emt4jesus
Struggling To Break A Six Month Plateau
Mar 12, 2009
I have one more month before my two year check up and I am totally out of control. The truck accident has totally thrown me off my game and old habits have settled in to what was a new life. I am just now getting back into the gym and only with limited activity. My cardio consists of only 15 minutes of cycle time at level two. Until yesterday, my weight lifting workout was strictly upper body. I've been trying to do a circuit routine but it is a little boring. My eating habits have deteriorated back to a high carb, low protein cycle with a lot of snacking. I am blessed that my poor decisions have not lead to any significant weight loss. I keep bounce back and forth between 285 and 290. It hit me like a ton of bricks this morning that I was in trouble when I just couldn't resist eating a couple of strawberry pop tarts. When I plugged them into my calorie counter, the pop tarts had more calories, fat, and carbs than my breakfast egg scrambler had.
So I started surfing the net to find others who might be in the same place I'm at. I am worried that my pouch has expanded to a point where it is ineffective and that my weight loss is over well short of my goals. I found a "Five Day Pouch Test" plan that looks interesting. It's somewhat on the extreme side but that probably what I need to get back on track. The physical therapist also released me to do limited lower body weight training. I can do incline presses @ 100 pounds and hamstring presses at 30 pounds. That will help break up the boredom somewhat. I'm going to continue to surf the net for more ideas but unless I find something better, I may give this pouch test a try. I wish there were a good support group in Huntsville. It might help to talk with others who might be struggling. Sharing with my men's church accountability group is not working. They are supportive to a point but they just don't understand the whole concept of weight loss. Because of my loss of 190 pounds, they believe that I'm successful, even if I never loss another pound.
Stress is another thing that I've allowed to creep back into my life. My wife and I have survived one round of lay-offs but another one is coming. Having to take 80 hours a quarter off with no pay has also increased the stress levels. I had gotten into the habit of going to the gym and pound out my stress on the elliptical but that avenue is not available with the banged up knee.
Through all of this, I have not been faithful to my Bible study and quiet time. My mind tells me that I need to trust that God's will will be enough and that He will not allow me to go through more than I can endure but my heart is faltering. I think this is the number one area I need to address before all the others. I need to rededicate to spending every morning with the Lord. That's when I'm at my best. Things just seem to go better, fit better, and feel better if I've spent time with my Lord.
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So I started surfing the net to find others who might be in the same place I'm at. I am worried that my pouch has expanded to a point where it is ineffective and that my weight loss is over well short of my goals. I found a "Five Day Pouch Test" plan that looks interesting. It's somewhat on the extreme side but that probably what I need to get back on track. The physical therapist also released me to do limited lower body weight training. I can do incline presses @ 100 pounds and hamstring presses at 30 pounds. That will help break up the boredom somewhat. I'm going to continue to surf the net for more ideas but unless I find something better, I may give this pouch test a try. I wish there were a good support group in Huntsville. It might help to talk with others who might be struggling. Sharing with my men's church accountability group is not working. They are supportive to a point but they just don't understand the whole concept of weight loss. Because of my loss of 190 pounds, they believe that I'm successful, even if I never loss another pound.
Stress is another thing that I've allowed to creep back into my life. My wife and I have survived one round of lay-offs but another one is coming. Having to take 80 hours a quarter off with no pay has also increased the stress levels. I had gotten into the habit of going to the gym and pound out my stress on the elliptical but that avenue is not available with the banged up knee.
Through all of this, I have not been faithful to my Bible study and quiet time. My mind tells me that I need to trust that God's will will be enough and that He will not allow me to go through more than I can endure but my heart is faltering. I think this is the number one area I need to address before all the others. I need to rededicate to spending every morning with the Lord. That's when I'm at my best. Things just seem to go better, fit better, and feel better if I've spent time with my Lord.
Accident Update
Feb 17, 2009
I had my knee looked at yesterday and the x-rays and physical exam were unremarkable. Except for a few spurs that were developing due to old age, there was nothing to indicate a cartilage or ligament tear. Before doing an MRI, Dr. Jansen wants to put me through a few sessions of physical therapy. I start those next Tuesday.
I did work out on Saturday. Nothing very strenuous but it got the juices flowing. I did a half hour on the elliptical and a 45 minute upper body routine. The only pain I had is when I did my crunches. The ribs reminded me that they were not completely healed but I powered through the pain with just a little mis-comfort.
I'm back doing my food journal as of today. I striving to be back on a weight loss routine as quickly as possible. My only goal is to get back to eating right and exercising regularly. A little at a time.
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I did work out on Saturday. Nothing very strenuous but it got the juices flowing. I did a half hour on the elliptical and a 45 minute upper body routine. The only pain I had is when I did my crunches. The ribs reminded me that they were not completely healed but I powered through the pain with just a little mis-comfort.
I'm back doing my food journal as of today. I striving to be back on a weight loss routine as quickly as possible. My only goal is to get back to eating right and exercising regularly. A little at a time.
Struggling Big Time
Feb 12, 2009
After a serious accident on January 16th of this year my weight loss, work outs, and eating habits have totally been thrown out of the normal routine. I was returning home from a day of hunting and dinner with my wife and another couple, when I was hit on the driver's side door of my truck by a commercial heating and cooling van that had run a red light. I never saw the vehicle that hit me. I remember watching the light turn green about 100 feet from the intersection and I remember entering the intersection. The next thing I know, I'm being spun around and I'm shooting backwards. I'm trying to find the brakes when I slam into something and come to an abrupt stop. The next thing I remember is seeing my friend's truck pull up in front of me. I tried to get out of the truck but didn't realize or comprehend that the seat belt was holding me in place. When my friend Earl got to me, I asked him what happened and he told me that I'd been in an accident. The next thing I remember is hearing my wife Sonya saying something to me. About that time, the pain hits me. The whole left side of my body is hurting especially my ribs. Then the cold hits me next. It's almost to the freezing point outside. I remembering asking if the other driver was alright and Earl telling me he was out of the vehicle walking around. After that, everything is a blur. The arrival of emergency vehicles, being packaged in full c-spine precautions, and the ride to the hospital all seem to happen very quickly. I do remember telling Earl and my wife to pick up my hunting gear. The only real moment I remember about the accident is watching my tree climber go flying down the road in front of me. After that, everything is a blur.
The outcome of this accident, so far, is positive considering the severity of the "mechanism of injury". My injuries to date are two fractured ribs and a knee injury that has yet to be definitively diagnosed. My much loved, well used, 1993 Christmas present did not make it and has been totaled out by the insurance company. As I look back on the accident, God had His hand on me. After 12 years in emergency medicine, I've seen people die that went through less. My truck and the seat belt saved my life, I am certain of that. Earl told me that he was surprised to find me conscious after the accident. He said my head bounced around the cab like a ping pong ball. He also told me that the truck was airborne right after the impact and he thought it was going to roll over.
In a side note, we had earlier in the evening tried to call Earl's wife, Jennifer, and ask her to pick up my wife. Jennifer did not have her phone with her which turns out to be a blessing. If Jennifer had picked up my wife, she would have been driving the truck and I would have been a passenger. She would have taken the brunt of the impact but as was my habit, I would not have been wearing my seat belt in the passenger seat. God is good all the time; all the time, God is good.
As for my weight loss journey, I've been side tracked and I am having a hard time getting back doing the things I need to do to loose my final 65 pounds. I have only gained three pounds since the accident but I'm surprised it's not more. I'm not gorging myself but I'm eating throughout the day. Workouts are not happening. I tried to work out last Saturday and ended up in a lot of pain the next day. I need to jump start the process but I'm not sure how. I'm going to talk to my dietician and try to get some ideas. If I can get back in the gym, I know I can get past this. But right now the knee is not working as it should and I'm not sure how far I can go with the ribs.
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The outcome of this accident, so far, is positive considering the severity of the "mechanism of injury". My injuries to date are two fractured ribs and a knee injury that has yet to be definitively diagnosed. My much loved, well used, 1993 Christmas present did not make it and has been totaled out by the insurance company. As I look back on the accident, God had His hand on me. After 12 years in emergency medicine, I've seen people die that went through less. My truck and the seat belt saved my life, I am certain of that. Earl told me that he was surprised to find me conscious after the accident. He said my head bounced around the cab like a ping pong ball. He also told me that the truck was airborne right after the impact and he thought it was going to roll over.
In a side note, we had earlier in the evening tried to call Earl's wife, Jennifer, and ask her to pick up my wife. Jennifer did not have her phone with her which turns out to be a blessing. If Jennifer had picked up my wife, she would have been driving the truck and I would have been a passenger. She would have taken the brunt of the impact but as was my habit, I would not have been wearing my seat belt in the passenger seat. God is good all the time; all the time, God is good.
As for my weight loss journey, I've been side tracked and I am having a hard time getting back doing the things I need to do to loose my final 65 pounds. I have only gained three pounds since the accident but I'm surprised it's not more. I'm not gorging myself but I'm eating throughout the day. Workouts are not happening. I tried to work out last Saturday and ended up in a lot of pain the next day. I need to jump start the process but I'm not sure how. I'm going to talk to my dietician and try to get some ideas. If I can get back in the gym, I know I can get past this. But right now the knee is not working as it should and I'm not sure how far I can go with the ribs.
Another WOW Moment
Dec 16, 2008
I was at work in the breakroom talking with a friend when a former employee walked up who I had not seen in over three years. She looked at me with a somewhat curious face and I knew she didn't recognize me. It was only when I started talking did she realize who I was. The shock on her face was evident. God sends encouragenment right when we need it!
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Back To Basics
Dec 09, 2008
I guess when you are stuck at something, it's best to just go back to the basics. After several months of non-movement in my weight, I started back doing what had been successful in the beginning. I'm back to faithfully keeping a food and exercise log. In just a week, I found that my carb intake was way too high and I've adjusted accordingly. My gym went to a 24/7 access which takes away all my excuses for not working out on those days I have church activities. I have set a goal of working out five days a week. Due to a knee injury that may require surgery, I have adjusted my workouts from circuit training to cardio and upper body strength conditioning. I had to take the treadmill out of my cardio workout and replace it with the cycle to take the pressure off the knee. I also eliminated all lower body exercises from my lifting routine. I tried to lift 10 pounds on the leg extension machine and got in 10 very painful reps. I guess it's time to go see the ortho doc. I've set up two upper body lifting routines that should keep me from getting bored. The only exercise that I duplicate is the bench press. I'll alternate routines between cardio workouts.
I have made a change in goal setting. I still have a long term goal to reach a weight of 225 pounds. I haven't set a time for that though, which should keep me from getting discouraged. I have set a short term goal of loosing 15 pounds by my birthday on January 5th. If I make this goal, it gives me two major results in my WLS adventure. First, I will weigh less than I did when I was married 23 years ago. Second, it will mean that I've lost 200 pounds since weighing my heaviest of 475 pounds. I'm focusing on this short term goal instead of the ultimate goal to hopefully stay on track. I have already lost 5 pounds this week and weighed 285 pounds this morning.
God still provides little moments of encouragement by placing people in my life who are cheering me on and who always seem to know when I need a lift. My church family is my biggest support group. People who I know by sight but not sometimes by name stop me all the time and give me an encouraging word. One of my favorite children students, who now is in the middle school ministry, makes it a point to tell me how proud he is for what I've done. I pray a prayer of thanks everyday for God giving me a second chance in life. I don't deserve it especially since I have not lived in a manner that honors Jesus Christ. But God looks after even the stupid and the foolish. When all is said and done, I pray that my change physically also changes me spiritually in a manner that honors and glorifies Jesus Christ, my Savior, Redeemer, my Master, and my Friend.
I have made a change in goal setting. I still have a long term goal to reach a weight of 225 pounds. I haven't set a time for that though, which should keep me from getting discouraged. I have set a short term goal of loosing 15 pounds by my birthday on January 5th. If I make this goal, it gives me two major results in my WLS adventure. First, I will weigh less than I did when I was married 23 years ago. Second, it will mean that I've lost 200 pounds since weighing my heaviest of 475 pounds. I'm focusing on this short term goal instead of the ultimate goal to hopefully stay on track. I have already lost 5 pounds this week and weighed 285 pounds this morning.
God still provides little moments of encouragement by placing people in my life who are cheering me on and who always seem to know when I need a lift. My church family is my biggest support group. People who I know by sight but not sometimes by name stop me all the time and give me an encouraging word. One of my favorite children students, who now is in the middle school ministry, makes it a point to tell me how proud he is for what I've done. I pray a prayer of thanks everyday for God giving me a second chance in life. I don't deserve it especially since I have not lived in a manner that honors Jesus Christ. But God looks after even the stupid and the foolish. When all is said and done, I pray that my change physically also changes me spiritually in a manner that honors and glorifies Jesus Christ, my Savior, Redeemer, my Master, and my Friend.
WOW Moment
Dec 04, 2008
I need to share this WOW moment that actually happened several weeks ago. For many years, I was the materials supervisor at my plant and had a large number of employees come through the department. One old timer that was with the company well before I ever started retired about four years ago after working with and for me for 10 years. Troy left the company when I was at my heaviest at 475 pounds. Not long ago, he called to ask me and a couple of other old timers to help celebrate becoming a grandfather by going out to lunch. Troy said he would meet us at the guard shack and drive us to the restaurant. When I walked out to the guard shack, Troy was standing there looking right past me searching for me to come out of the plant. When I said his name, you could see the surprise and shock in his face when he recognized who I was. PRICELESS!!
Update
Dec 04, 2008
I have got to get better at posting. Like a lot of people, I was faithful to post in the beginning but have been less faithful as time passed.
A lot has happened and not happened since my last post. What hasn't happened is weight loss. I've been stuck at 285 pounds for the past two months. Part of the problem is that I fell from a tree stand and injured my knee and cracked a bone in my wrist. All from a fall of only a foot high. The wrist is already healed but the knee is not doing well. I stopped working out after the fall and the weight loss stopped. I haven't gained weight but I haven't lost any.
My second problem is my snacking. Anyone who believes that it's easy to loose weight and lifelong bad habits after WLS just doesn't have any idea what is involved. I don't eat a lot of food in any one sitting but I can eat a little food multiple times a day. It also doesn't help that I can eat just about anything. I have almost no problems with dumping and unless it is super fatty or super sweet, I can eat it.
My prayer is that God will give me the encouragement and discipline I need to get back on track. I'm looking into varying my diet by trying new recipies and new foods hoping to break up the bordom. I'm also going back to what worked in the beginning. No sweets, scheduled eating times, no snacks after 6:00 PM, and daily workouts even if it's just hitting the speed bag. I've come too far to turn back now. I'm 10 pounds from loosing 200 pounds from my heaviest weight. I've lost 128 pounds since the surgery. I AIN'T GOIN' BACK!
A lot has happened and not happened since my last post. What hasn't happened is weight loss. I've been stuck at 285 pounds for the past two months. Part of the problem is that I fell from a tree stand and injured my knee and cracked a bone in my wrist. All from a fall of only a foot high. The wrist is already healed but the knee is not doing well. I stopped working out after the fall and the weight loss stopped. I haven't gained weight but I haven't lost any.
My second problem is my snacking. Anyone who believes that it's easy to loose weight and lifelong bad habits after WLS just doesn't have any idea what is involved. I don't eat a lot of food in any one sitting but I can eat a little food multiple times a day. It also doesn't help that I can eat just about anything. I have almost no problems with dumping and unless it is super fatty or super sweet, I can eat it.
My prayer is that God will give me the encouragement and discipline I need to get back on track. I'm looking into varying my diet by trying new recipies and new foods hoping to break up the bordom. I'm also going back to what worked in the beginning. No sweets, scheduled eating times, no snacks after 6:00 PM, and daily workouts even if it's just hitting the speed bag. I've come too far to turn back now. I'm 10 pounds from loosing 200 pounds from my heaviest weight. I've lost 128 pounds since the surgery. I AIN'T GOIN' BACK!
Big WOW Moment
Oct 09, 2008
I almost forgot to share a huge unexpected WOW moment that occurred a couple of weeks ago. I was making my rounds around the Awana club and peeked into the Puggles room. The Puggles are 2 year old clubbers in AWANA. There were about 10 clubbers all dressed out in oversized smocks, with their hands covered in green shaving cream. All were slapping the shaving cream on to a large piece of poster paper.
As I was standing there watching the kids create their masterpieces, I caught the director of Puggles filling up his hands with shaving cream. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had some devious plans for that shaving cream and it involved me. As he turned toward me with evil intentions, I turned and started out the door. The yell of "GET HIM!" came from a group of leaders as I finally realized that I had been set up! The next thing I knew I was running down the hall of the church, trying to make it to the AWANA room before getting doused with green shaving cream. I got to the room well ahead of my assailant and lock the door. Then it hit me like a brick. I RAN DOWN THE HALL IN A FULL SPRINT!!! I hadn't run anywhere in 15 years. AND I WASN'T WINDED!!
It was then pointed out to me, and rightfully so, that running was not allowed in the hallway and that I had to take the punishment that I so often give out each AWANA club night. I had to walk back to where I started and walk back down the hall. Of course, with my lock door no longer a shield, my assailant got the last laugh. I wore the shaving cream as a badge of honor!
As I was standing there watching the kids create their masterpieces, I caught the director of Puggles filling up his hands with shaving cream. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had some devious plans for that shaving cream and it involved me. As he turned toward me with evil intentions, I turned and started out the door. The yell of "GET HIM!" came from a group of leaders as I finally realized that I had been set up! The next thing I knew I was running down the hall of the church, trying to make it to the AWANA room before getting doused with green shaving cream. I got to the room well ahead of my assailant and lock the door. Then it hit me like a brick. I RAN DOWN THE HALL IN A FULL SPRINT!!! I hadn't run anywhere in 15 years. AND I WASN'T WINDED!!
It was then pointed out to me, and rightfully so, that running was not allowed in the hallway and that I had to take the punishment that I so often give out each AWANA club night. I had to walk back to where I started and walk back down the hall. Of course, with my lock door no longer a shield, my assailant got the last laugh. I wore the shaving cream as a badge of honor!
Update 10/9/08
Oct 09, 2008
Well, it's been a month since my last post and things weight wise have not changed much. I am struggling to loose my last 65 pounds and it is very frustrating. I'm not gaining weight but I'm not loosing it either. Snacking is my number one problem. It's so easy to pick up a piece of candy here and there where I work. I also am having problems with knee pain and shoulder pain that sometimes prevent me from working out. My goal is to be in the gym five times a week but I'm only averaging three times a week.
On the positive side, I have dropped two more inches in my pants size and can now fit into most 2XL shirts. A long way from a size 66 (now 52) waist and 6XL shirt. My energy level is 100 times what it was a year ago. I've done more bird hunting this year than I did all of last year. I even starting squirrel hunting this year. I can actually walk through the woods for hours on end without being totally fatigued after the first 30 minutes. This past weekend, I was able to assist in putting up four deer stands, a job I always left to my buddies.
Even though I still get compliments on the weight loss, I still feel I have not finished running the race. Discipline is my number one problem. Not being part of a support group may have been a mistake. After the initial surge of support from friends and family, I have found that most people who are not grossly over-weight can't relate to the struggle. Most people believe the surgery is the end all solution and have no idea it still takes a lot of work to meet and maintain weight loss goals. This journey has been far from easy.
I have a lot of praises for God through this process:
My diabetes has been the best it has ever been since I was diagnosed. It's great to see my glucose numbers in double digits instead of triple digits.
I'm off all medicines except for the diabetes. Most importantly, the pain medications are only taken as needed and I still have a prescription in the cabinet that was filled over six months ago.
I'm sleep better than ever, no longer on the C-PAP machine. My wife tells me I no longer snore. The dark circles under my eyes have disappeared and the headaches that plagued me on a daily basis are a thing of the past.
I don't get winded walking from the parking lot to my desk each morning. I can fit into the driver's seat of both my car and truck without the steering wheel rubbing my belly. I don't have to use the handicap stalls in bathrooms because I can't fit in the regular stalls.
I don't get second looks from people any longer and it's been quiet a while sine I heard the little 5 year old yell to his mother, "Look mommy, that man is really fat!"
I could go on and on about the little blessings that God has provided through this surgery. I think sometimes I need to stop and meditate on the little blessings God has provided just to keep things in perspective. I might not have lost any weight the past three months but I have been blessed in many ways. Life is good and more than abundant even with the challenges ahead. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.
On the positive side, I have dropped two more inches in my pants size and can now fit into most 2XL shirts. A long way from a size 66 (now 52) waist and 6XL shirt. My energy level is 100 times what it was a year ago. I've done more bird hunting this year than I did all of last year. I even starting squirrel hunting this year. I can actually walk through the woods for hours on end without being totally fatigued after the first 30 minutes. This past weekend, I was able to assist in putting up four deer stands, a job I always left to my buddies.
Even though I still get compliments on the weight loss, I still feel I have not finished running the race. Discipline is my number one problem. Not being part of a support group may have been a mistake. After the initial surge of support from friends and family, I have found that most people who are not grossly over-weight can't relate to the struggle. Most people believe the surgery is the end all solution and have no idea it still takes a lot of work to meet and maintain weight loss goals. This journey has been far from easy.
I have a lot of praises for God through this process:
My diabetes has been the best it has ever been since I was diagnosed. It's great to see my glucose numbers in double digits instead of triple digits.
I'm off all medicines except for the diabetes. Most importantly, the pain medications are only taken as needed and I still have a prescription in the cabinet that was filled over six months ago.
I'm sleep better than ever, no longer on the C-PAP machine. My wife tells me I no longer snore. The dark circles under my eyes have disappeared and the headaches that plagued me on a daily basis are a thing of the past.
I don't get winded walking from the parking lot to my desk each morning. I can fit into the driver's seat of both my car and truck without the steering wheel rubbing my belly. I don't have to use the handicap stalls in bathrooms because I can't fit in the regular stalls.
I don't get second looks from people any longer and it's been quiet a while sine I heard the little 5 year old yell to his mother, "Look mommy, that man is really fat!"
I could go on and on about the little blessings that God has provided through this surgery. I think sometimes I need to stop and meditate on the little blessings God has provided just to keep things in perspective. I might not have lost any weight the past three months but I have been blessed in many ways. Life is good and more than abundant even with the challenges ahead. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.
Just An Update
Sep 10, 2008
It's been way too long since I last posted. I need to get back to doing this at least once a week.
My weight loss has come to a complete stop. I've been hovering around 290 pounds, plus or minus two pounds now for almost three months. I went back to the dietitian and we've modified the diet somewhat and talked about discipline. My problem is the same problem that landed me in an over weight condition and that is too much snacking. I've gone back to filling out my food journal and I'm trying to be more conscious of what I eat. Proteins first, veggies second, carbs last. The carbs are my biggest problem. Too may potatoes and breads. Hopefully I can get back on track and loose this last 65 pounds.
About Me
Huntsville, AL
Location
42.0
BMI
Surgery
04/18/2007
Surgery Date
Feb 25, 2005
Member Since
