Newme17

Haven't been here for a while.. So let me catch you all up.  As you all know I lost my band in March.  Still hanging around 150... but I do need to get to the gym.  Still in the 4-6 size jeans...
I quit my job in Houma and moved to Madison, Ms.  Wasn't expecting to get a job so quick.  Went on Three interviews on a Friday and got Three job offers.  So I took the best one for me.

I will be so happy when fall weather gets here. This humidity makes my morning runs harder. I am back up to running 3.0 miles and I ran a 5k yesterday 3.2 miles. 
I feel lighter since giving up meat 2 weeks ago. It is like a heaviness has been lifted from my body. It is hard to describe and I am sure I didn't notice this when I was eating low carb. My energy levels are through the roof. I get up at 4:30 out the door by 5:20 run 2-3 miles and drink my shake before getting ready to leave for work at 7:20. I used to set my alarm and would hit snooze a couple times before getting up, but now it seems like my internal clock wakes me up exactly at 4:25 every morning. I honestly didn't think I could feel any better then I did a month ago, but I do. It is almost as if I can feel the wonderful nutrition from my food flowing through my veins. Corny, I know, but it is true!
I am down another pound this week and only 11 pounds till I reach my goal. All of the clothes in my closet that I saved over the years now fit me or are too large. This blows my mind. I have a closet full to choose from and a bunch that need to be bagged up and donated. I am glad I decided to save my clothes. 

I am starting to lose my edges ya'll. I cannot say RIP the edges. I have been slicking those babies back and wrapping them up at night. My babies hairs are laid for the gods as always. But them edges are splitting from my baby hairs like the Moses splitting the red sea. You could sail the Titanic between my baby hair and edges as this point. I will be damned if I am out here looking like Naomi Campbell. 
Now I know people are going to say use a protective style. However, braids, weaves, twists and wigs will only pull more of my hair out. I have very fine hair with a lot on my head but my cute fro is a no go!

I was soooo jealous of the people in my support group. I was really like why do I not look like them and why am I not losing like they are? Then I did a side by side comparison for support group and noticed it. I really could not believe the difference. Sometimes we truly have to look backwards to see how far we have come. I never liked comparing myself to others but I always felt a little way about people reaching their goals faster then me. However, after this picture, I will never feel that way again. I am proud of my success and how far I have come. Granted I am starting to notice lose skin, but I will take that over being unable to jog up the steps or run across the street. 
After reaching the goal of 200 lbs (finally dang I thought I would never get there lol). I went to the Spa. I was soo proud of myself and how I looked. I even got myself a Male Masseuse. He even complimented me on how soft my skin was and how well hydrated it looked. I felt so pretty with my facial and nails done. I did not worry if the bed was going to hold my weight or if I was going to fit on it. I fit just fine. 
Afterwards me and my mom went to Buffalo Wild Wings (Her favorite Spot). I was able to fit into the booth without having to suck my tummy in, lift it up or push it down. I looked at my mom and I said, "Mom I fit!! I really fit!!" She started laughing at me. The Waitress was really confused. My mom told her, "My annoying daughter lost over 60 lbs and now can fit in the booth..sooo...this is an important moment for her." 
Went to visit my Dad and he was shocked to hug me. (Note: My Dad lost a lot of his eyesight to Diabetes and he now takes very good care of himself. He was one of the reasons why I wanted to change). He said, "Moocha!! I wrap my arms around you now!!" I said, "Daddy so can I lol !!". We spent hours talking about Game of Thrones and how much weight we have lost. My dad used to weigh almost 385 lbs. He now weighs 220 lbs (he did this by going vegan and working out). I am very proud of him. It has taken him 2 years but he never gave up. The man is amazing. 
I have placed a picture I took at the restaurant lol. 
 

Here's a nice article, science based, about where I get my proteins from, having a Whole Foods plant based diet.
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/protein/

While I was away camping with my church's Pathfinder club I saw a lot of old friends. This camporee had hundreds of kids from clubs all over the area from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It was great to catch up and talk with them. Many of them commented on my weight loss and a few of them talked with me about their recent decision to go vegan. These friends are Adventist as am I. Our church promotes a plant based diet and many of the members are vegetarian. I have resisted the plant based diet for one reason or another over the years, but I feel like I am being led to look into this more and I have started reading Proteinaholic, by Dr. Garth Davis. A big thank you to @Newme17 for introducing me to this book and pushing me to research this. I don't know yet where this will lead me, but I am keeping an open mind and will look at the information and will act on it if I feel it will benefit my health.
My stall has broken!!! The scale said 178.6 this morning. I haven't seen the 170's for at least 11 years. I am beyond amazed and very happy with my decision to have this surgery and reclaim my health. It feels like so many pieces of my life are falling into place this year. I feel better than I have in so many years and I have made so many great friends here along the way. I am feeling blessed today.

Sooo...I decided to keep a pair of brand new dress pants that I've never worn from the past two years (that I could also never wear due to them being way too small) for when I need a pair to wear. I decided to try them on this morning (for an important appointment this week) and they are now too big! Lol. 

Sooo...I decided to keep a pair of brand new dress pants that I've never worn from the past two years (that I could also never wear due to them being way too small) for when I need a pair to wear. I decided to try them on this morning (for an important appointment this week) and they are now too big! Lol. 

Sooo...I decided to keep a pair of brand new dress pants that I've never worn from the past two years (that I could also never wear due to them being way too small) for when I need a pair to wear. I decided to try them on this morning (for an important appointment this week) and they are now too big! Lol. 

Sooo...I decided to keep a pair of brand new dress pants that I've never worn from the past two years (that I could also never wear due to them being way too small) for when I need a pair to wear. I decided to try them on this morning (for an important appointment this week) and they are now too big! Lol. 

Sooo...I decided to keep a pair of brand new dress pants that I've never worn from the past two years (that I could also never wear due to them being way too small) for when I need a pair to wear. I decided to try them on this morning (for an important appointment this week) and they are now too big! Lol. 

My clothes have been hanging off and baggy. I decided to just suck it up and buy a few shirts and two pairs of jeans today. I fit into a size 16 jeans. I was a size 22!!! I fit into a size Medium shirt. A MEDIUM!!! From a 2XL - 3XL to Medium. OMG!!! YES. 
 
 

My doggy is now back home in his cute little splint and cone. He is soo adorable and annoyingly smart. He figured out how to push the cone back so he can bite at the splint. He also is running on 3 legs but walks on all 4 (Except in the dirt lol). 
My stall is finally over. I moved 1 lb on the scale on Sunday. I finally moved. I have been bouncing between 203 - 205 lbs for the longest. I am finally 202 lbs. I think its over. I have been sticking to my Keto and meal prepping. I cannot believe that I look like this. I feel amazing. I look amazing and although I have a long way to go, I am soo proud of the progress that I have made. I am almost to my second goal of being under 200 lbs. I have made the decision that I want to bring in the New Year at 155 lbs. That is an average of 9 lbs over the next 5 months. I can handle that. I have already prepared my Keto weeks and the grocery lists. I just want to reach that third goal by the end of the year and I believe that I can. 
My ex-bf has been texting me and calling me a lot. Honestly, I really do miss the fool. I just do not want his insecurities destroying my progress. I am highly conflicted. I know he is a great person and I truly love him a lot. I just do not understand why he has any insecurities. The man workouts and is built. He is very handsome and extremely intelligent. As of now, he is being supportive. Sending me work out routines to try, new recipes and even went as far as to get me a class doing Aerial Silks (Something I have showed extreme interest in). I really need to have a one on one with myself regarding our relationship.

Guess what!?  I haven't had a single bout of heartburn/acid reflux since being sleeved and changing my lifestyle diet to plant based.  AMAZING!  I believe it has to be the diet more than just being sleeved, since I've read that so many are having issues with it after being sleeved.  Makes you wonder...huh?  

Repeatedly amazed by and so grateful for the sleeve! It's such a new sensation (or should I say one that I haven't had since I was a child) to stop eating when I'm not hungry anymore instead of when I'm full. I portioned out my 3 ounces of meat and 1 ounce of zucchini this morning after the gym. I had maybe 1 or 2 ounces of meat before deciding I'd had enough and packing the rest for later.

I'm so impressed with my weight I weighed less now than in 2014. I'm 31 pounds away from when I was pregnant with my 12 year old. My happy and outgoing personality hasn't changed in fact I am getting more love than I expected. My clothes are falling off me and I feel lighter plus I am more spiritually happy than ever. Can't for the next set of losses I am in the early 300 pound mark. I'm taking pictures to see the progress I have been making. Not to mention I am checking myself out in mirrors a lot lately.

Guess what!?  I haven't had a single bout of heartburn/acid reflux since being sleeved and changing my lifestyle diet to plant based.  AMAZING!  I believe it has to be the diet more than just being sleeved, since I've read that so many are having issues with it after being sleeved.  Makes you wonder...huh?  

Guess what!?  I haven't had a single bout of heartburn/acid reflux since being sleeved and changing my lifestyle diet to plant based.  AMAZING!  I believe it has to be the diet more than just being sleeved, since I've read that so many are having issues with it after being sleeved.  Makes you wonder...huh?  

I ran in the pouring rain this morning for the first time. It was actually not too bad except for the rain in my eyes. I am having a slight issue with my right knee, nothing serious just a twinge so I am running with a compression sleeve and following the RICE protocol. I am praying this doesn't side line me. I will be taking an extra rest day tomorrow just to be careful.

It's nice hearing "your legs are smaller" My hubby told me this on my way out to the gym. Had to look for myself...I guess he's right.

Does anyone purposely go to bed hungry or do you eat if you're hungry right at bedtime? I've always ignored the hunger and went to bed. It's not acid reflux (haven't had any, praise God!), but real genuine hunger. I could eat anything right now. In the past (healthy days), I learned to just go to bed, something to do with making the metabolism work/calories burn, etc. don't remember exact science. Also in the past (non healthy days) I thought I'd be hungry and would end up eating a snack before bed. But that was refux.  So even though I'm genuinely hungry now. I wouldn't even want to start up that terrible old habit I had. I think I posted my status out of even thinking of getting something to eat, even if it's healthy.  

It's nice hearing "your legs are smaller" My hubby told me this on my way out to the gym. Had to look for myself...I guess he's right.

It's nice hearing "your legs are smaller" My hubby told me this on my way out to the gym. Had to look for myself...I guess he's right.

I am 2 months out from the Gastric sleeve I had surgery done on may 10th and I have lost 37 pounds and I feel great and I am ready to be a healthier me    and I am ready for my fiancé and me to get married in two years and I will be a healthier person then having to worry about me not feeling ok to walk down the aisle with my brother and not being able to breath and like when dancing I won't get tired so fast 

Slowed down my exercise regimen. I'm planning on only going to the gym 3-4 days a week now instead of 7. Also, I started drinking gatorade during my workouts instead of water. I'm feeling great and have so much more energy now!