On my way!

Well, last Monday I had my first of many appointments to qualify for WLS. It was a two-hour class with a MSW and Nutritionist. This isn't going to be a walk in the park like so many people think. You have to change EVERYTHING you've ever done as far as food goes.

I've already made some significant changes that I thought would be very difficult, but weren't. First, I haven't had a soda for almost a month! Anyone who knows me KNOWS how significant that is! My dad said he couldn't believe it because I NEVER went anywhere without a bottle of Diet Pepsi in my hand... even to church!

Another is gum chewing. While I admit I still chew, I don't chew every day, and I don't chew all day. Usually pop in a piece after lunch at school to take away the "nasties" if you know what I mean?

Third, and the one I am really amazed at, is I've been walking Buddy, my beagle. Not JUST walking, but hiking! We're up to almost 3 miles a walk! Fortunately living out in the country, we've got some awesome back roads with little traffic, slight hills, and LOTS of gorgeous scenery! I think Buddy is enjoying it just as much as I am. He gets all excited when I put on my sneakers. He knows already that means WALK TIME! I wear slip on Crocs religiously otherwise.

Thursday I have my first solo appointment with the MSW. Hopefully she will not think I need more one on ones, and will recommend just the group meetings. She's basically going to talk to me and find out what underlying behavioral issues cause my eating. Am I a stress eater? Am I compensating for something? Or is it an addictive personality trait? Unfortunately I think it's a bit of all three...

So anyway, I'm off and running in the right direction to achieve my goal of a healthy life!

On the stamping front, I am almost finished with my bestest friend's graduation announcements! I'll post them when I finish them tomorrow!

Never thought I'd be a "blogger"!

I don't know why... I used to blog on Blurty way back before blogging became a "household word". Now it seems it is all the rage so here I am again!

My name is Tina. I'm a Stampin' Up demonstrator (currently more of a hobbyist than anything). I love to stamp. I love to share stamping with others. I hope my friends and family will visit my blog to see the latest things I've created (or CASED from others!).

I am also in the process of having gastric bypass surgery. There. I said it "out loud". Yes, I am finally going to do something about my weight issue that is PERMANENT. I have tried and failed every "diet" out there. Let me rephrase that... I have NOT failed, they've failed me... It had to be a LIFESTYLE change, not a "diet". A diet is a bandaid. It's like putting a piece of bubblegum on a crack in a dam hoping to keep back all the water on the other side. Sure it works for a while, but eventually everything breaks loose anyway.

So, this blog will have my journey both as a stamper and as someone seeking the lifestyle change to finally end her battle with morbid obesity.