Before & After as of 3-4-09

Ok, here we go . . . I am officially down 32 lbs. as of last night's weigh in. Woohoo!! In honor of that accomplishment, I have posted the original "before" picture taken before my surgery and a picture I took today with my camera phone. I went to put on my favorite shirt this morning and it just hung on me - so I went into the closest and pulled out a shirt just like it in a different color that I had picked up on clearance last fall. Even when I bought it, I was still reluctant thinking I could actually get into it one day. It's been a long time. I have gone from a 3X to a 1X!!! I just can't get over it.

I also started exercising yesterday. I even made it up the YMCA stairs without getting winded. It's just awesome. Now my goal this week is to make it back there again. I figure it's a good start and will be easier now that I'm down some weight. I did go rollerskating last weekend with the kiddos. So that counts too:)

February weigh-in

Ok ladies, I am officially down 30 lbs.! I don't know that I've ever lost 30 lbs at one time in my life. God is sooooo good!! The doctor went ahead and put another 1/2 cc. of saline in my band. He also advised me to watch eating the chicken because it is a stringy meat that can get balled up in the esophagus. Here I thought I was being good eating the white meat and it's what was giving me problems, not the wrap (like I had thought). He said I'm right on schedule in losing about a pound per week, which how he likes to see it come off. So just think, if I lose at least 30 lbs. each year for the next 3 years - there's my 90 lbs. I can deal with that!

So how are you guys doing? Got anything to update?

My "Aha!" Moment

I had an "Aha!" moment today. I've been putting off buying any new clothes since my lap-band surgery back in September. I broke down today and went to Wal-Mart to get a cheap pair of dress pants. I picked two pair out and actually went to the dressing room to try them on. (I hate trying clothes on at the store, but knew I would have to in order to avoid a return.) To my amazement I have gone from a (tight) size 24 to an amazing size 18!!!! Wooohoooo!!! God is so good!:)

Sorry, I don't have any current pictures to post with it, but I'll try to get some soon. I don't go for another weigh-in until February 23rd. My surgeon was gone all last month doing ministry work over in Africa -- let me tell you, he is a great guy. And no, they don't do the lap-band over there for them . . . I asked;) Dr. Myers knew he would be treating many people and so far he was aware of one child he needed to remove a growth off of the side of his neck. I'm anxious to see what all he did over there.

Anyways, I think I'm down about a total of 28 lbs. Starting next Tuesday (if I'm not still working two jobs), I'm planning on incorporating the treadmill again. After the encouragement of a friend, I have also joined a group of great gals and men in a "Weight Loss Challenge." My dear hubby is even doing it with me! We meet in the basement of our church and we all paid $29 to sign up and we weigh-in once a week and then attend a 30 minute class. You can be doing any weight loss method (I made sure because I was afraid they'd consider me a cheater). Then at the end of the 12 weeks they give 50% of the kitty (our sign up fee) to the person who's lost the most and then 30% to the 2nd place and 20% to the 3rd place winner. They are also taking a kitty for each pound you gain each week ($1 per pound) and if you miss a weigh in you have a fee to pay (encourages you to come). The person who has lost the most inches wins that at the end of our competition.

Sound like fun? Maybe you could start one up at your church, work or Mom's group. A little friendly competition has been just what I needed to get my motivation back! If you do, post it and let us know how it goes!

How's your 2009 going?

Ok, so I haven't completely given up on you gals:) It's hard to do the tough love thing. Can you give us an update on what you've been doing or if you've made and resolutions for the new year?

I've pretty much given up on the resolution part because I never succeed at them. Some things I do want to work on is trying to simplify all the junk in my house (is that possible?), decrease spending, reduce the bills and to be healthier as usual. I'm down about 25 lbs. since surgery. My activity lately has been the Wii Fit we got the family for X-mas, but that's been about it. I'm so bad. I just hate getting up off my rump!

How have you moved this year?

Giving up. . .

Ok gals . . . I think I'm giving up on you until someone else posts something:) You'll just have to check my blog out at http://theknedlerclan.blogspot.com/ to see my weight loss updates. I figure I will keep it updated there than duplicate it if I'm the only one participating - -- hint, hint . . .

I'm sitting here thinking, "why is it that I want to be held "accountable" for just my weight?" What about all those other things in my life that I should be holding myself accountable for, like praying and spending time with my kids or even just paying my bills on time? I think today I'm going to start doing that. Will you join me? I want to have more time in my day to pray about things and not so much reminisce, but reflect on certain things in my life. I want to be more accountable for things I'm doing, why I'm doing it and be able to say no to those things I don't need in my life. The things that take time away from getting my hands dirty with my kids or cuddling with my hubby. Those things that keep my life from being simpler.

My goal today is to find 15 minutes where I can talk to Jesus and clear my mind.

Photo update

Ok, I'm now about 8 weeks or so out from surgery. Things are going well. I was on a good run with the working out, but it has seemed to be put on the back burner the past 2 weeks with everything else going on. So I need to get back into that. Say an extra prayer for me, would ya!:) I did have my first official "fill" on 10-9-08 of 2 cc's. That was interesting. But boy, was the Doc right when he said you'll find things you'll no longer be able to eat (i.e., bread and certain meats). I found out the hard way what happens when you find something like that or try to eat too fast. You regret it about a second later!

I have noticed my taste buds have really changed. I haven't had one craving since surgery, which just blows my mind. I find I want to fall into the same old habits even though I'm not hungry at all. My stomach still growls even though I'm not hungry. I actually went to bed last night without supper -- I didn't realize it until this morning when I woke up!!

I don't have an official "weight loss" amount. I'm refusing to weigh myself except for when I'm at my doctor's office because his scale is weighing me different than mine. So I'll give another up date after I go back for my monthly visit on 11-13-08.

I'm also seeing positive results trickeling over into my family. My hubby isn't eating as much and is still tossing the idea around of having surgery one day too. My kids are starting to slow down eating because they see me eating slower and less. Although, I do still have to get on my 6-year-old to slow down and actually taste his food instead of inhaling it! We're just a work in progress I guess:)

What was that noise????

It came from deep below, a large bellowing sound in the middle of the night. What could it be? Was it a ghost, a wolf, a monster? That’s when we discovered. . .it was my stomach! Ha! It was hungry, but I wasn’t! I have never had that happen. In fact, my husband asked me, “What was that noise?” “Ummm, just my tummy! Sorry, honeyJ” You should have seen the look he gave me.

That’s just one of the little changes I’ve noticed since my surgery on September 3rd. But it’s the little things I seem to notice the most. The bras and shirts that now fit that I haven’t worn in years, that may actually be a little loose. The jeans that are loose and the small of my back that my hubby says I now have. (He claims I’ve lost weight in my mid back down to the small in my back, which shows that I actually have one now!) Why didn’t I do this sooner? I should have done this a few years ago and I could have been chasing my kids around sooner.
And cravings! Let’s talk about that for a minute. I’m still not having any cravings. That just baffles me. I just can’t get use to that. No cravings for pop, chocolate or anything. Sometimes I get a “boring” taste in my mouth, but that’s quickly fixed with some juice or a mint.

If you are reading this and seriously considering weight loss surgery (WLS), I highly recommend it! I'm seeing now how much time I've lost even knowing I could never do it on my own!

2 weeks post op

Ok, as of last Tuesday, I was down 9 lbs. since surgery, 12 total since I started my program. Woohoo!! My scale must be broken at home because it keeps telling me I still weigh 250 lbs. (I was 244 at my last visit). But I sure can tell by my clothing. My boobs have deflated and I'm actually wearing bras I haven't worn in a couple of years. All of my pants are loose in the legs and yesterday when I was picking up dirty clothes in the kids' rooms, my ring fell off my finger!! I've N-E-V-E-R had that happen. Oh, and did I tell you, I have knees?:) I could actually feel the top of my knee where my thigh comes down to it. The week before, I found out I had ankles too - very cute ones I might add. . .

It's really kinda weird to me. I'm not even hungry any more. I have to keep up with my liquids and my schedule they put me on, but it's more like an "oh, I'm getting tired, I better eat" kinda thing, not a hunger thing. I'm not having cravings like I was. If you know me, I had Mt. Dew running through my veins. I haven't had one craving for that or any pop.

What was really weird to my hubby last night was the fact that we had left overs! I put a roast w/potatoes and carrots on and made noodles. When they got done eating, they had a ton left. So just imagine what $$$$ we're going to save by (1) eating less and (2) time and energy spent cooking. I figure I save at least $20 a week by not visiting McDonald's for breakfast, plus when I'd eat lunch with the girls.

So with that, I challenge you. I know we're all trying to lose weight, but what about gaining weight in your pocket book? Where can you save money and calories at? Is it that iced coffee or that breakfast burrito? Can you pledge for a week or two to give it up and see your savings? You can do it! Let me know what your pledge is and keep us updated. Together we can do this!

Recovery

Ok, so I'm about a week post-op. If my scales are right, I'm about 12 lbs. down -- woohoo!!! So far the liquid diet was the worst part. Unfortunately it took it's toll on me (emotionally) the 3rd day in, but thanks to my loving husband and kids, I (and them) survived it. Right now I'm surviving on liquids, instant breakfast, broths, cream soups, protidiet drinks and applesauce. The cottage cheese with milk and fruit blended up was not as appealing to the taste buds as I thought it would be. It's really hard to get everything in that they want you to consume/drink. I'm just not hungry. Yes, you heard me right - NOT HUNGRY!!

But tell me this, why is it when you're in the hospital or at home sick and you really can't eat, that the only thing on TV is cooking shows??? I just don't understand that one:)

I have a follow-up with my surgeon this afternoon, so I'll keep you updated on what he says. Hope all is well your way!

Liquid what???. . . .

Here we go! I’m on my first day of my liquid diet. For breakfast I opted to make the chocolate into a pudding instead of a shake. Not bad, just a slight aftertaste, and a little dense, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Definitely better than Slim Fast! It did take me about 2 hours to eat it though. It was the mix with 4 oz. of water. But by the time I was finished, I had gotten use to it.

I don't really have a before image of myself, but thanks to you-know-who, I have a small shot from our get-together. Yep, that's really one arm -- just be glad you can't see my butt!:) I'll try to get a head to toe picture taken tonight and then maybe update as I go along.

If you get a chance today, say an extra prayer for me. I don’t think it will be the food that is going to be hard for me these first few days, but the low sugar levels. I have to get use to my blood sugar being lower than I’m use to.

P.S. I will be off the whole first week of September for my surgery on 9-3-08. I will try to update as the hospital has wi-fi in the rooms:)

GOD IS SO GOOD!!

Surgery problem has been solved! After hours of trying to get financing for surgery, I was able to speak with a gal at the surgeon's office. As long as I am able to pay everything before my surgery date of 9-3-08, I can make payments instead of having to come up with it by next Wednesday. That is feasible! I might have to rob Peter to pay Paul, but it's within reach. Oh, I'm so excited!! Finally, I'm going to reach my goal:)

Surgery date!!

My surgeon's office just called and everything came back normal on my echocardiogram and nuclear stress test from Monday. So I now have a surgery date! Wednesday, September 3rd. I go for my pre-op appointment on 8-14-08 at 8:30 a.m. and then they will give me a time I have to be there on 9-3-08.

Hello????

Ok ladies, why am I the same person that's posted 3 times in a row? Where are ya'll at?

Anyways, I have great news! I just heard from the surgeon's office and my insurance APPROVED my surgery!!!! GOD IS SOOO GOOD! Now I have to wait for another girl to call me next week to set up my pre-op visit and surgery date. And come up with my part of the cost ($1665), which is minus $300 since I'm working out at the YMCA and not driving 1 1/2 hours to their facility to work out. But if you'd like to make a donation to help my cause out, feel free! ha!;)

Have a great 4th of July!!

I did it! How about you?. . .

Ok, it may have taken me 7 months, but I finally met with the gal at the YMCA Friday and she walked me through an hour + workout including cardio and muscle building (toning). I was so sore yesterday, but today I'm moving pretty good:) I am going back today to do it for the first time on my own. (Say a prayer I don't croak!) My goal is to do this every M-W-F and walk the off days.

What are you gals doing?????

Goodbye June!!

Where did this month go? It feels like it was just the beginning of June. I can't say I'm not happy that it's almost over though. This month I found out that my surgery hasn't even been submitted yet to my insurance. We were waiting on my psych eval to be sent to the drs. office.

I finally got an email Tuesday that it was being submitted that day, only to find out later in the day that I was supposed to have had a cardiac evaluation along with my EKG. My (new) PCP dropped the ball. He is not in favor of me having surgery and would not refer me to a cardiologist because he didn't feel it was necessary and thought my insurance wouldn't pay for it. So I went ahead and had the EKG done on my own at the cardiac unit at the hospital. Then I find out yesterday, that back in December, Dr. Zee from Riverside faxed a letter to my PCP explaining why I needed it. To date, I've never heard from my PCP that he even got that. So I am now trying to get in to my old PCP that moved to Dayton and a referral from Riveside to have the cardiac consult done before I can have a pre-op appointment with Dr. Myers, which I understand all of that. I just wish it wasn't taking this long.

In the wake of all that frustration, I think I've gained 5 pounds! But some of that is from good happenings this month too:) My highlights were Ginger turning 10 yesterday, doing Relay for Life and Terese and her boys coming to Ohio to visit. (BTW - thanks for a great time Kim & Terese!) Other than that, it's just been so busy, I've been relying on convience food to save time. But that is stopping today. T-ball is over and I'm going to learn to say no to things I don't absolutely have to do.

My plan/goal is to eat a carnation instant breakfast every morning w/ 1/2 a banana a light lunch and dinner with the family. My exercise has included walking to the library and playing with the rugrats. I'm awaiting a call from the gal at our YMCA about starting a 12 week exercise program. Now if I can just get her to call me back. . . .:)

So what are your plans/goals for July? Yes gals, I'm talking to YOU!

Final weigh in!

Ok, I went to my final weigh-in . . .I lost just under a pound! Honestly, I expected to go in and hear that I had GAINED 5 lbs. So any loss is better than any gain. Now I just have to wait for the paperwork to be submitted to the insurance and then see if they approve or deny. Say an extra prayer that they approve it this time. If they do, I may be looking at a surgery date of late June or sometime in July depending on the surgeon’s schedule and vacation.

As you know, the past couple of months have been really hard. I think I fell into the rut where I knew I was going to “never eat these things again” and really craved the sweets and, I admit it, I ate them. At my appointment last night I think something finally clicked. When the dietician told me how important it is after surgery to make sure that I am getting all of my nutrients in each meal, it hit me that I’m going to be eating a lot less and my body needs the right stuff. And I’M WORTH IT!!! If I waste it on something sweet and sinful, I’m not going to nourish my body. I am now going to be forcing myself to eat to live . . . not living to eat! It is so wrong that it’s taken me 33 ½ years to figure this out?!

Weigh-In Update

Ok, I went and weighed in yesterday. I lost .6 lbs - yep, that's about 1/2 a pound - but I'll take it!! A small loss is better than a small gain:) I have one more weigh-in next month and then they will resubmit my information to my insurance company and, hopefully, then I'll be scheduled for my surgery.

I have been doing a lot better on the exercise part. I walked with the kids Wednesday night and then last night after supper Chely wanted to know if "we walk?" So I walked while her, Ginger and Jackson rode their bikes. I'd say we got a good 30 minutes in.

So how are all of you doing on your goals? Updates, girls, updates! :)

P.S. Thanks for any all all encouragement and prayers.

A second start . . .

Ok, this has been a difficult couple of months for me. I'm so afraid I'm going to go for my weigh in this Thursday and she's going to tell me again that I've gained weight again. So I got my butt up out of my chair and went walking today at lunch. I was able to do it a few times last week to, but I just feel like I'm back where I started. I guess that's why I think I need this surgery, because this is how it always ends up. I lose 15 - 20 pounds and then gain it back and more. I don't know what they'll say if I go in there and I've gained again. I thought about cancelling and skipping this month, but then I realized that my insurance said I have to be in the program for 6 CONSECUTIVE months.

Then, like I don't feel bad enough already, I took my son to his first ever petland birthday party and he started taking pictures with my camera. He just had to take one of Mommy holding the beared dragon lizard. OMG! what an awful picture - and no, I'm not posting it - I already deleted it;)

So my goals for this week - not month - but week, is to walk every day at lunch and drink an instant breakfast shake with 1/2 a banana. Plus I'm tossing around the idea of calling the YMCA (which I have had a membership at for 2+ years and don't use) and seeing what I have to do to get an exercise routine. I noticed on their webpage they do it for free. Maybe that will get me motivated and my butt in gear!

Help!!

I'm in need of some motiviation, inspiration, or whatever you want to call it. I don't know if it's just PMS-ing or stress, but I'm finding it very hard to be motivated and not go back to my old habits. Help!!