Too many NSVs to count from my recent two-week trip! And pics :)

Hi OH friends,

I am back from a two week trip (Detroit/London/Paris) and I can't even imagine what this trip would have looked like one year ago.  Well, it would have been way less active and I would have done way less things.  First of all, Paris before my WLS?  Those tiny, wobbly rattan chairs at every neighborhood patisserie would never have held 300+ lbs!  Walking 1.2 miles from the Heathrow Express train to the gate?  My knees would have ached!  Climbing 20+ flights of stairs per day and averaging 5+ miles of walking per day?  Not even remotely feasible.  It's kind of sad that I didn't realize how much of my life was being inhibited by my weight.

The good is that even with two weeks on the road and eating every single meal out, I did not stray off of plan.  I steered clear of alcohol, white flour, and sugar.  I didn't even want to tempt myself with a sip of wine or a bite of a profiterole.  I mean, I didn't do well with moderation before, so I am not gonna test it now.  I do realize that once I get to maintenance and as time passes, I am less and less strict (hello, Skinny Pop popcorn?  I tried it and I may never buy it again because it's soooo good!). But until I make goal, I have promised myself to stay on plan at all times.

And you know what?  I feel strong.  I feel fit.  I feel confident.  I feel like I belong at the gym.  I feel like life is full of possibilities.

Anyway, I am going to post a couple of pics.  I weighed in today at 225, a loss of 4 lbs while I was away for two weeks.  From a highest weight of 369 (!!!) and a surgery weight of 351, I have lost an adult human being.  And my sagging skin is my proof!  (Plus I have convinced myself that I am retaining water from the flight and will show more loss in the next few days lol).

If you are on the fence about RNY and willing to put in the work, I can't recommend it enough.  My only regret: not doing it sooner.

Me at the top of the Shard in London:

 

Me on the bridge that is covered in locks in Paris:

 

 

 

 

Congrats on the fun! Great job on meals/plan! I find I'm struggling a bit more as. 6 months approach!

Hi K! Yep I think it's typical to struggle a bit knew after six months...capacity is higher and the newness has worn off. I can't speak for anyone else but what keeps me on track is MyFitnessPal. I log every single bite I take I to the app! It makes me accountable and if I have a high calorie lunch then I ensure I have tuna sashimi (for example) for dinner. I wish I were a person who just never felt hunger again after surgery but old habits die hard :/

Good luck staying on track! How I feel helps motivate me too!

OMG you look great.  So proud of you, you are an inspiration.  Now I really really can't wait for my rny.

Keep up the good work.  Wow.  All your helpful food choices I have been following on "What's on the menu today RNYers".  Hoping it will still be up and running when I get my surgery.

Your doing great, some of your post**** home and I laugh.  Good to know others are tackling the same issues

Thanks, Dale! It's not easy but it's much easier with RNY! I did a post when I hit 100 lbs lost called Century Club in 4 months and 4 Days - I outline all of the tactics that I use and the plan I follow. Each person and plan is different! But if you're totally committed to making a change you will lose the weight! I started off higher in weight than you. So definitely be excited and get ready for a wild but incredible ride. Caveat: I can't speak about reaching goal or how much of a ***** maintenance is so definitely take my advice with a grain of salt!! :)

You are doing fantastic. Great work.

What a dream trip! All of the cultural capitols of the world in one go -- London, Paris and Detroit (?).

Thanks, Grim! I know...everyone was so jealous of my weekend in Detroit and kind of "meh" about London and Paris ;) And when they heard that Detroit was for a baby shower, they got even more jealous! Lol

I'll bet everyone was astounded when they saw you at the shower. 

For sure...they called me "Skinny Minny" (although I am not skinny in any sense of the word, I ate it up [no pun intended lol])

Awesome! You are doing great! Can you believe we are getting so much closer to our goals! It's gone by so fast. 

What an amazing trip you had. Love the pic in the striped dress! Adorable! 

I haven't tried the skinny popcorn yet but I ate about 10 kernels of movie theater popcorn at the movies. I made myself stop! Really my only cheat so far. Well, I do indulge in almonds, peanuts and pistachios. I splurged and bought the 100 calorie packets so I would be more conscious of my servings. I think my body must crave them.

Congrats on the NSV's!