14-Month Surgiversary & Monthly Progress Pics

Today marks fourteen months since my VSG surgery, and it’s also Monday, so I figured this was the perfect Motivation Monday post.

Measurements

	6/20/14	7/21/14	Change
Neck	12.75	12.75	same
Arms	11	11	same
Wrist	6.25	6.25	same
Bust	33	32.5	-0.5 inch
Waist	32	31.5	-0.5 inch
Hips	43	42	-1 inch
Thighs	25	24.5	-0.5 inch
Calf	15.5	15.5	same
Ankle	8.5	8.25	-0.25 inch

It’s good to see that I’m still making progress in the “parts” that count – bust, waist, hips, & thighs.  My older clothes are fitting looser, and I’ve gone down in sizes, so it makes sense.

Photos

I have on the exact same clothes in both photos.  My sports bra and VS yoga crops. The left photos were taken 6/20/14 and the right photos were taken today, 7/21/14.

I know my body looks higher in the photo on the right, and my legs are more widely spread, but I think you can see a difference in my waistline. (And in my tan – I was DARK last month!)

Last month my body was turned slightly, but even still, I think the photo on the right shows that my waist is more defined and that my butt has gone down a bit.

I don’t really notice much difference between these two photos. I think I have a bit less “back flub” in today’s photo, but because of the angle, it’s hard to tell.

I’m happy that I can still see the changes in these photos.  They may be slight, but they’re still there, which is motivating to me.  I’ve continued to kill it at the gym and in outdoor exercise over the past month, so it’s nice to see those changes show up in photos.

I have just under a month until school starts again, and I am really excited to see what I can achieve in that time. Thanks for sharing my 14-month surgiversary with me!

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13-Month Surgiversary & Monthly Progress Pics

Today marks thirteen months since my VSG surgery, and it’s also Friday, so it’s really a cause for celebration.  I was really interested to see my measurements today, since I skipped measuring last month and because I know I’ve gone down a size in my clothes.

Measurements

	4/20/14	6/20/14	Change
Neck	12.75	12.75	same
Arms	11.75	11	-0.75 inch
Wrist	6.25	6.25	same
Bust	33	33	same
Waist	32.5	32	-0.5 inch
Hips	44	43	-1 inch
Thighs	25.5	25	-0.5 inch
Calf	15.5	15.5	same
Ankle	8.5	8.5	same

I’m happy with this progress, although I did think I might see bigger changes between the two months.  Still, I’m so happy knowing that I’ve gone down a size in both pants and tops.

Photos

I have on different pants in the photo from today, but the top is the same. The photos on the left were actually taken for the Tone It Up #bikiniseries on April 29, 2014 and the ones on the right were taken today, June 20, 2014.

Even though the two photos are slightly off in angle, I can see a difference in my abs and in my hips/thighs.

My body is turned slightly in the photo on the right, but I do think I can see more of definition in my midsection. (Part of the problem is that the pants I’m wearing on the right fit me a lot more snugly than the ones on the left, so it’s a bit deceiving).

Again, the angle is off between the two photos, but I think my butt looks smaller in the photo on the right.

And just for good measure, I thought I’d include a great comparison picture, my driver’s license.  The “before” was taken 4 years ago, and the one on the right was taken yesterday, right after I got out of the DMV.  Quite a difference, right?  And that wasn’t even me at my heaviest on the right.  Wow!

I look forward to seeing what I can achieve over the next month. Thanks for sharing my 13-month surgiversary with me!

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1-Year Surgiversary &Monthly Progress Pics

Today marks one year since my VSG surgery!  To think that exactly 1 year ago today I was getting ready for surgery is really surreal to me.  In some ways it feels like the time has gone by in a flash, and then in other ways it feels like my post-op life is one I’ve been living for years now.

Once I actually got approved for and had the surgery, everything just fell into place for me.  My success has been constant and consistent because I knew exactly what I needed to do.  I followed Kaiser’s post-op plan to the letter, following all of the weight loss surgery “rules.”  I made the commitment to myself and my new lifestyle before I ever walked into the operating room, and have been unwavering in that commitment ever since.  I wanted this weight loss, this new life, so I did everything and anything I needed to do to achieve it.  I’ve re-created myself these past 365 days.

{I haven’t had a chance to take my measurements yet, so I’m going to skip those for this month}.

Photos

Since this is a special progress report, I figured I’d show a few photos that show what a difference a year makes.

left: the morning of surgery; right: today

side view
left: the morning of surgery; right: today

left: just a few pounds down from my heaviest weight – Jan 2013; right: after my workout this morning

left: just a few pounds down from my heaviest weight – Jan 2013; right: after my workout this morning

I don’t think I have the words to express how proud of myself I am for what I’ve accomplished in this past year or so.  The surgery is a tool that helped me reset my metabolism and finally start seeing success on and off the scale.  It’s given me portion control.  But it isn’t a quick fix or the easy way out.  Each of these past 365 days I’ve made decisions about what to eat, how often to workout, how to change my life.

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11-Month Surgiversary & Monthly Progress Pics

Today marks eleven months since my VSG surgery, and it’s also Easter Sunday, so the eggs seemed fitting.  Today was all about celebrating with my family, and it was a really fantastic day from start to finish.  I woke up and saw a 5-pound loss on the scale, 2-pounds of which was getting rid of water weight from my vacation. I had a lovely brunch with my family at my parents’ house.  Then my niece and I finally watched Frozen together (she’s already watched it several times, mind you). And then it was time to sweat with the Tone It Up Easter Bunny Workout and an evening walk with Sofi. All in all, a really awesome day!

Measurements

	3/20/14	4/20/14	Change
Neck	13	12.75	-0.25 inch
Arms	11.5	11.75	+0.25 inch
Wrist	6.5	6.25	-0.25 inch
Bust	33.5	33	-0.5 inch
Waist	33	32.5	-0.5 inch
Hips	43.5	44	+0.5 inch
Thighs	26	25.5	-0.5 inch
Calf	15.5	15.5	same
Ankle	8.75	8.5	-0.25 inch

This month I didn’t see as many changes in terms of measurements, and in fact, I was surprised that I was actually up a half-inch or so in some categories.  One thing I should point out is that I took today’s measurements tonight at 9pm, after a whole day of eating and drinking.  I last month’s measurements were taken in the early part of the day.  So, I do need to be mindful of the time of day I’m taking these measurements from here on out.  In the last month I’ve lost 6 pounds, which is the same rate as last month.

Photos

I’m wearing the exact same clothes in the photos I took last month and then again today.

left: 3/20/14; right: 4/20/14

left: 3/20/14; right: 4/20/14

left: 3/20/14; right: 4/20/14

I notice slight changes in my body, especially in my waist and in my back.  I’m wearing basically the same sizes I was last month, but things are getting much looser.

I’m proud of my progress in this past month, and I can’t wait to see what I can do in the month ahead.

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10-Month Surgiversary & Monthly Progress Pics

Today marks ten months since my VSG surgery, and it’s also the first day of spring.  It’s been sunshine and smiles all day today, especially when a colleague of mine, whom I don’t see too often on campus, stopped me in the teachers’ lounge and said, “you’re almost unrecognizable! You’re looking fantastic!”  He’s the track coach, and he knows I’ve been working on my run/walks and doing 5Ks, and I thought it was so nice of him to tell me that he’s noticing the changes. I’ve had several other people tell me how “skinny” I’m looking lately, and it never gets old.  I think part of it is that I was more bundled up in the winter, wearing heavier sweaters and jeans.  Now I’ve been wearing thinner tops and skirts, which show my shape more.  But I’m also proud to say that I’ve been really putting in the work to make these changes evident – eating great and getting in my workouts 5 or 6 days a week.

Measurements

	2/16/14	3/20/14	Change
Neck	13	13	0/same
Arms	12.5	11.5	-1 inch
Wrist	6.5	6.5	0/same
Bust	34	33.5	-0.5 inch
Waist	34	33	-1 inch
Hips	48	43.5	-4.5 inches
Thighs	28.25	26	-2.25 inches
Calf	15.75	15.5	-0.25 inch
Ankle	8.5	8.75	+0.25 inch

I’m floored that I lost 4 1/2 inches in my hips and 2 1/4 inches from my thighs in one month!  I triple checked the measurements, and sure enough, I’ve made big strides.  Just this morning as I was getting out of the shower, I did notice that my thighs are looking much smaller lately, which is so encouraging.  I think it’s funny that I gained 1/4 inch in my ankles; I wonder if I’m retaining water?  Either way, I’m really pleased with this progress.  I’ve been working hard at toning up, and it’s paying off.

Photos

I’ve lost 6 pounds in the month between these photos. I’ve also been working on my base tan for Hawaii, as you’ll see from the difference in my skin tone.  In the photos on the right (taken today) I’m wearing different pants that are slightly looser than the running pants I wore last month.

Left: 2/16/14; Right 3/20/14

I notice a few things between these two photos – I can see more definition in my stomach, my waist looks more “whittled,” and the skin on my stomach is getting looser.

Left: 2/16/14; Right: 3/20/14

Left: 2/16/14; Right: 3/20/14

Sizes

• Tops = size M or L, depending on the manufacturer
• Jeans = size 14, and they’re getting a bit loose
• Workout capris (worn in these photos) = size L
• Boy short bikini bottoms from Victoria’s Secret = size L
• Bras = 34D (on the tightest setting)
• Workout Bras = 32/34 D/DD (on the middle setting) The workout bras I bought have a range, which I love because they fit well and have lasted a long time.

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9-Month Surgiversary!

Today marks nine months since my VSG surgery, and oh how my life has changed in this time.  Nine months ago I was so hopeful, looking forward to this moment right here – when I’d lost enough to really notice a dramatic transformation.

• On the day of surgery I weighed in at 277; today I weighed in at 191. That’s a loss of 86 pounds in 9 months, and 124 pounds from my highest weight.
• 9 months ago I was wearing size 24 pants; today I wear size 14 from the “regular” side of the store, not plus.
• 9 months ago I was wearing tight-fitting 2x tops; today I’m wearing women’s size large.
• Since surgery I’ve lost 48.5 inches around my body.
• I can cross my legs.
• I can go up several flights of stairs without getting winded.
• I’ve run/walked a 5K.
• I’ve taken and LOVED a spin class.
• I can keep up with a Zumba class at full intensity – bouncing and jumping with the best of them, without being out of breath.
• I’ve started a toning program, and love the results I’m getting.
• I’ve purchased boyfriend sweats from Victoria’s Secret and now they’re two sizes too large for me.
• I no longer spill over the seat in the chairs at Starbucks, my car, etc.
• I’ve reached Onederland, and I’m almost in the 180’s!
• When I take my first plane ride in over 6 years to Hawaii in April, I’ll have no worries about infringing on my neighbor’s seat and I won’t need a seatbelt extender.

The way I move through the world is so different now.  I’ve always been a confident person, but I have an extra bit of pep in my step. I feel happy, content, and very, very proud.

Marking Progress

I’ve decided that to celebrate my surgiversary on a monthly basis, I’m going to start posting progress pics and measurements on the 20th of the month. I’m excited to start marking my progress more frequently.

Here’s a repost of my measurements:

	3/4/12	2/16/14	Change
Neck	14.5	13	-1.5 inches
Arms	16.25	12.5	-3.75 inches
Wrist	6.75	6.5	-0.25 inches
Bust	43	34	-9 inches
Waist	44.5	34	-10.5 inches
Hips	61	48	-13 inches
Thighs	35	28.25	-6.75 inches
Calf	18.5	15.75	-2.75 inches
Ankle	9.5	8.5	-1 inch

In total, I’ve lost 48 1/2 inches from around my body!! That’s four feet!!! I’m really excited with all of these changes, but especially the changes in my bust, waist, hips, and thighs.

And now some pictures.

This first comparison is from the day of surgery and today. 9 months and 86 pounds.

On a side note, today’s dress is one that I bought maybe seven or eight years ago at a Cabi party.  At the time the XL size was way out of reach, but today, the dress is too big on me.  That’s my sports bra showing underneath it.  The dress is reversible (colorful floral on one side, black and white on the other).  I really like it, so I may pay to get it altered; it needs to be taken in at the top and at the waist.

I’ve decided to start posing with just my sports bra and running pants on to really show the changes the toning and exercise are making to my body.  I’ve been really remiss about taking progress photos up to this point, so I decided to show photos from one year ago.  I weighed 293 in the “before” photos, and today I’m 191 – so -102 pounds between the photos.

Left: Feb 2013, Right: Feb 2014 (today)
Can you see that slight indention in my stomach? Is that the start of some sort of ab definition? Exciting!

Left: Feb 2013, Right: Feb 2014 (today)

Left: Feb 2013, Right: Feb 2014 (today)
Sorry for the crazy angle, but my sis wasn’t around to help me take the photos. Hopefully next month.

Thanks for letting me indulge in a bit of celebration today.  You can believe I’m all smiles. 🙂

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Sick Days Show How Much I’ve Changed

I’ve been home sick with a really bad cold yesterday and today.  This particular bug has been making the rounds through my school, and I’m actually surprised that I evaded it for as long as I did.  The usual winter cold – bad sore throat, stuffy head, runny nose, and a bit of trouble breathing.

In the past I would’ve found this to be the perfect excuse to skip my workouts and just sit on the couch all day and watch TV or read.  Well not this time.  This time I was determined to fit some form of workouts in anyway.  I’ve heard that if it’s above the chest, you can still workout, but if it’s below the chest (meaning a stomach virus, etc), you should take it easy.  So I decided to see what I was capable of.

Yesterday I started out on the stationary bike, figuring that it would be a lot less taxing that trying the elliptical.  I did it while watching The Bachelor (this season my deal with myself is that the only way I watch the show is while I’m working out), and made it through the first individual date, or 18 minutes. Not too shabby.  I followed it up with Tone It Up‘s Love Your Arms & Abs workout (15 min).  Later in the afternoon I took Sofi on a short walk (15 min) around the neighborhood, just to get some fresh air.

Today I again watched Juan Pablo entertain the girls on a group soccer date while I rode the stationary bike (18 minutes).  Then my mom came over to try Tone It Up’s Love Your Booty routine (30 minutes) with me.  I’m also planning on taking Sofi for another short walk later this afternoon (about 15 min).

I can’t tell you how proud of myself I am!  Sure, the cardio workouts weren’t that intense, but with this cold, I definitely felt like I was pushing myself.  And the toning exercises are challenging, cold or not.  Either way, I didn’t let being sick become an excuse to skip my workout as I surely would have in the past.  I mean, c’mon – I’m sick and feeling lousy – what better excuse not to workout?  But that’s not who I am anymore.

These days I actually miss my workouts when I don’t do them.  I used to hear people say that when I was heavier and think they were full of it, but I can honestly tell you now that it’s true for me.  How times have changed! I feel like a completely different person than I did when I weighed 315 pounds, so it was almost like I NEEDED to workout when I had this cold, just to show myself how much I have truly transformed.  Mind and body.

It’s little moments like this that add up to show me the new person I’m becoming.  Now excuse me while I go make another cup of David’s Tea.

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Onederful ONEDERLAND!!!

Talk about a NYE miracle! This morning when I weighed myself, as I do every morning, I saw the number that I’ve been yearning to see for years.  Gosh, I can’t really remember when I was last under 200 pounds – at least 20 years ago.

You guys know I was close on Sunday, but even though I really wanted to see 199 or less by the end of 2013, I wasn’t sure if I was going to.  Then yesterday I just so happened to drink a ton of water (11 glasses!) and this morning Mother Nature paid me a visit, which always helps me drop a decent amount of weight.  When I got on the scale this morning, I had hope in my heart that I would see good news.

So without further ado…

I really couldn’t believe it when I saw it.  I actually had to get on and off the scale a few times just to be sure.  And of course I had to document it for this blog (and Instagram).

The first thing I did was write a post on MyFitnessPal, and then I texted a bunch of my friends and family.  Then I stood there without any clothes on, crying.  Crying happy tears, but crying.  I was completely overwhelmed and overjoyed. I’d dreamt of this moment for so long, and it was here.  On December 31, 2013.  On New Year’s Eve.  What a way to end this year!

This marks so much more than just a number on a scale for me.  This is a HUGE accomplishment.  To think that I started 2013 at 302.0, and I’m ending it at 199.8 is amazing and incredible.  That’s 102.2 pounds that I’ve lost over the course of one year (115 pounds, total)!  In January, I was wearing tight size 28 pants and now I’m wearing 16s.  I was shopping exclusively in plus size stores, and now I can buy tops in any “normal” store out there.  I was dealing with such terrible plantar fasciitis pain that I couldn’t even take Sofi for a walk around the block, and now I’m running for 5 minutes at a time. What a transformation I’ve had in 2013!

I’m so proud of myself!

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