Loss of 50+ pounds!

It's been a while since I have posted. I am so proud of myself! I have lost a total of 50 pounds! My surgery was on 7/26/10. So three months later this is the progress I have made. I am happy with it. I started at 276 and now weigh 226. It could have been less, but last week I was the first time I really slacked. I was sick and just did not exercise at all! I have been used to exercising on the treadmill and exercising at Shapes at least three times per week. So I did none of that and I only gained +.06 pounds. So that's not bad for no exercise and not adhering to my eating guidelines. My goal is to get close to "onederland" by Christmas. Just to get close to it will be a major accomplishment! As far as eating, at my last fill, I think I am finally starting to fill "restriction". I would hear people say this and was like "what is that?" I feel full more quickly. I do notice I start getting hungry again about 2 hours later though. I chew gum in between meals (a tip I got from someone else--but beware it may cause gas). I drink lots of Crystal Light as I have always hated water and need some type of flavor. The only time I can drink straight water is when I finish working out really hard and sweating like crazy and feel like I need to drink something right away! I usually eat three meals a day, but I snack. The difference is I snack on healthy foods like fruit, jello, popsicles, etc. So it's not sweets, chips or junk food that I snack on. I think this has made the difference with my weight loss as well. Something else is not that I have become a fanatic or anything. But I exercise at least four times per week. Usually during the week and relax on the weekends, unless I missed days during the week. I find that when I don't exercise, I feel funny..can't explain it. I am doing this program called "Couch Potato to 5k" on my treadmill at home. My biggest goal is to run a 5k! The program is on my iphone and it mixes walking and jogging, but each week, more time is added on. I am on week 3 (should be on week 4, but was sick last week). So I am doing week 3 again. I also now have an eliptical machine so I am starting to work out on that at home, although I was doing it at the gym. My exercise specialist said she wants me to start doing strength training, so I will start that this week. The great thing is my husband is working out with me sometimes. That feels good. He calls me "sexy" all the time (he called me beautiful when I was heavier) but it feels really nice now! The only problems I experience is when I eat a little too much and feel like I am going to explode, so I can't do that. Also, the gas comes and goes. I have not had any choking episodes and I have not discovered anything I am having problems eating yet. So I am grateful for that. At work I am being called "the incredible shrinking woman". I am getting many compliments and that feels good as well. As far as clothes go. I started in a size 22-24 (3x). Now I am wearing size 18 (16..depending on the clothing) and XL shirts now. Sometimes it depends on how the clothes are made if I can wear an 18 or 16. I am very pleased with that! So overall I am happy. It is a lifestyle change from the food I eat to the exercise I complete. This journey I'm on feels pretty darn good!

I have hit the under 240 mark!

I am very excited! I am weighing 238 right now. This is a major accomplishment for me. I have had two fills since my surgery. I am feeling more full and satisfied for longer periods of time, but I think I may need one more fill. I have not called my doctor's office since I have my next appointment already set up for next month. The second fill I called in and made the appointment. I just want to see how I do until my official appointment. I have been exercising at least 3-4 times per week. I try to do 30 minutes on my treadmill at home if nothing else, but a few days out of the week I do 30 minutes on the treadmill at the gym and 15 minutes on the eliptical machine. I will be getting back to swimming laps next week. The exercise specialist asked me to stay clear of the water for a little while longer, but I'm good to go next week. I was also asked not to participate in Zumba classes, but I love it so much I started back this past Saturday. So the instructor always shows ways to change up the routines so there is not so much moving around. So that's what I did instead of doing the full-fledged turning and twisting that is normally done with Zumba. I felt fine afterwards because I did not push myself. I am getting many compliments on losing weight and that feels great. But like I told my husband and mother I guess I won't really feel it until I go out to try on clothes. I have not bought any new clothes and, yes, my clothes do fit baggy now, but it's not to the point where they are falling off or anything. so I don't feel in a rush right now to start getting new clothes. I can't wait though. I have purposely avoided going to clothing stores right now. I decided when I start buying, I will take things out of my closet, depending on what I bought---so if I buy five things, five old things come out--match for match...unless I need to do things more drastically...wouldn't that be great! Anyway, I am proud of myself for getting this far and looking forward to a whole lot more!

1st Adjustment

Well, I had my first adjustment yesterday, 8/24/10. It went okay. I was ready for it because I was getting HUNGRY!!! The nurse at first was having difficulty, but as soon as she went to get the doctor and he walked in, she got it. It was okay. It wasn't scary at all. By their scales, I lost 2 pounds since last week. ugh!!! I know it's a process, but I thought I lost more than that. Being on the liquids again was not bad after the adjustment. I am finding now that it is easier to not drink while I eat, but I'm forgetting to go back now and drink something! It will be an hour later and I will realize I never had anything to drink after my meals! How weird is that? Especially from someone who loves to drink liquids. I don't feel much difference and I was told that if I don't feel any difference by Thursday, tomorrow, to call them so I can come back in on Tuesday for another adjustment. Everything feels the same, so I will be calling to come back next week.

I am getting a lot of compliments from everyone about how much weight I'm losing. The majority of people don't know the specifics of what I went through to get here. So I just respond, "Thank you. I am trying hard to get some of this weight off and be healthy" or "Thank you. I'm trying." something to that effect. Like I said when I started this journey, only my husband, mother and cousin knew. I have told one other person and I learned my mom told her two best friends. One of her best friends actually called me and wanted to know more because she is interested. Go figure...

Anyway...

I'm Encouraged

I am encouraged. I am continuing to lose the weight, not as fast as I would like, but my husband tells me "it's not going to happen overnight." But oh, how I wish it could :-) I am satisfied with my results, but I am definitely ready for my first fill! I am finding that I am becoming more hungry each day so it is time. I was told I can scheduled something sooner. I am scheduled for next Thursday for my first fill. Anyway...I am ready for it!

2 week follow up

Today I had my 2-week follow up appointment. All went well. I have lost 24 lbs. by their scale. I was told I am doing well. I am definitely encouraged. I was given information about the regular food schedule and when to begin. I have been doing well, but I am starting to feel that "I'm still hungry" phase. So I will be ready for my 1st fill! I am moving and exercising on the treadmill, but can't wait until I can return to Zumba and swimming! Those are my favorite forms of exercise at this time and I feel like I'm missing out.

Losing the Weight

Well, it has been great to hear from others that I "look like" I'm losing weight. I finally got on a scale and it said I weighed 245! I'm happy with that number. This was on Tuesday. I'm trying not to obsess with the scale too much. Anyway, I reached my goal tonight of doing 30 minutes on the treadmill. Every night I add 5 minutes. Especially since I was told I should be up to 30 minutes of exercising by my f/u appt. next week. It wasn't too hard. I was watching Law & Order and reading a magazine at the same time. So the time flew by, but my legs were killing me...no pain, no gain I guess.

Soft Diet

Well, I start my soft diet tomorrow and I am definitely ready to add something. It's been a rough week being on the liquid diet. Not because of the liquids itself, but I know I'm an emotional eater. My biological father died Saturday morning and I have really wanted to eat! I have been doing okay. My biological father and I had started to reconnect this year as he had been absent fromm my life. I was raised by my stepfather since I was 2 or 3 years old, who I have always considered my "daddy." He was the one that was always there for me no matter what and dared anyone to call me his "stepchild." Anyway, my biological father and I had been communicating more lately. We weren't as close as he wanted us to be, but we had at least gotten to the point where I could tell him I loved him and meant it. It was hard talking to him at first because I felt that I had not missed out on having a father, it was his loss for walking out on me and my mom. However, I have found as an adult, I had to forgive him in order to move on, which I did. So while it is sad that he passed, I find peace in the fact that we were able to communicate again and he was able to tell me how proud he was of my accomplishments with my career and family. Other siblings that grew up with him are having a really hard time and my heart goes out to them. Being with them and seeing and hearing them cry and grieve has been rough, but I have had to be the strong one and comfort them. My younger sisters grew up in the home with him and their mother, so they were the closest to him. They lived in the same city..Jacksonville, a few hours away from me. My father's birthday would have been tomorrow, 8/2/10. In addition, one of my brothers had surgery earlier in the week and has to go back under again tomorrow, 8/2. So there have been things going on, which have made the liquid diet harder. I have persevered and tomorrow I can start soft foods.

I also walked for 15 minutes on my treadmill this evening. This is the first "real" exercise I have done since the surgery on Monday, 7/26. Sure, I walked up and down the floor after surgery and came home and walked outside. I even walked from my house to the clubhouse, which is only 2-3 houses down..LOL. But this was my first part of getting back into my exercise routine I had started before surgery. Before surgery I was up to 30 minutes on the treadmill with an elevated incline, Zumba classes at the gym, and water aerobics including laps in the pool. I was told I should be back to 30 minutes of exercise by the time I come in for my 2-week doctor visit, which is next week. My goal is to be at 30 minutes on the treadmill by mid-week.

So on I go..pressing forward to my mark. I still have not been on a scale. I think I will go and buy one!

Liquid Diet continues

Well, so far I have been doing okay with this liuid diet. Yesterday was the first time when I smelled the food my family was eating that I actually wanted some! I almost broke and went in the kitchen and discovered they had eaten every drop! It was a blessing in disguise! LOL. I purposely do not join my family when they are eating so I won't get tempted. I am eagerly and anxiously waiting on next week so I can start my soft food diet! I have been walking a lot. I can't wait to get back to my old (new) exercise routine I had started before the surgery. I really enjoy going to the Zumba classes and went to the last one on Saturday. I know I can't get back into that any time soon, but can't wait. I will start walking slowly on the treadmill, but I have to make sure my husband is around because the treadmill folds up and I can't pull it out on my own right now. The soreness is still there, but wearing off and not as bad. I am able to walk a little straighter and doing ok for now.

Post Surgery

I had the lapband surgery this past Monday, 7/26/10. I was the first patient at 7:30am. I was sore, but glad it was finally over. I came home yesterday morning, 7/27/20. I did well with the pre-liquid diet. I was allowed one meal per day, which made everything easier. The protein drinks filled me up. I am now on the post-liquid diet. I am doing okay. As others said in the local support group, you are not really hungry after the surgery, so food is not an issue right now. I am a little sore, but okay. I was walking since I was able to at the hospital so I continue to do that. Everyone I know talked about the possibility of gas. I am going through that. I did not have a hernia to repair as some did so no shoulder pain. I only have 3 scars, which I thought I would have had one or two more, so that is a good thing. I am so glad I had the surgery and ready for this journey I have put myself on. I have not been on a scale since before the surgery. I found that I lost three pounds before starting the pre-liquid diet. My doctor said in the hospital after surgery that I have probably lost a lot since doing the pre-liquid and will continue to lose while doing the post-liquid. So I am trying to avoid a scale until next week when I start soft foods. I'm on my way!

Started Exercising Again

Well, I started exercisting again. My company pays for our gym membership. I loved Zumba classes and swimming laps. So I started back this week. The Zumba class on Saturday is so intense, but so fun! I am sore from this morning, but it will all be worth it in the end. I am ready for my pre-op on 7/15. Funny thing...at our family gathering for the 4th of July, I found out a cousin, who is like my sister, wants to do the lapband as well, but her husband is dead set against it. She's hoping once I have the procedure, he will be more supportive. I have not shared with anyone about this procedure other than my mom and husband and they support me 100%. I have also been using the cup and 1/2 cups when I eat to practice what it will be like when I am banded. I have been cutting out a lot of things I know I can't have anymore, like Gingerale. I started taking the Flintstones vitamins with iron. I wasn't taking vitamins. I'm just trying to prepare myself. I have always wanted my hair highlighted. I finally did it two weeks ago. It's like I'm doing a total transformation!

I have a DATE!!!

I learned my insurance approved the procedure!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went in this week and met with the nutritionist, etc. and I have a date. July 26th is my date. I am very excited. I go in for my pre-op on 7/15. This has been a long road of making sure this is what I want to do and I finally know that this is 100% what I want to do. I am so happy that I can even attend the support group because I had a previous obligation that fell on the same day and time as the support group here. Now I can attend and get up close and personal knowledge from others that have been on the journey, going through the journey and beginning the journey like me. I have started watching more closely what I eat and documenting what I eat and exercising everyday for 40 minutes as requested. I am soooooooooooooooo ready for this!

Waiting on Approval

I finally finished my six months of supervised weight loss with my doctor. I have completed all the tests and psychological and now I am waiting on approval. I was told everything was submitted on Friday. I hope I get approved. I have had these past six months or so to really make up in my mind if I definitely want to do this. I keep coming back to the same thing...yes, I want to do this. I want to see a new and healthy me! My husband and I went away a few months ago without our children to Universal Studios in Orlando. For the first time ever, I almost could not get on a roller coaster. That has never happened. My husband and I had to wait for the next coaster to come around. My husband said he was embarrassed (he's overweight too). I was okay for the next coaster, but my husband almost could not get on. He said he would never get on another ride again as long as he was at his current size. I love riding roller coasters and this was a big break through for me. My daughter was able to finally ride space mountain with me at Disney World because she is tall enough now. I can't imagine not being able to ride the roller coasters with her anymore because "mommy is too big to fit in the seat." I really hope I'm approved! I'm ready to get this show on the road.