5k coming up

I am walking another 5k this Saturday. It is called the pumpkin run.  Part of the walk is through a corn maze.  Hubby and all 3 kids are walking with me.  I signed up for this about 3 months ago and I was really looking forward to it.  But unfortunately, my motivation is not there.  There is something personal going on right now (I am not able to talk about it on the blog...yet), and it is emotionally and mentally draining.  I am hoping that come 5k day, I can get excited about it.  I think we are going out tonight to buy our orange tutus for the walk...which should be fun.

I want this to be a fun experience for hubby and the kids especially since it is their first 5k. It's also my first chipped and timed 5k.  I am going to do my best to keep on keeping on.

If anyone would like to cheer us on, the Pumpkin Run starts at 10:00 Saturday morning at Konow's Corn Maze in Homer Glen, IL (http://www.konowscornmaze.com).  Admission is $10 and included rides for the kids.

Thanks again for all the encouragement, thoughts, and prayers.

One year surgiversary

One year ago today I had a vertical sleeve gasterectomy.  I can't believe it was a year ago.  My highest weight was 398, my weight the day of surgery was 341.  Today's weight is 282.  That is a total of 116 pounds lost, 59 of those in the past year.  I wish the results could be better at this point, but I am happy with myself.

A lot has happened in the past year.  I have walked a 5k and will be doing another one in 10 days.  I am down 6 pants sizes (7 depending on the pants).  I can walk and stand for long periods of time without aching feet and the need to sit after 30 seconds.  I am comfortable with how I look in a swimsuit.  I have a lap again, and my stomach isn't pressing into the steering wheel.  I can wear smaller necklaces.  I can walk up and down stairs without feeling like I'm going pass out because I can't breathe.  I can tie my shoes and cut my toenails without gasping for air.  The list goes on and on.

On the medical side....I am no longer a diabetic.  I only take 1 blood pressure medication instead of 3.  My cholesterol is good with zero medication.  Yes I have to take a multi-vitamin, a b-12 pill, and iron along with just a couple of other meds.

There are some issues that will be solved eventually.  I need to have the skin removal surgery, which I hope to find out more about in the next month or two.  I would like to get below 250, and eventually below 200.  I would like to walk more 5k's and maybe even do something longer.

All in all....life is good.  God is good!!

Thanks to everyone who had stood behind me and has helped me and prayed for me.  Thank you for the encouragement and the kick in the butt when I've needed it (and yes, I did go to the gym today).  Thanks be to God for all he has given to me.

Well, I did it

Did what, you ask??

I finally got my lazy ass back to the gym.  And you know what???  It felt good.

I did 3 sets of 10 reps on 11 different machines.  I did legs, arms, and back.  And every single time I work in the office, I need to use my lunch hour to go to the gym.  NO MORE EXCUSES!!!  I'm good at making excuses, that's for sure.  My 10-year surgiversary is fast approaching, and I'm not where I had hoped I would be.  My eating could be better,  but it's not horrible.  What I'm lacking is exercise!!!!  I need to exercise!!!  Come hell or high water, I need to get active.

I've been reading posts from my friends, Kathy and Patty, who get out and walk or run on a regular basis.  I need to use that inspiration and get my butt moving again.

So if you don't see posts at least once a week about me exercising, feel free to call, email, texts, or slap me upside the head.  Enough of this crap!!  I need to DO this!!  I've come too far to stop now!!!

Ok, that is all for today.  Thanks for "listening".  :-)

Lots to talk about

I haven't done a post in about 2 months now.  Part of that is because I was really discouraged with not seeing a difference on the scale, and just not in the mood to write.  In fact, over the last 2 months I was gaining instead of losing.  Even though a lot of positive things have happened, I was still letting the scale get to me.  And I need to stop letting it get to me.

Here are the positives:

• I had a follow-up with my primary and he has officially taken "diabetic" off my chart and changed it to "pre-diabetic".  If my numbers stay good, he'll take that off my chart too.  So the big burden of being a diabetic is now off my shoulder.  And this is a very good thing.
• Even though the scale hasn't moved, I have been still getting smaller.  Depending on the cut of clothes, I can fit into either a 20 or a 22.  I can walk into stores such as Sam's club and Old Navy and find clothes that will fit me.
• I discovered I have space between my toes.  I know this sounds funny, but when you're fat, you're fat all over, and my toes touched each other.  Now when I look at my feet, I actually see space between my toes.
• My wedding band is HUGE!  So is my wedding diamond ring.  I have yarn around it right now so they don't fall off my finger.  I need to find a ring guard that I like.
• I can dance all night long!  We attended a wedding over the weekend and I danced like crazy!!  A year ago I would not have been able to do that.  I would have had to sit and watch.  It's great to dance!!  In fact, I need to be invited to more weddings (hint, hint) so that I can dance more.  I should go on Ellen's show so I can dance! 
• I can wear a dress and it actually flows instead of showing all the bulges (of course some of that is thanks to shape-wear!). 

The scale finally changed over the last few days and now I'm at the lowest point yet, 271.  Which means I've lost 70 pounds since surgery and 127 pounds overall.

When I look at this picture, it all becomes really real.  To see the difference side by side is amazing.  I don't always notice when I look in the mirror or when I look at my body.  I see sagging skin and fat rolls.  I notice how much things wiggle and jiggle.  And I see other things too.  I notice that people still walk much faster than I do.  I notice that I still have problems battling the cravings for foods I shouldn't be eating.  I see how far I still have to go.

Many times the physical part is the easy part.  It's battling the thoughts and emotions that is the hard part.  When I'm "hungry" most of the time I'm not truly hungry, it's just my brain not being nice to me.  I need to ignore that "mental hunger" and only listen to the physical hunger.  I'm not going to starve, that's for sure.  And I need to stay on track (or to quote one of my favorite movies, "stay on target...  Stay on target")

However, I need to focus on the positive.  I need to look at this picture.  I need to see how far I have come.  I need to remember all the good stuff and cast away the bad stuff.  I need to remember the times when people say that I look amazing, and I need to tell myself that too.

And... I need to dance more often.

Started weight training.

Today I started weight training.  I went down to the gym during lunch and learned how to do 5 different machines.  Three are for my arms/upperbody, one for my legs, and one for my lower back.  I did three sets of 12 on each machine.  I kept the weight low, but will increase it as I get used to it.  I'll probably add more machines as I get more proficient and as time allows.  By doing this 2 or 3 times per week (on the days I'm in the office), I hope to build some tone to combat the sagging skin.  On the days I'm home, I'm going to do my darndest to walk either during lunch or when I get off work.

I'm already looking for my next week.  I found a 3k in July and a 5k in October.  I might do both, and get the hubby and kids walking too (just need the funds).

It feels so good to be active...especially when I'm not seeing much movement on the scale.  And the support I'm getting....it's awesome!!!

I did it!!!

The 2015 Bubble Run is now history and I DID IT!!!  I walked the 5 kilometers in 1 hour and 26 minutes.  It was a great time.

Here I am with my daughter, Michaela, before the race:

Here are more pictures from before we started:

2 Tracys and me

Me, Tracy, Michaela, Layla

The group

My biggest cheerleader was my husband, John:

Now we are approaching the starting line:

As you can see, it was a very cloudy and rainy day.  At least at that point of the day, it was still warm, so the rain really didn't bother me.

There were 4 "bog" of bubbles of different colors to walk through:

Before pink

After pink

Before Green

After Green

Before Blue

Before Yellow

My niece, Tracy, was my walking partner and stayed with me the whole time:

Finally we see the finish line!!  And we see my hubby, my sister, my son and daughter, and my great-nephew.  They were all waving and cheering me on.

Approaching the final turn

We see the finish line!!!

And after the race:

Michalea and I after the race

 A Bubbled Michaela

My great-niece, Samatha

I am amazed that I was able to do it.  My thighs started screaming about 1/2 way through, but I was determined not to give up.  It was fun talking to Tracy.  Sometimes we were chatting up a storm, and other times we were silent and just walking along.  It was great to have her with me.  I could also feel the presence of my friend, Christy, pushing me along from heaven.  There were several people in wheelchairs walking with their friends, and when I saw them I thought about how much fun Christy would have had doing this with me.  

This was such a wonderful experience.  I had no idea what to expect, and I had a blast!!  I know some things to do for next time, that's for sure.  Like bring a ziplock bag for the cell phone and bring a change of clothes and shoes for after.

After the race, we went to Crackle Barrel to eat.  The temperature dropped and I was freezing!!!  The hot coffee at the restaurant sure felt good.  As we were heading back to the van after eating, I started to really feel the ache.  Boy do my muscles hurt!!!  But after going home and changing clothes, hubby, Michaela, and I went out and did some shopping.  We had thought about going out for dinner, but decided to go home and order Chinese instead.  And of course as soon as we got home, I took some tylenol.

Next year we are going to have a bigger group walking.  Hubby is going to walk too, and he is already planning his outfit to wear.  This has been a great experience, and now that I've done one, I want to do more.  If anyone wants to walk with me, just let me know!

Thanks again for all the words and encouragement and support.  I couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you God for giving me the strength to do this. Amen!

Tomorrow will be a big day

Tomorrow I will be participating in my first 5k walk.  It is the bubble run in Joliet at the Speedway.  The "run" starts at 9:00 am, and I need to be there around 7 to get my packet and register and stuff.

I have to admit I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I am very, very excited.  3 of my nieces with 3 of my grand-nieces will be walking/running with me.  For that I am very, very grateful.  Now I fully expect them to blow me out the water, and that's ok.  A friend was also going to walk, but she had to cancel at the last minute for something very important that came up (and it is much more important for her to do the other thing).  Since she had to cancel, she can transfer her entry to another person, so I might ask my daughter if she still wants to walk with me.  She had expressed an interest, but I didn't sign her up because she broke her arm and was in a cast.  She just got the cast off and is in just a splint, which would be much easier to protect.  So if she is interested, we might just have her do it.  Which will be nice for me because I know she will stay with me.

On the other hand, I'm scared.  I have yet to walk 5 kilometers (3.2 miles) when I have gone walking.  In my heart, I know I can do it, but at the same time...what if I fail?  What if I can't do it?  I thought I would do more training for this and be able to walk a full 5k by this point.  The furthest I've gone is just shy of 2 miles.  I'm expecting this to take me about 90 minutes to do based on the times of shorter walks.  Am I going to be the last one to cross the finish line?  If so, does it really matter?

I bought a new pair of capris for the event.  They are kinda like spandex and I got them from the "activewear" section at Target.  I'm still blown away that I found something that fits me in that section.  And they are only a 2x in womens which is awesome!  It still amazes me that I can go in to "regular" stores now and be able to find clothes.

18 short months ago I weighed almost 400 pounds!  Then I think back to the turning point in this journey which was on September 9, 2014.  That was surgery day.  That was a short 8 months and 20 days ago.  Before surgery, I couldn't walk through a store without having aching feet and being worn out, if I could walk it at all.  8 months and 19 days ago I was recovering from major surgery. Now I can walk up and down stairs and walk almost 2 miles.  Tomorrow, I'll be walking a 5k.  Simply amazing.

What a day!!

Today started out like any normal day.  Got the kids ready for school, they all left with hubby, and I showered and got dressed.  Today I was going on a field trip with the youngest and her class, to see a play at the Apollo theater.  I had to be at school for 8:40, and it's about a 5 minute drive.  So I start gathering everything up at 8:15.  Backpack to hold the snacks, check.  Purse, check.  Cell phone, check.  Mine and Monkey's snack, check.  House keys, check.  Car keys.......car keys.....Holy $h!t!!!  Where the frack are my car keys????  I search the kitchen table, not there.  I look on the floor under the table...nope.  I check pants pockets and jacket pockets...nope.  Not in my purse either.  Kitchen counters???  Bathroom?????  WHERE ARE MY KEYS!!!!!  By now it's 8:32 and I need to get to school.  I don't have time to walk.  I call 2 friends that live nearby....no answer. So I call the school.  I tell the secretary the situation.  She says, "no problem, I'll come pick you up!"  AWESOME!!!  She came right away, I got there before they were boarding the buses and all is well.  Monkey and I have a good time with her class at the play.  The drive there and back was interesting.....I don't think the bus drivers knew where the heck we were going.  I got to see a lot of the Lincoln park residential area.

So on the bus back to school, I'm debating.  The secretary told me that I could get a ride home.  But then I'm thinking.....well, I have a 5k in a week, and I have yet to walk a whole 5 kilometers.  So I decided to walk home.  And I did a good job.  I walked the 1.63 miles in 40 minutes.  It's not the 3.2 miles I need to do next week but it was half of that.  And it felt good to walk.

Now it's time to get back for a fun-filled working weekend at LOMC.  I am really looking forward to it, and during free time, I plan on getting in some hiking.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll get a full 5k in at some point.

And....hopefully, I'll find my keys.

8 month surgiversary

Three days ago marked the 8 month mark.  I lost another 5 pounds.  It's good to be on a losing streak again, that's for sure!!

The end of this month is the 5k.  I haven't actually walked 5k yet, but I'm confident I will have no issues.

Today was my son's band concert.  I wound up standing the entire time because I was working the video camera.  Last year I wouldn't have been able to stand for even one song.  It's a good feeling.

So no complaints here.  The summer is fast approaching, and I hope to be out and about in the evenings.  I'm looking forward to swimming in the pool, and going for nice walks in the warm summer air.  Ahhh  summer.....soon enough.

30 minute walk

Today I lasted 30 minutes on the treadmill and went 1.05 miles.  I have 25 days till the Bubble Run/Walk, I sure hope I'll be able to walk the 5k.  I should be able to......I'll have to get outside after work one day this week and walk around the park and try to get to 5k.

The gym was hot today which is why I only lasted 30 minutes.  Even my gym buddy commented on how hot it was in there.

Ok, enough rambling.  Monthly weigh in is in 4 days....the 8 month mark.  It's hard to believe that much time has gone by.  I was looking at some pictures on Facebook, and I can't believe that's me...I was so big.  I'm so happy I decided to take this journey.

More in 4 days...if not sooner!  :-)

Today's workout and Shopping

I got to the gym today...finally.  I walked 1.17 miles in 30 minutes.  30 minutes was about all I could handle today.

We went shopping over the weekend to the outlet mall in Pleasant Prairie, WI.  I found that I could actually buy clothing items in several stores (and I'm not talking shoes or socks, either).  I was able to get myself some new jammies and other necessary items (undergarments).  You know, it's easy to wear clothes that are too big for you, but man, the undergarments have to fit!!  And I didn't have to go to Lane Bryant to find my size.  I was able to go to "regular" stores.  On Sunday, we went to Kohl's and I was able to find a few things there too, including shape-ware.

Now shape-ware is quite an interesting concept.  The nutritionist told me that it would become my new best friend, and it really does the job.  Some of the rolls and extra skin is tucked it and you get a slimming effect.  But let me tell you, putting those things on!!!  OMG!!!  Picture stuffing a sausage in a human form.  Once it's on, it's wonderful, but getting them on.  WOWZERS!!!  I had to wiggle and tuck stuff in this way and that way.  I sure hope there wasn't a hidden camera in that dressing room!!  If so, watch for me on TV, cause it would definitely qualify for America's Funniest Home Videos!  I'm glad I was alone in that room!
In all seriousness though, I can't tell you how wonderful it was to find clothes that fit that aren't the largest size.  I held up a pair of 3X pajama bottoms to my waist and my daughter looked at me and said, "no way!".  They were too big!!!  It felt AWESOME!!!

I'm also finally starting to lose again.  I'm at 274 as of this morning.  I'm glad the weight loss is starting up again.  Oh happy day!

THIS IS AWESOME!!!! Oh Happy Day!!!

THIS IS AWESOME!!!  About the only thing that could make me happier right now would be to win the lottery!  Of course, I would need to buy a ticket first.

I saw the surgeon today (see previous post) and I had bloodwork done.  I received the results this afternoon.  They are NORMAL!!!  All my vitamin and mineral levels are normal.  My cholesterol is fine, my thyroid is fine, my iron is fine.  MY A1C IS 6.3!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YES!!!!  That's the number I am most thrilled about.  To have an A1C at 6.3 with ZERO diabetes medications is fantastic!!  On July 8, 2014 (2 months before surgery), my A1C was 9.2 and that was while on 2 different kinds of insulin and Victoza.  That was less than a year ago!!!!!!!!  Oh Happy Day!!!!!

Can you tell I'm a bit excited???

Surgeon follow-up visit

Today I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Nagle (my surgeon).  It was a good appointment.  I had to get blood work done first, and the nurse was really nice and got me in one stick!  Yippie!!  She had to take 5 tubes of blood!!  I'll get the results within a few days.  Dr. Nagle was very pleased with my progress.  He says I've been averaging a loss of 10 pounds per month since surgery, which is good.  He would like to see me lose at least 50 more and sees no reason why I can't get below 200 (which would be AWESOME!).  I'm at 280 now (according to their scale), so that's only 81 pounds to go.  He said I need to increase activity, and make sure I'm getting enough protein and really limit the sugars and carbs.  I can definitely do that.  I might have slipped a bit when it comes to the carbs, but I can get back on track.  I want to reach my goal of 200 pounds lost.  That means I need to get down to 198 and I KNOW I can do it!!!

He asked me if I had any regrets having the surgery.  And I honestly told him that no, I do not have regrets.  I'm very happy I did this, and I'm pleased with the results so far.  I know I still have work to do, and I'm willing to do it.  And my family is willing and able to help me do it.

We also talked about the skin issue.  He told me to keep up with the treatment my primary gave me regarding rashes under my "apron" and that he really wants me to wait till I'm a year post-surgery to start discussing surgery for the excess skin.  I will see him again in September and we'll talk more then.

I know some people that read this blog are ones considering bariatric surgery.  I can't give you the answers, but I can tell you that I am happy with what I did, and I'm here if you need to talk.  And for the rest of you, please feel free to share this blog with anyone you would like.  This is a hard journey, and the more support you have, the better.

7 month surgerversary

Seven months ago today I had surgery.  For the six month mark, I had gained 4 pounds.  This month I have lost 3.  So I'm starting to lose again, which is great. And I feel good.

I saw the dietitian, Laurie, yesterday.  Here are the stats she had for me:

• Post surgery weight loss:  64.5 pounds
• Loss since my last appointment (11/21/14):  27.5 pounds
• Total loss (since they started measuring):  91.5 pounds 
• Pre-op BMI:  59.98
• Yesterday's BMI:  45.34
• % Total Body Weight Lost: 18.5% (since surgery)

We talked about my recent stall and she gave me some tips for combating it and starting to lose again.  The stall is normal, and now it is super-important that I track my protein.  She said that I need to get between 80-120 mg of protein per day and the only way I'm going to know for sure is if I track what I eat.  So that's what I need to do.  She's happy with my progress and proud of what I've done so far. Admittedly, tracking is a pain in the ass, which is why I stopped doing it, but it is something I have to do.  I just need to accept that and move on.  I have about 100 more pounds to lose, so I need to do everything in my power to accomplish that.

I love that I'm able to walk and walk and walk.  The day before Easter I was making cakes and candies for a bake sale.  I was on my feet for hours at a time and it didn't phase me.  It wasn't until I got home and was able to sit back and relax when I realized that my feet and legs were a little sore.  A year ago, I would not have been able to do any of this.  Everywhere I go, people are commenting on how good I look and I LOVE it!  I love that people are noticing. I love that I am noticing.

On Monday, I took the kids on a picnic and we went hiking.

It was a lot of fun.  I am so happy that I'm able to hike again.  I really miss being able to explore the outdoors.

I was going through my closet yesterday and came across my wedding dress (it is black velvet).  I saw that it is a size 24W.  I am now in a size 22W.  I tried it on, and of course it fit, but it was much looser than I remember.  I then tried on a few more dresses...all too big.  So they all went into the donate bag.  I need to get the rest of my big clothes out of the closet, then I will have very little left!  We went to Goodwill yesterday and I got 3 tops to wear to work and one tank to wear under some light sweaters I got a few weeks ago.  So I think I'm ok for now with clothes until I drop another size or two.  So if anyone has size 18 or 20 that they want to give rid of, please send them to me!!

Thanks again to everyone for all the support.  The comments here on this blog and the comments on Facebook mean so much to me.  You have no idea how much the encouragement helps me.  I am blessed to have all of you in my corner.

something different in the gym

Today I tried the elliptical.  No dice.  My knees were killing me after 2 minutes and I could not continue.  So I know that is not for me.  Then I moved to the bike.  I did 2.3 miles in 15 minutes.  I have to take it easy on that one...it's sore on the butt.  So I will alternate between the bike and the treadmill for now.  One day bike, the next treadmill.  I also have to work on adding some strength training.  Small steps at a time.  

A walk in the park

Today I am working from home, so during lunch I took the girls for a walk in the park.  The MapMyWalk app wasn't set up right, so I don't have the distance walked or the pace, but we did walk for 34 minutes.  I just mapped it out and we did about 1 1/2 miles (probably a bit more).  The weather was beautiful and great for a walk.

For the first time, the girls couldn't keep up with me.  I just kept plugging along and they had a hard time keeping up.  I have to admit that was nice.  I'm used to always being the one lagging behind.  I told them to get used to it cause we are going to be doing a lot of walking this summer.

Last 2 workouts

I meant to post something on Friday, but never got around to it.  On Friday, I walked 1.88 miles in 45 minutes.  I was up to 3mph for a little bit.  I followed some advise that my chiropractor gave me and the pain in my upper back, neck, and shoulders was not as bad.  I'm sure the adjustment and massage I had on Thursday helped too!

Today I did only a 30 minute walk, and walked 1.32 miles.  Once again, I got it up to 3mph for a few minutes.  I was really, really tired today.  I was actually looking forward to going to the gym to help wake me up.  I found that I was a bit sore today, which is part of the reason why I only did 30 minutes.

Tomorrow I work from home and I'm hoping the weather will cooperate and I can walk around the park during lunch.  Maybe I'll take the kids with me if they are home and not out and about with Grandma (they are on spring break).

Today's workout

Today I did 1.16 miles in 30 minutes.  I'm not feeling totally "right" so I stopped early.  I also have some upper back and shoulder pain, but I'm seeing the chiropractor tomorrow, so I'll talk to her about that.  I do feel good about getting back on the treadmill, it's been about a week or so since I've done it.

Today's Workout

I brought my phone with me today and listened to music on Amazon Prime.  The playlist is called "Classic Rock: Top Prime Songs 2014".  I only walked 30 minutes today and I went 1.07 miles.  I am finding that if I go to the gym 2 days in a row, I'm really sore on the 2nd day and can't do as much.  So that might be my new pattern, 45 minutes one day, and then if I go the following day only do 30 minutes.

I'm working from home the next 2 days, so I have to decide if I'm going to try and walk at lunch, or maybe go for a walk after work and have the kids go with me.  It's time to get outside and enjoy the nicer weather.  And if I wait till after work, then I'm not limited on how long I can walk.  I think that's the better plan.  They can either walk with me, or ride their bikes around me.  Heck, we can see how many times they can lap me on the one trail that is almost 1 mile long.

Journeying with Journey

Went to the gym today and walked while listening to Journey.  I love their songs.  In 45 minutes I walked 1.9 miles, which is my longest distance yet.  This equals 3.05775 kilometers, more than halfway for my 5k walk in May.  Once all the snow melts I'll be able to walk around the park at home and see how long it will take me to get to that 5k mark.  Since I go to the gym during lunch, 45 minutes is the longest I can go.

We haven't tried the T-25 yet, but we should this week.  Stay tuned.

6 month surgiversary

Today marks 6 months since surgery.  For the past month, I actually gained 4 pounds.  I'm sure there are many reasons for this (the big one is being on steroids for the past 2 months), and I am trying not to have feelings of failure.  I know a lot of this also depends on my frame of mind and my mood, so when I'm not in the best of moods I tell myself to try to keep that in mind when I look at the overall picture.

So here are the positives:

Total weight loss:  117 pounds
Loss since surgery:  60 pounds (which would average out to 10 pounds per month)
Pants size has gone from a 34W to a 22W or 24W (depending on the material)
Longest 45 minute walk so far on the treadmill is 1.82 miles

I am able to go up and down stairs with minimal trouble.  I am able to stand for much longer periods of time (and sometimes prefer standing).  I have more energy and for the most part I feel good.

I just need to keep on keeping on.  One step at a time.

Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony

That's what I jammed to the last 2 days on the treadmill.  I found the entire concert on You Tube (yes, the treadmills have internet access and youtube) and I enjoyed the music so much, I ordered the CD from Amazon yesterday.  Awesome music.  I would love to play in a concert like that.

Yesterday I walked 1.82 miles in 45 minutes.  Today I only lasted 30 minutes before my knee started bothering me a bit, but I still managed to go 1.22 miles.

Hopefully tonight we will try our first go-round at the T-25 workout discs.  We have to find enough space in the living room to work out.  :-)

I really didn't want to go to the gym today, but I forced myself to, and I'm glad I did.  I have to keep reminding myself that any activity, no matter how much, is good activity.

Yesterday I found one of my coworkers do a double-take as I walked past their desk, and I could just tell she was thinking, "what happened to Lisa?"  That is a very good feeling.

I'm really looking forward to warmer weather and no ice and snow and being able to go biking and hiking.  There are many trails I want to explore.

Jamming to Guns N Roses

Today's walk on the treadmill was to Guns N Roses.  Good music to listen to while walking.  I did 1.58 miles in 45 minutes.  I got a slow start, but at one point my pace was up to 2.6 mph.  So that's good for me.  It's so good to get exercise.

it's been a week

It's been slightly over a week since I've been to the gym.  I went today and walked 1.2 miles in 35 minutes.  AND I was able to carry on a conversation with the friend next to me while I was doing it.  I wan't out of breath!  Which is AWESOME!!!

I'm looking forward to the snow and ice melting and being able to walk around the park again on the days I work from home.

Hubby and I ordered a new fitness DVD set called T25.  I'll blog about it after we've tried it out.  I hope it works for us.

Kick in the butt

Well, I wasn't going to go to the gym today because my legs were sore from bowling yesterday.  My friends told me to just go and walk slow...they twisted my arm.  I went and walked 0.89 miles in about 32 minutes.  I had forgotten to grab my headphones, so I just surfed the web while I walked and looked into attractions for the Myrtle Beach vacation we're taking in August.  I found 2 cool tours to possibly do.  Very productive workout all the way around.

My legs are more sore, but that's ok.  :-)

Today's workout

I walked 1.72 miles (2.77 km) on the treadmill in 45 minutes while jamming to AC/DC, Metallica, and Bon Jovi.  Today my calves are feeling it.  About 20 minutes in I wanted to quit, but I forced myself to just concentrate on the music and keep going.  I don't feel quite as fantastic as I did yesterday, but I do feel good that I got my butt back down to the gym and stuck to it.

It's easy to quit before you've even started, but once you get started, it's harder to quit.  That's what I've learned today.

Compliments

Over the last month or so, I have received many compliments.

A girl at my office had moved to another department, so I haven't seen her since before surgery: I saw her at the company holiday party and she didn't recognize me at first; she had to ask another person who I was as she was walking up to me.

Last month we went to a wake for the relative of a friend, and it's been at least 6 months since we saw that friend.  At first he saw hubby and started wondering where I was, but then he realized I was standing with hubby.  He didn't recognize me.

This past Sunday we went to a restaurant we hadn't been to in a long time, and the owner was amazed when she saw me and told me that I looked 20 years younger.

Boy, I sure love those compliments.  It's funny, though, because people aren't sure if they should compliment or not.  If they say, "you look great" there is the underlying thought...."well, not that you didn't look good before".  They don't want the compliment to seem like a slam at the same time.  I know I look different.  I look at the before picture on this blog and I can't believe it's me.  I look at the picture on my work ID and it doesn't look like me.  And yes, when I see those pictures, I sometimes wonder, "wow, you sure were large!"  I know I'm looking better, and I know I look different.  So please, keep those compliments coming.  I love them!!

Thank you all for your ongoing love and support.  I couldn't do this without you.

MAN, THAT FELT GOOD!!!!!

So to celebrate my 5-month surgiversary (and it was not intentional), I went to the gym at my office for the first time since surgery.  I walked 1.6 miles in 45 minutes.  Once I was able to figure out all the media, I was able to listen to Bon Jovi and Meticalla while I walked.  IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

I forgot how good it feels to get to the gym.

If you haven't been to the gym in a while, drop everything and GO NOW!!!  You won't regret it!!!

Month 5 update

I am very pleased with the 10 pound loss this month.  Being able to lose any weight while being on Prednisone is an accomplishment.  I have another 2 1/2 weeks to go on this drug and then I'm done with it.  Thank goodness.

There have been many other accomplishments this month as well.  I am down to a size 24W (or 26W depending on the make of pants).  My largest was a 34W.  When looking at a picture from my wedding almost 15 years ago, I noticed that I am smaller now than I was when I got married.  In the picture, my hubby was barely able to get his arms around me when we danced, now he can grab his wrists when he wraps his arms around me.  My stomach no longer hits the steering wheel when I drive, which is really nice.  My 7-year-old is very happy that I now have a lap on which she can sit.

I signed up for my first 5K.  I will be walking in the Bubble Run Chicago on May 30 at the Chicagoland Speedway.  I am very excited to be doing my first 5K.  I have formed a team and several friends/family are walking with me.

I joined the fitness center at my office and will be working out there today for the first time since surgery.  Heck, I have a 5K to train for!!  I'm looking forward to getting on the treadmill again.  It'll be interesting to see how well I can do.

Need to Vent/Rant

Life is NOT always Sunshine and Roses, that's for sure.  And sometimes one just needs to vent.  So that's what this post is all about.  I need to vent!!

And what do I need to vent about???  PREDNISONE!!!  I HATE THIS DRUG!!!  Why do I hate this drug??  Because I hate the person I become when I'm on this drug!!  I want to just crawl into a hole until I can be weaned off prednisone.

Common side effects of Prednisone that I am currently experiencing:

• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (OH YEAH...only going on 4 hours of sleep today!)
• extreme changes in mood (you got it!!)
• changes in personality (yep)
• extreme tiredness (sometimes)
• weak muscles (sometimes)
• heartburn (Yep....not too often, but when it does it wakes me up in the middle of the night)
• increased sweating (Yep)
• irritability (that's an understatement)
• increased hunger (sometimes all I want to do is eat)

 So you can see why I hate this drug.  The moodiness is horrible.  I'm surprised hubby hasn't thrown me out of the house yet!  I'm doing my best to keep it under control, but it's not easy.  I'm about in tears right now from the moodiness, and a coworker just asked if I'm ok because I'm too quiet.  I told him that it was safer this way.  I don't want to open my mouth and say the wrong thing to the wrong person.

Last night I got 4 hours of sleep.  The night before I think it was 5 or so.  And it's not a constant sleep.  I'm waking up way too often. The heartburn gets really bad too, where I'm spitting up bile and my chest is just burning.  

I see my GI on Thursday and I'm going to demand we start me tapering off this drug.  And if the Crohn's complications flare up again, we need to find a better way to treat them.  This is the last time for this drug.  I REFUSE to go on it again.

Please, all I ask for is prayers and understanding.  I need support now more than ever.  I feel like I'm falling apart and that nobody understands.  And if I do or say anything to anger or upset someone, I apologize in advance.  And if I'm too quiet, please know that it's not you, it's me.  I'm trying really hard to stay in control and being quiet is one way I know how to do it.

4 months post-surgery

My surgery was 4 months ago today.  Since surgery, I have lost 54 pounds for a total overall loss of 111 pounds.  I'm feeling pretty good and I'm still amazing at how well I can move around.  As I told hubby the other day, 1/4 of me is gone. I'm looking forward to making that become 1/2 of me gone.

The prednisone isn't too bad...but I do notice increased "hunger" which happens a lot when on this drug.  I've also noticed a bit of insomnia, but it's hard to say if that is from the drug or from stuff going on that is weighing down my mind.  The spots on my legs seem to be lessening a bit, but they are still painful.

I had read a while back that many bariatric surgery patients feel the cold much more easily post-surgery than they did pre-surgery.  Boy is that a true statement!! With the cold temperatures and wind-chills I feel like I've been frozen the last few days.  The worst is my feet and my hands...sometimes they feel like blocks of ice.  I look forward to warmer weather already!!

Another Milestone

Today I am at 391 pounds, which means I have lost an even 50 pounds since surgery on Sept 9, 2014 (total overall loss is 107 pounds).  I'm very excited about this.

I have changed the stats in the right column to now reflect monthly loss instead of weekly, to make it easier to see the progression.

I just started the Prednisone yesterday, so now I need to be a really good girl about what I'm putting into my body.  I am also going to join the gym here at the office so at the very least, I can get back into walking and not worry about freezing my butt off.  Hubby and I need to figure out a gym schedule that works for us for the evenings...which is totally doable.

I am excited that I have managed to continue to lose throughout the holiday season, and I find this very encouraging to reach that goal of the next 100 pounds.  I'll be sure to celebrate when I reach 248 (which is 150 total) and then the BIG celebration when I reach 198!!  I'm looking forward to it.

I really put it in perspective when I was talking to hubby the other day.  I have now lost 1/4 of me!  And that is a good thing indeed!!!