Quick update: We had our two month "surgiversary" this weekend and both of us have lost 50 POUNDS!!! EACH!!! This is so cool.
Both of us would still like to blink our eyes and be at goal weight, but hey, this is going great.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
8 weeks post-op photos!
Okay, here they are - our photos at 8 weeks out. Tia has lost 46 lbs and Mark 47! It's weird, when we look at each other's photos, it difficult for us to see the change, yet we know it's there. Something about self-image, I'm sure.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
After Tax Day
I'm know I haven't written in a while. I'm not sure if it's because I have too many things going on or not enough to actually write about. Either way....here I am.
As Mark stated, I have finally found my protien rhythm. One challenge down and a couple more to go. So let's get started.
First challenge...drinking enough water. I used to drink 6-8 16oz bottles of Propel a day. Now, because the taste of Propel is way too sweet, I drink plain water. It seems to go down easier for me, as long as it's pretty cold. Luke warm water? Icky ca ca! My problem is that I used to go through so much water because I gulped it. I would chug an entire bottle between the grocery store doors and my car. Now, with the sipping, the "no drinking 15 minutes prior or 30 minutes after" issues and the constant 2-3 hour feedings, it seems like most of my time is spent in the waiting period. Then when it's not in the waiting period I'm so busy at work that I forget to drink. So, while I haven't mastered it yet, I plan to by June.
Second challenge...excersice. Mark and I have been walking and are up to 1.5 miles per day. This week I started doing water aerobics (Mon, Wed & Fri) and water walking (Tues & Thurs). I did my first aerobics class today. {Funny thing about the Skagit area, if you aren't a member of a gym and want to use the public pools with their programs, it's really hard to find an aerobics class that isn't in the middle of the day. I really don't know why this would be. Don't they think people work?} Anyway...I found one at the Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes (about 2 minutes from my work). The members and instructor are all senior citizens. They are great ladies. Very fun loving and really welcomed me without hesitation. I thought (once I found out that these classes are mostly about stretching) that I wouldn't get much out of it. HA! Good Gracious, this instructor had me stretching muscles I don't think I'm supposed to have. I have no doubt that I'll benefit from this class. And on the opposite days when I'm water walking, I can work on getting my heart rate up. I think this will be a good thing. Not to mention that Mark and I will continue to walk at night.
We are looking into buying a BowFlex machine. Mark is a "research-a-holic" and found that Consumer Reports rated them #1 for home gym equipment. This, plus the fact that my very fit brother (with a body fat of about 10%) says they do a wonderful job of sculpting. And as we all know from looking at my picture, I need some sculpting.
Let's see, what else...Oh yes, the looks and comments.
Now, after loosing 43 pounds in 7 weeks, people are starting to look at me a little differently. They think something has changed, but are almost afraid to say anything just in case they are wrong and I really haven't lost weight. Those that do know make comments about how good I am looking. This comes with mixed emotions. (1) Are they being sincere? (2) Are they only complimenting me because they want something and they know this subject is close to my heart? (3) Did I really look that horrible before? I showered, wore make-up and did my hair.
I understand these are paranoid feelings. But, having been verbally abused for so many years prior to my hubby, I am not that easy to trust. I hadn't realized that learning to trust was going to be on the menu that comes with the Gastric Bypass Surgery. Can I exchange it for cake?
We will be taking measurements on Sunday the 20th and posting them soon after. So stay tuned for the next episode of Mark & Tia's Amazing Journey.
As Mark stated, I have finally found my protien rhythm. One challenge down and a couple more to go. So let's get started.
First challenge...drinking enough water. I used to drink 6-8 16oz bottles of Propel a day. Now, because the taste of Propel is way too sweet, I drink plain water. It seems to go down easier for me, as long as it's pretty cold. Luke warm water? Icky ca ca! My problem is that I used to go through so much water because I gulped it. I would chug an entire bottle between the grocery store doors and my car. Now, with the sipping, the "no drinking 15 minutes prior or 30 minutes after" issues and the constant 2-3 hour feedings, it seems like most of my time is spent in the waiting period. Then when it's not in the waiting period I'm so busy at work that I forget to drink. So, while I haven't mastered it yet, I plan to by June.
Second challenge...excersice. Mark and I have been walking and are up to 1.5 miles per day. This week I started doing water aerobics (Mon, Wed & Fri) and water walking (Tues & Thurs). I did my first aerobics class today. {Funny thing about the Skagit area, if you aren't a member of a gym and want to use the public pools with their programs, it's really hard to find an aerobics class that isn't in the middle of the day. I really don't know why this would be. Don't they think people work?} Anyway...I found one at the Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes (about 2 minutes from my work). The members and instructor are all senior citizens. They are great ladies. Very fun loving and really welcomed me without hesitation. I thought (once I found out that these classes are mostly about stretching) that I wouldn't get much out of it. HA! Good Gracious, this instructor had me stretching muscles I don't think I'm supposed to have. I have no doubt that I'll benefit from this class. And on the opposite days when I'm water walking, I can work on getting my heart rate up. I think this will be a good thing. Not to mention that Mark and I will continue to walk at night.
We are looking into buying a BowFlex machine. Mark is a "research-a-holic" and found that Consumer Reports rated them #1 for home gym equipment. This, plus the fact that my very fit brother (with a body fat of about 10%) says they do a wonderful job of sculpting. And as we all know from looking at my picture, I need some sculpting.
Let's see, what else...Oh yes, the looks and comments.
Now, after loosing 43 pounds in 7 weeks, people are starting to look at me a little differently. They think something has changed, but are almost afraid to say anything just in case they are wrong and I really haven't lost weight. Those that do know make comments about how good I am looking. This comes with mixed emotions. (1) Are they being sincere? (2) Are they only complimenting me because they want something and they know this subject is close to my heart? (3) Did I really look that horrible before? I showered, wore make-up and did my hair.
I understand these are paranoid feelings. But, having been verbally abused for so many years prior to my hubby, I am not that easy to trust. I hadn't realized that learning to trust was going to be on the menu that comes with the Gastric Bypass Surgery. Can I exchange it for cake?
We will be taking measurements on Sunday the 20th and posting them soon after. So stay tuned for the next episode of Mark & Tia's Amazing Journey.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
After 40 days...
So, we're back in the groove again and losing steadily. On day 40, Mark is down 37 lbs and Tia is down 40! It's starting to feel "real" now, as we're seeing numbers on the scale that we haven't seen in a long, long time. Both of us have bought clothes two or more sizes smaller than what we've been wearing, and donated a bunch to Goodwill.
After struggling with some irregularity (to put it mildly - it was like passing a bowling pin!) I (Mark) have found a good rhythm - the key for me is to constantly drink, as well as get at least 12 grams of fiber in per day. Now things are fine.
Tia has also found her rhythm with her protein, which was a struggle for her. She now makes Hot Cocoa, consisting of one packet of Swiss Miss Diet variation, plus half a scoop of vanilla protein powder and half a scoop of chocolate. By the way, it took a while to find a brand she likes, but we settled on Jay Robb's brand. Yummy! And 25 grams of great whey protein per serving.
Things are going well!
After struggling with some irregularity (to put it mildly - it was like passing a bowling pin!) I (Mark) have found a good rhythm - the key for me is to constantly drink, as well as get at least 12 grams of fiber in per day. Now things are fine.
Tia has also found her rhythm with her protein, which was a struggle for her. She now makes Hot Cocoa, consisting of one packet of Swiss Miss Diet variation, plus half a scoop of vanilla protein powder and half a scoop of chocolate. By the way, it took a while to find a brand she likes, but we settled on Jay Robb's brand. Yummy! And 25 grams of great whey protein per serving.
Things are going well!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Good news, bad news
Tia and I are in kind of a strange place right now. I'm once again holding steady at weight (even gained two days) while Tia is doing fantastic and losing about a pound a day. I'm so proud of her!
I need to do two things better: Get my water in and get more fiber in (things are backed up). Both of these significantly affect my weight loss.
I'm also kind of freaked out - I seem to be able to eat anything. Literally. I haven't found anything that I can't tolerate. This worries me considerably as I don't WANT to be able to eat anything. The temptation is too great. I know I'm only eating small amounts (although it's more than I expected to be able to eat) but still. The amount is weird too though. For example, I had almost an entire small chili from Wendy's! That included crackers and cheese too. That's just wrong. Other foods I'm full with about a half cup, so there's something about certain foods.
Tia is a bit more sensitive to things, but still not bad. Sweet drinks, which she used to live on (such as Propel) are now WAY too sweet, even watered down. I think her opening is smaller than mine as well as she really has to chew things finely to get it through.
So it's a weird time. I guess the thing that surprises me is that I didn't expect to be having to watch my diet so closely so soon after surgery. But whatever it takes, I'll do!
I need to do two things better: Get my water in and get more fiber in (things are backed up). Both of these significantly affect my weight loss.
I'm also kind of freaked out - I seem to be able to eat anything. Literally. I haven't found anything that I can't tolerate. This worries me considerably as I don't WANT to be able to eat anything. The temptation is too great. I know I'm only eating small amounts (although it's more than I expected to be able to eat) but still. The amount is weird too though. For example, I had almost an entire small chili from Wendy's! That included crackers and cheese too. That's just wrong. Other foods I'm full with about a half cup, so there's something about certain foods.
Tia is a bit more sensitive to things, but still not bad. Sweet drinks, which she used to live on (such as Propel) are now WAY too sweet, even watered down. I think her opening is smaller than mine as well as she really has to chew things finely to get it through.
So it's a weird time. I guess the thing that surprises me is that I didn't expect to be having to watch my diet so closely so soon after surgery. But whatever it takes, I'll do!
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