As a gift for meeting my goal my best friend Kim took me to get my belly button pierced. It looks a little funny because of the excess skin on my belly, but I'm proud of it. Kim is a great friend and has been supportive all the way, even when I started to weigh less than her. :o)
navel ring, scar and all!
I'm still holding at a size 12 but I'm hoping through exercise I'll get into a size 10 without losing more weight. I'm hoping to to keep the weight off, but also not have to struggle to stop losing. I've altered my cardio workout and stepped up my strength training and I'm hoping that will do the trick.
I have an appointment with my surgeon in a week, so I'll update after I see him. I'm not done updating just because I met my goal. My journey isn't over yet! Thanks to all of you who have followed my weight loss and who have offered support, encouragement and praise!
Day 315 - Still losing, now at 135 pounds, a loss of 156 pounds. I see my surgeon tomorrow, so I'll ask him what to do about the continued weight loss. I'll update again soon.
Day 323 - Down to 133 pounds a loss of 158 pounds. The great news is I fit in a size 10!
My surgeon was not concerned with my weight loss and thought I would be fine if I lost a little more weight. I was still concerned, so I spoke to the cordinator of the bariatric program. She suggested Designer Whey Protein from GNC mixed with milk. I'll get 26 more grams of protein and healthy calories. She also suggested I bump up my weight training program. While it will help burn calories, it also bulks me up a little and keeps me from losing more weight.
Christmas wasn't too hard in the way of food. Anything I cooked was healthy, and I only had a treat once in awhile through the holidays. I didn't gain and I didn't lose.
My family was in town for the holidays and stayed at our house. It was a bit stressful, but I loved being with my family. My brother is very serious about exercise so I invited him to the YMCA to work out with me one day. I had been building up the courage to try running on the treadmill and this is his area of expertise. I made myself run for 1 mile with a warm up and cool down. I was completely exhausted, my heart rate was too high and I was sore for days, but I DID IT!!! Another goal I set for myself reached and passed. Hopefully I can keep it up a least once a week.
Day 333 - One day shy of 11 months out and holding at 133 pounds. I'm working very hard to change my diet to be more balanced; include more fruits and veggies. I see a dietician this week to help me with that. I also have a sleep study this week to determine why I am so tired all the time. Wish me luck!
Day 335 - Weight moved to 134, and that's fine with me. I had my body composition done yesterday at the YMCA and it was 19.6%! Anywhere in the range of 18% to 25% is normal, and I'm towards the bottom of the scale! I guess all my hard work at the YMCA is really paying off!
I tried a new program at the Y today called Interval Circuits. It combines cardio, strength training and stretching using lots of different workout tools. It was a harder workout than I get in the Fitness Center doing my own workout, so I'm really psyched! On Mondays I start a new program called NIA at the Y. It's a combo of martial arts, dance, yoga and other mind, body, spirit cardio workouts to balance strength and increase flexibility. I'm really excited about trying this one, too. Plus I get to meet lots of great new people!
I've also started volunteering at the Y. I just do little chores in the Fitness area; laundry, cleaning, filing and little projects. I'm hoping volunteering will lead to a permanent employment position there. I would absolutely LOVE working at the YMCA. It's such a positive atmosphere, and I want to help people like I was helped in the Personal Fitness Program at the Y. I can't say enough good things about the Y. You should really check out your local Y to see what kinds of programs they have that can enhance your life. They never turn anyone away because of inability to pay. Take a chance and see how your life changes for the better when you commit yourself to a healthy lifestyle!
My sleep study is tonight. I will update on that soon. I also had my thyroid checked and have an appointment to see the nutritionist in a few days. I need a more well rounded diet. It turns out I'm a little anemic. I have to start taking Iron supplements.
Day 351 - A lot has happened since my last entry. I've wavered between 134 and 130 pounds, which is where I am now. That's a loss of 161 pounds. I should be competely honest and say I'm having trouble with my diet. I never thought I would ever, ever say this, but I just don't want to eat. It's a chore, so I find whatever's easy and healthy. Unfortunately those choices aren't making a well rounded diet. I've started taking iron supplements, when I remember. I can't take them with my other supplements because calcium and iron don't absorb well together. I absolutely love the "chocolate" Designer Soy Whey Protein shakes I've been making. 8 oz. of milk, a couple of ice cubes and a scoop of powder in the blender, and I have a frothy chocolate milk shake. I've upped my water intake a little because I can at least drink if I'm not hungry.
My sleep study was actually a nice experience, aside from all the electrodes glued to my head! The room was very cozy and inviting. I felt very comfortable and I didn't get bored, I had plenty of things to occupy me. The staff was incredible! I couldn't have asked for more competent, nice, polite or respectful people to work with. Unfortunately the results didn't show anything conclusive. My doctor thinks my medications are messing with my sleep and wake cycles. He wants to make some adjustments to my medication and see it that helps.
I loved the Interval Circuits class at the Y. Due to a hectic schedule I haven't gone very much, just used the fitness center. I also started my NIA class at the Y. I admit I am a little disappointed, it's not the "mind, body, soul" experience I'd hoped for. But it's still fun, so I keep going. We're learning to "free dance". I need more work on that one. Hopefully that is where I will get a connection between mind and body.
Just today I was offered a job at the Y, 2 days a week in the fitness center! It seems hanging around the Y so much has paid off. I have also met so many great people, most of whom are very fitness oriented and seem very open and willing to offer their help or support in small ways.
Drum Roll Please ... I am finally getting my reward for all the weight loss goal rewards I wasn't able to have! Due to that situation, Valentine's Day coming up and the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my surgery on February 6, we are taking a little vacation, child-free!!!
My husband and I are going to drop Noah off at Grandma and Grandpa's house on the way to Chicago. I'm going to be pampered at a salon there I found on the internet called Tirra Salon & Spa. I'm having a pedicure and manicure, and then I'm having my hair styled up and my make-up done. Jeff and I have reservations at a romantic restaurant we also found on the internet called Narcisse. I'm very excited to do these very grown-up things that I haven't done in years! Jeff is most excited to see the Sears Tower. He loves tall buildings! Please say a prayer that everything goes well. I understand the traffic in Chicago is all day rush hour, and I've never had to use a cab by myself! :o)
Day 359 - 6 days short of 1 year. My anniversary is February 6, 2004. My weight is still wavering a little, usually between 132 and 130 pounds. I am completely fine with this. My excess skin is still a self-cons?cious problem I have.
:'o( Unfortunately, our Chicago plans fell through. Our vehicle has been in and out of the shop for the last couple weeks and has eaten up our budget for our vacation. Noah might still go to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a few days, but Jeff and I will be staying home. Maybe we'll find a romantic place to eat, maybe go to a movie and just enjoying being husband and wife instead of Momma and Daddy for a few days. And maybe I can still get a pedicure, or something to make me feel special on my 1 year anniversary.
I was struggling to think of something positive to share today, but I found some things to share. I really like my job at the Y. I took an extra shift for a friend at the Y who is a licensed massage therapist in return for a massage. Lord knows I could use something like that right now. A little pampering never hurt anyone, and I could learn to do more of that for myself.
On the flip side, mostly when I work at the Y, I've been getting male attention. Ha!!! When I was overweight I never had this problem. I'm reminding people often that I'm married and try to leave it at that. I'm also getting my wedding rings sized this week so I can wear them again after almost a year. They're being sized from a 10-something to a 6 1/2. (Wow!) Hopefully this will discourage too much attention.
I've made a male friend who works at the Y and I really enjoy talking with him. Jeff has met him and knows that I just want to learn as much as I can from this friend and that he's fun to be around. He's been practicing physical fitness for many years and seems to enjoy my company and doesn't seem to mind teaching me some of what he knows. I told him to think of me as a sponge, I am willing to absorb anything anyone can teach me about fitness.
On another positive note, I've signed up for a Group Fitness Certification workshop in a month that will allow me to become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. I also ordered the materials to study for the Certified Personal Trainer Program. I know I'm not ready for that yet, but I'm making it a goal and taking the steps I need to make it happen. The workshop for the Group Fitness Certification is here in town, but the Personal Trainer Certification workshops are not around here. It's a 2 day workshop and I'll probably need to travel out of state for it. But when the time is right I believe it will happen. Check out the Certification website at: www.NDEITA.com.
January, February and March have always been difficult months for me regarding depression. I'm really doing fairly well this year, but there are still days I wish I could stay curled up in bed. Thanks to Noah, that doesn't happen. I also struggle with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, but it's pretty much under control right now. I've started reading more in-depth about Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality in regards to how they can help with stress management, focus, and the mind, body, spirit connection. I've come to think of these things as essential in my life, and I'm looking forward to the journey to reach these fulfillments. Writing these journal entries is, I hope not only informative to those who read them, but they are also therapeutic for me. I almost always feel better after sharing during an entry. Thank you for reading, and drop me an email or sign my guestbook to celebrate my 1 year anniversary of surgery on February 6.
Pre-op
Surgery
Post-op
Measurements & Goals
Weight Loss Pictures
Goal Weight Met!
One Year Post-op and More
Heidi's Favorite Quotes
Sign My Guestbook