RizingPheonix
3 months and 17 days
Mar 20, 2015
Well, its three months and a few weeks. Just a bit of an update. Weight loss has slowed down significantly, even though I can see a physical difference the scale is not moving, nor has it in several weeks. To date, depending on which scale I use, I am down 60 lbs total since my surgery date of 12/03/14. I figured I'd share what I am doing to help keep conscious of everything I do as regards my weight. I use myfitnesspal to log my daily food, my exercise and water intake. Its a really useful tool, it can even integrate other apps to log your daily walking/steps, etc. I am also part of a daily chat group on facebook but they are general weight loss/exercise and not specific to bariatric surgery. I have joined our local gym and am there a minimum of 5 times a week and have even joined a boot camp challenge! Yay! That is until I got sick. My son was my first work out partner but he is having to address some medical issues that prevent him from working out with me for the meantime. My second gym partner didn't last very long at all but my strongest advocate has been my husband. He has done remarkably well in his weight loss and body rebuilding journey and I'm very proud of him. He is at my side at the gym everyday helping me along as we both struggle to strengthen our bodies and work to rebuild them into what they should be. He has returned from the middle east and while he is working on his next contract, he'll be doing interim work that will take away my third gym partner and leave me to my own devices. Yeah. I'm bummed but determined. I do love my gym partners, they make everything better but eventually we all have to step out on our own I suppose.
I have discussed my slow progress with my surgeon but he seems on board with the weight loss. He is far more comfortable than I am and after listening to his case, I understand his point of view a bit better. He explained that although VSG limits the amount of food we can take in, it still does not alter our genetics or predispositions to weight loss. That really is the bare bones of it and if there is anyone to get angry at it would be my own genetic makeup that has made it so difficult to loose weight. True, I'm still disappointed but it doesn't change how I face everyday either. It is still the same, regardless of whether the scale moves or not.
I love the way I feel after the gym, endorphines are finally starting to show up and my battle with extreme fatigue is improving noticeably. I have run into an issue or two along the way, primarily with not eating enough. It seems I have been forcing my body to hang onto what it has because my caloric intake has been rather low for some time. My goal is to stay around 1200 calories per day even though I've been advised I should be around 2000, especially because of the amount of exercise I am logging. I was logging between 800-1000 calories per day which was causing more problems than I was aware of. Protein is still my greatest struggle, getting in those 80 grams a day is a challenge and I expect I will always rely heavily upon protein shakes to make up the difference. I have also learned to always keep protein bars and water in my car, purse and everywhere I go. Being prepared really makes a difference. I have noticed a significant decline in cravings. Its not something I can ever remember having and its wonderful. No overwhelming desires to eat sweets, which has been my downfall for as long as I can remember. Self control isn't an issue when your own body isnt working against you. Its a quite liberating feeling.
Some non-scale victories? I can cross my legs. LoL! I've dropped several clothing sizes even though I'm difficult to fit right now because there are pockets of fat that are making it challenging. I can sit in just about every chair I come into contact with and don't have to worry about collapsing them!! Yay! Now that the fatigue isn't so severe and I can actually walk a parking lot without passing out from exhaustion or heat stroke, I am looking forward to starting the winter semester and getting things back on track! Wish me luck, as I do for each and every one of you on your journey!!!
Warmest regards.
