My Apologies

I cannot believe it's been so long since I posted here. Life has been busy with the job change but that's really just an excuse. I haven't had much to share or to say lately. Today I did have an accomplishment, though.

I completed, for the first time in over four years, the entire one mile walk with Leslie Sandsone ... her Walk Away the Pounds DVD. I used to do it when I weighed 530 pounds but did it from a sitting down position. Today I wanted to go walk outside, but it's raining and I don't own rain garb so ... I popped in the DVD and started to walk. I completed the entire workout standing up and moving my body. By the time I got to the half mile point, I wanted to quit but wouldn't let myself. I knew I owed it to myself to keep going. My thighs were burning and my calves were aching but I did it; I made it to the end!

Weight is still just under the 300 lb mark. Not much happening on the scale but the inches must be moving as people keep saying I'm shrinking. I don't see it right now, but okay. My hair loss has slowed but I don't see much new re-growth yet. I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow for my six month follow-up. It's about a month late because of scheduling but that's okay. The skin is becoming an issue and I'm dreading summer because of what I know may come. I'll document any problems because I may need that info later on to get the skin removal approved by my insurance company.

Hopefully, it won't be so long before I post again!

Two Milestones in 24 Hours!

I had another milestone happen yesterday. At the end of the day I had walked 8349 steps. That is the most steps I've ever had recorded on my pedometer. According to the pedometer, that was the same as walking 2.37 miles. Of those steps, 1885 of them were aerobic steps over 20 minutes which means for at least 20 minutes yesterday, I was burning fat. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill at an average rate of 2.5 mph but did bursts of 3 mph when the instructor had others running. My knees were screaming but I made myself do it anyway. I can run but I choose not to right now. With my knees the way they are right now running just isn't smart for me. In time, I know I will be running with everyone else, but just not right now. I also did 20 minutes on the NuStep machine. After that, we did the 'Cupid Shuffle' and the 'Electric Slide' in our strength training class. It was fun and nice way to get us doing aerobics without it feeling like exercise. Do a Youtube search on that and you'll find out what it looks like. We first did a slower version and then one that was pretty fast later on. It was quite the workout. The song is catchy and I had a blast. Then we slowed it down doing a workout with a long band and then weights, ending with stretching on the fitness balls. I felt so good after that class but boy was I feeling it. Today I have sore muscles and am probably retaining some water but that's okay. I'll drink extra today so the muscles can repair themselves.

I also met another milestone that is even bigger, in my opinion. I am now down to under 300 pounds today! Yep, that's right. I no longer weigh over 300 pounds. Today's weight is 298.6 Woo hoo for me! I've left what I have fondly called the Tri Cities for what I call Twoterville. I've now lost 232 pounds since starting this process four years ago. Another ten pounds or so and I will have literally "lost my husband". Wow! I've lost 125 pounds over the last year. Gosh but I'm feeling so doggone proud of myself!

26 Weeks Post Op

This week I am officially 26 weeks post op. That means six months and down 83 lbs since surgery. I'm averaging just over three pounds per week so all is well. If I continue with that average, I should be at or near my goal weight come September.

I still feel great, though I have been sick this past week. Caught a cold bug from somewhere and have been struggling with it all week. On Benadryl now to at least keep the eyes from watering and the nose from dripping. I feel slightly better but have a ways to go before I'm back at 100% again. I'm tired of sneezing. I'm tired of weeping eyes. I'm tired of being tired!

Work has been interesting. I changed from being the Overnight Coordinator (campus wide supervisor for that shift) to being a Program Manager of one individual home. It's been an interesting week. First day I had to deal with figuring out how to get a client downtown Chicago when I had no staff to transport. Second day went fairly smoothly. Third day there was a big fight between two girls and one ended up with a broken finger! Third day wasn't too bad. By Thursday, the girls were starting to come to me for help in problem solving. Friday was long and there were home visits to get approved and a long meeting to get through. I did survive the first week though. Have to head back in there for a few hours this evening and then I'm off tomorrow. Looking forward to that. Hopefully, week two will settle down a bit more but I doubt it. It's going to get worse before it gets better. That's the law of working in group homes, changing rules, enforcing rules, and making things work!