So, the holidays were my slump.  Apparently like superstitious atheletes I should have not washed my socks or shaved my mustache (LOL, true story :0 ) I had some trouble over the holidays, I was so mad at myself.  Disappointed really.  I mean I have worked so hard these last 4 months and to throw it away for a few nibbles of a hersheys bar (which milk choc now tastes like spoiled milk to me since surgery) or that handful of cheetos cheese puffs (still my kryptonite to this day apparently).  I was a rude awakening to go over 2 weeks and not lose weight.  Thankfully I didn't gain but its still disappointing when you have such high hopes for yourself.  Welp, the good part is I am back on track.  I set a goal to lose 50 lbs by June, my birthday.  I printed out calendars on microsoft word and went down and put down what I want to weight at the end of each week and then left a section for where I can fill in what I really weigh.  Its like 2-3 lbs per week which with this surgery I know is pretty much achievable if I put my mind to it.  I signed up for my pole dancing classes, doing that 1-2 times a week for 1+ hours at a time.  I switched gyms to one that offers cardio classes and I am focusing on weight training with a trainer.  I am refocused, I have goals and I am putting them out there in to the universe so people know what I am trying to do.  I need to be held responsible for my  actions and the more ppl rooting for me to succeed, the more I have to lose if I fall off the wagon again. :) Since refocusing my attentions I have lost 7 lbs in a little over 2 weeks.  Its been a great feeling to push my body's limits.  Never would I have ever thought that I would enjoy exercise, or find myself trying to squeeze more time into my day to allow another workout!  I'm still finding that there are things I still don't tolerate.  I just can't do carbs.  I tried eating like 3 wheat crackers the other day and I felt awful.  I accidently grabbed cream of potato soup instead of the cream of celery I thought it was, added mu unjury, took a few bites and thought "Hey, this tastes weird" checked out the can in the trash and low and behold, it was potato! I experienced the foamies for the first time in 5 months! Basically I was belching up/mildly vomitting this awful foamy spit like substance and I felt miserable.  Lesson learned, be more mindful of what I put in my mouth and check labels! LOL...... Dating has been going ok, I have pulled back some, it was really overwhelming honestly.  The men I have met recently just have not been what I had hoped they would be, but its ok, I am refocusing on my health and work outs for now. 

 

Well, I've been doing pretty good but I have to admit I have fallen into that false sense of security for the last 2 weeks with the holidays here.  I really thought I was doing good, but then Christmas eve rolled around and dang it if my momma didn't make her yummy cream cheese and shrimp dip, that got shovelled in by the spoonfuls.  LOL.....Then I made some yummy brunch items for CHristmas morning and I of course felt sure enough of myself to eat them, well I kept eating them for 3 days, I way overdid it.  So I tried to get back on track but then on New yrs eve I went to a party and those horrible friends of mine had Cheeto Cheese puffs! Those bastards, thats my arch nemesis! I admit with shame, Kari ate more than she should have.  I also had some pretzels cuz I figured, what the hell, I'm already on a rocket sled to hell, why not tack on a couple of twists and turns on my ride down! :/  I'm ashamed of myself, I know many people do the same thing but I wanted to be the girl who didn't.  Its awful felling like you failed yourself and your sleeve.  Everyone has been so encouraging, telling me how amazing I look and all I can think is "Yeah, Kari, you would look even more amazing ifyou would stop stuffing your damn face!" They are right I guess, you can't  fix your head as quick as they remove a hunk of your stomach.  So I'm back on track, writing everything down that goes in my mouth, trying myfitnesspal, back to the gym and signed up for another pole class series.  I have such big plans for myself, I can't afford to emotionally let myself down again! So, this is my confession, My name is Kari and I still eat junk food and lose control if I don't stay on top of myself.   :(

So I am just over 3 months post op.  I still have those days where I am convinced this is just a really weird dream and I am gonna wake up and still be massively overweight :/  And then I meet up with my friends and they oh and ah over me and I feel that all is right in the world and I am smoking hot.  :)  To date since my surgery I have lost 56lbs and 70 lbs since the pre-op diet, It is seriously amazing the changes I keep seeing in my body.  about 3 weeks ago I went to Macy's just to look in the juniors section, thinking, "I'm almost there, just a little more and I can start shopping here" then I decided, ahh what the hell, lets try on a juniors size 15 jeans and an XL juniors top.....thinking that when I got into the dressing room it would be like trying to pull on a wet swimsuit.  To my complete and utter surprise they were TOO BIG! Shut the front door!!! I kid you not.  I have been in such a denial about what size I really am and still wearing alot of my old baggy clothes that it never occured to me they would fit.  So, this girl is now in a large juniors top and a size 13 juniors or 12 regular bottoms....going from a 2XL top and size 20 bottom 3 months ago I think thats flabberghasting!!! I am soo thankful every day for my sleeve and my surgical team who gave me the tool to live the life I deserve to live.  I have my down and up days, I everyonce in a while put something in my mouth that I regret but every day is a learning process.  :) Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am looking forward to it this year.  I have learned that moderation works and my family has been great about accomodating me and trying themselves to focus on healthier lifestyles!  So from my home to all of yours I wish you all a very blessed Happy Thanksgiving! 

Wow, so its already been 7 weeks! My my how time has flown by! I can hardly believe the changes I see and feel in my own body.  I've lost weight before in the past but I have to admit that it never felt like an accomplishment.  It was just one more step before gaining back the weight and then some.  I got to say though, now I seriously appreciate every lb and inch I lose now.  Now it feels like a real accomplishment.  I can just feel like its leaving my body for good this time!  Its almost weird to look down and literally have to move my boobs to fine my stomache.  It used to stick out farther than my boobs, so now for it to be relatively flat its such an awesome feeling.  I'm getting my hourglass figure back.  I am in size 16's and almost shrinkin out of those! My feet still are shrinking.  My jewelry is all fitting better.  Everyone says I glow :D  I say its the 70+ oz of liquids I drink each day. LOL....and men are totally noticing me. Not sure if its because of the change in my body or if I am more confident since weight loss or combination of both, but it feels awesome.  I just went for my 2 month labs and that was seriously hard, I had to stop all vitamins for 2 days before labs and then fast 14 hrs before labs.  I was soo lethargic from no vitamins and not eating or drinking I seriously felt like shiz! :(  I'm gonna ask him if the fasting for 14hrs is really necessary, I seriously think I was borderline dehydrated! OMG.....
Well, thats my update so far, everything is working great.  I am so happy with my decision to have this surgery and would happily reccomend it to anyone who asks me!