First “big trip” after VSG

Hello friends.
I’m back from my 11 day trip to Churchill Manitoba where I was staying at the Northern Studies Centre for a field course in polar bear ecology. I’m thrilled to say that the trip was successful both wildlife wise and weight wise. I worked really hard to stay on program and some of the tips I got on this forum were very helpful.
Getting there involved one day of flying then 45 hours by train and then the same thing getting back. While there I could have asked for “special meals”, but didn’t because it’s challenging enough for the folks up there to get groceries and if I did ask for special meals I’d pretty much be obligated to eat them. So, I pre-made a bunch of protein drinks in zip lock bags to take and just add water. I used chocolate Unjury protein powder, some Benefiber, a little powdered milk and in some added PB2 powdered peanut butter. They worked out great! I also took packages of jerky and tuna. I was thankful I prepared this way as a lot of the meals were high carb high fat. Also, there simply wasn’t any time available while there to exercise. Running up and downstairs to my room must have helped because I weighed myself this morning and lost 2 pounds.
Past trips usually resulted in gain weight so I’m thrilled! Here are some photos I took that I thought you might enjoy.

Janny, I can't even imagine doing that and am so impressed by your experience! I love the pictures and scenery; I personally commend you for undertaking such a trip to that environment and turning it into a NSV (non-scale victory) makes it even more awe-inspiring to me.

I admire that so many of the "veterans" on this site, undertake the adventures they're kind enough to share! It's a real show of commitment and change we have all undertaken after surgery. Kudos to you all!

OMG, your photos are gorgeous! I'm jealous! Next time I'll come too.

Great planning on your part food wise. I like how you didn't ask for special meals, it always puts stress on the people organizing. On my recent ski weekend 4 out of 6 of us were vegans, and the poor guy who planned the trip bought meals for 6 for the weekend and ended up throwing most out. My husband and I ate it!!

What a fabulous (and grueling) trip. I love the photos. How lucky that you were able to experience this.
Well done on the meal preparation. It absolutely helps to have a contingency plan when travelling.

Well done! Not just the loss, and well planned eating, but on the adventures! My father lived in Happy Valley AK which was in the polar area and I have some fabulous, albeit older, photos. It's an amazing ecosystem. What reminder that our earth is our mother, and the cycle is delicate.

Thank you for sharing! And how cool is it we can do so much now!

Janny!
Your pictures are AHMAZING!!! OMG! What an adventure! I'm impressed with the nature of the trip and all of the pre-planning you did for it!