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 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

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!

Week 2 Post Op Update - Ups, Downs and Medical Scares

Wow!  So much has happened in the past week!

Lets start first with a weight update:  256.8 lbs.  That is 28.2 lbs gone so far! :)  I also started a photo journey to tell you a little bit about myself and my struggles with weight loss.

Food:  I never thought I would like pureed foods as much as I do.  I also never thought it would be this hard to get in the required protein and water.  It's honestly a struggle.  I have to remind myself to eat and drink.... and I still have to get one day perfect with all of the meds.  I hope it will happen soon.... I'm always missing at least a dose of something.  If I am in a rush - I just pick up baby food and eat half a jar.  At home, I've made tuna mousse (yummy!), and put grilled chicken and black beans in the food processor... DOUBLE YUMMY! I still need to master the bite sizes.  I got a bit overzealous and took too big of a bite... GOOD GRIEF that hurt!

Next - exercise:  I started by playing games on my Wii.  Then I ventured out to the track behind my house (no excuse not to use it) and walked a lap (.33 miles).  By Sunday - I walked 4 laps.  Last night (Monday), I walked 5 laps!!!  That's just shy of 2 miles!  I can't believe I am doing this... and it felt really good!  Props to Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Rihanna for getting me through it!.

So, I find myself starting to feel good about myself again.  I am wearing T-shirts that I stopped wearing because they were too tight.  I notice my pants/shorts size has gone down by a size already... so all is well. (Or so I thought.)  I went to the doctor for my annual well-woman exam.  I was happy to see a very normal 124/65 as my blood pressure reading.  Later during the exam portion - my doc found 3 lumps in my right breast.  She is concerned and so am I.  I am adopted - so I really don't have any medical history.... so the next week will consist of diagnostic tests to find out what these lumps are and what the hell they are doing in me.

I'm taking this as a learning moment.  Just one month ago if this would have happened - I would have drowned myself in the nearest cheeseburger or chicken nugget combo.... or hit the chinese food buffet.  Last night I walked nearly two miles instead.  It's amazing how far I've come in such a short time!

I'm beginning to love myself again!