Let me be the first to welcome you to Stop Weighting, Start Doing! I’m Nicky, and I’m here to help you through the weight loss surgery process. I’ll be with you every step of the way, from your pre-op requirements to your post-op lifestyle. This process is challenging, but it is so worth it.
My Story
How do I know? You see, I started my weight loss surgery journey in November of 2017. I weighed in at a hefty 428 pounds at my heaviest. I knew I had to make a change, or I was headed for a very wide, very early grave. Little did I know when I started, so many other things in my life would be changing too.
A few months into my pre-op journey, I decided to leave my abusive marriage. Taking care of myself and finding my worth again made me realize how toxic and unhappy I was in my marriage. It gave me the strength to move on with my life, but I was concerned it would affect my weight loss. I’ve always been an emotional eater, so I made myself a promise. If I start gaining weight as a result of the pending divorce, I would put surgery on hold.
However, I wanted surgery so bad I would have done nearly anything to get it. There was no way I was going to let my abusive ex-husband take it away from me, not after he’d taken so much else. So I trudged forward and found my inner strength that I didn’t know existed.
I also went through other life changes that first year. I moved, had my vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, found out I’d be losing my job of seven years due to lay offs, got a new job and had my identity stolen. I’ve lost over 220 pounds through it all, so I have some great information about staying on track even during those tough times.
Passing on the Lessons
I’m not telling you this story to make you feel sorry for me. Quite the opposite, actually. I want you to see that I had to go through these tough times so I could take the lessons I learned and pass them onto you.
When I first started my process, I was looking for a resource that would tell me what happens at all these appointments we have to go to, tips for dealing with emotional eating, suggestions for getting started with exercise and some place to provide the answers I wanted. I couldn’t find anything that fit the bill. So I created it, and Stop Weighting, Start Doing was born.
I have so many tips and tricks to get you through the hardest and best moments of weight loss surgery. Through God’s amazing grace, I was strong enough to handle the toughest of situations. Let me pass some of that strength onto you. I’ll be the resource for you that I couldn’t find. Let me be your strength when you’re weak, your inspiration when you want to give up, and your answers when you have questions.
What You’ll Find Here
This Web site is broken down into a few different sections. Each one offers information, advice, hope and support for you as you journey through weight loss surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery
In this category, you’ll find specific information about doctor appointments, pre-op testing, how to make lifestyle changes and information about getting support through your surgery. This section is basically the foundation of this site, and will give you the information you need to get through the somewhat long process to get surgery.
Suggested Posts:
- Seven Simple Changed Helped Me Lose 46 Pounds
- The Appointment that Changed my Life!
- The 14 Must-Have Appointments for Weight Loss Surgery
- Seven Steps to Kick Your Soda Habit For Good
Food
We still have to eat, right? The food section will provide you with information about meal prep, what to eat during the different stages of your post-op diet, as well as healthy, delicious recipes that are protein-packed.
Suggested Posts:
- Automate Your Meals to Eliminate Overwhelm
- Meal Prep Bring Success & Weight Loss
- How Substitutions Saved My Calorie Budget
Exercise
Exercise is such an important part of our weight loss journey. It’s going to burn extra calories and help break you out of any plateaus you hit. However, I understand that it can be challenging, not fun and sometimes embarrassing. In this section, you’ll find tips to exercise from home, as well as my favorite exercise routines and getting started at the gym.
Suggested Posts:
- The App that Makes Running Fun
- Skip the gym! 10 Easy Ways to Workout from Home
- How to Build an Exercise Routine for Beginners
Stress Management
Stress is one of those areas of our lives we need to control in order to be successful at weight loss surgery. We need to learn how to handle stress that happens without turning to food, as well as reducing the amount of stress in our lives. Here, you’ll find information about staying strong when you want to give up, as well as ideas to avoid stress eating.
Suggested Posts:
About Me
If you want to know more information about me, my story or see progress photos, this is the section for you. I also post information about why I decided to pursue weight loss surgery. You’ll also find all those legal policies, like my full privacy and disclosure policies, as well as terms and conditions of use.
Suggested Posts:
- The Time I Failed Myself
- Fighting Obesity Through Weight Loss Surgery
- It’s Time to Stop Weighting, Start Doing!
Still With Me? Good!
I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you can find the information you are looking for, and if not, tell me what you want. You can always contact me at nicky@stopweightingstartdoing.com to give me feedback, suggestions or anything else that comes to mind. I’m here to support you, cheer you on and help in any that you can. While you’re at it, follow me on social media, where I post motivating quotes, transformation pictures and pictures of my daily life. If you’ve ever wondered what daily life is like post-op, you’ll want to check it out!
Thanks again for stopping by! I can’t wait to lose weight, gain life and learn with you. We’re in this together, bariatric warriors who don’t give up and never give in!