2+ years post op

Oct 28, 2009

I've had a few people ask me where I've been the past few months, if not year. I've been busy!!!! ObesityHelp was such an important component of support during my time of research and the first year following surgery. I'm so happy this community is here! It really did make a HUGE difference in my journey. I cannot even imagine going through what I have without the support of such a fine community.

As is common, now that I've lost the majority of my weight, my life has changed so much ... for the better! I spent so many years being afraid to try things because of my weight and limited physical ability and pride. I'm just really starting to seriously consider what some of those things are that I would never have tried a year and a half ago, let alone for the last 25+ years. It makes me sad to think of all the things I was afraid to try. How many experiences I robbed my family of because of these limitations. It's not that my life lacked any quality, it's just that I didn't know what I was missing because I didn't seriously entertain doing anything different than what I was doing.

One key to success in maintaining the weight loss is exercise. Plain and simple, it just has to be a part of my life now. So my goal is to find things that I like to do for exercise. Because, let's face it ... if I don't like what I'm doing, I'm not going to be doing it for very long! That's just the truth!! So I've been on a mission to try different things to find at least 1/2 a dozen activities that I enjoy. I'll always have my treadmill and elliptical machine for the everyday. But I need more excitement than that.

One of the activities I've thought about trying for a year or so is kayaking but I have a genuine fear of deep water and a fear of the kayak flipping. A friend of mine who also had WLS (she's 2 years ahead of me on this journey) recently purchased 2 double kayaks and she had the same fears until she tried it. She loves kayaking now. They have a home a couple hours away on a bay where the water is calm and shallow and it's the perfect environment for beginner kayakers. She is going to take me kayaking in the spring when the weather has gotten better! I cannot wait!!!

I was at Costco the other day and walked past a display of showshoe sets after talking to the same friend above just that same day. I stopped, turned around, and promptly stuck a set of snowshoes in my cart!! I called my husband and asked him if he would like to give it a try, too. And then called my son ... they both said sure! That evening on the news the weather person was forecasting snow for the mountains, and I got so excited! I am literally a short time away from giving this a try! I cannot remember the last time I've gotten this excited about trying something new.

I did some research online about snowshoeing and it's amazing the number of calories you burn in an hour doing this. So aerobically, I'll be doing something great for my health. I love photography, and what better way to get close to nature then to be IN IT! And the fact that the men in my life want to try this with me is just a HUGE bonus!

I really feel like, at 47, I am just beginning to live. Goal setting has actually become a new activity for me, as well.

So that's where I've been ... learning about myself! I hope you are, too!

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About Me
Edmonds, WA
Location
28.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
10/11/2007
Surgery Date
Feb 16, 2007
Member Since

Friends 30

Latest Blog 42
SURGIVERSARY!
Sept. 24, 2008
2 months to lose 5 pounds
July already?
June 15th

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