Happy Anniversary to ME!

So actually I celebrated my first anniversary of my surgery on Tuesday. But, due to the craziness of the holidays and the work week I just haven't had time to really write much!

I had originally hoped to meet my final GOAL of 150 by my 1 year mark. Honestly, up until October'ish I really thought it was going to be possible. But, I forgot one thing. The closer you get to goal, the slower you lose. But, rather than being upset about not accomplishing what I really wanted to I decided to celebrate my successes and focus on the positives this far.

I changed my one year goal to only losing 1 pound so that I could say I lost 150 pounds in ONE year. 

So I weighed in on the morning of Tuesday and it's official I lost my 1 pound! AND some!

I have lost 152 pounds in one year. I'm 15 pounds away from goal. I am just happy and thankful beyond words. I think I am done actively trying to lose any more weight. I have decided I am going to pursue plastic/reconstruction surgery on my stomach to remove the excess skin. My biggest fear is that I will reach goal, have this surgery and then they will remove the skin that will be amount to a bit of weight and will make me look boney. MY plan is to use these last 15 pounds as a sort of cushion to help me.

I'm just nervous because when I researched the skin removal surgeries I read so often how people would have 10-20 pounds of skin removed. While I understand everyone is different I just do NOT want to seem TOO skinny! And, I planned to talk to my surgeon about it when I meet with him on January 3rd to see what he thinks and continue to assess from there!

New pictures are coming soon!

Weight Chart!

I was just really upset because I had a program on my phone that I would track all my of my weigh in's on. Unfortunately, a few months ago my phone bit the dust and I lost all that information! =/ Luckily, I started this little graph on the skinnyr website.. And, then did a GREAT job tracking weigh in's on here.

I'm a visual learner.. so this kind of stuff really just shows how great I've done! whoohoo!

Get your own graph at skinnyr

First Thanksgiving Post Op

Today was my very first Thanksgiving as a VSG post op patient! I won't lie that even at eleven months out I was still pretty nervous. This was my first large holiday that strongly encourages food. The plan was we would have an early dinner at 1 with my family. And, then at 4 we would head up to enjoy a dinner at 5 with Phils family. Since I was aware that my small stomach requires a bit of time between meals I tried my hardest not to overdo it for the first meal. And, I can honestly say I did just that. I left that house feeling satisified. Not that overly stuffed feeling I have felt every other year.

I was even able to enjoy some SALAD! I have had a lot of issues with lettuce post op. But, tonight I tolerated it nicely!

177...

Well, it appears 177 is the number of the day.

As of this morning I weight 177 pounds :) 

And, as of right now (well, after I post this!) I will have 177 blog entries! <3 Whoohooo!

Well, I missed weighing myself in yesterday before eating breakfast. So when I weighed right after eating and it said 179 I knew something was up. Because normally after eating I'm at 181... so I honestly thought my scale was playing tricks on me. But, nope. It looks like I finally get to wave a frantic good bye to the 180's... because it I tested it yesterday. Even after eating all my meals the scale did not hover past 179!

SO LONG SUCKAAAAA! :)

To date I've lost 140 pounds. And, only have 27 left until I reach my surgeon's goal of 150 pounds! WHOooHOOO! It feels so REAL now! :)

Big News!

Well, in my household at least!

But, I am a proud wife of a GRADUATE! Today my husband graduated with his Associates degree in information technology! It was a HUGE deal for a few reasons... 1. It was his very FIRST graduation. He dropped out of HS due to issues at school and pursued his GED. 2. He has had SO many obstacles to face to get to this point. Between sickness, unexpected hospital stays... every day life he's had it rough the past two years. But, he stuck it out and today it paid off! WHOOHOO! I am so proud of I'm!

Also, it was a big day for me. I have NEVER been able to borrow clothes from friends... well, let me explain. I did have one friend I could borrow clothes from. But, she also had the sleeve months before me. So her wardrobe was filled with sizes 26 and below. I don't really count her for that purpose. But, today I borrowed a dress from an AVERAGE sized friend.

OH MY GOSH! Is this really ME!?

Anyway I wish I had a better picture but they were kicking us out :(

But nonetheless, here's my picture!

Overweight?

Well, as of this morning Sunday, September 25th, 2011... I am OFFICIALLY out of the OBESE category in the BMI determination. And, I'm now just considered OVERWEIGHT!

I also said good bye to the 180's..... just BARELY. But, enough to wave a little! :)

This is all a learning process.

I decided that I am no longer going to let these last 33/34 pounds get the best of me. Just going to continue with the habits formed in the last 8.5 months, and let the body kick butt like it has done so far in this journey. =)

Just meaning that I'm not going to beat myself up anymore. I'm going to continue with the new eating habits, and exercise REGULARLY. But, not go CRAZY OVERBOARD.

I had this crazy idea to re do the 5 day pouch test to help re boost my weight loss.

Yesterday I had a rough day, but finished day one. Today, I was miserable. So I started thinking why am I beating myself up so badly over the last 33 pounds.

I think my follower Mallory said it best with saying You will get to goal! You have lost so much, it is normal to have the loses be smaller as you have less to lose! I always do low-carb if I need a little weight loss jump start. "

I will continue to eat less carbs, and all the other WLS guidelines but I'm done killing myself over this!

My body has SHOWN my in the last 8.5 months that IT CAN and WILL lose weight. But, with less to lose it's going to take longer.

First Day of School...

Today we FINALLY went back to school. Technically, I went back to school(work) last week. But, the students were to return on Monday. However, Irene had other plans and we were closed until today.

This is THE best first day EVER. Not only did I realize how far I've come since starting my WLS journey. But, I also had a lot of positivity from my students. And, in the outfit I chose I FELT great. Felt like a professional! LOL! I work in the kitchen a lot helping the students learn how to cook and all that fun stuff so dressing up is not something I do a lot. Normally I wear dress pants and a T shirt so I don't ruin my clothes. However, once I get to goal that will change because I realized today just how much your CLOTHES can affect your mood!

I walked into one classroom that was doing a little lesson on rules, and so all eyes were on me. One of my students was like "OH MY GOD!" and started laughing which in turn made the others laugh. And, I just left. Embarrassed honestly. But, then I realized he hadn't seen me since June. I've lost approximately 25 pounds or so since then. So later on in the day when he came to my class for electives he was hinting around by asking em little questions like "What did YOU do this Summer? How do YOU feel!? And, finally instead of playing the circle game I said I know what you're talking about, if you would like to openly talk about it we CAN, but it needs to be appropriate. (Reminder that I work with emotionally disturbed kids!) So he asked me DID YOU LOSE WEIGHT?! And, then the others chimed in. Asking if I work out more... eat better.. and all that fun stuff. It was not only a good learning experience for him, but for me too. I work with these kids on a daily basis. Sometimes without knowing I underestimate them. They DO care about us even when they claim they don't. Also I learned that its important to discuss HEALTHY habits with them!

Anyway, a picture of the new school year.

Starting the school year off in a size 13 pant. They were a little loose too. But, I couldn't talk myself into wearing the 12's that FIT but felt a tad tight. Maybe soon!

Picture Update!

As many of you may know I take my update pictures in 25 pound increments. As of this morning I'm two pounds away from the next update. However, I decided it was nice outside, and I was dressed so take them EARLY!

I'm six months pre op, and down a total of 123 pounds in total! =) YAY!

Anyway, onto the pictures! whoohooooo!

6 month check up!

Today I went and visited Dr. You for my 6 month check up.

 I don't know what I really expected to happen there. But, anyway it went great!

It was very short, and sweet. He's over all satisfied with my loss.

He asked about my charm bracelet... and what new charms I was able to add.

He confirmed that my goal weight is 150 pounds. 

And, after doing the math... that leaves me with exactly 49 more pounds left to go.

I don't go back for three more month. So let's see how much I can lose from now until then! =)

I'm finding myself questioning if this is real or not. Like, I see myself every day... but I still don't always register that I'm THIS much smaller. I have moments where I look at myself and I'm just amazed. But, then there's more moments where I'm like Oh I still have a LOT to go! When in reality I don't have much to go at ALL!

I'm hoping that since I only have 49 to go... I'll start losing more in my belly. It hasn't changed a whole lot. I mean, I know some of it probably has to be excess skin at this point... but, I'm still waiting for some change in it! 

I've been very anxious lately with wondering what size I will end up. And, thankfully after talking to one of my online friends Tiff who also had VSG two years ago... she calmed a lot of my thoughts. I see people who were the same size as me before and end up being a 4. Honestly, I don't need to be a 4 to be happy. But, seeing as that I'm in a 16 now and only have 49 to go I wasn't sure where I would end up. I will be happy no matter where I end... but, that doesn't kill the curiosity factor! Tiff has helped me realize that since I'm near the end I will end up losing more inches faster... and that'll help with sizing.

Free Time...

I'm finally on break for work! Whoohoo!

Well, I won't get TOO excited because I'm only off until July 1st.. and, my mom has already asked me to come into work ONE day to help her with some stuff.

I am planning on using my time wisely and use it to get back in the routine of working out again! I have 49 pounds until I reach goal! whoohoo!

But, for today I was a little bored and played with some photo editing stuff!

I think it's pretty AWESOME! If I do say so myself!

6 Months Post Op!

Today is June 20th, 2011 which makes me 6 months post op!!

Time for an update!

I started my journey at 317 pounds. As of this morning I Was 199.8. 

ONDERLAND! I was so stinking excited! I've been waiting for this day!

That's a total of 118 pounds lost!

Unfortunately, I accidently deleted my measurement file :( And, my husband (bless him!) tried to recover it. But, it didn't work.... but, using my other document I've realized I've lost 36 inches!

Yay! Movement!

I've been (im)patiently awaiting Onderland. I can't wait to get there. I can't remember weighing any where in the 100's in a LONG time. But, I realize that with only so much weight left to lose I know things will slow down!

But, today after two weeks of not moving the scale MOVED!

I'm currently down to 207 pounds. Which also brings me to another milestone. 110 pounds lost! whoohoo

Insecurities...

I was pretty insecure before I had my surgery. 

I was constantly worried if I was the biggest person in the room. Or always worrying about something that wasn't perfect. But, I'm slowly learning I am not perfect. I'm who I am and I have faults. But, I'm REAL. 

That's the most important thing for me. To remain true to myself and stay the same person inside that I've ALWAYS been.

However, with the weight loss has come one thing I absolutely HATE! I HATE my arms. I'm so insecure of them. At my biggest 317, I'd wear tank tops all the time. Now, I won't... I just don't like them. They're uncomfortable for me because I feel like my arms jiggly entirely too much and that's all I can focus on.

Well today I decided I needed to suck it up and deal with it. Heck I lost 107 pounds... if my arms wanna be crappy looking at least they're not as big as they used to be, I guess!

So to work on it... today I wore a tank top to the gym...... was so self conscience the entire time. But, hopefully that'll get easier.

Carnival!

Last night my brother, his girlfriend and I all went to the carnival.

I have been wanting to go for a really long time. But, the last time I went I was mortified when one of the rides wouldn't close all the way because I was too big! However, I thought this time that's going to be CHANGED!

So we went, I ended up buying a wrist band for unlimited rides. And, had NO problem fitting in ANY of the rides. I had so much fun. It's amazing how much more fun a carnival can be when you're not worrying about if you can fit or not.

YAY!

Attempting...

I've noticed lately that as I get closer and closer to Onderland I am becoming more and more obsessed with the scale.

I'm sure there's a lot of reasons, but the main one is that I just can not believe that it's SO close. I can't remember the last time I weighed this much! :)

So my friend Sarah and I are going to put the scales away for one week and go from there.

This mornings weigh in was 210.6. 

I'll see you next Monday, scaley!! :) Be nice to me will ya?!!?!

Scale is cooperating!

I have been at 229 for about two weeks now.

It wasn't until the other day that it FINALLY changed to 228.

I try so hard to be patient with my weight loss because I know I have lost faster than a lot of other people in my situation. But, I'm still anxious about wanting to lose.

As of this morning I'm down to 227.. Which is GREAT!

I have 10 more pounds until I reach my Easter Challenge Goal!

And, with those 10 pounds lost, I will be brought to 100 pounds LOST!

YAY!

I just updated my tickers to show the 90 pounds and I'm amazed. My goal doesn't seem to far away at this point. I am so excited =)

Goodbye 90 pounds. I never want to see you again!

I just found this...

picture while "Spring Cleaning" my computer at work. At first I was mortified. But, now I've come to terms. And, I am even MORE thankful I had my surgery :)

As my friend Laura pointed out, if you look in the first picture you see that behind my arm there's fat sticking out. But, in the second there's NOTHING left of me.

Now, I see myself every day. And, I know the number of pounds I have lost but WOW!

Seeing that first picture I was like OMG! I didn't think I was THAT big!

W1D1 & W1D2 update...

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to start the C25K program. I was REALLY nervous to start it. But, come Monday morning it was like my body was READY! I woke up Monday morning at 6 a.m. just ready!

So I got up, had my eyeballs open for about five minutes before starting. To start it was a brisk 5 minute walk and then walking 90 seconds, jogging for 60. This will go on for the next two weeks. But, Monday morning I managed to get .81 of a mile done before the time was up!

My original plan was to do the C25K program on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings.

I completed W1D1 yesterday morning.... and figured Today (Tuesday) I would rest. However, today at the gym my mom wanted to give it a try, so I sucked it up and decided to give it a try.

Today, I finished over a mile in the time limit! whoohoo! :)

W1D1: .81 in 20 minutes.

W1D2: 1.13 in 20 minutes

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I am still doing the C25K. I have just been horrible with updating the information :(

Half Way Point!?!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Seriously, I can't even all the way GRASP that at 3 months, and 13 days post op I am HALF way to goal.

Actually, I'm a few pounds PAST the half way mark!!!

As of this morning I am 231 pounds. I have 14 pounds to go until I have lost 100 pounds!!