BeanitoDiego

Today, I am a 5 months and a few days post-op, and I am very grateful for being able to drink water more normally. I used to be able to swallow about 16oz. of water in 10 seconds. Now, I can drink about 8oz. of water in about 60 seconds. The change is that I am just more mindful about drinking more often.

Another change with my water intake is that being able to separate eating from drinking has become normal for me. I do wear a fitness tracker and use it multiple times per day as a 30-minute post-meal timer. I have had to sip some water to get meds down with my food, but otherwise I've not had any issues.

I experimented with eating some meat post-op, but I am moving back towards more vegetarian fare. Eggs, cheese, yoghurt, and other dairy choices are still on my menu, though. I've become a fan of morning proffee, too! A scoop of whey-based protein powder in my black coffee feels like a wholesome start to the day. I so look forward to this new ritual, drinking my two proffees and playing word games ☕

Since I have been realising some amazing fitness gains, I've noticed that the veins all over my body are popping up, even when I'm at rest. I can see my ribs in the mirror when I raise my arms. My thighs don't touch anymore. All of this, and more, I am experiencing for the first time in my life. First. Time.

A final observation. Since I am now considered to be of a normal weight, and not obese, I have noticed that strangers are more kind to me. People make eye contact, hold doors, listen, make small talk, etc. As someone who lived in a large body for almost 50 years, and who is still the same person that I always was on the inside, I feel like I have infiltrated the "other side." As a result, I am going out of my way to extend even more kindness and no judgements to everyone that I meet who lives in a larger body.

Stay the path, my friends.

Just returned from a 2-week trip, and was amazed to be able to hike/walk/jog whenever and wherever I wanted to! I LOVE being able to move my body around so freely 😎

Constantly amazing myself. This is probably a normal experience for all of us on a WL journey.

This morning I was at 174 pounds (78.9 kilos). I can perceive that my brain hasn't really caught up to this yet, as I still feel obese, even though I am close to being considered a normal weight, not even overweight. The smaller clothes, the higher fitness level, the great blood work results, the energy- these all tell me a totally different story!

I have NEVER EVER been, never, not once in my life, nada, zip, zilch, zero times, been "thin." I think this explains some of the disconnect between the reality of my body and the stuckness of my brain. I do have confidence that my mind will catch up soon ❤️

Not really having the experience of true hunger yet, but I can perceive the peristalsis of my digestive tract. And I am getting very good at spotting head hunger, and simply noticing it, like a Buddhist.

I ordered the Barbecue Protein Crisps here from BariatricPal, and find them quite tasty. The Ranch flavour, not so much. They are very filing and have a satisfying crunch.

I continue to shrink, and am amazed at the changes all over my body. Visually, it is striking to me. In the mirror, I look thin to my eyes, but I don't feel thin, although I can see more bones and veins and tendons and floppy skin. Cardio-wise, It takes a lot more effort to get my heart rate up and I'm now monitoring which heart zone I can get into and for how long. My resting heart rate is the lowest it's ever been.

If I think about it, and I left myself feel it for a time, I weep (like, boohoo cry) with joy. I am so grateful to myself, and proud of myself for having the courage to have taken the leap to better health.

I'd made this incredible, thoughtful post this morning about people who stay on the forums for a long time, and why I aspire to do the same. Then, it was apparently not submitted. I love this site, this resource, this community, and even like some of the products from the store. But the software is buggy sometimes, like the dupe posts.