chanakurtz

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I must say, OH is truly a place of peace and hope for me.  You have no idea the number of inspiring words I hear on a daily basis just for doing the things I so love to do.  I am currently seeking an opportunity to work with a group of bariatric physicians.  My psychologist will be working with some of the top surgeons here in Atlanta and she wants me to work with her to encourage others who are contemplating WLS.  Please pray with me that this opportunity is manifested? I am overjoyed to say the least.  I know that every last one of us has something we can encourage our fellow WLSers on.  I have done nothing more than anyone except kept my expectations regarding my results "real" and share them with you. 

I'm not like all the SUPER WLSers. I dont eat whey foods and high protein stuff.  I dont work out like crazy and some days I forget to take my vitamins. However, everyday I wake up with the best intentions to use my tool in the capacity in which it was created.  Overall health! 

 I knew going in I wanted a drastic result, what I didn't know going in was that it was going to take me some time before I would mentally be able to accept that I had transition into a whole different person. Like I've said before this is a journey...a very long journey and its no quick fix.  I have been at a stall for weeks now and I knew that if I wanted to break the stall I had to do something about it.  I have been in the gym for the past 2 mornings and I will take it one day at a time. 

I've chosen to push myself now, I have lost this weight pretty much just because the surgeon did his thing.  I have done nothing extra but I'm ready to go beyone the ordinary to the extraordinary.  I now understand that people are counting on me to be a success.  I'm counting on myself to be successful!

Just keep me covered with prayer that the purpose of this surgery will be fulfilled.  God brought me to it and He will indeed see me thru it!

Luv Yall!

I received a text the other night from my aunt who informed me that she has been approved for WLS and she's having surgery on the 2nd of March! She was here visiting me in December and we talked about WLS.  She obviously could see the physical changes the surgery caused.  Not only that, since we grew up together, she knew that WLS had made a difference inside as well.  She said I inspired her to make the decision.  That was truly a blessing because when I made the decision to do this it was for me and me only.  I had only seem people on TV like Carney Wilson, Al Roper and yes, Star Jones and I wasn't sure if this was really what I wanted.  Some days I'm still not sure, but I will tell you one thing, I'm glad TODAY that I made this decision for my life. 
I am not where I want to be just yet.  Something about being this close to 200 makes me nervous.  My goal is 150, I'm still having issues modifying my behaviors and yes everday of this life is a struggle.  I sorta feel like a recovering addict for a lack of better terms.  I am maintaining, I've hit a dreaded stall and praying everday that I can get back on that workout and protein regimen. Now that I know for sure, that there are people watching my progress I feel an obligation to encourage them not only with my weight loss but my dedication to a lifestyle change.
She say I inspired her, well, she has no clue how she has inspired me to do even better.  To admit that you have a problem they say is the first step.  Not many of us were willing to admit we had a problem, but WLS has allowed me to face my problem of obesity and return to some type of normalcy in my life.  I am having so much fun! I never would have thought WLS would have afforded me the opportunites it has.  And maybe it wasn't WLS that actually created the opportunity but in fact, it was my decision to take a drastic measure in my life to get to this place of self worth.
I encourage you all who have worked so hard at changing your life to keep it up. Enjoy where you are, dont take it for granted, dont compare yourself to anybody else and do the darn thing! I charge you with that today.  Dont get discouraged, its counterproductive.  Take everyday as a learning experience and grow!
I know I've been away for a while but yall know I love yall!!!!

More pics to come!!! 

Hello ALL,

Not that I really need a reason to party, but why not?  I have decided to have a "100lbs loss but so much more gained" party on April 24, 2010.  Yes, you are invited!  I would love to have all my friends who have had WLS to show up and show out.  There are so many people who have no idea the courage and strength it takes to undergo and take this journey. You are all worthy to be celebrated. No, you may have not hit your goal or you may be like me, fell off the workout wagon, but I would still love for you to come celebrate with me....I haven't made lots of plans yet but I can not wait to walk the red carpet. Details to be determined...If you are in the Atlanta area or beyond, make plans to party with me!

Mark your calendars...April 24, 2010...be there or be square..LOL

I'm 175lbs, thats 93lbs from my highest weight and I have 25lbs to get to my goal of 150.  I'm wearing size 10's the first time in my life and I love it...6 months down and a lifetime to live.  This has been one of the best decisions of my life.  I encourge the newbees to hang on tight because the time flies, when you're having fun...LOL, you will literally melt right before your eyes so much so your brain will not be able to convince your eyes that you have lost so much weight.  Honestly, I weigh everday still.  No lie, so for those of you who are not plagued by the overwhelming desire to know that you have lost another pound, God bless you! Unfortunately, truth be told that's not me.  

I am excited about what the scales say and I am excited about the responses I get from people who have not seen me and also those who have witnessed the transition first hand.  Now let me explain to those of you who are getting ready for surgery or just had it....this transition is extremely overwhelming.  Even though I have lost almost 100lbs I can not physically see the difference.  Sad but true.  I feel better and I know I look better in my clothes but when I dont have my clothes on, I can not see a difference in my body at all, despite the bone protusion in my chest area.  All I want to say is to be careful, love yourself thru this thing and dont compare yourselves to anyone else on this planet. If you dont love yourselves where you currently are in your journey, it is going to be hard to love yourself once the transition has taken place.  I stand in the mirror in the morning sometimes and fantasize about how I would look if....if what? I'm from a 20 to a 10, isnt that enough? Well honestly, its not.  I have to dig deep inside and find the beauty within.  I know I have a very compassionate heart and I love others so much without prejudice,so why have I not chosen the same for myself?  I have no idea. 

I am working on loving me, I know I have a pretty face...so many of us do but that's far from my problem.  I want to see myself as so many of those who love me sees me, just one time.  I think if I could see what others saw I wouldnt over obsess about what I "see."  So my prayer for us all is that we get thru this journey with confidence and strength.  We could say all day long how confident we are and how much this journey has changed us but at the end of the day many of us still feel a void.  The diabetes, high blood pressure and many other co-morbidities have all been resolved but what about self image...does this surgery really address that issue in the majority of us?  I'm only six months out so I can only give you my point of view up to this point. Without being negative I just wanted to be honest and advise this surgery is not a quick fix to any of our situations...but with time, I am most confident that there will be some type of breakthrough and I will finally "see" what I have been missing this whole time.....

Be blessed and encouraged yall!