Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Goal
This morning I stepped on the scale and saw my goal weight looking back at me. At a mere nine months and five days after my surgery, I have reached the weight I dreamed of last Spring as a distant hope. I thought that I might possibily reach this weight by my birthday in April 2012, if I was lucky, but suspected that it would more likely take till the following summer. But even up to five or six months post-surgery it was more of a hope to me than a real possibility. Somewhere in the past three months, I came to realize that I truly was losing the weight and I truly would be able to reach my goals. I can't pinpoint a specific time or a specific incident that happened to give me this mindset - maybe it was doing that 5K in October - but somewhere along the way I just knew that it was actually going to happen. Now I know that I really am the person I used to be before the weight gain started in my mid-30's. Many of the people I meet tell me that by losing 128 pounds I have lost a whole person, and that certainly is true. As I was reflecting on this just yesterday, I came to an enlightening realization. By losing myself, I have truly found myself. I feel more like ME - like the real Jeanette - than I have felt in years, and the "old" overweight/obese person that I was feels like just a bad dream. What I mean is that I remember all my experiences, but I can't remember - I can't really realize - that I had them as that huge person I see in those "before" pictures on this page. I truly don't know who the woman in that picture is anymore. What I do know is that I am me again, and I am at peace.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Patient Panel
This past Wednesday night was our monthy support group meeting. This month, all three groups (Ogden, Orem, and Salt Lake) met together, and the office education team put together a panel of patients to tell about their weight loss journeys and their decision to have surgery, and to relate some of the things they have learned along the way. I was asked six or seven weeks ago to be a member of this panel, and was delighted to do so. Every time I get asked about my surgery and/or my weight loss, I am more passionate about sharing my thoughts and feelings and educating others about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and of getting help when you are unable to do it on your own. As I mentioned during my presentation, I feel like I have been given a great gift - I got my life back - and I feel a great obligation and desire to share what I have been given and my gratitude for it.
For our support group meeting, each panel member was also asked to provide several "before and after" photos to be put into a slide show. It was very interesting to go back through the pics that are on my computer. I looked at photos of me taken over the past five years (there were not too many) and wondered "Who was that woman?" One that I sent (that didn't get used) was a wedding photo of me and Jack, and as I looked at that tiny, happy girl I realized that I could see her in the pics of me today. What a great feeling that is! Jack took many pictures of me the night of support group. I'll just share a few....
For our support group meeting, each panel member was also asked to provide several "before and after" photos to be put into a slide show. It was very interesting to go back through the pics that are on my computer. I looked at photos of me taken over the past five years (there were not too many) and wondered "Who was that woman?" One that I sent (that didn't get used) was a wedding photo of me and Jack, and as I looked at that tiny, happy girl I realized that I could see her in the pics of me today. What a great feeling that is! Jack took many pictures of me the night of support group. I'll just share a few....
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Half off
I am totally over the moon! Today I stepped on the scale and realized that I have lost 50% of my original weight. I weigh only half as much as I did at the beginning of this year! When I started this surgical journey, that was only a distant dream. It has been years and years since I weighed this little. I did hit this mark (and even dropped 3 pounds below it) when I was doing Weight Watchers 20 years ago, but I was only at this point for a month or two before bouncing back a few pounds above it.
My reward for reaching this stage of the game - one half of my former self - is going to be working with a personal trainer. I start tomorrow morning - wish me luck!
This feels so good!!!!
My reward for reaching this stage of the game - one half of my former self - is going to be working with a personal trainer. I start tomorrow morning - wish me luck!
Friday, November 4, 2011
New hair
Awhile back I posted about my thinning hair. I thought the hair loss had stopped by about six months out of surgery. I was wrong - it picked up again around the beginning of September and just kept on falling out. :( For most of the last 20 years, I have kept my hair pretty short and either wedged or layered. During the past year or so, I let it grow out a bit - no longer than chin length, but pretty much all the same length in a blunt cut. I really quite liked the new length. However, by mid-October I had lost so much of my original hair volume (truly about 75%!) and had enough new undergrowth (now about an inch or more long), that my remaining longer hair reminded me of a bald person with a bad comb-over! Once again I went to my friend and hairdresser asking for help. I told her I thought it was time to get rid of the old length and start trying to meet the new growth. She worked her magic, and this is the result:
It's not perfectly combed in this photo, but I love the length and it looks so much better! Also, in this photo I am wearing the cute girls' size tee shirt I got at American Girl Place in Chicago last month! Yay me!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
I am so pumped!
This morning I did my first 5K - the SoJo (South Jordan) 5K/Half-Marathon/Marathon. Wow - what a rush! Before my surgery 7 months ago, I couldn't even walk a block, and when I had to walk, I walked very slowly and stopped often. Today I walked 3.1 miles in less than a hour, and it felt so good! All those long walks with my granddaughter Ellie in the stroller while I was in Illinois really helped keep me in good condition for today, so thanks, Ellie Jean!
Last summer at my weight loss surgery support group meetings, they started talking about something called "The Walk From Obesity." I checked it out online, watching for the announcement about the Utah walk this Fall. When it was finally announced, I was disappointed to see that the official walk was only a half-mile - I was already walking 1 to 2 miles several times a week. Then our support group leaders told us that we could join with the SoJo run and still get credit for doing the WFO, and I started to get excited. I waited till a couple of weeks before the race to register so I would have a better idea of what size tee shirt to get. I know, I know; that sounds very vain, but I really wanted a shirt that I knew I would fit and look good for more than a month after the race. And guess what size I was brave enough to order?
It was great after the race to talk to people there and tell my story and hear their stories, as well. Oh, and the Walk from Obesity people had several prize drawings, and I won a $25 gift certificate toward any play at the Hale Center Theater! All in all, it's been a very good day!
Last summer at my weight loss surgery support group meetings, they started talking about something called "The Walk From Obesity." I checked it out online, watching for the announcement about the Utah walk this Fall. When it was finally announced, I was disappointed to see that the official walk was only a half-mile - I was already walking 1 to 2 miles several times a week. Then our support group leaders told us that we could join with the SoJo run and still get credit for doing the WFO, and I started to get excited. I waited till a couple of weeks before the race to register so I would have a better idea of what size tee shirt to get. I know, I know; that sounds very vain, but I really wanted a shirt that I knew I would fit and look good for more than a month after the race. And guess what size I was brave enough to order?
Size Small!!!! And it fits!!!!
Jack and I left bright and early this morning, before the sun was even up, found a good parking spot and waited in the car till about 40 minutes before race time. By then it was light enough to see, but very chilly with a brisk wind. We stood close to the outdoor heaters till time to head for the starting line, and I moved out. Jack had brought the camera, so we have a few pics to share:
Freezing in the wind before the race
And we're off!
The last leg of the race (I'm on the right)
Down the home stretch
Crossing the finish line
It was great after the race to talk to people there and tell my story and hear their stories, as well. Oh, and the Walk from Obesity people had several prize drawings, and I won a $25 gift certificate toward any play at the Hale Center Theater! All in all, it's been a very good day!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Vacation
For the last three weeks, I have been on vacation. I now have two married kids in the Midwest - a son in Green Bay, Wisconsin and a daughter in Coal City, Illinois (just south of Chicago). Since my daughter in Illinois just gave birth to my 25th grandchild - a beautiful and precious little boy named Greyson - I decided I needed to go back there.
I had the most wonderful time! First came the plane ride. I must confess that the last time I was on a plane, I couldn't even buckle the seat belt around me. Having the armrests down on both sides was extremely uncomfortable, because I was squished between them. When I lowered the tray table, it wouldn't lay flat, but would rest against my enourmous belly. Anyone who had to sit next to me would get this "Oh no, a fat person" look when they first realized our seats were together. I really love to fly, but the "sitting on the plane" experience has not been pleasant for a long time. This time, so much was different! I sat down in my seat next to the window and giggled because I had space inside my own seat on both sides of me, even with both arm rests down. I buckled my seat belt and pulled it snug, leaving an 8 to 10-inch tail! The person who came to sit beside me actually smiled and looked relieved when he saw me and sat down. When the plane was fully airborne, I lowered my tray table and giggled again. There was a 6 to 8-inch gap between the table and my body! The person in front of me even put her seat back a couple of inches, and there was still space. Picture me smiling!
While we were there, I thoroughly enjoyed loving up my grandchildren. I snuggled that new baby close and danced and played with almost-two-year-old Ellie. Almost every day I was in Illinois I put Ellie in her stroller and walked with her for two or three miles. We saw leaves changing colors and squirrels gathering nuts and fields of dried cornstalks and flowers and birds and even baby bunnies! I am going to miss those walks with Ellie. In Wisconsin, I went to the botanical gardens and the wildlife sanctuary and walked and walked and saw more glorious things in nature with four-year-old Tabby. I talked and got better acquainted with my teenage grandsons Ben and Sam and Jack, and was even able to help celebrate Jack's 18th birthday. One interesting experience happened when Grandpa took everyone for ice cream in Green Bay. I was sitting and talking at the table with the family while they were all enjoying their ice cream, when Tabby suddenly said, "Grandma, why aren't you eating any ice cream?" So I told her that I can't eat any because ice cream will make me sick now. Later that evening, she was sitting on her daddy's lap and saying that she was feeling sick. I put two and two together, and realized I needed to explain why. So I told her that I had been in the hospital and the doctor had fixed my tummy to help me feel good, but now that my tummy was fixed, eating things like ice cream and candy would make me feel a bit sick. She decided then that she was really okay.
Too soon, it was time to come home. The plane ride home was even more fun than the plane ride out, because Jack was with me and watching the differences. Our last connection home, the plane was just over half full. I was able to curl up on two seats with my head in Jack's lap, and was quite comfortable! And, when I got up this morning and stepped on the scale, I found that I had lost six more pounds during my three weeks of vacation! How about that?
I had the most wonderful time! First came the plane ride. I must confess that the last time I was on a plane, I couldn't even buckle the seat belt around me. Having the armrests down on both sides was extremely uncomfortable, because I was squished between them. When I lowered the tray table, it wouldn't lay flat, but would rest against my enourmous belly. Anyone who had to sit next to me would get this "Oh no, a fat person" look when they first realized our seats were together. I really love to fly, but the "sitting on the plane" experience has not been pleasant for a long time. This time, so much was different! I sat down in my seat next to the window and giggled because I had space inside my own seat on both sides of me, even with both arm rests down. I buckled my seat belt and pulled it snug, leaving an 8 to 10-inch tail! The person who came to sit beside me actually smiled and looked relieved when he saw me and sat down. When the plane was fully airborne, I lowered my tray table and giggled again. There was a 6 to 8-inch gap between the table and my body! The person in front of me even put her seat back a couple of inches, and there was still space. Picture me smiling!
While we were there, I thoroughly enjoyed loving up my grandchildren. I snuggled that new baby close and danced and played with almost-two-year-old Ellie. Almost every day I was in Illinois I put Ellie in her stroller and walked with her for two or three miles. We saw leaves changing colors and squirrels gathering nuts and fields of dried cornstalks and flowers and birds and even baby bunnies! I am going to miss those walks with Ellie. In Wisconsin, I went to the botanical gardens and the wildlife sanctuary and walked and walked and saw more glorious things in nature with four-year-old Tabby. I talked and got better acquainted with my teenage grandsons Ben and Sam and Jack, and was even able to help celebrate Jack's 18th birthday. One interesting experience happened when Grandpa took everyone for ice cream in Green Bay. I was sitting and talking at the table with the family while they were all enjoying their ice cream, when Tabby suddenly said, "Grandma, why aren't you eating any ice cream?" So I told her that I can't eat any because ice cream will make me sick now. Later that evening, she was sitting on her daddy's lap and saying that she was feeling sick. I put two and two together, and realized I needed to explain why. So I told her that I had been in the hospital and the doctor had fixed my tummy to help me feel good, but now that my tummy was fixed, eating things like ice cream and candy would make me feel a bit sick. She decided then that she was really okay.
Too soon, it was time to come home. The plane ride home was even more fun than the plane ride out, because Jack was with me and watching the differences. Our last connection home, the plane was just over half full. I was able to curl up on two seats with my head in Jack's lap, and was quite comfortable! And, when I got up this morning and stepped on the scale, I found that I had lost six more pounds during my three weeks of vacation! How about that?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A Good Week
I intended to get this written and posted on Sunday, but as they say,"The best laid plans...."
Last week was a good week. From Sunday to Sunday I lost 3 pounds. A few months ago that would have been a normal weight loss, but at six months out from surgery, 3 pounds in one week is quite a bit. Those 3 pounds dropped my weight loss enough that I now have less than 20 pounds left to lose before reaching my goal weight.
Tuesday last week was my monthly measuring day, and I found I had lost another 9-3/4 inches (along with a 10-pound weight loss) since mid-August. Those lost inches included a 2-1/2 inch loss around my waist! My waist is now smaller than my top and smaller than my bottom for the first time in years - woo-hoo!!! I tried on the clothes in my drawers and hanging in my closet and found that (drum roll, please) the size sixteen pants and few remaining XL shirts are just way too big and baggy now. I can fit easily into the size 14 zip-front designer jeans (Eddie Buaer, Ralph Lauren, and Style& Co.) and the size 12 zip up and pleated front dress slacks and the size small pull-on warm-up pants that were tucked away with the "not-quite-yet" clothes.
One day last week I went grocery shopping with my 39-year-old daughter and was asked if we were sisters. Goodness! I am 24 years older than she is and have gray hair! I guess if the flabby skin is covered and I am smiling, I don't look like I am in my sixties.
One more thing to report. I got my hair trimmed up on Friday, as I am leaving town tomorrow for three weeks to visit my children in Illinois and Wisconsin (and see my brand-new grandson!). As Linda was combing through and cutting my hair, she commented, "It looks like you have a little buzz cut going on here underneath your longer hair!" Yay! My hair is starting to grow back in - and it is all that nice silvery white!
Yes, it was a very good week.
Last week was a good week. From Sunday to Sunday I lost 3 pounds. A few months ago that would have been a normal weight loss, but at six months out from surgery, 3 pounds in one week is quite a bit. Those 3 pounds dropped my weight loss enough that I now have less than 20 pounds left to lose before reaching my goal weight.
Tuesday last week was my monthly measuring day, and I found I had lost another 9-3/4 inches (along with a 10-pound weight loss) since mid-August. Those lost inches included a 2-1/2 inch loss around my waist! My waist is now smaller than my top and smaller than my bottom for the first time in years - woo-hoo!!! I tried on the clothes in my drawers and hanging in my closet and found that (drum roll, please) the size sixteen pants and few remaining XL shirts are just way too big and baggy now. I can fit easily into the size 14 zip-front designer jeans (Eddie Buaer, Ralph Lauren, and Style& Co.) and the size 12 zip up and pleated front dress slacks and the size small pull-on warm-up pants that were tucked away with the "not-quite-yet" clothes.
One day last week I went grocery shopping with my 39-year-old daughter and was asked if we were sisters. Goodness! I am 24 years older than she is and have gray hair! I guess if the flabby skin is covered and I am smiling, I don't look like I am in my sixties.
One more thing to report. I got my hair trimmed up on Friday, as I am leaving town tomorrow for three weeks to visit my children in Illinois and Wisconsin (and see my brand-new grandson!). As Linda was combing through and cutting my hair, she commented, "It looks like you have a little buzz cut going on here underneath your longer hair!" Yay! My hair is starting to grow back in - and it is all that nice silvery white!
Yes, it was a very good week.
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