VickyRuth
November 15, 2009
Nov 14, 2009
It's hard to believe time has gone so quickly. A year and 5 months since surgery. I wish I could say that my progress has been productive the last 6 months but it hasn't been. Not that I've gained weight, because I HAVEN'T! But I haven't lost much either. the summer was rough, because I had to find a new teaching job.(because my school closed) The stress of finding a new job was pretty high and I had always been a person who fed my nerves and food was my comfort. I knew God would see me through and had a great job for me, and He did. After several interviews in the 11 hour, July 30th I got a Vocal job at Sabin Middle school. Not only is it a great job, but my pay increased and my students can SING!!! 3 part accapella. I now understand what everyone who was over a year out was talking about though. This is the hardest part to stay focused and my eyes on the prize. At times I haven't done so well, and the old habits do try to raise their ugly heads at times. I have about 40lbs until goal, and I need to suck it up and do it. It's also interesting how much OH was a daily part of my life the first year, now it doesn't seem so important. I can not tell you how much I appreciate the help, love, and concern of everyone here, it made a huge difference in my success. But someone said in my early months that when people pull back from OH they are living their life and really it's a good thing. OH is there when you need it, but after you take the step to change your life with WLS, you better start living it!! Just to mention, I haven't had any issues, and I'm in a size 16 from a 32-34. I've said it before and I'll probably say it over and over,"I would do WLS again." Hope everyone is doing well and with Thanksgiving coming up I hope we all can count our Blessings!! God is such a wonderful God and I am so thankful!! Love to all,
VickyRuth
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VickyRuth
ONE YEAR SURGIVERSARY!!
Jun 01, 2009
Reflection time! It is so hard to believe it's been a year since my RNY. Have I been successful? I think so and like everyone else says,"I'd do it again in a heartbeat!" It's a very emotional decision, how will it affect me, my family, could there be problems, do I want to change the way I eat, can I find another way to deal with stress, emotional eating and life in general. I know I made the right decision. It's been a year of "WOW" moments, of eating differently, making mistakes and doing double takes in the mirror in the morning when I brush my teeth. I have had no complications and my Dr. said yesterday at my 0ne year check-up that I was a "poster child for WLS" 133lbs down from the very beginning and 114lb from my surgery weight. All my blood work was great and the Dr. said he'd be very pleased if I hit 200lbs, I told him I'd like to do 199.9 just to say I hit onederland. the next 43lbs will be tough, and I need to get back to the gym and suck it up! I'm in a size 16 pant and a XL to 1x shirt from a 4x or size 30-32. My biggest WOW moments have been when people don't recognize me. A gal I taught with for 11years saw Julie and said, where is Vicky? I was standing 3ft away from her at the time, it was great! Here is a list of things I've noticed over the last year and things I can do now that I wasn't able or willing to do before WLS. I know I'll miss some, but here it goes:1. cross my legs, and like sitting like that
2. sit in any chair and not be afraid of breaking it.
3. get in and out of the car with ease
4. get up out a chair or off the floor.
5. don't mind going to the dr. and getting on a scale
6. not the biggest person in my sight
7. singing range is better
8. buy clothes ANYWHERE I want.
9. more energy
10. find myself running, or jogging
11. skipping down the stairs
12. more confident about everything
13. proud of myself
14. smaller than I've been since junior high
15. shoe size is 11 down from 12
16. take care of myself in areas other than WL
17. pay attention to details
I'm know I've missed a lot of others, but there are times I don't even realize the small things that have changed
I'm very thankful for my family and friends, they have all been amazingly supportive throughout this journey. Thank you's don't seem to cut it, but I am truly blessed to have them in my life! Julie has had to live WLS up close and personal. She has lost weight too, because changing my eating habits. Cathie has kepted me honest and given me things to think about along the way, while helping with the techie things.(speaking of which, Cath can you turn the picture for me???) Megan always is my protector,(whether I need it or not
) and I'll miss not being at the same school next year. She was my sf slurpie provider along with rescueing me in class when I needed a potty break, along with much more. Abby for always listening when I needed to vent. My new OH buddies, especially Suzette who will be a life long friend and knows exactly how I feel since she has been there and done WLS too.All in all, I'm blessed, and this next year will be amazing too, I'm sure. Change is good, but not always fun, but this one is life changing and positive!
To God be the GLORY!!
Blessings,
Vickyruth
Still alive, and believing!
May 25, 2009
It's been a fast and furious month and we have 3 more days of school! Still no news about a teaching job for next year, but still believing. My end of the year concert and musical was a success and all the end of the year stuff is almost over. I finished strong and my kids have accomplished 95% of the goals we set at the first of the year. They keep asking me if I'll be their teacher next year.... don't know who it's harder on, them or me! Eating and staying on track has been kinda on and off and I hope to get back with it as soon as school is over. I haven't gained anything, but I haven't lost either. See the new pictures I put on, alittle bit of everything. Love to all, Vicky
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Snow Day!!!!!!
Apr 17, 2009
April 17th! Yes, we finally had our first snow day this school year! Only in Colorado can it be 65 degrees on one day and snow 8+ inches the next. And we had thunder-snow today too! It's been a good day, I made mostly sugar free oatmeal cookies, took a nap, played computer games, cleaned the kitchen and talked on he phone.
I've lost 4 lbs. in the last 2 weeks, still no news on a teaching job for next year, but life is good, because GOD is WAY GOOD!
My choirs, all 70 students, sang the Star Spangled Banner at the SkySox baseball game yesterday (Minor league team to the Colorado Rockies) and they did a great job. Everyone ate themselves silly (except me!
), pizza, giant snow cones, pretzels, chocolate, nachos, icecream and the list goes on! My kids are really low income and most would never get to go to a game, so they did it up right! The ball park is probably 10 miles away from the school's neighborhood, and they acted like it was in another country where rich people live. NO one was lost, or disrespectful, got into trouble and they all said thank you! that's why I'm a teacher....
Hope everyone has a great weekend,
XOXOXO Vicky
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I've lost 4 lbs. in the last 2 weeks, still no news on a teaching job for next year, but life is good, because GOD is WAY GOOD!
My choirs, all 70 students, sang the Star Spangled Banner at the SkySox baseball game yesterday (Minor league team to the Colorado Rockies) and they did a great job. Everyone ate themselves silly (except me!
), pizza, giant snow cones, pretzels, chocolate, nachos, icecream and the list goes on! My kids are really low income and most would never get to go to a game, so they did it up right! The ball park is probably 10 miles away from the school's neighborhood, and they acted like it was in another country where rich people live. NO one was lost, or disrespectful, got into trouble and they all said thank you! that's why I'm a teacher....Hope everyone has a great weekend,
XOXOXO Vicky
April 4th
Apr 04, 2009
Another month has come and gone! My 10 month anniversary! Being truthful here.......it's been hard and kinda interesting rolled into one. Not much weight loss, this last month and there are multiple reasons which we will not go into. Life has changed so much since surgery, or maybe I've changed (physically) so much, I don't know. At this stage of the journey, I think the hardest so far, I definitely know why I have a weight problem and why I abused food for so many years. Stress eating, pleasure eating or recreational eating are all habits I need to deal with and CHANGE! When life hits you in the face it's amazing how we deal with things. I've realized so many things along the way and I know it can only bring me to a better place in knowing myself and being who God wants me to be. I'm a firm believer in destiny!
New things.......even though the weight loss has been very slow, my body is still rearranging in a big way. I'm in a 16W now and the kids at school keep saying,"wow miss you are so tall!" I'm not the biggest person that I see anymore, which is way weird. I bought clothes at Sam's Club which is a FIRST! I still go the the chiropractor every month, I'm out of alignment after about two weeks, but Dr. Rob said that would happen. People who I haven't seen in months, don't know me, and that's fun. I feel good physically about myself and my confidence has really improved. Which is not something I thought I had a problem with, another interesting thing.
Life transitions are not always fun, and I know that's what is happening now, and it really doesn't have anything to do with WLS. So, I will continue on and know that I am in good hands, because God has never left me nor forsaken me!!!
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New things.......even though the weight loss has been very slow, my body is still rearranging in a big way. I'm in a 16W now and the kids at school keep saying,"wow miss you are so tall!" I'm not the biggest person that I see anymore, which is way weird. I bought clothes at Sam's Club which is a FIRST! I still go the the chiropractor every month, I'm out of alignment after about two weeks, but Dr. Rob said that would happen. People who I haven't seen in months, don't know me, and that's fun. I feel good physically about myself and my confidence has really improved. Which is not something I thought I had a problem with, another interesting thing.
Life transitions are not always fun, and I know that's what is happening now, and it really doesn't have anything to do with WLS. So, I will continue on and know that I am in good hands, because God has never left me nor forsaken me!!!
March 1, 2009
Feb 27, 2009
I'm cheating alittle, 3/1/09 is tomorrow, but I'm ready to put February to bed and move on. Had my big Teacher Job fair yesterday and I have to say it was a success! It's too early to know anything yet, but my act is together and by the end of the school year I hope to have a job for the fall. It's been a stressful last two weeks getting ready for the fair with paper work and on-line applications! Some of them took me 3 hours plus to complete. Thank God for Megan and Abby's help or I still would be doing it! I have to say, being able to go into this job hunting thing 124lbs lighter was a confidence builder! I know I made a good first impression, because several of the interviews made comments about how nice I looked and that I was very charasmatic which is a must for a music person, in a school setting. God has this whole thing in control and I trust Him because he has never left me or forsaken me and He isn't going to start NOW!! I am so blessed. For those who know me..........I talked to the Burlington recruiter, just to Hi (I knew her) and she said, the burlington music Job is open....please apply! I said, How sweet of you to ask, but NO NO NO!! NOt doing the country thing again! I interviewed for 7 school districts, and the plan now is to start hitting the charter schools in town too.
Another insight...........my energy level is getting so much better, I've recognized it before, but it has increased significantly. I'm so looking forward to this summer and getting to do things, like hiking, swimming, yard work etc,
well, love to all! Vickyruth
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Another insight...........my energy level is getting so much better, I've recognized it before, but it has increased significantly. I'm so looking forward to this summer and getting to do things, like hiking, swimming, yard work etc,
well, love to all! Vickyruth
another WOW moment!
Feb 06, 2009
Another WOW moment this morning! I was looking for something to wear to school since it was a "jeans" day and Julie pulls a striped polo (hers) out of the closet. I said," ya right" But it FIT!! I even wore it! Actually I think she was more excited than I was, but YES we took pictures, check out the new pics!
Vickyruth
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Vickyruth
another milestone!
Jan 25, 2009
January is coming to a close and I have hit a 100lbs down from my surgery weight! 257.4 this morning! this last stall was a doosey and I'm glad it's over. So to keep the record straight.......118lbs down from my starting weight of 375 and 100lbs from surgery weight of 357. It's snowing in colorful Colorado today and my sf almond joy latte was quite good this morning. Along the same line........last nights dinner was the first meal in A LONG TIME that hit the spot and was really satisfying! We had a steak, salad and for dessert we had our famous pretzel jello salad. It's amazing this stuff tastes soooo good and has hardly any calories in it. Went to Sam's club yesterday, and they had Atkins bars in a variety pack and samples to boot. Of course, I bought some. They have very little sugar, 1 or2gms per bar and not great protein,, but 12-15grms. They are less than a dollar per bar and are packed with vitamins. I've tried lots of different kinds of bars, but most have tons of sugar to go along with high protein and are up to two or three dollars a bar. So, I'm keeping it simple and going with the Atkins bars. S'more, brownie, caramel nut, and choc crunch are the flavors I have so far.......oh forgot cinn bun too.
The gym is back in the schedule again and we have increased reps and time on the treadmill, and laps in the pool. I think that's what broke the stall along with less carbs in the diet. My next goal is to be under 250 by the end of Feb. All is good, and God is great!! Need new pictures, keep forgetting. Also thinking about Rainbow Lake reservations very soon!! Anybody want to come??
Love to all,
Vickyruth
2009 and doing fine!!
Jan 14, 2009
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a blessed New Year to all! 7th month is here and finally a drop on the scale. The holidays were kinda rough, not that I ate too much, but it's amazing how much "tradition" in food etc. rules how you feel or in this case eat! We usually make 6-8 different kinds of candy and 5 different cookies, when it came time to do iced sugar cookies with the little girls, I couldn't eat them, or the candy(we only made one kind). I did make some sf cookies, it wasn't the same. I made some sf hot chocolate mix, it was pretty good, but gave me bad, did I say BAD, but really BAD gas. My head was deprived, but my stomach was not. I think next year will be easier, but what I thought would be satisfing wasn't, so I will be on the hunt for some new WLS friendly stuff for next year. I found some apple pie filling NSA and I made apple crisp that was totally awesome. I will say, if I don't keep things changed up and interesting, it makes me want to eat, just for eating sake. Not sure I understand it anymore that you will, but it's almost like when I quit smoking years ago, I had to have a pack of cigarettes available even after 2-3 months done the road, just in case I wanted one, I never did, but it was a crutch. Even though I was in a huge stall for almost 2 months, my body changed alot, my face, hands, wrists, legs rearranged themselves and I think my feet did too. I'll get new pictures in this weekend, but I'm not sure they will do the changes justice.
I had my 6month appt with Dr. Perlman finally on Jan 6th. So it was really the 7th month, but she was happy with me for sure and I will do labs on Friday to make sure all my levels are in good shape. She said, I looked healthy and would be suprised if they came back with a problem. She is also moving to a practice in Denver, and said I could come with her or stay in the Springs. I think I will go to Denver, I told her I would finish up with her. I trust her, and not that any complications will happen, but if I need a surgeon, I'd go with her. If insurance is an issue, that might change things, but we will see.
Well that's all for now, hope this finds everyone blessed beyond words! XOXOX
Vickyruth
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I had my 6month appt with Dr. Perlman finally on Jan 6th. So it was really the 7th month, but she was happy with me for sure and I will do labs on Friday to make sure all my levels are in good shape. She said, I looked healthy and would be suprised if they came back with a problem. She is also moving to a practice in Denver, and said I could come with her or stay in the Springs. I think I will go to Denver, I told her I would finish up with her. I trust her, and not that any complications will happen, but if I need a surgeon, I'd go with her. If insurance is an issue, that might change things, but we will see.
Well that's all for now, hope this finds everyone blessed beyond words! XOXOX
Vickyruth
6 month aniversary
Dec 05, 2008
Hard to believe 6 months have gone by! Here it is the 5th of December and I've lost 112lbs! from my beginning weight of 375 (263 this morning). I have 6 pounds to lose to make 100lbs from my surgery weight of 357. My 6 month check-up is on the 19th of December and I hope to be at 257 for that appointment!
My sister Cathie said, "Inquiring minds want to know" stuff like what's different now after 100+ lbs. Well, I can cross my legs now, I have collar bones, I have lots more energy, I'm cold like never before(lots less insulation!), I look like a Sherpa (sp?) puppy in places
, I've gone from a 30-32 to a 18-20, my feet are one size smaller, I can touch my toes now, I would do this again in a minute, at times I miss food, at other times I could care less, and last but not least I have more confidence. I'm sure there is more things to mention, but that's enough for now.
Hope this finds everyone blessed and ready for Christmas!
Love to all,
Vickyruth
My sister Cathie said, "Inquiring minds want to know" stuff like what's different now after 100+ lbs. Well, I can cross my legs now, I have collar bones, I have lots more energy, I'm cold like never before(lots less insulation!), I look like a Sherpa (sp?) puppy in places
, I've gone from a 30-32 to a 18-20, my feet are one size smaller, I can touch my toes now, I would do this again in a minute, at times I miss food, at other times I could care less, and last but not least I have more confidence. I'm sure there is more things to mention, but that's enough for now. Hope this finds everyone blessed and ready for Christmas!
Love to all,
Vickyruth
About Me
Colorado Springs, CO
Location
33.0
BMI
Surgery
06/02/2008
Surgery Date
May 02, 2008
Member Since
