THE MOST AWESOME TOOL IMO....

 JOURNALING and keeping track .... whether on paper ... in a document ... or in a picture....

Whether one journals in writing or on a computerized tracking system or on a spreadsheet or on a notepad or in a word/office document  or in simple daily notes or index cards it is an awesome everyday tool and so much more awesome IMO on this weight loss/maintenance journey .... 

I find journaling especially most useful during maintenance ... the stage where I am at 5 years and 6 months out....

I created a goofy tool for myself .... A DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL ... I certainly did ... and I have tracked my journey A Picture A Day since I was able to recover from surgery and post op complications that landed me in a longer recovery period than most ... at 3 months post op I was still barely able to move around much ... but time/healing/endurance all played into a final recovery and me just taking it and running with it from there .... at 5 years and 6 months out I have been maintaining 5-6 pounds under my ideal goal weight seamlessly ....

I have fun with this goofy tool ... because I just love love love taking pictures.... and 'A PICTURE A DAY KEEPS THE POUNDS AND THE INCHES AWAY'

I took a picture of my breakfast yesterday morning .... I had turkey/low fat mozzarella rolls and a red delicious apple .... it was deelish and I enjoyed it ... and I did not get through even eating half of it before getting totally stuffed.... I had the other half of it and my apple for lunch ... dinner was AWESOME stuffed peppers with seafood courtesy of DH ... it was delicious...
 

I took a picture of my lunch that I will have today before wrapping and putting it in my lunchbox.... it is an AWESOME Morning Glory Portobello Mushroom Veggie Cheese Burger on a Wheat Thin... I had a few bites of protein brownies and coffee for breakfast and it was YUM....

Water... Tea... non-carbonated SF drinks in between .... oh and my morning coffee 1/2 regular 1/2 decaf and I am good to go.... 

 

I then took a picture of me today for my journal .... realizing that I wore this outfit back in 2008 at my lowest weight post WLS I did a search in my journal for the picture I had taken back then and I found it!!! and I made a collage .... of my before RNY.. at lowest my lowest gaunt faced weight post WLS in 2008 and TODAY this day ... at my maintenance weight  5 pounds below ideal goal... 5 years and 6 months after .... I LOVE MY JOURNEY!!!! I love being able to get up and run 5-6 miles without even getting winded - hardly....

 

There is nothing wrong in sharing/or looking at BEFORE and TODAY ... it is an AWESOME empowerment tool ... PLEASE JUMP IN AND SHARE.... YOUR before and afters and awesome tips and tricks that have helped you along the way........ 

ME BEFORE....
 
AND ME TODAY...
 

Thanks for allowing me to share....


Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you.   Jeffrey Gitomer 

Just have to say you look fantastic, way to go!!

 Thank you Jamie ... the ride is well worth it ... from beginning to end ... I wish you nothing but the best on your journey ... no matter at which step you are at ... Thanks for your encouragement and support.

You look great and your posts are always inspiring!!

 Thank you Cindy ... you have an awesome tracker going on ... CONGRATS!!!!

Your wall looks beautiful and so do you. Thank you so much for your encouraging posts. You make me so eager to begin my journey when I have surgery on August 29th. I can't wait!!

WOW Karen ... your date is right around the corner ... big WOOT! I will be thinking about you and counting down with you too .... how excited you must be right now .... This journey is yours to rock it anyway you want to... the sky is the limit.... do YOU! and have fun with it ... I am wishing you nothing but the best! best wishes for an uneventful surgery and recovery ... the loser's bench is all yours sista LOL ... go for it!!!! I am so happy for you!