New Year New Me!

It has been awhile since I posted here but I find that it really does help for me to blog on a regular basis, so that is a goal for me this year. Blog on a regular basis. I have been in a funk over the last few months. I think for one I was sick for about a month. I had an URI that would not go away and so I could not do my cardio and workouts like I normally would. Finally, that is gone and I am back doing what I really love to do.

I have been training for some runs coming up and am currently signed up for 3 trail runs. The first one I did last Saturday. It was a brisk 18 degrees outside...burrrr. There were 92 of us ready for rain, sleet, snow, hail, mud or whatever was to come our way! I did a 5k with a few little bumps in between. There was ice and a little bit of snow on the ground. But somehow I missed a couple of rocks and fell not only once but twice! The first fall I tried hard not to hit my head but that didn't work. I fell and actually hit my eye on a rock. It hurt but not terribly bad because I was pretty much frozen. I also banged up my knees and left two holes in my new pair of running tights. Right after that I fell again! So I pretty much walked the rest of the trail to the finish line. I crossed the finish line but was sore and tired.

I have got to get my eating back under control as well. Carbs are my enemy but my mind just does not know that. It fights me every step of the way. I'm really looking into eating a more vegetarian diet. I do enjoy a lot of recipes that I have tried and I think that will help me out a lot. Sometimes I feel as if I am going backwards. This is not a good feeling at all. I have to be the one to step up and not let this happen. I have to change my life and keep moving forward. There is no going back.

I have a lot planned for this year and am really excited about it all. Stay tuned for what lies ahead of me!

Finally

Rejoice!!! I've finally broke my 9 month plateau!! I lost exactly 100 pounds and have stayed there for 9 months. It became very frustrating and I turned back to my old triggers of emotional eating. When I went home on vacation last month I came home and gained 6 pounds. This morning hopping on the scale I have lost 8 pounds, which puts me a less weight...Yippee

I regained control of my whole eating now. I'm writing down everything that goes in my mouth, taking my vitamins, drinking my water. I'm getting all my protein in plus a bit more. Exercise is not a problem for me. I exercise on a regular basis.

I have already decided that I have to really watch myself over the holidays, as this is where my problems seemed to start last year. I've bought alternative sugar substitute that I can use in my baking so that I can still have some treats that are healthy.

Making protein the priority in my meal has helped out too. I make sure I eat that first so I can fill up fast. It seems to be working well.

Now if the last 35 pounds will come off, I'll be so excited!

My awesome month away from home!

The month of September was a bit of a new experience for me. Since having my WLS I'm an adventurous woman!! I do things that I have never done before out of fear or what people thought or because I was too fat, etc. Now, I just don't care. I'm living my life!

I know this may sound quite petty to some, but I have never really gone anywhere by myself (long distances). So my sister told me that she had a condo in the mountains (Winter Park, CO) and did I want to come spend the week? At first I said no. I already had a weekend trip planned to Idaho for a 5k at the end of the month and was looking into airline tickets. So, the more I thought about it the more I wanted to go. I decided to go ahead and drive up there myself. I also asked if she minded if I stayed a few more weeks and then fly out to Idaho from there. She didn't.

The drive from my house to hers was 12 hours. I have done it many times (as a passenger) over the years, so I was very familiar with the route and that made me more at ease. I made it just fine and felt great about it. Wow, I can actually do things by myself.

We had a great week up in the mountains. I would love to live in a log cabin and just breathe the fresh air daily. We got to go to the hot springs, which was so relaxing and made my skin nice and soft. I really did not get to do the exercising that I wanted while we were there though due to weather. It was pretty chilly for me and I was trying to adjust to the altitude.

When we came back to Denver I went on an 16 mile ride with the family around the reservoir. It was nice to finally get some exercise in and the scenery was nice too. I felt great and wanted more.

My brother and my sister and brother-n-law decided we would go do a 14er (climb a mountain 14,000 ft). I was ready for the challenge. We got up super early (5:30am) to leave for the mountain. It was exciting! I had shopped all week for the appropriate gear that I would need. We arrive at Mt. Bierstadt and the parking lot was already getting full. I couldn't believe how many people were out here this early doing this.

We started at 12,000 ft. The trail was nice and flat, but not for long at all. Soon we started climbing up a rocky trail. It had a ton of switchbacks. We took many "catch my breath" breaks along the way. We finally got to a point where I really could not see anymore of the mountain and we thought that we might of reached the top. NOT!! We made a right turn at the top and then the real challenge was just beginning. This was very challenging and you have to be pretty darn fit to do this. Guess what, I was!! I could not believe that I was actually that fit to continue on. I had my Garmin on and my heart rate stayed at about 156 the whole time. We climbed up very rocky straight up terrain.

When we finally could see the summit and were almost there, my sister said she could not go any farther. Under my breath I was disappointed, I wanted to make summit. So we sat and watched everybody start climbing the final leg. We sat for about 25 minutes waiting to see if our brother, who was ahead us and already on the summit, would come back down. Nope, we did not see him. A gentleman said that it was 15 minutes to the summit so we said we are doing this. We didn't come this far not to make it.

So, we were climbing up boulders and rocks to the top. It did take us about 15 minutes. It was amazing. You are literally on top of the world. The 360 degree views were stunning. We got to sign a register that we made it! I was so proud of myself. I did it!!!

The hike down was actually a lot harder than going up we decided. I ended with a couple of blisters on my toes from them hitting the top of my shoes. We ate our lunch and rejoiced in our accomplishment.

I confirmed to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to. I can take on a challenge and be proud.

The next weekend me and my sister were off to Idaho for a Women's Fitness Challenge. We were to walk or run a 5k. I set another goal for myself to actually run the full 5k. I have never run one all the way. I run and then I walk and then I run and then I walk. So in my mind I kept saying, "slow and steady," and I made it! I ran my first 5k all the way!!

We also climbed a mountain while in Idaho as well. It was not as challenging at the 14er, but it was a great hike.

Above our my pictures of my 14er.

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1.02.28

My first sprint triathlon

Well, I did it!!! I finished my first sprint triathlon!!! It was quite the challenge. Me and my friend Connie made a pack that we would do this together. She stayed with me on my 400 meter swim. I was the last one in..yikes, but I completed it!! I did that in 22 minutes, which was within the time I had predicted for myself. Then we transitioned to the bike. We biked 12 miles with head wind the first 6 miles. Then we dumped our bikes and started on our 5k. We walked it as that was the deal. Connie has a hard time running and I have a hard time swimming. We came in last but that is okay with us! I still finished in my allotted time given to myself of 2 hours 10 minutes. We came in at 2 hours 8 minutes.

Here are some pictures took of me during the race. Now I can check this off my list of goals that I want to complete!

Never under estimate your power...you can do anything you put your mind to.

Here I am a year later

I just wanted to post some after pictures now.

One year Surgerverisary!!!!!

It is so hard to believe that one year ago I had my gastric bypass surgery. I really did not know how much my life was going to change, I could only imagine. As I look back on the past year it amazes me what I have accomplished. I truly think I have accomplished more this past year then in the last 10 years! My life is not the same, it is different. It is so much better. I like myself and whom I'm becoming. I feel like a human being and that people actually notice that I exist. People will look me in the face and smile and talk to me!! It also makes me very sad that I was treated so differently just by being overweight. I don't feel like my personality has changed so much that I have become more likable than before. Maybe I just have more confidence in myself and that radiates through my being and makes me more approachable?!

This journey is a lifelong journey. It has many ups and downs. I have to learn to adjust to them and keep moving forward. There is no going back. I had not lived my life and wasted many previous opportunities due to my weight and insecurities. I will not allow that to happen anymore. Like I have said before, there are no more excuses for me, I'm in total control of my life. I make the decisions on how I want to live my life.

I love sharing my gastric bypass story with others and I hope and pray that if you are stuck like I was, that I can inspire you to get your life back. Obesity took away so many important moments in my life. I don't know how many times I would not go watch my kids at school, or go to dinner where I knew they had booths or seats that I could not fit into, how many times I ate before going to a party so that I would not look like the pig, worried about what people were saying about me, would I be the fattest one there?, what am I going to wear?, I'm ugly, I'm not worth it. Gheez, the list can go on and on. I could not take a compliment without being Debbie Downer and saying something negative to the compliment.

Now, a year later, I'm confident, happy, loving, healthy, energetic, living my life. I've lost 102 pounds since my journey began a year ago. This has is not an easy journey. This is the by far the hardest things I've ever done for myself. Just the decision to have surgery is hard, then what comes after is even harder. The results are a true miracle. I love all my family and friends who have been so supportive of me. Thank you all.

I have a lot planned for this next year of my life. I'm excited to see what it brings.

Here are some photos of me through the years. Some people that I've met recently cannot believe I was ever that heavy, but I was. I battled my weight since high school, but more so as I became an adult.

Training for the sprint tri

I have been training on the swimming portion of the tri this week really hard. I have been swimming in the lake where the race will be. Last night I finally swam 300 meters. It took 26 minutes but with a couple breaks in between. It is quite challenging for me because I'm not a strong swimmer at all and not fond of the lake itself. Along with some anxiety about not being able to touch the bottom and swimming with the turtles, I've been able to overcome it and swim on!! I've also noticed the benefits of my hard work as well. The waistline is slimming down so more and a couple pounds are falling off again. I'm going to keep practicing. It feels so great!!

It's been awhile

Hey everyone,

It has been awhile since I posted on here. Things are going good. I have lost a total of 100 pounds and have been in a stall for about three months now. I'm happy with where I am but would still like to lose another 30 pounds. I'll take it a day at a time and see how it goes.

My MS is doing good at this point. I'm taking my injections three times a week. They have left me with nice bruises on my legs and belly, but I can easily hide them, so that is okay. I really do not notice too much of a difference with the medication. However, my right leg is still heavy at times and numb, but I'm learning to live with it. The right side of my head is still numb, but again I'm learning to live with it. Every once in awhile I will have problems with my left arm and leg acting up. Other than that, I cannot complain.

I have been training and running quite a bit. I've done another 5k and an 8k recently. I'm training for a sprint triathlon and will be doing more 5 miles runs coming up in the next few weeks. The weather is hot here so I'm having to rearrange my exercise schedule. I have been swimming in the lake in the evening. It cools me off nicely and then I go run 2 miles.

Here are a couple of pictures of me on my latest runs and walks.

Heels & Hills 1/2 marathon and 10k

This past weekend my bestie friends Patty & Kris met me and my friend Donna in Irving for a 10k run/walk. This was Patty & Kris' first 10k. It was so much fun after we go through the parking deal first thing. I was able to run a good majority of it and actually cut 10 minutes off my previous 10k, which I walked. My official time was 1:20. I hope to be able to run a whole one soon. Stay tuned because Patty, Kris and me are doing a 5k this weekend as well. Here are some pictures from our 10k.

I'm officially down 100 pounds too at 9 months out.

Wow, it has been awhile

I can't believe I haven't been here in awhile. Things have been pretty busy and I keep on truckin!!

I can't believe I am almost 8 months out from surgery. This is such a life changing event and has gone by very fast. I find myself reverting back to my comfort foods when I am stressed or upset or an emotional basket case. This is something that I so desperately need to work through.

I'm down 100 pounds now!!! The weight is coming off very slow now, which is expected and more realistic as well. I don't see a loss on the scale every week anymore but the clothes keep getting looser. I'm happy with where I'm at and would still like to lose 40 pounds. Hopefully, over the next 6 months or so I can reach my goat weight.

In the meantime, I have had some life changing news. I woke up three weeks ago with my whole right side of my body totally numb and tingling. I was a bit freaked out but did not think I had a stroke. I could still talk and walk okay so I didn't tell anyone except one friend. On the Saturday I ran a 5k with the numbness in my right side. I made it and was very excited about it but the numbness continued. On Sunday I finally told Bill what was going on and I told him I would call the doctor first thing in the morning or if I got worse we would go to the emergency room.

The next morning I went to the doctor and they did a brain MRI and cervical (neck) MRI. The radiologist called my doc and said that I needed to see a neurologist as it looked like I had a demyelinating process such as MS or maybe a subacute stroke.

I went to the neurologist a week later and we did more MRIs of my whole spine and brain again. It did come back that I have MS. I have two lesions on my brain and one on my thoracic spine. I was certainly shocked by this diagnosis. I was feeling so great and getting healthy and just down right enjoying life. I know it is not a death sentence and I surely could have something a lot worse, but at the same time, it is still shocking.

They do not have a cure for MS but they do have medications that can help with symptoms. MS has come quite far in the last 20 years. I will be starting injections 3 times a week and hopefully that will help with any flare-ups. I'm going to stay positive and work through all of this with the help of my family and friends.

Like I said, things could have been a lot worse. I'm blessed that I work at home and am able to take a nap or get up whenever I need to. There is no stress, which plays a big factor in flares as well. I will work through this one day at a time.

Started the New Year with a 5 mile walk/run

Okay, I'll admit it, Christmas was very hard. I know that I really have to work extra hard to overcome all the eating and baking at Christmas. I also found that my body can handle some sugar without dumping...not a good thing for me to know. However, I'm back on track and more energized than ever. I have met and reconnected with some great friends who are exercise gurus and are going to keep me on track and motivated.

I did the 5 mile walk/run yesterday. It was a lot of fun and gorgeous scenery. These are times that it is so peaceful and I can relax and let thoughts flow. It is something I'm doing for myself and that is a wonderful feeling.

I have some more things I will be doing this year as well. Stay tuned. It will be a great year!

10k all the way!!!

Today I competed in my first 10k. I walked at a 4.1 pace and finished in 1:30:32. I'm so proud of myself! It was a pretty tough course with rolling hills the whole way. Above are the pictures of me coming in and crossing the finish line.

4 months out

What a difference four months has made. I can't believe it is me that I'm looking at in the mirror. It just does not seem possible. I really like who I see but sometimes can see the pain of the old me looking back. It is a daily struggle to like who you are and constant struggle to be a better person. There is always room for improvement and right now I'm focusing on improving me both mentally and physically. We truly are our own worst critic! However, almost everyday has a WOW for me. I keep amazing myself!

Above are my 4 month photos. I weigh 197 pounds here and am 75 pounds down!!!

Come register for this contest

Lots of great stuff in a great basket that you can win. http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2009/11/kicking-off-the-season-with-a-black-friday-contest.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FMeltingMama%2Fwls+%28Melting+Mama%29&utm_content=FeedBurner

Come register and see if you win!!

Looking back

Today I thought would be a good day to post some older photos of me. Basically, so I myself can see the changes thus far. It is hard to believe how fast things have changed. How my "fat suit" is melting away and the cocoon is becoming a butterfly! It is amazing how my energy and attitude have changed and blossomed. I think I truly feel happy with myself now. I'm learning new things, trying new things and enjoying life. This second chance has been a blessing in all aspects of my life.

In the picture above I weighed at least 282 pounds, but I think I was more than that. I looked awful and I felt awful.

Look at me now!

I'm offically a ONElander!

Hi all,

I'm officially a ONElander, which means under 200 pounds!! Wow, I can't believe this. I do not know the last time I was under 200. It has been maybe 25 years ago. I feel great with a ton of energy and a new attitude! I can do anything I set out to do and I won't let anything get in my way! Here is my official picture of me under 200. I love my RNY and it has changed my life forever! What great gift and I'm working my tool!

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

The Turkey Trot

Today was the Turkey Trot walk/run. We did 1.5 miles today. I did it at 4.0 pace! Here is a photo of me before leaving for the race. It was such a beautiful day. I have been training for my 10k walk, which will be in December. I'm also going to start training for a half marathon that will take place in February. Look at me go! I feel like a new woman!

Yesterday was my 3 month followup! I'm down 64 pounds after a 2 pound weight gain...Yuck. The doc told me not to get freaked out about it, it happens. So, I'm trying not too! This is my first stall since surgery, so I can't really complain, plus 64 frickin pounds!! Wow.

Again, all my labs are fantastic!!! My A1c came down even further to 5!! My fasting blood sugar was 86. All my other labs were well within normal range. I'm so happy with the results.

Now, I have to pick up my training for my 10k. I walked four miles the other day in 1 hour and 5 minutes, which is 5 minutes faster than before, so I'm very happy with that. I bought a Garmin to keep track and so far love it!

We're off to Austin this weekend for a Warrior reunion! I can't wait it will be loads of fun. Oh yeah, we are going to see ACDC as well! Rock on!

Well, last night was Halloween and I decided to dress up. I was going to be the Swine Flu but gave it to my hubby instead. It was a big hit, especially the pink sweats. Poor Bill did not want to wear the sweats but I pretty much threatened him (ha, ha) and he wore them. I was Spider Woooman!! We went to two parties and had a ball. Enjoy!

2-1/2 month out photos -59 pounds

Here are some photos of me 2-1/2 months out. I've lost 59 pounds so far. I'm really pleased with my progress and I think I can finally see the difference. I did a total closet clean out and now have nothing left in my closet to wear! I missed getting rid of some of my old clothes and some jackets that I wanted so bad but didn't even wear! I hope the ladies I gave all my clothes to will get good use out of them.

Last week on the OH website I found out that one of my OH friends had passed away. She had surgery the same day as me. She had a tough time and went into cardiac failure. She was brought back but never woke up again. They found that her potassium was way below what it should have been. She leaves behind 3 young children. She was 37 years old. RIP Becky.