NSVs last week

Sunday, January 18, 2009

So, I forgot to tell everyone about two significant NSVs (non-scale victories) I achieved last week. That tells you how frustrating a week I had, that I forgot to share these things. Then again, it gives me something to share today. LOL

First was hitting just under 7000 steps on my pedometer Tuesday. The most I'd ever hit before that was just over 6000. Woo hoo! I couldn't believe that I walked that many steps in one day. I remember a time when I lamented that I couldn't even hit 1500 per day and felt like the biggest loser (and not in a positive sense) because everyone else I knew was doing so much better.

The second NSV happened as an accident, so to speak, on Friday. I need to go do laundry. We generally go to a laundromat because it takes all day here at the apartment complex and sometimes someone sneaks a load in on you and then it takes even longer. I HATE community laundry. So ... we take it out and have it all done, including folding in under two hours.

Anyway, I had no pants to wear. All of my usual pants were dirty and most could not be worn again, even to go do laundry. I was searching in my drawers and came across a pair of pants a friend (Greyhounder here at SP) sent me a few months ago. At the time, they were a little tight so I just put them away thinking yeah, maybe one day I'll fit into them. They are a size 3X. I think by now, you all know where this is headed. Yep, I cam across them and figured what the heck! I'll try them on. Can't hurt, right? Well, it was way cool that they fit! I am so happy. I am now into size 3X in tops and pants. It's amazing to me. For so long I'd been wearing 5X and in a matter of five months I am down to 3X in most things. There are some pants that are still too tight, but I'm getting there. I cannot believe it, really.

So there you have it. Been doing my own thing. Eating has been good. I think my hair loss is starting to slow down a bit. At least, there seemed less hair on my hands in the shower today. I'm not sure about new hair growth. I probably should look for it but I figure in all due time it's going to be okay. It's just one of those things that happens to many who've had gastric bypass surgery and everyone has lived to tell about it.

I'm feeling great and that's what matters most. I'm off to church shortly. Then it's "incidental exercise" via grocery shopping and laundry detail. Back to work tonight. It's all good. At least the temps are back up to a more tolerable range. Have a great week, everyone!

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Chugging Along

Friday, January 16, 2009

I'm still here and chugging along. I've been going to the fitness center in our apartment complex to walk on the treadmill and work out with free weights. I go to classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This past week my abs have been screaming since class. Who knew I even had them? LOL

Went last night to a health fair sponsored by the hospital where I had surgery and the bariatric center. It was nice. I had my body fat measured. Oh boy! I found out that my body fat is 47.5%. My fat weighs a whopping 152 lbs. My lean weight (fat-free) is 169 lbs. Those numbers are WAY too close, huh! I'm also still a little less hydrated than I should be. The good news is the more I exercise, the less fat I should have, the more muscle I should build, and the better I feel. At least I know I'm on the right track.

They had a raffle and I really wanted to win the Wii and Wii Fit. Unfortunately, Tim won a one hour massage and I won fitness bands and a workout on the ball DVD. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for the bands and DVD but I really wanted that game system and game. Guess one of these days I'll break down and buy it but it's going to be a while.

It's been very cold here in northern Illinois. I'm really tired of snow and even more tired of below zero reading with really below wind chills. I'm so ready for spring and winter has only just begun. *whining*

Incidental Exercise

Sunday, January 11, 2009

My sister came up yesterday and we went to a good sized flea market here in Chicagoland. According to my pedometer, we walked over a mile just there. I did very well with all the walking. At one point I could have sat down and rested but there was no place to do that so I trudged on through. My knees were screaming near the end but I never complained. I just kept going. I will say that not only my knees, but my ankles as well are letting me know that they were pushed to their limits yesterday.

Other parts of my body are aching today, too. I shoveled snow through the day for a total of just over an hour. We got twelve inches of that white junk and I shoveled multiple times to keep on top of it. It works for me and it keeps me from having to do one big shovel job that is way too heavy. I honestly don't mind shoveling anymore. I see it as one more way to get in natural, incidental exercise. My hubby thinks I'm NUTS!

Today will be a day on what I call incidental exercise. We'll go to church this morning where I will sing to praise and worship and I will be dancing around as I do so. This afternoon means a trip to the grocery store for our early week shop. We'll go again on Thursday or Friday so this will not be a complete shop, however, since I choose to walk every aisle of the store no matter what, it will still be beneficial as far as exercise goes. After that, I'm going to rest and veg in front of the television watching stuff I recorded last week but haven't had the opportunity to watch yet.

The weight continues to come off. I lost five pounds last week. My ticker is pretty much current. I'm encouraged by all my progress. I even went to the fitness center in my apartment complex on Friday afternoon on a whim. I was out and just did it! I walked on the treadmill and did a ten minute workout with free weights. It felt good! I was going to go back yesterday but with all the walking and shoveling I did, I chose not to. Maybe Monday will be my next trip. I choose not to do any formal exercise on Sundays. It is my one day of the week that I make the conscious decision to only get incidental exercise. Everyone needs a day to rest, in my opinion!

Have a great week, everyone!!!

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A breif update ...

Sunday, January 04, 2009

I guess it's been a while since I posted anything here. I managed to gain about three pounds over the Christmas holiday. I think it was the extra sodium that got me. Well, that and the two Hershey kisses per day as well as grazing instead of eating my normal three days and one to two snacks if I got hungry. I know what happened and have since lost those extra pounds so it's all good. Life continues.

I feel great and am looking forward to getting back to working out this week. Most of my classes were cancelled two weeks ago due to inclement weather and last week no classes due to the holiday. I'm definitely ready to get back into the swing of things.

That's it for now. Not much to say so I'll just quietly go on over to Facebook and play a game or two there. Recently discovered the site and have been enjoying some of the games they offer. Also been connecting with some old friends there.

Have a great week and hopefully I'll be back to posting more often now. I don't believe in resolutions but I do need to set some goals and when I'm ready, I'll share them here.

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Three month visit with surgeon

Friday, December 19, 2008

I didn't get time to post Monday but as of then I was down to 330 lbs which means I've lost a total of 200 lbs since starting my journey in Jan of 2005. It's been a long road and I still have about 130ish pounds to go to be where I think I'd like to be. I'm so proud of myself and feeling GREAT!

Saw my surgeon Tuesday. He said I'm progressing very well. I advised him I haven't had a menstrual cycle since surgery. He said that happens and one of these days it very likely will come back. RATS! I also asked about a bruise that is taking a LONG time to heal. He said it is a combo of being on the coumadin and now aspirin. He says it can even take up to a year for a bruise to clear under those conditions. Wow! We discussed a bowel issue I'm having and he directed me to take fiber and drink more water. Lastly, he said eventually (after a minimum of 18 months) he can remove the loose skin from my tummy and has done it many many times over the last seven years. He said when he does it there are no "dog ear flaps" on the sides that sometimes plastic surgeons leave behind. Woo hoo! He can and will remove my panni one day and said the cost is usually $3000 which is a LOT better than the plastic surgeon quoted at $8000. The good news is I absolutely LOVE my surgeon and will go under his knife with confidence.

No real change in weight this week. I have weeks like that and don't let them freak me out at all. I figure that it's all good and I'll get there in my own sweet time.

(Edited for typo.)

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