JWheeler

Had my one-week checkup on Thursday, 10/23. I've officially lost 18 pounds! Started the soft diet.

Now that it's Tuesday, I've been finding that I'm handling foods pretty well. I've had some fish, yogurt, fresh fruit, and cheese. The most bothersome thing thus far has been my inability to drink water as quickly as I want to quench my thirst. Now I'm having to learn how to sip water constantly. If I take too many swallows too quickly, I get a stomach ache.

As far as body movement goes, things are going well. My largest incision still pinches and pulls and feels like I have a gas bubble in that area, but otherwise I'm pretty mobile.

My energy level has increased as well.

234.5

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

I think I've hit a plateau. On 10/29, I weighed in at 231. Then on Thursday morning I was up to 234.5!! How did that happen? How did I gain 3.5 pounds overnight? Then Friday I was at 233; Saturday 232; Sunday 232.5; and again this morning at 232. I've heard about other plateuing after about 20 pounds. Mom says that losing 25 pounds in 18 days is a shock to anyone's system and my body is in protective mod until it realizes that it is not being starved. She said to keep my chin up and not to get discouraged. I'm also going to stop weighing myself everyday.

232

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

It's been awhile since I've written, partly due to my busy schedule and partly due to my own frustration with my weight loss. It seemed for weeks that I battled the scale and numbers 231-228. I had my 6-week appointment on 11/25 and had officially lost 30.5 pounds. Kelly said I was right on track and to just relax about the weight loss. This is exactly what others have said. Looking at the big picture, I've lost an average of 5 pounds each week. That's pretty good.

I found a protein bar that I enjoy: Nitro-Tech. So far the peanut butter/chocolate chip is my favorite.

Another experienced complication has been my cycle. Apparently, the quick weight loss has caused a depletion of my hormones, which has caused multiple cycles. I've contacted my doctor to increase my dosage. Hopefully that will fix this.

New favorite food: refried beans!

Must go walking now...

224.5

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

I haven't been walking. I'm in "hell week" right now with final exams. Yesterday wasn't a very good food day. I ate oatmeal at 7:00AM, forgot to grab a protein bar, and at 1:00PM was so hungry that I ate a meat & cheese snack pack. Later I ate a piece of pizza. I probably would have been fine if I would have stuck to the toppings, but I had two bites of the crust (my favorite) which sent my tummy over the edge.

The scale has read 223 a few times this wek, so I'm comfortable that soon a few more pounds will fall off. I've stopped worrying about how fast it comes off now. Of course, I'd be happy if every morning another pound was gone, but that's just not the way the program is working for me. It works differently for everyone. I know I could help things if I would just get on the treadmill for 30-minutes. I always have good intentions, but then life gets in the way.

224.0

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

I finally made it out of the 220s!!! Things are progressing very well. I'm feeling very good. I went and purchased two pairs of size 20 jeans!! I first tried the size 22, and although they fit, I decided to try the 20s and was elated when they pulled up and buttoned without a tug at the waist!

I need to get a link removed from one of my watches. It's falling to the middly of my hand, and can be pulled off without unhooking the clasp.

I've come across a few behaviors that I definitely need to work on. Finals just ended and I had to face my stress eating behavior. Even though I shoved sugar-free gummy bears into my mouth, I was still bothered when I realized I was not eating because I was hungry, but eating because of stress. Goldfish crackers are another source of downfall when it comes to stress eating.

On the other hand, I'm feeling very good about this new sense of control I have on my eating. If I crave it, I eat it. I'm satisfied and whatever is left remains until its thrown out or craved again. I've had a pint of Ben & Jerry's sugar-free blueberry icecream in my freezer for a month now. The icecream is good, but I don't crave it. And when I'm not craving it, I'm not thinking about it, and I don't eat it. Hunger is easily satisfied with a bit of protein bar or some fruit. This really helps to keep the sweets away.

The only thing I'm really beginning to miss is the Diet Coke. I miss the carbonation burn.

Exercise is a big boost, too. I hope to be in a routine by January before the new semester starts. I've noticed more significant weight loss when exercising.

Heading home next week for the holidays. Could be interesting....

217.5

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

Happy New Year! Happy New Me!!!

Christmas at home went well. The whole family was pleased with my progress. Dad said that he saw 1/2 of me. My brother couldn't stop looking at me and wanted to show me off to his friends. Grandma J said I was more confident and had a new sense of sophistication.

Eating at home was okay. We had pizza one night and mac&cheese on another. Had some trouble with the mac&cheese, but otherwise ate what was served and stopped when I was full. But now that I'm home, it's time to get back into my routine -- exercise and protein!

212.5

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

I went shopping yesterday and bought a pair of size 20 business slacks! I don't think I've been this small since my days in Aberdeen, Washington when I was exercising like a maniac and taking some herbal supplement that promised weight loss.

I went through my closet last night and purged all of my size 22/24 pants and 2x/3x tops. The business clothing will go to a consignment place I've found, and the others will go to Goodwill.

I've been having a weird, fear-based experience lately when I get on the scale. As the digital numbers do their calculating, I momentarily panic that the numbers will read 225! This must be my pessimistic self preparing myself that all of this is too good to be true and reality will set in soon and bring me back to my fat self.

211.5

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

The scale hasn't budged much since last Sunday. I'm trying not to be frustrated. I'm sure it partially due to my pending cycle. I'm still not too regular with my exercising, but I'm at least 3-times a week. I've agreed to start training for a 5k run in April. Bry and I are going to a 5-mi walk on January 31st for starters. I plan to start going to the gym and meeting with a trainer to get a plan figured out.

The scale frustration is getting the better of me when I start moving the scale around to find the "magic" spot on the floor for the lightest weight. At one point this past week the scale read 208.5. I just need to keep the faith and keep doing what I'm doing... protein and exercise!

211.0

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

Had my 3-month check up yesterday. Official weight loss is 44 pounds. Kelly said she was pleased and had no concerns about me.

Had a blue day on Wednesday. Hair wasn't cooperating and just felt overall blah. Ended up leaving the office early and went to the mall to buy some new clothes. Bought three new pairs of pants, a few white undershirts, and four sweaters. All this made me feel much better.

My exercise program is not going so well. My gym membership is back in good condition, so I should just go and get back into a routine.

210.5

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137

JWheeler

Yeah! I finally moved off of 211! That sure was a frustrating two weeks!

Presurgery clothes:
size 24 pants; 3x tops; XXL men's t-shirts & sweatpants.

Current size:
size 20 pants; 1x tops; XL men's t-shirt & sweatpants

208.0

__________________
--Jeannette
10/14/03
Start: 256
Goal: 137