I bought a new swim suit. It's a cheap one from Walmart (whopping $15), but still pretty cute.
I think my old one was a 22/24 and it just wasn't keeping things stable when I was jogging in the water. The skin on my stomach is loose and, when I jog, I've found that my stomach moves up and down, launching my chest up and down with it. While I'm not stacked like Dolly Pardon or anything, it's a little more chest movement than I am comfortable with. The water I work out in is about chest high, so my boobs were bouncing in and out of the water. I felt like it was an awkward, plus-size Baywatch moment.
The new one is an 18/20 and, when I was jogging in the water today, it seem to hold my stomach a little tighter. Things didn't move as much.
When I tried on the suit the other day, I modeled for myself in the bathroom mirror. One thing I've noticed is that my butt is rounder. It use to be big, but flat. Does that make sense?
I'm not sure if it is just fat loss or partly because I'm more active, creating better muscle tone. Either way, I'm a fan.
On the subject of clothes...
I put on one of my Honey's sweat shirts and it fit! I only tried on one, because, when the first try is a success, why ruin it with another try?
Showing posts with label clothes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clothes. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Changing sizes, changing style
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.
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.
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.
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. :)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday mash up
This is a long, rambling post, filled with seemingly unrelated topics. That's just how I roll. Enjoy...
It's a little weird learning to plan meals for Travis and me. Right now, for the most part, we don't eat together. Occasionally, we'll have omelets together, but that's rare. Generally, our diets are just too different. However, I found some chicken breasts and two packets of stir fry veggies in the freezer. I'm thinking that, tomorrow night, we are going to try a real meal together!
The tricky part is that I'm unsure how I'll do with soy sauce. I would think I'm okay, because I've not been given any restrictions on sodium. *shrug* I'll try it. If it makes me nauseated or go all Poltergeist, we'll call it a lesson learned.
Edited to add: Dinner sucked. The two packs of veggies had apparently been in the freezer since the dawn of time and tasted bad when cooked. I was very disappointed.
The other day, I mentioned a blog named The World According to Eggface. Well, Bariatric Foodie is another great blog for getting recipes and advice. I've spent hours scouring through it and there's just so much info and so many things to try. She has these great "WLS Survival Guides" too, that give advice for situations like holiday parties, buffet eating, etc.
Several of the recipes, I'm pretty sure I can make and fool Travis into eating them. I bet he won't even know the difference between the "real" and the modified foods.
Tonight, I wore one of my new, smaller scrub tops. Do you know what most people have been commenting on at work? The fact that I left my hair down! WTH? I wear clothes that make me look 10-15 lbs lighter, instead of one of the sacks I've been wearing, and no one can get past the hair. Makes me almost feel like having Allheart bounce my checking account, neting me $60 in NSFs when they double billed me for my scrubs, wasn't worth it. :P
Thankfully, some people did notice. I even got a "lookin' good, Robyn!"
It's a little weird learning to plan meals for Travis and me. Right now, for the most part, we don't eat together. Occasionally, we'll have omelets together, but that's rare. Generally, our diets are just too different. However, I found some chicken breasts and two packets of stir fry veggies in the freezer. I'm thinking that, tomorrow night, we are going to try a real meal together!
The tricky part is that I'm unsure how I'll do with soy sauce. I would think I'm okay, because I've not been given any restrictions on sodium. *shrug* I'll try it. If it makes me nauseated or go all Poltergeist, we'll call it a lesson learned.
Edited to add: Dinner sucked. The two packs of veggies had apparently been in the freezer since the dawn of time and tasted bad when cooked. I was very disappointed.
The other day, I mentioned a blog named The World According to Eggface. Well, Bariatric Foodie is another great blog for getting recipes and advice. I've spent hours scouring through it and there's just so much info and so many things to try. She has these great "WLS Survival Guides" too, that give advice for situations like holiday parties, buffet eating, etc.
Several of the recipes, I'm pretty sure I can make and fool Travis into eating them. I bet he won't even know the difference between the "real" and the modified foods.
Tonight, I wore one of my new, smaller scrub tops. Do you know what most people have been commenting on at work? The fact that I left my hair down! WTH? I wear clothes that make me look 10-15 lbs lighter, instead of one of the sacks I've been wearing, and no one can get past the hair. Makes me almost feel like having Allheart bounce my checking account, neting me $60 in NSFs when they double billed me for my scrubs, wasn't worth it. :P
Thankfully, some people did notice. I even got a "lookin' good, Robyn!"
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
New work clothes with pics
My new scrubs tops must be part python--they tried to constrict the air right out of my lungs. May have to wait a few weeks to wear them, since they're too small yet. :/
They're 100% cotton. Can't wait until I forget and throw them in the dryer (drier?)!
ETA: So, I decided (with bed-head) to take a look at the difference between the new scrub tops and what I'd worn to work the night before. I'm beginning to really see why my coworkers urged me to get something that fit better...
They're 100% cotton. Can't wait until I forget and throw them in the dryer (drier?)!
ETA: So, I decided (with bed-head) to take a look at the difference between the new scrub tops and what I'd worn to work the night before. I'm beginning to really see why my coworkers urged me to get something that fit better...
Friday, January 20, 2012
I might be a liiiiittle sensitive
Men just don't understand female hormones or they'd be far more afraid to speak.
Today, Travis said, "you're going to need to get some new clothes soon. You look ridiculous."
WTF? I took time to blow dry my hair and fix it. I'm wearing jeans instead of my usual jogging pants and the shirt I'm wearing isn't one of his hated hooded sweatshirts. Give a girl some credit, @$&%er!
I looked at him and said, "I look ridiculous?!" I'm pretty sure there were daggers coming out of my eyes too.
He explained, with far less remorse for the confusion than he should have, that he meant my clothes are just too big now. I have "no shape", to use his words, which were also fighting words in my opinion.
The man just is too much of a straight shooter--too blunt--for his own good, which I've come to realize that Testosterone is to blame. Most men have no idea that they could avoid so many arguments and misunderstandings if they'd just soften their words a little. They're not trying to be mean (Travis would never intentionally say anything to hurt my feelings. I KNOW this.), there's just no warning bell that goes off in their brains before potentially bad words pass their lips.
I've had cramps for three weeks and now have a light period. The man could get himself wounded throwing around things like, "you look ridiculous" and "you have no shape." Foolish penis-bearer.
Today, Travis said, "you're going to need to get some new clothes soon. You look ridiculous."
WTF? I took time to blow dry my hair and fix it. I'm wearing jeans instead of my usual jogging pants and the shirt I'm wearing isn't one of his hated hooded sweatshirts. Give a girl some credit, @$&%er!
I looked at him and said, "I look ridiculous?!" I'm pretty sure there were daggers coming out of my eyes too.
He explained, with far less remorse for the confusion than he should have, that he meant my clothes are just too big now. I have "no shape", to use his words, which were also fighting words in my opinion.
The man just is too much of a straight shooter--too blunt--for his own good, which I've come to realize that Testosterone is to blame. Most men have no idea that they could avoid so many arguments and misunderstandings if they'd just soften their words a little. They're not trying to be mean (Travis would never intentionally say anything to hurt my feelings. I KNOW this.), there's just no warning bell that goes off in their brains before potentially bad words pass their lips.
I've had cramps for three weeks and now have a light period. The man could get himself wounded throwing around things like, "you look ridiculous" and "you have no shape." Foolish penis-bearer.
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