MISSING IN ACTION, where have you been

Where has the time gone??? It has been a long time since I have shared with you all!! I am currently 20 months post-op gastric bypass surgery.  I still think it is one of the most rewarding, and necessary things I have done for myself.  It is indeed a bigger struggle at this point, because I can tolerate more foods. Thus, making it a little bit harder to remain within the boundaries of this lifestyle choice, but I am determined not to let my work and progress go to waste! I did not come this far only to go back to where I started!

I still struggle, just as if I had never had the procedure done!! I still have a "fat-girl" brain quite often. I talk (more like battle) with myself when I get the urges for bad food choices!! Sometimes it's just good to have the thing I am craving, instead of eating around the craving! (that is, if it doesn't make me sick).

My body has "caught up" with itself and it is just as easy as before to put weight back on. Therefore, I have to stay on an exercise plan and be sure to stay as close as possible to the food plan that was set up by my surgeon.  I can say that I am enjoying being a smaller, healthier person. I really enjoyed this past summer with my family as well. I was able to buy a cute bathing suit, I was not afraid to lay out on the beach with my family (usually I was fully clothed). I was able to enjoy some rides at the local amusement parks and not have to worry if I would fit into the ride. I did not get out of breath during walking. There were so may "new and different" experiences I had over the spring and summer, that makes this whole journey worth while.

I am even RUNNING, yes RUNNING on the treadmill now! Before surgery, there was no chance of me running ANYWHERE, unless someone was after me or something clearly was on fire!! lol! Now I willingly go out to the home gym and run!

I had the opportunity to coach 4 other ladies through their decision and journey of becoming healthier through weight loss surgery as well. That was a personal honor for me, because they saw that I was doing "something" right on this journey!! They are all doing exceptionally well also! They often times motivate and inspire me to keep moving forward. I get off track or loose my motivation, and I will talk to one of them or see their post of what they are doing and it will kick me back in gear. That's really what it is all about, being a support system for each other!

Thank you all for your support as well by reading and commenting on my posts, letting me know SOMEONE is out there reading this...and this is not for nothing! Below are some recent pics of me, so you can see that I have made continuous process since the last time I posted.

Later dolls...

...Where have YOU been?!?

It's been a LONG while since I've posted. I've been busy with getting the kids ready for school again and I GOT A PROMOTION!! I'm really excited about that! Learning new things and more responsibility has been added. It's cool tho cuz IM EXCITED!! Woohoo!!

OAN...I'm just in LOVE with Instagram (mzprissykb follow me). I can connect with all these fitness folks and learn soo much about eating healthier and see what they eat and get ideas and recipes!! LOVE IT. I've actually tried some of the recipes and they turned out great!

I go for blood work tomorrow and my 3 month follow up with the surgeon on 8/28. I'm excited and nervous. I want to have done a good job at loosing weight and at my diet choices. I think I have done well. But you never know what the MD will say. I think my weight loss has slowed down some and I worry if its because of something I have done or not. This will def be a question that I ask when I go in!

I want to thank all those who have believed in me, encouraged me along the way, and have helped me continue this journey and also to those who have joined with me in their own personal journey! You have made this a lot easier to do and it has held me accountable to my personal journey!

Special thank you to my husband! He has been a huge supporter in this journey from the beginning. He has begun his own journey and we are getting healthier together. This has also brought us closer in our relationship. Thank you babe!

I have downloaded an app to assist me in blogging via phone. So I promise to do better and post more often.

Stay tuned for a post for sure after my f/u visit with the surgeon. I'm trying to be down to 199 by the time I go back; if I don't, it will still be ok because I STILL lost 49lbs in 3months!
WORD.....Later dolls!

posted from Bloggeroid

I'm all over the place!!

Good morning dolls! I am up early for a day off! Since I've had surgery, I am unable to stay up very late and I rise rather early every morning (even if I have nothing scheduled).  I have been connecting with several people thru Instagram, amazing women whom have also had some form of weight loss surgery.  I get to peer into their lives and see their progress and accomplishments! There are a number of people who are having alot of success with post surgery eating and maintaining weight loss.

Many of them take pics of their meals and have inspired me to come out of my "comfort box" where food is concerned.  I am excited to try new things, healthy options for eating.  I have been eating "safe" meals. Meals that I know are the right options for me, and flavorful. But now I'm ready to explore with new herbs, seasonings and pairings that I would have never put together on my own.

I have "food envy" with some of the ladies, because it seems as if they really are ENJOYING what they are eating and not just eating because its TIME to eat. There is also a co-worker of mine that comes up with amazing recipes and is having great success with her weight loss plan.  Kudos to you girlie for sticking it out! The girls at work are fabulous cheerleaders in my corner! They help keep me encouraged. They notice small changes in my physique; and just good gals to have around. We keep each other on track (since quite a few are on a weight loss plan)

With that said, I am preparing this weekend for a "wine tasting/pot luck" at my home with some great friends. Thing is.....I am unable to sample any of the wine selections that will be brought to my home; and probably most of the appetizers as well. At any rate, I will enjoy the fellowship with my friends and I am making some appetizers that are healthy options for me to enjoy.  I may just fill my wine glass with some crystal light and enjoy it just the same.

I am due soon for my 3 month follow-up visit with the surgeon.  I am determined to make him proud of me! I feel like he took a chance on me and helped me change my life, the least I can do for myself and for him, is to do what he has instructed me to do and hopefully to surpass the expectations he has laid out for my weight loss journey.

I have also noticed that I am starting to take more pics of myself now. Before the surgery, I would not take a pic, if my life depended on it!! Which now makes it hard to show the progress, because I don't have alot of pics me overweight! I feel like I'm back to the "pre weight gain" KaSandra!! I care about how I look when I go out now. And not that I was a complete slob before the surgery, but now it's just different, but familiar to me. I feel better about myself. I had come to love the overweight KaSandra, but I was not HAPPY with the overweight KaSandra. I am waayy more active than I ever was! I want to get out and do more things, when I have time off. Instead of lying around the house because I'm soo tired and not feeling well. I have more energy.  Basically, I'm just excited about LIFE!

Here is a dish that I put together for dinner last night. It was full of flavor and OMG good!

2 boneless skinless chicken breast
2 cups carrots, snap peas, white onions, and celery
1 large squash, washed and sliced
2-4 tbsp EVOO
1 tbsp lemon pepper
salt/pepper to taste

Heat the EVOO in a large pan, cook the chicken breast until done, cut into strips and set aside. Saute' the remaining veggies until tender, add the chicken breast back to the pan. Sprinkle lemon pepper, salt and pepper over food and stir. Enjoy!

 

I surprised myself!!

There's SO much going on that I had to post twice in one day!!  I was going through all the documents I have from this gastric procedure and from my nutritionist. I was going over one of the papers she gave me when I first started and they have me charted as losing 47 pounds by 3 months post surgery.  Well to my surprise, I realized that I have met more than half of that goal. (I'm down 40lbs in 2 months), and I will have met and exceeded that goal by the 3 month goal they set for me!!! I was ecstatic!!! That is amazing to me. I have been doubting myself here lately because I have been struggling SO much with food choices and WANTING to eat what I shouldn't. I had been mentally beating myself up especially about hitting that plateau and not being able to break through it. Low and behold, I am doing alot better than I thought!!!

This gave me the confidence I needed to continue in the right direction.  When I go back to the doctor in August, I hope to blow their minds with my progress!  I love setting goals and exceeding them! I'm still working toward that "hot mama" goal by my birthday and also the "onion booty" goal! It may take me a while to get that onion, but I'm going to do my best to get as close as I can!

I have a small issue with loosing weight though! My body has "broken down" my fat stores in order to aid in elimination of the fat....the thing is, now I'm giggly!! I have a HUGE issue with this!! I'm not used to having a giggly booty and giggly arms, and pretty much giggly EVERYTHING!! OMG! I mean, I'm glad that I'm dropping the weight, but the loose booty, arms, thighs is too much for me! When I was overweight, my fat stores were more solid, therefore I did not giggle every time i move. When I'm out in public and moving around, my focus in my brain is on "if my booty is shaking too much.

Just thought I'd share...don't judge me! lol

Enjoy your evening dolls!!

Gotta Catch up/UPDATE!!

Ok, so It's been a little while since i've posted.  I've had alot going on. I gave my mom a surprise 55th birthday party; which was a hit.  Then father's day came along. That was hard to deal with. This was the first one since my grandfather passed away.  I miss him soo much. I often wonder what he would say about me having the gastric surgery and also what he would say to see the weight just falling off of me. Grand pops I love and miss you dearly!!!

I had my first workout session with the In Motion trainer today! He was impressed with my progress thus far. Stated I was well beyond where I should b e. Which makes me happy because that lets me know that I'm doing things right!  It's been hard to ignore all the food, good food i may add, that has been enjoyed around me. But, it's worth it when I hear my progress is going so well.

I don't know what my measurements were prior to surgery because I really didn't want to know. So I'll just say they were "fat". Here are my measurements at 1 month from surgery:

Starting weight 252

Current weight 221

Total weight loss to date: 31

Clothes size was 22

Current clothes size is 16/18

Neck 14.5

Chest 44.5

Mid arm 15.25

Waist 45.5

Hips 47

Mid thigh 24.5

Waist to hip ratio 0.97

Pre surgery BMI 41.93

Post surgery BMI 37.3

My goal BMI (body mass index) is 24.96. The trainer said that I've made significant progress with the weight loss. Said that I loss more than expected for the first month. I am really happy with my progress.  I have been determined to make the best of this experience. It's been a challenge to find foods to eat to change up the menu and still stay with in the bounds of what I can have. I'm excited about how i'm feeling.  I look forward to getting dressed now. I always wanted to look pretty when I go out. But now i FEEL pretty when I go out. That makes a difference!! FEELING pretty is so much better than WANTING to be pretty!! I take the time to make sure my makeup is done, jewelry and even wearing my contacts!! I would not wear them before because I felt my face was too fat to not have my glasses on.

I look forward to being able to go shop for clothes now. I want to wear the cute things I see.  I have a whole new outlook on life. I feel better about myself. I know I healthier; I don't take blood pressure meds, my back feels better with the weight coming off (had previous back surgery from an injury). My energy level is coming back up. I just feel soo much better!

My husband is excited about my transformation as well!! He's excited about the things we will be able to do together now! I have to say it makes for a better relationship also. Because I'm happier, he's happier and we are happier together! I can't wait to shop for lingerie too!! They just don't make plus size lingerie as pretty or as available around this area. I won't have to be self conscious about the things i put on for him; because I know i'll look good in them. I'm just keeping it REAL yall!!

I've bought a few things for myself and have worn some of the things I haven't been able to wear in a while. That felt GREAT!! You know how you keep that one pair of smaller jeans.....well I was able to get into and WEAR my smaller jeans the other day!!! They were actually kinda baggie in the butt area, but I was STOKED that I could wear them!

Here are a few pics from my progress........

Me in February 2012



March 2012

April 2012.
The dress makes me look alot
 smaller than I am



6/3/12 post surgery



6/14/12 post surgery

6/24/12 post surgery

As you can see, my face has slimmed down tremendously!! I can tell in my waist area as well. But the biggest difference is in the way my clothes fit. HUGE difference.  I'm happy about it!!