Hope4Change

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I'm honestly not sure that anyone will read this, but that's okay. I'm posting for the sake of accountability. It's been a hot minute since I've posted (about 7 years). I'm now 12 years out from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. At my highest known weight, I was 236 pounds. On the day of surgery, I was 229 pounds. My lowest maintained weight for a given time was 119 pounds, and then I stabilized around 125 pounds for a while.

A lot of things have changed since the last time I posted a blog. Around 2017, I noticed my weight had creeped into the low 140s. I had always told myself that I wasn't going to be a regain statistic, but, yeah, life happens. One of the positive changes that have occurred since the last time I blogged is that I was healthy enough to donate a kidney to my aunt back in April 2018. Another positive is that I finally attained my BS in Sports and Health Sciences last May. However, my weight just kept creeping up and eventually, at one point, I found myself around the mid 160s.

Just under a year ago, my then 18-year-old son and I challenged each other to a "weight loss" challenge. He kicked my butt, but honestly, it was the boost I needed to restart healthier eating habits. I hadn't worked out in forever, and even during that challenge, I didn't really do much in the way of intentional exercise. I didn't start getting back into a workout routine until my kiddos went back to college back in August. Slowly, I peeled away the weight and I am currently at 127 pounds. Consistency is key! Motivation is great, but discipline is what will keep you consistent.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN OVER FIVE YEARS NOW!! Time flies :).

Well, it's been a "minute" since I've written a blog or posted a picture. I doubt anyone will actually read this, but, I'll give a little background and stats on me. I'm 5'3" and my highest known weight was 236 pounds. On the date of my surgery, 12-9-10, I was about 229 pounds. The lowest weight I got to was 116 pounds; that didn't last very long. My lowest weight that I maintained for any length of time was 119 pounds. My body seems to like 125 pounds, because that is what it keeps going back to, and that's where I'm currently at. Well, today I was a little less, but like anyone, I fluctuate.

Here's what's been going on with me. In 2012, I lost my sister to obesity-related issues. I was absolutely devastated :(. I miss her every single day! In spring of 2014, my husband, kiddos, fur babies (dogs), and I moved across the country. In October 2014, after dealing with some random shoulder injury for a while, I had surgery. I had to have a rotator cuff repair, which has been a pain to recover from. At the beginning of 2015, I made the decision to further my education. I had actually been mulling it over (procrastinating) for years. I finally took the plunge. I am now pursuing my BS in Sports and Health Sciences. It's been interesting trying to strike a balance between home life, regular life, and full-time (and then some) school. Actually, it's been REALLY stressful! I know it'll be worth it in the end, even though right now I keep asking myself, "What did you get yourself into?!" I have to keep my eyes on the prize! Plus, I have little eyes watching me :).

I'll be posting a few pictures from this past year, to show a visual on progress/maintenance.

It's been just over a year and a half since my gastric bypass surgery.  A lot has changed since then.  I have not been perfect.  If I had, I'd probably be at goal by now.  I have been pretty good about taking my vitamins, but for a while, my exercise, protein, water intake, and motivation have sloooowly been slipping away.  I have readjusted my way of thinking, yet again, and I'm back on track.  I still need to up my water intake, but my protein intake is good, I'm really careful about what I am eating (and how much), I'm getting back on track with exercising, and most importantly, my motivation is back! 

At my highest weight, I was 236 pounds.  I am now at 127 pounds.  A couple of those pounds have been lost this past week (since I've started exercising on a regular basis again...go figure lol).  I've also noticed that my arms are starting to get some definition.  I still have a long way to go with toning up the rest of my body (and more to do on my arms...some is just going to be extra skin that I have to deal with or take care of surgically, later).  Anyway, I posted a couple of new pics that show some progress on my arms and the fact that I'm losing my fat rolls in the back...woo hoo! 

I'm about to go home on vacation (haven't been there in over 4 years), so I'm going to need an amazing amount of willpower to keep on track while I'm away.  I just have to stay focused!  Wish me luck! :)

Yesterday, 5-9-11, marked the fifth month since I've had surgery.  I've lost 70 pounds from my highest weight in November.  I've lost 63 pounds since I've had the surgery.  This month, according to my scale, I've lost 10.2 pounds...a little better than last month. 
I had a few weight goals...  One was to get under 200 lbs, the second was to get to the weight I was when I met my husband (I'm pretty much there now), and my third (may not be my final) goal is to get to 130 lbs.  I have about 36 pounds to get to that goal.  I would LIKE to get there by my birthday in September, but if I can get there by my 1 year post-op, I will be a happy camper. 

So far, so good...I'm happy with my progress so far.  There are things that I pick on myself for (in regards to my body), but I am my own worst critic I guess.  People keep telling me that I'm too hard on myself...maybe I am.  Anywho, that's all for now :).

Oh, I added a couple of progress pics that were taken on 5-9-11. 

I weighed in at 185.2 on 3/9/11 (3 months post-op).  I am 51 pounds lighter than my highest weight and 44 pounds lighter than the day of surgery.  I've already experienced several "stalls".  My husband left for school and with the kiddos on spring break last week, I didn't get to the gym :(.  But, this week is a new week and I am going to go every day (except the weekend).  I didn't lose any weight over spring break..  Well, it kind of fluctuated...went up a pound, then down a pound...no overall loss really.  I can already see that my weight loss is slowing down significantly and I'm not even close to my goal...it's frustrating.  With the exception of spring break, I've been really good about going to the gym and working as hard as I can, so I'm not sure what else to do.  My hair is definitely starting to thin out and fall out...not good since I began with thin/fine hair...I'm going to be bald soon lol. 

Anyways, I finally added progress pics.  Be warned, they're NOT pretty.  I look SO bloated in the before pics...  I knew I was big, but wow, looking at pics is a definite eye opener. 

Today marks 2 months since I had my gastric bypass surgery.  Sometime last week I met my first goal...to be under 200 pounds.  As of this morning, I weigh 196.4.  I haven't been under 200 pounds in over 9 years.  I am 40 pounds less than my highest weight and I'm 33 pounds less than the day I had surgery.  I lost around 19 pounds the first month and about 14 pounds the second month. 

I am still trying to find the balance with all the protein, vitamins, exercise, etc.  I still feel tired all the time.  I'm sure it's because I haven't quite found that balance yet. 

Yesterday, 1/9/11, marked 1 month since I had gastric bypass surgery.  My highest weight was 236.  My weight on the morning of surgery was 229.  As of yesterday, I am weighing in at 210.  I have lost of total of 19 pounds since surgery.  It feels like it's going sooo slowly with the weight loss, but when I look back at the month as a whole, 19 pounds isn't too bad.  Not going to complain about that. 

I'm still having issues getting all my liquids in, but each day gets a little better.  I was having a lot of problems finding a protein shake that I could tolerate, but I think I finally found one.  It's a little on the expensive side for me, but it's worth it, because the protein thing has been my biggest battle this past month. 

I am a long way from where I want to be...  My first goal is to get under 200 pounds (hopefully that won't be much longer).  My second goal is to get back to where I was when I met my husband...around 165.  My ultimate goal would sit me right around 130...  I am just trying to focus on the first goal, then move on from there. 

I have noticed that my stomach doesn't look so "preggo" anymore...still a long way to go, but I can finally start to see a little progress being made.  I really need to buy one of those measuring tapes that measure your body inches.  I know there are going to be days, weeks, or more where I may not see the scale move, but I may see inches being lost. 

Well, not much else to say right now.  I am happy with my progress so far :). 

I had my surgery on December 9, 2010.  I woke up in recovery feeling like complete crap.  I felt paralyzed, plus it felt like I couldn't catch a breath.  I was just wanting some quiet and all I heard was noise and laughing and cell phones...people having personal calls while I'm laying there feeling like I'm dying.  Well, I know it sounds dramatic, but it felt that way. 

Once I make it into the recovery room, I'm still tired and very, very groggy.  I hated feeling that vulnerable.  But, it is what it is.  I got up and walked, I guess it was a few hours after the surgery...that day was a blur.  The next day, I did the swallow test, to check for leaks.  I was good to go, but that stuff made me dry heave something fierce. 

I was feeling better each day, except for this horrible pain on my right side.  It was so frustrating and painful.  I was on pain meds, I was walking, I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.  Well, the day that I left, December 11, they took my drain out.  That was what was causing all that pain my right side.  It felt like a horrible muscle cramp...or like I pulled a muscle...it was intense. 

So, I get home in the evening, basically sipping on soup (which I couldn't finish a 1/4 cup...maybe had an 1/8 cup).  I could barely get any water in me at all.  I know I need to keep working at this, but I didn't realize just how hard it would be. 

I woke up today with my tushy being numb...not a good feeling.  I've been up and walking around, but it's still the same...fun times. 

My husband is trying to be helpful, but man does he ever stress...he thought I was bad.  I think he's realizing just how much work is involved with taking care of the household duties, animals, and the kiddos...not handling it too well, so I hope I get to feeling better real soon, so I can be back to "work". 

About the weight, at my pre-op appointment, back in November, my weight climbed up to 236...not a good thing.  The day of surgery, I was 229.something.  This morning, I was 225. 

Well, not much else to say.  I have to get off my bum and go walking.