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I can't believe its been two whole years since I had my RNY surgery.  Wow, has time flown by.  So far, I think I have done well keeping weight off, however I am struggling to get back into my exercise routines. 

In June, I broke my foot taking a Motorcycle Safety Class.... yep, I showed them! Wasn't so safe for me, now was it? LOL.. well, it was just a small blip in my summer, and I had to rock around on a boot for two months.  Which completely killed my 5K season.  I've done a couple since then, but I haven't been as committed as I was.  I also haven't been exercising much.  I have been so busy with school, and work, and school.. that I think I used it as an excuse.  The last week, I had a lower back pain, and I found out that I had hyper extended a muscle by CROSSING MY LEGS... Is that a wake up call or WHAT?? Now that the semester is over, and I need to make sure I stretch, etc.. this little ailment is a reminder that it is better to move than to veg out on a couch somewhere. 

I still haven't really gotten back on the band wagon to get the last 30 pounds off either... so I need to do that too.  I have so much on my to do list.  Being busy and living life... after the first of the year, its time to get back with it.  My plans are to start journaling my food again.  And I need to stop eating so much SUGAR... yes, I do not have dumping syndrome... I wish I did, but I don't, and  candy is one of my weaknesses. 

On the plus side, I still don't drink soda regularly, but I do drink alot of skim milk (usually mixed with Nesquik!)  And I do monitor my weight regularly so I don't gain.

I am also a certified open water scuba diver now!! I can't wait to get that exercise in my rotation too.  SCUBA is just FREAKING awesome!!! 

All in all, on this second surgiversary... I am still a happy, healthy woman with a positive outlook on life.  Still no major love in my life, but that is ok by me... I've gone on a date here or there, but nothing serious has panned out.  Maybe I'm just too independent for most guys.  Who knows! lol

To all of you that are contemplating this surgery, all I can say, is its the BEST thing I've ever done.  I love to feel my muscles stretched after a yoga class, and I love walking and not getting out of breath, and I just love being healthy.

If you've just gone through the surgery, you have so much to look forward to.  Please remember, that the surgery doesn't change your body type.. if you are born with big hips (like me!) then they don't miraculously disappear after surgery.. you will still be the same body shape (I'm a pear!) as you always were.  But relish in the fact of your new healthy lifestyle.  Don't skimp on your new habits... make them habits in your first year as much as you can, because its too easy to fall into the old habits if you haven't mastered the new ones.

I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday!!!

Jodie

Hi everyone.
I'm sorry I have been a blogging slacker, but I've been living life to the fullest.

In March, I went on a cruise and had an AWESOME TIME!! It was very difficult to not over eat on the cruise with all those food choices, but I did it.  I may have gained a few pounds since vacation, but it was A-OK with me.  I did have alot of frozen yogurt, (settled my stomach!) and enjoyed some adult beverages too!!  Let me just say, I'm a very cheap date now! LOL.. All in all, it was a great time, and I will try to post a few pictures on my page soon.  My friends and I decided we would dress up every night for dinner, so I bought lots of great dresses to wear! I even got to meet the Captain.. He was very handsome!! I should have asked if he was single!! hehe

In June, I took a Motorcycle Safety Class to learn how to ride a motorcycle.  Well, I failed the class.... because I tipped over on the bike and broke my right foot.  I'm finally out of the boot now, but still have to wear sensible shoes for this month, then I can get back into some heels in September.  I am going to take the Motorcycle class again, because I WILL TAME THAT TWO WHEELED DEMON!! hehe.  I really enjoyed riding it, and after speaking to my riding coaches, they said I was doing well up until I put the bike down!

Having a broken foot sort of killed my exercise routines.  I had started going faithfully to yoga, and had tried a couple zumba classes, but having a broken foot leaves you a little immobile, so I'm slowly starting up a few exercises, as my foot feels better.  I can't wait to get back to walking 5Ks again, etc. 

Scuba Lessons are scheduled for the end of August.  I'm very excited to do that!! 

So, as you can see, I'm definately living life.

After vacation, I gained 10 pounds, then I gained another TEN... and YIKES!! boy did that scare me.  I got my snacking back under control and 10 of those pounds fell right off.  WHEW, that was good news.  Of course, that was before I broke the foot, so I've been hovering around this same weight now for a little while.  I've been telling my friends I need to stop celebrating and get back to work if I want to get the rest of my weight off.  Which I do!! 

Still no boyfriend, but that is ok.  I had put a profile out on a dating website, and got too caught up in trying to meet someone, so I deleted my profile.  I need to keep myself the focus of my life, so I figure, when its meant to be, I'll meet someone worthy of me.  Until then I'm not settling.  I just keep myself busy and happy, and we shall see what happens.

Til I write again (which will be sooner than last time!)
Take care and keep up your great work everyone!!
Jod

Hey, for anyone that has fought the obesity battle, these may be good reads.  I'm reading one now, and have two others that I want to read too.  Its all about fixing your inner self while your body is shedding that weight.  I believe that is the best way to achieve your permanent weight loss goal.  So here they are, the titles you've all been waiting for... 

Beautiful You... A daily guide to radicall self acceptance by Rosie Molinary

Self - Esteem by Matthew McKay, PHD & Patrick Fanning
(A proven program of cognitive techniques for assessing, improving and maintaining your self esteem)

The Beck Diet solution - Train your brain to THINK like a thin person by Judith S. Beck, PH.D.
(this is the one I just started!! )

If you have read any of them, I'd love to hear what you think of them.

And just a quick fyi.. Thank you all for all your positive comments and compliments.  I wish you all the best with your journeys as well.  Keep on exercising!! 

Jodie

Ok, so I'm officially one year out.  I've had my one year post surgical follow up and here is the scoop.  My Vitamin D is low, my cholesteral is up some, but other than that, my blood work has come back great.  Being one year out, I have discovered that I can still eat pretty much anything without getting dumping syndrom.  (which I wish I got, I know, those of you that get it may think I'm crazy, but its just as difficult to say no to sweets now as it was prior to my surgery.)  Sooo, with that in mind, and the weight not falling off me like it did right after surgery, the next phase of my journey is beginning.

I have decided that there is nothing wrong with me at a nice 175, however, I would like to get more weight off.. (only up to about 30 pounds more)... and that this part is going to be the truly hard part of the journey.  Its more lifestyle changes and making sure they stick. 

My goal has always been to get to 155.... (I've even been looking at Manolo Blahnik's for when that glorious day arrives) but I've readjusted and think 145 may be better... so I guess we can only work on it and see.

I also have another motivator (besides shoes!) that is coming up in early March. I'm going on a cruise for my friends 50th birthday.  I would love to have some new clothes and feel AWESOME for this trip (and look HOT in a bathing suit! LOL) so I've dug out my workout DVDs and dusted off my treadmill and I'm ready to get back into working out again.

I've also planned to do a 10K in April, so I must train for that as well.

I've made no resolutions at New Years, I just have a TO DO LIST, and getting off the last thirty pounds is on it.  Wish me luck... I have a few goals I want to achieve this year, and exercise will help me get there!!! 

Today's workout:
30 minutes Interval Walk/Run on treadmill
30  minutes Biggest Loser Boot Camp (old Faithful!)
10 minutes Yoga Stretching!!

Oh yeah, and I did 3x10 sit taps.. (I think that's what Harley P. called them on the premier of The Revolution!
Keep smiling everyone and JUST DO IT!!!

Jodie

Today is a good day to look back over the last year and acknowledge all that I have accomplished.  I have lost over 100 pounds.. and THAT is a great accomplishment.  I've gotten my blood pressure down to 98/60... lowest I've ever had!!!  I've gotten glowing reports from my regular doctors at how well I'm doing losing the weight and getting healthy.  My 1 year follow up appointment is on January 4th.  I'm excited about that, and I'm excited about getting my gym membership.

Also accomplished multiple 5ks this year.  I've successfully gotten into a size 12 pants.  I am technically smaller than I was at my high school graduation!! (I was a 14 then!).  My confidence has returned, my self esteem is higher than its ever been and I've even started to date a little bit.  I've also installed a laminate floor in my house (three rooms!), painted a bedroom and put in a small butterfly garden.  Its been a busy and WONDERFUL year!!

2011 Will always be a very good memory for me.  It is the year that I got healthy.  I'm so happy these days I annoy some of my family! LOL.. .I know I am probably restating the obvious from earlier posts, but I think when we change years, it is a good time to evaluate all we have in done in the previous year, and it can be a great time to make goals for the new year.

Goals for 2012:
Continue to get fit.
Continue to get to my goal weight.
Volunteer at the hospital to rock babies
Go back to college (enrolled in Spring Semester already!! :) )
Pay off my credit card debt
Go Skydiving!

Here's to everyone acknowledging their successes and creating more goals for 2012!!!

Jodie

Boy, I just love being able to MOVE!!  Being active is the best thing since I've lost my weight, and now my newest past time is doing 5ks! LOL..  I usually walk the majority of it, but I have started running a little bit.  I've done two so far in the last 3 or 4 weeks.  I did one on Thanksgiving Day, then one on this past Saturday, and I've already decided to do the Frostbite 5K on December 17th.  That will be the last one for me this year.  I've probably done about 7 or 8 total for the year, but next year will be even that many more!!!  In addition to the 5ks, I have a few other ideas to keep active next year too.

Next year, I'm mulling over the idea of training for a triathlon.  I'm sort of excited about it too.  My friend Lisa told me about a group called Tri it for Life, and the first year you are a member, you train for a triathlon.  Years after that, you become a mentor if you still want to participate.  What a cool idea.  Its a club for women of all shapes and sizes to learn how to train for a Sprint Triathlon.  Google it, there may be a same club in your area if you are interested in training for one too. 

I'm also thinking of doing the Cooper River Bridge Run (10K) in Charleston, SC this year.  Should be an exciting year with activities like those two things being planned.  I'm also taking a cruise in March.  I can't wait.  If I decide to do the Bridge Run, I'll have to train while I'm on the ship.  Oooh, not what I USED TO think of as a vacation, but that's ok, its part of my new life and new habits so its ALL GOOD!!   Besides, its one way to help keep my liquor bill down.  Well, not that it would be that high, because I really haven't had a drink since prior to my surgery.  I guess you could say I've been on the wagon for over a year now! LOL  No worries, there either, I tell everyone that I've learned how to act drunk without actually drinking alcohol.  So I've become a really cheap date!

Its a busy time of year, so I hope everyone can keep up with their new lifestyles (or upcoming new lifestyles) and y'all are ready for Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate).  Let me know if you have any good tips for training.  I've been slacking on my exercising, but am keeping the 5Ks on the calendar to make up for some of it until I get my gym membership after the first of the year.

Keep smiling!!! 
Jodie

WOW, can't believe its almost been one year since I had my surgery.  So many things have happened this year and the majority of it all hinges on my new improved health and my weight loss.  I have done close to ten 5ks this year.  I still don't run them, but I do try to make it a really good work out, and for the most part I try to improve my time.  I also have had alot of fun buying new clothes and shoes.  As superficial as that sounds, it has been quite a learning curve to go into a store and find out what size you wear.  I still don't know what size underwear I wear... I'm wearing my big ones, and occasionally they will fall down a little, so I need to get new ones, but how the heck do you know what size to get?  I mean, c'mon... being a larger woman, my panty size was the same as my pants size... now its completely different, and I am going to have to do a little trial and error to figure out the best size.... lol, its really funny when I think about it, but it is a true feeling.

I am only twenty more pounds from my original goal of 155.  I've sort of slacked off and plateaued lately, but I will get it going again.  I am finishing this weight loss thing and there is no ifs, ands, or butts about it.  My car is finally paid off, and I can afford a gym... so I will be joining one after the first of the year.  I'm excited about that.  I've been taking some yoga classes lately and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!  Its really good to feel all those muscles stretched out, and its helping me with my balance and my core muscles too.  Did I already tell you how much I LOVE yoga??  I wish it wasn't so expensive.  Another reason to be happy to join a gym in January... because I'm joining one that offeres yoga classes...

I do have one problem that I need to discuss with the doctor.  I want to talk to him about the chest pain I get periodically.  My CPAP has had the pressure lowered so that helps, but I think I may have reflux still.  Maybe not ACID reflux, but reflux all the same.  And I want to know if that is the reason for the chest pain.  Maalox usually takes care of it when I feel like I have it, but want to make sure I shouldn't be taking Previcid or something similar.

I've also started dating.. well, I went on one date.. Its really funny.  I think when I was single before I was so excited when someone was interested in me, that I was automatically interested in them, and didn't listen to the subtle clues that it may not be a good relationship.  I think I did this because I had such low self esteem, and low self worth.  Well, now, I refuse to date anyone that is not worthy of my time.  How is that for progress.  I am going slowly with the dating because I don't want to lose my focus on what I want, and my health just because I get swept up in a relationship.  So my little baby steps are good, and knowing that I'm not going to settle makes me feel even more empowered.  Now I just have to turn on the radar for when I'm being flirted with... sometimes I am so oblivious... LOL...

All in all, what a great year its been.  I feel great.  My self esteem is high, and I'm loving my healthy positive life.  I wish the same for y'all too.  Happy holidays!!
Jod

Ever since they removed my access to blogs on my work computer, I haven't been as faithfully blogging as I was.  My apologies for those of you that read them, and I will try to do better from now on.

Soo, here are my updates:

I had a follow up with my sleep doctor a few weeks ago.  I had stopped wearing my cpap machine for a while because I felt like I was swallowing air from the machine while I was sleeping.  And well, I was hoping I didn't have to wear it anymore.  So, I had agreed with the doctor that after I lost 100 pounds I would do another sleep study.  This study was done a few weeks ago.. My sleep apnea has improved, but I still am not low enough to completely get rid of the machine.  However, he did say that I could stop taking it with me when I travel.  (I dropped from 15 breathing interruptions an hour, to 9 breathing interruptions an hour after the weight loss)... the goal is to have 5 or less, then you don't need the cpap... so, hopefully, I will eventually get that low, but until then, he thinks I can still get some benefit from using the machine.

Unfortunately, I think I need to have the pressure changed.  I went back to using the machine, and I think since I've been using it, I've been experiencing chest pain.  I think it is gas (or rather, air!).  Last Thursday, I woke up with awful chest pain and decided it was time to call the doctor, just to make sure it wasn't my heart.  Well, the good news is, its not my heart.  Now I need to get an appointment to get the pressure changed on the cpap.  WHEW! Glad that it wasn't my heart.  I'm hoping I'm getting healthier, not unhealthier.

I'm still sort of a slacker on the exercise however I have been walking some at lunchtimes, and I've been doing a 5K approximately every other weekend.  I really like doing the 5Ks.  I am trying to beat my time each week.  This last week I did the Autism Speaks walk that walked around the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Yes, we walked around the big racetrack.... and I loved it.  I did three laps around the 1.5 mile track.  that was a 4.5 miles in 1 hour and 10 minutes!! woot woot!! 

I am thoroughly enjoying shopping for clothes.  I have a wedding to go to in a few weeks, and I really wanted to dress up for the occasion... I actually found a dress online and bought it... and when it arrived it FIT!!! I was GIDDY from that.  I've never been able to do that before.  I will try to get some photos during the wedding and post them afterwards.  (the wedding is October 21st).

I also had some constipation problems when I bought the wrong chewable calcium tablets... ughhh.. thank goodness for milk of magnesia. 

Oh yeah, and the chest pain.. they told me to take some maalox for reflux... The doctors also said I should start taking Prevacid again too... I will check this with my bariatric doctor first, just to be sure its ok to take that. 

Not looking forward to crunching up pills again, but oh well, if I must, its a small price to pay! :)

I'm still completely giddy and happy and positive and I hope all of you are as well. 

Ok, so I've been slacking on blogging, as well as on exercising.  Signing up for two 5ks will get me more motivated to move.  I've been walking a few times a week at lunchtime, but other than that I have really slacked off.  I can't wait til Saturday.  I'm really looking forward to doing this next 5k.  I'm doing the walk, but the second 5K I registered for is the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure and a friend of mine is going to plan to run it with me.  Hence the forced motivation to train (more exercise!) and prove I can at least jog some of a 5K. 

Other than that, I have sort of plateaued.. I'm assuming it is because I'm not regularly exercising again.  I'm so ready to get back into it again.  I miss all those happy endorphins I had going earlier in my weight loss when all I thought about was exercising.  That is my goal... to get like that again.

Other than my lack of exercise, life is good.  I've been working alot of hours, but I'm happy for the most part.  The biggest reason I decided to have my surgery was to become healthy by the time I reach 50 years of age.  So, I also made an appointment with a dermatologist to have my skin checked.  Dr. Oz says you should have your skin checked yearly to make note of any moles, etc and to try and prevent melanoma.  Since I lost a cousin to melanoma, I was very pleased that I have made getting my skin checked a priority.  It will now be in my usual rotation of yearly doctor appointments.

I also have notice two cysts.  My regular doctor says they are sebacious cysts and I am planning to have them removed.

Sleep doctor appointment next week too.... may have to do another sleep study to find out if I still have sleep apnea... oooh, might be nice to not have to wear my CPAP anymore!!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Healthy life and healthy living, I have arrived!!!!!!

I still have more weight to lose, but I am definately going in the right direction.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!!

Ok, so I've been on vaction a couple of times, I've seen my family and I've done some traveling, but I have yet to get back to my workouts the way I should be. Some of this is in part, because of having my floors and house all ripped apart while I put down the laminate wood flooring.  Thank goodness I'm just about done.  I have a new outlook about my house and can't wait to get it all cleaned up so I can start inviting people over to see the floor.  (Oh yeah, and to get back into my nightly routine of working out!!)

I'm excited to start exercising again today. Yes, I said TODAY.  I'm planning to go home from work at a decent hour and then, I'll be skipping off to exercise!!  Not sure what I'll do yet, but i can always take a nice 30 minute walk on my treadmill and finish off with Week 1 of the Biggest Loser Boot Camp!  Or, I can use one of my other DVDs for a nice change... yeah, maybe I'll do that.  Use a new DVD to give me something new to do.

I've stated repeatedly that I want to finish this weight loss journey, and by finish, I mean, reach my goal.  So, the only way I can get there is to exercise.  Only 35 more pounds til I'm there, and I foresee a sweet pair of Manolo Blahniks in my future!!

I need that rush of "feel good" endorphins, I want to feel my muscles being stretched and worked.  While I was visiting family a few weeks ago, I got that feel good rush when I first saw many of them since the surgery.  Considering I'm down almost 100 pounds since the last time they saw me... I can only say, its quite a change, and what a great reception I got.  Everyone was so supportive and complimented me on how well I'm doing.  I feel so wonderful in that respect, however I did start to feel a little bad for my family that has weight to lose.  My sister in particular.  She just had a baby in March, and is breast feeding, but hasn't lost any of her baby weight.  I am now smaller than she is, and as happy as I am for myself, I do feel bad for my sister.  I know she struggles with her weight just like I do, and I have already offered to help any way I can. 
My new guilty pleasure is wanting everyone I love to be healthy... so I tend to pipe up and tell them all to get healthy, at least I know when to stop spouting off those opinions.

No matter what you still need to do, whether it be losing weight or just maintaining.  Remember to always exercise.  It needs to be considered a way of life.  Summer has been great, but I am starting to fall back into my lazy habits, so I MUST MUST MUST nip this problem in the bud.  And I will... just as soon as I get out of work today!!!

Have a good week everyone!!
Jod