6 weeks Post Surgery

Whoa, whoa, whoa!! So I missed last week....got a little busy! Whoops! Definitely time for an update! Let's start with this. I'm down a total of  34.4lbs in these last 8 weeks. That's an average of 4.3lbs a week!! I did the math, and if I continue on this streak, I will be 219 by Christmas!! OMG! That is my first really big goal, 220lbs. It's the weight I was when I met my husband (ex) 10 years ago. I'm super pumped. My clothes are getting so loose and baggy. I actually bought a hoody sweater this past week, and it was a LARGE! I have not fit into a large anything in years! It's a very generous mens fit, but still, a LARGE! I did a little happy dance in the store. It was an incredible feeling. I definitely have to do some shopping!! I don't want to spend too much cash though as my size is going to continue to go down, but I don't want to look frumpy either. So, a shopping trip is definitely in order. I'm goin to try to hit up some thrift stores and see if I can save a buck or two.

My sister and I also went out shopping for Halloween costumes last week. I tried on a couple plus size costumes, which, as many people know, are not really true plus sizes. Apparently, a 2X is a size 14-18 (yah right!) and a 3X is an 18-20 (yah right again!). However, I am proud to say, that I fit the 3X (size 18-20)! I am heading out to a Halloween social dressed as a "sexy wolf".  First time in my life I'm heading out as a sexy anything! haha! I feel great in the costume, and it fits perfectly. Have a look!

My sister is going as Little Red Riding Hood so we are a theme. It's hard to see, but I have ears on the hood and a tail and fluffy cuffs. It's gonna be so fun! Another fun note, I bought some tights to wear with this costume as you can see. (I feel good, but not good enough to go bare legged yet! haha!) I went to walmart and actually fit into their brand of workout gear. I have never been able to fit their gear! These tights fit perfectly, like they are supposed too! Again, super pumped!

As for my recovery from surgery, I have to say I am 90% healed. I've played volleyball for the last 2 Sunday's and felt fantastic! After the first game, I was very sore, especially my abs, but they recovered pretty quick. It felt great to be back on the court. The next session of bootcamp at my work starts next week and I'm so excited to get back into that too. Can't wait to firm up!

This past weekend, I have to say I did feel like a bottomless pit in regards to eating. Saturday evening was a night filled with not so good for you food like pizza (first time having real pizza in at least 2 months), kolbassa, cheese, pickles, spring rolls, steak kabobs, and nachos. Over the course of about 7 hours, I ate 2 slices of pizza, at least 8-10 pieces of kolbassa, cheese, and pickles, probably about 5 spring rolls, a steak kabob, and a hunk of nachos. All in all I guess it wasn't all that much food for the 7 hours, but it was not "healthy" food by any means. I didn't feel like I had a signal to tell me I was full. And I didn't like that. But, Sunday night, I realized why I felt that way. I began my monthly gift (whoopie!). I spoke to someone else who had this surgery and they said they feel the same way around the same time each month. Fantastic. Thank goodness it was short lived! By Monday, I was back to normal. Well, my new normal :) 

This Friday I get my first fill. So this hunger I've been feeling over the last few weeks should subside. It's still very much a mental game. Having to use your brains to choose good food over bad food. The advantage I have now though, is that I can't physically eat as much food, even if I do choose the bad food. So far things have been going good (other than this weekend) and I can see the progress on the scale. Every time I get on the scale, I smile. I must admit, after this weekend, I was prepared for no loss on the scale. But, I stepped on with my eyes closed, and when I opened them, I was still down 2 lbs. So excited.

My therapist and I "broke up" this passed Friday. We talked about my progress in regards to my weight and how good I've been feeling about me. We also talked about my issues in regards to my ex. I've been doing fantastic in all aspects. Right now, my focus is on trying to forgive. Sometimes I feel like I'm there, but yet I still have those days where I want to punch him. haha. It will still take some time, but I must admit, I've been feeling really good about things. I realized that this passed weekend was the first weekend I didn't think about him or his girlfriend, and I had a great weekend because of it :)

All in all, these last 2 weeks have seen some great progress in all aspects. I think I am becoming a happier person as each day passes. Back to the Happy Go Lucky person that I've always been. I am now looking forward to my future with excitement and not sadness. I can't wait to see what happens :)

My mistake....

As my sister pointed out, I actually went skydiving in 2003!! Thats 9 years ago that I remember being 260lbs! Wow! I don't even ever remember being 250, 240....I've erased those weights from my memory. Now, I can't wait to reach them again! Total weight lost so far, 28.6lbs.

4 Weeks Post Surgery

Time for an update! It's been 4 weeks since my surgery and I'm feeling really good! My shoulder pain is virtually gone (I probably get it once every couple of days) and I'm so excited about that! It was  such a horrible feeling! Work has been great and accomodating to all my needs, which has been fantastic. In 5 days I will be back on the volleyball court and I am so excited! I love volleyball and can't wait to be able to play again! I also cannot wait for the next session of bootcamp at my work. I want to start working out again and try to prevent as much flab as possible. I know I will have some, but if I can control even a small part of it, I'm in! And, now that I'm in the 4th week post op, I can start anytime!

I've moved myself on to regular foods for the most part. So far I haven't really had any negative effects. Although I did eat 2 strawberries, and I guess I didn't chew them well enough because I did almost throw them up. I had to really concentrate on not doing so. They did eventually go down, but it wasn't fun. Just a little friendly reminder to chew, chew, chew!

I went out a few times this past weekend. I enjoyed some alcohlic beverages as well as some food. All in all, I think I did well. Tried to pick lower cal, low carb options. Had a great time and really didn't miss the greasy food! That was huge for me. I still really need to research food items for when I go out to be sure I am eating what's best, instead of trying to figure it out on a whim. I also had to deal with Thanksgiving dinner. I filled my plate with a little bit of everything and when I mean a little bit, it was a small teaspoon to a tablespoon full. I ate super slow and chewed everything into mush. It all went down ok, but I did over do it as I felt nauseous afterward. No throwin up though, thank goodness. Now I have 2 months til I have to deal with Christmas dinner! haha!

My stress level with my marriage has come down quite a few notches, at times. I'm still hurt, jealous, and angry (usually when I have to see him) but I get over it a lot faster. I feel like I am taking 2 steps forward, then 1 step back. But at least I'm moving forward. I'm actually really happy that I got this surgery when I did cuz I'm pretty sure I would have gained 50 more lbs because of the stress!

I stepped on the scale this morning with some fantastic results. Down another 2 lbs this week, I am now weighing in at 263.4lbs! I honestly don't even remember the last time I was lower than 265lbs. I know my sister and I went skydiving in 2005 and I was 260lbs (I remember it specifically because you needed to be 250lbs, I lied cuz I was super embarassed and really wanted to go! What a time to lie!) I am excited every time I step on the scale to see what weight I will NEVER be at again. And this week, it's 263lbs. :)

I'm attaching some pictures to show my progress so far. SO EXCITING!   

6 wks ago

Today

 

21 Days Post Surgery

Hello all!!!

Well, here I am, 21 days post surgery. I am feeling pretty good actually! I only have the shoulder pain maybe once per day now which is definitely tolerable! The scars on my belly are minimal. I still have some swelling but it has gone down significantly. I will take some more pics in the next few days and post them. Being back at work, I definitely feel it. On the super busy days (which there have been a few), I can really feel it in my abs. But I just rest and its all good again.

I weighed in this morning and the scale read 265.4lbs! That is a total loss of 26.6lbs in the last 5 weeks! 14.6 of which was lost in these last 3 weeks. I am beyond pleased with my progress and look forward to more and more weight dropping off. Every time I step on the scale, there is a huge smile on my face and I feel great! It's such a motivator! I went out Saturday night and got all "prettied" up and my friggen tight shoes from last year fit fantastically! I texted my sister right away to tell her and she laughed at me! But it was so exciting! haha! I felt really good about myself that night. And loved having the night out. I am already making plans to head out and party it up this Friday night! Can't wait!

I started to get hungry over these last handful of days. I am staying with the plan though and trying to eat my protein first, then veggies, then carbs when I can. I can only eat about 1.5oz of meat and a half cup to a cup of veggies at one time. It's truly amazing to me that I eat such a little amount of food and I am full. It's really awesome actually. I have moved myself onto the smooth foods phase which includes meats, toast, eggs, etc. So far so good. I haven't had any negative reactions to anything I've eaten. I've made a concious effort to be sure to chew my food to mush and wait a good 30 sec to a minute between forkfuls. I am super dedicated as I want nothing but good results. So far so good :)

I've had another bad couple of days emotionally but I've managed to stay away from Binge eating. Yesterday I went out with some of my old high school buddies. We weren't together for very long, but I had a great time just getting out and chatting with them. I'm super busy this week too seeing a bunch of people I haven't seen in a long time so I'm making sure to keep myself busy. I honestly can't wait to be fully healed to be able to get on that volleyball court. As I discovered earlier, chatting with friends, laughing and playing sports is what keeps me happy and helps me through stressful times, so I cannot wait to get out there. I am so pumped for this season. Brand new team and a brand new me.