Dodgergirl27
Six Month Surgiversary - Down 102.6
Jul 22, 2014
Well, today is my official 6 months surgiversary. I have to say I'm happy with the weight loss so far, and more importantly, I feel great! There have been some frustrating moments here and there, but overall this has been quite a journey so far. Sometimes I get a little frustrated with my rate of loss (b/c I'll see people on here who are 6 or 7 months out and still losing 20 lbs a month), but I remind myself our journey's are all different. I fit easily into a size 14 now, and the last 2 months I've lost 9 lbs each month. I'd love to get back to a rate of loss closer to 15 lbs, just b/c I have some fall goals and events that I'd really like to look amazing for. Also, I feel like "onederland" is still SOOO far away (35.2 lbs to be exact). In the grand scheme of things, I realize that's not so far away, but since it's been a major goal of mine since the start of this process, it's like I can see it, but it still feels out of reach.
In terms of how I've been following plan, here's my analysis: For the most part I eat protein forward meals. I eat a ton of fish and some red meat. Chicken and pork still make me feel kind of gross, so for the most part, I stay away. I eat WAY MORE veggies than I ever have in my life, and honestly, I really like them. I do occasionally let myself have a bite of something sweet, but luckily if I eat more than that I feel sick and/or dump, so it's been a great behavior modifier. One thing I realized is that I've let alcohol back in, and I need to watch that. Nothing major, a glass of wine here or there, but the last month, I've done that about 1x a week, and I think that my slower loss is directly related to that. So, I've decided to cut it out until I am way closer to goal.
Another thing I can work on is my exercise. I think I've done a good job of finding ways to get more steps in each day, and I'm less sedentary than I was before surgery, but actual calorie burning exercise has been sporadic. When I do see people on here with the crazy amazing #'s, it seems exercise is a daily part of their routines (usually 1 - 2 hrs day). I'd like to start incorporating 1/2 hr in 5 days a week, b/c 1. I need the help with keeping the weight loss going; and 2. I need some serious toning action. I think I will need plastics based on how things look now, but I dont' focus on that much, I figure I'm a min. of a year away so why sweat it? Anyways, I signed up for a 5K run at the end of Oct and I'm really excited about that. I think it'll be a good motivator as well.
Overall I'm really feeling great. I actually enjoy shopping and getting dressed up now. No more black baggy uniform of MO woman. I wear color! Who knew? I'm 100% more social now than I was before, I've made new friends and go out way more as well. I finally feel like I'm living my life after the last 6 years of hiding away from the world. I have normal concerns still: will I hit goal, am I still going to lose (I've been in a 3 week stall, so this fear has been more real the last week or so), how can I make sure I maintain, what is bounce back going to do to me? But even with that anxiety, I remind myself how great I feel and it puts me at ease. I just need to stay the course, do what I know I'm suppose to and make good choices every day (or almost every day).
Finally, I had my 6mo. blood drawn last week. I should be getting those results back soon. I hope everything comes out okay, I'll update if not so I can share any wisdom I may learn from my Dr. regarding my numbers. I'll update again in a month or two, and fingers crossed I'll be in a 10 by then (my ultimate goal is a 6, although I may adjust that depending on how I look/feel in an 8. I think I'm thinking 6, so that if I have bounce back, I'll be happy with the 8).
To anyone who may be reading this, I hope your journey is going well too! It's a process, but I can honestly say I don't have a single regret! Sure, I can't binge eat to hide my feelings anymore, but, thank god for that. It was always such a shame cycle that made me hate myself even more. Having the feeling of control over my eating is honestly priceless. It makes me feel like anything is possible!
