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@actively_april

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Inspiring the #bariatricsurgery community one LONG A✨S IG story at a time 😂
VSG ✂️ 7/25/2019
Board President @bari.nation
Superhuman not in disguise

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I reached a milestone today, friends. I weight 199 pounds. This has been my goal weight since the moment I committed to having bariatric surgery. And now I have reached that goal, almost FOUR YEARS post-op.

FOUR YEARS.

I have not been the perfect bariatric patient. I haven’t even been a good one. I even gave up once. Yep. I totally gave up. I threw in the towel and decided that I was not going to bariatric anymore.

The ONE thing I did right in that moment of total surrender and defeat was listen to myself. I asked my questions and I took the time to answer them. I truly listened to what was truest in me. When I listened and observed, I understood that living my life how I did before surgery was no longer fulfilling. It did not feel good nor did it help me escape my worry’s or fears as it did before. My old life, my old mindset, my old behaviors were no longer comforting.

It was the lowest point of my journey.

But it was in that valley that I realized if I ever wanted to feel whole again, I needed to create the path myself. I needed to truly learn to love life again.

I don’t know what I think about 199. I’m just going to sit with this because I don’t have to have it figured out or understood immediately.

But I just had to share this truth- you will not reach your goals when you think you will. You don’t have one year to “lose the weight”. That mindset will lead you back to where you were before surgery. It’s a false pass. Abandon your timeline and embrace your bariatric pillars- movement, mindset, and metabolic wellness. Embrace your community. Dive into the work. Live and breath it every day. Do not look at the unknown with fear. Face it head on with curiosity and resolve.

Answer your own questions.

#onederland #milestone #bariatricsurgery #bariatric #wls #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #wlssupport #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgcommunity #barination #iambarination #regain #stall #goals #100poundsdown #goalweight taken in Gig Harbor, Washington by @actively_april

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4 years ago

There are some days, some weeks, and even some *months* that I just want a BREAK from doing the work of weight loss surgery. A break from being a bariatric patient.

A break from thinking about everything that I have to do day in and day out to stay in bariatric compliance.

Of worrying and stressing about food and my food choices.

From the cravings.

From hunger.

From my old thoughts about food.

But then I remember.

When I was morbidity obese before surgery, all I wanted was a break from being FAT.

A break from my dependence on food.

A break from insatiable hunger.

A break from not recognizing myself in the mirror.

I guess I have been looking for a break from things for a LONG TIME NOW.

Instead of a break, I need to commit to crafting a life and relation with food that I Nero not feel I need a break from. I need habits and routines to become so automated, that I do them subconsciously, without having to give it much effort or thought.

THAT is what I am seeking, a life I never feel I need a vacation from. A life that feels consistent normal, enjoyable, content in.

Life is hard no matter your path. It was hard when I was obese. It’s hard now that I am living at a healthy weight.

Having a choice now is powerful. And a little scary. This is new territory and I am still learning the lay of the land. Still learning to navigate these unfamiliar waters. It’s going to take some time.

Space and grace my friends, space and grace.

Are you feeling the same way? Are you finding that when you do something from your past life, it doesn’t quite feel the same? Let me know in the comments below!

#ahha #flashback #selfcare #summersteady #hungergames #needabreak #theworkofwls #wlspostop #wls #wlscommunity #wlsjourney #wlssupport #wlstransformation #wlsstrong #wlsfam #bariatricsurgery #bariatricsupport #vsg #rny #duodenalswitch #lapband #gastricbypasscommunity #gastricsleeve #gastricbypass #reels taken in Gig Harbor, Washington by @actively_april

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4 years ago

I have had some time to really reflect on this whole regain thing.

By definition, regain means “obtain possession or use of (something) again after losing it.”

For me, I have found some weight that makes me feel uncomfortable and I have made the decision that I would like to reverse it. 222 pounds is a healthy weight for me, but I am not happy. So I will be working to lose something I have found again.

Gaining some (or all) of our weight back does not make us a bad bariatric patient. It does not make us a bad human. It makes us a normal human attempting to reverse and overcome the disease of obesity.

Obesity is a disease. A DISEASE.

Do you know how most diseases are treated? With major tools. With surgery. And medications. With serious treatments and medical teams. With the help of professionals in multiple fields. Some even have the support of Foundations and Centers to help them diagnose, treat, and provide after care.

As bariatric patients, what do we have?

A binder. A support group our center offers every now and then? Some of us have amazing post-op care provided by our centers 💗 Others are not so lucky.

But even with the most forward-thinking care given by providers, regain happens for MANY bariatric patients.

Why?

Because obesity is a chronic disease that will require lifelong treatment. Our bariatric surgery is ONE piece of our treatment plan. We need multiple forms of treatment for our disease along the way and regain, significant regain, is a sign that we need more *treatment*. Not shame or guilt. TREATMENT.

So no, I will NOT be mad or ashamed of this regain. I am battling a chronic disease. A disease that requires LIFELONG treatment. What I had to do to find, maintain, and love my life at a happy, healthy weight is what I had to do to manage my disease. Period.

I will face this reality as millions of others face their own diseases. With grace. With humility. With passion to find stability. And with HOPE that I can be a part of the cure.

If you are struggling, I invite you to join me 💗 As one of my favorite human Lora Grabow @bariatric.therapist says, Community is Treatment 💗

#regain #wlscommunity #bariatricsurgery #barination taken in Seattle, Washington by @actively_april

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4 years ago

The Tater is THRIVING after #bariatricsurgery and we are so thankful for @texasbariatricsurgeons who has guided us every step of the way.

✅ No issues with food

✅ Hitting daily movement, protein, and hydration goals

✅ Sleeping soundly

✅ energy levels rebounding

But that’s not even the best part.

He is returning to himself. He is becoming more and more like the man I met 18 years ago, the person I married 15 years ago, the husband who bought me every James Mitchner book I didn’t own for our 1st wedding anniversary 💙

Obesity takes away more than our physical health. It robs us of showing up in life in the ways that are authentic to us.

Obesity robs you of yourself.

Treatment gives you back yourself. And the world needs the best version of your right now.

If you have been on the fence about talking with your doctor…any doctor about your weight, stop putting it off. Make that appointment and show up.

If you are on a GLP1 or have had surgery and notice that you have drifted from your treatment plan, find your way back to it.

You are too important, too valuable, to be taken from the world in this way.

Stop waiting, start treatment.

#obesity #wls #wlscommunity #husband taken in Gig Harbor, Washington by @actively_april

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4 days ago

It’s the spookiest time of year and if you have some ghosts, ghouls, or gremlins haunting your obesity health journey, we got someone you can call.

BariNation.

All month long, we are teaching our members how to call out their ghosts by name, shine a bright light on them, and send them back to where they came from. 👻

Can you name your ghost?

👻 The regain ghoul
💀 The body ghost
😈 The craving monster
👹 The stall gremlin

No matter what your ghost is named, we got a tool to help banish them from your life. And when they start haunting your life again, you will know how to send them packing.

We’re taking the spooky out of the season and giving you all the”treats”, no tricks.

🪄Support groups led by therapists
✨ Classes taught by experts
💙 Meetups hosted by peers

All virtual, confidential, and safe.

And you even get to avoid the wallet monster at the gas station 🤣

$19 a month- no contract or long-term commitment. The support you need, when and where you need it.

➡️ Membership info in the comments- linked in bio- or shared in a DM.

Join a community that is here to teach you how to bust the ghosts that are haunting your life, one spell, one treat, one moment at a time.

#ghost #obesity #wls #support #barination by @actively_april

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9 days ago

Raise your hand if midlife is super crazy. 🙋🏽‍♀️

Nobody handed us the handbook, and honestly, we would like to speak to the manager.

What we do have is a place to land. Becoming: A Midlife Meetup is a new space inside BariNation, hosted by Monique Coleman, CFI. It’s for men and women who want to get together and talk about the highs and lows of midlife, beyond the scale and beyond the “you’re fine” we give our friends and family.

It’s a safe space. Real people, real patients, in midlife, having real conversations about the stuff that’s hard to say out loud at the dinner table.

📅 We kick off Tuesday, Oct 6, then meet twice a month on Zoom.
👉 Sign up at the link in bio.
📆 Comment “cal” below for links to our virtual support calendar.

You’ve got this. We’ve got you.

#BariNation #MidlifeMeetup #BecomingMidlife #ObesityTreatmentJourney #MidlifeCommunity SafeSpace MidlifeHumor by @actively_april

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13 days ago

Today marks the first day of fall. 🍂

Just like the seasons change, so can the layers of support we need along our health journey.

As we add on extra layers to stay warm this time of year, we might need to add on layers of support, too.

You might be in a season where you don’t need those extra layers.

But someone else does.

This fall, we’re inviting 250 people to become monthly donors and help us keep these layers of support funded and visible, so anyone who needs them can find them.

Every $10 a month donor helps fund:

🍁 BariNation Community: our $19 membership and scholarships for people who can’t afford it right now

🍁 BariNation Podcast: more episodes, reaching more people

🍁 BariNation Foundation: the tech, insurance, and operations that keep it all running

Give $10 or more a month and we’ll send you a BariNation thank-you sticker pack, our way of saying thanks for adding your leaf to our giving tree this season!

Help someone add a layer of support this fall. Become a monthly donor today.

Link in bio or long- hold the QR code.

#fall #seasonofsupport #fallintogiving #barinationfoundation oundation #obesity taken in Gig Harbor, Washington by @actively_april

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25 days ago

I struggle with movement. Exercise. Training. All of it. And what’s so weird is that before bariatric surgery- obesity treatment- it was *not* a struggle.

I practiced hot yoga 5,6,7 times a week.

I walked or slogged 5k’s a few times a year.

I went to the gym.

And now, I struggle to find any rhythm or cadence when it comes to movement.

It’s always on my “to-do” list, but it always slides to the very bottom.

Why?

Well…I’m sure it has something to do with my motivation to move *before* treatment.

Movement was my way of publically showing the world that I was not a “bad” fat person (I know…I cringe when I say and type those words now but it was what was true for me back then).

I was doing the work. Even though the work did nothing for my weight or health.

I had sleep apnea and was pre-diabetic sweating every ounce of water during my 90 minute hot yoga classes.

But I loved it. I really did.

When I have the honor of interviewing people and experts who dedicate their focus to movement, something changes.

It’s not immediate. But it plants a seed of awareness in my brain that it keeps chewing on.

This week, I talked with @kellymariemcgonigal about movement and motivation and she said something mind blowing.

When we move, we open a door to a pharmacy in our brain. And that pharmacy makes and dispenses hope. HOPE.

I don’t know about you, but I feel hopeless more days than not. When the disease reared its ugly head again and again, it saps my hope bank account. But Kelly helped me understand that movement deposits hope back into my life and helps me grow that hope account.

Huh.

Interesting.

A new reason to move.

I’m not saying a single conversation will instantly inspire you to move. If it does, awesome! But the more we surround ourselves with things that help us move in the direction we want to go, the more often we will move in that direction.

If you’re struggling with movement, me too.

If you want something for your brain to chew on, listen or watch this conversation.

Comment below or send us a DM and I will pass along the link.

Movement can sometimes be a mystery. And I love solving mysteries. Maybe you do, too.

# taken in Gig Harbor, Washington by @actively_april

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a month ago

If you struggle with exercise or movement, consistency, or motivation, this conversation is for you.

Sometimes, we need a different “why” behind movement to light that fire to start and keep going.
@kellymariemcgonigal teaches us how hope- yes…hope…is created when we move and why hope is the thing that keeps us coming back for more.

This is a powerful mindset shift that has the power to change how we approach movement forever. Thank you to long time member @charityshantell for joining @actively_april for this much needed conversation.

Drop your favorite platform in the comments of find the links to watch and listen in our In The Know channel.

You got this and we got you.

#hope #movement #exersize #wls #barination taken in Seattle, Washington by @actively_april

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Treating obesity can also mean you treat other health issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even fertility and family planning.

One treatment, so many positive health impacts!

If you have onboarded treatment- bariatric surgery and/or medication like GLP1, have you seen other benefits besides weight loss?

Full episode with Dr. Galvani on all major platforms like Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube!

#obesity #metabolic #health #wls #wlscommunity by @actively_april

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a month ago

It’s about more than your weight.

Obesity is not just about weight loss, it’s about metabolic health. And the goal of treatment is not necessarily about losing weight, it’s about improving health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, even lowering cancer risks.

But guess what? There is not a comprehensive and consistent treatment pathway for people, doctors, or practitioners. So depending on who you see, your treatment options could be different.

The @treofoundation wants to develop this pathway and they need our help to make it happen.

On September 26th, we are participating in the @treothewalk to raise awareness and funds for projects, like this Treatment Pathway because everyone needs and deserves consistent and compassionate obesity treatment.

Join our free virtual BariNation walk team and move with us! Comment “link” below to register or find it in our BariNation In The Know channel on Instagram.

Let’s move, BariNation!

#wls #barination #walk #obesity #treatment taken in Seattle, Washington by @actively_april

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