Like the old song from the band Journey says, "Wheel in the Sky Keeps On Turning." It's another day, and I find myself pondering things once again.
I stepped on the scale today to find that I am only 2 lbs away from being exactly 70lbs less than my highest recorded weight. That in and of itself is amazing, but what makes it even more gratifying is the fact that I'm only 1lb away from being out of the "obese" category for BMI (Body Mass Index). THAT is truly amazing!!
I have been "obese" on that chart for more years than I can recall. I've said all along that my goal in having gastric bypass was not to be supermodel thin, but most importantly is be HEALTHY, and my numeric goal is one that just puts me inside the chart for "normal" BMI. I'm 1lb away from the "overweight" category, and 33lbs away from the "normal" category. Absolutely amazing!!!
The weather is changing quickly here in North Georgia. Today we awakened to crisp and cool 52 degrees outside. As I took Ruby to the bus stop, we had to turn on the heat in the truck because I get cold so much more easily these days!! (Ruby sympathizes b/c she has virtually no body fat to keep her warm!). A year ago, I would have still been wearing shorts and a t-shirt in that temperature, but this sent me right to the sweater rack at the nearest Walmart! At the sweater rack, I was utterly SHOCKED when I found that a size "Large" sweater completely engulfed me, and a "Medium" fit just right!!! Additionally, this was in the Misses dep't; not "Women's World!" My mind is trying to wrap around all these changes. They tell you before you have surgery that your changes aren't just physical ones (though they are many), but a great deal of them are mental/emotional changes. "They" don't lie!!! It's very odd to look at myself as a "normal" sized person versus a plus sized gal. It's very odd to walk past the large sizes on a rack and go for the more moderate ones. It's very odd to bake 2 dozen cupcakes to take to church tonight, and have no desire to sneak and eat one. These emotional/mental changes are hard to get used to.
On a very happy note, we learned today that the baby Stephen & Autumn are expecting March 2013 is a boy, and that the pregnancy looks just fine on ultrasound. I can't wait to meet that new little guy, hold him in my arms and love him like only a Nana can!!! We are so blessed!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
4 month "birthday!"
Today marks exactly 4 months since I had my gastric bypass surgery. It's hard to imagine how much life has changed for me in that short amount of time! Some quick facts:
As of today, I have lost 61 lbs since surgery, and am down almost 70 lbs since my all time high.
My blood sugar numbers have been normal since right after surgery; I don't even stick my finger anymore!
My joints/lower back don't hurt like they used to. No more epidurals in my back!
All my clothes have had to be replaced. I can't wear hardly anything I could wear 4 months ago!
People who haven't seen me in a long time look at me very puzzled..then decide that they love my new haircut!
I am only 34 lbs away from my goal weight!!
This week I had to travel on business. My weight loss was evident in so many ways!! First of all, I ALMOST missed my flight and had to RUN through the Atlanta airport with a full size (very packed!) suitcase, a briefcase and purse. If you've ever been to the ATL airport, you know that it is HUGE!!
I was at a full run through much of it, and with all that "stuff" in tow! There is absolutely no way I could have done that at my all time highest weight (almost 70 lbs ago)!!! I was the last person to board the plane...they closed the door behind me! I dashed to my seat...a window seat! Prior to weight loss, this would have been a major source of anxiety for me. However, I'd already noticed in just boarding the plane and navigating the aisle with my stuff (I gate checked the big suitcase!) that the aisle didn't seem as small as it used to. When I arrived at my row, there was a gentleman sitting in the aisle seat. I told him I was booked in the window seat, but that it didn't matter to me as there was 1 empty seat on our row anyway. He scooted over to the window seat and I took the aisle seat. Funny...my arm didn't seem to hang out in the aisle! Now, the next step...the dreaded seat belt! Ordinarily, I have to let the belt all the way out, click it in place, then pull out what little slack was there. Amazingly, this time it fit with no adjustment whatsoever, and had SEVERAL inches to spare!!! That was an incredible feeling!!! My new body actually fit into the "regular" airline seat space, and I was pretty doggone comfortable! Later on as the flight crew came through to dispense drinks & snacks, I dreaded having to "suck it in" in to accommodate that big, ole cart. Much to my amazement...it didn't even brush my arm! My body was contained within the confines of my seat and arm rests. AMAZING!!!! On the flight back to ATL, the flight was PACKED, I was 3 rows from the very end of the plane, and I had a window seat again!! This time, the 2 gentlemen on the row with me were happy to get up and let me get into my window seat. I moved through the row with ease, sat down and VOILA! The seat belt once again fastened around me with no prior adjustment and with several inches to spare!! It was a very pleasant flight where I sat in comfort without even having to rub elbows with the fella next to me as I gazed down upon God's creation. I felt like a new creation!!!
I'm thankful for the tool I've been given to "recreate" myself. It is indeed only a tool! I still love to cook and eat good food. I still love junk food. I still love to eat out! But, I'm learning more and more every day what my boundaries are: no fried foods, no sweets, little to no red meat, etc. I have to very carefully manage my portion control because if I over eat, it's very painful! Dr. J Ryland Scott and his staff have taught me very well, and enabled me to begin on this journey. I will be forever indebted to him and everyone at Harbin General Surgery Clinic/Floyd Hospital Bariatric Clinic. They have been true blessings to me!!
And my journey continues, one day at a time..."Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial (1 Cor. 10:23). Learning to use the tool I've been given...
As of today, I have lost 61 lbs since surgery, and am down almost 70 lbs since my all time high.
My blood sugar numbers have been normal since right after surgery; I don't even stick my finger anymore!
My joints/lower back don't hurt like they used to. No more epidurals in my back!
All my clothes have had to be replaced. I can't wear hardly anything I could wear 4 months ago!
People who haven't seen me in a long time look at me very puzzled..then decide that they love my new haircut!
I am only 34 lbs away from my goal weight!!
This week I had to travel on business. My weight loss was evident in so many ways!! First of all, I ALMOST missed my flight and had to RUN through the Atlanta airport with a full size (very packed!) suitcase, a briefcase and purse. If you've ever been to the ATL airport, you know that it is HUGE!!
I was at a full run through much of it, and with all that "stuff" in tow! There is absolutely no way I could have done that at my all time highest weight (almost 70 lbs ago)!!! I was the last person to board the plane...they closed the door behind me! I dashed to my seat...a window seat! Prior to weight loss, this would have been a major source of anxiety for me. However, I'd already noticed in just boarding the plane and navigating the aisle with my stuff (I gate checked the big suitcase!) that the aisle didn't seem as small as it used to. When I arrived at my row, there was a gentleman sitting in the aisle seat. I told him I was booked in the window seat, but that it didn't matter to me as there was 1 empty seat on our row anyway. He scooted over to the window seat and I took the aisle seat. Funny...my arm didn't seem to hang out in the aisle! Now, the next step...the dreaded seat belt! Ordinarily, I have to let the belt all the way out, click it in place, then pull out what little slack was there. Amazingly, this time it fit with no adjustment whatsoever, and had SEVERAL inches to spare!!! That was an incredible feeling!!! My new body actually fit into the "regular" airline seat space, and I was pretty doggone comfortable! Later on as the flight crew came through to dispense drinks & snacks, I dreaded having to "suck it in" in to accommodate that big, ole cart. Much to my amazement...it didn't even brush my arm! My body was contained within the confines of my seat and arm rests. AMAZING!!!! On the flight back to ATL, the flight was PACKED, I was 3 rows from the very end of the plane, and I had a window seat again!! This time, the 2 gentlemen on the row with me were happy to get up and let me get into my window seat. I moved through the row with ease, sat down and VOILA! The seat belt once again fastened around me with no prior adjustment and with several inches to spare!! It was a very pleasant flight where I sat in comfort without even having to rub elbows with the fella next to me as I gazed down upon God's creation. I felt like a new creation!!!
I'm thankful for the tool I've been given to "recreate" myself. It is indeed only a tool! I still love to cook and eat good food. I still love junk food. I still love to eat out! But, I'm learning more and more every day what my boundaries are: no fried foods, no sweets, little to no red meat, etc. I have to very carefully manage my portion control because if I over eat, it's very painful! Dr. J Ryland Scott and his staff have taught me very well, and enabled me to begin on this journey. I will be forever indebted to him and everyone at Harbin General Surgery Clinic/Floyd Hospital Bariatric Clinic. They have been true blessings to me!!
And my journey continues, one day at a time..."Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial (1 Cor. 10:23). Learning to use the tool I've been given...
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