I weighed myself this morning and have lost another 1.6 pounds. I have now lost a total of 43 pounds, down 55 pounds from my highest weight. I put on weight when I lived in Idaho because I was lonely and miserable, so I'd bake cookies and swing by Sonic on my way home from work. Even though I had a fabulous kitchen, it was no fun to cook for just one. Scott was always working, plus I didn't want to monopolize his time.
Having the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) was the best gift I could give myself. It's not a "cure" for obesity. It's a tool to help curing myself. I (usually) make better food choices, drink my water, go to the gym, walk, and track my progress on http://www.myfitnesspal.com/.
I've met a lot of new people that I consider friends because I've joined several Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) groups on Facebook. Support is important when changing ingrained eating habits, and what I love about these groups is that they will hold me accountable, but they also support and encourage me. I love seeing all their pictures as they lose their excess weight.
Anybody considering something like this should have a good support network. We couldn't do it when we tried all the Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc., groups, and we can't go to those groups now because they actually work against how we should be eating. However much we (well, me) might want to join Weight Watchers and then lose steadily, that isn't ethical or honest. It would just make up for all the times I went and gained a pound from the previous week. :-)
Last night Darling Husband (DH) and I went to dinner and Christmas shopping. We went to Macaroni Grill in the mall. For dinner I had a side Caesar salad and THREE crab stuffed mushrooms off the appetizer menu. I was FULL! I love my sleeve.
TTFN
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
40 Pounds Gone
This morning I hit a new level. I lost 40 pounds and have moved into a new "decade" on the scale. Whoo hoo!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Where have I been?!
A friend asked me for a link to my blog because she had lost it. The link, not her mind. <smile> I just realized I haven't posted anything since October 9. What's the point of having a blog if you're not going to write in it?
Just returned from a whirlwind weekend in California to see the kids and my friend, Diane. It was Diane's birthday and that seemed like a perfect "excuse" to go to California. Gunner is growing so fast. He's running all over the place. They have an eight year old foster daughter they are in the process of adopting, plus three other foster kids, and another little girl who spent the night Saturday. Once the adoption is final I can share more details. At one point I actually said "If I have to come in there, SOMEBODY's going to bed!" When did I revert to being a mother of children?! I guess some things never go away.
While I was there I received word that my best friend all through junior and high school died suddenly. Lori was my maid of honor when Dave and I married in 1993. Everywhere I went all weekend I thought of Lori and the trouble we had gotten into. We got into mischief as only junior high girls can. RIP Lori. You were a gentle soul who will be missed. I hope someone steps up and adopts your fur baby. I know how much you loved her.
To date I have lost 30 pounds. Perhaps slower than some, but I'm averaging 15 pounds a month. Never in my past could I lose weight that quickly. I reached the point where I always hit a road block when I was in Weight Watchers. The weight lost, not the amount I weigh. I would hit about 30 pounds and start panicking for some reason. It was like if I had to start buying smaller clothes, I couldn't "hide" behind my weight anymore. I would freak out and start sabotaging my weight loss efforts, then I would end up quitting. With the vertical sleeve, even if I wanted to do that I can't. Believe me, I don't!
I had a chance to visit with a friend from Petaluma, Debbie, while I was there. She had the same surgery as me, but a week later. It was nice to touch base in person and compare experiences.
This morning on the walk from my car to the turnstile I turned my ankle on a rock and went down. Thankfully nothing worse than a twisted ankle and road rashed knee. I hobbled around the office all day, though. I did my eight hours and came home. My ankle is a little bit swollen but that's all.
I'm not sure if this blog is a diary for me or a journal for others to read. Sometimes I write it like I'm talking to someone. I guess if someone does read this, that's okay.
TTFN
Cathy
Just returned from a whirlwind weekend in California to see the kids and my friend, Diane. It was Diane's birthday and that seemed like a perfect "excuse" to go to California. Gunner is growing so fast. He's running all over the place. They have an eight year old foster daughter they are in the process of adopting, plus three other foster kids, and another little girl who spent the night Saturday. Once the adoption is final I can share more details. At one point I actually said "If I have to come in there, SOMEBODY's going to bed!" When did I revert to being a mother of children?! I guess some things never go away.
While I was there I received word that my best friend all through junior and high school died suddenly. Lori was my maid of honor when Dave and I married in 1993. Everywhere I went all weekend I thought of Lori and the trouble we had gotten into. We got into mischief as only junior high girls can. RIP Lori. You were a gentle soul who will be missed. I hope someone steps up and adopts your fur baby. I know how much you loved her.
To date I have lost 30 pounds. Perhaps slower than some, but I'm averaging 15 pounds a month. Never in my past could I lose weight that quickly. I reached the point where I always hit a road block when I was in Weight Watchers. The weight lost, not the amount I weigh. I would hit about 30 pounds and start panicking for some reason. It was like if I had to start buying smaller clothes, I couldn't "hide" behind my weight anymore. I would freak out and start sabotaging my weight loss efforts, then I would end up quitting. With the vertical sleeve, even if I wanted to do that I can't. Believe me, I don't!
I had a chance to visit with a friend from Petaluma, Debbie, while I was there. She had the same surgery as me, but a week later. It was nice to touch base in person and compare experiences.
This morning on the walk from my car to the turnstile I turned my ankle on a rock and went down. Thankfully nothing worse than a twisted ankle and road rashed knee. I hobbled around the office all day, though. I did my eight hours and came home. My ankle is a little bit swollen but that's all.
I'm not sure if this blog is a diary for me or a journal for others to read. Sometimes I write it like I'm talking to someone. I guess if someone does read this, that's okay.
TTFN
Cathy
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Been Busy
Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I posted anything. Elizabeth arrived about a week and a half ago and we've been busy, busy since she got here. We've been to Leavenworth, Washington, where we had a great day. We stopped by Roslyn, Washington, on the way home. Roslyn is where they filmed the television show Northern Exposure.
Monday morning Elizabeth, Debby and I took the Victoria Clipper ferry up to Victoria, BC and we took a tour of the Butchart Gardens. Breathtakingly beautiful. Jim and I definitely need to take a two day trip up there. I think we'll go in the Spring to see the tulips.
Tomorrow Elizabeth will move into the house in Black Diamond and life should get back to a little bit more "normal." That means I also need to get back into the routine of going to the gym and getting some exercise. I've been cleared to do exercises that work my core now so I won't be limited to just the treadmill. Ugh! That gets boring fast.
Monday morning Elizabeth, Debby and I took the Victoria Clipper ferry up to Victoria, BC and we took a tour of the Butchart Gardens. Breathtakingly beautiful. Jim and I definitely need to take a two day trip up there. I think we'll go in the Spring to see the tulips.
Tomorrow Elizabeth will move into the house in Black Diamond and life should get back to a little bit more "normal." That means I also need to get back into the routine of going to the gym and getting some exercise. I've been cleared to do exercises that work my core now so I won't be limited to just the treadmill. Ugh! That gets boring fast.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Meltdown
This morning was a bad day. I've been tracking everything I eat on www.myfitnesspal.com and thought I was doing well. We spent the past two nights in Black Diamond but when we got home last night I weighed myself. It's been one month since my surgery and I haven't lost any weight. I can see I've lost weight in my face and have lost inches, but the scale certainly isn't reflecting that.
I had a meltdown this morning and posted something on the private group I'm in on Facebook. The comments I received were supportive and gave me encouragement I badly needed. Jim is threatening to throw the scale out if I keep weighing myself every morning.
Today we went to see Harry Potter and before the movie I bought myself some cross trainer shoes. I think I'm going to go to the gym tomorrow, even if it's only to use the treadmill. Wednesday I have an appointment with the trainer to be taught how to use all the machines.
I had a meltdown this morning and posted something on the private group I'm in on Facebook. The comments I received were supportive and gave me encouragement I badly needed. Jim is threatening to throw the scale out if I keep weighing myself every morning.
Today we went to see Harry Potter and before the movie I bought myself some cross trainer shoes. I think I'm going to go to the gym tomorrow, even if it's only to use the treadmill. Wednesday I have an appointment with the trainer to be taught how to use all the machines.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Progress
A friend I met on Facebook turned me to www.myfitnesspal.com, which is a great place to track what I eat, how much water I drink, and how much exercise I'm getting. Snort, yeah right. I'm exercising. More on that later.
The web site is really helping me to be accountable for what I'm doing. Since I started using it last mid-week last night, I've lost four pounds. Love it!
Now for the exercising thing. I went to LA Fitness today and joined. Working for Boeing, one of our discount programs allows us to join with no initiation fee ($100 savings). The monthly fee is $29.99 and includes lots of machines / treadmills / elliptical trainers, all classes, pool, sauna, and a hot tub. It's on my way home from work, and with Jim working second shift once he starts at Boeing I really have no excuse for not going to the gym.
I was going to also look at the YMCA in Shoreline, but I realized it WAY out of the way. When I got there, the parking was a nightmare and I kept envisioning a club full of screaming children. No, thanks!
My jeans are getting looser, but I still can't quite wrap my mind around not being obese. It's gonna happen, though! I'd have to work really hard for it to not work. Frankly that is more work than making it happen.
The web site is really helping me to be accountable for what I'm doing. Since I started using it last mid-week last night, I've lost four pounds. Love it!
Now for the exercising thing. I went to LA Fitness today and joined. Working for Boeing, one of our discount programs allows us to join with no initiation fee ($100 savings). The monthly fee is $29.99 and includes lots of machines / treadmills / elliptical trainers, all classes, pool, sauna, and a hot tub. It's on my way home from work, and with Jim working second shift once he starts at Boeing I really have no excuse for not going to the gym.
I was going to also look at the YMCA in Shoreline, but I realized it WAY out of the way. When I got there, the parking was a nightmare and I kept envisioning a club full of screaming children. No, thanks!
My jeans are getting looser, but I still can't quite wrap my mind around not being obese. It's gonna happen, though! I'd have to work really hard for it to not work. Frankly that is more work than making it happen.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Saw the Nutritionist Today
So, I went to see the Nutritionist today. She says I'm doing very, very well and look great. She even said I'm probably the best she has seen, given that mine was a revision. For those of you that don't know, I had lapband surgery in 2006 and never had much luck with it. Not blaming the band. If there was a way to work around what it was supposed to do, I think I found it. On June 22 I had my band removed; then on August 4 I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG). VSG involves removing most of the patient's stomach, but unlike Gastric Bypass the intestines are not rerouted. I digress...
The visit went very well. I seem to be doing everything I should be doing with the exception of taking the generic Prilosec (omedprezol?). I have been having no heartburn so of course I decided I didn't need it. I was wrong. I need to take it every day because it helps my stomach heal, especially since mine was a revision.
During the course of the visit she asked me if I ever get lightheaded. I told her that I do sometimes, but to be honest I never think too much about it. About five minutes later I told her I was feeling light hearted and warm/flushed. She got the blood pressure cuff and my BP was 110/58. VERY low. She said I need to be sure to get in enough fluid. All I had had so far this morning at that point was my protein shake. To be safe, I'm going up to my surgeon's office tomorrow to have them monitor my BP. If it's so low again, I'll try to get in to see the doctor while I'm there.
It took me a while to start losing weight after the surgery (due to the IV bags), but since last Friday I've been averaging a 1.5 pound per day weight loss. Yay me!
Talk to you later!
The visit went very well. I seem to be doing everything I should be doing with the exception of taking the generic Prilosec (omedprezol?). I have been having no heartburn so of course I decided I didn't need it. I was wrong. I need to take it every day because it helps my stomach heal, especially since mine was a revision.
During the course of the visit she asked me if I ever get lightheaded. I told her that I do sometimes, but to be honest I never think too much about it. About five minutes later I told her I was feeling light hearted and warm/flushed. She got the blood pressure cuff and my BP was 110/58. VERY low. She said I need to be sure to get in enough fluid. All I had had so far this morning at that point was my protein shake. To be safe, I'm going up to my surgeon's office tomorrow to have them monitor my BP. If it's so low again, I'll try to get in to see the doctor while I'm there.
It took me a while to start losing weight after the surgery (due to the IV bags), but since last Friday I've been averaging a 1.5 pound per day weight loss. Yay me!
Talk to you later!
Monday, August 15, 2011
11 Days Out
It's been a journey, I say that. I was starting to feel discouraged on Friday because I still hadn't lost any weight since the surgery itelf. I lost 15 pounds on the pre-op low carb diet, but nothing since the surgery. The doctor's office told me that each of the (four) bags of IV fluid they gave me weighs five pounds, which I didn't realize. Eventually I'll start losing the water weight. It's hard to drink the water I need because for some reason water tastes naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasty now. LOL
I ran out to take my wedding rings in for the annual check-up at Shane and stopped by the doc's office to weigh myself. I needed to see if there is any relation between my home scale and reality. Apparently there is. I've lost two pounds since Friday. I hope that's the beginning of a trend!
I ran out to take my wedding rings in for the annual check-up at Shane and stopped by the doc's office to weigh myself. I needed to see if there is any relation between my home scale and reality. Apparently there is. I've lost two pounds since Friday. I hope that's the beginning of a trend!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
I Made It!
I had my surgery last Thursday morning. The sugery went well. I have the best doctor in the world. :-) They put in two drains that will get taken out next week. Luckily I've had drains before and they don't bother me.
The surgeon's staff kept me overnight due to my sleep apnea. It's something new they are trying. It gave them the ability to monitor my oxygen levels all night. A couple of times the monitor went off because I was only at 88% oxygen so I was glad I was there. However, I'm also very glad to be back home! It's impossible to get any good sleep in a hospital.
I was pleasantly surprised, if you can all it that, that my weight loss during the pre-op diet was closer to 15 pounds than the six pounds my home scale indicated. I kept thinking what the heck?! My pants were looser than they had been, but my scale wasn't reflecting that. Now we have to recalibrate our home scale.
Jim picked me up at 7am yesterday and brought me home, where I spent the better part of yesterday napping and walking around the condo to get some walking in. It was so nice to sleep horizontally in my own bed.
Michael and Mikey came over to see me yesterday. Michael came over this morning for about four hours so Jim could get an estimate on repairing the motorcycle. We went for a walk around the block then I came home and slept for two more hours.
I am taking it easy, following the doctor's and nutritionist's advice, and resting. We've got tickets to see Les Miz next Saturday and I'm not missing that for the world.
TTFN,
Cathy
The surgeon's staff kept me overnight due to my sleep apnea. It's something new they are trying. It gave them the ability to monitor my oxygen levels all night. A couple of times the monitor went off because I was only at 88% oxygen so I was glad I was there. However, I'm also very glad to be back home! It's impossible to get any good sleep in a hospital.
I was pleasantly surprised, if you can all it that, that my weight loss during the pre-op diet was closer to 15 pounds than the six pounds my home scale indicated. I kept thinking what the heck?! My pants were looser than they had been, but my scale wasn't reflecting that. Now we have to recalibrate our home scale.
Jim picked me up at 7am yesterday and brought me home, where I spent the better part of yesterday napping and walking around the condo to get some walking in. It was so nice to sleep horizontally in my own bed.
Michael and Mikey came over to see me yesterday. Michael came over this morning for about four hours so Jim could get an estimate on repairing the motorcycle. We went for a walk around the block then I came home and slept for two more hours.
I am taking it easy, following the doctor's and nutritionist's advice, and resting. We've got tickets to see Les Miz next Saturday and I'm not missing that for the world.
TTFN,
Cathy
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tomorrow's the Day
I report to my surgeon's office at 6:30 tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous. This is a big deal, removing most of my stomach. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) I'm having leaves a pouch about the size of a small banana. The thing I like about it, though, is that it is not as radical as a gastric bypass. My intestines will not be altered.
This is a new adventure and I'm not sure if I can picture myself as a thin person. Even as a child I visualized myself as "round." Those were the role models I grew up with. I visualized myself as a grown up, albeit in 1960's apparel, as a short-haired blond with glasses, definitely rounder than Twiggy. Even when I weighed 135 pounds (at my lowest, when I was working full-time, practicing with my drill team for the nationals, and my mother was terminally ill), I saw myself as overweight. At 5'8", 135 pounds is not overweight. I see that now. The males in my life at that time didn't help matters, but there's no point in going there now.
However, now I have a husband who already thinks I'm beautiful, supportive family and friends, and support groups on Facebook that provide a lot of support and information.
Here's to my new future. One that will be healthier. I may break the bank buying new clothes. I am determined to be successful. I know it won't always be easy, particularly the first few weeks.
Talk to you in a few days.
This is a new adventure and I'm not sure if I can picture myself as a thin person. Even as a child I visualized myself as "round." Those were the role models I grew up with. I visualized myself as a grown up, albeit in 1960's apparel, as a short-haired blond with glasses, definitely rounder than Twiggy. Even when I weighed 135 pounds (at my lowest, when I was working full-time, practicing with my drill team for the nationals, and my mother was terminally ill), I saw myself as overweight. At 5'8", 135 pounds is not overweight. I see that now. The males in my life at that time didn't help matters, but there's no point in going there now.
However, now I have a husband who already thinks I'm beautiful, supportive family and friends, and support groups on Facebook that provide a lot of support and information.
Here's to my new future. One that will be healthier. I may break the bank buying new clothes. I am determined to be successful. I know it won't always be easy, particularly the first few weeks.
Talk to you in a few days.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
It's Saturday!
Yay! I've had the most lazy day. Jim took the bike to Black Diamond to get a haircut. Jim, not the bike. I've been putzing all day, doing laundry, cleaning up paperwork, etc. No hair, no make up. Okay, maybe that should change. Jim just called and we have a date night tonight. We're going to see Captain America and go somewhere carb-friendly for dinner. I'm craving a mango taco salad from Qdoba, minus that blasted tortilla shell. The salad by itself is 20g of carbs. The shell takes it up to 60g. Um, no thanks. What sounds even better is the Caesar salad with blackened salmon from Stanford's. Hmmmmm.....
Also watching Air Force One on TV. I guess there's not that many people who know that the shots showing the president's motorcade driving through Red Scare are wrong. It may make a great visual to show St. Basil's in the background, but there's no way to drive out in the direction they are going. That's only a pedestrian gateway.
I feel a lot calmer today than Thursday night. Now I'm anxious to have the surgery and get on with my "new" life. I've spent a LOT of time on Facebook today reading the comments on the group and site I belong to on FB. Lots of good information and positive support. I haven't decided if I want to post anything on my FB page. I think people would be supportive of my decision. Really, why does it matter what they think? The reactions people have are crazy. Oh, well. Gotta go get dressed! TTFN
Also watching Air Force One on TV. I guess there's not that many people who know that the shots showing the president's motorcade driving through Red Scare are wrong. It may make a great visual to show St. Basil's in the background, but there's no way to drive out in the direction they are going. That's only a pedestrian gateway.
I feel a lot calmer today than Thursday night. Now I'm anxious to have the surgery and get on with my "new" life. I've spent a LOT of time on Facebook today reading the comments on the group and site I belong to on FB. Lots of good information and positive support. I haven't decided if I want to post anything on my FB page. I think people would be supportive of my decision. Really, why does it matter what they think? The reactions people have are crazy. Oh, well. Gotta go get dressed! TTFN
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Anxiety
Okay, I admit it. I'm a little big freaked about the surgery next week. Rationally I know that it's going to be a good thing. My blood sugar is going up, as is my blood pressure. I'm exhausted all the time. My feet, knees, and back hurt. I think carrying about an extra 150 pounds will do that, right?
I just read a letter from Obesity Help from a woman who had gastric bypass. Stories of sagging skin, flapping breasts, hair loss, etc., are creeping me out. She was responding in a letter, though she didn't share it with them, to women she works with who are five pounds overweight and say they're "fat." Really?! Get a grip ladies. These women thought it was unfair of the letter writer to participate in a weight loss challenge at work because she was "cheating" by having WLS surgery. Talk to me about "fat" when you don't enjoy shopping or walking because it's painful and exhausting.
The gastric sleeve is going to be a more successful tool than the band was. Rationally, I know all that. After I get through the post-op phase I'll be able to eat, even if it's very small amounts.
I'm 56 years old. My boobs have already fallen. If I have saggy skin, so be it. I can deal with that better than high blood pressure medicine, diabetes medicine, and not being able to walk comfortably.
Well, I feel a little better getting my anxiety out by writing about it.
Look out world!
I just read a letter from Obesity Help from a woman who had gastric bypass. Stories of sagging skin, flapping breasts, hair loss, etc., are creeping me out. She was responding in a letter, though she didn't share it with them, to women she works with who are five pounds overweight and say they're "fat." Really?! Get a grip ladies. These women thought it was unfair of the letter writer to participate in a weight loss challenge at work because she was "cheating" by having WLS surgery. Talk to me about "fat" when you don't enjoy shopping or walking because it's painful and exhausting.
The gastric sleeve is going to be a more successful tool than the band was. Rationally, I know all that. After I get through the post-op phase I'll be able to eat, even if it's very small amounts.
I'm 56 years old. My boobs have already fallen. If I have saggy skin, so be it. I can deal with that better than high blood pressure medicine, diabetes medicine, and not being able to walk comfortably.
Well, I feel a little better getting my anxiety out by writing about it.
Look out world!
Hello
Good morning. Right now I'm getting this thing started because I want to blog about my weight loss journey, what's going on in my life, whatever. Next week I embark on a fabulous adventure in weight loss. When I'm not scared spitless, I'm pretty excited about it. Talk to you later.
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