Week 24 - Back from vacation in NYC

So I noticed a few things while I was on vacation in NYC....

Guys are flirting with me now.... people are nicer to me now that I have lost weight.... and all people want to socialize with eating and drinking.

SIGH....

So a few bad food choices happened... but that isn't going to get me down.  I happened upon the "Big Apple" during the hottest heat wave in 60+ years!  I walked tons... very proud of myself.  I didn't take one single taxi the whole time.  I even skimped on subways too!!

Get this!  I toured the Empire State Building.  The elevator takes you to the 80th floor where you wait in a cue to go onto the observation deck via elevator for the last 6 floors.  I didn't want to wait in line for an hour - so I asked if I could take the stairs.  You read it correctly... I ASKED to take the STAIRS - up 6 flights.  I did it... (panted a little bit for the last flight) but I was so proud of myself.  It was a beautiful view!

I even took the first 6 flights back down before catching the elevator again :)

I can't get over the changes I'm seeing.  My shoe size has changed, my ring size has changed... and I was finally able to shop at H & M for clothing for the first time in my life... buying a size 12.  I also went to another store and bought an XL in juniors clothing  :)

So yes - you can assume I shopped my way through NYC versus eating my way through NYC!

Here is a before and after update from NYC:

Week 13 - Revising Goals

OK... just a quick post about revision of goals.  Like some sort of circus freak - I though I could keep losing about 5 lbs a week... so I would hit my goal in about 6-7 months.  I was nuts!  I was getting down on myself because I couldn't keep up with that goal plan.

Now I know how my body loses weight.  It is like a system - 1-2 lbs at best one week, then 6 lbs the next week.... excluding the week when I have the monthly visit - because I add 1-2 lbs that week.  I'm going to revise my goal to about 5 lbs every other week.

If I keep on that trend... this is what should happen:

Starting Weight 285
By my birthday 215-210
Lake Trip 205
6 month follow up visit with doc 190 (but I really want 185 :)
First cruise ever - 185 -180 (planned to celebrate 100 lbs gone!)
Halloween - 164 (Initial goal weight)
Christmas Eve - 145 (Surgeon's Goal Weight)

Wouldn't that be a GREAT Christmas Present to myself?

Week 12 - Realizations about stress eating and how WORK had nearly everything to do with it!

So... I really didn't drop that much weight in the past week.  I had a stark realization.  I am a food addict with a penchant for stress eating.  Before surgery... and actually up until last week... I would have told you that I got fat because I chose the wrong foods... and that I ate too much of them.

What I didn't realize is that when I get stressed out.... I eat like there is no tomorrow.  Maybe in the past - I didn't realize when I was stressed... that's because I thrived on it!  Let me explain....

My college degree is in Broadcast Journalism.  So I spent the better part of my first 10 years out of college slaving away in TV Station newsrooms as a producer.  Mostly working the overnight shift to write the morning news that you see while you are drinking your first cup of coffee.  That shift was BRUTAL!  Dissecting the news from the evening before, answering phone calls from crazy & drunk people, listening to the police scanner.... all while shoving fast food down my throat (since they were the only ones open for business at midnight when I was driving to work) and typing away to make an interesting newscast that is 2.5 hours long... but writing it in only 3.5 hours since the director has to mark the scripts for camera crews.

Stress was an everyday occurrence!  I switched to a different position in the newsroom shortly after arriving in Houston - Executive Producer of Special Projects.  Much less stressful.... and the weight started coming off.  I got laid off nearly 2 years later... weight came back on.

I recently had a position with a company for years that involved a ton of travel.  I was miserable at work, worked about 70 hours a week - but it still wasn't enough.  I climbed to probably 290 lbs or more.  None of my clothes fit - and I was afraid to get on the scale.  That company letting me go saved my life!

I found a job with a great company just 3 weeks later.  (I hadn't even gotten my first unemployment check yet.)  I have the most supportive boss anyone could ever hope for!  It was stressful starting during holiday but I got it done... and learned from it. (I am a retail store manager...)  The insurance package I selected covered my surgery in full except for my deductible (woo hoo!)  And the job wasn't stressful.... so weight loss was easy.... or so I thought.

Now - sorry for the digression - but I thought you needed a little bit of history on me first.  Fast forward to the week of Mom's Day.  HUGE gifting season for my retailer - but my store is falling behind plan and behind the district trend.  I have to keep an eagle eye on payroll, find out what is happening, why aren't people buying as much:  do we have the right selection of product, do I have the right people working, is our sales floor staffed appropriately...

SIGH... when I realized that we were going to miss Mom's Day - I found myself  stress eating all over again.  Now this was 2 weeks in a row!  I've got to get a handle on this if I am ever going to drop any weight....

OK - enough thinking for now.....  I gotta get back on track.  Have a great week!

Danielle

Week 11- Stress Eating and Shopping in the Misses Dept. FINALLY!

Weight 229.2

Yes!  Finally in the 220's!  I had a revelation over the weekend... I found an old pair of  NY and Company jeans I purchased in 2004 and only got to wear once.  I dried them - and they shrunk!  Guess what - they fit now  (and look really good I might add!)  I also found a bag of shorts I purchased from NY and Company as well.  They never did fit.... I can zip them now... but there is a bit of a muffin top.... I'll just need to give it a few weeks and they should be fine.

Other realizations - I had a stressful weekend at work trying to make sales plan for the quarter.  I realized that I was in denial before about being an emotional eater.  I had a protein shake for breakfast, tilapia with broccoli and quinoa for lunch... then when we stopped making sales plan.... I found myself with cheetos and M&M's in my hand.  I felt sick (from eating too much) and mentally sick - that I let this get to me.  The major difference is that I only backslid that afternoon.  In the past - the entire week would have been shot to hell.

I gathered with my friends last night in memory of a dear friend of mine that was killed 2 years ago.  It's important to recognize the fact that I made it through the night with no tears, no alcohol and only 5 grilled shrimp.  That is quite the contrast from 2 years ago - I was on my way losing weight (had lost 30 lbs at that point) when I learned of his death.  I ended up in the hospital the next day due to dehydration... lost about 10 lbs in 2 days due to that..... then the comfort eating started.  I gained 45 lbs in just a matter of months.

It's interesting - the friend who passed was really into helping me lose weight... he would be so proud of me now.  :)

Thanks for everyone for reading... feel free to comment.

Next week is picture week for Week 12 :)

Danielle

Weeks 9 & 10 Post Op Update - Lab results and realizations

I really have to get better about blogging.  It's weird... If I hit a stall - I feel like a failure and I don't actually want to write it down.

I've dropped only about 2 pounds or so.  Now that I have rolled into week 11 - I have dropped a few more - but I will wait to report that in a blog later this week.

I've been going out and trying to be more social.  I love sports - especially hockey.  I've been going to several games this season - even more so since the Houston Aeros have made it into the playoffs.  I say this - because it brings up an issue with distracted eating....

I was at the game - cheering my team on... eating grilled chicken.  And then it happened.  One.bite.too.much....

OOF... the pain in my chest was killing me.... I could barely think straight.  I stood up and slowly started my walk of shame to the restroom... knowing what was going to happen next.  I was so ashamed... I was on a date at the game to make matters worse.

I have got to get it together and start being more conscious when I eat.  I'm always thinking in the back of my mind - what damage I could be doing... am I stretching my pouch.  And then I get sad... but I don't eat for fear of getting sick again.

I also finally received my 8 week labs back from my surgeon.  Vitamin D levels are low... need to double up on those now.  Protein levels are low too... got to get those higher.  Need to take in 90 grams of protein a day versus just 60.

It's weird... sometimes I just feel guilty when I eat...even though what I am eating is good for me.  I hope I'm not developing some weird issue.  I guess I will need to talk with someone about that.

That.s all for now.... I have a hard 2 weeks ahead of me.  It's the 2 year anniversary of the death of a close friend of mine.  He was instrumental in me wanting to get healthy... I was on the right track  but I lost focus when I lost him.  I know he would be proud of me now.... but I just need to make it through that time.

Here's wishing all of you a Happy Easter and good luck on any challenges that come your way this week!

Week 8 Post Op - Signing Up for New Challenges!

So I'm down a bit more 239.6.  Yep - You read it right!  I'm finally in the 230's!!!  I also posted another progress pic.

This past week was pretty good.  I've been expireminting with food.  I'm still not a great cook.  I went to my WLS Hospital support group yesterday.  They had a chef there to teach us how to cook better for ourselves.  I'm feeling a bit motivated - so Turkey Meatloaf and Asian Lettuce Wraps - Here I come!  LOL.

Mini-victory:  I discovered I can put on my smallest pair of jeans that I have worn in my adult life :)  I have a bit of a muffin top in them - but.... they still button and I can breathe in them!

Also - I felt like I needed another challenge... a goal of sorts.  So I signed up for my first 5k that I intend on RUNNING.  I've walked a 5K - but never RUN one before.  So I figured I had better make it an awesome one.  So I signed up for Beachpalooza in Galveston, TX on September 23rd.  If you aren't familiar with this - it is a crazy 5K race on the beach with a 10 stop obstacle course built into it. You can find out more about it here:  http://beachpalooza.com/.

I've been walking a few miles a day to slowly get started in training.  I've been posting to facebook to hold myself accountable.  I am finding that this helps - because if I miss a day - I have friends asking me where was my workout :)

OK - thanks for reading this week.  I hope all finds you well on your weight loss journey.

Week 4 Post-Op

Weight update - 250.8  :)

Non Scale Victory (NSV) - had a few spare inches on the belt buckle on the plane - rather than me breaking out in a sweat to fasten it!  Yahoo!!!!

Went for a visit with my PCP (Primary Care Physician) and the last time she saw me was 3 months ago - when she wrote my referral for the surgery.... She saw me and was very pleased.  Blood pressure was 110/59, weight down almost 40 lbs since I saw her.  She is drawing labs... hopefully A1C will be lower too.  

I transition to a regular diet next week.  I'm looking forward to it... but a bit frightened at the same time.  I think it will be easier for me to recognize when I am full - versus the soft "slider" foods.  I really need to get better about exercising though.

TMI warning:

I had always read that you needed to use 2 forms of birth control after surgery.  This is due to the high release of estrogen with weight loss.  I decided to use the Mirena IUD.  It lasts 5 years and also releases a hormone like the pill does.  I didn't want to have to rely on the pill... because - right now I have issues remembering to take all my vitamins, and secondly - a close friend of mine just became pregnant on the pill.

So - with that being said - I had my Mirena appointment.  A few notes - it is easier to insert if you have already have had a child. (I have not.) Secondly - you may want to take a Valium for anxiety and/or Vicodin for pain.  Hell yes it hurt... I yelled cuss words and apologized to my doc.  She said "it happens..."  LOL

I also almost passed out and then vomited.... she also said it was a normal pain response.  I took tylenol every 6 hours.  I'm still taking it today...  still having mild cramping.  But - the good news - the procedure only takes 3 minutes.

If anyone has any questions about anything I've posted... please let me know.

Week 3 Post-Op Update - Setting Mini-Goals

So.... I have a few new musings:

First - Weight is now 253.2 - down nearly 32 lbs :)  (Be sure to check out my progress photos above if you haven't already.)

Second - Medical scare - just fibroid cysts (YEAH!)  Soooo relieved!

Third - I'm still finding it hard to get motivated to exercise.  I'm really not sure what the deal is here... but I really have to get a move on!  I bought a big calendar to put in my exercise room to get me motivated.  Hopefully that will help!

Fourth - Mini-Goals:  Back in 2009 - I dieted my way down to 254 lbs... that took 4 months.  I did it in 1 month this time.  In 2007 - I got down to 251 lbs on weight watchers (round 3)  and that took me 8 months.  If I get on the ball - I should hit that by this weekend!.  Next mini-goal:  224 lbs - my weight in 2004 when I worked out with a trainer 5 days a week and dieted.  It took me 4 months to hit that target.  I'm hoping I can do it in two.  I will need to start working out to make that happen.

Finally Fifth - Clothes are starting to get looser.  In a smaller pants size already.... I love shopping in my closet for things that I haven't worn in a great while.

Thanks to everyone who is reading my blog.  It's really motivating knowing that there are people out there who will help hold me accountable.  Please feel free to comment... I love reading your thoughts.

Have a great day!