Sept 25/11 - Heart and Stroke Fit for Heart

So today was the day!  And what a perfect day it was.. you couldn't have asked for better weather!  We walked for my father in law, who had a heart attack on New Years Eve.  It was a great walk for a great cause and I feel very honored to have been a part of it.

We had the choice to do either two or four km and when the time came I'm super glad we chose four.  It only took us 45 minutes (we had to take a few puppy breaks lol) and I was feeling great by the end of it!  I wouldn't even have considered doing this last year.. and now I cant wait to do it again!  Hoping to be ready for the 10 km Persechini run in April!!!!
 

Sept 24/11 - NSV's out the wahzoo!!!

So I bought a treadmill a few days ago and so far... Even though it has only been 4 days... I absolutely love it! I've been getting up early every morning and walking pretty fast for 30 minutes, working up my heart rate.. Not to mention a good sweat!   It seems to set the tone for each day and keeps me motivated to walk to and from work and try harder to get all of my protein and water in. I'm excited to see where this will take me!    

I also have the Heart and Stroke Fit for Heart walk tomorrow morning and I'm so excited to do this! I know its only 4 km... And its walking.. But that's far for me lol plus its for a good cause.  

Last night my husband and I had a date night, and without going into too much detail... I had an awesome NSV! We have a jet tub at home.. Its deep but narrow and we decided to attempt to have a bubble bath together... And we both fit, comfortably I might add! Never would I have thought that the two of us could get in there together, when only 4 months ago I could hardly get in and out myself! He also spoiled me with a back massage and for the first time in forever it didn't hurt! And that is a huge deal since I've had chronic back pain for the past 10 years.  

Also, my best friend moved last weekend and was going through all of her clothes and passed on a few things to me that don't fit her. She gave me a few pairs of size 18 and 20 jeans as well as a few tops and a fall jacket.    I tried on a pair of the size 20 jeans and they fit! As did the others. In just over 3 months I have gone from a size 28 to a size 20!!!! Crazy! I am down almost 70 pounds and starting to feel really good! Days like this make all the sickness, thinning hair and bad days worth it!   

Things can only go up from here!
(Except for the scale that is!)

Sept 21/11 - Just Keep Walking

So Ive been having a rough few weeks... My pouch hasn't been agreeing with me lately, and hearing about Wendy's death has put me in a pretty low place.

That being said, Ive been trying to push forward and focus on the positives.  My brother-in-law and I have decided to be gym buddies and I am really excited about it.  Were going to look into spinning classes, and they have a pool and Zumba. 

I also bought a treadmill today.. used but like brand new! (gotta love Kijiji !!)  I tried it out and I love it already!  I have been walking so much more lately.. back and forth to work and evening walks with the puppy. I know though that winter is coming and with winter comes snow and ice.  And anyone who knows me knows that I am horrible with ice!  I'm excited to use my treadmill, and I promise it will not become a clothes hanger!

My brother-in-law also invited me to join him this Sunday to participate in the Heart and Stroke Fit for Heart Walk.  Something I never would have even considered doing a year ago!  I'm looking forward to it and I'm glad its for a good cause that hits close to home.  My husband is coming with us too so I think its going to be a great day!  Jay you are a good influence on me!!!

Sept 13/11 - A few of my LEAST favorite things...

So here I am, tomorrow I will be 3 months post surgery.  I am down 65 pounds, but I have been sitting at that for about two weeks now... I think I have hit a bit of a stall... and I know it happens.. but its always frustrating.

I read every book, blog, pamphlet... watched every educational video I could find... I tried to mentally prepare myself for this life change.. and I was ready... everyone including the doctors and dietitians said I was too.  But until you are actually going through this.. you have NO IDEA how hard it is. 

Ive had a few people ask me if I regret having the surgery.  I usually tell them to ask me in three more months... because right now I don't really know.  I do love the weight loss, and the better mobility already.. but there are just SO many things that are happening to me right now that make me want to cry.

I know I have talked about this before but its such a big deal right now... I have always had really thick hair, except for at the front.. (a bit of a receding hairline!)  I have always been able to hid it with my bangs, but this past month I have lost SO much hair that its really getting hard to hide it and its really freaking me out.  Ive never really thought much about my appearance.. but I always loved my hair... and now its going away... It has made me cry on more than one occasion when I'm brushing or washing my hair and it is coming out in clumps.

My family and I were visiting my mom and dad on the long weekend, and I was fine for the most part.. there was always something I could eat... but when we would take the kids for ice cream, or stop at the chip truck... I miss being included... Not so much missing the food.. I just miss being part of it.  And it makes me resentful.. and I know its not fair to my family because this was MY choice.  I also missed sitting around the fire having drinks with my husband.  I cant wait for winter to get here so I don't miss social drinking so much.

Vitamins. I knew going into this that I would have to take vitamins for life. What I didn't know was how gross they would be and how hard it was going to be to remember to take them all!  Ive even set reminders on my phone so I don't forget .. but somehow I manage to miss at least two almost every day.  And boy do I ever miss Advil... I'm sure there are ladies who can sympathize with me lol... Sometimes I just want to curl up in a ball and die!

Protein is another one of those things that keeps getting away from me. No matter how much I try to have.. its never enough.  I bought some different types of protein bars, hoping to boost it a bit.

Ive been getting sick lately too.  I know its my own fault... I cant seem to eat slow enough or chew well enough or take small enough bites.  My family has always been fast eaters.. that's a 30 year habit that's hard to break.  I really don't like throwing up at work though.. I get so embarrassed that I almost don't want to eat there... but that's what got me into this mess in the first place.

I'm sorry for being such a downer... its just been a hard few weeks.  Everyone tells me things will get easier, and I'm sure they will.

And I don't want anyone to be discouraged by reading this.. especially if you are going through this journey too.. but I promised that I would be honest and I think its best to know the good and the bad.. its not all sunshine and rainbows over here!

That being said.. the past few days I have really been focusing on my vitamins, water and protein.. trying not to get distracted.. it really is a full time job!  I go to HRRH on Friday for my 3 month check up... hopefully the dietician will have some words of wisdom for me!


One day at a time.