100 pounds down, still more lessons

Oct 16, 2014

Tough 6 weeks, stalled. (7 months out) 10 days of sugar crashing, food sticking, vomiting and pain. And about two weeks ago I remember saying, hey, if this is as much as I lose it's fine. I will be fine with it. Trips to the gym, water, walking everywhere, hiking some killer grueling hikes. Loving life. Then ten days ago I crashed hard. Sugar at 48 when I went for routine thyroid testing. Monday--food got stuck for the first time (OMG--chew people chew). Abdominal ultrasound to make sure everything was ok. (everything is fine, no gallbladder issues no nothing, just impatience and a rush-job at lunch with a session of embarrassed hurling in the public bathroom at work)

and (I am not exaggerating...I am not, I am not I am not) I lost 16 pounds in 8 days. Today, I AM ONE HUNDRED POUNDS DOWN FROM WHEN I STARTED THIS PROGRAM LAST NOVEMBER. 

100 pounds. I am a century down from last November, my highest weight. I have not done this alone but much of it has been by myself. Supportive family and friends, The Dude has been backing me at every moment. I am less of a support than others at times, and that's a repeat of history in my life.

Time to do some school work......

Thank you for everything my OH friends!

Mary

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Exciting Weekend!

Sep 18, 2014

Since my surgery on March 18th, I have commented often on "wow...if you had told me a year ago I would be doing this, I would have laughed......." But I really mean it! Such exciting changes have been happening!

I am working 6 AM to 1PM tomorrow and heading out on an adventure by myself. Mostly by myself! The Dude is going to join me at about noon on Saturday. In the mean time, I am going to be going on a Friday afternoon hike in the Cascade Mts of Oregon, attending a Native American storytelling at the lodge where I am staying. 

Up early Saturday morning to hike on the immense Pacific Crest Trail, meet The Dude back at the lodge. Then we are doing a 30 mile bike ride on the Metolious River bike trail! Evening is a Pacific NW First Peoples' Salmon Potlatch dinner followed by drumming and dancing at the evening's bonfire. 

I CAN'T WAIT!

Mary

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Upcoming Weekend

Aug 28, 2014

I hope everyone has a fabulous Labor Day weekend. Sunday morning, THe Dude and I are packing up and heading out on a pseudo camping trip into the Cascade Mountains of Oregon> We have a rustic cabin reserved, which means we need all camping equipment except a tent. No running water and no electricity. The food planning has been interesting since I have become more and more "addicted" to and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables and other foods that require refrigeration.

To help with that, The Dude went out and got a large new cooler on wheels so I can make the right decisions with my food. Gotta love him!

I am writing this blog to say a couple things....one---I could not have done this a year ago because there's no electricity for my CPAP machine. I no longer need to sleep with my CPAP strapped to my face. AND---moreover, the entire three days we are in the wilderness is packed full of physical activity. One day we are hiking around the lake at which we are staying---6 1/2 miles. Then, a dream hike the next day on the Pacific Crest Trail. My second time this summer to hike a part of a trail about which I have dreamt for 30 years. The trail goes from Canada to Mexico. We hiked another portion Memorial weekend and here we go headed out to another part of the trail.

There are days I practically pinch myself over how much my life is changed and I think I am asleep and dreaming. I am so grateful for this opportunity! I promised myself that as I started to lose weight I would become more and more active, and I have!! The Dude is super happy because he has his hiking partner back---and other activities......

Thanks everyone for your support

Mary  

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Milestone

Aug 16, 2014

Today will mark a milestone in my adult life, I am going to do something I would never have done even 6 months ago, before I had my surgical procedure. I am getting together with a high school classmate for lunch in Portland, Oregon. I was an athlete in high school, well built, strong a really fast sprinter. One of the fastest in my home state. That would be the last time I have seen Lea Ann, 1980 at graduation. I recently found out she's living in Portland and I reached out to her to see if we can get together. 

I have lost 87 pounds since December/January and I really feel like seeing people again. I am really excited to make contact with her and learn about her life. I wish I had had the surgery sooner, I know I have missed out on relationships, activities, events all in the name of my weight, my size, my embarrassment, my humiliation and my shame.

I find it interesting that I do not care about  how anyone else looks, in fact I would be saddened to find that a person didn't want to get together with ME because they were overweight/underweight/wrinkly/or in any way self-conscious but I was never able to extrapolate that to myself. This entire summer has been FILLED with seeing family, long lost cousins, high school friends and my most recent trip to Montana to see people (who had no IDEA i was losing weight!)

I feel happy and while I have always been a very confident person, I was still ashamed of my weight. Onward and upward -- watch me fly! Come along with me, it'll be FUN!

Best to you, 

Mary

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NSV of fun-ness!~

Jul 14, 2014

several miles walking on the coast at the beach yesterday and I was able to wear my husband's shirt when it was cold out. yeah  loving it! First picture is from yesterday and the second is from November! 75 pounds down, feeling GROOOOOVY!

 

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Quick Note...

Jul 05, 2014

just nailed a 17.30 mile bike ride into the mountains in Oregon. Now, this girl is donning a bathing suit to use the hotel pool ....  yes....me.

Thanks for reading and have a fabulous-o day!

XOXOXOXO

Mary

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No Answer Needed....

Jul 03, 2014

I posted this on my facebook page this morning: "In the last 6 months I have lost a considerable amount of weight. Equivalent to an average sized ten year old boy. What I have gained is insight and a helluva a workout ethic, and attention to healthy food. What I have NOT gained is confidence. I already had that in truckloads. So, please stop asking me if I have finally "gained confidence". I know you mean well, but....'nuff said! Thanks!"

Even when the question is asked with love, I think ---wow! this person doesn't really know me at all! even when the person has known me for ages---- and believe me, I get the weight/overweight/confidence conundrum. I DO! I believe that they are twisted in a cunning coil, twisted and intertwined and twinning all embroiled. But I separated that all out a long time ago. I try to be gentle STILL when the question is asked of me but come ON! I don't find out someone has put on ten pounds and ask if their confidence is in the dumps. 

anyhow.....onward and upward. A very active weekend planned, stay tuned!

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Better a Slow Loser...

Jul 01, 2014

Than a SORE loser :)  I am definitely one of the slow losers, and surprisingly enough I am OK with it. I am finding that I get to work on the changes and believe the changes better than if I were s speedy whirlwind loser. I think.... :)

Have a lovely day all

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Heartfelt Musings for a Sunday

Jun 29, 2014

Let me begin with this fact: My husband, lovingly referred to as “The Dude” in my posting on OH, is my lover, my co-adventurer, my best friend, my confidante, a gentle critic, the most honest person in my life, and a terrific support.

Now I have to say this: He has a job, started in February, that has crappy hours for us. I work M-F 7:30 AM-4:00 PM and he is Thursday – Monday 3:30 PM-12 midnight.

He likes his job (YAY!) he HAS a job (Another YAY!) but the person with whom I have shared weekends and vacations and evenings for 12 ½ years is no longer my co-explorer except for two weeks a year, on vacation and quick trips on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

We just enjoy spending time together, exploring and adventuring and learning to do these things by myself is a process.

This morning I had a meltdown as I  was preparing to go on a hike that would not get me back to Salem in time for him to get to work, so he was not able to go with me. And I was going to go alone. This is where I tell you “I am not a very good “loner”. Don’t get me wrong! I love time to myself but enough is enough and I like to share adventures, because isn’t that most of the point of having adventures? YES!

Anyhow, he suggested that we go, together, to a closer location and hike together. I could get my hike in and we could be together. YAY! We did that, and it was fun, and it was a hike, albeit ½ the distance.

 

I am winding up to the point here, bear with me. Once we got home, I felt so refreshed after we got to spend the morning together that I booked a trip for myself this coming weekend! I am taking my bike and my new Rogue and heading off to Eugene Oregon where I will do this bike ride: http://rideoregonride.com/inspiration/itineraries/a-family-friendly-outing-on-the-covered-bridges-scenic-bikeway/ on Friday and then a long hike on Saturday before I head home on Sunday.

 

“The Dude” gently reminded me that I am perfectly able to do a trip on my own, that I will have fun and it will make me happier than sitting at home over a long weekend, thinking I am wasting three awesome days off, in the summer, in Oregon. He reminded me that these are some of the reasons I had bariatric surgery in the first place, to ride my bike long distances and to hike.

 

I had a first marriage that did not have support nor candor nor tact nor friendship.  I am forever grateful I found my first boyfriend (yes we dated in our teens!) and we made a life together now.

 

And now, this coming weekend I am going to experience some adventures that I can experience all over again when I regale him with the tales!

 

Thanks for listening in, I appreciate you all at OH!

Mary

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"Skinny" Jeans -- me?

Jun 19, 2014

I was filled with anxiety this morning as I left the apartment. I put on three different outfits, trying to avoid a certain pair of new slacks I have never worn. Tried them on but never worn. I put on one pair of slacks....too baggy, same thing with the next pair. way too baggy. Along with a baggy top I felt hideous. but comfortable, because well---the clothing is familiar and too big.   So I took out a newer top, a white kind of lacy one that is form fitting and my new "skinny" black slacks, which are "The Style" at this time. and sandals. I went for it, although I feel oddly exposed.  But I have received so many compliments on my outfit I guess I have to to understand that it looks good!
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About Me
Location
33.0
BMI
RNY
Surgery
03/18/2014
Surgery Date
Nov 28, 2013
Member Since

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