Reflections Two Years Post VSG
It is hard to believe that this coming week is my two year post VSG check in with my Bariatric team ! What a dramatic transition in my life, for which I'll be forever grateful !! My high weight was 345. I was 271 when I officially started my pre-surgery process. Two and a half years ago I was facing double knee replacements and dragging myself around stores draped over my shopping cart. I struggled with walking sticks to walk 100 feet. Nothing I wore fit or looked flattering. I was closing in on 60, with little to look forward to.
I have lost 210+ pounds, and have successfully maintained in the range of 130-135 pounds for fifteen months. I can walk 8-10 miles, and swim a mile without batting an eye. I have minimal knee pain, and while the damage has been done, no longer face immediate knee replacements. I can buy clothes off the rack, and the colors/styles flatter me. I have acquired clothes in the same size for two years benefitting from no weight fluctuations !! I consider my sleeve to be a precious gift that I intend to respect and honor, in order to ensure that it does its job.
Many people ask what has made me successful. I...
- try to look at food as fuel.
- still get on the scale every day.
- measured and logged every day on MFP until my weight stabilized in my five pound maintenance range.
- track my macros and calories and resume daily logging if I reach/exceed the high end of my range.
- let my pyloric valve do its job and eat protein forward, protein first.
- drink 64 oz. water a day
- accept that simple sugar and simple carbs activate my food addict and try to mindfully weigh whether whatever it is I want to eat is worth battling back from that reality.
- look for sustainable opportunities to celebrate the ability to be physically active.
- practice gratitude.
- seek balance in all aspects of my life.
- look at missteps as an opportunity to grow and try make a more informed choice next time.
- surround myself with like minded maintainers who hold themselves accountable and inspire me to do the same.
Am I perfect ? No, but I no longer expect that from myself. I can only take each moment as it comes, and make the best possible choice in that moment. Every moment, every day is a fresh start I intend to seize and maximize.
If I can be successful, I am confident that anyone willing to work their own program and follow their own plan can be !! We've all got this !!
Ocean
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
My daily calories during weight loss were 600-750ish. I worked up to a mile of swimming three times a wee****il my knees could handle walking. I do yoga, Zumba, resistance bands and free weights. I maintain at 1600 calories, taking 10,000 steps a day. I log exercise, and eat back up to half my exercise calories.
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
