3 Months as of Today!!!

[hookydad]

Wow, it seems like forever ago, but today I am officially 3 months, to the day, out from VSG. Holy crap do I feel different and don't regret the procedure for one millisecond. I feel AWESOME! As of today, down 110.6 lbs since I began the process and 57.2 since surgery! But it so much more than that. My body doe not ache all the time. My knees have not bothered me once, I am an old baseball catcher! I have a TON more energy. Down 4 pants sizes. Going out to buy a new belt as my first one is about to wrap around me 1 1/2 times and I can't punch any more holes in it. I got rid of a full rubber maid tub of old clothes. Kept a few items around, just to remind myself of where I have come from. Can't go anywhere now without people noticing (got to admit, that's awesome!). Just approaching every day as a new challenge. I challenge myself to get two things accomplished, drink 100 ozs. water and consume 100 grams of protein. Still staying right around 800 calories per day. I have tried, as best I can, to substitute "real" protein as opposed to using Protein Drinks. Most days I can do it, but still fall back on a drink every once in a while.

I do have to confess, my exercise sucks!! I have lost the weight so far with little to no exercise. Can't imagine how exercise will kick the weight loss even more! I still find myself making the same old excuses to NOT go to the gym. "Don't want to have anyone think LOOK AT THE FAT GUY, I can not do the things I used to, I'm embarrassed, etc. etc." My goal for the next three months, before my 6 month check up is to get in to the gym at least three times a week or four. I just have to bite the bullet and put my headphones on and ignore everyone else. (if they only knew where I came from). I have to do it. I am really starting to get paranoid about the way I look now with the lose skin, sagging man boobs, etc. (amazing how the paranoia/shame we put on ourselves is just another way to sabotage/self destruct). Can't let that happen. I understand, from this forum, exercise helps with those body problems and helps reduce the sagging.

Anyway, enough rambling! I am extremely happy with my life right now and the direction it is going.

Thanks to all of you who are the best, most supportive friends that I have never met. It is so great to have this outlet for thoughts, conversations, support, etc.! Bless you all as you either start this journey or continue this journey.

[Aydensmomma]

congratulations!!! I can hear how happy you are in your words:-)
I have recently hit the 3 year mark. I started off like you, loosing quick, no exercise at 1st.
I went to a tag sale and bought an elliptical for $45
I went to use it and lasted maybe 2 min, legs felt like jelly! did more each time (3x a week ) and went to 45min with no problem.
I totally understand with the gym, I didn't go to the gym because for me it's 30 min there and 30 back, but even if it was closer I would never have been comfortable. if I'm honest I haven't exercised since it got cold. my elliptical is in my basement/ garage. it's not a finished basement, it's cement and chilly (excuses) I definantly have slacked, which is why I'm coming back on here. I haven't gained past my maintenance but that can change overnight.

Your doing a great job!!!!
enjoy every step, every NSV, every pound that leaves you. save your biggest pants and take pictures along the way.

[jerzeygirl]

Congratulations! This is just the start so just imagine how life is going to be, and I do mean "imagine". Make a vision of what and how you want to become as now is the time for all the behavioral changes. The weight will come off even without exercising but later on down the road fitness is an important of maintenance and long term success. It's actually more about moving the body than "gym" fitness. You can take a walk even in the mall, increase your level each day on your own and in no time; you'll be ready for the gym if that's your choice. Put on some music and dance around it also helps the motivation to keep moving and that's really important Enjoy the honeymoon and embrace the changes to come, positive and one day at a time will be very helpful!

Continued success!!

[mandyjdc]

Congratulations, that's amazing!!! Way to go!

[Ann2]

That's all so super! YOu're doing so great.

And re the gym -- the gym is NOT obligatory. Early on, most people do a lot of walking. Are you walking? If not, why not? Your knees don't hurt anymore, right?

Get up to 10,000 steps, which 110 pounds lighter you should be able to do in a few weeks, if you're not already there. And walk, walk, walk every day. If your discipline is already helping you drink 100 ounces of water and 100 grams of protein daily, I'm sure your discipline will get you to 10,000 steps daily.

Again, you're doing GREAT!

[Gvn71]

Congrats on your success so far!

I believe exercise is a huge part of the weight loss equation. You don't have to be gym crazy, but get out an do something, even if it's just going for a walk! I was around 2.5 months out from surgery when I really started to exercise (haven't looked back since!).

Congrats again on your weight loss so far. You're turning out to be a great LOSER!

[Sparkybill]

Congratulations on your success hookydad!
And thank you for sharing your experience/thoughts/concerns/victories. You are a few months ahead of me and started around the same weight range - so your profile caught my attention. I look at your posts as a possible roadmap to the same journey I will be traveling and it is very encouraging.
I hope I can follow in your footsteps.

On the gym issue - I've wondered myself if I'll want to pick up some compression shirts to wear when working out to hold everything in place . I'm setting a goal to be in the gym at least once a week by the end of February, and then plan to increase that by an additional day every month until I'm in their three times a week. I have to start somewhere!

[simplyseahorse]

Way to go!!!!!

[sraebaer]

Wow, that weight loss is amazing! Congrats!

That's why I like walking. Just me and my woods. No judgement at all. The deer don't care what I'm wearing or anything. The solitude is good for my body and soul. Sweaty gyms are good for below zero or ice. I have forced myself back to body pump because I know I need weights in addition to my cardio.

But if you do go to the gym I guarantee no one is looking at you. Now that I've lost all my weight, when I do go to the gym and see a large person I think "Good for them!"

[Teresa59]

Way to go! Good for you, no rambling....loved reading this

[Stacey03]

Hookydad you legend! You are doing great! I'm with everyone else about the gym, you don't have to go yet or ever if you want. You can walk and also there are a heap of your own body weight stuff you can do in your house! If you want some ideas on that then PM me ;-)
Yayyyy for those good feels :-)

[Christie13]

Congrats Hookydad! You are doing great! As Ann said, start by walking. You can do that at home. Good luck finding your exercise. It has to be something that you enjoy or you won't stick with it. So my advice is to try different things. You can get a few dumbbells to do some strength training or resistance bands or even use your own body weight. I invested in a home gym. To me it was an investment in me and I love it. So easy to do my own thing at home with no excuses.

[DHB]

We're almost surgery twins! You are losing SO fast. If I were you I wouldn't change a thing. I'm working out like crazy because my son is getting married in 3 mos and I'm hoping to jiggle a little less. But WOW, you are killing it.