AmberFL

Just adding to my accountability post! Had a reality check recently. As I was going over food log I noticed that I was letting too much processed stuff creep into my routine – protein bars, powders, low-carb bread, cookies (not just 1) fast food (small amounts but still) – and my gut wasn’t having it. I had to get honest with myself about what I was actually eating. So, I hit the reset button and went back to whole, real foods. I even started making my own sourdough again, and let me tell you, the bloat is basically gone, my energy is up, and that annoying food noise is finally quieting down. The scale is moving down, but more importantly, I just feel so much better!

Less than a month away!

Can’t wait to hear all about it!!

Today is the day! Hope all went well, welcome to your new life!

My meal prepped breakfast for the week! Quinoa, egg whites, blackberries and walnuts with a side of ham. 262 cal, 25g carb, 20g protein 9g fat, 4g fiber

@SpartanMaker funny you mentioned your run and how you had to play the why in your head -this morning I woke up at 4am. as I always do. and kept pushing the snooze button, but I knew I had to go the gym and do lower body weight lifting- I knew in order to progress how I am trying to shape my body I needed to do it. So I got up, and did it. As I was working out, I told myself your here, put your game face on and just effing doing it. Probably one of the best lower body workouts I have done in a long time. I am constantly repeating it in my head- glad I could help!

@KimBaxleyWilson thats awesome!!!

how is your progress?

My hair was coming out in chunks around 4-6months -I thought I would be lucky but sigh nope!. My hair is coming back thick and I'm 15months post op. I make sure I eat 100+ grams of protein a day (usually closer to 150g which might be too much but that is something I am trying to figure out), take all my vitamins and I put 2-4TBLS of this in my coffee or incorporate it into my food every single day: https://www.gnc.com/powders/542500.html?ogmap=SHP|NBR|BING|STND|c|SITEWIDE||{B_PMax_NB}|All Products - Holiday||396351403|1244648496726018&gclid=4eaca2547a921363fd6aca455842f355&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=4eaca2547a921363fd6aca455842f355&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_PMax_NB&utm_term=2329590261827342&utm_content=All Products - Holiday

You're right — I didn’t go through surgery just to have a reunion tour with my old habits. Still learning what balance looks like for me and my day to day. I will get there! Thank you for this!

@Mspretty86 I JUST got the okay to do upper body Friday- no isolated chest workouts which is fine with me, I have been wanting to workout my back and shoulders. I have been working my biceps and triceps for a few weeks but you can only do so much with that- Still no running or anything that requires bouncing. So HIIT workouts are off limits to an extent. But I am able to wear regular bras now, but need to wear my post op bra at night and during my workouts.

@Lilia_90 I have been working hard on that mindset, good bad or unhealthy labeling of foods. My frustration lies where I have been so good about channeling my stress, or emotions in other avenues such as walking, or meditation that April has been a cluster of me just going back to old habits. Then beating myself up about it. I have been regressing to the "old me" I cannot pin point why? I am maintaining 170-175lbs, which is something that I am trying not to put some much emphasis on as well- weight is just a number and not the only way to track progress. To follow up on @SpartanMaker that is my fear- if I allow to much of the unprocessed "junk food" then I completely ignore the nutrient dense foods that make me feel good. When I eat too much unprocessed food I feel like garbage and dragging through my workouts. My motivation is not where it was but I still get up and workout. I know its there- I need to find it. I am so thankful that I have this outlet, no one understands these struggles around me.

@SpartanMaker you are an absolute gem, thank you for your kind words! ❤️ I did not get to be 300lbs by eating healthy, it was definitely the binge eating and hiding the wrappers or food, which is why I had to make sure I help myself accountable. I have been able to keep it at bay but this month just let it take over. You are right, I am very goal-oriented, and a determined individual so me not being able to get my ish back together is driving me bananas. I love the idea of just setting one goal and not worrying about everything else. I am no longer relying on motivation to continue my journey but determination. My focus has been off this month and I can't pin point why- but you might have hit the nail on the head with the stress due to post surgery- however I had my 4month post op appointment a couple of hours ago and he cleared me for exercise again, just no running or isolated chest workouts. Which I am okay with! I can work with that! That got me excited to incorporate that back into my routine. That is something that has kept me from doing my norm since I was limited on what I could do, so I am hoping that lights a fire under me. I will keep you in mind if I am struggling with the diet and workouts and PM you! I appreciate you again!! @Mspretty86 I have 3 kids and a hubby, Who all eat differently. My daughter is the only one who have my genes so I do need to be cautious but the 2 boys and hubby have no weight issues. Its something that we all need to work out, but I'm starting with not buying it anymore. You're right this ish is HARD! But I CHOOSE this hard and not being obese hard!

@Mspretty86 damn! that's awesome!! I need a 360 body lift. I literally have no fat on my body but my skin is not the biz! Working out can only do so much! Thats the next thing on my agenda!

wow! and thats with travel?! how much are you getting the surgery and all the extras done for?

Can I ask you how much you are spending on your entire trip? flight, hotel, and surgery?

That looks beautiful! Cant wait to hear about your experience! and YES the U.S is stupid expensive!

Just wanted to drop in say...he's an idiot! Your a diamond so let that light shine! Then everything everyone else said ❤️

I agree with @SpartanMaker eating more might sound crazy but it works! Resistance training has completely transformed my body. I started incorporating it around 4–5 months post-op, and the weight started dropping like crazy. My body looked significantly better compared to when I was just doing cardio. Around 6–7 months post-op, I added 30 minutes of running at least 5 days a week, and at that time, I was eating between 2,100–2,300 calories daily. Even with that intake, I was losing weight and had actually dropped below my goal weight. I had to take a break due to surgery, and during that time my weight fluctuated upward—which was really frustrating. Even though I cut my calories and kept my macros on point, the scale wasn’t moving the way I wanted it to. But now that I’m back to resistance training (I’m not cleared to run yet), my weight is slowly trending back down again. I say try it! If you would like some guidance I have a few circuits that I do and has worked really well! I am happy to share ❤️

I was not allowed to have anyone. My husband dropped me off at the admittance and I was alone the rest of the time. He sat in the car till I was done- bless him for that. I was there from 645-2pm then they wheeled me out and I was on my way

@Mspretty86 awww ya I get that!

@Mspretty86 let see the before and after!!!

@Lily2024 Good luck on surgery!! I was not able to work out for 7 weeks it was so tough, but getting back into the swing of things!

@SpartanMaker I so agree! I have been taking your words of wisdom and practicing it!

@Lily2024 We are surgery twins! How many calories do you eat a day? I was at 163-165 then had plastic surgery and I cannot get back down. so I am not teetering 170-175. Would like to see how our day looks like, were the same height and about the same activity level as well!