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Wow, it's been almost a month since I've posted a blog! Bad me!!
Anyways, in that time I started to notice that a bit of my hair was "shedding", kinda like the amount of hair you tend to lose after having a baby. I wasn't concerned. THEN, one day I am in the shower and noticed my hands were covered in hair! Gobs of it!! I didn't really panic but I did think, ok here we go....
I knew that there was a possibility of losing some hair. It's a much talked about subject after weight loss surgery. I think it's the combination of the anesthetic from surgery and the rapid weight loss. At any rate, you can lose hair and a lot of it. One of the reasons you need to be diligent with taking protein supplements is that it is supposed to help prevent hair loss.
I started to get a bit lax in taking my protein shakes. I was supposed to take two a day and I was lucky if I got one in, then it was down to 2-3 per week. Well, that's when the hair started to go.
I didn't panic though. I had hoped and thought I'd be one of the lucky ones who didn't experience this but I was. I had had surgeries before and never had hair loss. Anyways, I just thought I'd ride it out.
Well, after clogging the drains many times and getting sick and tired of having to try and get all the lost hairs off my hands when I shampooed, I decided to do something about it. I went to my good friends on obesityhelp.com and asked them for their advice. One of the girls there who lives in Windsor and goes to my support group responded with what our surgeon suggested (we have the same surgeon also). He suggests a vitamin called Maxi-Hair that I guess you can only get in the states.
Last week my mom had to cross the border with my grandma so she offered to pick me up some. She managed to find some for me, talk about horse pills!! Now, we are not supposed to swallow anything bigger than an M&M so I cut the first one in half and it was still hard to swallow. I am not big on taking pills lol. After that first one I got lazy and didn`t cut them but man, if you swallow them wrong...it hurts going down sideways!
So, it`s been a week now since I started taking them. They are good for hair growth, nails and skin. So far I have noticed my skin is getting better. I usually have eczema on my hands pretty bad in the winter and it`s all cleared up! I think the hair loss has slowed down a bit but I am also not taking my protein shakes like I should be. I am just so tired of them. I think I am going to try some more protein bars instead of the shakes.
I`m glad I have a lot of hair so the loss is not noticeable to anyone but me. If I run my hands through my hair I can see a ton of lost hairs on them after pulling them away and my hair feels thinned out. I have always had very healthy hair, even though I dye it, and now it`s breaking and I have split ends, yuck!
Hopefully things get better from here on out. On the up side, I have now lost 80 lbs in 4.5 months and am past the halfway to goal mark! I tried on some jeans the other day, size 18 and they not only fit but they are a tad bit on the loose side! From a size 26 to 18 in 4 months! I also bought a large shirt, no more 5X`s!! I love the compliments I get now lol. I am 3 lbs away from the goal I wanted to hit by Christmas. I am loving my RNY and so proud of myself! Go me!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hell Is...Hitting A Plateau!
Ok this is my beef.....I've done so good losing weight after my surgery, I mean, 71 lbs in 3 months is nothing to sneeze at! The past 2-3 weeks though are driving me nuts!!
I know I've hit a plateau, which is where your body goes "whoa man, she's starving herself so let's hang onto some fat to use for energy!" I've lost maybe 2 lbs total this month which is frustrating after seeing 10-20 lbs come off in a month prior to this.
I know my weight loss is supposed to slow down somewhat but it's still supposed to be pretty fast coming off for the first 6 months right? I worry myself that if my weight loss slows down now I will never get to my goal weight. I should add that my surgeon told me to aim for a weight of 150-160 lbs instead of the goal of 140 lbs I set. I know I will have some loose skin that will account for some of that weight also. I have about 88 lbs more to lose. After weight loss surgery you generally have an 18 month window to lose your weight before you are in the maintenance stage. I worry that if I slow down now I'll never get to goal...
Ok, so it's been a couple weeks and I can't say I'm in a complete stall. I've still lost 1-2 lbs but oh so painfully slowly! I wanted to lose another 20 lbs by Christmas...yeah right! I weigh 137 lbs right now and for sure want to be below 200 by my birthday in April. That would average losing about 2 lbs a week.
I have been horrible in getting my protein shakes in lately and I know that is not a good thing. My hair is starting to shed a bit more than normal which worries me. A lot of ppl I know who had this surgery lost their hair around the 3 month mark, not all of it (don't want to scare you too much! lol) but a good bit of it. I am trying not to allow that to happen and one way is to get in enough protein, which I am not doing right now....
Anyways, hopefully by my next post I can tell you I've gotten over this danged plateau and am on my way to my goal weight!
I know I've hit a plateau, which is where your body goes "whoa man, she's starving herself so let's hang onto some fat to use for energy!" I've lost maybe 2 lbs total this month which is frustrating after seeing 10-20 lbs come off in a month prior to this.
I know my weight loss is supposed to slow down somewhat but it's still supposed to be pretty fast coming off for the first 6 months right? I worry myself that if my weight loss slows down now I will never get to my goal weight. I should add that my surgeon told me to aim for a weight of 150-160 lbs instead of the goal of 140 lbs I set. I know I will have some loose skin that will account for some of that weight also. I have about 88 lbs more to lose. After weight loss surgery you generally have an 18 month window to lose your weight before you are in the maintenance stage. I worry that if I slow down now I'll never get to goal...
Ok, so it's been a couple weeks and I can't say I'm in a complete stall. I've still lost 1-2 lbs but oh so painfully slowly! I wanted to lose another 20 lbs by Christmas...yeah right! I weigh 137 lbs right now and for sure want to be below 200 by my birthday in April. That would average losing about 2 lbs a week.
I have been horrible in getting my protein shakes in lately and I know that is not a good thing. My hair is starting to shed a bit more than normal which worries me. A lot of ppl I know who had this surgery lost their hair around the 3 month mark, not all of it (don't want to scare you too much! lol) but a good bit of it. I am trying not to allow that to happen and one way is to get in enough protein, which I am not doing right now....
Anyways, hopefully by my next post I can tell you I've gotten over this danged plateau and am on my way to my goal weight!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Hi, My Name Is Gina And I Am A Binge Eater
Allow me to explain the title of this blog with what happened to me this past weekend.
On Thursday afternoon my mother asked me if I wanted to go out with her and my 3 year old niece to walk through Ojibway Park to which I said yes. On the way she said she was going to take my niece through the McDonald's drive thru but then changed her mind and we ended up at Appleby's.
I have not really gone to any restaurants since my surgery for a few reasons. First I was afraid that there'd be nothing on the menu I could handle since I haven't been able to eat much or keep certain new foods down. Also I was afraid of wasting food or eating too much and needing to throw it up.
Well I ended up ordering the appetizer sampler which has riblets, cheese quesadillas, mozzarella sticks, & tortilla chips with spinach dip. I also ordered french onion soup but I only sipped the broth part. I shared the appetizer with my mom and I ordered water to drink. I didn't eat a whole bunch but I felt bad about my choice as there was a lot of carbs.
Afterwards we walked for about a mile through Ojibway Park so I didn't feel as bad. Thing is....I couldn't stop thinking about that appetizer sampler after that!
Friday night Chris and I went to Blockbuster to get some movies to watch and I suggested going to get some take out at Appleby's. It had been on my mind all day! This time I got the sampler and also a banana/mango smoothie (not a good choice but I am tired of water and stay away from pop which is my downfall). I ate about half of it while watching movies. Eating while watching tv is not good as you are not aware of how much you eat and you end up eating more than you should.
On Saturday it was my niece's birthday and my sister decided to take the younger kids to see Madagascar 2 at the theater. I got Kalli (my 7 year old) a kiddie popcorn deal with twizzlers and drink. She ended up not wanting any of it so I ate the popcorn and twizzler. After the movie we went back to my sister's where we had stuffed crust pizza from Little Caesar's. I had a piece and a crazy bread stick but I only ate half of each. Then I had a small piece of chocolate pudding cake and a small scoop of chocolate ice cream but only ate half of that also.
I felt like such a failure after eating all I did this weekend. I posted about how I felt on obesityhelp.com and thank goodness for the good support we all receive there! One of the supporters is from my own Windsor Weight Loss Surgery Support Group. Dawn e-mailed me and told me I sounded a lot like her, a binge eater. I thought "omg yes! How could I forget?!" I do binge eat but I haven't since my surgery. It's also getting to be almost that time of month and I always binged more at that time. I don't feel so bad now. I've also tried to eat better today. I am getting myself back on track. I've failed other weight loss attempts before by cheating and feeling I failed but this time I have a tool to help me...my surgery! I am getting back on track.
I am such a perfectionist so I do tend to be hard on myself. I know I am not perfect but I have to accept that I am human and will slip up, but as long as I recognize that I am allowed to make mistakes as long as I fix it after than I will be fine!
Binge eating is not done out of hunger! I feel hungry but it's head hunger, not once did my tummy growl! I can usually take or leave food and have to remind myself to eat. I will always struggle with not binging but at least I know what my problem is and can plan ahead to avoid situations. I can also slip up and not feel I failed...I will just get back on track!
On Thursday afternoon my mother asked me if I wanted to go out with her and my 3 year old niece to walk through Ojibway Park to which I said yes. On the way she said she was going to take my niece through the McDonald's drive thru but then changed her mind and we ended up at Appleby's.
I have not really gone to any restaurants since my surgery for a few reasons. First I was afraid that there'd be nothing on the menu I could handle since I haven't been able to eat much or keep certain new foods down. Also I was afraid of wasting food or eating too much and needing to throw it up.
Well I ended up ordering the appetizer sampler which has riblets, cheese quesadillas, mozzarella sticks, & tortilla chips with spinach dip. I also ordered french onion soup but I only sipped the broth part. I shared the appetizer with my mom and I ordered water to drink. I didn't eat a whole bunch but I felt bad about my choice as there was a lot of carbs.
Afterwards we walked for about a mile through Ojibway Park so I didn't feel as bad. Thing is....I couldn't stop thinking about that appetizer sampler after that!
Friday night Chris and I went to Blockbuster to get some movies to watch and I suggested going to get some take out at Appleby's. It had been on my mind all day! This time I got the sampler and also a banana/mango smoothie (not a good choice but I am tired of water and stay away from pop which is my downfall). I ate about half of it while watching movies. Eating while watching tv is not good as you are not aware of how much you eat and you end up eating more than you should.
On Saturday it was my niece's birthday and my sister decided to take the younger kids to see Madagascar 2 at the theater. I got Kalli (my 7 year old) a kiddie popcorn deal with twizzlers and drink. She ended up not wanting any of it so I ate the popcorn and twizzler. After the movie we went back to my sister's where we had stuffed crust pizza from Little Caesar's. I had a piece and a crazy bread stick but I only ate half of each. Then I had a small piece of chocolate pudding cake and a small scoop of chocolate ice cream but only ate half of that also.
I felt like such a failure after eating all I did this weekend. I posted about how I felt on obesityhelp.com and thank goodness for the good support we all receive there! One of the supporters is from my own Windsor Weight Loss Surgery Support Group. Dawn e-mailed me and told me I sounded a lot like her, a binge eater. I thought "omg yes! How could I forget?!" I do binge eat but I haven't since my surgery. It's also getting to be almost that time of month and I always binged more at that time. I don't feel so bad now. I've also tried to eat better today. I am getting myself back on track. I've failed other weight loss attempts before by cheating and feeling I failed but this time I have a tool to help me...my surgery! I am getting back on track.
I am such a perfectionist so I do tend to be hard on myself. I know I am not perfect but I have to accept that I am human and will slip up, but as long as I recognize that I am allowed to make mistakes as long as I fix it after than I will be fine!
Binge eating is not done out of hunger! I feel hungry but it's head hunger, not once did my tummy growl! I can usually take or leave food and have to remind myself to eat. I will always struggle with not binging but at least I know what my problem is and can plan ahead to avoid situations. I can also slip up and not feel I failed...I will just get back on track!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
3 Month Checkup
Today was my 3 month checkup with Dr. Hendrick. My appointment was at noon and my mom drove me across the border to see him, I'm nervous driving over in the states by myself lol.
Anyways, he seemed pretty happy with my results so far, losing 70 lbs in 3 months. I asked him what a realistic goal weight was for me and he said probably about 150-160 lbs. I had been aiming for 140 but I might still reach that....you never know!
Dr Hendrick said my scar is healing ok and even though it looks a bit raised up and red that it will fade and go down, that it's still healing. That was a relief! Sometimes if I do a lot of activities it turns purple lol. I'm not as upset having the scar as I thought I would be though.
He was happy to hear I have an exercise video I work out to now. Before I wasn't doing anything besides the demanding things I do at work. I had started walking shortly after my surgery but I never seemed to have the time to get out and walk. So now I do my Leslie Sandsone Walk Away The Pounds video lol. It's pretty easy and I walk anywhere from 1-3 miles during it while still in my house!
One thing I learned is that I am not getting enough protein supplements in. I try to drink one protein shake each day but he said for the first year at least it HAS to be two! They aren't that bad but I don't eat much, have to remind myself or force myself to eat. I know if I don't eat I won't lose either so I try but I have no appetite. I do drink a ton of water though. So now I have to try and fit those protein shakes in.
I'd like to lose another 10-15 lbs by Christmas. Chris (bf) tells me I am looking really good/hot lol. He thinks this is what I looked like when we met but I've told him I still need to lose 35 lbs to get to that point!
Anyways, I need to get some bloodwork done and go see Dr. Hendrick again in February, 2009. I hope to have lost at least 100 lbs by then if not more!
Anyways, he seemed pretty happy with my results so far, losing 70 lbs in 3 months. I asked him what a realistic goal weight was for me and he said probably about 150-160 lbs. I had been aiming for 140 but I might still reach that....you never know!
Dr Hendrick said my scar is healing ok and even though it looks a bit raised up and red that it will fade and go down, that it's still healing. That was a relief! Sometimes if I do a lot of activities it turns purple lol. I'm not as upset having the scar as I thought I would be though.
He was happy to hear I have an exercise video I work out to now. Before I wasn't doing anything besides the demanding things I do at work. I had started walking shortly after my surgery but I never seemed to have the time to get out and walk. So now I do my Leslie Sandsone Walk Away The Pounds video lol. It's pretty easy and I walk anywhere from 1-3 miles during it while still in my house!
One thing I learned is that I am not getting enough protein supplements in. I try to drink one protein shake each day but he said for the first year at least it HAS to be two! They aren't that bad but I don't eat much, have to remind myself or force myself to eat. I know if I don't eat I won't lose either so I try but I have no appetite. I do drink a ton of water though. So now I have to try and fit those protein shakes in.
I'd like to lose another 10-15 lbs by Christmas. Chris (bf) tells me I am looking really good/hot lol. He thinks this is what I looked like when we met but I've told him I still need to lose 35 lbs to get to that point!
Anyways, I need to get some bloodwork done and go see Dr. Hendrick again in February, 2009. I hope to have lost at least 100 lbs by then if not more!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween Wow Moments
Well, earlier tonight I went out for Halloween with my boyfriend and our daughter. Kalli is in a wheelchair and getting her ready and taking her out can be a bit challenging sometimes. Every year for Halloween I ended up following her and my bf in my van, getting out for short walks before I would get too tired or out of breath.
This year I not only pushed her chair (with her in it, 50 lbs of kid lol) but I walked for a long distance, pushing that chair up steep driveways and I didn't get too tired! I didn't even get winded lol. My bf asked me if I was on steroids and he admitted to not being able to keep up with me. He is younger, fit and works out and he had to sit down! He said that just last year it would have been me sitting down!
I got home and had tons of energy and my bf and daughter went to sleep right away lol. I love my RNY! I feel more alive now than I have in years and have lost 67 lbs now since August 4th! I go see my surgeon on Tuesday (4 days), hope he is happy with my weight loss too!
This year I not only pushed her chair (with her in it, 50 lbs of kid lol) but I walked for a long distance, pushing that chair up steep driveways and I didn't get too tired! I didn't even get winded lol. My bf asked me if I was on steroids and he admitted to not being able to keep up with me. He is younger, fit and works out and he had to sit down! He said that just last year it would have been me sitting down!
I got home and had tons of energy and my bf and daughter went to sleep right away lol. I love my RNY! I feel more alive now than I have in years and have lost 67 lbs now since August 4th! I go see my surgeon on Tuesday (4 days), hope he is happy with my weight loss too!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today is thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for but of course at the top of my list right now is how healthy I feel since my surgery! I have lost 63 lbs now and feel so good! I have energy to do things I haven't done in years.
Yesterday is when my family had our turkey dinner at my sister's house. I cooked the turkey, stuffing and made devilled eggs. I really thought it would be horrible or a real challenge at least with all that food. We had turkey, stuffing, cabbage rolls, ham, yams, mashed potatoes, gravy, devilled eggs, vegetable platter with artichoke dip, meat and cheese platter, salad, rolls, wine, pumpkin and apple pies, brownies, cupcakes, fried cheesecake rolls, etc. You name it we had a feast!
I decided to pace myself eating and go for the protein first. I haven't been able to eat more than a few bites of something until now so I ate slow. I took a bite of turkey, a bite of ham, a half a cabbage roll (left off the cabbage), had a bit of sour cream on the cabbage roll, a bite or two of the mashed potatoes with gravy on it, a few small bites of stuffing. I had a small slice of pumpkin pie about an hour after dinner. I also had two crackers with artichoke dip on them later. The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the two sips of red merlot wine, it burned so I laid off that lol.
I was amazed I could eat that much! I was real worried about thanksgiving because of that, it's one of my favourite holidays and as I cook the turkey and stuffing I had to smell it all day long lol.
I am so thankful for everything and especially how much my life has changed for the better. Another "wow" moment I had was making the devilled eggs. For years now I had to sit down to make them as it was too exhausting to stand up and my hands would always be numb from my carpal tunnel syndrome. Well not only did I stand the whole time making them but my hands did not go numb at all. I was ecstatic!
I am living again and for that I am forever grateful!
Yesterday is when my family had our turkey dinner at my sister's house. I cooked the turkey, stuffing and made devilled eggs. I really thought it would be horrible or a real challenge at least with all that food. We had turkey, stuffing, cabbage rolls, ham, yams, mashed potatoes, gravy, devilled eggs, vegetable platter with artichoke dip, meat and cheese platter, salad, rolls, wine, pumpkin and apple pies, brownies, cupcakes, fried cheesecake rolls, etc. You name it we had a feast!
I decided to pace myself eating and go for the protein first. I haven't been able to eat more than a few bites of something until now so I ate slow. I took a bite of turkey, a bite of ham, a half a cabbage roll (left off the cabbage), had a bit of sour cream on the cabbage roll, a bite or two of the mashed potatoes with gravy on it, a few small bites of stuffing. I had a small slice of pumpkin pie about an hour after dinner. I also had two crackers with artichoke dip on them later. The only thing that didn't sit well with me was the two sips of red merlot wine, it burned so I laid off that lol.
I was amazed I could eat that much! I was real worried about thanksgiving because of that, it's one of my favourite holidays and as I cook the turkey and stuffing I had to smell it all day long lol.
I am so thankful for everything and especially how much my life has changed for the better. Another "wow" moment I had was making the devilled eggs. For years now I had to sit down to make them as it was too exhausting to stand up and my hands would always be numb from my carpal tunnel syndrome. Well not only did I stand the whole time making them but my hands did not go numb at all. I was ecstatic!
I am living again and for that I am forever grateful!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
9 weeks!
Well it's been 9 weeks now since my weight loss surgery and I am now down 60 lbs! Can you believe it?! I feel great and am looking better and better! Last night at work my work pants fell down and I had to catch them real quick and pull them up lol. I had to order a smaller pair.
I am getting comments on how great I look and it's getting embarassing. I love how good I feel though! I can now put on my own socks and shoes (don't need help at all) and can walk or stand for long periods without being out of breath! Chris (my boyfriend) says that when he puts his arm around me in bed at night that I feel like half the person I was lol.
I just can't believe how healthy I feel! I feel like I really do have a new lease on life and it's awesome.
I go back to see my surgeon in a month and he had wanted me to lose a total of 80 or more by then. At first I didn't think I'd make it but now it seems attainable. Only 20 more lbs and the way they are coming off....no problem lol.
I had hit a small stall for about a week or so but now it seems like I am losing every day again. I've tried to increase my protein so maybe that helped.
Anyways, I am sooooo loving my weight loss!!
I am getting comments on how great I look and it's getting embarassing. I love how good I feel though! I can now put on my own socks and shoes (don't need help at all) and can walk or stand for long periods without being out of breath! Chris (my boyfriend) says that when he puts his arm around me in bed at night that I feel like half the person I was lol.
I just can't believe how healthy I feel! I feel like I really do have a new lease on life and it's awesome.
I go back to see my surgeon in a month and he had wanted me to lose a total of 80 or more by then. At first I didn't think I'd make it but now it seems attainable. Only 20 more lbs and the way they are coming off....no problem lol.
I had hit a small stall for about a week or so but now it seems like I am losing every day again. I've tried to increase my protein so maybe that helped.
Anyways, I am sooooo loving my weight loss!!
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