I Didn't See That Coming!

So a funny thing happened on the way to the forum...

No wait, that's not right...but a funny thing did happen!  My youngest son and I have signed up to do the Jingle Bell 5k on December 8.  However, my son doesn't want to walk it.  He wants to run.  I. have. never. run. a. day. in. my. life.  Even in gym class, I'd walk the laps.  Sure I'd run the bases for softball or dodge ball, but to run...as in any distance?  Nope.  Hasn't happened.  All that being said, if my son wants to run, then by golly we're going to run.  Right?

Tonight, he and I headed to the YMCA so we could practice running.  I figured I'd let him "school me" on what needs to be done since he ran cross country this fall.  And I figured it would give him an extra boost of encouragement.  He had us start by walking a couple of laps, then we stretched.  Next, he told me that we'd jog two laps and walk a lap and continue that pattern for 30 minutes.  (Sounds like he knew what he was doing, huh?)  So, this non-runner started to jog.  One lap.  Two laps.  Okay...now I can walk.  By this time my son is way ahead of me, which is fine.  And then it was time to jog again.  I take off, upping my pace just slightly when half way around the track I noticed something didn't seem right.  No really...it didn't seem right at all.  I checked and Oh. My. Goodness!  I had literally jogged right out of my sports bra!!!!!  

No, I am not kidding.  The "girls" had decided to run free.  I don't know if it's the fact that I'm new to the whole sports bra thing that kind of causes a uni-boob anyway or if I'm not wearing the right size or didn't have it securely in place.  Nonetheless I cannot even begin to tell you how glad I am that there was absolutely no one around me on the track when this realization hit me!  As nonchalantly as I could, I quickly folded my arms across my now sagging...well...yeah....and hurried down the stairs and into the locker room where I "fixed" the situation.  I will say that I was not embarrassed enough to quit.  I went back to the track and jogged a few more laps.  I did continue to check on the girls, and they must have learned their lesson as they didn't try to escape any more!  

So there you have it folks.  The ugly truth.  The funny truth.  The embarrassing truth.  I definitely didn't see this coming!

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

The Difference A Year Makes

I was glancing through some old pictures and ran across some from this time last year.  Oh my!  What a difference a year makes!  I am so thankful that God gave me the courage to pursue gastric bypass surgery!

November 5, 2011

November 6, 2011

November 22, 2012

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Thanksgiving 2012

Since it's my blog, I figure I can post all the pictures I want to, right?  So this is a recap of my Thanksgiving 2012!  

Preparing his first turkey.

Looks yummy!

You MUST share!!!

My g-baby's first Thanksgiving!

Smiling at Lois

Eating my face!  (Well...licking and gumming it at least...)

<3

Yep...they're all mine!  I'm blessed!

Peanut butter kisses from Ogee.

Ogee!  Get that scratchy face away from me!

Goofiness!

It's 5:00 some where!

Sisters!

Mom and her girls.

Daddy's girls.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Surviving Thanksgiving

What a great day!  The morning started out with CME and our oldest son preparing the turkey for Thanksgiving.  I made a pumpkin swirl cheesecake last night using low-fat cream cheese and Splenda and then today, I made a sweet potato casserole from a recipe from my mother-in-law, once again substituting brown sugar with brown sugar Splenda.  I don't know if you want to call it "planning" so I knew what I could eat or if it's just a change that will benefit all our family.  Either way, it worked well.

The surprise of the afternoon was that our youngest daughter unexpectedly drove in for Thanksgiving.  Didn't expect to see her until CHRISTmas.  It was a good surprise!  

As we prepared for our meal, each one of the 15 of us said what we were thankful for.  We had everything from "not burning the turkey" to "not having lung cancer as originally thought."  Of course, we were all thankful for our family and friends and being able to spend the day with each other.  I was thankful for the journey that God is taking me down.  He even made today - one that generally consists of over indulgence to the max - super easy for me.  

With measuring utensils in hand, I successfully made it through Thanksgiving!  It was a bit interesting to look at my plate with a total of 4 ounces scattered in small groupings.  I enjoyed turkey, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, deviled egg, stuffing (YAY for my sister always making that weight watchers stuffing that's healthy!) and even had some of my cheesecake!  Wow...looking at that, how did I eat all that and not eat more than my stomach can hold?  One bite... tastes just as good!  The first bite tastes just as good as the last...so who cares if it's one bite or 20?  I certainly did not!

So thankful for gastric bypass surgery.  So thankful that our family could spend the day together.  So thankful that my focus wasn't on the food... So very thankful for the changes God is making in me!  So what are YOU thankful for?

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

It's All About NSVs

Once again, I've gotten behind on my blogging.  But there have been good reasons and lots of good things that have been happening.

Last Thursday through Sunday, several of my friends and I were able to participate in the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) in Indianapolis.  The sheer magnitude of it all was overwhelming, but the conference was beyond amazing.  I wish I could put into words how the conference impacted (and convicted) me, but I just can't.  So, let me tell you some of the NSVs I experienced.

The first NSV that happened was when we arrived.  I was helping set up an exhibit that required sitting on the floor...for a while.  As I was attaching pictures to the board, I realized that I could sit on concrete without having my legs fall asleep from the extra weight.  I realized that I was leaning over and wasn't uncomfortable.  I realized that I was moving from sitting to standing without issue.  Yes, that was an NSV!

The second NSV was brought to my attention as my friend Lori and I walked from the convention center to Circle Center Mall to pick up some dinner Thursday night.  I don't recall exactly how she stated it, but it went something like "You couldn't walk this fast before."  She was right!  Before, I would have been slow moving and probably hurting by the time I had walked that much.  According to Google Earth, it was approximately a 1/2 mile walk one way.  On Friday afternoon, two of my other friends and I made the trek again - intentionally speed walking to try to beat the crowd.  (Did I tell you there were probably near 12,000 people there!?!)  Between being able to speed walk (without good walking shoes even!) and years of watching CME be a "minnow" to get through crowds, we were able to walk up to Chick-fil-A and place our orders before there was a line!  Walking quickly and without pain - yes, that's an NSV!

My next NSV was when I realized that I was the "runner" - not the same thing as walking fast.  I was the one who was going to get things... running here and there to refill water bottles, make extra copies for the booth, etc.  Me!  I was the runner!  I was so excited about this NSV that I even mentioned it in my support group last night!  I could finally do something that made me feel like I was productive...that I was helping.  I was the runner and I wasn't in pain from all the extra walking.  Yes, that's an NSV!

My sweet friend, Macie, had foot surgery 3 weeks before the conference.  She was on her handy-dandy knee scooter to help her get around.  So much better than crutches, but I can't imagine how tiring it had to have been for her.  During Friday morning's main session, I needed to sneak out for a potty break.  After being in the restroom for a moment, I heard Macie say, "Deedra?  I was trying to catch you but you were walking too fast!"  On the concrete floor she can zip that scooter around pretty quickly.  But not realizing she was trying to catch me...I zipped out the door just a little faster than she did!  Walking faster than a scooter - yes, that's an NSV!

Another NSV came for me when we went to dinner at PF Chang's.  Eleven of us seated at a large semi-circle booth.  I didn't automatically go for the chairs, but instead was able to scoot in the booth without worrying about if my stomach would rub against the table or if I could actually "scoot" around.  Not worrying about such things - yes, that's an NSV!

On Saturday, Macie and I entered the exhibit hall where we ran into some other ladies from our church.  E and I have served together on a mission trip.  We've gone through training together.  We know each other.  As E is talking to Macie, she keeps glancing at me.  Several minutes after we all began talking she gasped as she looked at me and said, "Oh my gosh!  I have not seen you for a long time and I have definitely not seen you in THIS body!" Not being recognized - yes, that's an NSV!

I wore those size 12 jeans...all day...comfortably!  Yes, that's an NSV!

I'm sure there are more that I've forgotten already, but the impact of the conference itself coupled by the ton of NSVs made those 4 days incredible!  I'm still trying to unpack all I learned last weekend, but I am marveling at how God is continuing to work in my life.  I'm finally beginning to feel like I'm physically the person He created me to be.  That, my friends, is the biggest NSV of them all!

Sistahs!  (And some of my very best friends!)

Macie needing a little push.

Dinner at PF Chang's.  I love these people!!!

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Twelve

That is the size jeans that I put on this evening!  A co-worker brought me a pair of 12 jeans that were too short for her.  I decided to see if, by chance, I could wear them.  And well...I can!  They're a tad long for me, but hello!?!?!? Did you read that it was a size 12?!?  Limited Jeans - size 12!  Yes, I'm silly excited about it.  Gosh, I haven't been a size 12 since before high school.  

So the white bulky sweater doesn't really show a difference, but here are my size 12 jeans!  (Did I mention that they're a size 12?!?!?)

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Missy and the 5ks

My friend, Missy, has been such an encouragement to me.  Our friendship started because of some similar circumstances, but life has changed and so has the reason we remain friends.  Missy is the reason I started walking in 5k races.  She's been my walking partner and the one who keeps me interested in exercise.  Today, we walked in the Warhol'n It! 5K to benefit our local museum.  Perfect weather (though the wind surely made us slower than we otherwise would have been!) and great company.  My chip didn't register, so I don't have my official time, but the app on Missy's phone showed us completing each mile in an average of 13:39 minutes.  No, we're not speed demons (blame the wind), but each time we've walked, we've increased our pace and that's perfectly fine by me!

What I know about Missy is that her goal in life is to be a positive influence on people.  She has definitely been one in my life.  I'm so incredibly blessed that God placed her in my life!

Warhol'n It!

Museum 5K girls!

What's wrong with this picture???  These were the "refreshments" after the 5K walk.  Yes, they had fruit too...but really?!?!

Fail!!

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

6 Month Post Op

Yesterday marked my 6 month surgiversary and post-op appointment.  I'm happy to report I passed with flying colors!

The scale at bariatric center always weigh me about 2.5# heavier than my Wii (80# since surgery and 105# since January).  I attribute that to the clothes...vs. lack there of.  ;-)  Regardless, they were all very pleased with the weight loss so far.  MD even said, "Your weight loss is robust."  LoL.  Robust?  Okaaaaay. Since surgery, I have lost 2" from my neck, 12" from my waist and 13" from my hips.  That's a whole lotta inches!  RN joked that my BP was "up" a little at 104/70.  

On a positive note, all my lab work came back perfect.  Vitamin levels were exactly where they need to be.  All was "exactly as it's suppose to be."  Sooo, that led to the discussion of lightheadedness and sleepiness.  MD believes they both could be tied to the low blood pressure.  He told me to "top off my tanks" (with fluids).  Meaning get in closer the 80 oz of fluids a day!  Are you serious?  80 ounces???  UGH!  Ok.  I will!  Then he told me to add a little salt to my diet to help retain the fluids.  I looked at him and literally laughed out loud.  I think my exact response was, "Do you realize how that contradicts EVERY thing that I've taught myself in the past?"  He grinned and said, "A lot of what you've already done has been a contradiction to what you've taught yourself in past."  Good point.  

About the sleepiness.  We went over every lab result and there is nothing on paper to indicate why I'd be so sleepy.  I'm not anemic.  My iron level is good and my Vit D is smack dab in the middle of normal.  So, I guess it was a combination of the stress levels at work and being gone until after 9pm every night prior to leaving for the weekend trip...  I told him what I'd been eating and that I didn't feel it was anything like hypoglycemia (gotta love self-diagnosis, huh?).  He agreed though.  He told me to just keep track of it and see if it gets worse.  On paper, there's nothing that's causing it.  -shrug-  Maybe life just caught up with me???

As he was leaving the office he said, "Now, don't lose TOO much weight."  I gave him a puzzled look and said, "And just how would I control that? And what do you define as too much since you've not given me a "goal" weight?" (Love that I made him stop and sit back down!)  His reply was something to the fact that I'm still doing really well, and that if I lost 10 more pounds, he'd consider me a success.  Ten pounds?  Really?  I'm thinking 30. -shrug-  But then he went on to say pretty much what I've been thinking.  My body will eventually figure out what's "normal" for me.  If during one of my visits he feels I'm getting too low, then they'll give me information on increasing calories.  To be honest I can't even wrap my brain around that, so I'm not going to worry about it unless it becomes a problem.  I go back in three months and we'll see how things are at that time.

Had a quick chat with RD.  I've been cleared to add raw vegetables to my diet.  My volume should be about a total of 4 ounces per meal.  I'm still choosing to avoid "fillers" like pasta and rice, though they're technically allowed.  Over the next 3 months, I should gradually be able to increase my volume to 5-6 ounces...and by a year out, I should be able to eat about 1 cup of food.  

My time with LCSW was good too.  We discussed "the good, the bad and the ugly" of the last 6 months.  LOTS of goods, a couple of bads and the ugly was really just one event - the horror story from C and how I let Satan use that to make me doubt a lot!  I told her that all in all my experience has been overwhelmingly positive and that I truly believe its because the purpose of my whole journey is to bring glory to God - His transforming power to take someone like me and mold me, physically and spiritually, into the person He created me to be.  I do believe that 100%!  He continues to work IN me so that I can become who He designed.  Anyway...at the end of our time, LCSW asked if I'd be interested in possibly writing an article for the Spring newsletter - about "New Life" (or something Spring-ish related) or if I'd consider speaking at informational meetings, etc.  I told her I'd be "open" to the idea, but that I'd need to think about it and get back with her.  She was perfectly fine with that - even told me to pray about it. :)  So that's what I'm going to do.  Pray about it, decide how my story could be sent out as an encouragement to others while at the same time bringing glory to God.  Aftera all, He is THE One who deserves all the praise!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Another Milestone

"I'm not obese any more!!!" I screeched this morning.  I weighed on the Wii and I didn't, hear those icky words "That's obese."  I took a double take and sure enough, my BMI is now considered "Overweight" as opposed to obese.  It's a huge milestone for me.  I'm the weight now that I was when I was a freshman in high school.  That means that for over 30 years, I have been was obese.  My goodness!  THIRTY YEARS!

Thankfully God has given me the tool to change the next 30 years.  I will NEVER hear "That's obese" again!  Ever!  Thank you, Jesus!!!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Slee-ee-ee-py!

Sleepy.  That's the best term to describe this past week.  All week long I felt as if I could fall asleep any time... any where.  (And occasionally I did! - Sorry CME!) True, the week before was a busy and emotionally stressful week between work and a quick trip, but the overwhelming sleepiness I was experiencing was r.i.d.i.c.u.l.o.u.s!!!

Friday evening, I even passed up spending time with the International Students - a time I usually look forward to.  But truthfully, all I could think about was going home from work to take a nap.  So that's what I did.  I fell asleep around 6:15 and woke up at nearly 9:00pm!  I was awake for a couple hours and by 11:00 I was back in bed and fast asleep.  I even slept in until 9:00am on Saturday!  I finally felt somewhat rested.  Spent the rest of the day running around with CME.  Signed up for a 5k for next weekend, went back to the consignment shop because I needed some pants that fit!  (NSV - bought size 14 jeans.  Don't tell CME, but I think one pair might even be a bit too big...just a little!)  Went from consignment shopping to grocery shopping to a little bit of CHRISTmas shopping.  Then, last night my daughter, son-in-law, and g-baby came over for dinner and board games.  So, my day was FULL.

This morning, thanks to the time change and early sunrise, I was awake by...oh gosh, I don't even know the time, just that it was before I was wanting to be awake! Spent time worshipping God this morning, came home to another close, but good win by the Colts (Go Blue!), finished a few things around the house, fixed dinner and here it is...8 o'clock at night...and I feel like I could go to bed now!  UGH!

Luckily, I do have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and will get the results of my lab work.  I'm hoping there's some indication in there as to why I'm soooooo sleepy!  Not that I want anything to come back wrong, but if there was a way to know for sure what's going on with my body, that would be awesome.  I was talking with my mother-in-law yesterday and she said something to the effect that if we listen to our bodies, they usually tell us when something's amiss.  I think she's right.  And though I'm still learning to listen to my body, I know this is not normal.  So between the lightheadedness and this latest bout of fatigue, it will be interesting to talk to the doctor this week.  I'm not worried in any shape of the word; I just want to feel 100% one hundred percent of the time!

Regardless of these minor issues, I know that God is in control of my journey and He will guide me through all the little things...as long as I let Him!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14