So fellow sleevers and to-be sleevers. Since I started the weight loss surgery journey back in Jan of 2011, I had so many people asking me about dieting and exercise along the way and I would try to supply them with some kind of information to help. I'd like to think I had some influence on at least one or two people, my aunt has lost something like 70 lbs by following the diet that I was given pre-op to lose the required amount of weight for surgery. My parents seek advice, as well as a few friends also. For some reason I had thought that people wouldn't ask any of this of me. I think I still feel like "everyone" feels I took the easy way out, which whatever they think is fine with me. If someone thinks I took the easy way out then they don't know me enough to be a true friend or family member to understand what I have gone through not only this past year, but my entire life for me to make such a huge decision. But anyways, I'm always smiling underneath when someone asks me for advice because I love to share my ideas, recipes, and tricks for diet and exercise. I've been talking to my husband, about possibly trying to link my nursing license with some kind of nutrition certificate or degree. I've looked briefly online with no luck yet, but I would love to help people looking to lose weight get through it, with or without surgery. I think that by simply being there one on one with a person and talking to them every day or so or going through their pantry or whatever they need to be motivated would be my dream job. I know for one, I hated going to my dieticians appointments because here are these skinny minnies who probably have never had a weight problem thier whole like trying to tell me how to eat and lose weight. If I could help someone by sharing my own experiences and such and my own tricks... oh man.. I think I found my calling.. LOL.

Another part of it is that I LOVE to cook. Part of me wishes I had chosen a career in culinary because I absolutely love to cook new things and try new things. Since my surgery I've been very very careful though. I've almost been afraid to cook. But I'm starting to change my view on recipes and trying new but healthier recipes that are higher in protein and veggies and less in fat and calories. My parents have suggested that I start some kind of service to help people lose weight by offering "fast food" or home delivered healthy based meals. So for the working person who wants to lose weight and goes to buy all the healthy stuff and loads the fridge with veggies and such, but most of the time throws them out rotten because at the end of the day take out is so much better, they could instead call and order a healthy but fulfilling meal. I've been contemplating a lot and I think I may be on to something here, but I just need to pull it together I think...