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...
