The Journey – One Year On

I still find it hard to believe that it is a year ago that I was waking up from my operation and how much my life has changed over these 12 months.
 

I started off at approx 103kg – although I know that I had been closer to 110kg post pregnancy. It took me about 25 weeks to loose 32kg and get myself down into the healthy BMI. I now hover between 70.5kg and 72kg without any effort.
 

In terms of food I can eat and drink as I please. My portions are much much smaller, although I’m not so keen on spicy foods anymore but in general I can still eat out and enjoy myself – I just make smaller easier choices. I no longer suffer from heartburn, my blood sugar levels are totally normal and my blood pressure has lowered and steadied.
 

I feel like a totally different person – my size 10 jeans are loose and I can wear all the current fashions off the shelf in normal size stores. I no long have to stress about clothes and feeling self conscious. Sure there are signs of my weight loss – a little bit of saggy skin under my arms and my tummy still has the baby skin that many women carry post pregnancy - but who cares – I am no longer overweight!
 

My confident has soared, I have regained my love of clothes and fashion, I have so much more energy, I get attention from men that I never thought possible and I feel fantastic. Sure I could do with doing some more exercise and I would love to get down to 68kg but I am not stressed about it.  The only hard part has been the hair loss - it is growing back but I have just cut it all off as it was getting very thin.  I love my new doo though : )
 

So for anyone who has been considering the sleeve as an option for their weight and health issues I would say go for it – it is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I have found myself and my life and I love every second of it!
 

 

New Swimmers

I got all about the fact that I had to finally buy some new swimmers the other week.  The old ones started falling off!  Take a look at the difference!  Ant that was a month ago - Might try to update the new swimmers photo this weekend!

Happiness Is A Journey Not A Destination...

Gosh I thought I had better get in here and give at least some sort of update! 

The last few weeks have been great.  It is amazing how I feel as a person and how completely happy I am with my life and the changes the past year have bought.

My weight seems to have stabilized....  it has between between 71.5kg and 73kg for the past couple of weeks.  I no longer remember to frantically jump on the scales each and every morning.  I can eat and drink whatever I want but just in much smaller quantities. 

I must admit to being a little naughty with my food and I am sure that if I went back to a high protein no crap diet some more weight would come off but I am enjoying things just how they are for the moment.

Life is good!

Week 25

I know I am running late with this post - work is crazy busy!

Another 1kg down last week.  I am now 71.9kg and a total loss of 30.1kg.

Have to be happy with that!

The Subject Of Skin

So there has been a few questions lately on the subject of loose skin.  Firstly, I think that it probably depends on lots of factors - your age, how much weight you have to loose, the type of skin you have, your genes - need I go on.....

So for me I have always had good skin.  I have heaps of stretch marks from being pregnant, breastfeeding and the ups and downs in my weight over the years.  I haven't done any exercise since being sleeved nor am I one for creams and lotions with miracle fix-it claims.

So with my 30kg I have lost sure there are a few saggy bits. 

My arms used to be huge...  go back and look at the photos....  they were horrid.  Now sure there is a little loose skin and I certainly need to loose a little more from this area but I still feel totally comfortable wearing sleeveless clothes. 

My boobs are saggy - and I really have not dropped the bra sizes I was expecting too.  I have gone from an 18F to a 14DD.  Yeah they could probably benefit from a little lift but honestly - apart from being in bed when am I ever going to not be wearing a bra!  In a bra everything looks great!  I wish they would shrink a little more!

My tummy is probably the bit I dislike the most I can still see the apron of fat and I am hoping a few more kilos will see more improvement.  I think I will always have some loose skin - I had two big bubs - 4.5kg and 3.8kg and the CS scar seems to make things worse.  I will never wear bikinis  - wear crop tops  - get my belly button pierced - but I don't want to do those things - they aren't me - so I don't feel like I am miss out!   I simply wear some support underwear and you don't notice a thing!

My bum is now tiny - long gone are the days of a huge arse!  The left over bits are a little saggy on the edges but WOW it looks great in jeans!

So I guess what I am trying to say is that being fat was killing me.  It destroyed my confidence and I hated myself.  Don't let a little bit of loose skin deter you from changing your life!  For me  - I wouldn't change a thing!

Week 24

Well all over the place again this week and no real loss....  but that is ok.  I have been burning the candle at both ends - work functions, going out and staying up late.  My body really isn't happy with me!  I feel mentally and psychically exhausted.  I was already feelin this way in Friday and then stupid me hit the town and somehow managed to party and dance till 4am in the morning!    Sure I had a great night but my legs are still aching from all the dancing.

Then I took the kids to the water on Sunday and we spent the morning swimming followed by a nap and then an afternoon walking and riding in the park.

Hence I'm stuffed and wish I could just sleep for a few days.

So here I am - it is about time I did some comparison shots and there also seems to lots of interest about loose skin.  So I will be back later in the week with some photos and the before and afters.

Just thought I would add a photo from my Friday night jaunt : )

Week 23

Another loss this week of .8kg!  Down to 72.9kg and a total loss 30.1kg.

I also bought a fabulous little dress - Wayne Cooper that was on sale in Myer.  So I glammed up on Saturday night and headed out for dinner with friends.  I really felt good - what do you think? 

Friday Photo

Oh here is this weeks photo!  Ok I look a little cranky - kids running around, Mum didn't have her glasses and kept hitting the movie button instead of the camera one and hence I was a little over it!

I'm wearing my size 12 jeans and size 12 top : )  Still in shock!

Week 22

Sorry for not updating last week - the scales were flat so I decided not to bother : )

So this week I have lost 1.2kg.  Bringing my weight to 73.7kg and a total loss of 29.3kg.  I have also reached under 25 for my BMI - which is in the healthy range!

Feeling great and happy with all things weigh loss but I have been struggling emotionally with relationships.  Things aren't quite going to plan and I also think it is because the anniversary of my marriage breakdown is looming.  So much has happened in the past year.  I think it is time to take stock, re-group and emotionally re-gather as I start the second year as a single parent and a whole new me in terms of confidence and being at a healthy weight.

Just Had To Share!

SIZE 12 JEANS!!!!!  OMG I can't believe it I just bought some size 12 jeans and they aren't even tight!!!!

What a total head spin.  Silly me even took Size 14 in at first to try on....  it is funny that you still perceive yourself larger than you really are.

So I have gone from a very very tight size 18 to a roomy size 12 since August.  I have reached another one of my goals and I promise I will be back later to post a photo of me in my jeans.

PS - they were on sale for $19.... I love a good sale!

Goals Update

Well just thought I had better update these -although I am running a litle behind I don't feed worried - just so happy to be healthy and slimmer : )

GoalsTo be under 90kg by 1st October - Achieved 8th October
To be under 85kg by 1st November - Achieved 3rd November
To be under 80kg by 1st December - Achieved 16th December
To be under 75kg by 1st January - Achieved 23rd January
To fit into a size 12 pair of jeans - Could probably do this but I am now aiming lower 23/01/12
To buy some size 12 swimmers

So guess it is time for a little reassessment, I have decided that I am going to plod along until a get to under 70kg and then do a total re-think of my plans and health goals.  Toning is an issue - especially with my arms and I need to think seriously about what to do about it and commit to a plan.

My only other concern is how to STOP the weight loss.  In theory they say that your body will stop naturally when it reaches a healthy weight but I know some poeple have kept losing.  I guess time will tell.  Time for some research on the Gastric Sleeve Forum.

Week 20

Well I should be happy with my result this week but honestly part of it has come from this horrible gastro bug that I have.  It is simply yuck.

My weight this week has dropped to 74.9kg - so I lost 1kg and now a grand total of 28.1kg.

I am going back to bed to sulk : (

Week 19

Well I have lost another 1.6kg this week.  So very excited to see 75.9kg on the scales this morning, brings my total loss to 27.1kg.

I had very stressful weekend and hence the lack of food probably affected the numbers today.  When I feel stressed or down these days I no longer crave food  - I ignore it.

Getting closer and closer to a "normal" BMI, can't wait to be in the healthy range.

I have ummmed and ahhhed about doing Michelle Bridges 12 week thingo which starts today but my heart really isn't in it atm.  Zac is about to start school, my parenting plan with the ex is changing and work is so very very busy....  I figure I just don't need the added stress.

A Typical Day...

Since I first recovered from my op, eating food has become easier and easier.  I would say that I can now eat anything that I enjoyed before just in smaller amounts. 

Somethings I just no longer feel like.  Fast Food falls into this area.  I don't crave it - no do I find it at all appealing.  Just the thought of those horrible white sweet tasting hamburger buns turns my tummy.  I also can't fathom the idea or heaps of rice or pasta.

My typical day would be made up of one of each from the following lists.

Breakfast
Isowhey Chocolate Shake made with full cream milk, and some benefibre or
1 Egg on multigrain toast or
1 Scrambled egg with some ham and tomato or

Greek Yogurt with some fruit

Snack

Cheese snack pack with crackers or

Slices of ham or

12 Almonds

Lunch

Small premade sandwich style wrap or

1 Cup of Chicken & corn soup or

2/3 Cruskits with avocado and prawns or

2/3 Cruskits with cottage cheese or

3 Ricepaper rolls with prawns or

Pack of sushi mini rolls with avocado

Dinner

Small steak and salad or

Fish and salad or

Chicken and salad or

Thai stirfry with prawns or

2 small slices or homemade pizza or

Tacos with the family but I make mine up with no taco - just on a plate or

1/2 Cup of seafood marinara with a little rice

I also take a daily multivitamin and iron tablet.

Unfortunately I keep forgetting to take photos before I eat : )  So I will come back and update with some more shots of the next few days.

I guess the other thing that is a naughty habit is my wine.  I normally have one or two glasses a night and more than that on the weekend.  It does seem to slow my losses but I am still losing and and I am happy. 

The biggest thing that is different now is that full feeling... it creeps up and you HAVE to stop.  Just one more bite gives me the sweats and the need to lie down.  It normally passes very quickly but sometimes the only relief is being sick : (

  

Week 18

Just popping in to give my weekly update.  I have lost another 1kg this week!  That brings my total to 25.6kg lost and my weight to 77.5kg!

Been spending lots of time at the pool and beach with the kids and I really need to buy some new swimmers soon.  The tops are still ok but the bottoms are so loose and baggy - I am getting scared that I will loose them!  I don't fear going swimming anymore.... in fact I even braved the water slides with my little boy on Saturday.  It feels so great not to be just an onlooker in their lives.  I not longer sit on the sidelines - I don't care what people think of me - I love getting in and having fun with my children. 

One thing that I really do notice these days is how much people eat.  I was one of those people.  My plate piled high and never ever getting that feeling of being full.  I some times feel sad when I see them consuming all that food.  I know that lots of them must be unhappy and I almost feel like running over and telling them about my operation.

I eat small regular meals now. Mostly high in protein and low in carbs.  It amazes me how little our bodies need to survive.  I am full of energy, I'm not hungry and I eat all the yummy things I love.  This week I will give you some snap shots of what I eat each day and the types of things I can eat, so stay tuned.

Photo Update - Week 17

So here are my comparison shots from then till now.  Even the tan looks good!  Even though I am now buying small size 14's and some size 12's and I know that I have lost so much weight  - I still feel big - especially my tummy and my arms.

Really looking to ramp things up a little now that the New Year is here and get down to my goal weight of 70kg.  Infact I think I would be delighted with 73.....  but we will see how we go.

Week 17

Well I think things have caught up with me over the last week and I haven't got any weight loss to report - in fact it has been all over the shop with the scales jumping up and own each day.  Hence I am going pass on my numbers this week and just share a few photos.

The first one I found on the work files....  omg it scares me!  The last one was taken on NYE before a fabulous night out.  What a difference!