4 days Shy of 22 Months Post Op!

Wow, its been a month since I have wrote anything, I am sorry for that. I have had a lot, a lot, a lot of things going on this past month. To much that is for sure. I will start off by saying that my MRI and CT of my brain came back normal, and I was diagnosed with Exertion Headaches, I need to take Ibuprofen before working out to prevent them from happening. The Neurologist finally released me to work out the end of Aug. So last wk was my first wk back. I took about a month off of intense training and I was so stiff and sore from my leg workout on Thursday last wk that I couldn't even run on Monday of this wk. I have two more sessions with my trainer Ross, and then I have to give it a rest, until my budget will allow for it again. A few things going on right now just aren't going to make it possible for me to see him at a one on one level. I am upset because I had to take the month off for my headaches to make sure I wasn't seriously  injured, and now I cant see him again until things are worked out.

Then...

Last month my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer. He found a lump on his neck and when he went into get it checked out, they found a pretty good sided mass on his lung. The news of this has been devastating. It's like waking up everyday and you feel like you are in a dream, you never think that you will be faced with this kind of news, and when you are, you just don't know how to deal with it. It makes you put everything in to perspective that is for sure. Dad is doing well, he is being as strong as he can for everyone around him just as we are trying to be strong for him. He started his treatments finally yesterday! He said he felt pretty good after, but ask him again in a day or two and see what he says.

As for the weight loss and my journey I have been struggling, and I think that is only natural seeing all that I have had to deal with the last month and half. I am going up and down the same 10 pounds. Lowest I have been on scale has been 167-169, now I am bouncing up and down in the 170's Frustrating LOL I know its probably my own fault for not being 100% dedicated to my routine. But its still frustrating!

I finally got the Goal tattoo I wanted to get after I hit 1 yr post op, I am two months away from 2 years post op 11-14-14 will be 2 yrs. When my dad told me the news of his cancer, I felt like then was the right time to finally get the tattoo I have been wanting. It has so much more meaning now.

Here it is! I couldn't love it anymore that I do, it came out perfect.

Until next time.... be well!

3 days shy of 21 Months Post Op

3 days away from being 21 Months Post Op.  end of last month really gave me a big scare. While I was at my Personal Training session on 29th of July I experienced my 1st Exertional Headache. I thought at first it was just a random migraine, until it happened again on Thursdays workout. So Friday I was able to get into my PCP, she had a CT scan done and it was normal, then told me I needed to see a neurologist to be cleared to workout again.

I am able to run/ jog or walk if I need too, but no more high intensity workouts til I was cleared by the Neuro.

I thought today I was going to meet with him and him tell me I was just getting Exertion Headaches, how to treat them and then say I can go back to working out. But He requested an MRI be done just to be sure that there isnt anything else causing the headaches. I can understand better be safe than sorry, but I wanna workout hehe. Once my MRI is done (I was able to get it scheduled for 8-21 the soonest appt available at the drs by my house) I can get back to working out and ease into it..  Treatment of Exertion Headaches that I am experiencing is just to take ibuprofen before my workouts and that should stop one from coming on.

Just an update for all those who care to read.

20 Months Post Op Today!

Its been a while since I have blogged, not sure why I'll go with life! Life always seems to get the best of us and get in the way. Things have been pretty crazy around here I am trying to deal with Isaac being gone from home til the end of the year and only visiting on certain weekends. Its been rough, but I am managing! 

I started working out with the trainer towards the end of May and after my first session I was hooked. I love the workouts I get during our sessions. I just need to really start putting them to use on my own. 

In the last two months I have been struggling with weight gain and its terrifying. I was at 169 for the longest time and it stayed there for what seemed like forever. Then it crawled up to 172 and this evening (not my weight in day) I was 180. 180! are you kidding me! ahh not cool and not anyone's fault but my own. On Wed I was 178.6 which is my normal weigh day. I know I don't and shouldn't weigh more than once a wk but I knew what I was on Wed and it was then I decided I was going to do the shakes this wk and see what happens.

I have decided to go on liquid diet for few days with doing liquids all day until dinner. I pre-baked some chicken breast Sunday along with some Sweet Potatoes and Onions. I portioned them out for the wk and have dinners all set. I also went to Sam's Club and got some Strawberry's and Cream Premier protein shakes, I've been dying to try them and they were $4 off!, so I was very excited.

Since the summer started I have been looking and registering for 5k's that I see and think I would enjoy doing. So far I have done 

• Cleveland Electric run on Jun 20th
• Registered for Wigs for Kids Sat July 26th!
• Thinking of the Cleveland Foxtrot in Aug. and also the Spartan Workout both are Aug 24th not sure what one I want to do.

Cleveland Electric Run 2014

I have to think of what I wanna do in Sept. and in Oct I am doing Roc the Croc again!

Being active is so much more fun now, I enjoy finding new things to try as well.

Wish me luck this wk and here's to hoping that I can get back on track and stay focused!

Stats:

HW 309lbs

SW 272lbs

CW 180lbs

LW 169lbs

74 wks Post Op and 17 months Post op (4-14-14)

And Life must go on hehe....

Weigh in Wed. and I am well... you guessed it 169.2! Last wk 168.4. Am I forever gonna be at 169? lol. I know its my own fault because I probably follow the rules about 80% of the time. I snack (but I tend to make sure it had low cals. and good protein still don't think its good for me tho.)... I do have liquid calories mainly in my morning cup of coffee. 

And Dr. B's 4 Golden rules are... 

• Eat 3 meals a day, no snacks, no grazing 
• Don’t drink with your meals, or for an hour afterward 
• No liquid calories 
• Eat protein with every meal (20-30 grams) 

I am going to try and stick with 3 meals a day and no snacks.... I am no sure, if I can. I think that if I just make me meals heavier in the protein area like 30 g of protein that I will stay full long enough to not feel like I need a snack. 

I don't drink with my meals, and this I thought was going to be the hardest rule to live by and it was actually the easiest for me.

Liquid Calories.... I was great with this until I discovered COFFEE! Anyone know how I am make a great cup of hot coffee taste great and have less than 10-15 cals. per 1-cup?

As I said before the 14th of April was my 17 Month Post op Surgiversary. And you know what I did to celebrate it?? I went to my first support group meeting. Better late than never right!?!?  My surgeons office has Pre-Op and Post-Op support group meetings, every month and the Post -Op one is on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. This months meeting was on exercise. We talked about NEAT. NEAT stands for:

Non

Exercise

Activity

Thermogenesis.

Examples of NEAT would be standing while you are working at a desk instead of sitting in a chair, you could have a standing station instead. If you are used to taking the elevator everyday to our office or appt, use the stairs. During commercials instead of sitting and fast forwarding through the DVR get up and do some jumping jacks or jump rope. If you are on your phone a lot and like to talk instead of sitting down and chatting get up and walk around. Park further way from the store. Getting you to burn more calories a day without even knowing it.

I have started a support group on Facebook for those of us who have Dr Ben Meir as a patient. To help us stay connected and stay focused. If I haven't added you and you want to be added let me know. It is a private group, so nobody but those of us in the group can see what you post. None of your information you share in the group will be repeated or posted to the public.

With this I leave you until next Wed. Have a great week!

73 Wks Post-Op!!!

 Hello, hello, hello!

I am here to report some good news I suppose. Its Weigh in Wed Again! Just like every other Wed. I woke up and nearly forgot it was Wed. and I almost forgot to weigh in. Had to undress myself, because I had already started getting dress for work. Most of us on this journey weigh- in a certain way each week and or each time we weigh.  This is how my weigh- in's go. I get up, make sure I use the bathroom first and if I am going to shower I get completely butt naked and then jump on the scale. If I am not showering just yet, I will get down to my undies and then jump on.

I know we all have our own rituals to weighing in.. What are yours?

I am training with C25K again for the next 9 wks, I am finding it to be rather easy since I have already done it once, but I will have to see what happens after I start wk 3 when the running portion of the training gets LONGER hehe. I have one 5k paid for as of right now and that is the Electric Run happening in Cleveland on 20th of June.

I plan on doing a few more 5k's this summer prob a few local ones and maybe a few more bigger ones too.

I was thinking of giving the 5 Day pouch test another go. Since when I did it a few wks ago I had to stay on mostly liquids due to the horrible pain I was dealing with from having my wisdom teeth removed on St. Patrick's Day. Now that they are healed, I can eat whatever I want again, Not that I should tho.

Well things around the here are going okay. I will leave you with some pictures that I have posted on Facebook, so I am sorry if you have already seen them and are seeing them for a second time.

70 wks Post op and just over 16 months Post op!

I figured it was time for an update. I have been MIA for a while been upset with the scale and the weight not going where I want it too. So I took a step back from what I enjoy doing spreading the word of my journey and not participating in my groups on Facebook, I need a break to remember why I am doing this and what I am doing this for. ME! not anyone else simply ME!

Its been a crazy start to this wk. I had my bottom two wisdom teeth removed on Monday and recovery has been pretty good, I cant complain. I was taken great care of on Monday when I was at the office and on my way home and at home.

I decided that while I was recovering from the wisdom teeth surgery I would do the 5 day "Sleeve" test. Now I am calling it this because I have a "Sleeve" not a pouch.

This is what I am following :

5 Day "Sleeve" Test

Day 1 & Day 2 Liquid Protein

• Low-carb protein shakes
• Broth
• Clear or cream soups
• Sugar-free gelatin and pudding 

The first two days are all liquids. You can have as many low-carb protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings. In addition drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day. The purpose of all liquids is to break any snacking, grazing or processed carbohydrate habits. In addition the liquids will work to cleanse your system and prepare you for the following three days. 

Day 3 Soft Protein            

• Canned fish (tuna or salmon) 
• Eggs 
• Fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. 

The next three days you get to eat as much as you want as often as you want! But there's a catch: it has to be solid protein and you only get 15 minutes each time you sit down to eat. No drinking 15 minutes before or 60mins after meals and no drinking with your food. A dry pouch will hold your soft protein longer helping you to feel full and fed longer. Measure your portion (1 cup volume or 4-6 ounces weight) and eat only until you feel full, not overfull. Remember we are going back to the beginning and fluids will prevent you from filling your stomach. If you need to add a moist condiment (Miracle Whip or mayonnaise) to the canned fish I understand, but keep it to a minimum, so the meat is not too moist. One reason we lose the sense of tightness in our pouch is that we eat "slider foods" - foods that are too moist and do not stay in the stomach very long, they slide right through the stoma. 

Day 4 Firm Protein

• Ground Meat (Turkey, beef, chicken, lamb) 
• Shellfish 
• Scallops 
• Lobster,
• Fresh Salmon or Halibut

By now you should be experiencing that familiar tightness that will reassure you that your pouch is working. Remember to drink plenty of water between meals. 

Day 5 Solid Protein

• White meat poultry
• Beef steak
• Pork
• Lamb
• Wild Game

Remember to chew chew chew. Measure your portion (4-6 ounces) and eat only until you feel your pouch tighten. Remember, only 15 minutes per meal, so you'll have to work fast to chew your food completely. By now you should be out of any carb cycle you were in and perhaps you have lost a pound or two. You will have new confidence in your pouch and your ability to work the tool for your health and emotional well being. Don't go hungry! Remember, you can eat as often as you want as long as it is solid protein, consumed without liquids and measured in 4-6 ounce portions.

I know this is a long post due to the plan I just copied here sorry if you dont want to read it all. It may help someone else in the future.

So I am on day 3 of this so called test, and I am kinda of scared to eat real food. I was doing good with my broth and creamed soups and jellos n puddings, but I am afraid to try eggs. Just dont want it to hurt my mouth hehe.  

Last wk I weighed in at 175 and I was very annoyed at that number so I decided to follow this plan for a wk. Monday I was 172 when I started the plan and today on Wed. Weigh In I am at 170.8!  5 lbs lost in a wk I havent seen that in a long time! very excited!

65 wks POST OP!!! 2 Days away from 15 months Post OP!

I will start this off with a comparison picture from Jul 2013 vs Feb 2014 I was 189-190 in Jul and am now 169 in Feb. 

I didn't even notice this, it was brought to my attention by Isaac. He had seen this picture on the automated picture frame I have running in the dinning room and noticed our vacation pictures from Jul. He asked me very kindly how much I weighed in that picture and guess at least 200 or over, and I said I don't know let me look it up.. To my surprise I was 189-190 around that time. Then I had to compare it to another picture from recent days to see the difference.

My weight loss has slowed down dramatically in the past few months. So This 20 lb loss has been one of the most drastic to see. I know I have my 300 lb pics vs now pics, but to see such a huge difference in 20 lbs amazes me!

I was stuck in the 170s for what seemed like for ever and I finally get out of them only to be stuck at a stall of 169. With that I decided to not weigh in on wed for a month... my next weigh in will be March 5th. I woke up today and wanted to weigh in the thought of not has been stressing me out. I have not missed a weigh in or not weighed in on purpose ever in the last 15 months.  This is going to take some getting used too, but I hope that with my working out and watching my calorie intake I will see results in the months end.

The 1st set of Holidays after being Sleeved and being able to eat like a normal person!

I have survived my 1st Holidays of being Sleeved and being able to eat like a "normal" person!  Last year I was sleeved a wk before Thanksgiving and was only able to eat full liquids on Thanksgiving. On Christmas I was almost back to normal food, but still making sure it was soft and semi mush.

This year's was whole different story. LOL I am now almost 14 months post op and I can definitely eat whatever I want in much smaller portions of course except the things I/we shouldn't really eat like cookies, candies and all the good things that come with the holidays. I am happy to say that I survived! I am not happy I gained weight over the holidays, but I am happy it is coming back off. 

Before the holidays I was 167.6 on Dec 11. and Jan 02. I was 172.2,  so I gained 4.6 lbs according to the scale. And I felt like I did too.

I am happy to report I am back down to 169.6 at today's weigh in and I am back on track with my water intake and my logging of meals and taking my vitamins. I totally went MIA for a while and I am sorry for that, I am the one who suffers when I do it not anyone else. I hope that it doesn't happen again any time soon!

I am 6 days way from my 14 month post op surgiversary. My eating is normal, I still dont like or care for milk or ice-cream. My pants are around a size 10-12 still wear my Old Navy 12s, but a Gap size 10 skinny jean fit. I have yet to buy a size 10 pant. I am in a 13 in most juniors jeans and pants. I can fit 95% of ladies Medium sized tops. and L-XL in Juniors tops. 

On Christmas Morning while I was opening presents, I swear every box I opened that had a piece of clothing in it I would hold it up and go ahhh I dunno if this will fit.. and on to the next.. ahhh I dunno if this will fit. All the sweaters Isaac  and my parents got me were a size Med. when I tried them on they all fit like a glove it was great!

A Few of my new size Med. Items hehe :)

With the New Year in full swing now I have started the 1st 30 Day Challenge of the year. 

Its a 30 day arm challenge. 

And I am a week or so away from registering for my 1st 5k of 2014, but its not til June .The Electric Run, I am sure I will do more before June, but registration opened up this wk for this run! 

My New years resolution is to finally get to goal  of 130 lbs  my goal 150 lbs - drs goal! and to run at least 4- 5k's which will double last years!

Here's to making all of your Dreams come true!

This is what dreams coming true looks like!

54-55-56 Wks Post Op!

 I have great news! Well it came over the weekend with unofficial weigh ins but Today is Weigh in Wed and I can now celebrate woo hooo!!!

I am finally out of the 170's and I cant believe it took 12 wks to do it haha. This journey never stops surprising me I tell ya. 

Thanksgiving with Isaacs family was great! I didnt do to bad in the eating department or even the drinking, yes I do drink on occasion and dont think that will change. 

We are in full swing with Christmas here at the Schuette- Welch house hold, we have our decorations up and Presents under the tree hehe :)

I just recently found out there there is a support group on Facebook for people in my area and I am very excited to get to know some of the ladies in the group.

Here are some pics from the last few wks. I hope everyone is doing well... 

Our Christmas Tree 2013

2012 vs 2013 Thanksgiving!

Greatest in laws ever! <3

53 wks Post Op!

I can finally say I am 1 year Post Op!! Woo hoo.... Who would have thought that it would be so exciting hehe. I guess a year ago or a year and a half ago I would have never imagined anything that has happened to happen. I hoped that a lot of what has happened would, but I didn't know how or when or why it would.  Well ya I do know why, my hard work and dedication is why! One thing I dont get or understand why is this....

I just updated my Weight Loss ticker and I've gone from:
A BMI of 58.4! to a 32.5 now... at this BMI and my height I am still considered obese. Are you kidding me? How? How is that even possible I have a lot of hatred towards the BMI chart and system and I do not believe it to be accurate. I have gone from 309 lbs to 172 as of today and I am still obese. I feel like I am a brand new person and that I am so much healthier and happier that this BMI chart can kiss my A$$! I know you all will say that this BMI chart shouldn't matter and I shouldn't pay much attention to it. I should go with how I feel and what weight I am happy with. I honestly never thought when I started this journey that I would be one to obsess over a number on the scale, but now that I can actually see a number on the scale it matters. I do not want to be labeled as obese or over weight and I think I feel and look 100x's better than I used too.

Surgery Day 11-14-12 and 1 year later. Bottom is 1 wk before surgery and 1 year later.

Today while I was changing out of my work clothes I noticed  a new part of my body my stomach and its changing its looking different finally... I dont know if its a flux or if the ab challenge I have been doing for 20 days is working. but I can notice maybe some definition trying to show up. Now dont get me wrong I still hate every single part of my stomach from the ugly apron to the god awful muffin top LOL. My body was fast to drop most of this weight but now it is really up to me to define the parts of me that I am horrified with.

After seeing the dietitian I have been trying to hardest to get in 20 grams of protein per meal and its going great. I have been eating one greek yogurt with 3/4 cup kashi go lean cereal thrown in and its 208 cals and 20g of protein and keeps me full for a few hrs.

I am still trying new recipes and trying to stick to healthier ones.

Thanksgiving is a wk away and last year I was 1 wk post op Thanksgiving wk. and I didnt get to enjoy much I will prob always remember what I had that day for dinner while everyone pigged out. I have 4 oz cranberry juice 4oz 2% milk and 4oz of creamy potato soup. hehe.This year I am sure it will be different. Although I will be in my home away from home state Wisconsin with Isaac and his family I will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving traditions again!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Give thanks 

Post Op Wk 52! 1 yr surgiversary!!!!

Yesterday marked wk 52 and today marks my 1 year Surgiversary!! I am beyond excited and happy that it has been a year. With so much that has happened and changed its amazing!!! This past year has been wonderful! 

Here are some stats

• Started this journey at 306lbs gains 3lbs (making me 309 lbs my heaviest weight ever) during my 2nd month of 6 month supervised diet and exercise program needed per insurance.
• Surgery was approved in Sept 2012, surgery date got scheduled for Nov 14, 2012
• On Nov 14, 2012 I woke up weighing 272.6
• On Nov 14, 2013 I woke up weighing 173.0 99.6 lbs lost in one year.
• Ive lost 13.5'' off my waist
• Ive lost 19.5'' off my hips
• Ive lost 14.75'' off my chest
• Ive lost 6.25'' off my right arm
• Ive lost 5.25'' off my left arm
• Ive lost 7.5'' off my right thigh
• Ive lost 6.45'' off my left thigh
• Ive lost 2" off my right calf
• Ive lost 3,25" off my left calf

That is a total of 78.45" lost off my body which is equal to 6.5FT!

• I went from a size 26 Jean to size 11-12 
• Size 3-4x shirt to M.L or Xl large in Juniors.
• 48DDD Bra to 34-36DD Bra
• I have become a runner and Ive ran 2 5k's
• I can eat about 1 cup to 1.5 cups of food and be happy!
• I cant eat icecream. it makes me sick
• I lost a few ring sizes 8.5 to about a 6.75.

Here are some pictures:

Post Op Wk 49-50-51!!

I have lost track of blogging. I dunno why maybe because my schedule keeps changing with work and I have no idea if im coming or going half the time LOL.

 

I was 174.4 wk 49, 175, wk 50, and This wk 51 I was 176! Ahh I am trying my hardest to get out of the 170's I did see 172 on the scale a few Saturdays ago but that was short lived.

 

I started back at the gym this wk and I dont know why I ever stop going because I love it there. I managed to get one of my bffs Irene to come and be my gym partner. She has  goal to achieve by Christmas and so do I. I am glad that I am able to help her make these goals achievable.I would like to be down to 165 by Christmas, its an 11 lb loss from what I am at right now. I think its really doable, but I shall see.

 

Another new fitness tool I am using is my fitbit one. I am totally addicted to it and feel so lost without it. hehe. I love that it tracks all my steps, calories burned, steps climbed, and even my sleep patterns if I would wear it to sleep. It is also very cool that I can sync it with myfitness pal which I used daily.

 

Today is Nov 7th, and I have my 1 yr post op appt this afternoon. I am very excited to see Dr Ben Meir. I havent seen him since my 6 mon post op appt. He left the office I was at and opened his own. I managed to find out where he went and followed him. The new surgeon who took over for him is very nice and friendly but its just not the same. Seeing a dr who doesnt know me and what I went through during surgery was just odd to me.

 

7 Days from now will be my 1 yr Surgiversay! CRAZY!! 1 YEAR already!! I am in awe of how far I have come in this one yr. Surgery Day Nov-14-2012 I was 272 lbs. and now I am almost 100lbs lighter and went from a size 26 jeans to a 12! and a 3-4x to a Med/Lar top in woman's, and an xl in Juniors tops. I can even wear some M-L pants n shorts from Wal-mart.

 

I am able to eat normal again I think. Still alot smaller portions than a yr ago but its become normal. 1 cup of food at a time is about good enough to fill me up. I often catch myself forgetting to wait to drink 1 hr after I have eaten and I find myself getting hungry sooner. I am trying to watch the clock more to make sure I am waiting. I think it makes a huge difference.

 

So heres to my 1 yr appt today and 1 yr Surgiversary next Thursday!

Wk 47 and 48 Post Op!!

Last wk wasnt a great wk with weigh in gained 2.4 lbs  was 176.6 was back up to 179.0. Dunno what happened or what went wrong, maybe my body is still adjusting with all that is going on and trying to find balance. 

This wk I weighed in at 176.2 not to shabby almost a 3 lbs lost from last wk. I have been walking or running all wk. I had my 30th birthday this past Saturday and I had a great time with everyone who came and supported my turning of age haha.  Here is a great photo of me at 28 29 and 30 yrs old.

I cant believe the changes I see in all three pics. I am so proud of myself and all that I have done. I am 336 days of being sleeved almost at my 1 yr surgiversary!

I finally got a fitbit one for my birthday from my love Isaac. I love this lil thing had no idea this lil guy my fitbit could hold me so accountable. I am at a goal of 10,000 steps a day and I feel bad if I dont get to 10,000 two days in a row I have be able to so thats a plus! I just hope I can keep it up!.

I have a goal of being 165 by Dec 20th  know it doesnt seem hard to do but very time  I set a goal I stall or bounce around. SO I am determined to see 165 by then. I still havent sen 172 which is what I need to reach to get my tattoo I have planned!

Here are some pics of my 30th Birthday Sat oct 12.

My fitbit one!

Post Op wk 46!!!

One month and 12 days away from my 1 year surgiversary! I am almost in shock that this much time has flown by with out me even being on a plane.  Weight Loss is slow now, but so is activity.  I was 178 lbs last wk and this wk 176.7 lbs!

I am still focused on my running, but I don't get to the gym hardly as all like I was months ago. schedule at work has been going up in down and all around so running is just easier. I want to get back to the gym on concentrate on weight training, but not sure if I should wait til I am closer to one of the weight goals I have set or if its okay to do that now.

I have my second 5k this Saturday, at Crocker Park in Cleveland its "Roc the Croc" Help Fight Childhood Cancer. I am excited for this cause, and hope I or anyone I know never has to go through this.

Ended up finding me a running jacket that I love and it def keeps me warm lol, and go new running shoes that made me shins sore! Great!! haha

My Birthday is in 10 days!! Party Bus'n it up!

Mine and Isaacs 4 yr anniversary of dating is in 29 days, we are going way from the weekend to a cabin in Hocking Hills Ohio! Cant wait!!!

Post Op wk 45!!!

I dont know what to say or where to begin. I feel like I am stuck for some reason. I dont know if its cus I am not going to the gym thats making me feel this way or what, but the weight isnt moving like I want it to anymore.I was wondering if I should go back to the basics of eating like my 1st few wks of post op. That maybe Im sneaking in old habits when Im not paying attention. Or Not getting enough water. Not sure what to do. I have my 1 yr appt coming up in a month and a half and I feel like Im not far enough along. I must be crazy.

Weight loss this wk was -.2 lbs. Not a gain so I am happy, but still disappointed. I am going to up my calories to maybe 900 from 700 usual and see if that helps. Who knows.

Saturday Sept 21 was a cold n rainy day. I went to bed hoping that the rain would stop by the time the alarm went off at 5 am, but to no a vale it did not. So I got up showered and dressed, made sure the girls were up and we got ready. It was all of our 1st 5k's. It was such an exciting morning. We drove down to Willoughby Hills and parked the car. At the stage they were doing warm up zumba and we were goofin around and warming up.Then we got in line to be in the first wave of runners. I caught a fanny pack and a rubber bracelet from the announcer at the start of the race. It rained the whole time, but I didnt let it stop me from enjoying my 1st 5k. I took off with my friends by my side and slowly started to get a head of them. I did this race for me and I wasnt going to slow down for anyone. I slowed for water and towards the end I slowed to make sure I could still see the girls behind me. When I saw them I kept on running. Once I was through the last color and down the road I could see the finish line. I took off like a bat out of hell and booked it to the finish line so fast that Isaac and Dad couldnt see me coming haha.

I was so happy that Isaac and my dad, the two men in my life that mean the most to me were there at the Start of the race and at the Finish! I love them both soo much!

I am proud of myself for doing this for ME and completing it and in good time. Already have my next race picked out Sat Oct 5th RoctheCroc at Crocker Park in Westlake, to help fight childhood cancer!

Here are some great photos from the Color Run!

Start of the Race!

Isaac and I

Dad and I

Me and the Girls!

Before n After 

Post Op Wk 44!!

Good am everyone!! This is Post Op wk 44 for me! I just had my 10 month Post op Surgiversary! I cannot believe that I am 2 months away from 1 yr out! I have accomplished so much in the past yr and half.  There are some updated pics in the picture tab of my 10 month progress. Weight Loss has slowed down quite a bit. Frustrating to say the least, but I am still making every attempt possible to keep it going.

I have been switched to 1^st shift the last wk and a half and I have adjusted pretty well I think. I am still getting in my 3 meals a day, and 3 runs a wk along with the Squat Challenge that’s about half way over with.

I am 3 days way from running my 1^st ever 5K Saturday, I am pretty excited. I have some awesome ladies running with me and some awesome supporters that are going to be waiting for me at the finish line. And what a better way to celebrate my 1^st 5K than to go see Ralphie May Saturday evening.

I am still struggling to get in my fluids mostly water, so I am going to try to do the ½ your body weight in oz of water you should drink a day, so if I am at 178/2= 89 fluid oz of water I should be drinking a day! I will try and do this as much as I am.

As for weight loss this wk I did pretty good, managed a 2.6 loss. I am happy with that and would be happier if I could get to lower 170’s .

Check my pics tab and pounds gone forever tab for updates!

Post Op Wk 43!!!

No much to update here this wk I am bouncing around the same few lbs back and forth which is quiet annoying. Haven't been able to get away from 179-180 in about 3 wks now. I'm wondering if its because of the squat challenge that I have been building the muscles in my legs and I am not losing lbs because of that. I am up to 110 squats and holding weights in my hands as I go down and back up with the squat. Seems to be feeling pretty good while I do that so I am happy.

Also my work hours switched this wk from nights to days, that could also be a reason why not movement in scale this wk too. And I have horrible allergies and boogies going on in my head on top of it all hehe.

The excitement is building as the time drifts down to a week and half til my first ever 5K run! I am super nervous and super excited I can wait to get 1 run under my belt hehe

And only a month away til I turn 30! I still cant believe that I am going to be 30! What what!

Okay thats all I got for now... Happy Fitness week to all!

42 Wks Post-Op!

September is here I am 10 days way from 10 months Post-Op! Wow almost to my 1 year surgiversary! Crazy how fast time has flown by. I am hoping that these next few months are little better with weight loss than the past few wks. I seem to keep steady for a few wks then drop about 10 lbs over a few wks then hold steady again.. Its quite annoying to see. Last wk I was 179.8 this wk I was 179.6

I have a few things to look forward to that are coming up soon. I registered for MY FIRST 5K! My C25K training will be over with this wk I have two more days of it. I cant believe how fast that time went by. I am so proud of the fact that I stuck it out and am going to finish it! I will be running the the Cleveland Color Run 5k on September 21st. with 3 of the greatest girls. I cant wait! I already know I will cry when I cross the finish line haha. I will have 2 wks after training is finished to help improve my run time, so we shall see if I can.

Plans are in the making for my 30th Birthday thats coming up Oct 12. I am excited to see how that evening goes and cant wait for it to get here, so I can celebrate with some of my closest family and friends.

I dont have much else to report... Oh the squat challenge has started and is under way, we are on the first rest day after 3 days of squats. 50-55-60 squats done! Today is a rest day and its a I needed rest day, these squats are no joke. Tomorrow will be the start of the next 3 days of squats at 70 for the day!
We just got to remember to...

I am hoping that I can make it through all 30 days so far so good, I am addicted to the feeling of sore muscles hehehe.

41 Wks Post Op!

What can I say.... I am constantly reminded that I am on a journey here. LOL Every Month, Every Week, even Every Day. I am reminded the minute heck that second I take that one bite that was just to much. I instant I eat to fast, and food get stuck. Or the light headedness I get if I know I am getting low on fluids and need to kick it up a bit on the water front.

Although these reminders sound harsh and not pleasant the one reminder that kills me every time is the Scale!! That dreaded Scale is a B#$^%! haha I totally cant even call her yes its a her, something nice! Its seems like every time I set a goal for myself to meet and have a plan to do something special for myself when that goal is met, she wants to rebel Haha I think its more of my body rebelling. But Its so True. Take for example last Wed weight 179.0 awesome! then Sunday 182.8... WHAT?1? Almost a 4 lbs gain! Same on Monday.... Then today I weigh in for Wed Weigh in and its back in the 179's, 179.8! .8 lb gain is way better than 4lb. But and I know I should not weigh Everyday and I dont. I only do that if I know the scale is showing a gain or odd #'s.

I like being held accountable for my goals and my actions. So I have set up an Event on Facebook for the month of September "30 Day Squat Challenge". I have quite a few friends who are going to be doing it with me "So they say" hehe I am beyond excited to do this and if all goes well I will post monthly ones after this a different 30 Day Challenge each month! I have made Fitness #1 and I want to be able to let others know that it is fun and not as hard as we all think or once thought.

If you are interested in doing the Challenge too here is the one we are going to be following

 

Since last wk I hit a nice round goal of losing 130lbs I went with one of my great friends and I got, Now this is a horrible picture and had just finished my run in the rain haha, but it shows you that I got my nose re-pierced and I love it, cant wait to change it out to a smaller stud, but I love it.

 

 

Every picture I take every new one I see. I still can not believe that is me! I have been sending Isaac some pictures of me and Zoey since he is out of town and he mentioned to me that I look so different in each picture I said different how, good or bad and he said "Skinny" haha gotta love that man! He's such a keeper!

 

For weight update check out the Pounds tab at top of the page!



40wks Post Op!

Hello wk 40! It was a nice week I shall say, this weekend Isaac and I went and spent Saturday in Little Italy in Cleveland for the Feast of Assumption and had lil bit of Italian! mmm Meatballs! hehe well Meatball the one I had was so big I could only eat the one!

 

 

Here is the "MEATBALL" lol funny thing is when I see this picture I dont see the food in the picture I see my LAP, I actually have a lap now, it had been hiding under my enormous stomach for so many years that I have no idea what it looked like to have a lap. I cry looking at this picture and actually see that 130lbs of me is gone and I look small and feel great.

 

On the fitness front I am in the middle of WK7 of C25K out of 9wks and I am running at 25 mins straight. Its a killer!! I do need to take a few short stops usually after I get done with the first mile, then I get going again. I am doing better and am loving it. I will be sad when the program is over with. But I plan to go back into the gym after I finish the training. I miss my gym time, but I do however love the training. I will keep up my running as part of my cardio at them gym and get back to weigh training. And start to really tone.

 

Here is the am I am using.

 

 

I am 49lbs away from my personal goal as of today! I am aiming for 130! Dr seems to think its a rather hard goal to reach... not sure I believe him. We shall see. His goal was 150-155 with I am 24-29lbs away from that goal. I am in aw of the numbers when I really sit down and look at them starting at 309 and saying I have a goal of wanting to lose 179lbs! I never thought it would be possible. Getting out of the 300's was nice, getting to the 200's was even nicer, leaving the 200's in the dust and being at 170's is amazing I can only imagine how I will feel in another few months.