SassyItalian

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I made it! I am successfully settled into my new home here in St. Kitts. Killing it at vet school, getting good grades, and living the good, healthy life I have always wanted.

Truthfully, at this very moment, I am living my dream. And as I always say, VSG helped me get here. Really. The life change that came with my procedure gave me the confidence to go after what I have always wanted, to be a doctor of veterinary medicine. The changes helped me hold my head high in my interview, and that confidence helped get me here.

And I love this tiny island, away from the comforts of home. It nurtures the active, adventurous spirit that has been awakened in me. I was a former couch potato (I dreaded the walk from the parking lot to the supermarket for heaven's sake!). Who now takes every single opportunity to be active and healthy outdoors. I am tackling my bucket list- Every day, (besides studying and sitting through science lectures!) I swim in the Caribbean Sea, or snorkel, or paddleboard, or play soccer, or beach volleyball, or hike a volcano, or train at the gym, or lift weights, or run, or go out dancing and let myself be twirled all over the floor by hunky boys, having the guts to salsa when admittedly I have no clue what I am doing, and as of next week, I will be adding SCUBA diving to my exercise repertoire, getting open water certified.

This is MY time. I am here, learning just as much about myself as how to practice medicine.

The new life I have been given is a truly beautiful one, and I am writing a different page of it every day. And you will write yours, too. In your own unique handwriting, as it comes along, on your own very personal journey.

Cheers my friends!
xo
Sass

I have been running around like a mad woman for my move to St. Kitts for vet school. Been so focused on paperwork, visa applications, student loans, vaccines, and doctor's visits that I have barely come up for air! But it is still so EXCITING!

One of the neatest things is..I just got my housing assignment and my apartment is on the top floor of a building overlooking the Caribbean Sea..I still have to pinch myself to remember it is all going to be real in 39 days.

I feel like all of this amazing change in my life is possible because of my VSG. Today, 15 months postop, I am feeling like a new person. I walk around HAPPY and smiling. So many people have stopped me and told me I have a glow, an aura. For someone who was often depressed pre-op, this is a total change.

I feel like VSG has given me the confidence to go after what I want. I now have the self-esteem to go after my dreams and make them mine. VSG has stripped away the obesity that seemed to drown me, to define me. It has let my true self shine through and I am so happy I made the decision to have bariatric surgery. I am ME again! And I'm celebrating it.

So.. I have also been busy working on my volcano body. What is a volcano body, you ask? Ok, so its a term I made up..sort of.. and it has 2 meanings. Sassy's defines a Volcano Body: 1) A human body in good physical shape, able comfortably to climb 4 hours up a Caribbean Volcano  and/or  2) A rockin', hot as lava, athletic, bikini body.
 
I have been working since November at the gym, 4-5 days a week, lifting and doing cardio to be able to climb the island's volcano, the highest point in all of the Eastern Caribbean. And of course...the aesthetic benefits are amazing! I have tone! My stomach has muscles! And I have a confession...I've gotten a little out of control with bikini shopping..I think my collection is nearing 10! I never, ever, ever would have thought this was possible.

Just wanted to update yall on my move and remind you that ANYTHING is possible in this life, more to come!

Peace Out Friends!
Sassy

I wanted to blog about this so I can go back and re-read it when I forget..or feel lost.

One of the hardest struggles during my weight loss journey  and life in general is working on my confidence. Often, I am the one who believes in me the least. I forget how far I have come, all that I have done, all the HARD work I have put in to get where I am.  Sometimes I am my own worst enemy.

I am working on learning to be kinder to myself, more confident in myself, and loving myself more.

One of my girlfriends told me tonight, "You are the most accomplished person I know". It made me literally  take a step back. It made me look at myself, almost as an out of body experience. And what I saw amazed me.

I have taken back control of my life. I made the step to change my life with VSG. I took on the unknown and kicked its ass into submission. I have put my dreams out there to the universe and went out and took them for myself. I am in shape and healthy, and  In 100 short days I will be moving to the Carribean for veterinary school, those were my dreams. And I made them happen.

I forget sometimes how powerfu I am. My life over the last few years proves to me that I go for what I want and dont take no for an answer.

So, Kristen, read this and remember these words when you are down and questioning yourself. You are POWERFUL, SPECIAL, KIND, DESERVING,BEAUTIFUL, and SMART. You are a force and only you can hold yourself back. Nothing can stop you if you believe in yourself!!!!!

Love yourself and the rest will follow. AND, keep reaching for your dreams!

My goal this year, my aspiration..is to get into the best shape of my life. I am building healthy habits when it comes to exercise and plan on keeping them forever.

Truthfully, I didnt religiously exercise during my losing phase. I never hit the gym for weight training. Exercise was less formal, and usually outdoors..walking, hiking, kayaking. But since having plastic surgery, its really motivated me to get my body as close to "perfect" as is possible for someone who has lost 120 pounds.. And I mean perfect for ME which means defined arms and legs, but still curves in all the right places.

I have been consistently going to the gym for the last 6 weeks and I've started to love it. I am seeing the results, new tone, new muscles. I feel stronger, healthier, sexier. It lets me get my frustrations out, it gives me an endorphine rush as close to sex as possible, and it helps me sleep peacefully at night. I find myself bouncing around when I walk, with a new pep in my step.

And I am thankful to have someone new in my life who has encouraged me, inspired me to be fitter and healthier. Its really refreshing to be encouraged rather than guilted for going to the gym too much or talked down to about my body. No more. I am only letting those into my circle who inspire me.

So..my goal for 2012 is to be happier, healthier, and fitter for my move to the Carribean and for life in general. I want to rock my string bikini and climb that island volcano without getting out of breath!

Here's to new beginnings!

xo
Sassy

I play it safe. Often. And im sick of it.

What do I mean? I mean I often guard myself, censor my thoughts and emotions, in fear of making myself vulnerable. Sometimes, I'd rather live safely and with regret versus taking a risk, putting myself out there, and possibly stumbling and falling and getting hurt..

But I always seem to end up hurt anyway, so why the heck am I guarding myself? What's the point of missing out on opportunities because im afraid to get hurt, when protecting myself doesnt work anyway?

I think I would rather go through life with scars than to live with the "what ifs" from things I wish I experienced.

No, im not talking about jumping off buildings all of a sudden, its more of an emotional risk taking...

That's it. I've decided.

Let's see how this unfolds.

xo
Sassy

Mark your calenders!!

Saturday March 10, 2012  8pm  National Mechanics Karaoke Bar Philadelphia, PA

This will be a fun night of drinks and karaoke. Everyone is welcome! Message me for details.

xoxo
Sass

My official move to the island of St.Kitts is April 24, 2012.

I have been passing the days daydreaming about island life. Most of the time will be spent studying, but I am so entranced by all of the possibilities of outdoor activity on this island.

I plan to climb Mt. Liamuiga, a dormant volcano and the tallest point in the Eastern Carribean. I can't wait to hike through the jungle to get to the summit..and to swim in the crater that is at the top of the peak. I am looking forward to ocean kayaking and surfing. And my favorite, snorkeling. I plan to become SCUBA certified while I am living there, how exciting.  And since we are talking exercise..I can't wait to try stand up paddleboarding too.

I never would have thought I would be salivating over the thought of exercise, but how can I not be excited at all of the options the island has to offer year round. I would have dreaded activity 115lbs ago. I may have participated some, but I cannot wait to go full throttle.

Oh, the possibilities!!!

Hey guys,

Just wanted to update anyone who visits my page and to record my progress. I had a tummy tuck, breast lift, augmentation, and lipsosuction Thursday 11/3- 10 days ago. The recovery is definitely much harder than VSG..though I am surprised it hasn't been too bad.

I had a couple of days of being emotional from the pain pills, but I am barely taking them now. I just have occasional stinging of my tummy area, or breast soreness, but other than that there isnt much pain. Surprising.

I have been blessed to have the best nurse ever, my mother who is an extremely attentive RN. She has been amazing in helping me through this process. Actually the whole family has been so supportive, including my dog who refuses to leave my side.

So far I am LOVING my new breasts and my stomach is looking flatter and more normal each day..

I confess, I have been passing the time in bed by looking at bikinis!! I ordered one last night, a sexy black halter top with a separate leopard print bottom.

Cant wait until January when I can work out and get really toned and show that 2 piece who's boss!!

Cheers!!!!

My journey to veterinary school is happening. I was accepted into Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, Carribean for May of 2012. This is my life's dream and it is coming true. I'm going to be a doctor!!!!!!

One of the reasons for having my VSG was to be healthy enough to be a successful vet, be able to stand and do surgery for hours without having back and knee pain, and to put my best professional appearance forward.

What an amazing end to a life-changing year!  Best year yet!

So..plastics coming up so soon! another 19 days! I'm excited. Everyone keeps telling me how hard its going to be but I am not fazed, I have been thru so much this year and recovered like a G, I will get through this one too and be better for it.

And I got to pick out my boobies the other day!  I have decided to do an implant too after all, though Im going with a small implant.
I picked a 250cc moderate profile silicone boobie! I cant wait to see the final result..

My dad says he's just finishing the final touches on the Mona Lisa. Cute, huh?