VSG Maintenance Group
LONG Serendipity Post
First, I am a total believer in serendipity ! I do possess an aptitude for making desirable discoveries, seemingly by accident. However, nothing is an accident... it is a matter of being eager to learn and make connections. They are there, all around us.
We all seem to be transitioning to a higher lever of knowing ourselves and making the most out of every moment. My NYC adventure led me to Noom, The Four Tendencies, by Gretchen Rubin, and Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis. There is no startlingly new information, but these resources are rich in significant gems of wisdom and just what I need to hear and reflect on at this point in my journey. It is kind of like revisiting some of my high intensity getting my head in the game work just prior to and just after VSG, but significantly elevated by the experiences and learning since and sufficiently different to keep me interested and invested.
First, DD the marathon runner used a Nike half marathon preparation program to train. Most of it was focused on the physical side of preparation, but Noom was one recommendation. Noom is exactly what I need right now. The emphasis is on sustainable wholistic healthy habits with the level of accountability you need. Based upon participant responses, coaches, goals and check-ins are uniquely tailored. Steps from Fitbit and daily weigh ins from MFP are automatically communicated and integrated into Noom. I believe the food logging would be too, but so far, I've just logged food into Noom.
The second triad of my serendipitous adventure was DD insisting that I take Gretchen Rubin's free online Four Tendencies inventory to determine whether I am an upholder, questioner, obliger, or rebel. The results led to ongoing rich and insightful conversations about how these dynamics impact our understanding of family, friends and the workplace and have the potential to enrich relationships in general. I strongly encourage each of you to take the quiz and share your tendency with the group and we can continue the conversation. I am an obliger...this explains so much !
Third, based on the fact that I blew through the audiobook I was listening to on the five hour ride to NYC, I randomly selected a Kindle book in my downloaded library to add Audible to for the ride home. I selected Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis. The reviews are mostly positive but some are angrily negative. Her message is just what I need to hear, just when I needed to hear it. Recognizing and understanding the lies we've told ourselves as well as others' lies we've believed is the only way to be finally free from all of that crap. I'm getting what I need from her book and dismissing anything I don't.
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
I'm looking forward to taking the quiz (but I can't promise when) but added Girl,.... to my Audible list.
I'm finding inspiration in your excitement! Thank you for that!
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
on 4/16/19 10:02 am
Obliger. But I must admit on the quiz I often didn't feel what I wanted to answer was one of the choices! I wonder what that makes me? 
But it does explain why a trainer works for me versus going to the gym on my own. Or why I worry so much about what others think of me or my behavior rather than what I think about me or my behavior.
Greetings All
Well this Questioner weighs 156 pounds today. Yeah I was pretty sure I would be a questioner or rebel. Or none of the above.
OceanD love all the insights you posted. How good you are at this sort of analysis and love your enthusiasm for it. You are a great example to us all.
I am still slowly reading Women Rowing North. Probably going to have to re read some of it to absorb the essence. Mainly resiliency in aging. There is a chapter called "Building a Good Day" that I need to study more. The Questioner in action.
Scrabble today and a visit from a friend who needs computer help from DH. Then more errands and episodes of The Crown tonight.
I am grateful that Notre Dame did not completely collapse. But it will never be the same. Glad I got to see it before it burned and feel sorry for those who didn't. Still gotta pay tribute with a French pastry.
Time to get busy. Guest arriving soon.
My brother came through brain surgery well yesterday. He even called me!
Diane S
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
Questioner!!
I've heard varying reviews on Girl Wash your face, too. Like you say, people seem to love it or hate it. On the one hand, I've heard some applaud the idea of standing up for yourself. But I"ve also heard others complain that this is the problem with today's youth: that they want everything to be about them and not give beyond. Idk the solution? Empty cup doesn't pour? I think it's definitely a good idea to take care of onesself. And there's nothing ot be ashamed of! By the same token, I think we can get lost in our own misery sometimes and it's important to know more about people around us and usually we feel better if we're helping others out.
