Man, this summer is flying by. Seriously I don't know where the time has gone. Mid-August always makes me very emotional and anxiety-ridden. The start of another school year makes me more aware of my kids growth - even more so than their birthdays or New Year's Eve. Admitting to myself that I have a 6th grader is just a hard pill to swallow. Not sure if that will ever change.
I will say, however, that this summer has had hundreds of small victories proving I am a new person. Not to say that I LOVE wearing a swimsuit but I certainly don't dread it like I used to. Clothes shopping for size 10/12 or L is a lot more fun than size 22/24 and XXL. Being out-and-about at events with my family, carrying a child and a backpack full of stuff without sweating my shirt through or breathing heavy from simply walking is pretty awesome. Not feeling like everyone is staring at me is a bonus - I pretty much blend into the crowd now (happily!!).
The family took a weekend trip to Green Bay WI a couple weekends ago to see Packer's Training Camp. We walked all over, the boys participated in some fun activities designed for kids. We stayed at a hotel with a massive indoor water park. There I was, in my suit, playing in the water with my kids. And when my three year old wanted to go down the waterslide, I picked him up on one hip and lifted the two-person tube up with the other arm and up the three flights of stairs I went. No problems. Wasn't even winded at the top. THAT, my friends, is progress. And I didn't do that once - I believe I hiked up that waterslide 5-6 times carrying the tube (though I did eventually talk the 30 pounds into holding my hand and walking up the stairs himself).
The running...OH the running...it's my thing. My jam. My release. I am really trying to commit to AT LEAST 35 minutes a day, three days a week and two days of 50 minutes per week. I also hired a personal trainer to help me with these last 25-30 pounds. So far, that's been a positive experience. The 'good' sore tells me it's working. The scale still isn't moving but I'm just trying my best to be patient.
I did, however, go into a consignment shop the other day to kill some time and tried on a couple pair of size 10 pants that I ended up buying...because the combined total was $4 for both AND they'll fit by this fall.
So there ya have it. Life on the other side is so very good. So happy to be here!!!
Monday, August 15, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
1 Year Post-Op Appointments
The last big thing to mark my one-year post-op was the follow up with the surgeon, the nutritionist and the exercise physiologist. I met with the doctor and the nutritionist last week but couldn't meet with physio until today.
Everything is great for the most part. My weight loss by the numbers is about what they expected me to lose in one year. My labs came back good - my good cholesterol is high (meaning it's good), my bad cholesterol is low (also good) and my overall is at a very good 180. My vitamin levels look decent but I need to work on getting my D in every day. The concern was for my calcium level, which was OK but not stellar so I have to be super-vigilant about taking it. Of all the things I was supposed to do post-op, taking my calcium has been at the bottom of the list so it's being moved closer to the top now that I've wrapped my brain around this new lifestyle.
I met with physio today and she was much more encouraging. Her numbers are based on actual body make-up so they're not averages, they're true to MY body. First of all, measurements. Hard to argue with those. I've lost 20 inches from my waist. 20. Inches. Like the length of my newborns. JUST. FROM. MY. WAIST. I've lost 17 from my hips. That's a total of 37 inches and doesn't account for thigh or arm measurements. Holy crap.
My favorite part about meeting with Physio is that she hooks an electrode up to my foot and one up to my hand and it measures what my muscle mass is. My personal BMI. Not some equation for my height and weight but truly what MY skeleton and muscles weigh. Since I started this RNY journey, I've lost 103 pounds of pure fat. I have also lost some muscle but not a ton and I have a strategy to get that back. I'm no longer considered "obese" as my BMI is below 30% (it's 28% so I'm still "overweight" but not 'obese').
The hard work is paying off...however I still need to work hard. I need to get back into 9Round for some muscle-building action. This will become infinitely easier once baseball/t-ball is over in a couple weeks. I also need to do resistance training on the nights when I don't do cardio. I need to put in at least 15-20 minutes to my muscles. If I commit to doing those two things, I should kick-start the weight loss again AND build some muscle. Both positive things.
Life is still good. So so very good.
Everything is great for the most part. My weight loss by the numbers is about what they expected me to lose in one year. My labs came back good - my good cholesterol is high (meaning it's good), my bad cholesterol is low (also good) and my overall is at a very good 180. My vitamin levels look decent but I need to work on getting my D in every day. The concern was for my calcium level, which was OK but not stellar so I have to be super-vigilant about taking it. Of all the things I was supposed to do post-op, taking my calcium has been at the bottom of the list so it's being moved closer to the top now that I've wrapped my brain around this new lifestyle.
I met with physio today and she was much more encouraging. Her numbers are based on actual body make-up so they're not averages, they're true to MY body. First of all, measurements. Hard to argue with those. I've lost 20 inches from my waist. 20. Inches. Like the length of my newborns. JUST. FROM. MY. WAIST. I've lost 17 from my hips. That's a total of 37 inches and doesn't account for thigh or arm measurements. Holy crap.
My favorite part about meeting with Physio is that she hooks an electrode up to my foot and one up to my hand and it measures what my muscle mass is. My personal BMI. Not some equation for my height and weight but truly what MY skeleton and muscles weigh. Since I started this RNY journey, I've lost 103 pounds of pure fat. I have also lost some muscle but not a ton and I have a strategy to get that back. I'm no longer considered "obese" as my BMI is below 30% (it's 28% so I'm still "overweight" but not 'obese').
The hard work is paying off...however I still need to work hard. I need to get back into 9Round for some muscle-building action. This will become infinitely easier once baseball/t-ball is over in a couple weeks. I also need to do resistance training on the nights when I don't do cardio. I need to put in at least 15-20 minutes to my muscles. If I commit to doing those two things, I should kick-start the weight loss again AND build some muscle. Both positive things.
Life is still good. So so very good.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
One YEAR Post-Op
A year ago today was my RNY. In fact, a year ago right about now, surgery was done and I was being wheeled into recovery.
My memories of that day are spotty. I remember the morning clearly - getting up and driving to Abbott, waiting with my mom and Phil, going back to pre-op and changing and answering a million questions and taking a pregnancy test and starting the IV. After surgery, I remember my nurse anesthetist saying "All done, Amy!! You did great!!!" into my ear as she wheeled me into the recovery room. I remember feeling like my brain was stuck in honey or jello or something all day - sticky and slow and tired...so very tired...wanting to stay awake but falling in and out of sleep all day. I remember doing laps around the nurses station that night - alone - with my IV pole - and thinking about what I had just done. And being really scared that it was done.
The year has gone by - and would have passed whether I had surgery or not. Buy my GOD am I so happy I took the plunge. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have had it done...and so blessed that I mustered up the courage to do it. The person I was a year and more ago was not happy. She was so stuck and depressed and trapped she didn't know how to do much more than breathe because she'd failed so many times at dieting and taking control that she was just stuck. I'm now free. Thank God.
Anniversary's are typically marked with a meal or a celebration. No special meal for me today - just my typical plan. I will, however, have a nice long workout tonight and push myself hard. Harder than a typical workout - in celebration because I CAN. I CAN run an extra 10 minutes. I can up the incline and handle it. I can do an extra set of squats or lunges or sit-ups or triceps. That's my celebration. I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
My memories of that day are spotty. I remember the morning clearly - getting up and driving to Abbott, waiting with my mom and Phil, going back to pre-op and changing and answering a million questions and taking a pregnancy test and starting the IV. After surgery, I remember my nurse anesthetist saying "All done, Amy!! You did great!!!" into my ear as she wheeled me into the recovery room. I remember feeling like my brain was stuck in honey or jello or something all day - sticky and slow and tired...so very tired...wanting to stay awake but falling in and out of sleep all day. I remember doing laps around the nurses station that night - alone - with my IV pole - and thinking about what I had just done. And being really scared that it was done.
The year has gone by - and would have passed whether I had surgery or not. Buy my GOD am I so happy I took the plunge. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have had it done...and so blessed that I mustered up the courage to do it. The person I was a year and more ago was not happy. She was so stuck and depressed and trapped she didn't know how to do much more than breathe because she'd failed so many times at dieting and taking control that she was just stuck. I'm now free. Thank God.
Anniversary's are typically marked with a meal or a celebration. No special meal for me today - just my typical plan. I will, however, have a nice long workout tonight and push myself hard. Harder than a typical workout - in celebration because I CAN. I CAN run an extra 10 minutes. I can up the incline and handle it. I can do an extra set of squats or lunges or sit-ups or triceps. That's my celebration. I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
11.5 Months Post-Op
The stall continues.
However...I am still proud of where I am. Not many people in the world can say they've lost 130 pounds in 11.5 months. How crazy is that?? Less than a year!! I lost the equivalent of my not-small 11 year old!! That is significant!!
I got inked almost three weeks ago now. I have tattoos on the tops of both my feet. I love them. I love them in a weird way - maybe partially because it's hard to believe they're real and forever. I went by myself to get them...for some reason, I thought Phil would want to join me but he said he didn't need to do that so I was on my own. Since these are my first tattoos, I'd never been inside a tattoo shop before my consultation. It's much more surgical than I thought it'd be. I was so impressed by the entire process. Also, I picked a very tender location for these tattoos - there isn't much flesh on the tops of feet and especially for the script, it felt like she was carving into my foot with a razor blade. I will say this - I can see how it's addicting. I find myself looking at them more frequently than I thought I would...in admiration, not in shame. And I love the phrase I chose - "I can do hard things". Yup and yup. I went thru a very itchy phase a couple days ago but they seem to have stopped itching and peeling so I do believe we're close to being all healed up...and I adore them.
I have my one year post-op appointment on June 23rd. I'm supposed to go have all the labs done (bloodwork) this week so we have results to talk about at the appointment. I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint the doctor and the nutritionist because I haven't lost much at all since my 9 month appointment. These last 30 pounds are tough - I'm fighting for each and every one.
I'm still running and I'm still not IN LOVE with running but now that it's easier, it's not bad. My secret is finding a show I love to watch while doing it - currently that show is Sons of Anarchy. I'm up to 45 minutes running (not fast, mind you) with some hills tossed in for good measure. What a workout that is!!! And when complete, I feel strong and able and proud...because it wasn't long ago that I would have rather died than think about running for even 5 minutes. And even still, the first 5 minutes are the hardest. Once I hit the 10 minute mark, I feel pretty good. But the beginning is the hardest and the worst. Much like anything, really.
That's all I got - not much to report. I'll post the update after my appointment in 2 weeks!!!
However...I am still proud of where I am. Not many people in the world can say they've lost 130 pounds in 11.5 months. How crazy is that?? Less than a year!! I lost the equivalent of my not-small 11 year old!! That is significant!!
I got inked almost three weeks ago now. I have tattoos on the tops of both my feet. I love them. I love them in a weird way - maybe partially because it's hard to believe they're real and forever. I went by myself to get them...for some reason, I thought Phil would want to join me but he said he didn't need to do that so I was on my own. Since these are my first tattoos, I'd never been inside a tattoo shop before my consultation. It's much more surgical than I thought it'd be. I was so impressed by the entire process. Also, I picked a very tender location for these tattoos - there isn't much flesh on the tops of feet and especially for the script, it felt like she was carving into my foot with a razor blade. I will say this - I can see how it's addicting. I find myself looking at them more frequently than I thought I would...in admiration, not in shame. And I love the phrase I chose - "I can do hard things". Yup and yup. I went thru a very itchy phase a couple days ago but they seem to have stopped itching and peeling so I do believe we're close to being all healed up...and I adore them.
I have my one year post-op appointment on June 23rd. I'm supposed to go have all the labs done (bloodwork) this week so we have results to talk about at the appointment. I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint the doctor and the nutritionist because I haven't lost much at all since my 9 month appointment. These last 30 pounds are tough - I'm fighting for each and every one.
I'm still running and I'm still not IN LOVE with running but now that it's easier, it's not bad. My secret is finding a show I love to watch while doing it - currently that show is Sons of Anarchy. I'm up to 45 minutes running (not fast, mind you) with some hills tossed in for good measure. What a workout that is!!! And when complete, I feel strong and able and proud...because it wasn't long ago that I would have rather died than think about running for even 5 minutes. And even still, the first 5 minutes are the hardest. Once I hit the 10 minute mark, I feel pretty good. But the beginning is the hardest and the worst. Much like anything, really.
That's all I got - not much to report. I'll post the update after my appointment in 2 weeks!!!
Monday, April 25, 2016
Update - 10 Months Post-Op
I'm in my biggest stall ever - haven't dropped a single pound since early March.
Yeah, I'm a little disappointed. I mean, I'm still playing by the rules...and to be honest, now that I'm not seeing a 2 at the beginning of my weight every morning, I'm feeling pretty good. But my goal weight is still 30 pounds away and I'd like to hit that by Christmas. Slow and steady.
Here's what I know : I can run and I do run. I still don't particularly enjoy running, but I can do it for 30 minutes without pain. I can also do it for longer than 30 minutes, but my knees are very angry the next day. So right now I still to 15 minutes of walking fast, 30 minutes of running (NOT FAST) and another 15 - 30 minutes of walking fast with inclines. This typically burns 500 calories according to the treadmill. I then hop off and do some ab work with my weight bench and stability ball followed by some squats with weights and some arm work also with weights. I have a 15lb. kettle bell and sets of 7 pound hand weights. I newly invested in a set of 10 pound hand weights too. So the weight/resistance stuff adds another 15-20 minutes to the workout. And when I'm done, I feel amazing. Strong and able and tired. And GOOD.
I also know that my mind needs the exercise just as much if not more than my body. I need the endorphin rush. I need the feeling of accomplishment. I need the challenge. I need the me-time.
I also know this : more calories is better right now. Not crazy more. But 200 more or so. I think my body thinks it's starving on 600 or so calories. I also KNOW that I need to focus on more water. I had my 9 month post-op check up a few weeks ago and my blood pressure was alarmingly low at 90/48. So being more careful about water intake and assuring good hydration should help - I have some pretty serious dizzy spells without it which is part of the low blood pressure thing.
I am slowly able to eat some old favorites again - namely salad. Not big portions but it feels so great to crunch on cold and crisp salad. You really really miss texture after a while, ya know? Greek yogurt is awesome but not much texture.
I got to purge my closet yet again. I'm 110% out of plus sized clothes...so out with all of those. Also out of most of the first round of regular sized stuff I bought. The difference between a 16 and a 12 doesnt' sound like a lot but it IS the difference between a belt and not. So yes, the Goodwill is getting another three bags of stuff - some which never got worn. Thank goodness for the write-off values!!!
Finally, I scheduled an appointment for my first tattoo. Pretty out of character for me and kind of scary but I'm excited at the same time. I'm having the phrase "I can do hard things" inked on the top of my foot...as a permanent reminder that I CAN DO HARD THINGS. I have and I will and I can. I've put a lot of thought into the placement and the phrase and the lettering - I think it'll be very tasteful and discrete. I even got the support of my mom who hates tattoos...so there ya go!!
Life is good. I cannot believe it's been almost a year since I started this journey. The year was going to pass whether I took the plunge or not but I'm so thankful I did. I needed one day of extreme bravery on surgery day. And even on the hardest of days post-op or since, I never once have regretted this decision. I'm actually starting to look like the person I've always been in my head. The list of things I can now do without a second thought is amazing. I'm so incredibly blessed by this journey.
Yeah, I'm a little disappointed. I mean, I'm still playing by the rules...and to be honest, now that I'm not seeing a 2 at the beginning of my weight every morning, I'm feeling pretty good. But my goal weight is still 30 pounds away and I'd like to hit that by Christmas. Slow and steady.
Here's what I know : I can run and I do run. I still don't particularly enjoy running, but I can do it for 30 minutes without pain. I can also do it for longer than 30 minutes, but my knees are very angry the next day. So right now I still to 15 minutes of walking fast, 30 minutes of running (NOT FAST) and another 15 - 30 minutes of walking fast with inclines. This typically burns 500 calories according to the treadmill. I then hop off and do some ab work with my weight bench and stability ball followed by some squats with weights and some arm work also with weights. I have a 15lb. kettle bell and sets of 7 pound hand weights. I newly invested in a set of 10 pound hand weights too. So the weight/resistance stuff adds another 15-20 minutes to the workout. And when I'm done, I feel amazing. Strong and able and tired. And GOOD.
I also know that my mind needs the exercise just as much if not more than my body. I need the endorphin rush. I need the feeling of accomplishment. I need the challenge. I need the me-time.
I also know this : more calories is better right now. Not crazy more. But 200 more or so. I think my body thinks it's starving on 600 or so calories. I also KNOW that I need to focus on more water. I had my 9 month post-op check up a few weeks ago and my blood pressure was alarmingly low at 90/48. So being more careful about water intake and assuring good hydration should help - I have some pretty serious dizzy spells without it which is part of the low blood pressure thing.
I am slowly able to eat some old favorites again - namely salad. Not big portions but it feels so great to crunch on cold and crisp salad. You really really miss texture after a while, ya know? Greek yogurt is awesome but not much texture.
I got to purge my closet yet again. I'm 110% out of plus sized clothes...so out with all of those. Also out of most of the first round of regular sized stuff I bought. The difference between a 16 and a 12 doesnt' sound like a lot but it IS the difference between a belt and not. So yes, the Goodwill is getting another three bags of stuff - some which never got worn. Thank goodness for the write-off values!!!
Finally, I scheduled an appointment for my first tattoo. Pretty out of character for me and kind of scary but I'm excited at the same time. I'm having the phrase "I can do hard things" inked on the top of my foot...as a permanent reminder that I CAN DO HARD THINGS. I have and I will and I can. I've put a lot of thought into the placement and the phrase and the lettering - I think it'll be very tasteful and discrete. I even got the support of my mom who hates tattoos...so there ya go!!
Life is good. I cannot believe it's been almost a year since I started this journey. The year was going to pass whether I took the plunge or not but I'm so thankful I did. I needed one day of extreme bravery on surgery day. And even on the hardest of days post-op or since, I never once have regretted this decision. I'm actually starting to look like the person I've always been in my head. The list of things I can now do without a second thought is amazing. I'm so incredibly blessed by this journey.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
One-derland!!!
I woke up on Saturday morning weighing under 200 pounds.
On The Biggest Loser, they call this "One-derland".
This was a HUGE deal for two reasons. First, I cannot remember when I have seen a 1XX number on the scale. I can only assume it was in high school...but I cannot remember. And it feels AMAZING.
Second, it also means I've lost 120 pounds since pre-liquid diet and 100 pounds since the day of surgery. Also a huge freaking deal.
AND I've lost more since Saturday...so life just keeps getting better!! I almost think my body had hit a place where 500-600 calories wasn't triggering loss anymore because the days I've eaten more like 700 calories, I lose. So OK!! Feed you more, I get it body!!!
I've been battling something - not sure if it's a cold or flu or what but I'm exhausted and coughing and aching - so I haven't been working out this week because it honestly takes all my energy to just make it until the boys bedtime when I collapse in bed myself. Even without working out, I'm losing. Weird.
I had some labs run at the doctor a couple weeks ago - I had my cholesterol checked, my Iron level checked, and a basic CBC. I've always had high cholesterol since I first had it checked at age 8. This time, it was 160. Well within the "Normal" range. My Iron level was also quite normal. So further proof - as if I needed it - that my WLS was a good decision. I actually AM healthier than I've ever been.
So looking at the scale this week has been fun...and my thoughts often drift to how I'll feel when I see my goal weight on that scale. Knowing, as I know today, that I am doing this. I made a commitment and am holding to it. Many, many people who learn of my surgery say "OH!! I know someone who also had that!!! They lost a ton and then gained half of it back!!". Well gee. Thanks. I dream all the time that I am fat again. That I'm depressed and stuck in a body that I despise and drowning in myself. And I wake up feeling desperate and scared. Trust me when I say, I will NOT be that girl who people are referring to who lost it all and gained half back. I am not.
That's all from One-derland today!!! Life is good here!!!
On The Biggest Loser, they call this "One-derland".
This was a HUGE deal for two reasons. First, I cannot remember when I have seen a 1XX number on the scale. I can only assume it was in high school...but I cannot remember. And it feels AMAZING.
Second, it also means I've lost 120 pounds since pre-liquid diet and 100 pounds since the day of surgery. Also a huge freaking deal.
AND I've lost more since Saturday...so life just keeps getting better!! I almost think my body had hit a place where 500-600 calories wasn't triggering loss anymore because the days I've eaten more like 700 calories, I lose. So OK!! Feed you more, I get it body!!!
I've been battling something - not sure if it's a cold or flu or what but I'm exhausted and coughing and aching - so I haven't been working out this week because it honestly takes all my energy to just make it until the boys bedtime when I collapse in bed myself. Even without working out, I'm losing. Weird.
I had some labs run at the doctor a couple weeks ago - I had my cholesterol checked, my Iron level checked, and a basic CBC. I've always had high cholesterol since I first had it checked at age 8. This time, it was 160. Well within the "Normal" range. My Iron level was also quite normal. So further proof - as if I needed it - that my WLS was a good decision. I actually AM healthier than I've ever been.
So looking at the scale this week has been fun...and my thoughts often drift to how I'll feel when I see my goal weight on that scale. Knowing, as I know today, that I am doing this. I made a commitment and am holding to it. Many, many people who learn of my surgery say "OH!! I know someone who also had that!!! They lost a ton and then gained half of it back!!". Well gee. Thanks. I dream all the time that I am fat again. That I'm depressed and stuck in a body that I despise and drowning in myself. And I wake up feeling desperate and scared. Trust me when I say, I will NOT be that girl who people are referring to who lost it all and gained half back. I am not.
That's all from One-derland today!!! Life is good here!!!
Friday, February 26, 2016
New Life on Vacation...
My sweet husband and I spent 5 lovely days in San Diego, CA last week. It was so awesome - the weather was perfect (75+ and sunny). We had a ball walking around, visiting friends, shopping, eating in yummy restaurants. And I did a couple things that I would never considered doing before surgery.
First, I brought workout stuff and ACTUALLY USED IT. We stayed in a hotel that had a beautiful fitness room. Two very new treadmills and two new elliptical machines along with an array of free weights and a stability ball with two wall mounted TV's connected to all the cable channels. Being as we were on vacation without our children, I had no excuses NOT to carve out time for workouts a couple times on our trip. And it was actually fun. It's amazing what a new treadmill can do for a workout. I'm not sure if it was wider or what but it felt different and great. I also used the elliptical on another occasion and that too was a great workout. An hour of cardio and 15 minutes of abs/weights was a great way to complete my day while on vacation twice.
Second, we walked all over the frickin' place!!! There is so much to see and do in San Diego and we didn't waste an opportunity. Yes, we used public transportation and we rented a car for a couple days...but we also walked a lot and thanks to my trusty Fitbit, I know that on Friday, we walked 7.7 miles. That's around Old Towne several times, down by the Harbor and the aircraft carrier, around Seaport Village, and back up thru Gaslamp to our hotel. Then a break for a nap and back out for dinner in Gaslamp and back to the hotel. Now, this was extreme...we were feeling a bit tight in the legs on Saturday but it wasn't bad. It felt amazing to be able to say that we walked that far!! Our vacations just don't typically include a ton of activity - we're more of the 'park it on the beach in a chair' kind of vacationers. This was a fun experience to be on the move and enjoying it!!
Finally, I ate. I was so sad to think that food is a part of traveling I enjoy and if I had WLS, I would have to kiss that part of my life goodbye...but not the case!! I had an omlette with smoked salmon, I had sushi, I had grilled salmon, I had sea bass, I had huervos rancheros. I had wine. I didn't go overboard and I followed the rules of eating/drinking/protein first. I kept up with my water. And I didn't gain any weight. I didn't lose any either, so it's a good thing we were walking and I worked out...but I didn't gain any weight. This was a huge victory for me.
Flying home, I was sitting in my coach seat with my seatbelt fastened with plenty of room to spare with my legs crossed reading thinking how much my life has changed. I know I repeat this in every blog post but man, I'm so damn thankful to have been able to have this surgery. I am SO happy to be in this body now...this body that is responding and is finally working with me to be our healthiest self. I didn't realize how miserable I was for so long trapped under all that weight. I'm 45 pounds away from my goal weight and I couldn't be more excited to conquer it. I cannot wait to say "I did it!!!" and know in my heart that yes, I did it. No one else. Me. All me.
First, I brought workout stuff and ACTUALLY USED IT. We stayed in a hotel that had a beautiful fitness room. Two very new treadmills and two new elliptical machines along with an array of free weights and a stability ball with two wall mounted TV's connected to all the cable channels. Being as we were on vacation without our children, I had no excuses NOT to carve out time for workouts a couple times on our trip. And it was actually fun. It's amazing what a new treadmill can do for a workout. I'm not sure if it was wider or what but it felt different and great. I also used the elliptical on another occasion and that too was a great workout. An hour of cardio and 15 minutes of abs/weights was a great way to complete my day while on vacation twice.
Second, we walked all over the frickin' place!!! There is so much to see and do in San Diego and we didn't waste an opportunity. Yes, we used public transportation and we rented a car for a couple days...but we also walked a lot and thanks to my trusty Fitbit, I know that on Friday, we walked 7.7 miles. That's around Old Towne several times, down by the Harbor and the aircraft carrier, around Seaport Village, and back up thru Gaslamp to our hotel. Then a break for a nap and back out for dinner in Gaslamp and back to the hotel. Now, this was extreme...we were feeling a bit tight in the legs on Saturday but it wasn't bad. It felt amazing to be able to say that we walked that far!! Our vacations just don't typically include a ton of activity - we're more of the 'park it on the beach in a chair' kind of vacationers. This was a fun experience to be on the move and enjoying it!!
Finally, I ate. I was so sad to think that food is a part of traveling I enjoy and if I had WLS, I would have to kiss that part of my life goodbye...but not the case!! I had an omlette with smoked salmon, I had sushi, I had grilled salmon, I had sea bass, I had huervos rancheros. I had wine. I didn't go overboard and I followed the rules of eating/drinking/protein first. I kept up with my water. And I didn't gain any weight. I didn't lose any either, so it's a good thing we were walking and I worked out...but I didn't gain any weight. This was a huge victory for me.
Flying home, I was sitting in my coach seat with my seatbelt fastened with plenty of room to spare with my legs crossed reading thinking how much my life has changed. I know I repeat this in every blog post but man, I'm so damn thankful to have been able to have this surgery. I am SO happy to be in this body now...this body that is responding and is finally working with me to be our healthiest self. I didn't realize how miserable I was for so long trapped under all that weight. I'm 45 pounds away from my goal weight and I couldn't be more excited to conquer it. I cannot wait to say "I did it!!!" and know in my heart that yes, I did it. No one else. Me. All me.
Friday, January 15, 2016
206 Days Later...
It's been 206 days.
206 days since I've had a stomach. 206 days since I made the life-change. 206 days since my new life started.
I haven't written in a long time because there hasn't been much to report about. I found my groove and it was an awesome ride for three months. I was losing a half pound to a pound a day. Weight was literally melting off. Then I hit a stall just after Thanksgiving and it's been much more work. They did tell me that the first 6 months were the easiest time and after that, the weight loss required effort. That was 110% true. But I stay the course. I log every single thing I eat. I log every work out. I wear my Fitbit religiously. My New Year's resolution was to make a better attempt at taking my vitamins and calcium (I'm remembering MORE...but I am not up to daily yet).
My calorie intake hovers around 500. Some days it's more, some days it's shy but most days, I'm between 475 and 550. I know that sounds ridiculously low but you'd be surprised by how satisfied you can get when you are eating only protein and real food - cutting out processing and most carbs. I eat a lot of Greek yogurt and Quark, cottage cheese, lean meats - chicken breast, fish - and fruit/veggies. I miss other foods...of course I do. I miss baked goods a lot. I also miss SALADS immensely. I miss cold and crunchy. However my new plumbing just isn't loving salad yet. I get really full in just a couple bites and since protein is more important, I rarely have room for greens. Other veggies go down better - green beans, asparagus, broccoli - all feel better in the pouch because I can get them more chewed up than I can lettuce/spinach. My teeth just can't grind greens the same way. I still adore soup...and Yasso Greek Yogurt pops. They are 100 calories and my substitute for ice cream - and they come in flavors like cookie dough and salted caramel...so they really are a close substitute.
I'm in love with working out and I feel seriously down when I can't fit them in. This week, working out just hasn't been that easy - activities and plans got in the way. The highlight of my Friday evening is a long workout. Me, my elliptical, my treadmill, the Smart TV - we have some serious work to do. I still try to hit 9 Round when I can and my home workouts are 60 minutes minimum. I try to burn at least 800 calories per workout at home. And yes, I still run. Just to prove to myself that I can.
My body is changing. Even when the scale isn't reflecting weight loss, my body is different. I had my 6 month post op check up and the Exercise Phys gal did my measurements. I've lost 15 inches off my waist. 15 INCHES OFF MY WAIST IN 6 MONTHS. How insane is that????? That's crazy. The clothes I feel like I just bought (but in all honesty it's been since before Christmas) don't fit anymore. My thighs and butt don't fill them out the way they should and I end up looking bigger than I really am. I know it sounds like a stupid problem but shopping for new pants is frustrating when I know in a few weeks they're not going to fit again. It's the middle of winter and I don't really WANT to buy more winter clothes...I want to think about cute spring stuff....but I can't buy that now because I have no idea what size I'll be when it's warm enough to actually wear it. I know - first world problems.
I had my passport photo re-taken for a renewal on Monday. I was disappointed to have to do this because I really loved my passport photo - it was a good picture and I'm smiling cute and have a nice tan going on. However seeing the photos side-by-side is kind of an eye-opener. I look like a totally different person. The natural color hair helps the difference as does the fact that you're not supposed to smile anymore in the photo but my face is so different. So even when I don't feel like much is changing...it is...
206 days since I've had a stomach. 206 days since I made the life-change. 206 days since my new life started.
I haven't written in a long time because there hasn't been much to report about. I found my groove and it was an awesome ride for three months. I was losing a half pound to a pound a day. Weight was literally melting off. Then I hit a stall just after Thanksgiving and it's been much more work. They did tell me that the first 6 months were the easiest time and after that, the weight loss required effort. That was 110% true. But I stay the course. I log every single thing I eat. I log every work out. I wear my Fitbit religiously. My New Year's resolution was to make a better attempt at taking my vitamins and calcium (I'm remembering MORE...but I am not up to daily yet).
My calorie intake hovers around 500. Some days it's more, some days it's shy but most days, I'm between 475 and 550. I know that sounds ridiculously low but you'd be surprised by how satisfied you can get when you are eating only protein and real food - cutting out processing and most carbs. I eat a lot of Greek yogurt and Quark, cottage cheese, lean meats - chicken breast, fish - and fruit/veggies. I miss other foods...of course I do. I miss baked goods a lot. I also miss SALADS immensely. I miss cold and crunchy. However my new plumbing just isn't loving salad yet. I get really full in just a couple bites and since protein is more important, I rarely have room for greens. Other veggies go down better - green beans, asparagus, broccoli - all feel better in the pouch because I can get them more chewed up than I can lettuce/spinach. My teeth just can't grind greens the same way. I still adore soup...and Yasso Greek Yogurt pops. They are 100 calories and my substitute for ice cream - and they come in flavors like cookie dough and salted caramel...so they really are a close substitute.
I'm in love with working out and I feel seriously down when I can't fit them in. This week, working out just hasn't been that easy - activities and plans got in the way. The highlight of my Friday evening is a long workout. Me, my elliptical, my treadmill, the Smart TV - we have some serious work to do. I still try to hit 9 Round when I can and my home workouts are 60 minutes minimum. I try to burn at least 800 calories per workout at home. And yes, I still run. Just to prove to myself that I can.
My body is changing. Even when the scale isn't reflecting weight loss, my body is different. I had my 6 month post op check up and the Exercise Phys gal did my measurements. I've lost 15 inches off my waist. 15 INCHES OFF MY WAIST IN 6 MONTHS. How insane is that????? That's crazy. The clothes I feel like I just bought (but in all honesty it's been since before Christmas) don't fit anymore. My thighs and butt don't fill them out the way they should and I end up looking bigger than I really am. I know it sounds like a stupid problem but shopping for new pants is frustrating when I know in a few weeks they're not going to fit again. It's the middle of winter and I don't really WANT to buy more winter clothes...I want to think about cute spring stuff....but I can't buy that now because I have no idea what size I'll be when it's warm enough to actually wear it. I know - first world problems.
I had my passport photo re-taken for a renewal on Monday. I was disappointed to have to do this because I really loved my passport photo - it was a good picture and I'm smiling cute and have a nice tan going on. However seeing the photos side-by-side is kind of an eye-opener. I look like a totally different person. The natural color hair helps the difference as does the fact that you're not supposed to smile anymore in the photo but my face is so different. So even when I don't feel like much is changing...it is...
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