Nov 9/11 - Zumba :)

Today I had my 6th workout at Curves.  Everyday I go I love it even more!!!! I even purchased a few Curves tshirts.. so now I fit right in lol  And the machines are getting easier.. I think Ive picked it up pretty quick :)  The back of my legs are killing me though but it comes with the territory.

Tomorrow morning I get to be set up on CurvesSmart.  I'm excited to get going and to have it push me.  That way Ill know if I'm doing it right!  I decided to go back today to do a Zumba class.  I wasn't sure if I would go since I was so tired after my workout.. but I couldn't resist! 

IT WAS SOOO HARD LOL   The instructor was awesome, and full of energy.. but she could move in ways that I don't think I will ever be able to!  For every one step I did she did about three.. and no matter how hard I tried my legs couldn't keep up!  Also I am so not coordinated!  Trying to move my hands and legs at the same time was a huge challenge.  Thankfully I did not feel embarrassed at all and spent most of the time laughing at myself. 

By the end my heart was pumping and I was super sweaty so I must have been doing something right!  I'm going to keep going every week.. hopefully I will pick up on the moves.  Ill also be able to practice between classes on Zumba for Wii :)  I love that its at Curves and that it is only per class.  You have the choice to Zumba the whole time, or Zumba for one min, and then to a machine for one min.  Cant wait till next week!!! I highly recommend it!!!

www.curves.com


Oh ya.. I was at GT BOUTIQUE lol.. and one of the cashiers was looking at me.. and said... There's something different about you... you got your hair done.. but that's not it.. you've lost weight!!!!!   LOL   People are really starting to notice!!!   And like Ive said before.. I really appreciate the compliments.. but I don't know what to say!!!!

Nov 7/11 - My Tattoo Idea!

ALRIGHT!!! Here it is.. This is going to be the tattoo I get when I have lost 100 pounds... I was going to put "I did it".. but I will never be DONE wls.. so I CAN DO IT will be a constant reminder for me :) This is just the idea.. Jason on of our artists is going to draw it up much better for me! Cant wait!!!!  When I lose more than that I will put a line through 100 and put 150 underneath etc lol

Nov 5/11 - Small World :)

I met a fellow OHer this morning :)

I was at Curves for my third workout... (I now get to do the machines on my own lol yay!) and as I was getting my shoes on, someone tapped me on the shoulder.  I turned around and a lady asked me if my name was Dollface.  She recognized me from ObesityHelp.com!  I thought that was pretty awesome and Im glad I went in when I did!  Its always nice to meet someone from here and be able to put a face to the name!

My workout was awesome and Im so glad I have decided to do this!  My butt and upper back are a bit sore but soo worth it!

I was so pumped this morning that I walked to Curves, and then after my workout met up with my husband and walked to Timmy's for a tea (decaf) and then walked to work :)  Lets see if Im still pumped after my 10 hour shift tonight lol

Nov 4/11 - Bariatric Bad Girls Club

Bariatric Bad Girls Club... my new favorite site lol... lots of great girls who have had surgery.. sharing their stories.. highs and lows... with an edge ;) lol.. they also have a facebook group if you are interested!  I'm hooked.. and I just ordered my hoodie and Bad Girl in a Box..  cant wait!  I'm even thinking it will make a great tattoo when reach 100 pounds lost.

Here is my new second home... where I plan to be 6 days a week.. (they are closed on Sundays lol)  I had my second work out today.. well.. really my first since yesterday was just getting used to the machines.  I loved it even more :)  I tried their Chocolate protein shake.. added some ice and strawberries and its not bad :)  

I ran into my father in law at Dollarama after my workout.. and it took him a second to register who I was!  LoL  It made me feel good!

The only negative thing that I have noticed is that I can eat more now... I guess after 5 months I'm at normal... so I just have to REALLY watch my portions... I still cant handle carbs very well.. especially breads and pastas... so I stay away pretty much completely lol 

I'm getting there... and loving the journey :)

Nov 3/11 - First workout in 6 years!

This morning I had my first workout at Curves.  I haven't been there in 6 years and I definitely haven't done any other work outs in between lol...

It felt sooo good to be back!  I know people might think its an old lady workout... but it made me sweat and got my heart rate up lol... and it definitely was working my muscles!  Everyone there is so nice and not judgmental.. no one gave my tattoos a second thought and treated me equally.. which is nice :)

The machines are so great.. and they have a new chip system that really pushes you to do your best.  I have to say the best part of today was the stretching at the end.  I twisted and pulled in ways I didn't even know I could.. and it felt SO GOOD!

This is going to sound redundant.. but I feel great! LOL.. Its so nice to be active and part of something.. and have something to look forward to.  I know its only been one day.. but I am determined to stick this out!  I love Curves :)

Cant wait for tomorrow!

Nov 2/11 - Good Day ... Curves :)

Today was a good day :)  First of all.. I felt really good in my outfit today lol... (with the help of slimpressions)  Two people came in to the shop that haven't seen me in a few months.. who neither knew that I had surgery and both commented on how much weight Ive lost.  It felt so great.. but I still get red faced and embarrassed when they compliment me lol... Its so great to know that people are noticing though!

After work I headed to Curves.  I had a membership there years ago.. and I really loved the atmosphere and the work out.  I went back and forth between joining there or a gym.. but I think for now I made the right choice.  For someone who hasn't worked out in 6 years... it will ease me back into it.. and having someone there to keep me motivated and knowing that I have a time limit will help me keep my pace.  Once Ive reached my goal weight and I'm ready to do more toning.. I might think about doing the gym thing.

I'm really excited for my first work out tomorrow!  And for Zumba... I'm pretty sure its going to kick my butt for the first few times!!!  They had a promotional deal on that if you donated to Breast Cancer they wave your 0 sign up fee..  so it only cost me to join! 

The pieces to my puzzle are finally fitting together!!!  I'm so ready for this!

Oct 26/11 - Good and Bad

So.. I have been SO good with my eating... even being away in New York and trying to eat in the car there and back.. I did really well!  Last night Mike and the kids decided to order pizza for dinner.. a treat that they really don't have very often anymore. (to be considerate to me)   I decided to rationalize why it would be OK for me to have ONE slice of pizza with just chicken and veggies on it.  Well.. it was a bad idea.  About four bites in.. it came right back up.  I don't know why I continue to try things when I KNOW they are not going to work for me... sigh.  And as a reminder.. when I was throwing up... I burst all the little blood vessels in my face... it happens every time and stays for days :(  NO FUN.  Anyone else have this problem?


Its actually a lot darker in person.. almost like a bruise.

Anyway... good news.   My husband weighed himself this afternoon.. and I weigh less than him by 7 pounds!!!!!  That has NEVER happened before!  I feel small lol.. even though to look at us you wouldn't know it... it may be silly but it makes me feel good!!!!!!




Oct 29/11 - Halloween!!!

One of my most favorite holidays lol!   Just minus the candy this year!... I have a new found love for before and after pics so bear with me!  Here is me last year Halloween and this year... cant wait till next year!

My sister and I .. in 2001 and now... 270 lbs lost between us so far (mostly from my sister lol)

Oct 23/11 - OH EVENT IN NEW YORK!

So we just got back from the OH Sex in the City event in New York and I cant even begin to tell you how much fun it was! I was able to meet so many awesome people. Everyone had a story to tell and it was so uplifting to hear them. To see where people have come from and what they look like now? Amazing.

It was wonderful to be surrounded by people who have been through exactly what I am going through and be able to tell me their outcomes. I made some new friends from all over the country.. The seminars were great..They had a lot of speakers there.. including Chef Dave, Connie Stapleton, Colleen Cook, Yvonne McCarthy.. just to name a few.

I wish I could have gone to more, but there was just too much to do.. (and I couldn't leave New York without going to Manhattan!

The vendors were awesome.. I got to meet a great lady, named Beth Ism. She has an amazing blog that you can read at: www.meltingmama.net She also runs the Bariatric Bad Girls Club that is just awesome! At the convention she and her husband manned the Slimpressions table. Slimpressions are probably the most wonderful invention in the whole world! They are undergarments that suck everything in and camoflauge the bat wings!!!! I am in love with them! There were lots of free samples.. Vitamins, protein drinks and bars.. all sorts of stuff! And I love free stuff!

We had a Costume party which was a blast! It was fun to be there with my sister and online friends.. we looked fabulous!And of course we spent a day in Manhattan, an experience I will never forget! Not only did I get to go to Tiffanys (and actually buy something), but we went for a horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park and we went to see Ground Zero....

The only thing that put a bit of a damper on our day was when our train tragically hit someone on the way home. I still cant believe it happened!

The last night we were there they put on a Fashion Show with all of the before and after pictures, even my sister and one of our friends were in it! So amazing to see all the transformations! It was really fun to get all dressed up too.. Kind of like a prom and I felt really pretty for the first time in a long time.

Our friend is a photographer and did a bit of a photo shoot with us, a great self esteem booster!!!! It was an amazing weekend ... even with the 10+ hour drive there and back! I made some great friends and I will never forget it! Plus I lost 5 more pounds! Yay down 80pounds now!

Oct 12/11 - 8 more days!!!!

I'm going to New York in 8 days!  I'm soo excited!  Ive never been on a road trip with just the girls.. and Ive never been to New York so its even more exciting!  So many wonderful things happening for me in my 30th year!  Getting married, having my surgery, losing almost 75 pounds.. and now going to New York...  Good things do come to those who wait!

I have to say one of my favorite things about my RNY is the fact that I have so much energy.  I love walking now.  I walk every morning on my treadmill.. I walk to work and back.. the kids and I went for an early morning walk yesterday morning before school.. its so beautiful out with the leave changing and the cool weather!  LOVE IT !!!!  lol

Last weekend my husband and I took a picnic to Fairy Lake with our puppy Pedro and went for a walk along the paths.  It was so nice and I cant get over the fact that I would never have done that even 6 months ago.  I cant believe how many things have changed for the better since doing this.

Thanksgiving was my first big holiday since having my surgery.  Thankfully I was working most of the weekend so I missed the big Turkey days.. I'm not sure if I would have been ready to handle that yet .. let alone face all my family have have them watch me eat lol... I did go for dinner with the in laws and ended up bringing home 3/4 of my dinner!  Hopefully things will be easier by Christmas!

I still have good days and bad days... and yes there are days when I still question if I have made the right choice... But today I am happy and thankful :)

Here are a few pictures from our walk:

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.

Aug 27 - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

First.. the good!

I am down 60 pounds in just under 3 months.  I have been waiting to say this but I have finally lost the equivalent to an elephants penis LOL      I am down 3 pant sizes.  I had to get rid of all of my jeans... even my favorite pair because they just wouldn't stay on anymore!  I can cross my legs again... almost comfortably lol... but I can do it none the less...

The bad....

My hair is falling out like CRAZY!!!!!   Every morning I dread having my shower for fear of my hair coming out in handfuls.  I knew it was coming.. Ive read lots about it and I know it doesn't last forever and that it will grow back.. but it still freaks me out and I'm scared that I'm going to go bald... I may just have to start investing in wigs or bandannas!!!!

Also ... I tried an alcoholic drink.  I had a shot of vodka mixed with a glass of water and crystal light.  Only 56 calories.. no fat, no sugar, no carbs... but man did it ever hit me!  I felt fine after the first one... and I thought I could handle one more.. but I didn't even get half way through it before feeling completely drunk and passing out!!!   So I am definitely a very cheap drunk!  Not something I plan on repeating either.. I hate that feeling!

The ugly.

I haven't been feeling very good.  I will have one good day, where I can eat no problem... but then Ill have 2 or 3 days where its uncomfortable to even drink.  My pouch feels tight (normal I'm sure) and no matter how slow I eat and how much I chew it feels like it gets stuck and I can never finish.  It is really uncomfortable.  I hope it passes.. I hope its just part of the process.. because if not I'm going to be a really cranky Amy!!!!

Aug 12 - Bad Night....

So I promised myself that when I decided to write this blog I would be honest.. and share not just the good but the bad.

Well last night, I had a bad moment.  Yesterday was my sons 9th birthday.  We have a tradition that the birthday person gets to decide what they want for dinner...  I have been sooo good at keeping bad foods out of the house, and eating really healthy at home at at work... but it was his birthday and he wanted Chinese food.

At first I was just going to send my husband and the kids out to eat.. but we decided that it would be cheaper just to order in.  Long story short... I convinced myself that I have been so good and able to keep my foods down pretty well so I should be able to have a bit of Chinese food for his birthday dinner.... boy was I wrong!   After about 10 minutes my chest started to hurt and my mouth started to fill with saliva... and then out of no where.. every piece of Chinese food I ate... came right back up.

I felt soo stupid, especially because my husband already warned me and told me it probably wasn't a good idea to try it.  I had a bit of a melt down after.  I'm seeing these amazing changes in how I feel and look and I went to such great measures to make sure I wouldn't eat crap like that anymore... and what do I do?  I was so mad at myself.. but in one way I think I was crying over the fact that I cant eat it... I know its crap but I really used to like Chinese food.

I know most people wont understand this.. but its like taking an alcoholic and putting all sorts of drinks in front of them and telling them not to touch them while everyone around them drinks it in front of them.

And its not like I'm starving.. or even hungry.. its all in my head.  I think I want it.. but I know I don't.  I can keep food out of my house.. but I'm going to face these challenges along the way... I have to figure out a better way to deal with it.

The only good thing that came out of the experience is that my pouch is actually working thankfully and I cant eat the bad stuff.

Ive said it before... the good of this surgery will always outweigh the bad...but that was not fun.  I learned from it though.. and I'm ready to move on..

Today is a new day.

Aug 10 - My very first NSV x 2!!!!!

Yesterday at work a girl came in to book a tattoo appointment that I haven't seen in about 6 months.  She came up to me and says " It looks like you've lost some weight!  You look great!"

It was the first person who didn't know I had surgery to say something!!!!! It made me feel soo good!  I just wanted to shout, YES!!!!  I HAVE LOST WEIGHT!!!!  THANK YOU FOR NOTICING!!!!!!!  lol  but I just said thank you lol

After work I went to the mall with my best friend.  She likes to shop at Rickies... I personally could never shop there because they didn't have my size... but right before we were leaving I thought .. what the heck.. and tried on a pretty pink top., and not only did it fit but it was loose!  It was the biggest size in the store mind you.. but still 2 - 3 times smaller than what I'm used to wearing!!!!

They had a sale on that if you bought one sale item you got another one for a dollar.. so my friend Bre bought it for me as a reward lol

I told her that this was so awesome.. but could turn out to be dangerous.  Ive never really been the type to care about clothes or buy alot... but I could see this turning into a nice little hobby!!!!


(in case you were wondering, NSV is a term we use on our forum for Non Surgical Victory)

Aug 8 - 50 pounds gone forever!!!

So here I am... just about two months since surgery.. and I have finally lost 50 pounds!!  I am in desperate need of new pants... and the shirts that have been in my closet for the past year with tags on them.. that I couldn't button around my middle.. finally fit me.. and loosely!  Its so nice to see the changes.. its really good motivation!

I'm having a bit of issues with food now that didn't really bother me at first.. but Ive heard that your pouch gets a bit more sensitive after a few weeks.  Chicken is really had for me.. maybe because its to dry or dense... and breads.. although Ive only tried wraps.. but they do not sit well at all!  A lot of foods have made me feel sick.. but usually it doesn't do so until about 20 minutes after I finish eating.  That makes it hard to know what I can and cant handle... so Ive pretty much stuck with softer foods that I know I can stomach!!!  I guess I'm just sick of feeling sick...

I keep thinking I'm not loosing as fast as I should be... but according to Dr. Hagen I'm right on track.  When I saw him at one month out.. I had lost 35 pounds.  He expects me to lose another 30 to 40 in the next 3 months and I'm already down 15 more pounds since then.... so I guess I'm on my way lol  But you cant blame me for wanting it to go faster!!!!

Its crazy how many people have contacted me since my surgery to tell me they are thinking about it or have had it too.  I love being able to share my experiences with them, and I hope I am able to give them a bit of insight !!!   Don't get me wrong...  I have a lot of learning to do myself, but its nice to think I might be able to help someone out when I'm only two months post op!!!

Sorry for my ramblings... I'm just trying to work things out in my head!

July 27/11 - 6 weeks out!

So I am about 6 weeks since surgery and Im finally starting to feel back to normal.. or should I say like the new me!  Up until now I hadn't really noticed much change.. but the last few days my pants have been falling off and my shirts are super loose! 
I have lost 45 pounds since I started Optifast.. so in two months... I have been trying to loose that for years lol... I already have more energy.. I cant wait to see how losing another 45 pounds will make me feel!
And real food!  How Ive missed you!  And how I appreciate every bite now!  The first few meals that I measured out made me sad.. looking at my plate with hardly anything on it... thinking to myself that there is no way this will fill me up.. but honestly I hardly ever finish my meals!  I get soo full so fast so I try to make every bite count.  Filling up on my protein first and my veggies... and meal plannings not as hard as I thought it would be.. especially when you can get four meals out of  a piece of chicken lol
Im trying so hard to remember all of my vitamins... Ive set reminders on my phone.. I do forget the odd one here and there.. but there are just so many!  I know how important they are though so I will keep going.
I went to my very first OH support group meeting.. although I actually missed the meeting part and got there just in time for coffee!  It was really great to meet people and put faces to names... I also got to meet 3 of the ladies that I am going to New York with in October for the OH Sex in the City event... here's a "before pic" of the four of us.. cant wait to take another picture in October!

I recently started Zumba for Wii at home.. OMG is it ever hard lol.. maybe its just because I have no rhythm but I'm finding it so hard to keep up even with the instructional parts!  I thought I should try to learn the steps though before signing up for a real class and embarrassing myself! 
It hasn't been the easiest road.. but I'm glad I started this journey!

July 15 - One month check up.

So last week I had a three week check up with Dr. Hagen....

The whole appt only lasted about 3 minutes. Dr. Hagen weighed me asked if I had any questions or concerns. I said nope and he says I'm doing great and that I will be very happy I did this. And he wants to see me in 3 months.

So far I have lost 35 pounds... Ive been sitting at that for over a week now.. and although I know its normal it was still nice to have the reassurance that everything was normal and that I'm right on track.  He thinks I should easily lose 30 - 40 pounds in the next 3 months.. and he said he thinks Ill be able to lose 150 pounds no problem :)

Not sure if it was worth the 4 hour round trip but oh well...

And today I had my one month check up at HRRH with the dietitian.  I had Denise who I know some people have complained about... I'm guessing it worked because I have met with her twice now  and both times they went very well.
Again I was weighed.. and now am at 295 (39 pounds lost with clothes on) since I started optifast.

My BMI when I started this was 55.... I am now at 49 :)

I'm finally out of the pureed stage and I'm able to start soft solid food and work my way up to crunchy and normal!  I'm so excited.. and nervous to try new things... I'm just glad I can start to get back to my new normal routine lol

I was sent to PATTS again for more blood work.. apparently my hemoglobin and iron is low... soo much blood they took!!!!!!!  Thank god I dont have to go through that again for a while!

And now on to the next stage of my journey... exercise!  Ive been walking alot more than I'm used to and now with the puppy and walking back and forth to work...  its daily.  i was thinking about joining Curves.. but after talking to a lot of people on the forum I'm starting to think its not the best route for me.  So I'm looking into other options... I really want to join a Zumba class.. but I'm scared I wont be able to keep up with everyone yet lol....

So far things haven't been as hard as I expected... but its still hard.  Thank god for my husband... he has been my rock through this!  its nice to start to be able to see results though... my clothes are definitely getting looser... and I'm not sure how much longer my wedding rings are going to stay on! 

Anyway I'm doctor free for the next 3 months ... which is so nice since it takes me forever to get there and back! 

Life is good :)

July 2/11 - First time in 13 years!!!!

Today I got on a bike for the first time in 13 years!  It was super hard at first.. and a bit embarrassing.. but I did it, and once I got started it was much easier. Like they say.. "Just like riding a bike!"
My husband was going to buy me this perfect bike for my birthday in May but they didn't have them in stock at the time, so we went today.. and there it was!!!
My husband is such an amazing supporter, and ran along side me the whole time to make sure I didn't fall... I love him soo much!  He tried to get a picture of me while I was riding it, but he couldn't figure out the settings, and I was afraid to stop to show him how thinking I wouldn't be able to start again lol

I do have to admit I think I may have tried a bit too soon... my stomach is hurting a little bit now.. Probably because I was moving in ways I haven't in years! lol

I cant wait to get out there and ride with my kids... One of the many things I was looking forward to doing after the surgery!!!