Howdy! My life in the maintenance lane.

Yep, still here. It's been two months since my last post and I am 14 months out and feeling fabulous. I am maintaining around the 140-144lbs mark. I could step it up and drop another 5-10lbs if I wanted, but I feel comfy at this weight. I think it will happen anyway, once I begin my gym workouts. It's WAAAAY too cold to be hiking in Central Park. Weather has been colder than last year I'm afraid, so I don't get to do my 2-hour walks like before on a 5-6 day a week basis. So, opportunity knocked and I got a great deal to join the New York Sports Club for a good price. Yay! I been feeling the need to kick it up a notch with my working out.

Eating right: Still going strong but of course, I'm a recovering piglette..I have eating issues. It's a challenge especially during the pre-menstural times. Now, I can definitely eat a lot more and I am expanding on my diet but things I will always have to avoid like the plague are breads, pastas, rice and white flour. I don't even do wheat bread. Nada. I did have my slice of pumpkin pie for thanksgiving and I just about passed out. Sugar makes me tired! lol It's rough. But, that is for special occassion. Also, I do have alcohol in the lowest carb form: wine. I like chardonays. I don't drink like a fish, that stuff hits you like a ton of bricks. But, I suppose it's nice to be a light weight for a change. One glass and it's over for me lol

Body issues: I am getting used to my new body. It took some time, but I am accepting myself the way I am. I decided NOT to have the tummy tuck or body lift as it's just too damn expensive and I want children and when I get pregnant, all that work will pretty much get undone. So, I will do what I can in the gym with regards to my tummy. I am however scheduled to have my breast lift on Dec 17th. I am very excited! I am also having implants put in as well. I agnonized over that back and forth, but, I think I will be happier with some nice perky ta-tas. I can't wait. No more tube sock boobies!

Dating: still doing it, lots of it. Although since I will be heading to california in a few weeks I toned it down a bit..oh and I met someone kinda nice too. Only been on a few dates so far, so we shall see. I am very cautious about dating these days. Also, revealing that I had gastric bypass I am cautious about, as well. I do reveal that I was nearly double the size I am now and spent my entire life being fat/chubby and then obese. I will reveal that I had surgery in good time when I build up a good trust with someone. Until then, I don't lie about my weight loss, I tell the truth, I do eat really healthy, I exercise and keep active. Keep my carbs low. Gastric bypass only helped motivate me to want to do those things and has made it way easier to do.

Future is looking bright and I'm enjoying life as a post op!

1 year post op!! It's my anniversary!

Today is my one year anniversary and I am happy to say I am healthy, happy and content. Now, beginning the second year of my journey will be about maintenance and that's of course, the hard part. Finding a healthy balance and not letting fear grab ahold of me that I will be back to the same fat girl I was before. The new person is me now and part of the work I will be doing is accepting that and embracing it. Anyway, I wanted to post a photo of me before and after on here, but because of privacy reasons and keeping my anonyminity, I nixed the idea. Sorry readers. I know pictures are worth 1000 words, but take it from me, the changes are dramatic and I am pleased. I won't be posting my weekly weigh -ins anymore and not as often because I am focusing on maintenance more than losing, at this point. I will however keep everyone updated on my plastic surgery and things like that. thank you for reading about my journey!

Weigh In Week #51

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Finally broke my plateau by going back to basics and watching calories and carb intake again. Since I'm still technically in the losing stage, I want to take advantage of that and get to my goal so that when I get my new boobs, I won't be crying on the scale that I've gained 5lbs lol Anyway, I've decided NOT to have the lower body life OR tummy tuck, at this time. I have decided to just go ahead and wait because the fact is, I do want kids and well, also if I am supposed to meet this Prince Charming, he's going to have to accept and love me the way I am NOW. So, a little extra in the tummy never hurt anyone. I guess I can live with it, I hate it, but, in reality, it's really not that bad. So, I'm just going to have the lift/implants performed in December and that's it. I may never get my tummy done, who knows? But, anyway, I should just rejoice in the fact that I am now HEALTHY, happy and doing really well.
I am one week away from my one year post op visit! I can't believe it! I'll get into that next week. But I did have a visit with my PCP who has not seen me since last August and she was so happy for me and in complete disbelief on what has happened. No meds, no sleep apnea, no diabetes amazing! And my BP was 114/73 and fasting sugar was 83. This is by far the most amazing thing. I am still having issues trying to grasp the fact that i am normal and healthy. Oh and a Big NSV is that they didn't have to bust out the big sized cuff to take my BP lol I can use a regular one now. No longer afraid to step on that scale either. I'll be happy to! lol Anyway, will give you the 411 on my official 1 year post op visit with my surgeon, next week.

Weigh In Week #49 Back to Basics!

Again, no change. Well, looks like my body is maintaining. I don't want it to! I want to get into my 130's so, it's time to take some action. Even though I feel great and I think I look pretty good, I want to have a buffer of 10lbs. I don't want to stay at the top range of the normal BMI range. I have got to cut calories, I think I have been consuming too much so after months of not using fitday, I'm back on it. Also, think I was getting too many carbs, don't want to be in maintenance yet. So, back to the basics. My 1 year anniversary is approaching and I want to be at 140 by the time I have my surgeon's appointment on Oct 2nd.

Other news, yeah the love life is back in swing. Of course, things didn't work out with that moronic man, so I've decided to just date and see what else is out there. I deserve to be treated well and to be with someone who is actually ready for an LTR. So, I went on four dates this past week and will probably go on more. But, I will perservere! Anyway, back to basics in all facets in my life.

Weigh In Week #48

No change this week. I weigh exactly the same as last week. I forgot to mention (I think) that I stopped using the NuvaRing..made me bleed like a river, non stop since May 1st. Not heavy heavy..but it just never stopped, It was horrible ,so I got fed up and took it out on August 14. Anyway, surprisingly, my period came exactly to the day it used to come before using the NuvaRing. The day I had surgery Oct 6th, I started my period. It was on time to the day, and apparently still is lol Odd how the body works. Anyway, so I presume that's good old water weight. Hope to let that one go and next week squeeze off another pound. OH, I also have decided to change my target weight to 134. Odd number, yes, but according to this chart I found on obesityhelp.com, it says my ideal weight is 134. Post Op Planner Results Okay, I'll bit. So, there it is. That would put my BMI at about 23 or so. Nice. I guess another 10lbs would be nice, plus that sounds like a good number. Just added another 10lbs to my journey lol Either way, my goal was to be a healthy BMI so you can say, I've officially reached that last week. Now, it's just vanity time.

Love Life=not so sure. I attract the same type of men..that hasn't changed because I lost weight lol He's not a bad guy, at all. I even think he means well, I just need more attention and certainly think it's fair to want to actually spend time with your man, right? Well, I haven't seen him since last Tuesday..sigh. Not my fault! I can't get into it, but he's sort of inflexible and I don't know, I just want to be happy..not so happy right now with him, so this has to change. I'll have to bounce if it doesn't. Supposed to see him tomorrow (if he doesn't come up with some great reason not to see me) I'd rather have this talk with him in person, but if I have to, I guess I'll have to do it over the phone. I don't take this at all personally, I really don't. I know what I have to offer, the man has issues beyond me. The question is, do I feel he's worth sticking it out with? Don't know..a woman in her 30's looking to get married and maybe have a kid..can't exactly look for Mr. Perfect anymore, but I think the MINIMUM I should have is a man who actually wants to spend time with me! lol What a concept lol Hey, my new body has affected my mind in positive ways, I can see clearly now. When I was fat, I didn't expect a damn thing, give give give..nothing in return..now..things are different. I actually believe I deserve certain things from a relationship and dammit, I'm gonna get them lol

Weigh In Week # 47 NORMAL BMI!!!

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I have finally made it to a normal BMI!!! YAY!!! This feels great and I celebrated this morning with a Whey Gourmet Chocolate Mint Protein Shake. I was stalled for a few weeks, but I tweeked some things and also realized I probably was lagging on my water intake so, I upped that and basically stuck with the program and bam. Three pounds down since last week.

I went a little crazy at the store and bought a bunch of clothes. In fact, I believe I spend around 500 bucks in the last 5 days oh and that includes two pairs of leather boots lol I just love going to a store and being able to wear what I want and not worry about it not fitting. It feels great!! Now, I'm on my road trip to goal in a few weeks. Hoping to make goal before my 1 year anniversary.

Been Absent

Because my weight has been stagnant for the second week in a row. I guess it would happen sooner or later, but although not quite at goal yet, I'm glad it happened here and not 20 lbs ago lol I'm wearing my size 6 Gap jeans like nothing these days and seriously, if I get any smaller, I'll be swimming in those too! Most of my clothes I wear a range like size 8 or 6 pants/dresses and then size large or medium tops. I am still trying to get used to the new me.

I also met someone..yeah, me! I know this sounds totally retarded, but I had been planning a life for myself as if I would NEVER meet anyone. I just said, okay I'm happy with me and my dogs, that's it. Alone. Well, what a waste that would be, I was just so sick of dating in my former fat suit and then was so confused about how to approach it as a post op and formerly fat girl. It's odd. I mean with my skin issues and boobie issue, I couldn't be more self conscious about meeting someone new. Well, it happened. I decided to tell him off the bat that I had WLS and will be having plastic surgery in December. He said he couldn't even tell I was formerly fat but supportive about my status. He also revealed that he had never dated heavy women before (which is kind of good in my head because that just told me that he doesn't consider me to be heavy) and only dated slim girls. He has referred to me as petite. Hello, me?? Well, hey I'll take it. He's got a great body, works out every day and it shows. I'd say we look pretty hot together. Anyway, I know it's a little soon to be thinking this, but intimacy freaks me out because he will then see all of my flaws. I have been more that forthcoming about them, maybe too forthcoming. Now, he's all ready to see a big blob of skin lol I don't know, I will keep you posted on how this new romance progresses, ultimately, I just want to be happy.

I am still on the fence about whether to have my Lower Body Lift in conjunction with the breast lift and augmentation at the same time and it's solely a money issue. I would need to get my mom to co-sign with me on the financing for that. But, she is already wary of me even having PS. She thinks I should revel in the fact that I am healthy now and be happy with myself. But, she doesn't see the big picture about completing this "project" and having plastics will complete me. I don't know, I just hope she agrees because I think I have made up my mind to do both. We shall see. I will of course update if I drop any weight and get closer to goal.