Week 9 ~ 36 Pounds & 17 ¼ inches Gone!

9 weeks ago I went over the border and had a sexy Mexican Surgeon remove 85% of my stomach, leaving me with a tiny tummy.  Since I have been on solid foods again, my tummy has been sensitive, but great overall.  I write down what I eat everyday, but basically I eat Protein first, Vegetables second and Carbs last.

I keep my carbs under 20 per day 3 days a week.  I take an antacid pill with my morning Protein shake and I'm good for the day.  I keep away from spicy foods, which is a 180 degree turn for me.  As of today:

I weigh 245 lbs. 36 pounds gone!

I have lost 17 ¼ inches total.
THAT'S 3 DRESS SIZES SMALLER FOLKS!

I have lost 3 dress sizes and have been forced to start buying clothes to wear.  I have been going to thrift stores, shopping on Ebay and online for cheap deals. 9 weeks ago I was wearing a size 3X T-shirt. 

Yesterday I received this Juggling Squirrel T-shirt Size XL, and it fit perfectly!

I have exactly 100 pounds to lose to reach my goal of 145 lbs.  The way I look at it is, I am focusing on reaching 239.  I eat a couple bits of something yummy and then see how it feels.  I can only take about 4 bites of anything and I'm done.  I do feel better all day after I have eaten meat these days.  The best part about this is, I DON'T THINK ABOUT FOOD ALL THE TIME LIKE I DID BEFORE.  I don't deprive myself anything at all, so I don't long for "Forbidden Foods."   I eat what makes my tummy feel good. 

I PHYSICALLY, LITERALLY CAN'T OVEREAT.  

That is as easy as it gets!

I know it's only 9 weeks in, and I hear the stories of other people who go through long  plateaus and struggle.  Compared to a lifetime of struggling, I am feeling awesome and this is way easier than I thought it would be.  Right now I am really getting smaller and people who haven't seen me in awhile see a difference in my size.  I AM HAPPY.

I'm noticing that I am doing other things I haven't done in years.  I am wearing jewelry and putting on eye make-up when I go out.  I HAVEN'T DONE THAT IN LIKE - FOREVER.  I hadn't bought something new to wear in a very, very long time because shopping when you are fat and broke is not a positive experience.   This is giving me a new lease on life in ways I didn't expect.  I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL.

I have been trying to figure out what my new look will be. I am finding myself drawn to black leather more and more. : )  We will see what I end up looking like.  I am very happy with this success so far. The only regret I have is not doing this surgery sooner.

8 weeks VSG Post Op Updates...

I feel much smaller, but have only lost 1 pound on the scale this week.  I made a huge mistake and took a bite of some very spicy Thai Curry at a lunch meeting this week, and have suffered for days.  Acid Reflux - turning into an IBS chaser, NO FUN.  I can't eat spicy stuff that is for sure.  I am back on liquids and pureed foods for a few days to calm my digestive system down.

8 WEEKS VSG POST OP TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS 34 POUNDS!

On a happier note, I got a new long term contract job with a great new group in Biotech-land, so that is super cool!  My life, health and work have taken a shift for the better.  I even have hope for my VW Leopard Lounge Bus finally getting the problem with the new engine fixed...  THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO IMPROVE IN MY LIFE OVERALL!

I feel like I have changed my stars.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8artJcUSEo

The Redheaded Dance Walk Funk Master by the beach...

The weirdest part about having a tiny tummy is that you just are not hungry.  I don't even think of eating.  Most the time if and when I feel empty, I'm thirsty not hungry.  I have had to force myself to eat this week.  I have been adding greens to my diet.  All I want to eat is soup.

From everything I have read, this is why so many people lose the majority of their weight the first year.  I can see why, I got on the scale this morning and it read 251 lbs.  THAT IS OFFICIALLY 30 POUNDS DOWN since my surgery weight 5 weeks ago. 

The hard part for me is getting my ass out and exercising. I also have been noticing that I have been more chilly than usual.  My housemate even said something to me last night.  I do notice I'm getting a little colder, so I've been wearing warmer clothes lately.  Maybe is cause I'm losing body weight?

I have been procrastinating on my walking/running.  Getting active is a challenge for me, but I love to dance and love the sunsets here in Pacifica, CA.  My super funk music mix motivates me to pick up the pace when I am out there.  Like these songs:

Back in the day, I used to club in San Francisco and find the Urban Funk spots that used to play this shit and dance my ass off all night, even on a week night, and still get to work by 9:00am the next day. THOSE WERE THE DAYS : )   Well, they still get my ass moving. So when I'm laying there unmotivated like a SLOG, I put on one of these songs and get in the mood to get my ass out there and take a hardy dance walk to see the sunset and get warmed up.

The other night I found myself dance walking with reckless abandon in my hood near the beach. I don't think I came close to Ben Aaron and the Dance Walk Guru Master.  They totally crack me up. 

I do feel happier than ever.  I'm actually seeing the scale go down and feeling smaller. IT'S WORKING!  I keep my short term goals at 10 pounds at a time.  I don't have a date or any event in mind for my goal weight of 145 lbs. I just know I will get there, just 10 pounds at a time. 

I have been doing a routine of Carb Cycling with the small calories I eat weekly. I found that helped me in the past. Here is the logic behind carb cycling that helped me understand it better by the adorable Darren Mcallan.

The Low Carb High Fat lifestyle, also was easier for me to follow, but I am not planning on being in Ketosis anytime soon.  I do keep my carbohydrates below 20 a day on low carb cycle days.  I find I feel much better when my insulin levels are lower.  I feel more in balance, and don't have the ups and downs hormonally that I used to have. I've noticed it helps relieve my stress levels.  I am much better under pressure and my mind is clearer.

There's a new happy freak in town and she's the fat cute redhead dance walking by a beach near YOU!