Struggling

I am so grateful for the amount of weight I have lost. I am grateful that I was able to have the surgery. I have been really happy with how smoothly the diet, exercise & new life has been going for me.

However, this weekend was really hard for me and I have no clue why. I was struggling with my feelings. I know I have a lot to be grateful for, but I just couldn't get out of the funk that I was in. I was so sad on Saturday that all I wanted to do was cry. (I did cry) I was depressed and had no idea why. I hate feeling this way. Thank goodness for my dad & step mom & for being able to spend time with them to help get my mind off things. We all headed down to a neighbors house to help her clean up her front yard. The neighbors big tree split & fell in her front yard & was covering the sidewalk.

I think I got overwhelmed & stressed with all the changes going on. I have been looking for a part time job because I want to get all of medical bills paid off sooner than later. I have applied at a few places but haven't heard back. I really don't want to work on Sundays. I know I was supposed to have the surgery. I know it was an answer to many prayers. I know that the Lord is aware of me & that He will help me find a part time job. I just need to keep the faith & keep doing my part. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. Especially when I am not a patient person. I guess the lesson I am learning right now is patience.

I am grateful for all my friends & followers who cheer me on & support me through all he good & bad. I know that everything will work out.

1 Month & 3 Days

Wow, where did the time go? I guess the saying of "time flies when you are having fun" rings true for me. I can't believe that I am 1 month & 3 days after I did the gastric bypass surgery. It has been a fun ride. There have been times that it hasn't been easy, but for the most part its been fun.

I have lost a total of 51 pounds which is amazing. That is the most I ever lost with any other weight loss program. My goal is to loose at least 200 pounds which means I am 1/4 of the way done. I feel wonderful. I am amazed at how much extra energy I have to exercise & do everyday things. I haven't dared to publish how much I weighed before surgery. I think for right now I am going to keep that information private.

I love how feel. I love knowing that each day something is changing wether I notice it or not. I love the compliments that I get from others. I am so glad that I decided to make this change.

Below I have posted pre-surgery pictures that the doctors office took before my surgery & current pictures from today, so you can see the changes in me.

BEFORE

AFTER (Taken Today)

Last night one of my girlfriends came over to my house to watch a movie. I had already eaten dinner, but she was starving so she stopped at Little Ceasars to get a $5 pizza. I told her it was fine to eat in front of me which it was. The smell of it made me want to eat a slice. It goes to show the power our mind has when it comes to food. She let me have one slice but all I ate was the cheese & pepperoni off the slice. It tasted okay & I was able to eat just fine. Its not as good as I remembered it before the surgery. I threw away the entire crust. My goal is to have no carbs for the 1st year which I have done great on.

I figure why introduce the foods that I have a hard time with, then I will just end right back where I was. I am following everything the doctors are telling me to do. I have to, its not an option for me. Partly because of how much money I will be forking out to pay for my half of the surgery. I figure this is an investment that is worthwhile and why not do everything right since I get a second start on life.

P O W Yearly Campout

I got home yesterday afternoon from my yearly campout with girlfriends from the ward that I grew up in as a child. We have been getting together for a long time at least 6 years or more. We even gave our camp group the name of Pretty Outstanding Women campout.

This year those who were able to attend were myself, Vickie Ricks, Sharyll Madsen, Debbie
Schwenke, Rhonda & Erin Jensen. In past years others who have attended are Linda Maddocks, Tina Ellis & Darcie Tew. For the last 3 years we have been going to Tanner Flats campground which is up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Vickie & Sharyll headed up Wednesday afternoon. Debbie and I came up on Thursday. Rhonda & Erin came up on Friday evening.

I was going to go at first because I was worried how I would be able to stay on my food plan. Then I figured I should go because I can't stop living everyday life just because my diet has changed. I packed up my own food and headed up for some camping & relaxtion.

While we were out on our hikes, Vickie wanted to get creative with how we took pictures, rather then just taking picutres of us standing. So she came up with a great idea for all of us to lay down on the ground with our heads in the center while our bodies made a circle. We were all good sports and did it but we got the case of giggles as we were laying on the ground. It was hilarious, you had to be there.

Here are more creative shots that I took of Vickie while we were out on the hike. She cracks me up with the things she comes up with.

I am so glad that I went. I had a wonderful relaxing time with my friends. I can't wait until next year to see where I am at with my weight loss & to see how well I handle the hikes. I was able to stay on track with the meals that I took. I got my exercise in & had fun doing it. I do have to say that it was nice to return home & sleep in my own bed.

Long Lost "Friend" (aka collarbone)

The other day I was looking in the mirror & I noticed something that I haven't seen for a very long time. Now this thing has been apart of my ever since I was born, but it was hiding. The thing that I am talking about is my collarbones. It was nice to finally see them. So I introduced myself to my collarbones while standing in the mirror. They look great & very defined. I guess thats what would happen after loosing as much weight as I have. (I was attempting to be funny but I'm not sure if it came across that way). It's like the return of a long lost friend. HA HA HA

I decided early on I wasn't going to weigh myself everyday. It is easy for my to be consumed with the number. I decided I would weight myself once a week. So tomorrow marks a new week and I am excited to get on the scale. I will let you know what the outcome is.

I am now able to get in & out of my car without my stomach rubbing up against the steering wheel. In order for me to use my seatbelt in my car previous to surgery, I required a seatbelt attachment. Well I no longer need the attachement. It's the little things that bring me so much pleasure.

43 POUNDS

As of yesterday, I have lost a total of 43 pounds since I first saw my surgeon. I can't believe how fast those pounds just came off. It's kind of exciting. I think the most weight I ever lost on my own attempts was 50 pounds. It's nice to know that I will be surpassing that & more in the near future. I can't wait until I reach losing 100 pounds. I might just have to have a party to celebrate.

I am so glad that I held on to so many pants that didn't fit me, because now they are coming in handy. This week I have worn two outfits that I haven't been able to wear for at least a year. It's like shopping but only in my closet.

I'm sure some of my readers are bored that every post I have has something to do about my weight loss success. I honestly can't think of anything else to talk about right now. Maybe once the newness wears off I will post about other things.

Thank you for those readers who have sent me their book suggestions. I look forward to a new list of books to read from.

Before & After Pictures

Today is exactly 2 weeks since I had the surgery. I feel fabulous. These pictures above are my before & after pictures. I go to see the surgeon tomorrow so I am excited to find out the exact amount I have lost since the surgery.

I love when I pull out an old shirt that I have been saving for when I loose weight & fit nows. That is a wonderful feeling. I had my dad take the picture below because this green shirt I haven't been able to wear for at least 2 years.

Productive Weekend

I love weekends that are productive. Since I had my surgery, I had little things piling up that I have been wanting to get done. Yesterday was the first day that I felt like I had the energy to do it. I love walking into my duplex & seeing all of the things I accomplished. It's a good feeling. I was able to balance my checkbook, clean out a drawer of my filing system, vacuum my front room, do laundry & clean dishes.

Later in the evening I went over to my friend Deedre' B condo & we watched The Secret Life of Bees. I wasn't interested in watching the show when it came out in the box office, but I'm glad I watched it. It was a really good show. Now it makes me want to get the book from the library to see how close they followed the story line.

If any of my followers would like to give suggestions on some good books to read, I am looking for another book to read. I am pretty much open to anything. I know I want to read The Secret Life of Bees & The Travelers Wife.

My Sunday has been wonderful as well. I got 3 different substitutes to take my Primary class while I was out from the surgery. I didn't feel like staying home from church today, but I didn't feel up to teaching my primary class. So I decided to just attend Sacrament meeting. The Bishop came up to ask me how I was doing. I handed two tithing envelopes & joked with him that it looks like I have been gone long enough if I had 2 envelopes to give him. He laughed. I forgot it was Fast Sunday today. I'm glad I went, it was good to be able to partake of the Sacrament & to feel the spirit from those who bore their testimonies.

I went to Dad & Peggy's for dinner. They had chicken fried rice while I had 3 TBSP of Tuna Fish with little mayo & 1 TBSP of Peas & Carrots. After dinner we all went for a walk around the neighborhood. I forgot how much I don't care for hills.

Tomorrow is my last day off before I go back to work on Tuesday. I am excited for Tuesday because I have my 2 week follow up appointment with my surgeon. Tomorrow I will post my 2 week post surgery picture. It's been nice to loose as much as weight as I have. I was able to wear a dress to church today that has been haning in my closet for awhile. Also I found a shirt that I was able to wear now that I haven't worn in a long time. It is a nice feeling.