Times are a Changin!

Hello Friends!

It is Thanksgiving Eve and I can not believe I am almost 11 months post op. Boy have things changed since last Thanksgiving.

Lets paint a picture here...Last Thanksgiving, I was so eager to eat EVERYTHING in sight. That's right; turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, green beans, trying yams...again, apple pie, ice cream, pumpkin pie, pecan pie! I ate myself into a ridiculous stupor. And....if I remember correctly, actually threw up because I ate too much and was so so so sick. But, I guess 3 platefuls will do that to you.

I was not physically active and sure was not planning on doing that any time soon. I mean come on...being 363 pounds is not conducive to exercising...and for me it was not really conducive to doing much of anything.

BUT...THIS YEAR.....Things have changed!

Tomorrow will be quite a different day! I look at the list of foods I ate last year, and my perspective has totally changed. Sure, I will eat a little turkey, a few bites of mashed potatoes and some stuffing, but my heart is set on the veggies and the Sugar Free Pie. Instead of eating 3 platefuls of food and getting sick, I will be eating one child's plateful. Oh, don't get me wrong, that plate will be full....but it is a SMALL plate. I think it is more of a psychological thing to have a full plate on Thanksgiving, but mine will just me a much smaller plateful.

SO....lets now talk about some of the physical activity changes that have occurred this year. Never in my life would I have dreamed that I would go running on Thanksgiving Day before we eat. And not just any run....but my 5K training run which is 3.4 miles. That's right...on Thanksgiving, not to mention that today I woke up at 5:00 am to take a spin class and walked my butt off at Disneyland all day!

I feel like a "self made athlete!" Ok ok so I can't take all the credit, I have an AMAZING personal trainer, but I work so hard to stay fit and take care of my body.

Who would have even imagined I would be where I am at this year as compared to last year?

For that I am so grateful!

So my friends, enjoy your Thanksgiving and be truly grateful for the air in our lungs and the ability to be active!

Gym Rat Rants Part Deux

I get asked sometimes if I have a favorite post...or which one makes me laugh still to this day? I would have to honestly answer that as YES for sure. THIS POST...day in and day out proves itself to be true. I run into these people who do these things all the time! I guess they have not been reading my advice for them.

Well, joyfully for you readers, but sadly for me, I have to report I have issued my second letter to the attendees at the gym....*wink*

So here it is...

Dear Gym Members...

First and foremost, the last 9 months have been quite a pleasure working out with you. You see, I completely enjoy seeing you work out and it is quite inspiring to work out with the same people every week. BUT there are some of you that need a bit of an intervention. So...this letter is for you. I have made it quite easy. I will now give you a list of things that I would appreciate you NOT do at the gym while we work out.

Lets discuss proper workout attire. I am sorry to report that Toms, Keds, and Ecko Whites are not appropriate footwear. If you want to develop shin splints...please do that at another gym. I do not want to see you limping around. INVEST in some tennis shoes.

On the topic of attire, I would kindly suggest you not wear jeans or overalls to work out. As far as I know, chafing is not a very good look on you. Save yourself the embarrassment of chafed "areas" and the discomfort.


Please bring a water bottle! The water fountain is for a "quick sip." You look like a camel preparing for a drought when you stand there for 100 years drinking water. I think that hump on your back is due to poor posture, not for holding water. Furthermore, please keep your mouth off the drinking fountain. Thanks :)

If you smoke, wear too much perfume, Axe deodorant, or rub Icy Hot on before you work out...please do not choose to run next to me. If I wanted to smell an array of aroma, I would frequent Purfumania, not the gym. NUFF SAID!

Also, person next to me on the treadmill, I specifically pick out a mix of my own music to listen to. Your singing, humming, whistling or just plain loud music is not necessary.

This one is specifically for men....why do you insist on ripping the arms off your t-shirt and all the way down the sides? I mean really, if you wanted a faux shirt...what I call a dicky, I can get you one, but do not waste a perfectly good shirt only to rip it. Furthermore, I would really prefer not to see your mipples. Thanks:)

Ladies: A sports bra is not considered a shirt. They call them undergarments for a reason...Empasis on the UNDER!

Speaking of undergarments...please WEAR them!

And lastly....Men please do not wear SHORT shorts...I mean sure I have no problem saying "hi" to some thigh, but I have been known to shriek at some cheek!

So there you have it. Fellow gym attendees, thank you for keeping me happy with some minor workout adjustments.

LOVE: A fellow Gym Rat

You may have finished reading this and still curious if you would be considered a "gym rat."

If you ask yourself this, here are three tell tale signs you are indeed a gym rat!

1. When you hear the word "push up" you know that this is indeed an exercise, not the most delectable Popsicle you will have eaten.
2. When you hear the word "kettle bell" you know that this means a piece exercise equippment, not the bell that sounds when tea is ready. And it certainly is not for bringing the cows home.
3. When you hear the word "hamstring" you know that is a muscle, not a ham and string cheese sandwich.

So there you have my dear readers. Do you have any gym rants you want to share? I would love to hear them!

ONE YEAR BLOG-IVERSARY

That is right faithful readers...today marks my

ONE year blog-iversary!

Can you believe it? I have been blogging for one whole year! I am shocked myself that I still have stuff to say. My life is pretty boring but losing 150lbs is far from boring. Sure I have a little more to go, but I wanted to recap the last year by following up on a list a created 1 year ago today!

It was titled Fry Me Up Some Reasons....Here is my 10 top fun reasons why I wanted Gastric Bypass with my now follow up answers.

#1 I look forward to taking up only one seat on an airplane. (Personal space, please!)

Have not been on an airplane yet, but pretty sure since I can sit in the back seat of a car and only take up my one spot and the seatbelts actually fit, I will not be the dreaded person to sit next to on an airplane. Nor will I be the first one escorted off the plane if they are over the weight limit.

#2 I finally get to sit in the back seat of a car, with two other people.

Like I said above, though I get carsick, it is such a relief not to be a burden to people and always have to sit shotgun. Furthermore, I can actually sit in the middle seat!

#3 Say goodbye bigger water bills for more laundry. (Save the whales:)

I can actually say that this one is true! Since I am smaller, I have smaller clothing, thus smaller loads of laundry. I have gone from doing 4-5 loads of laundry a week to only 2. Not to mention I am adding 3-4 more outfits from working out at the gym. I must say it is pretty cool to only have to fold and do 2 loads of laundry. Shamu and I are buddies:)

#4 I wont have to say excuse me every time I have to squeeze past someone.

SUCH a relief! I mean really....how annoying was it for my belly or other large areas bumping into people. Now the only thing busting people up is my HUGE purse or my boxing punches.

#5 I will save money on replacing furniture I break. ( How do I budget that Dave Ramsey?)

TRUE! I have not broken a single piece of furniture this last year. Let me tell you....those cheap chairs are not even budging.

#6 Better gas mileage in my car.....(I don't know if that is true, but lets go with it:)

Sadly this is not true...Maybe it is due to the fact that at any given time I have my weight in water bottles in my trunk. I do drive a Honda, so I really can not complain about bad gas mileage.

#7 Look out here I come Bounce Houses and Ballet.

Still no ballet! I want to do it so bad...but have not found the time and dont quite have the leotard body;)

#8 Even Rollercoasters will be more fun. (Scared to death, not scared to die)

Most def will not ride one...still so scared!

#9 STILETTOS. I don't have to worry about snapping off the heal.

OH MY GOSH!!! SO fun!!! I love me some stilettes! So hot and so fun to wear. Like I have said before, I have no one to be short for so going from 5 foot 11 to 6 foot 3 is no problem.

#10 SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING! Did I say SHOPPING?

For sure an expensive perk! I have never bought so many clothes in my life! It does get annoying because I buy something cute and wear it less than a month and it is too big, but hey it is fun to shop. Fashion Find Fridays was born because of my love of shopping.

Well so there you have it! I predicted some exciting new things...and there they were!

Hope you enjoyed it:)