Nicole Jackson

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Tuesday, June 24, 2008......Good morning!  When I updated my blog a few days ago I mentioned jogging 4 miles.  Well, just call me FORREST, because this morning I did it!!!  I jogged 4.20 miles in 46 minutes!  Don't tell me what the human body can't do.  I would have NEVER thought that I could accomplish jogging!!!  Thanks Dennard for that extra push, you are the best!!!!  My next mini goal.............jogging for an hour.  Stay tunned!!!

Another month another plateau!!!  I have been stuck at 176-180, size 10-12!  I am so not happy about it, but I am not giving up.  My ultimate goal is 145 and I will get there at some point.  I continue to work out like a crack head.  I was looking at my post from April and notice how far I have come.  I can now jog 3 miles, well 3.85 in about 44 minutes.  Dennard continues to push me, so I will be at 4 miles by the end of this month.  I have also noticed that jogging on a treadmill and jogging outside on the trail are two totally different efforts.  I continue to push myself.  I keep in mind that my body is a machine and my mind is the force that keeps it moving.  My eating habits are still good.  I can eat more, but that’s to be expected.  So that concludes my weight loss updates.  Moving on……had a great time last month!  I got a chance to visit home, Memphis .  I had a freakin’ ball!!!  My mother’s 60^th birthday bash was a blast!  OMG, I partied like a rock star.  My entire trip was awesome.  I really enjoyed my family and friends.  I finally remembered my camera and got a boat load of pictures.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of my dad, little brother/sister or my step mom!!  I will get it together one day.  Work and home are fine.  The kids are out of school for the summer and eating us out of house and home, but they are enjoying themselves.  That’s about for my month post.  I will hit you all up again next month, hopefully I will be in the 160’s, even if it’s 169………..LOL, LOL, LOL!!! Until then, be safe, love yourself, and keep smiling.  Most of all KEEP LOSING! 

One Year Later: 
Today is my official one year surgery anniversary.  A year ago today I was stretch out on the operating table having a major life change.  I can honestly say it has been the best change I have EVER made and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  WOW, so much has changed in one year.  Previously, I did a reflection on the difference a year makes, so I won’t get into that.  I continue to be a gym whore…………..I call it like I see it!  I still do my vitamins, water and protein.  I am truly on auto pilot.  Yesterday was my one year check-up with Dr. Smith, he was proud of me.  I have lost 73% of my excess body weight.  That is absolutely great.  I did not however meet my personal goal weight, but I will get there.  I continue to stay focused and know that I will be in the century club soon.  This morning my scale read 177, I will get to 150 by the end of summer…….hopefully!!!  Not much else to report on.  I will update again next month.  To all you pre-ops, be persistent your time is coming.  To all my post-ops, keep working your tool.  Until next time, be safe, love yourself, and keep smiling.  Most of all KEEP LOSING! 

Night before Surgery         6 mos later                   1 Yr Later
Neck:   15”                           Neck:  13.5”                 Neck:  12.5”
Brst:  45”40C                       Brst:  39”38B              Brst:  36”36B
L. Arm:  18”                          L. Arm:  14”                  L. Arm:  13”
Waist:  49”                         Waist:  36.5”                Waist:  35”
Hips:    49”                          Hips:  41.5”                  Hips:  40”
L. Thigh: 25.5”                     L. Thigh:  23.5”            L. Thigh:  23”
R. Thigh: 25.5”                     R. Thigh:  23.5             R. Thigh: 23”
L. Calf:  19”                          L. Calf:  17”                 L. Calf:  17”
R. Calf:  19”                          R. Calf: 17"                 R. Calf:  16”
R. Arm:  ?                             R. Arm:  14”                 R. Arm:  13”
Sz:  Tight 20                       Sz:  Loose 14               Sz:  10/12 

The first day of the work week, the last day of the month!  Wow, another month down.  Well, March was truly a good month for me.  I had a ton of wow moments, the first being my birthday.  I took the day off to do some retail therapy.  I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, so I headed to the local Wally World!  I started by trying on some sun dresses.  Maybe it’s me, but I can’t do the back out thing, so I put the dress right back on the rack.  I decided to stick with capri’s and skirts.  Well, you could have bought me for a penny and got change back when I tried on a size 10 skirt and it fit!!!  I think the entire store felt the rays from my smile!!  Then, I tried on the size 10 capri’s and they were kind of big, so how about a sister got a size 8!!!  Did you all hear me, I said a size freakin’ 8!!  Okay, one more time for the short bus…………….SSSSSSIZZZEEEEE 8!!!  I was so excited.  Turning 36 years old and finally healthy was such a blessing!  My sister, nephew and friend Cecil came down the weekend of my birthday.  We had ball.  The tornado struck the city and we were out and about and didn’t even know it!  My best wow moment came this past weekend.  I went and got some new jeans and a blouse last week and wore them this weekend.  A friend/gym mate of mine and I was meeting for dinner on Saturday night and I put on the new outfit.  I go downstairs to the den to put my shoes on, the kids are in there watching a movie.  Dinesha turns and looks at me and says “OMG Nicole, I love that top and when did you get those jeans.”  Then she says, “You really look nice and you are getting so skinny.”  Now DJ who NEVER says anything about clothes, weight loss or anything that doesn’t have to do with playing outside chimes in.  He looks at me and says, “Nicole, you use to be soooooo fat, I mean really fat, but now you are so little, you are almost Dinesha size.”  I could not believe it!  Believe it or not that comment made me feel really good.  Kids are brutally honest and DJ proved that to me that night.  Needless to say, when I left the house I felt like a “hot momma.”  Sorry for all the extra details, but like I said before, March was a great month.  I have increased my exercise, at least 3 days of the week I workout twice a day.  Normally I try to workout twice a day Monday thru Wednesday.  I have managed to finally break my plateau that was driving me crazy.  I am officially 180 pounds.  I was trying to be out of the 80’s by April, so when I weigh in on Friday, hopefully I will be 178!  The inches are falling off like crazy and that makes me happy.  Overall I think I am doing okay.  I try not to compare myself to others.  I have rambled on enough for a month.  I will check back in at the end of April.  Everyone keep up the good work and for pre-ops, your time is coming, just hang in there!  Until next time, be safe, love yourself, and keep smiling.  Most of all KEEP LOSING! 

It’s that time again, the monthly check in!  After nine months of surgery I have had plenty of time of reflection.  There are so many things that I have learned in these nine months.  I have learned that you CAN NOT compare your weight loss to others, it will only discourage you.  I have read profiles of people who dropped 100 in the first 6-9 months and it makes me feel like a slacker!  I have learned that it is truly harder than it looks.  You have to put in the work to get the weight off and keep it off.  I have learned that slow and steady is good, even though it is driving me crazy!!!  I have learned to eat slow, chew forever and protein first.  I have learned that you will continue to see yourself as a big person even when others tell you that you are not.  I think that is the hardest thing for me right now.  I don’t see myself as others see me; I am still a “big girl,” in my head.  I have learned to measure my weight loss by my clothes and not so much the scale.  I can wear a 12 very comfortable even though I weight 184 pounds.  Muscle truly weighs more than fat and takes up less space.  
I thank God everyday for this surgery.  It has changed my life forever and I will forever be grateful.  I have a wonderful support system and great gym mates.  My friends, the true ones continue to cheer me on and I love them for it.  The Donald and the kids are doing fine.  Every once in a while Donald has an insecure moment, but I can handle it.  I continue to amaze Dinesha with the weight loss.  She loves to look at my old pictures and tell me how different I look.  It keeps me motivated.  Now that the weather is warming up we con do more outside activities, I am looking forward to that.  My goal for the next month is to be in the 170’s, hopefully I will make goal.  I am looking forward to my 36^th birthday.  My mom, sister and nephew are coming down for a visit and we will be doing some shopping for summer clothes.  Last summer I was a size 20, this summer hopefully a size 8/10……………………….that is truly a WOW!!!  Not much else going on, same as usual gym, work, home.  Until next time, be safe, love yourself, and keep smiling.  Most of all KEEP LOSING! 

Okay, I am a little excited!  I had a TOTAL WOW moment this morning.  I woke up and decided to get my clothes ready for work.  While standing in my closet, I thought I would try on some of my pant suits that my gym mate gave me.  Well, they fit!!!  OMG, they fit!!! Can you say “size 12?”  Say it slowly……..ssssiiizzzeee 11111122222!!!  One more time………….sssssssiiiiiizzzzzzzeeeeee tttttwwwwwweeeeeellllllvvvvvvveeeeeeee!!!  Okay, I am being silly, but I am soooooo happy right now.  Only four more sizes to go!!!  I posted some pictures of me in my size 12 pants suit, minus the jacket.  I will have that on tomorrow in the office.  Hope you guys like the pictures. 

HAPPY 2008 TO EVERYONE!!!!  I totally missed December.  It came and went so fast.  The weight loss is about the same.  I am tittering between 190-188 and loving it.  I am in 12/14’s depending on the style and make.  My goal this month, lose 10-12 pounds and ditch the 14’s all together.  I want to be in a size 10 for my 36^th birthday (March 11), so I have some serious work ahead of me.  Last year this time I was preparing for surgery, counting down the months.  I have to say this again, having gastric bypass was the best thing I could have EVER done for myself.  Time for updates……...  So, with the exception of my uncle passing on Christmas morning, the Christmas season was great.  I got a chance to go home to Memphis and visit with my family.  You know your family can be your biggest cheerleaders or your worst critics.  Well, in this case, they were my biggest cheerleaders.  Everyone was amazed at the weight loss and complimenting me like crazy.  Boy, I know my head weighs about 100 pounds now…….LOL, LOL, LOL!!!  I did have to hear however, “you don’t need to lose anymore weight, you are a good size.”  I didn’t say anything, because I know what my ultimate goal is for myself and I am determined to reach it.  However, it did feel WONDERFUL not being the biggest person in my family.  Can you say a total WOW moment for me, major!  Of course, I forgot my camera, so I didn’t a chance to take any pictures.  In case you all didn’t know, I can be a total airhead sometimes, and this was one of those times.  I am happy that the holidays are now over and I can return to life as I know it.  My regular gym and work schedule.  I hope that everyone have a great 2008.  Stay focus, eat right and keep it moving!  Until next time, be safe, love yourself, and keep smiling.  Most of all KEEP LOSING! 

Hi Everybody!  Well, had my official 6 month check up with Dr. Smith.  Everything is great!  I feel great!  I have lost 55% of my excess body weight.  I'll take that.  Thanksgiving was great.  Didn't do much cooking and we did a little shopping the day after.  I was feeling kindda froggie, so I got my hair cut.  Posted pictures, hope you guys like it.  That's all for now.  Will update after Christmas!

Six Month Update 
WOW!!!  I AM OFFICIALLY IN ONEDERLAND!!!!!  For some reason I just didn’t think I would get here before my six month date, but I did.  I am 197!  Even took the picture to prove it!  Not much going on.  Work, home and gym are all good.  I have increased my workouts because my daughter has really begun to get interested in working out, so I work out with her 3 nights a week in addition to my 5 days.  I really didn’t realize how much I have lost until I did a side by side comparison of my measurements.  I have lost so many inches.  I am really impressed, I must admit it.  When I saw my family last month they were also impressed.  Of course they said that I shouldn’t lose anymore, but they are the same ones that said that I was getting to big!  Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures.  I don’t know what my deal with forgetting the camera is.  I will be home next month and I will do my best to remember it.  I still can’t get a good idea of what I look like to others.  I asked Donald and he just don’t seem to get it.  At any rate, I am very pleased with my weight loss success.  Until next time, be safe, love yourself, and keep smiling.  Most of all KEEP LOSING!  
The Night before Surgery        Six months later 
Neck:   15”                               Neck:  13.5” 
Breast:  45”   40C                     Breast:  39”   38B
Left arm:  18”                           Left arm:  14”
Waist:  49”                               Waist:  36.5”
Hips:    49”                               Hips:  41.5”
Left Thigh: 25.5”                      Left thigh:  23.5”
Right Thigh: 25.5”                     Right thigh:  23.5
Left Calf:  19”                          Left calf:  17”
Right Calf:  19”                         Right calf:  17"
                                                Right arm:  14”
Size:  Tight 20                         Size:  Loose 14
For some crazy reason I didn't measure my right arm before surgery.