The Holy Grail Part One......Emotional Balance

Regaining a sense of emotional balance is one of the 4 principles that I discovered on my journey and that I like to call the Holy Grail, the key that I found to finally succeed in my weight loss goals.  When, not IF I fail in these goals, I return to these core principles and start over.  I am not perfect or invincible, I am just committed to the cause.  I struggle with emotional weaknesses.  Failure has been a part of my journey, just as potholes are part of any road.  These principles have carried me through the fire of a 150+ pound  weight loss over the last 4.5 years.  They are what will see me to the end and victory.  These core principles have given me the fortitude to do things that I would never ever have even considered attempting in the past.  Swimming laps for 60 minutes straight, run/walking for 3.5 miles, ZUMBA class for 60 minutes 4 times a week.  Not bragging here, just want to share what got the spark inside of me burning that makes me keep going and incorporating these things into my daily life.  With the ability to regulate your core environment comes the self confidence needed to accomplish the impossible.


To recap, the four core principals are:


1)  Emotional Stability
2)  Drying out - recovering from food addiction
3)  Reprogramming the reward center
4)   Mastery of the response-ability, the ability to choose your response in the face of stimulus.  


One of the reasons that I feel I have made it as far as I have is  because I began a process toward emotional balance.  Much of this was unplanned and but it seems it was a part of my hearts natural emotional cleansing process.  When this was happening I did not see it.  It was not until I began to look back that a pattern emerged.  This is the path to my emotional healing.  This is not an inclusive list, this is just the path that I seemed to follow.  The key principle is to pursue the things that bring emotional balance however that is defined for you.


My journey to emotional stability:


1)  Journey to the root of the problem
2)  My relationship with the scale and the binge
3)  Self talk
4)  Realistic goal setting
5)  Independence


Journey to the root of the problem ~~~~~


This journey is far more than simply losing some unwanted pounds.  I was emotionally battered, and I did not even realize it since I had developed so many unhealthy coping mechanisms.  I would eat to suppress and then simply laugh it off.  My reaction to leaving the buffet table with another piled high plate of food was simply to smile and say " I will start my diet tomorrow"  I had lost touch with myself in a really big way.


So many times, when I was working out, I would have emotions that would erupt from out of nowhere.  I would feel like I was going to cry a river of tears.  Not because I had over exerted myself but because of a repressed hurt from long ago.  I found myself taking laps in anger.  This was a form of resentment that was trying to get out.  


It took a long time, but I am certain that self introspection and dealing with the issues are the reason that I am being successful.  What I thought was going to be another attempt at losing weight, became and transforming, inward journey.  This is where I believe most fast track ways to lose weight fail.  Aside, from goofing up your metabolism,  people who strip off a lot of weight fast rarely get to the root of the problem.  It take time to work through the issues.  For me, the weight was an outward sign of an inward issue.


Sometimes it hurts, and when food has been used to soothe inner pain, the process can be threatening.  After living a life of avoidance, it was difficult for me to face issues.  Like a boil, it would come to the surface until one day it was lanced with confrontation.  The resulting tears was cleansing to the soul.


Releasing myself emotionally has been a big part of putting out the fire that was driving my binges.  Unresolved anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, and anxiety can take on many forms and can be difficult to recognize.  I had to go through the uncomfortable process of confronting past hurts and those who inflicted them.  In doing so it has brought about the healing that is necessary to the sense of emotional stability.


I am convinced that attempts at losing weight when emotional eating issues are at work will be doomed to failure if this is not part of the process.  Layer after painful layer must be dealt with.  




Next - My relationship to the scale and the binge.

The Holy Grail Part One

I decided it was time to write about what I have learned over the nearly five years since beginning my journey with the Lap Band.  It is important that I recognize it and share it with others. If I can possibly help one other person, then I will have been successful.


I found that the key to success did not lie with one nutritional method or exercise routine.  The key lies within.


I can use whatever TOOLS I choose, but ultimately my success comes from within.


  Why do I call what I have learned the Holy Grail you might ask.  For those who are not aware, the Holy Grail is the Chalice that Jesus Christ used at the last supper.  If you are familiar there are those who would search the ends of the earth for the Holy Grail because they believe it holds unearthly powers, healing powers, magical powers if you will.  No cost to high to pay, no sacrifice to great.


This concept, I found parallels millions of us who try to break the tyranny of obesity.  


Over the years I have spent countless hours in reflection. Why I would lose 70 pounds only to gain it back and then some.  Why I could stick to a plan of healthy living and exercise and actually be successful and lose 25 pounds, but suddenly a bump in my road would derail this success.  Why after losing 80+ pounds in 15 months with my Lap Band did I derail and regain 68 pounds.  How did that happen.  Most importantly why did it happen.  I had to figure out this answer if I would be able to turn it around once and for all.


I have been told Kristin do not beat yourself up over that regain of weight, you are back on track.  I do not wish to beat myself up, but I had to figure out the WHY.  Why it happened, what was the root cause if I was to be successful on turning my obesity around for good.


In my journey I found the answer not from a diet, not from a device that had been placed inside of me, not a new exercise fad, what I found is....... that it lies within.


I can hear the nay sayer's right now,  "well that might well work for you...but I am different, special, (insert your excuses here)."  I know that this sounds bold of me to claim, but let us take a look.


If we were really all that different then the following would need to take place:


Dr's would have to throw out their diplomas, because a broken bone for one would not be the same as a broken bone for another.


Personal trainers....same thing....exercise programs would be useless, because of the myriad of variations for each person would make training clients a huge task.  Hmmmm why do so many running training programs, follow a similar core pattern?


Food industry - hmmm millions spent to ensnare just a few in addicted lifestyle.  Poor investment in my opinion, IF such a thing were true.


The truth is every time I hear the ...."well that works for you BUT" clause....what I am really hearing is the cop out that one experiences when facing the ultimate truth.


The bottom line is that we do share some fundamental things in common.  That these commonalities can actually be considered realistic and absolute truth.  In a world of loose and shifting values, this concept of absolute truth is met with resistance.


The Values:


1) Drying out - recovering from food addiciton.
2) Re-programming the brains reward center
3) Mastering the ability to choose one response in the face of powerful stimuli
4) Emotional stability and balance


These are foundational values.  If any one of them is missing, your platform that supports your journey will become unstable and collapse.


Over the next few days I will be blogging about these values. I want to address each one of them with you a little more.  Why?  Because as I feel it would be a sin to not share the cure with cancer.  I also feel, it is a sin for me to not share the foundation in being successful in losing a substantial amount of weight and keeping it off.  I have lost a total of over 150 pounds over the 4.5 year journey with my Lap Band.  I believe what I have learned is the HOLY GRAIL!


I want to share it with you.

Finals are over....ready to ZUMBA!

Last night was my coding final.  This was over ICD-9 and ICD-10.  This class was very stressful for me, simply because it is a huge part of my major and I must do well.  I have had no issues with the homework.  So I was pretty confident heading into my final, but still stressed.  LOL


I got a 100% and nearly passed out.  I also got a 100% on my final in Computers in Healthcare as well. I got A's in both classes. I am very happy to be done with the quarter and letting my brain get a rest.


I started tanning this week, so that I am not so pasty white when I take the boys to the pool in the next couple of weeks.  I am not a huge tanning bed fan, but I do it a few times a year to keep a little color on my body.


I am off tomorrow and my mom has two Dr. appointments so most of my day will be spent with her.  


I am so freaking excited that I will have another night open to do ZUMBA now over the summer!  Tonight is Dawn's class and I cannot wait.

I had a nice NSV this morning, I put one of my all time favorite tops on, that I have not been able to even get over my head in three years, this morning and it fits!!!  It is a size large.  I was so happy and everyone commented at work how cute this shirt is.


I plan on going through my closet tomorrow morning and weeding out clothes.  So if anyone is interested in winter tops and pants let me know.  I will have some summer stuff as well.  If not, I am going to set them aside for the BOOBS exchange in the fall.  Sizes will be 18 and XXL large tops with some XL thrown in the mix.


I am excited about the holiday weekend coming up, we are taking the boys and mom and heading to Chicago.  We are spending it with Neal in his new Condo in the city.  Planning on doing the Shed's with the boys and some site seeing.  Lots of walking will be done for sure.  I just love this city.


I am also working "field day" at Adam's school on the 25th.  They play games and the kids get to enjoy being outside.  It is so much fun have done it every year.  This year I am in better shape and will not need to sit on a chair.  I am thrilled about that.  The kids always have so much fun it makes it worth while.

I am going to share a recipe:


To cleanse your system, Kim Lyons' special 5 ingredient Fat Flush Water is simple to make and tastes great.  Besides its main ingredient of water, the Fat Flush contains grapefruit that's loaded with vitamin C to help your body turn fat into fuel.  The tangerine increases your sensitivity to insulin, stabilizes blood sugar, and stimulates genes to burn fat.  Cucumber helps you feel full and acts as a natural diuretic, which means less bloating and water retention.  And lastly, it has peppermint, which is not only refreshing but also promotes better digestion and stomach calm.  Make a big pitcher of Fat Flush Water every morning.  The longer it sits, the better it will taste.  Drink at least one 8 ounce glass three times a day before each meal for 10 days straight.

Fat Flush Water

Ingredients, per 8-ounce serving

Water

1 slice grapefruit

1 tangerine

½ cucumber, sliced

2 peppermint leaves

Ice

Directions

Combine ingredients in a large pitcher.

This will super charge your fat burning efforts.  Trust me!  I am liking some of her ideas very much.  If you are not familiar with her she is a nutritional coach. She shared her knowledge on the biggest loser TV Show.  I do not watch that show either.  I am not a fan of reality TV!


I am so ready to workout tonight.  Bring IT!

HUMANA SURGERY DENIAL UPDATE

I just received a call from my Surgeons office.  Humana called them today.  They received my appeal and they are approving my lap band removal!


I guess my 7 page letter woke them up to the fact that I did not WANT to lose my band!


Glad the chapter is over and I can rest knowing the bills will be paid.

Another ONE bites the dust........Monday!

Mother's Day was Awesome! I got the best present.  I got a Kitchen Aid food processor which I have wanted forever.

My New Toy

I also got a beautiful necklace from Adam and Cole! It reminds me of Adam and that he is always with me.  I think it is so wonderful.  I will cherish it.

My beautiful necklace

We did the Race For The Cure on Saturday and had a great time.  Cole did fantastic and walked the entire way.  It did not rain only sprinkled for a very short time.

Adam and I with OSF LifeFlight Helicopter

Adam walking for Aunt Rae Ann

s

Cole and Alan at Race with his balloon!

We had an amazing time!  Nichole and the boys had fun seeing all of the people.  Adam was amazed he had never seen so many people in one place before!

Adam Nichole and Cole 

The rest of the weekend was fine until yesterday afternoon, while I was cooking and getting ready for our dinner.  I started feeling sick at my stomach, and low and behold I got really bad diarrhea and vomiting.  I stayed home today, since I have two finals this week that I need to study for.


I lost another pound when I got on the scale this morning.  That made my day.  I have ZUMBA tonight and am looking forward to it.  I was unable to go on Saturday because my hamstrings were on fire after the walk.  It is a very hilly walk and my body was pretty sore.


I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!

Race for the Cure...then FINALS...and 2.5 MORE!!

My Stargazers will soon be open

Wow where has this week gone!  It was a busy one for me, I have finals next week, so I am rapping up the last of my homework, so that I can study.  I will be so glad this quarter is over.  I am taking the summer off and going to enjoy my time with my grandsons! I am anxious for my Stargazer lilies to open, they are getting closer.






Yesterday was my day off, and I was thinking about Grace over at Graces Fat Chance.  She was one of my roommates at BOOBS last year and she is an amazing woman.  She has come so far with her weight loss.  139 pounds is nothing to shake a stick at it my opinion.  Yesterday she had to have her band removed.  So another BOOB looses her band.  Please stop by and give her some moral support.  She is getting married in a few months and this was definitely not expected on the pre wedding agenda!


Tomorrow is the RACE FOR THE CURE!  I live in Peoria, IL where this race originated in 1983.  Susan Komen lived here and is buried here.  To say this event is huge here is an understatement.  Runner's from all over the world come to run in it, and walkers, well last year's race drew over 23,000 participants.  It is an incredible spectacle.  Having Kristie's mom (my best friend since we were 9) die of it in 1981 almost one year to the date, after Susan G Komen died, makes this an even more heartfelt event for my family and I.  My sister in law Rae Ann is a 5 year survivor!  I think most us know of someone personally that has been touched by this disease.  So tomorrow morning we dawn our tee's and tinnies, and head out with Adam and Cole and Alan and do this event.  I hope that next year, I can consider running it!

Adam 3 years old

Sunday is Mother's Day!  This is always a hard day for me.  Having lost Adam, I think of him so much around this time of year!  His birthday is the 30th of May (the actual Memorial Day).  He would have been 28 years old, which I cannot wrap my head around.  I get to share this day with my beautiful daughter Nichole and two grandsons Adam and Cole, which helps tremendously.  I also am blessed to be able to still share it with my own mother.  Who is the strongest woman I know.  She has had such a hard life, but she never let it stop her and she continued to be compassionate and loving and most of all caring.  After nearly losing her at Christmas this past year, I am so happy that she is doing well.

On the weight loss front, I am down 2.5 pounds this week.  ZUMBA ROCKS!!  Is about all I can say.  I am totally addicted to it.  I will tell all those sitting around wondering why they are not losing weight this.....get up and get  dancing ladies!  It is the most vigorous workout, and makes you think  some days that you might just puke!  When you are done, you feel like a million bucks.  Energy galore!  Yes my muscles are sore, but it is a GOOD sore!  I am getting stronger and at 50 years of age that is also a good thing.  Phentermine is helping with food cravings and hunger, as I still have none of those at all.  Head hunger is even under control.  I believe once you purge the processed and refined sugars out of your body, you no longer crave it!  I am finding it easier and easier to make healthful choices.


I am soooo stinking happy right now!


Happy Mothers Day to all of my BOOBS!  I miss you and cannot wait to see you all in September!

Cinco de Mayo fun and a birthday thrown in!!

I was not looking forward to missing the boys this weekend.  As it turns out I was very busy so the time went by rather quickly.


Picked up the boys packets for the Race for the Cure this coming Saturday!  Alan, Nichole and Beth Ann and I went to our favorite local Mexican restaurant for dinner on Sat night.  I had a couple of sips of a frozen Margaretta and that was enough believe it or not!  Had a great time!


Saturday morning, had to head off to Adam's soccer game.  They finally scored a goal, it was so wonderful!  Then Nichole and Beth Ann and I headed to the Riverplex and our Saturday morning Zumba class!  I just want to say, my butt hurts real bad these days, from all the squats.  Dawn makes us do plenty of them, she says she is toning our butts for bikini season.  Hell, I will not see a Bikini this season nor next, probably never again, which is quite alright with me and YOU probably. LOL  However, I am happy that my butt is getting noticeably smaller.

New Balance 730

Then it was off for some power shopping at Kohls.  I had some Kohl's cash to spend and I had a 20% off anything in the store coupon as well.  I got some great deals.  I bought a couple of tops, and a white pair of Capri's size 16!!!!!  That made me smile.  Then I found the best thing of all.  My new running shoes.  I am so excited to try them out tonight.  They are incredibly light weight so I will be doing Zumba in them!


It was a good day, and beautiful weather.  Yesterday Mom and Nichole and I went to La Peep for lunch.  It is a nice local place that has some fairly healthy choices.  I had grilled chicken breast on a bed of Penni pasta with red and green peppers, red onions and mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes.  I ate all of the chicken which was about one cup, and only four bites of pasta.  I was full!!!  I left the bread stick alone, and I ate all of my 1/2 cup of mixed fruit. Great lunch and great company!


Last night we had Alan's birthday party when the boys came home.  He is 57 tomorrow.  We had an Angry Birds cake which we knew that Cole would just love.  We were not disappointed he was so excited by it.  He sat on Gramps' lap and helped him blow out his candles.  It was priceless.


I am anxious for ZUMBA tonight with Jose`.  Four friends from work are coming to see what all the fuss is about.  They have never done Zumba.  I think it will be great to see them try it, and hopefully they will find it as much fun and rewarding as I have.


Can I tell you that I look forward to my work outs, in fact they are on my mind all of the time.  I wish my gym would add more classes, that would not have been me not so long ago.  I would have found excuses to NOT WORK OUT!  I am so glad that I turned that corner for good! My body is definitely under construction in a good way!

I am also proud to say that my 3.3 pound loss for the week stuck!  

Great News!

We had Cole's IEP yesterday, that is his (Individual Education Plan) and it went great!  They agreed that he should attend Charter Oak in the fall for Kindergarten and he should do well in a blended classroom without an aid.  He is right where he should be academically in fact he is ahead of many entering kindergarten.  He can write all of his letters and he makes them perfectly.  The occupational therapist said she had never seen this before.  A child his age that could do that!  I am so happy, I know he has a lot of ground to gain with his speech, but to know that he is doing so well otherwise is just fantastic. We know how intelligent Cole is, he is crazy smart! To say we are thrilled is not accurate.  We are to the moon and back.  Autism is not easy to take when you first hear the diagnosis.  There is so many unanswered questions, and no one child reacts the same to therapies. You sort of get the diagnosis and then are left to figure out on your own what to do next.  We have come to accept the differences in Cole as unique and would not change him.  We would love to see him become a talker however.


I believe that he has made huge strides in the special education preschool he has attended the past three years!  I am grateful to all of the staff there, who love him.


On the weight loss front, I woke up this morning to another pound done gone!  So that makes 3.4 pounds this week and my official weigh in does not happen until Sunday!  How cool is that.  All of my dance classes are starting to pay off big!


I love this deli in town it is called The Great Harvest Bread Co. and they have the most delicious things.  I have been having  a half of Harvest Veggie sandwich for lunch on occasion this past month.  However, today I ventured out of my boundries and had their California Cobb Sandwich.  Oh was it awesome, it has turkey, bacon, tomato, red onion, lettuce avocado, and red pepper spread.  It is the bomb!  It has 32 grams of protein in it!  I have it on their 9 grain bread which is melt in your mouth greatness!  Did I tell you how nice it is to have a sandwich again.  LOL it has been so long, because I could never eat bread without PBing with the band.  I do not do it often, but I have been having some bread, which is ok as long as I stick to my calories for the day.


I am thrilled it is Friday, I have homework to do and plan on seeing the Lucky One I hope.  The boys are with their father this weekend, so the house will be quiet.


Next weekend is the Race for the Cure, and I am so ready!!

75 pounds = 75 followers

Is it a coincidence that I have lost 75 pounds and now have 75 followers?  Well even if it is not I find it really cool!  I also am happy because I have a confirmed roomie for BOOBS!!!! That is exciting.  It is Jen over at whatyoulookinatskinny!!!!  I am really excited. If you have not found her lovely blog please head on over and say hey!  She has a beautiful baby boy! Now if Jessica can just get here our room will be set!  She is suppose to know really soon.  I hope so, I know she will have a great time.  


I cannot believe it is almost the beginning of summer. I am so ready for it.  I want the sun, and fun with the boys.  I want to work at running, and being even more active out doors.  Taking long hikes and Max for trips out on the Rock Island trail.  It sadly has been raining nonstop for the past three days and I am so tired of it.  I know we needed the rain as we did not get it in April.  However, we DO NOT need it all at once.  LOL


Adam and Cole are out of school on the 30th.  This happens to be my Adam's birthday!  We are going to be in Chicago for the memorial day weekend with Neal, Nichole's best friend.  He just bought a Condo in downtown Chicago!  Looking forward to seeing it and him.  We are going to go to Shed's and do the Natural History Museum with Adam.  It should be fun.  We hope to also see Alan's brother Paul and wife Suzanne as well while we are there and hopefully my nephew Sam who will be home from Vassar for the summer.


Zumba tonight with Dawn, I am actually beginning to really like her class.  It is so different from Jose`.  She has much more dance steps in it, she actually teaches dance and has for some time.  I just am clumsy and I use to dance in high school.  So it makes me really frustrated.  Is it just me, or when we get older is it harder to use our arms in coordination with our feet?  LOL


I was happy this morning when I got on my scale because the 2.3 pound loss stuck.  It will be interesting when I see the Surgeon tomorrow and how he addresses all that has happened to me since February 7th. I will let you know!

It's May 1st.....Happy May Day!! 2.3 is history!

May Day Festival

You know if you had asked me 7 months or even 5 months ago if I would be where I am today I would have said No Way!  Would I be without my band..are you kidding..... no way!  I still find it surreal at times after nearly 5 years of living with it, that it is gone.  No longer there to keep me in check.

Adam's Grave Colorado

The fabulous part of all of it, is that nearly two months now since I had to have it removed and you know what.  I am doing a good job of keeping myself in check, that's right I am!  Does that make me unique, I doubt it, does it make me committed?  You damn right it does.  But no more than anyone else.  When faced with no choice, I choose strength.  I called upon the inner strength that I know I have from when I lost Adam so long ago.  I asked myself what would he do or want me to do.  He answered me, with be strong MOM you can do this!  


You see, there are no right or wrong ways to go about this weight loss stuff.  The way that I see it, is you have to deal with what life brings.  No way can anyone predict what the future really holds.  Perhaps some believe the Tarot card readers might, but I have my doubts.  Life has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass.

It tasted yummy!!!!!

It is how we roll with it, that matters.  I have learned that I am still tempted by bad choices just like everyone else.  In fact, I ate an entire PayDay yesterday.....and I am not kidding.  The whole damn thing.  Then two hours later I went and worked out with Jose` the king of pain.....my Zumba instructor.  Funny thing is...this morning I get on the scale and I am down 2.3 pounds.  How freaking cool is that!


I cannot say for certain the last time I had a candy bar, but it has been quite awhile.  It tasted good, and I really did not have much guilt for eating it.  I was proud of that.  I am truly trying to live the life of moderation.  I feel that if I do not deprive myself then I will not be tempted to eat all the crap.  So far, it has worked for me.

Enjoy the ride!!!

Long ago, nearly 20 years to be exact.  I tried the diets that limited what we could eat, and cut out food groups, and said no more sugar ever!!  See where that got me don't you.  I lost weight on those diets, but only to see it return with avengeance.  I like being able to just eat and not have to stress about what if I do this, or what happens if I have some of that will the scale reflect it.  So what if it does, I will just work that much harder in the gym on my body!  Working out counters what we put in our mouths.  If you have not already figured this one out, let me tell you, when you do....WOWZA will you ever feel better and see remarkable changes take place both physically and emotionally.


I am less stressed now that I am back to a regular work out routine, I in fact want more ZUMBA classes at the gym than they offer and I am pushing for them.  LOL  I guess changing my addiction from food to fitness is not all bad! I still swim but I am so in love with dancing for exercise that I can not describe it.  Nichole loves it too, we are actually getting good at the steps!  What an amazing feeling, to go from the couch to dancing for an hour!

Today, I am off to Ottawa, to sing for the dedication ceremony of our new hospital.  St. Elizabeth's.  Yes I sing.... if you already did not know from reading my blogs. I have since I was a little girl. I have won competitions but that is not why I sing.  I love music and  I love to sing and do every chance I get. I have done community theatre, and school plays, and sang in the church choir since I can remember.  I find it relaxing. I sing because it makes me feel good inside!  I work for a Catholic organization and our Sisters appreciate when we have music at these types of things.  So I was asked to sing. We have a choir at OSF, where I work and I have been in it for three years now.  We sing on the radio, and we sing at baseball games and we do all sorts of community Christmas programs as well. We are taking a charter bus up and back with some of the Sisters, so I am sure it will be FUN!  LOL  I will need to be on my best behavior.


I have class tonight when I get back in town, only two more weeks and I am done til fall!  Looking forward to that!

Dr Follow Up

I saw the PA yesterday at my Dr. office for my one month follow up after starting on the Phentermine.


I have lost 7 pounds.  I will take it!  I have lost 14 pounds since losing the band on March 12, 2012.  So I am convinced that I can do this.


She went over my food and exercise logs from SparkPeople and told me that I am doing a good job balancing my food choices and getting in my water and protein.  She thinks my food choices are very good.  She was also impressed with my exercise commitment.  She believes that I will achieve success and that I just need to keep up the great job! I have to go back in a month just for a blood pressure check and weigh in!


Jennifer is totally against weight loss surgery.  She said that she believes with support and training and help in redirecting people's addiction to food, that they can change their lives forever without the need for surgery.  But the important thing in that equation is that they address their addiction to food.  Without doing that, they will simply at some point fail, and regain weight.  I am not against weight loss surgery as I know what it can do for people.  I do believe that we are allowing surgery on people with too low BMI's though.  I think that needs to be addressed.


She told me she as a medical professional is tired of seeing these weight loss clinics and practices sell people, desperate people on choosing surgery, and even then they do not help them address their food addiction. Just having them attend support group meetings in not addressing anything in her opinion.  Simply by having LapBand or Gastric Bypass or even the sleeve procedure does not guarantee you will never regain your weight.  She has many many in her practice she advised who have had the surgery and have regained their weight.  In fact, statistics in her practice long term after 7 years for her patients shows that most gain some weight back.


Another component she talked with me about is the commitment to exercise and making it habit, one that will not accept excuse.  I told her that I had blogged about that very thing.  In fact NO EXCUSES was what I had given up for lent, before surgery sidelined my ability to comply.


I am thrilled with how I am feeling both physically and emotionally.  


I am also happy to report that Nichole also saw the Dr. yesterday for her one month and she lost a whopping 17 pounds!  To say she is on top of the moon, is hardly a way to describe it.  She feels she can finally gain control over this monster that had overtaken her.  She and I love working out together, and have made commitments to one another to continue this forever. She is 295!!!!!!!!


Cole is riding for St. Jude this morning in his Trike A Thon, I am also excited that he collected the most pledges in his school.  Not bad for a little guy with Autism if I do say so myself!

Cole getting ready for the Trike A Thon for St. Jude

Happy Friday everyone!