4/20/2009 Long Time since last Post

Apr 20, 2009

Well the holidays have come and gone, I survived them and had a great time.

I am eating well, exercising enough and starting to get to the spring yard work.  This is a busy time of year for me with baseball coaching/managing plus all the around the house items that need to get done. Cut the grass for the first time since winter which is a sure sign that it will be BEACH TIME soon enough.

I enjoyed the winter with the winter sports and skiing which I did a few times with the family.  All the family is out on ski's now, the kids love it and we really enjoy the time on the slopes.. My little guy is a maniac and the older one is just a hoodlum on his snowboard.

Keeping focused on the goal of staying steady is working and keeping up my fluids is a key aspect of that.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Last month my avg weight in the range of  175-180 with the average being 178 so I am happy with that. 

Mike
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11/14/08 - Holidays Approaching

Nov 13, 2008

Well, its almost thanksgiving. I am holding steady at 175 (give or take).

Its still hard to believe that last year at this time I was 230lbs.  Its seems too surreal.

Thanksgiving is on its way and I have to avoid the triggers from last year although I did well with eating I had my first real experience with dumping because of some Pumpkin Pie and orange juice.  Not an experience that I wish to repeat but I know it will be hard to avoid so I will need to use some of my tools to have a small taste on a very small plate.

Best wishes to all out there and I hope your holidays are great !!!

Mike

8/7/08 - 1 YEAR POST-OP

Aug 07, 2008

YAHOOOOOOOO !!!!!

One year has passed since my WLS and it has been a great year.

I feel great and can not believe the transformation, I look in the mirror and wonder who am I looking at.  Don't get me wrong it feels great but it does take some mental cycles to get used to the new you.

If your thinking about WLS and are unsure drop me a note and we can chat about it.  Its a big choice but one that is worth it, but you do have to focus on doing the right things because we all know how we got to where we were so use that as a kick to keep on the right path.

If this was easy many more would do it, but it takes focus and dedication to make it work so do what you need to get approved and once it happens dont slip keep your eye on the prize.

One year out and loving life....

I submitted Before/After to the OH photo team so look for them soon, a preview is available on my Photos like.


7/31/2008 - One Year Coming soon

Jul 31, 2008

Well I went on my annual beach trip and the pictures this year a little different  than those taken last year. Check out my new pix.

Vacation was great but I do have to say that one side effect is that I get SO COLD at the beach now, I actually had to buy a sweatshirt for some of the cool nights it was crazy, but if that is the only issue I am lucky.

I have over achieved my goal and I am now working out like a nut, which is great. My one year anniversary is on 8/7 so I look forward to that with a big SMILE. 

7/31/2008 - 175lbs - down 145lbs from my starting weight.  Pants 34, Shirts Mediums (yikes).

LOVING LIFE !!!!

7/10/2008 - 11 months Post OP

Jul 10, 2008

Well, its been 11 months since my WLS. I am coming up on my vacation which I was looking forward to last year.  My "Not so pretty Picture" will look quite different this year I am sure. That was my goal and I believe I have reached it.

I am down 145 lbs since my first weigh in with the surgeon, and I never would have thought I would be here. I am lighter now that I was when I was 14 which is amazing.  I am working out each week, joined the gym at work and it makes me feel so much better.

I had some Gall Bladder issues a few months ago, finally had it out and feel great, did not realize how bad I was feeling.

The last few months have been crazy with the spring baseball season behind us and the home improvements that I was tackling there was just no time to relax. Vacation is coming so I am looking forward to that.  

If you are thinking about WLS do it, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.  I am eating 100% of the items I ate before (except the obvious bad things ice cream, breads the like) but everything else in moderation.   I have been able to eat steak, chicken, pork, pasta (little bits), all veggies, yogurt, cheeses, stews, casseroles, chilli (thank you Wendys'), fish (cooked and raw - sushi).  The net is that there is less that I CAN NOT eat than what I can.  There are things like breads and pastas that I just choose not to eat though I could if I wanted to.  I do not feel deprived at all, I am free to live as would like and eat whatever I wish but I just do not eat as much.  

I have no horror stories just a successful WLS and recovery.  My only complaint is why did I not do this sooner. 

Hope everyone's summer is great.... 

Mike


4/21/2008 Tough week

Apr 29, 2008

Well I can say that I had a tough week last week. 

Looks like all this exercise finally caught up with me, seems I pull some muscles in my back working out and let me tell you it "smarts" really bad. I also had some abdomen pain as well but I was checked out by my PCP and my excellent surgeon and everything seems ok.  All the tests are clear no problems related to the surgery or anything else for that matter. 

I am tired of drinking crappy tasting liquids or fasting for days to get tests done, the GREAT news is that I do not need my 2008 physical after this set of events.  

Still dealing with the back pain but that should clear up if I can stop tweaking my back because I forget that it hurts. 

On the WLS front, I have exceeded my goal, I have a "Normal" BMI and that feels great. I am getting the you lost too much comments and I do think I need to bounce up a little more and get back into the high 180's.  It does feel great to put on size 34 pants and have them be loose, can not believe it. 

On the food front, still fighting my snack monster although the snacks do not make me feel good I still do it every so often and thankfully the WLS reminds me that its not a good idea.  That is a good thing in my book since what I want to eat is not always good for me. I am definitely not eating as much as I used to but I never feel bad about that. I am able to eat anything that I want from eggs to steak, fish, chicken, soups, stews, plain, spicey food it does not matter. 

As long as I chew my food I am good to go, sometimes the food does not agree with me for some reason but the next time I try it works ok.  I have not found any healthy food that I CAN NOT eat, obviously the bad stuff causes problems but that is ok as I said since I do not need it.

All is good, can not wait for the beach in July to take my 1 year picture and post it next to my beach picture from last July, what a difference !!!

Side note: Went an event with some of my roommates at college and they did not recognize me which was great.  I have my 20 yr from college coming up next June 2009 so that should be a good time.

Have a great spring talk to you all in a month.

2/25/2008 - Goal Number 1 - Get into the 100's !!!!!

Feb 25, 2008

Well, it happened today and its awesome !!!

For the first time in forever I am back into the 100's.... officially weighed in at 199 for a couple days in a row so its not a fluke.

So I have hit one of my primary goals which was to be 199 for at least a day, I think I will drop down a little more but will probably be done with my weight loss in about 10 more lbs so the final goal is not far away. 

Thats all for today .... I think its enough...

28 WEEKS - goin goin gone

Feb 19, 2008

Well its been a fun ride and I can not image where I would be today without WLS.  I fully down 110 lbs and feeling great, started workouts many months ago and I look forward to going to the gym. Still losing but its getting alot harder to make the scale move but focus and determination do help.

I went away for a week to a class for work and nobody "knew" my former self and it was nice to be "normal" where nobody looked at what you ate.

Started spring baseball workouts with the kids and I do not hurt anymore the next day which is a relief.  I also played B-Ball with the boys and their friends, 2 on 1 and it was awesome, do not think the kids knew that dad could move that fast. HaHaHa Must have been tough for them because they had the wine and cheese out complaining I cheated.

Going to support group tonight to get my 100lb ribbon and impart my story on the rest of the group. Look forward to seeing everyone there.  

Best of luck to one of my friends who is having the procedure with Dr. K. on 2/26, you go Lori see you on the losing side. :-)

Thats all for now, no new pictures yet but will see what I come up with over the next few months.

1/30/2008 - Almost 6 months and going strong

Jan 29, 2008

1/30/2008 - 26 weeks - 107 pounds lost - BMI 27.8
      - Size 50 to size 38/36 pants
      - Size 2X/3X shirts to Large/16.5 - 34/35

Well, its been almost 6 months since my surgery and I can say my life is so much better than it was prior to the surgery.  I feel fantastic and I have been doing so much more than I have in years.  

Over the holiday's I went skiing for the first time in 10 years not because I did not like skiing but I did not feel safe with my previous shape to be out there on the slopes.  Well lets say that it well very well, the first few runs were tentative but after that I was almost back into my skiing form.  Hopefully the weather will hold out this year and we will be able to get out there a couple more times before the end of the season happens. 

Work outs are going very well, although not as often as I would prefer but when I do get to the gym it is well worth it.   Played basketball with the kids and their friends (2 on 1) and I was able to run circles around the boys even though they thought they could take me.  It was alot of fun. 

I had my 5 month appt a couple days ago, so more like an almost 6 month appointment.  Dr. is pleased with my progress and no other concerns.  My only question was about dizziness when I change positions (sitting to standing) seems this is normal as you lose the weight and your body has to adjust to reduced blood flow/volume.  My other question was about "feeling cold" all the time (hands/feet) and this is also related to the reduce body weight and something I will need to get used to.  

Not much else to report but I am doing well and would do it all over again.


1/1/2008 Happy New Year

Dec 31, 2007

What a year. Well the New Year  has come and I survived the holidays without an issue. It was hard do not get me wrong to go thru the holidays with all the food and temptations some of which I gave in to but only in very limited moderation which is a big change from years past. 

I am eating anything I want (from a variety perspective) I still avoid the no-no foods and snacks but I have expanded my eating to include most foods without an issue.  Salads, Meat, Fish, Chicken, Beans, Chili, Potato's, Limited Breads (small amts), Egg's, Ham, Turkey, Stews, Pasta, etc.   I find that I can try anything and within one or two bites I can tell if it will work for me or not, obvioulsy the more quality meats (Filet vs Sirlon) work better but I am up for anything.   I always give a food a couple chances (try another time) before filing it to the do not eat list.

The holidays with family were tough because many had not seen me and the comments ranged from "you look great" to your getting too thin (ha).  I heard a statement at support group this week that summed it up well and I will use it in the future.  I am not getting too thin, "your just not used to seeing me like this".   Try that one out and see what happens. 

As of 1/1 I hit my 100 lb interim goal with an plan to drop another 30 lbs before I hit my ideal weight per the various charts.  My BMI has dropped below 30 for the first time in a very long time. I think I weigh less than I did in my early college years which psychologically is so great.  I also found a picture of my college graduation and it definitely look lighter now.  :-D

Good luck to everyone in the new year and drop me a note if you have any questions or just wish to talk.


About Me
Bethlehem, PA
Location
23.7
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/07/2007
Surgery Date
Sep 11, 2006
Member Since

Before & After
rollover to see after photo
254lbs
276lbs

Friends 18

Latest Blog 29
11/14/08 - Holidays Approaching
8/7/08 - 1 YEAR POST-OP
7/31/2008 - One Year Coming soon
7/10/2008 - 11 months Post OP
4/21/2008 Tough week
2/25/2008 - Goal Number 1 - Get into the 100's !!!!!
28 WEEKS - goin goin gone
1/30/2008 - Almost 6 months and going strong
1/1/2008 Happy New Year

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