ObesityHelp

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

 

One year ago today my life changed.  I’ve lost 80 pounds and wear a size 10-12.  It took several months for me to be able to say that I was glad to have had the surgery, but I certainly say it now.  How has my life changed?  Yes, I’ve lost a great amount of weight, but the mental change has been the most remarkable.  I view myself so differently now.  Almost as “worthy,” for lack of a better word, to have a voice and viewpoints.  I’m more confident and think about things from a different standpoint.  This new point of view bleeds over in all aspects of my life and that’s wonderful.  My health is so much better as well.  No diabetes, high blood pressure, clumsiness; and I’m not so tired all the time.  I still have GERD, but it’s well controlled.

 

Am I afraid of gaining the weight back?  Of course!!  I watch my weight carefully, not obsessively, and stay within a three lb. range.  I stopped losing rapidly at about 9 months, so I finally started working out.  I hired a personal trainer to make sure I got to the gym and have been going all summer.  I have definition in my arms and legs and my clothes fit better.  Hopefully, once school starts, I will continue this habit.  Believe me, the cost is well worth it.

 

I still have to watch snacks and sweets.  I also don’t get enough protein, so I expect my next round of lab work is going to begin to show it.  I have a friend that I met last year at the hospital and she helps to keep me motivated to stay in line.  Thanks, Charlene; but I recognize that this is MY journey and MY responsibility.  I will do better.

Even though I love my new body, I'm still scared that it's only temporary.  I've lost and regained so much in my life that it's hard to believe that it won't come back.  I gained 3 pounds the first week out of school (mid-Mayish) and keep going back and forth between 145 and 147.  I'm still a carb fan, but my appetite is better and my portion sizes have increased.  Last night I had a chicken breast and salad and was able to eat the entire breast.  My goal weight of 135 is looking like a longshot.

I did finally get myself to the gym and have a personal trainer, Donna, to keep my workouts interesting.  I've seen her 10 out of twenty times now and enjoy working with her.  There is evidence of muscle definition and I like my new butt.

My youngest daughter and I will be going on a cruise on June 27th.  I even bought a REAL bathing suit!  It looks really good on and there's no skirt.  :)  I'm looking forward to being in pictures where I'm not hiding behind someone or something.  I'm hesitant about cruise food though, and hope I don't gain any weight. 

My sister is having plastic surgery on July 8th.  She's lost weight without surgery and will have breast reduction and a tummy tuck.  I'm still thinking about trying to have the same in December.  We'll see.

New goals are to continue working out, eating better, more proteins, more water, better vitamins and b12 shots.

We completed finals last week, grades are posted and graduation is Saturday.  I'm FREE!!!  I'll teach two night classes this summer but will be home with my daughter most days.  This brings the challenge of snacking during the day.  Since carbs feel so much better than other foods, Chex Mix and I have gotten to be very close friends.  Still, with 79 lbs gone in 9 months, I'm feeling great.

At 143, I'm now in a size 10.  I can't believe it.  This time last year I was just beginning to think about this procedure and looking at the before/after pictures.  I never would have imagined that I would be here looking all "skinnified."  I've had a checkup with my internist and a stop-by (for pink-eye) with the local doc.  Both couldn't believe the difference.  They each had on these big, goofy grins that did more for my self image than their words ever could.

Now I catch myself looking in the mirror after a shower and pulling the loose skin this way and that, trying to see what I'd look like with plastics.  I'm hoping I can find the funds to do it this coming Christmas, but time will tell.  In the meantime it all can be hidden except for the turkey gobbler hanging under my chin.  At least in the winter there were turtlenecks to be worn.  My arms and legs don't look that bad, but my boobs are past my waist and my stomach/back has A LOT of skin.  I'd love to go from a DD to a nice, perky C.  At the moment I'm ecstatic about being in a large top.  From 3X to L; that's quite an accomplishment!!!

I'm so glad I had this surgery.  My life has definitely changed for the better.

 

I'm going out of town for the next couple of weeks.  Restaurants, buffets, conference food-- how will I do?  I now weigh 146-- 11 lbs from goal weight.  I don't want to blow it. 

Today I'm shopping for size 12s.  Whoo-hoo!!

Today is 7 months.  I weigh 150 lbs.  The weight is coming off very slowly, but it's still coming.  I have 15 more to go to hit my goal weight but I've already hit my doctor's goal.  I'm frustrated because I have 14's in my closet and I really need 12's but I don't want to buy right now because I have two trips comind up in a few weeks and I may be smaller.  Talk about a GOOD problem.  :)