https://youtu.be/AeT7kS7FElo?si=-dlSPc_g8mkm_8P0

This to That Life, Ottawa, ON (2025)

06/24/2025

Did you know I write poetry? Here's my newest poem.
I hope you like it 😉

I Let Go

You use silence like a threat
and distance as a blade
Each mile, a punishment
for sins I never made
But I have learnt the art
of living far from you
Where love is not a weapon
and pain is not my due
When you threw me
to the side of the road
I reached for tumbleweeds
They were tangled with dirt and rimmed with jagged stone
They scraped my skin
Left me bruised and torn
They carried me forward
Weathered, wiser, and reborn
My roots grew wild, flexible and free
Fed by the ruthless sun
No need for apologies
So don’t return with questions in your eyes
Wondering why I no longer bend, no longer cry
I am not that frightened little girl
who clung to you by need
She’s gone now—and I, at last, am freed

Katherina Lepeniotis
June 24 2025

06/21/2025

Just a quick grocery run, they said. It’ll be easy, they said. 🤡

Meanwhile, my 5-year-old is joyfully swinging from my underarm flab like it’s a jungle gym. Who needs toys when mom’s batwings are in full flight mode?

2.5 years post gastric bypass and listen—I’ve lost the weight, but apparently kept the flaps for entertainment purposes. 😂 At this point, I'm just glad he’s not yelling “FLAP FLAP BIRDIE!” like last time.

Whatever keeps him busy while I try to remember if I already bought the almond milk…

06/10/2025

✨Two+ Years Post-Op & Still Losing ✨

If you’re further out from your gastric bypass surgery and the scale isn’t moving as fast as it used to… don’t panic. Slow and steady wins the race.

This journey isn’t just about rapid weight loss—it’s about long-term habits that support your health for life.

That means:

💧 Staying HYDRATED (yes, water is still queen!)

🍗 Prioritizing PROTEIN at every meal

💊 Taking your MULTIVITAMINS consistently

🩸 Getting REGULAR BLOOD WORK to catch deficiencies before they catch you

You didn’t come this far to forget why you started. Stay intentional. Stay fueled. Stay the course. 🛤️

💡Want real guidance? I wrote a Bariatric Cookbook that breaks down everything you need to know—from pre-op prep to post-op phases, including recipes, phase-specific nutrition, and reminders to keep you on track.

📚 Click the link in my profile to grab your copy today and get back to basics, the right way. 💕

06/10/2025

Bariatric patients — have you noticed a change in your vision after major weight loss?

It's more common than you think. Drastic changes in your body can affect your eyes, too.

If your prescription doesn’t feel quite right anymore or things seem blurrier than they used to, it might be time to get your eyes checked.

I recently visited the expert team at LASIK MD Ottawa and was diagnosed with keratoconus and they took excellent care of me.

LASIK MD offers advanced diagnostics and customized treatment plans to help protect and even restore your vision.

I was operated on by Dr. Samir Jabbour ()

He is not only knowledgeable but incredibly reassuring — explaining every step clearly and helping patients feel confident about their options.

Don’t wait or assume it’s “just part of the process.”

Take charge of your eye health and consult the trusted team at LASIK MD.

They have clinics all across Canada and partners in the United States as well.

You deserve to see this next chapter of your life with crystal clarity. 👁✨ ❤️

05/18/2025

I am no longer type 2 diabetic. I have been struggling with Diabetes since 2011, but no more!

Before my Gastric Bypass, I had already lost over 70 pounds through lifestyle changes, but my diabetes wasn’t letting up.

My doctor sat me down and gently explained that while I had made incredible progress, Gastric Bypass could be a game-changer—not just for weight, but for my health.

In December 2022, I finally had the surgery. Slowly but surely, my glucose levels started to improve. Month after month, number after number… until one day, I wasn’t just managing my diabetes anymore.

It was gone!

I will never take that for granted.

This journey comes with ups and downs but it's been worth it.

Whatever health journey you're on... don't give up ... Keep pushing through!!!

05/18/2025

Spoonfuls of goodness!

Post-gastric bypass life means making every bite count — and this combo delivers. Creamy Greek yogurt packed with protein (25g), topped with juicy blackberries rich in antioxidants… it’s not just a snack, it’s a smart choice.

Perfect for gut health, weight management, and satisfying that sweet craving without the sugar crash. Whether you're fueling up after a workout or curbing afternoon hunger, this is the kind of delicious discipline we love.

Let food be your fuel! ❤️

05/17/2025

A satisfying, protein-packed (25g) lunch that fuels my body without the crash.

After gastric bypass, every bite counts — literally. It’s not about eating tiny portions of rabbit food forever. It’s about learning balance, discovering new go-to meals, and building plates that nourish your goals and your taste buds.

Here’s what’s on today’s menu:

Greek Gigantes Beans for fiber + flavor

Meatballs + salami = serious protein power

Crushed spicy peppers for that kick

Mozzarella cheese stick for a creamy bite

No guilt. No starving. Just smart choices that make me feel strong, full, and proud of how far I’ve come.

To anyone on the weight loss surgery journey: it’s not about perfection — it’s about progress. And damn, does this plate feel like progress.

05/16/2025

This is my final vlog documenting my personal Gastric Bypass journey… but it’s not goodbye. ❤️

Two and a half years post-op, I’ve shared the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I’ve taken you through the physical, emotional, and mental transformation of this life-changing experience. And while I feel like I’ve said all I can about my journey, I still have so much more to give.

This channel—and this community—have been a source of strength, healing, and hope. I’ll still be sharing helpful, uplifting content related to health, weight loss surgery, and post-op life, but you might see less of my face and more of the world through my creative lens.

I’m turning 47 in just a couple of months, and I’m stepping into a new chapter—focused on my family, my health, and hopefully, a more creative and soulful life. Whether it’s painting, pottery, writing, traveling, or simply living with intention, I’m excited for what’s ahead.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for watching. I hope I’ve brought you value, encouragement, or simply a sense of “you’re not alone.” I’ll continue creating through new videos, my books, and my curated Amazon shop—and I hope you’ll stay with me on this journey.

✨ Stay Connected:

📸 Personal Instagram:
📸 Gastric Bypass Journey:

✨ Shop Our Must-Have Weight Loss Picks Here:
👉 https://kit.co/thistothatlife/this-to-that-life

👉 Bariatric Cookbook: Inspired by the Mediterranean
https://a.co/d/87GwO5K

With all my love,
— Katherina

:

Video: https://youtu.be/0Zd6wqol9rQ

05/15/2025

I just wrapped up filming my final vlog (coming out May 16 2025) documenting my personal health journey—and wow, what a ride it’s been. Two and a half years post-op from my Gastric Bypass surgery, and I feel like I’ve shared every raw, real, and beautiful part of this transformation. This chapter of vlogging might be closing, but the story is far from over.

While I may not show my face on camera as often, I’ll still be here—sharing insights, inspiration, and content that speaks to the heart of health, healing, and life after weight loss surgery. I’ll continue to post here on Instagram and Facebook and create new videos that support and uplift those on similar journeys.

In two months, I turn 47, and with that milestone comes a new focus: my health, my family, and a dream of stepping boldly into a more creative life. I’m putting it out into the universe—this next chapter might look like painting, pottery, traveling, blogging, or writing books. Who knows where it will lead? But I’m excited.

Thank you for watching, listening, supporting, and cheering me on. Your presence has meant more than words can say. I hope I’ve given you value, hope, and maybe even a few smiles along the way. I promise to keep creating—through books, my Amazon store, and new videos—to continue walking this journey with you.

With all my heart, thank you.
Kat

✨ Stay Connected:

📸 Personal Instagram:
📸 Gastric Bypass Journey:

✨ Shop Our Must-Have Weight Loss Picks Here:
👉 https://kit.co/thistothatlife/this-to-that-life

👉 Bariatric Cookbook: Inspired by the Mediterranean
https://a.co/d/87GwO5K

05/14/2025

I just renewed my Health Card and had a moment I wasn’t expecting.

I know it’s normal… but sometimes, I still see my “before” self in the mirror.

When does the mind finally catch up to the transformation the body has made?

Grateful. Proud. Still adjusting. And embracing every step of this journey.

04/25/2025

Hey friends!

I’ve been itching to drop a new video on my YouTube channel, but let’s be real—time has been slipping through my fingers like sand.

That said, I haven’t forgotten about you beautiful souls!

For those who caught my last video, you know I’m at a bit of a crossroads. It’s been two years since my gastric bypass, and honestly? It feels like a lifetime ago. My journey has evolved, my life has flourished, and I’ve shared my experience with honesty and heart.

But here’s the thing—transformation doesn’t stop.
That’s why I named my channel ThisToThatLife—because it’s about growth, reinvention, and boldly stepping into what’s next.

Right now, I’m in hustle mode—working hard with Elections Canada, chasing down funds, and prepping for one last summer adventure before I fully dive into a new chapter. My little one starts kindergarten this fall, and for the first time in years, I’m ready to reclaim my time and build something for myself and my family. I dedicated over 25 years working for others and acquired the skill and experience to do something for myself.

I’ve spent the last 5 years raising a beautiful human, writing 5 books (yes—five!), including a bariatric cookbook, and checking off some epic bucket list moments. Gastric bypass was a life-changing tool that helped me get here—but now it’s time to take the next leap.

So what’s next? That’s what I’ll be sharing in my next video, coming out next week! I’d love for you to stick around, offer your input, and walk this next path with me.

From one chapter to the next… This to That. Let’s do this!

01/30/2025

I used to dread the sight of those narrow chairs with metal armrests—the ones found in every medical clinic. As someone living in a larger body, I avoided them at all costs.

If I had no choice, I’d squeeze in painfully, my hips pressing against the sides, often leaving bruises and a lingering sense of humiliation.

Those chairs weren’t just uncomfortable—they were a constant reminder that the world wasn’t built for people like me.

After losing over 120 lbs through gastric bypass surgery, I fit into those chairs now, but the echoes of that anxiety still linger. I know what it feels like to question whether you belong, even in something as simple as a seat.

My hope is that one day, waiting rooms will reflect the diversity of all bodies and ensure everyone finds comfort without shame.

This to That Life

06/24/2025

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06/10/2025

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01/30/2025

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