I ask a lot of questions.

It's been quite some time since my last post. I'll try to give a "quick" update, but can we be real... I don't know how to do short and sweet. I am long winded. In no particular order, here are some things that have been going on: 1. My thyroid is a complete jerk. Really. Every single time I go in for blood work, it's worse and we increase the medicine. I have started also seeing a natural healing doctor, in addition to my primary physician. It can't hurt. There is a website that I can recently found that has helped me feel not alone with my health issues,  I have added links for you to read, if you wish.  https://themighty.com/2017/02/what-people-get-wrong-about-hypothyroidism/ 2. Due to above mentioned jerk, my weight loss has halted and I have gained about 30lbs in the past 6 months. I work on it every day. Some days are better than others. 3. I did complete my masters degree! (insert me dancing) Now I have about a 2 year process of supervision be

Can you even believe it?! I cannot. June 5th was officially one year since I underwent VGS (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). It was surely life changing. By now I hope that you all understand the HUGE MASSIVE GIANT role that you played in my surgery. I am forever thankful. This post is going to list some things that have changed since surgery, some of which you may not understand, if you have never been over weight... and a lot of photos. 1. My highest documented weight was 364lbs, I currently weigh 250lbs. 2. I wore a 4x or 26/28 prior to surgery, I currently wear 1x, xl (which are NOT the same) and 14/16/18 pants... brands y'all. 3. My ring size went from a 10 to a 7. 4. Bra band size went from 46 to 38/40. 5. I am rocking a 2 piece at the pool! 6. My feet are smaller, maybe 1/2 size. 7. I have collar bones! (Say what) 8. I can easily shave my whole leg. 9. I have the ability to paint my  own toes and not pass out. 10. I can go into almost any "normal size" sto

( started this like 12 weeks ago, life got chaotic ... let's pretend that it is March) So, Leap Day 2016, I entered CRMC (with my amazingly supportive moma) and registered in the pre-op area. This day came sooner than I anticipated, but again...The Lord has His timing. For those of you wandering (and that did ask) no, I was not nervous. I wasn't nervous about the other surgery either. It just felt like it was the next-step (shout out to my new friend Ben, who is having his VSG as I type). I believe that the Lord covers us in a calm, when it's something that it suppose to happen, when whatever it is, is part of His plan. And sometimes His plan is crazy town. Yancy was my pre-op nurse and that sweet soul prayed over me before they took me back. Thankfully, I don't remember a lot once I got into the Operating Room. I do remember seeing Phillip, Justina, and Blake. They are all familiar and calming faces. Then I woke up in recovery, only slightly nauseated (YAY Phillip).

If you read my last post, you would know that I submitted a claim to my insurance company for them to cover a Panniculectomy, and they had denied it. WELLS I am thrilled to share that they ACCEPTED my appeal and I will be having surgery on Feb 29th. This again ties into the thought that the Lord has perfect timing. I had peace that this surgery would be covered, I just didn't know when.    And just for good measure, the photo on the left was taken in October, when I was four months post op. The photo on the right was taken this morning, and I am eight months postop. I am still right around 276 pounds. I feel comfortable with that because I know that I'm gaining muscle from working out consistently. Love Y'all big! Sara

So since my last post, the scale hasn't moved much, 276.6lbs. Which can be incredibly discouraging. I have decided to hide the scale for the ENTIRE month of February. I am a little nervous, but it's for the best. I started this journey in a size 28 pants and I am currently wearing a size 18. I was recently able to purchase my very first pair of knee boots. The scale is not the only measuring tool. I can feel and see the difference. I think maybe I was a size 18 in 9th grade, maybe, it could have been 7th grade. I don't really ever remember not shopping in the plus size section. I have been dealing with some general illnesses since November and I am finally getting back to a normal gym schedule. I have practiced yoga for 2 or 3 years, even at my highest weight of 364lbs, I still went to yoga. I am currently still attending yoga, and I have started a Barre Revolution class (which is a mix of ballet and Pilates, sort of) and spin classes. I still use the elliptical as well.

I am in an amazing season of life. It's weird most days and I do not understand the plans the Lord is making, but that is okay. The Lord has timing. This morning as I sat in church, Andy Heis spoke about enjoying THIS time that God is moving in and do not spend all your time and energy looking back or looking too far forward. And at this moment, I am great. Sure things will change and move and explode and calm again, that is life folks. Almost 2 years ago I was originally nominated for the Humanitarian Award, that I was blessed to win 18 months later. The National Obesity Foundation is ran by almost all volunteers and they had a large turn over and my paperwork was lost in the shuffle. Lucky for them, I am persistent and assertive. I called and emailed and called and emailed until I spoke with Mike Panas, who helped me tremendously. As you know, I won that award and had Gastric Sleeve surgery in June, 6 months ago. I cannot say that I wished it would had happened sooner and I cann