Probiotics Anyone?

I have not taken any probiotics as a post-op. I have not really felt the need to do so. I have decided to start taking them as of today.

Here are a few of the health effects of taking probiotics:

Allergy
Cancer
Diarrhea
Elevated Blood Cholesterol
Helicobacter pylori
Hypertension
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Immune System Modulation
Kidney Stones
Lactose Intolerance
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Oral Health
Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
Staying Healthy
Vaginosis

That is a WHOLE lot of health benefits. I figure it can't hurt. At this point, how could two more pills a day hurt me?

Also, a few bariatric doctors are starting to make it a requirement of their WLS patients.

What type of probiotic am I taking?

Solaray Multidophilus 12

"Over 20 BILLION Microorganisms, 12 Probiotic Strains"

Must be refrigerated. Thanks Vicki for telling me about these!

Movie PRIDE

This movie was EXCELLENT!!! This is about a coach Jim Ellis, who started a swim team in an inner-city Philadelphia neighborhood. He has coached at that rec center for 35 years. He has had over 100 kids go on to receive swimming scholarships, and even has had kids qualify for the Olympic trials. VERY moving!

Energy Level!

Today I worked at my new school. I know my energy level has increased dramatically since surgery, but there are days when I can REALLY tell the difference. I made about 15 trips out to my car to carry in stuff. Several people asked if I wanted help, and I thanked them but said no. I was THRILLED that I could do it myself. I spent two hours cleaning out junk from the classroom, and would have worked much longer, but the janitor really needed to start the heavy duty cleaning on my room.

I came home and did a bunch of work as well. I am so happy that I have ENERGY!!!

What a Difference 14 months makes!!!

End of December 2006...It is time to move all my stuff out of my classroom, because I am starting a new job in January. My dad and cousin are there to help. I was so fat, out of shape, and miserable....I could barely help with anything. Seriously, it took every bit of strength that I had to get boxes to the top of the stairs. There was no way I could have carried them up and down the steps. My dad was 58 years old at the time, and in WAY better health that I was. I felt trapped, helpless.

May 2008...I made at least ten trips to my car tonight loading it up. I am going to my new school tomorrow to start unloading things. I went up and down the steps like it was nothing. I didn't even break a sweat. I am going to work on getting rid of stuff from the previous teacher tomorrow. On June 23rd, I will be doing the big move, and I'm not worried about it at all. I'm actually going to be a HELP instead of being in the way this time. Yes, I will be tired at the end, but not exhausted and needing a week to recoop tired. I am so thankful for having my health back.

My new boss really is awesome. I have never met someone who made me feel so valued and appreciated. He has already sat down several times (including today) to have conversations with me. I really like that a lot.

GED Course Update

All eight of my students certified to test last night!!! I am so happy. I really enjoy helping people get their GED, and moving onto more rewarding experiences in life.

While I was at the library for GED last night, I saw one of my former students. I took a minute to really make sure I knew it was him. I walk up to him and say, "Hi Nick." I asked if he knew who I was, and replied no. Once I told him, he was amazed at how much weight I had lost. :) It was really cool to see him. He is a kid I had always a special spot in my heart for, and it was nice to know he is doing well.

Today is my last day of work. Yesterday, my boss and co-worker gave me a nice gift certificate to the mall to buy a "first day of school" outfit. I will really miss them. I truly am ready to go back to the classroom. My new principal called me yesterday afternoon, but I missed his call. I am going to stop by there today and talk with him. He is such a visionary. I will really enjoy working under him.

My weight bounced up a few pounds, which drives me batty. Yesterday, I ate like there was no tomorrow, and I am back down eight tenths of a pound. I really really don't understand the DS sometimes. I am thankful, but it is hard to be logical with it!

I also have an appointment at the end of June with a new PCP. My cousin is high up in a local health care organization, and I asked her for the best doctors in reading labs and following levels from bloodwork. My PCP has been great, but I really need someone who can spend some time with me dealing with the "fine print" from this point forward. I'll keep you posted.

I am running. I know I promised to share more. It is not easy, but I am doing it. :)

Interesting News Blurb...

This was from our local paper, The Courier Journal.

Sure, every woman wants to look and feel her best on her wedding day.

But how far are femmes willing to go?

According to a poll of 1,000 women conducted by Fitness magazine, 1 in 5 brides to be said they'd postpone their nupitals if they didn't hit their goal weight by their wedding day.

And nearly one-third of these women said they'd be willing to move in with their mothers-in-law if it meant reaching their ideal weight.

Interestingly 63 percent said their fiances, "love my body exactly as it is." But the body-love isn't mutual. Only 47 percent of engaged women said the same thing about their main man.

Pressing Forward....

"I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be."

It gets tougher on some days being so far out to follow the rules and really work my DS. The magic is gone of every day stepping on the scale and seeing the number go down. (I can say it still does go down every week.) The statement above is not one of complacency, but thankfulness. I know I have a ways to go, but thank heavens I am not where I once was!

Things now come down to resolve. Each day I must resolve to make the best choices to continue moving in the right direction. My next goal is not a number on the scale, but as I spoke of in a previous blog....I want to be able to where a pair of size 10 dress pants to work on August 11th (the first day back to school). The smallest size I ever wore while teaching was a 28. This would be a huge accomplishment for me.

Well time to get ready for work. I have my Dexa Scan today. Fun times!

From our KADS Meeting

Fat Jeans verses Current Jeans...

Sorry for the blurry image. On the bottom are my fattest pants, the pants I wore down to have surgery. On top are the pants I am currently in. WOW! WOW! WOW!

Randomness

I forgot to mention a conversation I had with my dad at the Skydiving Center. He wanted to buy me a t-shirt saying I had went skydiving. He asked me what size I needed, I told him a medium. He said these shirts are 100% cotton, and are going to shrink. I just smiled at him and said, "I still need a medium." :) Good times.

Tonight I went shopping. My jeans are starting to get real saggy in the butt. I have gone to the straight jean (yellow 2) at Lane Bryant. It was so fun when the lady sized me up. She said, you are so small. You have such a tiny waist. I hope we have something to fit you. I only have ONE more size I can go down there. My days of Lane Bryant shopping are FINALLY over. What FREEDOM!!!!

I also bought ten cute pairs of underwear from Victoria's Secret. This is the first underwear I've purchased from them. I feel so normal. No one looked at me funny for being in there or anything! How cool is that. I also bought some great smelling sprays. :)

I have my bone density (Dexa Scan) tomorrow. I could not take any vitamins/supplements 24 hours prior. I cannot begin to tell you how WEIRD it feels not taking my vits, after being so religious about them.