Yesterday I posted a "brag list" of misc. things about me and clearly I offended a few people so for that, I would like to apologize. If you actually read the list, you will see that there is very little that is spectacular on there and I am certain that everyone on this forum could come up with something similar if not FAR BETTER than I can.

The point of my list was that I want to be known as far more than a WLS patient or former fatty. It was not at all intended to be an entry into a pissing match. I am quite positive that some of my attributes listed like "drives like a do^che bag", "likes reality TV", and "runs screaming from spiders" won't get me far in life.

I was trying to inject a bit of humor, but clearly I missed the mark.

So as not to fan the flames in a thread gone horribly bad, I will post this right here.

My "brag" list. Please keep in mind that I have been blessed to be a work from home mom for 18 years giving me lots of extra time to torture my kids by being HYPER involved in their schools. I am adding notes in red for clarity.



This was a HUGE reason I kept my surgery to myself.

I am a mom to two great teenagers.
I have been happily married for 21 years. He deserves a medal, don't you think?
I have a fabulous goldendoodle. She sheds horribly, don't believe the people who say they don't.
I am a 2nd degree black belt and a certified martial arts instructor.
I volunteer at a womens' shelter. A friend needed their services, this is a little pay back.
I play the guitar. My mom insisted on music lessons and we couldn't afford a piano.
I own a successful business.
I work with autistic children and kids with Down's syndrome. They will let anyone volunteer.
I love Old School Rap and can perform Rapper's Delight in it's entirety. SOBER. Sorority trick. And it annoys my kids.
I love talking to strangers.
I am the VP of my HOA. No one else would do it.
I am PTA president, Choral Booster's VP and head theater mom at my kids' schools. Helicopter mom.
I love dogs, hate cats, save turtles and run screaming from spiders. I won't flush them either. They might come back up.
I was a beach lifeguard, a sorority girl and an only child. (Explains a lot, huh?) Poking fun at myself.
I Zumba, deep Water fin and ski double blacks. Deep water finning is an awesome class. Try it! My aunt lived in Vermont so we all skied free.
I drive like a ****** bag even though my vehicle is a minivan because I am always in a hurry. (At least I own it.) Poking fun at myself. I'm a horrible driver.
I hold the door for people and I can recite pi to the 56th digit. I had an autistic student who recited pi all day every day. Everyone in my class could do it.
I used to teach emotionally disturbed kids until the parents drove me nuts. And IEPs. They were the worst.
I was a theater major before I was a psychology major, before I got my degree in communications/psychology and my master's in education. Read that indecisive college kid who racked up a LOT of college debt. Still paying those bills.
I am a brown Mexican but don't speak Spanish. Poking fun.
I am a great cook but a horrible baker. Poking fun.
I love to read and I love reality TV. It's embarrassing to admit the reality TV thing, but I can poke fun at myself...
I drive with the radio off because I enjoy the silence. I talk too much.
I could go on forever but I am boring myself. POKING FUN at myself.

I have a lot more interesting things to talk about over WLS. Why on earth would I make that the definition of me? People can't help but ask about it, I have no desire to be the inspiration of that discussion. It was bad enough that people had to "confess" every extra calorie or missed workout to me while I was losing out of a bizarre "guilt".

I'd rather be any of the above over the former fatty/WLS lady.

Again, my above post was not intended to offend or fan any flames. All I can do is humbly apologize and of course, ask YOU to post your BRAG list. I'd love to hear about YOU.

"The hip hip a hop, a you don't stop the rockin'

To the bang bang boogie
Say up jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie the beat"

Powerful list and great sense of humor.

You had me at, "I hate cats".

I love the idea of this list - sometimes I feel that I obsess so much about what I eat and my weight that I am letting it define me. Thanks for putting together something that puts things in perspective!

Here's my (very shot) brag list -

I retired at 50 after 28 years of govt service (25 overseas), and went back to work full time two months later because I was bored. I hope to really retire within the next four or five years (my wife smiles and shakes her head when I say this).

I love to fish, especially in mangroves (I am passionate about Snook).

I've got three adult kids and in a two months I graduate to the next great stage in life - being a grandpa!

My wife and I have become internet shopping mavens - amazing the things and great prices you can find if you look for them!

I live by the motto that anything tastes better on a grill!

I have mastered the art of using home exercise equipment for everything but exercise!

I live in a place where driving is a contact sport - and I've become really good at it! The other side of this is that I get scared s***less of getting tickets when I have to drive in civilized places so I drive like a little old lady

I am a binge watching addict

Strolling with my wife is a past time I treasure

I have finally learned to slow down and enjoy life.

We are more than our WLS - it just takes some perspective to realize this!

Nothing offensive there IMHO. It is nice to read a little about what someone is like.

I use to own a Rosie Legged Tarantula as a pet. He may have taken offense to the "...and run screaming from spiders" part.

Edited June 9, 201610 yr by 4MRB4PHOTO

I didn't read the whole comment. It was rather too long for me and I'm a lazy reader. Lol

However, I pretty much got that people are reacting a certain way to your posts. People will always have an opinion and feel the need to express it. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. It's just flawed human nature. Ignore , ignore, ignore, and don't give the negative people so much acknowledgment because then they start to believe that what they have to say matters. Carry on and shine bright!

Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

I'm actually a pretty dull person, but here goes:

I love animals (yes, even cats) and would hoard them if given the chance. I have 3 Basset Hounds, 2 cats, and 2 grand Corgi's.

I volunteer at a local animal shelter walking dogs and doing adoptions.

I've been married for 27 years but we've been together for almost 30 years. That product of the marriage is 2 great kids who have grown up to be pretty darn decent humans, if I do say so myself.

Although I may seem like a big mouth, I can be quite shy and introverted sometimes.

I love anything to do with true crime and serial killers. Movies, books, TV shows, etc....One of my favorite books is about Ted Bundy. (EDIT: I don't CONDONE serial killers, I just find the concept fascinating)

I helped my parents breed, raise and show Arabian horses in my youth.

I graduated in a class of 16 people in a town of 1100 in Eastern Oregon.

At 45, I decided to change careers and have been fairly successful with it.

I'm honest to a fault sometimes.

I like big butts and I cannot lie. (Okay, just threw that one in there to see if you're paying attention)

@@Babbs I love you even more for having Basset hounds! ????????????

I love this! I think it's really cool and really fun to think of who we are outside of WLS. It's a big part of our lives, but nowhere near all of who we are. Honestly, I think WLS has just helped me uncover more of who I am.

Shortly after I learned to write, I knew I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. I'm thankful I could turn it into a career.

I love my two rescue dogs like no other. I used to foster dogs and my oldest is a "foster fail."

Being in nature has always brought me a sense of peace.

I'm shy at first, but warm up quickly.

I can't remember not knowing how to swim. I love anything involving Water, but not boats. I get seasick easily.

I'm in no rush, but I look forward to having children one day.

My sense of humor is really dark and I like it that way. It helps me deal with some of life's harshest realities.

I'm terrible at keeping in touch with people, but I'm still thinking about them often.

I love to read, but I also probably watch more reality TV than I should.

I'm a decent driver, but I can't parallel park to save my life.

I value science above all else. It's the only way I can truly know anything.

I think it's a fun thing to do, here is mine:

Married to my high school/college boyfriend for 20 years

I have two kids and my youngest saved our married

I can be very shy until I get to know you

I am extremely loyal, like help you bury the body in your back yard

I watch almost exclusively reality tv, it's a train wreck that I can't stop watching

I love to read but primarily read trashy romance/erotica books

I am a classically trained pianist

My "second job" is marching band as I am "parent A" for my daughters activities

I LOVE sharks and am going shark cage diving with great whites in July. I have seen Jaws probably 200 times

I hate to cook and WLS has reinforced not cooking since my meals consist of Snacks that my family doesn't consider meals

I love to workout, I crave the endorphins that I get from strength training.

I can do a forward bend with my forehead touching my thighs but I couldn't run a mile if you chased me

I have ADHD that I control with exercise and supplements

I have two rescue Chihauhaus; the first one I got as a support/grief dog after my Dad passed away

I have hiked 6 14ers and did those before WLS

Ok, @@LipstickLady I have to ask....I see that you've had your own business for 18 years....are you with Mary Kay??

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

• @gpmed

I have considered fostering for the same rescue group we adopted our two dogs from but I am afraid of becoming a dog hoarder

@@KristenLe

Oh I love them! Do you have a Basset Hound??

@@LipstickLady I liked your list - except for the hating cats part, But eh, to each their own!

Lipstick Lady, and the rest of you, I find your posts refreshing, uplifting, and downright hilarious! The reason I still come here and read the posts is because sometimes you just need a good laugh, or sometimes support. Either way, I find both here. Don't ever allow the Debbie Downers to spoil your fun. I'd love to meet you in person. I could sit and talk about nothing with you all day!

Hugs to all of you.

I didn't read the whole comment. It was rather too long for me and I'm a lazy reader. Lol

However, I pretty much got that people are reacting a certain way to your posts. People will always have an opinion and feel the need to express it. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. It's just flawed human nature. Ignore , ignore, ignore, and don't give the negative people so much acknowledgment because then they start to believe that what they have to say matters. Carry on and shine bright!

Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

I agree and I don't usually acknowledge negativity, but I also don't want to come across as thinking I'm a superhero because I do normal mom stuff.

My rap skills, however...