Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (Update 5)

Image by Wade Kelly

I have another collage photo to post.  I realized that I like these monthly look backs on how I am changing and improving my life since the surgery.

I wouldn't say things have decreased to a crawl but I haven't been to the gym in ages.  Unfortunately life has gotten in the way but I think I should be able to find a better routine come September.

I have lost 103.4 lbs since my surgery in December for a total of 133.4 since September.  While I am not always seeing the scale wins, I am now mostly wearing size 18 pants.  I was super pumped on Sunday when I was able to wear size 18 jeans from the Gap and a Large T shirt.  I think the last time I wore a Tshirt that didn't have an X in was Fall semester freshman year of college.  Score!

In news about my hair saga, I am starting to grow some back.  It's weird because when i have my hair down I can feel all of the short strands on top of my head.  Hopefully they grow quickly.

All in all I feel great!

<3 Heather

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (Update 4)

Image by Wade Kelly

I have another collage photo to post.  I realized that I like these monthly look backs on how I am changing and improving my life since the surgery.

Things have been a bit slow going, lots of busy stuff for summer so the gym hasn't been a priority as much as it should.  I was able to do 25 push ups in a minute and 48 squats in a minute.  My mile time digressed a bit but I am working to get back in the swing of things.

I have lost 103.2 lbs since my surgery in December for a total of 130.2 since September.  I keep adding clothes to the donate basket and that is a huge win.  Though, I am running low on closet stock of pants.  I went and bought a size 18 and 16 jeans in prep for the next sizes.  The 18's I can get on and button but it's really not flattering right now.

Other than that things are good.  I have been thinking protein first and my hair is rebounding nicely.  Less is coming out when I wash or brush it.  Let me tell you that was a relief.

Sugar and I are not getting along and I have been having pain for eating to much of it.  Sugar and carbs are also causing me to get a bit dizzy and my blood sugar spikes.  Lovely but manageable.

All in all I feel great, my energy is amazing and I am really happy with my progress so far.

<3 Heather

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (Update 3)

Image by Wade Kelly

I have another collage photo to post.  I realized that I like these monthly look backs on how I am changing and improving my life since the surgery.  Once again I have to thank the Amazing Dianne for her photography skills and taking another shot of me at the mall during our knit night.  And a quick thanks to Samie for taking May's picture.

These last two months have flown by and I am super happy with my progress.  I have tried to make it to the gym as much as possible and am really happy with my endurance.  I am able to do 22 push ups in a minute, 45 squats in a minute and jog a mile in 15 minutes and 35 seconds.  What that equates to is 98.5 lbs lost since the surgery and 125.5 lbs since September.  My clothes are really just falling off of me and I have a ton of stuff to donate.

My 6 month progress shot!

For my diet, things have been looking up.  I can tolerate chicken again as long as I eat it slow and take small bites.  I am now allowed to eat salads and other fibrous veggies and am really happy with the variety.  Unfortunately, I had to adjust some things so I can get enough protein.  I have been noticing that my hair has been thinning so I eat with protein in mind first.

All in all I feel great, my energy is amazing and I am really happy with my progress so far.

<3 Heather

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (Update 2)

I haven't updated this blog because the camera on my phone isn't cooperating.  Needless to say I am fixing that situation this afternoon.

Image by Wade Kelly

I have another collage photo to post.  I realized that I like these monthly look backs on how I am changing and improving my life since the surgery.  Once again I have to thank the Amazing Dianne for her photography skills and taking another shot of me at the mall during our knit night.

Go Me!

This past month was a good one.  I didn't get to the gym as often as I would have liked but when I did my trainer really put me through my paces.  I lost inches everywhere and have lost a total of 68 lbs since the surgery and since September I have lost 95lbs .  I can now do 38 squats in a minute and 18 push-ups in a minute.  Wooot!  And I also completed a mile in 16 minutes and 54 seconds.

My main gym goal is to be able to run a 5K on the treadmill.  I can do it on an elliptical/cross ramp but I want to be able to run.

As far as diet, I have been pleased with what I can eat.  While chicken and zucchini are not my friends I am happy that I can consume other nutritious foods.  I tried salad and while I don't eat a lot of it, the crunch of fresh vegetables is awesome.  I was able to eat steak as long as I cut it up into small bites.  I still rely on a lot of fish to supplement my diet but thankfully I am starting to like it.

Overall, I am really happy.  That is not something that I say lightly I am really pleased with what's happening and can't wait to see what next month brings.

<3 Heather

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! (Update 1)

I haven't updated this blog in a bit but life has been a bit hectic these past few weeks.  Needless to say, I hope to get back into the routine this week.

Image by Wade Kelly

What I have to share today was a bit of a shock to the system last night.  Since my surgery, I have a ton of mental wins when it comes to the success of the surgery.  I am wearing pants that haven't been out of my closet in at least a year.  I am pulling on dresses that weren't as flattering as they used to be.  In general, the scale and the measuring tape have been telling a good tale.

But I still see myself everyday and like most women I still see all of my flaws in the mirror.  It doesn't matter that the scale says I lost 56 lbs since my surgery.  It doesn't matter that since my first weigh in pre-surgery in September I have lost 83 lbs.  I still see the thick thighs, the flabby arms and the large stomach.

That is until last night.

In a effort to document my success and comprehend the changes that were happening to my body, I ask a friend to take pictures of me.  So far we have hit around the same time, first with a base line picture before the surgery and 2 more after.  Here are the results.

Seriously how awesome is this!

There are no words, for how I felt last night when I put this collage together.  The scale and measuring tape are telling the truth and changes are happening.  And it's wonderful!

I get it now.  I can over look the arms, thighs and belly because they won't be there after awhile.  The time, money, and pain were worth it because I am changing.  And I can't wait to see what next month brings.

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Thinking Warm Thoughts

Hello again my lovely followers!  It's -1° F here in the Burgh and I'm cold.  Thankfully I live in a building with radiators so my place is generally nice and warm but it screws with my head when I am getting dressed in the morning.  I have been known to not wear a warm enough coat because I misjudged the weather.

Really in this weather I miss my snuggle bug, Zoey.  She and I would cuddle while I was home recovering from my surgery.  She would find the crook of my knee and curl into a little ball and sleep with me in the morning.  Since I am back at my apartment, I don't get my own personal heater but I at least get to see her on weekends.  :)

During my recover and since I have returned home my needles have been flying.  It's hard to explain but while on the pain medication it was hard to concentrate to read but I was able to knit.  I think it was the muscle memory and the simple movements but my hands flew while I recovered.  Other than that, I just sat around and watched movies and binge watched Big Bang Theory and NCIS.  

Now that I am back to work, I realize how important calories are to energy.  I am only able to eat about 500-600 calories a day and boy am I tired when I get home.  I know I am going to crash when I get home tonight since I also have my Grad Class to attend.  Other than being tired I feel great but I think I might need to start exercises with some light weights as my arms are really flabby.  I used to be able to flex a bicep muscle but now its just flab, need to get on that and do some bicep curls.

Rigging Up the Color Affection

Lots of colors!

This was my go to project while recovering.  I still had the majority of the short rows to complete and then the last section.  As soon as I got to the final section I decided to take a bit of a break.  It's kind of tedious and I worked on it for 2 straight weeks so really it needed a time out.  I really like the colors though.  When I am working on it I doubt my love for the shawl but when I step back and look at it, the shawl really is lovely.

Now just to plow through and get the border done.  Shouldn't take too long to get completed.

Hue Shift Afghan

Progress!

This is the third major section of 4 and I am about half way done with it.  Woot Woot!!!!  Unlike the color affection this has some instant gratification that I can get a square done and feel like I accomplished something.  Due to the construction, when you get a square done, it seems necessary to start the next square so you don't drop stitches.  So I hope to get this square done soon and then start on the last one.  That one should be fun since it's just the blue section.

Cherry Sundry

Almost finsihed

I have also picked this back up.  It got shelved when I was working on my cardigan and then back burnered when I started the color affection.  Given the break this project had I gleefully picked it back up to work on instead of the color affection.  I finished the houndstooth section and started on the final solid color section.  I am about half way done with it and then just need to figure out the picot bind off.

I really love this brown.  It looks brown but in the right light reds and greys play with the brown and just look lovely against the crimson.  

It's also really big and warm.  I can't wait until it's done so I can wear it on these cold winter days.

So that's all for this week.

For other WIPs check out Tami's Amis

Check out my new meme Movie Madness Monday

<3 Heather

And we're back!

Hi there!  I made it through my surgery and am back in the game to bring you awesome movie updates and yarny goodness.  I will also provide you with some updates on my weight loss and things going on in my life.

Starting back tomorrow, I will begin the new year with a movie review and follow up with the usual updates on Wednesday and Friday with yarn projects in progress and completed.

Until then I wanted to update you all on what I have been up to in the past 4 weeks.  My Christmas was hijacked this year but really I didn't mind.  Due to some changes in my insurance, I really wanted to have the surgery completed before the end of the calendar year.  So when I started down the road with the surgeons office the only available surgery date was Christmas eve.  

Knowing this, I was really worried about surviving the surgery and I didn't want to ruin everyone's holiday.  Needless to say, the surgery was successful and the holiday was saved.

Picture of me before the surgery

As I lay there in the hospital, the true spirit of the holiday was presented.  My best friend brought me a care package that had some toiletries that helped me feel normal during my stay.  Thank goodness for deodorant and lip balm.  I also got notes and messages from friends and family checking in on me.  I was a little hyped up on pain medication and could only handle the briefest of responses but I really appreciated the gesture.

Once I got home, my friend Becky drove in from Philadelphia to come and stay with me.  She and I got to hang out and watch really bad TV.  I think I may have got her addicted to NCIS.  Really there were a ton of marathons on.  She also taught me some of the basics for Magic: the Gathering.  We had some wonky weather and she was able to leave on Friday to visit her parents before heading back to Philly.

While recovering, I did get some lovely surprises in the mail.  Quite a few people sent me get well cards but work really outdid themselves.  Samie was able to convince work to buy me yarn and patterns as a get well gift!  How awesome was that?

I definitely was feeling well after opening this!

I also got a Barnes and Noble gift card from my friend Dianne and quickly spent to help keep me occupied.  As time passed I was able to be more mobile and could drive.  I even got out on Thursday to my knit night.  

The good news is that I can head back to work on Wednesday which is just in time for my first class of the semester.  That day should be pretty busy but I might as well jump back into life with both feet.   

So far I feel great and have lost 25 lbs since the surgery and can now tolerate some food as I progress to a full recovery.   I just want to thank all of you for reading this blog and thinking of me during my surgery and recovery.   Now back to our regularly scheduled program.  :)

<3 Heather