Hello all, it's time to get my head back in the game.... In a nutshell, almost 5 years out of my Sleeve surgery.
My highest weight loss was 108 Lbs down (scale @134 lbs), and at current time it's 82 down (scale @160 lbs.). It's time for me to get serious, again, before I blow this good thing.
I've gone through all the highs and lows of the weight loss which comes with sleeve surgery.
The highs were watching the scale every day as it plummeted and recording it with my iPhone. Being able to purchase and wear clothes that I thought were only for skinny, younger girls. Feeling more attractive, and working out like a fiend to keep my new shape. Loving the attention, loving looking in the mirror and seeing myself in a picture and thinking, "hmmm, not bad!".
The lows were almost a marriage break up as I gained confidence and didn't settle for my life the way that it was before weight loss surgery. Almost losing my entire family due to the (bad)choices that I made. The IBS symptoms that I continue to experience to this day. The headaches I get because I don't have the room to drink enough liquids (and eat) , the continual creeping up of the scale weight, a bigger appetite to deal with.
That said, I'm 100% happy that I made this choice to have the surgery, no regrets ever!
I can pretty much eat anything, even the 'dredded' no-list-zone foods like corn, celery, popcorn and nuts (in moderation, of course!). I have about 3-4 glasses of wine per week.
My observation is that the weight kept way down when I was actively exercising. My body was also more toned. My favorite part was that my legs now looked good, and no longer was I thunder thighs with 'cankles'!
My past job allowed me to work out in the gym the company had for employees (which I did on the cold days), and take long, brisk walks during the day on the warmer days. Since coming into a new job with no gym, and my house just blocks away, I find myself going home for lunch and sitting in front of the TV eating my lunch. Then back to my sedentary job. This is racking up the LBS.
Last night I turned the corner. I stepped on the dusty elliptical machine I paid $1700 for, worked out for 35 minutes. Then I started lifting weights and popped in a DVD to start working out with Billy Banks and TaiBo!
I also researched on the internet why my digestive system seemed so out of whack (I had IBS prior to the sleeve), and it appears that I need to adjust my intake of a Probiotic blend of nutrients. I am going to try this, and I'll let you all know how it works for me.
In any case, it's good to be back, and back in touch with the entire reason I started this journey in the first place.... to be healthier, happier, and in a better place.
I'm looking forward to making new friends and seeing how everyone else is doing in their respective journeys too.
Thanks for reading
Just remember Protein first, don't eat and drink at the same time, workout 4 to 5 times a week, track your calories, and drink 64 oz of liquids. You will have weight loss stall on your journey. Do your measurements so when the scale isn't moving you can still see your making progress.
If you eat within defined parameters (calories, carbs, protein) and meet your Water goals, you should not gain weight. In fact, you should continue to lose weight. The surgery is not a magic pill. Now is the time for the tough mental work. Eat what you should, and don't eat what you shouldn't. That's all you have to do.
Good luck!
Im also 2 mos post op. Been on stage 4 over 2 weeks. No weight gain, still losing just a bit slower. Your body is already becoming conditioned to eating less. This is the trial n error stage. Atleast 3 incidents of getting sick and projectile vomiting. Thats a swift kick in the butt to let u know stage 4 or not, pace urself, cant eat that yet, maybe next month. LOL. Just have to keep up the Protein n Water intake. Good luck.
