4 month post-op (pics)
Four months. A third of a year. What a great third it's been.
As I check back on my weight loss numbers, I get frustrated at the rate at which it has slowed. Then reality slaps me in the face and I accept that just a few months ago I was carrying around the equivalent of my six year old and my ten month old, combined! I've lost ten pounds in the last month; however, all of it was in the last week. I met a rough stall at the three month mark, but kept exercising and following my diet plan. Then the ten pounds came off in one week. Crazy path I'm on! I've seen others with similar start weights and dates have more weightloss than me, but comparing my weight loss to other's is futile and emotionally damaging. We all start from different places, and our bodies have different ways of losing. I'm thrilled with the way my body has changed.
I've squeezed into size 34 jeans (that I found at Goodwill). I've bought size large shirts--still wearing mostly extra larges, but they're available everywhere, not limiting me to the stores with a Big & Tall shop. I've emptied the big stuff from my closet, the only big thing left is the empty space. I can't wait to fill that space with 'regular' sized clothes that look nice on me, not just cover me up.
Exercise has become a big part of my life. I chuckled as I read back over my three month post, cheering about the victory of running five minutes straight. I remember that like it was yesterday...and yet it's the distant past now. Today, on my four month surgiversary, I ran my first 5K. That's 30 whole minutes of running!! I had set this as a goal to complete in Mid-April, and figured that I would complete the C25K program next week that the extra 3-4 weeks of running would prepare me to compete. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. After getting through week 7 of C25K, I jumped right to completing 5K runs outdoors. I now have a goal to complete a major 10K race here in Atlanta on July 4th and today's race earned me a qualifying time! I am so proud of myself for doing it. And, even met my goal to complete it in less than thirty minutes. I came in at 29:50!!! That felt great. I'm still playing volleyball for a couple hours a week, and feel like I fit in with the rest of the guys rather than silently declaring myself the biggest guy on the court. I'm also a few weeks into my singles tennis season with doubles starting up nex week. I've not had the success I wanted on the tennis court, but the game is about a lot more than just speed. I've surprised myself with the balls that I could get to this time around--now I just need to serve and hit better.
I still have moments when I eat poorly; but, as before, the slips are small--except for The Great Girl Scout Cookie Attack of 2011!!! But that has passed. When I make mistakes in my food choices, I let myself think about my emotional state, and whether that drove the choice. Sometimes it did. Sometimes it didn't. If emotion wasn't involved, I'm better with that. I fear the emotional eating; after all, that's what led me to three hundred sixteen pounds (it makes me shudder to even type that out). I have also found out that the extra exercise makes me want to eat more. I think that's a natural sign from my body searching for fuel. But I try to satisfy it with protein, or just a few Reduced Fat Wheat Thins--the carbs seem to help.
All in all, I'm still very satisfied with my decision to have the sleeve surgery. I think it fits my goals well. I'm grateful for all that I've been able to accomplish to date. I'm excited about coming achievements in the future.
Thanks again to this great group for the support and encouragement.
Chad
And my favorite!
As I check back on my weight loss numbers, I get frustrated at the rate at which it has slowed. Then reality slaps me in the face and I accept that just a few months ago I was carrying around the equivalent of my six year old and my ten month old, combined! I've lost ten pounds in the last month; however, all of it was in the last week. I met a rough stall at the three month mark, but kept exercising and following my diet plan. Then the ten pounds came off in one week. Crazy path I'm on! I've seen others with similar start weights and dates have more weightloss than me, but comparing my weight loss to other's is futile and emotionally damaging. We all start from different places, and our bodies have different ways of losing. I'm thrilled with the way my body has changed.
I've squeezed into size 34 jeans (that I found at Goodwill). I've bought size large shirts--still wearing mostly extra larges, but they're available everywhere, not limiting me to the stores with a Big & Tall shop. I've emptied the big stuff from my closet, the only big thing left is the empty space. I can't wait to fill that space with 'regular' sized clothes that look nice on me, not just cover me up.
Exercise has become a big part of my life. I chuckled as I read back over my three month post, cheering about the victory of running five minutes straight. I remember that like it was yesterday...and yet it's the distant past now. Today, on my four month surgiversary, I ran my first 5K. That's 30 whole minutes of running!! I had set this as a goal to complete in Mid-April, and figured that I would complete the C25K program next week that the extra 3-4 weeks of running would prepare me to compete. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. After getting through week 7 of C25K, I jumped right to completing 5K runs outdoors. I now have a goal to complete a major 10K race here in Atlanta on July 4th and today's race earned me a qualifying time! I am so proud of myself for doing it. And, even met my goal to complete it in less than thirty minutes. I came in at 29:50!!! That felt great. I'm still playing volleyball for a couple hours a week, and feel like I fit in with the rest of the guys rather than silently declaring myself the biggest guy on the court. I'm also a few weeks into my singles tennis season with doubles starting up nex week. I've not had the success I wanted on the tennis court, but the game is about a lot more than just speed. I've surprised myself with the balls that I could get to this time around--now I just need to serve and hit better.
I still have moments when I eat poorly; but, as before, the slips are small--except for The Great Girl Scout Cookie Attack of 2011!!! But that has passed. When I make mistakes in my food choices, I let myself think about my emotional state, and whether that drove the choice. Sometimes it did. Sometimes it didn't. If emotion wasn't involved, I'm better with that. I fear the emotional eating; after all, that's what led me to three hundred sixteen pounds (it makes me shudder to even type that out). I have also found out that the extra exercise makes me want to eat more. I think that's a natural sign from my body searching for fuel. But I try to satisfy it with protein, or just a few Reduced Fat Wheat Thins--the carbs seem to help.
All in all, I'm still very satisfied with my decision to have the sleeve surgery. I think it fits my goals well. I'm grateful for all that I've been able to accomplish to date. I'm excited about coming achievements in the future.
Thanks again to this great group for the support and encouragement.
Chad
And my favorite!
HW: 316 / SW: 294 / CW: 197.5 / GW: 195
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
Hey Chad - great post and great progress! Congrats on your continued success and completion of your first 5K! Keep up the great work! mike
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
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