Finally updated

Well, I finally got around to updating my photos and I put up some after photos.  So I have a before photos gallery and an after photos gallery.  Also updated my tracker. I am three months out on June 25th.  I am feeling MUCH better than the first couple weeks.  I can do most anything I want.  I can go to amusement parks and chase my kids around and I even took up running again although I'm only two week into my training program.  I'm running my first road race in about eight years in about three weeks.  I picked a reasonable distance and set a goal that will be challanging but do-able.   I cook as much as I used to and since I'm someone who always enjoyed cooking for others, I still enjoy it as much as I used to.  I just don't eat some of what I cook.  Today I'm making a crock pot ministrone soup for dinner, which I will eat with my family.  I am also making them grilled cheese sandwiches with their soup - which I won't eat.  Because I won't have room and I rarely eat any bread.  Seems like a waste of pouch space.  I'm going strawberry picking with my youngest son today and we're making everyone pies for dessert, which I won't have eithier.  But I won't miss.  And I'll enjoy watching the others make a fuss over.  So I'm pretty much going to a have a homemade soup full of veggies, enjoy it, and be full.   I was worried I wouldn't like to cook after since alot of people in my support groups don't really *cook*.  I always really enjoyed being a giving cook - someone who cooks for others and likes to give away baked goods, desserts, etc.  I have a secret dream of opening a bakery that only sells stuff I like to make - like gourmet cupcakes and stuff.  Well, for me anyway, I still enjoy that stuff.  I don't eat it, but I like to make it and give it away or feed it to my family.   And no, we don't do dessert every day.  I don't want my kids to have the health or weight problems I had.  But the first day of strawberry picking for the season deserves a good pie, and I can always make it with Splenda.  But if I do, I still won't eat any.  I just don't have the room to eat anything that's not protein.   I can't say I'm the same person I was before, either.  I used to spend all my time thinking about food.  Now I don't.  I rarely think of it at all other than to remember to eat caus the NUT says so.  Which gives me room for other things.  Plus I can run again now and it's important to me, which is something new for me.  I am starting to think of myself as an "athlete", instead of just as me, and that affects my decisions and choices. It's easier to not stress over some odd moving fat pockets or some loose skin when you are constantly amazed at what you can DO with your body, physically.  I biked a path last week as fast as I could and wrote down the time.  This week I did the same one as fast as I could and I was 30 seconds faster.  Wonder how I'll do next week.  I'm improving my level of fitness and getting better each day I train, which is now a big focus for me.  I am constantly in a state of doing things "just because I can now".   Feel free to check out my two galleries.  I'm off to try something new for breakfast - turkey bacon.  Hope it goes well, but if not, sometimes you just got to try it.  I only experiement with new foods on days I don't have some huge thing planned where I'll be out all day so today is an okay day to try it.  Small nibbles, well chewed, I know.  Since I'm eating a real breakfast - one egg, turkey bacon, a small peice of double fiber toast if there is any room after the egg & bacon - then I'll have my shake for lunch.  I always still try to get in one shake a day.  It always goes down okay and it's a good source of protein AND liquid, so it's the one thing I can always count on.   Anyway, that's me, so far.  Thanks for reading, you guys are the best. --Umber.

Umber - you look fantastic and I just want to say your post came at the right time for me. I have very little energy right now and after reading your post I have faith that this too shall pass, You have done a remarkable job and I am very happy for you. You are an inspiration. Thanks so much. - Rosemary

It absolutely will pass.  I told my husband the other day when I was dragging but managed my workout anyway that it would be really nice if everytime I came in the home after my workout the theme song to Rocky was playing.  Luckily, he appreciates my sense of humor.   But to be honest, it was playing in my head when I said it.  ;-)

Hello,     I'm a litte behind this week but I had to reply.  Your post is so inspiration, Umber.  How wonderful to hear all the positives and how you are working your program and it is, in turn, working for you.  That's just great.  And thanks for taking the time to share it with us.    I'm seeing Dr. Gens on Monday and hope to have surgery in September.  It is a long road and your Travel Guide is much appreciated!  Treading