LoseIt!

I actually had some bad spotting issues the first few months after surgery. (I'm on the 3-month cycle pill.) But it has been 7 months now and I have had no issues in quite a while. I think the surgery messes with it, but it evens out.

If you are exercising a lot, then you could be toning the heck out of your body? I exercise quite a bit. Last month, I only lost 4 pounds, but I lost a lot of inches including 2.5 off my belly and 1.5 off my bust...even better, .75 of EACH upper arm! Yes, tracking food should surely help. But don't sell yourself short. Wearing smaller clothes is just as good of an indicator of success as the scale (if not better)!!

If that were the case, you wouldn't have very many success stories!! We ALL have these issues and I guarantee that we ALL "mess up" from time to time. The Band will help you change as you need to!

Yes, every doc is different. Your post-op diet might be different from most too. Just make sure you follow YOUR doctors orders! Good luck!

You, my friend, are NOT lazy! You are amazing and such an inspiration!!

YAY for you!! It is just so life changing (in a good way!) I won't discourage you from doing the last meal(s), I did it too. There are a few things that I can't eat that I miss, but it is different somehow. Plus, I'm just so darn happy. Good luck!!

Vacations are GREAT! But it is good to come home and get back in my routine. Thursday I got to Louisville and my brother picked me up at the airport. My brother and I love each other, but we have never really been friends. I noticed that this trip, that seems to be changing. I have no idea if it is coming from me, him or both of us, but I LOVE it!! One nephew and my niece were with him and were really excited to see me (as I was them!) We picked up other nephew and met SIL at home. SIL was extremely complimentary...she has been one of my biggest supporters throughout this whole process. It feels good! Friday I slept in and then went to my nephew and niece's school for a Read-a-thon kick off. Too cute! That night we went to a party at some friends' of my brothers house. One of his friends that I have met before just went on and on about how different I look. Awesome!! Saturday, I got up and ran the 5K. I detailed all of that for you in my last post. Sunday, my brother was having a big party for the neighborhood, so I helped get ready for that. It was almost like a work out! But then all the delicious food came in for the pot luck and I ate like a fiend. Now, of course, I didn't eat like I used to, but I still ate way more than I usually do today. Sunday, I woke up and hung out with the kids a bit. Then, my SIL, the kids and I went to lunch before they took me to the airport. Super fun time!! I was really hungry this morning when I woke up. I weighed myself and I lost .2 pounds for the week. Not too bad since I went on vacation, but I think it is probably time for a fill. I had one scheduled for Thursday, but I cancelled it a couple of weeks ago when I was going strong. Oops! Anyway, I have one now scheduled for 9/14. That is two days before my parents come to town, but they are supportive so it should be fine. I certainly missed you all!!

Today I RAN my first 5K. YAY!! My first goal was to finish...check! My second goal was to RUN the whole thing and not stop or walk...check! My third goal was to finish in 45 minutes...close. I saw the clock hit the 45 minute mark but I wasn't quite there. I'm pretty sure I finished before 46 minutes though. I will have to check the website tomorrow to be sure exactly. My SIL was AMAZING! She is a runner and could've made it in half the time, but she was with me every step of the way. My nephew took off at the start and finished in 27 minutes. He is 10 yo and is SO AWESOME! It was so discouraging at the beginning because it felt that the whole crowd flew past us and I felt like my chest was about to burst open. The first mile seemed hard for me but I figured out at the first mile marker that we did it in 12:54...considering I usually run a 14 minute mile, no wonder I was tired!! The second mile started with a hill that was about 1/3 mile long. It was when I really wanted to walk. I kept thinking that I could walk faster than I was running. In fact, some walkers passed me at times. HA! But Gretchen kept encouraging me and even at one point jogged ahead and came back to report on where the hill ended. Once I got up that, I KNEW I HAD to finish the race running. The 2nd mile (with the hill and the fast first mile) was REALLY slow, but I made it. The 3rd mile is a blur. I only remember seeing each hill and saying "Oh my God, Gretchen" every single time. And every single time she would say "You can do it!" or "You are doing awesome!" or "You have a good pace, keep it up!" In fact, she carried water for me and would uncap it and give it to me whenever I wanted something. I honestly keep getting tears in my eyes thinking about it. When we hit somewhere mid 3rd mile, I hit a brick wall. We were passing over a bridge and I remember thinking that I could die. My chest felt like it was going to explode, but I was SOOO close. When we saw the finish line I heard a girl's voice yell "Go Beth!" Later I realized that my SIL's sister was there. Then my brother was at the finish line to cheer me in and take my picture. I have NEVER in my life loved my brother more than in that moment. When I crossed the finish line, I burst into tears. This was MY marathon. Four months ago, I couldn't run a mile. I am so blessed that all those who love me didn't tell me I couldn't do it. They just supported me along the way. I did it!! And now I just want to do it again and better! Well...as soon as I can feel my legs again. :confused: You all are also part of my inspiration network and I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I'm finishing this day by taking my soon to be 7 yo niece to get a manicure, then to the mall and dinner. Can't think of a better way to spend the day!!

Congratulations! Thank you for posting and update. It is very inspiring!

Keep it up! I will add my good thoughts and prayers for a clean bill of health!

Does it matter?? Ha! Like sandradee says, Enjoy it! Down is the key!

Congratulations!! That is a great accomplishment and so encouraging.

Congratulations on making it to Onederland!! I hope to join you soon.

Yikes! Thank goodness you know now and it should be better going forward.

Another month gone by! In some ways, it is hard to believe that it has been over 7 months since my surgery. In other ways, it just seems like it could've been a few weeks ago! I was only slightly dissappointed when I realized that my loss for the month was 4.8 pounds. I mean pre-surgery, that would have been a really big deal! It is 60% of my monthly average. So the irritating portion of my brain says that isn't enough, but the other portion (the one that I CHOOSE to listen to) says that I should be proud of myself. I hit a plateau this month and instead of quitting in discouragement, I hit it head on. I learned a lot about myself and my body and I got myself back on track. THAT is the difference between me NOW and me BEFORE. I like it!! That little lady is on the move! :tt2: Today, I took my monthly measurements which I take in 13 places (neck, upper arms, wrists, bust, waist, belly, hips, thighs, calves). I am absolutely thrilled that I lost 11.25" this month. I have been tracking weight loss/measurements for eight months to include my preop diet. In those eight months, this is the 3rd most inches lost, but the LOWEST pounds lost. That just goes to show how important it is to measure!! It sent me from "not being disappointed" to being "absolutely thrilled." :thumbup: YAY! I have to go sit through some boring CPE webinar. Boo! Talk to you all later!!

Congrats! And YAY! That is awesome!

Congratulations on all your wonderful family happenings. These are joyous times and is delightful that you are enjoying them so!!

Wow...having a restaurant is HARD work, so congratulations on getting it up and running. And YAY for the big crowd!!

Aw...I'm so sorry!! That has to be ridiculously frustrating. I hope it gets better very soon!

I love that you had such a fun time with your daughter! My mom is coming in a few weeks and I know I'm really looking forward to it. You cousin sounds like an ass. I'm sure she is mostly lovely, but ouch. That is just so hurtful. Know that we all :biggrin: you very much!!

Woo hoo! 14s, here you come!

That has to be frustrating. I will offer you some encoragement in that my fill doctor says that just a few drops can have an amazing effect. Meaning maybe just a few drops will get you from where you are now, to the restriction you want. I'm hoping for you!!

What great news! Congratulations on your success. Awesome!

Weekends sure do seem to fly by, don't they? Friday was such a great day. Work was busy until around 3:00, then we all took out our new iPads and played. We showed each other which apps we had purchased and "ichatted". Ha! We are spoiled. After work, I went home and freshened up, then Cori & I went to Ft. Worth. She had a gift card to PF Changs from her birthday. We did the meal for two which was a ridiculous amount of food for the two of us. I ate about 1/2 my hot and sour soup cup, 1 chicken lettuce wrap, then about 7 small pieces of chicken/shrimp from the two entrees. I did manage to have a few bites of dessert too. :scared2: Then we headed to the Bowling for Soup concert which was super fun. I LOVE them!! We didn't get home until almost 2am, so I slept in instead of going to Jazzercise. In fact, except for a Tupperware party at 2pm and church at 6pm, I lazed around most of the day. Sunday was a different story. While I didn't get up until 9:30, I was busy after that. I met some friends for breakfast. I LOVE EGGS! I went to the grocery store then came home and attacked both my laundry and the spare bedroom. I worked for about 4 hours around the house and really burned some calories! I completely finished my laundry and the spare room is about 90% ready for visitors. I spent the evening catching up on the last season of WEEDS. That is such a crazy, but awesome show. Next thing I knew, it was time for bed and a new week! Tomorrow is the end of the month and time for my monthly weigh in. Stay tuned. :sleep:

Oh Jade, I'm SO SO SO happy for you! I can feel your happiness just radiating from the screen. I couldn't be more thrilled!