Slow and Steady wins the race.....

UGH!!! Ugh I say!!! Ok whine time is over. I am finally in onederland!!!! Everyone give me a high five *hand up!* CHEERS!!!!

But my joy is also mixed with some fear and worry. I am losing slowly. I know stalls happen. I have done everything I know to break a stall. Which worked but I hate losing so slowly. It is dis-concerning.

I still got 44 pounds to go. I am working out three to five times a week...when my body permits me. I am going to the Dr tomorrow to help me with my EDS. I am tired of having this chronic condition...but it is something I need to deal with for the rest of my life. Pain level has upped very much. So seeing if doc can help me. I hate going to Doc. She is a awesome lady and all...but I hate dealing with my condition. It's like an old joke that won't go away. No matter if I ignore it. It is there causing me frustration and pain. Ok a bit of a downer post. I apologize for that....but it's how I am feeling right now.

On the bright side...I am getting closer to goal...even if I just inch myself slowly...I will get there! I will keep you all update about my Dr visit, and what comes of it :)

NEW YEAR 2010

It is a new year today, and I am excited to see what 2010 has in store. I am optimistic and hopeful for the new year. I don't want to have a today's blog dedicated to resolutions because frankly I don't make good on them most of the time. So I am going to put a list of goals I would like to accomplish in 2010.

* Would love to start running
* Take four classes
* Get to a normal BMI
* Pay off some debts
* Save some $$$

Short and sweet list. I am really enjoying my 1st day of the new year. I rang in the new year with some great friends. I am looking forward to 2010 and wish everyone a year full of the good life, laughter, and love.

Stalls & Gains: Not trusting my body: Breaking the cycle!

I have not been able to trust my body lately. I have been sad, frustrated, and obsessing.. I have been having weight loss anxiety. I know my WLS has been working. I am 90 pounds down….. Yet, Nov- to now: I have stalled, gained…and had the slowest weight loss possible.

I know, I know…I should not complain. I am thankful for every pound lost. So I have tried not to stress….but this past month and a half has been a S-l-o-w weight loss. Painfully slow. I stuck through it, even after a pound of weight gain.

So I did what any stalling/gaining WLS person would do…I researched it on the internet. I went on Obesity Help and lurked. Yes I am a lurker….I like to read and get info and rarely do I post. I am not sure why I just lurk, I guess I just feel comfortable that way. I also goggled WLS stalls and I got a ton of info…..

Here are the main things I learned about how to break a stall…and people it works! Because this morning I went on the scale and after being 207 forever and then gaining a pound and being 208 for even longer I weighed in at 206.

The four main things to do:

1st Up your protein! Try to get as much protein you can I know the minimum is 60 grams…but I found when I upped my protein to 80-100 weight loss happened! No joke.

2nd Move your booty. Get up and move, and if you are doing this….vary your workout routine or add more time to your workout. Whatever you have been doing add more of it & do something different once in awhile.

3rd Drink your water. Water is very important to the body, it hydrates, it helps detoxify. One fact to remember your body is approximately 65-70% of total water.

4th Keep track of what you are eating and make sure you are giving you body enough calories. Our bodies are a funny/amazing thing! You body will hold onto weight if it thinks you are starving it. One day this week I ate way more calories than I feel comfortable sharing (1,500). I am still not sure how it happened. It just did it. When I tracked and inputted what I ate I about had a mini stroke. I have a fear of even going over 1,200 calories. Most days I only eat to 1000 calories My nut gave me nutritional guidelines that I follow like the law. 1,200 calories max, 60-100 grams of protein and up to 120 carbs. Imagine my shock when I tracked my foods to find out it came to 1,500!!! I have not eaten that much since WLS. My body was hungry. I knew I ate more than usual that day but I was sure I stayed within my guidelines! Shocking I know! Funny thing is after this day a few days later (today) I got on the scale and boom down two pounds!!! Hallelujah!!!!

With that folks I broke my stall.I am hoping this weight loss will continue and perhaps speed up a bit. My X-Mass wish is to be in onederland. Keep you posted!

Wishing everyone a happy holidays and a Great New year!!!

6 months!!!

It has been 6 months since I got weight loss surgery! Irony is having your six months date be on thanksgiving. Just proof that God has a good sense of humor! In total from my highest weight I lost 90 pounds!!!!!! It is crazy to think that just six months earlier I was 90 pounds more! What a difference six months make.

I am blessed to have had great family and friends to help me through all this. Their encouragement and praise always lifted my spirits. I am thankful as well that I had an excellent surgeon and that he and his “crew” keep a watch out for me. I feel my health is in excellent hands….and I know if I had not had this surgery, my life would be closer to misery than happiness.

Before surgery I was out on medical disability. I have EDS which wreaks havoc on my body (still does) But at 90 pounds heavier on wobbly joints= lots and lots of pain! I am still in pain and discomfort…and I am seeing a hand physical therapist and getting splints made for a few of my fingers. Crooked little suckers that they are! But the techniques and exercises that the PT gave me are helpful and working!

I also had my six month blood work done and everything looks normal. Only problem is I am deficient in vitamin D ….but I live where the sun don’t shine….so it is pretty normal to be deficient in this. Nonetheless I am going to supplement with a good vitamin D.

All in all life is great. I mean health wise I still have some issues (pain management) But I try to push through that and work out. At the moment I have a cold, but it is ok. But all in all WLS R-NY has given me a new lease on life. Not only am I 90 pounds down I wear size 14 pants compared to the 24/26 I wore. I also now am in a Extra large top…….compare to 3X/4X tops. WOW!

As much as I used to be opposed to WLS as much as I waited till things got “really bad” to actually go through surgery. Only thing I regret is not doing it sooner. But I live and I learn, and I'm so grateful to be given the chance to live again.

The Journey Continues.....

So far so good. My journey is going well. I have had my ups and downs, but mostly ups! I am getting so close to onderland. I just want to be there! It is hard to imagine that not so long ago I was 81 pounds heavier. It is odd to put on a xl and have it fit. It is odd but almost unreal. The only times I really notice the difference is when I look at my monthly photos...WOW....then it hit me...This is working!!!

As an overweight person most of my life, everything I tried worked for a short while...and then bam...something would happen and the weight I fought so much to lose comes and creeps back up. Not this time!

As I get closer to a normal weight it amazes me how differently people treat me.....I am not used to it. The male attention.....makes me uncomfortable....and people just seem to be nicer. I didn't realize it before. I really was clueless. But there are people out there who are bias against fat people. I am still "fluffy" I am still 66 pounds over weight...but I am getting to my goal!

Tacos gone bad.....

Wow, I have been plugging right along and have not updated my blog! I have been busy but that is not an excuse. Truth is my laptop was broke down....Yet, Things have been good. Got a mini HP laptop so I am now back on the web!!!

So I am 3 1/2 months out, and I am so happy! I have lost quite a bit of weight. I have stopped snoring...I can move my body...yet very much in pain due to EDS.....but less of me to move= happier joints!

Came back from my three month blood work results the other day, and all is great! My Dr is happy with the weight I have lost and my vitamins are at great levels...my Vitamin B is a bit high...but nothing to worry about.

I am so happy with my WLS...I do still have bad days....hence my tacos gone bad. I can eat carne asada tacos...they are so delicious! I love them and I can eat 3/4 of one no problems at all...well usually. The other day I had one of my tacos and it being a busy day I had not had any food til noon...(bad I know) I don't usually do that but I forgot my protein shake on my kitchen counter (yeah one of those days!) So I ate the taco to fast and did not chew, chew, chew, as well as I should have. BIG MISTAKE!!!! I spent the next few hours throwing up the taco. One small bit at a time. It felt stuck. It hurt, I was in pain, and I kept running to the bathroom. I was at work...embarrassed....so I kept working acting as if nothing was wrong. SO finally at 4pm I stopped up chucking and went home at five. I laid in bed and fell asleep. I sleep til 7am the next morning! WOW! My poor body was exhausted.

Anyhow, today my pouch is back to happy, and I am back with energy!

Hope everyone is well, and remember to chew,chew,chew...and eat slow. :)

Good times.....

Life has been good to me. I turned 31 on August 2nd and I went to San Fransisco with some great friends and had a blast! We played tourists; went on Pier 39, Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and then to the De young Museum to see the King Tut exhibit. That exhibit was beautiful! I love the Egyptian era so many bright bold colors!

Weight loss has been steady. I find I can eat sugar and I can tolerate most all foods. I have problems with cabbage though....weird, odd but true! Though I know I can eat most all foods I do eat healthy and little sugar...I still have not tried steak, and chicken if to dry hurts my pouch and in dire straits...comes back up.

I have been working out 4/5 days a week and started to use the Wii Active...boy does that kick my arse! I am painfully sore today and was yesterday. I have only used this twice! I feel better though and it is nice to add something besides walking to my work out routine. I am shaking things up!

The University where I work at is going through change. Stressful, yet really does not affect me..I am a grant employee and state employee's have gotten a 10% cut. It is the first day of Furlough.....it is so quite in the office.

I am still planing on going back to school. I am scared to leave the safety of this job. But I can not imagine myself here til I am at retirement age. I want higher education and to get a job I have passion for and that allows me to help people. Office work is ok...but after 10 plus years of it.... ready for change!

I am supported by my fiance and family to go back to school. My fiance see's it as an investment in myself and in us.I have been going to school(off and on) a class here and there most every other semester. It has been my dream to go back full time and just get it done! With school comes better pay. So I am hoping by the time I am out of school...going for BA and Masters...that the economy will be right back up again and welcome me with open arms and a great job! Dreams can come true you know :)