ltlkim9424

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I just wanted to give you an update to the changes in my life over the
last year since I started this weight loss journey.

One year ago today I was being rolled into surgery to start my new
life. I weighed 220lbs and was a diabetic with high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, sleep issues, depression, among all sorts of other joint
and back pain. I took 14 different meds a day to help deal with my
medical issues and felt hung over, for lack of a better word, every day,
ready to sleep by 7 at night.

1 year later...I am down to 134lbs. My medical issues have all been
resolved. I am down to only 2 meds now for my thyroid and hysterectomy,
which are lifelong medications anyways. I wake up each morning well
rested. I work out 5 days a week doing things like kickboxing, spinning,
and strength training classes. I have made so many new friends on this
journey that have been able to help me grow to be a better person. To
them, they mean more than they will ever know. I have regained my self
esteme and moreover my joy for life.

My biggest suprise?? I thought I would miss food so much... but knew I
had to do this. I have learned to eat to live and how just a bite of
anything can go so far when it comes to satisfaction.I can still
celebrate life and its great little miracles, just in moderation.

They say the first year is the easy part and now the hard part begins
with maintaining. I haven't lost any weight since April, so maintainance
began about 6 months ago for me. I look at each day as a new beginning
and that this surgery is only a tool and I have to continue to use it in
the way it was designed for me to continue to stay healthy. For that I
will continue to look for support from my friends and family, to make
good choices in my life, and to remember its okay to take care of me
first. I am excited to have a zest for life again and look forward to
everything that comes my way.

Lastly, My biggest blessing I have had through this whole journey has
been the support of my friends and family. Not once did anyone doubt me
or question my decision to do this. I had the full support of all of you
and for that I am so greatful!! Thank you for all of your unconditional
support and love. It has helped me more than you will every know.
 
I thought I would put my measurements her for the newbies:

                Starting          3mo          6mo         9mo         1year 
Weight      220                 168          146          141          134.5
Neck          16                    13            13          12.5          12
Chest         46                  40.5           38           33            36 (implants at 10/09)           
Ribcage      43                    36            35           33            31.5
Waist         42                    36            35           33            30
Upper arms 16                  14            13          12.5          12
Wrists        7.5                 6.75          6.25        6.25            6
Hips           46                   41            37.5       36.5           36
Thighs        28                   23            21            21            20
Knees         18                   16            14            14            14
Calves         17                   15           14            14            14
Ankles        10                   9.5            9              9            8.5

I will post pics soon!!

So its been a few months since I last posted mostly because it's summer and I have been swamped!! Things are going better than I would have ever guessed!! I am down 82lbs from my surgery date and down to a size 4. Not much weight loss but still losing inches which keeps me motivated. I am still at the gym almost daily and am working as hard as I can to trump this extra skin!! On the food side, I am still struggling to eat meats but keep trying. Unfortunately I have been dealing with hair loss these last few months. I am hoping it will stop soon! I am still doing great with water and protein intake but I think my body just needs some animal proteins?? I will keep trying. For my 1 year surgiversary we are going to Puerto Vallarta....I can't wait!!

I can't believe its been a half a year. I am doing my best with everything but still having problems with meats. I have no problem getting 90 oz water in now. I am finding myself cheating a little here and there like 6 potato chips with my cottage cheese and a mini reeses here and there but I think I deserve it. I work out 5-6 times a week and have added kickboxing and strength training classes to my regimen. I am wearing a size 8 now which is smaller than I can ever remember but my twins are withering away to nothing. I am having my biggest problem with excess skin with my arms and thighes but will keep targeting those areas to see how much better I can get them. I am down almost 70lbs. The doctor is thinking another 25 lbs but we shall see. All I know if I feel better than I have since I was in high school!!

Things are moving along. I continued to plateau until I went on vacation to Destin, Fl. and then I lost 6 lbs the last 2 weeks!! Yeah!! I was fearing I was at my new weight and just wasn't ready to say my loss was done. I have worked out 5-6 days a week and done all sorts of classes including my spinning, strength training, and kick boxing. I am down another 14 inches, which is actually the coolest and fitting into 8's now!! I am dealing with low BP and heart rate and will see what docs says abt that at 6 mo follow up but other than that food is staying down more and some meats are working so thats way awesome. I am so happy I did this for myself!!

Wowsers!! 4 months already. What do i know?? Weight loss was slow. I have been in a platteau for 3 weeks. Its frustrating but knew it would happen. I lost 5 lbs for the month and 7.5inches. I started spinning classes which was one of my goals and I am so happy!! I actually look forward to it. Not so hard to motivate like the gym alone. I have been doing 4 classes a week and still working with weights and other cardio. I am down to a size 10 but they are lose now so will be looking for some 8's this weekend. On the food side....meat is still hit and miss but more misses. I can keep eggs down now...mmmm Makes me happy!! I am doing good at getting my protein and water in. I am bery happy I got this tool and so happy to finally feel good and be off all them darn medications!!

So I am at the 3 month marker. I am down to 168lbs. I feel great and full of energy. I can cross my legs without holding my leg there!! I am still having problems with meat but the eggs seem to be staying down now. I am getting about 50g of protein a day and 50 oz water so I am going to work harder to up that this next month. I am heading to the consignment shop with my 1st 100 items. I went and bought some clearance items last weekend and I got some 12's and 10's. I am into larges now as well. So all the XL and XXL are going bye bye!! I am so blessed to be given this opportunity and am still so happy I had the surgery!!

Wow!! This past 2 months has gone by so fast! I didn't lose much weight this month but I am feeling great and i started working out at the gym. I lost 12 pounds and 10 inches for a total weight loss of 38lbs as of yesterday.

I am feeling a little frustrated about the food intake as I cannot keep meats down most of the time. As of Friday I am not to eat meat for 2 weeks to let my body heal some more. I am struggling with my fluid and protein amounts daily but I am noticing it getting better and better. I don't feel deprived which i was really afraid of.

I go to the doc in a week so I will have labs done then and make sure everything is kosher there.

I am very happy I did this!!

So my first month is up and gone. Life is pretty well back to normal except for the eating. I am doing good with the liquid foods. I eat alot string cheese, cottage cheese, apple sauce, soups and mashed potatoes but I have started trying new foods and they are not going so well. The pain in my chest is so bad!! I am learning how to relieve that pain and hope to continue to try new things with success.

I am off my diabetic meds...all of them and my sugars have been normal. I was able to start my hormones early because the hot flashes were so terrible. I started my B12 and calcium this week so I am rearing to go!!

I am down 26 pounds for month one. Not too shabby. I will upload photos soon!!

So far I am still very happy I chose RNY!!!