Freedom2Thrive

This post is for anyone looking for a mentor to help support them through their weight-loss journey! I am 6-years post-bypass (pics below) and as a veteran looking back the one thing I wish I had more than anything was an accountability partner for support at any point throughout my journey, Whether it be: A simple hello Advice on how to manage a balanced and healthy lifestyle (recipes, food substitutions, health products) Information and advice on how to manage a recent complication you've been experiencing I am here to offer my ear and provide you with my knowledge and expertise to help you reach your health goals Remember that we're all worth it and we were born with the #freedom2thrive

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him. He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds. It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose. In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life. It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life. He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received. He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle. He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

My cells have been singing all morning! love love love this grapefruit goodness blend! It's low-glyemic, and packed with loads of nutrients! Guaranteed to give you plenty of energy for the entire day! Grapefruit promotes our liver's production of glutathione, our body's major antioxidant, and supports healthy detoxification!!! Grapefruit Goodness Smoothie Refreshing yet tart with an essence of sweetness 🌿 1 cup of water or freshly brewed and cooled organic green tea (1 tsp green tea matcha powder works too) 🌿 4-5 leaves of Dandelion Greens (or dark lettuce leaves or spinach leaves) 🌿 1/2 organic cucumber (with skin if organic) 🌿 1/2 pink or red grapefruit, peeled and seeded 🌿 1/2 cup of cilantro 🌿 1 cup of ice cubes 🌿 1/4 tsp of cinnamon or nutmeg *optional* 🌿 Scoop of plant-based protein powders *optional* Please message me for more info about the health benefits or how you can make this recipe even more friendly for your weight goals #freedom2thrive

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him. He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds. It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose. In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life. It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life. He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to giveback and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received. He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle. He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

As a 16 year old having bypass surgery I was approached by many people who were either supportive or toxic. I say toxic because making the decision to undergo WLS is not something easily decided and many people try to persuade you out of it. It required a huge team of thinkers (including me) coming together to create a plan that would help me live my best life! A lot of people can't see what were trying to do because they lack empathy and they are scared for us, and fear manifests itself in many different ways (anger, anxiety, negativity), and yes it's true we could die on the table but we can also get hit by a bus, That's just life. 6 years out and looking back now I can say it was the best decision I ever made. I came to realize that there are three types of people in the world. People who: 1. Make things happen (Oprah, you and me) 2. Watch things happen (the spectators, the one's that root for us to fail) 3. Look at their life and say "what just happened" (the victims) You should feel soo proud of yourself for making a step in the right direction for yourself and the lives of the people around you. However you or any of you choose to move forward know that you're not alone and we're all hear to support you

Congratulations on starting this incredible journey!

What a lovely read! I don't think I'll be able to drink the diabetic Boost meal replacements ever again lol. It's soo interesting how things change and people change once you decide to say yes to a better life. Human nature is odd but take it for what it is and smile. You're surrounded by love and friends here Welcome!

Looking absolutely amazing! Keep up the great work

I completely agree with everything posted above! ^ I know how you feel! In the beginning the weight was melting off and then there was a little period where I started to stabilize. I got it going again by focusing on keeping my metabolism strong. Stick with things and hang in there girl! Rome wasn't built in a day

You're a rockstar and you look absolutely stunning! It brings me soo much joy to see success and happiness on the face of other bariatric buddies. Truly an inspiration!