Seven plus months gone and the weight is still dropping off – just slower. For the past 4 months I’ve averaged 12 lbs lost per month. That’s almost 3 pounds per week and I will be satisfied with that or something close. I’m still nearly 70 lbs from the initial goal I was given. I don’t know if that’s a realistic goal and hope to discuss it with my surgeon in September.

Last week I attended a professional meeting in Los Angeles. The hotel where we stayed was ½ mile from the convention hotel. The exhibits were in a convention center across from my hotel, but the center was about 4 blocks long. I wore a pedometer while I was there and put in 2-4 miles per day at a brisk pace. I was not tired due to the walking and seemed almost energized by it. Even walking through large airport with luggage didn’t faze me. I’m finally seeing clear evidence of what that extra 175 was doing to me.

I can eat a lot of foods now without being ill. I did have trouble with roast beef at the meeting. I picked it off a box lunch sandwich and it didn’t agree with me at all! I feel very wasteful when I eat out - especially last week since I couldn’t take home leftovers. My traveling companion did have similar tastes so we shared a lot of meals. I seem to be able to eat more than prescribed without getting full. I don’t get the full signal like I did the first few months post-op.

I bought a new digital camera and some more clothes. At least now with the slower weight loss I get to wear the clothes longer. It’s so much fun to go into a regular store and buy things on sale! Last week I bought mostly 18s and one size 16 jacket. I don’t recall ever being a size 16 – I think I went from chubby girls to women’s sizes. Buying clothes will probably be my main vice when I reach goal, if not before!

08/28/04
I’m nearly eight months into this WLS journey. It has been by far the best thing I have ever done for myself. It’s a real ego boost to have people constantly telling you how great you look. It will go away eventually, so I’m enjoying it while I can.

I quit my membership at the YWCA and the next day joined American Health Fitness. I have an appointment Monday with the personal trainer to set up a program. Hopefully I will hit it off better with this one than I did with the trainer at the Y. At least now I know what to ask for / insist on. It’s also $15/month less expensive at the new place. I’m entering into my busy season with tax prep classes followed by working at the tax office 2-3 evenings per week. I will be cutting back a little on the taxes in order to make time for exercise. My plan is to schedule my week, including the exercise so that I don’t find excuses not to go.

I lost about 10 lbs this month. They were all in a 14-day period. The other two weeks I didn’t lose anything. I have begun to know my body’s pattern and this month was typical – no loss for many days and then a big, sudden drop. I still weigh daily, but I don’t get panicky if I don’t lose.

I believe it’s time to set a goal weight for myself. I think maybe the 147 I was given originally is a bit too low and that maybe 160 would be more reasonable. I plan to discuss with the surgeon at my nine-month visit. By then I should also be less than 200 lbs – another milestone!