A few minutes ago I was reading a "confession" on the message board from someone who's blowing it post surgery...no exercise, smoking again, addicted to pain pills, etc... and I was surprised how much I related to her depression.  It brought me right back to prior to my surgery and how helpless I felt to change things.  I posted a response back to her about how I got started with exercise and I thought maybe someone reading my blog might find it helpful if they're feeling unmotivated in that area...so I'm posting the meat of the post here:

I tend to have "all or nothing" type thinking...either I'm really "good" or really "bad".  Prior to surgery, good meant I was taking my vitamins, drinking my water, exercising hard, eating healthy.  Bad meant I was taking no supplements, drinking too much (alcohol), sitting on my butt and sleeping my day away, binging on fast food, junk food, candy, icecream etc... There was no "medium", no just "ok".

Several months before surgery I had a paradigm shift of sorts and just decided I was going to make myself put on the exercise clothes and go downstairs and get on the treadmill.  I didn't set any un-realistic goals this time about how fast or how far...just that I would do it.  Every day.  I wouldn't allow myself to get on the internet until I did it (talk about a motivator!)  

For the first week or so I probably only went about 2.2 mph for about 10 minutes (if that) but just getting in the habit of doing it each day was very valuable for me.  Eventually I started playing little games of how far, or how long, or beating yesterdays numbers, or how many songs can I work out for...you know?  Once I was regularly working out for at least 1/2 an hour at a time; then I stopped doing it every day and allowed myself to have weekends off.

Now, post-surgery I actually almost crave exercise.  It burns off the stress and makes me feel energetic and healthy.  Also, of the almost 60 lbs I've lost now only about 2 lbs of  ISN'T fat mass.  The exercise has be burning off fat and increasing muscle...it's amazing how my body is re-shaping and toning up.  One key for me post-surgery (because I was getting bored with the treadmill) was finding a friend to walk with each day...we walk 3 1/2 miles at least 3 times a week (usually 4+) and it's wonderful.  It goes by so quickly when you've got a buddy that's holding you accountable and to chat with while you do it.

Hope that helps someone to get started...thanks for reading!

Well...again, nothing too new to write about...but it's been 2 weeks since my last entry so I figure it's about time to touch base.

I'm at 235lbs now...which is 53 lbs down.  I feel great.  Lots easier to fit into & through tight spaces...WAY easier to exercise and I'm actually mostly enjoying it.  I feel happy, healthy & strong...this surgery was the right choice for me!  I will say that I feel like I'm a "slow loser" but I'm pretty much ok with that...as long as I keep losing!  Where am I noticing the most loss?  Throughout my torso area I guess...my cup size has most certainly decreased (which is a good thing) and so has my stomach and "pouch" area.  I mean, everything has shrunk...but I'm noticing it most in my torso area...which is weird because that used to be the last place to shrink when I'd lose weight before...my legs would tone up way before my stomach or chest area.

I did get results back from my blood work at the beginning of January and I'm slightly deficient in Vitamins A & D...my surgeon said those are the 2 vitamins he typically sees people become deficient in and he wasn't surprised...just wanted me to start supplementing them into my regular routine (great...more pills!)  Oh, I am taking pills again...no more chewables for me!  YEAH!  I got the official ok from my surgeon and switched over...I'm doing a much better job of getting them all in now.

Food wise...well, I've found that the less "dense" foods definitely sit better.  Which also usually means less protein-rich...so that's a bad thing.  I force myself to eat the more dense foods when I'm home but I do tend to rely on things like veggies or soup or baked potatoes when I'm out in public just because I know they'll sit fine.  I'm able to do eggs again.  That makes me happy.  And I don't think cheese was really the problem with my "foamies"...I just think I was maybe rushing things too quick and my pouch wasn't ready for what I wanted yet.  Now I seem to be doing pretty well.  I haven't had foamies in a couple weeks but I do occasionally have that "stuck" feeling.

I did have some wine recently...doesn't seem to affect me much different than before surgery actually.  Maybe I get buzzed a little quicker.  I just need to stay away from alcohol in general because I know I like the feeling of being buzzed/drunk more than the average person...don't want to start some sort of "transfer addiction".

Exercise...I've been doing well.  Mostly walking; either outside or on the treadmill...but I do some elliptical and free-weight work too.

Can't think of anything else right now...Oh, I did finally get to my nutrition class/ support group thing I joined...I think it will be very helpful to continue to go, especially in the future if I start to struggle with sticking to the program.

Take care, thanks for reading!

I can't think of anything too exciting I need to share w/ everyone...but feel like it's time to update since today is officially 8 weeks since my surgery.

Here's what's been going on w/ me WL-wise.  

-I exercise regularly...at least 30 minutes 3 times/week.  Usually it's more like 4-5 times/week for 40+ minutes.
-I'm eating between 400-600 calories/day
-I get between 50-80 grams of protein a day
-I still struggle with getting in my water each day (I never had a problem before surgery!)...but my goal is a minimum of 50 oz.
-I take a multivitamin and a calcium chew each twice a day (at sep. times of course)
-I'm still dealing with the "foamies" from time to time...I need to be careful that I eat slow, chew well and really pay attention to how things are going down...even then I sometimes have problems.
-According to my scale I've lost something like 47 lbs since my 2 week pre-surgery diet started.  As of this morning I weighed in at 241.

I've realized I do need to drink the "smooth move" hot tea every couple of days just to be sure the bowels keep moving...this is a new experience for me!  Funny how we just take our bodies doing what they need to do for granted until they don't do what they need to do! 

I feel great!  I have a lot more energy and I've increased my speed and endurance on the treadmill.  I don't have any weird pains or problems unless I've eaten something my pouch doesn't like (and that's all still usually a mystery to me!).

Our Christmas was blessed.  Probably the best Christmas we've ever had as a family...very relaxing and centered on all the right things...God, family and friends.  Dear hubby bought me an elliptical (which I asked for) and it's KICKING MY BUTT!  I can only do about 6 minutes on it before I need to switch over to the treadmill to finish off my work-out!  Everyone assures me that this is normal and that I'll be able to increase my time on there quicker than I'd imagine.  We'll see I guess.

I'm so grateful for this surgery...I truly feel it is saving my life.  I am so blessed to have supportive family, friends and insurance...and then to find a skilled surgeon who's the perfect fit for me.  I'd suggest Dr. Bilof to anyone...he's truly a kind man and a skilled surgeon...my recovery can hardly even be called a recovery since I felt almost back to normal before I even left the hospital!

Happy New Year everyone...I know '08 is going to be a life-changing year for me physically!  I can't wait!

Ok, I've gone a few days of no foamies now...and doing better with getting in more "real" foods for protein rather than shakes...so I'm feeling pretty darn good about my progress today!  I did stop using cheese...maybe that was the problem.  I'll try it again someday I'm sure.

Doing well with my exercise so far this week...I had good hard workouts Tue, Wed and today.  My friend Monika and I are "accountability partners" which is REALLY helping...just knowing someone is paying attention and waiting to hear that I've done my workout helps motivate me when I don't want to do it (which is always by the way).  I am truly excited about how much further and faster I can go on the treadmill...it's amazing what taking off 35 lbs will do for you!