How YOU Doin?

Hi Mary!! I was in the same boat as you when I started exercising. Just walking from my car to Publix got me winded! Walking up the flight of stairs to my condo was a big deal and I'm embarrassed to admit how many times I took the elevator for that one flight. :-(  I started at 362 and I started doing literally 1 minute of jogging at a time when I hit 300.  I would do 1 minute at about 4.5 mph (or less) then do about 5 minutes of walking. Believe me, it was not a Rocky moment when I started! LOL But I kept going and it's paid off so far. I think exercise is a key thing for me because it keeps me focused on health and the feeling of strength I get.

I know you will be able to attain all those NSVs! I wrote a blog listing all mine before surgery and I've pretty much gotten to them all. I still have a few more pounds before I weigh less than my husband but I'm very close.  I just need to make him a few more big pasta dinners and DONE! LOL

Good luck, Mary! ;-)

I'm actually doing better, and feel more positive then I have in awhile.  I started my journey on April 15th 2013 at 364lbs.  I didn't get the surgery I just changed my eating and exercised.  My lowest weight was 204 around mid-january and that's when things started to go downhill.  In November, after dying my hair, I started to shed a lot of hair and it's thinned a lot.  I think this was brought on by the fact that my nutrition was atroticous and the drying chemicals of the hair dye.  I was on a low calorie atkins based diet, but not really getting much nutrition at all.  I was so upset that what was working for me, because physically I felt really good, it was making me lose my hair.  Then I woke up one night with extreme muscles spasms in my jaw, my face started to swell after a few days and I ended up having to go to the doctor, which I haven't been to in 10 years.  All the stress with my hair falling out and then my gums getting infected took their toll on me and after being on my strict diet for 9 months I decided to have a cheat day.  I learned two things on this cheat day: 1. I don't even enjoy crap food anymore, and 2. I thought I was over using food to cope with stress and I was seriously wrong.  It's not the taste of the food that I'm looking for, it's the mindlessness of just shoving crap into my face and zoning out.  I've struggle the past 2 months, getting back on, then getting back off and have gotten back up to 230lbs.  But I try to look at these last two months as a wake up call that even though I felt good when I was dieting so strictly, my body was obviously suffering.  I'm still shedding a lot of hair, but I've taken steps to hopefully slow it down.  I've started a healthier diet, with protein rich yogurt, soy nuts, turkey, blueberries, vegetables, which I wasn't eating at all before and just actually healthy stuff.  My "failure" these last two months had made me feel like a fool, because everyone was so impressed with my weight loss, but I can't look at these last two months as a failure, I'm looking at it as a wake up call, and hell I've lost 130lbs in less then a year, that's still pretty impressive

I am so impressed that you have come so far!! Even without the surgery as a tool, you have lost so much and should be so proud!! I had surgery in January before you started and you lost way faster than I did!! Good for you for recognizing what needs to change to get you back on track.  You can do it!

I also had a little hiccup in my weight loss. I only gained about 5 pounds but for about 2 months, i didn't lose anything. It was the holidays and I let myself have whatever I wanted. I know I would have gained way more if it weren't for my sleeve! Thank goodness I was able to get back on track in January. It was a struggle also saying goodbye to those foods but after my initial "detox" from them, I've been ok.

I've been reading a lot about wheat-free diets and I feel like that's where I need to be. No "cheat days" or "cheat meals", like you said. Those don't work for me either. When you were doing Atkins, were you getting enough healthy fats?  I was reading that when you do low carb, you really have to have enough fat for your body to make up for the lost carbs.  I have been trying to put more coconut oil and grassfed butter into my diet.  It's hard for me, since my whole life has been about "lowfat and fat free". I grew up eating those horrid Snackwell cookies!! Stupid! I'd eat a whole box of those devil's food cookies and think i was eating healthy.. ugh. Anyway, coconut oil is very good for your hair and skin and I use it to cook my eggs, boca burger, grilled chicken, etc. It gives the food great flavor but not fruity at all.

Keep going and let us know how you're progressing. You are amazing!!!!!!!! :-)

That is why so many of us have weight loss surgery. I was a pro at losing weight, but could never keep it off. Now I can. I have kept off 200 pounds for over 4 years now.

Glad to hear you are back on track. Forgive yourself and move on from here.

Thanks guys :)  And no I don't think I was eating enough fat, really wasn't eating enough of anything.  And I'll def keep you guys updated  :)

Definitely keep us updated!!! Im so in awe...seriously.  You mentioned not eating enough...food is fuel...my motto.  I didn't realize I wasn't drinking enough.  Now I know and I am.

You are jamming!!  Keep at it.  Im living and learning...sounds like you are too:-).

tia

I'm a little late to this thread, but I thought I would contribute anyway! :)

Congrats on running - I'm in the exact same boat. I never thought I would be able to run again - despite being an athlete in high school. Even when I was playing basketball for hours after school everyday, I do not think that I could run for as long as I can now. I think I can safely say I'm in the best shape of my life!

Life has been a little too busy lately though. In February, I got a promotion at work and now I'm managing other people. I'm also teaching a lot more classes until we hire someone new. I'm taking a graduate course and I do freelance work to pay for my new found shopping obsession LOL and so life has been a little hectic. The DVR is full of great TV that I can't even find the time to watch LOL!

I finished the Couch25K app a little while ago... I ran up the "Hill" and I'm going to sign up for my first race on April 5th! I'm able to run a full 5K on the treadmill and it takes me about 33:30! Hopefully I can actually finish a race that has hills though! Yikes!

Eating has not been that great. I eat very well for awhile... then I go (what I like to call) "off the rails" for a few days where I eat anything/everything. So... I'm just continuing to work out, not obsessing over the scale, and trying to figure out how I can have a more balanced life. Definitely don't have that all figure out yet!!

P.S. - Didn't you tell me you're in Jacksonville?! That's where I'm going for a wedding next month - we should meet up!

This is going to sound silly to some people.Last night we went to dinner I got a salad.We went with my kids and I was eating and food fell onto my lap.Not on my boobs not on my gut on my lap.So that was major for me.I have so many shirts that have a stain on them.I am in a size 16 now and they are getting big.

Last night I had to retrieve my remote that fell behind the head of the bed. Up until last night I would have to get the broom to swat it out. I was actually able to get on my knees and reach it under the bed. I haven't been able to put any weight on my knees for way over a year. It was totally awesome that I could do that. I have only lost 61 pounds, 50 pre op and 11 post op, and I am amazed how much better my knees feel. I know it is just going to get better from here.

I really like this thread. ~ Mo