jammerz

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So....I survived the Christmas holiday! Two weeks before Christmas, I started a new job and dropped 8lbs my first week. I started to freak out, but got back into my routine of eating and snacking and keeping my calorie count up, etc. So I am fine, but now I am between 150-155 instead of being between 160-165. I haven't "gained" any weight over the holidays.....so that is a blessing. I dipped to 150 the end of my first week at my new job - so on my 10 month anniversary I was 150 - the lowest I've been. I am holding steady between 153-156ish. I am now officially in a size 8 - which I NEVER thought I would ever say, not in a million years. The work situation is going well. Getting back into a groove and maintaining my weight. It's been a cold winter and I've had to go and buy sweaters and warmer clothes. I can only hope this time next year, I can still wear the clothes. Of all of the things I've had to do for surgery. Buying clothes has been the most expensive. A fun habit to have, but it does get old - having to give your clothes away all of the time. Wear once or twice and pass on. Luckily, I have a great friend who I give most of my clothes to and two others that get the clothes the first friend doesn't take. So at least I get to see the clothes again, if not on my body, then someone else's. LOL. I wish everyone a happy new year!!

So! I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my house - me and my honey. It was nice to entertain and have everyone come here for the holiday. I started cooking/baking on like Monday of that week and didn't stop until I sat down to Thanksgiving dinner. On my feet; baking...cooking, etc. for 4+ days. I was worried about the holiday and concerned I would gain .... but it was all good. I ended up losing 5lbs that week. Maybe the stress of entertaining, whipping up a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner was to my advantage; whatever the case maybe....it was good. I made a pumpkin/Kalhua cheesecake with Slenda so I could eat it - WOW...it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good.  I ate the whole cheesecake myself (over the course of two weeks), but a small slice at a time. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. Now, we are hosting Christmas at our house, so hopefully it will be a losing holiday again. Still give thanks everyday for this surgery!

Hello!!

So 8+ months out and things are very well still. I now know the depression, blues came from the working 16+ hours a day for two weeks. It was hard on me mentally and phyically. So now that things are back to normal, everything is good and rosy again.

Celebrated my b-day on the 22nd. Had a blast with my girlfriends. We stayed the night (no husbands, no kids, let our hair down) in a two room suite that I won at a raffle and we had a blast. Stayed up until 4AM - being silly - a friend of mine brought her entire inventory of Cookie Lee and we shopped - the same friend does Mary Kay and brought supplies for facials. We wore wigs to dinner at a local restaurant - played pictionary until all hours of the AM. It was the best medicine.

I am down to 162lbs (my goal 180lbs) and still losing at this point. We will see where and how far this ride takes me. 

I got so many gift cards for my b-day and went on a shopping spree this weekend and bought my way to clothes that fit - a half of closet worth. I cleaned out my closet before going shopping and had no clothes left. Bummer. But with the gift cards, I got 1/2 a closet full of clothes that fit, it's amazing. Down to a size 10 (pants) and bought my first small top. Amazingly cool.

Anyhow...just wanted to say HEY and have a great rest of the weekend!

Hey All!

Not sure what's going on...maybe I am at another cross roads with my weight loss. It seems when I drop quite a few lbs. at one time, that my hormones go crazy all over again. I am guessing that is what it is. I do see my PCP next Wednesday 10/3, for a  f/u appointment and I am going to bring it up to him....see what he says. I am under a ton of stress right now with work and other life issues (usual crap, just all happening at the same time) so I think I might be WAY more emotional than usual.

Otherwise, things are still great. I want to do some shopping, but of course, don't have the $$ to do so. So..I buy pieces here and there and try to mix and match the pieces I own until I stop losing. It's a bit hard at the point as my body seems to have a mind of it's own and wants to continue losing weight even though I have made goal. It's cool. It's cool. I will go along for the ride. My NUT also said since my body has decided to go this route, that it's looking for it's new "set weight" and that once I obtain it (bottom out) that I will most likely gain 5-15 lbs back. That's a bit scary...and makes me not want to get rid of my 12's and 14's in case I need them again...currently in size 10.

Anyhow...my birthday is coming up - I will be 36 the end of October and have a fun b-day planned. Which I am totally excited about. But in the past month, I've had some really low-low's in terms of stupid life stuff. My honey forgot our anniversary. I was majorly disappointed with a situation last week when I had to cancel an occcasion to go horseback riding since I haven't been since I was like 17-18 because I've been too fat to do so and that devasted me as I was looking forward to doing it for over a month. My assistant gave her 2 weeks notice and although I am totally excited for her (she is going to work in the field of her choice - legal), it's the worst possible time for me and my life and I am already crazy busy at work and the pressure...I feel it already and it's only been a few days. Starting the interview process is stressful and puts me behind, etc. Just one thing after another - oh, had to cancel going to a concert and to the Magic Castle - again plans I've had for a long time because we are broke right now.

I have this new found energy and want to do everything, unfortunately, we don't have the funds for me/us to do everything we want. So I am going to focus on my b-day blow out and make it all it can be and make up for all of the other disappointments lately. I guess, that's another reason I feel blue.

Tomorrow is another day and going to see a friend (who has also had WLS) who always cheers me up and makes me laugh, so I am looking forward to that. In addition, we power walk and get the frustration out - so that will help.

Peace out...love to you all.
Jammie

Hello everyone! So, things here are pretty darn great! I bought my first size small and my first size 10 pants. Can you believe it? I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it sometimes. I started with a XXL or an 22/24 top and a 26/28 pants at my heaviest. Before surgery, after making lifestyle changes for a few months before surgery I was a 18/20 top or XL and a size 20/22 on the bottom. Today, small top and size 10 pants....in 7 months. Simply amazing. I went to a great WL seminar last weekend and got re-motivated. Been to see my NUT and got some good tips - I am in maintenance and having a hard time slowing the losing down. I know, don't complain about that right? It's true. I started to eat to maintain and I started to lose quicker. Things now are slower and I feel like I am in control again. Being out of control, my body doing what it wanted to do against my wishes was a bit weird. So it's the start of Fall and we had a super storm last night. And when I say super storm, I mean maybe 1/2" of rain, but around here that's a waterfall. Anyhow....I didn't have a warm jacket, so I am in search of a coat/jacket now. I will go out today and search high and low for one. I have some fun stuff coming up - like horseback riding next Wednesday. It will be the first time I've been on a horse since I was like 18-19 because my weight always keep me from riding as many stable have a weight limit. So that is very excitng. My b-day is coming up the end of October and I am planning a "slumber party" in a two room suite around the corner from my house with a bunch of girlfriends. We are going to be silly and fun and be girls for the night. I have my meditation coach coming to do a manifestation party (affirmations and get what you want my setting goals and affirming you can reach them); dinner at a great restaurant, jewerly shopping at midnight, the mobile masseur coming to do massages. It should be one fun time!! Other than that, things are status quo and that's fine with me for now. Work is BUSY and out of control, so having things in my life that are status quo right now are beautiful. Talk soon

I haven't written anything in some time and I apologize. It's funny....I think no one reads my posts and then I get an inspirational email from someone and they tell me how much my posts have helped them and I feel compelled to write and write and write. So, here I am again after an email that kicked me in the butt.

So I met my personal goal to be at my goal weight of 180lbs by my 6 month anniversary. So 3 days before my 6 month anniversary, I did... I made goal. It was an awesome feeling - overwhelming and exciting and over the top with joy. So I started to change my eating habits to maintain and I started losing quicker. So I freaked out a little and called my NUT and made an appointment to see her. I saw her last Friday and she assured me that I am doing great and that I might lose more weight - that my body might just keep losing - it's looking for it's set weight again. Once I bottom out, I should gain 5-10 lbs. more back and then be at my set weight. So I am not freaking out anymore - it's just a number. Of course my number is shrinking and shrinking, as my body is -still losing a lot of inches, too. But she assured me that I am still losing fat and not muscle. We did some readings and measured my body fat, etc. I have a lab slip to go and have my blood done before my next appoinment with the surgeon on the 24th of this month and before I see my PCP on 10/3...I have a few weeks if I need to. Works been crazy this week, so it will probably be next week, but that's fine. My NUT said that the amount of weight I lost is indicative to a 400+lb person - the more you weigh the quicker you drop lbs. I started at 286 (my highest weight) and was 273ish before surgery, came home from surgery around 284 and then started to waste away - truly...my body has melted. My NUT said it's doing what I am supposed to be doing (eating right and healthy and in portion), exercising and being diligent about it and taking my vitamins and keeping on keeping on. The good news is she told me to maintain now - I need to slow down and not do as much cardio a week and do more toning - so I started this - this week. It's weird not to do 3-4x a week cardio training. But I guess I will get used to this now too. It's all good. 

Work is crazy and I am thinking about switching jobs, but the idea of paying for Cobra for another 4+ months to make my one year anniversary before I can get reinsured, then I fringe, it's so expensive. My fiance' is looking into adding me to his insurance prior to us getting married; so hopefully that will pan out and I will have insurance before leaving my current employer.

Life at home is good. Greg and I are happy and healthy and starting to do more and more  - taking bite out of life and savoring the after taste of this adventure. The outcome - I knew would be fruitfull and worth it, but I never imagined the freedom and openess and overall sense of accomplishment that has come with all of this. It is truly remarkable how this surgery can change your life - and so much for the better. Amazing. Simply amazing!

Anyhow...everyone keep the faith. Keep positive and upbeat. Don't let the nay-sayers bring you down. Do this for you. Do this for your life, your health, your well being and most of all - to live long and prosper. I know I added several years to my life and I can't wait to live them all to the fullest, because now I can.

Bless you all!
Jammie

So this Thursday, June 15th, will be my 4-month surgery anniversary and I am down 82lbs. 286 to 204..... I am a baby step away from a major milestone of weighing below 200lbs. It's so amazing! 
THANK YOU ALL for your support and wonderful message and being my friends!! I love you all. I love this website and love the people on it. I get the nicest messages from posters/postee's re: my messages to them.....truly, it's my pleasure to give you advice and talk to you about what issues you are having. My medical group has a 6-month educaiton class and has asked me to come back as a guest speaker for a class to share my story. It is so encouraging and keeps me going. I did attend another support group the other night - one in town - sponsored by individuals. It was nice to see other people and meet some new people and make new friends. I am finding it hard to find people to exchange clothes with as everyone I exchange with - had surgery after me and get all of my great clothes (I had a shopping problem before surgery - so now after surgery, you can only imagine!!) and I love doing it, as I get to "visit" my clothes every now and again. I am also glad that they get to live on in someone's closet - and live a full life. But... I haven't found anyone who is smaller than me at this point to get clothes from. I've looked up anniversaries and emailed several people, but to no avail. It's cool. I am off to spend another $200 this weekend....on 14/16/18 bottoms (depending upon the maker) and M and L tops. I hope everyone is well and I will write more Thursday on my anniversary!

Yep...a co-worker and I are driving to Palm Springs and going to spend Saturday and Sunday shopping the outlets in Cabazon!! I am down almost 70lbs since surgery and truly do not have anything that fits me well! I buy little things here and there, but for the most part - my closet is empty and I am dying for some clothes that will show off my new and improving body!! The main thing I am in search for and thank goodness there is an outlet I am spending most of my $$ in - the Madienform outlet store for new bras and panties. Truly, none of my undergarments are fitting - funny huh? Of course, pants and tops and PJ's all run a close 2nd to the bras and panties, but all in due time. I am taking $700 with me and plan on spending it all. I know... I know what you are thinking - don't get too carried away as you have so much more to go - I know. BUT...I truly have nothing in my closet so stocking up on some essentials will be nice. Exciting....Excited for this weekend, it cannot seem to come fast enough!! Tomorrow is Wednesday - then two more days baby and it's all about me and shop til' I drop!! :)

So... I am a totally day spa junkie; I don't think I've ever mentioned this before....well.... I am! I love going to the day spa, getting pampered and massaged and cleansed and taken care of. I haven't been to the day spa since about two weeks before surgery. I went on Friday - 5/18, the week of my 3-month anniversary - to celebrate! FIRST, let me say, the first WOW came when I checked in. I normally beg and pleed for an XXL or XXXL robe so I feel comfortable and so my body gets covered. I figured...OK, I will check in and get an XL. I went took my shower and put the robe on. AMAZING....it fit AND I had plenty of room, in fact I had to wrap the extra part of the robe 1/2 way around my new and improving body!! I was feeling pretty good - thin, pretty and on my way. I waited in the Solarium for my facial first with my fav gal - Shannon. She came in, called my name and looked right at me, then away and called my name again.....as I am starting to stand and walk towards her, she is still looking for me. I am standing directly in front of her and she is like, "Jammie?" I am all, yeah, it's me!! She was shocked! It's amazing what losing 68lbs in 3 months can do to your body/face/hair/appearance! So a WOW moment #2. I went into the procedure room and jumped up on the bed. Now normally, I would jump up settle on the bed and measure side to side so I was dead center so I could brace my hands under my fanny to make it so I could fit. I jumped up, started to do my normal spacing routine and what do you know? I had PLENTY of room - room to move, room to lie down, with my arms down at my sides comfortably. WOW moment #3. I went in for my massage with a new person and jumped up on that table - again....plenty of room - WOW moment #4. I have always enjoyed the day spa as a fat woman and now.....as a thinner woman....it's even more amazing. Had to share.... fun stuff. Keep the WOW moment's coming and coming!!

How amazing is this surgery? How amazing is the tool? How amazing is the outcome and the results and the weight loss? When I have my own "WOW" moments and realize that I have lost 65lbs in 3 months and 74lbs since I started my lifestyle changes in November 06....I want to cry (joy) and shout from the rooftops how happy and excited and grateful I am. Does anyone else feel this way? I cannot seem to contain my excitement these days! I am enjoying life - walking in Relay for Life for friends lost to cancer this year and for a friend who is a cancer survivor - I signed up for hours of walking on June 2/3. I am so excited to do it. I signed up for Parks and Recretion classes. I am taking a meditation class on Mondays. All abs class on Tuesdays. Kickboxing on Wednesdays. Yogilates on Thursdays....and a sushi making class on a Saturday 6/30. I am so excited and feel so great and hope you all do, too! Email me or comment - love to hear from you - Jammie!!