Here we go, welcome 2011

This year is a big year for us.

Next up is my surgery hopefully soon, just awaiting the call from the shrink to get my eval out of the way. I have called my bariatric case manager twice now and emailed her, still no word from her. Shes the one who has to put in my referral so I'm a little anxious to hear back...



Hubby will also be having surgery, this time his jaw will be broken and reset. OW. A few months later his braces will come off just in time for him to deploy



AGAIN!



This year my babies will be starting kindergarten as well *sniff sniff* Thankfully its not full day, I'm not sure how I will handle being home alone for even a couple hours. I keep holding out that maybe, just maybe, hubby will change his mind and we can go back to homeschool or better yet, I'm hoping our Church finds property quickly so we can get our school started there.



In more surgery news, I've officially started buying the new foods I will eat. Like sugar free jellos, sugar free Torani syrups *which I've read are super good*, and also making the switch to decaf coffee. Next up protein powders and sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast.

New Year, New Me

I'm not the type to make resolutions for the New Year. We don't even really do anything to celebrate the New Year, we sleep right on through midnight ;)

However this year is different.

We are starting tomorrow night at our Pastors house. We will probably leave pretty early because we are old like that ;)

Saturday morning starts our new way of eating. NO MORE EATING OUT! Now of course if we get a giftcard we will use it but we will choose wisely.

My husband and I will begin to eat more high protein, low carb meals. We will eat more fresh fruits and veggies. I'm grateful the hubby is willing to go along with this. So many people who have gone through weight loss surgery have little to no support. I will be eating this way for the rest of my life. I also need to really up my water intake, I used to drink water all day everyday and now it seems I can go all day long without a sip of anything. I also need to stop drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after meals, this is a HUGE challenge for me but again, its neccessary for my surgery. Im also switching to decaff coffee.

I hope this will be a good influence on the kids too. I do not want my kids struggling with their weight the same way I have.

We also bought a few new workout and dance games for the Wii we got for Christmas.

By the end of 2011, I will be a new, thin, healthy person!

May God Bless you all in 2011!

Christmas fun!

Christmas morning at my grandparents new house, as you can see my brats, uh I mean children a little on the spoiled side ;)

And yes we ate too much...way too much. I figure I had to eat what I wanted this year before I have to give it all up next year. Well not really give it up next year, chances are all the sweets will be just too sweet for me, or at least I hope.

And this beautiful sunrise was right outside the living room on the porch of my grandparents house, um yeah, it's kind of awesome!

And another picture taken a few days prior, again at the same spot, right outside their living room. Can you believe how beautiful it is at their new home?!

In other news, all my pre-surgery classes are all complete! TOTALLY DONE! AND I have officially been cleared for surgery from my primary doctor WOOHOO!

Now I wait by the phone for the shrink to call and schedule my written test (totally think its insane that I have to do a written test, but whateva) After that I meet with the shrink and then see the surgeon to schedule surgery. YAY ME!

Soooo close, yet it feels so far away.

To tell or not to tell...

So many folks who go through with Weight Loss Surgery are ashamed over their decision, I cant tell you how many stories I have read of people who have kept this secret from family, friends, even spouses and children. Its not always just kept from skinny friends and family either who do not understand the difficulty of dealing with being overweight, many times its kept from overweight people as well. The backlash many people receive is amazing and not in a good way. You see this decision is not an easy decision. Its not a cure all for weight problems, it is simply a tool to help an overweight person lose weight, just as a gym membership is a tool as well. So many well meaning people will suggest the overweight person should just work out more, go for a walk or eat healthier, choose smaller portions, don't eat out, don't drink soda, don't eat processed foods, blah, blah, blah. If only it were that easy.

I have seen some of the most healthy eaters struggle with their weight. Ive seen families full of healthy eaters that exercise all the time struggle with their weight. The "well meaning" comments like the above often lead the overweight person to feel like a failure because they have tried and never succeeded. THis often leads to more weight gain from depression over failing. Its a vicious cycle.

At my WLS orientation, the doctor stated that once a person hits a certain BMI (and I have hit that BMI years ago and have struggled since then) that 90-95% of people who lose the weight will regain it all.


As for me, I am not ashamed that I have chosen to have the VSG but I'm also not sure I want to go around broadcasting my business to all our friends. I do wish I could be one of those skinny girls that never struggles with their weight, that can eat anything under the sun and never exercise yet stay the same weight, but thats just not how my body is, so I know that having the VSG is a big step in the right direction.

So in comes in the decision, who do I tell about my upcoming surgery? Right now our immediate families know, some people from Church know, my closest friends know and some of my hubbys superiors know as he has had to take time off for appts and will need time off for my surgery and of course anyone who comes across my blog knows too ;)

But do I want to tell people on facebook? Then EVERYONE I know will know. I'm not sure I want to do that. I wonder how to handle surgery day, Id like to ask for prayer for that day on facebook but then people will ask what surgery I'm having. Hmm not sure what to do on that one. People will obviously notice me losing a good amount of weight in a short period of time and if they ask, yes I will tell them about the VSG but should I really tell everyone? The people I haven't seen in years and just read status updates on from time to time? I guess I will cross that bridge post surgery....

My new favorite blog

As I prepare for surgery I have gotten a little nervous over what I will be able to eat, eventually I can practically eat anything just in moderation. In the beginning it is especially important to get LOTS of protein.

Im just not creative in the kitchen

My fear was having to eat the same thing day in and day out...

BUT I found this blog, OH how I love this blog! So many super yummy WLS friendly meals! Make sure to check out her story as well.

ANYWAYS, she is having an awesome giveaway right now for CLICK Espresso Protein so head on over and enter to win this prize at The World According to Eggface :)

Growing up too fast!

Another appt down

Let me just say this...these appts are SOOOOOOOOOOOO boring! I know they are neccessary but really now, we need some life in this meetings I have to keep going to. Slowly but surely Im getting through the appts one by one. Next week alone I have 3 appts, then one more the following week and then on to the most important appts leading up to my meeting with the surgeon. Im trying to not be impatient but anyone who knows me knows that I am an impatient person ;)

On a good note, I went to another support group meeting last week and had a great time. I was able to get some good advice on plastic surgery after weight loss so that was awesome.

We also had a gift exchange. And I got an apron! Again anyone that knows me knows that I have this unnatural obsession with aprons ;) Its crazy how stuff like that works out. I had just been telling the group that I was using aprons I have stored away as my mini-goal rewards, next thing ya know, its my turn to pick a present and sure enough it was an apron. hehe.


Things are moving along at home too. Our little man is back in public school and while it is not my desire for him to be there, he is loving it so far. The girls are doing great with preschool as well. The hubby is super busy though preparing for the next deployment which leaves little time for us but thats the military life for ya.





This picture is the official Christmas picture this year haha, these kids crack me up!

And this picture is from little mans first day of school