Beauty and the Bypass

This week marks 5 years since I had my gastric bypass surgery. Overall, life is good, health is decent, and I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had with reduced weight. On my lowest day, I was down 130 from my pre-surgery weight. I've maintaining a 105ish pound loss (after losing 15 over the last few months).

I spent the weekend in Chicago to see Hamilton, and walked miles and miles over 3 days. I don't take for granted the ability I have to engage in more activity without stopping to rest. Here's to another healthy year!

It's been a while since I've had a day so active. I did quite a bit of hiking along the (very hilly and windy) South Coast of England, at Beachy Head. If you were wondering if climbing the equivalent of 80 flights of makes your legs hurt, the answer is yes.

I can relate to this so much.

On your concern for your fat friend’s health. When you express concern for a fat person’s health, you step into a long and living history.

At the gym by 6am. Working to get back in the groove for 2016.

I will forever be grateful to Dr. Smith for the impact that he had on my life. I had multiple friends give emphatic recommendations for him to perform my gastric bypass surgery, and I know he was the right surgeon for me. He passed away this week due to complications of esophageal cancer, which was diagnosed only 2 months ago.

He was loved by many, and my heart is aching for the loss that his family, friends, and patients are feeling right now.

Sherman Christensen Smith's Obituary on DeseretNews.com Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Sherman Christensen Smith 1948-2015 Sherman Christensen Smith (February 4, 1948-October 19, 2015) was born on a snowy winter's day while his family lived in Wyview Village in Provo, UT. He was the

I'm so excited to have been interviewed on NPR:

Coming to Terms with the Pressure of Weight http://n.pr/1M0djYd

Comming To Terms With The Pressure Of Weight Two-thirds of American adults are considered overweight. In this week's For the Record, NPR's Rachel Martin talks with people about how weight shapes their identities and what it means to be healthy.

It's been an amazing 3 years of my life as a post-op weight loss surgery patient. Although I'm not longer blogging frequently, I wanted to give an update.

Three Years Later: Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery | Beauty and the Bypass It's been 3 years since I went under the knife for weight loss surgery. In the past year, I've stepped back from blogging to live my newfound healthy life.

Through the urging of some good friends, I signed up for the Detroit international half-marathon this year. And yesterday I completed it. It blows me away how difficult it was, and that my body didn't give out underneath me. 2.5 years ago, I could barely walk a mile. And now, I'm a finisher!

It's that time again!

Time to check all my levels and make sure than vitamin deficiencies aren't contributing to the severe fatigue I've had for months. Ten vials may be a record for me.

Non-scale victory: first time on a rollercoaster since surgery, and there was plenty of room to spare

On Christmas Eve, I opened my Fitbit and began tracking my activity. Before losing 120+ pounds, I couldn't imagine walking 500 miles in such a short amount of time. If you break it down, I'm walking about 4 miles a day.