A New Month

I'm down 94 lbs and I'm 7 months out. I'm so pleased. I've been evaluating my stress factors.

Work continues to be stressful. I've worked at a major computer company for 18 years. This was my first real job right out of college. Corporate America has changed so much since 1990. If you are in Corporate America, I'm sure you can relate to my next statement, "my company has continued to downsize and the work load for the remaining employees seems to increase daily. While I'm grateful not to be one of the ones laid off, there's a lot of pressure.


I'm working on my plan B. For the last 10 years, I've wanted to go to nursing school. Yesterday, I found a nursing program in my area for students who already have a Bachelors degree in another field. It's a 16 month program as long as the pre-requisites have been completed. I know it's a challenging program but it will be worth while if my time comes. I need to schedule some time with an academic counselor to see what I need to do to prepare for the program. I'm hoping and praying for at least 18 more months with my company, so I can pay my car off. I would like to have 20 years of service too.


Anyway, next week is my daughter's 7th birthday and I told her that she is not having a party this year. She usually has a party because she's an only child and it gives her something to do, but not this year. I am planning a special day for her and two of her friends, but I haven't decided what to do yet.

I have not been consistent with my exercise and I so want to do better in this area. It seems like I can eat almost anything now, so I really focus on portion control. I only eat off salad plates to make sure I don't eat more than I need to eat.


I still need to do a beter job of getting all of my supplements in. I'm still working on my hair issues which seems to be improving. I hope I'm done with that.


I'll chat later.

6 month check up went well

It been a while. I had my 6 month check up today. It went well. I am 86 lbs down from my highest weight and 79 lbs down from my pre-surgery weight. Dr. Smith was very pleased. This month has been very stressful from a work perspective, and I've found myself wanting to snack. Luckily I can't eat that much but it definitely re-enforce the importance of dealing with why I eat. I'm still sorting through this, but from what I hear, its a continual process.

People are starting to say that they don't recognize me. I'm not use to the attention I get at church now. Since, I work from home, most of my co-workers have not seen me and I'm afraid to see them, one of my friends and I are going to lunch next week, and I'll have to see how that goes.

I love reading everyone blog and I will try to do a better job of blogging myself. I'm still working through the hair loss. I'm hoping that it will stop now that I'm six month out; and I think I do a better job of getting my daily protein allowance.

Last night my church had movies under the stars and I wore a tank top. Who would have thought this day would ever come. The "wow" is this; I wanted to layer two tank tops but I didn't have the color I needed so I called my sister. My sister is the largest she's ever been in her life and that's a size 10-12. She offered me one and I said, well do you think I can wear it....and she was "well yeah". Imagine that.

Approximately 2.5 years ago, before my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was training for a marathon. I can't wait to do that again. I plan to start training in the fall for a 1/2 marathon. There's no doubt that I can do it, because I was up to 11-15 miles a week and I weighed about 60 lbs more than I do now. The only thing is instead of walking most of it, now, I will probably be able to run most of it. We'll see how that goes.

This has been therapeutic blogging today. I will try to do it more often

30 days later

Well, I guess I will start by saying that I'm down 71 lbs since my surgery. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about losing weight. I can't get all of my supplements in. Protein shakes/drinks make me gag, so my hair is falling out.

Although, I know these things are temporary, I"m starting to become discouraged. I couldn't even get my labs done last month because they couldn't get any blood. (not even a drop) So, apparently, I'm not getting enough fluids even though I try.

I know it won't always be this way and I hope I can get past this point soon.

One thing I neglected to share is that I reached WONDERLAND before the end of March. HIP HIP HORRAY....I'm excited. I want to purchase clothes but I can't bring myself to do so when I go to the store. I always buy something for someone else, not me. I'm not sure why but that just happened again today.

I'm down to one pair of pants that will be too big in a couple of weeks, so I will have to do something....Anyway, just wanted to provide an update. I hope to post on a more regular bases.

3 Months Surgi-versary

It's been a while. I just wanted to provide a brief update. I'm 3 months out today. I've lost 59.2 pounds. I still have difficulty getting in my supplements and protein in each day. Frankly food doesn't excite me. This bothered me at first but not now.

I'm trying my best not to go bald. LOL My hair is thinning and it "bums me out" because I've always had thick hair. I keep reminding myself that it's temporary and that it will grow back. I also decided to let my relaxer grow out which will make a big difference. I'm not sure if I can do this going into summertime, but I am going to try.

Life is different for me. I still don't have the energy to exercise like I should. I'm hoping to be a member of the century club by the end of March.

I'm glad Spring is on the way, I think I will get out more and enjoy the nice weather. I use to wear 3W in shirts or size 22W in pants. I now wear 16W in pants...so, I only have 2 pairs of pants to wear right now, but frankly it doesn't bother me at all.

I'm looking forward to attending support group again. January and February meetings didn't work out for me, but I really want to go.

So my goals this month are as follows:
1. consistent exercise
2. increase protein intake
3. attend support group meeting and
4. become a member of the Century Club.

I realize that I have more control over the first 3 items than I do over the last one. I'll definitely keep you posted. I hope everyone is doing well!

Staying Focus

It's been a while since I logged in and updated this site. I'm 6 weeks out and I still feel restricted. I don't really enjoy eating which I guess is a good thing but it's somewhat disappointing to me too. I don't have a problem with the fact that I eat smaller amounts of food, I just want to enjoy the foods that I eat.

I'm not getting my supplements in. I'm trying to find ones that agree with me. I found a ADEK from SourceCF that's a softgel and it works well. I'm still looking for a chewable calcium supplement. Right now, I'm not drinking any protein shakes, they make me gag and throw up. So, I'm only getting protein from my foods. I'm getting nervous about that because I don't want to lose my hair 2 months from now. So, I need to have a sense of urgency.

So, the immediate goals are to get all of my water, protein, supplements and vitamins each day. I think I found a calcium supplement that's chewable.

I know it gets better and that's what I tell myself to encourage myself. I want to eat a salad and what really amazes me about this desire is that I'm not a salad person, but I can't wait to add lettuce to my menu. I'm not sure when I can, but I plan to find out.

Well, I don't have anything else to say right now. The weight is coming off even though, I don't have the energy to exercise daily. That's my goal for February; to exercise regularly every week.

Remembering 2007 and Welcoming 2008

I guess it's time to put some of my goals in writing. I've been relunctant to do that thus far.

At the end of October, my highest weight was 268.6 lbs. When I had DS on December 4th, I weighed 255 lbs.
Three weeks post-op, I weighed 233.6 lbs.
Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks post-op but I will record my 1 month weight loss.

Goals for 2008

1. Spend quality time with my daughter
2. Become more active in my church
3. I personally think I can make my initial goal weight - 160 lbs this year. Second goal weight is 150 lbs.
4. Began training for the 1/2 marathon
5. Save more money
6. Become an expert in my new job

Happy New Years to each of you and your family. I'm expecting great things in 2008.

Oh well

At this point I don't think anyone is reading this so I can practice my thoughts until I get an audience.

I guess one of the things I need to address is how I am doing? I still need time to mentally evaluate my progress. Of course from a weight loss perspective, I'm on the losing side BUT....

I am excited about 2008!

My First Post

I'm quite inexperience with blogging. The only reason why I decided to give it a try is because I too want to be successful with my DS. I'm very impressed with the DS bloggers and I look forward to seeing what's happening with them daily.

New Years Day, I will be 4 weeks post-op and there are so many emotions. It hasn't been easy especially being so restricted through the Christmas holidays, but I survived and I'm glad it's over.

Like others, I'm so looking forward to New Years and setting new goals. As I decide what my goals are for 2008, I will post them to keep me honest.