National Body Challenge

1/25/2005
Oops! I've not been keeping up with my journal. It's now 5 weeks since surgery and 1 week before I go for my first fill. I am tolerating just about everything that will go in my mouth, and I'm not thrilled. I've had no negative effects whatsoever. There can be a little discomfort around the port if I sit or lay wrong. I'm also noticing it after exercise, especially on the treadmill, it's just a bit irritating, not really bad. Sometimes a little heat seems to help.

I saw the dietician on 1/19 and she indicates that I am right on track. I was given the ok for baked chips and said "why would I want to do that? I gave those up to have the surgery." I really want to stay away from as much junk as possible. I know that if I bought a bag of chips, I would eat them until they are gone. I'm not saying I won't indulge when out at a social event, but I can maintain better control in that type of situation.

Weight loss is slow (12 pounds since surgery), and my rational mind knows that right now the focus is healing, not weight loss. However, I have not been down to the 260s in well over 10 years. I'm having a ball with the NSV's. They are what encourage me. Yesterday I went down a flight of stairs like a "normal" person, not sideways and one step at a time. Sunday's was fitting into a booth at a restaurant without being squished, Saturday's was being able to zip my coat (couldn't zip it when I bought it). It's incredible that these little things do make all the difference in the world, and don't seem to be encouraged by the "normal" diet industry. It would be a great thing to encourage especially in groups like Weight Watchers. My sister has joined WW again, and I encouraged her to look at those little victories to keep her going.

My energy level is increasing. If I'm standing and waiting for things at work, I'm moving! Sometimes I do things that make me get up an walk just a little bit more, like print labels one at a time.

On January 15 I joined the National Body Challenge through the Discovery Channel. This included a 2 month membership to Bally's and I've been going. I do need to check into the one closer to me so that I can go more often. A little video exercise at home seems to be helping too, though my endurance is pretty minimal at this point.

I met with a co-worker yesterday who had the bypass two weeks before me and has really been having a rough time. Her weight loss is fantastic, but at what cost? Her health is declining. Hopefully things will improve for her and she will regain her health and not regret having had the surgery. I've invited her to the Milwaukee WLS support group on Saturday.

Got word on the Chicago Bandster Bash, and am almost convinced that I want to go. It's also the weekend of the International Quilt Show, and in adjoining locations. What could be better? The only thing preventing me at this time is the $$.