Two Awesome NSV's.......Oh and did ya know that I am hot!!!!

Well I can officially cross three things of my goal list in the past week.
Last friday I wore full length non stretch Jeans to work, and was comfortable all day!!!!!!!!! It was so nice just to fit in! Jeans and sneakers, rather than wearing just the same old same old.

Then yesterday I was going back down to my old job in Wellington, and I knew I would be able to try the boardroom chairs for comfort, these used to be really really tight on my thighs and I used to end up with red marks where they pressed into my thighs.......and now they don't!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, i just thought of another one, I spent most of the day withmy legs crossed - sitting on those very chairs.......oooohh and another one, I wore high heels all day - although I did almost get a blister from them!!!

And with those high heels, I wore......you guess it, stockings!!!!!! Not just knee hi's but real full length stockings.

Hehe - is was also fun seeing some of the reactions to my weightloss, although some of the people have seen me a few weeks ago, alot of them hadn't, and none of them had seen the new improved hairstyle.......which I will show you soon.

Anyway - while there, one of the IT guys who is really cute, told me that "I was HOT!!!" and that I looked fabulous......awww, ain't that sweet. Well, it must be true, cos today when I went to the local cafe for lunch, i took my wallet, but I forgot my money card, ( I had put it in a different place) so I was asking the women if she could hold the items and I would pop back......and the guy next in the queue, stopped her by saying that he would shout me lunch. Now, I know he was just being kind, but I kinda like to think that part of the reason he did this for a complete stranger was that I actaully to look HOT!!!!!!! I of course will pay the favour forward!!!

Okay well, here it is, the new hairstyle......really bad pic of me, cos I took it myself with my cellphone.

AWOL - Where have I been

Yup - I have certainly been absent without leave from my journal, but I have beenhaving a blast.

Pretty much I have been hanging out with friends in Azeroth (which is the world in my game). Here is a pic of me on my little dwarf preist hanging out with my friend Maryn overlooking the Nagrand region.



I know most of you will probably be going ....What is she on????? But this is what I do in my spare time, I hang out with Simon and a whole bunch of friends in an online world and we explore, laugh, cry and quest together.

Oh don't get me wrong it is not all I do, but this is pretty much my social and entertainment calender and with the winter months upon us, it is where you will usually find me.

Hair today - gone tomorrow!!!

Yup you guess it – almost 6 months post- op and my hair starts to fall out in clumps in the shower.Well probably not clumps but it is coming out at about 20 strands per tug!!!I strong suspect that it has a lot to do with me still not managing to take my supplements correctly. So from now on, I must take my pills!!!!!!!!!

Good news on the scales this week though – especially after trying to decide what scales to use. This morning I got on my home scales after my shower and I was dressed (except jumper and boots) and it was 122.9 kgs. So when I get to work I jump on the work scales and I was 125.1 kgs!!!!!!

I decided to take off my jumper and boots and check again, and damn it my boots and jumper weighed 1.9 kgs!!!So I am now officially down to 123.2 kgs!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That means a loss of 2.1 kgs over the last couple of weeks. And now I must remember to weigh in wearing the same clothes each Monday!!!

Had a really quiet weekend, Si was not feeling the best, and for some reason no food tasted good yesterday, so I was a bit picky and I think I got up Si’s nose a bit, especially when I refused to eat the eggs he had cooked yesterday morning.

OH, another weird thing, I can eat a whole mini bag of butter popcorn. How weird is that???

Gratitude for Today

Have been doing a little bit of soul searching the last week or so. Things have felt a bit rough, not losing as much as I think I should be, and letting some bad habits get in the way as well. I also have not being doing as much exercise as this cold weather has put a damper on things.

Si is having some issues with his back and we have been to see his surgeon last week and will be off to see his surgeon again next week to see what the results of the CT scan look like.

One of my greatest resources at the moment is a website called Renewed Reflections. It is a site that provides information and support for Weightloss Surgery Patients, and although it is based in the US the information and support is great.
I get the weekly news letter and the following is from that.

If you’ve got happiness on hold until you get to the “destination”, you’re never going to have it. Happiness isn’t over there, because “there” continues to move. The key is to enjoy the little things that you see along the way and use their magic and beauty to divert you from the temptations that can lead you off the path. Enjoy nature, an original gift from a loving Father. Organize a weekly game night with friends. Take walks. Turn off the television and go putter in the garden. Look at the gifts that God has given you and turn your back on the Trojan horses of instant gratification the “world” offers up as temptations.

Learning to live a new life after weight loss surgery is all about awareness, awareness of your surroundings, and of yourself. By staying in the now and appreciating the small blessings of everyday life, you can experience an awesome sense of gratitude for the second chance that you’ve been given. Don’t beat yourself up if you occasionally slip and fall. You’re never going to be perfect, but you are going to grow wise. Keep moving forward, and enjoy the view from each new stepping stone in your life.

I really can relate to some of the above, although more so when I was living in Wellington – and I think that we all do it to a certain extent. ‘Putting Happiness on hold” is no way to live. So what am I going to do to ensure I am enjoying my life right now?

- Cards – I like going, not only do I spend time with Dad, I get to know some really cool older people, whom I know I can learn a lot from.
- Aqua Aerobics – Once a week class at aqua because I enjoy it
- Get out for dinner at least once a month.
- Go to the movies at least once a month.
- Go for weekend drives and explore the area we live in!!!!
- Show Simon where I grew up on the farm.
- Have people over for dinner more often.

I would love any suggestions that you can think of to just stop and inhale deeply, smell the roses, and enjoy the day!!!!!!!!!

Finally - the comparison shots

I am not really happy about these shots, as it really shows just how bad my arms are, and I am pretty sure that this is not going to get much better. But these shots are much better than the last ones I took a week ago.

One aspect I am liking about these is the collarbones. I can really see some definition there, and I am beginning to get a rounded bum instead of a bum shelf!!!!

The most recent at just a smidgeon over 5 months post op and a weight of 125.3kgs is the ones of the left. The middle was around 141kgs (2 months)and the left was 163.5 kgs. Total loss so far is 51.7 kgs.

Awww Thanks Jaxx

Jaxx has kindly awarded me with the following.



The only trouble I am having is actually figuring out who to pass this onto as most of the people i read are now private, on hold or have stopped completely. And all the others that are public already have one!!!!!!

So I am going to give it my friend Leetoo, who has a blog that he does not update often, but when he does it always makes me think!!

Oh and as for the pics, I had trouble uploading them and as I thought they were so hideous anyway I decided not to publish them and I promise I will take better ones tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mind you it worked in getting you to comment!!!! HAHA

Sorry - been really busy at work, life and everything

Things have been really really busy in a good way, lots of seeing family and heading out and about. I am also flying solo at work for the week so things are alot busier there.

Have hibernated a bit as the colder weather has started.

I was 5 months post op on Saturday and we went out. Tooks pics. don't like them at all. So i will take some better ones for the comparison shots. really need to stick with trousers and tops, and the closer fitting the better to give a more accurate picture of where I am at.

I am disappointed I am not losing more at the moment, but hell this is a lifetime journey and if it takes a while then it will make me appreciate it more

anyway here are some pics including one of me at our night out.

Am I conditioned to Lie??

Friday was another interesting day and certainly another day of growing within this journey. I had an appointment with my surgeon and nutricionist for my 6 month check up (I am however not quite 5 months post op). They were both really happy with where I am at, and David (the surgeon) said that I have lost the first 50kgs extremely quickly due to the stricture, which of course I was aware of. Well, he just wanted to make sure that I was aware of that.

He said he was disappointed that he did not get to meet Simon as he didn't get the chance when I had the surgery. He said he get's concerned about the partners as the weight falls of, because as he said, people are glowing when they lose the weight and they get more confidence and their personalities seem to shine. Apparently alot of relationships can go through some really rocky parts around now, due to all the "attention" you get as you lose weight. I told him he has nothing to worry about at all, and that Simon and I pretty much spend all our spare time together anyhow.

The very interesting thing he did bring up was that the medical profession has conditioned us to lie about how we feel, what we eat,etc. He says this openly as a doctor as he really feels that most of the profession ask a question, get an answer they don't like and proceed to tell the patient off rather than helping them find a solution. He is about solutions, and that is why his team provide not only his skills, but the counceller, the pychologist, the nutricionist and a nurse, all available for our use. So do most of his patients use them? Answer - no where near as much as they should, partially because of the location, but mainly he thinks because people actually lie to themselves about where they are at. I know i had full intentions of not telling the Nutricionst "everything" about how I am eating, but after seeing David, I realised I was lying to myself.

Oh, the other big thing David and I talked about was church. Simon and I have just started going back to church, although not the family one I grew up in, as that is a very traditional church which I am not sure I can handle anymore, let alone Si who is from a more praise and worship style church.

So with all these positives at the moment, I am feeling really happy about where things are at, and yes, there are a few "naughties" that creep into my diet and thoughts, but with the support and love of those around me and the awareness of my ability to sometimes lie to myslef, I can make this journey a real growing experience (or shrinking - LOL)

The other brilliant thing about Friday was seeing my two hospital buddies. Both Michelle and Annie are looking fabulous, and we can all see the changes in each other much more so that ourselves.

Way to go Wednesday

Well,

I have been a bit down over the last couple of days, I think some of it has to do with the change in clocks and that we are now darker in the evenings. Have settled into the house okay and things are looking good.

Here is a pic of the new house and also one of Porsche who is not the best again at the moment. She has hurt her back paw and has been licking.chewing at it, so she has a cone on her head to stop her from aggravating it.




Now, as for my weightloss. I have been feeling a bit blah about everything recently and I have not been having great losses at all. Not really since my surgery. I think osme of that is just the way it is, as in my weight loss is slowing down, but I think the biggest part of it is that I have allowed some naughty things to creep into my diet again (ie chippies)and I have not really focussed on any exercise. This all came to a head on Monday for me, when I got an email from the support group I am in and it pretty much switched a lightbulb on in my head. (Well, on Tuesday night it finally came on). I have included an exerpt of the email here.

Are you interested or committed?



"There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results." -Ken Blanchard, co-author of more than 30 books, including the classic bestseller The One Minute Manager

When you chose to have weight loss surgery, you made a choice to establish firm physical boundaries about what you will eat. You weren't just interested in losing weight, you were committed to losing weight, no matter what it took. And, while you may not have been able to establish those boundaries out of sheer willpower, you were 100% committed to your weight loss journey, even if it meant having surgery to rearrange your digestive plumbing.

Now, you have the opportunity to see your commitment through. For many people, surgery alone is not enough. In the short-term, having a gastric bypass or lap band procedure will restrict your food intake and cause rapid weight loss. But, over time, you can "stretch" your stomach again and gain the weight back. You need to be 100% committed to your weight loss goal if you want to maintain your healthy new body for the long term.

How do you know if you're committed? Ask yourself...

- Will I exercise for 30 minutes a day, no matter what? Even if it's raining. Even if the kids are sick. Even if I'm on vacation. Even if I don't feel like it.
- Will I set boundaries around certain foods? For example, I will only have cake on the 1st of the month. I will therefore never, ever, ever eat cake any other day of the month. No matter the occasion. No matter the peer pressure. No matter if I'm at a fancy restaurant. No excuses.
- Will I attend a regular support group meeting once a week?
- Will I journal every day about my weight loss journey?

You may not want or need to do all of these things. But, you should pick at least one commitment that will help you maintain your healthy weight, and be 100% dedicated to that decision for the long term. To be successful, use the "no exceptions" rule. Choose to uphold your commitment, without exception, no matter what the circumstance.

You have come this far, and you are worth the long-term investment!


So the upshot of all of this was that on Tuesday after a slightly crappy day at work and also being inspired by my two surgery buddies (waves at Shell and Annie) I came home and told Si we were off to check out the gym, so we did and we signed up and I had my assessment this morning at 6AM!!!! I am going to be doing min 3 classes per week, 2 of those days will be cardio and circuit training and one day will be focussed mainly on cardio. All 3 days I will be working on my abs!!!

So after we signed up at the gym, we headed home and instead of going inside and blobbing down, I dropped Si off and went to aqua aerobics instead. 45 mins of bouncing and splashing in the water using resistance, great fun and really hard work. That is currently on twice a week, but i am not sure about the Thursday night class, as we have cards and it might be good to give my body a day off.

Oh, the other big news on my front, is that I weighed on Monday and had no change, and this morning with all that effort made at the pool and gym , I weighed this morning and I am now 126.4kgs, so it means I have lost 50.6 kgs since my heaviest.

I am really stoked that I have managed to do that before I see my surgeon for a check up on Friday. I think I will organise Si to take some more comparison shots on the 19th as that will be 5 months since my op.

Very Quick Update

Wow, well the move went well, not as smoothly as we would have liked, but reasonable.
Most of the unpacking ahs been done. ISP are being a pain in hte butt and we might not have internet for another week.

Washing machine shat itself, so we bought a new one which should be being delivered today. I relented and also bought Simon a 32 inch flat screen LCD telly, so now he can play his xbox games whilst we are waiting for the internet to get connected.

The kittens had their operation's yesterday (speying and castration) and they handled it pretty well as you can see.



Also have my Dad in hospital at the moment, so I am going round to his house to check emails, feed the cat and dog, clear the mailbox, take porsche round to play with dad's dog Maia. Dad should be out of hospital on Saturday, although he will be out of action for a little bit as he has had a hip replacement. Lucky we are only now 5 mins walk away from him.

Anyway, back to work, as I said A very quick update.