1 year Surgiversary!!

[hookydad]

Well folks, 1 year down and holy crap did time fly!! What an amazing journey, and to think, it is only the beginning! A little over a year ago, when I had the Come to Jesus moment with my doctor, I literally felt like I was counting the days before something horrible was going to happen to me because of the health I was in. Almost 50 yrs old, 408 lbs and could not even walk around the block without wanting to take a break. Drove around the parking lot for 20 minutes trying to find the closest spot to the door when I went shopping. Finding excuses to NOT do something with my kids because I knew I could not do it physically and I did not want to embarrass myself or them. I was not living life, I was just existing, waiting to die! (That really sound sad as I write it, but, looking back, it's true).

Me 408 lbs.jpg

Now fast forward 12 months:
Year One Combined.jpg
I can not begin to tell you how different I feel! I really don't need to sleep anymore (JK). I have SOOOOO much energy. I feel amazing. All of my health problems have disappeared. My family life has changed dramatically. We now actually do things. I am now volunteering to go shopping. I park as far away as I can now. I walk up to five time a week for an hour and I am over 4 miles now. If I go any faster, I may have to start actually running, which would not be a bad thing. I think my joints could actually handle it now. I have been doing push ups and body weight squats and man can I feel it! For those interested in starting either of those exercises, look up the "100 Push ups" App or the "200 Squats" app on your phone. They are great. They start off very basic and build up. If you want to shock yourself, go to a gym, put on a weight bar weight equivalent to how much you have lost and try and pick it up and realize you were doing that every second of every day. It is a real slap in the face and a reminder of how far you have come! I put 165 lbs on a bar and about passed out trying to lift it and I was doing that to my body all the time. WOW!

As for my diet, I am getting in an average of 1500 calories per day and around 150 grams of protein a day. I struggle getting my carb level up where it should be, but I still go with the premise of Protein first, carbs if you have room. I have settled into such a routine that my eating has been easy. I still get WAY over my required amount of fluids in a day. I have coffee in the morning and I still have a Premier Protein shake/drink every mid morning. I still track all my food intake on My Fitness Pal. I actually struggle on the weekends get enough calories/protein in. At work I am very regimented in my food intake, but on the weekend, the routine goes away, and given the fact I am not hungry, ever, I sometimes forget to eat what I need to. Still a work in progress. Oh yea, I am still able to have my nice glass of Whiskey every once in a while.Really, I can eat everything I have eaten before, it is just, my choices have changed. I also can not eat as much. I still struggle with eating too fast and boy do I pay for it!

My weight loss have slowed dramatically, but that was to be expected. I am really not even worrying about weight anymore. I am simply continuing to follow the plan and let the weight fall where it may. If I never lose another pound, I am VERY happy with where my life is right now.

I firmly believe, what worked for me, was the months leading up to the surgery and the change in mindset and lifestyle that were required for me to even be considered for the Sleeve. My mind was so transformed over by the time I got Sleeved that the transition was really flawless. The sleeve just now serves as a "reminder" for me to not over eat, eat to fast, no sugars/flour, and just all the things dietitians/nutritionists have been telling us forever! Never has a statement been more true that the Sleeve is just a tool, the mind is what makes it work!

God Bless you all as you have helped me through this journey more than you will ever know. I still look at this website multiple times a day to get inspired, motivated, and remind myself where I have come from.

Thanks to all and have a great Day!

[KiwiGal]

Wow, wow, wow!!!
I love the positivity that radiates from this post.
Happy Surgiversary Hookydad. You look absolutely wonderful!
Well done sir.

[Rexcom]

Congratulations! I hope to follow in your footsteps!

[Grammy2s&c]

What am amazing story! Its truly amazing your transformation! I'm am about to embark on my surgery and I'm really getting quite terrified of dealing with not being able to eat. But, I, like you, am not living and your words give me hope. Congratulations on a job well done!

[Dutchie]

Time flies when you are having fun.
Unbelievable, one year already!
And you are doing so great!
Congratulations!
The photos show a world of difference.

[Stacey03]

Awwwwww Hooky, I loved this post. You are an absolute joy. Many congrats to you :-)

[Pudsley]

Thank You for such a great post!

Such a humble, honest and inspiring read.

It rings true on so many things that you have said and with such positivity and acceptance of how life has changed all for the better!

Congratulations You look Amazing!

So Happy for your health.

Your Health is Your Wealth!!!!

You own this today.

[hookydad]

Wow, wow, wow!!!
I love the positivity that radiates from this post.
Happy Surgiversary Hookydad. You look absolutely wonderful!
Well done sir.

I really appreciate the feedback!

[hookydad]

Congratulations! I hope to follow in your footsteps!

You are well on your way! Keep up the good fight!!

[hookydad]

What am amazing story! Its truly amazing your transformation! I'm am about to embark on my surgery and I'm really getting quite terrified of dealing with not being able to eat. But, I, like you, am not living and your words give me hope. Congratulations on a job well done!

Thanks so much and the best advice I can give is, Trust the process no matter what! Trust the doctors know what they are doing and even though it might not make sense or you feel your path is better, trust their research! Their methods are there for a reason. Always keep your eye on 1 year from now. Envision what things will look like 1 short year from now! Best of wishes to you and can't wait to follow your journey!

[hookydad]

Time flies when you are having fun.
Unbelievable, one year already!
And you are doing so great!
Congratulations!
The photos show a world of difference.

Thanks so much! You are one of the leaders I follow! Thanks for the inspiration and insight you lend to all of us!

[hookydad]

Awwwwww Hooky, I loved this post. You are an absolute joy. Many congrats to you :-)

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! Been fun watching both of our journeys progress since we were so close to the same surgery dates. Love watching/reading about your progress and you simple Zest for life. That Zest is a little easier to come by now isn't it:-) Best of wishes to you Down Under!!

[hookydad]

Thank You for such a great post!

Such a humble, honest and inspiring read.

It rings true on so many things that you have said and with such positivity and acceptance of how life has changed all for the better!

Congratulations You look Amazing!

So Happy for your health.

Your Health is Your Wealth!!!!

You own this today.

You are right, I do own this and have never been more proud! I really appreciate your comments and look forward to see how you continue to inspire and lead those of us on this website!! God Bless!

[Loveangel104]

The beginning of Your post rings so true for me; I feel like I haven’t been living my life. You put into words exactly how I was feeling.
The barbell trick is an amazing way to put hints into perspective. I can’t believe i used to carry around lol this extra weight. But I’m on the right path.
Thanks for the inspiration!
~*~Christina~*~

[hookydad]

The beginning of Your post rings so true for me; I feel like I haven’t been living my life. You put into words exactly how I was feeling.
The barbell trick is an amazing way to put hints into perspective. I can’t believe i used to carry around lol this extra weight. But I’m on the right path.
Thanks for the inspiration!
~*~Christina~*~

THanks so much! Just think, August 2019 is just around the corner and you will be AMAZED at how you feel!