Dear Monday

I used to spend most of my Sunday dreading what lie ahead on "Monday."  Monday, that evil day at the beginning of the week that the majority of people whine and cry about, is no longer one of those days for me.  I see Monday as I do every other day, an opportunity.  Monday is another day to try a new healthy recipe, another day to get in some cardio and/or weight training (I desperately need to work on my muscle mass, being bony isn't my idea of attractive), another day to inspire others, and another day to "stop and smell the roses."  Every new day brings great opportunities if you open your mind to them.  Each new day gives me one new healthy day to spend with my husband and boys.  That alone makes me want to jump out of bed, singing and dancing (no I am not a morning person).

So, make the most of your Monday.  Smile a little bigger, laugh a little louder, help a stranger, eat a salad instead of dessert, drink lots of water and look at yourself in the mirror and say "I love you."

And the journey continues...

Saturday Motivation

You know that old saying "I think I can... I think I can..."?  Well, get that out of your head and change it...  "I KNOW I CAN!!!!"

And the journey continues...

How Stress Affects Weight Loss

Most people admit that healthy eating habits go out the door when they are under stress.  Often this is caused by emotional issues but many other "stressful" factors can play a major part as well.  For those of us that our world revolves around our childrens' busy schedules, time and opportunity both play a part in regard to stress and the disability to fix/eat healthy food because of our lack of time. This is often where fast food finds it's way into the diet.

We all know that eating fast is virtually impossible to eat healthy.  Again, adding additional stress when trying to lose weight or stay healthy.  It's like a never-ending viscous cycle.  Unfortunately, according to some researchers, eating fast food while under stress causes additional weight gain.  This is due to the hormone (cortisol) fluctuations you body is dealing with at the time of consuming the fast food.

Cortisol, a stress hormone, causes the fight or flight response within our bodies.  We respond as if we're about to be harmed and need to fight for our lives (or run like heck).  In response to this need, we have a major burst of energy, shifts in metabolism and blood flow and other additional changes that can cause weight gain.

Stress also causes cravings especially in people that experience chronic stress.  These people tend to crave more fatty, salty and sugary foods.   Obviously these foods are less healthy and affect weight loss.  They tend to lead to weight gain and do not aid in weight loss at all.

Dealing with stress and learning to prepare ahead of time will help with the weight loss.  Know your schedules and prepare healthier foods to avoid the fast food issue.  Work to avoid stressful issues and times.  These will help in the weight loss department.

Search for quick, healthy recipes that can either be made on those busy nights (http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy-recipes-00412000077176/) or prepare a entire week's meals a week in advance.  Often preparing ahead will help reduce the stress level and that in turn helps with the weight loss.

And the journey continues....

Monday Motivation

The start of a new work week and the need for some motivation.  Don't let Monday get you down, use it... make it another start.

And the journey continues...

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From obese Mom to hot Mom at the ballpark

For those that know me, you know I am not a vain person.  As a female, you always love attention and like to be noticed.  We have all seen how men react to a pretty face or a nice body and we like to be the object of that attention.  I was recently that object and the funny part was it was a man that knows me but had not seen me since I started losing weight.  After his initial "approach," he realized who I was and immediately started telling me how amazing I look and he couldn't believe how different I look.

As a female that was obese most of her life, we see how people look at us and it doesn't matter how much weight I lose, I still see that fat girl when I look in the mirror.  So, with that being said, it's been an experience to go from the obese Mom to the hot Mom at the ballpark.  The compliments are wonderful and greatly appreciated.  Sometimes they are hard to accept but I'm learning.

And the journey continues...

My 40 seconds of fame

Well, some of you saw me last night on The List and some didn't.  If you are interested, I am including the link to the Tulsa portion of the show.  I am #3 on what's trending, so I'm at the end.  This journey began as me on a mission to loose weight and become a healthier person.  Obviously, those two things are and always will be very important to me.  I have now added multiple other things to this journey which include:  helping others on the road to their journey, providing information for those looking to better themselves at a lower cost, and getting myself where I want to be (not just in mind and health, but also in body).  All of these things brought about my website (internationalmds.com) and will keep me on the path to bigger and better things.

And the journey continues...


http://www.thelistshow.tv/the-list/localist/tulsa-localist/around-tulsa-mayor-dewey-bartlett-surprises-spotlight-audience

A little TV time

A couple of weeks ago I had an interview with Erin Christy from the NBC television show "The List."  I spoke with Erin regarding medical tourism (going outside the United States for surgery), my website (www.internaltionmds.com), and my blog.  The segment from that interview will air tonight on the Tulsa portion of The List.  It airs on KJRH - 2 Works For You at 6:30 p.m. (CST).

And the journey continues...

Back on Track

Well, surgery is over and the healing process is in full swing.  It's amazing how much torment a little gallbladder can put you through and it really plays havoc with diet and exercise.  I am looking forward to the weather getting warm again, the exercise regimen starting back up and getting back on track.

I need some serious dancing, some jogging, some bicycling and some kettle bell.  Let's get this party started.

And the journey continues...

Setbacks

Many of us have setbacks in our weight loss journey.  Whether those setbacks are from weight "stalls," overeating, eating less healthy, lack of exercise or whatever the case may be, they can and often do happen.

I, unfortunately, have had a couple of setbacks over the last month (pneumonia and a bad gallbladder) that have prevented me from getting back on the exercise track.  I am fortunate in the respect that I have not gained weight but I am in a weight loss "stall" and I am ready to get out of it.  As soon as I am healed from gallbladder surgery (which I had yesterday) it will be back to exercise.  I'm very excited that the weather is getting warmer and I will be able to get out on my bicycle.  This is something that I enjoy and my boys like biking with me.  It's a win-win for me and them.  We get enjoyable exercise and I get to spend time with my kids at the same time.

Time to hit the trails.

And the journey continues...

Evil Gallbladder

Yesterday I unfortunately found out the hard way how evil a little gallbladder can be.  Mine brought this very strong, healthy, thinner woman to her knees in sobbing tears.  Gallstones and lots of them, the ultrasound showed.  Well, we will just fix that.  Another surgery set for Tuesday.

I find it funny when medical personnel ask about your surgical history and I never think they are fully prepared when I start telling them all of mine.   I have lots of scars and I'm very thankful for most of them as they have made made me able to walk again and given me the ability to become the thinner, healthier me.

And my journey continues...

Inspiring Others

My weight loss journey started out just for me.  It took me years to realize that I had to want to be thinner & healthier and I had to set my mind to do it before it could ever happen.

Approximately six months after surgery, I realized that my journey was no longer just about me.  It had taken on a whole new life.  My journey now included my family, my friends and even people I didn't know.  I began to get emails, texts, phone calls and even people that I barely knew stopping me and asking what I was doing to lose weight and how I could help them.  That's exactly what I decided I wanted to do.  I wanted to continue my weight loss journey while helping others find their way on theirs.  I have had so many people tell me that I am or have inspired them.  It's a good feeling and I want to continue to do that.

I have shared my diet and lifestyle change with many people and I will continue to share with any and all that ask me.  I will help everyone that wants to become a thinner, healthier person and that wants to find a way to get there.  This is one of the reasons for my website: http://internationalmedicaldestinations.com/.

Shortly after my surgery, I also realized that eventually I was going to want/need body sculpting.  I began researching these procedures, knowing that my insurance would not pay for these elective procedures.  I began to realize that medical tourism (surgery abroad) is a huge market.  Finding physicians, clinics and procedures is possible but you have to do extensive research to find that information on the internet.  My website pulls that information to one site and we are in the process of adding more.

So, this is one additional way that I am inspiring others.  Opening up possibilities for their future.

And the journey continues....