It’s been 12 weeks since my vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The weight came off pretty quick in the beginning and has slowed down significantly. However, I consider myself losing at a healthy rate now. I have hit few stalls recently which I hear is normal. One was a week and a half, and the other was two and a half weeks. Frustrating, yes, but I continued on. Having had surgery I feel a bit different about my weight in general. I don’t feel like I am on a diet anymore. I don’t feel like there is an end to this like I have always felt in the past regardless of what program I was doing. This feels permanent. I feel like I am so much better equipped on my journey.
So, let’s get to the changes.
Size: I am wearing a size 16 right now. That’s down from a 20, which I am positive should have been a 22 had I bought the actual size I needed. I played the game of only buying the “big 20’s” so I wouldn’t have to face the fact that I actually needed a bigger size.
Weight: my weight is currently 195.7 down from 252. That’s over 56 lbs. I am happy to be in onederland but it sure has been a tough few weeks getting here with these pesky stalls! I looked at my last post from 6 weeks ago and I am down 11 pounds. Not the fastest loss but the way I see it I am hopeful it’s a permanent loss.
Eating: my plan calls for 3 meals a day and a protein supplement. I use the obesity help website and usually I find it useful for how others in my boat are faring. I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning with a protein scoop in it. This is helpful not just to get my protein in but it takes the place of the cream and Splenda I used to use. My three meals are usually 2-3 oz(by volume, not weight) and consist of mainly protein and sometimes veggies now. I try to keep the carbs/sugars way down and protein up. However, if I am at a birthday party or picnic I will allow myself a tiny bit of cake or something of the sort on occasion. After all, this is not a diet. This is my new life and I deserve to live! Some of my favorite meals are an egg with a sausage link, turkey chili, chicken and pork( I do lots of different recipes with these) cheese sticks, almonds, etc.
How I feel: I am assuming it’s keeping the sugars/carbs down thats helps with this, but I do have more energy. I cannot even explain how groggy I used to feel all day long, even with several cups of coffee. I am not one of the many lucky post-op people who loses their appetite and cravings, but I do feel that keeping the carbs down that I am able to keep them at bay. My full feeling is now back to normal almost, if I eat too much or too fast(I am still learning) I get loud hiccups. It’s kind of become a laughing matter at work with my lunch buddies.
Exercise: I am happy to say that I have started running again. My longest run is 2.5 miles at this point. Not my longest or fastest run ever, but the best in a LONG time. Feels good to be back in the game. I had forgotten how nice that post run feeling of accomplishment feels 🙂
My attitude: I am sure my husband, kids, and family are thrilled that the miserable, self loathing Jen is gone and that spunky Jen is back!
Well, that’s it for now. Right now I am taking it day by day. Each day feels like an investment of what’s to come. I am starting horse riding lessons this week in preparation for hopefully buying a full size horse for our farm. We currently have mini horses, goats, and chickens but I told myself that when the weight came off I would follow my dream of owning and riding my own horse!
I hope you are all doing great?!
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