Thursday, December 17, 2015

Week 10


Another 3 pounds down! 
 
Stats:
High Weight: 324
Starting Weight: 318
Surgery Weight: 300
Current Weight: 262.8
Lost: 61.2 pounds
 
Since I have two doxies, I've been waiting to use this picture! 
 

Here's some comparison pictures...  left picture is from October 7th.  The right picture is December 8th. 


Overall, I'm feeling really good.  I've been sluggish this week though.  After looking back through my food diary I figured out that I am not getting enough protein.  So, I'm going to add protein shakes back in for my breakfast every day. 

I killed it at spin this past week.  It was the first time I was able to get up off the seat for an extended period of time.  I felt it for the next two days though.  I guess that's what it is supposed to do! 

I want to lose 7 more pounds by the end of the year so we'll see how the next two weeks go! 


 
 
 


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Week 9


Down 3.4 pounds this week! 
 
 
I'm starting to feel a lot better health wise.  And feeling better means back to the gym!  Every time I go to the gym I try to challenge myself to do more.  I'm comfortable with the treadmill.  I can do it well and for a long time.  When I'm walking at a quick pace I can get the MPH up to 3.6. 
 
Yesterday I decided to switch it up a little bit.  I did a mile on the treadmill in 18 minutes (a record for me!).  I then moved to the elliptical which is a new machine for me.  I was only able to do three minutes, but that's three minutes that I wasn't able to do last month!  Then I moved to the bike and did 5 miles on the bike.  Now, 5 miles on a bike is pretty easy to do so I wasn't really sweating.  The thing the bike is good for is stretching out my knee that I had surgery on back in 2008.  It still gets stiff sometimes and the stretch feels good! 
 
I was bouncing on the ball after my workout and stretching out.  I still had energy.  Sometimes I get so much energy I feel like I just have to keep going.  And so I did...  I walked home the 1.3 miles.  I kept up a good pace so that my heart rate wouldn't drop.  And I stretched on my front lawn when I got home.  If it wasn't for keeping an appointment I may have walked back to the gym to pick up my car.  Some other day!! 
 
Onto Non-Scale victories... 
 
Yesterday I went shopping with a girlfriend for new bras.  I had absolutely NO idea what size I was but I knew I had to be fitted.  I headed to Soma and was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to go to a Plus size store to get new bras!  I was a 46DDD and am now a 42DD.  I've always had big boobs so I don't expect my cup size to go down too much but I'd be very comfortable with a solid D cup. 
 
It feels good to be able to put on a dress and LIKE the way I look.  I feel cute.  Trust me, I still have a long way to go but I'm nowhere near where I was 3 months ago.  And for that I'm eternally grateful. 
 
For the biggest NSV...  I bought my first pair of SKINNY JEANS!!!  I was in a tight size 28 pant before surgery.  Now I'm in a comfortable size 22!  Most of my dress pants are a size 24.  I think when I go down one more size I'll take 4-5 pairs to the dry cleaner and have them taken in.  I just can't justify spending $$ on clothes for each size I go down. 
 
I still have a little over 100 pounds to go until I'm at my goal weight.  But I'm 33% of the way there!  My BMI has dropped TEN points since surgery!  TEN Points!  That's amazing! 
 
Current Stats:
 
Starting Weight: 324
Pre-Surgery Weight: 318
Surgery Weight: 300
Current Weight: 265.8
 
Current Loss: 58.2 pounds! 
 
Until next week... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, December 3, 2015

Week 8

 
7.8 pounds this week!!!
 
I'm really not sure how I did this past week considering me asthma is still bothering me.  I went to the doctor AGAIN yesterday.  Just as I suspected, bronchitis.  I got some antibiotics and a stronger steroid.  Hopefully the meds work and I'm back to the gym this weekend. 
 
 
So, last week was Thanksgiving.  I'm surprised that I was okay with cooking and not eating most of it.  Here was my plate. 
 

I had a teaspoon full of all the foods.  By the way, that is a salad plate.  I didn't eat the corn or the mashed potatoes.  The rest was really yummy!!  And I shockingly didn't miss dessert at all. 

I went through my closet this week and put all the clothes that are too big for me into a pile to bag up.  It was my entire wardrobe!  Everything was so big.  I got out clothes that are TWO sizes smaller!  My closet looks so cute now!  It's like I have all new clothes but didn't have to buy any of them.  :-) 

I got this dress at Target this past weekend.  The best part about it?  It's a 1x and not a 3x! 


I also took advantage of a Black Friday sale and got myself my first ever pair of high boots!  My calves were always too big to fit into them.  Woohoo!! 

Current Stats:

High Weight: 324
Beginning Weight: 318
Surgery Weight: 300
Current Weight: 269.2

That's a total of 54.8 pounds lost.  48.8 pounds lost in 10 weeks and 30.8 pounds lost in the 8 weeks since surgery.  That's an average of 4.5 pounds lost per week.  The "My Weight" app I have on my phone says if I keep going at this pace I'll be at my goal of 160 by May 5, 2016.  Of course, I know I'm going to hit more stalls and it is not always going to move this fast. 

The thought of shopping for summer clothes in a regular size and not in the plus section or store makes me giddy though!  The thought of paying for the clothes?  Not so giddy.  I'm putting aside some money from my Christmas bonus this year to spend in the spring. 

Until next week... 


 


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Week 7


Down 4.6 pounds this week! 

Stats:
High Weight: 324
Starting Weight: 318
Surgery Weight: 300
Current Weight: 277

That's 47 pounds lost since my high weight and 41 pounds in the past 9 weeks.  4.5 pounds per week isn't too shabby! 

I'm currently battling with my asthma right now so I haven't been to the gym in the past week.  The dr just put me on steroids to move this along so hopefully by the end of the weekend I can start back up. Today is the first day after the 5k that I'm not sore.  Next go around I'm training outside for it!

I had a family funeral this past weekend.  I was full of mixed emotions...  I was sad for my cousin whose husband passed away.   I was happy to see some of my cousins who I hadn't seen for a very long time.  A few of us have made plans to reconnect soon!  And I was elated when one of my Aunts whispered in my ear "You look fabulous". 

I wore this outfit...  it was the first time in a long time that I actually felt confident about how I looked.  I'm proud of how far I've come. 



Until next week.... 










Monday, November 23, 2015

5k!


I walked a 5k this weekend!  I think I'm still in shock.  I cannot believe I actually finished it!  Thanks to my dear friend, Tricia for pushing me along the way.  And for walking slower than she normally does! 

I proved to myself that I can actually do anything I set my mind to.  If you can zoom in on my shirt.  It says Believe in Yourself.  That is my new motto.  Believe. 



Thursday, November 19, 2015

Week 6


Down 2.8 pounds!  Not bad considering I haven't been feeling well this week.  My asthma has been bothering me this week...  I think because of the change in the weather.  I haven't had much energy to work out.  I'm really hoping I am feeling up to walking my 5k this week.  I've been pushing myself as much as I can to work out in the past weeks.  But, when it's hard to breath working out is not such a good idea. 

Thanksgiving is next week and I'm trying to figure out side dishes that I can eat.  I think I found the perfect thing.  Hasselback Sweet Potatoes. 

http://www.myrecessionkitchen.com/2011/11/hasselback-sweet-potatoes.html?m=1

This recipe looks absolutely delicious and I don't have to feel guilty about eating it.  Fingers crossed at least one of my kids eats it and maybe my husband?  We'll see. 

Until next week... 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Week 5

 
STALL OVER!!! 

I lost 5.6 pounds this week.  I'm so so happy!  I've continued working out and stuck to my food plan and it worked! 

STATS:

High Weight: 324
Starting Weight: 318
Surgery Weight: 300
Today: 284.4

I'm one poop away from having lost 40 pounds! 

I'm feeling good.  I have more energy than I used to have.  I've even skipped some weekend naps and have gone to the gym instead! 

I started taking Spin classes with a girlfriend.  I go to the gym 3-4 times per week and next week I'm doing my FIRST EVER 5k!  ME!  Doing a 5k!  I don't necessarily like working out but I find myself almost craving it.  Which is funny because a few weeks ago I was at a girlfriends house and she was telling me how she loves to work out and I'm pretty sure I looked at her like she had 16 heads. 

I've been religously logging onto My Fitness Pal and logging my foods.  It's just become a norm for me. 

The hard times I'm having right now:

  • Insomnia.  It's crazy right now.  Last night I took 10mg of melatonin before bed and fell asleep okay.  But then at 1:30 I was awake for 4 hours.  I'm going to call my doctor today to see if I can get something to sleep. 
  • Food just isn't appetizing to me right now.  The only things that taste good right now are eggs and cheese.  Meats are just blah to me.  I'll see a recipe and think it looks really good but when the time comes to eat it I have to choke it down. 

A friend is taking monthly pictures of me so I can see the weight loss.  The left is the day before surgery 10/7 and the right is this past Tuesday 11/10. 

Until next week... 








Monday, November 9, 2015

Week 4

I didn't take a picture because my weight stayed the exact same last week.  I had my post-op doctor appt last week.  He was very happy with everything so far.  All of my levels from blood work came back completely normal.  I had slight dehydration but I've since made sure to up my water.  He told me not to worry at all about the stall...  if I'm doing everything I should be doing my body will continue to lose. 

I took a spin class yesterday.  Despite feeling like I was going to die immediately afterwards it wasn't that bad.  Except nobody told me there are these things called padded pants and they should be worn while spinning.  Let's just say my whole area "down there" is sore today. 

My nutritionist e-mailed me this morning to let me know that my BMI has gone from a 55.6 to a 49.2.  Success!  I's definitely hard but I'm doing it.  I'm logging my foods and I'm moving.  I've exercised way more in the past two weeks than I have in the past 2 years! 

Until Thursday....

Monday, November 2, 2015

Week 3


 
I'm delayed with last week being Halloween. Hope everyone had a fun day and the kids had a ton of fun! 
 
I'm at the infamous "Three Week Stall" everyone in the bariatric world talks about.  I've put on a little over 1 pound.  It's frustrating as hell but totally normal.  I've talked to my doctor about it as well as done my own research.  My body was used to fluids for 4 weeks straight.  The weight fell off like a hooker off a street corner.  And now that I've added foods back in, my body is yelling a giant "WTF"? 
 
There's many factors that go into this.  Fluid retention is a large one.  I've been focusing on this for the past week and making sure I'm getting the 60 oz needed.  Secondly, if you've ever had any kind of abdominal surgery, you know it is hard to get things moving after.  Third, the tricky dance in making sure you're getting enough proteins, calories and carbs without the carbs being too much.  I've been logging into My Fitness Pal (lucydoxie@gmail.com, hit me up if you're a member!) and tracking every bite I take.  Lastly, cheese.  I ADORE cheese.  In fact, I joke that Zoey is part cheese because I ate so much of it when I was pregnant with her.  It just so happens that cheese has a ton of protein and calcium so it makes a fantastic snack.  Except when you eat it every day which leads you back to point # 2. 
 
I started at the gym a couple weeks back and have been pounding away the past week.  I was extremely proud of myself when I walked 2 miles on Saturday in 45 minutes.  It's been a long time since I've done that and I am really happy with how I felt afterwards.  Yesterday I took a Barre class at a local yoga studio.  This is the description from their website:

This low impact high intensity full body workout is designed to tone and lengthen your muscles. Barre utilizes small movements targeting specific muscle groups to change your body. It will leave you with sculpted arms abdominals and thighs as well as increased flexibility.
 
 
The picture from the website is this:
 

Except, I looked nothing like that...  I looked more like this:

 
I'm going to keep at it.  I have to move to lose.  I also have to remember that I didn't put the weight on overnight and it's not going to come off overnight. 
 
Until Thursday.... 
 
Stats:
Starting Weight: 318
Surgery Weight: 300
Current Weight: 290
 
 



 
 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Two Weeks


Two weeks post-op and I'm down 3.4 pounds this week.  That's 30 pounds since the start of my adventure and 11.4 pounds since surgery two weeks ago.  

I'm still having a hard time getting all of my fluids in.  I can only sip all day and when I'm working it isn't the first thing on my mind.  No excuse though... I have to stay on top of it. 

 Today I'm going to join the gym down the street from me.  A few friends belong to it and like it so I'm hoping I will too.  With it only being 5 minutes away, I have no excuse not to go.  

I'm starting to see the loss in my clothes.  Yesterday I wore a dress I bought online back in the spring.  When it came I was disappointed because it was too tight.  Now?  It loose on me.  I see it in my neck and upper chest as well as my belly.  My jeans are wicked loose on me right now.  The only 5hing with pants is I'm having a hard time buttoning them because the button lays right on top of one of my incisions.  I'm using the ponytail holder trick to keep them closed.  Lol. 

I have my post-op appt today.  For the first time I won't be nervous when I walk into the office. Instead I feel proud and confident.  I did it.  I'm a success.  And I'm going to continue to be successful.  

Thanks for all of the love and support!  


Sunday, October 18, 2015

According to Sarah....

I have this friend, we'all call her Sarah.  Because well, her name is Sarah.  Poor Sarah has heard me talk about food for the past week more than anybody would like.  She humors me though because she's sort of an okay friend.

Anyway, Sarah believes I've become a foodie over the last week.  She is trying to teach me the lingo so I actually sound like one.  Poor Sarah is from Washington and doesn't understand that water is actually pronounced wooder.  She also doesn't know what water ice is.  Let's take a moment to feel bad for Sarah.

I've become a huge fan of Pinterest as of late.  It has countless recipes for things I can eat.  Now my diet contains low carb and high protein.  I want to make every bite count. If it's not absolutely scrumptious it's not going in my mouth.  What's the point of eating an okay meal?

This weekend I baked oatmeal muffins, chocolate pumpkin muffins and apple butternut squash soup. I also cooked tomato basil soup on Thursday.  I didn't taste the oatmeal muffins yet but everything else was absolutely worth eating!  The chocolate muffin I only stole a tiny bite of Zoey's.

Here's the recipe for the apple butternut squash soup:

http://www.theskinnyfork.com/blog/butternut-apple-soup

I think next time I'll put 2-3 apples in it so I can actually taste them.  The soup was outstanding, but you can't detect the apple taste.


Here is the tomato basil soup recipe:

http://theblondcook.com/2014/04/creamy-tomato-basil-soup/





Here is the recipe for the chocolate pumpkin muffins

http://www.uplateanyway.com/keto/chocolate-pumpkin-cake-low-carb/

Disclaimer: this recipe is for donuts but I don't have a donut pan.  I may invest int one of These at some point because who doesn't love mini donuts?



Here is the link for the oatmeal muffins:

http://www.alagraham.com/2013/02/individual-baked-oatmeal-cups.html

Sorry, I don't have a picture of the ones I made.  The girls had a blast putting the toppings on them.  They ate them right up warm out of the oven.

And with that, I say goodnight. Always nice to leave people salivating.




Thursday, October 15, 2015

One week post-op


292. One week post-op and I've lost 8 pounds.  That's 26 pounds all together.  I made a comparison to Bill yesterday that Hannah was 24 pounds when she was one year old.  I've lost an entire one year old Hannah.  ðŸ˜€

Healing wise I'm doing well.  I'm sore on my right side.  Getting out of bed a little tough still.  I have to make sure to get up with my knees versus my abs.  The girls have been really good around my belly and making sure they don't hug me the wrong way.  Bill has gone above and beyond with his help.  

My doctor has been great. He's called me three times over the past week to make sure I'm feeling okay.  My success is their success so it makes sense.  If anyone is thinking about this in the slightest, I'd highly recommend them.  E-mail me for details...  Lucydoxie@gmail.com.  

So far my diet has been limited to protein shakes, water, vitamin water zero, sugar free jello and sugar free Popsicles.  I was able to drink chicken broth as well but started gagging on the taste so I out that aside.  

Today my good friend, Tricia, is picking me up to go grocery shopping.  I get to start soup and Greek yogurts today!  I'm so stinking excited!  I'm making tomato basil and butternut squash/Apple.  If I'm successful I'll post the recipes over the weekend.  

I'm making small goals for myself along the way.  My first goal was to be at 290 by Halloween.  With such a large loss to go, small goals are the way to go.  When I get to bigger goals (ex. 50 pounds lost) I'll reward myself with a better fitting shirt, new jeans, etc.  luckily I have smaller clothes to transition into right now.  Along the way I'll likely look at consignment stores or eBay for smaller clothes.  I'm not spending full price on clothes that I won't fit into for a while,  

Okay, im off!  Thank you to everyone for all of your support, I can't do it without you all!  Xoxo!



Sunday, October 11, 2015

3 days post-op

It's very early Sunday morning.  I came home Saturday morning.  Surprisingly, I feel really good!  It's hard to get out of bed since our bed is pretty low to the floor.

Thursday I had to be at the hospital at 7:15.  Things moved pretty quickly and I was prepped for surgery in about an hour.  Around 8:30 I said bye to Bill and was wheeled away to the OR.  The nurses made small chat with me for a few minutes while they got things ready and then the nurse anesthetist was ready.  I was asleep within two minutes of her saying she was going to give me something to help me relax.

I'm told they woke me up at the end of surgery to remove my breathing tube but I don't remember that at all.  I'm also told I had the dry heaves in the elevator on the way up to my room.  Again I don't remember a thing.  Funny enough, the first thing I remember is waking up cursing because the pain in my right side was so bad.  I did that a lot between 12:00-4:00.  I'd wake up cursing, telling the nurse I was going to throw up (only to just have gas) and just saying how much it hurt!  I wasn't really with it, but I do remember thinking what the eff did I just do!?!

Around 4:00-5:00, I finally woke up.  Bill was sitting next to me and the nurse got me out of bed and into a chair so I could get moving.  This helped release the gas they put in me during the surgery.  I had a lot of shoulder pain from the gas as well.  The rest of the night I took a walk in the hall two times and rested in bed.

Friday Bill came into the hospital to see me around 9:00.  I was feeling pretty good.  We walked the halls a couple of times.  The main source of my pain is a 2" incision on my right side.  This is where they inserted the instruments and where they took my stomach out.  So it makes sense that it is more sore than the other incisions.

The doctor came in around 2:00 that day asking how I was feeling.  He asked if I was ready to go home, etc.  I said though I was feeling good, I think I'd rather stay for another day.  The logistics of having someone there if I need them, getting in and out of bed was easy and overall just being more comfortable with being at the hospital the 1-2 days after surgery.

The rest of Friday went similar to the beginning half.  I walked the halls more and just rested.  If you've ever been hospitalized, you know it is next to impossible to actually rest in the hospital.  I woke up around 5:00 Saturday morning and did a lap around the whole floor.  It felt good to be moving.  I got in the shower which felt great.

Around 7:00 the doctor came in to check on me and said I could be discharged.  Bill came to get me and take me home.  He brought a pillow with him to make the ride more comfortable.  Since being home, I've been up and down the stairs twice which is relatively easy.  Getting out of bed is the hardest challenge.  It takes ab muscles which are very sore right now.

I ask you for continued prayers!  But I think the worst is over.  Here we go!

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Today is the day

and I hit my pre-surgery goal....

I'm a huge ball of nerves....  Wish me luck and say a prayer! 


Thursday, October 1, 2015

11.6 Pounds

11.6 pounds gone!  I stepped on the scale this morning and was pleasently surprised! 


I didn't realize how much I'd lose before the actual surgery.  I am doing well so far with the Protein shakes.  I've had a few cravings, but they pass. 

I've bee comparing this week to the week before Hannah was born.  I knew the date and have been anticipating it.  I'm anxious for it to get here quickly!  I'm excited and still nervous but the anticipation is the worst. 

I'll check in the day before surgery again.  Until then, I ask for prayers that everything goes the way it should.  ONE WEEK from today!  EEP!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The prep

To prep for surgery I have to be on a liquid diet for two weeks.  TWO WEEKS!  The majority of it is protein shakes.  I can also have non-starchy vegetables, broth, sugar free jell-o and sugar free/calorie free drinks.  I found this Protein Powder from Target that isn't too bad.

The goal is to have 5-6 shakes per day.  I can also have the pre-made Special K Protein drink.  The only restriction on any of these drinks is the first ingredient has to be Whey Protein. 

The first few days were hard.  I was grumpy and hungry.  I kind of felt bad for Bill and the kids.  By now I think my body has acclimated to the new diet.  I seem to have a little bit more energy which is odd for not having much to eat. 

I'm also preparing emotionally.  This is a BIG change.  One that I'm ready for but I'm also nervous.  It's surgery, after all and with any surgery comes some risks.  I get pretty sick from anestesia and I'm not looking forward to that right after abdominal surgery. 

I saw this little guy on Etsy last week and am going to get him.  :-)

Next weigh in comes on Thursday...  stay tuned! 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

And so it begins....

I've always struggled with my weight.  I think it started in fifth grade.  I've done Weight Watchers, LA Weightloss, Slimfast, you name it I've tried it.  And I've lost weight....  But then I had kids and it was increasingly difficult.  After I had my last daughter, my thyroid went in the crapper and losing the pregnancy weight became almost impossible.  

It has become increasingly difficult to get down on the floor and play with the kids.  Going to the park takes energy. Heck, walking up the stairs makes me winded.  I have a bad knee which I had surgery on in 2008.  I use that as a crutch for not going up the stairs and taking the elevator instead.  

I'm tired of being tired.  I want to be active in my kids lives.  And so I began to think...  Think about the direction which I want my life to go, think about how I want to be an example for my kids, think about my health.  

I had thought about bariatric surgery before.  But I thought it was the "easy" way out.  Truth is, nothing about the process is easy.  It takes dedication and is a true life change.  I thought about it for about a year before I made the decision.  I talked to my husband about it as well as my family doctor.  They were both on board.  I interviewed a few different doctors and found the practice and Doctor who really fits for my life.  

The first part of the process was talking to a psychiatrist to make sure I'm mentally ready for both the procedure and my future life.  I had to see a nutritionist who taught me how to eat after the procedure. Everyone in the office is so incredibly supportive.  You know them by their first names, they let you into their lives as you are letting them into yours.  

So it makes sense that the nurse, Cindy, cried with me when I got the call on September 18th telling me that insurance approved my surgery.  I was in my office at work and answered the phone not expecting her to be on the other line.  When she said "how does October 8th sound for your surgery?" I broke into tears.  The relief washed over me and a huge weight was taken from my shoulders.  Cindy cried with me.  I couldn't believe it was finally time.  

The morning I started the liquid diet I weighed myself for the last time as my present self.  The last time I will see this number on the scale.  And the same day I received information from insurance in the mail... The last time I will also see these words on any paperwork. 

  

This is the beginning of the rest of my life.  I will take pictures along the way.  I will share my adventures and struggles.  I can't wait to see where the next phase of my life goes....  My second chance!