birdgherl

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Decided to take my measurements for some motivation.

June 12, 2008                                                                                  
Ankle - 10
Calf - 15.5
Knee - 16.0
Upper Thigh - 23.5
Hip - 45
Waist - 36.5
Bust - 40
Upper Arm - 13.5
Neck - 13
Wrist - 6.5
Ring Size - 8
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 14
Tops - M/L

May 9, 2008
Ankle - 10
Calf - 15
Knee - 15
Upper Thigh - 22
Hip - 41.75
Waist - 35.5
Bust - 38
Upper Arm - 12.75
Neck - 12.25
Wrist - 6.125
Ring Size - 7.5
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 12, sometimes 10, depending on brand ( my yoga pants are a M from old navy! i never thought I would see that!)
Tops - M

It's been 11 months and I am down another 11 inches. Things are moving very s l o w l y. I reconnected with the NUT today and she said I needed to take in 1050 ish calories per day (more if I exercise hard that day) and 55-75 g protein in order to still me losing weight. I would like to get to 140 and then see what that looks like but it's hard staying around 1050 per day! I am really bad about fluids so if I get 64 in, I think that will help stave off hunger and inhibit grazing. I have made a list of trigger foods that I am trying to stay away from also. It's back to basics time.

I looked at the Old Navy size charts and if my goal is a size 6, I would have to get down to a 27" (8.5 inches to go) waist and 38" (about 4 inches to go) hip. A size 0 is a 23" waist and 34" hip. Who can imagine being that small???

Life sure gets in the way of blogging! I had a rough 4th quarter...dog died, laid off and then turned 40. Still looking for a job. The depression has lifted thank goodness! I have a lot of extra time on my hands so my eating is not as regimented. As I stress out about what to do with myself, I end up eating a lot more. The surgery changed my stomach/intestines but not my head. My head is a daily battle. I have practiced mindful eating starting before the surgery so the first year and a half was really smooth. These last few months are another story. I have slipped into old habits - grazing, emotional eating and (gasp) chocolate! I used to be so afraid to even try sugary things because I was afraid of dumping but I managed to keep some chocolate down one day, a cookie the next, and soon I was taking too many liberties. I was down 108lbs and gained 3 which was enough to scare me silly. All I could think of was weighing 270 again. I have gone back to basics. I am tracking food in FitDay, working on getting all of my fluids (managed 50 oz of water and 2 cups of tea today!), exercising, and really looking at cravings. Most of the time I am bored or stressed. If I commit to entering food into FitDay, I know how many calories I have consumed so I am more apt to stop before I go overboard. I also plan, plan, plan and never leave home without healthy snacks and water bottle in hand. These really are lifelong commitments I must make so I am hoping to be back on the losing side very soon!

I really need to update my photos. I am 14 months out and last week bought a pair of size 12 pants! FINALLY! Not all 12s fit, but most do. It depends on the designer. I weighed 172 yesterday so that's 91 lbs down. I have a PS consultation next month. My surgeon suggests I get down to around 160 before surgery. I doubt I will be able to get the surgery anytime soon because I need to schedule the time off far in advance and also need to work on financing it. I am hoping I can get away with a TT but something tells me this surgeon is going to suggest a LBL which is not only more recovery time but also more pricey. To be continued...

Otherwise, I find that a busy life (FT work and PT school) makes it tough to exercise a whole lot so I usually do 10-20 minutes at a time when I can fit it in. I find I can eat more too which can be alarming but I make much better choices. I am 100% vegan as of last month so my diet consists of lots of tofu, beans, seitan and veggies. I also start every day with a protein shake because it's really the easiest breakfast for my busy life, gets in lots of protein (~40g) and also some fruit.

I have been so bad about updates but my 1 year anniversary is in a few weeks so I will take and post photos.

I went to get bloodwork this week for my 1 year and I broke the 180s! I am 179 as of Tuesday. That' 84 lbs. lost! I had thought I would have lost about 100 but I am happy and feeling good and complication free! 

Since last month, I now fit comfortably in a size 14 pant. My tops are M or L depending on the cut. I bought a size 10 top at H&M recently. A new milestone! I am still sick of my rolls! I just want a flat stomach!

June 12
Ankle - 10
Calf - 15.5
Knee - 16.0
Upper Thigh - 23.5 (another 1/2 inch down!)
Hip - 45
Waist - 36.5
Bust - 40 (another 3/4 inch down!)
Upper Arm - 13.5 (down 3.5)
Neck - 13 (down 2)
Wrist - 6.5 (down 2)
Ring Size - 8
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 14
Tops - M/L

Things are moving slowly and to be honest, so am I! This month my goal is to kick it back into gear in terms of exercise. I really need some shaping up on my arms (batwings!!). 

Overall, I am doing well and still no probelms related to the surgery. Couldn't be happier with my decision!

It's been a slow few months so I took my almost-10-month measurements for inspiration. I had my 9 month appointment last week and am down 80 lbs which was my goal for the visit. I am very excited but also a little frustrated that it's not coming off as quickly as before.

No problems with food but exercise and water continue to be problematic. 

The loose skin is really starting to get on my nerves...I am feeling very unattractive! I will definitely need plastic surgery am hope I can afford it when the time comes. Dr. P said I need to wait until 16-18 months out to consider it so I have a ways to go. I am also about 40-50 lbs from goal so it will be a while until I get the whole picture.


Day before surgery (July 16, 2007)
Ankle - 12.5
Calf - 19.75
Knee - 19.25
Upper Thigh - 31.75
Hip - 56.25
Waist - 47
Bust - 47
Upper Arm - 17
Neck - 15
Wrist - 8.5
Ring Size - 10
Shoe Size - 10 (though some 10's were tight)
Pants - 26/28
Tops - 22/24

9 (almost 10) Months Out (May 7, 2008)
Ankle - 10 (down 2.5)
Calf - 15.5 (down 4.25)
Knee - 16.75 (down 2.5)
Upper Thigh - 24 (down 7.75)
Hip - 45 (down 11.25)
Waist - 36.5 (down 10.5)
Bust - 40.75 (down 6.25)
Upper Arm - 13.5 (down 3.5)
Neck - 13 (down 2)
Wrist - 6.5 (down 2)
Ring Size - 8
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 16 (but these are big; I am almost into a 14)
Tops - M/L

Total inches lost in almost 10 months: 52.5 inches

I was on the scale on Saturday and it read 188!!!! That a 3 lb GAIN. I actually felt like I had gained...not a lot...but just bloated and uncomfortable. Yes, perhaps it's water, PMS etc. But the fact it, I should still be losing, albeit slowly, at this stage. Some things I am not doing:

 - getting all my protein
 - getting all my liquids
 - exercising

So, I know I am to blame. It wasn't some weight gain fairy. The lesson is that at 9 months out, it's easy to get caught up in life and forget the rules we need to live by as WLS patients. Lately, life is very busy and I have not been creating adequate space and time for me.

I have my 9 months with Dr P on the 30th so I will report back then and also post new measurements.

In the meantime, I recreated a tofu scramble I had out in LA.

1 pkg extra firm tofu, pressed for 30 minutes
1 sweet potato, peeled, diced and blanched until tender
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 container baby portobellos
1 tbs chopped fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, chopped
tamari to taste

Start with the garlic and ginger, saute in olive oil
Add potato, mushrooms, spinach and cubed tofu and saute
add tamari to taste

Some mornings I serve with a slice or 2 of tempeh bacon. 

Tofu is a great subsitite for scrambled eggs. You can make it with anything you would add to eggs. Add a little turmeric and it will be yellow...yup, just like eggs. It's a great substitute for people who don't eat, like or can't tolerate eggs and is loaded with protein. Make sure you buy only organic as non-organic soy products may be genetically modified.

I weight 185 as of yesterday. I cannot believe I have lost almost 80 lbs!! (78 to be exact) It is truly a miracle! My next mini goal is to be down 85lbs by June 5 as I am planning a vacation to California then. 7lbs in 2 months is totally doable but now that the weight loss is slowing down, I want to be careful about setting myself up for disappointment. 

In other news, I have been accepted to graduate school for this fall. I am so excited about starting this new chapter of my life. I hope to be close to goal when I start in September. My goal is 135...I don't see it coming off that quickly but 150 would be nice!

Monday the 17th was 8 months and the scale hasn't been moving all that much so I am taking my 8 month measurements.

Day before surgery (July 16, 2007)
Ankle - 12.5
Calf - 19.75
Knee - 19.25
Upper Thigh - 31.75
Hip - 56.25
Waist - 47
Bust - 47
Upper Arm - 17
Neck - 15
Wrist - 8.5
Ring Size - 10
Shoe Size - 10 (though some 10's were tight)
Pants - 26/28
Tops - 22/24

6 Months Out (January 17, 2008)
Ankle - 10.75   DOWN 1.5
Calf - 17     DOWN 2.75
Knee - 17     DOWN 2.25
Upper Thigh - 25.75     DOWN 6
Hip - 49.5     DOWN  6.75
Waist - 38.75     DOWN 8.25
Bust - 43     DOWN 4
Upper Arm  - 15     DOWN 2
Neck - 14     DOWN 1
Wrist - 7.5     DOWN 1
Ring Size - 8.5
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 16/18
Tops - Misses Large and even some Mediums

8 Months Out (March 21, 2008)
Ankle - 10.5 (Down .25)
Calf - 16.5 (Down .5)
Knee - 16.75 (Down .25)
Upper Thigh - 25 (Down .75)
Hip - 47 (Down 2.5)
Waist - 37.75 (Down 1)
Bust - 40.75 (Down 2.25)
Upper Arm - 14 (Down 1)
Neck - 14 (same)
Wrist - 6.5 (Down 1)
Ring Size - 8
Shoe Size - 9.5
Pants - 16
Tops - M

Inches lost in 2 months: 7.25

I currently weigh 190, which is a 73 lb loss overall.

I finally got my lazy butt back to the gym at lunch today. I did about 35 minutes of cardio. Yesterday I tried a 10 minute work out that I borrowed from my sister. It's this resistance band thing. Before that I was doing some walks here and there but out of focus. So back on the wagon!

I did get on the scale at the gym and I am at 190 lbs. That's a total loss of 73 lbs in less than 7 months and almost at my goal of 75 lbs by March 15. I may get close but I am not hysterical if I don't. I am really pleased with 73 lbs, especially since I have been slacking on the exercise lately.

I am adding some additional supplements to my regimen also. Currently, I take the following:

First thing in the am: Liquid Cal/Mag/D 
9:00 am: B1, Biotin, Zinc, MSM, Folic Acid/B12 Combo, D, antioxidant complex
11:00 am Multi
2:00 pm Multi and Iron (I am currently taking a Rx iron per Dr. P)
I almost always miss my second calcium in the pm so I am working on remembering to do that.

I am adding CoQ10 and Blue Green Algae next week. 

My next mini goal is to be at 80 lbs down by April 20.

My latest favorite recipe follows:

Vegetarian Chili

1 Box Fantastic Foods Veg Chili
1 small yellow onion
2 tsp olive oil
1 can organic white, kidney or pinto beans (I love white but any work)
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes



Dice and saute the onion in the 2 tsp of olive oil with a small pinch of sea salt until translucent.
Add 2 C water and the chili mixture. Stir until dissolved (it's spices and textured veggie protein so you need to make sure it's mixed together. Add more water if you like it thinner)
Add the beans (drained and rinsed) and the tomatoes.
Cook for about 15-20 minutes on med-low heat.
You can top with cheese, sour cream or yogurt, however you like your chili.

A 1 cup serving packs in 18-20g protein and only 250 calories. These are estimates based the other ingredients added in. It's very tasty, not too spicy (you can add more if you like) and very satisfying. Enjoy!