koriwatkins92-blog

[koriwatkins92-blog]

So it has been a HOT MINUTE since I have been on here, and for that I have a good explanation for. So go grab a snack, maybe a drink and get comfy. 

I had my RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery July 24, 2017. My highest weight was 305lbs my weight of surgery was 289lbs. I currently weight 255. So IN TOTAL I have lost 50lbs!!! I know.. EXCITING! But things only get better. 

After I lost this weight I started to think about my life and where I am at. If you know me, school has been a constant struggle for me. I did graduate High School but nothing too much further. So with the support of not only my friends and family but with the main support of my boyfriend, I have been re enrolled at Stayer University!! What makes this so exciting is not just getting back into the grind of getting a degree but that I will be considered an online student AND I can use their campus anytime for anything! This makes me so stoked because tutoring with certain subjects (Math) is going to be extremely helpful. 

Strayer has me so excited to get back into the school vibe not only because of everything they offer and everyone being so amazing and nice, but did you know Strayer gives you a NEW LAPTOP??? Right?!? How cool!! No excuses for anything! SO for those looking for a University, I highly recommend this school. [For those who are curious, the degree I am working towards is a Bachelors in Business Administration]. 

My goal is to work for a prestige company and to one day start a business with my boyfriend. We are still looking as to what we want to get into, but, hey.. you gotta start somewhere.

It amazes me how this weight loss surgery has changed my mentality and life in such a short time. If I was given a single re-do, I would do this surgery over and over again with ZERO hesitation. 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

Hey Kori! I'm Taisha. Tai, for short. I wanted to reach out to you about a post you made saying you were being put down by someone for wanting to prioritize yourself. I feel you on that one 😔. The VERY few people I mentioned the surgery to weren't supportive at all. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. "You're so young" "try this and that" as if surgery was my 1st and only option I've considered. I guess we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. Anyway, I'm here if you need someone! 💕

Hey Tai!! I am so sorry, I just got this message. You reaching out truly made my day because you couldn’t be more right! In my case, it was my “best friend”. I put that in quotes because a true best friend should be there through good, bad, hell or high water. Jealousy is a truly ugly thing. HOLY MOO COW, YES! The amount of times I get the “OMG, youre so young, I mean how much weight do you want to lose?” or the famously ugly comment “But when you lose the weight youre going to look sick” really takes the cake every time. I am now 9 days post-op and all I can say is I FEEL GREAT. No matter the sly comments, becuase as far as im concerned, they can watch my [slowly getting fit] butt walk! LOL

I would love to keep in touch!! I have been recently thinking about starting a YouTube channel about this topic because since I have gotten this, so many of my other friends and random people n the store have been thinking about this surgery, which is GREAT! I just dont think many people know much about it.. Still debating... 

Oh my gosh.. so sorry for the novel, lol. I am always here for you too chick! 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

This past week has officially been the week of my life! My RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery was Monday July 24 at 10 AM. It went AMAZING. 6 days later, I am in no pain, walking TONS and drinking tons and tons of liquids. Now I am having a hard time keeping my protein down because my taste buds did change, so the ones I bought [Premier Strawberry and Cream] I hate now, lol.  

Walking is my life now. If I ever feel cramped, groggy or just not myself, walking has helped me get back to my normal self.  

But lets take a moment to break down the honesty wall. I have heard from SO MANY PEOPLE that after this surgery you are not hungry... THAT IS A LIE!! I am hungry and so so ready for real food!! I am not rushing it.. but dang!! Being on this liquid diet for going on 4 weeks total is beyond a pain in the butt, but still extremely worth it! 

I started this journey in Feb 2017 at 293 lbs. I gained weight between then and June maxing me at 305 lbs. The day of surgery I weighed 284 lbs, and 5 days after surgery I lost 8lbs putting me at 277 lbs. I have gone through a LOT of weight change but all for the better! I already feel better and can notice the physical change on me. 

I am so excited to see this journey go on throughout my life and an extra perk is my cousin is getting married in October, so to see the change between now and then is going to be exciting. Another small perk is I turn 25 August 16 so another small goal for me to see the change <3 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

It does not take much to be nice to someone.

These past few days at work have been a breeze, really helping me keep my mind off of food and my cravings. I have made small talk like I always do with my guests and a few of our regulars. I decided to share my journey with others to not only get input or advice but just to share and maybe encourage others to not only do what you want in life but to remind them that making yourself a priority is a great thing. In the mist of all of this positivity, I get a “EW, you are so young, I don’t understand why you would get this. Like, how much do you wanna lose?” OK.... this comment caught me off guard and made me immediately defensive, but i stayed quiet and went on with work, 

The reason why I am bringing this up is to share how not OK this is. For one, if you do not know the persons life or medical information, don’t assume! Two, how rude!  Look... I am having a hard time with this as it is, going through this alone most of the time and having to make major decisions with my life. This is something I did not just wake up and chose to do... Being healthy is my goal, not how skinny I become.

All in all, I just wish people would work on their positivity vs negativity. It takes way more energy to be nasty then nice. Plus, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all. :) 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

One More Week!

Today marks my one week!! I have one more week of this liquid diet and this time next Monday I will be in the hospital hopefully up and walking around! The excitement I have in absolutely unreal. I have my family coming here and my boyfriend by my side along with a best friend. I am so incredibly blessed. 

My nerves are due to the unknown, like the pain, the new feeling, the new me. But again, don’t get it twisted because I am so so excited and so beyond ready. i have wanted this for many many years and now that the day is finally coming up, I just cant believe it!! 

Today, I joined a gym/aquatic center and all the things I will be doing to full fill my dream is all finally coming to life. My goal is to become a weight lifter. No, I am not looking to become a bodybuilder but to weight lift with my man would be incredible!

My boyfriend is my absolute best friend. He has supported me 1000% since day one. He has lifted me up when I’ve been down, he helps me shop for my health goods, and he is wanting to be healthier too. Its incredible what doing this for me has done for us and our life. Together we are a team and I am beyond bless to have him to call mine. 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

What are you craving??? Since I started this all liquid diet, I am CRAVING so so badly avocado, egg and toast! Cravings are the worst especially when you can't seem to shake them..

[koriwatkins92-blog]

FOOD!!

I am officially on day three of my no food, all liquid diet and I feel so weak. Not eating is not so hard to do when you are busy, it is when you are bored when times get tough.. 

Currently, I am drinking Premier Protein Shake [Strawberry and Cream]. I have also been eating sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, broth and tons and tons of water with crystal light. 

Since starting this diet, my body has gone through what I feel is shock. I have had major headaches, my body is weak and my speech has changed, meaning my tongue has been shaking a lot and it is hard for me to speak without really concentrating. 

When I started my journey I weighed 293. Since then I gained 12lbs making me 305. Now that I am on this diet, my current weight is 291 and dropping. I am happy that I am loosing on this diet but it is tough sometimes. The key is to stay strong and keep your eye on the prize.

 When I am feeling weak, I reach out to friends and family and not only talk about my struggle but I talk about their life and their struggles. It keeps my mind off what I craving even if it is cake , HAHA! 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

How to Crochet an Oval - Free pattern and Video tutorial that also explains how to continue increasing. http://www.bhookedcrochet.com/2017/07/02/crochet-oval/

[koriwatkins92-blog]

Today is my last day!

Tomorrow, July 10, marks the day I am officially 2 weeks away from my surgery!!! This girl couldn't be more excited, anxious and ready! So much is happening and going to be changing for the better. Cheers to a new life, a better future and a second chance.

[koriwatkins92-blog]

Because sharing the love is the way life should be❤️

[koriwatkins92-blog]

The things I do to keep my hands busy so I'm not craving goodies.

[koriwatkins92-blog]

Moving Forward

I am officially on day two of my 16 day liquid diet. Sure, you could say I'm strong, or that you couldn't do it but it's really not nearly as bad as I thought it would have been. Yes, I do crave food and my stomach growls often BUT the flax seed I put in my meal supplements and protein supplement helps so much and I recommend this to everyone looking to be healthy. Flax seed has shown evidence of lowering ones risk of heart disease, cancer stroke and diabetes. THIS IS NOT A CURE but has shown to help these things. A huge reason as to why I love it so much while being on this diet is that it's crunchy! My shakes now feel like I'm actually eating and fulfills my crave to crunch and chew. If you are getting this surgery and have gone through everything like I have, this diet is NOTHING. If you are just dieting, try the flax seed, it just be the little change you need in your diet.

[koriwatkins92-blog]

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Lets take a moment and be honest. I have not written here for a little while because I have been taking some much needed “Me Time” [working 80 hour weeks] to attempt to get my life together and ready for my surgery. 

First off.. when I started this journey I weighed 293lbs. Since February I have sadly gained weight and currently weigh 305... THE STRUGGLE! Well the reality of this delema is in 7 days I have to be back down to CLOSE too 293... I started my un-wanted liquid diet early so lets pray this helps. 

I do not regret this process or wanting to get this done AT ALL but the stress is absolutely real!! Not only with maintaining your weight and sticking to the diet but it is also stressful due to the people not supporting me along with going out of their way to bring me down... That is a HUGE reason why I started blogging and still thinking about making videos because not having support is devastating and can truly tear a person apart. 

At the end of the day, the truth is that you are your greatest support! Only you know what is best for you and what you want and need in your life. No matter how stressed things may get, do not lose sight in your goals and your strength. You are what matters, no one else! <3 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

Don’t judge me! Enjoying my last few Cokes before I start my 2 week all liquid diet which only consists of water [of course] protein shakes, broth and sugar free Popsicle’s!! Yes you read that right!! I can at least have {Popsicle’s} It truly is the little things in life. 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

[koriwatkins92-blog]

Do this for YOU!

I read a post just a few minutes ago that I could not agree more with! People getting this surgery and taking all the precautions and going to MULTIPLE doctors, getting poked at, tested and taking psych tests are NOT doing all of these things to become what society feels is attractive, “HOT”, or “SEXY”.  

I being a larger woman, openly 300 lbs feel extremely sexy and hot the way I am; 1000%. I, myself, am getting this surgery to LIVE! To be healthy and to add on years to my life! So for those people with their heads up their asses, No.. I am not excited, by any means, to be more “attractive”. I am getting a piece of my stomach removed and going through PAIN to LIVE.  

I am not normally so harsh or “hateful” but these comments people make about my looks or others looks after the surgery is insane. YES! Compliments are GREAT! “WOW, you look great, keep it up!” This is acceptable but lets all be a little sensitive to the idea that this individual you are telling will “finally be hot” is getting sliced and cut to be HEALTHY! 

[koriwatkins92-blog]

“you’re gonna be so hot in a few months”

“So many guys are gonna want you in like a year”

yes

because I cut off half of my stomach and rearranged my fucking intestines so I could be hot and have the approval of a bunch of scumbag guys who didn’t look at me twice before yep that’s why

wow people say the most ignorant shit