Seven Months Out and Learning to Travel with Myrtle

Buon Giorno OH Family!

I arrived home Sunday night from a trip to visit my best friend of over 40 years.  After several days at her house, we took a cruise to Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, and Costa Maya -- 7 nights on a ship in cramped quarters, but we still managed to giggle and laugh like a couple of loopy teenagers!   I learned a lot on the trip and am grateful for the lessons.

Yesterday was my 7 months "surgy" and while I don't have any impressive numbers for weight loss (only 2 pounds from Dec. 28 to January 28), I did manage to lose 7.75 inches.  My totals are now 71 pounds and 65.75 inches.  I've lost more inches around than I am tall LOL  I'd wanted better weight loss, but apparently my body loves my fat cells!  Even so, I remind myself that I had the sleeve done primarily to help my comorbs and that has been a wonderful success.  No disappointments there at all.

Traveling on a plane this time was a complete giggle-fest for me!  I did not need a seat belt extender!  Even had several inches of excess belting!  YEA YEA YEA!  The tray table didn't sit on my protruding belly, but rather dropped down just like my skinny neighbor's did in the next seat!  And best yet was that I didn't have to do the sideways shuffle moving down the aisle of the plane!  What a freedom to be able to walk facing forward and I fit!  Just like a normal person!!!

My friend is quite overweight herself, but I've always been the larger of the two -- now I'm the smaller one!  She's delighted for me..........even though she calls me NO-Butt now LOL  There's still plenty there.......still, lots less than before surgery.  I've never been able to buy clothes from the shops on cruises or the shops in port.  Even the One Size Fits All items.  This time, I bought two sun dresses in Cozumel -- those little skimmer things that people call "cruise wear" -- bright HOT PINK and bright purple!  What a joy that was.

It's a tradition to have a sail-away drink on cruises.  I confess that I had a drink -- a mocha chocolate rum concoction that I'm sure was sinfully caloric.  I drank it anyway.  It was my FIRST off-plan thing I have had since my surgery.  Myrtle liked it quite a bit.  Me, not so much -- got a little woozy from the rum LOL  Cruise ship food is almost always luscious and delicious and tempting.  I did manage to eat protein first -- grilled chicken is almost always on the menu each night.  And there are always plenty of low cal foods if we'll just look for them.......and I did well with that.  I also decided to "test" my sleeve this trip.  A teaspoon of rice, one fork-swirl of linguine that served as a nest for grilled chicken one night.  I had a half of a rye bun with a dab of butter.  Carbo-crap to be sure, but none of it seemed to be a slider for me.  And I didn't do it at every meal.  Breakfast was easy with egg white omelets.  Anyway, I turned down desserts each night until Baked Alaska night.  I LOOOOVVEEEE that stuff and I indulged in a half portion -- but I didn't fini****!  And one night I had half a scoop of lime sherbet.  So, I've experimented with going off plan........it's not all it's cracked up to be.  I like my plan and am back on it as of Sunday night when I got home and made myself a nice tuna salad with tuna, a dab of fat-free mayo and some dill relish. 

I did pack some Grab and Go Syntrax protein shake packets in double stuffed cookie flavor -- 100 calories, 4 grams of carbs and 24 grams of protein.  Those helped me a lot.  Just a thought for those who travel for business or pleasure......

Seven months -- what a difference they have made in my life.  The NSVs are so much fun, the SVs aren't as plentiful now as in the beginning, but replacing all that fat with some muscle is part of the cause and I'm more accepting these days of being slower in losing.  I'll get there -- just behind most everyone else..........and I'm good with that.  Even the husband (who has been of NO support or encouragement) mentioned he thought I might look a little smaller!  Yep, miracles DO happen LOL LOL LOL

One thing I must say -- without all of you, I never could have reached this point.  You may never know how much your support and encouragement has helped........but I want to let you know that I share whatever successes I've had with each of you who have been here to laugh and cry with me and listen to my long babbling posts.  My heart is full because of you..........thank you so much XOXOXOX

If you want to see them, I posted two pix on my profile -- one proving there was excess seat belt and one showing my still overweight self in a little market in Belize.  I have to tell you, I got a few strange looks when I was taking the seat belt pic!  LOL

Oh, it worked!  I don't know what I did exactly, but I think the pix are on this page!  Elise told me how to do this and I tried and I can see the pix........maybe you will, too!  Even crazy old ladies can learn stuff!  Woo Hoo!!! Hahahaha

This one (if it's really there) is in a little market in Belize -- wish I'd worn something that fit better -- I still look ginormous :-(  'Tis okay -- a good reminder that I am NOT finished yet!!!

Going along with the concept that without pix, it didn't happen......here's proof!  Hahahaha     Keep in mind that in the past, you wouldn't ever have seen the button to recline the seat back......my huge self would have covered it and been squished into the seat!

Have a wonderful week with lots of SVs and NSVs...........

Ree XOXOX

You look fabulous! Those are some wonderful NSV's!!

Thank you!   Sometimes those NSVs are what keep us going.  You are doing very well and so close to goal already!  WTG!!!

I could have written this!  I had my surgery 1 week after you so I've been following your progress with interest.  I flew to Orlando 2 wks ago and wanted to take a picture of my seatbelt but didn't have my camera within reach!  My best friend (of 40 years too) is overweight too so I've worried that so much of our relationship centered on food but she is genuinely happy for me and my success so far.  When I went to ESPN at Walt Disney World to pick up my 5K packet, I had was shocked to see the size shirt I had ordered back in April- it was a 2X and was HUGE for me!  They were very nice and gave me a L (!) instead- I could have cried!

You are doing great- may many more NSV AND SV come your way soon!

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Thanks so much.  I hear you about friendships of many years -- and when there's the sharing food issue, it can become a problem.  You and I have been lucky that our friends are true friends who celebrate successes with each us. 

You are doing an amazing job!  Good for you!!!  It was nice that they could exchange sizes for you -- and a Large!  WOO HOO!!! 

Keep up the great job!

Ree

My Dear Ree,

Ii don't have words to express my happiness for you. You are so cute in this photo!!! I am  delighted that this trip was fun, surprising, and memorable for you. You have had a more difficult time losing than most, but just look at how far you have come. And for hubby to notice - wow! Anytime you need a travel partner, let me know - I would love to laugh and giggle with you!!!

Oh Judy, you are just the sweetest!  Thank you so much! 

I'm red faced   and apologize for not seeing earlier that YOU REACHED YOUR GOAL!!!  WOWOWOWOWEEEEE!!!!!  That's wonderful and I'm delighted for you! 

Yep, it would be great to travel together!  I also think it would be a blast to decide on a location for lots of us to meet and paint a town HOT PINK!   Thinking a few adjoining rooms in a big hotel have a big old fashioned pajama party!  LOL  I'm not ever gonna grow up completely!  Once you retire, we have to find something to do that would let us get into a LITTLE trouble!  Hahahaha

Hugs to you my friend xoxox

Ree

Count me in!!!!!!!

Don't leave with out me...................  I'm in!!!

OMG, you are so cute!  Love the pix!!  I just posted on my blog that fitting in an air plane seat belt is one of my big motivators for having this surgery!! 

You did a great job working your plan on your vacation!!