Need Fitness Motivation?

One of my biggest struggles, not just after my sleeve but my whole life, has been trying to be active. I never liked to work out, and would rather sit on my butt and browse the internet or watch TV. Before getting my sleeve, I made a conscious effort to be more active, and I was (usually...obviously when starting, and still now, there are days I don't want to do anything). Since my sleeve, I've gotten even better. I've started small, vowing to do at least 10 minutes of fitness every day. Most of the time, once I've started, I keep going. I feel better after doing something active, and am working hard to get to the place that it becomes habit, and something I NEED to do.

If you're like me, you need motivation... and lots of it! Obviously, losing weight is motivation, losing inches is motivation... but I need little things to push me forward. I bought a FitBit, so I could be more aware of how much I was getting up and walking around, and I love it so far.

Recently, I found a site that I thought I'd pass on, in case you guys hadn't heard of it.

If you use something to track your fitness (ie: fitbit, nike, garmin), you can sync it up to this website and earn points which you can redeem for things. The more active you are, the more daily points you get. Kind of a cool extra motivator!! :]

If you use my referral link, you'll get 50 points when signing up to start you off! (I wish I would have known someone to refer me to get 50 points, I only have 33 so far! haha).

http://earnd.it/PpzRl0

Let's get in those fitness minutes, be active, and earn some free stuff! :]

Dealing with Setbacks

I will be posting an update within the next week, going over my last few weeks of post-op life. Right now, though, I wanted to share a blog I wrote for a challenge. I have signed up for a Biggest Loser's Challenge on SparkPeople.com, my first one ever, and each week there are different challenges. I spent a good amount of time thinking about what to write, and writing it, and figured what better place to share this than my blog?

"This week, practice letting go of negative thinking by reflecting on a recent setback or mental barrier that you broke through, determine what you learned from it, and then write a blog about it."

I thought about this off and on all week, trying to come up with a decent subject to write a blog about. When I think of recent setbacks, I could say getting over the fear of having my surgery, or getting off my behind and getting active when it was easier to be lazy. The things that continue to stick in my mind, however, are mainly the events of the last year, but even the several years prior to that that led me to the decision of having WLS.

Over the years, I've known I needed to get my body under my control. When I was younger, I may not have known that specifically, but I knew I was heavier than everyone else (or so it seemed), and I didn't want to be. I dieted, tried pills, and points. After WW one year, I lost 30lbs in about a month and a half... after, I don't know what happened.  I don't know why I didn't stick with it, or why my mind didn't "click" and say- keep going! A few years ago, after giving it what I thought was a "good go" at eating right and trying to exercise, I lost nothing. I felt completely defeated, and fell right back into my old habits, like I always had. Looking back now, I think I just wasn't ready. Maybe I was lazy, maybe I was not educated enough on being healthy. I do know that I clearly lacked the drive to REALLY make the necessary changes, and likely even the true desire.

My decision to have weight loss surgery was not one that happened over night. In fact, it took over 3 years, lots of research, many discussions, and even more research. My struggle with my weight has gone on much longer, though. It took me many failed diets, frustration, tears, and acceptance that if I don’t do something to change that I will have many unwanted problems in the future.

It wasn't until this time last year (actually these next couple of days are exactly a year!) that I finally made the decision that changed my life. When I finally set my mind to it, and put the plan into motion, my outlook changed. I was ready. I was ready to learn, ready to take in everything I could, and ready to CHANGE. I believe I've done just that. I overcame whatever many reasons were holding me back... fear, the idea that I wasn't strong enough. the idea that my hard work wouldn't pay off, and any other nagging voices in my head telling me I "can't". I CAN, I DID, I AM, and I WILL.

I've learned that I am stronger than I sometimes give myself credit for, and that hard work does pay off. I've learned the unknown isn't always something to fear, sometimes it's exciting, and refreshing. I've learned not to give up for any reason, if this is what I really want, I will find a way. I've learned all the set backs, all the times I've failed, all the feelings of defeat, all the tears, all the frustration... it all lead me to where I am today. And today I am excited for my more healthy and active future.

My Youtube Channel

Just a quick post- I've updated my youtube channel, SheddingThePast, with my first post-op video! I even did a once through! Go me, ha! Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sofvJ_dU9g&feature=plcp

I also gave my numbers for the first time there, so I figured I would post them here as well. Like I mentioned in my video, it's a little tough for me to share these so publicly, because I never really share them at all, but I guess it's a little easier knowing that I'm on the other side and they will only go lower. 

Highest Weight: 363 lbs
Started Options: 357 lbs
Pre-Op Appt: 340 lbs
Day of Surgery: 336 lbs
11 Days Post-Op: 323.5 lbs

Loss since surgery (as of 11 days post-op): 12.5 lbs
Total Loss: 39.5 lbs

So, there we have it folks! I'm currently 18 days post-op, and haven't weighed in since my 11th day, so I'm not sure what else I've lost since then. I will update my numbers as I find out, though.

Thanks for reading, and if you're not a subscriber of my youtube channel already, please do so! 

I'm on the Other Side!! First Post-Op Blog

I’m finally on the other side! My surgery was on Monday, June 4th, and everything went well. The last week has been up and down, and today I'm feeling okay. My first two weeks I will be on full liquids. I'm doing pretty well with fluid intake (tolerating everything pretty good so far), the first full day I was home (Thursday), I took in 59 1/2 oz of fluid! I surprised myself. Friday was a little lower, but I had a very tough night (almost passed out after a shower, and had strong pain on my right side). The other days I’ve been around 46-52oz per day. I'm noticing I'm going further without taking my "happy juice", which is good. My bruises were apparently worse than normal, but they're healing up pretty well. Just glue on the incisions, and the color of the bruising indicates healing.

 I’m just taking it one day at a time, and reminding myself that this is just temporary and it will all be worth it. I’m happy to finally be on the other side, and no longer waiting and anticipating. I'm very thankful for the help my family has given me, especially my mom (who stayed with me in the hospital the entire time, and has been my main "at home nurse"). I don't know how I would have gotten through this last week without their help. Thank you to my friends who were with me when I went into surgery, were there when I got out, and visited while I was in the hospital. Thanks to everyone for your support and well wishes!

 ((If you are on the front page of my blog and want to read a detailed account of my experience, click the title of this entry, and you will be taken to the full post.))

Quick Update: 5 Day Pouch Test

Just a quick update! I started my own youtube channel for video updates on my journey! Took awhile for me to get around to doing (needed to build up a little courage maybe?), but I'm glad I've started! I'm pretty surprised at the number of views I've got on my first video already- 150 in 5 days! How awesome! I'm thankful for the support and comments I've been receiving about my channel/journey, as well. I just posted my second video today, check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/user/SheddingThePast

Today is day 5 of the 5 Day Pouch Test for me. I started it to kind of "reset" and kick my carb dependency. I feel really good so far! As long as I don't let myself get hungry, I'm just fine and don't feel deprived. A couple times I've let myself get very hungry, and that's difficult to come back from. I am proud of myself, because I did very well, and stayed on course the entire time. That's right, I didn't even cheat once! Go me! I'll probably do this once more before meeting with the surgeon. Hopefully it will help me drop a couple pounds, and more importantly better prepare myself for after surgery.

 At this point, I'm still scheduled for May 4th with Dr. Fedorka (the surgeon). I've been calling regularly to see if there have been any cancellations, to no avail. Still hoping for a sooner date, but May 4th is still on my calendar!