A very merry Christmas to all!!

'Tis the season during which I normally "excuse" my gluttony as normal. It is after all "the HOLIDAYS". Even on the occasions where I was "seriously" dieting, I would suspend said diet in "honor" of any special day. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely think it's fine to have special treats for special occasions. If you're looking forward to a Christmas eve eggnog, by all means have one! It's not a sin to have a food treat. The problem comes in where "treat" turns into "binge".
As anyone who knows me can attest, I am definately a compulsive personality. I am also a bit of a perfectionist. If I'm going to do something ... I'm going to be the best damn-it. OK .... The piont here being.... I am having a mighty struggle with practicing "moderation". My brain "gets" it ... my "psyche".. not so much. Anywhoo I'm going to have a little eggnog... but I won't be using it to wash down... 12 butter cookies, 11 chewy date squares, 10 chocolate truffles, 9...... oh well, you get the idea.

Change of subject... sort of. I had my check up with my (bariatric) surgeon this week. My labs were all perfect...YAY! I am just 8 lbs from my personal goal of 148lbs. I would like to get there by my one year surgiversary feb 2nd. We'll see.

Enjoy the Holidays everyone!
me

Par-tay...

Went to my christmas party at the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery "CWM" (AKA my support group). I got dressed up and put on a face and everything. I even wore a dress. I thought I looked kinda cute (for an old lady).
There were maybe 60-70 people there. Mostly post ops in various stages of their journey. There were also some long term post ops (2-6yrs) who don't usually come to the regular meetings. It was good to see people a few years out who are still working their tool and happy with their decision. This is not a "quick fix" people! You still have to WORK at it for the rest of your life.
I must admit to a few "swell my noggin" moments. Got a bunch of comments on how good I looked ;-) even a couple people wanted to know about my plastic surgery :-o (lol). I haven't had any. Just got lucky in the excess skin department(have some but not TOO bad).We just won't talk about the "chesticles" :-/.
It was pretty shocking to me how many people brought foods/snacks which were not only NOT bariatric friendly, but downright unhealthy for anyone. I made sugar free-fat free cheesecake bites. I even wrote out the recipe and the nut. stats. they came out to just 20 calories each... and yummy! I brought the extras to Chai's house since she's hosting a work party tonight(I always make too much).
OK enough typing for me!
Have a great day all.....

OK Me too

1. Who are you?
Ummm Pat
2. What is your current health/weight status?
I have some health challenges. Chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, asthma, dejenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropothy, spinal stenosis, myelopothy,IBS.... ad nausium. Weight wise though I'm pretty good. I've lost a total of 131lbs so far and have just 12lbs to goal.
3. What does being "healthy" mean to you?
To have a body which will do what I ask of it without having to weigh what I would like to do against the consequences.
4. What is your ultimate goal?
I would love to be able to get back to work. I would like to have enough stamina to lead a "normal" active life. I would really like to not be in a state of either preparing for or recovering from surgery. Oh... and no pain would be nice too.
5. What is the biggest obstacle on your way to your goal?
Darn genes. And fear.
6. Who or what do you look up to the most, in regards to your goals?
Chai and Fatty. Sorry about passing on the crappy genes guys. I admire your determination to do the best you can.
7. If you could take a magic potion, instead of working for it, would you?
Well i guess I'm looking for a magic potion that would allow me to work for it. So... yeah absolutely.
8. What do you look forward to the most?
Getting to and maintaining my goal weight. Finally having enough stuff "fixed" so that I can work out and be a "hot mamma"
9. What is the biggest lesson you've learned so far?
Wishing won't make it so. Not everything can be "fixed" so you need to do the best you can with what you've got.
10. Do you have any big rewards planned?
mmmmmm.... nope

Thanksgiving!

* As of yesterday morning I have lost a total of 130lbs, 100of that has been in the last 9 1/2months! How crazy is thattt!!!
* I am officialy "normal"... not morbidly obese, not obese, not even overweight. I have not been a normal weight since... ummmm.... 1977... and not even all of "77" as I was preggers and chunked up pretty quick ;-)

SO... I am so very thankful for...
* Making the decision to go forward with the gastric bypass
* My FABULOUS surgeons who always manage to put me back together in better shape than they found me. Especially Dr Lapp who gave me back my legs.. I will forever be grateful.
*My wonderful husband who has proved that he really does love me through "thick and thin" ;-). The poor man didn't know what he was getting into when he married me. He has turned into the best nurse ever!
* My incredible kids. They have grown into the most amazing people. Caryn, so sweet so smart, hard-working,a loyal and supportive friend. I'm so happy she has a good husband who adores her. Bryan:Loving, caring, funny,devoted to his friends and family. I love that he has never(even as a teenager) been afraid to give his mom a hug in public. That he is openly devoted to his sisters and mom and dad. Shannon: my baby-girl Has turned into a very dear friend... I can't really say a bunch of mushy stuff because we are so much alike... it would be like tooting my own horn :-P.
I love you all bunches.
* my fabulous sister! The most creative, talented person I know. I am totally impressed with the way she has stepped up to the challenge of caring for our mother.
*My Mom I'm grateful that even with all of her challenges lately, she still has laughter in her days(thanks Deb).
* Emy my very bestest friend. Always listens. Makes me laugh. Makes me think.
*Melissa and Adam, My extra kids... also good friends I hope they know how much I
love them!

* My pups and the coop

that's about all the typing I can handle for now... everyone please enjoy the day and give the important people in your life a big hug!!

Still in one piece

Came home from the hospital yesterday. Feeling OK. I am taking some pain meds so I spend a fair amount of time sleeping. Sore throat, headache and killer muscle spasms in my upper back and shoulders. But overall I'm not feeling too bad. Hubby is taking very good care of me.
I guess I should explain what I had done, for anyone who doesn't know me. I have severe degenerative joint disease.... Which basically means my joints fall apart and get overgrown with bone spurs. In the past few years I've had a bunch of stuff repaired, removed and rebuilt. Knees, foot, shoulder and two lumbar fusions (with rods and screws) Then Monday I had yet another spinal fusion... this one was at C-4,5,6,7 where they went in and removed the bone spurs and the discs... replaced the disc spaces with bone grafts and then screwed a titanium plate over the whole thing to keep it stable while the bone grafts heal and grow into place.
When I've recovered a little more I'll start explaining my weight-loss journey which is the real purpose of this blog... Just got a bit side-tracked.....

time for some more meds..... ummm naptime... later... me

Here I am...

OK ... Chai has been after me to start my own blog here....
SO... here i am!
I am Chai and Fatty's mom... and 2nd mom to Melissa and Adam... grandmamma to Chai (corgi), Zevon and Jaeger.

I have also been a chunker for all of my adult life. Until now.
I had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass Feb. 2nd, 2009. I have lost 128lbs so far... 30 before the surgery and 98 since.

I am a terrible typist so tend to avoid posting.... takes me f-o-r-e-v-e-r.
I will try to be better.
I am however having spine surgery tomorrow so I'll be starting out here with a break in the action ;-) .
I'll be back!