This NSV is Brought to You by the Letter T

T is for terrific!
T is for totally psyched!
T is for towel!

Yes folks, I'm psyched about a towel!  "Why?" you may ask?  Well, let me tell you!

For as many years as I can remember, I've always used a beach towel when I shower.  It was the only towel that ever fully wrapped around me...and even some of those were a close call.  This weekend, I was out of town without my trusty beach towel.  As I was drying off, I began to wonder...and so I tried it.  I wrapped a REGULAR SIZE towel around me!  Guess what!  THERE. WERE. NO. GAPS!  Nothing exposed to the world!  

Was I excited?  Oh let me tell you how excited I was!  I was so excited that I ran out of the bathroom to find one of the other ladies I was with to share in the excitement (and to have someone witness this NSV!).  Bless Virginia's heart...it's the first time we have been on a trip together and SHE was the lucky recipient of this event!  I must admit that she took it like a champ and was excited for me too!

So thank you, letter T and thank you Towel.  And of course thank you Virginia for your support.  Most of all, thank you God for these NSVs!

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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

Onederland

Onederland.  That's a term used in a lot of the weight loss surgery forums that I can't believe I can use.  But today...today I can!  I'm officially in Onederland - I am in the 100s for the first time in over 26 years!  I can hardly believe it!!!!  I stepped on the Wii this morning and my weight was 198.6!  AND...and today is my 4 month surgiversary! What a present!  

61.7# gone since surgery.
87.3# gone since January.

It also reminds me of this Scripture:

Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all. - James 1:17 (CEB)

:::happy dancin' and thanking God!:::

Disclaimer:  The use of a lot of exclamation points is the direct result of being excited.  I like that I can use a lot of exclamation points and will do so in the future as well.  :)

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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

Reflections

As part of bariatric center's program, we are required to attend a monthly support group for the first year after surgery.  We're welcome to attend indefinitely, but it's highly recommended (because can they really make me go?) for the first year.

Last week was a good one for me.  We spent time reflecting on the past year, looking at where we are now and identifying goals for long-term success.  As we wrote down our answers and began sharing with one another, I realized that I was the only one that did not mention a weight number...neither amount lost to date or a goal number.  I found that interesting as much as I've complained about the weight seemingly to come off slowly - but I really think it was an subconscious response that the number doesn't matter and that I am truly getting healthy - body and mind!

So here are my responses:

Looking back...what motivated you to change?
* Not being able to do active things with my boys.
* Being on a mission trip and realizing that I couldn't do what God had sent me to do.
* Tired of being in constant pain and tired of being tired all the time.

List your positive achievements: (this is where most people put a weight loss number)
* Participating in 5K walks (Thanks M!)
* Exercising on my own
* Climbing a tree!
* Hubby being able to pick me up with those great bear hugs!
(I could have put more, but I suppose these were my "top" feel goods!)

What are your goals regarding achievements, personal growth and maintenance?
* To continue self-discipline when it comes to both eating and exercising
* To change the "I Can't" mentality to "I Don't"
* Growth - continuing to hear and accept the fact that God created me and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I think all of those will make future achievements and long-term maintenance much easier!

It was about this time last year when I really started considering surgery.  It was a scary thought.  The time during the informational meeting was extremely emotional for me.  It actually left me in tears and unable to even talk to CME about what was going through my head.  It was a journey that I still wasn't sure about.  It was one that I feared, to be honest.  Not the surgery itself, necessarily, but everything that went along with it.  Would I really be able to do this?  Would I ever be able to eat <insert food here> again?  What if it didn't work for me?  What if...?  Truly, the answer is no - I couldn't do this...not on my own.  It was through courage and strength from God that I was able to make this decision.  It has been through the loving support of my family and friends whom God has placed in my life that have made this side of the surgery so precious.  And it is only by His grace that I am able to write about this journey and where it's taking me.  I am one blessed lady!
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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

I Can't vs I Don't

I was listening to KLove Radio on Tuesday and this news bit and subsequent discussion caught my attention. 

Watch what comes out of your mouth: In a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, 80 percent of women stuck with their diets by saying, "I do not eat that" to temptations, while only 10 percent succeeded using "I can't eat that. " "I can't signals deprivations, which makes you more likely to cave, whereas "I don't" signals determinations and empowerment, making your refusal more effective," says study author Vanessa Patrick, Ph.D., of the University of Houston. But you don't have to announce that you don't eat cake, reframing your self-talk works too. (Women's Health)

It really got me thinking about how my friend was so right, that words matter.  I looked at this journey and realize that it's not about the I can'ts.  It's a choice.  I can have something if I want it...but I don't because of the potential effects it could have on me and how it's negatively effected me over the years.  I've read where some people who have had gastric bypass really test the waters - trying foods they KNOW they shouldn't have, but do anyway.  Some are disappointed that their body doesn't react negatively, but my question is WHY try it?!  I want to be successful.  I want to make good healthy choices.  It makes me wonder if these people are using "can't" or "don't".  I am making a conscious choice...therefore "I don't". I Can't gives me no control...I Don't leaves the choice to me.  I like I Don't.

Below are some I Can'ts of the past - and these weren't just the words, they were the truth at the time.  Because of my I Don'ts through this journey, all of these have already changed.

• "I can't walk very far without being in pain."  
• "I can't wear an XL anything."  
• "I can't go to the gym by myself."
• "I can't walk in a 5k."
• "I can't sit in the back seat with two other people AND wear a seatbelt."
• "I can't reach my toenails to paint them."
• "I can't climb trees."  I did it today while geocaching with the boys!  It may sound silly because I didn't go very high, but I climbed up in a tree today!  NSV?  You betcha! 

So, dear ones, be careful with what comes out of your mouth and into your brain.  Words matter and so do you!

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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

Words Matter

“In the Kingdom of the Son that our Heavenly Father loves, words matter!” 

That was part of a sweet email that I received this morning from one of my dear friends and sister in Christ.   

L knows me well.  She’s been a part of my life for close to 20 years.  She’s been there for me through the good times and bad.  She knows some of the lies and destructive thoughts I’ve believed over the years and she is so keenly aware of God’s love for us, that if something feels “off” about a comment, she is quick to call my attention to it.  So when her email came in this morning, I understood where she was coming from.  Her concern today was about me calling myself a “loser” in yesterday’s post. 

Like I said, she knows me and she knows that I am a “play on words” girl.  I find it funny to be able to do that.  However, even calling myself a loser in a joking way doesn’t ease the negativity associated with that word and definitely doesn’t reflect how our LOVING FATHER sees me (or you!).  As L reminded me, “lies are insidious and subtle…our enemy is crafty and cunning and treacherous…AND DEFEATED!!!”  So I began to think about her words and realized that she is right.  So from now on, I’m not going to say (or believe) that I’m a loser.  Instead, I’m a gainer and a winner!  I’ve gained (and continue to gain) a healthier lifestyle and a healthier mind-set.  I’ve gained a greater understanding of what I want to teach my family about being “healthy” – physically, emotionally and spiritually.  But most importantly, I’ve gained a clearer picture of how my Creator sees me.  I am His and I am fearfully and wonderfully made!   
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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