Update on Me - The Good, the Bad , The Ugly

So this is copied from my blog on my profile. Kind of a summary of what's going on right now in my life. I apologize for not posting more often. I do get on everyday and read posts but never make it around to posting. Once I am moved it will become much easier and I'll be around much more!! On to my update... December had me at 5 months post op and in 16 days I will be 6 months post op. Wow...it still boggles my mind it has been that long. Right now I am hovering at 75 pounds lost. I'm half way to where I want to be. I just got over another one of my infamous 1 week stalls. Life has been so busy but in a good way. In no particular order here are the things going on. 1. Homeownership - Eric and I closed on our first house. We took posession the day we closed, the 21st, and started the revamp process. Since the 21st we have repainted all the cabinets, repainted the kitchen, restored the previously nasty fridge, installed a dishwasher, garbage disposal, kitchen faucet, oven, and over the range microwave. Finally, we repainted two bedrooms and the family room. Along the way we ran into the problems (wiring and plumbing) and thus we did not get to move in before the new year. This Thursday will be our big move in day/first night in our new home. I'm so excited. This living out of boxes is getting old REAL fast. 2. Work - My boss called me into his office about two weeks ago and informed me that in my yearly evaluation I had been given an "Exceeds Expectations," however due to the new Performance Management stuff they couldn't give it to me (including the 10% raise.) I was super bummed. But I would settle with a "Meets Expectations" and take the 4% raise. Then in the next breath he said both he and his boss agree I deserve more so they are going to promote me from an Administrative Assistant 5 to an Administrative Assistant 3. This move would give me about a 20% raise. I'll take it!! The problem is, I have a degree and feel like I should be doing more than just being an AA. Right now all I do is allow people to be lazy. I want to make more of a difference. I let me feelings be known to one of the project managers and he said there was the perfect position opening up for me. It's semi-PR which is closely related to my degree. I'm still waiting on the call to set up an interview etc. He did inform me the position is very visible for the Division and the new boss is very looks oriented. It really got me thinking. I know 75 pounds ago no way would they ever consider me for this. It's sad but true. So on one hand I am happy for the opportunity but sad because I know one reason I was even considered is because of my changing appearance. 3. Holidays - We had a wonderful Holiday Season. We spent most of it working on the house but took time to spend with our families. I received some new PJs (which I need desperately!) earrings, and a gift card to Old Navy (will come in real handy!) from Eric's family. They also gave us money so we purchased a dishwasher and garbage disposal with it. My parents also gave us money for paint/plaster etc. My dad got me one of those cool digital picture frames. I can't wait to use it. 6 months ago I would have never wanted to have pictures of me out on display. Our New Years was incredibly boring. I went to the Colt's game with an old friend from high school. I have been real leary of seeing friends from high school, since I had gained so much weight. However it was thrilling and relaxing to see these people knowing I was only 30 pounds heavier than high school and not 100!! I had a great time but made sure to be home by midnight to watch the ball drop with Eric. 4. The Bad - With this move/home purchasing a lot of previous bad habits have come back. I have to get them out in the open and admit to them. First, I am back drinking Diet Coke. Man is it good. The carbonation doesn't bother hardly at all, only very rarely. I do try to get the Caffeine Free where available but many places don't have it. The sad thing is, I get more fluid in drinking the Diet Coke than I did the water etc. You can only drink so much water before you get burnt out. I am trying to wean myself off of it and back onto water but alas it's proving difficult. Secondly, Vitamins...what vitamins? I have not taken my multivitamin is almost 2 weeks. Today was the first day I did. How awful am I?! I haven't taken by B12 either and the calcium...forget about it. I am so ashamed. Most of the pills/bottles have been packed away so taking them was inconvenient. Thus comes into play my New Years Resolution!! Once I am moved I will not mess up taking my vitamins any more!! I am actually going to post pone my 6 month follow up with Dr. C just so I can get my levels back to where they should be. I don't feel bad or anything but I know if I go longer I will start to get sick. Thirdly, Protein. I really need to order some more. That is another thing I have not taken since I started. I didn't want to order any and have it sent to the apartment but we aren't at the house full time to get the package either. So once we move in, Protein is being ordered!! Again, I don't feel bad but it is only a matter of time. Finally, fast food. Working on the house there was obviously no food there. So we had to resort to the closest options which ended up being Steak n Shake and Wendy's. I feel so icky after eating it for a week. I try to make semi-sensible choices but its hard at those places. I was just talking with Eric about how much I am looking forward to eating at our house and cooking good stuff again!! Only a couple more days and I can start packing my lunch again and everything. That is what makes me not feel good...the guilt and the fast food. 5. The Good - I have to leave on a happy note ya know? Here are a list of amazing wow moments I have had recently. I reached my second goal of 215 pounds (what I weighed when Eric and I started dating almost 4 years ago,) I put on a pair of size 16 jeans from Old Navy (haven't worn a 16 in probably 7 years,) can sit in the seats at the Dome and be totally comfortable (except for not enough leg room,) sat on Eric's lap and he said my butt was boney, I have found my collar bones, multiple people have called me "skinny," the hair loss is tapering off FINALLY, I have one pair of work pants that fit and the rest are very loose and sloppy looking (That won't cut it with the new job,) I have bought some items in XL and they fit!, and finally I am becoming a girl - I mean I care about what I look like now, I try with my appearance, and as a result have been hit on multiple times. My life is so good right now... Sam

Sam, WOW....what a busy time of your life right now. Brenda and I can totally relate. In the 8 months since our surgery, we have moved from Ohio to Indiana, changed jobs, still unpacking, and trying to sell our house in Ohio. Congratulations on the home ownership. Is your new house in Greenfield, too? Sounds like the house will be in tip top shape by the time you move in on Thursday. Good luck on the job. When we transferred here, I was put into a job that I really don't care for. The amount of work I do each day could be done in less than an hour and I am bored to death (I spend the majority of my day online, mostly on these message boards). I am competing for a couple secretary positions at work, which would make me so much happier. Wish me luck! Brenda and I work together so that is one good thing about our jobs. Hope you get back on track with your vitamins. I know it's easy not to take them and we probably don't see the effects until it's time for our blood work. Sounds like you are doing great. Keep up the good work. Getting into smaller clothes is so much fun. Are you planning on going to the clothes exchange on the 13th? Enjoying getting your update. Take care and keep in touch. Floyd

Sam, Thanks for the update. Ive been wondering how things are going with u and with the move. Sounds like u are doing pretty good except the vitamins and protein...that could be one reason for your stall. I know I have a hard time getting all mine in but I do get some every day. I have been slacking though over the holidays.... I got pretty depressed and didnt care for my body like I should have. I too am trying to do better now. I too am going to copy a post I sent to my bbw group...on my journey this week to update everyone. I hope you have a smooth move and start getting settled down in the new house soon. Good luck with you job interviews too. Talk to u soon and how to see u on the 13th. Here is my cut and past from an email I sent to night.. Sorry ladies Ive slowed way down in my posting lately. I had an aunt pass on Sunday after a long illness. Tonight I was at the calling and saw alot of family I hadnt seen in probably 2 yrs (thats when we had our last family reunion). Although my aunts passing was a sad occasion the calling was a good experience for me. Im sorry how really bad that sounds. However, I really needed to get out of the house and spend time with someone besides my cat. Since Andys gone all week I spend way to much time alone crying and depressed. My family was so excited for me. They couldnt believe how much wt I had lost. Several ppl even expressed interest in looking into the surgery for themselves. I explained that its not an easy fix. Its still a very hard journey but it was the only way I could do it after struggling for so many yrs with dieting. I also have some other really good news to report. Im now wearing a size 20 -22 or 1-2x in my top and a 24 tall in my bottoms. Bottoms I have to have a size bigger becouse of all that sagging skin in my gut (gross but true). I packed up all my size 32, 28 and 26 clothes this weekend from my bedroom (how I spent my new years eve)....ready to take them to a clothing exchange on the 13th of this month. I did let a cousin go thru my clothes tonight after her mothers calling and she took 2 garbage bags full. So thats less I have to carry to the exchange. I still have my huge laundry room to clean out. Will probably have 6 more bags of clothes down there. Then I have to do the closet in the spare room which is full of my night clothing and intimates....gowns and robes and lots of hot undies (matching bras, camis, corsets and the like) Well I better get to bed...I have a funeral early in the morning and Im not used to sleeping at night so I better try...or I will be wore out tomorrow. Talk to u all later

I still want your 32's for My DIL!! She still wears everything you sent her from the last exchange and is appreciative!! With her being 1/2 my age it is difficult for me to pick out good stuff so getting hand me downs from you younger ladies is great for her. Talking about sagging skin... try strtching it out to carry triplets!! Poor girl was stretched WAY out of shape,, Linda

Maybe I could work out a deal with her....lots of clothes for one of those babies...LOL.

WOW Sam you have had a whirl wind going on. I know you will get back on your straight and narrow path again when everything settles down. Good luck in your New Home its a great feeling. I am sure things will work out with the new job soon. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Bonnie

Hey Sam, do you work for the state? I just wondered, because that's how the state is offering raises too this year. I am a VR counselor. It's kind of sucky because the way they made up our evaluations, they changed the expectations mid-year, and as a result, they even confirm, there is no way a VR counselor can 'exceed expectations' in all areas. So no VR counselors in the whole state can get that 10%. Makes you want to try a little less on some days. I will be happy with 4% though. That's better than in the past. Sounds like you are really busy. Do try to get your vitamins in. Since I work with disabled people I have seen alot of different kinds of disabilities. I saw one women who (not due to wls) had a severe B12 deficiency, and ended up in a wheelchair. That scares me.

Awww... reading your post gave me goosebumps! How exciting for you. Soudns like things have come together for you! Big congrats! Belle

ooh girl, your gonna hate me.....but i am gonna be telling your mom the importance of your vitamins.........thats right or even worse for u i will become your vitamin police...get r done gal..... you are doing just so great, try to keep as many bad ole habits out as possible...it is hard cos your human but you have gone to far and through to much to not get to goal...

Hi Sam, I'm good about taking my vitamins & calcium as long as I'm at work, but weekends...not so much! I have a routine I follow at work, but just can't/won't set one for at home! Good luck with the new house. At least it sounds like you and your husband are "do-it-yourself" types. Unfortunately we aren't and that gets expensive! Congrats on the WOW moments. Those are always good. I should think you are getting out far enough that you shouldn't need protein supplements everyday now. Are you tracking your intake from your meals? You may be getting enough protein in when you eat right. My nutritionist told me to back off of them because I was getting 100 or more grams per day between supplements and regular food. But then, I try to get in 15 to 20 grams per meal. So adding a supplement was really throwing me up there. Don't be too hard on yourself. You definitely want to get back on track eating right and taking your vitamins, but you don't have to beat yourself up for small mistakes anymore. You have your tool and you know how to use it. It has been a very busy time for you and you'll be able to settle back into your routines soon. Catch you later. Cindy