Super Spring Weigh In: Week 1 Losing ReGain

Spring has sprung! Which means that the weather is turning warmer, the days are getting longer, and fitting in outdoor activities is a whole lot easier. Spring is a time of renewal, and in the spring of 2016  I’m living my life in full bloom! Now that I’m losing the weight that I’ve re-gained, the pounds I lose this spring are like petals on a flower, making my life just a bit more beautiful. I want to enjoy each day of this season, soaking in the sunshine, blue skies, and happiness. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. My Sunday progress updates will be called Super Spring Weigh-Ins.

Week 1 of losing my regain found me slowly getting back on track after that painful reality check of last week’s weigh in when I saw 201.0 on the scale; a number I thought I’d never see again.  But sometimes a shock to the system is exactly what it takes to get me moving in the right direction. I was on spring break this week, so I had the time to make some slight, yet significant changes: I went on a hike and worked out at the gym with RDC3, I got in over 10,000 steps on trips to Half Moon Bay (with RDC3 and my parents) and Carmel (with RDC3 and Sofi).  I made a grocery run, prepared healthier meals, and had a general sense of things getting back into place.

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 199.2, which is a loss of 1.8 pounds this week! I’ve lost a total of 77.8 lbs since surgery and 115.8 pounds from my highest weight!! I have 49.2 pounds to go to my ultimate goal weight of 150 pounds. I’m really happy with this week’s loss.  The first pound came off right away when I did my daily weigh-in on Monday; the other 0.8 came off a little at a time as the week continued.  Not only did I lose almost 2 pounds without any huge changes to my diet and exercise, but I’m gratefully back in ONEDERLAND.  I will never get out of it again!

Today I had an NSV when I texted RDC3 for our Sunday weight loss accountability update.  We’ve both gained weight since we’ve been together, so we’ve decided that enough is enough and it’s time to get serious about getting these pounds off.  He’s as committed to living a healthy lifestyle as I am, which is so nice. This is a whole new experience for me, because while I’ve had lots of great female friends who are weight loss buddies, I’ve never shared the weight loss journey with a boyfriend before.  That’s where the milestone comes in.  I’ve never, ever shared my actual weight with someone I was dating before.  EVER.  Even last week when I had that fateful weigh-in, I told RDC3 how much I’d gained, but not the actual number on the scale.  Today when I texted him my update, I told him the number.  Gulp!  He knew what it meant to me to be able to feel safe in sharing that with him, and he was so supportive.  He cheered on the fact that I’d lost 1.8 lbs, and didn’t make it a big deal about the 201.  Which means absolutely everything to me.  As he said, “we should be able to share everything with each other.”  And I couldn’t agree more.  That’s one of the many reasons I know that this is IT!

Phew! This week has been quite productive, when I look back at everything.  I faced the scale, made some easy changes, saw weight loss results, shared my weight with my boyfriend, and made lots of updates on my blog.  Progress!!

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Super Spring Weigh In: Week 43 Post-Op VSG

Spring has (almost) sprung! Which means that the weather is turning warmer, the days are getting longer, and fitting in outdoor activities is a whole lot easier. Spring is a time of renewal, and in the spring of 2014  I’m living my life in full bloom! Now that I’m in the home stretch of my weight loss journey, all the pounds I lose this spring are just like extra petals on a flower, making my life just a bit more beautiful. I want to enjoy each day of this season, soaking in the sunshine, blue skies, and happiness. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. My Sunday progress updates will be called Super Spring Weigh-Ins.

Week 43 was a bit overwhelming, if I’m honest.  Things are really busy at work, and I felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day.  I still managed to eat well and to get my cardio workouts in, but I did let a few toning workouts slip by.  This next week is going to be just as busy, so I’m going to do my best to set things up today so that I don’t feel like I have no time for everything I have to do. Feeling organized is huge for me – it make all the difference in the world.

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 184.6, which is a loss of 1.4 pounds this week, and a loss of 92.4 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 130.4 pounds from my highest weight!! I have 34.6 pounds to go to my ultimate goal weight of 150 pounds. I’m pleased with this week’s loss, especially considering I didn’t do many of the toning exercises that I’ve been doing 5 times a week for the past couple of months.  My eating has been great, though, and I did pretty well with my water intake, too.

More of the clothes I ordered for my Hawaiian vacation came in this week, and every single item looks as good or better than I’d hoped.  I don’t mean to sound conceited when I write that, but this is a whole new thing for me.  In the past when I ordered clothes online, it was always hit and miss as far as how the clothes would look.  Now it’s a whole different story because I have a whole different body.  It really is an amazing feeling.

Yesterday the high school I attended had an Alumnae Day of Service at a local charity, which fit in well with my volunteering for Lent.  One of my good friends attended, and I had a blast meeting a bunch of new friends.  There’s something about being an alumna from my school – we have an instant bond because of the shared experience of going to an all-girls Catholic school.  And not just because of wearing that plaid skirt; because of the values we were taught, the education we received, and the spirit of friendship that we formed.  It truly was an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful to my parents for sacrificing so much so that my sister and I could attend the school.

A shot of a new friend and me sorting apples.

A great group shot of all of the alums who volunteered. The lady in the sun hat is in charge of food sorting at the center, and was our supervisor for the day.

This week the enormous changes I’ve undergone have become more evident to me.  In looking at photos I’ve been in with groups of friends lately (last weekend, this Friday night, and again yesterday) I can see that I’m a completely different person.  I’m not worried about how my body is going to look in pictures, because I know how hard I’ve worked.  It’s so freeing to just smile and capture the moment, rather than worry so much about what angle the camera is being held at. I see myself and I am proud of the lady being reflected back at me. A new confidence is emerging, and I am loving it!

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Super Spring Weigh In: Week 42 Post-Op VSG

Spring has (almost) sprung! Which means that the weather is turning warmer, the days are getting longer, and fitting in outdoor activities is a whole lot easier. Spring is a time of renewal, and in the spring of 2014  I’m living my life in full bloom! Now that I’m in the home stretch of my weight loss journey, all the pounds I lose this spring are just like extra petals on a flower, making my life just a bit more beautiful. I want to enjoy each day of this season, soaking in the sunshine, blue skies, and happiness. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. My Sunday progress updates will be called Super Spring Weigh-Ins.

Week 42 started with a 5K and ended with a Bay Area WLS meetup, with lost of busy days in between.  Even though so many of the workdays were long ones, I didn’t miss any of my workouts.  That fact alone is something I’m so proud of, and speaks to how much I’ve transformed my life.  In the past, long work days would have offered an easy excuse to skip workouts, but now they just give me a way to shake off a stressful day.  Just like that photo above, I really love working out and miss it when I have to take a rest day.

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 186.0, which is a loss of 2.6 pounds this week, and a loss of 91 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 129 pounds from my highest weight!! I have 36 pounds to go to my ultimate goal weight of 150 pounds. I’m really happy with this week’s loss.  The first pound came off right away when I did my daily weigh-in on Monday; the other 1.6 came off a little at a time as the week continued.  I’ve been feeling really strong all week – not just in my weight loss, but in my whole attitude and demeanor – I’m loving life!

One fun thing that also served as an NSV this week was shopping for Hawaii.  I’ve picked up just about all the clothes I think I’ll need: bikini tops, board shorts, sundresses, capri pants, and late yesterday afternoon – tanks.  Shopping these days is obviously so much more fun than shopping in the past, and I can’t wait to see how little room all of my clothes take up in the suitcase!  In the past when I’d go on trips, my clothes would take up so much room because there was so much material.  I’m super excited that this time around I’ll be able to fit everything into one suitcase, with room.  Although, don’t get me wrong, I’m an over-packer, so I’ll still be filling that suitcase, but this time it will be because of all the outfits, not because of how big the clothes are.

Today my friend Di and I are heading to a local lake county park to volunteer at a cleanup.  This is part of my Lenten Sacrifice, and I’m looking forward to it.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here – 80 degrees and sunny – and today will be no exception.  Plus, it will be a great way to burn some calories as I’m giving back.

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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#Reverb13, Day 10: Inspiration

Throughout the month of December, I’ll be participating in #reverb13: Reverb is a way to reflect on the past year and project into the next year with a prompt a day for 31 days.  December is the perfect time to reflect on 2013 and start to create intentions for 2014.

Day 10: Inspiration
What inspired you this year?  How do you think this will impact the year to come?

I don’t mean to sound conceited or self-important, but I can honestly say that this year I have inspired myself.

For so many years, weight loss was this elusive dream, this faraway goal that was just beyond my grasp. For every positive step forward, I’d do something that would take me 3 steps back.  This cycle went on for years. Yet through all the struggle and frustration I never gave up.  Perseverance was my mantra.

So this year, when everything finally clicked in my head and I stopped allowing myself to make excuses, I started to achieve what had been unattainable for so long.  My actions brought on positive momentum, and I started to motivate myself.  My new body meant that my outside finally started to match my inside. With each success on the scale, I gained strength.  I’ve always been a strong woman who believed in herself, but now I was unstoppable.

I have been inspired by my weight loss, and my greatest hope is that through this blog, through my photo status updates on FB, through my TBT pics on Instagram I will inspire someone else who is feeling as desperate as I have.

My story makes me proud. My journey fills me with joy.

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Sizzlin’ Summer Weigh-In: Week 11 Post Op VSG

Summer’s here! Which means that fun in the sun is a daily way of life. Getting outside and getting active is easy, and it’s on my agenda for each and every day this summer. Being on summer vacation means I don’t have any of the workaday responsibilities that can get in the way of my plans. Now that I’ve had the VSG surgery, achieving my weight loss goals is only a matter of time, and this summer is going to be HOT. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. I’m not on a diet, I’m establishing a lifestyle – my new life. My Sunday progress updates will be called Sizzlin’ Summer Weigh-Ins.

Week 11 marks the last week of summer (for me).  Starting tomorrow, I’ll be at school everyday getting my room/curriculum ready, attending teacher development meetings, and getting back to the swing of school.  I tried to make the most of this last week, and had a great time at the beach with Sofi on Friday (check out my Instagram to see the photos).  I also gave it my all with my workouts this week, but I’ll go into that in a bit.  First things first…

So, how’s the scale looking?

I weighed in this morning at 241.0, which is a loss of 0.2 pounds this week, and a loss of 36 lbs since surgery!!! I’ve lost a total of 74 pounds from my highest weight. I am disappointed that my weight has basically stalled this week.  It’s not for lack of effort in eating or in working out.  There are a few other factors at work here – I have my period for the 2nd time this month (my hormones are going crazy with this quick weight loss) and I’ve lost consistently for 11 straight weeks post op, plus the 38 lbs I lost pre-op.  I shouldn’t be surprised at this stall – everyone else I know who’s had WLS hits a stall at some point or other.  Most people hit theirs around the 3rd or 4th week, so I guess I’m lucky that I’m hitting mine at 11 weeks.  One thing I’m not going to do is freak out.  I know this is temporary, and that I will turn it around.  I’m just looking at it like my body is taking a well-deserved rest. 

What’s not taking a rest is my workout schedule.  This week I went to vinyasa yoga with my sister, tried C25K, continued with the 30-Day Squat Challenge daily, kept working out on with my hybrid trainer, went to my first Zumba class since surgery, and walked along the ocean with Sofi. I took two rest days, which I think are going to become more and more important as school begins.  The main thing is, I enjoyed my workouts, and making them fun is how I keep at them.  I’m even beginning to look forward to them and miss them on my off days.  I love this fitness person I’ve become. 

My food was on point this week, too.  I’ve been making sure to get in at least 60-75g of protein, as my program recommends.  I’m also trying to keep my carbs low – around 50-60g.  My calories are right around 800.  I see other WLS peeps on MFP who get in 80g+ of protein, which I find amazing.  Normally, my instinct would be to make some sort of change in my diet if I didn’t see numbers I liked on the scale, but I’m not going to do that this time.  I know I’m doing everything right, and I like the mix of protein, veggies, fruits, and carbs that I’ve been eating.  I think this is real progress for me. 

The challenge of the upcoming week is going to be keeping up with the routine I’ve built this summer now that my schedule will be much more impacted with school.  I know I can do it.  It’s going to be about not letting myself slack on workouts, even as the days get busy.  Working out is, at most, an hour or so out of my day, and I know I can make it a priority. 

  Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Sizzlin’ Summer Weigh-In: Week 10 Post Op VSG

Summer’s here! Which means that fun in the sun is a daily way of life. Getting outside and getting active is easy, and it’s on my agenda for each and every day this summer. Being on summer vacation means I don’t have any of the workaday responsibilities that can get in the way of my plans. Now that I’ve had the VSG surgery, achieving my weight loss goals is only a matter of time, and this summer is going to be HOT. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. I’m not on a diet, I’m establishing a lifestyle – my new life. My Sunday progress updates will be called Sizzlin’ Summer Weigh-Ins.

Week 10 was busy! I was out and about with friends, working out on my new hybrid elliptical/recumbent bike, spending time with family, participating in the 30-Day Squat Challenge, and just enjoying these last days of summer. I’m trying to pack as much fun into these remaining weeks as I can. Which is not to say that the fun ends once school begins, because I have lots of fun things planned for after school starts back up. Plus, I’ve learned how to balance work and life and enjoy myself as much as possible each day.

So, how’s the scale looking?

I weighed in this morning at 241.2, which is a loss of 2.2 pounds this week, and a loss of 35.8 lbs since surgery!!! I’ve lost a total of 73.8 pounds from my highest weight. My reaction to this week’s loss is mixed. I’m really thrilled that I’ve lost 35 pounds in the 10 weeks since surgery. I cannot remember the last time I lost 35 pounds in 10 weeks, so that’s really impressive, especially for a person who has struggled on the scale like me. But on the other side, I put in so much work this week in exercise, and ate so well (high protein, low carbs, plenty of water), that I expected to see a bigger loss on the scale. But I do have to say, I have never hit a stall since my surgery, which is not something most people can say. I’ve consistently lost weight for 10 weeks, and even though each week’s loss is a bit less than I’d like, I’m still really happy with my overall result.

I think the NSVs are even more exciting right now. I’ve gone through my entire closet twice this summer, the most recent time was on Friday. I’ve collected 5 huge, black garbage bags full of clothes to donate, all of which are too big. Friday I was trying on clothes for school, and I’m such a dork that I’ve already picked out my outfits for each day of the first week of school. 🙂 I’m really liking the way the clothes are looking on me now, and while it’s sad to say goodbye to some of my favorite outfits that are literally falling off my body, I’m looking forward to adding to the wardrobe eventually and filling it with new outfits in a much, much smaller size. (I’m really straining myself not to give into my inner shopaholic and buy some new clothes for school. I have plenty of outfits for now, and I really want to resist buying too many pieces that are just going to get too big very quickly).

These Bermuda shorts/pedal pushers have been tucked away in my closet for over 5 years, because I’ve been too big to fit them. Well, I tried them on yesterday, and they fit! And that top used to be too tight around my hips for me to wear, but it’s swimming on me now (I’m not sure if you can tell how billowy it is in the picture).

I keep telling myself that it’s OK if I repeat outfits in order to conserve fashion funds for the time when they really count – when I get closer to goal.  In the past I’ve really overstuffed my closet full of clothes, so much so that I could go over a month and a half without repeating an outfit for school.  Which is cool and all, but not as much as a priority for me right now.  Plus, not buying new clothes until it’s absolutely necessary, like when they’re falling off of me, is going to make me get creative with the way I put outfits together, so I’m going to take it on as a challenge.

Summer’s coming to a screeching halt at an alarming pace! The week after this one I have to be back for registration, teacher development days, and the first teacher workday. And then on August 19th the kiddos return and we have the first day of school.  It’s all coming up so quickly.  But I’m excited to get back.  This year is sure to be the best yet, for so many reasons.

But before that school bell rings, I have this last true week.  Minus Monday, where I’ll be at school all day for various meetings.  I have lots of fun planned, including a midday walk with my sister at Shoreline Lake Park, an Italian-heritage SF Giants game with the extended family and some friends, and a tapas party at my parents’ house.  Among a few other fitness-related items that I’ll blog about as I complete them.  I’m bound and determined to make this week one to remember!

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Sizzlin’ Summer Weigh-In: Week 9 Post Op VSG

Summer’s here! Which means that fun in the sun is a daily way of life. Getting outside and getting active is easy, and it’s on my agenda for each and every day this summer. Being on summer vacation means I don’t have any of the workaday responsibilities that can get in the way of my plans. Now that I’ve had the VSG surgery, achieving my weight loss goals is only a matter of time, and this summer is going to be HOT. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. I’m not on a diet, I’m establishing a lifestyle – my new life. My Sunday progress updates will be called Sizzlin’ Summer Weigh-Ins.

Week 9 is in the books, and I’ve got to say, it was like a week of Wednesdays: not as bad as a Monday, but not as exciting as a Friday or Saturday.  Just kinda meh.  But all weeks can’t be birthday weeks + the 4th of July, right?  It was just that nothing was particularly thrilling about the week, but it wasn’t a bad week, either.  Just so so.  Then again, it was a week that I was on vacation, got to decide what I wanted to do, and didn’t have a lot of responsibilities, so I really can’t complain.

So, how’s the scale looking?

I weighed in this morning at 243.4, which is a loss of 2.6 pounds this week, and a loss of 33.6 lbs since surgery!!! I’ve lost a total of 71.6 pounds from my highest weight.  The loss this week is fine, but I know I could’ve done better.  I didn’t really push myself in my workouts this week, and there were a couple of days that I didn’t get all my water and/or vitamins in.  I didn’t have any missteps per se, but as I said before, it was just sort of a blah week.

But the week ahead is sure to be anything but blah.  I’ve got some fun activities planned, including today’s walk with FaveCousin at Shoreline Lake Park.  The park has a 5-mile loop, so I’ll definitely hit my 10,000 steps today, not to mention taking in the gorgeous views and catching up with FC.  I have quite a few other fun things going on this week, but I’ll save those for future posts.

Even though I didn’t do anything to make this week more than ordinary, something pretty extraordinary happened – I’ve lost over 70 pounds.  I’m really proud of myself! I feel so far from that frustrated woman who didn’t know how she could get herself out of the cycle of losing and gaining the same 3 pounds. The desperation and frustration I felt then was quelled only by my own determination.  No matter how hard it was for me, I never lost hope, I never doubted my ability to get here.  Here. In a quiet week where nothing significant was marked on the calendar.  Here, where progress photos are showing major changes.  Here, in the present where all that past perseverance paid off.

What I’m learning in this journey is that there will be weeks that are just ok when nothing particularly terrible happens, but nothing fantastic either. I guess weeks like this past one are sort of like resting weeks that help me appreciate the truly amazing weeks by comparison. Fair is fine sometimes, but if I want to achieve my goals, I have to do more to make them happen.  I don’t want to get comfortable in complacency, because that’s not the type of life I want to lead.  I know that once school begins, I may have more weeks that are just so-so, but it will be up to me to make them better. The way I approach this weight loss is the way I want to live the rest of my life – to the fullest whenever possible.

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Get on the scale and get serious

I haven’t really been weighing myself recently because I wasn’t following the program very strictly as of late. Making stops at the grocery store for Ben & Jerry’s is certainly not on the SBD program, I’m sure.

But that was just a minor setback for me. Yesterday was a great eating day, and I feel good about myself. (I’ll write more about what I made for dinner later).

I weighed today, and while I’ve gained 3.4 lbs since the last time I weighed in, this isn’t too bad considering the other night’s indulgence.

I am now back on track and ready to get serious.

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