Wednesday February 16, 2022

Another insane day of non-profit "fun"! Today I had a talk with the president and said, I don't mean to be the new person coming in and making waves, but with all this time and effort being put into the organization, what exactly wouldn't get done if we disappeared tomorrow? And if the answer is nothing, what are we spending all this time and money on? And if we want to be doing something meaningful, what does that look like that's different than what we're doing now? I feel like the kid in the Emperor's New Clothes pointing out the dude is STARK NAKED. Thankfully, he was very receptive and said it was a breath of fresh air to having someone point out the madness (it's MI guy, so he likes me). And he already brought it up to the Secretary who liked the questions I was asking. We'll see what happens...

I also walked with a friend and that felt so good. The connection, the break from the non-profit hamster wheel, the outdoors, the exercise. I need to remember that exercise is not a chore, but can be a respite when it's something I enjoy.

Too busy to eat much today, which was fine as I mowed through two boxes of girl scout cookies in the last several days.

I think that's it. Liz, hope DS comes around soon so as not to muddy your big day. Peps, I feel your anxiety! DD, hope your time to vacation passes quickly and the vacation itself moves slow as molasses! DianeS, I don't envy you dealing with the IRS, no matter who caused it. DianeO, so glad to hear you're so happy! Shirl, hope your vacation also comes really soon and that you have a great time!

Sounds like you arrived on the Nonprofit Board just in time! With a lot of good questions. Non quite the same, but I always tell my students they should be able to ask me anytime, why are we doing this? If I can't explain a reason/purpose to the assignment, then we shouldn't be spending time doing it. Same with your organization I think.

Volunteer work should be productive and at least somewhat satisfying. Feeling like you are on a hamster wheel with no real benefit to be had makes no sense. So good that you are speaking up!

I know a few people at work who had weight loss surgery. One coworker had a gastric bypass a couple of years before me, so more than a decade ago. He hasn't gained it all back, but like me, he's clearly no longer thin. Another coworker had a sleeve about 5years ago. Sadly, she is heavier than she was presurgery. I was never out about my surgery, unless someone who could actually benefit from it asked. I didn't feel like discussing it ad naseum with the merely curious. I'm sure people figured it out, and may also be noticing that I too am no longer thin, after 10 years. Lots of people I work with are not as thin as they were 10 years ago. Are a few pounds also part of aging for many of us? My weight is too high for my health and comfort, but there does come a point too when I wonder, do I still owe the world some standard of beauty? Or do I still owe myself? How much deviation from thin can I be, and still think I'm hot **** (I think I crossed that line about 12 pounds ago). All I know is seeing myself and other WLS patients struggle, holy cow this stuff can be hard!!! For those of you who have managed to limit your regain significantly, I am doubly impressed.

I am back well into "overweight" territory, but I am still so glad I did the surgery. No telling where I'd be without the help it gives me. True to what I was told, it's not the holy grail, but it's still a bigger leg up than I had without it.

I never left the overweight category. The lowest I got was 153, 150 is in the normal BMI range for my height. But I was totally ecstatic with that weight. Without this surgery, I would, without a doubt, be even heavier than I was before. I never maintained any amount of loss for more than two years. Because, without the sleeve, that was my pattern. Lose, regain even more than I lost. So I am very grateful for this tool, but geeze Louise, its really a fight some days.

SUCH a fight!

Yes! The struggle is all too real! But like CC, I can guarantee that I would be much higher without my sleeve. I am pretty sure I would be closer to my pre-surgery weight than where I am which is just about 3 pounds into the overweight category (assuming my weight is about the same as it was at the beginning of January which I think it is based on clothing fit).

Amen sistahs !