TWO YEARS AGO TODAY!!

Two years ago today I had vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery.  My family said, "really?  two years?  I thought it was only a year ago!"  Time has flown by...I have learned so much about myself and so much has changed.  I have also realized that I am not a blogger, lol!  I changed jobs last year and I really don't have the time.  I used to read (and read) blogs, and post once in a while, but now I don't do either.  But, I didn't want to let this momentous occasion pass without some mention of it.

I am still oh so very thankful my husband and I had this surgery.  We are so much healthier and happier.  These are a before and after of us:

2009

2012

We pretty much have maintained our weight these two years.  My husband actually got a little too low, so I asked him to gain about 15 lbs, lol!  I put on about 10 lbs. over the holidays this past year and they are still with me, but I can still wear a size 10 (from a 22) and feel fine, but might try to lose those 10 lbs. over Summer.  We don't watch what we eat as much, but still try to pack in the protein before other nutrients.  I still wish I exercised more, but am slowly trying to move my body a little each day.

One of the most amazing things that has happened over these past two years is that so many of my good friends have had weight loss surgery as well!  It is amazing to see the transformations!!  I get teary-eyed just thinking of a few of my friends who finally went through all the hesitations and scariness of surgery to finally going to the other side of healing.  I am proud of them!

So, here's to another year of living a healthy and happy lifestyle!!  OH, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!!  Absolutely! :)

In Search of New Goals!

Boy, the month of May just FLEW by!  I had my one year "surgiversary" a couple of weeks ago and didn't even blog about it, lol!  I am actually doing very well and am in need of new goals.  I met all the goals I wrote for myself, "weight-wise" (see all those goals to the right?  ALL crossed off!):  I am now in the "normal" BMI range!!  I am actually below my goal weight, but really want to stay in the 150's, and I am fluctuating between 157-162.  I am in mostly size 8's, but some 10's and some 6's, depending on the brand.  Mostly medium tops.  I have hit 125 lbs. lost!!!  yahoo!!  But now what?

I need to make myself some new goals, maybe not weight related, but total health related. 

• Food choices.   This has become increasingly harder for me.  For the first 6-10 months after surgery, I was very disciplined and made sure I was eating mostly protein and lots of fruits and veggies.  I still wasn't eating pasta or bread and sweets were at a minimum.  Now?  Still not much bread or pasta and still mostly protein, but lots of junk has been creeping into my diet.  Crackers.  Ice cream. And since we are busy with my girls' softball, lots of eating out.  Now, the portions are still small, but I am not making the best choices.  Need to make a goal about this.  Not sure what yet...
• Exercise.  Still not doing much at all.  I occasionally walk, usually with the dogs, but not much.  I don't think I am ready to commit to a serious exercise routine, but I need to move more than I have been (this has been a theme throughout my whole life..sigh).
• Spiritual walk and service.  I realize I am making excuses, but I feel like I have been so busy.  Our church has a summer Women's Bible Study that I am going to participate in.  Also, the agency I work for is a Christian organization, placing foster children in Christian homes.  I do feel like my work is a ministry.  But is that enough?  Should I serve at church, too?  Prayer needed on this.
• Friends.  I have a close group of friends and we have been friends for almost 10 years.  But, our kids are all getting older and are having activities of their own, so we are getting busy.  I need to make a point of inviting them to coffee or just drop them a note once in a while.  Such bad habits. 
• Hobbies?  Ha!  I really envy those that have them.  I would love to scrapbook or sew or knit (or even blog on a regular basis, lol!), but with my full-time job and three kiddos?  When??  I know there are women out there that do it, but I just don't know how.

So, these are some of the areas that I am looking at for new goals.  I would love some ideas.  I do get lots of inspiration from all of you and even "Pinterest" lots of ideas :)

A note about hubby :)  He has his one year "surgiversary" in July.  He has already lost over 125 lbs. and doesn't want to get any lower, either.  He looks fabulous, if I do say so myself :)  <wolf whistle>  Here is a pic of us on Memorial Day this past weekend.  We spent it at a lake with some friends.

*TAP* *TAP* Is this thing on??!

Wow, I am one horrible blogger, lol!  Next week is my 9 month post-op and I haven't blogged since my 6 month post-op, before the holidays, and before the New Year.  Crazy!!  Normally people fall off the blogger wagon because they are not in a good place (i.e., not following a plan, gaining weight, bad relationship, etc.) or just too plain busy.  I fit more into the second category, along with a dash of pure laziness and "not-much-too-say".  I love reading blog updates, but I always seem to put mine off.  I must have started writing an update a dozen times in the last 3 months, only to get busy with something else (work, KIDS, work, husband, KIDS).   Thanks Sheila for asking about me :).

I really have been doing well.  I am within 10 lbs. of my goal of having a normal BMI!!!  116 lbs. lost so far!!!  Wow wow wow!!!  I cannot even believe it, even though I just wrote it.  I can fit into size 8 jeans, although I am currently wearing 10's.  They are a little loose, so I may have to do some shopping soon.  Here are my attempts to take pictures in the dressing room. I did not buy any of these, I just happened to be out working and had a few minutes to kill next to an Old Navy.  The first one I took was of size 8 shorts and a regular t-shirt, but I forgot to turn off the darn flash, so all you see is a big white mess, lol!  Then I changed into jeans, but it is hard to tell how they look with the black t-shirt.  BUT I did remember to take a picture of the tag.

The holidays went by without a hiccup.  I did really well with my eating and for the first time ever lost weight.  Of course I had some sweets and more carbs than usual, but I wasn't able to eat a lot.  I still eat mainly protein (lean meats, dairy, nuts) and fruit/veggies.  I rarely have any pasta, rice, or bread, but occasionally have a tortilla, and those are low carb varieties.  I am, however, a really bad example as a WLS post-op.  I don't exercise (at all!  really!  eek!) nor do I take my vitamins.  I know, I know...I need to be slapped.  I know I probably will regret these habits/ lack of habits, but right now it is not something I am doing.   OK, back to the holidays...here are some pictures of my hubby and I.  The first one is at Thanksgiving and the other one is of us on vacation for my brother's wedding on New Year's Eve.  I loved all the reactions we received from family that haven't seen us in months.  It was fabulous!!  Speaking of hubby, he just had his 6 month post-op and has lost over 100 lbs, too and is probably going to pass me in that statistic.  He looks fantastic and I could not be more proud of him.

Well, that is about it for an update.  Not much else is going on, other than work, work, and KIDS ;)  All three girls have just started softball again and there are a total of 6 practices and 6 games each week between the three of them.  We are going to have a busy Spring!  But I wouldn't change a thing.

OH, just thought of another thing...my HAIR!  Freaky.  It is no longer falling out, but there is tons of regrowth.  I have all these little hairs, about an inch long, all over my head.  And, my hair is now curlier than before, and not in a cute way.  It is like the mane of a lion, a kinky-head lion.  So bizarre.  Good thing I know how to use a straightener.  OK, now I am done (and this took all day to write...I started at work this morning, but got interrupted all day.  Now it is almost midnight.  sigh.).

Six month comparison pics!

Okay, here they are, 

the wonderful and dramatic comparison pictures! 

 I simply cannot believe how different I look and feel. 

 Just since May!!  

Here I am in May 2011:

Here I am in November 2011:

Comparisons:

 Wearing my size 22 pants!

 Woo Hoo!!

 Also, here is a picture of my husband and I in April 2011:

And here is a picture of us today:

I have lost 100 lbs. and my husband (VSG in July) has lost 93 lbs. (!!)

Almost 200 lbs. lost!! 

 WOW!!!

100 lbs. lost on my 6 month surgiversary!!

100 POUNDS GONE!!

Amazing, stupendous, marvelous, fantastic, incredible, outstanding, magnificent, phenomenal!!!

I feel sooo incredibly thankful and blessed.  6 months ago today I was wheeled into the operating room to have a vertical sleeve gastrectomy performed, the amazing surgical weight loss tool in which 85% of the stomach is removed, creating a sleeve or tube in the shape of a banana.  This procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach and is done laparoscopically and is not reversible.  It has given me so much more than I could have ever dreamed.  100 lbs. lost in 6 months?  NEVER would I have dreamed it.  I am rarely hungry.  I only eat a few ounces at a time.  Food doesn't rule my life anymore.  What a gift.  My mind is having a hard time wrapping itself around this.  

I have gone from 282 lbs. to 182 lbs.  From a size 22 to a size 12.  I have lost tons of inches, and will post those measurements and comparison pictures this weekend, but don't have the time this morning.  I just wanted to shout out my excitement and not let this moment go by.  How fun was it to see THAT number on the scale on my six month surgiversary?! 

Woo Hoo!!!!

 

Eggface's CLICK'n Fall Giveaway

I love giveaways, don't you??  I also love coffee and coffee-flavored drinks.  One of my favorite weight loss bloggers is giving away some CLICK Expresso Protein Drink mixes and thought I would share :) 

She is giving away 3 canisters of CLICK (2 Mocha & 1 Vanilla), a CLICK Blender Bottle Shaker, a CLICK New Cool Max Hat, and a CLICK e-tote Bag.  Cool, huh?!!  Good luck!  Go here to read all about it and enter.

Eggface's CLICK'n Fall Giveaway

Halloween is scarier than I remember!

So, here it is...my first "holiday season" post weight loss surgery.  I think I would do okay if I was on my own or if it was just my husband and myself (although he really does have a sweet tooth!).  I do think, however, it is going to be hard with my children, bringing all those yummy treats home.  Whether it is baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads) or the Halloween candy (!!), it is inevitable that it is going to be in our home.

I think I need to make a game plan for the next few months.  I had all my girls "hide" their Halloween candy this week so I wouldn't have it staring at me.  It has worked for the most part, as out-of-sight-out-of-mind, but I still have indulged more than I have in the last few months.  I am up a couple pounds, too (not going on the ticker, of course!).  Kinda getting me down.  BUT, with a game plan, I will turn this around. :)

1. Drink more liquids, not just water.  I get in my bare minimum daily.  I am going to try and add more variety to my liquid intake.  During these winter months, hot drinks are more appealing, so I will research some yummy alternatives.
2. Do some form of moving every day.  I am not talking going to the gym for an hour or strenuous sweating ;).  I am talking about walking, wii fit games, yard work.  Just moving more.
3. Make sure I have protein options with me when we go out (either to gatherings or on the road).  These can be almonds, protein bar, pre-packaged protein snacks, etc.
4. Plan ahead!  Plan meals and stick to them.  This really helps me.

Luckily I am not yet even 6 months post-op, so I am not cleared for any alcohol drinks yet.  Those calories add up really quick.  However, I will be cleared for more carbs later this month (bread, rice, pasta, tortillas), so I am a little nervous about adding them to my diet.  It has been a little "freeing" not being able to eat them.  They are a huge trigger for me and mostly what got me to needing surgery in the first place.  I have indulged a few times in the past month (shared a wrap with my husband, for instance), but not much else.  <<shiver>> This is almost as scary as the candy.