Mini Vacation

Jul 29, 2010

It was nearly 100 degrees last  weekend, but summers are more manageable after losing more than 100 lbs! I'm not saying that I didn't sweat my rear off, though. :-) Here are some photos from my trip.
Shopping in Nashville, IN

Wade and me
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Shopping is Fun!

Apr 18, 2009

 It's amazing how much more fun shopping is now ... I'm leaving on a cruise in 2 weeks and picked up a few things today. I am looking at clothes I never would have DREAMED of buying a year ago. 

The top was a bargain -- $10 at Old Navy -- and I also got it in aqua. It's a size large! The dress is from Lane Bryant. I think it's a size 16. 


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Almost to 100 ...

Mar 27, 2009

I got on the scale this morning and I am only 5 lbs away from having lost 100! That's right, I've lost 95 lbs. Woo hoo! I went to the dr the other day with a sinus infection and realized I don't even care that they weigh me every time. I was like, whatever, the number's going down. What a change from before, when I would want to take off my coat, shoes, everything I could to make the scale go down a few more pounds. 

The past few weeks have been a challenge ... I haven't been feeling well, I've been very busy AND I broke up with the guy I had been dating for 5 months. His lifestyle was pretty unhealthy and I decided enough was enough. So now I'm back to being single Catherine ... it's been an adjustment and I haven't always been happy but what can you do?!

A few weeks ago, I went to one of Clarian's bariatric seminars to speak as a patient. Dr. Ditslear was doing the seminar and his office called to ask me if I'd be willing to talk. There had to have been close to 100 people there! Yikes! Fortunately I don't mind public speaking but still. I talked for probably 5 minutes then answered questions for about 15-20. It was great to see Dr. Ditslear, as I usually see his PA during my appointments.  
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It's Been a While ...

Dec 17, 2008

 Wow, so it's been a few months since I've updated here. Oopsie. Things are going pretty well for me. I am down 65 lbs. and feel FANTASTIC. I had to buy new jeans when I was at my parents' for Thanksgiving, as well as new bras ... now that was a trip. I was fitted at the store and the size the lady came back with was TOTALLY not what I was expecting, but she was right! If you haven't been fitted, I highly recommend it. I haven't had full coverage with a bra in years. LOL

I have been seeing a really neat guy for close to 3 months now. We live in the same neighborhood, which is quite convenient. He was out with his dog one day in early October when I was starting out on a walk; he struck up a conversation, we made dinner plans and that was that. (That, by the way, totally never happens to me!) He's a few years younger -- yeah, I'm a cougar ha ha -- and totally cute. He's from Texas, with an adorable accent, and has lived here about a year. The only downside is that he is VERY allergic to my two kitties. He thought it would be a great idea to pet one of the cats the other night ... not so much. He left pretty much immediately afterwards. :(

Stress has been an issue lately ... I actually have to cope with it, I can't eat it away! lol I haven't been exercising as much as I should, either. My coworker and I have started walking a mile daily inside our buildin ... it feels so good to be active, especially because it's so much easier now. I also signed up for a 4-mile walk around St Patrick's Day. 

Thanksgiving was pretty easy -- I used the smallest plate I could find and took very small portions of different foods that I knew I could tolerate. I made cranberry sauce with Splenda; I thought it was great, no one else did. More for me!  
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Wow!

Oct 07, 2008

 Pre-surgery I was wearing a 22/24 shirt and it was tight.

Now? I'm wearing a 16/18 t-shirt that fits very comfortably ... and it was cheaper than the larger shirts AND cuter!

Yay!

My Great Big Photo Adventure!

Sep 22, 2008

A few weeks ago I decided that, hey, I'm not going to look like this forever (thank God) and it would be kinda nice when my initial weight loss is over to remember where it is that I came from. I'm a big proponent of being able to love yourself, no matter what, and I thought that having some photos taken would remind me that I am beautiful at any size.

I did some initial research online and then posted an ad on Craig's List, briefly describing what it is that I was looking for. I heard from a TON of photographers, some professional, some amateur, but I really clicked with one: Beth, from JEM Photo.

Although we haven't met yet, we've really hit it off via e-mail, and I'm looking forward to our first session. Our plan is for 3 sessions, 3 to 4 months apart. It will be so nice to have progress photos that aren't me standing in front of my bedroom door!

If you are in the Indianapolis area and think this sounds like something that would interest you, please contact Beth (and tell her Catherine sent you!). Right now, our first session is planned for 10/3, and you know that I'll be blogging about it!

Six Weeks Out

Sep 13, 2008

I had my second follow-up appointment the other day. I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since my surgery. I'm down 37 lbs and have lost more than 10% of my body weight. Plus, my BMI is down about 5 points. My blood pressure, which has always been good but is usually jacked up at their offices, was 117/68, despite having to wait 45 minutes past my appointment time.

The other day I was very light-headed in the morning, then I realized I had only eaten about 400 calories the day before. Obviously too few for me! So I've been keeping a close eye on things and most days, I'm eating between 600-700 calories. Seems to be working out well for me and is very do-able. My main problem is being able to eat enough! CRAZINESSS!!!!!! lol!

Excuses, Excuses

Aug 31, 2008

I will make any excuse when it comes to exercising. I would rather clean the cats' litter boxes than exercise. No lie.

This week I worked out twice with Kara, my trainer. We did 30 minutes of strength training each time. Holy crap, it was hard. Friday, I thought I was going to die afterwards. I sat on the locker room bench then finally decided to shower; I felt better after that.

Yesterday I barely moved off the couch and today, I realized I HAD to do something. I wasn't about to go for a 30-minute walk in 90 degree weather. Miss Cathareen does NOT like to sweat and look icky! lol! I remembered I had some exercise DVDs, dug them out and worked out to one. It was a good, kinda challenging, not too hard workout. I'm glad I did it and of course, now I have more energy!

It's amazing how easy it is to psych myself out of doing something good for myself. This afternoon I'm off to BN to spend a gift card my coworkers sent me while I was out (the leftover $$ from what was collected for my flowers, I guess) and then to the Vitamin Shoppe to look for some new protein. Wheeeeeee. The post-op life!

Out to Dinner

Aug 24, 2008

Last night I had my first "real" meal out. It was also a first date. The waiter gave me crap -- good naturedly -- about not wanting the soup or salad that came with my dinner. "But it's free!" I told him he could eat it. :)

I ordered chicken fajitas, and ate a few pieces of the chicken and also some of the onions and peppers. YUM. The chicken went down well and so did the veggies. I took a few bites, waited a while, then ate some more. With talking, I easily stretched the meal out to 30-45 minutes.

From the outset, I told my date to help himself to the fajitas. At first he declined, but after he finished his burger, he dug in. LOL I was glad that he did, because it was way too hot out to leave leftovers in the car.

It was probably a 20-minute roundtrip walk from the car to the restaurant and back, and then we walked for about another 30-40 minutes afterwards, along the canal in downtown Indianapolis. It felt good to realize that I could still have a normal social life after this surgery!

Eating = Not So Yum

Aug 22, 2008

I am burned out on seafood. That's pretty much all I've been eating for lunch and dinner, because it goes down so easily. So, yesterday, I decided to try Wendy's chili, at the suggestion of someone at the support group meeting I attended Wednesday night.

At first, I was excited, because one small chili looked like it would last for 3 or  meals. I measured out 3 ounces then sat down for lunch. Ummm yeah. Not such a good idea. I ended up eating 2 pices of string cheese an hour later, for 12g of protein.

For din-din, I went back to seafood ... some bay scallops and then some of that faux crab I bought at Meijer. Again, not so much. Again, 2 pieces of string cheese.

The past few days, nothing has sounded good. It's challenging for me to eat when I have no appetite. But, today I'm feeling better so I'm hopeful meals will go better today. I'm thinking about going back to my previous standby, refried beans, just to get something soft. I may just not be ready for meat yet.

Oh, and this afternoon's adventure? My first self-injection of vitamin B12! I have to pick it up from Walgreens first ... can Catherine be a brave little toaster or not?!

About Me
Indianapolis, IN
Location
30.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
07/28/2008
Surgery Date
Mar 29, 2008
Member Since

Friends 20

Latest Blog 21
Wow!
My Great Big Photo Adventure!
Six Weeks Out
Excuses, Excuses
Out to Dinner
Eating = Not So Yum

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