ObesityHelp

So I made it to the goal posts.  Any more lost will be nice but I've achieved what I set out to do (and maybe more).  Here are the stats:

Weight at start of journey: 420 

Total loss: 240

Total days since I made the decision and started surgery: 689

Weight loss before surgery: 51

Weight loss since surgery on 10/10/11: 189

Average lbs per week: 2.4

%body weight lost: 57%

Pics later everyone.  I'm going to take a horseback riding lesson and celebrate today!!!  I made it!

Now the work starts: Next chapter.. Maintenance: The Pizza Strikes Back

I'm feeling particularly good about my progress so I thought I'd post an updated progression pic.

This is the SV I've been waiting for.  I can't get a grasp on it... over 400 to under 200 in 83 and a half weeks.  I can't deny it... I've Rocked This Sleeve!!

As of yesterday I lost 210 lbs... half my body weight.  People are starting to ask me if I'm at goal.  I'm wearing clothing that can best be described as average sized.  Nothing bigger than a large and mostly medium with size 36 or 38 pants.  I'm now just 9 lbs from my first major goal, 10 pounds from onderland, and 29 lbs from my stretch goal of 180.  I'm really charged up about the prospects for the new year.

Oh what a wonderful feeling to have the seat belt fit on an airplane.  One of the best NSVs yet.

Every day is better and this life change is my best Christmas present, thanksgiving wish, and birthday gift combined.

One year down.  A year in a life amounts to about 1.3% of the average expectancy.  In the last year since surgery 10/10/2011 I’ve lost 80% of my excess weight.  151 pounds gone.  With the 51 I lost before surgery this puts me over the 200 lost line and 48% of my total body weight.  I have to let that sink in sometimes.  Half of me is gone.  The last time I weighed this amount was in 1980 when I was 18.  That’s 64% of my life ago.  I’m well on my way to the weight I last saw when I was in junior high school on my way up.  At this point, I see no reason I shouldn’t make it.

What do all these numbers really mean?  Well, for one, I feel young.  So much more life than I’ve had for so many years.  For another for the first time one of the in a long time I feel like I’m just a regular guy.  Overweight? Sure.  Older? Sure.  But more like a young 51 rather than an ancient 50.  And I’m heading in the right weight direction and in control.  Perhaps like never before in my entire life.  Every aspect of my world is better;  especially my relationship with my wife.  She loves me and supports me and I feel like a better man for her. 

How about health?  Diabetes – Gone.  Blood pressure -  soon to be totally off drugs (already down to ¼ of my old dose.  Gout – seems to be gone (I’ve gone off allopurinol).  Endurance – way up. 

Some more numbers since surgery: 5x shirts to medium/large.  Size 62 pants to size 38 (even fit into a size 36 but too tight to claim it for a while);   9 SCUBA dives in the last six weeks for the first time since 1993. 

Nothing comes free though right?  I mean, I can’t eat unlimited quantities.  I can’t sit comfortably for 16 hours a day.  I have to be diligent about what I eat.  I have a lot of excess skin.  When I start to feel sorry for myself (and I sometimes do for fleeting moments) I just DO something, or review my progress, or plan for my next adventure.  How freaking cool is that. 

I have learned that being with my friends is not just about great food (although I still go out and enjoy great food within my self imposed parameters).  My new normal almost always feels OK.  I also have new friends that I’ve met here and at my support group.  That’s cool.  I’m also planning more activities like learning to sail, riding horses, and mountain hiking.  Lots to do and I can do it now or very soon.  So much more hope and so many more possibilities.