If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Travel

1. Where did your most recent trip take you?  Christmas/New Years I was on Vancouver Island and Vancouver.  
2. Is there a place that you’d like to visit that you haven’t yet?  If so, where?  Cuba, Italy, Spain.... 
3. Do you travel lightly, or do you cram as much into your luggage as possible? I usually overpack.  I like to have options!!
4. Do your eating and exercise habits change when you travel? If so, how?  I tend to eat less protein when I'm travelling which isn't a good thing.  I need to work on that!
5. Tell us about a place you’ve been that you’d like to go back to. Greece.  Definitely.  I'm trying to convince hubby to go.  The history there just blew me away.  I was so humbled to be standing in places that were once thriving cities 1000's of years ago.
6. Do you prefer to travel at a certain time of year?  Feb-April usually... when its cold here!
7. If you had to choose, would you go to the beach or the mountains? Beach.  We get enough cold whether when I live.  I love the sun.  Especially since WLS, I just soak in the heat!
8. Have you ever needed a passport to travel?  Yep most of the time.  I like leaving Canada alot :)
9. Do you collect anything in your travels? Not really... just mementos
10. Where do you plan to go next?  Next up is Vancouver again in May to find a place to live there.... other than that?  Maybe Mazatlan?

Now it’s your turn! Don’t forget to come back to share a link in the comments!  Happy Monday friends!

FMM: Befores..... Better late than never!!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Before Photos

1. Are you on a weight-loss journey?  Have you lost weight in the past? Are you trying to lose it now?  Yes I am.  Finally feeling success at last thanks to my life saving/cheryl saving Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery nearly 10 months ago!  I've lost and regained hundreds of pounds over the years.  I'm no longer in weight loss mode.  I'm eating what I want (within reason) and keeping my choices high protein and lower white carbs.  I'm 84 lbs down. 4 lbs to go to my ultimate goal of 135!
2. Do you like being in pictures, or do you shy away from the camera? These days, I'm liking myself in pictures more and more.  Although the image in the mirror still is alot bigger than the image the camera sees.  I'm learning to love them both
3. Does looking at old photos of yourself motivate you?No it makes me sad for that me.  I wish I'd known then what I know now.  I would have chosen this path when I was teetering on 250lbs 5-6 years ago instead of a few failed diets down.
4. Weight-loss bloggers, do you post progress pictures on your blog?  Yep…here and there.  When I'm excited mostly... or just feel too hot to NOT share!
5. Will you share a before photo with us (even if you don’t have an after yet?)  Here you go.... my heaviest...

And now..... taken this morning :)

Now it’s your turn! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday friends!

FMM Jan 23, 2012

It’s Monday again, and you know what that means!  It’s time for Friend Makin’ Mondays so let’s get started…

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: http://www.alltheweigh.com/2011/11/friend-makin-mondays-dating/www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

 FMM: Short Answers

1. Mac or PC? PC, I have no Mac experience.
2. Do you paint your own nails? Yes, toes sometimes.  I have gel nails though.
3. Beach or mountains?  Beach, Totally.
4. What’s the title of the book you’re currently reading? The Hunger Games Trilogy.  I'm halfway through Catching Fire right now.
5. Do you dance?  Badly. White girl has no rhythm
6. CNN or Fox News?  I don't watch the news.
7. Do you ride a bicycle?  Only at the gym.  My bicycle hasn't been ridden in gosh... at least 6 years.
8. Do you get a yearly flu shot?  Yes, I have asthma so if I don't, I usually end up in the hospital months later with pnemonia.
9. Best movie you’ve seen in 2012?  So far I've seen The Change-Up... it was pretty good.
10. Do you prefer to workout at home or at the gym?  I'm too lazy to go to the gym but I do prefer to work out there over doing it at my home gym.  I make less excuses when I'm at a REAL gym.
11. Last airport you were in?  Comox, Vancouver Island, BC 
12. Married or single?  Married
13. iPhone or Android? iPhone
14. Do you prefer to be in pictures or taking pictures?  Both.  I like to take them more than be in them I think though....
15. Favorite brand of sneakers?  I've only ever worn Saucony so... those I guess 
16. Do you like snow?  Sometimes. I live in the land of snow so there's days that it totally sucks
17. Do you have/want to have kids?  I don't want any but I do have a step-son who's 16
18. Summer or Winter? Summer. I'm a fair weather lass 
19. Do you know how to swim?  Yes, I was on the swim team in high school :) 
20. Do you prefer to shop in store or online?  Mostly in store, the eye buys for me.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions!  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  And don’t forget…If you have an idea for FMM, send me an e-mail with the details, and you might see it here!  Happy Monday!

FMM Jan 9/2012

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: http://www.alltheweigh.com/2011/11/friend-makin-mondays-dating/www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Getting To Know You

1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday? I like to spend Saturdays with a nice LONG sleep-in.  Usually I try to not make any plans until the afternoon so I can stay in bed until lunchtime. An evening with hubby is a great way to round out a lazy day :)

2) List your top three favorite TV shows.   Big Bang Theory, Terra Nova, Family Guy

3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them?  I like seeing how my internal image of myself compares to what everyone else sees so I guess I'd rather be in them.  But I'm extremely critical of myself and hate it while they're being taken.

4) Why do you blog? I have always been a writer.  Before the neenernet, I wrote in a journal.  It's always been really cathartic for me.  This current blog is for me to share my experiences as a weight loss surgery patient and hopefully help others that are either going through it or are considering it.

5) Share five websites that you visit regularly…

Facebook

Blogger

a private BB I'm on

GastricSleeve.com

Gmail

6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be? I don't have twitter :)

7) List a few of your favorite snacks. String cheese, hard boiled eggs, lunch meat cream cheese roll ups, snap peas, strawberries

8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind? yeah, I have a dog named Bailie. The breed is Havanese and he's so loved by everyone.  I have lots of people offering to take him/babysit all the time because he's such a good boy.  I love my Bailie so much!

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without? iPhone, mascara, SUV

10) What’s your favorite drink?  Nestle Pure Life Lemon Splash water. yum!

11) Do you enjoy cooking? not really.  Hubby does most of the cooking.  I do like to bake sometimes though.

12) Do you have children? I have 1 step-son who lives on Vancouver Island with his mom and stepdad.

13) What are your favorite hobbies?  I've never been a hobby person.  I guess I could count being online? 

14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing? I’m pretty shy around people I don't know.

15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change? I'd make myself a little easier going.  I am pretty laid back person but I get anxious when put into public speaking, small talk or just groups of people I don't know.  I would like to be more outgoing around others I guess.

16) Who is your favorite actor/actress? None really pops to mind.  I'm loving the character "Sheldon" from Big Bang Theory right now.  He's hilarious.

17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week?  Nothing.  I'm lame that way.  Went to a jr level hockey game, baby sat a friend's puppy and we bought an Apple TV and set it up... that's about it. 

18) Do you live near your family or far from them? Near, most of my family lives in Edmonton but several are also in BC.

19) List three of your talents. Thinking logically, getting along with everyone,...?  I don't know really.

20) What is your greatest attribute? I'm stronger than I give myself credit for.

Now it’s your turn to share your answers.  Don’t forget to come back here and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday!

Friend Makin Monday 2012

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Goals for 2012

*Focus on strength training and being able to do the simple things again ... like open a water bottle without needing to use my teeth!

*Not let stress overcome me, think logically and clearly. Let my head, not my emotions (or reactions) make my decisions for how I act.

*Allow people in. Let others care for me and let me allow them to. No shutting out/down.

FMM

FMM: Have You Ever?

1. …traveled outside of your home country?  If so, where?  

Yup, I love to travel.  I've been to Greece, Turkey, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), several places in USA and several places in Mexico!

2. …performed on stage in front of at least 1,000 people? If so, share some details!  

When I was a kid, I was in the choir and did the Festival of Trees performances often.  Never did get over my stage fright though!

3. …watched an episode of Jersey Shore?  

Unfortunately once.  It was a mistake I regret to this day.  That's an hour I'll never get back of my life.  It was like a train wreck, I couldn't look away.

4. …baked a cake from scratch?  If so, what’s your specialty?  

Many times.  Banana and carrot are my favs I'd say.

5. …worked in a grocery store?  

Nope.  I never ever wanted to work in the food industry in any way.

6. …dated someone who was your best friend first?  

Sort of.  Hubby and I met and tried dating for awhile and it was just the wrong time.  So we became best friends instead.  3 years later, we decided to give it another try and here we are married now 1.5 years :)

7. …made a difference in someone’s life during Christmas?  

I donate, I've worked at Santa's Anonymous wrapping presents for kids and stuff.  That's about it.

8. …been on TV?  

Yup a couple times.  Once for a troubleshooter thing because my ISP was screwing people over and they decided to interview me.  Another when I was a kid, they did a Christmas special for several families called "Yes there is a Santa Claus" as our parents were both union workers and had been on lockout for 18 months on strike.  The other unions and donations made it possible for us to have a pretty amazing Christmas for 6 kids!

9. …had cosmetic surgery?

I've had lasik surgery and weight loss surgery.  I don't really know if either are considered "cosmetic" to others so I've noted them but to me they were absolutely necessary and I wouldn't change those decisions for a second!

10. …learned a second language?  If so, what else do you speak?

All Canadians (pretty much) learn French in school.  I speak it haltingly and can understand it mostly.  I'm also teaching myself Spanish :)

Now it’s your turn.  I know it’s a busy week, but I hope you’ll take a few minutes to share your answers on your own blog.  And if you do, don’t forget to come back here to link up in the comments.  

Happy Monday friends!

Friend Makin Monday: How much weight have you lost?

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: http://www.alltheweigh.com/ so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: How Much Weight Have You Lost?  And what have you gained from losing it? (If you’re participating in FMM – and you’re not on a weight-loss journey, tell us about a powerful change you’ve made in your life!)

This time around:  I've lost 39 pounds so far.  I'm learning how to eat to live and eat the things my body needs.  I'm learning how to really listen to the cues my body is giving me and ignore the demons of head hunger.  My confidence is slowly returning and I'm not taking anything for granted this time around.  This truly IS the LAST TIME I'M LOSING WEIGHT!



Now it’s your turn!  Tell us about the changes you’ve experienced in your own life! And don’t forget to come back and link up! Happy Monday friends!!!