Sunday Morning Weigh In

This Week's Stats (lbs):
506.5: All time high 9/9/9 (WW start) - BMI = 63.3
492.4: Tufts Medical Center Program Start 9/20/10
462.5: Lap RNY Surgery day 2/7/11
334.6: Last Week 11/6/11
329.6: This Week 11/13/11 --> 5 Pounds Lost this week - BMI = 41.2
176.9: Total Weight Loss

Well, after a major league stall the scale started ticking south again with a 5 pound loss this week. Halelujah! I had a fantastic week for exercise and diet and completed Week 6 of the C25K.com this past week with a 25 minute run. I am still amazed that I can run that long. I felt strong and like I could have kept going with ease. It is a truly remarkable feeling. In my upcoming week I have a 25 minute run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday which I am currently looking forward to. I don't think that I have ever sweat so much in the gym as when I run. Now I know why runners are so thin!!

I turned 45 this past week and my wife asked if I wanted to go out for Chinese food at our favorite restaurant. Well, I considered it but you know what, the food honestly doesn't do it for me as much as it used to prior to surgery. All of the greasy food just doesn't sit well and I usually have to take a 20-30 minute time out after a meal so that didn't seem very appealing. It was a weeknight so I opted instead to have my wife and two girls take me to the Providence Place IMAX theater and see Puss in Boots in 3D which was a lot more fun. Spending time with my girls and doing something we all really enjoyed. And actually a pretty good kids movie to boot!! What a new outlook on life I now have. It is wonderful.

I went to see the Boston Bruins play (I mean trounce 6-2) the Islanders last Monday and it was my first return to Boston Garden since surgery and you know what? I now fit in the seats. And fit comfortably. What a feeling that is. So now I have conquered Gillette Stadium, the Boston Garden, The Dunk Center and there is only one place left which is actually my absolute favorite... Fenway Park!! I'll get there in the spring and it will be absolutely amazing!!

Early on after surgery a friend of mine gave me a bunch of nice 2X athletic shorts (this was when I was still wearing 6X/7X) and when I took them out of the bag and held them up I said to myself that there was absolutely no way in hell that I would ever be able to squeeze into those itty, bitty shorts. Well, I pulled out the bag this past Friday because my 3X shorts were a baggy mess and was shocked to find that I can actually fit into those shorts and comfortably. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it when I hold them up now.

I have been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving these days and how much it has changed in my mind. I can remember when I started on the path to weight loss surgery in September, 2010 and I was on my liquid shake diet to lose the pre-requisite weight before surgery how much I would miss being able to pig out and overeat on Thanksgiving and was making myself depressed over it. I can remember my support group leader talking about making new non-food oriented traditions for Thanksgiving and thinking to myself you are crazy you skinny little thing. That will never happen. I guess I really had no idea how much this surgery would change my outlook on everything including this major food-eating holiday. Well fast forward 14 months and we are literally 9 days away from that holiday and I am plotting out my strategy for coming up with new non-food oriented traditions. Who'd have thunk it? Anyway, the plan is to get up on Thanksgiving and go to the local High School football game with my family. Something I couldn't have been bothered with in the past. Go visit with relatives. Have a little turkey at my family's house. Go for a walk after dinner. Maybe toss around a ball or throw a horseshoe. Just move a bit instead of parking my ass in front of a plate and tv for the day. I think that is the start of some new traditions. TIme will tell but I'm happy with the plan!! I'd love to hear what other folks may be planning or if there are other traditions they have for Thanksgiving which don't completely involve food.

Hope Everyone has a Great Week!

Stats:
Highest weight: 315
Start weight: 1/2011 305
Tufts start weight May 2011: 285
Surgery weight-7/5/2011: 265
Weight last Sunday Weigh-in: 206
Current Weight: 210
Goal Weight: 170ish
Lbs. gained this week :4

Well, here I sit with the realization of a gain instead of a loss this week. Apparently I have pushed the envelope of my re-acquired appetite. Not to mention a reaffirmation of my carb addiction. Bad food choices, period. Excessive portions, as well. The difference is, this time I will not get discouraged and give up. I recognize the mistakes I have made and must confront them and make adjustments. I refuse to bull**** myself into thinking it's okay to resume old bad eating habits.

This is where the true value of this forum will kick in, because I know each and every one of you guys is or will be dealing with similar issues. As much support as I have from my family and friends for making the decision for weight loss surgery and the impending results, there is no one else here who is going through my personal journey. People surrounding me are still eating and drinking whatever and how much food they feel like consuming, and this is the only place (aside from monthly support group) where I can get support and encouragement from people who have "been there, done that".

We have been invited to Thanksgiving dinner at my brother-in-laws house this year in Ashland, MA.
We have attended previous Thanksgiving events there in the past, and this year I have a heightened sense of concern, for two reasons.

1) Food overkill. Plain and simple. My brother in law's wife has a tendency to prepare for a dinner party of 20 by cooking enough food to feed a hundred. I need to be on my game to resist several varieties of food that I do not wish to be describing to you at the post-Thanksgiving weigh in. I am coming up with a game plan whi*****ludes showing up casually late, walking the pooch for a few miles (weather permitting), and then bugging out before the post-dinner grazing commences.

2) I am reluctant to be the focus of attention regarding conversations about my weight loss during an event that is celebrated by an abundance of food and gross overeating. My S-i-L is a sweet person, but can be dramatic and overbearing at times. Besides the obvious conversations I will encounter, she has a cousin with husband whom are morbidly obese. She has already mentioned this summer that they would be candidates for WLS and should use me as an example. I told her no ******' way was that going to happen, for they are painfully aware of their appearance and it would be like trying to convince an alcoholic to attend AA. My B-i-L has already expressed a statement to me that he is uncomfortable being in the same room with me because I am not the biggest person anymore. Jokingly, but with a hint of jealousy and contempt. I'm expecting similar reactions from the cousins, hence my concerns. Any comments from you guys on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated.

Congrats, Mike, on your downward spiral. I've been running on the treadmill as well, and it's hard to wrap my head around doing that, since I've never done that in my life. Keep up the good work!

Tim T.

STAT UPDATE: 12:38 P.M.
After my morning weight measurement and subsequent rant in the first paragraph, I remeasured after moving the scale around on my under construction bathroom floor to a more secure piece of underlayment. Apparently, not only did I not gain 4 lbs., but actually lost a pound bringing my total to the century mark. This does not mean my observations are going to go unrealized, but it certainly puts me in a better mood! So, here are the adjusted stats. Sorry for the confusion. GO PATS!!

Stats:
Highest weight: 315
Start weight: 1/2011 305
Tufts start weight May 2011: 285
Surgery weight-7/5/2011: 265
Weight last Sunday Weigh-in: 206
Current Weight: 205
Goal Weight: 170ish
Lbs. lost this week :1
Total loss from start weight: 100 LBS.!!

331.0: All time high 3/10/08
321.0: Surgery day 4/7/08
184.0: GOAL!! 1/13/09
173.0: 1 yr Surgiversary 4/7/09 and at 18 months
171.5: 2 yr Surgiversary! (Dr. scales)
175.5: 3 rd Surgiversary (his scales in shorts and t-shirt)
172.6: Last week
170.6: This week

I can't do Chinese post op either.  Besides I would not get my money's worth off the buffet! 

Decent week.  Same two pounds yo-yo'ing back and forth.  Got some walking in despite the time change.  That and a big ol' nasty stinky before getting on the scales this morning!

E.T.A. - Suprise I lost those two pounds.  New long awaited Mexican food place opened up in the town I work in last Monday.  Oh man!  Counting lunch there with Lady Friend yesterday think I was in there four times this week!  Really have it made good by end of this week.  Bar-B-Que joint is planning to open as well.

Tweaked my schedule at work so I can be off for Thanksgiving so I can go to Lady Friends for festivities with her family.  Little advice if this is your first Holiday Season post op - enjoy the company and not concentrate on the food itself!  No shoveling food on your plate.  Get just a dab and go on.  A bite or two of dressing, green bean casserole, piece of turkey or ham, cranberry sauce etc is not going to derail your weight loss journey.  If you even feel the need to sample the pumpkin pie - get a taste!  I'm not saying this to sabotage any bodies journey!  If in your heart of hearts you don't think you should get a bite of cottage cheese salad then don't!  Main thing is to enjoy yourself and the company you're with! 

Oh and drive safe over the Holiday Weekend!  If not, press firmly when you sign the citation(s).  There are four layers.

415: Highest
394: Start of my journey (7/15/11)
340: Day of Surgery (9/27/11)
307: Last week
304: This week

I am finally getting over this head cold which has kept me from working out like I want to. I am down another 3 pounds this week which I'll take given the fact I have felt like crap because of the cold.

So today I started the Couch to 5k program. Lets just say that I am really out of shape and will need to ramp myself up to it. The first workout, as with all of the workouts, starts with a 5 minute warmup walk followed by alternating 60 seconds of jogging and then 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. I started off strong, but by the 4th jogging interval I was not able to go the full 60 seconds. I made it about to the 30-35 second mark and had to switch back to walking because my legs burned. I did however attempt to jog at each interval for as long as my legs would allow me to. I know I will need to work my way up to this first workout and will stick with workout 1 until I can comfortable complete it. It may take me longer to reach the 5k goal, but as long as I get there nothing else matters.

I also ventured back to the Carrier Dome to watch my beloved Syracuse Orange play this past week. I don't remember the metal bleachers being so hard and uncomfortable. Maybe its just the padding I have lost on the back side. Either way they destroyed the Division II team that they were playing the exhibition against.

It is the loss of padding, especially around the tailbone- it's been killing me for a while- even in padded seats- feels like it's grown an inch.

Highest: 407 lb
Surgery: 5/17/10
Last week: 183.4 lb
This week: 182.0 lb
Loss this week: 1.4 lb
Total loss: 225 lb

A small loss overall for me this week. Last night I cooked for about 25 people at a birthday party for a friend. I overdid a little, mostly on wine. (probably more than a little bit, but I'm a bit fuzzy on some of the details...)

I was generally able to control my portions and food intake. I was prepared to allow myself some leeway, but honestly the pouch is not terribly forgiving, so I knew I had to be careful. I just didn't think I want to overdo and throw up while hosting a houseful of people (call me overly polite, huh?).

Tim, I think being around these temptations is a mental challenge, but it has been my opinion since the beginning that I have to own that challenge and never expect others to change because of me. That said, you are right in making your strategy that removes you from high risk situations..arriving late, walking the dog, etc. And, I also do not allow myself to ever feel denied anything. Rather, if it's something irresistible, I will allow myself a taste, a bite only and that seems to satisfy me. So, don't go in saying I cannot have pumpkin pie, rather think I get to taste the pie.

353:  The high
340:  RNY 9-12-11
331:  09-18-11
292:  10-23-11
289:  10-30-11
284:  11-06-11
280:  11-13-11

73 LBS Total

Good Morning to All!

It's snowing here in the Rockies of Colorado and that makes me excited! This year is going to be a great one with my family out sledding, snowmobiling, and just horsing around. I can really feel this 73 lb loss and I am so much more limber now!

We went swimming last night (at my suggestion-first time that ever happened) and I had a great time! Afterwards, ice cream for the kids and iced tea for me.

I too am putting together my gameplan for Thanksgiving, hopefully I will have it figured out in time. I like your ideas Mike and may try to incorporate them into some of my day too. Most importantly for me will be to get the heck out of the house before and after the dinner so I can keep the snacking and dinner off my mind.

Have a blessed week!

Bill

11/13/2011
339 : Highest
299.8 : Day of Surgery (10/19/11)
286 : Last week
282 : This week

Morning gentlemen:
My goal for the upcoming week is to not hurt myself.  I am three weeks out of surgery and I have done a major hurt on myself every week since I got out.  First a kidney stone, then stretching, and last week I was walking along a beach and fell off a four foot high log.  I buggered up my leg and my hand on the fall and that got in the way of my exercise big time.  My gym exercises were great because my trainer compensated for the leg, but I had to cut my walking pretty much in half.

It was a good week since I lost four pounds.  But I am not sure is just losing the poundage is a way to measure a good week from a bad week.  I think what is happening more is learning to change my attitudes towards food and the roles it plays in my life.  You guys are lighting the way with your choices of going to movies, family time, playing in the snow and swimming instead of the foodie places.

I did have chinese food, the first time since my operation, but it was different.  First of all I talked to the cook with the help of a bi-lingual waitress and explained how I couldn't have food like lettuce, fried food, carbs, and beef because of the surgery and he came up with a  bariatric friendly cashew chicken for me.  It was great.  They thought I didn't like it because I ate so little of it but I explained I had a lot.  I was a bit worried because of the two plates we had (whole wheat tan-tan (peanut noodles was the other) my wife ate everything I didn't.  We split a lot but I used to eat the majority of the food.  I don't want her developing a weight problem just because I am working on getting rid of mine.

So this is going to be a good week,  My surgeon has cleared me for swimming, so tomorrow we are going water walking.

Have a great we guys, you are all inspirations.

Stats:
429: All time high 12/1/11
380: Lap VSG Surgery day 8/30/11
323.8: Last Week 11/06/11
319.8: This Week 11/13/11
4 LBS LOST THIS WEEK
60.2 lbs Lost since surgery
109.2: Total Weight Loss

What a nice, relaxing week.  Had the worst week of getting into the gym since I joined.  Only made it to the gym 3 times this week.  Not a bad deal, since that is the minimum the Dr requires, but life just kept getting in the way of my personal preference of 5 times a week.  However, I don't regret it.  I didn't get to go on Thursday or Friday because I spent the evenings after work ****il 10p and 11p respectively) babysitting my Goddaughter.  Her parents needed a sitter both nights and I was thrilled to spend the time with her.  She is such a sweet, beautiful little 20 month old.  

Other than that, had to do some more shopping this week.  Got new shoes for work, one pair each of black and brown because the others were so loose that they "clapped" when I walked.  Yesterday had a great time with the wife picking me out a new pair of jeans.  These are the second pair I have had to buy since WLS.  The ones I wore to the hospital were 56's, then I dropped down to 52's that I have been wearing until yesterday when I bought some 48's!!!!  Let me just tell you that I was wearing 50's when I started my job in Oct 2000, and had been for a couple of years, so this is the smallest I have been in probably 15 years!!!!!  WOOOO HOOOOO!!!  I am quite excited to get rid of these 52's...  There have been alot of FARTS in them, and don't know how much more they can take!  Time to move on!!!

This next week should be pretty normal.  Have to go get my blood work done for my 3 month follow up with my Dr on 11/30.  Other than that, should just be work, gym, home, sleep, repeat. 

As far as Thanksgiving goes, I am blessed to know this year shouldn't be a big deal.  Normally the wifes whole family comes to our house for Thanksgiving and we do the big huge overindulgence of food and deserts.  However, this year neither of her sisters (and associated families) can't come.  That leaves us with just her Mom and Dad.  They have been extremely cautious and nervous prior to surgery, but at the same time, two of the most supportive people we had in our lives.  That being said, they are coming still for Thanksgiving (which I am very glad about) but we will keep things small and on plan for the most part.  My MIL always makes potato salad for me at every holiday meal.  She makes it the same as my late Grandmother made and knows how much it means to me and how much I love it.  So, I am sure she will make it again, and I WILL eat some, but I am going to limit myself to a tablespoon or so and stick to the plan.  Luckily, turkey is definately on plan, and I LOVE turkey!  Sweets were never my weakness, just red meat and portion control.  I have been doing great with both thus far, and don't plan to stop now.  I have a lot to be thankful for, and don't plan to screw that up for some food.  

GOD I LOVE MY NEW ME!!!!  Life is so much better already!!!!  By the way, saving $300-500 a month in eating out pre-wls has made life much easier in many ways as well!!!!  I am having trouble with coming up with anything I regret about having WLS or anything that I miss too terribly much.  My wife and I were talking yesterday about what we miss, and the only food we could both come up with that we truly miss to the point we wish we could have it today is... of all things... PIZZA!  So while I post this, she is on her computer trying to find some low fat, low carb, pizza recipes online.  We'll see how that goes.

Well, I think I have rambled on long enough.  See you next Sunday, if not before... LOSERS!!!!