jenn73

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This morning was the best weigh-in yet!!! I weighed in at 199 for the first time since starting this journey.  I am in Wonderland and weigh less than my husband.  How incredibly cool is that!  I am wearing a size 12/14 pants and a large shirt.  What I can do now:

- run 3.1 miles in 38 minutes (I'm training for a 5K)
- 60  minutes of hard cardio (45 minutes running on treadmill and 15 minutes of incline 8 on treadmill)
- I fit into the kayak AND go out in them with my husband - I even raced him and WON!
- Bought a size 12 bathing suit and sat out on the dock in it.  THEN showed my kids how I could dive in and swim laps...
- run up the center stairs at work because I am late for my class.
- smile everyday because I feel so darn GREAT!
- I can pretty much do anything I want to do because the possibilities are endless.
- My husband and I are having a blast because we can do fun active things together again!!!

I have had some funny comments lately.. Most of my close friends of course are VERY supportive.  Then there are those who actually think I am too skinny.  I just laughed out loud and say, "that is so funny.... I am still in the obese category for a 5'7" woman! I think I'll see where my body ends up since I've changed my lifestyle."  I mean jeez... It's not like I'm on a fad diet I'll go off of... I have an eating plan and it works for me and I am happy eating this way! 

I don't have any food issues and don't get hung up because there are no things I cannot eat in moderation.  I will say this, I have a very good daily "formula" for food for my day in day out nutrition.  I am able to substitute different things based on my nutritional status at that point.  I am feeling good about my new relationship that is developing with my past best friend, "food" and realized I had a co-dependent relationship that was NOT healthy. 

I cannot believe today is 8 months.  Since summer is around the corner and I am off (I love working in a school district), I want to work my biscuits off to maximize these three months of weight loss.  I have 39 more pounds to lose to be in the "normal" BMI range.  I want to hit that before my 1 year anniversary!!!!

Well I totally missed my 6th month post. I am closer to 7 now.  I am  becoming so active again.  I love it!  I am going to the gym 4 days per week.  Thank God my husband is so supportive because he does the running with the kiddos so I am able to go right after work.  I have upped my cardio to 60 minutes.  I jog for 20 minutes, power walk for 2, jog for 10, etc... I do this until I get to 3.1 miles.  I am training for a 5K this summer.  The goal is to get it done in under 45 minutes.  With this method I am able to get it done in about 42 minutes on a treadmill.  I will gradual work towards continuous running.  After I do the jogging intervals, I switch to just power walking at an incline.  I incline every two minutes until I get up to 10 and then reduce ever two minutes until I get to 60 minutes.  I only have that short time at the gym so I make sure I keep my core tight and my arms swinging with long strides.  I want to maximize the toning as much as possible.  Eventually, I will add strength training but for now I am so happy to get  the cardio in. 

My husband and I took our mountain bikes to get tuned up.  They've been in storage for 8 years. I cannot wait to start doing that again.  We've gotten our travel trailer ready to go.  This summer we will be cruising all over NY.  I am not nervous at all because I have so much energy!

I am officially down to 214 lbs, which is a total loss of 120 pounds and 102 since surgery!!! This is totally surreal!!!!!  I kept thinking was wasn't losing fast enough because I need to lose 54 to get to my personal goal of 160.  But when I write these numbers down.  Holy Moley!!!  I think I was getting bummed because there aren't the daily losses like in the beginning.  I will go a week or even three with staying the same.  I keep plugging away doing my routine and then my body breaks and I lose a chunk over a few days.  My nutritionist has been great because she is able to be contacted through email.  She explains it is natural at this stage and what I am doing is great.  She is also a trainer so she gives little tips for easy toning exercises which I will be starting this week. 

Speaking of toning, I am the most concerned about my arms.  They look totally normal if I keep them down and at my side.  If I am wearing a tank/short sleeve, they have quite the flap if I raise my arm to wave.   Hmmmmm well, I am thinking I just won't wave and all will be okay!!! 

This surgery has been the best decision, I have made.  The majority of the people in my life have been supportive.  There have been the occasional colleague who thinks I have lost enough already.  I just don't really take in their comments too much.  I just crack up at the misconception about weight.  I am in regular sizes - 14 pants and L/XL tops.  So obviously I am not there yet.  I am still classified as obese.  I have 12 more pounds I think until I will be even in the overweight category. 

I am doing great will all foods.  I stay away from bread and pasta.  It just sits heavy with me.  I may take a bite here or there of those things but in those day in, day out patterns, it is not a food I choose.  I have one area that I have been bad with..... I need to get my labs done so I know where I stand with deficiencies.  I take all my vitamins (Multi-with iron, biotin, B12, and calcium) but really need to get the actual labs done.  It is hard to get to the lab.  I just found out the hospital opens at 6a.m. I have to be to work at 7 a.m. so I am thinking I will stop by this week on the way to work.  I really really don't like to get my blood drawn.  I have been known to pass out so I avoid it when I can.  I know three kids and all that poking but I still don't like it at ALL!!!  I'll report back once I get my results.  Maybe by posting this it will hold me accountable. 

Enjoy the great weather!  NY is starting wake up!  I love this time of year!

I had a Dr's. appointment Monday (3/22/10) and it was honestly the first time I literally jumped onto that BIG scale!!!  I wasn't scared!! I couldn't wait to get my "official" numbers!  I am now down to 227 pounds officially.  That means an 89 pound loss since surgery (I'm not even 6 months out) and 107 pounds since my highest weight!  It's incredible!  I am now officially in "regular" sizes.  I am wearing an XL shirt and size 16 pants which are getting too big for me.  I'll update measurements at my 6 month anniversary.  There are some interesting things that are happening to me now...

This weight is usually the weight/size in which I have dieted to before and I feel comfortable being in this size.  My mind is playing some interesting tricks on me because of this.  I am battling with the thoughts.... "if I couldn't lose anymore weight.... I would be okay with that."  or "I am so happy to be at this weight because I am so active now I feel there is nothing I can't do."  I know my body feels comfortable here but I am in reality still 70 pounds away from the upper end of "normal" weight.  I am still in the obese category.  I am still somewhat limited in what a person my age can do activity wise. 

I am finding my relationship with my husband is becoming awesome again!!! This is the weight he  proposed to me.  He and I are going on on dates that aren't my initiation...  He is actually scheduling the babysitter and the outings.  It is as if we are dating again!  I am soooooo happy!  It is fun.  We are laughing again and enjoying each others company.  The nit picky stuff is falling away.  The last "date" we had, he said how great it is because I am turning back into the person he fell in love with!!!!  He sees my smiling face and my happiness and is so happy to see that person again. I started crying over my dinner... I never really realized how much of a strain my unhappiness with my weight/body had over our actual relationship. 

I am having SOOOOO much fun with my kids!  I am doing yard work!!!! I am a better cook... house cleaner... Speech Language Pathologist, etc...

Overall, I would have to say I am more effective in my life in general.  This adequacy and sense of accomplishment is amazing and makes me feel content.

I do need to move through this phase quickly though... I want to breeze through here and get into a new phase.  I know this is where I have "fallen of the wagon" before and want to push through and prove to myself I am the same women but BETTER!!!!!

Paul and I went out to see "Wicked" and it was the first time we went out together in which I felt comfortable with myself.  We went out to dinner at the Outback Steakhouse.  I had a shrimp appetizer and a cup of soup and ate half of both.  I was completely satisfied and happy with that.  My husband gave me two small bites of his prime rib which was amazing and completely satisfying.  I am still amazed that I can enjoy so little food! An added bonus was that they sat us in a booth.  I had a twinge as we walked to the booth.  I slid in just fine with LOTS of room to spare!!!!!!!!!!!!  I started laughing at which time I had to share the moment with my husband.  He thought is was awesome! 

We then went to see "Wicked" which by the way is an amazing performance.  We are so lucky to have the NYC Broadway tours in Syracuse.  I sat very comfortably in my seat and my husband was even able to put his arm around me during the show.  I didn't feel like I was bubbling over into the seats next to me and I was even able to cross my legs...

I LOVE my RNY!!!

Today marks three months! What a difference a few simple months make!

I am down 59 pounds since the day of my surgery and a whopping 77 pounds since I started this journey!  I wasn't going to remark on my prior weight loss but then I saw the number and was thinking, "why in the world WOULDN'T I report it!!!"  I am so incredibly blessed to have had this surgery! I cannot believe the energy I have or how many clothes I have gone through already.  I was thinking the first month out that it was going to take FOREVER to really see a difference in my clothes.  I am now down 4 pant sizes and 2 shirt sizes. I am now in an 18W and 1X shirt very comfortably.  I took measurements last night as I have them recorded in my tracker.  LOL  I have lost a total of 46 inches.  My husband was amazed at how I could have pulled those numbers.  There was a 10 inch loss in my hips and12.5" in my chest! alone!!  WHOO HOO!!!

On a positive eating note.  I am transitioning regular food back into my diet per my last office visit.  I have not had any problems with that.  My portions are just small.  If the food is fairly moist and softer, I am able to eat a half cup.  If it is a denser food with a meat that requires more chewing, I am more like a 1/4 cup.  I don't get too worried about the portions because I am able to eat YUMMY food again!  I have just transitioned my preparation of food to more healthy choices!  I tried a little wine twice over the holidays (since my Dr said that was okay).  I sipped one small glass over a three hour period when I was out with some friends.  I had two glasses of water along side it too.  I never felt tipsy and I think that was because I literally treated it a more of a social icon that imbibing.  It was so incredible to feel like I was a part of the REAL eating/drinking world.  I have also noticed (after reading many OH posts) that upping proteins are key to increasing the weight loss numbers.  THIS REALLY WORKS!!!  Over the holidays, I focused on getting at least 85-90 grams minimum per day.  I lost 13 pounds in just a mere 17 days.  That is just nuts. 

I don't know if anyone picked up on the fact I mentioned "going out with friends?"  I did this two times over the holidays.  I actually went out to a social place and hung out.  Three hours each time.  This has not happened in so many years that I cannot even remember.  I was in a crowded restaurant/bar standing up and did not feel like I was taking up too much room!  My friends were so happy to have me back in their lives.  I felt like a mini-contestant on the Biggest Loser.  I walked into the bar to meet them and they starting clapping and screaming.  I hadn't seen two of them since before the surgery because they live far away.  It was so fun to meet out socially since we all have family obligations and get bogged down a lot with that! Finally, I was able to "play" with them!!!

I am so happy with this decision.  Don't get me wrong.  There are those out there who have that sabotaging personality.  I have just made my mind up to take the good with the bad.  I work in a school of 1800 students so you can imagine how many faculty/staff their are.  Well everyone has an opinion!  I do honestly get annoyed from time to time but I just have chosen the cup half full and smile and give a polite response.  Then when I walk away I chuckle and think these people are just not informed. 

I hope my journey continues to stay on this course.  I feel blessed in so many ways.  Not only is my life improving but my families life is becoming more complete. 

I am sooooooooooo excited about my early Christmas present!!!! I wanted to lose 50 pounds by Christmas.  I stepped on the scale this morning and voile...... I am down 52 pounds!!!! Whoo hoo!  I still have three days to go!!!  I made my holiday goodies without remorse.  Last night I even went out to a local Greek Restaurant with my husband while we were shopping.  I was able to share my husband's fish and ordered a vegetable kabob as a side.  I was completely satisfied and left happy!  I am realizing that when you are at a restaurant, there are many side dish options that are perfect.  How funny that just a few months ago, I would go out to dinner and search the menu for the a meal that had a larger portion.  Last night, I was able to enjoy the company with my husband and never once thought about if I was getting my money's worth. 

I had my two and three month appointment combined yesterday because I had canceled my two month due to sick kids.  I am officially down 46 pounds and feeling amazing!  I cannot believe how quickly time is going and how I am able to pretty much eat any types of foods.  According to my Dr. I am able to eat pretty much anything I want depending on my tolerance level.  They of course want me to follow the protein first rule.  I was even cleared to drink an occasional diet coke, beer, or wine if I was at a holiday party.  I was told to just be very careful of the effects of the alcohol. 

As for my actual food tolerances, I have not had any major issues with any one particular food.  I did have one issue with lean ground beef one time.  It was not the actual beef though, I just got distracted by my kids fighting at the table and swallowed it before I had chewed it properly.  That was an incredible aftermath I'd like not to relive anytime soon!!! 

I have not cheated and had sugar or any simple starch items.  I am not interested in them so I don't bother with them.  I have been able to kick up the exercise and that feels awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

So far I am down 1-2 shirt sizes and 2 pant sizes.  It is amazing!!!! 

I had my two week appointment today.  Holy cow.  I am down 17 pounds since surgery and doing great according to the Dr. I will be returning to work on Monday.  I have been feeling pretty amazing and energetic.  I wanted to stay out four weeks but feel like I am just wasting my sick days.  My mom surprised me with sending her cleaning lady over to our house.  So I cleaned for three hours this morning before she got here.  I got home from my appointment and thought I was in the wrong house.  It is like a breath of fresh air walking into a house that is spotless.  Now if only my three kids would help keep things clean. Man, I totally wish I could afford to hire one even if it was every two weeks. I feel so blessed that my family has been so supportive... 

As for this crazy puree/soft food stage, I am feeling rather wimpy with starting with more complex foods.  I tend to stick to pureed consistency (tuna salad, yogurt, SF tapioca, pureed soup).  I wish I had some guts to try some other things.  I just really don't know what are good pouch friendly items.  I look on the list I have an it seems so SHORT.  I am getting all my vitamins, proteins, and liquids in so far.  I think that is why I feel so good.  I am kicking up the exercise tomorrow and hopping on the treadmill. 

I hope I continue to feel this good.  I really am not too sure if the fatigue will come.  I have a feeling it will but until then I will just keep doing what I am doing... 

I have been feeling extremely well.  I cannot believe that I have the energy that I have! I put a shirt on (2x) that I bought before surgery b/c I liked it and it was on the sale rack.  I was WAY too tight to wear prior to surgery.  Today I thought I would just "see" how it looked.  It fits perfectly! Holy cow!  It actually drapes nicely!  I really have no idea how many pounds I have lost because my scale is totally unpredictable.  I also have been wearing comfy yoga pants and cotton shirts just because of the comfort factor.  I notice my face and my hands the most.  It is like I am not retaining water and the bloat is gone.  My bras are very loose when I hook them too.. I haven't actually tried any of my actual work clothes or jeans.  I am home until the end of the month (IF I DON'T GO CRAZY BEING HOME) so I am not too worried about my work clothes - I plan on staying comfortable for a while. 

With my Dr. I could have tried soft food the 5th to 7th day.  I had been super nervous about it.  My primary goal was to get ALL protein and liquids down before I introduced food.  I had to work hard all day long just to get the liquids/proteins in.  So, yesterday I decided I was ready to try a little food.  I measured the 4 teaspoons of ricotta cheese and used my daughter's baby spoon.  I was able to eat that over the course of 35 minutes.  Hahahaha  I felt great.  Waiting an hour to sip again was extremely hard.  I decided to try the same item for dinner.  It was great again but I was only able to eat about 2 tsp.  I had my husband cracking up!  I will attempt a different food today.

I could not believe I was able to make dinner for my family and it didn't bother me at all.  So far I am okay handling the sight of food and the smell.  I am sure there will come a time when I will be challenged but so far so good.  Like I said, I feel great and my energy is amazing!  My husband has stepped up and does all chores and baby lifting.  He was stoked I made dinner last night for a surprise.  I really think being able to really rest and heal last week is helping me feel so great this week!  I cannot wait to go to my Dr's. on the 21st for the "official" scale report! 

I was home yesterday by 9:30 a.m. and am doing really well.  I slept most of the day yesterday but today I am feeling great.  I started my proteins yesterday and today have been sipping all day so far.  I really only have a little discomfort but otherwise I am feeling so awesome!  My doctor said I was a very fast case and thought everything went well.  I was supposed to have surgery at 4pm but didn't end up going in until about 6:30 pm on Monday.  Tuesday was a burr between all the people coming in an out of the hospital.  I was also very groggy.  By Wednesday morning I was great great and they discharged me by 8:30 that morning.  They thought I was the quickest discharge. 

Today I walked to get the mail and then walked to my parents house to visit my dad and my youngest daughter.  It was not too far and I just took my time.  It felt great to get outside.  I'm still feeling tired and am thinking of taking a little nap before the kids get home from school. 

I am so glad the surgery is over and I am now on the losers bench!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thanks so all of the kindness I have received from all the OHers...