Smashing records, that's what we do.

This is totally a press release from the OAC because James writes them so fancy!

3-7-0.

Just wait until next year, guys.

-Beth

OBESITY ACTION COALITION’S 2^ND ANNUAL YOUR WEIGHT MATTERS NATIONAL CONVENTION BREAKS ATTENDANCE RECORDS AND EDUCATES AND INVIGORATES MORE THAN 370 INDIVIDUALS SEEKING EVIDENCE-BASED WEIGHT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Tampa, Fla. â€“ More than 370 individuals from 32 states throughout the nation attended the Obesity Action Coalition’s 2^nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, Rise to the Challenge, in Phoenix earlier this month. Education, advocacy and support, the core principles of the OAC’s mission, were fully represented during this year’s Convention, tagged “YWM2013” across social media.

The hundreds in attendance were treated to three days of evidence-based information on a variety of topics, such as food addiction, weight bias, self-perception and many more. Led by thought-leaders in the healthcare field, each educational session was presented by one of 37 distinguished experts dedicated to helping individuals gain a better understanding of how their weight impacts their health. In addition to the world-class education, YWM2013 offered attendees a busy Exhibit Hall with 30 exhibitors all showcasing products and services geared toward those affected by excess weight and obesity.

“The education at this year’s Convention was truly unbelievable. As a speaker, I was able to see first-hand how this Convention changed lives. It brought individuals to a new level of awareness. It broke down topics that are often avoided; however, frequently questioned by those affected by the disease of obesity. What makes Convention so special is that it creates a safe and welcoming environment that is free from judgment. In doing so, it allows individuals to feel comfortable and absorb all that Convention has to offer. Being a part of YWM2013 was simply an amazing experience,” said Robert Kushner, MD, Convention Program Agenda Co-Chair.

The OAC is thankful for all those who volunteered their time in both planning YWM2013 and helping onsite. Countless hours were dedicated to ensuring all attendees received an experience like nothing else out there in the way of education and support.

“Last year’s Inaugural Convention in Dallas was amazing. Being in my home state of Texas, it felt surreal to see so many individuals all in one place wanting to learn more about their weight. I honestly thought it was going to be difficult to top the Inaugural Convention; however, YWM2013 did just that – and more. YWM2013 connected people, and when I say ‘connected,’ I am not just talking about attendee-to-attendee. It gave us, the OAC Board of Directors, staff and others, the opportunity to engage with the attendees, learn more about them and their needs, and most of all – help them rise to their own personal challenges,” said Lloyd Stegemann, MD, FASMBS, Convention Program Agenda Co-Chair.

The tremendous success of YWM2013 would not have been possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors. The OAC would like to thank the 2013 National Sponsors for their generous support: Platinum – Eisai; Gold – Allergan and Vivus, Inc.; Silver – Covidien; Bronze – AmeriWell Bariatrics, Bari Life Bariatric Supplements, Bariatric Advantage, Celebrate Vitamins, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and Geisinger.

The OAC is excited to announce that the 3^rd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention will take place in Orlando, Fla., at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World, September 25-28, 2014. Information on next year’s Convention will be located at www.YWMConvention.com. 

The OAC is a National nonprofit charity dedicated to helping individuals affected by obesity. The OAC was formed to bring together individuals struggling with weight issues and provide educational resources and advocacy tools.

Running for beginners

I do not run.  I am not a beginning runner.  I am not even a jogger.  I may be inclined to say that I am a skipper.  I don't understand that "runner's high" that runners describe when they get moving long-term and feel their endorphins push through - because I haven't gotten that yet.  I am a walker.  I can walk for miles and miles.  I almost never feel the urge to run.  How is that for honesty?

But.  I may or may not have told someone that I like the svelte look of a runner's body.   (And that maybe someday I could try?)  Runner's legs are the shit.  Not runny shit.  Runner's legs.  You know, all tight and muscley.  

I saw this plan online today and realized that I could probably, maybe, perhaps handle this plan.  I do not need to run a 5K, a half-marathon, or ever become a triathlete, but two or three solid minutes in a row of jogging without DYING the DEAD?  Might be nice.

Telling my stories

I used to blog a lot and somewhere along the way I got my hand-slapped and I felt compelled to stop telling my stories.  I feel like the stories are coming back, bubbling to the surface and I'm going to have to write.  I am not exactly sure when I lost my 'words' but I am totally aware that I did, and I know I feel even torn posting about posting again, know this.

I saw a quote someplace that suggested that if you ever had a second thought about posting anything online - even for a second - that it probably should not go up. This made me second guess a lot of what I want to say, write, and half of what I start to post and take back.  

I also feel like I need to take a step back and reassess the things I want to put out there, the direction I want for my blog, my peers, my support group and where I was going with just me, you know?  I started all of this with just me, many years ago, for me.  Blogging filled a need at that time.

I also, honestly feel like everyone was jumping in the blog game trying to get a slice of this thing called work-at-home-luxurious living that they seem to think people like me have (...had?) and I sort of wanted out. I had people telling me that "folks trying to be like you, Beth."

But if they were, they'd be housebound and unemployed*, be jealous, bitch can't even get a gallon of milk, and I am reminded of this ALL DAY LONG.  

Somedays I feel like an ass because I have women posting things like, "You're my inspiration!" when I am over here thinking about that other woman who probably thinks "It's because she has all that free time to work on herself" when in reality my life is pretty ...

...much like yours, except much more boring.  

Please don't assume.

*PS.  Now I remember why I began.  

 

RNY patients after gastric bypass surgery have lower brain-hedonic responses to food than after gastric banding

RNY patients lose more than gastric band patients, and this study hypothesizes that RNY patients "think" differently about food.

As a ten-year RNY patient - I scream - AYE!  FOR THE LOVE OF DOG DO NOT FEED ME ICE CREAM!

It's called DUMPING SYNDROME, our brains learn to connect certain foods to the reactions they might or will cause, which is a learned behavior, and our brains react, which can be SEEN on an MRI machine.  Twitch.  Twitch.  (And, no, many people never ever learn.)

Amazing.

Study -

• http://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2013/08/20/gutjnl-2013-305008.full

Objectives Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has greater efficacy for weight loss in obese patients than gastric banding (BAND) surgery. We hypothesise that this may result from different effects on food hedonics via physiological changes secondary to distinct gut anatomy manipulations.

Design We used functional MRI, eating behaviour and hormonal phenotyping to compare body mass index (BMI)-matched unoperated controls and patients after RYGB and BAND surgery for obesity.

Results Obese patients after RYGB had lower brain-hedonic responses to food than patients after BAND surgery. RYGB patients had lower activation than BAND patients in brain reward systems, particularly to high-calorie foods, including the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens and hippocampus. This was associated with lower palatability and appeal of high-calorie foods and healthier eating behaviour, including less fat intake, in RYGB compared with BAND patients and/or BMI-matched unoperated controls. These differences were not explicable by differences in hunger or psychological traits between the surgical groups, but anorexigenic plasma gut hormones (GLP-1 and PYY), plasma bile acids and symptoms of dumping syndrome were increased in RYGB patients.

Conclusions The identification of these differences in food hedonic responses as a result of altered gut anatomy/physiology provides a novel explanation for the more favourable long-term weight loss seen after RYGB than after BAND surgery, highlighting the importance of the gut–brain axis in the control of reward-based eating behaviour.

You don't need a gym.

We usually do head to the gym, but tonight was the first night of football practice, so we walked and ran and played while the boy did this:

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Hello maintenance or the no-stress apathetic no-diet plan for long term WLS patients.

Ten thousand - #YWM2013

Understanding and Managing Food #Addiction (and SUGAR!) Livestream Video Via Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)

• Absolutely worth the watch if you like good brain food.

• Dr. Nicole Avena is a research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet and addiction. She received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Psychology from Princeton University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular biology at The Rockefeller University in New York City. She has published over 50 scholarly journal articles, as well as several book chapters and a book, on topics related to food, addiction, obesity and eating disorders. She also edited the book, Animal Models of Eating Disorders (2012) and has a popular book of food and addiction coming out in 2014 (Ten Speed Press). Her research achievements have been honored by awards from several groups including the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Psychological Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Eating Disorders Association. She also maintains a blog, Food Junkie, with Psychology Today.

• http://www.facebook.com/DrNicoleAvena

#YWM2013 Photoshow

• Photos from #YWM2013
• Your Weight Matters Convention 
• Costume Party Beach Movie Theme - hence MM in shark, uh, mess
• Team Bariatric Bad Girls 
• #BBGC Raises Nearly SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS for the Walk From Obesity National Event for the SECOND YEAR in a ROW! GO TEAM BBGC! 
• Two years of National Walks = $14,000!
• Thanks to everyone who donated - you're all eligible for prizes!
• See you in September 2014 in ORLANDO, FLORIDA!

 

Again, Because We Can.

 

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Save. The. Date.

Bariatric Advantage Ultra Multi Formula with Iron

Bariatric Advantage Ultra Multi Formula with Iron

From Bariatric Advantage a capsule supplement taken three times a day - with no chewing necessary.

Impressive Stats.

Powerful nutrition in 3 capsules! Our newest encapsulated multi formula is the highest potency member of our multi family of products.

Designed to meet the latest guidelines* just add one of our great selection of calcium products and you are ready to go for the day.

Contains a full 3000 IU vitamin D3, 400 mg Magnesium, 45 mg Iron, and a unique phytonutrient blend to support good health.

You also get at least 200 % DV for all the B vitamins, a full range of trace minerals, and all four fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) in water-miscible forms.

Our new Ultra Formula is a great choice for anyone who wants the benefits of great nutrition with nothing to chew.

• Via - Bariatric Advantage 
• Use my code if you'd like -  
• 
  
  
• Price - $19.95 for 90, $49.95 for 270
• Pros - No chewing, everything but calcium is in this dose
• Cons - None that I can see
• Rating - Pouchworthy, I am waiting to see if I can handle the size to swallow them - I am sure they are fine.

Save. The. Date.

Via OAC -

"The OAC thanks all those who attended and participated in YWM2013, making it an incredibly successful and motivating event. We extend our gratitude to this year's sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and all those who helped make the Convention possible. We are proud to announce the 2014 date and location and hope that you will mark your calendars to join us for YWM2014!"

• September 25 - 28, 2014 - Orlando, Florida

Watch for my next posts for photos, recaps, and more.  Because.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  - Margaret Mead

$2850

We are SO VERY CLOSE.  We are pretty much single-handedly attempting to get the Walk From Obesity over ten thousand dollars.  Can you help?

Puppy face photo here, because I cannot get anything to upload.  Pwease?  PWETTY PWEASE?

 

Watch #YWM2013 Livestream!

2013 OAC Convention E-news Alert!

Not in Phoenix at #YWM2013?

You can watch the live stream!

Check it out!

• 2013 OAC Convention E-news Alert!

RTD Mocha Decaf

• Find NEW ProJoe Decaf at Bariatric Advantage Now!  Click to protein!

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Post bariatric food apathy or obsession

Ten thousand - #YWM2013

The Phoenix Walk from Obesity is being held in conjunction with the Obesity Action Coalition’s 2^nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention in Phoenix next weekend.  Myself along many members of the Bariatric Bad Girls Club will be in attendance as we were last year - because the OAC is our group's non-profit of choice and we support the cause.

Last year, as part of our supporting the cause the Bariatric Bad Girls Club raised more than $7100 toward the Walk From Obesity in Dallas and we are very proud of that!  We've raised thousands over the years - for the cause.

This year were  hoping to raise more than last year - but it has not been easy.  

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.” 
― Debbie Macomber, One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity

I challenge you to help us get the entire event to it's goal instead - to $10,000.  It's just 33% away!

It would not take much to get us to the event total if more people helped with tiny donations!  

We got most of it done already, we can get it done!

*Anyone whom donates under my name (Beth Sheldon-Badore) is eligible for prizes later, drawings will happen here.  

 

Freeze. Dance.

I went for an iron infusion yesterday, number whatever of many - and this happened in the car on the way home.

• We're still seeking donations to help get the Walk From Obesity Event to the EVENT GOAL - if you'd like to help out - click here.  I want you to notice that my team has raised $5330.00 of the total!  Thank you very, very much.  xoxo

Protein Popsicles

Other Delicious Flavor Combinations to Try:
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS:

• 1 packet of Fat Free, Sugar Free Jell-0 Instant Pudding Mix

• 12-14 ounces (1 & 1/2 - 1 & 3/4 cups) fat free skim milk

• 2 packets or 4 scoops of ENS + Protein from Celebrate Vitamins 

INSTRUCTIONS:

*Pour fat-free skim milk into large mixing bowl

*Add 1 packet of Fat Free, Sugar Free Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix

*Add 2 packets or 4 scoops of ENS + Protein

*Mix well (preferably with electric mixer)

*Carefully pour or spoon into standard size popsicle molds 

*Freeze and enjoy!

- MM Celebrate ENS Review

Yes. Yes. Yes.

• Walk From Obesity - Phoenix, AZ - Donate Now!
• Join us!
• Thank YOU!

Graham Elliot is looking good!

Via People.com

Graham Elliot of Masterchef has dropped more than fifty pounds since undergoing gastric sleeve surgery last month.

Way to go, Graham!

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Make it stop.

Please make me stop doing this. Want to know how?

Hey, don't judge, I don't see you trying.

Make a donation of ANY size to the Walk From Obesity!  We are SO close to goal, please help?  All donations are eligible for prizes from OAC via me.  Thanks!

 

Vlogging again? And failing my brain test!

Vlogging again, and failing my WADA test, and more!

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Bad dreams and bouncing ships and real estate in Maine

Do you buy brand-names or generic?

Bad dreams and bouncing ships and real estate in Maine

I don't sleep well in an empty-ish house.  I have nightmares that are frighteningly realistic when there's nobody in my bed.  The positive is that I quickly forget them if I get OUT of bed and do something.  I will not analyze this last one - and I am going to blame my daughter for renting a very disturbing movie last night that must have crept inside my subconscious.  

SHIVER.

My younger kids and spouse took off to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg for the last few days.  They're currently en route home -- it is a long. drive. home.

I did not go for a couple reasons - first off - my dog just spent a week at a sitter's house because we went on a cruise and we would have had to board her again.  She promptly came home and pooped on the carpet.  

Next, this trip was sort of unplanned -- Dad and kids were planning to go white water rafting (which I was not planning to join them on... rafting would have been fun, however my youngest was too little to join) and they had canceled that trip and made this one last minute and sort of just went on the fly.  

I do not do well on amusement park rides, in fact I don't go on them at all.  To bring this a bit on the topic of WLS, sure I understand that a huge part of many people's journeys is to "fit on a rollercoaster again!"  

But for me? 

Oh. hell. naw.  I do fit.  I didn't fit for a time.  I don't care that I fit.  It was never a "non-scale victory" in my mind because I didn't care to go back, you know?

I never, ever enjoyed rides as a big girl.  Disney -- Waterparks -- all of it -- LOATHE. THEM.  I enjoy them much much less now.  

I believe that the epilepsy diagnoses and subsequent antiseizure medications make movement-dizziness and perception much more of a problem than it was prior to seizures and meds.  This became crystal clear on our recent cruise of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, where I became visually sea-sick every time I saw the waves and felt the ship bump.  My brains - eyes - can't handle the disconnect anymore.  It took nearly a week to stop feeling the ship move in my head, so getting on a ride to make that feeling happen on purpose is not really enticing to me.

I do miss taking photographs in parks like Busch - and while being a tourist - but hate to waste the $$.$$ on getting me in the park just to be the event timeline photographer.  (Which is often my role in any location with moving parts.)

Anyway while they were off, I went to the neurologist to update about my failed WADA test and redo ...(separate post to come, my brains are special!) and a quick trip to Maine with my parents and oldest daughter.

We visited Ogunquit, ME and the Nubble Lighthouse.  I've decided that fore a mere several million dollars, I could live in either location, thanks.