shughes330

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Today is November 16, 2012; 2 years and 3 months since my surgery. I was off the protein diet and ate junk food to cope with stress for a couple months in the winter of '11, but snapped out of it after New Year's. As of yesterday at my doctor's office, I currently weight 140 lbs!!! That comes to a grand total of 180 lbs lost!!!!  I honestly never thought I could lose this much and get back on the diet, but I did. I'm so proud of myself and so are so many of my friends and family members. Unfortunately, now I feel TOO SKINNY! I never would have guessed I would ever ever ever feel that way about myself. I need to get back to the gym, tone myself up and gain some muscle and then hopefully my body will look not as emaciated. l don't drink/eat nearly as much food or protein as I should, but at least I take almost all of my vitamins on a daily basis. But regardless of thinking and people telling me now I'm "too skinny", I am sooooo much happier and healthier than any other time in my entire life, all thanks to the fabulous staff and surgeon at Dr. Garrison's Weight Center; I owe you all my life...literally. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE!!! If you fall off the diet, try as hard as you can to go to some support groups or just re-train your body into eating mostly healthy foods AND EXERCISE!!! If I can do it, so can you!  Best of luck!!!!

love always, sammy!

Wow! I can't believe that its been an ENTIRE year since my surgery. To date, I have lost 127 lbs. I am so proud of myself, as are my family and friends. I still have more to lose and a lot more toning to do, but I am much happier this summer then last summer. I have completed all of the goals I set for myself up to this point. I have gone off track A LOT, which I am not proud of, but I am slowly getting back onto the diet. My main issue right now is the protien. I am bruising very easily (which has always happened to me while losing weight), have lost a significant amount of hair and especially when I pull my hair back it shows, and am losing weight but not gaining muscle due to the lack of protein and going off track on my exercise schedule. For any of you reading this who are close to a year in, listen to this good: STAY ON DIET AND KEEP EXERCISING! Personally, I could never last without some McDonald's or a slice of cake now and then, but make it very, VERY seldom. I do not want to become one of those many people who wind up going back to their old weight do to their poor diet. All in all, I am so glad I got this surgery and GOD BLESS YOU, DR. GARRISON AND TEAM FOR EVERYTHING I'VE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR!

love always,
samantha

This whole journey is going great so far. I am not losing as much as I would like because I have been grazing waaaayy too much, In addition to that, I tested myself with a McDonalds breakfast. I shouldn't have done that because now I know I CAN handle it and it has soo much fat in it. I am still losing but all of this fried, disgusting, fatening food is really not helping. I still haven't been drinking my protein shakes. I always forget to take my vitamins. I really need to get back on the right track. I need to adapt some sort of routine where I can fit in all of my protein shakes and vitamins evenly throughout the day. I also got a job as a CNA, so I am on my feet for most of my 8 hour shift. That offers some additional needed exercise into my day. Well, I guess thats all for now. I really need to get back on track!!!

love always, samantha

I finally got a job yesterday!!!! Woo Hoo! I'm a Certified Nurse Assistant, so I basically do all of the hard work (bathing, changing diapers, fixing beds, etc.) to the residents at a nursing home while RN (whos getting paid double my salary) sits and watches all day. Oh well, at least I'll be getting more exercise in throughout my day. I joined a gym and I absolutely love it. I have my personal training evaluation on Friday morning, so we will see how that goes. My routine so far for the past few days has been tredmill for 1/2 mile, 30 mins of arms, legs, abs on the circuit training machines, then I finish with 30 mins on the stationary bike. I mix the machines up everyday so I'm working on different parts of my arms and legs. I am waiting for the new class schedule to come out and then I think I will try a class or two. Anyone have any favorite classes you enjoy at your gym? Well, that seems to be it for now.

love always, samantha

Last week was a little upsetting, because I only lost 1 friggin pound! I am happy I lost instead of gained, but 1 lb is too small of a number after seeing -17 lbs, -6lbs, etc. I try to only weigh myself once a week on Sundays, but I wanted to just see my progress for this week. So far I am down 3 lbs from last Sunday! Thats more like it! I made a food boo-boo last night. I tried to push myself and eat a little bit of brown rice with my plain chicken and broccoli from the Chinese place, but that did not settle well. I felt baaaad cramping for about 15 mins and this morning I felt extremely nauseous. Ah! Look at the time! I need to go start my 30 day trial at the new gym in town. Ta ta for now!

love always, samantha

I'm in Vermont right now visiting family. We had gone out to eat last night to a pizzaria and I tested my stomach a little and tried to eat some of a plain cheese slice. It went really well actually! It was so satisfying since I had been having cravings for pizza for the past month. I know not to eat it too often since there is little nutrients in it, but BOY WAS IT DELICIOUS! My aunt is inspired to lose weight as well, and I hope she completes her goal too. That's all for now!

love always, samantha

I'm feeling almost 100% Sam again. Tonight I'm going to try to go bowling with my friends and boyfriend. Now I'm doing great with all of my vitamins, so thats good. I am having a bit of trouble with protein shakes. I found a few flavors I like, but I just can't seem to get more then one down a day. I eat a lot of protein throughout the day, but I know that the shakes will add that extra needed protein. I want to try maybe eating the protein bars, but when I had left the hospital, my dietician said to stay away from those. I don't know what to do. That's all for now.

love always, samantha

Ahhhh....It feels so nice to eat with a fork again. I had scrambled eggs this morning which were the best tasting eggs I have ever eaten! For lunch, I had a few slices of turkey breast and low-fat cheese. I love the soft food diet. I just really can't wait to eat bread. I want a slice of pizza so badly. Bread and butter was my favorite food before and now I feel like I'm banned. I have these horrible dreams about bread and cravings for bagels and french fries. I would love suggestions if anyone has any about killing cravings. That's it for now, I guess.

love always, samantha

I'm doing a lot better now that I can eat a full liquid diet plus the clear liquids. It fills me up more and I feel happy when I'm not starving. I started my protein drinks yesterday and I found that I like the Unjury vanilla and GNC brand cookies & cream whey protein. I also bought chocolate GNC whey but haven't tried it yet. I would really like to know other tasty brands of protein mixes that you have tried. I can't wait til next week when I can have chicken and cheeses! I am very excited. I guess that's it for now.

love always, samantha

I got my RNY gastric bypass surgery on Wednesday August 11, 2010. I was in very minimum pain the days in the hospital, however, as soon as I arrived home, a lot of pain rushed over me. I was so hungry, I was screaming and crying Saturday and Sunday. I woke up today, first day off my Percocets (willingly, haha) and I feel as fabulous as a person can after surgery! Considering I am only allowed to eat jello, ice pops, broth (which makes me feel sick to my stomach) , and delicious water, I have taught myself to shove down a cup of the pre-made jello within a half an hour so I don't feel too hungry and become too bitchy to my fiance and mother. I have already lost 15 lbs (probably water weight, but who cares!), which makes me feel super motivated and thankful I did go through with this procedure. Thats all for today, I suppose.

love always, samantha