Life of the Party

Empty Classroom                 This is our last teacher workday, and it's bittersweet as I pack up this year's paperwork and prepare to lock up for the summer. The school years seem to be getting shorter and the students seem to be growing up way too fast. I spent the majority of my day going through my lesson plan books to see what worked best with this group.                  Hopefully I'll get to move up with this group of students. It's always nice to have them for multiple school years, because you don't have to "figure them out" again. Maybe I'll get to teach a new subject too!                  The point in the day where everything gets real is when I turn in my keys for the last time and turn in my sign out sheet. This is my sixth year here and there is never a dull moment. Each year we get to try new things and our students get new c...

    I think my goto drink has got to be vitamin water. The best flavor hands down is acai-blueberry-pomegranate. Not being a fan of plain water is very frustrating due to the fact that I always have to look for something else. With WLS, I still avoid all sodas and carbonated drinks.  If you guys have any suggestions please feel free to leave me some feedback.  This morning's menu:  1 Zone perfect cookie dough bar (180 cal) 1 vitamin water zero 

     The reality of weight loss surgery is that there will be days when being around food is terrible. The amazing staff here at my school cooks us breakfast at the end of the year, and in Southern tradition you have to eat if it's offered. Fried food is one thing that I said goodbye to six months ago. I do not want to start that habit back, because it isn't good for my body.       Gravy is something else that is no longer a food that I will eat. The reality is that sometimes you will have to hurt someone's feelings about their cooking. The chosen method for me is, "I'm just not hungry right now, maybe later." When and if they press the issue I'll be honest, "If I eat that it will make me feel sluggish and bad." So, this morning I had to have this same conversation with the ladies at work. Their food smelled amazing and I really wanted some, but the fact that I don't want to give in is really what stops me.       People are s...

Summer       The books are packed up, the students have left, and the hallways are silent. This time of year is filled with teacher training sessions, luncheons, and phone calls. It's been an amazingly tough school year, but it's all over and I'm glad it happened. Teachers transform into new creatures during summer break. We don't have no where to be and no scheduled classes to teacher, so goodbye early 5:00am mornings. We are creatures of habit and lost when those warm rays hit our faces.        This time three weeks from now I'll be on the beach watching to waves crash. There will be no lesson plans or papers to grade. I'll miss it all, but the summer months are mine and I'm not willing to share that time with any extra responsibilities. Summer Vacation The halls are silent as can be The ocean is all teachers can see Posters and anchor charts are thrown away Teachers still don't know the way Laughter is going out of the class...

        The weight loss is still slow, but I'm finally down to 225lbs. It feels absolutely amazing to know that I'm so close to meeting some of my goals. I think it's a great thing that the weight isn't coming off too quickly. I still encounter people who say I should be so much smaller, but my doctor said that I'm still on track. If other people would mind their own business maybe I wouldn't struggle as much.       I decided to share a picture with you all to show my progress. Pictures say a thousand words, right? I hope you see the progress and determination I have. I still remember when those shorts were too tight to wear. I now have to wear a belt. Being happier is still worth all the process that I went through. This has been a very eventful school year and I have been through so many trials. I think everything happens for a reason. When bad things happen they are usually followed by something positive. This is my time to truly shine and ...

    I usually dread Mondays, but today was different.  I didn't have work today, so I spent the day in solitude in my garden. It's that time of year again when planting begins. This summer will bring new strategies of gardening as I plant my first flower garden.      I spent the better part of the morning landscaping our front yard. This is going to take a while to finish and I'm up for the challenge of trying something new. Anything is better than our current status of disorganization. Mom had dumb solar lights stuck up every where. 

      It has been a few months since I have posted anything, so during this hot second I'm going to catch you up.  I didn't mean to leave any of you out in the dark, but life has been very hectic. This school year has passed by so quickly that I cannot believe we have close to a month left. Summer excitement here we come! I'm planning on going to the beach, gardening, and chilling out.       I'm currently floating around 226lbs and cannot seem to get past this number. I think the stress from work and lack of sleep has something to do with it. When first getting this surgery, I was completely nervous, but I can see the difference that it has made in my life. I'm now able to go ride my bike without the heavy laboring that was there before. I'm no where close to my ideal weight, but every pound lost is a gain for me. As long as I'm not gaining, I'm okay.      I had an appointment with my surgeon and she said that I'm on sc...

    I'm thankful for many things, but today I'm especially thankful for life. I'm getting this second chance of becoming a confident lady, and I'm going to take full advantage of it. Today presented itself with several challenges, all of which, I conquered with ease. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some much needed "me time." 

Progress      I'm still weighing in around 239ish, but I can see differences in my body. At my last doctor's appointment, I had gained a pound in lean muscle tissue, which is amazing. I still want to see more weight loss, but I'm still determined as ever. I think this is more of a journey than I had expected. My every day choices really add up.   I need to be more forgiving to myself, but I'm my toughest enemy. I still feel like I haven't made any visible progress, but I can now fit in some XL clothes. This makes me extremely happy.   

    I have finally gotten back down in the 230s and I'm ecstatic! There is no better feeling than accomplishing your goals even if they are small ones. Today I weighed in at 239.1. The small victories are worth the effort. I feel like the weight is coming off slowly, but maybe that is a good thing?    Our first full week of school will start Monday, and I'm really glad that I will be getting back into a routine soon. Being home all the time is treacherous for someone like me. The TV is too addicting and I love sleeping. New Goals: 1. I'm going to set three to four days aside for exercising each week. 2. Protein Shakes for breakfast 3. Skip the elevator when possible  4. Stop weighing in every day  5. Take my dogs on more walks     I still feel uneasy about my body and food choices. I will have to meet with the dietitian and make a new meal plan that fits my schedule. If you have any advice please feel free to comment on this post. ...