Update....

As of this morning I've lost 67 pounds. Don't think I'll hit my goal of -75 by my Dr.'s appointment on August 4, but I'll be close. Updated pictures will be taken and posted at the 75 pound mark. I'm 37.6% of the way to my total goal of losing 178 pounds.

My clothes are falling off of me! I'm going at lunch to try and buy a few belts to make my pants last as long as possible. I love that feeling! I'm so used to my pants being tight and digging into my waist - this is a welcome change.

I've been walking 2-2.5 miles at least 5 days a week. I usually am not one to exercise, but I have to admit I actually look forward to my daily walk. I've pretty much given up on getting up early to walk and have been going at night. (I might like my walks, but I like my sleep more!) It's a good wind down at the end of the day.

Kevin is down to 257 pounds. He has lost 58 pounds from his highest weight of 315 a few years ago. He thinks he weighed about 285 when I had my surgery, so he's lost about 28 pounds since April. He is looking good - we'll have to post some pictures of him too. He wants to lose 27 more pounds to get back to his Army weight of 230.

New blog features - I've posted weight loss tickers for me and Kevin at the bottom of my blog. So, even if I don't write a post, I'll keep that updated if you want to know our current weight loss totals.

Thanks for all of your continued support!

Sarah


"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." -TS Elliott

I'm wearing my size 22 pants today and they aren't even tight! That's down 2 sizes from when I had my surgery and I was barely squeezing into my size 26 pants! Woohoo!

Another appearance change - I have to get reading glasses! Don't have to wear them all the time - just for computer work and reading. No wonder I've been getting headaches at work - it's all that eye strain. : )

Ok, that's all the update I have for now. No weight loss update - I'm resisting the urge to weigh myself until next Monday.


"To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act." -Anatole France

I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I better write an update. Weight loss has slowed down some. I'm at minus 62.5 pounds now. Only lost a few pounds over the past few weeks. I frantically e-mailed one of our dieticians. She told me:

Sara,
This is very normal to have happen. Your body is adjusting to the rapid weight loss. Just make sure you are eating 3 meals/day (3 ounces/meal with 2 ounces in protein) + the 24 ounces of milk OR 1 protein bar/day between meals. Keep it up with the walking and fluids. Only weigh yourself 1 time/week if you can help it. If you feel like this is what you are doing then be patient and it will start soon. If you are already getting close to the 200# mark focus on the inches more than the pounds, very common for it to seem like you are not losing. Remember, the lower you weigh the slower you lose. Focus on the things you can control: food choices, activity, and fluids. Keep it up, it sounds like you are doing great!

Sincerely,

Dawn Boxell, RD, CD


So, that made me feel better and then I had a 2.5 pound loss over the weekend. Woohoo! I don't think I'll hit my goal of -75 by August 4, but at least the scale is moving again and I know I'm doing everything I can to make my goal of losing 178 pounds a reality.

Have a great week everyone!

"By Perseverance the snail reached the ark." -Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Poem

I found this online and think it's hysterical - and an honestly good insight into the mind of someone about to have bariatric surgery. Especially the part about mourning the food. :) Enjoy!

'Twas the Night Before Bypass''

Twas the night before bypass,

when all through my gut

not a morsel was stirring,

not even a nut.

The suitcase was packed by the back door with care,

in hopes that a new me would soon return there.

I lay nestled, snug in my bed

while visions of calories danced in my head;

and me in my plus size pajamas and wrap,

had just settled in for a long, restless nap.

When deep in my mind there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my dreams to see what was the matter.

Away to my fridge I flew like a flash,

ripped open the door and drooled at the stash.

The moonlight reflecting off the beautiful snacks

gave a luster of radiance to all on the racks.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but an array of the comfort foods I hold so dear.

With a familiar feeling of all those I'd pick,

I thought in a moment I just might be sick.

More lovely than angels their voices they came,

and they whistled and shouted and called me by name;
"Now pizza, now French fries, now chocolate galore

on cheesecake, on ice cream, on donuts and more!"

From the tip of my tongue,

to the end of my toe,

I will miss you all more than ever you'll know.

As an addict that shakes and stirs as he sits,

I'll mourn the loss of my delectable hits.

So back to my bed I went with great haste,

and settled back down with nary a taste.

And then in an instant,

in pre-op I sat,

nervously waiting to no longer be fat.

As I sat deep in thought and adjusted my gown,

In came my surgeon in one single bound.

He was dressed all in scrubs,

from his head to his feet

and he seemed very calm as he eyed me like meat.

He looked at my chart,

with his scope gave a listen,

I don't think he noticed my eyes starting to glisten.

He was chubby and plump -- he could lose some himself,

and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke barely a word as he prepped for his work,

he paused for a moment,

then turned with a jerk.

And laying a finger aside of his face,

and giving a nod, out of the room he did race.

He checked in the next day,

to his students gave a whistle,

and away they all flew like a down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim as he walked out of sight,

"speedy thinness to you and a healthier life!"

-Author unknown

Exercise

Well, I did it. I finally got my lazy hiney out of bed this morning and went for a walk before work. I've been setting my alarm to get up early for two weeks now and I've just been hitting snooze every day. Today, I finally got up. Walked 2 miles before work - I'm proud of myself - hopefully it becomes a routine for me! I need to lose a little over 3 pounds a week to reach my goal of 75 pounds gone by August 4!

"There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something." -Henry Ford

Just a quick update....

I'm now down 56.5 pounds. My goal is to be down 75 pounds by my next Dr.'s appointment - August 4. Two exciting things:

1. When I had my surgery I was squeezing into my size 26 jeans...now I'm buying 24's. I bought a pair of black pants at Goodwill that are a 22 and I thought, "no way are these going to go on," but they did. Granted, they are a little snug, but I could get away with wearing them if I had to - probably look better than my way too big 26's I've been wearing.

2. I calculated my BMI today. When I had surgery, I was at a BMI of 54.58, at my current weight, I'm at 45.18 - whoop whoop! Getting healthier.

Also, wanted to mention that Kevin is down about 35 pounds from his highest weight - has probably lost about 25 since I had my surgery. He's looking good!!!

Thanks for checking in on me - You'll see less of me next time!