jenrus
One year reflections..
Apr 14, 2008
Ok - so it's not EXACTLY one year since my surgery but close enough. Plus my surgery was on a Monday and here it is Monday one year later.
As of today I've lost a total of 131 lbs. I've gone from a highest weight of 380 to 219 lbs.
I've had about a month long stall lately and have gained and lost the same 4 pounds over and over. It's a bit frustrating since I haven't been under 200 lbs. since High School and would like to see that 199 come up.
At the same time I'm not going to waste precious energy stressing over it. I'm confident in my diet/nutrition and the excercise I'm doing. When I go for my one year follow up on Wednesday I will talk to the PA to see if there's something I should do.
Right now I'm getting approx. 800 - 1200 calories / day and I don't think that's probably enough. My stall did start when I added weights to my work outs. I now have muscles and muscle tone!
I've participated in several 5K's this year and have one coming up Friday evening. This summer on July 4th I'm going to be doing my first 10K since I was in HS. I couldn't have walked 10 steps much less voluntarily done a 10K pre-surgery.
Hardest thing for me so far has been the mindless evening eating. I literally have to have something in my hand while watching TV anymore or all I want to do is snack. It doesn't matter what I've eaten or if I'm even hungry.
It's funny to think that it's been one year since my surgery but it's been one year since I've had any soft drinks or even a puff off a cigarette.
I'm pretty proud of that.
I must admit I've had a beer here and there. I love beer. I just can't let myself become a beer drinker. I limit it to 2 or 3 and that's only if I've run 3 or more miles that day.
I'm very pleased with myself for trying all kinds of new things I never thought I'd eat. Mainly veggies. I could do better but I'm getting at least 2 servings of veggies a day - much better than the 2 per week I got pre-surgery.
I've got about 45 more pounds and I'd like to get them off by Christmas. I'm happy now and honestly if I never lost another pound I'd still consider myself a success.
As of today I've lost a total of 131 lbs. I've gone from a highest weight of 380 to 219 lbs.
I've had about a month long stall lately and have gained and lost the same 4 pounds over and over. It's a bit frustrating since I haven't been under 200 lbs. since High School and would like to see that 199 come up.
At the same time I'm not going to waste precious energy stressing over it. I'm confident in my diet/nutrition and the excercise I'm doing. When I go for my one year follow up on Wednesday I will talk to the PA to see if there's something I should do.
Right now I'm getting approx. 800 - 1200 calories / day and I don't think that's probably enough. My stall did start when I added weights to my work outs. I now have muscles and muscle tone!
I've participated in several 5K's this year and have one coming up Friday evening. This summer on July 4th I'm going to be doing my first 10K since I was in HS. I couldn't have walked 10 steps much less voluntarily done a 10K pre-surgery.
Hardest thing for me so far has been the mindless evening eating. I literally have to have something in my hand while watching TV anymore or all I want to do is snack. It doesn't matter what I've eaten or if I'm even hungry.
It's funny to think that it's been one year since my surgery but it's been one year since I've had any soft drinks or even a puff off a cigarette.
I'm pretty proud of that.
I must admit I've had a beer here and there. I love beer. I just can't let myself become a beer drinker. I limit it to 2 or 3 and that's only if I've run 3 or more miles that day.
I'm very pleased with myself for trying all kinds of new things I never thought I'd eat. Mainly veggies. I could do better but I'm getting at least 2 servings of veggies a day - much better than the 2 per week I got pre-surgery.
I've got about 45 more pounds and I'd like to get them off by Christmas. I'm happy now and honestly if I never lost another pound I'd still consider myself a success.
I really should be working
Nov 08, 2007
I feel like wasting a little time today - as if I don't waste enough already...
Anyway - it's been almost 2 months since I blogged and what a 2 months it has been.
First of all I'm now down about 104 pounds - well over halfway to my goal weight. Some people have asked how I'm doing it - and well I really don't think I'm doing anything so special. Actually I think I could do a lot better with following a 'diet', but I've never had success with diets so I don't like to think of myself as on a diet.
I'm at a point where I can pretty much tolerate anything, although I do have days still where nothing wants to stay down (today is one of those days).
I focus my meals on protein - usually chicken or lean beef, with pork thrown in for good measure. I can eat fish and do occasionally I'm just not a huge fan of fish.
I've become very good about always having a vegetable of sort with dinner. Used to be just meats and carbs.
If I have room I'll throw in a carb - usually a potato of some sort - but by the time I get to that I only eat a few bites of it.
I've eaten chips, cookies, and all the 'bad stuff' on occasions. Only now I can just have 2 or 3 chips and that's plenty. I don't feel like I'm deprived and don't think about them all the time.
The difference now is when I want a salty snack I grab almonds, beef jerky, reduced fat wheat crackers, etc. I've actually gotten to prefer these snacks.
The key, IMO, is planning - especially at work. The vending machines are an easy solution for a snack but they are very limited in 'good' choices. *note to self - BBQ chips are not a good choice* So I have a drawer at work full of snacks and lunch things - such as Tuna Salad kits and fruit cups (no sugar added of course).
Same at home - if it's in the house chances are I'm going to try to get at it. I don't crave any of the 'bad' foods but if they were in the pantry I'd think about them. I just don't buy them (although my SO will) and try to always have other options.
I still have McDonald's and other fast food - it just doesn't taste as good. Half a cheeseburger (with no top bun) and a few fries and I'm good for the month. Honestly if I get Mickey D's (which I do because my SO still loves it) I prefer their grilled chicken salad.
I'm very glad to say that I haven't started drinking soft drinks again either - I used to guzzle at least 3 Coca-Cola Classic's daily, not to mention the occasional Mt. Dew or other drink. So far I haven't even really craved them so I hope I stay soda free for a while.
I think exercise has been a key for me. I spent all summer swimming a mile about 5 times a week, sometimes more. Luckily I had a background as a former competitive swimmer so it wasn't too hard to get 'back in the swim'.
Now that it's cold and the pool has closed I've been walking/jogging about 4 times a week. To keep me motivated I entered a 5K on Oct. 26th. My goals were to finish in under an hour and not be last. I finished at 57 minutes and wasn't last! I've entered another one on Thanksgiving morning to try to break my time.
I've gone from a size 34 (which I looked poured into and often was too small) to a size 22. I can zip into a pair of 20 jeans, although they are still a bit too tight to wear and still be comfortable. I know everyone talks about how they can't wait to shop at a store that isn't Lane Bryant - well let me tell ya - I was and still am thrilled to be able to finally shop at LB. I was too big for them just 6 months ago.
Pretty bad when you can't find clothes that fit at the mother of all plus size stores, huh.
I'm so much more active now too - I no longer need to go home and lie down before doing anything after work.
I'm a huge Kentucky Football/basketball fan and I've been able to walk my butt all over the place at football games. Just last year I'd stay at our tailgate spot, standing because I was too big to fit in the camp chairs we use, and missed out on visiting other tailgate spots, greeting the team when they got off the bus, etc. Walking up the stairs to my seats was just torture and I had to allow at least an hour to do it.
Now - I'm all over the place. As a matter of fact I usually weigh myself on Mondays and Fridays and I almost always lose approx. 3 lbs. after home games.
Anyway - I just wanted to update this and I know if anyone reads this considering surgery or freshly post -op (I read every profile I could find) I hope it helps you in some way.
Anyway - it's been almost 2 months since I blogged and what a 2 months it has been.
First of all I'm now down about 104 pounds - well over halfway to my goal weight. Some people have asked how I'm doing it - and well I really don't think I'm doing anything so special. Actually I think I could do a lot better with following a 'diet', but I've never had success with diets so I don't like to think of myself as on a diet.
I'm at a point where I can pretty much tolerate anything, although I do have days still where nothing wants to stay down (today is one of those days).
I focus my meals on protein - usually chicken or lean beef, with pork thrown in for good measure. I can eat fish and do occasionally I'm just not a huge fan of fish.
I've become very good about always having a vegetable of sort with dinner. Used to be just meats and carbs.
If I have room I'll throw in a carb - usually a potato of some sort - but by the time I get to that I only eat a few bites of it.
I've eaten chips, cookies, and all the 'bad stuff' on occasions. Only now I can just have 2 or 3 chips and that's plenty. I don't feel like I'm deprived and don't think about them all the time.
The difference now is when I want a salty snack I grab almonds, beef jerky, reduced fat wheat crackers, etc. I've actually gotten to prefer these snacks.
The key, IMO, is planning - especially at work. The vending machines are an easy solution for a snack but they are very limited in 'good' choices. *note to self - BBQ chips are not a good choice* So I have a drawer at work full of snacks and lunch things - such as Tuna Salad kits and fruit cups (no sugar added of course).
Same at home - if it's in the house chances are I'm going to try to get at it. I don't crave any of the 'bad' foods but if they were in the pantry I'd think about them. I just don't buy them (although my SO will) and try to always have other options.
I still have McDonald's and other fast food - it just doesn't taste as good. Half a cheeseburger (with no top bun) and a few fries and I'm good for the month. Honestly if I get Mickey D's (which I do because my SO still loves it) I prefer their grilled chicken salad.
I'm very glad to say that I haven't started drinking soft drinks again either - I used to guzzle at least 3 Coca-Cola Classic's daily, not to mention the occasional Mt. Dew or other drink. So far I haven't even really craved them so I hope I stay soda free for a while.
I think exercise has been a key for me. I spent all summer swimming a mile about 5 times a week, sometimes more. Luckily I had a background as a former competitive swimmer so it wasn't too hard to get 'back in the swim'.
Now that it's cold and the pool has closed I've been walking/jogging about 4 times a week. To keep me motivated I entered a 5K on Oct. 26th. My goals were to finish in under an hour and not be last. I finished at 57 minutes and wasn't last! I've entered another one on Thanksgiving morning to try to break my time.
I've gone from a size 34 (which I looked poured into and often was too small) to a size 22. I can zip into a pair of 20 jeans, although they are still a bit too tight to wear and still be comfortable. I know everyone talks about how they can't wait to shop at a store that isn't Lane Bryant - well let me tell ya - I was and still am thrilled to be able to finally shop at LB. I was too big for them just 6 months ago.
Pretty bad when you can't find clothes that fit at the mother of all plus size stores, huh.
I'm so much more active now too - I no longer need to go home and lie down before doing anything after work.
I'm a huge Kentucky Football/basketball fan and I've been able to walk my butt all over the place at football games. Just last year I'd stay at our tailgate spot, standing because I was too big to fit in the camp chairs we use, and missed out on visiting other tailgate spots, greeting the team when they got off the bus, etc. Walking up the stairs to my seats was just torture and I had to allow at least an hour to do it.
Now - I'm all over the place. As a matter of fact I usually weigh myself on Mondays and Fridays and I almost always lose approx. 3 lbs. after home games.
Anyway - I just wanted to update this and I know if anyone reads this considering surgery or freshly post -op (I read every profile I could find) I hope it helps you in some way.
Sept. 5th, 2007
Sep 05, 2007
Wow - it's been a long time since I blogged. I guess the work flow at work has obviously stepped up. I don't even want to look at my computer at home.
It's been just shy of 5 months for me and I think I'm now at a point I can look back and say 'that wasn't too bad'. I'm now able to eat pretty much anything I want - I just don't eat a lot of it.
I haven't really pressed my luck with fats or sugars so I'm still not sure if I dump or not. The few times I have tried foods that are high in fat I usually leave them after one or two bites. I still am keeping sugars out of the diet - except those found in Gatorade.
As of yesterday I am down 91 lbs. - over halfway to my goal! My BMI has dropped almost 14 pts. too.
More importantly this weekend was the start of football season in KY. It was great to see all my friends who I hadn't seen since January. There were a few tears amongst them when they saw me the first time.
I could eat a little bit of the food but more importantly I could handle all the walking and running around and didn't need to stop and huff and puff. I could even buy a UK t-shirt at the Campus bookstore! No more special ordering for me.
I celebrated my 38th b-day with friends on Aug. 21st. For once I was glad to be in the pictures since I wanted to see myself.
It's been just shy of 5 months for me and I think I'm now at a point I can look back and say 'that wasn't too bad'. I'm now able to eat pretty much anything I want - I just don't eat a lot of it.
I haven't really pressed my luck with fats or sugars so I'm still not sure if I dump or not. The few times I have tried foods that are high in fat I usually leave them after one or two bites. I still am keeping sugars out of the diet - except those found in Gatorade.
As of yesterday I am down 91 lbs. - over halfway to my goal! My BMI has dropped almost 14 pts. too.
More importantly this weekend was the start of football season in KY. It was great to see all my friends who I hadn't seen since January. There were a few tears amongst them when they saw me the first time.
I could eat a little bit of the food but more importantly I could handle all the walking and running around and didn't need to stop and huff and puff. I could even buy a UK t-shirt at the Campus bookstore! No more special ordering for me.
I celebrated my 38th b-day with friends on Aug. 21st. For once I was glad to be in the pictures since I wanted to see myself.
July 2, 2007
Jul 02, 2007
Moving really sucks!! I finally moved into my new house. After being in the same apartment for 6 years I finally got out and into a house.
What a pain though - I'm so sore and tired I feel like I'm about to drop. My house has a long staircase in it and I've been up and down it hundreds of times just these past two days. My legs are screaming in agony.
I'm actually thankful for that though - before surgery there would've been no way I moved to a place with stairs.
All that moving must be better than my normal excercise. I lost 9 lbs. last week to FINALLY get below that 300 lb. mark. What a great feeling.
I keep seeing people that I haven't seen in a while and they are blown away by my weight loss. My sister hadn't seen me in 2 weeks and she said she was amazed and how much I'd lost just in that time.
What a pain though - I'm so sore and tired I feel like I'm about to drop. My house has a long staircase in it and I've been up and down it hundreds of times just these past two days. My legs are screaming in agony.
I'm actually thankful for that though - before surgery there would've been no way I moved to a place with stairs.
All that moving must be better than my normal excercise. I lost 9 lbs. last week to FINALLY get below that 300 lb. mark. What a great feeling.
I keep seeing people that I haven't seen in a while and they are blown away by my weight loss. My sister hadn't seen me in 2 weeks and she said she was amazed and how much I'd lost just in that time.
June 18th, 2007
Jun 18, 2007
The scale is moving finally. Still haven't gotten under that 50lb. milestone and into the 200's but I'm hoping it will this week.
Much more importantly however - Saturday I went to JC Penney's to look for some home stuff. I wandered over to the plus section to just look and see. I've been wearing size 6X or 34W for several years. Most retailers don't carry this large of plus size clothing so I have to order clothing online.
Well I thought I'd just try on a few tops to see where I was. I was disappointed to see they didn't have any in the 26-28 range. Just size 3X - which is about a size 24.
Well you couldn't knocked me over when they tops fit! They are maybe a little smaller than I'd buy for myself but not bad. As a matter of fact I'm wearing one right now at work!!!!
I couldn't believe it - that's almost 3 sizes in 2 months.
Also - I'm moving into a large two-story house at the end of the month. I couldn't have dreamed of living in a house with stairs even 3 months ago. This weekend I was running up and down the stairs with no problems.
It feels so good to not have to worry about avoiding the steps anymore.
Much more importantly however - Saturday I went to JC Penney's to look for some home stuff. I wandered over to the plus section to just look and see. I've been wearing size 6X or 34W for several years. Most retailers don't carry this large of plus size clothing so I have to order clothing online.
Well I thought I'd just try on a few tops to see where I was. I was disappointed to see they didn't have any in the 26-28 range. Just size 3X - which is about a size 24.
Well you couldn't knocked me over when they tops fit! They are maybe a little smaller than I'd buy for myself but not bad. As a matter of fact I'm wearing one right now at work!!!!
I couldn't believe it - that's almost 3 sizes in 2 months.
Also - I'm moving into a large two-story house at the end of the month. I couldn't have dreamed of living in a house with stairs even 3 months ago. This weekend I was running up and down the stairs with no problems.
It feels so good to not have to worry about avoiding the steps anymore.
June 14th, 2007
Jun 14, 2007
Still no weight loss - grrrr. I just wish I hadn't figured out there's a scale in our weight room at work.
I'm hanging right at 305, only 6 lbs. lost in a month. I just really, really want to see those numbers come up with a 2 in front of them instead of a 3.
You know - I remember getting on the scale when I went over the 200 mark for the first time. I was devastated to weigh 220. Well right now I'd kill for 220.
Oh well -I guess I'll get there soon enough.
Had a neat 'Wow' moment the other day - my new intern had borrowed my ID badge to get back in the building after lunch. She kept looking at my picture on it and then looking at me with a confused look on her face. Finally she asked when the pic had been taken because I've lost a ton of weight since then. I just grinned.
I've been out seeing people I haven't seen since surgery the past two weeks and all are commenting on how much weight I've lost so I know something is going on. Just wish those numbers would get to moving!!!
I'm hanging right at 305, only 6 lbs. lost in a month. I just really, really want to see those numbers come up with a 2 in front of them instead of a 3.
You know - I remember getting on the scale when I went over the 200 mark for the first time. I was devastated to weigh 220. Well right now I'd kill for 220.
Oh well -I guess I'll get there soon enough.
Had a neat 'Wow' moment the other day - my new intern had borrowed my ID badge to get back in the building after lunch. She kept looking at my picture on it and then looking at me with a confused look on her face. Finally she asked when the pic had been taken because I've lost a ton of weight since then. I just grinned.
I've been out seeing people I haven't seen since surgery the past two weeks and all are commenting on how much weight I've lost so I know something is going on. Just wish those numbers would get to moving!!!
June 12th, 2007
Jun 12, 2007
8 weeks out of surgery. I really wish I'd started blogging sooner so I could remember some things when I was just out of the hospital. Oh well - better late than never.
So far I'm down 45lbs. I really am a bit disappointed. I thought I'd get at least 50 lbs. off by the end of May but that wasn't to be.
I do feel I'm following all the guidelines I need to. Only area I'm having trouble in is getting ENOUGH food. I'm trying to get my protein via actual eating and some days I just can't eat - no appetite. HA - that's a nice change.
I haven't pushed it to find out if I'm going to be a 'dumper' on sugar and fats. I figure it's best if I just believe that makes me sick.
So far no dumping but I have had the 'foamies' from eating too fast. I used to wolf my food down like a rabid dog so that's something I'm continuing to work on.
Although my scale seems to be in slo-mo I'm starting to get all kinds of comments about my weight loss and have some 'wow' moments.
Just this week I've:
Fit into my bathtub with some room to spare
Fit back into a bra I haven't worn in several years
Sat in a chair with arms on it and actually fit
Sat on the grass and gotten up without the assitance of a crane.
Ran down steps instead of carefull going down step by step.
So I guess I should quit stressing about the number on my scale and enjoy these little moments for what they are - something I've longed for for years and finally have done something about.
So far I'm down 45lbs. I really am a bit disappointed. I thought I'd get at least 50 lbs. off by the end of May but that wasn't to be.
I do feel I'm following all the guidelines I need to. Only area I'm having trouble in is getting ENOUGH food. I'm trying to get my protein via actual eating and some days I just can't eat - no appetite. HA - that's a nice change.
I haven't pushed it to find out if I'm going to be a 'dumper' on sugar and fats. I figure it's best if I just believe that makes me sick.
So far no dumping but I have had the 'foamies' from eating too fast. I used to wolf my food down like a rabid dog so that's something I'm continuing to work on.
Although my scale seems to be in slo-mo I'm starting to get all kinds of comments about my weight loss and have some 'wow' moments.
Just this week I've:
Fit into my bathtub with some room to spare
Fit back into a bra I haven't worn in several years
Sat in a chair with arms on it and actually fit
Sat on the grass and gotten up without the assitance of a crane.
Ran down steps instead of carefull going down step by step.
So I guess I should quit stressing about the number on my scale and enjoy these little moments for what they are - something I've longed for for years and finally have done something about.
