The Stall

Being 22 days post op I have encountered my first stall which has lasted for 10 days now UGH!  Yesterday I increased my protein to 104 grams, an increase of 26 grams of protein hoping to make that scale jump.  I definitely feel like an old NAG in the horse STALL!  I'm trying to stay positive and just continue with my program.  It's not like I have any other choice but to stay with it anyway LOL.  I also, increased my exercise to 50 minutes of power walking.  Normally, I've been walking for 30 minutes every morning.

If that scale doesn't move in the morning this old NAG is gonna kick down some walls in that STALL!

YO YO NO MO

3 Weeks Post Op

We moved into our new home last weekend just 2 weeks after my surgery.  Thanks to my daughter's and son in-laws for helping my husband move us.  It was very difficult to sit and watch people do all the work.  But they got my kitchen all set up, bathrooms and my bed made (the most important).

I am feeling so much stronger now - such a huge transformation from last week.  I live across the street from Dos Lagos (which means 2 lakes in Spanish) and I have been enjoying walking around the lakes in the early morning with my dog Roxy.  She's so small that I carry her most of the way.  See the picture of  one of the lakes from the bridge at Dos Lagos below and then a picture of the tunnel bridge between both lakes.



The tunnel effect is made out of large bamboo.  They have benches along the way for those to rest and take in the view.

I'm feeling very proud of myself for feeling so much stronger that I'm able to power walk and enjoy the scenary along the way.  Tomorrow I will lengthen my walk up into the outdoor mall as well.  New tennis shoes and feeling GOOD!

YOYO NO MO

Home From Hospital

I'm 5 days RNY post op today and got dressed for the first time.  Not too much discomfort.  It's very difficult to drink the 30 oz. of water (clear liquids) in a day.  I'm not suppose to drink more that 1 oz. every 30 minutes.  I have a horrible taste in my mouth and my breath is so bad it wakes me up at night UGH!  I am walking and pacing as much as possible.  However, I feel so weak. I told my husband that my arms feel like an elephant's trunk, heavy and almost dragging the ground.  In 2 more days I will begin to have some protein which I know will give me a little more energy.

Down 10.5 lbs from day of surgery.

I made it through the surgery...now the hard stuff.

YO YO NO MO



Big Guns!

A lot of people have asked me, "Why don't you just lose weight on your own"?  Meaning lose weight without having the RNY surgery.

Losing weight by having the RNY surgery gives me a tool that many others that struggle with weight loss don't have. 

People that don't have surgery still have tools which might include; nutritionist, personal trainer, gym membership, Over Eaters Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Optifast Program and diet pills etc.  So are they losing weight on their own? 

Surgery is not a quick fix.  It is a major surgery to rearrange my guts for life.  I will still need to follow a healthy meal plan, make good food choices and exercise for the rest of my life.  I will be doing this on my own.

I refuse to let people discourage me from having this surgery.  I have used every tool but one in the tool shed.  I am pulling out the big guns and using the LAST tool in the shed, RNY surgery!

YoYo No Mo

Anxiety!

Anxiety #1:

Last week we found out that our new house closes escrow 2 days after my scheduled surgery on 9/20. My husband says not to worry that he will take care of the move.  I kind of like that part since just a couple of months ago we sold our house which was 3,400 sq. ft. and I packed it by myself  (except his closet of course). 

Anxiety #2:

My sister had planned on staying with me at the hospital for my surgery.  Unfortunately, on my date of surgery she had previous airline tickets for a London/Scotland vacation with her husband.  I so was looking forward to her being there with me.  She had RNY this past May.  It kind of felt like my mom would be there with me.  My husband will be there for me at the hospital.  I just hate to take him away from his work for 3-4 days.

Anxiety #3:

My dog Roxy, a 3 lb. Yorkie.  My plan was for my husband to visit me at the hospital and then come home and take care of Roxy.  I need to find another plan.

How Am I Handling The Anxiety?

Not too good!  Today I've managed to pick 3 dry areas on my FACE and caused them to bleed (something I've never done before).  I didn't wash the dishes until 5pm (yesterday's dishes) and I just brushed my teeth at 5:30pm (disgusting, huh?).  Wondering how my husband will react to the 3 Sponge Bob Square Pants Band-Aids on my face when he gets home from work.

YoYo No Mo

ZUMBA!

This morning  I was talking to a friend on the phone and telling her how much I want to try ZUMBA but I'm afraid of not knowing how to do it and basically keeping up with everyone.  She said that LA Fitness has a class and that I should look at the schedule.  Still on the phone, I walked over to look at the schedule (that I never use) and noticed there was a class in 10 minutes!  My friend said, "GO"!  I hung up the phone, brushed my teeth and ran out the door with a bottle of water.  I didn't have time to get nervous because I had to rush to the gym, which is across the street.

What is Zumba?  Zumba is a fitness class that combines dance and fitness moves.  Inspired by Latin dance and music, Zumba uses a variety of styles in its routines, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, mambo, rumba, flamenco, and hip hop. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms to help tone and sculpt the body. You could burn between 350 to 900 calories PER class, BUT it all depends on how you exert yourself.

Physically burning between 300-900 calories in one hour is totally a win for me.  Mentally it helped relieve stress, and stimulated my brain by learning coordination and new steps.  Plus it makes me smile and sweat at the same time.  After one class I'm hooked and can't wait to attend another class.  Looks like I'm adding another compulsive behavior to my list. 

Out with the old (Diet Coke Addict) in with the new (Zumba Addict).

If you haven't tried this class I highly recommend it.  There's no time like NOW. 

That's what friends are for - ENCOURAGEMENT!

YOYO NO MO

Talking In My Sleep

Last night I awoke my husband at 2am while we were both sound asleep saying, "Here they are I found the keys over here".  I thought he was going to jump right out of his skin.  I don't know why I said it SO loud, but I did.  Today I decided to look up why people talk in their sleep.  What I found was that some people with sleeping disorders ie. sleep apnea and stress may burst out and talk in their sleep.  Sure enough that's me.  The stress came from the phone call about my surgery date and also earlier in the day both my husband and I were discussing where the keys are to the POD that has all of our furniture.  We will be moving in a couple of weeks - thus my concern about finding the keys and talking about it in my sleep.  Yes, I suffer from sleep apnea and I am one of those people that refuse to wear the CPAP machine.  I can't bear the thought of that mask covering my mouth.  Therefore, I suffer the consequences of lack of sleep.  I get up on the average of 6 times a night, get a drink, use the bathroom, turn the air up and then back to bed.  I'm overweight but I also have a large tongue which as you know when you sleep everything relaxes and it closes off my air passage way.  I get my "big" tongue from my dad, which makes me smile. He too was embarrassed of his tongue.  Dentists always bring their associates to see it and my doctor has brought other doctors to see it.  Geez, if I were a man and it was not my tongue but another body part (down there) maybe I'd be proud to show it off.  But it's just my tongue. I dread going to sleep at night worrying about the position I have to get in to be able to breath comfortably.  I am so looking forward to a good night sleep.  I am in hopes that this RNY surgery will help my sleep apnea.

YOYO NO MO