11 wks - 55lbs! Broke that Plateau:)

Well, finally this week I broke that darn plateau.  It took me nearly three weeks to see that scale move back down again, talk about a tough battle of wits.  No matter what means one uses to lose weight, the journey itself remains the same.  It's funny because I'm lucky if I eat 500-600 calories/day but yet I lose weight at this point like before when on Weight Watchers.  But, the big difference is this is a good steady pace and I don't have the hunger or want to eat like I did before.

That is the biggest change I've noticed up to this point.  The fact that eating is no longer a fun thing to be enjoyed.  It's actually a pain to eat, because it doesn't always agree with you and you are struggling to keep up with the three meals a day, getting your liquids in and primarily ensuring you meet at least your 50grams/day in proteins.  It's exhausting to focus on these elements and you literally have to be thinking about it all day, even though you are not in the least hungry.

Yesterday, I had my first puking incident.  I have been queasy and nauseated all week, my boss pointed out that perhaps it was induced my stress - after that statement I realized he was right.  At any rate, it was the end of the week when I came home last night and decided to eat something before we went to the movie.  I had a stuffed chicken breast, in which I had eaten twice before with no incidents.  But like everything else this week, when I began to eat the chicken I could feel it wasn't going well.  I pushed on and eat nearly half of the chicken.  Big mistake, that horrible pressure built up in my new stomach area and I could feel the nausea again coming on.  I got myself to the bathroom just in time and sure enough every bit of that chicken came back up.  I knew better, garlic is definitely one of the culprits since I don't seem to do well with anything in garlic either.  Immediately after I couldn't stand that taste in my mouth so I grabbed a sugar-free orange popsicle and felt better right away.  I drank probably 3 1/2 - 16oz bottles that day, so for me that was very successful.  

Today, I feel so much better.  I good night's rest and feeling less stressed has made all the difference.  I was going to do a 5K today, but felt that my three work-out sessions this week were sufficient and that I would most definitely go to the gym tomorrow instead.

Walking, a whole other world to me now.  I had been part of a walking group on campus, where I work over the summer months and at my heaviest I was struggling to keep up with the group.  I would have to always turn back mid-way and start heading back because I wasn't fast enough to keep up with the faster walkers.  The other day a co-worker and myself did an entire walk that would have been done with my group, plus the walk back to our building in 45mins....I was talking the entire time and felt great!  The other walks were about 1hr. 10mins for me to complete so the difference to me is staggering, to say in the least.  55lbs. sure makes a difference and it has made the difference!  I feel so much better.  

For those still wondering if they should do this surgery - I'm telling you it is exactly what someone needs that has any issues with weight or food.  I know I am still in the beginning process and have a ways to go to show the final results, but I have NEVER lost 55lbs. before and lord knows I've been on enough diets in my lifetime where I could have had the opportunity to lose the weight.  I think the best I ever did was nearly 30lbs a couple of different occasions.  

2 weeks after surgery

So, again, for comparison purposes, I am going to post some pictures again so you can see the results thus far:

Before at my heaviest

8/27/12 - 4 weeks after surgery

10/11/12 - 11 weeks after surgery

I think the visual is always important.  It is nice to mention no more blood pressure meds, I've lost 6 inches off my waist, my shoe size has already dropped a half size.

Super excited and happy at where I am at for me.  Remember, this is only about yourself and no one else.  No one else can tell you what to do with your body, but when you are indeed ready to take on this challenge, just think of all other things you can achieve once this achievement has been succeeded?!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite poems, Author Unknown

YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK. 

If you think you are beaten you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you want to win but think you can't;
It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose you're lost;
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in a state of mind. 

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger and faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.