Ok, I  went to my check up with Dr. Provost on 8/19/08.  I have lost 8# since my last visit 5/5/08.  I personally was alittle bummed but Dr said that it was probably because I have been working out 4 times a week since July.  (Gaining muscle weight).  On July the 9th I joined a gym near my work.  I have to get up at 5:10 am and leave the house at 5:30 in order to get to the gym by 6:15.  I take a spinning class on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday until 7:00 am then its on to the first patient at work at 7:30am.  My mornings are pretty rushed but I LOVE the spinning class.  Its a class on stationary bikes that the instructor tells you things like, "We will be on low resistance for 1 min sprinting (fast as you can) then 30 sec on medium resistance then out of the set (standing up) at high resistance for 1 min then we will recover (easy riding) for 2 mins".  It seems like it wouldn't be very fun but it is.   Every day is different.  Some days we do "pop ups" that you will be Out of the Seat for 30 seconds then back on the seat for 30 seconds then Out of the Seat for 45 seconds then back on the seat for 45 seconds then out of the seat for 1 min then back on the seat for 1 min "recover" at the "top of the hill" then head back down in reverse order.  I love it, I've had some tailbone issues but the Dr told me that it is common in bariatric patients loose their muscle that keeps their tailbone off the hard surfaces.  I have to build up those muscles again by doing squats etc.  On Tue and Thursday we (my carpool buddies and I) work on the Naultilus machines and the eliptical.  I really like the routine and miss it when I don't get to do.  We don't work on Friday's so sometimes I don't drive into the gym to do spinning class.  All and all I am glad its all working out.  

I finally feel like I have more energy/stamina.   I have lost 86 # and still in a size 13/14.  I would like to lose the last 30, but it seems that it is at a standstill at this time.  I've REALLY been trying to work at not drinking while I eat.  I have always drank so much while eating and its such a terrible habit to break.  I know to be successful I will have to overcome that habit.  

I know this is long but I have one more important thing to say..... I FOUND MY PRE-OPERATION MEASUREMENTS!!  I thought I must have lost them on the trip to Dallas for my surgery.  So here it goes...

                          11/6/07            8/30/08 
Breast               47                       40.5
Arm                    15                       13
Neck                  17                      14.5
Thigh                 28                      21
Waist                49                       38
Wrist                   7                         6.5
Calf                  17.5                     15 

42 inches lost!!! Who HOO!!  I'm so excited.  Its finally becoming reality, the wicked witch of weight is not hiding around the corner to wave her wand and take back this wonderful dream, no strike at midnight can take this away.  If I can overcome the drinking while I eat - it is a reality that I can keep this weight off for the REST OF MY LONG LONG LIFE!!

Thanks for all that read this, I'm so happy I've had OH to help me along.  

Until next time........ 

Long time since I've posted.  There are been a few changes since my last post.  I have flown to Houston - sitting in the MIDDLE seat and didn't touch the big guy next  to me!!!  I am wearing size 14 clothing.  It seems that at my last trip to Wally World, I had several (more than 3) wow moments regarding the opposite sex.  Hubba hubba!  At first I didn't get it - then after a while of opening doors, telling me I looked good and pushing my basket (I swear I couldn't make this up) I finally got it!  They were not really hitting on me, but at least noticing me.  What a weird feeling.  It kind of made me mad (to tell the truth).  A few months ago, I weighed 268 # and probably none of them would have even noticed me.....  I'm still the same person, kind of hard to find the joy in that.  But oh, boy did I mention it to my husband (just for grins).   I joined a gym today.  I start "Cycling with Brianne" three times a week after the 4th of July - I'll keep you posted.  The weight is coming off very slow.  But I haven't been excercising.  So, here is my big push to do something for myself.  I'm excited. 

Well, we spent a Wonderful week in the Great Smoky Mountains and in Northern Georgia.  We visited several waterfalls and went on LOTS of hikes this past week.  I'm sure I've lost pounds.  One trek was 1,099 stairs down to the bottom of a Gorge and then back up them again.  I'm so sure that I wouldn't have been able to make it last year.  My legs were shakey towards the end, but my heart didn't pound out of my chest.  I think my family was very proud of the changes they see in me.  Things are getting kinda "weird" with my skin.  Its like I've lost all the pounds in my legs.  My stomach is just yucky and my arms are still big.  I've heard you loose the belly towards the end.....I can't wait.  I know it won't all be gone, but Its got to get better.  I'm feeling really good.  I'm kind of concerned about the amount I can eat.  It is definately more than 1 cup.  I can eat 2 tacos at a sitting....I hope thats "normal".  Had some wine on vacation...yummy.   I got pretty silly, but it didn't last very long.  Until next time.....

Well, I went back to Dallas to have my 6 mos check up.  My weight is still holding at 190, but my blood pressure is 114/67 which is GREAT!!!  No more meds for me!!  I'm excited about that.  I really need to get back on the treadmill 3x a week.  I've been pretty tired lately.  They did my bloodwork and it was good except my B12 is low.  They have prescribed me B12 injections and some sublingual as well.  They were pleased with my weight loss and said that I was "right on target'.  I'm alittle bummed at the stall I'm having.  I'm just frustrated that I haven't been faithful to an exercise routine.  I'm looking into going to aerobics classes.  I'll keep ya'll posted.  My surgery overall has been great.  I am having NO problems at all.  I  feel really blessed about that.  I'm wearing 16/14's.  I haven't taken a new picture in a while.....I need to do that......Sandy 

Ok, I did it!  This morning the scale said.....197!!!!  Yippee!  I'm so excited!  I'm glad to leave those nasty ole 200's behind!  I am feeling smaller and smaller.  My elbows and my legs are  a lot smaller.  (its the little things)  I'm beginning to get into a "bumpy" stage where I have alot of rolls in my tummy, but I know it will get better.  They say the tummy fat is the last to go...   

I bought size 16 jeans last weekend.  I could get the 14s on, but the muffin top was gross.  I decided to buy the 16's until some of my rolls were smaller.  I really needed the shopping spree.  What a boost  to finally see you have dropped  another size.    Even though I didn't buy the size 14 pants - I know in my head I'm almost there!  

I'm really stoked, its nice to hear that I look nice and secretly - I think so too.  I'll try to get new pics up after spring break - love to all!!!

was BMI 46 : Morbidly Obese
now BMI 33 : Obese