HAPPY NEW YEAR! 3 Things Crucial For Success in 2015

Another year done and a new one just beginning. Like a blanket of fresh, pure white snow, wiping the slate clean. It is a chance to start new, wipe the slate clean, and make the changes that perhaps didn't come as easily last year. It is also a chance to look back over the last year. A chance to peer through the window of time to assess the successes and failures of the last year and a second chance to make things right.

Any Old Port in a Storm

“Any old port in a storm…”  this is one of my mother’s favorite sayings in reply to a search for good news or hope in a situation.  Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie, I think her catchphrase is applicable to us all.

Friday Food Fix - Lentil Soup

Nights are getting colder as winter is approaching so warm up with one of my favorite, go to, budget recipes. With over 22 g of protein in a serving, this is an amazing way to each cheap. This entire recipe can be made for about $1.00 a serving. Pair this with a salad for an amazing and healthy home cooked meal.  

How I "Took The Easy Way Out!"

I’m Not You… You’re Not Me…

What Are Your Trigger Foods

I can taste it now! It's chewy with a slightly crisp outside. The sweetness dances across my tongue as I let it linger there for just a moment or  two. I savor each and every bite. The feel of the thick sugar crystals in my mouth. The glass of cool milk flowing over my tongue, wiping my pallet clean to be able to savor round two completely from scratch. For me it is pure ecstasy.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

I took some time today to sneak away from the family, food, and fun to write a short Thanksgiving post for you: my fans! The last few months have been an amazing experience and one that I will always cherish. It has taken a lot to put myself out there and be as vulnerable with the world about my struggles, my triumphs, and my journey as a whole. You have all embraced my journey with me and have been a source of constant encouragement and love.

Suze's Muses - THANKSGIVING THANK YOU!!!

Coming into the Thanksgiving holiday, I asked Susan to write a post about all the things she is thankful for. I know it sounds a little sappy, but I have posted her response to my holiday challenge and I will be posting one tomorrow as well. Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow as well to see my thoughts on this amazing holiday. Be sure to post comments below about all of the things you are thankful for this holiday season and share the love with the readers of this site to gain encouragement as we all prepare for the holiday season ahead. Thank you all for all of your love and support on this site. 

Suze's Muses - “Why are you doing this, anyway?” – a look at the psychological portion of pre-op testing

Greetings once again from the Musings of Suze!  Today I’m offering my proverbial 2 cents regarding a topic I see many folks concerned about…the psychological “exam” that’s a part of the approval process for WLS.  I didn’t include it in my post about the other portions of the testing process, because I don’t personally view the psychological test in the same ilk as all of the others. 

Pumpkin Mousse

FRIDAY FOOD FIX - Pureed Cauliflower – Alfredo Style

Suz's Muses - “Another test?? I didn’t study for this one either!!”

Greetings, dear readers- and thanks for checking out my first contribution to Jonathan’s blog!  My topic today isn’t necessarily for women only, but it’s something I see a lot of folks ask about on WLS forums…all those pesky TESTS we have to take before we get taken to the OR.  I’ll begin today (as probably with a number of topics) by saying that though we’re all on this same journey together, how we get there is a very individual experience- everyone’s surgeon is different as are insurance companies.  You may not have to have as extreme of a testing conglomeration as I did, but it’s my hope that if you’re required to have any of the tests done that I did, this post can provide some clarification as to what to really expect when you go.

GOAL ACCOMPLISHED! Running My First 5K

My Good Friend Suze!

Greetings, everyone!  My name is Susan.  I live in Maryland, I’m 44, and I had my RNY on October 23, 2014.  I’m very excited to be asked by Jonathan to be a guest writer on his inspirational blog! 

Like all of us, I've had my share of weight problems and the “diet yo-yo” for all of my adult life.  Fortunately I never really experienced the teasing and embarrassment so many overweight people faced- at least not in the traditional sense.  I’d always felt perfectly fine- healthy as a horse, though I ate like one at times.  My family was always completely accepting of me exactly how I was- I remember Mom telling me “God made you just the way you are”.  A nice sentiment, but I knew full well that General Mills, Hershey’s, Napa Valley and Barilla pasta made me just the way I was. 

Friday Food Fix - Green Chili Eggs

      

         

DAV 5K Here I Come!!!

HAPPY SURGIVERSARY TO ME!!!!!

Words cannot describe what the last year of my life has been like, nor could I have fathomed just how drastically different my life would be. I knew things would be different, but nothing like this. I knew I would be healthy, but not this healthy. One year ago today at the exact time I am typing this, I was being wheeled back into an operating room for a surgery that would change my life forever.

How I Found Freedom In Spinning My Wheels

The feeling of absolute freedom is exhilarating. I can hear the wind whipping by my ears, feel it flowing over my body. It is probably the closest I can say it would feel like to fly. This feeling makes me feel fast and agile. I can see tons of beautiful countryside in a short time while still being able to take it all in: The sights, the smalls, the sounds. It is a time of reflection and meditation. I time to center myself. It is one of the few times I feel truly alive!

How I Prepared for Surgery Part 3 - My Soul

The final thing I did to prepare myself for surgery was probably one of the most emotional and religious experiences for me. This is a very tough topic to write about so I will do my best to do so with tact and reverence. This part of preparing for surgery made me look deep into my soul and ask some really tough questions. The last thing I needed to do before surgery was prepare my soul. The hardest question I had to ask myself was what if the worst should happen? How would I handle it?

How I Prepared for Surgery Part 2 - My Mind

At the 2012 Heart Mini 5K in Cincinnati, Ohio - This walk nearly killed me, but was a great preparation for surgery.

This is the second post in my series on how I prepared for weight loss surgery. The first post covered how I prepared my body for the surgery and offered a few tips to those who may not be able to follow the same course of action that I took. This post will deal specifically with how I mentally prepared for surgery and all the changes I was going to need to make to be sure I was successful.