Brenda C.

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I am not counting the swimming done in Canada, but I should!  I got to stay right on the water in Victoria, WOW!  The sea planes started taking off at 8am, so I learned to tell time by the planes coming & going.  Lots to see, lots of walking, and lots of fun.  The trip was too quick, so I will have to plan another one soon.

Grocery shopping in British Columbia wasn't cheap, but then again, I did stay in Victoria, which may have added to the cost.  I did enjoy the organic sections of a few stores, and I hate to admit this, but I think Canadian (not Canadian Bacon) grown bacon was much tastier than what I have made in America.  Yes, I will admit to eating bacon - in small quantities I am not breaking any nutritional laws.  

As of today, I am on mile 509 of my 600 mile journey swimming for health, so looking forward to bumping next years goal to 750.  I can do it, and why not?  I love the water, and plan to do more ocean swims in February, which I have to figure out how I can measure distance.  I am still in a size 18 swimsuit, which is a little frustrating, but not letting my goal out of my sight!  I have a couple size 16's & 14's just waiting for me.  My album will show what suits I have available, but if you are looking for specific sizes -- just message me.  I have at least one 26 left, I think.  There are a couple 22's, and beyond that, I just have to look.

Water was for some reason not as easy to drink on this trip, and I will admit I drank more coffee than usual, sigh.  Protein is always easy for me, I have an excellent diet & bring my Chike with me everywhere!  I got three flavors of Chike & Coffee samples sent to me while I was away -- I love the new, smaller tubs (They usually live above my refrigerator, and have fallen on me).  Okay, here is where I admit that I did visit Tim Horton's ONCE.  Coffee, half a bagel, and one donut hole.  Sorry, but the coffee was not "all that," as I was promised, sigh.  

One of the things many do not talk about after losing a significant amount of weight -- wearing high heels, just because!  I was making sure to dress nicely, and enjoyed my high heels making me feel more visible.  It is GREAT exercise, I was loving the feeling in my calves & knees after three plus hours of the sights!  Hey, I like to be stylish when I exercise ;)

Probably the best part of traveling to Canada was at the Border Crossings.  I was given extra questions, as I barely look like the same woman on my Enhanced License (it is like a Passport).  Nothing like having people not believe you really are who you are, just because you went and lost 200 pounds!  Part of me wants to just keep the photo, as it does make folks do a double take when I show my identification. 

One year, eleven months, and a couple days ago I started a journey that is still going on.  Just realize that the journey never ends, you just make it to the next phase!  Going into my next year of post surgery I have plans to do things I have never done (ocean paddle boarding & kayaking), and a few things I haven't been able to do in years (surf, skate and ride my bicycle from Seattle to Portland).  Live for today like there will be no tomorrow!

Stay Positive!!!
Brenda : )~

Yes, I have reached a wonderful number, 503 miles so far!  For my Canadian Friends - I will be on Victoria in British Columbia this weekend, so PLEASE let me know if you will be around the Sindey Area ;)

Speaking of British Columbia, I hear that is one of two Provinces that is actually working with patients to get them cosmetic surgery after significant weight loss.  From the research I have spent learning about reconstructive surgery - NEVER say cosmetic when you are trying to get your surgery covered - and am looking forward to more insurance companies realizing it is medically necessary.  It's sad that a person needs to be classified a 3 or higher on the scale (1 - 5) to be considered reconstructive.  But knowing how to submit to Insurance or even Medicare/Medicaid is going to help you tremendously.  I tell everyone to dig deep, in the information age!

Well, folks, I swore I was going to weigh myself this morning, but I ended up forgetting to do it.  I had a bad bout of insomnia, woke around 2am, and never fell back asleep.  Things are still going in the correct direction, and I am so eager to get through this last third of the main journey.  Truly, to be in maintenance, it seems so far away but totally obtainable!

Here is my plug for Candy Free Halloween ;)  Every year, I give treat bags, single serve popcorn, PlayDoh, anything BUT candy.  Believe it or not, the kids ALWAYS make comments about coming to my house!  Just a little thought, cheap bags from the dollar store, and you can create fun without adding to the candy overload kids will have for the first week or more in November.  Sam's Club, and I believe Costco carry packages of PlayDoh, and the kids totally dig it.

Remember, if you break any task down into smaller goals and work up to it, it is easier to get there, and you are less likely to give up trying!

Stay Positive!
Brenda : )~

I am starting my week off the right way, working hard & eating right!!! I just ordered more Chike Meal Replacement, and was told they not only are including a couple free samples of Coffee Meal Replacement, but if you go to their FaceBook Page - they will have a Giveaway on Wednesday -- I love these guys!!!  If you are on FaceBook, just go to their page (http://www.facebook.com/ilikechike) and be ready to enter on Wednesday!  If you want to try Chike, go to their website, iLikeChike.com, and give them a call.  I have been using Chike almost 3 years, and love all the flavors.

When life knocks you on your butt, just remember that the faster YOU get up, the less it will hurt later ;)

Last week was crummy for me, but I am facing forward and as you can tell from my swim ticker, I am slowly making it to my goal.  The other thing about having a hard day/week/month/year/decade (I have had ALL of these at one time or another!), many of us (I am raising my hand) comfort in food & isolation.  Isolation leads to boredom, bore dome leads to eating, eating leads to watching hours of television, which leads to inactivity.  Yesterday I cleaned two of the three floors in my home - I mean CLEANED!  I swept, vacuumed, and even mopped.  I did every stitch of laundry, and then started cleaning windows.  What is my reason for doing so much?  Staying away from the kitchen/pantry.  Idle hands are easily filled with goodies...

Before you get upset with my ideas, just realize that keeping busy will help.  You don't have to spend your days off cleaning, unless you enjoy it.  My reason for my house cleaning was to keep busy and out of trouble.  If you enjoy crafts, that will work as well.  Just make yourself a place to work that is not close to the kitchen.  I swear, idle hands have a bad habit of getting filled!  Oh, and I also have a daily goal in my home, 20 flights of stairs.  Most days I easily get to 15, but it is definitely a chore for me to make it all the way to 20.  I also try to have something in my hand on each trip - so I feel like it was a trip worth taking.

Next month, I celebrate two years since having surgery.  It hasn't been easy, but it also hasn't been that hard!  Sure the weight loss slows down, but that just makes me aware that this isn't just about having surgery to "fix” what I have done to myself.  I still use a food journal, and make sure I take ALL my daily supplements, and I still get blood work done.  Just realize that getting surgery is the beginning, what you do with the surgery & YOUR LIFESTYLE is what dictates your success.  Remember to celebrate the positive in your life.  When you have a bad day, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try to find something positive about what just happened.  Oddly enough, I have always had an odd way of looking at things, but it keeps me coming back for more!  Sure, you will have days that you do not want to repeat, just remind yourself "how will I feel if I do...?" If you live your life by being accountable to yourself, you will be able to live with yourself a lot better.  I hate having excuses - they happen - but, learn from mistakes, instead of being great at making up excuses.

Okay, so my posivity  is overflowing!  Can you feel it?!  Trust me, I enjoy being with ME every day, and you should like who you are, too!

Brenda : )~

I have had a difficult week, and all I can do is sigh.  It has been an unusually difficult year for me, and trust me, I have moments where I want to just give up & stay in bed all day.  Monday, I spent the day with my 18 year old cat Trixie.  I shared my kitty's last day in the sunshine, petting her and making sure she felt the love.  I have given myself a little room to deal with grief, but I keep reminding myself to push forward.  The sun has a bad habit of leaving the Pacific Northwest as soon as Autumn hits - so I think having a sunny day was extra special Monday.  I may take some of her ashes back to Hawaii, just so she can enjoy the sun -- her favorite thing ;)

Tuesday, I had such swollen eyes, I had to put aside my swimming for a second day in a row.  But Wednesday, I was back in the pool, working toward the goal I set for myself.  As of this posting, I have swam 491 miles, and I will keep going even after I hit the magic 600 miles, because I know I can.

Life is not supposed to be easy, so you have to remember that with the bad times, good times will follow.  Never be too hard on yourself, as we usually are our own worst critic.  If you treat yourself with kindness and firmness, you will only flourish.  Yup, I guess I learned a lot raising myself (most of my generation knows about the single parent house blues).  My pushing myself forward is what keeps me going.  Sure, I have had my moments where I really needed to hide for a day (sometimes longer), but I also know I am the one person who can keep me looking forward.  Remember, you spend more time with YOU, than any other person.

Why am I sharing this with anyone bothering to read my blog?  To show that if you let life get you down, you only have you to blame.  If you face life with determination, you will have YOU to thank!  As always, Stay Positive!

Brenda : )~

I will be the first to admit that surgery doesn't make everything perfect or completely better.  So much of this process is in your head -- mine seems to lead me astray from time to time.  Being honest about my portion control, eating choices, and whether I am doing all that I can do, is what will see me through this last third of my excess weight.

Facing the two year mark, I get frustrated just like everyone else.  I get it in my head I have failed.  Sometimes I feel "Why do I try, it isn't really working... Haven't I lost enough, yet?"  DON'T fall victim to the voice in your head that will lead you astray.

Having lost 2/3 of my excess weight equates to over two hundred pounds -- yes, I have lost over two hundred pounds, and still have another 1/3 to go.  Is this frustrating to me?  Sure, it is.  Do I have weak moments?  YES.  Am I proud of myself? Sometimes, well most times, but I still have to keep pushing myself.  Being stubborn is probably going to make me finally succeed!  I get made when I feel like I am not "winning" at a certain task, so that is when my stubborn or persistent nature steps in.

This is not a race - remember this!  You (and I) did not gain all this weight in a short amount of time, so consider what I did -- I will give myself 5 years to lose the weight I gained, as that is how long it took to gain it.  If I beat the 5 year goal - kudos to me!  If I do not, then I will have to re-evaluate why I haven't succeeded.

Being honest with yourself is really hard sometimes.  Sure, I can make excuses & try to believe them, but at the end of the day, I still have ME to face.  You can lie on your food journal, you can lie about your exercise, but who is that hurting? Think about that for a second.  When I want to end my laps early, I usually swim an extra 10, just to make up for my negative thoughts.  It isn't really a punishment, it is showing that I CAN DO WHAT I SET OUT TO DO, if I PERSIST.  When I do more than I set out to do in any given day, it makes me feel a little better about myself.  I like me enough to work harder to be better.

If you are getting surgery (or have gotten surgery) and expect to not have to work for your health, you probably will not succeed -- long term, that is.  Sure, the first - second year is amazing, but... Eventually, bad habits come back into play, your metabolism is too comfortable with your diet/exercise routine, and the weight starts creeping back on.  Do not let negativity cloud your journey.

On that note, Stay Positive!!!

Howdy folks!

It's your accident prone swimmer here with some news!  I just received a bag of swimsuits from Jeanette -- thank you! Thank you!  I have to photograph and list them, they will be for folks in the size 18 & under category.  I will be able to help supply some more swimsuits, as I go through mine!  I pretty much got wiped out of the supply over the summer, I think I have one or two still listed, and will go through my own suits - there will be 22 & 24 sized suits needing NEW HOMES, so hang in there, they will get posted.

It's the end of the swimming season for most folks, so if you are ready to retire your swimsuit, consider paying it forward to another Obesity Help Member!  I am happy to accept (and will pay your postage) if you want to add to the Swimsuit Album -- thus far, I have found new homes for 38 swimsuits!  The way the Swimsuit Album works is a member contacts me, pays the shipping, and gets a swimsuit to help them stay active!  No profit is made on the suits, and the majority of the suits have been mine, I just figure it is a fabulous way to get folks swimming.  There shouldn't be the excuse of not having a suit to keep anyone out of the water -- I even have scoured the clearance racks & thrift stores to keep adding to the supply.

Mile 482 was swam yesterday!  I have to get ready for today's swim, and even took my quercetin which is supposed to help as an anti-inflammatory, increase stamina, and is great for prostate health (just wanted to see if you were paying attention!)  Anyhow, this happy little flavonoid is supposed to help my body, so I have been taking it for awhile now - my homeopath just LOVES ME...

When I say making friends on OH is easy, I really do mean it!!!  I got the pleasure of meeting another OH Member yesterday, and I just may join HER support group!  Having support is the absolute best way to stay on track with working toward your health goals!  I have had some trying moments that have steered me off course, but I am working toward reaching even more goals in the year to come (I celebrate 2 years since I had surgery on November 16).  I am 2/3 of the way "there," so this last third of my excess weight will take a lot of effort and support.  I actually got to chat with a lady who said she had a friend who was starting to gain back since she had her surgery over a year and a half ago.  I told her it is very common, as we are sadly falling back on bad habits, our stomachs (like a balloon) can be re stretched and less effective at restricting the quantity of food we can eat.  Sure, losing a lot of weight is great, but the trick we have to learn is how to keep it off.

So, if you need support, I hope you will reach out to get it!  If your surgical center/doctor's office does not have one, a simple Internet search may help you find one.  Looking at your State's Forum here on Obesity Help is a GREAT RESOURCE!  If you still cannot find a surgical support group, consider looking for TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), OA (Overeaters Anonymous), Weight Watchers, or even your local paper may have weight support groups that have been put together by individuals.  Finding a friend to make this journey will help! Go for walks, a bike ride, just do something to keep you moving.  
Okay, it is that time of the day to suit up!  Swimming has been my exercise of choice, but I also bike and take long walks/hikes, it is important to find something YOU will enjoy!  Stay Active, Stay Positive!

Brenda : )~

Okay, before I start whining about Karma being out to get me - which I swear he/she/it is - I went to swim for the first time in two weeks, and I did all right.  My leg hurt, which I knew it would, but I was still able to swim for a mile and a half - passing the 479th mile of the year.  Including the half mile sticking to the side of my goal, I only have 120.5 miles to go to make my goal of 600 miles in one year.  October is just starting, so I have three months to make my goal -- THIS IS DOABLE!

My complaint with life is just silly, I split my jeans climbing into my truck.  So, instead of making an extra trip home before doing some of my work, I just yanked my shirt & cardigan low over my butt, and wore my messenger bag on my back.  Sigh.  Splitting my pants is seriously the slightest of life's challenges that I have had to deal with in the last three months, so I just have to chuckle, hope my butt wasn't visible, and be glad I work independently and not in an office!  Sad thing was, I just added a tie inside the waist, as the pants were getting too loose, that will learn me not to just retire the pants when I should have.  One less pair for the donate pile... Unless I actually just sew them up, as I was going to do.

Why do I tell the world about the stupid things that happen?  Just to show that we all have the same kinds of obstacles, but how we walk around them - or leap over them - sets us apart.  Sure, I have had some really unpleasant things happening in my life, but I try hard -- really hard -- not to dwell on them.  It took me a little longer to write in my blog, but I actually did come onto Obesity Help 4 or 5 times since July, mainly to answer emails and check in on friends.  Today, not only did I pull my Big Girl Panties up, I also split them!  But, I kept moving forward, and decided to face life & ask, "As that all you got?!"  Hmmm, in retrospect, maybe I better not egg life on...

I weighed myself today, was sad with the result.  I am actually 12 pounds over my lowest, but I am still having to repair the damage and keep moving forward.  For those of you who do not know my journey, I am coming up in a month & a half on my two year "Surgiversary," and I have lost over 200 pounds, and making it to 2/3 of my goal.  That's a lot of weight!  I keep trying to remind myself to look at the victories, not the "but I still have 100 pounds to go."  I think saying I have 1/3 of the way left may just make it a little easier.

If you've had backslides, remember, this is a journey, not a quick fix.  Sure, we all have our moments - good & bad - but trying to focus on the good will always make the bad times a little easier to deal with.  If you aren't using a journal to follow your food, consider the numerous options out there -- I use an application on my phone - free, easy, and it even emails me to let me know how I am doing!  If you aren't getting at least 30 minutes of exercise EACH DAY, start parking a little further from the door, and start getting some passive exercise in!  Are you getting all your protein, supplements, and water?  You should be!  Just think of your health as a piggy bank, if you add buttons, toys, and odd things into your bank, you'll never be able to afford the big things you are saving for!  I put shiny coins in my bank each time I have protein, veggies, water -- so I know my nutrition is adding up to good things.

I need to go back to my list of goals & awards - I actually decided to reward myself every 25 pounds lost.  Be kind to yourself, be patient, and above all else take care of your body - it is the ONLY ONE you get!

Stay Positive, and don't let life keep you from living!!!!  I split my pants, but keep on going!
Brenda : )~

Life has a way of getting in our way.  Yes, I have been dealing with a number of outside issues that not only cause me emotional problems, but I ended up injuring my leg severe enough to keep me hobbling with the help of a cane.  Today, I will return to the water!  Whether I'll be able to swim my usual amount, remains to be seen.  I miss being in the water.

Having so many things keep happening to me physically, it is making my goal of swimming 600 miles so hard - but, I never give up.  I'll post the photos of the leg, and maybe admit how I did it, but I decided that I need to get focused on what I have been working toward - my continued persuit of health!

Not having my usual activities has left me 14 pounds heavier than my lowest, big sigh.  It isn't all just a lack of moving/exercise, it is also emotional eating.  Yup, we all know that can take control when we aren't feeling emotionally strong.  Here is where I say, "Pull your big girl panties up, and do what you know is right!"  Life happens. 

I will add my usual Brenda-ism, that had I been a skinny lady, my leg may have been broken!  For once in my life, having BIG calves saved me from a worse injury, insert a laugh here.  When bad things happen, and they always do, you have to TRY to see the positive in the situation -- the other possible reaction is negative, and we don't want that happening.

Okay, I promise to write more, but in the meantime, REMEMBER, Stay Positive!
Brenda : )~