I made it

I weighed in at 198.8 this morning after being 200 for 2 days in a row....yes, I weigh everyday, I feel I need to so I know what is going on. But I promise I don't get weird or freak out every time I do not have a loss.  I have not stalled like some of my online friends (knock on wood), but the rate of loss has slowed since the first few weeks.  I am still losing .5 to 1 lbs every other day or two....so I'm good with that.  I even understand if there is a stall, that it will pass and what makes me feel really good about having made this decision is I won't repeat past mistakes.  In the past when I hit a stall, I would get discouraged and fall off the wagon, now I know my little tiny stomach will not let me do that.

I'm still working on getting enough protein in,  I've been really close to 80 gms but not quite.  I'm starting to feel a little hungry at meal times...so maybe I'll be able to get that protein snack in ....but for the past month it's been like "oh it's time to eat, I guess I'll force myself"...and I never get to the snack.  Still trying to figure out what works for me....I've lost more than a few meals...but we won't go into detail about that.

Appointment Update.

I had my follow up yesterday, I'm officially down 27 lbs....Onderland and that new Pandora bead are so close I can taste them!

Found out the occasional hard lump and mild pain I feel on my left side, is hard poop moving through my colon....lovely....need to drink more water!

Learned about some chips made out of egg whites....protein snack....whoo hoo...I ordered some from Amazon. 

Learned some good nutritional information, learned about the importance of vitamin B1 also known as Thiamine...making sure we get enough...I'm taking Centrum Silver chewables...and I'm getting enough...but there has been a study about giving high doses of B1 to people with early dementia...and symptoms were actually reversed....Dr. also talked a lot about the protein .....I'm feel like I'm really starting to get all of this.

Joined a new local Gym and hired a personal trainer...had my first session today....he said I was going to hate him tomorrow....now I'm just a little nervous....and he seemed like such a nice young man.  I'm going to start with 3 x week for a month, then 2x week for a month...working on strength one day a week my self, then 1 time a week for a month....by that time I should be good enough to solo...and hope I can push myself.

I also walked a little over 30 minutes on the treadmill....I don't really like treadmills...I find them boring...but we are back to our normal hot Texas summer...so it's just too dang hot outside....unless I go super early.  Anyway I'm hoping this fitness really helps my results.

Motivation

Monday was our 7 year anniversary, it was a little sad that we didn't take a trip, have a all out fancy steak dinner....but at this stage of recovery there was just no way. What I did get is this Pandora bracelet... I've been wanting one for awhile...so the two color beads indicate 10 lbs each gone forever, the heart beat says Happy Anniversary.  I will get a color bead for each 10 lbs (I'm about 4.5 lbs from my next bead)...then there is an easy gift idea (bead) for other occasions. I think these beads will be a great visual to keep me motivated.

I'm really doing good with my walking, I've been over 7,000 steps the last 2 days.  The key has been to get out early before it gets hot. I've also added an upper arm toning with weights (5 lbs) that I saw on Pinterest ...I do that every other day.  I found a Ab routine, not sure if I'm ready for that yet.  I have a follow up on Monday and I will check.  I know I've lost some in my tummy, but it still appears big, and it's super sensitive, it does not like anything tight across it, and seems to "swell or bloat" throughout the day.

I'm still wearing size 18 clothes and a few 16's....Now I really should have gone up to a 20 before surgery, but I refused to buy bigger sizes, especially once I made the decision.  The 18's were tight and looked horrible, now they are lose...a few are too lose and I've started a give away pile, but many of the 16's (that I've tried on) are tight across my belly and not comfortable....I'm thinking that 4.5 lbs...it will be a bead, size 16 and Onederland...the Trifecta!

Progress

First a disclaimer....I don't quite have the hang of this selfie thing; but wow can I already see a difference in my face.  I took some pictures in yoga pants and sports bra early on...won't be ready to do a side by side comparison with those for a little while.
The transition to pureed foods has been a bit of a challenge, part because I'm really not hungry and part because I eat too fast, I got an app called eat slower to help with that...and it does as long as I use it; but every time I forget.....it is not a good feeling.
The walking is so-so too....it has gotten very hot....duh..I  live in Texas....it's still 90 at 9 o'clock at night, of course I could get up early and walk when it's still in the 80's...but I'm so not a morning person.  I have an Elliptical...but I huff and puff after 5 minutes...I'm thinking I just need to suck it buttercup and do the Elliptical...even if it is just 5 minutes...do it several times a day to get to my goal steps...then maybe work on increasing my endurance to 10 minutes and so on?

Almost 3 weeks out

And it looks like I'm headed to the dreaded 3 week stall; I have lost 20 lbs though so i decided to treat myself to a pedicure.

 had the whole deal...hot wax and all....I believe I have not had a pedi since last summer.  I don't usually do it during the winter, and in the spring I knew I could not have painted nails for surgery so this was long over due.  This color is way outside of my comfort zone, I usually go for some form of orange.

Now about this evil 3 week stall, it appears it's really common and it seems to last about 2 weeks...the good news is my new little stomach is not going to let me fall off the bandwagon like I have every other time I've hit a stall, it will force me to stay in the and fight, fight, fight.  I don't plan on taking it lying down though, I think this will be a good time to focus on increasing my exercise.  I've been hitting at least 3k since the 25th of June, fairly regular.  I think it is now hit to add the Elliptical to the mix, since the fitbit is on my arm...as long as I'm doing the arm things and not just hanging on...those steps will count....maybe my goal for this first week of adding it will be 4k, then 5k the week after?  Not sure....sometimes my goals evolve as I go.

Speaking of goals....I did some research into a local color run...it was in DFW in April 2014...so I got on the list to be notified when it will be scheduled again....something good to work towards.