I cannot believe that 2 years ago today I had my RNY. Today, however, I started my day off quite different from two years ago ready to undergo RNY…. This morning I was at the gym :0)

What a journey it has been and continues to be. I am thankful to GOD to be so healthy and have been blessed not to have had any complications (I fully realize they can happen anytime post op – and again I give thanks to GOD for taking care of me daily). I started my journey at 250.5 pounds and had a BMI of 40- 11 months later to the day I found myself at goal at 142 pounds and with a healthy BMI of 22.6 . I started out wearing a size 22/24 pants and now wear a size 4! 



after 144 lbs (2008)



       my NEW doo :)

I do have reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) It started in August 2007 and I seem to have an episode 1 to 2 times a month. I know when I am going low, (sometimes I have NO CLUE as to why?  ... other times I can pin point the cause) I have a blood glucose monitor, so I can record how low I get. The first time it happened - I didn't know it was low blood sugars and I must have been very low because I blacked out (scary!). I have not been officially diagnosed with this. I have to set up an appointment with a doctor about this, I will talk to the PA about this at my 2 year post op visit and she what she reccomends. 

 After reaching goal, to be honest, it’s been a struggle – the Holidays came, and were challenging. I thought once I was at goal, that I would care less about food. That thinking was naïve. Honestly… I struggled to get back on track for more than half of this past year. I obsessed about food – what I was eating, when I was eating, how much I was eating, protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber … you get the idea. I have an addiction to food – this has never been clearer. After my first year post op the scale went up and down. It was scary! I was lazy about following “the rules” and the scale reminded me of that. The highest I saw my scale go up - post op - was 22 pounds (from my lowest weight of 138)! I was horrified. That was a wakeup call. I worked hard, recommitted and was determined to get back to goal. Today I weigh 144 and I am proud to be back at goal. I know that there can be a daily weight fluctuation, so I don’t freak out seeing the scale up or down a few pounds however, I do pay attention to my weight on a daily basis. A comfortable weight for me is between 142 and 147. If I see it’s up I am careful. If I see I am up more than 5 pounds then WARNING BELLS AND SIRENS go off and its time to really regroup. I have learned the hard way that it is much easier to follow all of the rules all of the time than to play games and go off track. It is way too hard to get back on track. Lesson learned. I have heard someone say during your first year its 80% the surgery and 20% you, during your second year its 50% the surgery and 50% you, and for the third year its 20% the surgery and 80% you. And the 20% the surgery and 80% me – is where I am at NOW! To remain at goal, it is a daily struggle for me. I am on a diet. I still have to watch everything that goes into my mouth. I have to make good choices and follow all of the rules all of the time, period. I log every morsel I eat and everything I drink, I account for all of it! I have to. I still weigh myself daily. I am proud to say that exercise is a daily part of my life. I love it. I have to say – all of the sacrifices and hard work is totally worth it. I love being skinny, active and healthy. I love being a participant in life!  

There have been many times when I’ve said to myself “I cannot believe I am still on a diet!” or “I cannot believe I still have to watch everything I eat.” Then something hit me – I remember many, many times in my morbidly obese body – talking to GOD and saying “Please just help me get this weight off and I promise I’ll do the rest, I’ll eat right and exercise.” Well, lookie – looikie. My prayers have been answered. If it’s to be, its up to me. This is why I have made the CHOICE to embrace my new healthy lifestyle. Now, I make choices that honor the gift I have been given. I know there are countless people, who wish they could have WLS and for whatever reason cannot. I know that I have been given a second chance and I am so appreciative.  

I have my 2 year post op – follow up appointment with Dr. Holover in a few weeks. I just switched from DR. Garber to Dr.  Holover, because he is on my insurance plan and Dr Garber is not …so money wise, its more cost effective to see Dr. Holover. Same office, except now I will see Dr. Garber’s partner, Dr. Holover. Wait …. Who am I kidding? I will see their PA, Donna Franco, as usual!  I will update after tht appointment.  

My blood labs remain good – thank you God. My vitamin D was a little low and I am now supplementing this daily. I was supplementing this on and off for the past 2 years and now they told me just keep doing it daily from now on. I am posting my daily vitamin routine at the end of this post for those who maybe interested.  

Having this surgery has been a blessing and one of the best decisions that I could have made for me and my family. I live a very active lifestyle and love it. I am a confident woman. I am sexy and strong. People who haven’t seen me since I was MO sometimes walk right by me while others who do notice me, have to pick their chin up from the ground. It’s quite funny to see people reactions. I still love it. Though, those moments happen less frequently, now that I am two years out. So for those of you *newbies* … take it all in and ENJOY. Allow those wow moments and comment to be your fuel to make the right choices and continue following all of the rules all of the time.  

Here are just a few highlights from my 2 years post op
–  I  am a before and after on OH and appeared in OH magazine as a before and after in the Jan 2008 issue – you can see the page in my pictures on my blog. ·       
-  I can wear a bikini! ·       
- I went to a water park and walked around looking good, in my bathing suit (a tankini) all day, with no cover up. ·    
-    I went hiking without losing my breath. ·
-     I have run in a few 5k’s and ran a relay race, running 6 miles in 60 minutes on my leg! ·      
-  I can buy anything off the rack or from a catalogue and know it will fit. I still cannot believe *I* am a size 4! ·       
- I have played with my kids like never before. ·      
-  I go in my pool with company over. ·   
- I rode all of the rides in Disney without having a fear of would I fit in the rides. ·       
-  I am going to college and plan on becoming a Nurse! (I am so excited,  I am starting Spring 2009)  


No plastic surgery – this body is all natural baby! Not that I am opposed to a tummy tuck in my future if I have a few extra $$$ 


My advice – Follow all of the rules – all of the time!
Log your daily intake ( http://caloriecount.about.com/ is my favorite site to log my daily food & activity)
Drink a lot of H2O (I drink a gallon a day)
Take your vitamins and supplements
Exercise
Be determined to make choices that honor you Enjoy each and everyday!  

If you notice that your scale is up – take action! 5 pounds will turn into 10, 15, or 22 of you don’t pay attention. Be aware and REACT! Ask for help, make a plan and stick to it.  

No matter where you are on your journey – be   D*e*t*e*r*m*i*n*e*d   to succeed.
 
If you have any questions … just ask
Hugs,
Britt    

This is what I take everyday – My Vitamins & Supplements routine 
  pre gym
1 b12 sublingual 2500 mcg
1 multivitamin & multi mineral supplement *BARI-VIT* 
1 omega - 3 supplement *COROMEGA* packet    

about 1.5 - 2.5 hours later
1 scoop  *UPCAL D* calcium from citrate 500mg / vitamin d3 250iu
1 high potency vitamin D 1000iu - pill dry form *SPRING VALLEY*
1 balanced B-50  b-complex supplement *NATURE MADE*
1 vitamin B-1 500mg      

before dinner
1 scoop  *UPCAL D* calcium from citrate 500mg / vitamin d3 250iu
1 high potency vitamin D 1000iu - pill dry form *SPRING VALLEY*    

around 9pm
1 iron supplement *VITRON-C* - vitamin c 125mg / iron  (ferrous fumarate) 200mg
1 *ESTER-C* vitamin c 500mg / calcuim 55mg

I switched from Citrical pills  - to Upcal D powder - for better absorption. I still use Citrical in I run out of Upcald  - I love Upcal d wish I knew about this 16 months ago, I put a scoop right on my tongue I love this stuff - its so easy to take. After speaking with a friend regarding how important Iron is, I decided to add Iron to my regimen - the C helps the Iron be absorbed this has helped my ferritin # go up which is your iron storage – that is a good thing!        

Meet *Miley*

Here is the newest member of our family :) She is a doll. My oldest named her (can you tell she is a Hannah Montana fan?) Miley is a Shipoo aka a mutt - she is 1/2 shih-tzu and 1/2 poodle. We adore this little cutie.

I found this today and thought it was WORTH sharing it. It is soooooo true!

It All Counts

Published by

Cathy

on September 11, 2008 in Weight Loss and Maintenance .

When I’ve gone to the large warehouse discount stores, I’m always amazed at the long lines of people waiting to get a free sample of brownies, cookies or some other new food item.  Some of these lines have people waiting 20 minutes for a mere bite of a brownie??!!  Every bite counts!  Clearly, the idea that “it doesn’t matter because it’s free” is a real concept, and one that many dieters live by.  It’s just a bite, right?  How bad could it be?  Right?  Eating just a few bites or a taste here or there can add up to over 100 calories which translates into extra pounds over time.  Plus, this taste or bite, what does it trigger?  Do you tend to eat more from those tastes or bites?

One of the reasons food journaling or food logs are so useful is that the under reporting of what we eat, versus what we actually do eat is common. In fact, just eating an extra 100 calories per day could add up to 10 pounds gained in a year. The problem is, it’s difficult to keep track of what we nibble when cooking, cleaning up, eating food off of other people’s plates, sampling at the grocery store, or even grabbing a piece of candy from the communal bowl at the office - unfortunately, it all counts.  Tastes, bites, and mindless eating all lead to excess calories and excess weight.   A simple nibble or two a day could mean the difference between weight loss and weight gain over time.

An important tool in losing weight is to utilize some sort of food journal.  It can be on line, a fancy journal designed to record food and exercise, or just a small note pad to write it ALL down.  If you journal what you eat, it is hard to include foods that you know aren’t healthy choices.  It can be used as a deturrent to not eat those foods or to disregard the day entirely when you make those choices and start journaling again the next day.  We don’t like to acknowledge to ourselves or others, and see it written down that we ate something that isn’t on our food plan or healthy.

So what’s one of the best ways to lose weight through a food journal?  Eat what you actually  SAY you eat.

Here are a few suggestions to avoid the “nibble” trap:

Be aware of your “trigger times.”  When are the times that certain foods seem to call your name.
Stay away from key “taste areas” such as the kitchen, grocery store samples or a buffet table.
Avoid leaving candy dishes or bowls of chips and other foods out.
Skip free samples at stores, and stop yourself from picking from other people’s plates.  You aren’t a dog, don’t eat left overs from others’ plates.
Limit sodas, juices, and other high calorie beverages.

How much can those little bites and tastes add up to?  Here are a few for you to remember:

PASSING THROUGH THE KITCHEN–

4 tablespoons Haagen-Dazs Butter Pecan Ice Cream: 155 calories, 11.5g fat, 10.5g carbs

5 Lay’s Classic Potato Chips: 40 calories, 2.5g fat, 3.75g carbs

1 Oreo Double Stuf cookie: 70 calories, 3.5g fat, 9.5g carbs

10 Rold Gold Classic Tiny Twists Pretzels: 65 calories, 0.6g fat, 14g carbs

A handful of Quaker 100% Natural Cereal (granola) with oats, honey, and raisins: 109 calories, 3.5g fat, 18g carbs

A handful of Cheerios: 28 calories, 0.5g fat, 11g carbs

A handful of trail mix: 174 calories, 11g fat, 17g carbs

1 Hershey’s Kiss from the candy bowl at work: 25 calories, 1.5g fat, 3g carbs

A handful of raisins: 86 calories, 0g fat, 23g carbs

EATING WHILE OUT AND ABOUT–

4 wheat crackers: 76 calories, 3g fat, 10g carbs

A slice of brie cheese: 189 calories, 16g fat, 0g carbs

2 heaping handfuls of movie theater popcorn: 168 calories, 13.5g fat, 9g carbs

1 bite of a hot dog at the ball game: 48 calories, 3g fat, 4g carbs

WHILE COOKING OR CLEANING–

Crumbs at the bottom of a bag of Pepperidge Farm Nantucket Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies: 140 calories, 7g fat, 18g carbs

The slices/edges of pie or cake that are trimmed before putting it away so that it looks neat and even: 86 calories, 5g fat, 9g carbs

A spoonful of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough while making cookies: 32 calories, 1g fat, 5g carbs

One spoon of just the chocolate chips: 80 calories, 4g fat, 10g carbs

Peanut butter on a knife while making a sandwich: 95 calories, 8g fat, 3.5g carbs

Whipped cream off the beaters: 52 calories, 5g fats, 1g carbs

EATING OFF SOMEONE’S PLATE–

2 forks full of chocolate cake that you would never order - but will gladly eat when someone else does the ordering: 117 calories, 5g fat, 17g carbs

Leftovers from your kid’s Happy Meal at McDonald’s:
10 fries: 53 calories, 2.5g fat, 6.5g carbs
2 bites of a McDonald’s Cheeseburger: 80 calories, 3g fat, 9g carbs

LEFTOVERS–

2 bites of cold Pizza Hut Hand-Tossed Cheese Pizza: 77 calories, 2g fat, 11g carbs

3 forkfuls of beef chow mein: 68 calories, 4g fat, 3g carbs

DRINKS–

A sip of beer: 24 calories, 0g fat, 2g carbs

A sip of Tropicana Orange Juice from the carton in the fridge: 28 calories, 0g fat, 6.5g carbs

A sip of soda: 25 calories, 0g fat, 7g carbs

It all counts.  Make what you eat count toward your weight loss and health.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Back On Track Facilitator

Yep - that is correct!  I am headed back to GOAL, it feels pretty darn great! Finally -- MY head is in the game. It' about time.

This weekend - we went out to dinner with an old high school friend and his wife. I hadn't seen him in about 5 years or so and last time I did I was Morbidly Obese. His eyes just about popped out f his head when he saw me and at dinner he said. 'YOU are so skinny, the skinniest I have ever saw you, ever - you are a little tooo skinny!' I have to tell you that felt great. Just Another reminder - about how far i've come, and a knowing of where I NEVER want to return ... to obesity.

I was talking with Paul - (MY hubby and biggest supported) - Remember ing when .... I was morbily obeses moments.

 I remember when...

* I was uncomfortable all of the time (because of my weight)!

* My feet ached so bad, when my daughters woke up in the middle of the night more than 1/2 of the time Paul would have to go get them because my feet ached soooo badly!

* I went to social functions - dreading them - so consumed by being the fattest girl in the room.

* How I owned a pool but didn't dare go in it - when i had company over.

* How I looked at pictures ofmyself and  how heavy I was and CRIED!!

* How - I could only watch my girls play on the swings - i was too tired to get involved! 


Those are just a few of the painful memories that I have, however, they are memories , I treasure and hope NEVER to forget, because they remind me - of how far i've come and how much healthier I am today! 

I feel amazing, confident, beautiful, sexy ... life my friends, is so good!

hugs,
Britt