What's Your Secret?

Lately on Facebook, I've been seeing posts from some friends who have posted before and after pictures of their weight loss.  And it seems about every other comment says the same thing, "Congrats!  You look wonderful!  What's your secret?".  When I posted my 100 pounds lost pictures, I received the same comments and never thought a thing about it.  Until last night.

Someone I've known for a long time lost 100 pounds recently and they look AMAZING!  And as I'm looking at their pictures and making my comment of how fabulous they look, there they are.  The "Hey!  You look great!  How did you do it?!".  The "What's your secret?" and "Message me your diet plan!" comments.  And then it hit me.  Their secret is like every one else who has lost weight, HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION!  Those two words are the secret to any success.  There's no magic diet, no wonder food and there's surely no easy way out.  You have to WANT to lose weight, you have to WANT to better your life, you have to WANT to feel better.  So, basically what I'm saying is you have to WANT it.  It's kind of all or nothing, especially when it comes to weight loss surgery. 

Hard work and determination have been my secrets to my success.  My weight loss surgery was merely a tool to get me back on track and to keep me in check.  The rest has been up to me.  And it's up to you!  Whether you've had weight loss surgery or not, your success is YOURS!  So, the next time someone asks you what your secret is to weight loss, you tell them...HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION! 

 Until next time!

3 Years Ago...Yesterday

October 5 2010, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life.  To get control over my weight, my health and my life.  And that decision has been worth it!  All the pain, tears and smiles...worth it.  

I have lost friends along the way, gained inspiration in places I never thought possible and have become a stronger woman.  I have had struggles, disappointments and letdowns, but I didn't stop.  I still make bad food decisions and have diet soda when I should be having water, but I am only human.  But with the support of all of you, my family and friends I got thru it.

3 years and still going strong!

Yesterday was a nice sunny day (a little chilly, but hey, it's fall!) to have a surge-iversary (and yes, in the weight loss community that is a real word LOL) and it was a great night with a couple of close friends to celebrate my accomplishments.  

Today I'm just laying back and relaxing.  It's cloudy and cold out so that gives me a green light to sit around, right?  RIGHT?!  I'm all curled up in my heated blanket, have my dogs by my side and dinner is cooking in the crockpot.  I think I'm ready for the afternoon.

 Until next time!

Fall Is Finally Here!

Finally, Fall!

Fall, my favorite time of year, is finally here!  I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to show up, but with the rain last night and cooler temps today, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's here.  Along with Fall also comes one of my favorite holidays, Halloween!!!  I have been decorated outside for about 2 weeks now and am thinking I might do a little inside decorating this weekend.  I should have the time since I'm off work for 5 days.  Yep...5 days!  Not having to set the alarm clock for 4:45 is going to be so nice. 

Just a little bit of my outdoor decorations.

I think my biggest plan this weekend will be to get back on track and make Salads In A Jar.  This of course will require a trip to the grocery store, one of my most hated places to go *SIGH*  But it will be worth it in the end, I guess.  When it comes to grocery shopping, I can talk myself out of it in a heartbeat, but when it comes to Starbucks, I'm in the car headed East and I barely have my shoes on!  IF I end up going to the store, I'm also going to grab a couple of things to make Slow Cooker Brown Sugar and Garlic Chicken.  

Last weekend when I was out and about with the best-neighbor-ever Beth, I found some really yummy pumpkin flavored stuff.  I found Thomas' Pumpkin Spice Bagels and pumpkin spice cream cheese. They are pure heaven together.  I couldn't wait to try them, so I skipped the toaster and just went to town  ♥  I also made Pumpkin Spice Cake and Pumpkin Bread (both from 50 Canned Pumpkin Recipes from The Food Network Magazine ), so that makes me officially ready for Fall, right? 


The weather tonight in Iowa is supposed to be bumpy with some really bad storms headed our way.  The local news stations are saying that some of the big wig storm spotters are headed to Iowa for this "event", so I think after I get my hair done (more blonde, here I come!) I'm going to come back home and just wait for it to hit.  I will have plenty of veggies to wash and dry to get ready for my salads and I found this beer interesting, so I will be set!

Another Sign of Fall!

Before I go, I want to share these "awesome" pictures with you.  About a month ago, my best friend Gina and I, were at the mall and we found this store that had all things...retro.  It was a blast!  Here are a couple of pictures of our adventure in that store.  Enjoy!

This is my "I think I can rock these" face.

These were 30% off, but covered 50% of my face!!!

Well kids, I'm off!  I hope you all have a great rest of the day.  If you're in Iowa, stay safe and check in later either here or on my Facebook Page, let me know you're okay!


Until next time!