Two year surgi-versary; a little early, a little long!
(I editted to format with paragraphs; that formatting was lost when I copied and pasted, sorry!)
It's my two year surgi-versary this week! On December 4, 2007 I was 5'4" and weighed 320 pounds. Today I am still 5'4" and I weigh 150.
Here is my weight loss timeline:
First six months: 90 pounds lost
Second six months: 50 pounds lost
Third six months: 30 pounds lost
Fourth six months: maintained
I would still like to lose another ten pounds so that my BMI would be in the normal range. That will be my goal for the New Year; to lose ten pounds by May 1. A little more exercise and fewer snacks (bad pretzels!) will do it. It's ten pounds! I've lost ten pounds lots and lots of times! However, I am just astounded that I have maintained my weight for six months! I have lost weight in the past, and always started regaining immediately. I think maintaining is perhaps a bigger miracle than the weight loss.
Today I can walk up a flight of steps without gasping for breath. I don't even have to hold on to the railing! I can walk from one side of a crowded room to another without having to look around first and find the widest pathway between tables and chairs. I remember times when I would have to "excuse me, excuse me" all the way across a room because there was no room for me to pass unless people moved. Today, I don't even have to think about it. When I was heavier there were times I felt invisible and other times that I felt I took up too much room. Now I am medium sized. I take up a medium amount of room. I am not invisible nor am I too big. I'm just right. And the truth is, I was always just right. I was just bigger.
I love shopping and I usually wear a size 10. Lingerie shopping is my favorite! So many colors and styles and lacy stuff! I can shop in Victoria's Secret now! I have learned that expensive bras are truly worth every penny! And I deserve them! All of them! I love salads and apples. I can go to Olive Garden and get the soup and salad and be perfectly satisfied, instead of getting a large pasta entree and still being hungry. I used to think those skinny girls that said they were so stuffed after eating soup and salad were hateful liars. I guess they were telling the truth after all!
Some people are nicer to me now, which makes me angry. But I'm nicer to myself now, too. I take more care with my appearance, which of course is easier at this size than it was before. I am happier now, so maybe that's why people are nicer. Some people are jerks, but that has always been the case and always will be. It really has nothing to do with me; it's just the way they are.
Being thin makes a lot of things easier but it doesn't eliminate hardship or sorrow. Some of my hardest times came during the past two years when I was changing so much. I was unemployed for several months. I was diagnosed with and recovered from ovarian cancer. A man I was seeing died suddenly in September, and my twin sister died suddenly in October. Not in my wildest nighmare did I think I would lose Andy and Bonnie. We were all fifty this year; I thought they were both healthier than me. I did not expect that getting thin would make my life perfect and so far I've been right. However, being 320 pounds would have made these hardships even harder. In fact, the incisional hernia that I developed after my surgery led to my cancer diagnosis. So weight loss surgery saved my life twice. At least.
In May I'm going to walk a half marathon. I'm not really coordinated enough to be a runner, but I'm a good walker! I can walk for miles and my feet and legs don't even hurt. The marathon is in Fargo, ND, which is near where my sister lives. I chose that location on purpose because she has promised to walk with me and this way she can't back out! I'm going to her! After the half marathon I would like to walk a full marathon. I may do that in the fall; I'm researching some locations. It's good to have goals! Who wants to join me? A few months ago I had some glamour shots done; I would not have done that at 320 pounds. They are 40's style pinup shots (Celeste Giuliano Photography - www.celestegiuliano.com). This is one of my favorites! Good luck to everyone! Hugs and kisses! Love, Beth
It's my two year surgi-versary this week! On December 4, 2007 I was 5'4" and weighed 320 pounds. Today I am still 5'4" and I weigh 150.
Here is my weight loss timeline:
First six months: 90 pounds lost
Second six months: 50 pounds lost
Third six months: 30 pounds lost
Fourth six months: maintained
I would still like to lose another ten pounds so that my BMI would be in the normal range. That will be my goal for the New Year; to lose ten pounds by May 1. A little more exercise and fewer snacks (bad pretzels!) will do it. It's ten pounds! I've lost ten pounds lots and lots of times! However, I am just astounded that I have maintained my weight for six months! I have lost weight in the past, and always started regaining immediately. I think maintaining is perhaps a bigger miracle than the weight loss.
Today I can walk up a flight of steps without gasping for breath. I don't even have to hold on to the railing! I can walk from one side of a crowded room to another without having to look around first and find the widest pathway between tables and chairs. I remember times when I would have to "excuse me, excuse me" all the way across a room because there was no room for me to pass unless people moved. Today, I don't even have to think about it. When I was heavier there were times I felt invisible and other times that I felt I took up too much room. Now I am medium sized. I take up a medium amount of room. I am not invisible nor am I too big. I'm just right. And the truth is, I was always just right. I was just bigger.
I love shopping and I usually wear a size 10. Lingerie shopping is my favorite! So many colors and styles and lacy stuff! I can shop in Victoria's Secret now! I have learned that expensive bras are truly worth every penny! And I deserve them! All of them! I love salads and apples. I can go to Olive Garden and get the soup and salad and be perfectly satisfied, instead of getting a large pasta entree and still being hungry. I used to think those skinny girls that said they were so stuffed after eating soup and salad were hateful liars. I guess they were telling the truth after all!
Some people are nicer to me now, which makes me angry. But I'm nicer to myself now, too. I take more care with my appearance, which of course is easier at this size than it was before. I am happier now, so maybe that's why people are nicer. Some people are jerks, but that has always been the case and always will be. It really has nothing to do with me; it's just the way they are.
Being thin makes a lot of things easier but it doesn't eliminate hardship or sorrow. Some of my hardest times came during the past two years when I was changing so much. I was unemployed for several months. I was diagnosed with and recovered from ovarian cancer. A man I was seeing died suddenly in September, and my twin sister died suddenly in October. Not in my wildest nighmare did I think I would lose Andy and Bonnie. We were all fifty this year; I thought they were both healthier than me. I did not expect that getting thin would make my life perfect and so far I've been right. However, being 320 pounds would have made these hardships even harder. In fact, the incisional hernia that I developed after my surgery led to my cancer diagnosis. So weight loss surgery saved my life twice. At least.
In May I'm going to walk a half marathon. I'm not really coordinated enough to be a runner, but I'm a good walker! I can walk for miles and my feet and legs don't even hurt. The marathon is in Fargo, ND, which is near where my sister lives. I chose that location on purpose because she has promised to walk with me and this way she can't back out! I'm going to her! After the half marathon I would like to walk a full marathon. I may do that in the fall; I'm researching some locations. It's good to have goals! Who wants to join me? A few months ago I had some glamour shots done; I would not have done that at 320 pounds. They are 40's style pinup shots (Celeste Giuliano Photography - www.celestegiuliano.com). This is one of my favorites! Good luck to everyone! Hugs and kisses! Love, Beth
Beth,
Thank you so much for posting your story and your journey over the last 2 years. I find solace in the saying "everything happens for a reason" and I think your journey helps show that on so many levels. In a year or two, I'll be ready to join you for a half or full marathon and would love to! Enjoy SD with your sister - I think it's a great goal. Both Andy and Bonnie would be so proud of everything you've accomplished and maintained. Keep up the awesome work and leading by example for those of us that will follow in your footsteps.
Melissa
Thank you so much for posting your story and your journey over the last 2 years. I find solace in the saying "everything happens for a reason" and I think your journey helps show that on so many levels. In a year or two, I'll be ready to join you for a half or full marathon and would love to! Enjoy SD with your sister - I think it's a great goal. Both Andy and Bonnie would be so proud of everything you've accomplished and maintained. Keep up the awesome work and leading by example for those of us that will follow in your footsteps.
Melissa
High Wt/Consult Wt/Surgery Wt/Current Wt
347 341 328 170
1st Goal Wt: 225 (met 9/13/10) / 2nd Goal Wt: 200 (met 12/13/10) / 3rd Goal Wt: 190 (met 1/30/2011) / 4th Goal Wt: 180 (met 4/25/11) / After baby: 170 and holding for 8 months!
Total Weight Lost: 177!
http://wlstrusttheprocess.blogspot.com/
Trust the process....
Melissa
347 341 328 170
1st Goal Wt: 225 (met 9/13/10) / 2nd Goal Wt: 200 (met 12/13/10) / 3rd Goal Wt: 190 (met 1/30/2011) / 4th Goal Wt: 180 (met 4/25/11) / After baby: 170 and holding for 8 months!
Total Weight Lost: 177!
http://wlstrusttheprocess.blogspot.com/
Trust the process....
Melissa
Betty, as one who is still relatively new in this journey, thank you for your inspiring story. And congratulations on your weight loss and the half marathon!
I especially love your comments on setting goals. (Hmmm..maybe we should start a goal setting thread.)
My sympathy on your losses this past year, as well. You sound like a strong woman, but it is never easy to say goodbyes like these.
Lynn
I especially love your comments on setting goals. (Hmmm..maybe we should start a goal setting thread.)
My sympathy on your losses this past year, as well. You sound like a strong woman, but it is never easy to say goodbyes like these.
Lynn
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