You know those stories about the overweight people that have weight loss surgery and magically become thin overnight? Yeah well, I'm here to tell you it's an urban myth!
The surgery removes an obstacle for you, but the rest is up to you. If I didn't work the program I can stay at my previous weight or even gain weight. There is nothing stopping me from doing that.
What are my struggles? Exercise was a big one. When I first started walking about 6 weeks ago I would huff and puff, my knees hurt, my thighs hurt, my ankles swelled, and well, it just wasn't fun. Now I've built up enough endurance to walk 3.2 miles a day without stopping, at a very fast clip for one with such short legs (about 3.6 mph). My thighs and knees still complain, but not as much. My right hip makes funny noises and hurts a little, probably because my right knee is my bad one and I walk out of balance.
I have discovered sweating! My entire life I would be the one that didn't sweat, even in 100 degree temps. Now, I have to wear a headband, sweat still runs down my face, and the headband comes home dripping wet. My guess is that for the first time in a very long time I'm fully hydrated! I drink about 12 cups of water a day. Okay, not all water - usually 2 cups of coffee in the morning, lots of water during the day, then 1 or 2 cups of herbal tea before bed.
Now that I can eat real food, I have to deal with the times (especially at night) where I'm bored and really, really, want something salty and crunchy. Or sweet. And I admit I've given in to that more than once. It'll be a life long struggle for me I guess. I have to keep forgiving myself so that I can move on and do better.
Surprisingly, to me, what's not hard is not drinking alcohol. I've had a couple of glasses of wine twice, but didn't feel the need to continue.
Victories? I've lost inches when I haven't lost pounds. And I still have lost pounds - 26 since surgery! I fit into that pair of size 10 jeans I bought as an incentive. Barely, but I fit. Two years ago I logged my weight at the lowest ever (for exactly one day), and I have exactly 3.8 pounds to lose to get there again. I'm walking my very first 5k tomorrow (the Run or Dye) in Fargo. I'll come home covered in a rainbow of colors. And sweaty. But victorious!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Day 42, or Six Week Update
Only a pound difference from my last update, so I guess the weight loss is slowing down a bit. But still, 24 pounds in six weeks is quite an achievement in my book! That's an average of 4 pounds per week.
My activity level has picked up too - I'm now consistently walking between 2.5 and 4.5 miles a day (on purpose), about 5 days a week. I have a few routes - one takes me along the river to a County Park where sometimes I also hike the trails through the woods; another is onsite here at my campground walking through a large hilly meadow with a walking path (lots of hills and uneven ground). The whole running thing has proved too difficult on my knee, at least for now. My first 5K is scheduled for June 29 (it's not timed, but I'm training to average 16 and a half minutes per mile). The 5K is called "Run or Dye" because at set intervals along the course you run/walk through a cloud of powdered dye. At the end of the event you look like a rainbow!
My thighs hurt, but I can tell they're getting stronger. You need strong thighs in order to support your knees apparently, so that's good. I need to start working on my upper body and ab muscles - we have a fitness center here so I have no excuse!
Summer has finally arrived here in Minnesota, with temps in the mid 70's during the day, mid to low 50's at night. My radishes, peas, beets, kohrabi, herbs, and tomatoes are all doing well - can't wait for harvest!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Day 33 and Flowers on a Rainy Day
Luckily the stall in my weight loss was short-lived. As of this morning, I'm down 22 pounds and am proudly overweight!
Unfortunately, my knees, especially my right one, has been protesting the increase in activity. The swelling and pain has been enough to keep me off of it for the most part for 3 days. Guess I really need to take the gradual approach.
Our Association had its Annual Meeting yesterday, and I got to facilitate it. There were some tense moments, but I think it went well. The amount of work leading up to it was overwhelming, so today's rain has meant that I have a chance to rest. I'm staying in my PJs all day watching old episodes of Doc Martin on Netflix, picking up stuff occasionally.
This afternoon there was a knock on the door and a shy, pretty little girl stood outside and said "I got you flowers". I asked her to repeat herself, since wasn't carrying anything. She finally pointed to a Tupperware container on my deck that held a bunch of white flowers. Then I saw her Mom on the golf cart, and she said "she wanted to bring you flowers"! I was embarrassed because I couldn't even remember the little girl's name (Micah) when she apparently knew me. Anyway, it made my day.
One of the bad things about being stuck inside all day is the boredom. I've had several moments today when my cravings got really bad. But, when I wanted a peanut butter cup, I had some Mandarin oranges instead.
Unfortunately, my knees, especially my right one, has been protesting the increase in activity. The swelling and pain has been enough to keep me off of it for the most part for 3 days. Guess I really need to take the gradual approach.
Our Association had its Annual Meeting yesterday, and I got to facilitate it. There were some tense moments, but I think it went well. The amount of work leading up to it was overwhelming, so today's rain has meant that I have a chance to rest. I'm staying in my PJs all day watching old episodes of Doc Martin on Netflix, picking up stuff occasionally.
This afternoon there was a knock on the door and a shy, pretty little girl stood outside and said "I got you flowers". I asked her to repeat herself, since wasn't carrying anything. She finally pointed to a Tupperware container on my deck that held a bunch of white flowers. Then I saw her Mom on the golf cart, and she said "she wanted to bring you flowers"! I was embarrassed because I couldn't even remember the little girl's name (Micah) when she apparently knew me. Anyway, it made my day.
One of the bad things about being stuck inside all day is the boredom. I've had several moments today when my cravings got really bad. But, when I wanted a peanut butter cup, I had some Mandarin oranges instead.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Day 28
Although I've hit a plateau, I'm not complaining. I haven't felt this good in a long time! I'm down 19.4 pounds since surgery. And only about a 1/2 pound more and I'll only be overweight instead of obese!
My knees are killing me though. I signed up for a 5k at the end of the month so have been attempting to jog in addition to walking. I bought new shoes that are very lightweight and flexible, but are using muscles I didn't know I had. I've been warned to break in these shoes very gradually, so I guess I'll heed the warning and wear my other shoes most of the time.
In other news, my peas are up and doing well, the radishes have appeared, and my assorted lettuces are barely showing above the dirt. My asparagus didn't come up at all (what's up with that?), but the rhubarb is big enough to harvest. The chives are already blossoming, which means I need to harvest them, chop them up, and freeze.
New to my garden this year is yellow squash and kohlrabi. The cucumbers are too small to plant outside yet, but I've got several tomatoes in containers. I may have put them out too early though - the temps here are crazy, with highs in the low 60s and lows in the 40s. And the rain! Everything is really green, but we could use a couple days of sunshine to dry us out!
My knees are killing me though. I signed up for a 5k at the end of the month so have been attempting to jog in addition to walking. I bought new shoes that are very lightweight and flexible, but are using muscles I didn't know I had. I've been warned to break in these shoes very gradually, so I guess I'll heed the warning and wear my other shoes most of the time.
In other news, my peas are up and doing well, the radishes have appeared, and my assorted lettuces are barely showing above the dirt. My asparagus didn't come up at all (what's up with that?), but the rhubarb is big enough to harvest. The chives are already blossoming, which means I need to harvest them, chop them up, and freeze.
New to my garden this year is yellow squash and kohlrabi. The cucumbers are too small to plant outside yet, but I've got several tomatoes in containers. I may have put them out too early though - the temps here are crazy, with highs in the low 60s and lows in the 40s. And the rain! Everything is really green, but we could use a couple days of sunshine to dry us out!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Day 22
Day 22 means only 6 more days of my lifting restriction, and marks the date when I add even more vitamins and supplements to my routine. I'm down 18 pounds, but have hit my first plateau, having hit 18 pounds at day 18 and the scale not moving since.
My doctor told me that the scale is not my friend, and I should lock it away and only let it out once a week max. I may have to start following that advice since I'm obsessing a bit. My next mini goal is to into the "overweight" BMI category, which is about 3 more pounds. After that, 5 additional pounds to make me the thinnest I can ever remember.
I'm walking about 30 minutes each day most days, and have stepped up the pace so that it's about the fastest I can walk without running. Running will be the next logical step, but somehow it seems so hard!
Oh, and I found a new food today that I really like - Campbell's Tuscan Style Chicken and White Bean Soup. It's low in calories (140 for 1 cup, although I can only eat 1/2 that), and high in protein (12 grams per serving). And it's delicious! A much-needed change from the norm.
My doctor told me that the scale is not my friend, and I should lock it away and only let it out once a week max. I may have to start following that advice since I'm obsessing a bit. My next mini goal is to into the "overweight" BMI category, which is about 3 more pounds. After that, 5 additional pounds to make me the thinnest I can ever remember.
I'm walking about 30 minutes each day most days, and have stepped up the pace so that it's about the fastest I can walk without running. Running will be the next logical step, but somehow it seems so hard!
Oh, and I found a new food today that I really like - Campbell's Tuscan Style Chicken and White Bean Soup. It's low in calories (140 for 1 cup, although I can only eat 1/2 that), and high in protein (12 grams per serving). And it's delicious! A much-needed change from the norm.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Day 15
I awoke this morning to some scale goodness - I am down 13 pounds from my surgery date! Two more pounds before I hit my "stable" weight, and seven to go before I'm no longer consider obese, but simply overweight, and ten to hit my lowest weight ever. As my mother used to say, "it's all water weight", but it still feels good to have it gone.
I am obsessive about tracking my food and exercise on MyFitnessPal.com. I'm getting plenty of protein but worry a little bit about not getting enough fiber. I look forward to the day when I can eat lots of fresh veggies again, but for now, it's "soft" foods only.
Here's my typical day:
Breakfast
Before breakfast, I have 2 cups of coffee, and take my morning Prilosec. For breakfast, I have 1 large egg, poached with 1 T. shredded cheese, garnished with fresh chives from my garden. And the first of 3 vitamins is taken.
Morning Snack
1 piece of string cheese (Frigo's Cheeseheads - yummy)
Lunch
Protein Shake, which I make with chocolate protein powder, PB2 (powdered peanut butter), skim milk, and a little instant coffee to bring out the chocolate flavor. When I remember, I add a tablespoon of Chia seeds, which has lots of fiber and protein. Second vitamin is chewed up and swallowed!
Afternoon Snack
1/2 cup of nonfat cottage cheese (luckily, I like cottage cheese)
Dinner
1/2 c. creamy soup (this week it was wild rice) with about 1 oz. chicken breast mixed in
1/2 c. green beans
Third and final vitamin of the day!
Evening Snack
Another piece of string cheese! I also generally have 1 or 2 cups of Sleepytime tea in the evenings when I'm winding down to go to bed. My second Prilosec dose is taken now too.
And slowly but surely I'm getting my exercise, although with the rain the last 3 days it hasn't been easy. My legs complain the most; guess I should do some stretches before I hit the pavement.
With all the rain, the Summer Palace grounds are looking green and lush. The trees are all leafing out (they have a way to go yet), and the rhubarb is growing liking gangbusters! I'm a little concerned that the asparagus hasn't come up yet, but it has been a weird Spring. I planted some sugar snap peas this weekend and now need to get in the greens. Another week and the tomatoes can go outside too!
So much work and so little time! I guess I better get at it!
I am obsessive about tracking my food and exercise on MyFitnessPal.com. I'm getting plenty of protein but worry a little bit about not getting enough fiber. I look forward to the day when I can eat lots of fresh veggies again, but for now, it's "soft" foods only.
Here's my typical day:
Breakfast
Before breakfast, I have 2 cups of coffee, and take my morning Prilosec. For breakfast, I have 1 large egg, poached with 1 T. shredded cheese, garnished with fresh chives from my garden. And the first of 3 vitamins is taken.
Morning Snack
1 piece of string cheese (Frigo's Cheeseheads - yummy)
Lunch
Protein Shake, which I make with chocolate protein powder, PB2 (powdered peanut butter), skim milk, and a little instant coffee to bring out the chocolate flavor. When I remember, I add a tablespoon of Chia seeds, which has lots of fiber and protein. Second vitamin is chewed up and swallowed!
Afternoon Snack
1/2 cup of nonfat cottage cheese (luckily, I like cottage cheese)
Dinner
1/2 c. creamy soup (this week it was wild rice) with about 1 oz. chicken breast mixed in
1/2 c. green beans
Third and final vitamin of the day!
Evening Snack
Another piece of string cheese! I also generally have 1 or 2 cups of Sleepytime tea in the evenings when I'm winding down to go to bed. My second Prilosec dose is taken now too.
And slowly but surely I'm getting my exercise, although with the rain the last 3 days it hasn't been easy. My legs complain the most; guess I should do some stretches before I hit the pavement.
With all the rain, the Summer Palace grounds are looking green and lush. The trees are all leafing out (they have a way to go yet), and the rhubarb is growing liking gangbusters! I'm a little concerned that the asparagus hasn't come up yet, but it has been a weird Spring. I planted some sugar snap peas this weekend and now need to get in the greens. Another week and the tomatoes can go outside too!
So much work and so little time! I guess I better get at it!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Day 11
Today is day 11 since my surgery. Yesterday for the first time I made it the entire day without taking at least one nap! I was determined to get some exercise too, so I went out for a walk. Five minutes in I was huffing and puffing and felt like I had run a marathon. Geez, am I out of shape or what? Still, I managed 20 minutes around the park. I'll see if I can do it again today in the breaks between rain.
I've lost 9 pounds since surgery, which is excellent news. I had my original lap band surgery 7 years ago, and my intent then was to lose weight. I lost about 60 pounds, gained 10 back, then stabilized at about 53 pounds lost. Still in the 'obese' category, but much better than where I started. My surgeon has told me that I actually did very well with the band; better than most. I knew that if I wanted to lose the remainder of the weight I needed to get off my butt and start exercising, and pay better attention to what I ate.
So when I had complications from the band and was told I should remove it and revise to gastric sleeve, my intent was to try and simply maintain; not regain the weight; knowing that either surgery is simply a tool and the work is all me. The complications had gotten so severe from the band, however, that I had a complete unfill in February, meaning that I could eat anything I wanted again. So I went on a spree of eating everything I couldn't for the last 7 years. Pizza Hut deep dish pizza...4 days in a row. Cheeseburgers with the bun, french fries, you name it. And I promptly gained 15 pounds!
I'm still 6 pounds from my 'stable' weight. I'm kicking myself for the weeks of excess, but have settled into a day-to-day of between 600 and 900 calories and eating every 2 hours. I haven't had alcohol since surgery either, and don't intend to for awhile. It was one of my big weight triggers, especially in the summer when everyone parties on the weekends. I track every morsel that goes into my mouth. Obsessive, yes, but necessary at the beginning.
I am grateful for the second chance.
I've lost 9 pounds since surgery, which is excellent news. I had my original lap band surgery 7 years ago, and my intent then was to lose weight. I lost about 60 pounds, gained 10 back, then stabilized at about 53 pounds lost. Still in the 'obese' category, but much better than where I started. My surgeon has told me that I actually did very well with the band; better than most. I knew that if I wanted to lose the remainder of the weight I needed to get off my butt and start exercising, and pay better attention to what I ate.
So when I had complications from the band and was told I should remove it and revise to gastric sleeve, my intent was to try and simply maintain; not regain the weight; knowing that either surgery is simply a tool and the work is all me. The complications had gotten so severe from the band, however, that I had a complete unfill in February, meaning that I could eat anything I wanted again. So I went on a spree of eating everything I couldn't for the last 7 years. Pizza Hut deep dish pizza...4 days in a row. Cheeseburgers with the bun, french fries, you name it. And I promptly gained 15 pounds!
I'm still 6 pounds from my 'stable' weight. I'm kicking myself for the weeks of excess, but have settled into a day-to-day of between 600 and 900 calories and eating every 2 hours. I haven't had alcohol since surgery either, and don't intend to for awhile. It was one of my big weight triggers, especially in the summer when everyone parties on the weekends. I track every morsel that goes into my mouth. Obsessive, yes, but necessary at the beginning.
I am grateful for the second chance.
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