Well…here I am with my monthly blog update. I am becoming such a bad blogger…but I am trying! Trying…really trying. LOL

So…the weight loss is still going great. I am down 54 pounds, and have been working out for three weeks now. I am part of a study through the University of Pittsburgh of the benefits of exercise vs. non-exercise after weight loss surgery. It’s a 6 month program, and I go work out with them once a week, and the other 3-4 days are on my own. So…I took the plunge yesterday and joined a gym. Shawn gave me a choice of getting my nails done or a gym membership, so I chose the gym. When I go to the study I work on the treadmill, rower and bicycle. And he kicks my butt into gear! Today was the first time that I went to the gym, and it was just a general run down of the machines, and as I get more used to things, I’ll do more. But all the basic body parts, the leg press, leg raises, biceps, triceps, butterfly, etc. But it felt so good to get back into the routine! Best thing about the gym is that it includes child care, aerobic classes, and the big benefit for me…TANNING!!!! I LOVE IT!!! Getting ready for summer-time! Woo hoo!!!!

I met with my surgeon for my 3 month appointment, and I have gone from a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 43 to 34! So I am officially out of the “dangerous” BMI range. I’m still considered “obese” but if I applied to have weight loss surgery now, I wouldn’t be approved, even with my family history. So that is a good feeling. And she is very pleased with my results and I’m right on track. So hopefully when I see her in 3 more months I’ll have some of the flab turned into muscle, and be even better!

Not too much else is going on…just focusing on the scale right now, and staying healthy and hydrated. Pretty boring, but happy, life other than that.

Hope all is going well with everyone else!

…until we blog again…

Whew…the scale is FINALLY moving again! I am so thankful! I was starting to really stress out about the scale not moving. But happy to report that it is, and I’m down 48.5 pounds…only 1.5 more to the 50 mark! I cannot wait to hit that goal! I will be sooooo happy! Then the next goal after that is ONEderland! Seeing 220 on the scale today was a really good feeling!

I’m doing pretty well…I had an episode last week that I ended up in the ER with what I thought was a kidney stone or bladder infection, only to find out I was severely dehydrated, and I do have a kidney stone…but it’s way up in my bladder, and didn’t seem to be causing the problem, but can in the future…but hope it breaks up before then.

I’m also in the beginning stages of a study at the University of Pittsburgh. I will be randomly picked to be in one of two groups. Exercise after weight loss surgery vs. health education after weight loss surgery. I really hope that I’m picked for the exercise program…because I am ready to get some flabby skin firmed up and back into shape. Since I’ve been feeling so good I’m ready to get some of my energy back. But at the study last week they did blood work, and it’s all good, so the dehydration that I had the week before was gone, and I’m back to normal. I was glad to see all my blood work was normal.

We had a HUGE snow storm Friday into Saturday…we got 2 feet of snow, and we lost our electricity for 24 hours! It was tough! Thank God we have a gas fireplace, but of course Shawn was stuck at work…and I was afraid to light it, so Shawn called the fire department and they came and lit it with a “stick of fire” and we were able to stay warm until the electricity came back on. Our town is so different with all the snow. It’s absolutely gorgeous, but tough because the streets are more narrow because there is so much snow to get rid of. And to make matters worse…we’re expecting another 6-12 inches today! YIKES!!! The kids haven’t been to school at all this week, and who knows when they will be back!

Well…hope all is well with everyone else. Really trying to blog more, but it’s been tough. Don’t have much to talk about.

…until we blog again…

I cannot believe that I am down to 230 pounds! I cannot remember the last time I weighed this much! I am officially less than I was when Shawn & I got married! I am happier than happy…when it comes to that aspect of things.

I’m still not feeling 100% everywhere else though. I swear you’d think I’m pregnant with the “morning sickness” that I am suffering from…but that’s next to impossible with the oven being gone, but every morning…I’m so sick feeling. I’ve been having problems getting all my fluids in, but I’m trying…hard! And then getting my proteins in…yeah, right! So I’m mainly focused on my fluids right now…so I do not get dehydrated. I also need to start walking to get myself some more energy. Walking outside in this weather is almost impossible…so Shawn’s getting the treadmill set up for me.

Still not feeling that this was all worth it…but have to remember it’s still early, I’m not even 6 weeks out yet. It’s just depressing when you want to feel normal again…and you don’t. There are so many positive things, and I know I need to focus on those more…like I’m down a jean size, bra size, and shirts that were tight on me before surgery are now fitting me! So my biggest goal is to be positive, and focus on the positive, and stop dwelling on the negative and get my butt moving…literally!

…until we blog again…