Dang... I got side tracked, and I clicked a link to update my photos... and forgot to hit save first.  I just lost a LONG post.  Let's try that again.  Grrr...

I lost weight on the cruise, but then did the yo-yo thing for a few months, staying between 205 and 215 until a few weeks ago.  On 9/26 I was 205, but hit "onderland" (199.8) on Tuesday 9/30.  I realized I wasn't eating enough protein, and upped my grams form 50 I was averaging to 80-100 that is recommended.  That boost fast-tracked my loss, and got me going again.  I have lost another 11 pounds in the last 8 days and was 188.7 this morning.

188.7  OMG

I went right on past that 193 goal of half my highest weight.  I am now less than I have been since...  oh, Sophomore year of high school.  My next goal is just 2 more pounds... at 186 I will have lost 200 pounds from my high.  Next goal is 174, which will move me form an "obese" BMI to an "overweight" BMI.  Then, when I hit my goal of 145, I will be a "healthy" BMI.  While the BMI system has it's flaws, I like having these markers as *something* go use as goals.

I am looking forward to my second cruise in December.  Mom and I should have a lot of fun puttering around to all of those Caribbean ports.  Saving my pennies for a little bit of shopping and to do some fun tours.  Mom gave me a bunch of summery things that are in the 14/16 size range, and I think they will fit by then.  I think I should be about 170 or so by then, and that should have those clothes fitting.  There is a GORGEOUS  dark green tie-day sun dress that really hope fits by then. I need 2 more inches off my chest for it to zip up, so that might be too much to hope for.  Will have to see.  In the mean time, hitting the thrift stores looking for dressy things for the dress-up nights in the dining room.  I will have 3 or 4 swim suits that fit.  Mom gave me 3, and I have one from Junonia in a 0X that will be just right.  I think 2 of the ones from Mom will work, though one might not.  Will have to wait and see closer to then.

OK, lunch break is over.  Back to the grind.

Today's scale: 233

After that long plateau, I have lost 10 pounds in the last week! *boggles*

I had planned to do a lot of house chores today.  It didn't happen... again.  But what did happen is that I took a long training walk.  I left my place on 39th, and walked a few blocks up to MacArthur and had breakfast at the cafe.  I spent 2 hours lingering over very yummy coffee as I read.  I then took off up MacArthur and walked all the way to Fruitvale!  I spent about 15 minutes looking around the Diamond Branch of the Oakland Library, bought a used hardback book for .25, and then walked over to Farmer Joes.  There I picked up a 1/2 liter of water and some bulk nuts.  I walked across the street to Pete's and ordered an iced coffee (decaf this time).  I sat, lingered, read some more, and left an hour or so later.  I stopped at the food mill on my way back, bought a bag of goods, and continued my walk.  I stopped at a store that has a lot of traditional African clothing, and bought a pretty skirt that is "free" size.  I think I am now a part of the "most" that one size fits "all" will fit, now.  I will try it on soon and see how it looks.

I got home 6 hours after I had left.  about 3 hours sitting on my butt reading, maybe another 45 minutes shopping, that means 2.25 hours walking.  NOT BAD!  My right knee is a little sore, but not while I am sitting, just as I walk.  I will take the car out in a little bit to see exactly how far the walk actually is.  My guess is about 5 miles.  Twice what I have done on any other day.  Tomorrow I will walk again, but probably not as long, but intend to do another long-ass one on Monday.

I have been doing lots of 1 to 1.5 mile walks, but those don't cut it as training.  They are GREAT as general exercise, but not enough to train for this MAJOR event that I have been ignoring, almost since I signed up.  I am doing pretty good on my fundraising, and I know that is what is most important, but I don't want to hurt myself, or have to quit barely after starting when the event actually comes.  So, today, I have a renewed determination.  I am actually amazed that it didn't seem that far as I did the walk.  I had the energy to return right way, and it was only tired right knee and both ankles slightly sore that had me take the hour rest.  I knew I didn't want to overdo it.  I don't think I did.

EDIT:  I am slightly disappointed to find that it is only 1.75 miles each way.  With the slight detours I made, and the walking in the stores, I think it was more like 4 miles all together.  *sigh*  I have a long way to go.  The 3-Day's Virtual Trainer said I should have walked 8 miles today to be "on target" in my training.

I hit a goal this morning.  Tomorrow is my 6-month surgiversary, and I have lost over 100 pounds in those 6 months!  I weighed 239 this morning! 

High - 386
Surgery - 340
Current - 239
Goal - 150ish (I am 5'4.5")


Shorter term goals:
236 - to be down 150 from my high.
199 - ONEderland!  (If I stopped losing weight here, it would be "enough")
194 - My weight when I graduated high school and lowest weight in my adult life.
186 - 200 down from high weight

Really though, I am already a complete success with this.  With an unmedicated A1C of 4.8, my diabetes is considered resolved.  My hypertension is resolved.  I am SO much healthier already.  THAT is what matters most.

My last weigh in at the doctor was 4/9, and I weighed 257.  My last weight posted here on 4/14 was 249.  I spent the following month moving between 245 and 250.  I was anxious.  PLATEAU!!!!

I was eating a lot more carbs that I thought I really should be.  I was craving them, and feeling obsessive when I ignored the cravings.

Wednesday morning I was 248.7 on my scale, and 248.5 on the doctor's scale.  8.5 pounds lost since 4/9, but that was all that first week.  But then I started looking at the body composition details.  It turns out that I lost 25 pounds of FAT in those 35 days!  I gained 16.5 pounds of lean body mass.  Almost 12 pounds of that is water, and nearly 5 is pure muscle fiber.  The doc's assistant says that most of the water gain is most likely not water retention, it's the water in added muscle!!!   I guess I needed the energy I was getting from those foods I was craving.  I can't really argue with 25 pounds of fat lost.  DAMN. The scale wasn't moving, but I did shrink 1.5 clothing sizes in that time.  I went from tight 22(WP) jeans to not so tight 20(WP) jeans.  Most of my tops are all 18/20 or 1X.  Thats a far cry from the 5X I was wearing "before".

I haven't been getting in as much walking as I think I should to be training properly for this endurance challenge of the 3-Day, but I guess it's been what I need to be getting a lot stronger.

And this morning the scale is 243.3, so I guess things are on the downward movement again.

Sorry to be so few and far between with my updates.  Either I am too busy out there being active with my "new" life, or I was depressed because I had hadn't lost and thought I was f*&#ing it all up.  I talked to the PA and she was pleased with my progress.  She did recommend that I pull back a little on the starches, and made some suggestions for better choices when I am craving those things.   I am feeling optimistic again.