May 19, 2000

Ok so now I am 5 months and 10 days, it has been soooo crazy around here
let me try and fill you in. First what you all want to know
I currently weigh 152, yes that's 95lbs gone in 5 months.
The goal I had set in the begining was 145, and I am less
than 10lbs from that. I suspect after my cycle comes and goes
that I will be in the 40's I still can't believe it.
My daughter Sam, had a slumber party which contained
a ton of little girls ages 10-12 who stayed the night, ate everything in sight
sang every song in the world and partied all night long. Then the next day I took
them all to the beach. LOL. I guess I am a glutten for punishment. We had fun.
My Aunt Cathy came by and saw me for the first time in over a year, she could
not believe it. She was so shocked she couldnt stop talking about it.  She said she
had been considering this for years but never knew anyone or how to get info.
(she isn't on the computer).  So I handed her my book from my surgeon, showed
her my web site and the FOA website and then she called to tell me she has
an appt next tuesday. WOW I guess she was serious. I am really happy for her
I have watched her struggle with her weight for over 2 decades. She's only 4'11 and
her current weight is higher than my start weight. I really think this will be great for
her, and I can't think of another human being who is more deserving of happiness.
My husband retires in less than 10 days from the USAF, the civilian job hunt has
been more of a buffett. He has not applied anywhere, but over 13 major well known
nation wide compaines have called interviewed and made offers already. Yesturday
we narrowed it all down and made the final decision. We will be moving to Tampa
FL. Since I went to high school just 2 hours north of Tampa its a nice thing. Plus
it's a good job and it's somthing he loves to do.  But the constant typing and phone
calls, and flying here and there has kept us soo busy we didn't have time to breath.
Hopefully now that the decision is made we can relax a minute. BUT NO !
We also found out yesturday that the military doesn't have any movers available
in our time frame, so we have to pack, box, load, unload, move everything on our
own. YUCK ! In addition we have to clean and paint and all the other yummies that
come with moving. Don't forget we also have to find a house in our new area, which
will be Tampa, did I mention that we are moving in less than
1 month, more like 2 weeks?  So it has been crazy and it will be crazy for atleast another
month or so, so if I don't update my journal atleast you guys will know why. I wouldn't really
look for another update until mid or late June do to the move and all.
I did have a unique and grotesque experience yesturday though.   I was
on the base with my husband and stopped at the shoppette, it was soo hot
and I wanted an iccee or somthing really cold and refreshing. They had
a machine there with a goooye blue substance in it churning with crushed ice
on the machine it said, no beet sugar, no cane sugar, no carbohydrates,
no fat,  low in calories. surely I was dreaming, somthing that looked yummy
to drink  that fit my needs??? I even asked 2 of the girls working and they
confirmed the signs. I bought a small cup of the yummy stuff. I took a sip
my face almost turned inside out. It was by far the sweetest thing I had ever
put in my mouth. I quickly again questioned the employees and they said
yes it is very sweet but it has NO sugar. Within the next hour I drank
1/2 of the cup full. Once I got home I sat at my desk and placed the drink
in the freezer so I could have some more of my wonderful treat later.
I was on the phone with a realtor in Tampa when I felt my tummy
rumble. HOW ODD? I thought, it hasn't done that in months.
I got off the phone and went to stand up, and when I did, the gates
opened up.  **** for those people who can't handel graphic
discussion please don't read any further******
It happened so quick and I was actually unsure of what had happened
If I were 9 months pregnant I would have sworn my water broke.
I immediately jumped in the shower to clean myself and was in total
disbelief.  I threw my clothes in the washer and moped the floor.
My husband was walking around snickering saying things like,
" note to self, dont drink blue slushies that say no sugar !"
and "wow flourecent green now that's impressive" I ofcourse was
completely humiliated and could not believe that happened to me
but thanks to my honey making light of it, I was able to see the humor.
But I can garuntee that I will never again drink a blue slushy that says
no sugar, because obviously it was loaded. After about 2 hours on the
toilet all was well,  and a lesson was learned LOL> Well I am off
and I wish the best of luck to everyone and will write next time from
the georgous TAMPA FLORIDA !!

May 24th, 2000
A day to live in my memory forever! I weigh 149!
I finally broke 150, yeah baby, it took work, yes I actually got out
played baseball and did a few laps around the neighborhood to break
the dreaded platue I was on. As of today my BMI is 24.04
which if you round that, it is 24 even woo hoo !!!
I am finally no longer, morbidly obese, obese, or overweight,
I am now, "normal" yeah baby !!!!!!
I have an appt with my Dr on 5/29, I will
be about 11 days short of 6 months, but that's ok, I will have lost 100lbs
at the 1/2 way mark.  I got a delicious smoothie today yeah baby
for those of you who have smoothie kings in your area, go there,
get a pinapple pleasure, with no honey or sugar, add an extra scoop
of protien, and viola, I also add, strawberries and orange juice.
It taste so wonderful, for those of you who like orange julius, this
will be heaven to you and it's packed with protien. I just found out
tonight that my little boy has earned his wolf badge and 1 gold arrow
and 3 silver arrows for his cub scouts, that is amazing, he just joined
in January and within 6 weeks earned his bobcat, and know here he
goes. This is somthing he loves, and he really dedicates himself to it.
I am starting to stress over this move.  I am afraid I will not get it all
done in time or we wont have a house when we get there, yikes, I know
it will all work out. My husband (6'1'') was 156 when I had my surgery
he is now 147, I am closing on him, but he keeps losing weight LOL.
We are currently trying to "fatten" him up, he needs it. I am only
5'6'', I just want to actually weigh less than him in the buff, I don't
really want to go below 145, but if I settle between 140 and 145 I
will be happy.   The eating is going fine, although somtimes I would
rather not eat than go thru the hastle of finding somthing I feel is
sutable to eat.  I see several people send in examples of thier post
op diets, some of them just scare the tar out of me, and others I
just shake my head, I didn't eat the amount of food they are freshly
post op consuming, when I was pre op.  I have never won anything,
not a drawing, raffle, lottery, nothing, I have the worst luck
ask ANYONE who knows me, but for some reason, god smiled
upon me and led me to the renew program, 2 wonderful
surgeons, surrround by a wonderful team of women who keep
the guys in line. They have what in my opinion is the
PERFECT PROGRAM !  Nutrition. Pshyc care, health
care, support groups, the works. All the years of bad luck
paid off, and I took all the luck in the world and saved it to
find the renew team. Thanks to them, and if your able to travel
go to them, tell them I sent you, they are the best.
Well until mid june, after the move and all, take care, keep
your chin up, drink your water, chew your food, and exercise.

June 3, 2000

Ok I am now only 6 short days from being 6 months.
Here's the scoop, I weigh 144lbs, that means 103lbs gone
in only 6 months, man this is just wonderful. I don't think I can
express how much this all means to me.
I finally have the move dates. The movers will be here next
wed, june 7th. So I wont have a computer after that. then they
don't expect delievery until the 16th of June, then give me
a day to unpack it and plug it in, so say the 17th, that's 10
whole days without my darling computer arg. So don't expect the
6 month journal to be ready until after the 17th, and don't forget
I will be answering a million emails, and moving and unpacking
so this may not get done on schedule. My BMI is like 23.2
I am actually in the normal range.  Now when I go and
buy clothes, I find somthing I actually like and try it on
where before I would have to find somthing to "camoflage"
my gut and but, and it had to hang right, and usually was
black, LOL, funny how we actually think that the clothes
can make or break the evening, don't get me wrong I wouldn't
have wanted to prance around in a tube top and hot pants when
I was at my heaviest. but really did I believe that the right
outfit could make me "appear" slimmer?  Now I slip on my
shorts, tuck in my shirt and throw on a belt, or my current
favorite is a lovely selection of sheath dresses I found.
Just simple dresses, nice and cool and light weight.
I feel good. My health is spectacular. I can't believe the
energy level I have and my blood work came back
better than it's ever been in my life.  I can breath
walk, run, play, dance the night away. I love this life
I look back and everyone says, "was it worth it, or would
you do it again?" if you have been reading my journal
you know in the begining it was kind of questionable
I did have some problems early on that scared me to death.
Point blank, this gave me a life, my life, a wonderful life.
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
is that clear enough, I would do it again in a heart beat
and ofcourse it was sooo worth it.  Once we complete the
move I will start working on the tummy and butt
as they are my week spots, it's not that my tummy is
bad, there is just some loose skin, I feel with exercise and
time it will firm up nicely. The butt, well I removed it and
now I will rebuild it. The great thing is, now when I exercise
I can see the results so quick because there isn't a ton
of fat over the muscles.  Well I better go I have so much to
get done.  Next post from Tampa FL.

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