Feeling Good!

I'm a little over 3 months post op and I'm feeling pretty good. My weigh in was the same as last week still at 225lbs. I'm OK with it. I'm still striving for the 2lb a week loss and so far I'm ahead of that. I've gone from sedentary, to very active in the past month which is a good feeling. It doesn't hurt to work out anymore, which only makes me want to keep going.

The Roller Derby Training Camp is almost at an end. I've decided to stick with it! I still can't believe that I've been able to make it this far, and I know that I'll only get better with time and practice. I'm going to continue to practice with the team and will most likely take the test next year. It's one hell of a work out, and it really fun to see how much you can do every week.



Here are some pics, it's been a while since I've posted them. I need to figure out how to make side by side photos so that they are easy to compare.

                                                                  Day before Surgery

                                                                             Today

Here's an update on my husband! He is down 80lbs since he started his pre-op diet...

Day after surgery

Today, 2 months later

weigh in yay!!

Friday was weigh in day and it was a good one!! I weighed in at 225lbs. The previous Tuesday when I went for my fill I was at 233lbs. My hard work is paying off!

I've cut down on my portions and truly am eating 2 oz meals. I've also been active as ever. Zumba 3 times a week, and 4 hrs of roller derby a week is awesome. My body is adjusting well and getting faster and stronger everyday. I've decided to stay with the derby and eventually try out for the team. The derby babes are very supportive and have faith in us new girls which is encouraging. Every practice I'm getting faster and I can really see the differences.

Bryan started working out and is really seeing changes! He is down 3 pant sizes and looks so different. I can see it the most when he doesn't have clothes on, I've never seen his body like this.

My short term goal is ton get under 200lbs. I haven't been there in 8years.. Omg really!? 8 years!? That's a long time to be so unhappy and unhealthy. Never again.

All Wrong

Today I went to the Dr's for a fill. Going into it I wasn't sure I needed a fill because my food has been getting stuck often. When they weighed me I started crying. I haven't lost any weight since I was there in the end of Nov. So when the Dr came in and asked me how I was doing, I told him. I asked him if he was sure I should be eating 600 cal/day. Everyone keeps saying how crazy 600 cal/day is. He chuckled, and said "Yes, I'm sure you should be at 600/day. 800 maybe if you're active". He asked me what I've been eating and I said "Well.. usually 2-3oz of meat, veggies, a starch..." He stopped me. "You need to be eating 2oz period" he reminded me. "About the size of a chicken nugget, maybe two and that's everything. Start with your protein every time you eat". Geez... I kind of thought that was only for the first few weeks post op, but it's for the first year! He also told me to stop drinking my protein shakes for breakfast and lunch because they weren't going to keep me full. Even though they are 30g of protein, they trickle through my small pouch and into my stomach so I won't feel full. My new small pouch is what controls my hunger. So if I'm putting liquid through it I won't stay hungry. Instead he said to eat my 2oz MEAL for breakfast, and have a shake late am for some added protein, then have my 2oz lunch and so on.

I feel much better after talking to him because I now know what I've been doing wrong.. eating WAY too much. He said I need to cut my 2oz meal into tiny bites, chew each bite 20 times and it should take me one minute to eat each bite. I need to be aware of what I'm doing while I'm eating so that it's not mindless, and I'm not just shoving food in my face. If I'm hungry after finishing that then I can have a little more, and it means I'm in need of a fill. If I'm not hungry and remain full for hours then I'm in "the green zone", and if my food is getting backed up then I have too much fluid in my band.

He put another cc in today so I'm at 4.5cc's. He wanted to put more but didn't dare because I live 1.5hrs away. He reassured me that there is nothing to be worried about. He said if I were a year post op and not seeing results to be worried, but just after the holidays and no weight gain is OK.

So here is my meal that I attempted tonight.. 3 shrimp with skinny bang bang sauce on it.

I was able to eat almost 1. That's it.

AaHa!

THIS is what I'm doing wrong. Looking at my weekly chart I can see that I'm not getting enough protein, and WAY too much fat. Just because I'm staying under my calorie goal, doesn't mean I'm eating the right calories. This is why I'm not losing. The truth is, I'm not even sure what my goals should be set at.

Stay Positive and Keep Moving

Weigh In day and I'm STILL at 230lbs sigh. My expectations are too high I'm gathering. Wednesday after Zumba, a couple of my girlfriends and I went to Roller Derby Boot Camp. It consisted of an hour of off skate training, and an hour on skates. I swear I spent more time laughing than anything but it was a good work out. I'm not going to lie.. there were times when I wanted to say "fuck this, I'm done" but for some reason I want to go back for more. It's twice a week through the month of January, so it's a good way to get in shape before our trip to CA. It's also something I would normally never do, so I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I'm the the worst runner there of course, but I know I'll be able to do a little bit more each time I go. I'm feeling muscles that I never knew were there. Whatever we are doing there certainly seems to be helping in my c-section area, which I thought was hopeless.

Bryan and I went to a new support group last night. Like the other one, this one consisted of Bypass patients. I REALLY wish I had some lap band support. There was a woman there who just didn't get it. She had her surgery 9 months ago, and has lost 65lbs or so, which doesn't sound like very much considering they are supposed to lose a lot much faster than Bryan or I. She also refuses to watch her calories, focus on protein, or exercise. I wanted to shake her and ask her why she even bothered to have surgery. You can't just have surgery and think all of your problems will go away. You still have to put in the work EVERY DAY. It put things into perspective for me. I know that we're in the right direction, but I also know we could be doing better.. particularly me and my sugar intake. But over all, we are doing just fine. I think that I'm going to weigh myself every two weeks rather than every week.

Meanwhile my rings are falling off. They always loosen up a little in the winter, but now I'm worried about them falling off completely. Bryan is having the same problem. I've had to reverse my engagement ring with my wedding band to prevent the ring from falling off. It's REALLY weird to wear them this way but I'll get used to it. My right hand rings are basically falling off. Eventually I'll get my rings sized in a year or two.

The Holidays are Over!

Happy Holidays.. especially happy that they are over! Christmas was fun this year especially having kids that are so young, but I'm glad all of the pressure is off! I've managed to stay at the same weight give or take two pounds. I would gain 2 one week, lose them the next.. I'm stuck in between 230lbs and 232lbs. Could be worse, but could certainly be better.

Eating is still tough. We had prime rib for Christmas Eve and I had to throw it up. I had to chew it 50 times to break it down and is still got stuck. Christmas Day was tough too.. couldn't eat much food at all.. but surprisingly the cookies went down just fine! That is where I'm getting into trouble. I need to make better decisions. I found some good protein shakes that are only 160cal and 30gm of protein. I'm now planning on having those for two meals a day.

Some of my girlfriends and I have come up with a game plan to start the year off well. We all belong to the same gym and have planned a schedule to try their classes. Tomorrow night is the beginning. Zumba and then Roller Derby Boot Camp! Bryan quickly dismissed the idea of me doing Roller Derby Boot Camp because he knows that I'm a complete wimp, but I'm going to try to prove him wrong.

Next week I have to go back up to Buffalo for a fill. I'm still not sure if I should have a fill, since my food has been getting stuck a lot lately.

I've been reading this book.. I got it for Bryan for Christmas but really it's for both of us..

Bryan by the way is doing well. His numbers on the scale still aren't great but his cloths look ridiculous on him now, they are falling off. I bought him smaller pants for Christmas and they are too big already, so that has to feel good. He has decided to give up alcohol since he knows it's a big part of why he isn't losing like he should. I'm going to too. I'll only allow myself a glass of skinny wine after I reach a weight loss goal, rather than drinking a bottle a weekend.