Inchworm, inchworm....

Today is the fifth-month anniversary of my surgery, and I am rapidly approaching my 100-pounds-lost mark. However, the past couple of weeks have been a bit unusual for me. I have become accustomed to losing a half-pound or so every other day, and have looked forward to stepping on the scale every morning to see what's happening. The last two weeks, however, I found myself staying at the same weight (or even going up a half-pound) 4 or 5 days in a row, then dropping a whole pound a day the next two days. It's been very confusing! Over all, I have lost 2 pounds less this past month that I did for each of the previous 2 months. I knew the speed of the weight loss would be tapering off about now, but wasn't sure by how much.

I might have mentioned before that I have been taking measurements every four weeks (Jack calls that one of his favorite jobs ;) ), just to see what's happening. After the mini-plateaus and the slightly lower weight loss, I didn't know what to expect. So today was measuring day, and when all was said and done, I discovered that I have lost another 9-3/4 inches in the past four weeks - including 2-1/2 inches around my waist! I knew there was a reason my clothes were feeling better!!!

New clothes!

Last month my friend and neighbor and soon to be sister-in-law called and asked if I would be offended if she brought me some clothes that no longer fit her. Are you kidding me? The clothes I was wearing were looking pretty baggy and practically falling off my body - I was delighted to get more. So she brought over a couple of large bags full. A few days ago she brought me another full bag. Among the stuff that fit were several pairs of pants, a couple of dresses and quite a number of shirts. All were in the size 14-16 range, with nothing that was Plus size! What a great feeling it is to wear jeans that button and zip and have no elastic in the waist - not to mention shirts with spandex! They make me feel so good about the way I look. Now that I have lost 95 pounds, it's about time!

Playing with Ellie

Ellie Jean is my youngest grandchild; she is 21 months old. Last night, her Daddy (my son-in-law) graduated - magna cum laude, I might add - from BYU-Idaho. We drove up to Idaho yesterday morning to be there for the ceremonies. After everything was over and we were waiting outside for all the members of our party to gather, I took the responsibility of watching and playing with Ellie. Did I mention that little Ellie is a pistol? Or that she is a constant mover and as quick as the proverbial "quick brown fox?" Every time I would let go of her hand, she would take off like a shot, running as fast as she could, laughing and looking over her shoulder to see if I was chasing her. And guess what! I could run and chase her!! I could catch up with her and swoop her up and spin her around and carry her and hold her close. I could hold her hands and jump up and down with her or stomp our feet on the manhole cover to make all kinds of noise. And I could do all of these things easily and without running out of breath or even breathing hard. How wonderful is that?!!!

Br-r-r-r-r

Today was a very warm day here in our high mountain desert, and yet as I sit here at my computer, I am wrapped in an afghan, trying not to freeze. One result of my surgery (and subsequent eating plan) has been feeling cold much of the time. I sit in front of the computer and I am cold. I go to church and I am cold. I go to the movies and I am cold. I go to a restaurant and I am cold. I go to work at the temple, and I am cold. I am learning to take a sweater, a sweatshirt, or a wrap of some kind with me wherever I go, and Jack is very good about warming up my cold, cold feet when we go to bed at night. After having been always hot for the past 15 years or so, it is taking some getting used to. But I guess that is one way to know that my body is working hard at fat burning - none of my energy/calorie intake (however small that may be) is working to keep my body warm. I guess I can live with that!

Don't blink!

Well, I did it again - passed right through and over another milestone without landing on it. Almost all last week (Sunday through Friday) I sat at the 88 pounds lost mark, waiting to drop those next two pounds so I could see 90 pounds gone. Finally, on Saturday I was down one more pound - 89 pounds gone. On Sunday I had lost another half pound - 89.5 pounds gone. Oh boy! I knew I was going to be right down 90 pounds on Monday morning! So when I stepped on the scale Monday morning, I was down (drum roll, please!) a full pound - a total of 90.5 pounds! Then this morning I discovered another half pound had gone missing. How is it possible? I have lost a total of 91 pounds!!! It really blows my mind....

Four Months

Yesterday, July 9th, was my 4-month "surgiversary." Four months since my rebirth to this "Brand New Day." I have lost, as of this morning, 88 pounds, which is 36% of my original weight! That just feels so incredible. I had Jack take pictures after church today.

This is me now!

Last Thursday was my 4-month checkup with my doctor. My numbers were all terrific, and he was so pleased with my progress! He told me I was way ahead of the averages and that I am doing everything right. I got some suggestions as to what to do about my hair loss (Linda, I really need to go get those Nioxin hair products - they are just what the doctor ordered!), was told to keep doing things "by the book" the way I have, and made an appointment to go back in November for my 8-month check. Yay me!!!

Some things I love

Some great things about losing weight:

Bending over while sitting down
Tying my shoes with the bow in the middle
Holding things (especially grandchildren) in/on my lap
Finding my waist
Shopping for new clothes
Wearing pretty clothes
Wearing heels
Wearing the mothers ring my children gave me
Getting compliments
Looking (and feeling) younger
Getting "checked out"
Hugging my husband
Walking to Church
Walking the dog
Walking, in general
Being physically active
Crossing my legs
Kneeling at the altar in the Temple
Sleeping without a CPAP machine
Standing without tiring
No more diabetes
No swollen ankles
No hip pain
Seeing my toes while standing
Curling up on the couch
Feeling small in a chair
Tightening my seat belt
Having energy
Weeding the garden
Doing household chores
Feeling in control
Becoming myself again
Being happy