There have been ups and downs and I still feel like I'm learning how this whole thing works. The weight loss has slowed way down - I even stalled for a few weeks over the holidays. However, the new year has brought new resolve.
I've been exercising at least 5 days/week. My minimum (and most frequent) workout is a 20 minute hulu video - pilates, yoga, or cardio toning. There's no excuse not to roll out of bed to my living room for less than half an hour in the morning. I also usually go to the gym with my students once a week where I do some elliptical and weight lifting. I tried a free yoga class on the beach bluff a few blocks from my house yesterday and loved it. I'm hoping to make it a Friday morning tradition. John and I also try to ride bikes as often as we can, but with the winter early sunsets and busy schedules that's usually only once every couple of weeks. It's amazing to recognize that I like being active. I never allowed myself to be competitive or believe I could be good at anything requiring athleticism. It feels so freeing to be rid of the lies that my fat body told me. I'm lighter in so many ways. (And I'm not even halfway to my end goal yet!)
I've had about half a dozen episodes of extreme stomach pain. I went to the ER once for it and discovered a newfound appreciation for morphine. The doctors aren't sure what's wrong but think it may have to do with "sludge" in my gall bladder. They seem sure that it's definitely not anything to do with my sleeve. So far, (in my opinion) it seems to most closely correlate with my water consumption: lots of water = happy tummy, lack of water = VERY angry tummy.
Food consumption is tough. It's so hard to get used to eating the way I should. I'm just now starting to stop when I'm getting full vs. eating until I'm in pain. I'm learning that the surgery is a fantastic tool, but I still struggle with what I would call a food addiction/emotional eating. I'm now capable of choosing to eat a small chicken salad for lunch and getting full after eating it (something that was NOT possible for me before). But tonight we did budgeting which is never a happy time and I ate a small bowl of cereal, crackers, cheese and a few sips of wine - more out of an emotional response to the subject of the night than actually being hungry. I'm still working on consistently making good eating choices regardless of whims, cravings, or my emotional state.
Thanks to a tip from a friend, I started using My Fitness Pal. It's a great tool to keep me accountable, but sometimes I feel discouraged when I go over my calorie recommendation. I'm trying to let it empower me to make good choices instead of get me down. I'm also trying to remember that when 1,772 calories (today's count) is a really high day, I'm not doing all that bad. I can only imagine what that number would've been a year ago.
Overall, I couldn't be happier that I got the surgery. I feel a freedom and hope that I haven't in a long time. I feel so blessed that the Lord opened the doors for this opportunity.
PS - I can't wait until I can shop for clothes in cute little boutiques! I'm rediscovering my sense of style. I'm funky!
