***QUESTION OF THE DAY*** How do you deal with the change?

I am constantly asked various questions, and one that stood out was: How do you deal with the change?

Well, to be honest it is still strange for me. When I look at my body and analyze my habits, I realize how much I have changed. I try to remain humble about the change in lifestyle because I know how easy it is to revert back to the old habits. So, I embrace the change and take it one day at a time.

Living this new way has also made me reflect on the past - why did I do it before? I tend to ask myself that question numerous times especially when I speak to people about the various methods I attempted. Looking at the amount of money I wasted (and my mom's money) on diet plan and gimmicks left and right that it makes me sick at times. But, the reality is - it is what it is and I've changed now.

The one thing that has amazed me is how people around me has changed. Rather some, not all can be negative about my change. I hear comments like, "Oh, you will fail again..." "You sure you didn't get the surgery? Nobody loses weight that fast..." There will always be negativity towards one's change, but you have to remain focused on what you want. Many times we dwell on the comments of others around us, and we do not realize the change was done for us, not for the people around us.

So, as I continue to change, I feel a level of accomplishment. This past weekend I was able to go to Old Navy and I brought a few dresses - size XL. That is huge! I have not been able to get an XL dress ever. This is not the XL for Women's Plus Size, this was the regular plus. So, when you see your body changing and you realize how you are changing - it makes you feel great and each day you make an effort to change your lifestyle, you should be proud of yourself for all you have successfully done.

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

visit: www.successweight.com

Jumpstart the Week

Good morning everyone!

It is Monday, and this weekend I had a really good time with family and friends. Saturday, I had a small gathering - I cooked, both good and bad foods. We had burgers (turkey and beef), hot dogs (for my niece of course), grilled chicken, chicken/vegetable kabobs, mac salad, and garden salad. It was nice, but I ate too much. So, when I know I had a hefty weekend, I tend to jumpstart my week with a 3 day smoothie detox.

The detox includes me drinking 2 smoothies a day for three days. I tend to do it for breakfast and dinner. My lunch has to be a healthy meal. This is something you can do to jumpstart your healthy living lifestyle, but it should not be something you do for a long term. It is good to clean your system out, and smoothies are great. As I have mentioned before, I am working on an e-book on smoothies, and this is just a snippet of what it discusses.

When you want to do a detox, you will need the following ingredients:

• spinach - full of fiber
• fresh fruit
• whey protein powder
• psyllium husk - digestive system, fiber

So, in the future when you know you will have a heavy weekend, plan to do a detox the following week for 2-3 days, and stick to it. You want to get the digestive system jumpstarted, and this is a great way to do so.

Also, remember drink a lot of water. You do not want to get constipated especially with all the fiber you will take in. Hope this helps others as it always helps me.
TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

visit: www.successweight.com

Journey Achievement

Ladies and gentlemen... I am excited! Today, rather tonight I will be a guest on an Internet Radio show to discuss my success, my blog, and my company, Success Weight. I am truly honored to discuss my healthy lifestyle with anyone, and honored that The Lone Blogger would like to speak with me. 

When I started this process, I never anticipated on being as successful as I have gotten. It is difficult on many levels, but as I continue to go through the process, I realize how blessed and even proud of myself. Many times I do not give myself enough credit for the fact that I have faced my biggest and longest challenge ever. I used to dwell on why I didn't lose a certain number in a month or why I didn't get to the next size jeans quick enough. Dwelling on what you have not done yet is living an unhealthy life because you are not giving yourself the credit of what you have accomplished tonight - it just really hit me. 

Now, as I reflect and prepare for this interview, I am nervous. I want to say the right thing, but the end result is, I want to share my story to continue inspiring someone else. Loving others is very critical, but helping someone to love themselves brings greater joy. Since I started my career in education, I've realized just how many people's lives I've impacted. Now, I am impacting and inspiring so many more lives - a bitter sweet feeling. Nothing gives me more joy.

To listen to me tonight, June 7, at 6:30pm you can click here ---> The Lone Blogger Online Radio. 

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut 

Visit Success Weight - www.successweight.com

Real conversation: never forget where you once were

Someone asked me why do some now thin/healthy people forget where they were once overweight? You know these people did what they had to do to get healthy, so you look to them for guidance through your own journey.  But, when you speak to these people,  they act as if they never were once in your shoes. They scold you for making poor eating decisions,  and they scream at you because you can pass insanity's fitness test.

 

I told this person: some people alter their lives, and pretend they never lived that life or were always healthy.  This could be for many reasons,  but we have to take heed to those people's issues,  and say to yourself,  "I'm not going to forget the life I once lived."

 

Forgetting can make you revert to the days you act the way you used to. We need to remember the bad days in order to accept the good days ahead of you. Listening to those types of people should be encouraging because as you look for role models/mentors through this journey,  you will look for people you do not want to model after.

 

Live in the present,  appreciate the past, but look forward to the future.

 

Tw aka Plus Size Health Nut

Success Weight Introductory Meeting! - NYC Only

 

Looking to get healthy?

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Designed for the busy individual like YOU!

 

Remember our program is different:

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Location is in Brooklyn, NY

QUESTION OF THE DAY: GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY????

So, I always have people asking me random questions, and I feel it is best to answer them here with you all.

The question that was presented to me was, did you consider gastric bypass surgery? The answer is YES! Two times I have gone to well-known surgeons in NYC to entertain the idea of gastric bypass surgery because I felt it was my very last resort. Both times I really did not try anything or put my all into trying to lose the weight, but I knew I did not want to be big anymore.

The first time I went I sat and listened to all the options they had for me. I was looking into the LapBand surgery because I did not think I could tolerate the full gastric bypass. The doctor was very supportive, informative, and provided real information - benefits and risks. So, as he took my medical history he indicated from that day that my insurance may possibly deny it because although my BMI (body mass index) classified me as being morbidly obese, I was technically healthy - no diabetes, high blood pressure, nothing!

When I left his office, he gave me all the options and the details for me to follow over the course of the next couple of weeks/months in the event I was in fact denied. The surgeon submitted all the documentation, and guess what? I was denied! This made me frustrated because it seemed to me that the health insurance company was against me and my goal and desire of being healthy. I went back to my primary doctor, and we followed the guidelines presented by the surgeon over the course of a year.

I got frustrated and did not follow the surgeon's guidelines and just gave up. After the first time, I went back a few years later - the same surgeon. This time, I did what he asked me to do previously, and felt I was going to get approved. I had blood work done, and it showed I had some cholesterol issues; therefore, I knew in heart it was going to get approved. This time the surgeon suggested a modified option of the gastric bypass which is called the sleeve gastrectomy. This option seemed a lot better for me because I did not like the reviews I read about the LapBand, and felt the sleeve was a better option.

Again, the surgery was denied. Boy, this was frustrating!!! I realized finally and just came to accept the fact that regardless of what others were doing that maybe I was not meant to have these surgeries, and God was trying to stop me from making a mistake. Regardless of my frustration, I felt there was a need to just get it done and over with. I knew people who had it done, and some looked great, but some looked a little ---- creepy. They lost the weight too fast that it did not look right on them.

My family did not want me to get the surgery because they heard of so many negative reactions and side effects. I just wanted the weight off, and wanted it off immediately. I never liked to see slow progression, I only wanted quick and fast solutions, but I never realized just how unsafe this surgery could be on me and my life. I have a few friends who have had some form of gastric bypass, and one indicated it was a big mistake. He never changed his mindset about food; therefore, it did not benefit him because although he was slim and smaller than before, he was still a fat kid deep inside. Listening and seeing him in action was unbelievable, and made me realize I could not live my life like that - it was too unhealthy. I really was upset because I felt I had no more options.

Now as I look back on these two attempts, I am happy they did not go through. I had to realize the weight did not come on overnight, and it will not come off overnight; therefore, I had to do my part to ensure I was going to be healthy. Yes, it took me a long time to get it together, but now I see the benefits of my decisions, and know I am not doing it the right way and for the right reasons. I do not have to worry about putting my life in danger by going under the knife. If I am already healthy, then I need to do everything in my power to ensure I remain healthy because this is what I need to live longer.

So, my advise to people looking to get the weight loss surgery, please take the time to realize there is a lot that goes into this surgery, and you could put yourself into a dangerous situation if you do not change your lifestyle. The surgery is meant to help you get to a healthier you, but you have to program your mind to think the very same way. Nobody wants to be overweight, but the reality is until you realize surgery and/or diets will not resolve your issue, then you will constantly fight this battle.

I wish you all the best of luck in your decisions!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Believe in YOURSELF

If you haven't realized yet, but this will probably be one of your most difficult challenges you will face. As you look to make small changes, realize in the end you only have yourself. This weight loss (some weight gain) process will provide you the opportunity to see just how strong you are, and what you feel you cannot do, but in the end you will see just how much you are capable of doing. Living a healthy lifestyle is very hard especially when you have life's challenges in your way - flat tire early in the morning, bill collectors calling, children misbehaving in school, and the list goes on. As you see to establish yourself as a healthy person, you will realize just how easy this is and how much control you have over yourself. Keep going and never turn back. We want the scale and measuring tape to go down, not up!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Healthy Living Tip

You will never realize just how much you can accomplish until you make changes each day! Set a goal and stick with it!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut