Happy 1 year "Surgiversary" to me!!! 193lbs! Total lost so far: 120lbs!!!

So I cannot believe it has been a year already! It feels like yesterday that I woke up from surgery already feeling like a different person. I have to say that, this has been such an amazing journey. I feel better than I have, probably ever felt in my life. We were just in Israel last month and I got such a great reaction from my relatives about how much I have changed. My one aunt, who has always been the most critical of my weight, didn't even recognize me. That was a wow moment for me. I had other "wow" moments, as we like to call them. Sitting on the plane and actually fitting in the seat, not needing a seat belt extender, being able to eat from my own tray table, and not having to put it on the table next to me, and just hold my food, and being able to sit comfortably and even cross my legs, was so awesome! I had Michael take pics! So as you can see I did drop some more weight since my last post, and all of it was lost while we were gone. It was very hard to keep my normal routine being away. I wasn't able to get in my protein shakes and I didn't take my vitamins or iron regularly. Eating was a challenge. Not being able to totally control my choices was pretty hard--by the time we left I could have killed for a greek yogurt.  However, the weather was super hot, and I was fairly active everyday. It was very hard to get in the appropriate water, I sweated so much and even got dehydrated one day. That was a terrible experience--I almost had to go to the ER.  Michael nursed me back to health though! He was amazing!  So one thing that I need to stress to anyone wanting to have weight loss surgery is, while it helps you lose weight, it doesn't "cure" your food issues. I am having some issues right now, because I am able to eat ANYTHING now. The amount I can eat is much more, although I don't overeat-I do pay attention to the amount that I am eating and I do eat protein first.  I am not dumping as much as I used to. I had some cake in Israel and I did feel a little queasy, and started to yawn a lot (which for me is dumping) but I was able to have ice cream and regular yogurt, without much of a reaction. It is freaking scary.  Overall I would assess my progress as pretty typical. I am very aware and that helps. Now that I am back, there are a lot of stuff going on--School is starting, Jewish holidays are coming up and I am needing to refocus and get back into the gym. I love how I feel and I like the way I look--although I have loose-skin issues (that can be taken care of though in a couple of years.) What I most love is, being able to keep up with my kids and live a normal life. No limitations. Limitations killed my spirit. Now I know I can do anything. Including, getting back on track!!!!  That's it for now! Peace out!

10 months and 3 weeks out--199lbs--Down 114lbs

ONE-DERLAND!!!!  That is the term for someone finally entering the 100lbs bracket. I haven't been under 200lbs since 1997.  It has obviously been a long time since I have posted. There are a few reasons. The first one being the fact that I have only lost 5lbs since my last post in May. I am having serious issues with my whole "plan" lately.  I have been snacking, not drinking enough liquids, not consuming enough protein, I am deathly low in Iron and am seeing a hematologist this week. I feel like shit because I am so weak and have really bad headaches, which makes me not want to work out.  I was prescribed a mega-dose of Iron that makes me really nauseous, so it has been hard taking it at all.  I am not getting enough sleep at night--by my own doing.  I have been staying up till 2-3 a.m. sometimes. So during that time I am nibblin', which brings my calorie count up for the day. Not to mention I have had ZERO energy due to low iron, fatigue, sleeplessness. I do have my good days and my not so good days to be fair. HOWEVER--during this plateau--I have gone down in size. I am now in size 14 jeans and a 38 C bra. PLUS----Since about 2 months after my surgery, I haven't been able to wear my wedding rings, they were way too big.  So I finally went and had them sized. When I got engaged 9 years ago I was a 7 1/2 ring size, during that time I had to up size them TWICE. Ending up a size 9 1/4. I am so excited to say my new ring size is........6 1/2!!!!!!! What?? Crazy!!!  
 I have talked to my nutritionist and the bariatric nurse and I have been reassured that this is to be expected, but I can't help feeling like a little bit of a failure.  I know I have come along way, even with all the setbacks so far. I am trying to keep a positive attitude. I have to push myself to get to the gym. That is the key to breaking through this plateau.  Ok, here is my short goal list:
*Gym--At least 3 times a week in addition to 1 yoga class
*Protein--No less than 60 grams a day
*Carb Watch
*Vitamins and Supplements
*WATER!-No less than 70oz a day
*No Snacking after 9pm
*Bedtime--No later than 11:30pm (hey that is wayyy early for ME)
*Food log

I feel that is a long short list. I can do it. I know I can.  Oh by the way, my old motto of: "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" Is complete CRAP.  I can tell you of many things that taste AMAZING.  I will say that I never overeat. I have eaten too much before and I can tell you it feels like shit. So I know my limits--I can eat a small, normal meal now, more-or- less depending on what it is. I have limited my bread consumption, but snack on carby things like crackers, or dry cereal and probably eat way too many almonds and nuts during the day. So tracking my food intake will help me to "see" what I am actually consuming.  So there it is.  I kind of dreaded having to write this. I guess I expect people to judge me and I was trying to avoid that. I am self-deprecating enough.  That being said I don't regret having this surgery at all. I am not even a year out yet so I am still in the losing phase. I just have to get more active. The hard work starts NOW.  Peace out!

Finally!----- 204lbs!-- Down 109lbs!

Finally! There has been movement on the scale! I guess I shouldn't be so surprised, I just had to cut back on my carbs and increase my protein, DUH! I had been eating bread a lot more than I should have been and not paying attention to my snacking so I decided after last weeks post that I would be more conscientious of my choices. I have been making sure my meals are simple: Protein and a vegetable. We have eaten great as a family this week and it feels awesome!  For an update on last weeks yoga class: Holy Cow! That "fundamental" class kicked my ass. Never having taken a class before, I wasn't sure what to expect. So I just went in, found a spot at the back and chatted with a lady next to me that looked like she knew what she was doing. I told her it was my first time and she told me not to worry, that I would be able to follow along. So the instructor came in, put on some relaxing music and turned off the lights.  I will admit I felt very self-conscious at first. But that went away as the class went on. I was so surprised at my ability. I was able to do things that I honestly never thought I could do, although I have always had very good balance and am pretty flexible. Don't ask me the name of the poses because, frankly, all I could catch was 'downward dog'.  I was good at that! LOL ! But it really was easy enough to follow, although I had to watch her the whole time, so I really didn't get the benefit of the "relaxing" yoga experience. I had looked around and it was apparent who practices on a regular basis.  The class had lasted an hour and at the end of that hour, I was sweating profusely!  I felt so strong. It was just what I needed, wasn't too difficult, but enough to work my muscles! Now ask me how I felt the next day.... I literally felt like I had been hit by a bus. My body--mostly my arms and upper body, was so sore. I worked muscles I never knew I had.  I had a hard time doing ordinary things. Carrying Nadav down the stairs was difficult. If you know my son, he is not that light! It took a few days to "recuperate".  So all in all my first experience was fantastic! So much that I am going again tonight!!!  Peace out.

8 months- 3 weeks out 208lbs-Down 105lbs

Its been awhile since my last post! Last week Michael and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary. We spent the weekend at the Gaylord National Hotel at the National Harbor and had an AMAZING weekend! Together we walked (and jogged a little!) our first 5K in 56 minutes. It was so great! Maybe next year I will be able to jog the whole thing! I think I will make that my goal.  I have DEFINITELY hit a (temporary) plateau right now. It's a little scary, because I feel like 'omigod, that's it, I'm done losing weight!'--But I have been reassured that this happens and it is normal. Ironically, I FINALLY joined a gym almost 2 weeks ago and have been trying to go everyday! I am only doing the treadmill right now because that's what I am most comfortable with. In the beginning I started with 30 min at 3.5mph but now I am at 45min varying my incline (up to 10) and sporadically running here and there to increase my heart rate. It feels great!!!  I met with a trainer, and she showed me all the other equipment in the gym so I look forward to working my way up to the weights and all the other different machines--I will admit its a little intimidating, but its fun! They also offer free classes and tonight (in a half hour!) I will be taking my very first yoga class! I am excited and nervous! I have always wanted to try yoga! So, that is all for now! Peace out!

7 months out--211lbs---Down 102lbs!!!!!

For a few weeks now I have been stuck at 214.5lbs-- Even yesterday I weighed in at 214.5. So after "using the bathroom" last night and this morning (matzah---nuff said) I am now at a 102 pound loss!!!!!  Yay!! I am so excited!  I had been a little worried because I had fallen into a little "bump in the road" I will call it.  I started to have bread issues. On occasion I would eat a slice of toast with breakfast (per my nutrition plan) but I started to add 1/2 bagels and then I started to add pizza. Prior to surgery, when Michael would work overnights, I used to order out pizza for Noah and I.  Now, I admit, we actually ordered Dominoes about 3 times and I can eat up to a slice and a half. This got me really worried. So I put up a post on the support site I belong to, to ask for advice, and I got a rude awakening. Here was my post:

'I am just over 6 months out from my RNY, with a 95lb loss so far and I am realizing I can eat pretty much anything.  My worries are about bread consumption.  I will have an occasional 1/2 bagel or piece of toast, and now I am having pizza. I can eat 1 slice of dominoes pizza just fine! I have even been able to eat a slice and a half.  In the beginning I thought that I would never eat bread again, but as I am able to slowly add it to my diet it is easier to eat.  Am I in denial that 1 piece of pizza "won't hurt me" or should I nip this in the bud right now!?  What are your thoughts on bread/bread products and carbs in general and how many grams should I be consuming daily??' 
Here is the very first response I got:
        So, in 6 months you've found your way already to toast > bagels > and now an entire slice pizza.  If you're not dumping, then you're left to willpower and your own decisions just like you were pre-op.  Will you try chocolate cake next?  Remember your own mantra:
"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!"
This response sent me into a headspin. I can't explain it, but maybe just the honesty of it really made an impression on me.  If you are interested in reading the whole thread here is the link:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4135748/BREAD/#communityupdates:0

Not everyone was as harsh, but I did see where I had to change-and even got some good tips on how to be able to have pizza without all the guilt.  (Tortilla pizza! yummm-o! (recipes on a blog I follow--"The world according to Eggface")  I know food will always be an issue in my life, I just need to learn how to choose wisely!

6 month Surgiversary! 219lbs--Down 94lbs! Woot Woot!

Today is exactly 6 months since I had my Gastric Bypass! I am now down 94lbs and am 20lbs away from being under 200lbs! I am very excited! I saw my surgeon today, or his nurse rather, and from the "charts" I am right on track!  So far so good!  I also went and toured a gym today! It is right behind my house so I can walk to it (no excuses like "its too far") it also has babysitting (no excuses of having Nadav with me!) and they also offer Zumba classes, Pilates and Yoga amongst others! Its not a very big gym but it was spacious and not overcrowded which I like. I am going to start a free week trial and give it a try, but I am sure that it will be the best option for me! Convenience is key!  So that is all for now, I feel great and am so happy I made the decision to have this surgery. As you can see from the pics I posted, I have changed dramatically since I had the surgery! I don't even recognize myself in the "surgery day" picture! All I can say is 94 pounds gone forever!  Bye Bye and good riddance.

5 1/2 months out----223lbs---Down 90lbs!

WHooo Hoooooo! I am down 90lbs now! I am so excited about almost losing 100lbs!  Only 23 more lbs. till I am in the One Hundreds!  I haven't been under 200 lbs. in over 10 years.  I am wearing a size 18 jeans, and an XL, 14/16 top.  I bought some sz 18 jeans from Lane Bryant a couple of weeks ago and I actually got sad because the smallest size they carry is 14/16 and I will most likely get there in a couple months. I have only really shopped at LB exclusively for the last 15 years!  I am finding the idea of shopping at "regular" stores a little daunting--BUT---I am sure willing to figure it out!!!!!  I feel smaller and have bought new clothes, but also have some old clothes floating around. I have t-shirts and sweatpants that I still wear but they are huge on me.  I have a lot more energy and aside from the symptoms that I am having related to my menopause, I feel great!!  Speaking of menopause, I did see the Radiation Oncologist and she didn't feel that I needed any radiation at this point. That is great news!  However I still have to make a decision about any long-term treatment I may need. It's a hard decision, and I am having trouble making it.  My doc told me to give it 3 months and I we can revisit it then. I am not in any immediate danger so that's why I have chosen to do a little more research. Regardless, I will be seeing my Oncologist every 3 months, where he will then be doing numerous tests on me.  All the tests that I have done so far (CT scan, Bone scan) all have come back negative!  So that is where I am at! I have yet to join a gym, and although I am a lot more active I know that I want to and NEED to join a gym!  On a side note: Today would have been my Mom's 65th birthday! She has been gone now for nearly 11 years and I miss her so much! She would be so proud of me right now! Happy Birthday Mommy, I love you and miss you so much. 
So until next time....Peace Out!