Gained some vacation pounds...getting back on track.

So I was at the Strawberry Music Festival last week.  I remember a year ago sitting on one of the inflatable sofas at my Leopard Lounge camp, as fat as hell and nervous that I was getting on a plane the next day to fly to Mexico and get Bariatric surgery.  Well here I was a year later, sitting on the same couch in the redwoods and 60 pounds lighter, out of pain and feeling full of energy and joy.  It's good to remember how bad I used to feel in comparison.  I was so frustrated, depressed and disappointed in myself and my life.

Having VSG surgery has been one of 

the best decisions I have ever made.

Yikes!  I missed a week posting because I was on vacation.  I had a fabulous time.  Lots of epic camp jams, I forgot my sunscreen down at the main stage so I went back to camp to grab it and found some of my posse jamming, I was able to capture this one at my "Fancy Pants Glamping" the Leopard Lounge camp - BOOMERANG BAR.

I was afraid to get on the scale this morning and yep, I have gained 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks.  I drank and ate all the wrong things for sure while on vacation. I also have been eating more fresh fruit than ever in my life.

I'm on some crazy fresh Pineapple and fresh berry kick, potatoes have been creeping back into my diet and I have not been writing down what I have been eating. I also have not been doing my fasting protocols or keeping my carbs in check. Luckily I only gained 1 inch around my hip area.  I can feel it in my one smaller size jackets.

I have been exercising and have been pain free and more active, so that helps.  But it's the carbs and mostly sugar that I have been indulging in over the past two weeks that got me slipping back into old habits - plus vacation mode, I expected some gains.  I know what I need to do to start getting the weight moving off me again.

I HAVE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS

DOING THESE FOUR THINGS

1. Begin the 16/8 Intermittent Fasting Protocols again.

2. Go back on a strict Keto/HFLC eating schedule, and test to make sure I am in ketosis to assure success.

3. Exercise everyday for at least 45 minutes. I like walking and hiking and happen to live  near the coast, so this part is easy.  In a pinch, I have the gym with great treadmill and weights.

4. Record what I eat so I can keep track of what I am eating.  This helps me be accountable and on track.

Great beach hiking near by makes it easy to get exercise in.

I made it to my one year VSG mark and I am on track to getting to my goal.  But this last half is slower to come off.  I am happy I have not lost the weight too fast, I have no excess skin issues.  I have given myself two years from the start point of 281 lbs. to get back down to a size 8.  If that is 145 lbs. or higher, I am fine with that.  I just want to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain a normal healthy weight.  GETTING THERE IS TAKING TIME.

I do struggle with comforting myself with food.  I don't think I want to change that pleasure, but the foods I choose to comfort myself with are the key.  When I have prepared easy to grab low carb snacks handy, I am good to go.  When I am at the office and it's bagel day, cake day or happy hour - I need to have my own food readily available so I don't feel deprived.

I may do some juice fasting to reset my body and start over.  I always feel good when I juice fast for a few days.  I just don't want to go anywhere when I do it.  It's kind of like setting aside quiet time to reconnect with myself and get my head and priorities back in alignment.  I have lots of cleaning and unpacking/repacking of my glamping gear this weekend.  I think it will be a mindful care-loving filled weekend of enjoying being quiet, gentle, structured and make some solid accomplishments around the house and in my body.

Let's see how well I do come the month of June.