My Wii Fit has sat neglected while I wrote my thesis. I got on it a few days ago after transplanting it to my current temporary location. It said I gained 1.1 pounds since september.

I stepped on it, and it said I lost 3 pounds. So, my stallbreaker? No stress :-)

Which is a lie. I am under a lot of stress. I have been eating like crap. And, ya know, I dont care. I will be in New York in less than two weeks (eeek!) and walking everywhere. I will enjoy my time here.

Still debating taking the wii with me :-)

Where are the 'Biggest Losers' now? - 'Biggest Loser' on TODAY - MSNBC.com

Where are the 'Biggest Losers' now? - 'Biggest Loser' on TODAY - MSNBC.com

I was talking with my friend today. He said "Anyone can lose weight, but hardly anyone can keep it off." I think this slideshow support that. Sure, you can lose weight (by having your diet monitored closely and exercising several hours a day), but most of the winners and contestants gained back significant amounts of weight. All of them were lower than their highest weights, which if this were a weight loss trial, would be a "successful weight loss" trial. but most are still considered "overweight."

Still, it is an interesting slideshow, take a look.

Surgiversiary!

Happy surgiversiary to me!

One year ago, I was in the OR. Scary.

If you would have told me that a year later, I would be packing to move to New York? I would have said you were crazy, there is no way that I would do that.

Sugery is a physical process. Because of that process, I no longer physically have a large stomach. Weight loss occurs because of the stomach being smaller.

But, the real changes were mental. Yes, there is a big element of the looking glass self being reflected back in a more favorable way. But there are a lot of internal changes that happen as well. If I have the ability to walk up 3 flights of stairs, I am more willing to go into situations that might require physical activity. Which allows me to experience more, and do more things.

My New York apartment is up 4 flights of stairs. I would have never been able to imagine doing that everyday before surgery. Now, it will still be a challenge (especially with my suitcases!) but one I am looking forward to doing.

Oprah

Im tired of hearing about it.

Question? Oprah. One of the most powerful people in the entire world. Has tons of money at her disposal.

If Oprah cannot keep the weight off, how are *we* (the non rich people) supposed to do it? :-)

Diets do not work. Face it. If diets worked, none of us would be fat.

:-)

Turkey and Stuffing Soup

My mom thought I was crazy. I teased her all last year how I was going to make turkey and dressing soup. And I did. And it wasnt all that bad :-)

But, aha, my full liquid idea has taken shape. I give you Rachel Ray's Turkey and Stuffin' Soup

Christmas? :-D

Gallbladder

Since yall asked. :)

I have no insurance, so I cannot afford to have my gallbladder removed. There is a medication called Urso (or Actigal) that can disolve smaller stones if taken for a year or two. This is also a medication that many post WLS patients are put on after surgery, taken for 6 months after surgery can prevent the formation of gallstones during massive weight loss.

Also, I dont like the idea of additional surgery, nor removal of an organ that provides a good function. (Sure, ya, the excess part of my stomach is fine to get rid of :-) I am thinking of having surgery once I am covered by insurance, however, its not because of the gallbladder, but the additional issues that it is causing.

(Note: for those that have had their gallbladder removed, your body can still create stones and you can have "gallbladder attacks," so be aware of that.)

Because of the gallbladder issues, I cannot take estrogen containing birth control. Since stopping that birth control towards the end of July, I have not lost much weight on the scale. Ive now had irregular bleeding, which we attempted to control with progesterone only birth control, and that didnt work. We tried a higher dose of progesterone (Provera in pill form), which is causing depression :-) (I cant get the IUD in the US because my uterus is too small)

And, the next thing to try if the Provera did not work (which it did) was mega high doses of ibuprofen, which I cannot take that high of a dose due to my stomach. :-)

NYU requires insurance, and they cover preexisting conditions, so I will talk with the doctors there about my options.

Updates again

Vacation was wonderful!

I am accepted to NYU! I am moving to New York City!

Gallbladder issues have ramifications in so many other areas of medicine, especially with girly bits.

School is almost over!