New Year, New Me

I have been too busy to update this blog - too busy to breathe, sometimes! It has been an amazing year for me and my loved ones. Weddings (my middle son), graduations (oldest son got his second Masters, middle son got his Masters, DIL Lisa got her B.A.), work, life, work. Life is not slowing down - how did I ever keep up before my weight loss?? Not very well, that's for sure!

I have an awesone class this year at school. School is hard work, but the kids make it worthwhile. I'm so grateful to still get such a kick out of them.

I am at such a great point in my life - my ex got remarried (again) in November. Nice lady - hope this one works for him! The great part is - we get along fine now. That is a hard won battle - I was not in a happy place eleven years ago. How amazing the Lord's plan is for us - if we can be patient enough to see it to fruition! My Jim is a sweet, sweet man. Peace is a nice place to be.

Two Years of my New Life

It has been an amazing two years! I had RNY surgery July 20, 2009. It was simply the best decision of my life for the following reasons:

• I am no longer morbidly obese - or even obese! My BMI is now 29.5, merely overweight. If I had the plastic surgery that I would jump at if I were 10 years younger or were not as close to retirement, that problem would probably go away too. But considering that I have lost 170 lbs, just turned 60, my body looks not bad indeed.
• I enjoy the following activities - clothes shopping, dancing, walking, biking, acting silly on the playground - all things that I couldn't or wouldn't have done two years ago.
• I do not mind having my picture taken!! I am looking forward to family pictures at my son Randy's wedding in September. I ache when I look at myself in pictures from my other two son's weddings. I did not project the happiness I was feeling.

I am grateful for the support of my wonderful surgeon, Kelvin Higa, my PCP - Catherine Wille, my family, who love me for me - fat or thin, Jan Ritchey, who has helped me "talk it out" and try to gain peace with why I was obsese to start with, friends who have been an amazing support - both virtual friends from the online WLS community and Dotti's WLZ - you guys are amazing!! and real life friends - Susan, Rosemary, Sandy, my school support system. Most of all, my sweet Jim - who met me small, loved me, saw me get crazy and still loved me, and is so happy to have a healthy, happy companion. You are the best, sweetheart!

A New Me

Hey there. I just realized that I didn't post a new entry last month. Actually, that's a good thing because it has been a busy, amazing month. I feel great. This has been, hands down, the best decision of my life. I have been, in the 11 months post surgery, going to therapy exploring my food addiction. I have to say that I am enjoying food more that I ever have in my life, now that I am slowing down enough to savor the flavors, textures, experiences of food. One thing that has helped immeasurably in that regard are friends I have made in the WLS community. My biggest inspiration is Michelle - whose blog is full of recipes, tips, stories and information. Her marvelous ideas about food are great for non-ops, too! Worth checking out.She has made eating much more fun and enjoyable for me since my surgery. She is running a contest to give away a Cuisinart ice cream maker, so a great time to check out her blog. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.com/

As of today: eleven months exactly and 147 pounds lost!

A New Spring

I am happy. I had a week off from school for Spring Break. It was filled with activity. My best friend Susan and her husband Glenn visited from PA. My house is cleaner than it has been in a long time. I planted flowers, cooked, read, rested, went shopping - both in stores and in boxes of outgrown clothes. I find that I like my old clothes more that I bought when I was thinner. Easter was a beautiful day - Randy gave me a compliment for cooking a big holiday dinner when I did not eat many of the things. I thought about it - but find that it is really not about eating the food - it is joyful to please y0ur family. 8 1/2 months after surgery - I weigh 125 pounds less.

Saturday Musings

Time is really flying for me of late. Busier than ever in school. Seem to be running on caffeine (twitch. Not enough to notice. twitch)

I have had the flu crud the last week - missed 3 days of school. Can't help thinking how this would have left me reeling pre surgery. Lots of WOW moments like that lately.

Realizing that I was not even close to being the biggest person in the room at a staff meeting.

Having my car towed for repairs and getting up into the towtruck - no problem. (Big WOW moment!)

Having to remind myself to eat - always wanted to be "that girl".

Striking up a conversation with a stranger getting gas one morning and realizing how much more outgoing I am when I am happy and confident.

Feeling brave enough to weigh myself with jeans on in the middle of the day and still liking what I see!

Seven 1/2 months and 115 pounds gone!

I Heart My Life!

I have been waaay busy lately - I have even been neglecting the internet (gasp!)! But I am happier than I have been in ages. I have the energy to push on like the Energizer bunny. When I look back at my life a year ago, it seems like a different person was living it.

Good things in my life lately:

Jim and I went to the coast last weekend - I went to sleep with the ocean roaring in my ears each night. Bliss. Had some nice meals, walked on the beach, even a little wine.

My BFF for the last 40 some years. Susan and her husband Glenn made plane reservations for March to Fresno. I am SO excited!!

My hair is finally getting back to more like normal. It took a big beating from the shock of my surgery and was falling out like crazy. Sure am glad I had a lot to start with (and for Sandy, my good friend and hairdresser)

Bags and bags of clothes donated to Goodwill!

Eating is more and more enjoyable - in no small part to Shelly - a fellow WLS friend who has a great blog http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ She is my inspiration for eating well and m0st creatively! My lunches are envied in the staff room every day. I heart Eggface!

109 pounds gone and feeling fine!

New Year - New Life!

I had the best winter vacation ever - it was amazing to have energy to have fun, instead of just falling apart from exhaustion. The "food issues" of the holidays were not issues. I still felt as if I nurtured my loved ones - I told each to pick one favorite cookie - and baked four batches - it was amazingly, enough. (Guess I must have eaten waaay too many cookies all by myself in years past! :) I took a breather from the gym in the three weeks before the holiday vacation and discovered that I fell out of my swim suit when I went back! I donated five huge bags of clothes to Good Will. And this morning I woke up to a nice surprise - six months to the day after surgery I hit a milestone - exactly 100 pounds lost! Who-whooo! Feeling terrific.

Christmas Day

Happy. Warm. Laughter. Family. All of the above are what make this day precious to me. Skyping with Rob and Katie. Cooking and eating a big family breakfast with Ryan and Lisa. Cooking a big beef roast with Jim. Cuddling in a quiet house with the animals. Have I mentioned how blessed my life is? Does it show how much happier I look than a year ago? Five months out - 89 pounds gone.

All I Want for Christmas

I think I already have it. Peace in my life. Love. Laughter. My one wish for myself is that my health continues to improve. It is not at all connected to the size of my clothes, but the ease that I have gotten in getting through my days and feeling as if I have something left at the end of it. Food is not worth giving up that feeling. My wishes for others? Rob and Katie: Happiness in the new house and all the "firsts" that are coming their way. Randy: Patience and love. Ryan and Lisa: Patience and hope. Jim: Knowing how much you are loved. Relaxation and good times each and every day. Susan and Glenn: Good health and happiness. Jan: Good days with family. I am five months our from surgery and 86 pounds lighter. Good times!

I'm Thankful for . . .

I have so many, many things in my life that make it good - a week off from work, enough energy to enjoy it, my family, Jim, my sweet pets, my friends - real-life AND cyber, my warm home, my job (most days I love it), a wonderfully sweet class this year, AND 81 pounds gone!!!

Eating Out

Well, I survived a weekend away. I went to Los Angeles for the weekend to see my son and daughter-in-law and see USC get bushwacked by Stanford. It meant eating in restaurants all weekend. Actually it went well. I ordered some soup and a side of spinach the first night, and shared a few bites of Jim's steak. Breakfast was cottage cheese and chicken sausage one morning and a scrambled egg and bacon and fruit the other. Lunch on game day was the trickiest - but I prepared by bringing a string cheese and a protein bar with me. Saturday's dinner was two appetizers - 3 meatballs and a small salad (perfect for a tiny tummy!) I was pleased at my choices. I was even more pleased at how well I coped with all the walking and the steep climb into the coliseum - that alone would have killed me pre-surgery. 73 pounds = big difference!

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

Most mornings lately, I stand in front of my closet and try to decide what might fit today. Many mornings, I change clothes at least twice. A nice problem, to find that you are shrinking! I am rediscovering some old favorites. It would be nice if the weight came off in all areas equally, but I will take any loss that comes my way - no complaints here. Feeling great - down 62 pounds.

Esther (Williams) Hart

Well - I'm closing in on three months past and I have a real victory to report. As some of you know, moving my body (by choice) has never been my strong suit. I own and use (very begrudgingly) a treadmill. Let's just say that I am still waiting for the endorphin rush. Anyhow, two weeks ago I (re)joined a local woman's gym. I have been going to a water cardio class - an hour of fun that lets me forget how hard it is. I hope that my enthusiasm stays afloat. (pun intended) 57 pounds (who-whoo!)

Gone country.

God is great. Life (beer) is good. People are crazy. Don't worry about my sobriety - I'm just another country music fan. My daddy would laugh. 8 weeks tomorrow - 41 pounds. (Hey, life IS good!)

Busy, busy

School has been incredibly time consuming lately. Thursday night was the first time I walked out of the classroom with just my purse. (Granted, I left at 6:00) The paperwork is just awful lately. The next person who I hear making a smart comment about how easy teachers have it is going to get duked out by me. The incredible thing is that I have the energy to keep up with the pace. I am again on my feet much of the day, my knees feel 100% better. I feel like a new person. And I know it is just going to get better. 7 weeks --> 35 pounds.