Peace out, YO!

Well, i am creeping up on my ONE YEAR mark!!!! Yep. Its been a whole year. CRAZY!

So, in honor of this celebration, I am giving my blog a little "face lift".

Ok.......im moving to Tumblr.

Dont judge me.....

Anyway, wanna follow me on there?

AWESOME!!!

Here is where i'll be.

Thanks for following along with me during my journey!

Please stay tuned!

-Em

p.s. the new site is currently under construction.....so dont judge the mess, yo!

"Emily was fantastic!"

Oh, well... I'll just avoid the fact that its been like FOREVER since ive blogged and jump right into a new post.

Well, I recently got a job at Old Navy here in Salt Lake City, UT. I am a sales associate but I do everything from cleaning to operating the cash register.

It has been super super super hard. I have never worked in retail before but I love to shop. So, of course, I figured it would be the perfect job for me!

Hmmmm......not sure about that.

I mean, it has definetely taught me that I DO NOT WANT to do anything other than nursing. I had been deciding between Business or Nursing and now I am definetely dead set on being a nurse.

Anyway, even though its been hard I have enjoyed it so far. I havent received my first pay check yet though. Maybe ill love it even more after that??? Maybe not for 8.25/hr but than again I cant ask for much more considering im still a college student without any form of degree.

I never realized how much hard work goes into stores like Old Navy. I used to go shopping and leave my fitting room a disaster. NOT ANYMORE!!! Those people are so lazy and rude! Dangit, just put the shirt back on the hanger! ....Moving along.....

Its also really cool for me to be working in retail and being able to assist people find the right size in something. I remember not asking the sales associates for help because i didnt want to tell them what size I wore. Well, ill be honest now...I wore a size 24...and they were tight!

Now, i wear a size 14 and most of the time they are pretty loose. I should be moving into 12's soon.

This sounds really mean and alittle weird but its exciting to see people who are bigger than me. When I was at my heaviest, I thought I was the biggest person in the world. Sometimes I still feel that way....but im reminded that I am not 340lbs any more. I am not "that" person anymore. I am no longer trapped. I am free to be whoever I want to be.

Its an amazing feeling!!!

So, to explain the title of this post....

I had been feeling really overwhelmed with work. I felt like I wasnt doing a good job. I wasnt connecting with the customer enough.

We have this little online survey that we mention to every customer at check-out. It prints out with their receipt and you just tell them how you would really appreciate it if they could score us at 9 or 10, in order for us to get our C.E.S. (Customer Experience Score) up. Well, we had been at 10-11 for ever but today we were scored at 12! Which isnt fantastic but atleast were moving up!!!

AND the best part is, someone included a message that said "Emily was fantastic!"

Im the only Emily that works there!

YAY! THEY LIKE ME!!!

-Emily

Before and After

 

Eventually, I am going to realize how embarrassing this picture is and I will stop sharing it with everyone but until then I will because you will never understand who I am without knowing what ive been through. You will never know why it takes me 10 minutes to pick what kind of bread i want to buy because im deciding if itll be healthier to get multi-grain or whole wheat. Youll never understand why I am sick alot. Youll never understand why I get SO excited when I cant wear a pair of pants that I bought a week ago because they are now too big for me.

In 9 months, I have lost 140lbs. I went from wearing a size 24 to now a 14 (but that wont last long because im still dropping weight like crazy...) I went from hating my life to dreaming of adventures with my best friend. Im not gonna lie and pretend like everything is ok now. Because, honestly, its not. I worry about my health. I have a hard time getting enough to drink and eat everyday. Im worried that I may have gall stones and will have to have my gallbladder removed. I still think of myself as the overweight girl. Im still awkward and shy sometimes. I still pick out my flaws and over analyze everything about myself.

The only difference now is I have hope. I have hope that tomorrow will be better. I have hope that I can still become the person I want to be. I have hope that I will reach my goal weight. I have hope because I have come so far. Sometimes, I still need to be reminded of my journey. I have kept a pair of my "fat" jeans and every time I start to think mean thoughts about myself I put them on.

Seriously, i could fit another person in them with me. Its CRAZY! I should really take a pic in them and post it on here. I dont think I am a completely different person but I am better than i was. I am healthier and stronger. I trust myself more and I love myself more.

I workout now because I LOVE it and it makes me happy. I dont look at other girls working out and think mean thoughts or say something rude under my breath about how they should go eat a twinkie. I am proud to see other women taking pride in themselves and working out. They are healthy. They are strong.

-Em

To Write Love On Her Arms

    

IM BAAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!!!! Sorry i havent blogged in awhile. I moved from Rexburg, ID to Salt Lake City, UT and just now got wireless internet. Anyway, the meaning for this post is to share with you a blog post from an organization that is near and dear to my heart, To Write Love On Her Arms.  If you have never heard of it, please take a minute and check it out here. I just know you will fall in love with these amazing people and will have to pull yourselves away from their site. They're amazing!

Anyway, I came across a blog post that reminded me of my fight. My journey. It is about a guy named Ben and his fight with obesity. Please, Please, Please check it out and check out his blog!! You can read the blog post from TWLOHA here.

Well, thats all for today! Going for a swim with my sister. Gonna enjoy the day!

 -Em

There is always "something".........

If you have read my blog from the beginning, im sure you have heard me talk about my previous health issues. Before surgery, I suffered from Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism has MANY symptoms/signs. The main ones ive had to deal with are extreme fatigue and an abnormal menstrual cycle. Seriously, ladies, im sure we could all agree that when Mother Nature starts messing with your "cycle" it throws EVERYTHING out of wack! Anyway, moving along.....haha

So, Monday I went to the Student Health Center to have my monthly check-up and lab work done. I have been feeling extremely tired lately. A lot more than usual. I get plenty of sleep for the most part but I always feel like I havent rested. Its crazy! I was worried that something was wrong with my thyroid again.

During the exam, my doctor asked me if I was on any medication for my thyroid and I told him about how I used to be but now that ive lost so much weight it seems to have fixed itself so I no longer take it..blah blah blah. Well, I called the office yesterday because I hadnt heard back from them about my results. The doctor informed me that my thyroid level was really high again and that I would need to start back on my medication in order to fix it.

I thought once I lost weight it would fix itself and I would be "normal" again but it seems as if it just hasnt gotten its act together yet. Hopefully, one day I wont have to take so much medicine but until then ill just try to be patient and keep in mind that it could always be worse.

But on the plus side, my protein level is normal and my b12 level is 10 times the normal amount, which is caused because I dont absorb it anymore so I have to have a lot more than normal. If that makes any sense.........Its complicated. haha

-EM

Guest Blogger!!!

My new friend, Karen, over at I Walk Along The Road, invited me to be a guest on her blog! Check out my post here. Let me know what you think, ok?

Happy Tuesday Friends!

-EM

Happy 7 Months! =)

November 25th, 2010

That was the day that my life changed forever.

While, families in America were gathering around their dining tables eating, reminiscing, and enjoying each others company on a special holiday, I was in Mexico being prepared for surgery, praying for the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and slowly letting go of everything that I used to allow to hold me back from life and happiness.

Many people asked me why I chose Thanksgiving Day, of all days, to have the gastric bypass surgery. Well, you see, it was shear coinsidence that it happened that way but now that I look back I wouldnt have wanted it any other way. I was very thankful for that second chance at life and I knew that I was where i needed to be and doing what I needed to be doing at that time in my life.

So, instead of whining about how I didnt get to stuff my face with turkey, dressing, peanut butter balls (family tradition), and whatever else that would have been there, i simply thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to live a healthier life. A better life. A longer life.

I have been blessed beyond belief. Far more than I deserve. But i plan on serving God as much as I can in hopes of paying him back atleast a fraction of all that I owe Him. I know that I can never repay Him completely and im not suggesting that He expects to be reimbursed but I just want Him to know that I am aware of my blessings and I am using them to help others.

Anyway,  this has been one of the hardest journeys of my life thus far but I know that in a few years when I am older and experiencing other hardships ill realize that this really wasnt as bad as it could have been.

I have had a tough time with the neuropathy in my legs. It is getting alot better. Before, it would hurt so bad that I would just lay in bed and cry. It was horrible. And i couldnt just simply take a pain pill because, well, i couldnt swallow pills.

But I also havent been nearly as sick as I could have been with this surgery. My sister was terribly sick when she had the surgery. I guess that just goes to show that everyone is different. I will admit however that certain things make me sick. For example, if I have a sinus infection I CANNOT eat. Anything.

 If I havent taken my Nexium in a while I cannot eat and if i try i have to throw up (tmi?). I have serious acid reflux issues now. But if I took my medicine like im suppose to I wouldnt get sick because of it.  

When it is "that time of the month"  I have a hard time eating. Everything makes me nauseous. 

Also, ive learned that if I take my medicine and lay down right after i get really sick. Not really sure why though. hmmm..... 

I also cant eat much sugar. I really shouldnt eat any at all but if ive eaten already and I have something on my stomach, I can eat like a bite or two of something sweet but for sure not on an empty stomach! 

Well, that is all of the "not so great" things ive learned since my surgery. Here are the more positive things ive learned:

I am beautiful in my own way. I do not have to be a size 2 with blonde hair, a sweet tan...I am a curvy, brunette (red/blonde...i get creative) with pale skin. I am who I am.

Being beautiful does not mean you are perfect. 

I am stronger than I thought I was.

I have lost 130lbs in only 7 months. In the first year, you loose the most weight. Which means I have 5 months until my weightloss is predicted to slow down. My sister is about 1 year and 1/2 post op and she has lost about 160lbs. So, although im not where i need to be I have had alot of success.

I have a Father in heaven who is very aware of me and a brother who sacrificed His life for me and suffered every pain that I have ever felt. They know me and understand me even when I dont understand myself.

I can change the world by telling my story.

In these past 7 months, I have lost 130lbs and almost 7 pant sizes. But i have gained:

confidence

appreciation

respect for myself

motivation

determination

HOPE

love

patience

acceptance

I lived my life ashamed of who i was. I kept myself from being happy. I held myself back from success.

Now, I try to learn something from each day. I try to better myself. I make goals and know that I can achieve them. I dream about my future and know that it is possible to make those dreams a reality. I am honest with myself.

I mean, dont get me wrong. I have days when I just feel "ugly" and I have moments when I get all depressed over something that really isnt that important. For example, today I slept in instead of going to my classes. Yes. I know. I should have gotten off of my lazy butt and went to class. But im human. I make mistakes. But there is always tomorrow. Another chance to do better. Thats the best part about life. When we make mistakes,its not over. We can also change. Always.

Anyway, I have my good days and I have my bad days. Im human. Also, im a girl and lets face it, ladies, we can be pretty hormonal sometimes. Its the truth.

Well, this has been an outrageously long post. So, to end this one I want to write out a few goals for July. 

Here goes:

1.) NO MORE SKIPPING CLASSES!

2.) Exercise everyday

3.) Read scriptures more often.

4.) Say my prayers morning and night!

What about you? What will goals will you set for yourself for the month of July?

Oh, and if you made it through this entire post--HOLLA!!-- youre amazing!!!!

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.

 

STOP COMPLAINING!!!!

Ok. I understand that everyone deserves a moment when they can just release all of their frustrations and just vent. Some people do this way too often though. Its almost annoying. No wait...It is annoying! I know, I know. I complain too. Im human, were all human. I get it but there comes a time when you have to realize that the entire world is not against you, there are good people in the world, and you cant keep blaming other people for your unhappiness. You will only ever be as happy as you allow yourself to be.

I have made it my MISSION to stop whenever I am starting to feel depressed, stressed out, or angry about anything and think of all of the good things that I have in my life. There is always something to be thankful for but if we dont stop and acknowledge these things we will let them slip by unnoticed.

So, i want to take a minute and list all of the things I am thankful for right at this very moment.

I am thankful for:

My mother

My sister

My faith

My Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ

My health

My friends

patience

love

comfort

Jamba Juice

My success with the gastric bypass surgery

second chances

school

modern medicine

freedom

laughter

the cool breeze outside

There is so much more that I could add to this list I am sure but I will end it now. Life is hard and sometimes we dont know where were going or what were doing but that doesnt mean we have to let ourselves give up and just complain all of the time. There is a plan for our lives. We are here for a reason and we live each day to figure out that reason.

Anyway, sorry for "preaching a sermon" at you. I honestly dont mean to lecture anyone. I just want to document my thoughts during this weight loss process whatever they may be. And it just so happens this is what you get for today!

My friend Jackie and I have decided that we are going to work out everyday! Yep. You heard me. EVERYDAY! Whether it be a trip to the gym on campus or a walk to Jamba Juice :).

We went for a walk up to the temple here in Rexburg, Idaho. It just so happen there was also a gorgeous rainbow over the temple. So pretty!

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.

-Emily



"Did something dramatic happen in your life? Boyfriend break up with you?"

So, I have been thinking lately about changing up my hairstyle but it always takes me forever to ever act on any of my "ideas". I guess you can say I am some what of a hesitant person. Sometimes.

Anyway, there is a local Paul Mitchell school here in Rexburg, Idaho (I actually almost went to school there.) and I called them up and made an appointment. If you've never been to a Paul Mitchell school, there is also a salon inside where students who have reached a certain amount of training hours can began work on real clients.

I was so stoked! Paul Mitchell has the coolest energy about it and is just a really fun place full of fun/interesting people.

Anyway, i decided to go with a sort of "edgy" look. Very different than what I walked in with but i think it fits me very well! One of the learning leaders walked over to my stylist's station and asked me "Did something dramatic happen in your life? Boyfriend break up with you?"

It kind of took me off guard but it made me think about the dramatic change that has taken place in my life. Loosing 120-130lbs is crazy!!! I really hadnt realized it until she said that. So, it was only fitting that I get a new, edgy hairstyle!

So, here is what i looked like before the transformation:

My hair was really just a mess. Thats all i can say about it. I wanted to let it grow out into "hippie hair" but i just couldnt do it. (Notice the BIG container of cheese balls. No I did not buy those. Gross.)

So, you cant really tell in the picture BUT its actually a dark red color with the blonde streak in the front! Its so rad! I love it! :)



Well, I am quickly approaches the 100's. Soon I will be able to say "SEE YA LATAH!!!" to being 200+ lbs. I am super excited! I am no where near done loosing weight but I am proud of how far I have come. And the compliments arent so bad either! ;)

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.
-Emily



Just keep a straight face.....

Well, today I was hanging out in the Manwaring Student Center just bloggin' away when all of a sudden a class of dancers walk by and a few of them begin to showcase some sort of performance. I honestly have no clue what they were doing. There were so many crazy motions and hand gestures. I just kept telling myself, "Just keep a straight face. Dont laugh! Even though laughing is all you know to do in awkward situations."

I confess. I did break down a few times but at least it wasnt one of those laughing fits that usually happen to me in the worst times imaginable. For example, when my sister says something hilarious during church or when some one is telling you a really important or sad story but in your mind youre thinking of something funny and you laugh out loud.

Ok. So, maybe its just me. Anyway, moving along with this post.

Today was my first day back to school since Winter Semester. I have lost a good 70-75lbs since then. I feel so much better. I am in such a better place emotionally/physically/spiritually now. As I walked through campus, I thought about how I felt before my weight loss adventure.

I would have been so out of breath after taking only 1 or 2 flights of stairs. I would have walked far out of my way to use the elevator rather than just take the stairs. I would have kept my head down and quietly made my way to an open seat.

Today was different. I opted to take the stairs in each building that I passed through. I felt so energetic and actually went for a walk in the park this afternoon. I was a little late to my class and walked in right as they were closing up the opening prayer.

Anyway, today I was thinking about how little changes make big results. That helps me to stay motivated and not get discouraged. Some of my tricks are:

1. When parking your car, do not take the closest parking space. There are plenty of paring spaces further away from the building (because everyone is trying to find the closest space so they dont have to walk so far) and walking is good for you.

2. Do not take the elevator. They are made for people with disabilities and unless you have a disability you can take the stairs.

3. Feeling tired can be a good thing. It means your body is working harder than what its used to. Youll get used to it and youll feel energized.

So, every Monday night we have Family Home Evening where a group of students get together and teach a lesson, have an activity and eat a snack (usually). But im pretty sure im not going tonight. I have so much math homework (already!) but ive already made an A on a test. HOLLA!

Now, off to write a paper about my relationship with math.

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.

-Emily

IM ALIVE!

06/04/2011

Hey everyone! Sorry i have been pretty M.I.A. lately. There has been so much going on in my life that my blog has been kind of neglected. But now that I am back at school and have my laptop on my like all the time due to the massive amount of homework i will be blogging more frequently. :) I dont know if thats a good thing or not. Ill let you decide. Anyway, I am around 6 months post op and i have lost somewhere between 120-130. I dont know the exact number because i caught myself caring more about the number than the way i felt or the little improvements i was making with my health. I honestly think its better if you focus on how you feel versus just on the number.

So, when someone asks me what my goal weight is I just say "No more than 160lbs." Because, what if i get down to 160lbs and i feel like i should loose more. Or what if I get down to like 170lbs and I feel like I should stop. I just dont want to feel as though i have to get down to a certain weight. I want to loose weight until i feel like i have reached my full potential.

But i never want to quit making better choices as far as health goes. I always want to find new ways to improve my health and better my life.
Anyway, I really hope I still have followers.

Love, Love, Love,
  Emily =)

Tornadoes and friendship!

Hi everyone!

I have some bad/sad news to share. The south has been affected majorly by extreme weather. There were tornadoes EVERYWHERE yesterday and we are told it will be even worse this weekend. There are many people who have lost everything and even loved ones. I can't even begin to tell you how scary this is to look at all of the devastation and know that it's only gonna get worse and there is NOTHING we can do about it.

My family and all of our belongings are fine. We live in Northern MS but AL was hit pretty hard and there is a town in MS called Smithsville that is so bad they are not allowing people to come in yet.

Anyway, if you are able to donate to help those in need please, please do so. You can go to www.CNN.com/impact to donate an also see photos of the damage.

Thanks so much everyone! I'm working on a long post and I'm REALLY excited about it! Please stay tuned!

Also, if you have facebook feel free to add me! :) I'm on there alot more than the blog! Let's be friends! :)

Live life. Love life. Love yourself.

-Em

What do you do to relieve stress?

I usually clean. Alot. Seriously, I used to be an emotional eater but since having the gastric bypass surgery and starting a healthier lifestyle I no longer can. So, I clean anything and everything. Lately, I have become quite obsessed with cleaning products. I even have a wishlist. I really want one of those shower cleaners that hangs in your shower and automatically cleans it for you. I hate scrubbing my shower. I also want a steam cleaner thingy for your floors. I'm not sure what it really called but it's really cool! :)

I also love doing little crafts or baking. I love being creative! I have so many craft ideas in mind but I kind of want to save then until I have my own home. They're mainly all home decor crafts. My mom bought me a cupcake book yesterday! I love her so much! She just understands me. :) it seriously made my day! There are so many good recipe ideas in that thing! I'm so excited to try them out but I really want to tweak the recipe and make them extra healthy but still tasty. Well see.

So, now that I have officially hit my 100lbs mark I am coming up with a few more goals for myself. Here they are:
1.I want to get up earlier. I usually wake up at about 10:30am bur I think I should get up atleast by 8 everyday.
2. I want to get a really good exercise routine down before I go back to school in June.
3. I want to loose atleast 20lbs before school too.
4. I need to read my scriptures more.5.

I try to always be in the mindset that life is a constant progression. There is always something we can do better!

Happy Sunday y'all!

Live Life. Love life. Love yourself.
-Emily

100lbs down! Take that obesity!

Who lost 100lbs?????

Oh, that would be ME!!!

Yep. I finally reached my 100lbs goal!

Now, I need to loose 80lbs more until I reach my goal weight of 160.

You guys! This just doesnt seem real too me.

I just dont understand it.

How can I wear clothes that just a few months ago would have never fit me?

Its really just insane to me but I am so thankful and I feel extremely blessed.

Just to give you guys a better idea of how drastic this has been for me ill show you some before and after pics.

Before:

I really dont know how to explain this picture. My family was on vacation in Florida (note the awkward sunburn) and some how a Walmart shopping cart ended up in our condo and I ended up riding in it up and down the hallway. hmmm...
Moving on....

I wouldnt lay out in just my swimsuit because I was so uncomfortable. I made Hannah (girl with umbrella) wear a tshirt too.

Anyway, enough of the depressing before pictures.

AFTER!!!!!

This picture was actually taken when I had only lost about 80-85lbs.  So ive actually lost more! :)

This is a more recent picture. It was taken last weekend. My best friend Hannah and I were going out on a BFF date! :) Not a full body shot but i think you can still tell a big difference.

Anyway, I am off to enjoy a helathy dinner with my family! Ill report some more good news later! :)

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.

-Emily

Hello Loves!

How is everyone? If you are LDS, are you enjoying General Conference weekend? If not, what exciting plans do you have for this weekend?

Well, I am trying to get caught up on house cleaning and stuff but I'm pretty excited because the weather had been so beautiful lately here in Mississippi. So, today I am gonna go lay out and get a tan! I'm trying to talk one of my girlfriends to come over and lay out with me.

So, I have been trying this new workout/ relaxation routine. In the morning, I get up and walk on the treadmill or an exercise video. I don't do the same thing over and over because I get tired of it really quick but as long as it is something that will get my heart rate going and the fat burning then it's all good. :) and then at night I do yoga or some kind of meditation to wind down and calm my mind and body for bedtime.

Oh, I just want to tell you guys about something "little celebrations" I've had lately.
1. I have SO much room between me and the steering wheel while driving!
2. I can sit in a booth at a resturaunt and NOT touch the table .
3. My bra size dropped from a 42DD to a 40C.
4. I can wear leggings as pants and get away with it.....

Well, thanks you guys for reading! Have a fabulous Saturday!

Live life. Love life. Love yourself.

-Emily

I am stronger today than yesterday and I'll be stronger tomorrow than today!

Hello all of you beautiful, amazing, awesome people!!!!

I haven't posted in a little bit so I thought I'd do a quick catch up post. Sorry if this looks kind of jacked up! I'm on my IPhone right now and I'm not sure how this is gonna look. Anyway, I first want to say THANK YOU so much for reading my blog, leaving encouraging messages and for your support! It really means the world to me!

And thank you to the lovely ladies who introduced themselves on my previous post! I will reply to each of you, I promise! You gals are awesome and have some really cool stories! I appreciate you sharing them with me! :)

Well, I have some exciting news to share! I am almost at my 100lbs mark! I HAVE ALMOST LOST 100LBS!!!! Holy Moly that's insane!!! I feel alot better. I was going through some health issues which is why I haven't posted in awhile. I have been on my period for almost 3 months straight! No joke! It has been the most annoying, painful, exhausting thing yet! I am still on my period but I am taking a medication called Provera that is suppose to stop it. I don't know of it's working or not because it will stop for a few days and then start back. Ugh! So annoying! But if it doesn't work then I'll have to do a DandC, which I really don't want to do. And then I'll take birth control to regulate it.

My legs are doing tons better! They still hurt but not nearly as bad as before! I am slowly adding my exercise to my day so that I don't over do it.

Oh, my hair has been falling out a lot because of my protein level dropping. So I'm taking prenatal vitamins. But does anyone have any tips for keeping your hair healthy? Any shampoos, home remedies, anything?

Also, what are your fav makeup/beauty tips, items or routines? I try to put coacoa butter lotion on after every bath to moisturize my skin, my fav make up item is mascara because I have REALLY long eye lashes and when I have mascara on I feel awesome! :)

I'm excited to hear all of your beauty tips! Love ya guys!

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.
-Emily

Getting to know you......

Ok. I noticed that alot of my followers are people that I dont know. 

So, i want to get to know you!

Here are some questions that you can answer about yourself! 

Im so excited to get to know everyone and I hope tons of people will respond to this! =)

Here goes...

Name?

Where are you from?

Where do you currently live?

Are you married?

Do you have children?

Do you have any hobbies?

What are some recent changes you have made in your life or want to make?

If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?

What is your favorite color?

What is your favorite food?

What is one thing can you NOT live without?

Do you have any goals that you are currently working towards?

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.

-Emily

Update!

  Hi Everyone! 

So, i've been kind of lame sauce about blogging. So, i'm doing a little catch up post. 

Well, my legs are MUCH better. 

The numbness is going away slowly but surely. 

But with that comes the ability to feel the pain more. 

My doctor said that the pain, as annoying as it is, is actually a good sign. 

It means that the nerves in my legs are repairing themselves and in time i should be back to normal. 

I have noticed alot of change in my legs over the past week or so. 

I am stronger and I have more control of them while walking. 

So, I do believe I am on the mend! 

Im excited......

I am excited to be able to go for a run or whatever. 

I am excited to be able to wear single digit sized pants. 

I am excited to be on a routine work out schedule and it be like second nature. 

I am excited to start a nursing program. 
I am excited to run in marathons. 

I am excited to have children and plan their meals and teach them about healthy eating. 

Im really just excited about life...

all of the opportunities, choices, challenges, blessings, etc.

So,ive been thinking about several things lately...

I really want to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (keep in mind I am only 18 and have 3 years before I am eligible to serve). 

I would honestly go anywhere that Heavenly Father needs me but I would love to go to Europe. 

Oh Boy! 
As I type this I have 2 year old twin boys sitting in the same seat with me.

One is kissing me over and over and over and over again...

And the other is fighting for some attention. 

Well, im sorry if this was a boring post. 

And I apologize for the lack of pics...

I always like it when people include pics in their posts.

So, im sorry my friends! 

I will post again when I dont have a child's butt in my face and add pics. =)

Until then...

Live Life. Love Life. Love Yourself.

-Emily

Finding out what "works".

If you are anything like me, you have a different schedule everyday. Each day there is something new that I have to do or something alwayx just "pops" up. This can make it quite difficult to get your daily workouts in and proper nutrition. So, I want to share some tips that seem to work for me.

1.) Plan Ahead.

I try to prepare and pack my lunch the night before. That way, I know I have something ready for me and I know it is healthy, Instead, of running through a fast food place and eating something that my thighs WONT thank me for later. =) It is best to be prepared.  Also, when you buy veggies, fruit, or whatever, you can go ahead and divide up single portions and put them in sandwhich bags and keep them in the fridge. That way when you are packing your lunch or just looking for a healthy snack, you already have something available and ready to go.

2.)Switch Up Your Workouts And Get Creative.

I am so horrible about getting bored with my workout. So, I try to switch things up alittle. I work for my mother at her medical practice and there is a walking track just down the street and I take advantage of that as much as possible but there are several other places for me to walk like the park or at the walking track behind the local hospital, etc. So, i try to switch it up every now and then. Just to give me a new atmosphere, ya know? Something different to look at. Something different to listen to. But you could try just switching up the times that you work out. Like, maybe Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you workout in the morning and then Tuesday and Thursday you workout in the evenings. You can rest on Sunday. =) It's totally up to you . Do not compare yourself to some one else.

Oh and like I said GET CREATIVE! I work in an office where I could sit ALL day long BUT that is not good. So, when I am on the phone, looking something up on the computer, or whatever  ill stand up  instead of sitting down. Or instead of paging someone, i walk down the hall and tell them what I need to tell them. Also, I babysit alot and sometimes I ll use the baby as a weight. Lift them up and down above your face. They love it! Just make sure they havent recently eaten ....that could be messy. haha

Anyway, thanks for reading and for the love and support.

Live Life, Love Life, Love Yourself.

-Emily

I am tieing a kot on my rope.......

I love quotes! When I find ones that really speak to me, I love to share them. Sometimes, I even make little crafts with the quote and hang it some where in my house so that I feel the motivation it gives me over and over again. 

One of my friends from high school posted this one as her Facebook status and I loved it immediately!

               "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." -Franklin D. Roosevelt"

It just reminds me that even if I am struggling and fighting just to hold on, I can still survive by tying a knot on my "rope" and hanging on for dear life. I will get stronger in time and my fight wont be as hard. I will be able to hold on easily. 

Since, I lost my weight so rapidly my body is having a hard time "catching up". I am a student at Brigham Young University in Rexburg,Idaho and I was attending class this semester but had to switch to online classes and come home. I have this issue about being "indestructible". I never admit when I need help or am not able to do something. So, when my mother asked me if I was gonna be able to go to school and be ok, of course, I said absolutely!  

Well, I never realized how hard it would be to watch my roommates eat delicious food while I sat back with my Activia or how much the stress of school would make me physically sick. After about a month, I gave up and came home defeated. I should have known I couldnt go back to school so soon. It was only like 2 months post-op. 

The day I left I remember telling my best friend, Aly that my leg felt kind of numb. I didnt think much about it because it was just a certain section on my leg, not my entire leg. Anway, I get home and as the days pass I realize the numbness is spreading. Eventually, both legs were numb. From my belly button all the way to my toes. I was so scared because Multiple Sclerosis runs in my family and I just knew my dreams of being a healthy mother and nurse were over. I knew this was serious. I couldnt even control my legs well enough to walk. I couldnt get myself up off of the couch. Nothing.

I went to a doctor, who also goes to church with me, and she advised me to council with a Neurologist. We did the next day and he wanted to do some testing. Has any one ever done any nerve testing before? It is the craziest thing. They stick little sticker things on you and then shock you and watch the reflexes and how your nerves react to it. 

This is kind of how I imagined it would be. Poor kid. In all honesty, it wasnt that bad. (Side Note: I dont know who this kid is. I found this pic on google. hahahaha :)

On a pain scale of 1-10, id say it was a 7 or 8 but it was manageable. I just laughed the whole time. I just kept thinking about how crazy I must have looked jumping uncontrollably every time the nurse shocked me. Or, how I must have looked insane holding my mouth as hard as I could so I didnt scream. It was quite the site! =)

Anyway, it turns out that I do have some nerve damage in my legs. Mainly around the ankles and down through my feet. But the Neurologist said that in time, it should go away and I will be fine. This is not a normal side effect of the surgery. This is my own fault. I was not monitoring my protein intake the way I should have and I allowed my protein levels to drop. After, they dropped all of the damage began. 

But I am working now to reverse this and be able to do whatever exercises I want. Or just simply be able to get off the couch with out a fight. Its the little things in life, ya know? =) 

I am actually about to go for a walk with some friends! Why not invite some one to join in on the fun?! The more the merrier! So, I hope you all are having a fantastic day! HAPPY WEDNESDAY! 

Live Life, Love Life, Love Yourself.

-Emily

I lived to tell the tale.

Hey Everyone! So, today I have thought alot about my life and all ofthe decisions I have made that have gotten me to where I am now and I cant help but be so thankful for the opportunity I have to be healthier and be better. I admit when I had the gastric bypass surgery, I did not do it for myself. Well, not entrirely. I did it for my family. I did it for my children who I will one day have the amazing priviledge of teaching, molding, and hopefully inspiring them to be healthy. I want to prepare myself now so that when I am a mother I can and will make the healthiest choices for my children.  I did this for my future husband. So, that he would have a wife who is as healthy as she possibly can be and who maintains a healthy household. I did this for my sister because she begged me to change so that I would be around for a long time and not die at a young age.

It is not easy to get up earlier in the morning to exercise and drink a protein shake. It is definetely not easy giving up something that you have loved your entire life but the things in life that are worth the fight and struggle are NOT easy! But, you will be better for over coming these challenges. You will see one day that you now have a choice.

Before, the surgery I ate sweets like they were going out of style! I am the cook/baker in the family and I would make birthday cakes, special occasion cakes,etc. I formed an addiction with food and gave up my agency to choose. If I saw a piece of cake I had to eat it. If  someone gave me candy I ate every single piece. It would never even cross my mind to save some for later.

It is incredible for me now to think back on the mindset that I was in before surgery. I am able to walk into a bakery and not even want anything. Or watch some one eat something that I used to LOVE and not even care. Alot of that has to do with the fact that my body cannot digest sugars the same way anymore and if I do eat sweets I get REALLY sick. But, i have also realized that the world will continue on if I dont have a cookie, piece of cake, candy, or whatever else it may be.

So, anyway...I talk alot about making small changes. A few small changes I have made since surgery are:

1. Eat all of the protein off of my plate.

Unless I fix my own plate, I can never eat everything. So, I have to start with the protein first and get as much of that in as possible before I fill up.

2. NO CANDY! When I first had the surgery, i figured out that I could suck on hard candy (root beer barrells) and not get sick. Well, I quickly realized that this theory isnt accurate with all candy. I just avoid candy of all kinds! I seriously dont even like eating peppermints.

3.Increase water intake. My body doesnt absorb nutrients the way it used to. So, i could easy drink soda s and whatever and not absord as many calories as someone else would but it is still not the healthier option. Although, there are some healthy beverages available, water is always gonna be the healthiest option.

4.I take 3 vitamins daily.

and

 

 

and

 I have really began to love vitamins. After surgery I couldnt swallow pills, so I HAD to take chewable vitamins and even though I can swallow pills now I still choose to stick with the same ones.

Anyway, so here is my first "Before and After" pictures.

BEFORE

AFTER

3 months post-op. 90lbs down.
Sorry, its crooked. I dont know why it did that.

I have a long way to go until I feel like I am at a healthy weight and can maintain that weight. But, life is a journey and this is too. If it werent for our struggles and challenges in life, we would be really bored. So, I hope anyone who is reading this will follow me along my journey and maybe if I am really lucky, I will motivate you to join me!

Live Life, Love Life, Love Yourself.

-Emily

My Sister's Story

Here are a few pictures from when my sister had her surgery. I didnt take any pictures during my stay but she took plenty. So, here we go!

This is my beautiful mother, Dr. Alberto Aceves, and my sister, Ashley.

   

Ashley and Sergio. He was my nurse as well. He was the kindest person ever and I knew that he had my best interest at heart. He is also the one that is in charge of making sure you are doing your breathing exercises and trust me you better do them! He is relentless! =) 

Dr. Campos and Ashley. He actually had the Gastric Sleeve done and has lost alot of weight himself. He looks very different now. He is in charge of educating the patients on nutrition and making sure you understand how different your eating habits are gonna be and how important it is to begin a healthy diet from the start. He also is such a nice, caring, compassionate person.

This picture comforted me every time I began to think "What am I doing? I cant do this. I am not strong enough." I was reminded that I was strong enough and everything would be ok because God would guide  my surgeons hands and clear his mind. He would allow him the peace that he needed to focus on me. Dr. Aceves actually mentioned that God deserved the credit for the success of his surgeries. His faith in God, comforted me and relieved me of all my worries.

Ok. Now I will show you what my beautiful sister looks like now! She is currently on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has taken her second chance at life to share the gospel with others and share of message with them of Christ's love fore them. If you are interested and want to learn more about our faith, you can visit lds.org.  She is so happy now. She is living life, loving life, and loving herself!

My sister has always loved outdoor activities but could never enjoy them because of her weight but her companion, Sister Elaina McCombs challenged her to go hiking with her on the "P" day. Ashley said that it was quite the challenge but she is glad that she did it because when she got to the end of the hike and was able to look back on what she had just accomplished, it reminded of her of when she was over weight and she knew that if she hadnt had the gastric bypass surgery she would have never been able to do it. 

To date, she has lost about 170lbs. She is such an inspiration to me and a great example of strength and courage. She is still working to improve her health. I think that is the key to being healthy and reaching your full potential; you have to work on it constantly. Always think of healthier options. For example, if you have some free time and the weather permits it, go for a walk. It doesnt have to be anything major. Also, when you go to the store dont circle the parking lot a hundred times looking for the closest parking space. Park far away from the entrance. The exercise is worth it. You can also choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator or maybe you can choose to drink water with your meal instead on soda or you got grilled chicken instead of fried. All of these choices are beneficial and will add up. Small changes are the key to healthy living. 

So, I challenge you to think about something that you are doing that you could change in order to be healthier. Maybe you could go to the gym during your lunch break, give up soda for a week, drink more water, start taking vitamins, etc. Please participate in this challenge and then report back to me. I want to hear your stories and I want to know how these changes are effecting your life.

Live life, Love life, Love yourself.

-Emily

On March 25, 2011, I will officially be 4 months post-op from having the gastric bypass surgery. I created this blog so that I could tell my story and help others who are going through the same thing.

I have suffered with obesity my entire life. It consumed my every thought, controlled my every action and owned my every emotion. I was not living life but barely surviving it. My entire family battled the same thing and because of my genetics I assumed that I was just doomed. I was wrong. My mother had the gastric bypass surgery when I was younger (around 8 years old) and I honestly had no idea what the operation was or what it meant but I knew that it was serious. My mother struggled after her operation and actually ended up being hospitalized for longer than usual due to pneumonia. But, she fought and fought and never gave up. She lost about 200lbs over the span of about a year and a half or so.

My older sister, who fought the same battle, also wanted to undergo the gastric bypass surgery but at that time our finances were so unstable that it was just out of the question. We had no insurance and my mother was working on her masters and wasn't employed. She felt lost and scared and just knew that she would never have the same chance as our mother. She tried for years to loose the weight by dieting and exercise and never saw any improvement.

A friend of ours mentioned that she knew someone who had gone to Mexico and had the same operation but only paid around $12,000 for it. In the states, it can be anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 easily. At first, we were very unsure about this but we did our research and decided it was the right choice for her. My sister finally received the gastric bypass surgery on May 21, 2009 at The Mexicali Bariatric Center in Mexicali, Mexico. The operation was performed by Dr. Alberto Aceves who was assisted by Dr. Edgar Campos.

After seeing my sister recover, I swore to myself that I would do everything in my power to avoid this surgery. I was gonna loose the weight on my own but after months and months of struggling and pushing myself to the very edge, I decided to council with a doctor. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and was told that I had to do something quick. I was on the verge of serious, permanent health problems.

On November 24, 2010, I travelled from Oxford,MS to San Diego, CA where I was greeted at the airport by a man named Earnesto. He was standing at baggage claims and was holding a sign with my name on it. We loaded up in the patient van and headed to Mexico. At this time, I was ready for what I was about to go through. I had already cried all that I needed to on the plane and was ready. We drive for about 2 hours or so and finally reached the infamous border. The hospital was only about 5 minutes away from the border and once we arrived, we were sent straight into the lab to have all of our pre-op tests done. We also did an EKG and met with the staff that would be caring for me. The patient coordinator, Yolanda was there and collected our payment. She was so nice and compassionate with me. Her patience and love really calmed my nerves. Then, we were taken to a local hotel where we would stay the night. It was such a nice place and our stay there was free. There was a restaurant in the lobby and I was advised to eat anything and everything I wanted because it would be my last chance. I ate a steak, French fries, shrimp, chips and salsa, chocolate cake and had about 3 diet cokes. I am now completely disgusted with how much I ate that night.

After dinner, we went back to our room and settled in for the might. I was given a medicine to take at night that would relax me and prepare me for the anesthesia the next morning. It was just one little pill. Earnesto picked us up from the hotel at about 7:30 am and took us back to the hospital. I finished signing paperwork and took some more relaxing medications. An internal medicine doctor came in and examined me and gave me the green light to go ahead with the surgery. When, it was my turn in the operating room the nurses came to my room and got me all ready. I remember being wheeled out of my room and telling my mom goodbye. At that time, I knew I was going to be okay. I knew that I was doing the right thing. I knew that God would be with my surgeon and me and wouldnt allow anything bad to happen. I had never been hospitalized before for anything and so I was very nervous but the staff were all so gracious and caring. The hospital was cleaned spotless. Honestly, i have never seen floors shine like that before in my life! Anyway, continuing on......

Once in the operating room, everyone got right to work but they were very caring and made sure to tell me exactly what they were doing. The anesthesiologists were related. The older one was the uncle and the younger one the nephew. They wanted me to be informed and be calm. It helped me so much to be aware of what was going on around me! The next thing I remember is being woken up in the recovery room. My nurse, Sergio, was there with me. He called me Emilita, meaning "Little Emily". They took such good care of me but after two hours in the recovery room I was ready to go back to my room and see my mom. They helped me into my bed and I was told to start walking as soon as possible. I had to make a few laps around the hospital every day. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were there for me everyday. They encouraged me, made me laugh, etc. On the last day that I would be staying at the hospital, a nurse came in to give me some more pain medicine and my vein blew. Which, meant they had to remove my I.V. and honestly, i dont know why i cried like a baby because I was so relieved to have that thing out of my hand but I did. I sat on my hospital bed and cried and cried and cried. Dr. Campos sat down with me and took a tissue and wiped my tears away and consoled me and promised me that everything would be okay. It meant so much to me that he would take time to just be there for me. Doctors here in the states would never do that. They wouldnt check on you 3-4 times a day. You would never be assigned like 4 nurses to care for your every need. My experience was incredible. I was cared for like royalty and the work ethic of the Mexican people was just astounding. They are amazing, loving people. I will forever be grateful  for them.

November 25, 2010 is a day that I will celebrate forever. Not just because it was Thanksgiving,but because that was the first day of the rest of my life.On that day, i was given a second chance at life. I was allowed to start over. I know alot of people think of this surgery as "the easy way out" but I can promise you there is nothing easy about having to learn how to eat all over again. The beginning is a struggle. It is hard. But, it is not impossible and it is worth it. So, therefore, all of the hard work is worth it and will pay off. I will be able to enjoy life and love myself for who I am . I will no longer hold myself back and keeping myself from living life. I will live my life.

I am so glad that I chose to start this blog and I am excited to hear others opinions, questions, fears, anything! Please, feel free to comment. ALSO,  thank you  so much for actually taking the time to read my story!

Live life. Love life. Love yourself.

-Emily