Exercise

Well I didn't get to do wii games today as the baby was awake too
early but at end of evening I got up and ran around back garden
playing soccer with my toddler. Something that I need to do more but
happy that I could do it tonight. That's one of the main reasons I had
the surgery to be able to do that with both my kids. Feeling proud of
myself and now this week to tackle my wardrobe and start putting in a
bag clothes just way way too big. That's a first too !

Inches

So checked my inches and lost all over. Makes up for the stall in
weight loss in seeing and feeling inches melt away. Of course I want
to lose more around bum and stomach than my wrists but the body loses
where it wants. One weight loss friend found she lost on her legs,
arms and face first and then eventually more on body. Let's see ,
otherwise going to look like a fat apple or oversized pear with
toothpicks stuck in it ;)

Before operation

Before operation

6 weeks on

6 weeks on

Progress

Started going down again. Like anyone losing weight the body sometimes needs to regulate and take mini break before losing some more. I exercised three times this week so more than my goal and if I can get up tomorrow early then be great. Having a BBQ here next weekend and my sister asked me if not eating at it would bother me. I asked her if she gets to eat at her BBQ or parties and of course she's lucky like most hosts to grab anything at all. It's the social aspect we have most fun with and doubt anyone notice at all that I just had 2oz of chicken or pork and not much else. Since I'm not much of a drinker that won't be a big deal either or just say I'm nursing. They told us that be careful drinking as it's like a three year old getting drunk as goes right to your head. Cheapest date ever!

So looks like to make the 70 pound goal of 5 stone by end July I need to make sure getting water in, the protein and also up the exercise. Hopefully I can hit the goal so I'm half way to losing the excess weight. Docs goal is 140 pounds or 10 stone for me. Thankfully I think he realizes my boobs aren't going away. They might get smaller as my back gets smaller but I'm not going to be a b cup anytime soon ;)

Doctor

So saw my Doc today. He's really happy with me as wanted me to lose 70 pounds in 90 days as that's the time frame going to lose most weight. I've lost 41 pounds according to his scale (45 pounds on mine) so more than half way there. Of course this week I slowed down, either time of month, the baby now taking some supplemental feedings so let's see what happens. I need to up my exercise and keep on top of the diet. Dr C had said I could go onto solid food but I figure that I can do what I do now, stay on liquids for most part and dinners can be the 2oz of chicken:fish etc the odd evening. That way I can maximize the 90 day window. I haven't had a diet work this well in 10 years so 90 days I figure let's do the drinks as much as I can to try and hit the 70 pounds.

Cheap date

So the little guy fed off me at 8 and then went down again for snooze
so I got up and did biggest loser workout again. I'm kinda proud of
myself for doing it two days in a row. My aim this week was two days
workout and trying to be more active during week and so far so good on
exercise front. I did do errands and shopping at costco yesterday so
lifting those potatoe bags worth something !

Also at costco they do free food samples. I had my lunch by having two
pieces of chicken done in a terakyi sauce yum. I'm a cheap date!

I see Dr C tomorrow for first time since surgery. I think I'm on track
but let's see what he says. I'm not doing as much exercising as I'd
like but pelvis and baby both playing into that so I need to get
better at that

So hanging out today waiting on plumber news re our main pipe

In meantime let's all try and get more active this week :)

Down and goals

So drink lots of water, do the shakes and sure enough you lose the
weight. Down again at w watchers and down my scale again yeah!

Also after feeding baby this morning at 6 and then pumping, I thought;
why go back to bed. I'm awake and kids all asleep so I went into tv
room and put on the biggest loser wii fit game. I did 30 minutes and
felt every inch of it. I shared that I did that of course with WW. I'm
such a Hermonie type character. Yes me I'm the biggest lick instead of
biggest loser. I seem to lose 2.6-3 pounds a week. If I can keep this
up will be fantastic as that's 8-12 pounds a month which adds up
really quickly of course.

Foods

I'm still mainly on protein drinks for every meal but feel fine now at
taking real food softer style for the odd meal once a day every couple
of days. I had chicken curry from Indian Friday night, chicken Korma,
2oz and yesterday at downtown festival bayou Cajun style chicken on a
stick and about 2oz that. Nice to find meats on sticks as I can do
those no problem. This morning was egg for breakfast scrambled and had
about two thirds of that.

Hubbie is also now taking protein drinks for some breakfast and some
afternoons. He's dropped 5 pounds just doing that as he's not so
hungry after a shake giving him 35g of protein and so not reaching for
snack foods and finds he's doing smaller portions as well which is
great.

Still haven't gotten up at crack of dawn yet to do biggest loser on my
wii. I have to start going to bed earlier as 12/1 in morning after
watching finales of one show or another not helping much.

So that's my resolution next week is to exercise at least twice with
the wii or do two workouts in pool. Now that the baby is feeling
better it should be easier to do. No more excuses from my inner lazy
person (who shouts a lot louder than my move and groove lady)

Packaging

So while waiting for blood results for baby last week I took a stroll around area and went into a grocery store. I picked up some artisan string cheese which was delicous and I had 1 oz at a time. Strange now to eat what a serving is supposed to be. I now eat physically less in size than my toddler. Anyway I also picked up muffins and pastries for the nurses at clinic. Was hoping for good results and it worked! No blood transfusion needed. I also have enough family who are nurses to know to say thankyou and that baked goods always appreciated (even if cursing me later for the temptation).

What I also saw was these wee apricot cheese filled tiny turnover snacks. It said only 6g carbs and 6g protein for serving of 3 of them. Three of them is about two thirds of my hand palm so good for a portion size. I was excited and bought them. Bad idea

I had some as a special treat. Even while I was eating it I was thinking how is this only 6g carbs for pastry.

I had them twice over two days and sure enough the scale went up instead of down. Only by a half pound and that could be a few things like amount of water and Now I'm also not breastfeeding as much since I got thrush from my kid or he gave to me(one or other) but still it was enough for me to go, wait a minute!

So this morning I saw them on table and knew that they tasted so good I picked up and threw whole package in the bin. I wanted to trust the packaging label that they were low carb but I knew that it was probably an error. They tasted all carb all sugar and I can't have them around. I'm kinda happy that they are gone.

You know what they say, if it's too good to be true...

My list

I have a to do list on my phone. A reached it goal list. Some of it obvious like reached x pounds or this size trousers etc. A lot of it is not so obvious but still very real goals for me. Like getting off floor in one easy movement which is what actually started me on this path to surgery when I couldn't do that anymore. Having a baby and toddler and not being able to hold them and come up to a stand broke my heart and was my CTJ moment (come to Jesus). Others are how many steps I have to do, to laps in a pool.
Today I reached one and didn't even expect it. I used a normal towel after the shower and it not only wrapped around me but I wouldn't have to worry about flashing the world wearing it. Normally I have a super super large one and have them all in the wash do took three towels for after shower, one for hair and thought two for the auld bod. Turns out I could use one for my body and it wrapped around me! Now it's still a bath towel big one but I couldn't wrap around me before so thrilled
It's the little things that mean a lot ;)

Fishy fishy

Went to see the nice nurses at labor and delivery today with the one I made earlier (the baby ;) to say hello and drop off a thank you card. They were commenting on how great I looked and how much weight I lost. Nice to hear as was having a bad period/hair day hah.

My toes look fab though from a pedicure this morning. French polish and a wee flower. Today I got in all my protein drinks, all my water and also had 2 and half oz of tilapia fish done in garlic butter or so the package said. It was tasty as I love that fish anyway.

Did a lot of going one place to next but that doesn't count as exercise so need to get arse down to the club so I can walk in the water and exercise or even do the stationary arm bikes.

Tomorrow is PT so doing that first. I think going to have to schedule again my work out sessions even the short walks so I can motivate myself. While I'm still nursing, that's an exercise but not the cardio my doc wants me to do. ;)

Down

Went to WW today and happy down 2.6 pounds. Good when I woke up to the joys of womanhood ;) now makes sense why I been so scatter brained more than normal last couple of days and so tired. Hopefully I can keep the trend going that way from 2-4 pounds a week. Wouldn't that be amazing! I don't think works like that but at least I can try and get the max out of it in the 6-8 month window that the surgery gives you. I also switched to calcium citrate tablets as better for me and less likely to cause kidney stones. They are pretty big but so far so good getting them down

We did eat out once over weekend and I had egg and Brie that was in a crepe. I didn't eat the crepe and so far the meal that I took home in a takeout box after my wee meal at restaurant has done me for 4 meals. The cost savings here is balanced out by the protein cost hah. I also fit into a pair of trousers that I couldn't breath in before. As my sisterchick says / now I'm closet shopping in my closets :)

Cold

So went to baseball game last night and got cold pretty quick. Had a body vest on and wearing baby in sling but arms were freezing. Normally I'm a body vest on and hate jackets kind of person. Turns out you skinny folks dress in layers because you have to. That extra blubber was keeping this seal warm!

Stats

Had chicken twice yesterday. 2oz of chicken satay at Thai restaurant.
(a thumb is about 1 oz so two thumbs worth but that sounds so Hannibal
Lecter ;) and then last night we went to Blue Rock BBQ where I ordered
kids pulled chicken sandwich, took 2oz of that and gave bun and rest
of sandwich and side to the boys. I am still doing protein drinks but
it's nice to also have the wee change. Haven't had bread or any carb
products in a month. That's the longest ever. I don't physically miss
them but my head still does. Making toast for wee lad and I know yum
that would be great while drinking tea. Since I'm not to drink liquids
while eating that's out window even if toast was allowed. So doing
other things to keep occupied. I've just listed 43 items from garage
to freecycle and giving them all away today and tomorrow including
golf clubs that we had picked up yard sale. Maybe down road I might
try again but I liked hanging out with my sisterchick playing than
actual hitting golf ball ;)

So did measurements and here's the difference from last month to this.

Waist -6 inches
Arm - 2 inches
Bust - 3 inches (yeah it's going down !)
Hips aka arse - 6 inches
Thigh - 1 inch
Calf - 2 inches
Neck - 1 inch
Wrist - 1 inch
BMI - 10 points

So down 22 inches in total all over. I've also decided that I'm going
to have to get up earlier so I can do my wii biggest loser or workout
programs. I don't get the time with baby during day and he tends to
sleep in morning so could grab 30-45 min then before the eldest
awakes. I love my sleep so this is a big one but when I do go back to
grind that will be what I need to do anyway. Here goes!

Steps

Went to happy h park the other day with wee one. It was way past the
time other Mums were meeting but my wee guy had decided to sleep the
morning and who was I to wake him ? So met the other Mums as they were
leaving but went so we could walk around and get some steps in.
Yesterday also took a walk to the park and did some laps. It's a
different mindset for me as probably would have driven to the park.
Not that a 4 month old is getting much from swings or slides this age
but he gets outside (and rarely falls asleep as he's too interested in
world around him)

I'm down now past the 100 pounds to lose. Feels like a huge milestone.
I have less than 100 pounds to lose. That's still a huge bloody number
but I'm a third of the way there already. I know won't be as quick
over next 5 months but it's a brilliant start. To infinity and beyond
as my oldest would say. I feel like flying around the room myself ;)

Front view

Down 52 pounds since I started and 40 pounds since surgery a month
ago. Ignore the needs a wash hair ;)

Side view one month on

Milestones

So at WW this week I got my 10% keychain for losing 10% of my weight. Yeah! I had actually got an award for losing 25 pounds couple weeks before that which most folks don't get until after 10% but that's the world for heavier folks. Getting a new leader too. Excited as she lost over 100 pounds where as our current lady is awesome but lost 30 pounds 10 years ago. Yes I know that was huge for her and kudos to her for keeping it off and losing it but when she showed me the photo of her taken from behind that prompted the joining of ww I was thinking her arse looked good in the jeans. Everyones journey I know is different and when you are slimmer the smallest amount weight makes a difference. We talked about that and I commented on how 30 pounds off me is a slight change but not the kind that folks really notice unless they know you very well. Still just doing mainly protein drinks. I did have egg for breakfast mothers day. Whole 3 tablespoons. Yummy and
very filling. Also had 2 spoons later of Greek yogurt and that night two spoons of jello aka jelly to Irish folks.

Last night cooked chicken curry for dinner and put out a wee plate of 2oz for me on a saucer. It was really good and took me about 30 minutes to eat that and I and to wait 45 mins to drink anything afterwards. I could do soft food for every meal now but I'm fine doing the drinks and having occassional dinner or breakfast for next couple of weeks. Still strange not to drink anything while eating. Such an ingrained habit in me. Hubby cleared his plate but gave him smaller portion to begin with as we both come from clear your plate to be good backgrounds. Not surprising as you don't want to waste food but at same time don't want to eat just because it's there.
I had to go get a new baby sling as my other ones too big for me and baby at moment. It's the only 'new' clothes item I've gone and bought so far and that's fine. I have a box of clothes in garage that were too small for me so I'll try and wear them first before I go and buy any new clothes. Going back to work August so hopefully by end July can see what my work wardrobe is like as well. We talk on the phone and don't see customers so kinda daft we dress up so much but there you go. I tended to wear black trousers and different tops so will try do same. Like making a work uniform so easier for me getting dressed and picking out clothes in haze of night and morning. Hopefully little guy be sleeping better by then as the 4am feedings won't be that easy to shake off being in a cube all day nor sitting that long for this pelvis but sure will manage through. Maybe I'll even start drinking coffee to keep me awake ;)

Saturday morning

A quiet lie in bed. Nah but a good doze is always nice. Didn't get to blog as baby decided it was windy city last couple of days and was not a happy camper poor lad.

So down another bit. I'm noticing loose knickers now. Don't worry, not climbing into a thong anytime yet. My arse still a wobbles ;) but my underpants are feeling more comfy and less let's say sprayed on. I don't see myself in thongs no matter what weight or shape I get to. They just don't seem comfy at all. And this may be a TMI moment but let's face it I'm putting everything out here, the first time you fart in a thong is the last time you wear one. I wore a thong, passed a good one and felt it travelling back up towards my back like some weird air delivery system. I'm sorry but when I beep, fart, pass gas, I want to walk away and blame the 5 year old kids near me, not have it following me like toilet roll paper stuck on my shoe!

I also decided to try some soup last night as my stomach was telling me I needed food. Not my head which was dreaming of chicken kiev as that's what I cooked hubby but I needed more food. So I had bought some steakhouse chili soup at store with whopping 21g protein and 12g carbs. I need to have as much protein as I can and under 45g a day when I am eating regular food. Last night I had 2oz of the soup that I blended into baby good type mush and yum. That was me full for a couple of hours. I also ordered more protein type drinks as I have a lot of vanilla and chocolate type ones left. I was told my taste buds might change so e prepared. So I got vanilla and chocolate type samples just in case. Guess what? I still hate vanilla and chocolate. So hubby is now working his way through them and using them as a breakfast on go or an afternoon snack. I like the more sour type drinks so found good ones for them

I made about 3oz of soup and didn't finish it which I was glad to leave. I come like many from a culture of being praised for a clean empty plate and trying to get myself into habits of only putting out what I will eat, its ok to leave unfinished food and knowing if hungry really hungry , can go back for more. Same with my kids. They will eat what they need to as long as keep putting out healthier choices. Yes, may need to play the Daddys going to eat that if you don't game to encourage finishing a bit more but not keeping them at table forcing them to finish it all. I'm not saying waste food but getting out of habit of filling up large plates and whoever cleans it up wins. A smaller plate goes long way to help that. So I left some soup and let my stomach say enough. I've never had this relationship with my stomach before. Normally was keep eating till after 3 cups of tea with meal I was full. I wasn't allowing myself to feel full as washing it away with
tea. Now Im
Learning to hold the tea or water until 45 min after meal. Letting my stomach then register it's finished and full instead of washing away dinner out of stomach. The realization that champion eaters, those guys who eat 55 hotdogs in a half hour do so by washing it down with water so passes through stomach quicker, means that when I was drinking tea:water:soda with meal and doing the same thing was a shock but a good one. I don't want to be a champion eater so leaving the drink aside until well after meal. That's a hard habit to break but I'm now drinking maybe one cup of tea a day and sometimes none! For a 10-15 cup of tea day Irish girl that's a shock but doing it all the same :)

Ok off to get ready for a mothers day weekend. I got a charm bracelet for the kids to give me. I'm putting a charm on for every 10 pounds I lose. By the end of next year I want to sound like Mr T coming with the chank chank of the bracelet ;)

Hormones

Been feeling hormone queen last couple of days. Not surprising as hormones are stored in fat and of course as you burn up that fat for energy as no carbs then all those lovely hormones are released into your body. Aka flooding you with hormones. No wonder people avoid people on diets! Maybe I should get a tshirt - warning hormone flooding ahead..

I've gone down again which is nice. Had a couple of days at the same and bouncing up and down. Turns out that's the nature of losing weight regardless of having 90% of your stomach taken out or not ;) more than likely the French onion soup I had at restaurant minus the cheese and bread so just onion soup that I ate around the onions. Too much sodium coupled with a few days of not getting enough water in with 80 degree days. So walked to shops drinking water all way and read a book (that's a first in LONG while) while drinking water as baby napped for a good two hours yesterday. A good reminder to drink my water, and also do a wee something for me weekly.

We are all headed to do a cruise around the bay Saturday night. It can be challenging to come up with celebratory ways that don't involve food. There's appetizers on the ship but at least something to do instead of going out for a meal for mothers day here in states

I also ordered a charm bracelet and I figured put a charm on for every 10 pounds. A good reminder to make sure I stick to my goals. Also putting money aside for those 10 pounds at a time to get some clothes later on. Hopefully by the end of this journey have a bracelet to scare Mr T off :)

So are clothes hanging off me now- well no to be honest. When you're this size elastic waists are your best friend so nope they all fit me but now loose a bit more. Same as my tops. I tried not to wear items too tight but sure I did anyway so they fit a bit better. When I'm down another 20 pounds might have to go shopping for cheap in between clothes but for now I'm not looking like I'm drowning in fabric as at home tends to be workout clothes aka tracksuit tshirt anyway. I'm not in a shiny tracksuit for those Irish readers but not doing a yummy mummy by any stretch of imagination. Hopefully my sister coming over holidays end of year can take me shopping and do one of those what to wear shopping episodes :) I prefer to click than actually shop but happy for someone else to spend my money helping me rather than me looking around ;)

This was just going to be a short post but hormones wandered in again. Off to a Mums group with the baby.

Monday

So went to WW. I got a washer for losing 25 pounds. Down 26.4 from their scale and more at home. I went swimming (read doggy paddling madly) in pool today. I might do an adult swim class as I swim like a brick. I did do 10 laps even doggy paddle style so was feeling the burn. Compared to my under 10 Neices who can swim a mile kinda makes you feel dorkish but as they say, every journey begins with a single step. The swimsuit was baggier on me. Still a tad like a sausage but feel good about getting out and had the baby in care at the club for an hour. Came home and doing laundry etc. Up to 5000 steps and ahead of my timetable. I need to exercise more so getting now back to routine with folks gone. I schedule it like any other appointment or otherwise it doesn't happen! Scheduling yourself time is a trick from a sisterchick. We as women so happy to help other folks but need to take time for ourselves
Here's to seeing less of me :)

Water

Sipping more water today. Woke up with a thirst like a camel. I didn't drink enough and although cooler inside it's getting hot here and need more. It's harder to get down the water than I used to as can only sip an oz to two every 10-15 minutes. The sharp pain from your stomach if you drink more than that reminds you that your stomach can't handle that any more, even if your mouth is still the same. I've been pretty good on my vitamins though, calcium three times a day to 1500mg, on tums as chewable but just ordered some different ones that's better calcium. Also take chewable multivitamin. Was on flintstones, very candy tasting and disgusting so found prenatal that are chewable as I need the iron anyway. Also take a host of other ones from biotin to D3 about 10 a morning over half an hour and B12 under tongue. I took quite a few while preggers so not much of a difference.
Went to chiro this week again. Looking forward to walking in water next week as easier on back and pelvis. Hoping that it should even get better again with more weight down.
I go to WW tomorrow for weigh in. Looks Like down 30 pounds from when I started with them so I get my 10% award yeah! I can see differences in my body though not only in clothes etc but also my energy level and getting off floor which is bit easier. I know that most folks might think that this surgery is cheating somehow on WW but the liquid diet and exercise is still all my work. I don't have the 3-5 Years to lose the 150 pounds I need to, nor do I want to miss those years with my kids while I lose a pound every two weeks if that without the sleeve.
My husband says I have a lovely glow about me and he can see the difference in my energy ( although writing this while I have a wee sleepin on a Sunday morning hah). I don't think that the average person who doesn't know me real well would see an external difference, I'm still obese clinically and overweight but those 30 pounds gone and 45 pounds gone since January are like stone collars off my neck. Getting ready to be the queen of myself again than letting my body dictate who I am.