The in Between?!

I love antique shopping. On Friday, I stopped at a sale near work because they had chairs I wanted. They were waay out of my price range. So, I put in a bid and they called Saturday and said they were mine! (that never happens!) So Sunday, I pick them up and I am hanging out because it's raining and I would prefer to not get my new to me "victorian parlour chars" wet! Somehow we start talking about losing weight and low and behold the lady having the sale had "gastric sleeve" surgery. She was 20 or 30 years older than me and has already had hip replacement surgery. Her husband didn't support her or come to the hospital during surgery. Her sister took care of her post surgery. She talked about the fear of working out.. Of course, we talked about loose skin and our options.. And it's in that moment I realize again -I am blessed..

Here I am. One year ago this week- I asked my husband what he thought about me having weight loss surgery and I met Dr. Fuller (my surgeon) at a weight loss seminar..  And now I am 11 weeks post surgery.. Beginning my 6th week of working out..  What an incredible journey to being healthy! I like working out but, I struggle with eating enough and working out. I am working out 2-3 days a week to be able to keep it balanced. (what a somewhat silly problem to have!) There is not many days I hit over 1,000 calories. I like working out especially when I am not dying. It's strange, eh? I think the weight training is going to be a key part of me tightening up my skin as I lose weight.

We all make excuses for being unhealthy or fat or apathetic. My girls keep me busy with appointments. I struggle with finding time for everything. Maddie has allergy shots twice week. I actually started shots too. Sounds great but, we learned that I don’t do well working out post allergy shot. One more thing to work around. Maddie has 4 doctor's appointments this month.. This month Lauren has 4 doctors appointments this month plus weekly therapy and weekly i Can dance class.  Life is about choices and decisions. I am moving personal therapy to twice a month. I am not going to feel guilty for working out only 3 times a week. I am working out more this month than I worked out in the past 2 years. We do what we have to do for our families. Oh, have I told you I am taking 12 hours of college classes too? Yes, yes I am crazy but, blessed!

I am excited to do my three month update (coming up next Sunday night). I hope to finish the week strong!  I am about 30 pounds from being to my halfway point. I do believe I am "thinner" than I have been in 5 years. Defiantly since I moved Little Rock. Eating is getting easier but, I still struggle with eating enough. My favorite go to lunch is smoothie (with splenda and soy protein) and half sandwich. {Total Calories=500 calories and Total Protein= 50} I usually do eggs for breakfast but, no matter how I spin it- 1 egg is all I can do. Dinner is usually a few bites and I feel done. So, as you can imagine I feel like my tropical smoothie lunch is important.

I waited long enough. I have been overweight 20 years. I am committed to being healthy and sharing my story. The ups and the downs. The highs and the lows. The success(es) and the struggles.

You are the author of your story. Make it a good one. Some of my contacts are below. And as always, thanks for reading. Your support means so much!

My (Surgeon) is Dr. Jon Fuller. He is at Arkansas Bariatric Surgery Center. You can click here to learn more about weight loss surgery with Dr Fuller.

Josh (My physical therapist) says you don't even have to join D1 gym to receive PT with him. Seriously, if you have joint or muscle aches or  just too fat or too weak to work out please call or email Josh. (joshlanders(at)sbcglobal.net) or message me for his #. He takes most all insurances.    

If you are looking to step up to your game then Tisha is the person to connect with at D1. (tisha.kelly(at)d1sportstraining.com

Mid Month Update..

So for the next 8 weeks I will also be blogging about my experience with "Burn it 2 Earn it". Burn it 2 Earn it is a weight loss challenge that started on September 16th and ends November 16th.  I am not a person that likes to compete. Even with this workout challenge- I feel like my biggest enemy is myself. I think for a lot of people this is true. 

I started working out at D1 one month ago. I really wasn't sure that I really needed this type working out element. It felt a little intense and hard core. But, I worked out 1 day that week-- 2 days the next week and I worked out at D1 4 days last week. I am a believer. I need to be purposeful or intense if I am going to meet my long term goals!

Clearly, I stepped up my game by adding in the workouts. Working out has change my entire weight loss journey. It feels weird to say that but, its true.  I think as humans we don't want others succeed in where we have failed. What a waste! I am thankful that I am surrounded constantly by people who are encouraging me every step of the way.  It's also a key to my success.  This month I have lost approx 7 pounds. I am hoping for 10 pound loss by the end of the month! 

Non Scale Victories...

• I was solidly in a 26/28 clothing at the beginning of this journey. I am wearing mostly 22's and I even had a dress on the was 18/20 this week.
• My balance and physical endurance has improved greatly.
• While all of my workouts and trainings are still modified - my physical ability has improved.
• The whole reason this journey began was because we realize I was suffering from neck vertebrae separation and lower back issues due to weight. While I am have soreness from working out on a regular basis- I am not hurting anymore!
• I zipped up a raincoat the other day that I have never been able to zip up!!!!!!! 

I have also realized the importance of weight training. It's actually a huge part of melting off fat. I know- we have all been told lifting weights will make you gain weight or that it will "make you bigger".. Check your sources. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a mere 21 percent of women strength train two or more times a week. What you don't know: When you skip the weight room, you lose out on the ultimate flab melter. Those two sessions a week can reduce overall body fat by about 3 percentage points in just 10 weeks, even if you don't cut a single calorie. That translates to as much as three inches total off your waist and hips. Even better, all that new muscle pays off in a long-term boost to your metabolism, which helps keep your body lean and sculpted.  (To continue reading more click here.) (and whoa!)

I am hoping to have a blog more about strength training soon! We started with some weight training this week.. I was so scared of the weight room but, I have decided that day by day I will conquer it. I was also recently told this: "Since fear is mostly about ignorance, the best part is that it's as temporary as you choose." My batwings (arm fat) need to leave permanently. 

Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt mentally "off"? Like everything is going
okay but, you can't seem to get motivated or feel excited? That was me this past week. I wasn't depressed but, I was not roaring to go..  Not a feeling I am used to feeling. I assume it could be a number of things.. I realized tonight that I missed a nutrition class at D1 today. I was so pumped for the class and I had it in my calendar or so I thought. uggh.. Now that I have started blogging I wonder if it's a ADHD issue.. Sigh..   Anyways,  I also spent the weekend trying out a few new recipes.. Here is a sneak peak. This is my breakfast "casserole". (It's healthy too!) I will post the recipe this week. 

Till next time.. 

Hear Me RoaR

Here we are! Month two post weight loss surgery!
The best month yet! 

August proved to be very challenging! I spent 2 weeks stalling because I was not eating right. (I was not eating enough!) Happy to report the stall is over! My friend, Andrew, reached out to me and encouraged me to give D1 a shot! 

Victories:
Clothing.. Everything except socks and shoes hardly fit!!!  Remember those capri's in this picture (photo taken in late July then today)! They are now loose on me! That shirt is very loose and almost too big feeling (check out the arms)! I also  had to buy workout clothing! 

Energy... Working out (and Physical Therapy) IS changing my life. I am the most uncoordinated person but, I feel great!  Strength and Balance has improved too.. Not too mention I feel more confident. (Thanks Nick for reminding me of that!) 

Another major achievement: My face. (I have no make up in the current photos- actually we just got back from a walk!)  Notice how it is "toned"? When I shared with my friend Leslie that I needed product to help my face remain youthful during the weight loss journey... Picture after picture of weight loss patients have faces that droop and age!  She shared with me actual photos of someone who went through WLS and used Rodan and Fields... I wasn't sure if it would be worth the investment but, I knew I wanted a youthful face.. I can hide sagging arms and belly! Rodan and Fields is keeping its promise!!!  You can learn more about Rodan and Fields by clicking here or ask me about it! I will wear makeup in next month's photos!

You want the details and numbers... Here you go! 

Highest weight 353

Current Weight 293

Total Inches Lost since 6/21/13 (Measuring fat is hard!)
Arms (right) 4.75 
Bust 7 inches
Hips 7 inches (1 1/2 in 30 days)
Thighs 3 inches

According to my phone app that Monitor's my Weight loss.. My BMI value has went down 8 points! 

Where I feel the most difference? arms!

Goals for August! COMPLETED

To be never in the 300's when I weigh-in (praise the Lord-D1 took care of that!)

More exercise!! (major improvement- worked out 4 days this week!)
More Protein! (Much improved!!)

Get medications straightened out!! (also better but, back on reflux meds)

Continue therapy!  (It's going well too!)

In this picture- this is the shirt I bought at The Rack (Nordstorm's) in Seattle in March (did not fit) and here is the difference! This was a proud moment! You can't tell but, in July my arms (and obviously my belly) were bulging out! 

New Goals!

-Continue new ways to find protein

-Drink 100 ounces of water a day

- Workout 5 days a week!

-Jog 4 laps around the d1 track without stopping!!! (When I started I could jog 1/4 of a lap and just the other day I did almost 2 laps)

-Encourage anyone who will listen to make a plan to be healthy. DO something today. 

March 2014 Run a 5k!!!! No desire to run on a regular basis but, my friend Sarah encouraged me think about it and I think WHY NOT????

My friends (and I want to name specifically name my facebook fam, Brent, Angie, Shana, Sarah, My staff at work, Andrew, Sonya, Jessica, Leslie, D1 people, my family, my husband and my blog readers) your encouragement has meant so much me and truly carried me through this month. Thank you. 

The next blog will be about my current food choices and life with no "medical" restrictions.. 

Lots of Love from the Losers Bench!!!

The County Fair at D1

I took a long weekend off from working out. If starting a workout is the hardest thing  then returning after 4 days off is painful and not fun. But, dang it - it feels good to be back!!  

Today was the county fair. The first time I attended D1 it was also county fair- I didn't realize it at the time. To read about my first time click here. Anyways, on top of it being the County Fair aka "kick my butt" workout- I had a new coach. And it was a guy... But, Coach Sam lead us through workout and I made it. The red box- yeah that is box we are suppose to jump up and jump off. I stepped up and stepped off it a few times and pulled my hamstring.. Can't wait to return tomorrow!!!

Do Something Different....

At lunch on Friday with my friend Sarah we discussed how people like to talk about change but most people are not interested in the hard work required to get the results they want.. This quote sums it up pretty well...

My friend Sarah shared with me some of her goals to being healthy and asked me if I had considered a 5k. Immediately-- I went negative in my brain.. Before I could finish my thought - she says you know you will be capable since you are training and working out. Then it hit me. She is right.. Attainable goals are good.. So, if you are not meeting your goals then step it up a notch..  

So, thanks Sarah for encouraging me! Maybe the fitness bug is hitting me afterall.   

Physical Therapy at D-1

I am suffering today.. My arms are very sore from PT yesterday..  

Little Rock D-1 offers Physical Therapy through St. Vincent's.. My insurance covers it!! I am working on my balance (it's really off since surgery and weight loss) and learning about exercises that will help make my knees and back problems stronger.  I spent one hour doing a variety of things.. 

Including riding a bike, doing leg lifts, balancing on 1 foot while 

holding a pipe filled with water, working my obliques with the weight machine, using "shackles" on my feet while doing lunges, a big rubber band that I held with my feet and lifted over my head (that killed my arms!!).. We also did some exercises on the yoga ball.
          

I never thought of Physical Therapy as a work out. Not to worry-- I now give Josh (D1 PT) complete respect. It's no walk in the park or "day off from working out"..

Day 1 of the D-1 experience

It's late. I am tired and sore- so this will be short and sweet.  Andrew was right! The experience was awesome. It was addicting.. The people are encouraging.. And boy howdy, do you feel the work-out.

Background info on D-1:
D1 is The Place for The Athlete.  They provide custom training programs, expert coaching and the latest in physical therapy, all in a motivating, high-energy environment. Every person who walks through the doors of this state-of-the-art facilities is trained and treated like an elite athlete.  D1's athletic-based, motivating atmosphere is designed for student-athletes and adults to receive the D1 Experience via their replication of top college/pro training environments and facilities.  D1 places a strong emphasis on developing positive character, core values and self-esteem, ingraining character building in every workout. Profanity, negativity and tardiness are prohibited at D1. Click here to check out Little Rock D-1.

My thoughts:

D-1 is serious, motivating, positive and hard work. They use everyday tools to help you be your best. This is

not dancing or movement class or walk around and get your heart rate up.. This is a fast paced training environment where you might or might not cry 30 minutes into because you physically can't go another step- they encourage you EVERY step of the way- even if when your only half done. They were so glad I just showed up. I will not lie.. I completed warm ups (jogging 4 laps, doing lunges and other activities I can't really describe then we did "mini station work outs".   There were 2 -5 exercises I could do. There were 2-5 exercises I couldn't do.. and 2-5 I just didn't do because of my tiredness. As my leader (Tish) says "listen to your body"- so I made it roughly 30 minutes. Tish said.. I would be tired tomorrow. She was wrong. I was tired 15 minutes after I left... I am pretty worn out.

Hey, I did waaay more today than I have done in years. Ladies and gentlemen we will call this success.  But, I am going back. Actually, I am joining a Burn it 2 Earn it weight loss challenge at D-1. So, it looks like I will be sticking around till the holidays. Come join me. If I can do it then so can YOU!!