mfryar
Happy Holidays!
Dec 16, 2006
Good Morning Beautiful People! It has been a while since I have taken the time to update on here. I have been so busy with the upcoming holidays that my time just gets away from me! I am still doing great. As of 10 months out I am down 126 pounds and feeling fantastic! The inches seem to drop faster now and I am working on firming up the loose skin, My best friend Kay, sent me some wonder firming cream from France and it really seems to help alot, I went out and found it on Ebay and bought a ton of it ! Lots of body here to firm up! LOL All in all I am so pleased with my progress so far. I am easily wearing and 18/20 in size and now that I am into Victoria Secret panties my life is complete! LOL I just got our Christmas cards ready to mail yesterday and I am amazed at the difference in our picture that we send out each year! Just one year ago I was a much different woman! On the 6th of December it would have been my 26th wedding anniversary from my first husband who passed in 2000. I got my wedding dress out and got the courage to try it on. I am still about 50 pounds heavier than I was on my wedding day but I tried it on. I couldn't get it zipped all the way...but it looked great and I felt sooooo good! I never in my wildest dreams thought I could ever get into it again. Food wise I am doing good. I eat pretty much what I like, trying to keep the smarter choiced in mind and choose things that are higher in protein and good for me. With the holidays here and I am able to tolerate sugar....I have enjoyed some of the sins of my past! :o) I try really hard to count the calories and allow them in moderatly. I am eating about 4 to 6 ounces each meal and I like having that strong control over my intake. Once and awhile I try to slip into my old way of eating larger portions and my tummy lets me know my eyes were way bigger than my tummy! This is a good thing! I feel as long as I can keep my portions small I will be able to maintain this lifestyle and kep my weighloss a permanent place in my life. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and my your new year be filled with many blessings and much joy!
Hugs! Marianne
397/271/250~Healthy Goddess!
Hugs! Marianne
397/271/250~Healthy Goddess!
Sunday November 12, 2006
Nov 12, 2006
Today here are my thoughts on keeping on track and helping other overcome the mental demons that haunt us on our journeys....I am down 121 pounds as of this morning and feeling fabulous! Thank you Jesus! Always remember.....You need to love yourself totally no matter what....I learned that years ago and was not unhappy with being big. My motto in life has always been to "Bloom where you are Planted" I believe that with my whole heart. I did this surgery primarily for my knees because my Dr said if I didn't I would be in a wheel chair in 2 years with the degeneration in my knees. I knew I was big, but I always felt beautiful. This surgery has been such a fun trip for me physically as I had forgotten the thinner woman I was so many years ago. I am having a blast with it and am so grateful to my orthopedic Dr for talking me into it. You need to look deep inside you and find what makes you happy and where you store you joy. Then you need to tap into that each day and look in the mirror and see the beautiful Goddess you truly are. Guard and protect your joy and don't let anyone take it from you. Our joy in life is a precious thing and I choose to nurture mine and spread the joy rather than let someone else squelch it from me. You must make room and learn to love yourself too. We are all so special and have our own unique bloom. I totally believe that since surgery we tend to think that "bad" foods are absolutely forbidden. In my consultation with Dr. Huse he told us all that after surgery will we be able to have birthday cake? Yes, just not every day. I was a little disappointed after surgery to learn that I can tolerate most sugars really well...that has always been my weakness :o) Now I look at it that God has blessed me with being able to have some of the good things that I loved so much only my portions are so much smaller. For instance I keep Peterson's peppermint patties (the little ones) in the house for my treats. In the evening I love to have 1 or 2 of them and really take my time enjoying them. They are only about 25 calories each and when I do "cheat" I look at the calorie content and try to arrange it in my daily plan. I work hard to really enjoy the wicked treat and to not let guilt make me "gobble" it fast like no one will know...lol you know what I mean? When I allow the "forbidden" into my diet my body feels that it is not being deprived and still gives up the weight so it has been good for me. Say this to yourself each and every day! "I am living life each day and I want to enjoy it in all ways. I will not beat myself up for my transgressions and I will accept my poor judgments and not let them control the rest of my life. I will be healthy the rest of my life and I will enjoy it to the fullest! " When I saw Doc on my 9 month visit he was so happy that I am realistic about my goal size. I am wearing my goal size clothing now and where I would like to end up weight wise is where allot of his patients start :o) I was at 396, highest 410 and goal is 250. Doc says I will most likely get below that so anything under that is a bonus. Life is so good and we have been so blessed. I get so tickled when I read of so many bariactric patients who talk about how ugly our saggy skin is since losing weight.....well Hello....I doubt we were raving beauties naked before either.... lol. I look forward to having my tummy and boobs done in about a year but that is the delicious icing on this cake! Have a most fantastic day!
Hugs!
Marianne
Saturday November 4, 2006 9 months out
Nov 03, 2006
Morning all! I have been so busy I haven't had time to post much lately, but I do try to get on here and keep up with what is going on. So many new people having their surgeries now so our Hoosier Losers group is growing! :o) I have been doing great! I had my 9 month check up with Dr. Huse this week and lost another 20 pounds. As of this morning I am finally in the 270's Yea! :o) My total loss is 118 pounds and I couldn't be happier. I feel terrific and my body has been working hard at reshaping and it is amazing how the inches just go away. As far as size wize, I am at my goal size for my frame so I am sure I will be smaller than I thought in the end. I am 29 pounds from goal weight now and Dr. Huse says I will go below that easily. I figure I will just ride this out and see where I end up. I am still so amazed that the smaller clothing fits me.....I hold them up on the hanger and they look sooooo small but they fit so well! :o) I find that folding clean clothes from the dryer has become a pleasurable chore :o) When I went ot the Dr. office this week I met a couple of other patients in the waiting room. They were both on opposite spectrums of this surgery. The one was a man and his mother. He had the surger over a year and half ago...had so many problems....ended up with an ulser in his new stomach and couldn't eat for 2 months. Finally went to the Dr. he had lost so much weight he was 2 weeks from dying from malnutrition....they had to do a reversal on him and he was there for his 4 week check up. They told him he had to gain 20 pounds and he has gained 8 so far. He said it was so wonderful to be able to eat anything again. He said his wife was against it from the beginning and he wished he would never had done it. His mother had it done and was there for her 1 year check up. She said she hasn't lost much lately as she has taken to grazing and she really didn't want to lose much more as she had lost so much in her face and felt she was looking haggard now. Then the other gal there...had her surgery in 2001. She weighed almost 400 and lost down to 230 and felt wonderful. Said they moved to indy and started to eat out alot and she got in the habit of grazing and little by little she has gained most of the wieght back. She was going to try to lose it without going thru a revision. I sat there thinking of the 2 completely different experiences and was more determined than ever to make sure that I keep on track and make this a life long journey. Looking back now, I understand alot more of why they have us go thru the psych evaluation. So many people think it is to flag them to be refused, but rather it is to target areas that will be a weakness after surgery so that hey can get help to be a success when they do have their surgery. I am so grateful that I have been so blessed with good health and have had no complications so far. I find in the last month I am able to tolerate meats better and am now consuming all my protein thru eating. Good-bye Isopure :o) With the nutritionist and Dr's approval I am keeping my portions at the 4-6 oz per meal range to maintain portion control. I feel that if I increase my portions that I may loose the good control I currently have . I will add an aditional meal as needed to make sure I am getting all I need each day. I love being able to actually swallow larger amounts of fluids! It is a joy to drink again :o) All in all I am very pleased with my progress and have adapted to where I feel perfectly normal :o) On a typical day, I have 12 oz calorie countdown chocolate milk while getting ready for work and take my meds for the day. When I get to work I have 4 oz cottage cheese, and then later in the morning I have a protein bar. For lunch I have a stick of cheese, a 100 calorie 4 oz of yogart, maybe a couple of fat free pringle chips. I might have some of a protein bar, sugar free pudding, fruit or a 100 calorie snack in the afternoon. When I get home I will have dinner which might be 4-6oz of what ever we are having for supper or 4-6oz of a lean cruisine meal. I allow myself sugarfree popsicles, a few fat free pringles, Kashi dry cereal, occasionally a bite size of candy, 60 calorie cup of soup, as treats. I drink calorie free Fruit 2O and SF Lemonade thru out the day. I am getting the recommended 64 ounces in and then some so I am so ahappy about that. The more I drink the better I feel. Sorry for the long post but it has been awhile for me! :o) I hope you all are doing great on the losing side and have a most wonderful weekend!
Hugs!
Marianne
397/279/250-Healthy Goddess!
Hugs!
Marianne
397/279/250-Healthy Goddess!
October 15, 2006
Oct 15, 2006
Sunday October 15, 2006
Hello Beautiful People! I am back from vacation and so glad to be home! Had a great time but love coming home! I find that I do not do so well with my eating and drinking when I am away from home and get out of my comfort level. That and I tend to lounge around more and my level of exercise is down from when I am at home. We got home late Monday night and I weighed in Tuesday with about a 5 pound gain for my 2 week vacation...UGH I weighed this morning and I am back down 5 ugly pounds and back on track. I do much better when I have a set routine and keep to my schedule...it must be my old age! lol I did have a great time ....lounged all day by the pool and read books....I read 5 books total so I really enjoyed that! Now that we are home...My house is a wreck...laundy out the wazoo.....and I am tired enough from the time change to fell pretty darn lazy! I am sooo ready to get our time back an hour! My beauty sleep needs it! I see we have a new profile format on here so I will try to get mine switched over and add some new pictures of me. I am old enough that I ususally resist change but I figure I had better comply now before they do away with the old profies all together. I use my profile to log my journey to keep me on track. I find it so helpful to go back over my entries and see just how far I have come. It is my form of accountability to myself I got to see several people in Vegas who haven't seen me since before surgery and they were shocked! My family all flew out there for my niece's wedding and several had not seen me so it was a real high for me! Well I am off here to try and tackle the housework that is so badly needed! You all take care and thank you for always being there as my support family! Hugs to you all!
Marianne
397/284/Healthy Goddess
Hello Beautiful People! I am back from vacation and so glad to be home! Had a great time but love coming home! I find that I do not do so well with my eating and drinking when I am away from home and get out of my comfort level. That and I tend to lounge around more and my level of exercise is down from when I am at home. We got home late Monday night and I weighed in Tuesday with about a 5 pound gain for my 2 week vacation...UGH I weighed this morning and I am back down 5 ugly pounds and back on track. I do much better when I have a set routine and keep to my schedule...it must be my old age! lol I did have a great time ....lounged all day by the pool and read books....I read 5 books total so I really enjoyed that! Now that we are home...My house is a wreck...laundy out the wazoo.....and I am tired enough from the time change to fell pretty darn lazy! I am sooo ready to get our time back an hour! My beauty sleep needs it! I see we have a new profile format on here so I will try to get mine switched over and add some new pictures of me. I am old enough that I ususally resist change but I figure I had better comply now before they do away with the old profies all together. I use my profile to log my journey to keep me on track. I find it so helpful to go back over my entries and see just how far I have come. It is my form of accountability to myself I got to see several people in Vegas who haven't seen me since before surgery and they were shocked! My family all flew out there for my niece's wedding and several had not seen me so it was a real high for me! Well I am off here to try and tackle the housework that is so badly needed! You all take care and thank you for always being there as my support family! Hugs to you all!
Marianne
397/284/Healthy Goddess
September 2006
Oct 15, 2006
Sunday September 3, 2006
Greeting All! Happy Labor Day Weekend!! WOOOO HOOOOO Everyone!! MY BMI in 7 months has gone from Super Obese to...Extremely Obese to just Obese! I am thrilled!! This is my 7 month anniversary and I weighed in at 293 this morning which is a loss of 104 pounds since surgery. Setting my BMI at 39.7 down from 53.2 just 7 months ago today! I am so happy to report that my reality check has really paid off! I regrouped and have put my self in check as to what I eat thru the day and the scales are moving fine again in the right direction! :o) I had popped uo a few pounds and I believe it may have been that when I hit my 100 pound mark It was more of a temporary loss ie: water and when the scales moved back up it really frightened me. I moved back into making stronger choices on my eating and drinking. The way I see it I need to eat most of my calories and realize that drinking calories are empty and therfore not a part of my routine just now. I really love eating warm oatmeal with rasins in the morning but I switched back to low fat cottage cheese. Oatmeal is mainly a starch and not a good protein filler. Cottage chesse however has 13 grams of protein in just 4 ounces so it is an excellent source to start my day off. I try and munch on a little bit of Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal for some added protein and fiber. I have been supplimenting my protein intake with a bottle of Isopure daily for 40 grams of protein. I am now trying to "eat" my protein and see if I can fulfill my daily 75 grams of protein requirements thru food and just occasionally use the Isopure. So far I am doing great! I keep the south beach 100 calorie snack bars and the 210 calorie meal replacement bars on hand along with the 210 calorie mint zone bars. They help curb my mental need for munching and provide a good source of protein. As much as I have loved my lemonade....I figure I can ocassionally have a sip but I am leaving it to when I am at goal weight as a treat to look forward to. I figure there will be plenty of time to enjoy my oatmeal and lemonade when my weight is at goal and for now to focus on the best choice for losing weight while this tool is at peak performance. Seeing the scales move again and seeing the inches melt off my body has been such an inspiration! I have really noticed it in my thighs lately, I am tall and have long legs however they have been large for so long I had forgotten just how long they really are! :o) I bought several new bras and they are a size 40D. Down from a 48 c/d that I wore previously. I finally broke down and bought new panties...lol the old ones were really big but so comfey I fought giving them up...lol the new ones are a size 11 down from a 15 so that makes me feel so good! It is amazing how little they look when I fold the laundry! :o) I have always loved lingerie and getting the new sexy ones is a blast! If people only knew what I was wearing under my clothes some days they would really raise their eyebrows! lol The day I am down to wearing Victoria Secret's undies is a day the fireworks will really go off! :o) I bought a "little" black dress to take to Vegas and I feel so small and Beautiful in it! All in all Life is better than ever and I am really blooming thru this so wonderfully. I have to say I have been so blessed with the best support from family and co-workers and friends to make this journey the best possible ever! I will update more later! Take care and keep blooming!
Hugs!
Marianne
397/293/Healthy Goddess :o)
Sunday September 10, 2006
Good Wonderful Morning All! What absolutely beautiful weather we have had these past few days! Simply Gorgeous! The cool night and warm sunny days are perfect. My hubby called me on the back patio the night to look at the full moon....it was Beautiful! All full and a deep peachy orange in color...looking alot more like the October Harvest Moon than an early September Moon. Some day I would like to study up more on the planets and constelations as I am in awe of them! This week was really good and I am doing great. Down to 291 as of this morning so that is a loss of 106 pounds in 7 months. I am noticing it more in inches now and that is really exciting. I pulled out a denim skirt I wore a couple of months ago and it was snug then...it fell off my hips! Woo Hoo! I am loving this! I bought a straight cut, lacing down the sides longer denim skirt just after surgery as inspiration for loosing...I finally got in it and wore it this week! I am so amazed at how things you think you will never get into...you do and then when they get too big it blows my mind! I did something this week I have never done.....I went and had a Professional Pedicure! Talk about an awesome experience! It was the most wonderful time! I have always done my own and have held back going before as I have a couple of toenails that always have issues :o) and I never wanted someone else to deal with them so I never went! Now...I am addicted and plan to go every 2 weeks to pamper myself! What a delicious treat! My feet look beautiful...if that is possible for a size 14 ladies foot! lol I think I sat in the chair smiling the whole time! The gal who did me was so nice and friendly and I will definatly go back! So if any of you have not experienced this...please do not wait till you are 50 like me! Get off your fanny and go immediatly to pamper you feet and you will truly feel like a Goddess! My dear friend Kay has been working on her weight since January and doing great! We talk daily to inspire each other and I told her about cottage cheese being a "magic" food. Well after her 1st week adding it to her diet she lost 6 pounds so I am still preaching the goodness of low fat cottage cheese! Eat some today an be good to your body! :o) You all have a Fabulous Day and Keep Blooming!
Marianne
397/291/Healthy Goddess!
Saturday September 16, 2006
Happy Weekend All! This is going to be a beautiful weekend!! I love these cool nights and sunny days! Ah...it is the life! I am down 109 pounds as if this morning so all I can say is "God Bless Cottage Cheese" I swear by it! It is a miracle food! Where else can you get so much protein for so little calories! Since I moved it back into my daily eatiing routine my weight loss has picked up and I am thrilled. I never thought I would get out of the 290/300 area on my scales! Sheesh! I had almost resigned myself that that was going to be a permanent place for me :o) My goal was to be down 110 pounds when we leave for Vegas on the 27th so I figure I am just as good as there now at 288! :o) That will make me exactly 42 pounds less that when we went in May. Thank you Jesus for this wonderful journey! All in all I am doing very well...My hair has stopped thinning and I have lots of new hair cropping up at the roots so I figure by Christmas I will be back to normal! It was pretty scary when it was thinning but I just kept the faith that it was normal and kept taking my biotin and keeping my fluids and protein up. With my "fluffy" hairstyle no one else has noticed it but I could sure tell a difference in the texture. I had the nicest compliment this week....I work for an amazing company and my boss is the best! She is this little petite lady and her husband came by and asked if I was hiding her, I said no...but she probably could stand behind me and not be seen.....he said ..not for much longer. It really made my day! I feel so awesome at this size and to have others really notice the change really feels so wonderful! I discovered a wonderful new drink this week! I love Lemonade and have only been able to find the regular as I am allergic to aspertame. Well...Aldi's has a fit and active one liter bottle of Lemonade and Strawberry/Lemonade made with Splenda that is awesome! It is zero calories and zero carbs and soooooo Delicious! I am in hog heaven! I like it so well that my fluid intake is up and I think that is another reason the pounds are melting again. I just wish I had found this earlier in the season! That is just about it for me :o) My Life is so good and my cup runneth over with Blessings! You all have a Fabulous Day and a Fantastic Weekend!
Hugs! Marianne
397/288/Healthy Goddess!
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Hump day is Fly day for me! :o) Our flight leaves for Vegas at 6:35 this evening and I am soooo ready for it! It took me over 3 hours just deciding what great weasle wear to pack! I have gotten so many really awesome things and have to consider the hot sunny days and the cooler nights....I finally made it into 2 large suitcases and one small...then sweetly asked Jon if he would put my pillow in one of his bags....lol I tried on some things that weren't even close to fitting me 3 weeks ago and they fit! It is amazing how now that the pounds come off slower what a huge difference there is in inches! It is wonderful! I have fianlly lost my huge bubble butt! Thank you Jesus! I am not sure where I lost it but I can tell you I am sure not looking for it! :o) I really credit the daily walking for my legs , thighs and butt changing so much here lately! I bought me 2 pair of denim legging jeans that are just a XLT! I am so wowed by this! Some new fall/winter tops that are just a large! I still shake my head while folding my clothing! They look so little and the panties are so little and hard to fold! LOL I don't know when I have been happier! I am so excited to see our usual friend in Vegas as they have not seen me since before surgery and my niece is getting married and my whole family is flying out for the wedding and most of them haven't seen me yet either! I got this drop dead gorgeous sexy backless black dress for the wedding and I can't wait to wear it! I had hoped to be down 110 pounds for this trip and as of this morning I am down 115! :o) You all have a fantastic time while I am gone and I promise you some new pictues when I get home! Hugs to you all!
Marianne
397/282/Healthy Goddess! :o)
Greeting All! Happy Labor Day Weekend!! WOOOO HOOOOO Everyone!! MY BMI in 7 months has gone from Super Obese to...Extremely Obese to just Obese! I am thrilled!! This is my 7 month anniversary and I weighed in at 293 this morning which is a loss of 104 pounds since surgery. Setting my BMI at 39.7 down from 53.2 just 7 months ago today! I am so happy to report that my reality check has really paid off! I regrouped and have put my self in check as to what I eat thru the day and the scales are moving fine again in the right direction! :o) I had popped uo a few pounds and I believe it may have been that when I hit my 100 pound mark It was more of a temporary loss ie: water and when the scales moved back up it really frightened me. I moved back into making stronger choices on my eating and drinking. The way I see it I need to eat most of my calories and realize that drinking calories are empty and therfore not a part of my routine just now. I really love eating warm oatmeal with rasins in the morning but I switched back to low fat cottage cheese. Oatmeal is mainly a starch and not a good protein filler. Cottage chesse however has 13 grams of protein in just 4 ounces so it is an excellent source to start my day off. I try and munch on a little bit of Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal for some added protein and fiber. I have been supplimenting my protein intake with a bottle of Isopure daily for 40 grams of protein. I am now trying to "eat" my protein and see if I can fulfill my daily 75 grams of protein requirements thru food and just occasionally use the Isopure. So far I am doing great! I keep the south beach 100 calorie snack bars and the 210 calorie meal replacement bars on hand along with the 210 calorie mint zone bars. They help curb my mental need for munching and provide a good source of protein. As much as I have loved my lemonade....I figure I can ocassionally have a sip but I am leaving it to when I am at goal weight as a treat to look forward to. I figure there will be plenty of time to enjoy my oatmeal and lemonade when my weight is at goal and for now to focus on the best choice for losing weight while this tool is at peak performance. Seeing the scales move again and seeing the inches melt off my body has been such an inspiration! I have really noticed it in my thighs lately, I am tall and have long legs however they have been large for so long I had forgotten just how long they really are! :o) I bought several new bras and they are a size 40D. Down from a 48 c/d that I wore previously. I finally broke down and bought new panties...lol the old ones were really big but so comfey I fought giving them up...lol the new ones are a size 11 down from a 15 so that makes me feel so good! It is amazing how little they look when I fold the laundry! :o) I have always loved lingerie and getting the new sexy ones is a blast! If people only knew what I was wearing under my clothes some days they would really raise their eyebrows! lol The day I am down to wearing Victoria Secret's undies is a day the fireworks will really go off! :o) I bought a "little" black dress to take to Vegas and I feel so small and Beautiful in it! All in all Life is better than ever and I am really blooming thru this so wonderfully. I have to say I have been so blessed with the best support from family and co-workers and friends to make this journey the best possible ever! I will update more later! Take care and keep blooming!
Hugs!
Marianne
397/293/Healthy Goddess :o)
Sunday September 10, 2006
Good Wonderful Morning All! What absolutely beautiful weather we have had these past few days! Simply Gorgeous! The cool night and warm sunny days are perfect. My hubby called me on the back patio the night to look at the full moon....it was Beautiful! All full and a deep peachy orange in color...looking alot more like the October Harvest Moon than an early September Moon. Some day I would like to study up more on the planets and constelations as I am in awe of them! This week was really good and I am doing great. Down to 291 as of this morning so that is a loss of 106 pounds in 7 months. I am noticing it more in inches now and that is really exciting. I pulled out a denim skirt I wore a couple of months ago and it was snug then...it fell off my hips! Woo Hoo! I am loving this! I bought a straight cut, lacing down the sides longer denim skirt just after surgery as inspiration for loosing...I finally got in it and wore it this week! I am so amazed at how things you think you will never get into...you do and then when they get too big it blows my mind! I did something this week I have never done.....I went and had a Professional Pedicure! Talk about an awesome experience! It was the most wonderful time! I have always done my own and have held back going before as I have a couple of toenails that always have issues :o) and I never wanted someone else to deal with them so I never went! Now...I am addicted and plan to go every 2 weeks to pamper myself! What a delicious treat! My feet look beautiful...if that is possible for a size 14 ladies foot! lol I think I sat in the chair smiling the whole time! The gal who did me was so nice and friendly and I will definatly go back! So if any of you have not experienced this...please do not wait till you are 50 like me! Get off your fanny and go immediatly to pamper you feet and you will truly feel like a Goddess! My dear friend Kay has been working on her weight since January and doing great! We talk daily to inspire each other and I told her about cottage cheese being a "magic" food. Well after her 1st week adding it to her diet she lost 6 pounds so I am still preaching the goodness of low fat cottage cheese! Eat some today an be good to your body! :o) You all have a Fabulous Day and Keep Blooming!
Marianne
397/291/Healthy Goddess!
Saturday September 16, 2006
Happy Weekend All! This is going to be a beautiful weekend!! I love these cool nights and sunny days! Ah...it is the life! I am down 109 pounds as if this morning so all I can say is "God Bless Cottage Cheese" I swear by it! It is a miracle food! Where else can you get so much protein for so little calories! Since I moved it back into my daily eatiing routine my weight loss has picked up and I am thrilled. I never thought I would get out of the 290/300 area on my scales! Sheesh! I had almost resigned myself that that was going to be a permanent place for me :o) My goal was to be down 110 pounds when we leave for Vegas on the 27th so I figure I am just as good as there now at 288! :o) That will make me exactly 42 pounds less that when we went in May. Thank you Jesus for this wonderful journey! All in all I am doing very well...My hair has stopped thinning and I have lots of new hair cropping up at the roots so I figure by Christmas I will be back to normal! It was pretty scary when it was thinning but I just kept the faith that it was normal and kept taking my biotin and keeping my fluids and protein up. With my "fluffy" hairstyle no one else has noticed it but I could sure tell a difference in the texture. I had the nicest compliment this week....I work for an amazing company and my boss is the best! She is this little petite lady and her husband came by and asked if I was hiding her, I said no...but she probably could stand behind me and not be seen.....he said ..not for much longer. It really made my day! I feel so awesome at this size and to have others really notice the change really feels so wonderful! I discovered a wonderful new drink this week! I love Lemonade and have only been able to find the regular as I am allergic to aspertame. Well...Aldi's has a fit and active one liter bottle of Lemonade and Strawberry/Lemonade made with Splenda that is awesome! It is zero calories and zero carbs and soooooo Delicious! I am in hog heaven! I like it so well that my fluid intake is up and I think that is another reason the pounds are melting again. I just wish I had found this earlier in the season! That is just about it for me :o) My Life is so good and my cup runneth over with Blessings! You all have a Fabulous Day and a Fantastic Weekend!
Hugs! Marianne
397/288/Healthy Goddess!
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Hump day is Fly day for me! :o) Our flight leaves for Vegas at 6:35 this evening and I am soooo ready for it! It took me over 3 hours just deciding what great weasle wear to pack! I have gotten so many really awesome things and have to consider the hot sunny days and the cooler nights....I finally made it into 2 large suitcases and one small...then sweetly asked Jon if he would put my pillow in one of his bags....lol I tried on some things that weren't even close to fitting me 3 weeks ago and they fit! It is amazing how now that the pounds come off slower what a huge difference there is in inches! It is wonderful! I have fianlly lost my huge bubble butt! Thank you Jesus! I am not sure where I lost it but I can tell you I am sure not looking for it! :o) I really credit the daily walking for my legs , thighs and butt changing so much here lately! I bought me 2 pair of denim legging jeans that are just a XLT! I am so wowed by this! Some new fall/winter tops that are just a large! I still shake my head while folding my clothing! They look so little and the panties are so little and hard to fold! LOL I don't know when I have been happier! I am so excited to see our usual friend in Vegas as they have not seen me since before surgery and my niece is getting married and my whole family is flying out for the wedding and most of them haven't seen me yet either! I got this drop dead gorgeous sexy backless black dress for the wedding and I can't wait to wear it! I had hoped to be down 110 pounds for this trip and as of this morning I am down 115! :o) You all have a fantastic time while I am gone and I promise you some new pictues when I get home! Hugs to you all!
Marianne
397/282/Healthy Goddess! :o)
August 2006
Oct 15, 2006
Friday August 4, 2006
I just had to share.....I am officially down 100 pounds today! I weighed in at 297 and am so thrilled! I had hopped to make it by my 6 month date which was yesterday ...however this is good enough for me! :o) I saw Dr. Huse and the nutritionist this week and they both said I am doing great. I love Dr. Huse! He is the sweetest, kindest Dr. I have ever met! He has always seemed pleased that my goal weight is a good reality for me. I have always maintained that for being 6 feet and large framed I would be happy with weighing 250. He said that is a good goal for me and sees me getting below that. We were joking that where I would like to end is where alot of people start on here...lol I am already showing alot of bone on my shoulders and chest and wearing an 18/20 top and got into my size 20 denim stretch jeans this week. This journey has been such a Joy to me and I am so happy this is my path! I have found such wonderful support on the OH site and thru my family , co-workers and friends. I am truly a blessed woman! I have to really give alot of credit to my Wonderful husband Jon, He has been by my side thru this whole journey and is discovering a totally new woman from the one he married 3 years ago. Each pound I lose he is just as happy for me as I am thrilled to lose it! Each time he holds me in his arms he can hug me closer and closer...a long stretch from where he used to have to lean in to me for a hug. I love the fact that he married me "big" and now gets to see the slimmer me that I was so many years ago. My life is so fulfilling and full of laughter and joy and I just had to share! Thank you all for all your support and inspiration! Have a most Glorious Day!
HUGS!
Marianne
397/297/250 or Healthy Goddess!
Monday August 21, 2006
Greetings All! I have been so busy with the fair going on and all that time has flown and I have not been keeping up with my journal. I am doing great for the most part. I have had a strong reality check and had to pull myself up and regroup. I got on the scale after a week and was up about 2 or 3 pounds. It seemed so strange to see it going the other way. I have been battling constipation and know that has alot to do with it :o). I really must drink more and eat more fiber :o) I took a really deep look at my eating habits and realized I needed to get back into the better groove. I, like so many after surgery find my pouch likes easier foods, particularly dry foods like cereal, 100 calorie snack packs of doritos, cheese pops, granola bars, fat free pringles....they are fine in moderation but I have been way to liberal and I know I must make the stand to change that now. When I feed my pouch regular food it doesn't seem to like it much so it has just been easier to "grab" a friendly food. I still get all my protein in daily and continue to remind myself to drink but all in all I am getting my fluids in so much better now. I find I am so easy to fall into the "fast" eating routine.....I believe it was established at an early age in elementary school when they rush the kids to eat so much in such a little time frame. I find myself reluctant to really take the time to eat S~L~O~W :o) That and as a receptionist, I do get extra time on my hands and the old brain wanders into the "taste" realm of thinking, mostly out of a lack of something to do. I have made it my vow to really take the time to eat the foods I need to and to force myself to eat at a pace so my body learns to enjoy and digest at a healthy speed. I want to make the most of my next 12 months as I know that typically the "honeymoon" for WLS is 12-18 months. I am 6 months out now and want to refocus on being the best that I can be. Writing in this journal format is so helpful to me. It makes me hold myself acountable and going back over my entries I realize just how far I have come in this wonderful journey. I continue to have wonderful WOW monents that make my face light up like a little kid at Christmas! :o) I dropped the bottle cap off my water bottle in the car yesterday and it rolled close to my foot on the gas pedal.....without even thinking I leaned down and grabbed it while driving...I actually reached it without a skirmish to bend my body into a small space. I have some new dusters for fall and they are a size Large..... a long way from the previous 4x, 5x that I wore before. While shopping at Lane Bryant a little black shrug ran larger and I asked for a smaller size... the gal said that this was the smallest size in a 14/16! Top size I am about a 18/20 so that is Awesome for me! Best of all is every day I get home from work I get my usual hug from my husband.....each day he gets closer and closer and I love the feeling of being so totally wrapped in his arms.......Life is very good and I am strong in my resolve to be the best that I can be! Hugs to you all! Keep Blooming!
Marianne
I just had to share.....I am officially down 100 pounds today! I weighed in at 297 and am so thrilled! I had hopped to make it by my 6 month date which was yesterday ...however this is good enough for me! :o) I saw Dr. Huse and the nutritionist this week and they both said I am doing great. I love Dr. Huse! He is the sweetest, kindest Dr. I have ever met! He has always seemed pleased that my goal weight is a good reality for me. I have always maintained that for being 6 feet and large framed I would be happy with weighing 250. He said that is a good goal for me and sees me getting below that. We were joking that where I would like to end is where alot of people start on here...lol I am already showing alot of bone on my shoulders and chest and wearing an 18/20 top and got into my size 20 denim stretch jeans this week. This journey has been such a Joy to me and I am so happy this is my path! I have found such wonderful support on the OH site and thru my family , co-workers and friends. I am truly a blessed woman! I have to really give alot of credit to my Wonderful husband Jon, He has been by my side thru this whole journey and is discovering a totally new woman from the one he married 3 years ago. Each pound I lose he is just as happy for me as I am thrilled to lose it! Each time he holds me in his arms he can hug me closer and closer...a long stretch from where he used to have to lean in to me for a hug. I love the fact that he married me "big" and now gets to see the slimmer me that I was so many years ago. My life is so fulfilling and full of laughter and joy and I just had to share! Thank you all for all your support and inspiration! Have a most Glorious Day!
HUGS!
Marianne
397/297/250 or Healthy Goddess!
Monday August 21, 2006
Greetings All! I have been so busy with the fair going on and all that time has flown and I have not been keeping up with my journal. I am doing great for the most part. I have had a strong reality check and had to pull myself up and regroup. I got on the scale after a week and was up about 2 or 3 pounds. It seemed so strange to see it going the other way. I have been battling constipation and know that has alot to do with it :o). I really must drink more and eat more fiber :o) I took a really deep look at my eating habits and realized I needed to get back into the better groove. I, like so many after surgery find my pouch likes easier foods, particularly dry foods like cereal, 100 calorie snack packs of doritos, cheese pops, granola bars, fat free pringles....they are fine in moderation but I have been way to liberal and I know I must make the stand to change that now. When I feed my pouch regular food it doesn't seem to like it much so it has just been easier to "grab" a friendly food. I still get all my protein in daily and continue to remind myself to drink but all in all I am getting my fluids in so much better now. I find I am so easy to fall into the "fast" eating routine.....I believe it was established at an early age in elementary school when they rush the kids to eat so much in such a little time frame. I find myself reluctant to really take the time to eat S~L~O~W :o) That and as a receptionist, I do get extra time on my hands and the old brain wanders into the "taste" realm of thinking, mostly out of a lack of something to do. I have made it my vow to really take the time to eat the foods I need to and to force myself to eat at a pace so my body learns to enjoy and digest at a healthy speed. I want to make the most of my next 12 months as I know that typically the "honeymoon" for WLS is 12-18 months. I am 6 months out now and want to refocus on being the best that I can be. Writing in this journal format is so helpful to me. It makes me hold myself acountable and going back over my entries I realize just how far I have come in this wonderful journey. I continue to have wonderful WOW monents that make my face light up like a little kid at Christmas! :o) I dropped the bottle cap off my water bottle in the car yesterday and it rolled close to my foot on the gas pedal.....without even thinking I leaned down and grabbed it while driving...I actually reached it without a skirmish to bend my body into a small space. I have some new dusters for fall and they are a size Large..... a long way from the previous 4x, 5x that I wore before. While shopping at Lane Bryant a little black shrug ran larger and I asked for a smaller size... the gal said that this was the smallest size in a 14/16! Top size I am about a 18/20 so that is Awesome for me! Best of all is every day I get home from work I get my usual hug from my husband.....each day he gets closer and closer and I love the feeling of being so totally wrapped in his arms.......Life is very good and I am strong in my resolve to be the best that I can be! Hugs to you all! Keep Blooming!
Marianne
July 2006
Oct 15, 2006
Monday July 3, 2006
Greetings All! I am 5 months out from surgery today and feeling terrific! I weighed in at 306 so that is a loss of 91 pounds so far. I am still amazed at how it keeps coming off. I feel like I am eating alot now and feel so satisfied that it is hard to understand how I can still be losing weigh so well. I bought some new tops and they are in the size 18/20 so in 5 short months coming from a size 32 to and 18/20 I am thrilled. This size has really been my goal size so anything else is truly the icing on the cake for me so to speak. I am still loving my egg salad with fat free pringles......it is the bomb! Love the cheese sticks and watermellon...yummy! I went and got my hair cut on Saturday and my hair dresser says I am getting taller...lol well at 6' I am tall but getting thinner makes me look alot taller than wider...lol my hair is doing good..she said it has thinned out in the back some but not enough to worry. With the short doo that I wear it won't be long till the new hair comes back in and I am back to normal. My goal now is to be down 100 pounds by my 6th month anniversary on August 3rd. This journey has been the best in my life and I am loving each and every minute of it! You all have a fabulous 4th of July!! Keep Blooming! HUGS!! Marianne
Wednesday July 19, 2006
Greetings All! I must be slipping :o) I did not realize that I had not posted the past couple of weekends! It truly must be the old age or blonde thing! lol I am doing great! I am down 96 pounds as of this morning and am fast approaching my first 100 pounds gone! I feel wonderful and at times I have to remind myself that I have really had this surgery as it is gettng to feel like I am quite normal again. I still struggle with meats so I tend to stay away from them. I have tried to incorporate more regular foods in my diet as so many of the sugar free ones contain aspertame which I am allergic to. It is a challange at times adjusting to the foods but all in all I seem to be doing well. It seem like it took forever going thru the 65 pound to 75 pounds area......from the 80 to 90"s just was a blur it went so fast. The 90's seem a little slower but I feel strong in the knowledge that I will get there. :o) Some of my clothes have been just hanging on me! And some of the ones I have bought after surgery are too big already...that feels Fantastic! I have been sharing alot of my really great sexy clothing items with other BBW's so they too can be Goddesses! :o) This journey has been such a blessing and Joy in my life and I am so thankful that this is the path I have taken. Today I am gong out of town to be with my parents attending a funeral of a very dear man. He was our pastor and very close to our family. He was the most precious soul I have ever known. I know he is in heaven now and I told my mom that for sure now my husband who passed in 2000 knows the scoop on me....that I remarried a wonderful man 3 years ago and now I am getting skinny! lol Rosie always loved me big so I am sure he would have had issues with me losing this weight! My daughter Ashley is going with me today and I know it will be a tough day on us. We plan to visit Rosie's grave and place flowers on it for him. I still have tears for him and I always will....when you have been so blessed with wonderful people in your life and you loose them, your tears validate that you had something so wonderful in your life. I have truly been blessed and looking back over the chapters in my life, I know that God has given me a beautiful life to live. I realize I may have some explaining to do in heaven about my having this surgery to Rosie :o) but for all the improved qualitites of life that this has given me I know he would understand. And really...for a 50 year old woman...I am looking pretty darn good! :o) Keep Blooming Everyone and I will update more next week!
Hugs!
Marianne
Sunday July 23, 2006
Good Wonderful Beautiful Fabulous Fantastic Sunday Morning To You All!!
Gee...can you tell I am excited...lol I just weighed in and I am at 299.......I am still 2 pounds from my 100 pound mark but I am sooooo thrilled to say I am now only 2 hundred something...lol It has been years! I feel fantastic and I am happier than I ever thought I could be over something like this. I am still out shopping like a maniac :o) It seems so strange to be buying clothing in such smaller sizes and even stranger when they fit! I can't tell you how many times I have had to return items for a smaller size! It blows my mind! My goal size has always been to be an 18/20 which for 6 foot tall is a good size on me......well I am buying mostly 18/20 in tops now and had to get one in a 14/16! Honestly...If I end up a true 14/16 I will be in Hog Heaven! I have been buying some new ~HOT~ Weasle wear for our Vegas Trip in late September and I am having a ball! For my food I am doing well, Still trying to increase the fiber with all the wonderful Kashi products out there! Still love my string cheese and milk. I ate at Taco Bell this week...well got take home :o) and now I understand why it is such a favorite for those of us who have had this surgery......Simply fantastic! I got the pinto and cheese and it was soooooo yummy. I added sour cream to it and made 2 meals out of it. Talk about a cheap date! .99 cents worth for 2 meals! With the hot weather I am really loving my Sugar Free Kroger popsicles and Fudge Bars....what a refreshing treat! I am so proud of myself for not going back to pop even now as I would be allowed to dring the sugarfree ones....I have gotten so used to drinking my water and fruit 2 o that I honestly don't miss it. Since I am able to tolerate sugar more than I had hoped to...I will every now and then when we are out, allow myself to have a flavored ice tea or lemonaid to drink. I tried a new dish last night...it was a cheesy, veggie, chicken & rice bake......I wasn't sure on the rice but I did wonderful with it!! So Delicious! With the pounds melting off of me. the common joke now is that the smaller I get the taller I look! lol I attended a funeral this week with my parents and daughter and wore a little black sundress. I haven't seen most of these people since way before surgery and they were shocked to see me looking this small! I was so amazed when I sat in the pew seat..... without thinking..... I lifted my right leg and crossed my legs.....my calves and thighs have always been so large that I could always cross my legs only they stuck up in the air...this time my right leg swung down against my left leg...talk about a WOW moment. Let me tell you....for a 50 year old woman to feel so "Young & Sassy" it has been a real trip for me! :o) Last night I gave myself my usual 2 week pedicure and painted my toenails my Trademarkl Bright Red :o).....earlier this week I noticed a chip in my polish and I sat on the toilet seat and grabbed my bottle...bent over and repaired the nail. Then as I raised up I realized...OMGoodness...I just painted my toenail sitting down and bending over......absolutely amazing! I cound never have done that before surgery even if you had paid me too! I have been having so many ~WOW~ Moments lately that I feel like every day is Christmas! I just wanted to share my joy this morning! You all have a super fantastic day! Keep Blooming!
Hugs!
Marianne
397/299/Healthy Goddess
Greetings All! I am 5 months out from surgery today and feeling terrific! I weighed in at 306 so that is a loss of 91 pounds so far. I am still amazed at how it keeps coming off. I feel like I am eating alot now and feel so satisfied that it is hard to understand how I can still be losing weigh so well. I bought some new tops and they are in the size 18/20 so in 5 short months coming from a size 32 to and 18/20 I am thrilled. This size has really been my goal size so anything else is truly the icing on the cake for me so to speak. I am still loving my egg salad with fat free pringles......it is the bomb! Love the cheese sticks and watermellon...yummy! I went and got my hair cut on Saturday and my hair dresser says I am getting taller...lol well at 6' I am tall but getting thinner makes me look alot taller than wider...lol my hair is doing good..she said it has thinned out in the back some but not enough to worry. With the short doo that I wear it won't be long till the new hair comes back in and I am back to normal. My goal now is to be down 100 pounds by my 6th month anniversary on August 3rd. This journey has been the best in my life and I am loving each and every minute of it! You all have a fabulous 4th of July!! Keep Blooming! HUGS!! Marianne
Wednesday July 19, 2006
Greetings All! I must be slipping :o) I did not realize that I had not posted the past couple of weekends! It truly must be the old age or blonde thing! lol I am doing great! I am down 96 pounds as of this morning and am fast approaching my first 100 pounds gone! I feel wonderful and at times I have to remind myself that I have really had this surgery as it is gettng to feel like I am quite normal again. I still struggle with meats so I tend to stay away from them. I have tried to incorporate more regular foods in my diet as so many of the sugar free ones contain aspertame which I am allergic to. It is a challange at times adjusting to the foods but all in all I seem to be doing well. It seem like it took forever going thru the 65 pound to 75 pounds area......from the 80 to 90"s just was a blur it went so fast. The 90's seem a little slower but I feel strong in the knowledge that I will get there. :o) Some of my clothes have been just hanging on me! And some of the ones I have bought after surgery are too big already...that feels Fantastic! I have been sharing alot of my really great sexy clothing items with other BBW's so they too can be Goddesses! :o) This journey has been such a blessing and Joy in my life and I am so thankful that this is the path I have taken. Today I am gong out of town to be with my parents attending a funeral of a very dear man. He was our pastor and very close to our family. He was the most precious soul I have ever known. I know he is in heaven now and I told my mom that for sure now my husband who passed in 2000 knows the scoop on me....that I remarried a wonderful man 3 years ago and now I am getting skinny! lol Rosie always loved me big so I am sure he would have had issues with me losing this weight! My daughter Ashley is going with me today and I know it will be a tough day on us. We plan to visit Rosie's grave and place flowers on it for him. I still have tears for him and I always will....when you have been so blessed with wonderful people in your life and you loose them, your tears validate that you had something so wonderful in your life. I have truly been blessed and looking back over the chapters in my life, I know that God has given me a beautiful life to live. I realize I may have some explaining to do in heaven about my having this surgery to Rosie :o) but for all the improved qualitites of life that this has given me I know he would understand. And really...for a 50 year old woman...I am looking pretty darn good! :o) Keep Blooming Everyone and I will update more next week!
Hugs!
Marianne
Sunday July 23, 2006
Good Wonderful Beautiful Fabulous Fantastic Sunday Morning To You All!!
Gee...can you tell I am excited...lol I just weighed in and I am at 299.......I am still 2 pounds from my 100 pound mark but I am sooooo thrilled to say I am now only 2 hundred something...lol It has been years! I feel fantastic and I am happier than I ever thought I could be over something like this. I am still out shopping like a maniac :o) It seems so strange to be buying clothing in such smaller sizes and even stranger when they fit! I can't tell you how many times I have had to return items for a smaller size! It blows my mind! My goal size has always been to be an 18/20 which for 6 foot tall is a good size on me......well I am buying mostly 18/20 in tops now and had to get one in a 14/16! Honestly...If I end up a true 14/16 I will be in Hog Heaven! I have been buying some new ~HOT~ Weasle wear for our Vegas Trip in late September and I am having a ball! For my food I am doing well, Still trying to increase the fiber with all the wonderful Kashi products out there! Still love my string cheese and milk. I ate at Taco Bell this week...well got take home :o) and now I understand why it is such a favorite for those of us who have had this surgery......Simply fantastic! I got the pinto and cheese and it was soooooo yummy. I added sour cream to it and made 2 meals out of it. Talk about a cheap date! .99 cents worth for 2 meals! With the hot weather I am really loving my Sugar Free Kroger popsicles and Fudge Bars....what a refreshing treat! I am so proud of myself for not going back to pop even now as I would be allowed to dring the sugarfree ones....I have gotten so used to drinking my water and fruit 2 o that I honestly don't miss it. Since I am able to tolerate sugar more than I had hoped to...I will every now and then when we are out, allow myself to have a flavored ice tea or lemonaid to drink. I tried a new dish last night...it was a cheesy, veggie, chicken & rice bake......I wasn't sure on the rice but I did wonderful with it!! So Delicious! With the pounds melting off of me. the common joke now is that the smaller I get the taller I look! lol I attended a funeral this week with my parents and daughter and wore a little black sundress. I haven't seen most of these people since way before surgery and they were shocked to see me looking this small! I was so amazed when I sat in the pew seat..... without thinking..... I lifted my right leg and crossed my legs.....my calves and thighs have always been so large that I could always cross my legs only they stuck up in the air...this time my right leg swung down against my left leg...talk about a WOW moment. Let me tell you....for a 50 year old woman to feel so "Young & Sassy" it has been a real trip for me! :o) Last night I gave myself my usual 2 week pedicure and painted my toenails my Trademarkl Bright Red :o).....earlier this week I noticed a chip in my polish and I sat on the toilet seat and grabbed my bottle...bent over and repaired the nail. Then as I raised up I realized...OMGoodness...I just painted my toenail sitting down and bending over......absolutely amazing! I cound never have done that before surgery even if you had paid me too! I have been having so many ~WOW~ Moments lately that I feel like every day is Christmas! I just wanted to share my joy this morning! You all have a super fantastic day! Keep Blooming!
Hugs!
Marianne
397/299/Healthy Goddess
June 25th
Oct 15, 2006
Sunday June 25, 2006 Good Morning Beautiful People!
Another Glorious day awaits us! We had better enjoy it as it looks like it will be rainy most of the next week! Don't beat yourself up too bad Linda.....we all make some poor food choices after surgery, but I think that just being aware that it was not the better choice makes us much wiserr. I still have not really tried carbonated drinks and don't really plan to reintroduce them into my foods. I have really been craving lemonaide and all I can get is the regular as I am alergic to aspertame. I had a couple of glasses this past week and let me tell you it was Wicked!! :o) I was in heaven!! I just try and cut back on other things to accomodate. I am tollerating sugar better than I had hoped....thank goodness the amounts are so limited so that helps keep me in check. In the old days I might have craved cookies and ate 6-12 of them...now if I eat one I am happy and really enjoy it. Just giving up bread and pop have made a huge difference for me. Eating greasy/fatty/rich foods are not for me, I feel icky almost immediatly and it is just so not worth it. I have been talking to several people who are 3+ years out and the most common comment I get is that they wish they had left their pouch smaller for a longer period of time. One gal says she can now eat anything and as much as she wants so it is a struggle to keep the weight she lost off but other than about 20 pounds she manages. I want to see what the Dr. and nutritionist think when I see them again in August about adding an additional 4oz meal and not upping the ounces at 3 meals. I kinda would like to eat more often and not as much. For a fun food I have really gotten into are the fat free pringles, I can eat about 8 of them for 35 calories and 0 trans fats. I use them as scoops for low fat pimento cheese spread and it is so yummy and the cheese is high in protein. It totatlly amazes me how much I love the dry foods...I dreaded trying them for so long and now they are really more of a comfort food :o) go figure. I love snacking on Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal. It is high in protein and fiber and so delicious! My other favorites are watermellon and string cheese, and mini rice cakes. I find I am not too adventurous with new foods and tend to stay in a rut for the foods I like. I feel good and it is working for me. My scales are still moving at a regular pace and I am down to 311 as of this morning so that makes me down a total of 86 since surgery 4 1/2 months ago. Praise the Lord! I have noticed more thinning hair since my 4 month date but it is not severe and I know it will only last a couple of months. I am the only one who really notices it so that is good! :o) I have notice that my skin is finally starting to rehydrate to pre-surgery status. My skin after surgery was much dryer and now all the sudden I am not so flaky and my face is picking up an oii shine again! I don't mind the oil as it will keep me looking younger for longer! lol I am so thankful that all has gone well for me since surgery and feel so blessed. Thanks to all of you on OH as you truly have been my support! I don't always find time each day to post or reply to the post but I do read all the entries and when I feel a need I hold you each up in my prayers and carry you in my thoughts. Have a most wonderful weekend! Keep Blooming!
HUGS!
Marianne
Another Glorious day awaits us! We had better enjoy it as it looks like it will be rainy most of the next week! Don't beat yourself up too bad Linda.....we all make some poor food choices after surgery, but I think that just being aware that it was not the better choice makes us much wiserr. I still have not really tried carbonated drinks and don't really plan to reintroduce them into my foods. I have really been craving lemonaide and all I can get is the regular as I am alergic to aspertame. I had a couple of glasses this past week and let me tell you it was Wicked!! :o) I was in heaven!! I just try and cut back on other things to accomodate. I am tollerating sugar better than I had hoped....thank goodness the amounts are so limited so that helps keep me in check. In the old days I might have craved cookies and ate 6-12 of them...now if I eat one I am happy and really enjoy it. Just giving up bread and pop have made a huge difference for me. Eating greasy/fatty/rich foods are not for me, I feel icky almost immediatly and it is just so not worth it. I have been talking to several people who are 3+ years out and the most common comment I get is that they wish they had left their pouch smaller for a longer period of time. One gal says she can now eat anything and as much as she wants so it is a struggle to keep the weight she lost off but other than about 20 pounds she manages. I want to see what the Dr. and nutritionist think when I see them again in August about adding an additional 4oz meal and not upping the ounces at 3 meals. I kinda would like to eat more often and not as much. For a fun food I have really gotten into are the fat free pringles, I can eat about 8 of them for 35 calories and 0 trans fats. I use them as scoops for low fat pimento cheese spread and it is so yummy and the cheese is high in protein. It totatlly amazes me how much I love the dry foods...I dreaded trying them for so long and now they are really more of a comfort food :o) go figure. I love snacking on Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal. It is high in protein and fiber and so delicious! My other favorites are watermellon and string cheese, and mini rice cakes. I find I am not too adventurous with new foods and tend to stay in a rut for the foods I like. I feel good and it is working for me. My scales are still moving at a regular pace and I am down to 311 as of this morning so that makes me down a total of 86 since surgery 4 1/2 months ago. Praise the Lord! I have noticed more thinning hair since my 4 month date but it is not severe and I know it will only last a couple of months. I am the only one who really notices it so that is good! :o) I have notice that my skin is finally starting to rehydrate to pre-surgery status. My skin after surgery was much dryer and now all the sudden I am not so flaky and my face is picking up an oii shine again! I don't mind the oil as it will keep me looking younger for longer! lol I am so thankful that all has gone well for me since surgery and feel so blessed. Thanks to all of you on OH as you truly have been my support! I don't always find time each day to post or reply to the post but I do read all the entries and when I feel a need I hold you each up in my prayers and carry you in my thoughts. Have a most wonderful weekend! Keep Blooming!
HUGS!
Marianne
June 2nd thru 19th 2006
Oct 15, 2006
Friday June 2, 2006 I just had to share.....I started up a bad habit of walking the Circle Center Mall area at lunch......only I find myself drifting into TJ Maxx or Lane Bryant...hum....funny thing...anyway.....last week As I was wandering thru TJ's I saw this awesome little dress.....I loved the look and the material was Gorgeous....a Classy Crossover neckline full swing skirt with pointed hemline....I longingly touched it as I scanned the rack for size tags.....they had it in a 12, 14, 16, no bigger.....Sigh...it was not meant to be....then yesterday...I was buzzing thru TJ's as a shortcut to the mall with a co-worker and I told her I wanted to check on a dress they had.....Hoping for maybe a larger size to magically appear.....no such luck...I showed it to my friend and she loved it too...I made a rash decisions to purchase it and keep it in my hope closet for next summer. After getting home I was putting it on a hanger to put in the closet and decided to hold it up in front of the mirror....yes it definatly was just me! It got the best of me and with the stretch in the material I thought....I am going to see how far I have to go to even think of wearing it....As I pulled it over my head and starting putting it on....I was totally shocked as it fit me perfectly! Talk about a WOW moment! It is like it was made for my figure....snug at the smaller top and then full swingy thru the pear shaped hips.....I was in love! lol Jon came home shortly after and I was still in the dress...he said WOW...that dress looks great on you! And I looked so small in it! I told him best thing was the tag....it was a 16!! So...I am wearing it for the rehersal dinner for the wedding on the 16th! I know it was the unique cut of it and the wonderful heavy stretch in the material but........I was so happy for whatever the reason to say it was a 16! That was my moment and I wanted to share. I will be 4 months tomorrow and am down 73 pounds and feeling happier than one could imagine that I am so much healthier and in better shape than I have been in a long time! My life is so amazing! Thank you Jesus for my Blessing!
You all keep Blooming!!
HUGS! Marianne
Sunday morning update! I weighed yesterday on my 4 month anniversary....I am ....drum roll please........down exactly 75 pounds! Yippee! Am I happy??? You darn Betcha!!
Monday June 12, 2006 Another Gorgeous Day! I am doing great! I am down 78 pounds as of last Thursday and really enjoying the new me! I have noticed a little hair in the tub drain after my shower and shampoo but I don't think it is anything to be alarmed about. I have been taking my Biotian since before surgery and just now am increasing them to 2 per day. It is normal to lose hair 4 months after surgery so I figure I am right on track. I usually do not see any hair in the tub drain so this is new for me :o). My weight still is moving downward at a steady pace so I am enjoying the inches less each week. My upper body has really trimmed down fast and I am loving the new bones I have found! Many areas there is not much meat left to trim down so that is awesome! It still amazes me how I can try on something that a month ago I couldn't even begin to think of wearing and now it fits! I find myself getting a little bored with food.......I don't like to eat "risky" foods like chicken, or greasy foods......I tend to keep to the safe foods that I know agree with me. Still loving my string cheese, salads, fresh fruit, SF popsicles. I find myself wanting more dry crunchy foods....I have added low fat pringles with pimento chesse spread, rice cakes, and Kashi cereal for the munchies. I still drink my 24 ounces of carb countdown milk daily and 1 bottle of Isopure for added protein daily. I love my frest fruits! Meats are not a big part of my diet....I have found that hamburger agrees witht me pretty much and for that I am soooo happy! :o) I talked the other day with a gal who is a little over 3 years out...she says that she now can eat pretty much everything and as much as she wants.....she suggested to me that I might want to keep my portions small to aid in keeping portions control as long as possible. I still pretty much measure most foods....I want to ask Dr. huse and the
Nutritionist at my next checkup what they think about keep me at about 4/5 ounces a meal and increasing to 4 meals a day instead of upping the ounces to 6 for 3 meals. I am content with that volume and am hoping to keep my pouch smaller longer to better aid me in maximizing the benefit from this surgery. All in all life is Great! My knees still bother me some, but nothing like before surgery. We have been getting ready for my stepson's wedding comming up this Saturday the 17th. His mother, Jon's Ex is back from Germany and it makes it a little difficult. She and I get along well but there was so much bitterness between her and Jon that it makes it tense when they are in the same room. I am hoping the wedding will go off beautifully and the kids get off to a great start in their new life together. My wonderful husband said the sweetest thing to my best friend this weekend...he was talking to her on the phone and told her he wished he had me me 25 years sooner! Awwww.... it makes me feel so good! I have been so blessed with 2 wonderful men in my life and I feel my cup of blessing runneth over. Having Jon see me thinner has been wonderful.....I look in the mirror and I remember seeing this woman before....many years ago....Jon met me 4 and a half years ago when I was at my heaviest (410#'s) and now 4 months after surgery I am 319#'s! He has been such a strength to me and I love him so much! Have a Fantastic Day! Hugs! Marianne (My Goal is to be down 80 for the wedding! Wish me luck!!)
Monday June 19, 2006 Greeting! This will just be ashort post ...The wedding was beautiful and I am so glad it is over :o) As of this morning I am down 83 pounds and feeling wonderful! Each day is better than the day before! God richest Blessing to you all! Hugs! Marianne
You all keep Blooming!!
HUGS! Marianne
Sunday morning update! I weighed yesterday on my 4 month anniversary....I am ....drum roll please........down exactly 75 pounds! Yippee! Am I happy??? You darn Betcha!!
Monday June 12, 2006 Another Gorgeous Day! I am doing great! I am down 78 pounds as of last Thursday and really enjoying the new me! I have noticed a little hair in the tub drain after my shower and shampoo but I don't think it is anything to be alarmed about. I have been taking my Biotian since before surgery and just now am increasing them to 2 per day. It is normal to lose hair 4 months after surgery so I figure I am right on track. I usually do not see any hair in the tub drain so this is new for me :o). My weight still is moving downward at a steady pace so I am enjoying the inches less each week. My upper body has really trimmed down fast and I am loving the new bones I have found! Many areas there is not much meat left to trim down so that is awesome! It still amazes me how I can try on something that a month ago I couldn't even begin to think of wearing and now it fits! I find myself getting a little bored with food.......I don't like to eat "risky" foods like chicken, or greasy foods......I tend to keep to the safe foods that I know agree with me. Still loving my string cheese, salads, fresh fruit, SF popsicles. I find myself wanting more dry crunchy foods....I have added low fat pringles with pimento chesse spread, rice cakes, and Kashi cereal for the munchies. I still drink my 24 ounces of carb countdown milk daily and 1 bottle of Isopure for added protein daily. I love my frest fruits! Meats are not a big part of my diet....I have found that hamburger agrees witht me pretty much and for that I am soooo happy! :o) I talked the other day with a gal who is a little over 3 years out...she says that she now can eat pretty much everything and as much as she wants.....she suggested to me that I might want to keep my portions small to aid in keeping portions control as long as possible. I still pretty much measure most foods....I want to ask Dr. huse and the
Nutritionist at my next checkup what they think about keep me at about 4/5 ounces a meal and increasing to 4 meals a day instead of upping the ounces to 6 for 3 meals. I am content with that volume and am hoping to keep my pouch smaller longer to better aid me in maximizing the benefit from this surgery. All in all life is Great! My knees still bother me some, but nothing like before surgery. We have been getting ready for my stepson's wedding comming up this Saturday the 17th. His mother, Jon's Ex is back from Germany and it makes it a little difficult. She and I get along well but there was so much bitterness between her and Jon that it makes it tense when they are in the same room. I am hoping the wedding will go off beautifully and the kids get off to a great start in their new life together. My wonderful husband said the sweetest thing to my best friend this weekend...he was talking to her on the phone and told her he wished he had me me 25 years sooner! Awwww.... it makes me feel so good! I have been so blessed with 2 wonderful men in my life and I feel my cup of blessing runneth over. Having Jon see me thinner has been wonderful.....I look in the mirror and I remember seeing this woman before....many years ago....Jon met me 4 and a half years ago when I was at my heaviest (410#'s) and now 4 months after surgery I am 319#'s! He has been such a strength to me and I love him so much! Have a Fantastic Day! Hugs! Marianne (My Goal is to be down 80 for the wedding! Wish me luck!!)
Monday June 19, 2006 Greeting! This will just be ashort post ...The wedding was beautiful and I am so glad it is over :o) As of this morning I am down 83 pounds and feeling wonderful! Each day is better than the day before! God richest Blessing to you all! Hugs! Marianne
May 2006
Oct 15, 2006
Sunday May 21, 2006
I am so sorry I haven't been on here in a while.....With working full time, running a part time ebay business, helping out every other weekend at the racetrack and then going on vacation...I have been sooooo busy! I am finally coming out of the 3 hour jet lag from our trip to Vegas and feeling somewhat human again. We had a blast! I loved lounging at the pool and it was great seeing so many people we know out there who are seeing me for the first time since surgery. As of this morning I am down 70 pounds. I have been so thrilled with the results. I don't know how the rest of you have done while on vacation but I for one think it was really hard to eat well with my diet requirements away from home. I was so happy to get home and get back into the groove. While on vacation, I found several things that were difficult to digest or just plain hurt going in the pouch. Sadly, I found that dry foods went down well and agreed with me...such as oatmeal rasin cookies, peanut butter crackers, etc. I took my protein drinks and kept to them well. When we got home I got on the scales with the typical Las Vegas prayer to just let me break even...lol I did. I didn't loose but I didn't gain either. It has taken me 5 days home to get back to my routine and start the needle losing again. The first part of this week was the first time I ever experienced the thoughts and feeling of ....Gee maybe it is over for me.....I know I have a long way to go yet but there popped up the old feelings like when you were on a diet and then failed and gave up. I was suprised that I actually felt like that. I like many would like to have lost more by now but I know realistly losing 70 pounds in 3 and a half months is great. I am feeling great and looking so wonderful. We had our picture taken at the Wayne Newton concert and when we got home we compared it to the one we had taken 2 years ago out there and I look like 2 entirely different people! It almost looks like the new picture was the younger one by about 10 years. I had so much fun wearing my new weasle wear clothes! I am finding my favorite thing is my new strapless bra I got from the clothing exchange! I have never in my life found a strapless bra to be so comfortable and do the job correctly. For who ever was my benifactor I am truly grateful. My best friend has been dieting since January and has lost 30 pounds. She sent me 2 huge boxes of Gorgeous clothing! I am wearing her size 20/22 dresses and looking good! That is down from a size 32, 3 1/2 months ago! My favorite WOW moment was getting on the plane in Indy and NOT having to use a seat belt extender....It was tight but...it fit! Yippie!! :o) I am back on track now and looking forward to being even healthier and happier than I already am! Life is so good and I have been so blessed! Thanks for listening my dear ones! You all have a Fantastic Day!!
(((((HUGS)))))))
Marianne
397/327/Healthy Goddess!
Friday May 26, 2006
Greetings! I am doing great and think I am at a plateau with my weightloss. I know my body needs time to catch up and adjust so I am giving it to God's timing. I had a personal goal of losing 100 pounds by my step sons wedding June 17th....I was feeling a little down about not making this goal and then my husband told me to look in the mirror and that I look fantastic right now! So I had to regroup and realize that God is in control and I am just along for the ride! :o) I am so happy with my results so far and have been shopping like a maniac! lol I must not get greedy and realize that this is a life long comitment and there are alot of changes in my future. I must always enjoy each day for the joy it brings and be patient.......That has never been my best virtue....hee ...hee.. :o) I am happy to say that my upper arms skin seems alot better...I have been lifting 5 pound weights with each arm daily and it seems to be helping. I still have loose skin there but my "Flying Squirrel" flaps are not quite as bad as they were :o) All in all I am feeling FANTASTIC!! I upped my fiber and my system is running better. I am in the process of setting my carbs and fats intake on a daily amount to maximize my energy level. I am amazed at the endurance I have now as compared to before surgery. In such a short time I am really changing so much for the better. Life is wonderful and I am so happy! Keep Blooming All!
HUGS! Marianne
I am so sorry I haven't been on here in a while.....With working full time, running a part time ebay business, helping out every other weekend at the racetrack and then going on vacation...I have been sooooo busy! I am finally coming out of the 3 hour jet lag from our trip to Vegas and feeling somewhat human again. We had a blast! I loved lounging at the pool and it was great seeing so many people we know out there who are seeing me for the first time since surgery. As of this morning I am down 70 pounds. I have been so thrilled with the results. I don't know how the rest of you have done while on vacation but I for one think it was really hard to eat well with my diet requirements away from home. I was so happy to get home and get back into the groove. While on vacation, I found several things that were difficult to digest or just plain hurt going in the pouch. Sadly, I found that dry foods went down well and agreed with me...such as oatmeal rasin cookies, peanut butter crackers, etc. I took my protein drinks and kept to them well. When we got home I got on the scales with the typical Las Vegas prayer to just let me break even...lol I did. I didn't loose but I didn't gain either. It has taken me 5 days home to get back to my routine and start the needle losing again. The first part of this week was the first time I ever experienced the thoughts and feeling of ....Gee maybe it is over for me.....I know I have a long way to go yet but there popped up the old feelings like when you were on a diet and then failed and gave up. I was suprised that I actually felt like that. I like many would like to have lost more by now but I know realistly losing 70 pounds in 3 and a half months is great. I am feeling great and looking so wonderful. We had our picture taken at the Wayne Newton concert and when we got home we compared it to the one we had taken 2 years ago out there and I look like 2 entirely different people! It almost looks like the new picture was the younger one by about 10 years. I had so much fun wearing my new weasle wear clothes! I am finding my favorite thing is my new strapless bra I got from the clothing exchange! I have never in my life found a strapless bra to be so comfortable and do the job correctly. For who ever was my benifactor I am truly grateful. My best friend has been dieting since January and has lost 30 pounds. She sent me 2 huge boxes of Gorgeous clothing! I am wearing her size 20/22 dresses and looking good! That is down from a size 32, 3 1/2 months ago! My favorite WOW moment was getting on the plane in Indy and NOT having to use a seat belt extender....It was tight but...it fit! Yippie!! :o) I am back on track now and looking forward to being even healthier and happier than I already am! Life is so good and I have been so blessed! Thanks for listening my dear ones! You all have a Fantastic Day!!
(((((HUGS)))))))
Marianne
397/327/Healthy Goddess!
Friday May 26, 2006
Greetings! I am doing great and think I am at a plateau with my weightloss. I know my body needs time to catch up and adjust so I am giving it to God's timing. I had a personal goal of losing 100 pounds by my step sons wedding June 17th....I was feeling a little down about not making this goal and then my husband told me to look in the mirror and that I look fantastic right now! So I had to regroup and realize that God is in control and I am just along for the ride! :o) I am so happy with my results so far and have been shopping like a maniac! lol I must not get greedy and realize that this is a life long comitment and there are alot of changes in my future. I must always enjoy each day for the joy it brings and be patient.......That has never been my best virtue....hee ...hee.. :o) I am happy to say that my upper arms skin seems alot better...I have been lifting 5 pound weights with each arm daily and it seems to be helping. I still have loose skin there but my "Flying Squirrel" flaps are not quite as bad as they were :o) All in all I am feeling FANTASTIC!! I upped my fiber and my system is running better. I am in the process of setting my carbs and fats intake on a daily amount to maximize my energy level. I am amazed at the endurance I have now as compared to before surgery. In such a short time I am really changing so much for the better. Life is wonderful and I am so happy! Keep Blooming All!
HUGS! Marianne
About Me
New Whiteland, IN
Location
37.7
BMI
Surgery
02/03/2006
Surgery Date
Jan 04, 2006
Member Since
