Laurien G.
Dedicated to the struggle against obesity...
"...the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people..." Joel 3:15
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31 8-9
I had WLS (Weight Loss Surgery, Roux-en-Y) on October 15, 2007, just one day before my third wedding anniversary. My husband and I spent our anniversary in a recovery room but it was the most memorable I'll ever have.
Like so many have said in the past, I've tried everything under the sun and can lose weight like no one I know...but I can't keep it off. My story is like so many of yours, so I wil spare you the details. The list of reasons I have for going through with this surgery are many...a mile long...but the number one reason is for my son. I don't want to set him up for the struggle I have faced. Like many parents (especially mothers), I want his journey in life to be as easy as possible, although I know life is HARD. I want to leave a legacy he can be proud of, that he can wholeheartedly look to his mom and say, "She believed in the power and love of Jesus Christ and looked to Him during her darkest moments in her life. She certainly wasn't perfect but she trusted the One who is...".
You are now enjoying the music of Nicole Nordeman (Legacy)
http://216.180.244.187/videos/n/nichole_nordeman/legacy.html
Legacy by Nichole Nordeman
Lyrics to "I Want to Leave a Legacy"
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
Mini Goals
1. Shop in the regular part of the store ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
2. Fit comfortably in an airplane seat without an extension belt ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
3. Cross my legs completely while sitting ACHIEVED!!! 1/17/2008
4. Weigh less than my husband
5. Not feel my ankles ache ACHIEVED!!! 10/17/2007
6. Not feel my kness ache ACHIEVED!!! 10/17/2007
7. Wear heels for longer than 30 minutes comfortably ACHIEVED!!! 11/8/2007
8. Feel comfortable with my photo being taken
9. Not feel back pain ACHIEVED!!! 12/28/2007
10. Have lots of energy ACHIEVED!!! 04/2008
11. Cross the treshold with my husband carrying me
12. Keep up with my son ACHIEVED!!! 11/5/2007
13. Run with my husband
14. Fit comfortably in my bathtub ACHIEVED!!! 12/30/2007
15. Fully wrap myself in a regular-sized bath towel with nothing hanging out ACHIEVED!!! 07/2008
16. Wear underwear that doesn't resemble a parachute ACHIEVED!!! 05/2008
17. Not have a double chin
18. To reach highest high school weight of 199 lbs. ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
19. Fit into a standard restaurant booth ACHEIVED!!! 12/10/2007
20. Reach high school size of 16/18 ACHIEVED!!! 05/2008
21. Feel my collarbones ACHIEVED!!! 10/28/2007
22. Feel my ribs ACHIEVED!!! 04/2008
23. Wear a bathing suit ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
24. Wear a bikini (but not in public)
25. Have sex in a lit room
26. Take off my own bra from behind ACHIEVED!!! 11/8/2007
27. Bending down without thinking about it ACHIEVED!!! 05/2008
28. No longer pulling my t-shirt down over my butt everytime I get up ACHIEVED!!! 04/2008
29. Not being recognized by a close friend or family member ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
30. No longer have skin rashes ACHIEVED!!! 11/12/2007
31. Not have a fear of falling all the time
32. Hear catcalls from strangers ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
33. No longer be a premature diabetic ACHIEVED!!! 01/2008
34. No longer be a candidate for joint replacement surgery ACHIEVED!!! 11/8/2007
35. Force myself to eat because I have to ACHIEVED!!! 10/15/2007
36. Feel comfortable having sex ACHIEVED!!! 1/6/2007
37. Enjoy working out
38. Be able to wear my mom's clothes
39. Have my husband hug me and link his fingers together ACHIEVED!!! 11/1/2007
40. Not having the fear of dying in my sleep ACHIEVED!!! 10/17/2007
41. Feel confident ACHIEVED!!! 07/30/2008
42. Truly feeling HEALTHY
43. Moving without fear of knocking everything over
44. Hearing my husband say, "You're sexy" and agreeing ACHIEVED!!! 1/25/2008
45. Never want to eat like I used to
46. Achieving a truly HEALTHY pregnancy
47. Eat at a restaurant like a NORMAL person of average weight ACHIEVED!!! 1/3/2008
48. Fit into old clothing that is in my storage closet ACHEIVED!!! 12/15/2007
49. Buy new fashionable wardrobe ACHIEVED!!! 05/2008
50. Feel comfortable in my new body
51. Go on our first date...AGAIN...the way I wanted it to be
52. Wear a normal belt
53. Feel like I fit with my husband ACHIEVED!!! 07/2008
54. Speak from experience at my support group ACHIEVED!!! 11/8/2007
55. Speak up because I feel confident ACHIEVED!!! 11/1/2007
56. Get wedding rings resized ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
57. Have a space between my thighs (you girls know what I mean) ACHIEVED!!! 07/2008
58. Get to the point of CONSIDERING plastic surgery
59. Have a total loss of 25 lbs. ACHIEVED!!! 10/31/2007
60. Have a total loss of 50 lbs. ACHIEVED!!! 12/20/2007
61. Have a total loss of 75 lbs. ACHIEVED!!! 04/2008
62. Have a total loss of 100 lbs. (become a Century Club member) ACHIEVED!!! 07/10/2008
63. Have a total loss of 125 lbs.
64. Have a total loss of 150 lbs.
65. Reach my goal weight
66. See my dimples again (without forcing them to show when I smile) ACHIEVED!!! 04/2008
67. Cross my ankles or legs without curring off circulation ACHIEVED!!! 1/18/2008
68. No longer feel tight skin around back of knees ACHIEVED!!! 11/12/2007
69. Have an ACTIVE lifestyle, not just exercising
70. Feel comfortable in my own skin
71. Have Italian lace dress made once weight stablizes
72. Take pole dancing classes (just because I PHYSICALLY can)
73. Wear clothes in my everyday closet that I never have before ACHIEVED!!! 1/15/2008
74. Feel more comfortable with sweating
75. See the muscles in my legs (particular my calfs) ACHIEVED!!! 07/2008
76. Feel comfortable sitting in an AVERAGE chair ACHIEVED!!! 05/2008
77. Not consider weight limitations on amusement park rides
78. To climb stairs without ankle pain and being out of breath ACHIEVED!!! 12/20/2007
79. To have an actual lap ACHIEVED!!! 03/14/2008--THE BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER!!!
80. To see my collarbones ACHIEVED!!! 04/2008
81. Stop slouching because of my "top-heaviness"
82. No longer have a bottomless pit for a belly button
83. Stop snacking and grazing
84. Never see 280+ again ACHIEVED!!! 9/18/2007
85. Never see 270+ again ACHIEVED!!! 10/31/2007
86. Never see 260+ again ACHIEVED!!! 11/5/2007
87. Never see 250+ again ACHIEVED!!! 12/10/2007
88. Never see 240+ again ACHIEVED!!! 1/1/2008
89. Never see 230+ again ACHIEVED!!! 1/26/2008
90. Never see 220+ again ACHIEVED!!! 03/2008
91. Never see 210+ again ACHIEVED!!! 05/2008
92. Never see 200+ again ACHIEVED!!! 06/2008
93. Never see 190+ again ACHIEVED!!! 07/2008
94. Never see 180+ again
95. Never see 170+ again
94. Never see 160+ again
95. Never see 150+ again
96. Never see 140+ again
97. Feel like I have abs
98. Wear a short jacket without worrying about showing my butt ACHIEVED!!! 07/28/2008
99. Fee like I'm doing things for myself ACHIEVED!!! 07/30/2008
100. Start doing pilates on a daily basis
