I am doing much better - progress pics...

I don't know if anyone out there even checks this blog anymore, but here is the update. :)

Things I can do now...

1. walk

2. go to the store without a scooter OR a cart!

3. make plans with my family which INCLUDE me! :)

4. spend money. :) Being able to shop has a downside. It's so much fun!

5. my hubby says I don't snore anymore

6. do more things around the house

7. stand for longer periods of time

8. wear clothes I have not been able to wear in a while

9. I fit in the seats at the dr.s office

10. Being able to throw two middle fingers up to those who said I would not, could not, or should not get this surgery. :)

11. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.... I no longer use my fat chair!!!!!! For those of you who don't know, I used to roll around my house in an office chair. I did everything in this chair. Cook, go from one room to the next, sweep the floor, you name it. I have not used it ONCE since my surgery other than to sit here and type this to you at my desk which is where the office chair belongs! :) My kids no longer say, here's your chair mommy when I am getting up to make dinner.


I know I still have a long way to go. A LONG way to go. I can't really see a difference in the pics, but I can feel a difference in my body. I am grateful for the opportunity to live life. Do I think I could have done it on my own, still I say yes. BUt, I have NEVER been able to keep it off and by removing my stomach all the hunger and cravings are GONE so it makes eating healthy MUCH easier. Yesterday my son had his cub scout pack meeting (where they get awards) at a camp site. Hot dog roasting, walking from the parking lot to the site, getting up and down to take pics, watching my two year old... it was great! I have NEVER been to one of these because I was not able to walk from the parking area to the site. I was so happy to be there for my son. I didn't even have my hubby to help me because he was coaching my other son's baseball game. Yay me! I was able to enjoy 1/2 of a roasted hot dog (no bun) and 1 chip. I could have had more because I can eat up to 1/2 a cup for a meal and this was way less, but I didn't want to because I assumed the hot dog was not low cal. I ate 1 chip. I can eat more than that of baked chips, but why bother eating more if you are already satisfied? :) I was happy to be able to partake like everyone else, but on a MUCH smaller scale. lol It has been a joy to take part in life again. I am much happier now that I am on solid foods. I think a liquid diet for 5 weeks will make anyone crazy. These days I enjoy most normal things, I don't eat anything white like bread, rice, sugar etc. Those used to be my go-to foods and hard core cravings. I don't know if I mentioned it before but the DAY of my surgery I started "that time of month." Exactly one month later, I started again! Amazing for me.

There are some hard parts. I have been stalled for several weeks. I don't eat more than about 600 calories per day so I went to the nutritionist and the Dr. to see what is going on and they think my body is still in shock from this major surgery and because I have PCOS, my hormones are freaking out. I have started pool therapy three times per week which is a work out so I have to up my calories to 800 per day. I can't imagine I can eat that much so I am just trying to add liquid drinks like Atkins or slim fast. I eat at least 80 grams of protein per day. I am supposed to have 1/4 cup of protein and 1/4th cup of carbs for each meal. (1/2 cup total for 3 meals per day) 1/2 cup of food for most people is about 2 bites, but I cut up my food in to SMALL pieces so I can stretch it out or else I would always be the first one finished at the table. :) It is great to eat meals with my family again. All in all, I am glad I did this.