I bought a size 20 pair of jeans from Fashion Bug's online store, figuring that, if they were still too small, they wouldn't be for long. I knew I was getting close to a 20, but not sure if I was quite there yet. Previously, I bought jeans that fit well and a week later they started to be too big, so I
So, the jeans arrived. I can squeeze my butt into them! It's tight, but not unbearable.
I wear a size 20! *happy dance* This time last year, I was wearing a 30.
I'm little flashier in my appearance and willing to wear clothes that may be a little smaller, rather than defaulting to muted and too big to hide my body. I'm still far into the obese BMIs(mine is currently 44.4 and the high end of the overweight BMI is 29.9), but still more comfortable with my body than I use to be. It's very obvious to me now that those clothes that were too big were just making me look bigger--they hid nothing.
I can see the flashiness showing in my new earring obsession. I had to buy a new jewelry holder today to handle my mass of acquired earrings. Also, I have a lot more bright, bold hair accessories (flower clips, etc.). My shirts are colors beyond darker shades of blue. My work scrubs are slimmer fitting and bold patters. I wear make up often now. It all adds up because I'm more confident and that confidence shows in my outward appearance.
I even posted on facebook for my friends to tell me if they're planning a party this summer so I have an excuse to buy a cute new dress. Trust me, dresses were not something I liked to wear before. My big arms and big calves were on display in a dress and, therefore, I wasn't wearing one. My arms are still big now (mostly, it's looser skin) and my calves are still kind of big, but I don't care. I know I look and feel so much better than I did before and I want to wear something as cute as I am, damn it! :D
Taking control of my life a year ago by making the decision to have bariatric surgery and to be mindful of my eating habits has translated into mindful living. I may have to plan and track a lot of my life, but it also makes me notice other parts, just like what I've described above. Mindful living has had a positive impact in all aspects of my life and I'm grateful for that.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
What a difference a year makes!
I'm a day early, but we're going to call it close enough: One year ago, I met with my primary care provider (my PCP) to discuss being referred to a bariatric surgeon. So much has happened since then. In no particular order, here's a sampling of my last year:
**Went to (if I remember right) 26 pre-op appointments: 11 group therapies, 2 individual therapy appts, 1 exercise physiologist appt, 2 neuropsychologist appts, 4 surgeon appts, 4 nutritionist appts, 2 internal medicine appts
**Gone to 6 post-op appointments so far: 3 surgeon appts, 2 nutritionist appts, 1 group therapy
**Survived multiple Christmas celebrations while eating only a couple ounces of pureed foods.
**Have lost 60 pounds, post-op.
**Found that learning to eat post-op was a full time job for the first couple weeks.
**Allowed my picture to be taken.
**Bought a pedometer.
**Wore dresses, by my choice.
**Stayed in the hospital for five days and four nights, which was the first hospital stay since I was a toddler.
**Began swimming again and I love it.
**Joined a gym.
**Tried an exercise video.
**Involuntarily vomited after eating.
**Learned to listen to my body about whether it's hungry, how hungry it really is, and, if it's not hungry, why my brain wants me to eat.
**Started a blog.
**Considered taking a trip that involved a plane...and those dreaded plane seats.
**Had a barium swallow (bring a toothbrush and paste if you're going to have one!)
**Had my stomach tickled from the inside.
**Wore a size 30, 28, 26, 24, and 22.
**Found that people think that what I write is interesting.
**Received my first stitch.
**Lost 28 lbs, pre-op, by tracking what I was eating and making modifications.
**Gained 8 lbs of those pre-op pounds back (before surgery).
**Began making conscious food choices, instead of mindless choices.
**Smiled more.
**Had a serious case of cabin fever.
**My tummy turned purple, like a blueberry, from Heprin bruises.
**Lost 28 lbs, pre-op, by tracking what I was eating and making modifications.
**Amazed myself with my new-found ambition.
**Started walking.
**Walked more than 11,000 steps in a day.
**Nearly got rid of all my asthma issues.
**Stopped squeaking when I sleep.
**Realized that struggles don't have to be a totally private fight.
**Made some great friends.
**Tucked my shirt in without cringing at the view in the mirror.
**Had less back pain.
**Picked up heavy things that I would have had Travis take care of in the past.
**Learned how to cook a little.
**Moved my body more.
**Crossed my legs without realizing it.
**Loaded up tons of clothes that are too big.
**Enjoyed food without inhaling it.
**Realized that I do, in fact, have a collar bone.
**Found out that it's very hard to find an adult liquid pain reliever.
**Admitted that it was hard to give up my "big" clothes, because I'm afraid I'll gain the weight back.
**Took 3 months and 60 pounds, post op, for ME to truly be able to see the lost weight, but it has finally happened.
**Began drawing again.
**Bought an iPod for working out and walking.
**Physical movements became easier.
**My feet became skinnier.
**Had to give up wearing my engagement ring, when it became way too big.
**Lost a good portion of my double chin.
**Went to (if I remember right) 26 pre-op appointments: 11 group therapies, 2 individual therapy appts, 1 exercise physiologist appt, 2 neuropsychologist appts, 4 surgeon appts, 4 nutritionist appts, 2 internal medicine appts
**Gone to 6 post-op appointments so far: 3 surgeon appts, 2 nutritionist appts, 1 group therapy
**Survived multiple Christmas celebrations while eating only a couple ounces of pureed foods.
**Have lost 60 pounds, post-op.
**Found that learning to eat post-op was a full time job for the first couple weeks.
**Allowed my picture to be taken.
**Bought a pedometer.
**Wore dresses, by my choice.
**Stayed in the hospital for five days and four nights, which was the first hospital stay since I was a toddler.
**Began swimming again and I love it.
**Joined a gym.
**Tried an exercise video.
**Involuntarily vomited after eating.
**Learned to listen to my body about whether it's hungry, how hungry it really is, and, if it's not hungry, why my brain wants me to eat.
**Started a blog.
**Considered taking a trip that involved a plane...and those dreaded plane seats.
**Had a barium swallow (bring a toothbrush and paste if you're going to have one!)
**Had my stomach tickled from the inside.
**Wore a size 30, 28, 26, 24, and 22.
**Found that people think that what I write is interesting.
**Received my first stitch.
**Lost 28 lbs, pre-op, by tracking what I was eating and making modifications.
**Gained 8 lbs of those pre-op pounds back (before surgery).
**Began making conscious food choices, instead of mindless choices.
**Smiled more.
**Had a serious case of cabin fever.
**My tummy turned purple, like a blueberry, from Heprin bruises.
**Lost 28 lbs, pre-op, by tracking what I was eating and making modifications.
**Amazed myself with my new-found ambition.
**Started walking.
**Walked more than 11,000 steps in a day.
**Nearly got rid of all my asthma issues.
**Stopped squeaking when I sleep.
**Realized that struggles don't have to be a totally private fight.
**Made some great friends.
**Tucked my shirt in without cringing at the view in the mirror.
**Had less back pain.
**Picked up heavy things that I would have had Travis take care of in the past.
**Learned how to cook a little.
**Moved my body more.
**Crossed my legs without realizing it.
**Loaded up tons of clothes that are too big.
**Enjoyed food without inhaling it.
**Realized that I do, in fact, have a collar bone.
**Found out that it's very hard to find an adult liquid pain reliever.
**Admitted that it was hard to give up my "big" clothes, because I'm afraid I'll gain the weight back.
**Took 3 months and 60 pounds, post op, for ME to truly be able to see the lost weight, but it has finally happened.
**Began drawing again.
**Bought an iPod for working out and walking.
**Physical movements became easier.
**My feet became skinnier.
**Had to give up wearing my engagement ring, when it became way too big.
**Lost a good portion of my double chin.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Walking doesn't suck. Who knew?
Last week, I bought a Fitbit. It's a pedometer that tracks steps, flights of stairs, your activity level by the minute, and your sleep quality. It's quite the little contraption.
I purchased it because I needed something to challenge myself with and to help me change my old attitude toward walking. I'm not competitive with out people, because I've never been at a fitness level where it was even possible to consider being able to beat someone athletically, but I can be very competitive with myself. With the Fitbit, each day, I try to walk just a little further or go up another flight of steps.
Yesterday, I had an excellent day, exercise/walking-wise.
I didn't get up until noon-ish and sat on my butt until about 4 PM. Then, I drug my fiance to the local park and we walked quite a ways (for us, anyway), looking at the animals. Travis actually wanted to turn and head back to the car before I did. That's never happened before!! Between walking and gawking at the animals, I'd say we were out about an hour.
Then, I headed to Mom's to do laundry--yep, I'm 32 and still do laundry at my moms. :P While her clothes were finishing, before mine went in, we decided to go for a short walk. The walk probably took 20-25 minutes. There was 30 minutes left on the dryer load when we left and it wasn't quite finished when we arrived back at the house.
Keeping in mind that, between the time I woke up and when I left for the park I probably had less than 1,000 steps in, I'd say hitting over 10,000 steps was an excellent achievement! My total distance was 10,582 steps by midnight, which equals 4.01 miles with my stride length. At least 2.5 would have been from walking with Travis and Mom.
That's the most steps I've had in a day since buying my Fitbit. The fact I don't hurt from all the walking shows me how far I've come with getting fit and that I could have gone further. I'm tired, because that's more exercise than I normally get in a day, but it certainly wasn't my limit.
Prior to my weight loss, walking was painful, boring, and hard to do for more than a short while. Unfortunately, I have had a hard time losing that opinion since losing nearly 80 pounds. It's no longer hard or painful. Yeah, if I'm alone, it's still boring, but that's where my iPod comes in, right?
Right now, I'm excited about how far I walked and how easy it was. In a couple days, I may fall back into that old attitude. I felt that way for so long that it creeps back in and erases that enthusiasm easily.
Maybe that should be my self-assigned homework to work on getting rid of the old, hateful attitude toward walking and exercise. Exercise and walk often enough that the enthusiasm doesn't have time to be erased.
I purchased it because I needed something to challenge myself with and to help me change my old attitude toward walking. I'm not competitive with out people, because I've never been at a fitness level where it was even possible to consider being able to beat someone athletically, but I can be very competitive with myself. With the Fitbit, each day, I try to walk just a little further or go up another flight of steps.
Yesterday, I had an excellent day, exercise/walking-wise.
I didn't get up until noon-ish and sat on my butt until about 4 PM. Then, I drug my fiance to the local park and we walked quite a ways (for us, anyway), looking at the animals. Travis actually wanted to turn and head back to the car before I did. That's never happened before!! Between walking and gawking at the animals, I'd say we were out about an hour.
Then, I headed to Mom's to do laundry--yep, I'm 32 and still do laundry at my moms. :P While her clothes were finishing, before mine went in, we decided to go for a short walk. The walk probably took 20-25 minutes. There was 30 minutes left on the dryer load when we left and it wasn't quite finished when we arrived back at the house.
Keeping in mind that, between the time I woke up and when I left for the park I probably had less than 1,000 steps in, I'd say hitting over 10,000 steps was an excellent achievement! My total distance was 10,582 steps by midnight, which equals 4.01 miles with my stride length. At least 2.5 would have been from walking with Travis and Mom.
That's the most steps I've had in a day since buying my Fitbit. The fact I don't hurt from all the walking shows me how far I've come with getting fit and that I could have gone further. I'm tired, because that's more exercise than I normally get in a day, but it certainly wasn't my limit.
Prior to my weight loss, walking was painful, boring, and hard to do for more than a short while. Unfortunately, I have had a hard time losing that opinion since losing nearly 80 pounds. It's no longer hard or painful. Yeah, if I'm alone, it's still boring, but that's where my iPod comes in, right?
Right now, I'm excited about how far I walked and how easy it was. In a couple days, I may fall back into that old attitude. I felt that way for so long that it creeps back in and erases that enthusiasm easily.
Maybe that should be my self-assigned homework to work on getting rid of the old, hateful attitude toward walking and exercise. Exercise and walk often enough that the enthusiasm doesn't have time to be erased.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Depo Difficulties
The day after tomorrow (March 24), I am due to get my next birth control shot. I'm a little torn on how excited I am about this.
On the plus side, it will hopefully FINALLY stop my period. This is my third shot. One would hope that, after three, the beast would be tamed.
I'm on week number two, right now, of having my period (not just spotting!) while on a birth control that is famous for getting rid of a woman's period. I'm so beyond special. I'm praying this next shot makes me a little less special. Sometimes, it's good to be average. :)
On the negative side, for a week after I get it, I will want to eat everything in sight, whether I'm hungry or not.
Lately, I've been fighting the compulsion to eat anyway. I'll admit I've been over my calories a few times this last week. I haven't eaten bad things, just too often. That's though to fight without the BC shot egging me on. But, I've found that these cravings or compulsions come and go. I'll just have to get my self psyched up to fight them. It so nice out that I'll have to make myself go for a walk or something.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, right? So, I'm planning to keep active in some way shape or form. I'll walk, I have a new Wii exercise game that I can play (though I'm a little scared after I hurt my shoulder playing Wii tennis. Sad, right? LOL), and I have my Kindle loaded with good books. My new motto should be "Do."
On the plus side, it will hopefully FINALLY stop my period. This is my third shot. One would hope that, after three, the beast would be tamed.
I'm on week number two, right now, of having my period (not just spotting!) while on a birth control that is famous for getting rid of a woman's period. I'm so beyond special. I'm praying this next shot makes me a little less special. Sometimes, it's good to be average. :)
On the negative side, for a week after I get it, I will want to eat everything in sight, whether I'm hungry or not.
Lately, I've been fighting the compulsion to eat anyway. I'll admit I've been over my calories a few times this last week. I haven't eaten bad things, just too often. That's though to fight without the BC shot egging me on. But, I've found that these cravings or compulsions come and go. I'll just have to get my self psyched up to fight them. It so nice out that I'll have to make myself go for a walk or something.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, right? So, I'm planning to keep active in some way shape or form. I'll walk, I have a new Wii exercise game that I can play (though I'm a little scared after I hurt my shoulder playing Wii tennis. Sad, right? LOL), and I have my Kindle loaded with good books. My new motto should be "Do."
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Photos: 77 lbs lost
I haven't updated pictures in a while. Let's fix that!
The left pic is just 16 days after my surgery at approx 273 lbs. The right pic was about two months
after surgery and I was at around 253 lbs.
This was taken on Monday. Ignore the ugly hair, please. I'm down 77 lbs, weighing 239.4 lbs. I still have elbow blub, but I've always had big arms so that'll take a while to shrink up. Did you notice, though...I have something of a waist! Kinda excited about that.
The left pic is just 16 days after my surgery at approx 273 lbs. The right pic was about two months
after surgery and I was at around 253 lbs.
This was taken on Monday. Ignore the ugly hair, please. I'm down 77 lbs, weighing 239.4 lbs. I still have elbow blub, but I've always had big arms so that'll take a while to shrink up. Did you notice, though...I have something of a waist! Kinda excited about that.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
3 months post-op and life's good
Been a good few days...
Thursday, March 15th, was my 3 month surg-iversary. Still no complications, I'm losing weight, and feeling good.
Friday, March 16th, I saw Dr. PeopleSkills for another post-op check up. Must have beed a Stepford or Pod version of him, because he didn't once call me or my stomach "big" and he said I was doing great. Yes, he said something positive! I like Pod Dr. PeopleSkills. :)
Also, Friday night, my mom and I went to see Bill Engvall, the comedian, at Eau Claire's State Theater. Very funny show. We had a great time.
Today, March 17th, I weighed myself at work and found that I've lost more than two pounds, putting me at 77+ pounds lost total. I'd been sitting at just under 75 pounds for a little while and it was so nice to blow past that. Woohoo!
And, just because I like happy thoughts:
Live, because it's more exciting. Laugh, because it's contagious. Love, because it's always worth it!
Thursday, March 15th, was my 3 month surg-iversary. Still no complications, I'm losing weight, and feeling good.
Friday, March 16th, I saw Dr. PeopleSkills for another post-op check up. Must have beed a Stepford or Pod version of him, because he didn't once call me or my stomach "big" and he said I was doing great. Yes, he said something positive! I like Pod Dr. PeopleSkills. :)
Also, Friday night, my mom and I went to see Bill Engvall, the comedian, at Eau Claire's State Theater. Very funny show. We had a great time.
Today, March 17th, I weighed myself at work and found that I've lost more than two pounds, putting me at 77+ pounds lost total. I'd been sitting at just under 75 pounds for a little while and it was so nice to blow past that. Woohoo!
And, just because I like happy thoughts:
Live, because it's more exciting. Laugh, because it's contagious. Love, because it's always worth it!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Schnapps-like protein shakes?! Yes, please!
I can't drink. Well, I could, but I'd be loaded really quick, as my surgery has changed my absorption of alcohols.
I can't tell you how much I miss Peppermint Schnapps**, so imagine my joy when I opened my big new bottle of DaVinci Gourmet Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup and realized it smells just like my beloved schnapps! Who's protein shakes are going to taste like fun (fun that won't give me alcohol poisoning)?! That's right, mine!
ETA: I accidentally used too much the first time I put this in my protein shake. Waaaaay too sweet. Today's shake is a much better success. My Carnation shakes are chocolate and I added a half pump of peppermint, adding just a hint of flavor. Yummy chocolate peppermint.
**I'm not an alcoholic, I swear! I rarely drank before my surgery, but, when I did go out with friends, I always started off with a yummy Peppermint Schnapps shot.
I can't tell you how much I miss Peppermint Schnapps**, so imagine my joy when I opened my big new bottle of DaVinci Gourmet Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup and realized it smells just like my beloved schnapps! Who's protein shakes are going to taste like fun (fun that won't give me alcohol poisoning)?! That's right, mine!
ETA: I accidentally used too much the first time I put this in my protein shake. Waaaaay too sweet. Today's shake is a much better success. My Carnation shakes are chocolate and I added a half pump of peppermint, adding just a hint of flavor. Yummy chocolate peppermint.
**I'm not an alcoholic, I swear! I rarely drank before my surgery, but, when I did go out with friends, I always started off with a yummy Peppermint Schnapps shot.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday Mash Up (rambles)
I ran into another post-oper tonight. She had her surgery four years ago and was someone I'd contacted prior to going into the pre-op program.
We were talking and I mentioned how I call my/our surgeon "Dr. PeopleSkills" because he doesn't have any. I feel validated, because she agreed! She said she dreads going to see him. I'm glad it's not just me, though I hate that he treats others that way.
I know I already mentioned that I went swimming on Saturday, but I forgot to say that I must be getting a lot of loose skin from losing quickly, because I could really feel stuff move when I was jogging. That is NOT a pleasant feeling. Weird is probably the best description.
I didn't like it at all until I thought about the fact that that skin use to be packed with fat. It's loose because I lost. That's not a bad thing and it'll shrink up.
Unrelated to my health journey... I think my cat is getting another UTI. She's pretty needy right now and yells a lot. It's been a year since the last one, so I can't complain too much. It use to be a quarterly occurrence.
Now, I have to try to get a urine sample from her. That’s an exercise in futility. That cat holds urine like a camel holds water. I’ve been trying for four years to get one. The closest I came was when she peed on the vet’s floor. <--I laughed. The vet didn't.
I would seriously pay someone to do this for me! I know I'll spend my three days off of work trying to keep her locked in a room with an empty litter box. Problem is, I feel bad for her and let her out too soon.
We were talking and I mentioned how I call my/our surgeon "Dr. PeopleSkills" because he doesn't have any. I feel validated, because she agreed! She said she dreads going to see him. I'm glad it's not just me, though I hate that he treats others that way.
I know I already mentioned that I went swimming on Saturday, but I forgot to say that I must be getting a lot of loose skin from losing quickly, because I could really feel stuff move when I was jogging. That is NOT a pleasant feeling. Weird is probably the best description.
I didn't like it at all until I thought about the fact that that skin use to be packed with fat. It's loose because I lost. That's not a bad thing and it'll shrink up.
Unrelated to my health journey... I think my cat is getting another UTI. She's pretty needy right now and yells a lot. It's been a year since the last one, so I can't complain too much. It use to be a quarterly occurrence.
Now, I have to try to get a urine sample from her. That’s an exercise in futility. That cat holds urine like a camel holds water. I’ve been trying for four years to get one. The closest I came was when she peed on the vet’s floor. <--I laughed. The vet didn't.
I would seriously pay someone to do this for me! I know I'll spend my three days off of work trying to keep her locked in a room with an empty litter box. Problem is, I feel bad for her and let her out too soon.
Bananas: devil food or yummy fruit?
I just ate part of a banana. Will it stay in my stomach nicely or will it make me sick? This is just one of the many thrilling adventures I have with food as a RNY post-op patient. Oh, the excitement of the unknown!
The last time I had a banana, it didn't end positively. I figure that it has too much sugar. Took me a long time to decide to try again, but I need to do it. My system can handle more now than it could even a month ago. Plus, I'd hate to live without bananas for ever. They're yummy little yellow tubes of goodness.
Edited to add: It stayed down!
The last time I had a banana, it didn't end positively. I figure that it has too much sugar. Took me a long time to decide to try again, but I need to do it. My system can handle more now than it could even a month ago. Plus, I'd hate to live without bananas for ever. They're yummy little yellow tubes of goodness.
Edited to add: It stayed down!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Pepsi wishes and pizza dreams
I dreamed that I was eating pizza and it was such a vivid dream. Now, more than anything, I want pizza with a thick crust and lots of cheese. Ugh!
That would send my frankensteined stomach into a world of hurt (all that doughy goodness), but it sure sounds good.
That would send my frankensteined stomach into a world of hurt (all that doughy goodness), but it sure sounds good.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Beautiful and busy day
Today is a beautiful Wisconsin day. It's 60 degrees in the beginning of March! Gusty winds, but that's more than tolerable.
I am not missing this gorgeous day, like I did earlier in the week. I made a point to be up, even though I'm normally asleep until 5 PM.
So far, I've gone to the pool, went out for breakfast, spent an hour (or two!) with my honey putting up a curtain rod (that was a lesson in working through frustration-fueled conflict), played outside with the cats, and played some New Super Mario Bros. on Wii. I'm exhausted.
Like I said, I did go swimming today, which was wonderful. When i say "swimming", I actually mean I mostly jogged in the water. Either way, good times.
It is so nice out that my cat, who is generally terrified to go outside during daylight hours, happily trotted outside on her own about an hour ago. She spent ten minutes rolling on the walkway. Her cabin fever was just that bad.
Heck, I thought the reason she'd been yowling at me all day is that she thought she deserved a treat. Guess she didn't need the gushy food I gave her. Bet she'd argue that though.
I am not missing this gorgeous day, like I did earlier in the week. I made a point to be up, even though I'm normally asleep until 5 PM.
So far, I've gone to the pool, went out for breakfast, spent an hour (or two!) with my honey putting up a curtain rod (that was a lesson in working through frustration-fueled conflict), played outside with the cats, and played some New Super Mario Bros. on Wii. I'm exhausted.
Like I said, I did go swimming today, which was wonderful. When i say "swimming", I actually mean I mostly jogged in the water. Either way, good times.
It is so nice out that my cat, who is generally terrified to go outside during daylight hours, happily trotted outside on her own about an hour ago. She spent ten minutes rolling on the walkway. Her cabin fever was just that bad.
Heck, I thought the reason she'd been yowling at me all day is that she thought she deserved a treat. Guess she didn't need the gushy food I gave her. Bet she'd argue that though.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
I'm a bashful beauty, I guess.
I've been at work an hour. In that time, I've had four people stop me and make a big deal about telling me how good I look with the weight loss.
While I greatly appreciate their words, it makes me want to hide. I'd have been fine with one person saying something, but, at this point, I feel like an exhibit in a zoo or something. Does that make sense? It's too much attention for my comfort, so I plaster a fake smile on and try to get away ASAP.
I also feel bad that I'm whining about people noticing my weight loss. Who doesn't want to lose weight fast and have people notice, right? Well, I guess I'm just a complicated woman.
While I greatly appreciate their words, it makes me want to hide. I'd have been fine with one person saying something, but, at this point, I feel like an exhibit in a zoo or something. Does that make sense? It's too much attention for my comfort, so I plaster a fake smile on and try to get away ASAP.
I also feel bad that I'm whining about people noticing my weight loss. Who doesn't want to lose weight fast and have people notice, right? Well, I guess I'm just a complicated woman.
I hear it was nice out
Yesterday was beautiful! ...I hear. I slept through it. :/
I was so tired that I slept more than 12 hours, making me miss the nice weather and not getting in enough protein or water. Now, I'm super thirsty and grumpy about my wasted day off.
I was so tired that I slept more than 12 hours, making me miss the nice weather and not getting in enough protein or water. Now, I'm super thirsty and grumpy about my wasted day off.
Monday, March 5, 2012
First post-op road trip
On Sunday, I had my first road trip since my surgery. I totally forgot how food-centered my family's trips are. It was tough not to eat the whole way there and back.
Mom's boyfriend had a triple heart bypass in August. On Friday, two of those bypasses failed. We drove over to The Cities (St. Paul, MN), a nearly two hour drive, to pick up the boyfriend from the Veteran's Hospital.
I intentionally brought my protein shake and some Greek yogurt, but we hit a gas station on the way out of my hometown for snacks. I did good (I think), because I kept it to beef jerky, which was under my fat and sugar restrictions and high in protein. While that's good, I'm pretty sure I ate too much of it.
On the way home, the boyfriend wanted to stop at McDonald's. Quite a heart healthy meal for the cardiac patient. *rolls eyes*. That left me sitting there, twiddling my thumbs and watching them eat, because there's nothing at that restaurant that is under 3 fat grams and under 12 grams of sugar--salads don't count because I can't eat raw veggies.
However, it was funny that the stop reminded me of my McDonald's fantasies right after my surgery, when my pureed diet was killing my morale. I use to fantasize about driving to McDonald's to get a cheeseburger and licking it, so I could taste something yummy and familiar.
Oh, I had an exciting non-scale victory. I bought underwear ("panties" to people with class. :P ) that were 2 sizes smaller than what I bought the last time. How cool is that?!
Mom's boyfriend had a triple heart bypass in August. On Friday, two of those bypasses failed. We drove over to The Cities (St. Paul, MN), a nearly two hour drive, to pick up the boyfriend from the Veteran's Hospital.
I intentionally brought my protein shake and some Greek yogurt, but we hit a gas station on the way out of my hometown for snacks. I did good (I think), because I kept it to beef jerky, which was under my fat and sugar restrictions and high in protein. While that's good, I'm pretty sure I ate too much of it.
On the way home, the boyfriend wanted to stop at McDonald's. Quite a heart healthy meal for the cardiac patient. *rolls eyes*. That left me sitting there, twiddling my thumbs and watching them eat, because there's nothing at that restaurant that is under 3 fat grams and under 12 grams of sugar--salads don't count because I can't eat raw veggies.
However, it was funny that the stop reminded me of my McDonald's fantasies right after my surgery, when my pureed diet was killing my morale. I use to fantasize about driving to McDonald's to get a cheeseburger and licking it, so I could taste something yummy and familiar.
Oh, I had an exciting non-scale victory. I bought underwear ("panties" to people with class. :P ) that were 2 sizes smaller than what I bought the last time. How cool is that?!
Friday, March 2, 2012
More Positive Follow up to "Long time.."
I just posted a couple hours ago, after a 9-10 day hiatus. I felt that post was just "meh". There was nothing positive in it. I don't like that. I may over use sarcasm and bitch about things, but I'm a closet optimist. So, I found some positivity to share...
1st: I've lost 70 pounds since April 1st. That' 50 pounds post op. :D
Okay, okay, I'm actually 0.1 pounds short, but I'm all about rounding! I've been round my whole life. Smaller hips just means I need to round somewhere else.
That's a huge accomplishment to someone trying to get healthy! I'm pretty happy about that. That puts me at nearly 40% of the way to my goal weight. Fiiiiine, it's actually 37.4%, but, remember, I'm a rounder.
Being the crazy cat lady that I am, I compare my weight loss to cat food bags. Essentially, I've lost 4.1 bags of 17 lb Cat Chow when including my pre-op weight loss. Those suckers are heavy and I had four of them on my stomach and ass!
2nd: I just took a break and did some laps inside the building, to try to make up for being such a lazy ass with my exercise. I couldn't believe how fast I was able to walk and how many laps I could do! Wow.
I'd have quit after a couple before I lost the weight. I did several tonight and will probably do several more later. That is also a great feeling and something I'm very happy about.
1st: I've lost 70 pounds since April 1st. That' 50 pounds post op. :D
Okay, okay, I'm actually 0.1 pounds short, but I'm all about rounding! I've been round my whole life. Smaller hips just means I need to round somewhere else.
That's a huge accomplishment to someone trying to get healthy! I'm pretty happy about that. That puts me at nearly 40% of the way to my goal weight. Fiiiiine, it's actually 37.4%, but, remember, I'm a rounder.
Being the crazy cat lady that I am, I compare my weight loss to cat food bags. Essentially, I've lost 4.1 bags of 17 lb Cat Chow when including my pre-op weight loss. Those suckers are heavy and I had four of them on my stomach and ass!
2nd: I just took a break and did some laps inside the building, to try to make up for being such a lazy ass with my exercise. I couldn't believe how fast I was able to walk and how many laps I could do! Wow.
I'd have quit after a couple before I lost the weight. I did several tonight and will probably do several more later. That is also a great feeling and something I'm very happy about.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Long Time No Post
Wow, long time no post!
I haven't lost any weight in the last week. Holding strong at 248 pounds, which is a 69 lb loss since April 2011. I'm not going to complain about that. I've been slacking in the exercise department, so I figure that's part of it. Plus, an occasional plateau is not unexpected.
I must be losing inches though, because the pants I bought a couple weeks ago are getting too big.
I'm still cold all the time. In fact, I jacked up the heat in my office at work to 75 degrees tonight. It's almost comfortable, though a little cool yet. I could wear a sweatshirt, but I hate wearing them at work. This scrub outfit is too cute to cover up. ;)
We had a big snow storm here in West Central Wisconsin yesterday. I was suppose to work last night, but my coworker offered to switch and I'd work Thursday (tonight) instead, keeping me off the roads until the storm was over and cleaned up.
So, I'm at work tonight. Not a bad place to be, though I'd rather be at home--really, who wouldn't, if given the choice?! The thing is that I seem to be all kinds of sensitive tonight--to smell (oh, people, take a bath!), to noise (whimpering, unnecessarily dramatic, drunk families), and various other irritants that I choose to blame on missing my anxiety meds for a few days.
I was suppose to have an appointment with my Nutritionist tomorrow, but, because I work until 6 AM, had planned to swim after work, and need to sleep before I go on the yearly post-tax return pilgrimage to the casino with family, I was going to be too tired for my appointment, so I rescheduled.
They can't get me in for a month and a half! Seriously, it's a 15-20 minute appointment. She just needs to tell me I am eating okay and whether I can start branching out in food. I keep thinking, "I wonder if my appointment is still open in the morning." Doubt it. *cry*
This isn't a terribly positive post. Sort of whiny, in fact. Sorry about that. I have no doubt that there were positive things that I'd planned on blogging about, but have escaped my mind since then. I'll work on that. :)
I haven't lost any weight in the last week. Holding strong at 248 pounds, which is a 69 lb loss since April 2011. I'm not going to complain about that. I've been slacking in the exercise department, so I figure that's part of it. Plus, an occasional plateau is not unexpected.
I must be losing inches though, because the pants I bought a couple weeks ago are getting too big.
I'm still cold all the time. In fact, I jacked up the heat in my office at work to 75 degrees tonight. It's almost comfortable, though a little cool yet. I could wear a sweatshirt, but I hate wearing them at work. This scrub outfit is too cute to cover up. ;)
We had a big snow storm here in West Central Wisconsin yesterday. I was suppose to work last night, but my coworker offered to switch and I'd work Thursday (tonight) instead, keeping me off the roads until the storm was over and cleaned up.
So, I'm at work tonight. Not a bad place to be, though I'd rather be at home--really, who wouldn't, if given the choice?! The thing is that I seem to be all kinds of sensitive tonight--to smell (oh, people, take a bath!), to noise (whimpering, unnecessarily dramatic, drunk families), and various other irritants that I choose to blame on missing my anxiety meds for a few days.
I was suppose to have an appointment with my Nutritionist tomorrow, but, because I work until 6 AM, had planned to swim after work, and need to sleep before I go on the yearly post-tax return pilgrimage to the casino with family, I was going to be too tired for my appointment, so I rescheduled.
They can't get me in for a month and a half! Seriously, it's a 15-20 minute appointment. She just needs to tell me I am eating okay and whether I can start branching out in food. I keep thinking, "I wonder if my appointment is still open in the morning." Doubt it. *cry*
This isn't a terribly positive post. Sort of whiny, in fact. Sorry about that. I have no doubt that there were positive things that I'd planned on blogging about, but have escaped my mind since then. I'll work on that. :)
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