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I have combined keto and intermittent fasting for 6 or 7 weeks now. 

What I have noticed... more energy, not hungry, weight is getting closer to my goal (clinic goal was 190, mine is 165- currently 173) I am happier, (a few recent life events helped with that) I don't crave the old comfort foods I used to(even after 9.5yrs RNY) I feel full again on the small portions, I am HAPPY!!!

Would I recommend keto and IF? SURE would!! Is it for everyone ... heck no... I tossed the idea around, researched the heck out of it, slowly integrated fasting and on occasion go 20hrs maybe once a week. On average 17 hrs.

I know our bodies are no longer the same as the general population,  so I took it slow. Built up over a week or so from 10hr to 17hr fast. 

As the cooler weather approaches, I look forward to crisp fall morning walks, bouncing on my trampoline and seeing what each day will hold for me. 

I am learning self care, pampering myself, learning to be gentle on my personal criticisms, and loving myself for who I was, who I am and who I will become.

Almost 10 yrs?!?! How time flies. So much has changed and yet I have managed to keep the weight off! Don't get me wrong...I have had regain...a few times! But each time I have been able to get the extra weight off. The clinic goal.for me was 190lbs.. the scale this morning was 176.4... I'll take it! Lol

My profile/background says in a relationship with someone who loved me inside and out.... well..HA! Been single(my choice) for the last 5 yrs...suffered PTSD from his actions... this journey is about finding MYSELF...fixing myself....and yet still.a work in progress... love yourself ALWAYS

Tomorrow will be my "surgaversary".... my new birthday!!!

I have many things to be grateful for.... I have gone from 4-5X to a M in some cuts of clothing. I have energy, stamina and strength. Scale-wise, I have gone from 325 lbs with this surgery to 191.2 lbs in 52 weeks..... WOW!! I put a picture of me on Facebook yesterday and the number of comments I got was overwhelming. From "I always new you were pretty" to "who are you?!" I wanted to take the picture down because the compliments made me feel uncomfortable....I am still fighting with the head games this surgery doesn't fix.... No, I am not in therapy and I probably should be.... A friend of mine strongly feels it should be mandatory and I tend to agree but I get more help from talking with her than I feel I could get from a "stranger" who hasn't been through this....  I can still be an emotional basket case when it comes to what I have put my body through....I still miss certain foods but then I think to myself, "where would I be today if I hadn't have been given this gift?" Probably heavier than the 325 and more miserable than ever....

I have been pretty well house-bound this winter...Stopped running because I felt too cold, tried the running on the treadmill but couldn't do it.... So I started some basic weight training.... I have noticed my arms are less wrinkly and getting toned. That is one of the many things that I am struggling with now...The new body image issues... Before it was too big but i had nice skin...Now, I am smaller but everything sags and looks like a Shar Pei puppy....I knew that was one of the trade offs but I guess I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me.... Silly me!!! Still no regrets!!!

My relationship is still intact which is an accomplishment in itself...I was afraid of the statistics.... We love each other greatly and yet we still struggle.... We both have issues to work through as long as we try, things will be ok!! 4 kids in the house can take a toll on a blended family!!

My weight loss has slowed right down to a halt!!!....it fluctuates by 2-3 lbs and I am worried I am done losing.... I do not want to be done yet. I want to get to 175 lbs and I don't think it is too unrealistic for my 5'7" frame.... so many have been where I started and go as low as 120.... I don't want to get that low for me and but I also don't want to be this close to the 200 mark...I worry about rebound.... The RPN yesterday wanted me to keep in mind that the scale is not the only reference....MY clothes, and how I feel are what I need to pay attention to and that I lift weights needs to be taken into account...Muscle weights more than fat.... I know that but still...It's all in my head and i guess this is where a therapist would probably help.... Vicious cycle!!!

Well, I think that is about it for now....I still have not put up any photos....maybe one day soon....

Take care everyone.... Enjoy the ride....It's a great thrill with many ups and downs....

Tam

Friday the 23rd of November was eight month Post Op...to the day!! (Because my surgery was also on a Friday). what a ride in those 8 months. The scale has hardly moved recently but I am not obsessing over it. I could control my eating a little better, push myself to move a little more ....I am sure there are many thing I still could change to make the difference but...Well, I am happy.

I started this journey of weight loss many many times. I got as high as 365lbs...Try a local gym weight loss promotion.... lost 75lbs and within a year went back up to 340. then tried another program dropped to 290 and fell in love... got comfortable and complacent and wound back up around the 335 mark. THEN.... got serious, was referred to the weight loss clinic, got accepted and began this journey...The best one!!! I was leery of making such a drastic change to my body, cutting things up, eliminating certain parts, re-routing intestines...sheesh...it still sounds scary!! But I did it and it was the best decision ever!!!

In the last 8 months,,,,I have gone from a snug 28-30 (and some 32) from Pennington's to OMG...My most recent NSV...Size 14 jeans at Wal Mart!!! I was Black Friday shopping, bought jeans for $9.50 so picked up a pair of 16's for now and a 14 for a few months from now...(Hopefully... finger crossed).... So the next  day I though I would try them on... the 16's were a little baggy...So  shocked!! I figured "nah! the 14's could not possibly fit me yet"...But as I was pulling them up without wiggling and jiggling.... A huge smile spread across my face!!! They FIT!!! I pulled them right up and buttoned them,,..no muffin top or anything!!! YES...I did a little dance, shed a little tear.... and ran to show my BF.

So, plus size 28 down to a regular 14.... OH YEAH!!!!! The stamina I have now is amazing. I work all day, most nights I have a zumba class, go biking...until all this darn snow fell last night.... I do strenuous yard work on the weekends and don't feel stiff and sore afterwards.... This RNY ROCKS!!!!!

Now, to work on the skin....  I am jiggly, but I also have found muscle...And that is without doing weights.... so, I figure it is time to throw some weights in there and snug things up a bit.

I have met most of the wls goals I had made for myself, I would now love to make it to Onederland by Christmas. I am at 204. So Would it be too much to ask for 5 lbs to disappear in the next month?? Then the clinic set a goal of 190lbs...Personally I still think I should drop to around 175....I am 5'7" and have always been very overweight so going to low will probably not look too good...I am not trying to become a model I just want to have that cushion....for the inevitable bounce back.....

I think it may be time to try and add a few photos.... but I am still not quite ready for that.... Plus I think the blue eyed kitten is much cuter anyway!!!!

Last week I posted about having a hard time with sugar cravings in the form of those darn Halloween treat chocolates...They got the best of me for a few days. That is, until I posted on the forum about it. With all the love and support I received I put into place a few lifesaving changes...I journaled about it, it started out writing down how bad I was and then by the end I was able to understand why I wanted the chocolate. I "put it out there" it was no longer a dirty little secret..... and then I made food choice changes... Instead of chocolate I would enjoy a similar size of my chocolate protein bar.... It tasted almost as good....no oozing caramel or nougat but it filled the craving AND upped my protein for the day!!!  2 bonuses!!! With this months chocolate hurdle cleared...I feel better prepared to deal with next months cravings... I know there will always be something calling my name!!

Not more than 24 hours after admitting my willpower struggles, I completed my first ever 5K race!!! I was entered with over 300 other runners raising money for the local Boys and Girls Club. We raised $10,500!!! Overwhelming!!! The race was capped at 500 entries with events in 10K, 5K and a 2K. I placed 29th of the 37 in my category.... Not too shabby!!! AND I had surpassed my time goal. I figured if I finished around 42 minutes I would be happy with that result. Instead I crossed the finish line in 39m46s!

AWESOME!!!!

So, even though I have been fighting with the scale lately, I have still managed to accomplish a goal or 2.... Did I mention that my size 16 jeans are getting too big?? Ya...they are   :D Considering I started this journey in size 32's/5x...I am one happy chick!!!

Also, my tops are now a 10-12!!!WHAT?!?! that's crazy talk!!! But it's true!! They are!!!

So my resolve for the coming week and approaching my 8month-a-versary....is to not beat myself up when I have a weak moment- just move on, journal daily, log in and record EVERYTHING on MyFitnessPal, and only weigh again on the 23rd which will be my 8 months into my new life..... I love this tool and will make it work to it's fullest potential!!!

It is truly shocking to think of all the things I have tried and done in a year that I NEVER would have dared dream!!!

Live every day to it's fullest!!!

 

My daughter and I crossed the border to do a little retail therapy on Sunday.

I knew it was time to replace my tops...I have been getting smaller pants etc since surgery(March/12) but pretty well left all my old tops hanging around.... Until I took a long hard look in the mirror.... I looked like I was wearing a tent.... my tops were ranging in sizes from 2x-4x.... (Good ole Pennington's).....

But thanks to my daughter (16) and her keen eye, I updated the sizes in my closet to 12-14!!!!

OMG!!!! I am wearing a 12-14 top. I even had on an 8-10 sweater and it somewhat fit but the arms looked like sausages... everything else fit well. so I stuck with the 12-14...I was floating on cloud 9 all the rest of the day.

I wore some of my new clothes to work yesterday and today and have gotten many compliments on my shape!!! That's right, I no longer consider "ROUND" a shape!!!

Definitely an ego boost to hear you look great!!

Since my surgery I have dropped 20 points and 116.4 lbs.... not too shabby!!! I still have a way to go to get to a healthy BMI range but my sights are not set on THAT goal.... I just want to be at a healthy weight for ME.... not some cookie cutter scale. We are NOT all the same, muscle mass, bone density etc... those things are not taken into account.
I am now a "runner" and have more muscular legs than before, I doubt my bones will change much...I take my Calcium.....The tummy is getting smaller, it's my panni that is the toughest to lose.
One day at a time and keep a steady pace seems to be working for me!! just thought it was time to share again :)
Carry on...

At 6 months out I am down 110lbs. - this includes the Opti loss. I am buying a women's large- tops, bottoms are size 16 so far .... I have had a few terrific NSV's, Most recent as this morning.... I went out for my morning run, was just planning on doing my 3k loop.... just out of curiousity, I went further to see if I could do it.... Well...I did it!! My Map MY Run app measured the distance at 5.04km. I was not dead by any means but I think I will max out my runs at 5k..... Then maybe work on the time.... I completed it in 38 minutes. Feelin goooood!!!

Next, I have learned that just because it doesn't look like it could possible fit...Try it on anyway....
I found a cute leather jacket on the floor at a party on the weekend...looked at it, didn't think it could possibly fit but tried anyway... Well, it FIT!!! AND I zipped it up too!!!! 
I looked around the room, found the owner of this jacket and well, well, well, it was my neighbour's 17 year old daughter!!! An instant warm, thrilled, ecstatic feeling came over me!!! I was floating on cloud 9!! 

Another little victory......I have not been ignored by sales staff in athletic stores!!!... they were pleasant and helpful when I was recently looking for new runners for my upcoming race(s) yup... races.... a 3k in a week and a half , then a 5k in November!!!

okay okay.... I mostly feel like it is bragging when I write these things out..... but dammit, they feel so good to finally own these statements!!! I know everyone reading these will understand, they have either also achieved these or are hoping to....

I  do slip every now and then, but I am learning that these slips can be controlled and will not become a habit again. I know I can live my life in a healthy manner and still live a little.

I still check the scale twice a week. Friday is when I record my weight because it was a Friday when I had my surgery. Then I also check around Tuesday to see if there has been any changes. TMI but my bowels are shy and sometimes need a reminder to move.... thank goodness for Milk of Mag!!! I have learned to spend the extra $$ for the Phillips brand wild cherry flavour... The Equate version really sucks!!!

I have my 6 month follow up in Ottawa on the 9th of October..... went for the blood work yesterday so I will have results at my visit. I hope all is well now that I am taking extra Iron!! I hope to be down a few more lbs by then but I have really noticedthe scale slowing down.... That is OK!!! I know the last bit will be the hardest! 
BTW, it was the clinic that set 190lbs as my goal.... I would like to get below that and then some just to prepare for the bounce back..... But where oh where will my body like to settle..... Top model?? never!!! But I would be happy with a size 12!! (secretly hoping for smaller lol)

Anyway, pretty sure that is enough said for now.... Hope everyone stays well, Fall is here and so are those cold mornings!!! Brrrr

At 5 month and 5 days I hit the century mark. I got so excited I almost cried. Today I added the century card to my pictures!!!I am a proud card carrying member!!! My BF asked if I was going to print one off and carry it in my wallet.... I am proud but to me this is to be shared with my OH family because all of you know how much this means to us!!!
 I have been so overweight all of my life.... I cannot remember ever feeling good about myself. Or if I ever did, it never lasted very long..... Kids can be so cruel, several adults too.....  But here I sit, the lightest I can remember being, having heard myself now being called "skinny bum" and slim.... Don't get me wrong...I am far from it but compared to where I was...I AM slim!!! 
Today marks 5 months and almost 3 weeks.... I am down 105.2lbs. The weight is coming off slower but I am ok with that....I know this is a journey and not a race!
And....Speaking of race...OMG less than 1 month from now I am entered into my first 3k run in Ottawa.... I know I can do it because just this passed weekend I RAN THE WHOLE 3K!!!!! so when the race weekend does come around, I know I can do it. I am excited for it too!!!!

Well, better go to work.... take care all and until next time!!!

Hello all :)
Today marks 5 months of the new improved me! I am down 96lbs...hopefully more by the time I get on the scale tomorrow. I am secretly hoping to hit the century mark but will not be disappointed if I don't.... I know I will get there.....

I went clothes shopping yesterday.... bought off the regular sizes rack!!!! It an XL but HEY!! I got it from the REGULAR SIZES!!!!  YAHOO!!!!!!
I also finally bought a few blouses for work.... XL..... Last year I would not have found anything that fit in this store!!
 It would only have been Penningtons.... 4XL or 5XL.... BUH-BYE!!!!  :D

I have done so many things in the last 5 months:
went to parties and didn't hover near the food
sat in plastic chairs
bought a dress- that didn't look like a tent!!!
zip lines
aerial obstacle course
white water rafting
clothes shopping in regular stores
cross my legs
started running
signed up for a 3k run etc etc....

I am so glad I did this!