Pammi G

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Hello!  If anyone still read this blog. 

I usually come back once a year on my anniversary  but have not in 3 years.  What is wrong with me?  Have I forgotten the struggle?

I am 16 years out.  16 years and 1 month out.  WoW never saw myself at this point.   I had been such a failure at weight loss I cannot really fathom this type of success. 

I work at it hard!   I am a gym rat but mostly from habit, not lifting heavy weights or anything but it does feel good to go to start my morning.   Water drinker during the day.   Still low amounts of bread or pasta.     My pouch lets me know when I over eat or eat too much sweets.   I am so sick and uncomfortable when that happens.  I weigh about 10 pounds over my goal but know with a little work I can get back to 183 or so. 

When there are OH conferences again, I am going because I really need to "touch base" with people who know so I can "remember" why I started this journey and give thanks. 

Believe in the sun, even when it is not shining!

Pami

In a few months I will be 13 years out!  13 years I can hardly believe.  I am at a nice weight but I still come to OH and read and remember.

I come back to OH!  It is like an old friend.  I come to read my own story and blog.  This sight has help me keep weight off for all these years. I am happy but like most people my age I would like to lose a few pounds BUT I don't weigh 360 pounds anymore and when I read my story, I remember. 

I really think that is the "secret” of keeping the weight off is to remember. We all have such stories of how weight has affected our lives and then we have WLS and lose so much weight in a short period of time it is incredible. Then we get amnesia. We forget where we came from during this process.  We shun the support groups, the WLS doctor even friends who knew us when we were MO.  

This sight. This Blog. These people are my touchstone.  I don't post much but I do read and come visit my "friends" at OH who KNOW what I have gone though and what I struggle with daily.  

Yes, WLS and be success at it causes amnesia but OH is here to help you remember.... Thank you.

Much luv.

Pami

"And still, they lead me back to the long and winding road . . . " ---- John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Yes! I will have completed my 3rd maybe 4th of "21 Days to a New Habit" tomorrow. This was a hard 21 days challenge for myself. First usually give myself no time limit to complete because it does not have to be consecutive days. This challenge found me completing it in 5 weeks which was very gruelling because 7 days x 5 weeks is 35 days and to fit the 21 days in there left very little room for back sliding. I feel good. Clothing fitting better. Not sure I really lost weight but.....oh well. Closing in on my 12 year of this journey and I am determine to remember every day until August 5th of why I had this surgery. I want to do everything I can to keep my tool working for me. I don't feel my pouch anymore but I know it is there. I plan to do something really special for myself when I reach my goal but it will not include any food.

My only regret about this time and last time and time before, is I haven't found a partner in crime that wants to share or be accountable. Many people start but few finish. The finsh line has been lonely. My daughter recently start a diet and exercise programs and she has done so well down 30+ pounds. I have been her encouragement because I know exactly how she feels ( She was 360+ now at 327-28).

Well as my friend Maxine says "Everything slows day with age, except for the time it take cake & ice cream to reach your hips!"

Namaste!

Happy April 2017..WOW. 

Well I have been doing for over a year now 21 days to a new Habit and it works.  My habit that I have revised and have completed so many times I can't count is exercise. Whenever I derail myself I go back to the 21 days to a "new" habit.  Since I do it more than once is not really a "new" habit  but continuing habit can be said. 

I started this in August of 2015 after my sister and I went on a trip to New Orleans (luv it! We go back almost every year).  I started my first 21 days of going to the gym. My next 21 days was water, water and only water to drink. I have had others but these are the two I continue over an over.  

Maybe this is for only people who are slightly OCD.... which I would not have considered myself as one but........

Trying to get fine by July!

Like my friend Maxine says "It's impossible to scare a woman who's been to the OB/GYN as many times as I have!"

  Pami

Happy March 1, 2017! I am back on track.

Yes, I have gained weight but I have found my way back.  Water, protein and exercise.  I am loving it! It is strange how you know something works then get away from it!  Strange.  Have lost some weight and clothing fitting better just better attitude all the way around.  I have been busy.  Went to Las Vegas last month… AGAIN.  Went to a comedy show, a NPR show and going to a concert this week.  Yes, I am staying really busy.  I really see now how many of us lose our way sometimes.  I lost my way for many months but now I see again.  I had stopped doing things for myself like pedicures or buying books I love to read.  Life is too short as we all know and this is my birthday month too. I am back on track and will work on staying there.

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras.   I have a Maxine cartoon that says "They should give out bead for HOT flashing!"  and I agree!  

Happy 1st day of March, I will pray, reflect and give.

Happy Ground Hogs Day!  Really.  Yes, I will see my shadow but it will be less.  Like many I have made a New Years Resolution to be more watchful of my water and food and it works.  As we all know it will work.  If I keep to what was taught when I had surgery 11 years ago, It will still work today.  Water, protein, exercise.

I had one of those swallow test, so they can view how the pouch is working.  My pouch is very enlarged so that is why I don't feel it.  I keep trying to understand my appetite and keep it in check.  That's hard.  But the few pounds I have lost in January are worth it. It's my start. I have always exercised even when I was 365.  I love to walk and Sweat to the Oldies! (remember that one!) So exercise is not my issue...eating... and eating the wrong things.  So February will find me drinking water, watching my snacking and going to Las Vegas...Hooray.

As my friend Maxine says "That which does not kill us makes us bitter. Really Bitter)  

Happy New Year, belated.

My dear friends in this weight loss journey, I have gained weight!  After 11 years!  I'm kinda upset with myself but after just reading my old posts, I see how far I've come. I don't "feel" my pouch anymore.  I have been looking for ways to tighten it back. I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow to see if that is possible. I want another 11 years!  My weight gain has been slow but from my lowest of 179 I am now 227 and that is not good. I was so happy when i got below 200. I still feel that really happy moment. I drink water. I exercise....in fact I love the gym!  I do 30 to 40 minutes of cardio and treat myself to the sauna or whirlpool (that's my reward). I obviously am eating too much and not the right things.  My appetite in the last year as returned with vengeance.  That appetite is the same as before surgery and it scares me.

Year 2017, I had surgery in 2005, wow.  I really can appreciate where I have come from during this journey.  My personal life maybe is not what I imagined but I have a two beautiful grandchildren who are my joy.  I have my faith, health and the love of many people.  I wrote on my blog in 2007 (see about me on my page) this phrase below and it is still true today.

1. Pray (for guidance everyday)
   2. Live (no matter what the weight)
   3. Exercise (try to everyday even if for 10 to 15 minutes)
   4. Eat (High protein, healthy, but not deprived)
   5. Laugh (humor is everywhere)
   6. Love (Lord, family, friend)
   
   I've come so far and learned so much. Been blessed to the nth degree.
   
   "To feel rich, count all the things you have the money CAN'T buy"

11  years out!  I have almost forgotten the pain of being overweight, obese.  Techanically, I am still obese but I feel so much better. I am going to have knee surgery replacment next year. My poor knee has finally had it.  All those years of carrying the extra weight has finally caught up.   11 years, it has been such a journey, some good some bad.   I have developed healthy  routines in my life, but still have to remind myself and start over when I get off track.  I travel and enjoy life and that is what really counts. Thank you Lord for leading me here and for this wonderful journey and opporturnity of this life. 

Thank you Lord for bringing me to this place.  I am happy and blessed beyond measure.  10 years, no serious complications. No huge weight gain.  Still lovin' life and smiling.

I can't believe I am almost 9 years out! 9 years!  The Lord has blessed me more than 2 hands can hold.  I hope my success and failures will help someone else.  My only regrets from this journey are that  1. I SHOULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER! 2. My marriage of over 20 years ended.

I am now the grandmother (Tula)of 2 beautiful grand kids. I have more men in my life than I want (that's a whole other story...I might need my own reality show to get through that one! Ha!) Life has been very good and blessed. 

Since I am such a veteran of this now; my advise is to NEVER forget why you wanted to have WLS. ALWAYS remember how to eat (water, protein) and exercise.  LOVE yourself no matter what size you are... I have said it again and again in my posts... I have always like myself no matter what the scale said or what size I was. WLS has help me to live a fuller, healthier life than before.

I might gain a few pounds or lose a few pounds but I will always have me. And that is the ME I love.