2008-11-18T14:08:03Z urn:uuid:60a76c80-d399-11d9-b93C-0003939e0af6 CoalEngine CoalSpeak urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2008-11-18T14:08:03Z

Now more than ever! By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Printer Friendly In today’s uncertain times we each have an important choice to make. Will we look to the future with worry and concern or with hope and positive action? It is up to us. Here are a few thoughts that I would like to share. Please take them to heart and pass them along. Be grateful for all that you have, and let everyone around you know it. Nothing provides a more positive outlook than someone who can truly see the good in any situation and be grateful for all that is right. Recognize that old habits die hard. Throughout our lives, so many of us have relied upon the comfort of food to soothe and calm us. Be aware of old habits that may creep back into our lives and be prepared with better choices. Do something! Take positive action towards our own goals; even the smallest of accomplishments will provide a feeling of control and keep us moving in the right direction. Reach out & pay it forward. Call a friend, send an email, mail a note, share your story, post online, attend support meetings, volunteer. May we choose to go throughout this holiday season with hope in our hearts, a smile on our faces, and a commitment to love and serve one another. Colleen M. Cook, President Bariatric Support Centers International www.bariatricsupportcenter.com Printer Friendly

urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2008-05-27T12:14:21Z

Hot Tight Horse High Part II By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Printer Friendly Horse High The comments about building fences high enough so that horses could not jump over them, led me to wonder if the standards that I have set for myself are high enough. Did I need to raise my standards regarding what sort of behaviors I will and will not allow from myself? That called to mind an experience I had several years ago. As I walked out of my office and down the hall I spotted a green peanut M & M on the ground. Now, keep in mind that I have always believed in the three second rule and I have never been above eating left over Halloween candy from the couch cushions. So, I glanced around to be sure I was alone, stooped over and picked up the M & M. As I started to pop it in my mouth, I instantly had these thoughts come to mind. “What are you doing? You are getting ready to eat food off of the floor! What is wrong with you? Why are you allowing this little candy to rob you of your self respect? Come on! You are so much better than that! An Ah ha moment for me to be sure. I put the M & M back in my pocket, finished my errand, returned to my office and gave the little fella a place of honor on my office credenza! In that small act, I raised my expectations of myself and committed to adopt a more healthy relationship with food; never again to allow these tempting little tid-bits rob me of my self. And he has company now; a little blue one I found in an elevator, and a yellow one I found in the parking lot. These M & M’s are a constant reminder, that I am worthy of better behavior. May I encourage each of you to take some time to walk along your fence line to see if it needs your attention. What might you do to ensure that it is hog-tight and horse-high so that in a moment of temptation, you will not simply jump over or crawl under your perfectly good “fence.” Visit us online at www.bariatricsupportcenter.com or email cmcook@bariatricsupportcenter.com about our bariatric support resources Printer Friendly

urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2008-05-22T11:47:20Z

Hog Tight Horse High Part I By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Printer Friendly Hog Tight – Horse High! A few weeks ago, I found myself standing in the middle of a large field at a historical site in Palmyra, New York. I listened intently as the tour guide described the great effort that had been made to re-construct the farm, log houses, fences and barns to what it was in the early 1800’s. While it was all quite fascinating to me, I was especially interested in her comments about the fences. As she pointed to a split rail fence near us, she noted how important it was for the homesteaders to build the fences, “hog tight and horse high.” You see, the farmers built wooden fences around their property to keep their animals in and other animals out. They learned quickly that if their fence was not built just right, the hogs would dig and crawl under it and the horses would jump over it. Hence the term, ‘hog tight and horse high.” I don’t know why, but for some reason my mind connected that concept to my experience with my surgical tool these past 13 years. You see, like the fence, my surgical tool does exactly what it was designed to do. However, through the years, I have learned how to go under it and how to jump over it! Sound familiar? Throughout these past few weeks, I have searched an identified ways that I sneakily crawl under and jump over my stomach pouch tool. And I know that I am a sneak! And to what end? Well an unwanted 17 pounds, duh!. This little discovery has been a great eye opener and has served as a catalyst for changing some of my self defeating behaviors. We all know how essential our habits are to our long term success, and it is good to take stock (no pun intended) to fill in the gaps and fortify the foundations of our fences. Hog-tight. As I searched, I found gaps that needed fortified and several holes that needed filled. First, my shopping habits had gotten a bit lax. It is so easy to justify the cookies, candy and chips by saying…. They are for my family. But, time and time again, those worthless calories were working way into my mouth. No more! I patched up that hole and have recommitted to making better choices when I shop. Next, my exercise had slipped a little. Ok, a lot. My husband’s hip surgery and recovery was the perfect excuse to stop going to the gym; a deadly decision for me. Our membership expired and we have not yet re-joined, but in the meantime, to patch up that hole, I purchased a few new exercise videos to do each morning. A temporary patch? Probably, but at least it is not a hole anymore! Stay tuned for Part 2… Visit us a www.bariatricsupportcenter.com or email cmcook@bariatricsupportcenter.com Printer Friendly

urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2008-03-17T11:50:02Z

What luck! By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Printer Friendly During my graduating year in High School (1977) I got the biggest kick out of the TV commercial featuring the winners of the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. The two mild mannered, plainly dressed, farm folk declared (with more drawl and twang than Gomer Pile) “What luck! We Mays are in luck. We have just won a million dollars! Our lives will never be the same!” Yep, they are lucky, I thought. I am a May too, so how come I’m not so lucky? Though many spend a considerable amount of time, effort, and energy entering sweepstakes – hoping to get ‘lucky,’ I have adopted a different philosophy. “The harder you work the luckier you get!” Time and time again that has proven to be the case. Following my weight-loss surgery in 1995, I recall mustering up the nerve to call a few of my friends to tell them what I had done. The first call I made was to a long time nurse friend. I will forever remember her immediate reply after I told her where I was and that I had just had a gastric bypass. “You are so lucky!” she exclaimed. “Lucky?” I replied. “What do you mean lucky?” I have spent my entire life fighting my weight and finally, finally, I had the courage to make this gigantic commitment. It took great thought, planning, preparation, prayer, not to mention a support of my family, and a 2nd mortgage to do this. Luck had nothing to do with it!” The first year was a dream come true. The weight seemed to fall off. I lost 125 pounds. No complications, no bumps, and very little effort on my part. Wow was I lucky! I would find myself eating something I shouldn’t. Or skipping a few days of exercise only to weigh in to find that I lost another pound! “Dodged a bullet this week; Man I am so lucky!” I thought. And then…. I found that the next month, was not so lucky. I learned by experience that I was not invincible, and that maintaining my weight loss requires much more than luck. It requires dedication, commitment, thought, focus, and constant effort. Indeed I found, that in weight issues too, the harder I work, the luckier I am. It has been nearly 13 years now and my weight continues to fluctuate up and down 10-15 pounds or so. Interesting, when I work hard at it, I lose - when I don’t, I gain. Go figure. It seems that this weight management thing will always require effort. Throughout your journey, you too, will have ups and downs, good days and bad days. We have a remarkable tool, but we will always reap what we sow. As you work to reach and maintain your weight-loss goals, remember to stay committed to your Success Habits, stay in tune with your body, work hard; and oh, good luck! Improve your luck! Visit us online at www.bariatricsupportcenter.com Printer Friendly

urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2008-02-14T10:00:20Z

I Love You! Have a Cookie! By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Printer Friendly As my husband lay in a hospital bed, recovering from a total hip replacement, I searched diligently for a way to show my love and support. Then, I found the perfect answer, “licorice and Oreo cookies!” After 50 years in the workforce, my mother is retiring. Though she is not happy about it, I want to find a way to celebrate her many years of hard work. Oh, I know! I will bake her a pie. A cherry pie! That is her favorite. Hard to believe, but our oldest son, Craig is turning 27. He is a wonderful young man with a great wife and an adorable son, Skyler. That surely is cause for a special family dinner. Prime rib, all the trimmings and of course, I will bake a cake. I suspect that many of you are just like me. Even after 13 years as a weight loss surgery patient, when I feel the need to show my love, support or appreciation for someone I use food. It seems we all do. And that, I am afraid, has been the case since the beginning of time- you know, killing the fatted calf and all that. We love, we celebrate and we motivate with food. I have been wondering if it would be a futile endeavor, or would it actually be possible to change this behavior ? Now, I know that I cannot be responsible for everyone else, but I can be responsible for the choices I make. One day, one event and one holiday at a time. So, now that the good candy from the gingerbread house is about gone… along comes another sweet holiday, Valentines Day. You know, expensive dinners, heart shaped cookies, cakes and candy. In years past, Valentines Day has been the perfect excuse to bake giant heart-shaped sugar cookies with white icing and red sprinkles. But, this year I am going to do things differently. I know, it will be tough, now that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups come in a heart shape, but I am committed to showing my love for my family and friends without using food! I have decided to spend my cookie baking time, writing heartfelt letters and notes of appreciation to those I love. My hope is that my words will fill their hearts, and that they will feel loved and appreciated, warmed and emotionally fed, and that they will not miss the cookies. Won’t you join me this Valentines Day, by doing what you can to fill someone’s heart – rather than their stomachs? I love you – here’s a note! Please visit us online at www.bariatricsupportcenter.com Printer Friendly

urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2007-12-04T11:23:34Z

Dreaming in Detail By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Printer Friendly For my birthday a few months ago, my husband of 29 years bought me personalized license plates: ASPR HR. I am sure that it confuses some, but not those who know me well. The letters stand for “Aspire Higher” and I guess you could say that is my mantra. I am a pie in the sky, nothing is impossible, reach for the stars, dream big dreams kind of gal. Many years ago I adopted the belief that “It costs no more to dream a big dream than it does to dream a little dream” so I began to dream BIG and in great detail. My husband, bless his genuine heart, is really quite the opposite. He is grounded, logical and his focus is usually on what he can do TODAY to make life better for us and our family. He doesn’t spend time dreaming of places to go or things to do down the road. So imagine my surprise when he began to ask me why the plans for our future cabin did not include a large walk in pantry! “What?” I exclaimed, “I can’t believe it! You are doing it! You are dreaming in detail!” You see for years, I have had a very clear vision of my dream home. I found the blue prints for our beautiful mountain cabin about 6 years ago and I think about it often; in detail. And boy, am I excited about it now. Just imagine what might happen as a result of BOTH of us DREAMING IN DETAIL! Stay tuned…. Colleen Bariatric Support Centers International www.bariatricsupportcenter.com Printer Friendly

urn:uuid:1225c695-cfb8-4ebb-aaaa-80da344efa6a 2007-11-28T18:30:00Z

Laughter Leads to Weight-loss? By: Colleen Cook, BSCI Category: Colleen Cook Printer Friendly We have all heard the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine” but what a cool thought to think that if we laughed more often, not only would we feel better but lose weight, too. This morning I learned about a group called the Association for Applied Therapeutic Humor whose mission is dedicated to: “Advancing the understanding and application of humor and laughter for their positive benefits.” A daily laughter workout of 15 minutes burns 40 calories and if you do the math – that’s 4 pounds in one year! How cool is that? During this crazy, busy holiday season, won’t you join me in making an effort each day to laugh more? Lets literally “lighten up!” Give it a try. After all, what have you got to lose? Four pounds, that’s all! Colleen Cook, President, Speaker, Author Bariatric Support Centers International www.bariatricsupportcenter.com Printer Friendly