2 Years!

Feb 26, 2012

Okay, where did the time go? It's been just over 2 years and here is how things are going. I lost down from my surgery weight of 280 to 185,- 95 lbs - that's 7 lbs short of my surgeon's goal for me of losing 102 lbs which would put me at a BMI of 30 if I remember correctly. That's because I am very large boned and would look like a refugee if I got down to 150ish for a normal BMI.

While I was happy to lose the 95 lbs, I have also felt disappointed that I didn't reach "goal", like that makes me a failure in some way. I try to get away from that mindset, but it sure is hard. To make matters worse, I have gained about 8-9 lbs between Thanksgiving and February. The slow carb creep started when I did all that holiday baking and with birthdays, celebrations, etc. has spiraled from there. I can easily eat crackers and chips and was starting to justify the small servings I allowed myself.  But I went from one small single serving bag of chips once a week or so to one every couple of days, etc, etc, and before I knew it- yep- weight gain. At first I lied to myself and said it's just water weight from carb bloat and most of it will wash right out. Only a lb or 2 is real weight. But after a while, you can't kid yourself any longer! the number on the scale did NOT go down and I could not seem to get a handle on my eating.

I've had a few episodes of carb cravings and weight gain before now but always managed to get it in check by going back to protein shakes, lots of water, and high protein. This time I couldn't seem to stop. Like many times in my past, I'd promise myself that I'd get back on track only to keep on messing up. I was getting scared and the number 200 was getting closer and closer on the scale. Finally about a week ago, I just stopped. I'm not sure what happened - what gave me the ability to do what I needed to do?! I just know that suddenly I was able to stop giving in to cravings, I totally quit with the chips and excessive snacking. I'm not having the extreme night time cravings I was having. And I'm sticking to high protein, low carb eating. And getting in tons of water, which I had slacked way off of!

YYAAAYYY, thank You Lord!!! But, a few days ago I pulled or tore my hip flexor muscle. After much pain and frustration I finally got a diagnosis and got put on prednisone for 12 days. It seems to be helping, but I was greatly concerned that it would throw me off track with the recent control of my eating. I've seen lots of people complain about weight gain from steroids and don't want to screw up now that I'm finally getting things back on track. I posted for advice from people with experience and got responses varying from no weight gain, to weight gain that came off easily after getting off short term steroid use. According to the scale I've lost about 3 lbs in the last few days, even with the steroids (though it;'s only my 3rd day on them). So I will just pray and trust in God that I can keep up the good work and stay on this path.

I'd LOVE to get to my goal of 178, just to be able to say I made it to goal and that I've lost 102 lbs. But even if I don't make it there, I'll be happy to get back to 185 and stay there! I see that if I just stick to my high protein and NO bad carb eating, I don't get that urge to eat eat eat, especially at night, which has always been my problem.

Already, my stomach has gone back down and is no longer bloated and uncomfortable like it was. I plan to come here and post and blog, just to help me to stay on track and keep on doing what I'm doing now. It helps to read others posts, answer questions and concerns of newbies, and read the great advice of the long term vets who hang around and help us all so much! I am still very happy and grateful for my WLS and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!  Well, I'll be checking in soon!

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