How are we doing? (Yet again!)
Aloha my fabulous OFF family.....I like to do this little survey every few months, and I think it's time again. I so much appreciate your all participating. I think it helps each of us (especially newcomers) to see how the others are working their "tool."
Here are the questions......altered from before:
1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: July 26, 2006/319/5'11"
2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 155 current/164 lbs. lost
3. Main source of protein: Shakes (with added fruit), yogurt, cottage cheese salad, soy crisps (my current passion) , chicken, steak, chili, shrimp, nuts.
4. How much water are you getting in?: Not sure anymore....but I keep a water bottle with me always and sip a lot.
5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I keep vitamins in a weekly " pill box" and a water bottle right beside my place on the couch so I don't forget.
6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? One pre-natal plus a senior vitamin each day, stool softener... 2 a day, B12 sublinqual (1 a week because my B12 was way high last blood work), Vit. B 1, once a week, Vit. A (5 x week), Vit. D, and one Magnesium daily.
7. Any medical problems? I've had things that I've had to see the doctor about, but most not WLS related...like cacified tendinitis in my shoulder, worry about losing too much (doc said I'm "normal"
, just aches and pains that come with getting older (Yikes!). Basically I am healthy and have more energy than I've had in years!
8. What kind of exercise are you doing? This is my BAD news right now....I've been doing NO exercise, and I feel guilty! I keep thinking I'll get back to the pool or at least walking on the beach, so so far it's all talk! (I wish this had changed, but it hasn't. I keep thinking if I exercise I'll lose MORE, and I don't want to.)
9. What your your current challenges? Exercise!! I can't seem to find the motivation to get me out there. My arms are flabby as are my thighs, and I know if I walked and worked with weights I'd get a little tone back. Also, getting in my protein and enough food so that I don't lose more is a challenge. I've become a "snacker." I always have with me things like dried apricots, nuts, soy crisps, protein bars and/or yogurt (at work).
10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am thrilled to my toes with the results of WLS!! I would do it over again in a heartbeat! I have reached my goal and 20 lbs. pounds below it. That, to me, is a miracle! I thought I would be the ONE that this didn't work for......I had failed so often with dieting.
11. What are some of your "wow" moments? My wow moments are continuing and always blow me away!! Small things lately make me smile inside...like putting on panties without holding on to something, or sitting on the floor with crossed legs and getting up from that position, or shopping in the "petite" section, or never thinking twice about any chair, theater seat, or airplane seat. (I used to dread those things...always worrying that I wouldn't fit or they would break.) Huge wow is just looking in the mirror and seeing a tall, skinny me who sometimes I don't recognize.
I could go on and on because I'm so thrilled with my new life and freedom in my body, but I want to hear YOUR STORY!!
Thanks for completing these questions with your own success story. We are each a "book" and I want to read yours and be inspired all over again!!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Here are the questions......altered from before:
1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: July 26, 2006/319/5'11"
2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 155 current/164 lbs. lost
3. Main source of protein: Shakes (with added fruit), yogurt, cottage cheese salad, soy crisps (my current passion) , chicken, steak, chili, shrimp, nuts.
4. How much water are you getting in?: Not sure anymore....but I keep a water bottle with me always and sip a lot.
5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I keep vitamins in a weekly " pill box" and a water bottle right beside my place on the couch so I don't forget.
6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? One pre-natal plus a senior vitamin each day, stool softener... 2 a day, B12 sublinqual (1 a week because my B12 was way high last blood work), Vit. B 1, once a week, Vit. A (5 x week), Vit. D, and one Magnesium daily.
7. Any medical problems? I've had things that I've had to see the doctor about, but most not WLS related...like cacified tendinitis in my shoulder, worry about losing too much (doc said I'm "normal"
, just aches and pains that come with getting older (Yikes!). Basically I am healthy and have more energy than I've had in years!8. What kind of exercise are you doing? This is my BAD news right now....I've been doing NO exercise, and I feel guilty! I keep thinking I'll get back to the pool or at least walking on the beach, so so far it's all talk! (I wish this had changed, but it hasn't. I keep thinking if I exercise I'll lose MORE, and I don't want to.)
9. What your your current challenges? Exercise!! I can't seem to find the motivation to get me out there. My arms are flabby as are my thighs, and I know if I walked and worked with weights I'd get a little tone back. Also, getting in my protein and enough food so that I don't lose more is a challenge. I've become a "snacker." I always have with me things like dried apricots, nuts, soy crisps, protein bars and/or yogurt (at work).
10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am thrilled to my toes with the results of WLS!! I would do it over again in a heartbeat! I have reached my goal and 20 lbs. pounds below it. That, to me, is a miracle! I thought I would be the ONE that this didn't work for......I had failed so often with dieting.
11. What are some of your "wow" moments? My wow moments are continuing and always blow me away!! Small things lately make me smile inside...like putting on panties without holding on to something, or sitting on the floor with crossed legs and getting up from that position, or shopping in the "petite" section, or never thinking twice about any chair, theater seat, or airplane seat. (I used to dread those things...always worrying that I wouldn't fit or they would break.) Huge wow is just looking in the mirror and seeing a tall, skinny me who sometimes I don't recognize.
I could go on and on because I'm so thrilled with my new life and freedom in my body, but I want to hear YOUR STORY!!
Thanks for completing these questions with your own success story. We are each a "book" and I want to read yours and be inspired all over again!!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: 6-29-04; before pre-op diet, 347, 5-3 1/2; after pre-op diet and before surgery 323
2. Current weight and lbs. 170; 167 pounds lost
3. Main source of protein: Meat, cheese, eggs, peanuts, other nuts, peanut butter, one AchievOne shake for breakfast, an occasional protein bar; cheese, chicken, tuna, cheese, did I mention cheese ... I love cheese.
4. How much water are you getting in? I drink water all day long; I get in plenty from water and coffee and other things. My nutrionist also said you ge****er from fruits/veggies too, so I figure I get in plenty of water.
5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yup
6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Prenatal vitamin, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, iron, B-12, fiber-con, stool softener, Calcium/mag supp. The Vit D was added this year after annual tests showed I was Vit D deficient ... guess that's something that doesn't happen much in Maui, huh, Karen?
7. Any medical problems? Stupid replacement knee isn't working right and I'm in pain most of the time because of it, but the ortho doc says there's nothing wrong with it ... but pain is supposed to be a symptom of something wrong, right? Also, my back still hurts, and shoots little tingling sensations into my big toe ... nerve damage, I guess. So I'm just a bundle of aches and pains.
8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Well, I wish I could be back in the pool, but my budget doesn't allow it, so I'm trying to cycle on my little exercycle in my living room and doing my stretches and weights and leg and butt lifts ... but those hurt my knee too ... I keep doing them, though, irregularly. Not really motivated to do them when they hurt, though.
9. What your your current challenges? I'm with you on the exercise, mostly due to pain. I have somewhat conquered the snacking issue ... I just put the stuff away from my recliner ... If I have to get up to get it, I usually won't eat it because I'm basically lazy. I was eating too much chocolate for awhile ... was hooked on the dark chocolate nuggets with almonds and figured I could eat them because they were small ... but I was eating four and six a day instead of two; I've learned my lesson! Now I just have two if any. (Two are 110 cals.; 4 are 220 ... so you do the math on 6 ... too much!) I started seeing the pounds creep on and didn't like it ... heard my mom's voice in the back of my head "You'll gain it all back!0
10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? No question, do it all again. Best decision I've ever made ... now about that knee replacement surgery ...
11. What are some of your "wow" moments? Sitting in an airplane seat without asking for an extension; looking in a mirror and seeing my curves (where did they come from?) having my aunt say I have a skinny butt; having a man say I am attractive (his loss that he never called me again!); being able to get and down from the floor easily (before the knee replacement); walking around the Mayan ruins ... couldn't do that six years ago; finding all these new friends on OFF; fitting into mediums ... and one size small capri; having a bp of 100/68!
How's that? Enough for you?
2. Current weight and lbs. 170; 167 pounds lost
3. Main source of protein: Meat, cheese, eggs, peanuts, other nuts, peanut butter, one AchievOne shake for breakfast, an occasional protein bar; cheese, chicken, tuna, cheese, did I mention cheese ... I love cheese.
4. How much water are you getting in? I drink water all day long; I get in plenty from water and coffee and other things. My nutrionist also said you ge****er from fruits/veggies too, so I figure I get in plenty of water.
5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yup
6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Prenatal vitamin, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, iron, B-12, fiber-con, stool softener, Calcium/mag supp. The Vit D was added this year after annual tests showed I was Vit D deficient ... guess that's something that doesn't happen much in Maui, huh, Karen?
7. Any medical problems? Stupid replacement knee isn't working right and I'm in pain most of the time because of it, but the ortho doc says there's nothing wrong with it ... but pain is supposed to be a symptom of something wrong, right? Also, my back still hurts, and shoots little tingling sensations into my big toe ... nerve damage, I guess. So I'm just a bundle of aches and pains.
8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Well, I wish I could be back in the pool, but my budget doesn't allow it, so I'm trying to cycle on my little exercycle in my living room and doing my stretches and weights and leg and butt lifts ... but those hurt my knee too ... I keep doing them, though, irregularly. Not really motivated to do them when they hurt, though.
9. What your your current challenges? I'm with you on the exercise, mostly due to pain. I have somewhat conquered the snacking issue ... I just put the stuff away from my recliner ... If I have to get up to get it, I usually won't eat it because I'm basically lazy. I was eating too much chocolate for awhile ... was hooked on the dark chocolate nuggets with almonds and figured I could eat them because they were small ... but I was eating four and six a day instead of two; I've learned my lesson! Now I just have two if any. (Two are 110 cals.; 4 are 220 ... so you do the math on 6 ... too much!) I started seeing the pounds creep on and didn't like it ... heard my mom's voice in the back of my head "You'll gain it all back!0
10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? No question, do it all again. Best decision I've ever made ... now about that knee replacement surgery ...
11. What are some of your "wow" moments? Sitting in an airplane seat without asking for an extension; looking in a mirror and seeing my curves (where did they come from?) having my aunt say I have a skinny butt; having a man say I am attractive (his loss that he never called me again!); being able to get and down from the floor easily (before the knee replacement); walking around the Mayan ruins ... couldn't do that six years ago; finding all these new friends on OFF; fitting into mediums ... and one size small capri; having a bp of 100/68!
How's that? Enough for you?
Aloha Eileen....and THANK YOU SO MUCH for your thorough answers to these questions. You and I have lost almost exactly the same amount of weight. You made me think of so many things that I struggle with, too. Like chocolate! I buy the sugarfree, but find myself having FOUR of them at a sitting. I do that too often I'm afraid, although I tell myself that since they are sugarfree, I'm not really hurting myself.
Cheese is something I love, too, but I really don't have it that often...not sure why. I forget to I think. I do like it sprinkled on top of chili or scrambled eggs.
I'm so sorry that your knee surgery has not turned out as you'd hoped, and I certainly wish for that to be fixed one of these days so you CAN get back to exercising when you feel like it.
Thanks again for great response!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Cheese is something I love, too, but I really don't have it that often...not sure why. I forget to I think. I do like it sprinkled on top of chili or scrambled eggs.
I'm so sorry that your knee surgery has not turned out as you'd hoped, and I certainly wish for that to be fixed one of these days so you CAN get back to exercising when you feel like it.
Thanks again for great response!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Here goes Karen.....thanks for doing this. I always like this so much.
Here are the questions......altered from before:
1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: August 29, 2007,242.2,5'3"
2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 122.4 current/119.8 lbs. lost
3. Main source of protein:Chicken, steak(beef), pork tenderloin, seafood, nuts, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt
4. How much water are you getting in?: about 96 ounces average
5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I keep vitamins, calcium etc next to my computer and journal everything as well. I have water with me at all times!!
6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Flinstones vitamins, calcium citrate chewables, iron, Benefiber
7. Any medical problems? Everything has pretty much corrected itself. I still have COPD but even that has improved. Arthritis and Fibromyalgia is so much improved! Diabetes is gone!!
8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Walking is still my #1 form of exercise and dancing is a close second!!
9. What your your current challenges? Not having any problems at this time.
10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am absolutely thrilled with the results. I would do it again in a heartbeat!! I feel better physically and mentally then I have in years! I encourage anyone who askes to seriously think about this surgery. It has saved my life!! The only regret I have is that I didn't do it many years ago.
11. What are some of your "wow" moments? My greatest WOW was when my granchildren were able to cuddle by me and get real close. They just love it!! Another is all the people that totally don't recognize me and I am right there in front of them. They are in awe!! Being able to walk for miles and dance has been a huge WOW as well. Getting up and down stairs and on to the floor and back up again without any struggle. Wearing a size 0 in Jrs. pants!! On and on the list goes!
Here are the questions......altered from before:
1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: August 29, 2007,242.2,5'3"
2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 122.4 current/119.8 lbs. lost
3. Main source of protein:Chicken, steak(beef), pork tenderloin, seafood, nuts, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt
4. How much water are you getting in?: about 96 ounces average
5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I keep vitamins, calcium etc next to my computer and journal everything as well. I have water with me at all times!!
6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Flinstones vitamins, calcium citrate chewables, iron, Benefiber
7. Any medical problems? Everything has pretty much corrected itself. I still have COPD but even that has improved. Arthritis and Fibromyalgia is so much improved! Diabetes is gone!!
8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Walking is still my #1 form of exercise and dancing is a close second!!
9. What your your current challenges? Not having any problems at this time.
10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am absolutely thrilled with the results. I would do it again in a heartbeat!! I feel better physically and mentally then I have in years! I encourage anyone who askes to seriously think about this surgery. It has saved my life!! The only regret I have is that I didn't do it many years ago.
11. What are some of your "wow" moments? My greatest WOW was when my granchildren were able to cuddle by me and get real close. They just love it!! Another is all the people that totally don't recognize me and I am right there in front of them. They are in awe!! Being able to walk for miles and dance has been a huge WOW as well. Getting up and down stairs and on to the floor and back up again without any struggle. Wearing a size 0 in Jrs. pants!! On and on the list goes!
Aloha beautiful Connie.......Omigod...you are such an inspiration!! Size 0 pants? What is that? How can something be size "nothing!" LOL....does that mean you are invisible? Sometimes it feels like magic has happened, doesn't it. Looking back at our fat years and then looking at our bodies now........it almost doesn't seem possible, does it. Sometimes I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and I'll be fat again.
I LOVE your wow moments. I just now had a wow moment.......my neighbor called me over to see her new toy....a "robot" vacuum cleaner. It's a little round thing that goes all around the room picking up dirt, cat hair, etc. I laughed so hard...it was so cute and funny looking, and we had to pick up our feet when it went around our chairs. Well, I wanted to see how it recharged itself, and the recharger was under their entertainment center. I got down on my hands and knees to look, and then came straight back up without even needing to grab anything. Oh, how I LOVE being able to do that! It supercharges my excitement over life and the gifts I've been given through their WLS.
Connie...thank you so much for responding. I really am loving reading about where everyone is......it's like a shot in the arm, or going to a motivational meeting that rocks!
Sending you a big aloha hug!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
I LOVE your wow moments. I just now had a wow moment.......my neighbor called me over to see her new toy....a "robot" vacuum cleaner. It's a little round thing that goes all around the room picking up dirt, cat hair, etc. I laughed so hard...it was so cute and funny looking, and we had to pick up our feet when it went around our chairs. Well, I wanted to see how it recharged itself, and the recharger was under their entertainment center. I got down on my hands and knees to look, and then came straight back up without even needing to grab anything. Oh, how I LOVE being able to do that! It supercharges my excitement over life and the gifts I've been given through their WLS.
Connie...thank you so much for responding. I really am loving reading about where everyone is......it's like a shot in the arm, or going to a motivational meeting that rocks!
Sending you a big aloha hug!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Bruce lives at my son's house. He cleans up the bird feathers. He's on a timer for twice a week and does it magnificently. Bruce has a little docking station under the end table in his den.
I've got a wife I pay $35 every two weeks to do what Bruce does. Well, so far, Bruce doesn't do dishes or laundry. My 'wife' does.
Janet
I've got a wife I pay $35 every two weeks to do what Bruce does. Well, so far, Bruce doesn't do dishes or laundry. My 'wife' does.
Janet
Too funny, Janet!! My friend's robot is named "Lolo".......and she cleans every day. You have a very reasonable "wife." Mine charges me $65 when she does my little place. But, then I have two cats, and oh so much kitty hair everywhere. But, I think I'm going to save my pennies and get myself a little round maid which will definitely have a name to fit her position.....Ha!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Love doing this...
1. Orientation 3/01/07 305.5 Surgery date 6/18/08 260 Height 5'1.5
2. Current weight and lbs lost 125 / 180
3. Protein: fish, chicken, soy, yogurt some cheese not much
4. water: 100oz +
5. Keeping up with vitamins. Yes, I have a pill box at home, work and in my car.
6. Vitamins : Cetrum Silver 2x, Bariatric advantage iron 29mg 2x, b-12 1x ,
calcium citrate petites 1500mg a day
7. Any medical problems: None, just your basic aches and pains that come with being 55 years old
8. exercise: 5k walk daily, gym 5-6 times a week, 3 yoga classes. I have walked in two 5k and one Relay for life 24hour walk for cancer. At the 24 hour walk I walked a total of 21.47 miles.
9. Keeping hands out of the raw almond jar.
10. I have nothing but positive things happening to me since WLS. I have found the me that was always there just buried under layers of fat.
11. TOO, TOO, many to count. All the ones that have been listed by the other ladies and such a feeling of peace within.
Debi
Aloha amazing Debi.........Omigod...I guess I haven't been paying attention, but I did NOT realize you had lost so much weight!! From 305 to 125? That is stunningly wonderful! You are no longer carrying around a large person on your back! Every time I do this little survey, I just get "chicken skin" with the stories that come back. It is so life affirming. I think that anyone who is contemplating this surgery, if they could just come in here and read the responses to this survey, they would not hesitate to sign up. I know there have been problems, and complications after WLS, but it seems to me that the overwhelming majority of us....especially the over 50's...have had successes beyond our wildest dreams.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I hope many many read yours and the others stories. These are lives that have been renewed, and that will probably live 20 years longer than we would have if we had stayed morbidly obese with all the problems that can come from that condition.
Hugs my friend!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I hope many many read yours and the others stories. These are lives that have been renewed, and that will probably live 20 years longer than we would have if we had stayed morbidly obese with all the problems that can come from that condition.
Hugs my friend!
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
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