Poll: What Have You Learned?

Hey guys! It's 4:30am here and Aaron and I are getting ready to leave for the UP to pick up that blasted bike we bought... Tom's post gave me a good idea for a fun poll, so I thought I'd get the thread going and have something fun to read when I get home tonight. What Have You Learned since WLS? It could be something you learned about yourself, personally, emotionally or physically. Something funny, or something serious. I'll start us off! - Chicken can be my best friend or my worst enemy... -Sugary items like cake with frosting can make me sick as a dog just by being in the same room with them -I have collarbones, hipbones and wristbones -I'm a much stronger person than I ever imagined -This was easier than I thought -This was harder than I thought -The scale IS evil -Women's clothing sizes are really screwy -It's the greatest thing in the world to be able to wear your hubby's clothes -I'm PROUD of myself So, gang, what have YOU learned on your journey so far? Have a great day, I'll talk to ya later! Becky

Hey Becky! Well It seems I learn something new just about everyday! I have to agree, the scale is your enemy...unless its this morning where I wanted to get down and Kiss it!! I too have found bones that I thought were lost in transit! I can shave certain parts (I won't offend anyone) and actually see that part. I actually have a pubic bone??? My hair really can be thinner! I too cannot be in the same room with cake and icing..or icecream for that matter. I still want to turn to food when I am bored, excited, sad, tired, anxious. I can sit down in my jeans and not feel like I am having stomach surgery! I never ever have leg or back pain anymore!! I have lost some weight in my feet, so no longer have to buy wide width. And last but not least!!.....(drum roll) I can fit nicely in my tub!!!

Here is Rich's list with 1+ year of post WLS experience: I can walk from the car to the front door without breaking a sweat and breathing heavy. What's a fan? I worship at the temple of Starbucks. (Between protein shakes/bars and a cup o' joe who needs cake or cookies...) I'm big boned and they show...all over. Always chew well and eat slowly or you might find yourself pulled over at a trash can on the side of the road. That working out is great but don't rush into too hard or too fast - you can get hurt. I can fit into a seat at a ballgame and not feel crowded while in a big crowd. I can share a seat on the Metro (subway)... thought that other person's butt cross the line... I have experienced true joy walking into a regular store and being able to buy clothing. I've become a brand name clothes 'ho. (This lesson sponsored by Nike.)

Here is my own list: - Chewing your food really slowly means that you actually get to taste it. What a concept! - Being able to eat so little, I really want to make the food that I eat taste great otherwise why bother. - Food that I thought was good before and haven't had in quite a while can taste like poo now. - Do not let yourself get overly hungry, otherwise you might eat too fast and that ends up hurting. Owie! Plus, enter the post-op hurl and foamies ... Ewww... - Just as I expected, my hair thinned... again. - I have collar bones, hipvbones, wrist bones, ribs and that bump on my sternum (once had a back-and-forth on the main board with someone about that bump - the person thought something was wrong with them - I told them it was cartilidge - I was right). - That keeping all my clothing from the early 1980s on was not a complete and utter waste of space. - That getting "hand me downs" from my sister who has always been so much smaller than me - is cool. Just ask me about my 29.5 jogging suits. Yes, 29.5! I am serious. (She has lost weight and gave me the things she undergrew.) - This whole experience has been easier than I thought. Luckily, I went through it with Rich first and had someone to learn from. - That losing the weight did indeed get my sleep apnea, blood pressure and diabetes under control and very quickly at that. - I feel so much lighter and have so much more energy. - I can comfortably fit in chairs, theater seats, etc... Kathy

- It's NOT the easy way out (not that I thought it was but I've PROVEN it isnt!!) - My love affair with food is long gone, now I detest the thought of it - I am capable of far more then I give myself credit for - bones, bones, bones, my body is full of them!! DH calls me his "bag of bones" (ment as an endearment) - Skinnier people are more respected in our society (I've known this, but now I've experienced this) - A size 12/14 can ACTUALLY fit me, and look good - That continued coughing for three months straight WILL produce a hernia - That hernia's HURT!!!! - Life is funner when you're apart of the game and not sitting on the sidelines I'm sure there's more if I thought a little, but that's what pops into my head right now. Laurie - down 90lbs and loving it

Lets see... I've learned... I've learned that I am addicted to food I've learned that I am STRONG and I can do this I've learned that I was really fat...70 pounds gone, and I can't believe I carried that all around I've learned that I really do have "such a pretty face"....no more buts!!! I've learned that you really only have one life to live, and I try to live each day like its my last I've learned that I can live without real sugar, I've learned how to convert grams to ounces I've learned the nutritional value of more foods than you can imagine And last but not least, I've learned to just say NO, and it feels good! Aliya

What I have learned.... *who my true friends are *that there are a h**l of lot of carbs in yogurt *that I like to jog *that I can enjoy an evening with friends and family without food being the center of the event *how much my husband has always loved me and....*how many differnet kids of cheese they make "what a long strange trip it has been" with more to come!

I have learned that days are measured in minutes and seconds. If you can't get through the day work on getting through the hour or minute or second. I have learned that a car going 75 mph down the interstate can come to a complete stop quick enough to avoid getting ill in the car. I have learned that each day is going to be different than the one before or the one to follow. Stress does a number of bad things to the body. It can make or break you in this journey. I have learned that without support, this journey is impossible. Have learned that smells are a big issue. Anything from perfume to sweaty kids can make me fell ill. I have also learned that God does not give us any more than we can handle. IT is how we choose to handle it that makes the difference. And last, That the Maysters of 2005 are an awesome group of people that Rock!!!!! Kat -85

I had to laugh at the: "I have learned that a car going 75 mph down the interstate can come to a complete stop quick enough to avoid getting ill in the car." even though I understand how not funny it is. Kat, how are you feeling? How's the ulcer treatment going?

Seems to be getting better every day. There are still good days and bad days but the meds seem to be working. One day at a time. Glad I could give you a laugh on a Monday Monring. Have a great day. Kat