Why America is FAT *rant*

In the past two years, I have eaten fast food twice.  I had a bowl of Wendys chilli and a kids meal at Subway. 

At work, everyone is obsessed with McDonalds and these Monopoly game peices.  Some girls at work were talking about how great the fries are.  They asked if I agreed.  I told them I don't remember what McDonalds fries taste like, but I dont miss them.

They gasped, eyes bugged in disbelief.  I said "I havent eaten McDonalds in over two years."

They stared at me like I had just given birth to an alien baby.

McDonalds is not that great, seriously.  NOT worth the calories.

McDonalds is not a crime of passion.  you dont say "I wanted a really delicious burger, so I went to McDonalds."

You say "I was really hungry, termites ate the floor out of my kitchen so I couldnt cook, and it was the first burger joint I saw."

We have become a nation of convenience.  We are a nation of what is easy.  We drive every where, we eat garbage from the drive through, thats why america is fat.  It doesnt have a dang thing to do with genes.   rant over.

Hypoglycemia

It's been a rough week!! Things are starting to look up though.
It started with abdominal pain and vomitting, then I started to pass out.

The doctors have ruled out infection heart issues.  We have found out the passing out is caused by hypoglycia.  We are still not sure what was causing the abdominal pain, but that is improving. 

For the next month, I will have to test my blood sugars 4 times a day.  Also, I have to switch to eating 6 small meals a day. 

Today was my first day eating 6 small meals and it was the first time in several days that I haven't passed out.

A friend of mine sent me a message saying the same thing was going on with her and suggested the hypoglycemia.

I did a little research, and it appears to be fairly common with gastric bypass patients.

Hidden blessings and Vitamin E

7 months ago, my drivers license was suspended for too many points. The speeding Ticket that lost me my license was 3 miles over the speed Limit. I was devastated. At the time I was a size 12-14.  My suspended license gave me the opportunity to do something I love a lot; ride my bike. Now, 7 months later, I wear a size 6-8.
  I was embarrassed and didn't tell many about it.  Now, I have my license back, but still ride my bike almost everywhere. I have learned one big lesson. It is a lesson many europeans and other nations know, but few americans understand.
  Life is about the journey.  Its not about how fast you get to the end.Riding my bike takes longer, but it makes me happy and healthy.   A rushed life is not a happy life.
I have learned a crazy weird secret.
I had a tummy tuck about 6 weeks ago.  I had horrible scars that stuck out about an inch.  When i went to visit the plastic surgeon, he wanted to sell me "Vitamin e cream for about $100. He said IT would help significantly.  Well, the day I had the appointment, we found out that Chads work had decided Not to pay him for the time He was off taking care of me.  There was no $100.  The doctor assured me i only had a few weeks to treat the scar and then it would be forever.  I take Vitamin E Gel caps.  I cut several Gel caps open and rubbed the Gel onto the incisions and the puffy gross poking out scars have gone down and look great.  Cost $4.  Just thought I would.mention it.

It's Official

It's official. I am a student at Weber State University. I start next semester and I am going to just do online courses so I can still be at home with my kids. I am going to meet with a councilor tomorrow. I am wanting to be a personal trainer. That is only offered at Weber State through a Bachelors degree. I am thinking about minoring in nutrition, or maybe just getting my associates degree in that. I am still deciding what will be right for me. I am really excited, but the dynamic has changed for me a lot. I was easily the oldest person I saw on campus. Before, when I went to school there, I was one of the youngest. I was also the fattest. I guess I don't mind this dynamic. :) When I started this journey, if you had told me that my career goal would be personal training and nutrition, I would have never believed it. A few weeks ago. I ran into a friend of mine that I used to work with. He is an older gentleman. He looked me up and down and told me I look great. I told him how cycling had become my new love. We talked about how much life had changed for me. I made the comment "If you told me 2 years ago I would be riding 60-80 mile bike races, I would have never believed it!" He laughed and said "No one would have." That is what this surgery has done for me. Yes, it has changed other peoples view on me, but it has changed my view of myself. I know anything is possible. If I can lose 190 pounds, I can do anything. I know that. Next step, a college degree.

Changes

Some events lately have made me evaluate my life and what is important.  As a result, I quit my second job selling insurance to be able to be with my kids.

During my evualation of life, I had to ask “What makes me happiest?"

Obviously my kids and family are at the very top of this list.  When I look at what makes me feel most fullfilled, it is helping others find a healthier lifestyle.  I have decided to do online courses for personal training and eventually get my degree in nutrition.
If you had told me two years ago that this would be my bliss,  I would have never believed it!

I am tentatively planning on starting school in January. 

I am also thinking about growing my hair longer.  I have had super short hair since I was 19, that's the same hairstyle for about 14 years.

So vote now:  short hair or should I grow it?

Before and after: the tummy tuck edition

  I have had requests for before and after pictures. So here you go. Pre and post tummy tuck photos.  Because insurance paid, there was no lipo,  so, yes there are imperfections, but I am happy.

Disclosure: I am still very swollen. Especially in my thighs. The belly button had to be surgically created. That is why it still looks gross. In the back you can still see my surgical incision.

First bike ride

My plan was to go to the gym today.   The gym was closed for Labor Day.   Figures.  I decided to ride my bike instead.   It was my first ride since surgery, and I will admit,  I am frustrated with myself.  I have ridden 60 mile bike races.   Three weeks ago I rode 18 miles and didn't even break a sweat.   Today,  I rode 1/2 mile in 10 minutes and was sweaty and out of breath.

Man, this is going to be a longer road to recovery than I anticipated! 

I had been planning on doing an 80 bike race in September, but for right now, that is on hold.

Hopefully cross training at the gym will help!