tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48074019091010759482024-02-20T04:20:40.691-08:00Bariatric GirlTelling the positive side of weight loss surgery...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-2376148789797217762013-06-12T16:56:00.001-07:002013-06-12T16:56:43.039-07:00Please go to Bariatric Girl.com<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91ggAXPBdjw/UbkJ88sCFiI/AAAAAAAACSI/gZiL59UXnHU/s1600/bariatric+girl+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91ggAXPBdjw/UbkJ88sCFiI/AAAAAAAACSI/gZiL59UXnHU/s400/bariatric+girl+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Please go to www.bariatricgirl.com. See you there!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-29672841495416093402011-05-29T12:38:00.000-07:002011-05-29T12:39:33.545-07:00Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?<a href="http://wlssuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/solution-or-problem.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-406" title="solution or problem" src="http://wlssuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/solution-or-problem.jpg" alt="solution or the problem?" width="475" height="347" /></a>Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?<br /><br />I wrote a blog post called “<a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/02/are-you-an-anchor-or-a-motor/" target="_blank">are you an anchor or a motor</a>” last year and it bears repeating. I hope you’ll read it again or maybe even read it for the very first time.<br /><br />You know those people that are so quick to jump on everything in an instant?? 0-60 in seconds? They tell you “But you’re not doing it right!” Control with a capital "C".<br /><br />If you haven’t seen “Addicted to Food” on the OWN channel I would suggest you view it as soon as possible. Tennie McCarty is brilliant and I love how she talks about dealing with the BIG C. (control) We all need to learn to let go. Have we forgotten some of the simple things? Assume = makes an a$$ out of you and me. When you are pointing at someone = three fingers are pointing back at you. I love this next section by Jack Canfield.<br /><br />*<em><strong>Are there people in your life who only have to walk into the room and totally drain you of energy? I refer to these people as psychic vampires. They literally suck the life energy right out of you. Stop spending time with them.</strong></em><br /><br /><em><strong>Are there people in your life who are always complaining and blaming others for their circumstances? Are these people always judging others, spreading negative gossip, and talking about how bad it is? Stop spending time with them as well.</strong></em><br /><br /><em><strong>Are there people in your life who, simply by calling you on the telephone can bring tension, stress, and disorder to your day? Are these dream stealers who tell you that your dreams are impossible and try to dissuade you from believing in and pursuing your goal? Do you have friends who constantly attempt to bring you back down to their level? If so, then it is time for some new friends.</strong></em><br /><br /><em><strong>You’re better spending time alone than spending time with people who hold you back with their victim mentality and their mediocre standards.</strong></em><br /><br /><em><strong>Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people- people who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories. Surround yourself with possibility thinkers, idealists, and visionaries.</strong></em><br /><br />I spent some time with some incredible people at an event in San Francisco and even though some agreed to disagree, we walked away as friends and a new found respect for each other. I had almost forgotten what it felt like. We were all there to be part of the solution and not one person became a part of the problem.<br /><br />Next time you are about to contribute to the conversation, ask if you are being part of the solution.<br /><br />The problem is already there...why don't you do something to work on the solution?<br /><br /><em>*referenced in this post....special thanks to Jack Canfield's "The Success Principles" </em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-49192584905006898782011-05-22T12:27:00.000-07:002011-05-29T12:46:56.865-07:00The Bridge<a href="http://wlssuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/DSC_0085a.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-428" title="The Bridge" alt="by Yvonne McCarthy Bariatric Girl" src="http://wlssuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/DSC_0085a-200x300.jpg" width="200" height="300" /></a><br /><br />This past weekend I spoke at the WLSFA.org Meet and Greet in Las Vegas and I will be sharing much more but for now it will just be a video.<br /><br />At the end of my presentation I wrapped it up with "The Bridge". The words are from "The Language of Letting Go by Melanie Beattie. All of the photographs are mine except two. The song was something I wrote years ago and I finally decided to use it for one of my videos. I played guitar and sang and narrated the video. The words are so perfect for us in our community so I hope you'll enjoy it.<br /><br />I have tons of photographs and videos and experiences to share from the incredible event and it will take me a while to gather them and make sense of it all. So for now...here's The Bridge.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GzYFX8a4jks" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-87671456655143333782011-04-06T12:24:00.000-07:002011-05-29T12:35:45.198-07:00Connie, Rosemary, and Dr. Garth Davis on Houston TV!<object id="video" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="320" height="280" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="data" value="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=8705" /><param name="FlashVars" value="&skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&embed=true&adSizeArray=300x240&adSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fad%2Edoubleclick%2Enet%2Fadx%2Ftsg%2Ekriv%2Fhealth%2Fdetail%3Bdcmt%3Dtext%2Fxml%3Bpos%3D%3Btile%3D2%3Bfname%3D110404%2Dweight%2Dloss%2Dsurgery%2Dfoundation%2Damerica%3Bloc%3Dsite%3Bsz%3D320x240%3Bord%3D4107558913951898%2E5%3Frand%3D0%2E2885566238179484&flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxhouston%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D134710361&img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Emyfoxhouston%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2011%2F04%2F04%2F110404twins8am%5Ftmb0004%5F20110404104454%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxhouston%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fhealth%2F110404%2Dweight%2Dloss%2Dsurgery%2Dfoundation%2Damerica&category=morning%5Fnews&title=110404twins8am&oacct=foximfoximkriv,foximglobal&ovns=foxinteractivemedia&headline=Twins%20Experience%20Weight%20Loss%20Surgery" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=8705" /><embed id="video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="280" src="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=8705" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" flashvars="&skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&embed=true&adSizeArray=300x240&adSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fad%2Edoubleclick%2Enet%2Fadx%2Ftsg%2Ekriv%2Fhealth%2Fdetail%3Bdcmt%3Dtext%2Fxml%3Bpos%3D%3Btile%3D2%3Bfname%3D110404%2Dweight%2Dloss%2Dsurgery%2Dfoundation%2Damerica%3Bloc%3Dsite%3Bsz%3D320x240%3Bord%3D4107558913951898%2E5%3Frand%3D0%2E2885566238179484&flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxhouston%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D134710361&img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Emyfoxhouston%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2011%2F04%2F04%2F110404twins8am%5Ftmb0004%5F20110404104454%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxhouston%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fhealth%2F110404%2Dweight%2Dloss%2Dsurgery%2Dfoundation%2Damerica&category=morning%5Fnews&title=110404twins8am&oacct=foximfoximkriv,foximglobal&ovns=foxinteractivemedia&headline=Twins%20Experience%20Weight%20Loss%20Surgery" data="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=8705"></embed></object><br /><p style="width: 320px;"><a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/health/110404-weight-loss-surgery-foundation-america">Twins Experience Weight Loss Surgery: MyFoxHOUSTON.com</a></p><br />How cute is this? <br /><br />Twin sisters that will be twins again.<br /><br />Thank you WLSFA.org (Toni)<br /><br />Thank you Dr. Garth and Robert Davis. Connie's dream came true....literally.<br /><br />Wow...this week so much positive television coverage of the miracle of surgery.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-44522717058532981612011-04-05T16:29:00.001-07:002011-04-05T16:31:31.148-07:00You could have picked me up off the floor!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gb6fZ0Q2qc/TZumJcVqwEI/AAAAAAAABDY/cVtlgBxLNu0/s1600/brain%2Bon%2Bfood.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592246043466711106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gb6fZ0Q2qc/TZumJcVqwEI/AAAAAAAABDY/cVtlgBxLNu0/s400/brain%2Bon%2Bfood.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/04/you-could-have-picked-me-up-off-the-floor/">Click here to read the post!</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-32856452772773301682011-04-05T16:12:00.000-07:002011-04-05T16:29:05.861-07:00A day that will live in history for the WLSFA<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeCRNTWeK9E/TZuikQCuTGI/AAAAAAAABDQ/4tpzq_O3dBo/s1600/DSC_5048a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 357px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592242105975983202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeCRNTWeK9E/TZuikQCuTGI/AAAAAAAABDQ/4tpzq_O3dBo/s400/DSC_5048a.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/03/a-day-in-history-that-will-live-in-infamy/">Please click here to read post!</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-81679931761668758082011-03-04T10:01:00.000-08:002011-03-04T10:11:08.610-08:00An illusion and another face of cross addiction<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uN6chput2wU/TXEqjhIzNpI/AAAAAAAABBM/N5mzXOaR_Os/s1600/DSCN5944d.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 345px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580288202967824018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uN6chput2wU/TXEqjhIzNpI/AAAAAAAABBM/N5mzXOaR_Os/s400/DSCN5944d.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Please click here:<br /><br /><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/03/an-illusion-and-another-face-of-cross-addiction/">An illusion and another face of cross addiction</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-72202625358831155132011-02-20T15:57:00.000-08:002011-02-20T16:06:13.784-08:00WLS Peeps need your vote!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj9QR6TG4zY/TWGq4cQ1-oI/AAAAAAAAA_0/ha1AWrf5A-U/s1600/rebecca%2Band%2Bjason.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575925700297620098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj9QR6TG4zY/TWGq4cQ1-oI/AAAAAAAAA_0/ha1AWrf5A-U/s400/rebecca%2Band%2Bjason.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Check out my new blog post! <a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/02/wls-peeps-need-your-vote/">CLICK HERE</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-49860698833210960612011-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:002011-01-31T14:55:15.369-08:00Can I be reincarnated as my dog?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TUc9wGsv0MI/AAAAAAAAA-s/GbkceMuA6IQ/s1600/DSC_1933s.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568487360908218562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TUc9wGsv0MI/AAAAAAAAA-s/GbkceMuA6IQ/s400/DSC_1933s.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Click below!<br /><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/01/can-i-be-reincarnated-as-my-dog/">http://wlssuccess.com/2011/01/can-i-be-reincarnated-as-my-dog/</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-30564629006772401292011-01-30T14:45:00.000-08:002011-01-31T14:53:29.835-08:00Walk around the puddle of mud<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TUc9TbTEUkI/AAAAAAAAA-k/U3A1rLDjxnM/s1600/muddy_prints_small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568486868221448770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TUc9TbTEUkI/AAAAAAAAA-k/U3A1rLDjxnM/s400/muddy_prints_small.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Click to the new blog!<br /><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/01/walk-around-the-puddle-of-mud/">http://wlssuccess.com/2011/01/walk-around-the-puddle-of-mud/</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-45244460343123992742011-01-29T14:42:00.000-08:002011-01-31T14:52:00.311-08:00Connie's Miracle and Remembering Alice<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TUc88paw6yI/AAAAAAAAA-c/mroioHl3H9Y/s1600/wlsfalogo.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 283px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568486476874836770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TUc88paw6yI/AAAAAAAAA-c/mroioHl3H9Y/s400/wlsfalogo.gif" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Please click to go to the new blog.<br /><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2011/01/connies-miracle-and-remembering-alice/">http://wlssuccess.com/2011/01/connies-miracle-and-remembering-alice/</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-67262975513297837492010-12-08T12:32:00.000-08:002010-12-08T12:34:57.008-08:00What did I ask for? Oops..it's exactly what I got.<div class="mceTemp"><dl style="WIDTH: 344px" id="attachment_247" class="wp-caption alignleft"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/blonde2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-247 " title="Butterfly blonde" alt="Butterfly blonde" src="http://wlssuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/blonde2-300x201.jpg" width="334" height="239" /></a></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Butterfly Blonde by Yvonne</dd></dl>What did I ask for? Let's think about this....<br /><br />I wanted to lose the weight and be just like "normal" people right? What did I beg for, pray for every day for over thirty years? I would have made a deal with the devil if I could have found him to ask. It's embarrassing when I admit to myself the lengths I would have gone to if I could have mustered a little more courage. My fondest wish was to lose the weight that put me in the most severe prison I could ever imagine. My obesity was like living dead.</div><div class="mceTemp"></div><br /><div class="mceTemp">Today I was answering a message and wanted to share my response. I was explaining that fighting a twenty pound regain made this wonderful lady normal and this is what I said. </div><div class="mceTemp"></div><br /><div class="mceTemp">"I know without a doubt that my pouch is stretched. I can eat a lot of food but that's OK because my greatest wish was just to get back to normal.... to get a second chance and be like everyone else. I'm just like everyone else now fighting to stay at a normal weight...where it's easy to gain the 10-20 pounds if I'm not careful. I got exactly what I asked for didn't I??"</div><div class="mceTemp"></div><br /><div class="mceTemp">Unfortunately it is easy to forget that I would have given up a toe or a finger to have only twenty or thirty pounds to lose. That was an impossible dream but now a regain of that much scares me to death. Perception changes everything. I also told her to be careful about the holidays and to recommit right now. Yep the food is awesome during the holidays but how long do we enjoy it? Our high only lasts for few minutes. We even chose a sucky high. Legal...but sucky. Next thing we know we are facing the beginning of the year with another ten pounds that kills our heart and soul. We don't even remember at that point what we ate and how it tasted. </div><div class="mceTemp"></div><br /><div class="mceTemp">Is it easy? Nah...it's never easy but the things worth doing are worth working for.</div><div class="mceTemp"></div><div class="mceTemp">So be careful for what you wish for...you just might get it.</div><div class="mceTemp">Then when you get it...remember that it's what you asked for.</div><div class="mceTemp">And most of all...be grateful for today because like my friend Ramon says, be happy for any day you're above the dirt.</div><br /><div class="mceTemp">Hugs, Y</div><br /><div class="mceTemp"></div><div class="mceTemp">p.s. that's a little art piece I did, hope you like it.</div><br /><div class="mceTemp"></div><br /><div class="mceTemp"></div><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/12/what-did-i-ask-for-oops-its-exactly-what-i-got/">Click to see it on my new blog<br /></a><div class="mceTemp"></div><br /><div class="mceTemp"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-73631512905549274392010-12-07T18:20:00.000-08:002010-12-07T18:26:54.005-08:00Beating Regain. Gina Getting to Goal 9 years later<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TP7r3o6nb_I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/nGFTpyMVg3A/s1600/gina%2Band%2Bme.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 335px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548131132075634674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TP7r3o6nb_I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/nGFTpyMVg3A/s400/gina%2Band%2Bme.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>New blog post!</div><div><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/12/beating-regain-gina-getting-to-goal-9-years-later/">Beating Regain. Gina Getting to Goal 9 years later</a></div><div>hugs, Y</div><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-41729510363371551042010-12-02T16:46:00.000-08:002010-12-02T16:50:10.826-08:00Do you want to be happy or perfect? Stop toxic shame.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPg-eckpehI/AAAAAAAAA8A/xtQVJ7dqTsg/s1600/t1larg_enough_courtesy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546251633893669394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPg-eckpehI/AAAAAAAAA8A/xtQVJ7dqTsg/s400/t1larg_enough_courtesy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/12/do-you-want-to-be-perfect-or-happy-stop-toxic-shame/">New blog post! Do you want to be happy or perfect? Stop toxic shame.</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-42979480103549705982010-11-29T17:38:00.000-08:002010-11-29T19:48:20.836-08:00Two New Posts! Click on the links below.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPRW7ziY7fI/AAAAAAAAA74/GIs_0chrBjw/s1600/ugly.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 351px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545152626646642162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPRW7ziY7fI/AAAAAAAAA74/GIs_0chrBjw/s400/ugly.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/11/remorning-confessions-of-an-ugly-girl/">Re: Morning Confessions of an Ugly Girl<br /><br /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPRWW5zNz0I/AAAAAAAAA7w/hpPgZDsI04g/s1600/FSCN0654anna-300x225.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545151992672669506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPRWW5zNz0I/AAAAAAAAA7w/hpPgZDsI04g/s400/FSCN0654anna-300x225.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/11/conversation-with-a-vet-post-op-back-on-track/">Conversation with a post-op vet back on track</a></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-40945423611508446562010-11-26T11:39:00.000-08:002010-11-26T11:44:14.023-08:00Thanksgiving and a new beginning...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPANqb0isoI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ndI8MrIpM0Q/s1600/me%2Band%2Bsundance.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 284px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 332px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543946163966882434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TPANqb0isoI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ndI8MrIpM0Q/s400/me%2Band%2Bsundance.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Check it out on the new blog!</div><br /><div><a href="http://wlssuccess.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-and-a-new-beginning/">CLICK HERE!</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-68860016862316339092010-11-24T13:33:00.000-08:002010-11-24T13:38:04.488-08:00A brand new blog on bariatricgirl.com!<a href="http://www.wlssuccess.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 444px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542940069962077650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TOx6oDleVdI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/8GOtPTqGrgQ/s400/newheader.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have a new blog.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>And there's lots of cool new stuff!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>I will be leaving this blog up because there are some features I cannot duplicate on the new one and vice versa. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I will be posting here each time there is a new entry on the new site to make sure to cover all the bases. Every post here is already copied to the new blog but I couldn't copy the comments...but that's OK.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Check it out when you get a chance....</div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.bariatricgirl.com/">BARIATRIC GIRL BLOG</a> (the link is <a href="http://www.bariatricgirl.com/">http://www.bariatricgirl.com/</a>)</div><div>Many blessings in love and light, Y</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-77610977248849124102010-10-29T12:21:00.000-07:002010-10-29T12:29:55.567-07:00Give your review on WLS!Just a quick post because I'm off to Houston for the Obesity Help Houston event next week and it's been BUSY!! I'm trying to pull the fashion show together, speak, take clothes for the clothing exchange etc. It's not too late to come!<br /><br />There's a site called realself.com and they contacted me for info to write a blog post about my story. You can find a very well written and very kind article here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.realself.com/blog/bariatric-girl-second-chance-at-life">http://www.realself.com/blog/bariatric-girl-second-chance-at-life</a><br /><br />Most importantly they have a section where you can review your weight loss surgery and I'd love for you to go there and tell your story. Here's that link!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.realself.com/Gastric-bypass-surgery/reviews">http://www.realself.com/Gastric-bypass-surgery/reviews</a><br /><br />See you after big fun and inspiration in Houston!<br />Love and Light<br />YvonneAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-42284353302457521022010-10-02T19:17:00.000-07:002010-10-02T19:22:26.839-07:00Surviving to Thriving! You've got to see this!What an incredible job! Congrats to everyone at WLSFA.org. Toni you rock! BTV you rock too! Please take a moment to watch and give to the WLSFA. (the announcer guy is my husband)<br /><br /><br /><embed height="320" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" src="http://bariatrictv.com/wp-content/uploads/jw-player-plugin-for-wordpress/player/player.swf" bgcolor="0xffff33" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="&backcolor=0xffff33&fbit.height=290&fbit.link=false&fbit.visible=true&fbit.width=500&fbit.x=0&fbit.y=0&file=http%3A%2F%2Fd3hawaxlh87e74.cloudfront.net%2Fsurviving_to_thriving.mp4&frontcolor=0xbbbbbb&gapro.accountid=UA-6457821-1&gapro.height=290&gapro.trackpercentage=true&gapro.trackstarts=true&gapro.tracktime=true&gapro.visible=true&gapro.width=500&gapro.x=0&gapro.y=0&hd.file=http%3A%2F%2Fd3hawaxlh87e74.cloudfront.net%2Fsurviving_to_thrivingHD.mp4&hd.fullscreen=false&hd.state=false&image=http%3A%2F%2Fd3hawaxlh87e74.cloudfront.net%2Fsurviving_to_thriving.jpg&lightcolor=0xff33ff&mediaid=2841&plugins=fbit-1%2Cgapro-1%2Chd-1%2Ctweetit-1%2Cviral-2&skin=http%3A%2F%2Fbariatrictv.com%2Fwp-content%2Fplugins%2Fjw-player-plugin-for-wordpress%2Fskins%2Ffs29.zip&tweetit.height=290&tweetit.link=true&tweetit.visible=true&tweetit.width=500&tweetit.x=0&tweetit.y=0&viral.allowmenu=true&viral.bgcolor=0x333333&viral.fgcolor=0xffffff&viral.functions=embed&viral.link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bariatrictv.com&viral.matchplayercolors=true&viral.oncomplete=true&viral.onpause=false"></embed>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-90631709811623938502010-09-26T12:41:00.000-07:002010-10-02T14:20:49.534-07:00You've lost the weight, why aren't you happy?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TJ-kkIvFu3I/AAAAAAAAA2o/BF_Sl71qHtE/s1600/cabo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 309px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521312608906754930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TJ-kkIvFu3I/AAAAAAAAA2o/BF_Sl71qHtE/s400/cabo.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I look at the person I photographed in Cabo San Lucas. Is the lady happy standing out there on the beach? Maybe...or maybe not. Some might question "How could she not be happy standing on the beach and looking at that beautiful sunrise?" Well the truth is that some people would be standing out there complaining about the sand in their shoes.</div><br /><div></div><div>Some might also question "How could you not be happy after losing 100, 200, 300 or more pounds?" For people that haven't lived that situation they couldn't possibly understand why some of us aren't. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I have stared into the anxious faces of pre-surgery women that long for the simple things like being able to tie their shoes, play with their children, fit in an airplane seat without an extender and many of the things others take for granted.</div><div></div><div></div><div>We buy into that dream. You know the one....where our life becomes this perfect pink cloud life of thinness....sheer normalcy. No more struggles or pain, everything is rainbows and fairy dust because we lost the weight. </div><div></div><br /><div>Lately there have been an overwhelming number of posts from unhappy post-ops. If you are one to relate to this situation, have you asked yourself why? So many set themselves up for failure because they are SURE that losing the weight will make them instantly happy. I've talked to many pre-ops as they nod their heads and say "I understand, all I want is to do normal things." How can we blame them for wanting more? The first year is made of all these incredible highs from losing weight like we've never lost before! Friends and relatives are telling us how GREAT we look. We get so excited that we can't help but want more! The honeymoon period ends and unless we are prepared, we may wonder what on earth will I do now to replace those "bouncing off the wall highs" we have lived for a year.</div><br /><div></div><div>We needed to address why we needed to self medicate before we got to this phase but we certainly have to NOW. Why do you think that only having a thin body would make you happy? Think about a friend who has been thin all their lives. I'm pretty sure they don't get out of bed in the morning thinking "OH WOW, I'M SO HAPPY BECAUSE I'M THIN!" They are just like everyone else trying to live their life the best they can with the best attitude they can. </div><div></div><br /><div><strong>HAVE YOU REALLY FORGOTTEN WHERE YOU CAME FROM?</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div>Perhaps one of the most useful rituals I do each morning is a walking meditation with my dog. "I am truly grateful for my thin healthy body" (that's the first one followed by many more) While I'm saying that I see myself the night before surgery. I remember exactly where I was and I remember to be grateful for where I am today. Is post-op life hard? It is if you believe it is. Wasn't it hard to live in your pre-surgery body? Some of us just can't help ourselves from looking over that fence thinking the grass is greener. I have been discussing this lately but if you really REALLY think about it why do you believe that what you want is always in a place you cannot have? What is the point in that? I will say this again....you have to decide the grass is green enough for right now and when you do, you totally forget to want to climb that fence because even if you do, there's just another fence waiting on the other side. Do you want to enjoy where you are or spend your life climbing fences?</div><div></div><div></div><div>I have found that when I start to see the green grass all around me that the fences fall down because they don't matter any more. After spending 30 years of wanting to be "not obese", I am done with concentrating on what I don't have and ready to enjoy what I have! The magic that happens is that you open yourself to the new stuff that can come into your life because your energy is tied up on useless endeavors.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Open your life to new experience. Quit spending your time concentrating on what you don't have and remember how far you've come. I promise it will make a difference!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Try it you'll like it Mikey!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Love and Light, </div><div>Yvonne</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-11847531557667700332010-09-14T10:41:00.000-07:002010-09-14T11:43:31.397-07:00Inspirational posts from post-ops<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TI-0sAW6EeI/AAAAAAAAA1U/o6OdZ-_beME/s1600/logo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516826736655471074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TI-0sAW6EeI/AAAAAAAAA1U/o6OdZ-_beME/s400/logo.jpg" /></a>I have a group on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.obesityhelp.com">Obesity Help </a>called <a href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/yvonnegroup/">WLS Success</a>. If you are a member of Obesity Help (it's free) please feel free to click on the link and join in on the fun!<br /><br />This week we've had two particularly inspirational posts. The first one is from Molly who had gastric bypass in 2004. Molly decided to fight that nasty regain monster who tagged her with 80 pounds, Molly is truly an inspiration to those that don't think you can win against that mean ole regain monster so I asked her if I could share her progress.<br /><br /><br />Here is her post:<br /><br /><em>In March 2010 when I set out to get back on track, I knew it would be hard. I knew I had to take some drastic measures to get my mind in the place I needed to be to lose 170 more pounds - 80 of which I had regained. In my 20's, 30's and with weight loss surgery the pounds came off a lot more easier than they did this time around. But I was determined to use all of my knowledge to just stick out the bumps in the road I have had over the last 6 months. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>In June I had a relapse. I gained over 12 pounds and then spent the whole month of July and part of August getting that weight off. August I did everything right 90 percent of the time and only lost 3 pounds. But at least I had not gained, but still disconcerting because I knew with what I was eating and the exercising I was doing almost daily that I should have been losing at least 2 pounds a week. </em><br /><br /><em>Now it is September 13th and I have lost 8 pounds already for a total of 30 pounds, My BMI is back in the 40's. My body finally realized I was not going to let it win. I was going to stick it out. When I started out my goal was 8 pounds a month. That would mean now I should have lost 42 to 48 pounds. So I am a little behind. Wouldn't it be something if I caught up some how in the next 4 to 6 weeks. I am not sweating it. But I still think about it. I am not complaining or upset I have lost only 30 pounds. I am just reflecting. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I am very happy with the 30! I am happy because I have stop the bleeding (gaining). I am so on my mission now to reach all my goals. Maybe I will not reach them on the timetable I set but as long as I do not give up I am on my way. I still have a long ways to go and plenty of soul searching to do but I am on my way. I am making a come back. You can get back on track! I am back on track and I feel good about it. I am going all the way.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>My many friends and support programs has helped me remain positive and mindful of my ultimate goals. Encouraging others has help me stay on track also. Thanks again for your support! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br />The second post is from KristineA, a new post-op. This is truly uplifting and I couldn't be more excited for her.<br /><br /><em>Hi everyone, just checking in. I went on a business trip last week, first time I have flown since starting this journey. I have always carried most of my weight around my belly, as I heard somebody else describe it, my body type is "imaginary fetus." So belting a seatbelt in any car could be an issue but was always an adventure on a plane! Trying to buckle it under your belly, and hoping the attendant wouldn't think you were faking it and ask you to lift your fat. I remember one flight where I was determined not to ask for the extender belt, and I braced my feet and pushed as far back into the chair as I could to get the seatbelt done up. And was depressed and very uncomfortable the rest of the flight. I was afraid to get up and use the bathroom and have someone see me getting the belt done up again!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Well. This time, I had a good 4 inches of extra unused on the belt. 4 inches! And for the first time in my adult life, I could put the tray table down and not have it hit my belly. How many meals have I eaten with the tray ready to slide off because my body pushed the tray up at an angle? I could not believe it. I left that stupid tray down, and put my book on it, just because I could. Halfway through the flight I realized, not only did I have the tray table down, I had crossed my legs without thinking about it. Crossed my legs! In a plane!!! I used to look over at other people doing that and be so jealous. I know it's a little thing in some ways, but I almost cried. I got my coworker's attention and hissed at him, "Look! Look at me! I'm crossing my legs!" I also showed him how I could move my hand between the table and my body. He was smiling for me, it was AWESOME.</em><br /><br />I am very grateful for those members in that group who are so much like a family...too many to mention. I want to thank JEllen for being the glue that holds us together and Traci for offering to rally the troups. Again, too many to name.<br /><br />I hope that Molly gave some of you a glimpse into kicking the "regain monster" in the butt. The second post makes me smile and feel all warm inside.<br /><br />I hope they made you feel that way too...<br /><br />Love and Light, YAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-29685830679668983692010-08-25T12:11:00.000-07:002010-08-25T15:17:31.185-07:00Forgiving the Fat Girl<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/THVrS-70cHI/AAAAAAAAA08/1CDbBhtYcqM/s1600/yvonne%2520with%2520car.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 287px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509427693033386098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/THVrS-70cHI/AAAAAAAAA08/1CDbBhtYcqM/s400/yvonne%2520with%2520car.jpg" /></a><br />Last weekend I was speaking at the Obesity Help Cincinnati Event and as usual I showed some of my before pictures.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Today I received an email from a dear friend of mine Barbara and she asked me this:</div><div></div><br /><div><em>After weight loss surgery, and having lost 116 pounds and counting, do I eventually become and stay for life, a fat girl in a slim body, or do I evolve (with personal work and therapy) into a slim girl in a slim body with a fat girl buried under the tree in my backyard?</em></div><div><em></em></div><br /><div>This was my answer....</div><div></div><br /><div>B. You evolve (with personal work and therapy) into a slim girl in a slim body with a fat girl buried under the tree in my backyard.</div><div><br />I have buried the fat girl in the backyard but I keep a picture to show others what is possible. I know that by looking at the before pictures I have the ability to move past painful emotions and can come to peace with that pain. Any time I looked at those pictures for the first several years after weight loss surgery I would feel the shame and blame and guilt but now I have forgiven her...the fat girl.</div><div></div><br /><div>She was doing the very best she could. </div><div>She kept trying to find the solution and she didn't give up. </div><div>The fat girl saved my life. </div><div>She died to save me and I’m grateful for that. </div><br /><div>She suffered for 30 years and carried the physical and emotional pain every day but even with that….she thought that one day there might <strong><em>still </em></strong>be a way out. Even at 47 years old when some cultures consider that old age and way too late to start over, she kept trying! The fat girl believed that it was possible to still live a life with purpose and meaning.</div><div></div><br /><div>I look back at her now with love because even though she wanted to just give up and die, she didn't. </div><div></div><br /><div>I participated in the fashion show at the event and something happened that I was fortunate enough to get video of. This is something the former fat girl in me only dreamed of....to wear a dress and heels and walk a catwalk or runway. We had all done our "one at a time" walk and we were all coming back out for one last walk when a very nice looking man nearly half my age said "I'm walking with you!" A great song came on and I decided to have a good time. Pursing my lips and doing my very best strut, I proceeded down the runway. Not knowing what would happen next was really scary. </div><div></div><br /><div>Would I fall? </div><br /><div>Would I do something stupid?</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/THVyZ5NmwUI/AAAAAAAAA1E/U8VPL4Kfkw8/s1600/new+logo2corrected+smaller2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 223px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509435508337852738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/THVyZ5NmwUI/AAAAAAAAA1E/U8VPL4Kfkw8/s400/new+logo2corrected+smaller2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I decided it didn't matter. Jared was the perfect partner and he dipped me!</div><div></div><div></div><div>So thank you fat girl....thank you for allowing me to live that slice of life I never thought possible.</div><br /><div>I'm not ashamed of you anymore.</div><div></div><div>Love and Light,</div><br /><div>Yvonne</div><br /><br /><div>p.s. I'm including the video. Click in the middle of it if you can't see the whole frame and it will take you to you tube.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><object style="WIDTH: 505px; HEIGHT: 322px" width="505" height="322"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Rf4jP4v-YY?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Rf4jP4v-YY?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-1271372766440708432010-06-06T17:14:00.000-07:002010-06-15T14:56:39.747-07:00Out of tragedy came a miracleI have that comedian’s syndrome.<br /><br />You know the one where the person on stage can make the whole room laugh but when one person doesn’t….HORRORS! Apparently there had been some discussion about “repeat” speakers at events so I thought I would tell a story of the miracles that come from being a repeat speaker.<br /><br />My dad wanted me to be a Dale Carnegie Course graduate for speaking when I was in my 20’s and I didn’t get to use my certificate much because no one really had a need for an obese speaker. I wasn’t a stranger to the stage because of playing Cello and singing and playing guitar but speaking was different. After losing the weight I fell into it totally by accident. My dear blogger friend Traci asked me to explain how I got the opportunity to speak and it evolved from an unusual storyline. It involves some tragedy that was followed by a miracle.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw8hEGExSI/AAAAAAAAAvM/jLmeWtrAicE/s1600/irvine07.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479821385335620898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw8hEGExSI/AAAAAAAAAvM/jLmeWtrAicE/s320/irvine07.jpg" /></a> When I attended my first weight loss surgery event (Obesity Help 2004 Arlington, TX) I was too afraid to go alone. I volunteered to be the official photographer. After working closely with staff and continuing to volunteer for the next 3 years I had worked hard and begged to get a coveted break out session at the upcoming national California event. It was a magical experience and the 80’s party was one of the best times I’ve had dancing in years. I even wore some clothes I saved from that crazy time in life. This is Debra, Ramon and myself at that party.<br /><br />Again because of the contacts made at that conference I was given more opportunities to speak and each time I spoke was as much like birthing a baby as I can imagine. Working for hours putting together my information…trying my best to figure out if what I say is relevant to as many as possible. I appreciate each and every person that attends, I don’t want to let them down, and I pray that I say just one thing that can change their lives.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw9dUnqEfI/AAAAAAAAAvU/7PJnWxQdiUk/s1600/cowgirls.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479822420563595762" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw9dUnqEfI/AAAAAAAAAvU/7PJnWxQdiUk/s320/cowgirls.jpg" /></a>In September of 2007 we had an Obesity Help conference in San Antonio, Texas. Besides preparing a talk I had also spent hours making some centerpieces for the tables for the Texas themed event. They were dancing cowgirls with hats and lassos. My friend Debra had brought the huge candles from her son’s wedding and we were rushing to get it all set up in time. I had a raging eye infection and was trying desperately to shoot pictures when I really couldn’t see. Rushing back to the room to get ready I was waiting for my husband to arrive for the dance when I got a phone call that would bring me to my knees.<br /><br />Earlier in the day I had spoken and had also done a yoga demonstration and decided to use some music and photographs in the background. The images were of beautiful flowers<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw9--eTD1I/AAAAAAAAAvc/gSF_bCYx2SY/s1600/aliceroses.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479822998734311250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw9--eTD1I/AAAAAAAAAvc/gSF_bCYx2SY/s320/aliceroses.jpg" /></a> sent to me by an incredible woman named Alice Neff that I actually met on Dr. Phil's forum. I had corresponded with Alice for 9 months and as a gesture of appreciation for my support she sent me flowers when she could barely afford to feed her special needs daughter Hillary and the many stray cats she helped. We bonded over the cats and we discussed how each day it was harder and harder for her to lift and properly take care of her daughter. She was scared to death about allowing the state to take care of her because she had experienced some abuse by the system before. She loved her daughter Hillary so much that she rarely ever allowed herself to dream but she knew if she got the surgery that she would be able to take care of Hillary. We wrote everybody we could think of for help.<br /><br />The call was about Alice.<br /><br />She had committed suicide by leaving the car running in the garage.<br /><br />She had put her daughter in the car too and even rounded up the strays that she knew no one would take care of.<br /><br />When I picked myself off the floor I had no choice…there was a function to go to and not many would know until the next day.<br /><br />Out of tragedy come miracles.<br /><br />To tell this properly would require a novel so the shorter version was that Dr. Carcamo from Nix Health Care heard the story. He heard that Alice committed suicide because she was unable to have weight loss surgery and he said he wished he could have saved her. As I rode in the elevator with him to his office to be photographed, he told me an incredible story about dealing with death that his father who was also a doctor had told him. He said he couldn’t save Alice but he could save another and that’s what he did. He arranged surgery for our beautiful Monica who had tried to have surgery for 4 years. There were so many people involved in this story and with each story there are so many layers, so many reasons one person talks to another and does a favor for another and so on and so on. This doctor saved my friend’s life and each time I see her face I see the life that was given to her.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw_gBjBvXI/AAAAAAAAAvk/9pAa15E-h9w/s1600/DSC_2911final.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479824666006764914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAw_gBjBvXI/AAAAAAAAAvk/9pAa15E-h9w/s320/DSC_2911final.JPG" /></a>Monica joined in with Debra, Ramon and I to help a teenager named Corina. Dr. Alvarez was our angel that day as well as Nina who rode with Corina on the day of her surgery.<br /><br />Although I have been a repeat speaker at these functions, I could not be more appreciative at the last event because my dad finally got a return on the Dale Carnegie course. My mom had passed away from cancer when I was at my heaviest and never saw me thin. I will be forever grateful that my dad was in the audience with my step mother Betty, my husband Kevin and sitting at that same table was Monica….the life that was saved when Alice lost hers.<br /><br /><br /><div>It has taken me a long time to tell this story but now there is a good reason why. A wonderful woman named Toni decided there should be more stories just like this....finding a way for those in need to get weight loss surgery or even reconstructive surgery! She formed WLSFA.org which is a non-profit organization that does just that. They have already designated who the first grant will go to and you can read about it <a href="http://wlsfa.org/27">here</a>. If you have a moment and can give you can either contribute by writing a check or clicking on the pay pal button on the top left of my blog. (If you write a check they get all of it but they will take a pay pal donation too). Anything you send makes a difference and if you'll join the site you can also donate your talents too. I honestly can't think of anything I've felt better about in a long time. </div><div></div><div>When I look at the picture of Monica and Corina above I see two beautiful women that just needed some help. I see the possibilities of the miracles that the WLSFA can make happen for so many. (By the way, Monica and Corina will be attending the Obesity Help Houston Event in November.)</div><div></div><div>Out of tragedy came a miracle.</div><div>WLSFA is going to make some more...</div><div>Love and Light and Smooches,</div><div>Yvonne</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-48480895459865114832010-06-06T10:37:00.000-07:002010-06-06T13:29:52.979-07:00Long overdue! Part 2 Obesity Help Costa Mesa Event<div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAvg2bX_k3I/AAAAAAAAAuk/cCKrl5vmMpg/s1600/DSC_3566b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 282px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479720597292290930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAvg2bX_k3I/AAAAAAAAAuk/cCKrl5vmMpg/s320/DSC_3566b.JPG" /></a>I promised over 3 posts ago to do a part 2 for the Obesity Help Costa Mesa Event so here it is.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>What do you get when you venture out of your bariatric comfort zone? You get to meet new and fascinating people from all different genres of the bariatric world. Here I am with Gastric Bypass Barbie and what a lovely soul and shining bright light she is. Where did I first "find" her? On You Tube. There are times when you meet someone and you feel like you've known them for years and that's exactly what happened with her. I know Cari has gotten some flack over the "Barbie" part of her name but if you allow this to keep you away from this bariatric ball of energy, <em><strong>you</strong></em> will be losing out. I am looking forward to seeing her very soon and hopefully more pictures will follow. I have her blog linked here so please check it out...and her You Tube channel of course.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I have written a long post (not published yet) about a tragic event in my life that I will share later. It involved a suicide because a beautiful woman was denied surgery. Long tragic tale that will make more sense when I write about it. Because of a very caring doctor some things fell into place that allowed another very deserving woman to get surgery. She had tried for years and because of the efforts of many it happened for her. I will save that post for another time but the reason I am mentioning it is because of an organization that is looking to do what one of my organizations did but on a much larger scale. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAvoW8gCb-I/AAAAAAAAAus/n40cMo7qJ3A/s1600/cari+toni+me.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479728852521611234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAvoW8gCb-I/AAAAAAAAAus/n40cMo7qJ3A/s320/cari+toni+me.jpg" /></a>Please meet Toni from WLSFA.<br /><br /></div><div>(she's in the middle)</div><div>Again...because I ventured outside of my "usual" bariatric stomping grounds I met Toni and she met me. After an appropriate amount of begging, I talked her into coming to the Obesity Help Costa Mesa Event. She's been a very busy woman on You Tube with all the wonderful "bariatric tubers" so she didn't know much about the Obesity Help world...hence the need for begging.<br /><br /></div><div>What a power house of a woman that has started with a vision and is making it happen! She is all business but lots of fun and if you saw her "Onederland Dance" on You Tube, you would have been most appropriately entertained. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Please visit the site and join:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://wlsfa.org/">http://wlsfa.org/</a></div><div><a href="http://wlsfa.org/27"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 276px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479730112152092258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAvpgQ_WPmI/AAAAAAAAAu0/-iFWmaZvDfo/s320/wlsfa.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>WHY?</div><div><br /></div><div>Because Toni has taken this dream to help others and turned it into a reality. Please <strong><a href="http://wlsfa.org/27">click</a></strong> on the logo and read about "The Vision" and "The Inspiration". </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I have a little group called RYD Obesity and we put together two events and were able to make some surgery happen for some very deserving women. Imagine what could be done with a national group!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>There is no greater way to put yourself on the road to weight loss surgery success than to give back or pay it forward. You can give what you can give...whether it's a few dollars or volunteering your skills or whatever you can do. Maybe you know someone who is deserving of help. Make sure to read about the first grant recipients and I think you'll fall in love.</div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAv_458TeUI/AAAAAAAAAu8/-aCxTqXR9NA/s1600/lunch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479754724717852994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAv_458TeUI/AAAAAAAAAu8/-aCxTqXR9NA/s320/lunch.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Got to put one more picture of the wonderful ladies that let me sit with them when there were no places to be had. They were great company and it makes me think back to when I would have never had been brave enough to just sit down with complete strangers. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. <div> </div><div> </div><div>I believe some great things happened that weekend that will turn into greater things and it all started with several people breaking out of their comfort zones. Sure it gets all cozy where you are, "where everyone knows your name", but take a moment and check out some other avenues every once in a while. Even if you don't upload videos you can create an account so you can comment or at the very least... view a few.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Hope to see you on the WLSFA site!</div><div>Bariatric smooches, Yvonne<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807401909101075948.post-81156785822171071212010-06-05T09:36:00.001-07:002010-06-05T11:13:59.332-07:00Let go...see opportunity in all things!<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAp-L24DauI/AAAAAAAAAuE/uJzw7i68_04/s1600/DSC_3585.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479330638823910114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAp-L24DauI/AAAAAAAAAuE/uJzw7i68_04/s320/DSC_3585.JPG" /></a> <em>If you assume in favor of yourself and act as if it is possible, then you will do the things that are necessary to bring about the result. If you believe it is impossible you will not do what is necessary and you will not produce the result. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. ~ Jack Canfield</em></div><div><em></em><br /> </div><div><em></em></div><div>If you take the approach that "good" is not an accident...that everyone and everything that shows up in your life is there for a reason and that everything is moving you toward your ultimate destiny for learning, growth, and achievement, you'll begin to see every event (no matter how difficult or challenging) as a chance for enrichment and advancement in your life. If you don't feel this way then just stop, give up and don't even try...just wait for the inevitable. </div><div> </div><div>Doesn't choosing the first option sounds like the best path? It is the only path for me and I hope it sounds that way for you too. Is it so wrong believe things can really happen for us? </div><div><br /></div><div>Nope...but you have to put some effort in your journey. This has never been about the magic pill, the easy way out ....but it does open doors for you that were previously closed to you. The only reason those doors were closed to us before is because we believed we didn't deserve it.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>RELEASE THE BRAKES!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Release the brakes and get out of your comfort zone because it is a largely self created prison. "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten."</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Most people drive through life with their psychological emergency brake on. They hold on to negative images about themselves or suffer the effects of powerful experiences they haven't yet released. They stay in a comfort zone entirely of their own making. They maintain inaccurate beliefs about reality or harbor GUILT and self-doubt...and when they try to achieve their goals, these negative images and preprogrammed comfort zones always cancel out their good intentions no matter how hard they try.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The ones that walk a successful journey have discovered that instead of using increased WILLPOWER as the engine to power their success, it's simply easier to "release the brakes" by letting go and replacing their limiting beliefs and changing their self-images. Isn't that a relief? It isn't about willpower....it's about letting go and letting it happen the way you want it to.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Jack Canfield also talks about baby elephants that are trained from a young age. If you tie a rope around a baby elephant's leg it cannot escape. As the elephant gets larger it could certainly get loose but it doesn't know it because the elephant has been trained that it cannot. The elephant believes it is real ...so as silly as it is, the elephant's belief makes it true. We do the same thing by continuing to buy into those self limiting beliefs! Here are his three suggestions to break out of your comfort zone.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. You can use affirmations and positive self talk to affirm already having what you want, doing what you want, and being the way you want.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. You can create powerful and compelling new internal images of having, doing, and being what you want.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAqO-59ZdxI/AAAAAAAAAuM/ifpwoQqKY0o/s1600/0001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479349108011005714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JT7FhYE5wuA/TAqO-59ZdxI/AAAAAAAAAuM/ifpwoQqKY0o/s320/0001.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>3. You can simply change your behavior.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Quit being that baby elephant and take that rope off your leg. </div><div><br /></div><div>Run like there is no tomorrow and see yourself where you want to be.</div><div> </div><div>Lose the self limiting beliefs and replace them with affirmations. Sure it's uncomfortable in the beginning but isn't everything that's worth having? Practice, practice, practice and then see if you can truly get your mind in a place where you can believe the following:</div><div> </div><div>"I believe the world is plotting to do me good today. I can't wait to see what it is!"</div><div> </div><div>Progress not perfection and every step you take is getting you closer to what you really want out of your journey. </div><div> </div><div>Let go and love yourself, </div><div>Yvonne</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508912770619528151noreply@blogger.com3