MY LIFE -- Weight Loss Surgery -- and beyond....
JOURNEY BACK TO ME: this journey began over 7 yrs ago...it's been an amazing journey with MANY "ups"....but lately a few "downs"...but all in all - it's worth every step! “It's not the situation ... It's my reaction to the situation” -Robert Conklin
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
HAPPY 2013: I'm STILL Walking the Journey....
I like the quote "HARD - is just a story you've convinced yourself to believe."
I like to hide behind the "story" it's been a "HARD year....", "HARD week..." etc. With this - it says I've been struggling - please don't ask me to explain or be authentic with you.
I like to hide behind the "story" it's "HARD to lose weight".... or it's "HARD to maintain" .... or it's "HARD to exercise". These stories say - I've got a great excuse to be obese, be obese or fat (again), or just plain couch potato lazy!
But really the quote is right.
I've convinced myself that things are HARD (or nearly impossible) when the truth is - the ONLY reason that are hard is because I've declared it so. I am ripping away the truth and promise "that I CAN DO all things....THRU CHRIST - who strengthens me ".
HARD - is a LIE...and a cop-out.
And....even though I've run up and against a TON of challenges this past year - thru truth is - I've come thru it! (with my sweet Savior's help....shoulder.... and strong arms pulling me along!)
THIS YEAR WILL NOT BE HARD....
it's gonna be the best one yet!!
Sunday, January 01, 2012
GLORIOUS 2012: Many changes this year....
One of the BIGGEST changes is our state!
Sadly...in July of 2011 the Coates Family boxed up our 850 sq ft. Brooklyn apartment and moved back to BIG TEXAS...this time not Dallas...but back to my home town of San Antonio. (My husband keeps reminding me it is the 7th largest city in the United States...kind of hard to believe!)
All in all...we've been immensely blessed. My husband is extremely happy and has a fabulous job. My daughter is going to an amazing private classical school -- 180* turn from NYC public schools. And we're all closer to my family.
I personally miss NYC....I miss every part of the city living....I miss my friends... and I MISS WALKING....
Can't believe I'm even saying that....but I loved the built in exercise....
Sadly...in July of 2011 the Coates Family boxed up our 850 sq ft. Brooklyn apartment and moved back to BIG TEXAS...this time not Dallas...but back to my home town of San Antonio. (My husband keeps reminding me it is the 7th largest city in the United States...kind of hard to believe!)
All in all...we've been immensely blessed. My husband is extremely happy and has a fabulous job. My daughter is going to an amazing private classical school -- 180* turn from NYC public schools. And we're all closer to my family.
I personally miss NYC....I miss every part of the city living....I miss my friends... and I MISS WALKING....
Can't believe I'm even saying that....but I loved the built in exercise....
Monday, January 03, 2011
HAPPY 2011: 4yrs. 9mos. PostOp
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I640XVkjDJktYZp0LzizczDdescqWRPfOk3PfilLNpGKFIYN_ZG_KyhADUuWpYPlvheLc5-3dI3Un99grfMIsaVPP-w1WYeeKHOdPHcgQAdcv1HXQZAB_6THKdD_lAN_8wbS/s400/New+Years+Photo+-+2011+no+address.jpg)
I'm listening to Misty Edwards - "My Soul Longs for you"
SOOO powerful...I've seen the Lord fall on me like a sudden Rainstorm...it's a pleasant surprise...sometimes uncomfortable...but when it's over -- YOU ARE SOAKING!
I want him like that now...this year.LET IT RAIN in 2011!!
Hallelujah Jesus...make all things new God!
In a short matter of time - HE ALONE can turn anything around.
---------
God's riches blessings in your WL Journey....
God has 'FREE'd' me in soooo many ways as I shed 160#'s.....wow.
it's hard to believe this all began nearly 5yrs ago!
----------
HALLELUJAH!! He makes all things NEW....including ME!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Shedding Light...
"I don't struggle with self esteem".... in the normal sense.
I say 'in the normal sense' - because now, I believe, I have been (and probably still can be) insecure at times. And being insecure led me into some pretty horrid eating patterns and behaviors early in life....which in turn led me thru a couple decades of getting heavier; heavier -eventually leading me to be morbidly obese.
There was a time - not so long ago that I said, "I'm confident, lovable, sexy, liked...loved - and I'm completely happy being 333#'s." -- but then someone asked me "do you diet?"Well...funny enough that question flipped a switch, I barely remember a day from my teenage thru adult years that I WASN'T dieting...OR aware of some sort of food restriction, constraint, restraint...etc. When I answered...he challenged me and said, "I'd invite you to consider that you're not as secure as you are portraying yourself to be."Hmmmm.....interesting. It's amazing when light is shed into a dark place - what you may find. So that day I realized I'm not the stereo typical "insecure"... but I clearly wasn't "secure confident" either. There was definitely a breakdown in my thinking.
Funny enough ...I found I had/have "Mother Issues". I have finally got to a place with my "Mother Issues" where I realize I have been *believing* that I couldn't please her...when actually that is a lie. Praise God, it was just this fall that I had this huge breakthrough - I realized that what I thought were expectations or certain attitudes from my mother....was nothing that my Mother was putting on me or doing -- it was a lie that I had been believing most of my life....wow - when I realized it....it was like I shed another 160#'s....whoa, what freedom!
There is still sooo much more to work out... I get that this is a process. But, for now...I'm resting in the truth that my mother loves me...accepts me... is proud of me.
AND...I love me...accept me...and am proud of who I am -- not always happy with the choices I choose to make -- but will plug on...with each day I am given -- determined to walk authentically WITH as many LIGHTS ON as possible!
------------------------------------------------------
I set out that day to be authentic with myself...and my family/friends.
------------------------------------------------------
WOW -- what a journey it's been....over the last 3 and a half years. I had to confront (and STILL confront) some 'demons in the closet'. Although, thru some of these tough confrontations I had to also evaluate my choices, look deep into a places of honesty. Thru this I found tons of self validation as well as validation from those around me - I also found myself not living on a constant "diet."Funny enough ...I found I had/have "Mother Issues". I have finally got to a place with my "Mother Issues" where I realize I have been *believing* that I couldn't please her...when actually that is a lie. Praise God, it was just this fall that I had this huge breakthrough - I realized that what I thought were expectations or certain attitudes from my mother....was nothing that my Mother was putting on me or doing -- it was a lie that I had been believing most of my life....wow - when I realized it....it was like I shed another 160#'s....whoa, what freedom!
There is still sooo much more to work out... I get that this is a process. But, for now...I'm resting in the truth that my mother loves me...accepts me... is proud of me.
AND...I love me...accept me...and am proud of who I am -- not always happy with the choices I choose to make -- but will plug on...with each day I am given -- determined to walk authentically WITH as many LIGHTS ON as possible!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS: 32mos. Post Op
What a wonderful LIFE!
Last night I watch one of my most favorite reality shows -- THE BIGGEST LOSER -- I absolutely LOVE that show! I did the math to percentage of weight I have lost in my 161 lbs. I've lost -- 48.2%! I was amazed...wow.
I feel proud...emotional...connected to those people on such a deep level. I don't think their success is MORE SUCCESSFUL...or that my journey is easier...or that I've taken the "easy way out". It's just DIFFERENT.
I like to look at the similarities...we started in the same place...
- Morbidly Obese
- In denial about how we were feeling...
- Depressed
- Hurting - physically & mentally
- STUCK!
And then we ended in the same place...
- Healthy weight
- Educated about food
- Educated about exercise
- Hopefully more sane
- LESS PAIN
- Thrilled with a new lease on LIFE!!!
Unfortunately, I gained every pound back + about 35 additional pounds! Now....I have a completely different lease on LIFE.
DONT BE MISTAKEN-- I'm NOT completely OVER my my eating issues...I'll need to blog on those thoughts later -- PROMISE I WILL!!
For now, my encouragement to you is.... just enjoy life....be encouraged....and make a choice -- and BELIEVE!!
Believe in yourself...that no matter your pathway you choose YOU CAN DO THIS!!! -----------------------------------------------------
LIFE IS GREAT!!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2UidJHMVpBjgJJaRrDVG7ClsC0HVwXof898fAcss1DP0zkXm8jTWaA0UWIwLCiJIyrv7hnj3zrfesvdIPRVIH9KztEALK_yp3yU42E1ByzQdrCYiylDfOnakkTB5-y7Uk0Nl/s400/svp+-+nyc+coates+0870+(2.3).jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPmUO8-erc3vY7qtzBVfXecmAGhMb35lRlaOPxsqiIvpynwrKTOHElzQI49Qi0USBH_xAEgiij5oj4u6G7i1wTWkLas7KInMI_WsxqiSvpvV0MRwa49hdW1VtxeZbwT-gAHlh/s400/SVP+-+NYC+COATES+08187.5.jpg)
Most thankful that My sweet daughter Isabella will have a Mom that can be active with her...live LIFE...and not hold her back - or pass on unhealthy behaviors!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)