Recent Pictures Of Me

Here are 3 more pictures of me. One taken in September with my Grandma Magsam in Wisconsin. This was a very special time for me. She did not recognize me, but did remember me! She kept saying "You aren't Eydie, you don't look like Eydie looks".

The next picture is Shelby and I when we went to St. Paul. A whole day of walking, and I did fine! Amazing what a difference 168 lbs makes! So glad I didn't have to carry all that for the day!

The next picture is one that has made quite the stir!!! I am always cold now! These are the greatest jammies! I feel like I should be in hunting camp though! Haaa! But they are so cozy and warm!

12-12-10 Up-date!

Just stopping in to give an up-date! Yay.... still on my journey! My weight now is 155 lbs! So I have lost a couple more since I last posted. I am feeling wonderful! I don't know if I will actually make my personal goal of 150 lbs or not, but that is ok. I am now 5 lbs below the goal that the doctor set for me. I just need to measure my success in how I feel, and the things I can now do that I wasn't able to do before, also the state of my health!

Just think of where I was last year at this time! I had my surgery on December 7, 2009! Just a year ago! I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was feeling SO awful at that point, but... was NOT sorry I had done it at all! I just tried to stay focused on where I knew I could go! Now... here I am. But, like I have said too... now it is KEEPING it off... staying healthy for the long haul! But, no problem, I am ready for the extended journey!!!

I also have wonderful news to bring your way! I am now a new student of North Dakota University-Grand Forks! I am taking Dietary Management-Medical Nutrition! I am doing the classes via Mail(correspondence school). It has been interesting trying to get back into the study mode, trying to zone into the schooling again, but I am really excited about it! I have been working with the hospital and clinic already, helping with some of the nutrition classes, and I really enjoy it! Nutrition has become a passion of mine now, so I really look forward to furthering my education in this direction!

Well, I hope each of you are enjoying the Holiday Season so far! Remember, with all of the parties going on, there is such a focus on foods, with the cookies and candies laying around! Try bringing a fruit or veggie platter. Make up a dip with Plain Greek Yogurt & a packet of Ranch Dressing. Mix and let sit in the fridge so the flavors blend, then serve! Yum, and with the Greek Yogurt, it is higher in protein! This is the perfect time to also remind you of my saying.....
*****NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING HEALTHY FEELS!!!!!*****
All for now my Dear Family and Friends, my wonderful support system! Each one very special to me!!! Thank you!
Love.... Eydie :-)

11-10-10 Down yet another pound!

At this point, I am really not trying to lose any more weight. I really want to maintain, but I am now down 166 pounds from my highest. I now weigh 157 pounds, so that still is not skinny! I am 5' 7" tall. My personal goal is kind of set for 150 lbs... but will just see if we get there.

I am feeling so healthy! I am able to exercise now. Able to move, to feel alive again!

I am sure enjoying my place at the clinic and hospital here in Park Rapids. Helping with the Bariatric Department! I help out with the nutrition classes, visiting with other bariatric patients, etc. Pretty much where, and as they need me.

Well, I hope this is finding each one of you doing well. We are into November here nicely, and sure have had great weather! It is cold and rainy tonight, but that is ok... at least it's not snow! :-)

You take care everyone... more next time... love you... Eydie

Nov. 2, 2010 Back On-Line!

Hello My Dear Friends, Family, and My Wonderful Supporters!!!

I have been without my computer for awhile. Thankgoodness for my cell phone, but haven't been able to up-date my blog through that. But I am still on my program! 100%!!!

I am still 2 lbs below my goal that the doctors had recommended (160 lbs)... so I still weigh 158 pounds! I am feeling fabulous, so heatlhy still.

Yes, I perodically check my blood sugars, and they range from 80-95. My A1C is 6, that is down from off the charts over 15. My BMI is now 26, down from off the charts over 55 before! I take NO prescription medications! Just my daily vitamins!

I no longer journal my foods every single day... but again... perodically I will take a day and write every single thing down that I eat... just to see where I stand as far as calorie intake, protein intake, etc. I am always right in the range. I get at least 65 grams of protein a day. Around 1000 calories a day. Fluids are about 80-90 ounces a day.

I no longer weigh and measure every single thing I eat anymore... but again... perodically, I will take what I've set aside to eat. For example... I might dish out a half cup of yogurt, or cottage cheese... or maybe 2 ounces of chicken. Then I will get out the measuring cup, or my trusty scale, and see just where I am at. I am right on... so I am glad I still do that! I want to get what I need... but yet... my portions could gradually grow also, so I need to be careful!

I feel extremely confident that this is where my life is going to be! My eating habits really have NOT changed since I hit goal. I have NOT added any of the foods or drinks that I avoided before. I eat no breads, no pastas, no cakes, candies, or drink pop... caffeine, carbination, etc! These are foods and drinks that did NOT benefit me before, and I just do NOT want to go back to that point either!!!

Some people have re-added items to their diets once they've reached goal, and if they choose to, and are able to handle it... that is fine... but I have chosen not to, I feel SO good... which brings me right back to MY saying....

**Nothing Tastes As Good As Being Healthy Feels**

So.... I am maintainig my 165 pound weight loss!!! This is going to be the biggest part of it. The journey down through the pounds was incredible... but, it is going to be the day in and day out, the long-haul of maintaining that is truly the most important part!!! But again, I am very confident that I WILL be successful in keeping it off. I have a fabulous support system here with each one of you! Thank you... from the very bottom of my heart, it really does mean everything to me!

I have been doing volunteer work with the Bariatric Department at the clinic and the hospital. Working with the nutrition classes, visiting other patients that have gone through the surgery, and anyone that has questions about the journey in general. I have been helped SO much, so I want to do what I can in helping others be successful as well.

I have extremely special news to share... My Dad & Mom have moved back to Minnesota from Prescott Valley, Arizona! They will be living in Bemidji, Minnesota, about 55 miles North of us. (So much better than 2000 miles South) I am SO glad to have them back!

Well everyone, thank you again! Special love from Park Rapids, Minnesota!
Hope you are keeping warm and are enjoying the beautiful crisp days!
Love, Eydie

9-12-10 More pix

My precious kids and I..... this is just one of the reasons why I have lost the weight and have gotten healthy... for my kids!!!! But most importantly, for myself!!

Before & After Pictures!

Well.... I just wanted to add some pictures here to show the differences again! It seems just so strange even for me to look at these pictures! Was that really me? Really? Also... Is this really me now??? Really??
This is great motivation for me though.... I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT!!!!!! EVER!!!!!
So, starting weight was 323 lbs. Todays weight 159 lbs. Total loss 164 lbs!!! I now weigh less then what I lost! INCREDIBLE!!!!

I AM AT GOAL!!!!!!!!!

I have made it! I now have lost 164 pounds total!!!! I have lost 115 lbs since December 7, 2009 (9 months).... and the 164 since June of 09.
I cannot hardly take this in... I now have lost MORE than I weigh. I know I have not used any actually weights in these writings. I have not posted my beginning weight or present weight... but I am ready to share with you, as it really is amazing I feel!!!

My highest weight:
June 2009 ~ 323 lbs.

December 7, 2009 ~ Day of surgery ~ 274 lbs. (49 lbs lost)

September 8, 2010 ~ Hit goal ~ 159 lbs. (164 lbs lost)

The doctors finally set my goal at 160 pounds, (I am 5'7" tall) and on September 8, I weighed in at 159!!! I was SOOOO excited!!!

I was asked by a dear friend "Now what? Do you get to eat regular foods now that you are done?" Oh my sweetie... I am just beginning really! Yes... I have a great start, but... the journey is FAR from over! I will not be changing anything. I still eat my proteins, fruits and vegetables! The proteins & produce! The weight loss is really just leveling off on its own anyway, so don't think I'll have a problem with continuing to really lose. I am eating more calories in a day now. Somewhere around 800-900 calories a day. I really don't get hungry yet. Yes, there are times that I do feel the hunger in my tummy, but then I look at the clock and realize that I do need to eat something. But I can STILL honestly say that I am doing everything that I am suppose to... and not doing anything that I am not suppose to!!! I do realize that there are just things... foods that I cannot let back into my life, ever!!! They are not good for ANYONE... but especially me... so I want to be strong, and keep my body healthy!!! I AM WORTH IT! Only the very best nutrition is for me now!

Can you believe, that since my surgery, I have not had ANY pop, No candy, No potato chips, etc. The best part? I don't even miss them. I see those foods as complete junk! They really are so gross! They are NOT good for me... or anyone really!!!

Yes, the weight loss is awesome, being thinner feels fabulous, buying a different, more fashionable wardrobe is great... but... being healthy again... well... just hardly any words to describe it, it is WONDERFUL in every sense of the word! Just no feeling like it! To be able to breathe, walk, move, talk, etc... I don't have to worry every single time I walk into a room, Where will I sit? Will the chair hold me? Will I fit IN the chair? Will I be the biggest one in the room? Wondering what is being said about me... cuz I KNOW things ARE being said! Not caring... but oh yes, really I do care, and even though I smile, and chat along with everyone.... inside I am crying, hating myself for the way I look, the way I have let myself get to this point, and on I go!

But now... things are so different, and this is just the beginning! No I am not "done" with my program, I am LIVING my new life, every day, every meal! I have said it before, but I will say it again.....
NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING HEALTHY FEELS!!!! NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING THINNER FEELS AS WELL!!!!

Well, my great team.... I am going to keep this blog going as I can. I want to continue to share my journey with you. It is an ongoing process! In a way, this is going to be the testing period, to KEEP the weight off! So hopefully, by learning the ropes in these last 9 months... it has given me a firm hold, so I just need to keep my grip tight!!!

I want to say again.... your support has been grand through this all. Thank you SOOOO much! Please continue keep me in your thoughts, I need your support, I appreciate it SOOO much!
Love to each one... Eydie =)