My favorite word...."perspective"

Aloha my dear OFF friends.......I feel guilty for only posting occasionally when I used to be on here every day!! Six years ago I could not get enough of all of you....and LOVED hearing how you were dealing with this new and exciting adventure called WLS!!! I was so FAT, and so miserable in my body, and I could not imagine being slim/trim, healthy and happy!! But I read about each of you, and began to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could find a heathy body, and friends who could understand and share this scary adventure.

Now, at almost six years out......I feel overwelmed with the changes in my mind, body and spirit. I shake my head at the 180 lb. weight loss!! I no longer carry around a large man/woman on my back!! Where did that poundage go??? Ha.

I love hearing each of you share your daily challenges......but I know that those very same challenges would not be as HUGE if you were at your heaviest. I, too, can recall only too vividly that feeling of dread when getting ready to fly and knowing I will need a seat-belt extender!! Awk!! Hated those days. Now I thankfully fit into an airplane seat with room to spare and lots of inches left when I put on seatbelt.

My hope for all of you is that you continue to work toward what is your body ideal......and that the medical issues can be resolved. It is not fun getting older.....sigh. I hate the easy bruising, the unexplained bloody gouges, the unexplained aches and pains. Sigh. I am uplifted when I hear how you each go through your work to overcome challenges.

It is Nov.14th ......3:22 in the afternoon here on Maui. I am looking out over the ocean and seeing several turtles' head poking out....soon it will be humpback whales coming in close to say "aloha."

I'm so sorry for not posting more often. Please forgive.......this is the most wonderful place of support, love and answered questions.....

Aloha nui loa ,

Maui Karen......./

Hello sweet Maui Karen!!

As I have always said it is always a pleasure to hear from you. I love listening to you talk about Maui, the turtles, whales, and your wonderful life!!

You have done an amazing job maintaining your weight loss. I am so happy for you!! I can't say the same. I don't feel as well now that I have this extra fat. I know it needs to go. I need more motivation to actually get back to Basics. I did really well at that earlier this spring. Then my life "changed" and now I am where I am. No excuse I know but it is all I have. I have to love myself again and be the person I was before this all happened. I keep praying I will find my way!

No need to ask for forgiveness you haven't done anything wrong. Life just happens and sometimes things just get in the way.

I think of you often....love, prayers and hugs.....connie d

 

Aloha beautiful Connie!

Your words are always so comforting and supportive. All that you are going through, and you still take the time to listen to others and give them hope.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all the time.......and you WILL find peace of mind, body and spirit.

With so much aloha,

Maui Karen

Aloha Karen!!!!

Like Connie said no need to apologize for not being able to post every day!! Heck even I don't have time everyday but I try...lol Need my OFF fix ya know!!!

Congrats on your new life and may it continue to keep on!!

HUGS

Aloha Judy and thank you so much for your congrats and caring.

Each day I look forward to the adventure that is JUDY G!!! So glad you finally found a good handyman, and that you are on the mend yourself.

Please take care of yourself and don't overdo!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Yes we are happy this guy is working out great for us!!!! He said he LOVES it here and also likes us both ALOT!!! So pfffftttt to Randy huh? LOL

I guess I do have ALOT of adventures lol...but nothing like the last job....OMG I really think I would have been about dead if I stayed there much longer!!! SOOOO glad this job came about!! Couple more weeks and we have been here for a year already!!!

Am taking care of myself better since the bleeding scare even if it WAS NORMAL as the dr said...:-)

I try my best to be supportive on here...look how many supported me when I was starting out and are still here for me yet today!!!!

Love you ALL!!!

Aloha nui loa

Good to hear from you Karen!  I always enjoy your post.  Always so sunny!

Aloha OFF friend.....thanks so much for checking in. Much appreciated.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen,

I did similar reflecting around my six year surgiversary at the end of August.  I haven't reached goal, and am back to sloppy eating somewhat, but I have loads of gratitude for a lot of the positive changes that have been made in my body, and eating volume.  

I love fitting in an airplane seat, and not needing an extender.  I also enjoy being more mobile, and not having my arthritic knees or ankles ache, or creak, when I walk, sit, or stand.

I do enjoy your posts, and love visualizing what you are seeing and telling us about out in the Pacific.  I have been to a lot of the states in our wonderful country, but Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list.  I lived in Monterey, California when my ex and I were first married, and dirt poor.  The scenery was awesome, but we couldn't swim in the bay.  

Please check in often.  I also love hearing about your work with infants.  

Hugs,

Trish

Aloha Trish, and thanks for your reply.

You lived in Monterey? Wow....small world. I lived in Santa Cruz from 1980 to 1999!! A group of we psychology graduates opened a clinic there and lived on peanuts...ha...for a long time. But it was fun. I still love the Santa Cruz area. My son, DIL and three little grandsons still live in Scotts Valley, and I go see them every year.

Interesting that we had our surgeries just a month apart. You have done great! I sometimes have to get out my "fat Karen" pictures, and can hardly believe how HUGE I was. I have a lot of compassion for heavy people because I know how it feels to walk in their shoes.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen