Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Improvements Have Begun!

Before I begin this post, I need to post a disclaimer- I have gone over and over this post in my head for weeks. Just how much do I tell, how much do I keep to myself. Just as I have stated before, I believe that it is most important to be honest. Therefore, I am going to, yet again, put it all out there. I am about to share some very personal information. Some people might think this information embarrassing or "too much". Especially the  men that I know or even some of the teachers and parents of students that I teach. So I am letting you know now, if you are easily embarrassed, don't want to think about  me as a "woman" or just like the version of me you know now, you  might want to close this screen and not read on!

So here goes- If you have read my blog from the beginning, you know that in 2002, weighing 280 pounds, I had gastric bypass surgery. At that time, my eating had gotten completely out of control and I had tried diet after diet. I decided that this was the best option for me at the time. I am still glad that I had the procedure. In the next year, I lost down to 150 pounds. Of course you all know that with that kind of weight loss, things don't always return to the proportions and sizes that they were pre-weight gain. So, as I lost, I developed skin that was stretched to the point that it would not EVER return to its original shape. While I gained extra skin around the middle that I didn't want, I lost tissue above it that I would have preferred to keep. I pretty much knew that I was going to have some sort of corrective surgery in order to ever feel normal in these areas but I felt like I had messed up what God had created by gaining the weight and I should do everything I could to correct it before I would allow myself to pay anyone else to get it done. So I made a rule- I must create and maintain and healthy lifestyle and work out for a year before I could even think about having anything done. I felt that this would assure me that I had done all I could do.

Fast forward 9 years- I had started and quit working out and eating right at least a hundred times! At 9 years post op, I weighed 178 pounds, which is not bad but I did NOT like it! I was going to be 40 in 9 months and I was determined not to turn 40 fat, unhealthy and out of shape. So- I got serious! I joined Weight Watchers, I started getting up at 4:30 and working out and started getting in shape! This time I did not quit. I was determined. About March, I hit a slump and that is just the time that ACE came into our lives. Of course you have read the post on how ACE helped me surpass my plateau.

I finally hit my goal of 140! I always wanted to be 140 because I could say I had lost half of myself! lol The problem was that the more I lost, even though I was working hard, the more loose skin I developed and the less tissue I had in the other area that had become a problem. That is when Donald and I decided it was time to consult a professional. We researched and talked to people and found Dr Kevin O'Brien. I made an appointment. We went for a consultation.

I went into the consultation thinking that I needed some skin removed from my abdomen and a breast lift. Dr. O'Brien informed me that I would need a full tummy tuck and in order to have any size at all, I would need implants. This was quite a shock to me. I did not want implants! I just wanted what I had put back where they were supposed to be! He said that if I did just the lift, I would probably end up being an A cup size! What! I had lost that much tissue! As far as the tummy tuck goes, it seems that even though I had been working my butt off, I still had fatty tissue on my abdomen that would have to be removed before I would have any semblance of a flat tummy. He did say that the more muscle I had underneath there, the less repair he would have to do on my muscles which would make for an easier recovery. So I left with a lot to think about about the alterations that he was suggesting I have on my body.

The we went to the financial secretaries office and I got another shock! I knew that most gastric bypass surgery had had at least part of their corrective surgery covered by insurance. Well, it seems that by making my little rule, I had proven to myself that I had done all I could do to improve my body but it had prevented my insurance from covering ANYTHING! I had worked out just enough that while I still needed the procedures, I did not have "droopage" for my insurance to find surgery necessary. So I would have to be responsible for the entire procedure. Guess what- It AINT cheap! So we left with more to think about, pray about, ponder and decide.

First of all, Donald knew that this was something that I really wanted and he said that we would find a way to do it. The fact is, I did not feel comfortable taking money from the household account to do something that I felt was not necessary but simply desired. So I prayed about it, searched my heart and really struggled with this decision. I knew I would not be able to do it in the summer like I had planned because there was no way that I could come up with the money even if I decided to do it.

Then, after Donald had much success with ACE, my ACE business began to take off. I began putting it all in what we now know as the "improvement account". I made an appointment for 6 months away and we decided that if the Lord was willing and we were able to put the money back using only money that was made as "extra" money I would do it. Then----- in November, we reached the number. I can not say that all of it was ACE money but MOST of it was. Donald worked some extra at times and we put that in there but I can truly say that the opportunity that I have had with my ACE business has helped make my dreams and goals come true.

I gotta tell ya that I have struggled with this decision. Am I being selfish? Carnal? There are so many other "good" things that could be done with that money. I don't want to be known as "the teacher who had the boob job". I have a lot of wonderfully supportive people in my life who have helped me reconcile myself with this decision. I am doing this for my peace of mind and my comfort. I will be having my procedures December 17th. I asked that you pray for me and my family during my time of recovery. I pray that I might be an inspiration to someone who has struggled with many of the same issues. I hope that with my business with Saba and ACE, I can help many others get to the place where they might have to make the same decision.

The thing I hate the most (besides the knowledge that I am going to have a painful recovery that I have put on myself) is that I ended up having to take off 9 days from school. When I first scheduled this surgery, we had a different calendar and I would have only missed 3 days but this is the way it worked out. I know that they will be well taken care of but I hate to leave my babies that long.

I know that you have noticed that there are no pictures in this post. I did decide to share it all with you but have decided against before and after pictures on this blog. Mostly for modesty sake. I am a child of God, a mother, wife, daughter and kindergarten teacher. I can't imagine that even after everything is done that I will wear a bikini and I hope to still honor God with my clothing choices. So I am choosing not to post pictures because, I would have to be immodest in order for you to see the extent of the damage. I will, however, have them. I will document the progress for myself and if you believe that seeing them would help you with some sort of similar struggle, I would not mind sharing those with you. Just ask. I just don't feel comfortable putting them out there for all to see.

If you read all the way through this long post, thank you! I know it was long but it was an important one for me. If you have something to share, please feel free to leave a comment. If I can do anything for you, please let me know. I would love to hear from you!

Monday, December 3, 2012

ACE's Christmas in the Smokies!



Donald, Daddy, Mom and I spent a wonderful weekend in the Smoky Mountains! We met some wonderful people who work with Saba and ACE. We met people from all walks of life but they all had one thing in common- They believe in Saba, the products, the business and the life and health that they provide. We were inspired by the stories, the successes and the hearts of all of these people. I have known for some time, that this opportunity came into my life at just the right time. This weekend just proved to reinforce that belief.

Gary Hail is the CEO of AMS Health Sciences, which is the parent company of Saba. Mr. Hail began our meeting by sharing a story of an associate that brought tears to everyone's eyes, including his. He then proceeded to recognize achievement after achievement of the ACE associates.



There were people there who had hit new levels of success in their ACE business and those who have been successful with weight loss and health issues. The best part is that these were regular people. People just like you and me achieving their dreams. I have mentioned before that I had a goal and when I started selling ACE, I needed to come up with a significant amount of  money in a relatively short period of time. We affectionately called this goal the "improvement fund". As of November 16th, the improvement fund was completely funded and the check for those improvements was written and sent off. My next post will reveal what these improvements are and the extent ACE has helped me prepare for them. You don't want to miss that post!


We also got to meet Clark Bartram, the World's Most Trusted Fitness Professional. Clark endorses ACE and all of Saba's products. He is an awesome person and very inspirational. He truly believes in this company and what it stands for. He also has a new book, which is not out yet, but we were able to get an advance copy. It is awesome! I will let you know when you can get it.

There are a few things that stick out to me. The whole event was focused on providing for the betterment of the associates. There were prizes, encouragement, and awards. There was also a mention of God and prayer. Yep that is right, there are Christians in charge of our company! The weekend was not completely taken up with ACE stuff but we were able to enjoy Gatlinburg too!


It was reported that the company has grown 10 fold since just last year. It makes me feel good that I was able to get in before that surge of growth happened. I promise there is still room on the tree. If  you have ever considered opening your own business, this is certainly a worthy one. Let me know and I can help you with all the details.

So, if you have read through this whole post, you deserve a chance to win a prize! You are truly a loyal ACE fan and I appreciate you! This is the deal, all you have to do is leave me a comment and tell my your ACE experience. Even if you have only tried samples, tell me what you thought. Next Saturday, right before I write my improvement reveal post, I will randomly choose a winner from those who leave comments. The winner will win a 30 pack of ACE! So comment away!

As always, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. 256-338-9687 or acestome@hotmail.com