my body.  I am taking Phentermine.  I'll be on the meds for 3 months.  Starting with a very low dose and only increasing if needed.

Day 1

• I was a little jittery in the morning.
• Definitely had more energy.
• My appetite was suppressed and I didn't feel hunger.
• Only ate 3 meals, no snacks.
• Walked 3 miles with the pup.

Day 2

• No jitters.
• Lots of energy.
• My appetite was suppressed, but felt hunger.
• I had 3 meals and 1 snack.
• Used my portable bike pedals for 15 mins.

Day 3

• No jitters.
• Lots of energy.
• My appetite was suppressed and didn't feel hunger
• I had 3 meals and 1 snack.
• Walked around the property with the pup.
• Participated in the group support meeting

Day 4 (today)

• No jitters.
• Lots of energy.
• So far my appetite is still suppressed.
• I have not done any physical activity yet.

I have scheduled an appointment with a counselor to work through food issues during this next phase of my journey.

I'm done 4 lbs which is great, but the best part is I feel a sense of control and that has definitely helped my mental health.

Oh.......and I am starting NewTri Health (online nutrition program) because it seems I will most likely need a revision from Gastric Sleeve to Gastric Bypass due to severe GERD.  Not what I wanted to have happen, but I want to not feel pain when I eat or drink.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the next 3 months take me.

NSV: Flying

A year ago, I flew for the first time since surgery.  At that time, I could, tightly buckle the seat belt, but it was uncomfortable and I had to suck it in!

On January 29th, I had to fly to Birmingham for work, and I was able to not only buckle the belt, BUT there was some slack!!!  Oh happy day!!

One of the first blogs I wrote was about my embarrassing experience on a plane.  It is so uncomfortable and embarrassing when you have people staring at you and giving you looks because of your size. NOT ANY MORE!!  This girl can even put the seat tray down.

 I also took the time and rode a carousel.  I haven't done that in over 13 years and the last time I did, I sat in one of the bench seats, because I was nervous that the horse wouldn't function the way it was supposed.

Finally,  I got to see the difference between where I was a year ago (just 2 months out of surgery) and where I am now!  It's always fun to do comparison pics.  Most of the people at the meeting hadn't seen me in a year.  It was a bit overwhelming to have so many people comment on my change, but it was always humbling.  I've worked hard, but not as hard as I could be working.  So, if I want to wow them even more next year, this girl has to get her butt in

Time Flies

Wow.....Friday, will be 8 weeks since surgery.  It is crazy to think about!  I had my 8 week follow up yesterday.  My surgeon is thrilled.  I wish I could have captured the reaction on his face, when he looked at my weight loss numbers.  He raised his eyebrows and said "Wow, you are really dropping some weight. You will never be in the 400's again." I said, no I will not!  I asked him to give me a goal and he said he doesn't do that.  His goal for me is to have a healthy relationship with food and an active lifestyle.  To change my behaviors so that I am living a longer life.  He did tell me that on average, someone with my starting weight and my age, should lose about 145lbs, just from the surgery.  That is just crazy....means at a minimum, I should reach 235 by next year!  What????

He then went on to say, there were three possible scenarios.  Scenario #1: I will do great.  He has seen people larger than me, that are now running marathons.  Scenario #2: I will do good, meet the average.  Scenario #3: I will do poorly.  I quickly responded and I said #3 is NOT an option.  I didn't have major surgery to help with my morbid obesity, just to fail.  He said, he was really happy to hear that.

I hate weighing on different scales, and I hate weighing with my clothes on!  I have decided that as long as the scale is moving in the right direction, the # isn't going to matter to me.  Sometimes you have to see the difference, side by side.


I am back in a routine at the gym and I just ordered a new bathing suit, so my ass can get in the pool again!  I am determined to work out 5 days in the gym and the other 2 days, being mindful about activity

My next step is to create rewards for scale goals I meet.  When I lose 13 more pounds (will mean 50lbs since surgery), I am going to buy a piece of jewelry from dune jewelry.  They actually have sand from Southbeach at Eckerd College! I think this is the piece I am going to purchase. https://dunejewelry.com/collections/classic-dune/sandbar-necklace-on-long-chain. My next scale goal is to be a 299.  That means, I will have lost 81 lbs since surgery and I am only 44lbs away from that goal.  I am hoping to reach this goal by my 6 month appointment on May 24th.  dune jewelry also has dirt from the infields of ball parks.  So my next reward will be purchasing a charm from one of the ball parks I have visited.  I already have a charm made from dirt from Fenway.  My 100lb weight loss goal is to book a trip with all my friends that have supported me along the way.  I am thinking it will be a cruise to the southern Caribbean islands, out of Puerto Rico.

No matter what happens next.......all I know is, there is no looking back!  Some people use the butterfly as a symbol of their change and rebirth.  For me, it is the Phoenix!  When I am close to goal.  I will get a Phoenix tattoo....don't know where on my body and it may actually wait until after I do any plastic surgery I am opt for.

All systems are a go to less of Gretchen

Well....it's official, my surgery has been approved by BCBS of Alabama!  I called insurance, just to see if COMP has submitted my paperwork.  I know how busy the office is, so I didn't want to bother them, but I was curious.  I didn't expect insurance to say it was already approved, but that was an excellent surprise!

So............this time, 29 days from today, I will be on the loser's bench.......

Holy crap..........29 days!

The countdown begins......

Wow.......the last month has flown by!  In just 32 days, Alfredo will be reduced by 2/3.

That means, I have 32 days to buckle down, get some weight off and build up more muscle to make recovery much easier.  This weekend, the darn fun sized candy got the best of me.  It is all out of my house. now, which is a very good thing. 

Tonight, the plan is to go through my fridge and get rid of anything that still lingers that is a no no food.  I have already cleaned out the pantry.

Sometimes, I ask myself, why was I so hesitant to make this decision 5 years ago.  But in all honesty, I just wasn't ready to make the change, to dig my feet in and make the commitment to become healthier.  To choose me over food.  So, now is my time!  Now I get to put myself first. 

I am hoping to be able to drive to MA with my parents and pup after my 1 week follow up appointment.  This way, they don't have to rearrange their schedule and lives for an extended period of time.  I will finish out my medical leave there and then stay through the end of December and work from there.  I am thankful my supervisor was open this arrangement and that I work for a company that values their employees.

 Sometimes in life, we hold on to who we are because it is easier than changing.  But change can be so beautiful, even when it is scary. I keep thinking about one of my favorite childhood books, Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus.  If you haven't read it, do so ASAP.  It is a lesson we could all take to heart.  I have a friend who lives her life to the fullest.  She doesn't have any regrets.  If she wants to do it, she does it.  Her spirit is contagious and inspiring.  She even went to Antarctica with a cast on her leg.

I am excited for my rebirth.  For the moment, I get a second chance at life, a second chance to treat my body with the respect it deserves.  One of my goal gifts is to get a new tattoo.  I think it is either going to be a phoenix or a butterfly.  I love the symbolism of the both. 

So in 32 days and 2 hours, my life will change forever, but change for the better!  Do I feel some fear?  Of course I do.  But I also know, this is the right decision for me.  So, I am going to get back to being diligent with going to the gym and not "cheating" with my food choices.  I am also self imposing at least a 7 day clear liquid diet, even though I am only required to do a 2 day clear liquid diet.  I also am only required to do 2 weeks of starch free, but I am doing 4 weeks instead.  Anything I can do to help make my surgery as successful as possible.

What if I can't do this?

OMG........I have my final appointment with the surgeon in 10 Days........10 Days!!!!!!!

Right now, I am filled with excitement, doubts and fear.  I have been seeing some pictures of friends that have had the surgery, and for whatever reason, the appear to be struggling with regain.  What makes me stronger than they are? My entire life (earliest diet I remember was at 13), I have struggled with this demon.

Yes, I have worked really hard over the past 6 months to make positive life style changes.  Yes, I still struggle to make the right decisions, but tend to choose correctly 90% of the time.  But what if........

My dad says.....you have 2 options:  1) You succeed, you change your life for the better and we all get to have you around longer  OR 2) I fly to Baltimore and kick your ass.

I shared with my mom that I think the nerves are coming from just being ready to be over this hump and get my new life started.......

PCP 6 month follow up

I had my regular 6 month appointment with my PCP today.  This is the first time I have seen her since my decision to have WLS.  She has been my PCP for 5 years now and she has watched me lose and regain the same 70 lbs during that time.  Today was to focus on my A1C1.  Great news!  My A1C1 is 5.5!  A normal A1C1 level is below 5.7.

I am currently not even pre-diabetic! Shhhh.....don't tell my doctor, but I haven't been the best at talking all of my metformin.  What does that mean?  It means, my body is regulating my glucose levels without much assistance from medication!  She has now lowered my dosage by 500mg.

My blood pressure was also excellent.  Now the next number to get closer to "normal" is my BMI.
My current BMI is 64.  I need to be below a BMI of 30 to no longer be obese.Your BMI is determined by your height and your weight.  The charts show that a normal weight for me would be between 117lbs and 154lbs.  Right now, my goal weight is 180lbs.  That is a self imposed goal weight, not one that Dr. Bello has given me.


This is the first time in 5 years, I have left the dr.'s office and she seemed thrilled with my progress.  She even pre-scheduled a pre-op physical to ensure I can get on her schedule.

She completed the PCP letter of support and it was faxed over to COMP!  One more hurdle down.

The last hurdle is getting the written approval by insurance.  I can't believe the journey to the losers bench is almost at an end.  These past 6 months have flown by.  I did find out today, that most likely my surgery will be scheduled 4-5 weeks from the final appointment.  So that means the first or 2nd week in November.  My mom said, the surgery is going to happen exactly at the time it is supposed to happen........I am just feeling anxious and impatient to get the next phase of my life started.  I have decided to make myself a present for when I do have the surgery.  I will be making an expandable bracelet that has a little bench for a charm.  It will remind me, daily, that I have made a very big step to changing my life forever.  I am committing to working towards no longer being obese.  Normally, people would say the end is in sight.  I am going to say, the beginning is in sight!

I fell off the wagon and need to get back on!

Something has happened to my motivation.  I am not sure if it is the fact that my final pre-surgery appointment is quickly approaching and my nerves have kicked into gear or if it is just me allowing hurdles in my life to be a crutch to welcome old habits back into my daily routine.

I committed to giving up starches and alcohol as of September 1st....I have not been successful in doing so!  As a matter of fact, I have had more starch in my diet for the past 2 weeks, than I have since I started this journey in April. I never knew how disgusting processed carbs made my body feel, until I went without them. It all started when I allowed myself to indulge in a delicious soft pretzel.  If you didn't believe that people can have trigger foods before you started reading my blog.....please believe it now!  I love soft pretzels, seriously LOVE them.  They are a comfort food for me.  They remind me of summer days at the ballpark with my best friend.  The remind me of my West Coast home.  And, of course, they are just down right amazing!

Now....don't get me wrong, I have still made some very good decisions.  I have mentioned Fall is my favorite season.  One of my Fall traditions is going to Weber's Farm.  When I would go to Weber's, I would inevitably buy a pumpkin roll.  Yep, an entire pumpkin roll.......and then proceed to eat it in 2 days, with no assistance from anyone else.  Darn you pumpkin.......you are one of my kryptonites! (I have found a solution to fulfill that craving....more later).  When I was hanging out with friends this weekend, they wanted Royal Farms fried chicken.....I know what you are thinking, she must have given in....how can one say no to Royal Farms friend chicken??  Nope, I had 2 boiled eyes and a diet iced tea instead.  So, I am happy to know that I haven't given up completely.  That my choices are more often than not, good ones.  I am also recognizing, more easily, what my pitfalls are and trying to correct them immediately. 

So how am I going to proceed?  I am going to kick myself into gear, tell myself to knock it off and remember the goal.  This is not a diet, every piece of food I put in my mouth is MY choice.  I don't have to take a piece of bread from the bread basket.  I can stay away from the bakery at Wegmans or Weber's Farm.  I can not step foot into the Amish Market so I am not tempted by those devilish pretzels!  I can remember how my body feels when I get my butt to the gym at least 4 times a week. (I did notice a huge difference when I parked at the far end of the parking lot and wasn't winded walking to the store.)  I can remember that the more I change now, the more focused I am on my health now, the easier it will be after surgery.  The safer my surgery will be.  I can get up the 8th time....and do my best not to fall again, and if I do fall.....I will just climb onto a new wagon, because clearly the last wagon wasn't the right one for me!

I have to remember it is okay to be selfish right now.  To focus on me.  I know my true friends and my family will understand that if I don't take care of me now.....their time with me will be shortened.  I have many adventures yet to have......I can't have them if I am dead  and if I remain morbidly obese, that is where I am headed........

So Gretchen Ann, knock it off!  Climb onto the new wagon and know that you have support to help steer you in the right direction!

Carb Overload

So.........as I was driving to Wegmans this weekend, I had to drive by the Amish Market........

First, how the heck have I NEVER been there in the 10 years I have lived here???  I go to the garden center right next to it all the time.  Now, I am convinced it is a good thing, that this magical location has not been part of my world.  I am telling you....it is dangerous in there!

My all time favorite junk food snack is a soft pretzel.  I don't care if it is with mustard, plain, with something sweet and gooey, covered in crab dip.......you get the picture.  I have heard the soft pretzels in the market are delicious.  Well.....I heard correctly.

Unfortunately, the pretzel was the beginning of my downfall.  I ended up carb overloading this weekend.  I know, I know......not a good move.  BUT I did learn a valuable lesson.  Simple carbs make me feel like CRAP!  I have felt sluggish, irritable, sleepy, nauseous and crampy. Now, I definitely didn't look as cute as this puppy during my food coma state. 

I am also still feeling the effects as I sit here and can see my tummy is a little distended.  Of course, while my carb overloading was occurring, a little voice in my head kept saying, It's okay, you are going no starch, no alcohol on September 1st.  Just enjoy this while you can. 

Listen to me little voice.......stop it right this minute!  I have worked way too hard over the last 5 months to allow you to sabotage me.  I know what this is about.  The surgery date is getting closer and you are nervous.  Well TOUGH!  We are doing this to make our lives better, to give us a 2nd chance at the life we want to have.  To live longer and healthier.  Trust me, we will be happy when we see more changes (for the better). So, put down the pretzel and walk away...no run away! (okay, done with scolding myself).

As I have previously, it is sometimes easier to just give in.....to not try and change.....but I promised myself (and all of you), that I would not backslide this time.  So.........I will pretend today is September 1st. (at least for the no starches).  I do have a few more alcoholic drinks to enjoy over the next few days.

Operation no more alcohol (for at least a year) has commenced!

I have to say that the life change (due to WLS), that I get the most comments about is no alcohol for at least 1 year post surgery.  I know I talk about drinking often and I love going to beer and wine festivals, BUT realistically I don't drink very often.  Of course I like have the option!  So, when I made the decision to do WLS, I told myself that September 1st would be the beginning of my alcohol free period.  It will help with the liver reduction diet and prepare me for the year ahead.

I still don't have a surgery date, but I am hoping it will be at the end of October.  I have my final nutritionist appointment on September 9th, with the hopes of scheduling with the surgeon for the beginning of October.  Ideally, I would like to be on soft foods by Thanksgiving.

So I have asked my friends to take some of the wine and alcohol I have on hand out of my house so I am not tempted.  I know, my friends are pretty amazing, they are taking one for the team and gladly accepted the challenge.  Last week, I was able to gift 5 bottles to my friend Brian.  Just need a few more friends to shop in my wine collection and I will be good!  I am keeping a few bottles of my favorites.  Of course, they will end up lasting me a while after surgery.

After surgery, alcohol will be 4 times as potent than before surgery.  That means, I will reach legal intoxication quickly.  Currently, my rule is no driving after 1 drink.  My new rule will be no driving after any drinks.

People say, why a year without alcohol?  I have mentioned before that the first 12-18 months is the honeymoon period.  Your new tummy is doing the heavy lifting for you (you increase the weight loss amount, by eating on program and working out).  Even though alcohol is partly metabolized in our stomach, it continues to be metabolized in our small intestines.  As the food is processed in our stomachs, it is slowly pushed into the small intestines and if you are drinking alcohol, that fills up the voids and follows the food into the small intestines.  So you are getting a steady flow of alcohol because the food is processed slowly over time.  This is why you feel drunk quicker on an empty stomach.  Not to mention, most alcohol is filled with carbohydrates, which is a no no for WLS patients.

I am amazed at the number of posts from people that are drinking 1 month out of surgery.  I don't understand.  Why put your body through major surgery to sabotage yourself.  These are the same people who tend to complain about the psych eval.  I may complain about having to wait over 6 months to have the surgery, but I also know it has provided me with time to get my head right, to get my bad habits under control and get my big ole booty into the gym.  I wish more people would take the time to prepare.  Insurance would be less likely to have WLS as an exclusion in most policies, there would be less need for revisions and WLS wouldn't be perceived as an easy way out.  It is just a tool, not a magic pill.

Morbidly obese people didn't get to be morbidly obese because our relationship with food was healthy.  For the first time in all my years of "dieting" I don't feel like I am on a diet.  I feel like I am choosing a better lifestyle.  I am choosing life over food. 

Weigh Not Want Not

Lately, I have been wondering what an estimated amount of weight I will lose just form the surgery.  So I found this tool to illustrate the possible weight loss based on my excess weight and height.

It is crazy to think that in 12-15 months I could lose 160 lbs......I am pretty sure the last time I was under 300lbs was when I was in college.  When I was in Texas (1997 through 2000), I gained 70 lbs and I remember going to the gyn and when they told me my weight (385), I was shocked.  From that point on I didn't step on a scale.  It wasn't until 2011 when I went to a dr. that I realized I was over 400lbs.  My goal weight loss is 242lbs.  UGH, that seems impossible.  So I will focus on goal #1 which is 160 lbs lost.  Still seems like a little out of reach, but I have friends who have lost over 100 lbs at just 6 or 7 months out from surgery.  So, I got this, it is why I decided to have the surgery so I could have another tool to help me along the way.

Me at what I think was my highest weight.

Me at my smallest I remember.  I think I was in the 7th grade.

Back to life, Back to reality.......

I had such a great weekend visiting family and good friends.  I was able to connect with two girlfriends from high school, which is always a good time!  I also connected with two women I worked with at a girl scout camp 23 years ago! Such a great weekend!  But now it is time to get back to the grind!  My goal is to lose 20 lbs by October.

I definitely did not follow my plan while I was away.  I ate lots of great food, but most of it was not good for my body.  At least I started each day with a protein shake!  I definitely feel bloated and more lethargic than I had been feeling.  But, I only have me to blame. There is a reason I didn't weigh myself this morning.

My parents were extremely supportive and on the first night home, dad asked if him drinking a soda would bother me.  Then another night, mom asked if it would bother me if she put out Italian bread for dad.  Have I mentioned, I have the most amazing parents??

So I won't beat myself up for my choices the past few days, I will just get back to my routine and hard work to make some real life changes!  So even though my swimming pal won't be there tonight, this big girl is headed to the pool for Aqua Boot Camp...This time of year is busy at work, and I usually use that as an excuse to not eat healthy and not exercise.  This year, IS going to be different.  I have to make the right choices.  So that means, figuring out how to get to strength training at least 2 times a week and in the pool 3 times a week.  That leaves to "rest" days.  On the rest days, I still plan to do something intentional. I also have to start walking buildings/apartments at work, so that will get my steps in daily.  I have to inspect 144 apartments in 33 buildings.  I also use this time to make sure the storage spaces and mechanical rooms are up to my standards.

So.....please feel free to ask me tomorrow if I went to the pool tonight.  I need the accountability!

Change your mind to change your body!

Over the past 5 years, or so, I have been really intentional about who I allow to be in my inner circle.  I call it weeding the garden of my life.  I don't have time for negativity and drama.  Trust me, I understand that sometimes life deals you a really shitty hand, but we get to chose how we react to that hand.  We also have the ability to not create drama where it doesn't exist.

When I was in grad school, I dated a guy (not the best choice I have made) and he once said to me, you don't have to have something wrong with you for people to love and care about you.  That one statement (the only good thing I took away from that relationship) has stuck with me since then. 

Listen,  I chose to take this journey because my primary care doctor could tell I was frustrated.  She recommended I talk with a surgeon, get an idea of what the process is and what life would be like afterwards.  I never thought it was a magic bullet, never thought it would be easy, I knew I would have to change everything.

All this back story to say this, I never imagined I would have to block people or leave a support group on social media because of the negativity and the so called "support".

It is not okay to encourage someone who is just 3 months post op to drink alcohol, eat breads, eat cake etc.  Our surgeons give us a tool and isn't that behavior and food choices what caused us to need to seek such a drastic solution??????

I am not perfect, I know I will slip, but I go to these groups to seek good advice from people who have walked the path before me.

One of the groups I belong to is sponsored by a bariatric product company.  They put their rules and guidelines out there for all to read.  I like the group because the admins don't hold back.  They try to be supportive, but say it like it is.  So if someone says, I have been eating rice cakes with peanut butter as my go to, but I don't understand why I have stalled on weight loss or I am beginning to regain, they say, well because you are eating rice cakes.  It is simple.  Your pouch is limited now, you need to reserve the pouch "real estate" for foods that have nutritional value. Yes, you will loose weight in the first year, with little effort.  You may never add exercise of any kind to your routine, you may "cheat" and eat forbidden foods.  Let's face it, you are loosing the weight because you can't fit much into your new stomach.  But guess weight, if you continue those behaviors, you will never reach goal, you will most likely regain whatever you lose AND that means you had an invasive surgical procedure for no reason.

This post was brought on by an article I read this morning about how of course you will lose up to 100lbs in the first 7 months, that isn't your hard work, that is your new stomach working for you.

http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/07/the-truth-about-bariatric-surgery/

I have recently left online support groups that allow the members to give poor advice, encourage old habits and encourage straying from the subscribed plan.  Food is an addiction, you wouldn't tell a meth addict it was okay to have just a little every once and awhile.  You wouldn't tell an alcoholic that it is okay to drink just on the holidays.  Would you tell someone who was addicted to pain pills that it was okay to shop around to doctor's and hospitals to get the pill they wanted?  I don't think so.  The difference is, we all have to eat to survive.  Don't we owe it to the people, that are on the same path to better health that we are, to not allow themselves to believe it is okay to sneak in a bad food choice every now and then?

I have a good friend, who is bulimic.  Whenever she would get the urge to purge, I told her to find me, we would go for walk, watch a movie, do anything to get her mind off of purging.  Aren't we supposed to do that in a support group?  If you can't handle honesty, don't ask for opinions.  If you can't handle the life changes, maybe surgery isn't the answer for you.

It is hard and sometimes it really sucks!  But it sucks a little less when you have people in your corner cheering you on!

I am fortunate and have a family that supports me (asked me what they should have in their fridge for me when I visit next week), friends who tell me to suck it up because changing your body is going to hurt and be uncomfortable at times, friends who ask the hard questions and call me on my shit.  Friends who will do virtual walks with me while we catch up on the phone.  I am a LUCKY girl and I know it!  But I also have intentionally reached out to people through support groups to help hold me accountable.  Work our partners that will say, come on let's get moving.  People that understand how hard this journey is, no how eating pureed meat sounds disgusting and can give tips on how to make it through each food phase after surgery.  People who can tell me what has worked for them and what hasn't.

The moral of this post:  Choose your "people" wisely.  Don't allow others to deter you from what you want the rest of your life to look like.

After my trip to Ireland last summer, where I had 2 personal best moments, I have decided that my goal in life is to do something for the first time, every chance I get.  If you asked me 6 months ago, if I planned on lifting weights, I would have laughed at you.  I started the journey by saying, I would increase my walking and do Aqua Arthritis classes........now I do strength circuit training and Aqua Boot Camp.......yep, it is a new life for this girl!

As my friend Julie would say.......Adventure On!