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Just wanted to share with some of you the great time we had the NY OH Event. The event was spectacular! Got a chance to meet a lot of great people and see the faces behind the emails. It was fantastic!

We had an awesome time at the Costume party on Friday night. Honey they had it going on in there with a contest that consisted of most original, most scary, and most sexy! I was having the best fun watching it all until the people at my table pushed me into entering the 'most sexy' costume. It was alot of fun. I was one of the finalist, shocking!

Could not believe the Transformations at this event... It was truly unreal!!! All the hard work, encouragement, support, and deligence paid off for so many on the runway. When others like myself had a chance to strut their stuff on that catwalk. I was so proud to be a part of it all.

Yvonne McCarthy and Connie were so great in their sessions. I learned so much and got so much info to apply and share with others from this seminar. Thank you OH for bringing it all together for us. Here are some of the great pics...Let me get ur feedback, love to hear from u

Hey OHer's

How is everyone today? I hope doing well and making it happen for yourselves.  Well i wanted to share a great remedy to those of you out there that may hate drinking water but will drink everything else. Well for me, i am one of those people who hates drinking water but know I need to in order to help clense and stay healthy.  Originally, I would get my water in by drinking lots of "Crystal light" after surgery but then got worried about all the 'Aspartame' I was ingesting in my body.

So I spoke to my doctor about another sugar substitute that is all natural without the health side effects you get with 'Crystal Light." Well my doctor told me about 'Stevia,' a great natural sugar substitute without any side effects and made from sugar. Everyday I drink at least 2 quarts of 'Crystal Light' a day.  However, since finding Stevia, I decided to try something a little different.  I filled my thermos with 16 0z of water, and 1/4 cup of pure Lemon juice, and about 6 packets to the 'Stevia.'

Well to my surprise, I have found that the 'Lemon juice' was actually helping to speed up my metabolisim, and causing me to use the bathroom more frequently and keep me full longer.  Currently, I excerise at least 3 times a week and I am sipping on that lemon water mixture all day.  My last liquid before I go to bed is always ending out with the lemon water. Well...

OH MY GOD! I have found that in one week of drinking the lemon water throughout the day has actually caused me to lose about 4 pounds in this week alone.  I wake up and get on the scale after my morning void and I am floored when I see the scale actually moving backward!   I can almost fill my 'waistliine' smaller upon rising and I know its going to be a good weigh-in.

WHAT AN AWESOME DISCOVERY for me! I am able to get the water in without any fuss and speed up my metabolisim at the same time! The lemon water along with a 3 day a week fitness regimen, and a balanced diet has caused me to drop a few pounds and lean out my body.   So I am very happy about that and thought that I would share this great tip with all of you.  If ur like me and u hate drinking water on a constant basis.  Try the lemon water mx and u wont be sorry!

Until next time, take care all, and happy WL journey to u!

Hello OH fam8ly,

It has been quite a while since I last blog and thought now would be a good time than any to let u guys know how I'm doing.  Well it has actually been 2 1/2 years post op.  This is a decision that I do not regret making whatsoever as I am so proud that i did and I got back healthy again.  Having the surgery gave me power of my addiction to food and made me a better person today. 

I am sure you dont want to hear me rant on and on so lets get down to the numbers!  I started originally at 270 pounds at 5'8.  My goal weight that I set for myself was 160 pounds.  In a years time I surpassed that goal and got the smallest I ever did since the surgery at 153 lbs.  However, at 153 lbs, i was quite skinny, frail and was not following a healthy routine at that weight (see former blogs).  My doctor was quite concerned and I was ready to gain back some of my weight in a healthy way.  Well I was able to get to 155 lbs and that was better than where I was.

Now at 21/2 years post op, my weight has finally stabilized and I range between 160-165 lbs. I am healthy, I excerise 3 times a week, and hell I LOOK GOOD!  I have worked very hard to get where i am and I thank God each and every day for this second chance at life. I have all my curves in all the right places...my husband thinks I am the sexiest woman alive and boy does that make me blush!

Please take time to go to the link to see new pics of me on my  doctors website, Fairfield Bariatrics at  www.endtheweight.com, Cick on (meet the patients) and choose 'Sabrina' to read story and view pics. Leyt me know what u think, woud love to hear from u!

But anyhow, doing well, feeling good and appreciating life in a whole new way.  Until next time OH'ers, take care and let me know how u are doing in yout W:L journey.  We are all in this together and battle obesity one day at a time.  God bless u all and talk to u soon...

 Hey Everybody.

Had the pleasure of doing another year at the Womans Expo with my doctor and had a ball.  Check out the article and pics.  Thats me in the red dress.  Also had a treat meeting 'Brady' from Days of our lives.  What a sexy and handsome guy he is and he was sooooo nice.  Child I flirted with him and guess what he flirted back...lol

Heres the link http://www.endtheweight.com/bariatrics/blog/detail/2011/05/02/the-world-of-bariatric-surgery-returned-to-the-women-s-expo.html

BRE

Hello Everyone, 

I pray this finds all of you well and in good spirits.  Today was a very special day for me. Today was the taping of the Dr. Oz show (Adkin Diet show).  I was asked to be a featured guest on the Dr. Oz show because of my 100 pound weight loss. When I spoke to the Coordinator of the show she asked me how did I lose all the weight and I told her through bariatric surgery and have been maintaining it through the nutritional guide by Dr. Oz.  They wanted me to share some of my secrets in keeping fit and inspiring others to get back into their swimsuit body.  

We were asked if we would model in our swimsuits and I was so apprehensive about it because I have not worn a bathing suit in almost 15 years.  However, I was up for the challenge with their help of making me look my best.  

I had no idea how tedious this week would be in getting ready for this show as they called me on Monday and wanted me to tape on Friday.  With all the shopping, preparing, getting pics, etc...I was quite exhausted from it all. 

Anyway, they treated me like a celebrity as they sent out a limo serrvice to my doorstep for transportation to and from the show.  My husband and I were treated like royalty backstage. Next, the Executive producer comes in to pretty much give us a rundown of how the segmeent would go.  Well bascially all three guests would come out after a brief intro of their weight loss success by Dr. Oz, then would be asked specific questions by the doctor as to their swimsuit body.  Well when the producer got to my portion she read off the intro that Dr. Oz would say and in the intro it contributed my weight loss to following Dr. Oz's nutrition guide along with excerise.  She tried to bypass that and speed on to the next passage when I stopped her and stated that I did not lose my weight through Dr. Oz but through weight loss surgery but have been maintaining it by new behaviors through Dr. Oz. All this was told to the coordinator and when confronted by her executive producer, she stated that she thought I said I had "heart surgery" not "weight loss surgery."   ah, ok...And she apologized profusely for her misunderstanding but said it shouldn't be a problem

Well to make a long story short they tried to modify it and it felt like they wanted me to 'discredit' the gastric procedure by not mentiioning it.  Well after some consideration, they elected 'not' to use me in this particular segment because it was not relative to the other two stories from the other two guests.  So I bowed out gracefully but not before I pitched the idea of allowing my bariatric surgeon to come on the show and offer an alternative to weight loss through bariatric surgery with info and knowledge for your viewers. Well the Executive Producer thought it was was a great idea and they would run it by the Director in hopes of bringing it on. I was held in the highest regard of respect for my decision by the producers as well as the other featured guest. They all agreed that I looked absolutely fantastic hands down and that I probably would have 'shook' the foundation if I came out in a bathing suit...lol.  

Both me and my husband were asked to stay for the show and after the show the limo would take us home afterward.  We were obliged to do so and had a wonderful time at the show.  Even though I was not a featured guest, I was still on television in different ways on the show and that was nice too.  

The coordinator was sickened by the whole ordeal and wished I could have still gone on but she told me she was keeping my name for a future show as we actually bonded over this past week with just preparing for this show.  So God has a reason for all things...  

I am still thankful for the experience but would not take down on what I believe and hold true to my heart through the new life that 'bariatric surgery' has given me.  As an OH leader and also a post op it is our duty to be truthful in all we do and inspire others in more ways than one. I learned a long time ago if u dont stand for something you will fall for anything...

May the lord bless all of u...sorry if I let u down but so thankful for the chance to make a difference...

 Hey Everybody, 

I just wanted to drop this small blog to share some really exciting news with u!  Many of you know that I was blessed to do the Dr. Oz show over a year ago and it was such a fun and wonderful experience.  Well, yesterday, I got a call from the producers of The Dr. Oz show again.  Turns out that they contacted me based on a submission I submitted over a year ago on 'weight loss stories.'  Well after viewing my before and after pics, I was immediately asked if I could be one of their guest on a panel of diverse weight loss story successes.  WHOA WHOOOOO!!! Taping for the show is this Friday and I will have to let everyone know when the actual air date and time is set.

I am soooooooooo EXCITED to do this show again but this time to give a shout out for "BARIATRIC SURGERY!."  Looks like Dr. Oz is backing weight loss surgery to help in obesity and sickness and just helping people to get back a healthy life.  I am so glad we are coming up to the forefront without any apologies for it.  I thank God for the wonderful opportunity and ask for your prayers and support.  Thanks everybody, love you all...

 Hello Everyone,

HAPPY SURGIVERSARY TO ME!!!  Today is my 2-year surgiversary and I must say "I feel GREAT!"  I cannot believe how time is truly flown by.  I have gone from being 270 lbs to my goal weight of 160 lbs.  I can remember when I was fitting into a snug 22W to now a comfortable size 8 and 10 dress.  At 5'8 and 160 pounds I am truly feeling comfortable in the body I am in and it feets FABULOUS!

I was honored to be one of the guest on a panel of successful WLS post op patients for the 2011 Health Expo sponsored by my doctors office, Fairfield Bariatrics.  I was able to give my testimony and look back over some of the challenges and struggles that many of us have faced in this journey. It felt so good to be a part of some wonderful people of bariatric surgery from authors, health officers, marathon runners to post ops of 10 years plus.  It was a awesome event!

I still continue to eat in moderation, get in my protein and supplements daily and also excerise for good health.  I have not been able to attend my support group in the last month due to my schedule but I am planning in getting a meeting or two in in this upcoming month.

Well just wanted to blog a few lines to you guys and will upload some new pics in the next few days.  God is definitely good and worthy to be praised!

Hey OH fam,

Wow, its hard to believe that I will be celebratng my 2 year surgiversary.  What a great feeling to be 5'8 going from 270 pounds wearing a sze 22W to go to 159 pounds wearing a size 8.  It feels really good!  Throughout this journey I have learned many lessons about food, excerise and just being comfortable in the skin your in.  Many people ask me if I still get the cravings for the forbidden foods like chocolate, cakes, cookies, donuts and I have to say, most definitely!  But I have had to learn to do one thing and that is "Not deprive myself."  I  still eat a well balanced diet but when I want somethng sweet, I still eat it but in MODERATION!  Because trust me you can make a 'dessert' a meal and totally fill ur pouch with nothing but those empty calories and thats not good...so a small slice of cake or one to two cookies seem to satisfy me and prevents me from overeating the things I enjoy.

But overall it has truly been a wonderful journey.  As far as excerise, I try to incorporate strength training through my bands about 3 times a week to keep me toned when I dont always make the gym.  I seem to get my aerobic activity through my job with being on my feet all day walking up and down the floors rushing to meet time restraints, believe it or not, it seems to keep my weight balanced.  It seems so hard to get to the gym now with such harsh weather here in the New England area and also with my schedule, I  am just so wiped out by the end of the day.  However, I still try to make time to do something for my body each day and making that extra effort seems to really help and knowing I am worth it!

I have aspirations to hopefully run a marathon sometime this year for obesity so I am looking to start some real Training this Spring.  Looking forward to doing something new as this was one of my new year resolutions.  I have become very comfortable in my new body and embrace it each and every day.  I still look in the mirror in disbelief and wonder is that really me.  Inside I will always be that 'fat girl' but this time she's internal not external like before.  I love going to stores and trying on clothes now, and I like how I look in my clothes.  I even have been the envy of some of the women at my job including my boss who was a former body builder. They have shared with me how they admire my figure so much and wish to God they were my size! How crazy is that? 

But it really keeps me motivated to stay on track and remember why I had this surgery in the first place.  Without the lord by my side, I could not have done ths alone.   Well thanks for reading and wishing all of you much success in your weight loss journey.  God bless OH fam and can't wait to read your story...

Hey Fam,

Just an update, have not blogged in quite a while but thought I do so today.  It has been 21 months since I had gastic bypass a decison I would never regret as long as I live.  This time of year and be quite challenging with all the Christmas cookies, cakes, goodies.  I must admit I have had a few of those goodies but in moderation.  I try not to deprive myself too much or else I will start craving it and indulging too much.

Most of my working out has truly been outside the gym, with work on my feet all day, walking up and down and taking the stairs when feasible has been my aerobics for a few weeks.  My schedule is so hectic right now working full time, doing Theater on the weekends, and attending my services on Sundays has been pretty exhausting but overall I love it!

I feel good keeping up my supplements, protein, and 3 square meals.  I have gone from a size 22 to size 8 or 10. Weighing 270 before surgery and ranging between 155 and 160.  I feel so comfortable where I am, not to skinny, not to thick, just right with the curves in the right places.  It keeps my hubby happy!

Without the lord guiding me and helping me on this journey, I would not have come as far as I have.  To him I give all the glory and honor.  God bless everyoine and continue to stay true to you and be the best that you can be...

Hey Everyone,

Happy holidays to you and yours.  I just wanted to share with my OH family that WLS has published my weight loss story.  Please when u get a chance would love for you to go by and check it out and please comment to share your thoughts.  Would love to hear from all of u. Here is the link:  http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/features/weight-loss-surgery-saves-sabrina-kershaws-life.html/

Thanks so muchhhhhhhh!!!