I've had many MySpace/Facebook friends and followers ask if I was going to post before and after photos. I should have already shared the before photos but just took the time to do it today. It actually was hard finding before photos, because I've opted out of photos for as long as I can remember. I think the last one I took willingly is from my wedding in 2003! That explains the look on my face in the photos I've shared - all of the photos I was able to locate - from before the surgery. They all were taken without notice. I guess my family figured that was the only way they'd get a picture of me! I promise to post "after" photos soon. I need to get the Nikon out tonight and take a few shots to see what 16 pounds less looks like. I'll try and post those tonight.
Tomorrow morning I'm working out with two friends from work who also had the lapband. One has lost probably 100 pounds since September and the other has lost almost as much in a year. They've been working out religiously for a few months, even on Saturdays. I know the calorie burning is as important as the reduced portion sizes, healthy food choices and lots of water. So, I'm going to workout in the morning, get myself on a workout schedule, continue with portion/calorie control, drink more water and hopefully be posting more "after" pictures really soon.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 236 lbs
Total Loss: 16 lbs
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Non-Scale Victories
I've been a little discouraged not to have seen a greater loss by now, but 16 pounds is more than I've lost on my own in as long as I can remember. Tomorrow finishes out week 5, and I see the doc for a checkup on April 27th. I'm really, really hoping for a fill b/c I don't feel much restriction, if any. I physically can't eat as much as before the surgery, which is the point, but as swelling has gone down, I don't get full as quickly as I did the first two weeks after surgery. I stay full for a long time, however. I used to sit at work and graze throughout the day, and I can honestly say that I've not had a "snack" at work since the surgery.
Because the scale hasn't been as friendly as I'd hoped, I was elated last week to celebrate 2 non-scale victories. Last Thursday, I was able to wear a pair of khaki pants that before the surgery I couldn't even get over my thunder thighs. No elastic, no flexible material, didn't have to suck in or lay on the bed to get them fastened. They went right on, zipped and buttoned with no problem. Then, on Friday, instead of putting on my baggy blue jeans that I've worn at least once per week for the last year, I tried on a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in just as long. Yep...they went right on, buttoned with no problem, plenty of room. Today I'm wearing a shirt that 2 months ago I would have covered up with another layer. I can't put into words how great it feels to see a change in my clothing.
It's been nice hearing comments from people that I work with on how they can really see a difference already. However, the best most precious thing to me is the comments my little girl is making on how I need to go buy new clothes b/c the old ones are too big. We're only talking about a 16 pound loss at this point, but to know that she is noticing the weight loss just means everything to me. My girls are no longer asking me if I have a baby in my belly. Instead, they're saying things like, "Mommy, you need to go shopping for some smaller clothes b/c you're getting skinny and those clothes are too big for you already!" I'm a long way from skinny, but I'm taking this journey a day at a time, and I'm trying to focus on the non-scale victories when the number on the scale isn't what I'd hoped for.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 236 lbs
Total Loss: 16 lbs
Because the scale hasn't been as friendly as I'd hoped, I was elated last week to celebrate 2 non-scale victories. Last Thursday, I was able to wear a pair of khaki pants that before the surgery I couldn't even get over my thunder thighs. No elastic, no flexible material, didn't have to suck in or lay on the bed to get them fastened. They went right on, zipped and buttoned with no problem. Then, on Friday, instead of putting on my baggy blue jeans that I've worn at least once per week for the last year, I tried on a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in just as long. Yep...they went right on, buttoned with no problem, plenty of room. Today I'm wearing a shirt that 2 months ago I would have covered up with another layer. I can't put into words how great it feels to see a change in my clothing.
It's been nice hearing comments from people that I work with on how they can really see a difference already. However, the best most precious thing to me is the comments my little girl is making on how I need to go buy new clothes b/c the old ones are too big. We're only talking about a 16 pound loss at this point, but to know that she is noticing the weight loss just means everything to me. My girls are no longer asking me if I have a baby in my belly. Instead, they're saying things like, "Mommy, you need to go shopping for some smaller clothes b/c you're getting skinny and those clothes are too big for you already!" I'm a long way from skinny, but I'm taking this journey a day at a time, and I'm trying to focus on the non-scale victories when the number on the scale isn't what I'd hoped for.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 236 lbs
Total Loss: 16 lbs
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Right Direction
Yes, I'm still alive! I've had many people recently inquire about my lack of presence on the blog. I've been a little busy with work and babies. Plus, I have to admit, it's alot easier to find the time to post when I'm doing better with weight loss. I feel more motivated to post when I've been successful than when I'm not doing as well as I'd hoped. But, I promised the good, the bad and everything inbetween...so, I need to do better about the updates.
I am finally headed in the right direction after gaining a few pounds last week. I've tried to drink more water, and I think that has made all the difference. I'm still not getting in the 40-64 oz per day, but I'm doing much better. I'm easily getting in 30 oz. The hubs and I are taking our girls to Destin in June, so I have a little added incentive to start exercising. I want to join our recreational center at work and have been threatening to for about 2 weeks now. Time to get off my big fat lazy and get it done!
We've got about 8 weeks before the beach trip, and I'd LOVE to be at my first goal of 200. I haven't been under 200 lbs in like 6 years. Realistically, I realize that may not happen by beach time b/c that would be a little over 4 pounds a week. I mean, unless you're a Biggest Loser contestant, I don't see anyone losing 4+ pounds per week. But, it's something to shoot for, right!?! I'm happy with my 16 lb weight loss so far, but I've yet to fall under 235. Keep me in your prayers, that I can push my limits, fight the food demons, get in all the liquid, and most of all EXERCISE! I go for a checkup in 2 weeks and want to be below 230.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 236 lbs
Total Loss: 16 lbs
I am finally headed in the right direction after gaining a few pounds last week. I've tried to drink more water, and I think that has made all the difference. I'm still not getting in the 40-64 oz per day, but I'm doing much better. I'm easily getting in 30 oz. The hubs and I are taking our girls to Destin in June, so I have a little added incentive to start exercising. I want to join our recreational center at work and have been threatening to for about 2 weeks now. Time to get off my big fat lazy and get it done!
We've got about 8 weeks before the beach trip, and I'd LOVE to be at my first goal of 200. I haven't been under 200 lbs in like 6 years. Realistically, I realize that may not happen by beach time b/c that would be a little over 4 pounds a week. I mean, unless you're a Biggest Loser contestant, I don't see anyone losing 4+ pounds per week. But, it's something to shoot for, right!?! I'm happy with my 16 lb weight loss so far, but I've yet to fall under 235. Keep me in your prayers, that I can push my limits, fight the food demons, get in all the liquid, and most of all EXERCISE! I go for a checkup in 2 weeks and want to be below 230.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 236 lbs
Total Loss: 16 lbs
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Bad
When I started this blog, I did so with the intent to share my journey...the good, the bad and with unflitered honesty.
The Good: Obviously, I'm feeling better now that I have two weeks of recovery behind me. I'm not sore, my incisions are healing very well. I almost never have the sensation of feeling hungry, and when I eat, I get full quickly and stay full for a long time. I'm starting to notice differences in how my clothes fit, and people are starting to comment on how they can really see that I've lost weight already. My mom couldn't believe the difference from the time she saw me before surgery and two weeks afterward.
The Bad: The scale sucks! I was down to 235 and in a few days have gone in the wrong direction by a few pounds. I went from pretty much having soup and water last week to being able to add pureed/very soft foods. The problem is soft foods have lots of carbs. Even still, I'm only consuming about 500 calories in an entire day. So, carbs or not, I don't get the weight gain. I know I'm not drinking enough liquid b/c in an entire 8 hour work day, I may pee once. I'll refrain from sharing other issues where the potty is concerned. Unless my body thinks it's being starved and is hanging on to everything I put in it, I just don't know what's going on with the gain. Ugh!!!
I'm a little frustrated, but that just means I need to make some adjustments. Obviously, I'm not drinking enough and not getting enough protein in. My co-worker/fellow lapbander suggested that I not eat out at all right now b/c even the soft foods in restaurants are impossible to gauge in terms of calories. She also suggested that I bring my scales to her so she can lock them up. I'm a slave to the scale....can't get into the shower in the morning until I've stepped on the scale to measure the fruits of my labor. That wasn't such a bad thing when I was seeing 2 pounds lost per day!
Now that I'm feeling better physically, it's time to start exercising. I'm going to join (again for the 3rd or 4th time) the recreational center on campus and make it a point to go a few days a week to start, going to take family walks in the afternoons and see how these changes impact the weight loss.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 239 lbs
Total Loss: 13 lbs
The Good: Obviously, I'm feeling better now that I have two weeks of recovery behind me. I'm not sore, my incisions are healing very well. I almost never have the sensation of feeling hungry, and when I eat, I get full quickly and stay full for a long time. I'm starting to notice differences in how my clothes fit, and people are starting to comment on how they can really see that I've lost weight already. My mom couldn't believe the difference from the time she saw me before surgery and two weeks afterward.
The Bad: The scale sucks! I was down to 235 and in a few days have gone in the wrong direction by a few pounds. I went from pretty much having soup and water last week to being able to add pureed/very soft foods. The problem is soft foods have lots of carbs. Even still, I'm only consuming about 500 calories in an entire day. So, carbs or not, I don't get the weight gain. I know I'm not drinking enough liquid b/c in an entire 8 hour work day, I may pee once. I'll refrain from sharing other issues where the potty is concerned. Unless my body thinks it's being starved and is hanging on to everything I put in it, I just don't know what's going on with the gain. Ugh!!!
I'm a little frustrated, but that just means I need to make some adjustments. Obviously, I'm not drinking enough and not getting enough protein in. My co-worker/fellow lapbander suggested that I not eat out at all right now b/c even the soft foods in restaurants are impossible to gauge in terms of calories. She also suggested that I bring my scales to her so she can lock them up. I'm a slave to the scale....can't get into the shower in the morning until I've stepped on the scale to measure the fruits of my labor. That wasn't such a bad thing when I was seeing 2 pounds lost per day!
Now that I'm feeling better physically, it's time to start exercising. I'm going to join (again for the 3rd or 4th time) the recreational center on campus and make it a point to go a few days a week to start, going to take family walks in the afternoons and see how these changes impact the weight loss.
Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Pre-Op Weight: 250 lbs
Today's Weight: 239 lbs
Total Loss: 13 lbs
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