Five months?  Has it really been that long since surgery?  I am finding it harder and harder to remember life pre-op.  I am loving the new life that I am living.  Everyday is another chance to move towards a healthier future.  I now spend my time looking forward to being active instead of finding ways to avoid activities at all costs.  That’s not to say that I didn’t exercise before, readers of this blog know that I did, but no where near the intensity that I am able to now.  My body is changing, my insides are changing, I feel absolutely AMAZING.  It’s hard to imagine how I am going to feel in another few months.

The odds of me hitting 100 pounds lost by the 6 month mark are pretty small at this point.  I’ll be honest though, I really don’t care!  I know that I am going to get there in the next few months, and I know that I am doing the right things on a daily basis.  I keep my protein over 80 grams a day, recently adding a second protein shake back into the mix so that I am over 100 on some days.  My carbs are usually less then 40 or 50 grams.  My calories range between 700-900 calories a day, some days a bit less, some days a bit more.

There has only been one thing that I have had an issue with post op (carbonated beverages), which makes me love my sleeve even more everyday.  Somedays or really some meals my eyes are bigger than my stomach is, so I wind up putting more food on my plate than I can actually eat.  For some people that might be a problem, but I have learned to listen to my bodies que’s that it is done eating, usually a tiny burp or hiccup.  I have added alcohol back into the mix, albeit only a tiny amount.  I might have a half of a glass of wine here or there, but never more than once a week, probably more like twice a month.

I’ve been posting once a week about my activity.  I’m working my way through Couch 2 5k (C25k) as well as doing the 30 Day Shred, 30 times.  I did have to stop doing 30 Day Shred everyday, and my knees are VERY thankful for it!  I had no idea that I’d enjoy C25k and 30 Day Shred as much as I do.  Granted while running I sometimes want to stop, but so far I’ve been able to push myself through those times.  I’ve already signed up for a 5k to run with one of my girlfriends.  I am also signed up to walk a half marathon with another one of my girlfriends in June which I am super excited for!  It will knock two items off of my 40 by 40 list.

I’ve written posts about how I find the thought that WLS is the “easy way out” to be complete BULL $HIT, and I still entirely agree.  This is NOT the easy way out.  While yes I do have a tool that helps me every single moment of the day, it is just a tool.  I could eat chocolate all day long, I could eat chips all day long, it’s up to me to get in my protein in, it’s up to me to exercise.  The Sleeve is very different than surgeries like Gastric Bypass, you don’t get dumping syndrome with the sleeve (apparently a few people do, but the average person doesn’t.)  Foods don’t get stuck in the Sleeve the say way that they get stuck in the Lap Band.  It’s truly up to me to make the smart choices that help me move forward in my weight loss.

If you’d like to catch up on other months in my journey they are below.

One Month Surgiversary Post

Two Month Surgiversary Post

Three Month Surgiversary Post

Four Month Surgiversary Post

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 5 months post op. (FYI If you want to see all progress photo’s here’s a link.)  I really started to notice changes at the three month post op mark, but this month, the changes are even more dramatic when compared to surgery day.  I still have my “fat tire” around my mid section, but it continuously gets smaller.  I’m hoping that one day it will be gone, ha!

Photo’s from 8/22 (Day of Surgery)

Photo’s from 1/22 (Five Months Post-Op)

Measurements

I forgot to take pictures before I started the pre-op diet, but I did take my measurements the day that I started the two week pre-op diet.  The numbers below include changes since 8/8, the day I started the pre-op diet.

I only take measurements from one side of my body, some choose to take measurements from both and wind up with much higher numbers.  I suppose I’m lazy about measuring!

• Waist: -9 7/8″ (-2″ this month)
• Hips: -9″ (-1″ this month)
• Right Thigh: -4 1/2″ (-3/4″ this month)
• Right Calf: -2 5/8″ (-0″ this month)
• Left Bicep: -2 5/8″ (-3/4″ this month)
• Neck: -2 1/2″ (-1/2″ this month)
• Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 9 5/8″ (-1″ this month)
• Chest Over (cup size): -6 3/4″ (-1 1/8″ this month)
• Total Lost: -45 5/16″

• Pre Op Weight Loss -12.8lbs
• Month 1 Weight Loss -20.8lbs
• Month 2 Weight Loss -16.6 lbs
• Month 3 Weight Loss -12.4 lbs
• Month 4 Weight Loss -10.2 lbs
• Month 5 Weight Loss -10.0 lbs
• Total Weight Loss -82.8 lbs (-70 lbs Post Op)

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

Just for my own record keeping (this weight is on Monday the 23rd, one day after my 5 Month Surgiversary Weigh In)

The Weekly Weigh In

• Pre-Op 2 Week Liquid’ish Diet -12.8 lbs
• Weeks 1-10 Post Op -40.6
• Weeks 11-20 Post Op -22.2
• Week 21 Post Op-NWI
• Week 22 Post Op -3.2
• Week 23 Post Op -4.8
• Total: -83.6 lbs