It has been a long time since I posted anything. I have been busy living life. I find myself getting out of the house more and being social. On June 18, I went to Houston to participate in a 2 mile charity beer run. It was so much fun. My team won 3rd place for team costume. I am still struggling with making better food choices, but I have come to the realization that I will probably always have this struggle.  I will always have to make conscious decisions about the food I put in my mouth. I guess in a way it is like how an alcholic must daily make the decision not to drink. I must daily make the decision to eat healthy and right.  Somedays are easier than others.

On a more positive note, my exercise schedule has improved greatly.  I get the the gym at least 3 times a week and most weeks it is 4 times.  I am hoping to workout 5 times a week now that school is out.  Professionally, things are going well. I will graduate in December with my master's degree and principal certification.  I hope to move to the Houston area after the completion of this upcoming school year.  Life is good!

Well, I did pretty good this week.  I lost my goal of 2lbs despite the fact that I was on period and craving carbs!  I did give in a little but not too much.  I did not exercise as much as I should have and I paid for it Saturday when I did my third 5K. It kicked my ass. I had the worse time ever. I am going to have to keep up my exercise routine. I need to hit the gym or track at least 3 times a week. Last week I just went to the track once.

Well, this week my goal is to lose another 2lbs.

Hola OH family, it has been awhile since I posted.  I have had a derailment on the weight loss track.  Old eating habits have returned and my weight loss has come to a stand still.  Thank GOD I have not gained anything, but I am not losing weight either.  I find myself snacking and drinking while I eat, not getting my protein in or taking my vitamins regularly.  I am deeply disappointed in my lack of stamina. I did what I was supposed to for 5 months and I have been off track for the past 2 months. I am beginning to see that this is truly a life long battle that I will have to fight for the rest of my life.  I have endured too much not to lose the weight I want to--need to lose.

So I am recommitting to the process today.  Food is no longer a source of entertainement for me, but a means to keep my body nurished.  I have to ensure that I am eating the right kinds of food and not just what tastes good to me.  I have to be mindful of everything I put in my body.  I have another 60lbs that I have to lose to reach my goal. I know that I can do it only if I work the tool that has been given to me. It is Sunday, the start of a new week and the restart to my new relationship with food. I am back on track.....

Greetings OH family! I am currently 4 months out from surgery and down 66lbs, 86lbs if you count the 20lbs I lost on my own before considering WLS.  Things are going great! I can now cross my legs when I sit down. I am wearing a 18W tops and 20 or 22 pants. Prior to having surgery I was wearing a size 28. At my heaviest I was wearing 30 or 32. I am even noticing that I am more physically fit at the gym.  I can now do my cardio and not be dripping wet with sweat.  I am noticing more male attention.  I feel so confident that I am flirting and loving it. Everything is going wonderfully.  But this past week I have noticed something. Something tha I thought I would be immune from.

So far, I have gone through this process with little psychological effects.  I did not have a food addiction so I did not have to deal with missing eating or food.  In fact, sometimes I just don't want to eat anything at all. Nothing sounds good to me. Now, if I had to stop shopping, I would probably need a 12 step program. That is my vice.   I have handled the questions at work.  The warnings of not getting too small.  The jealousy from a coworker who had WLS years ago and failed to lose her weight.  The onslaught of male attention.  I have taken all of this in stride.  So I had started to think that nothing was going to mess with my mind. However, I have come to realize that I have some body image issues. I still see myself as bigger than what I actually am.

The other day, my mom and I were in Wally world and we found these cute christmas tshirts in the male section.  We decided to get one to wear on Christmas day because they were only $6.  I immediately reached for a 2X and my mom was like that will be too big on you. We debated back and forth, me being adamant that I was still big enough that I needed 2X.  Ulitimately, I picked up the XL, but I made sure that I put my receipt in my purse because I knew that I was going to have to bring it back. Well, mom was right (don't you hate that).  The 2X would have been too big.  I also have this belief that my arms are unnatually too big. I have been buying tops a size larger than I need to accomodate my arms.  Well, last night I was trying on some clothes that I had bought on clearance before surgery.  These clothes were from the misses section and not the womens.  They fit. My big arms and all.  That is when I started to realize that maybe I did not see my body the way others do.  It is crazy how your mind can affect what your eyes see. I am glad that I am aware of this so that I can address it.

The last few days I have been surviving on protein shakes. I simply haven't felt like eating. Nothing sounds good. Yesterday I ate 2 chicken wings. That was it for the day besides my protein shakes. Today, I had a hankering for a taco salad, but could only get down a few bites. I just gotta keep doing my protein shakes until this passes. On the plus side. I have lost 6lbs so far this week. My official weigh date is Friday.