1. What types of food did you eat this week? the usual suspects. 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? Swimming and walking my butt off. I walked 3+ miles 3 days in a row and it totally paid off. 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? 3 pounds [can you believe it?!?!?!] 104 total so far. Only 16 til Doc's goal, 26 to mine. 4. What was your biggest challenge? It's been a carby week, but I think I needed it to balance off how many calories I'm burning. 5. We've all almost got a year, what's the best WOW moment of the year? I think having 2 of my friends who haven't seen me in a while totally walk right by me and not recognize me was a killer boost in my ego. *Fun bonus question: If you had to pick a theme song to explain your life/represent you, what would it be? Wasted by Carrie Underwood. I'm not living that way anymore, my life is completely different and soooooo much better.

1. What types of food did you eat this week? All the regular stuff - yogurt, fruit, soups, shrimp, chili, salad, steak, chicken, tuna, and even some Cheetos (bad girl moment). 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? walked and swam 3. How much weight did you lose? 2 pounds Total loss? 180 pounds gone forever!! 4. What was your biggest challenge? Dealing with food pushers (Mom and MIL) 5. We've all almost got a year, what's the best WOW moment of the year? It had to be when we arrived in Holland to stay with family, and my husbands cousin walked right past me, never recognized me. Then again buying size 12's and having them fit is also a huge moment ... this time last year I was lucky to find size 34 that fit. Being offered an outstanding new job that is more than double my current salary and includes foreign travel is right up there too (I've accepted the offer and we're working on a start date, they are trying to work it out that I go to the Philippines for two weeks to train and meet the staff there at first.) How exciting is that? Sorry this year has been so full of WOW's that I can't just pick one! *Fun bonus question: If you had to pick a theme song to explain your life/represent you, what would it be? Can't think of one ... sorry!

I recently had my one year RNY surgery anniversary (July 5th). I have managed to drop 191 pounds and countless inches. I thought I would post some reflections on the state of my life now on the other side. - I enjoy peoples' reaction that haven't seen me since the surgery. - The "X-Mart" stores are a lot cheaper than Big & Tall stores. - My self-confidence has skyrocketed. - Having almost died during my first attempt at this surgery, my general outlook has changed. It is amazing how much perspective you gain when you dance with the reaper. - I have saved a lot of money over the last year. First, I don't pay as much for food. Second, I can drive a Ford Aspire to work instead of having to drive my SUV. With gas prices the way they are, that is a VERY good thing. - I was able to majorly reduce my credit card debt with all of the extra money I am saving. - I have a lot more time. I don't sleep as much as I used to, and I don't spend as much time preparing and eating food. Of course, I've used up all of that extra time by going back to school. Eight months and I'll be done. - My hair texture has changed. It used to be completely straight, but now it has a tendency to get wavy. I've also started going gray a lot quicker, but for men, looking older means more money. - My taste preferences have changed. My favorite foods pre-op were steak, peirogies, and pizza. Now, it is sushi, crab, and hotdogs. Hey, not all changes are always for the best. ;) - What I prefer to drink has also changed. I used to drink only Diet Pepsi. Now, I temper my Diet Pepsi drinking with black coffee during the day, and an occasional light beer at night. I still can't drink plain water. Blech. On the subject of black coffee, I've found that it absolutely kills any sugar cravings I might have. - I used to be able to drink two beers and feel a slight buzz. Now, thanks to the immediate absorption of alcohol by my system, two beers will knock me on my butt. Three will have me with a lamp shade on my head with a karaoke mic in hand. - Watashi wa Nihongo ga benkyo ****ema****a. - When I walk into a room, I am almost never the fattest person there anymore. - Women talk to me more, and it is no longer out of pity. - I no longer get as upset at things as I used to. Like when some idiot scoffs at me for completing my schooling at Strayer University, or someone rants about global warming, or someone who is more overweight than I am tries to give me unsolicited advice about how to live after Gastric Bypass Surgery, or someone says my church isn't a real church, I just kind of smirk in amusement. - When I go past a mirror, I no longer cringe and curse myself for being fat. Instead, I think to myself "Oh yeah!!!" - I can now laugh at all of the misinformation out there about Gastric Bypass Surgery. Like the myth that "people who get GBS will live only ten more years and then DIE!!!" Spare me. - I'll usually take the stairs instead of the elevator. - Joint and back pain are a distant memory. - My favorite activities have changed. They used to be cooking, eating, watching TV, and playing computer games. Now, they are biking, hiking, swimming, and playing computer games. Well, some things never change. - I've starting thinking more about the future, since it looks like I will be around for a long time. - When ordering at a restaurant, I no longer look for the item with the most food. Instead, I look for the item that will taste the best. "How many shrimp come with the shrimp scampi appetizer? Five? Yeah, that sounds filling." - My dogs have also lost weight since I've been taking them with me on walks. This helps them overcome the extra calories they've been taking in as their technical designation has become "biological food leftover disposal units." - The only thing I wish were different is I wish my appetite had diminished. All in all, this was one of the best decisions I ever made. I still have a ways to go, but I'm not worried. The weight will come off. I just have to avoid sugar so as to keep those insulin spikes at bay. Unfortunately, I can eat as much sugar as I want and I will not dump. But fortunately, as I said previously, black coffee is my ally in this battle!

1. What types of food did you eat this week? All the regulars plus half a hot dog (no bun), too many chips and salsa (got sick), fruit galore, won ton soup (minus the won tons). 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? Walking and water aerobics. swam a lot this week, it's very hot here. 3. How much weight did you lose? 1 pound Total loss? 178 gone forever 4. What was your biggest challenge? staying away from chips at the 4th BBQ 5. It's time to celebrate, what are you rewarding yourself with for your surgiversary? Maybe a new car? Driving one now to see if I like it ... since I work for the owner of 5 car dealerships he told me last night to take it home and see what I think. *Fun bonus question: If you could bring back one television show from the past, which would it be? Just one? China Beach, no wait, JAG, no maybe, Brady Bunch, or how about silly Gilligan's Island?

1. What types of food did you eat this week? 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? 4. What was your biggest challenge? 5. It's time to celebrate, what are you rewarding yourself with for your surgiversary? *Fun bonus question: If you could bring back one television show from the past, which would it be? Have a good weekend, All! A