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.