Vim's Umbrella - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Vim&Vigour · 09-14-2008, 02:05 AM

Well, Friday I had a double celebration: my beloved brother and his family were coming to London for the weekend. I had not seen him since October 07, two months before my surgery. At a time when I was "huge"!.
This particular brother is THE one who encouraged me, "pushed" me to have my RNY. How immensely grateful I am to him for his concern, love and support (and lack of encouragement - he does not "go on and on" about anything once decisions have been taken by others - he "respects" their need for "space"!).
I did get a WOW from him, a wolf whistle - meaning extra much coming from him. Now, THAT was worth gold!
AND, it could not have happened on a more propicious day: Friday I was no longer OBESE! Not Morbidly Obese, Obese III, II or even I - NADA! I am "only" OVERWEIGHT! FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS!!!
So, Vim is one happy girl!
AND this weekend, we have had more sunshine than during all August!
Hugs to all
From a Happy Vim!

Vim&Vigour · 09-15-2008, 01:13 AM

I am distressed by the number of marriages breaking up. All the TTF Members whom I am reading about appear to be sufficiently strong to weather their life hurricane, leaving or being left.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to have my surgery as self-pay. I only really had this opportunity thanks to inheriting from my mother last year. She would have been pleased to know that the hard earned capital she left behind was put to a healthy good use. Not squandered... the idea of the surgery would not have sat easily with her - at 89, she was part of a generation where you "pulled yourself together", "made an effort", "had some discipline in the first place", even though she was incredibly broad-minded. But some of the old-fashioned values held fast.
Back to marriages... am I one of the rare ones on here who actually married for LOVE? We have recently celebrated 25 magical years. We have been "poor as church mice" but rich to each other. Only OmahaJim and SWMBO spring immediately to my mind as a seemingly "happily married couple". (Of course, the "significant other" need not be a spouse).
So, what will become of us all in the face of adversity - I mean recession? This one is on a global, frightening scale. If our emotional lives are so difficult apart from the world financial crisis, whatever will it be once we struggle to make ends meet? Will relationships stick together in order to share costs of living and either fester or by force cohabitation be given a chance to improve?
Those that have taken the steps for wls have been inspired by a strong survival instinct and the desire to change what can be changed. It is obviously not for everyone, but we seem to have a strong sense of wanting to make it. Not necessarily for any specific reason, but because we want to LIVE. How fortunate we are to have understood how to remedy our crippling situations and that we are willing and able to actually do something about it. Efforts to achieve results will vary among us, but we are on a common path of survival. If we have managed to come this far, surely, once we have had a successful surgery we are even more EMPOWERED. We are LEADERS! We are blessed with a second chance. We need to continue looking out for ourselves to maintain our strengths in order to continue to give - as we always have - to others. Only, this time, we are better equipped, have better understanding. May we be brave enough, tough enough and supportive enough to hold others above water in what is surely to become very troubled times. United we stand! Let us really do the BEST WE can, wherever and whenever WE CAN!
Cheers,
Vim

Vim&Vigour · 09-15-2008, 03:45 PM

What happens if we consume a vast quantity of protein?
In the UK, the idea is that you should consume 1/1.5 grammes protein per kilo body weight if you are fit and healthy
2 grammes protein if you are pregnant or recovering from an illness
3 grammes if you have had wls.
As you decrease your weight, obviously your protein intake reduces gradually too...
I have for each breakfast a 53.4 grammes protein shake which actually tastes nice and which lasts for 2.5/3 hours! I might have a protein bar mid-morning and another one mid-afternoon, each 20.4 making my daily protein supplement 94.20 grammes protein, "only" just under a third of my daily intake. Only that feels like LOADS of protein as it is! My food intake will add a bit, but probably not that much...
Any ideas?
Thank you!
Cheers,
Vim

Vim&Vigour · 09-25-2008, 01:33 AM

I'm going to be a granny!

No, not the white-haired, rim-spectacled, stick carrying kind...
Neither the baking, cooking and lullaby-singing kind either...
No, instead, the supportive, understanding, background, observing and rescuing kind...
Our 20 year old daughter has just found out she is expecting for early May. Not what I had had in mind for her and her boyfriend, but that is the way it is. All I can do, after days and days of trying to talk sense and reality into her, is to nurture her and stand by her.
She is voluntarily walking down the path of struggles and difficulties and restrictions, financial, emotional and time wise. She has promised to finish her studies to obtain her qualifications, something meaningful to her in more ways than one. Her boyfriend is a lovely lad, but both are terribly, terribly young...
I have not even finished parenting my own 3 children's immediate needs! Obviously, once a mother, always a mother...
So, thankfully I have my wls behind me, a strong new outlook on life and the new-found improved confidence and "quiet" within me to take on this life changing situation!
It is an extraordinary feeling to know that my own creation of flesh and blood is continuing through a grandchild. May God look after my family.
Now my daughter and boyfriend are looking to set up home together... That too is another chapter...
Cheers,
Vim

Rubydoo · 09-25-2008, 02:39 AM

Congratulations Vim on discovering your going to be a granny. Such exciting times ahead for you and your daughter. xx

oregoncora · 09-25-2008, 04:24 AM

Hello Vim. I wanted to talk about a couple of things you mentioned in this thread.

Congratulations on the upcoming grandchild. Yes, it is hard to see our children start families at such a tender age. We would like to see them reach some personal goals and not take on such a major change in life without having more experience behind them. It sounds to me like she is fortunate indeed to have you as a mother, to be there when she needs your help or advice. For you there will be the joy that fills your heart when you again have young children in your life that are not just any children, but from your offspring.

I too despair when I see marriages fall apart. I think the answer is not just to love and be loved but to have respect and compromise as a way of life.

Yes, I married for love. I was barely 15 and my husband two days shy of 17. I was pregnant but I was also in love. Not the mature love that a long marriage brings but love as I knew it. I was married for almost 46 years before my husband died. If he was still here I know he would be happy to join me in the weight loss journey I am preparing for. Instead I have our 4 daughters. And today I had the pleasure of having my 4 year old great grandson and 7 year old great grandaughter brighten my day for a few hours. The circle of love that my husband and I had is never ending. All of you should be so lucky.

Vim&Vigour · 09-25-2008, 05:07 AM

Thank you Rubydoo! And coming from a BruggeBabe!!!

Cora,
If anyone understands, you do!
Thank you so much for your "story" - it is of great comfort and reassurance. Yes, I too married for love (at 25 he 36) and thankfully my daughter and boyfriend seem genuinely to care and love each other, relative to their age and experience. Your situation made sense to my husband...
So, now off onto a new learning journey!
Hugs,
Vim

Omaha Jim · 09-25-2008, 08:16 AM

Lucky! I so desire to be a Papa as soon as I can. Congrats my friend. You will be a fabulous Gramama - maybe we should call you Glamour-ma!!

Vim&Vigour · 09-25-2008, 08:31 AM

Thank you Jim!
Yes, the news is hot and stunning... I am secretly as thrilled as I am worried...
When is "your" wedding taking place?
When are you both moving?
Cheers my Friend,
Vim

Godsblessedme · 09-25-2008, 07:40 PM

awww Congratulations nana Vim

you will be one vigerous granny