So, Since I haven't been here in like FOREVER, so much has happened. The latest and greatest development is the choice I have made to become a healthier me. I have been going through 8 months of Nutritional Training in preparation for Gastric Bypass surgery. Now, I am barely over the required BMI for the procedure... in fact, I just squeaked in a mere .2 (yes point 2) to meet the required 40 BMI. In fact, this little number is the very thing that almost got me kicked out of what i like to call "fat kid camp" It was last month (after I had completed all required consecutive appointments) -- pause-- you MUST meet with Dr every month, attend support group meetings, have a psych evaluation, and make those meetings EVERY month, if you miss ONE, then you begin the process from the beginning--- anyhow, last month I received a notice that I no longer met the requirement for the surgery-- WTH! The reason? Because I had no other health conditions --diabetes, high cholesterol, acid re-flux, sleep apnea, high blood pressure-- and i was just under the required BMI. So in my head, they just kicked me out of fat kid camp for being too healthy and not fat enough? Um excuse me?!?! Clearly the infamous "they" had never tried on any of my clothes and looked in the mirror-- I mean I was PLENTY fat. trust me, this I know. I, of course, did what any other woman would do... I got angry and then I sobbed, and sobbed. Thinking seriously?!?! How is THIS even an issue? I am trying to be healthier. Some people will argue that the surgery is the easy way out-- well they would be misinformed. This is a huge friicken life changing event-- EVERYTHING changes-- you have to be accountable for the program, then post op (if you even make the cut) After I have this procedure, i will NEVER be able to eat sugars, bread, carbonated beverages... and i may not be able to ever have beef, or pork...who knows yet. I have tried so many things to help with my weight issue...diets, personal trainer workouts, high protein diets, paleo diets... my god soooo many changes-- and you know how much my grand total weight loss was? 24# Top--- that's it... after 9 months of personal trainer workouts and dieting.... a whopping 24#. are you serious? UGH ..talk about a blow to my fat kid ego... it was at THAT point when I decided to add another tool to my toolbox. So I began to go through the Gastric Bypass procedure. I am no stranger to it, my husband went through it a few years ago-- he did excellent, until he stopped following the lifestyle rules...but that's a another blog entirely :) So I am nearing the actual date of my surgery and I am beyond excited! I am excited for another amazing tool in my tool box. I am excited to participate in 5ks, and without looking like a walrus in a leotard. i am excited to buy clothes that will actually look cute on me and not just on the mannequin.