A good place

My weight is still on my mind, but I have many other things on my mind right now. In 5 weeks I will be graduating with my Bachelors degree in psychology. It will be the end of a long 5+ years. In 4-5 months I will be welcoming a new baby girl into my family. Yes, I'm pregnant. My weight is on my mind, but the health of my body and my baby is a much higher priority. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and I have not gained any weight. I started my pregnancy around the same weight I am now. I hope to gain a healthy amount and be able to lose the weight soon after the baby is born. I will return after school and probably closer to baby day :) I'd really like to have a change to keep this more up to date. Balancing work, school and home is a lot. I hope that minus school I will have more free time. Thanks for following!

One Small Year

It has been a full year since my surgery. The ups and downs were there. My current weight is 227 pounds. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm happy to be where I'm at. It fells great to know that I've worked hard and have come to this point.

Why am I still the same weight I was 6 months ago though? That answer is my own stubborn self. Around 6 months in I stopped losing weight. I was eating great and exercising. My weight wouldn't budge. I spent 3 months like that. Then I got stupid and decided to eat whatever I wanted since I wasn't losing weight eating all the good healthy stuff. I didn't exactly gain weight. But over the course of the past 3 months my weight had crept up to 235. I had a moment of, "WTF am I doing?" and decided to get back on track.

Since being back on track I have come back down to the plateau weight I was stuck at 6 months ago. I know that no matter what, I must stick with it. I can't plateau forever. Because I want to lead a healthy life, I have to keep going. Even if I don't lose another pound I know that I am giving it 100% and my body will benefit. No more junk food to up my calories. I am sticking to eating lots more of the healthy foods to up the calorie count.

I want to thank everyone that has been there for support in this last year. All my friends and family have helped me though some rough times. I know I will succeed. I refuse to the percent that gains it all and more back within the second year. This time next year I hope to be exactly where I am or below.

More Protein

I've been told and I've read that if your weight loss has stalled that you need more protein. I thought I was getting enough, but I'll try just about anything at this point. For two weeks I am going to have two protein shakes per day. Each shake when combined with my soy milk packs 29g of protein. Two of them a day is 58g. They said I need to have between 50-60g per day. If after two weeks I'm still the same weight, it isn't the protein. I'll try longer than that if I can continue to stomach the shakes because they do taste awful. Fortunately this morning when I went to make my shake the plain soy was in the back and the chocolate soy was in the front. I was a little tired and lazy and just grabbed the chocolate. Mixed with my powder it is awesome!!! I'm hoping I don't get sick of it and give up. So here is to at least two weeks of plenty of extra protein in my diet! Stay tuned for hopefully a weight loss for the first time in almost 5 months!!!!

Pictures from the Day

Things to Realize

Something I need to realize is that I didn't put this weight on over night. I can't lose all of my excess weight in a few months. I have a wedding to go to next weekend that is a black tie formal affair. I borrowed a dress from a friend that is the same size as my wedding dress. It's a little big :) I am 10 pounds lighter than I was when I got married 4 years ago. I am shopping at normal clothing stores, and I can move without much difficulty. I actually went for a little hike today with my husband to see some beautiful waterfalls. No way I could have done that last year!

Another thing I need to realize is that weight loss is a journey, not a goal. Every pound counts and every milestone keeps me going. Each time I feel stuck, it gets me more determined. Each week I evaluate what I ate and what my activity level was. I try to see if there is a way to change it up without making myself go insane. Currently my running has slowed way down. I'm down to power walking 3 times a day for about 3+ miles total. Not a ton, but its better than nothing. I wanted to run because I could. But if I'm getting exercise from walking and it doesn't kill me, I'm sticking with that for now.

What else is there to realize on this day of enlightenment? I knew this wasn't going to be easy. I knew that I wasn't going to be a supermodel within 4 months of the surgery. I am fully ready to work my butt off for the rest of my life in order to get to a healthy weight and maintain it.

I realize that I can do this and I will be successful.

Plateau

The dreaded weight loss plateau. Ugh. I've been sitting at the same weight for nearly 3 months. I fluctuate the same 2-4 pounds every week. My exercise has increased and my food intake has been better every week. I am finally getting consistently over 1000 calories per day. My protein intake is up as well. I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do at this point. It is super frustrating to sit at the same weight no matter how hard I am working. I have to stay positive and realize that I won't be stuck at this weight forever and that I can't give up. Apparently it is quite common for people to hit the 45% plateau and that is exactly where I am. I have lost 45% of my excess body weight and the projected weight loss for the sleeve is up to 60% loss. The band and bypass are around 50%. So it appears that in 6 months time I reached a milestone that many don't reach until their first year is over. I have to keep plugging along and not give up. I am restarting the Couch to 5K program and hopes that I can improve my overall running time. I also hope that by doing the program from start to finish I might have better results. I stopped the program at about week 7 or so when I felt comfortable enough to run farther than the program suggested. Mistake? Maybe. Stay tuned :)

Crusade to normal clothing!

It has been a few years since I've been able to shop in a regular clothing store that didn't have two sides to it. You know the stores I'm talking about right? The ones that say, "Fat chicks to the right and skinny to the left," as you walk through the door? Yeah, once upon a time I walked into one of them and the employee greeted me to let me know I was on the wrong side of the store. This particular store used to separate the sides between casual and dressy. She politely explained that plus sizes were now on the other side of the store. Yeah, you can guess how much that made my day. I'm sure she was being nice, but not a way to win over the customers. Anyhow, I went shopping last weekend with a friend and she dragged me into a store she shops at. I've never shopped there because it isn't a plus sized store and their clothing wouldn't flatter my figure at all. Anyhow, apparently this store goes up to a size 18. And apparently there is a difference between a size 18 and an 18W. See, I'm learning a lot. At one of my plus sized stores I'm a size 14/16. In this store I am a size 16/18 depending on the clothing and how I want it to fit me. Wasn't I surprised to try on a dress that was a size XL. No, not 1X because that is a plus size only type deal. This was a size XL and in their world it was a 16. Hey, isn't that the size I was when I got married? Heck yeah. I was a little heftier than I wanted to be on my wedding day but who isn't? I was tickled that the dress fit and looked pretty good. I was even more tickled to learn that the dress was on sale for $7.99!!!! I ended up getting the dress and 4 other tops for the bargain price of $36 and change! Whoooorah!!! Anyhow, here is the dress. The picture quality is never great and you can't see any of the detail on the dress. It wraps across my chest and has a cute ruffle down one side. So, no more plus size only stores for me!!! That is one heck of a milestone to hit :)

Another Race!

I'm coming off of another race. The Chicken Farmer 5K was this past saturday. I finished with a time of 44 minutes and 33 seconds. I have another race in just 3 short weeks and hope to be even faster! I'm not even 6 months out from my surgery and I can't even explain how awesome I feel that I can even do what I'm doing. My weight is down to 235 still. I am holding this weight as a plateau. But someone explained to me that a plateau is a good place because my body is trying to adjust to itself. I'm sure the weight loss will begin soon enough! Thanks to everyone for all of their support so far.

Update

It has been a few weeks but here is a small update. I had to take a break from running and exercising. Why? Apparently I really wasn't doing well enough on my eating to be doing the type of exercise I was doing. Memorial day weekend was a rough one for me. I ended up passing out and losing consciousness twice. One of the times I hit the floor pretty hard and split my lip as well as did a nasty number on my right hip. A visit to the Dr's revealed that I need to eat. A lot more. I'm doing my best and tracking everything that goes into my mouth. I now see how little I've been eating. Most days I can get over 1,000 calories, but not every day. That just isn't enough to be burning 500 or so during my workouts. I've been back on the vegetarian side again because it is far easier to get higher amounts of protein in dairy and eggs. Until I fully figure out a more stable eating plan, this is how it is going to be. Today was my first day back on the treadmill. I had to do something because I have a 5k in 7 days! I did an interval session for 5k at 2 minutes walking and 1 minute jogging. I finished the workout at 45 minutes and 11 seconds. Not bad for taking almost 2 weeks off. I'm hoping that next Saturday I can get my 5k done in a reasonable time. I'm also hoping that I can get these calories under control and eat more food! Until next time....

Run complete!

What is this a picture of?? This is me just seconds after crossing the finish line for my very first road race. Not a 5K but a whole 5 miles!! I finished at 1 hour and 20 minutes. Not bad for someone that weighs 238 pounds!! (I gained a few during my 3 day carb loading binge) When I finished the run my Nike+ monitor showed that I burned 929 calories!! Wow!! I enjoyed my run so much and I feel super proud that I was able to complete it. I'm signed up for 2 5K races this summer and I can't wait to improve on my per mile pace!

Tomorrow is the big day!!

http://www.dandelionrun.org/

I am leaving in a few hours to get ready for the big 5 mile run! I'm super excited and super nervous. Wish me luck!!

May Picture Update

I guess it is time for a picture update. I changed up the wardrobe again. No more hiding behind baggy clothes for the pictures. Although the pants have a part on the top that seems to hold my middle flap in pretty good. So don't let that part fool you. I'm in no way sporting a toned midsection.

Making More Progress

I weighed in this morning at 237! My running is progressing at a steady rate and my 5 mile race is less than a week away. So much preparing to do this week. I've really been working on getting my protein intake up and I think I'm finally going to be successful at it. This past week I was able to fun 3/4mile solid in 9 minutes. That isn't super fast, but if I kept going I would have run  a full mile in about 10 minutes. Back in the high school days I could run a mile in around 6 minutes. I'm nowhere near that level right now but I'm not going for time, I'm going for distance. I want to be able to easily run 5 miles a day and feel good about it. I am currently running and walking just over 3 miles comfortably most days. I know that I won't be able to run the entire 5 miles this weekend, but as long as I get through it all I will be happy. I hope to have updated pictures of myself posted next weekend. I really think that my body has changed shape since the last picture. Maybe I'll even have a picture of me crossing the finish line!

Quickie Update

I'm down to 240 pounds! I've been getting better on my treadmill. I ran for 5 minutes straight on Friday. My training program ups my running time to alternate 5 minutes of jogging anyhow so I thought I would get a head start. My 5 mile run is fast approaching and only 2 weeks away! I'm having a protein problem. I need it and that's my problem. I'm not getting it and that's my bigger problem. I have to figure out something soon or my weight loss is going to stall and I won't be able to work out as hard as I have been. Stay tuned to hear if I figure something out soon!

Almost 3 Months

In just a few days it will be officially 3 months since my surgery. As of today I am down to 246 for a total of 35 pounds since surgery. Since the start of the program I am down 54 pounds. Since the day I became Veg to today I am down 78 pounds. Yowzer! As I was getting dressed this morning I decided that it was time to take another picture. I've lost about 9 pounds since my last one, but I had to change the outfit a little bit. I'm still wearing the same size and style tank top but I clipped it tighter in the back with a hair clip. I take the pictures with the tank so that I can see if there is any progress on my arms. I don't see much except that they are getting less solid and more flying squirrel like. I would never wear a tank out in public, it is just not me. I am wearing a size 18 pair of jeans in the picture as well. My body shape has changed since I was last at this weight. When I got married I weighed 239 and wore a size 16. I'm wearing an 18 and I'm pretty close to that weight. I think I have some extra belly skin to squeeze in now that I didn't have before. But I'm making progress and I feel better each week!

I've started to do lots of walking and jogging on my treadmill. I'm glad that I can do it because I know I couldn't do it a year ago. I've started the Couch 2 5K program and hope to stick with it. It isn't easy but I try to push myself as hard as I can and I know that it will get easier.

Eating is still getting easier as well. I still can't eat half of a sandwich yet without cutting the crust off. It has only been 3 months so I need to be a tad more patient. I am back to cooking meals in the evening again which is great for my husbands weight! Oh did I mention that I weigh less than him right now? I haven't weighed less than him in a very long time. He decided he better get moving so he can pass me! He is eating better with me and using my treadmill when our daughter naps. Here's to our healthy family!

Goodbye bad weather, Hello treadmill!

My husband finally agreed to let me get a treadmill. He insisted that it would become a coat rack and we just didn't have room for it. I am certain that I will prove him wrong! I've used it twice now in the two days since it has been set up. My first day I did 20 minutes. The first 5 minutes I walked at 3.5mph and then I alternated 5mph for 1 minute and 3.5mph for 2 minutes. I made it to about 1.25 miles in that time frame. I wanted to go further but my lungs were burning. I have to remember that I'm 250 pounds and it will take some time to get up to speed. Tonight I did 26 minutes. I walked 3.25mph for the first 5 minutes and then alternated 5mph for 1 minute and 3.5mph for 3 minutes. I got to about 2.6 miles. My lungs are a little better and I think that this level is decent for a few more days. I hope to get back to the 2/1 minute intervals as soon as possible! I'm amazed at what I can already do with the size of my body and the condition of it.

I had a knee surgery about 8 years ago because my meniscus was shredded. It was crazy looking. They weren't able to repair it so instead they just cut most of it out so it kinda looks like a crescent moon on that one. Sometimes my knee hurts a lot because there isn't much cushioning left. They removed a flap of cartilage because apparently I had bone spurs behind my knee cap that just wore it away into a crater. Sound good right? They told me that I would probably need another surgery and a possible knee replacement within 10 years. Yeah right. I think 32 is a tad young for a knee replacement! I'm hoping that exercising and getting some of this weight off will up my chances that I won't have to get it. Until next time, adieu.~

Mother Nature is Working Against Me!

I've really been trying to get in my workouts but it is a little hard when the weather is all over the place. It was nice then snowing then nice then windy and raining. I gave up and went out and bought me a brand new treadmill. Now the weather won't dictate my workouts! This is way cooler anyhow. If it is 100 degrees out I can still get in a workout or if its raining or snowing. I'm excited and it will be here in two days! Oh and I am dead set to do my first race or run or walk or whatever you want to call it. I'm doing the 5 mile this year but next year I plan to do the whole thing! It is only a month and a half a way so I really have to get moving! New weight update. I hit 250!!! I am so excited! I am now officially at the weight I was when I started infertility. I am 10 pounds away from when I got married and 50 pounds away from when I met my current husband. I am really excited to get out of the 250's and into the 240's. I know that my exercise and determination will get me there!

http://www.dandelionrun.org/

A little more a little less

A little more exercise and a little less weight is what I'm talking about this week. I got off my butt and moved. I danced, walked, and jogged as much as I could tolerate. It still isn't easy and my knees still hurt like crazy but I keep at it. My weight is at 252. This isn't amazing but it is still a loss. I'm hoping this week I can exercise even more. The cold weather is fighting against me but I promise that even if it is below freezing out this week I will be out there all bundled up looking like the Michelen man! Oh and I bought new bras! Maybe I mentioned that last week but with the end of my semester kicking my butt I can't recall. If I mentioned it already it must bear mentioning again. I love the fit of new bras! These fit amazing and they look great too! Now if I could just get my  middle to curl up and hide somewhere I can wear all these cute tops I bought! Speaking of new clothes, I swore I wouldn't buy anything, but I was looking like a homeless person that stumbled upon a few spare tents. Not very attractive at all. Once I started wearing the new clothing I was turning heads and fielding compliments left and right. Now that will make you feel better! Also, back to vegan again. I think it's time to stop pretending that I need to get protein from cottage cheese. Another stupid excuse. Anyhow, back to the grind. Exercising via booty shaking and walking or jogging is on the plate for this week!

Move it!

I've made about a thousand excuses for not exercising enough. I'm done making excuses. The little that I'm doing just isn't cutting it. Yesterday I got up off my duff and dusted off my sneakers and threw them on. My ambitious attempt at a 2 miles walk/jog/run didn't exactly go over so well. I guess the wind advisory wasn't kidding. The sand whipping in my face, my shirt billowing around me and the sun in my eyes. It was a memorable first outside workout. I ran twice for about 90 seconds each time. Not having a proper bra on was definitely a thorn in my side. The girls tried to escape many times through every possible exit my bra would offer. Also, when skin flaps bounce up and down when you run, it effing hurts! Picture someone grabbing on to your skin and yanking it down every time you run. Yeah, ouch. Regardless, I did 1 mile in about 17 minutes. Quite pitiful by anyone's standards, but I went out and did something. Today I'm hoping to accomplish more. First on the agenda is to go out and get a decent bra to exercise in. I'm also going to try and get a slimming cami to help hold my excess in place so it isn't bouncing around with me. Maybe that will give me some more success. Stay tuned to see just how far my fat ass can go this week!

Update Picture Time!

Time to update my picture. It has been almost 3 months and I've lost 26 pounds. I've lost a total of 69 pounds since March 2010. Not bad, but it is getting harder to see the difference in the photos. I think part of the issue is because the tank and pants are too baggy to show what changed. Maybe I'll have to take up a different outfit to see better. You can see the difference in the bagginess on the third pic, much more ripples :)