End of the 40 Weeks Challenge!!

Hello all

Today is the end of my '40 Kilos in 40 Weeks' challenge.  40 weeks seems like such a long time ago and I remember feeling very nervous because 40 kilos seemed like such an unreachable goal for me.  A lot of self doubt and worry that I wouldn't be able to come close to succeeding.

40 weeks ago I weighed 132.3 kg.
I wore size 22-24 tops and size 24-26 bottoms.
My fitness levels were non existent - being out of breath just walking to the other side of the house.
I was unable to sit on the floor because I couldn't get up again.
My knees, ankles and back hurt all the time.
I often had chest pains, trouble breathing and my heart would beat at strange paces.
I had poor skin, hair and health.
My mood was fairly sad, angry and irritated.

I am incredibly proud to be able to say that I not only achieved but also slightly exceeded this goal.

Today, I weighed in at 88.4 kg.  That's a 43.9 kg loss.
I wear size 14-16 tops and size 16-18 bottoms.
I am quite fit now being able to run, swim, box, weight train and even play around kicking a ball.
I can sit on the floor for long periods of time, cross legged even!
My chest pains and breathing problems have disappeared.
My skin and hair have cleared up wonderfully and my general health is well.
I am still fairly frustrated at times but mostly am happy and grateful to be here and be making the most out of my life.

THE FINAL MEASUREMENT COMPARISON

My BMI started at 56 putting me in the Obese Class 3 category.
Today my BMI is 36.8 which is still only Obese Class 2 if you can believe.
According to the app that I have been using - Obese Class 1 is BMI under 35, Overweight is BMI under 30, Healthy is BMI under 25.  So still a fair way to go.

These photos below are from Day 1 of the 40 week challenge to today.

I have quite a lot of loose skin (especially on arms and legs) and a few areas that are just stubbornly holding onto the fat that has been living there for so long.  I know that it will take a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of determination to get to the best me I can be, but I also know that it will happen!  One day, one challenge, one workout at a time, I will get there.

Thank you to everyone who has been so kindly supporting this journey through kind words, encouragement and donations to beyondblue.  I cannot describe how grateful I am for this support and how overwhelming it is to know there is such kindness and love surrounding me.

If you have pledged to donate, please finalise your payment no later than 20 December 2014.  You can visit Everyday Hero to make an online payment and receive an instant tax deductible receipt.  Or please contact me if you wish to make a cash donation.

Thank you again so so so much.  Here are some photos of me recently.  I feel great!

Remember while this challenge is now complete, my journey is not.  I will keep updating on how it is all going, the pros, cons and reality of massive weight loss and life post gastric sleeve.

Thanks for reading everyone!
=)

Week 34

Wow how time flies.  I have been very slack and not writing on this blog, not even the monthly posts! So very sorry to those who have been checking in!

Since my last post, my weight has gone up and stalled.  I have seen my dietician, psychologist and surgeon who has done various blood tests and looked into everything that I am doing.  Basically some things I had been eating or drinking that I thought were okay (such as lemon flavoured mineral water) were actually incredibly bad and were adding an extra 2-300 calories PER GLASS.  I know what was wrong and how to fix it - now am doing it.

I am also on varied medications for last couple of months which have not been helping me shift the weight either.  Oh well.

I went to a Aussie Gastric Sleevers event on my 7 month sleeversary... I bought a dress online that I had worn and since sold..  Some people I know did a side by side comparison of me in the dress.. The one on the left was an XL from October 2013 and the one on the right was a size S October 2014.  About a 35 kilo difference here.

So a bit about what I'm eating and doing...  For breakfast I've been having Just Right and a glass of juice with my vitamins.  At about 9.30ish I have a little tub of two fruits or a mini apple.  Lunch has recently been a cheese and tomato sandwich (that I can finish about 3/4 of)... however I have been trying to cut back on breads so I have a salad when not a sandwich.  Afternoons I have a few tablespoons of chobani yoghurt OR some carrots/cucumbers sticks OR some almonds OR popcorn.  Dinner has been varied meat and veg but I have really been struggling to finish anything.  After dinner if I am snackish I have sugar free lollies or a scoop of frozen yoghurt or something like that..

I have been struggling to drink enough water... just seems to be a constant battle.  I can take a couple gulps but then can't have anything for ages... and if I don't think about it often I forget about it - end up being hours between drinks.  Not the best especially with the hot weather.. but as I said, constantly trying.. constant battle.

Exercise has been a fairly consistent part of my schedule.  I actually feel stiff and a bit sick when I don't get my exercise in.  The usual is Step class Monday, Body Pump and walking Tuesday, Circuit/Pilates Wednesday, Swimming or machines Thursday, Body Pump and walking Friday and on the weekends I always want to exercise but never seem to actually do any... even with the cross trainer at home I just look at it :/  I have been really loving the Pump classes and am feeling strong as I slowly increase the weight I use.  I can see some muscular definition in my arms which I like.  

My mood has been increasingly better.  I am feeling happy and sexy and strong and capable which are all good things.  Giving myself the permission to spend time on myself was really hard at first with a toddler to look after, but I am finding it is definitely worth it.  Plus she loves watching me at the gym from creche and tells everyone how 'mummy was dancing with the pole, up and down' (referring to Body Pump) hahaha funny girl.  

A stable dress size has been nice... size 16 tops, size 18 bottoms... My waist is about the only thing going in... butt, thighs, bust and hips are all still stubbornly there... 

My weight has shifted back down a little this week.  It had gained back to 108 kg but this week I am sitting on 101 kg.  Still 8.7 kg away from where I want to be at the end of this challenge.  So I am pushing myself harder and trying a little bit more every day.

With less than 6 weeks until the end of this 40 week challenge, I ask anyone else who would like to pledge sponsorship for my weight loss efforts to please do so.  You can contact me or do it directly on Everyday Hero.  

I will try to post regularly til the end of the challenge.  I am working hard and looking forward to losing 40 kilos (or as close as I can to it) in 40 weeks! 

=)

Six Months - Measurements and Photos

It is September!  6 months since the beginning of my weight loss journey.  

5 and a half months since having gastric sleeve surgery.

My weight this morning was 96.9 kg - so total loss to date is 35.4 kg.

My measurements are as follows:

My photos for this month.  

Please excuse me!  

Was a bit rushed this morning so I haven't done my hair yet in them and the photos are not the best.  

Front view

Side view

Back view

All in all I have been struggling this month.  I have been really quite depressed and feeling completely over it all.  Couldn't be bothered much with anything and this lack of caring has really shown by my lack of results.  I look at my body and just feel fat and frumpy and gross most of the time which doesn't help motivate me... it helps me settle in for self pity.  

This last week I have been shopping and getting my hair done and doing all sorts of things just for me - something which I NEVER DO!!  So I have been lifting my own spirits a little since no one is going to do it for me.  I have been getting really frustrated with people's judgements and negativity and just total lack of support.  Then I realised that I need to think about me.  Do it for me.  I need to be selfish and positive and ignore those who are putting me down - no matter how much they say they love me.

I'm sick of waiting for happiness, waiting for a reason to smile.  Damn it I deserve to laugh and smile and be happy every single day and I am choosing to do this on my own.  No more waiting.  I haven't come this far and gone to these extremes just to fail and be miserable.  

Watch out everyone!  Here I come!

=)

PS - here is my hair when it is done!

Week 26 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 97.1 kg
Total loss = 35.2 kg

I haven't lost much weight but that's ok.  I have been feeling really happy this week, taking some time for me.  I took a step class on Monday, something I used to do all the time, and wowser did my calves feel it all week. It was great!  My exercise for the week now is one step class, one body pump class, swimming once or twice, one or two days on machines (walking, jogging,cycling, x trainer), one or two days weight training (usually the days I use machines), yoga/pilates at home and if I feel like it I put in an aerobics dvd at home.

I have decided now that there's 3 months left of my challenge to post monthly on the first of each month, not weekly anymore.  The monthly posts will include my photos, measurements, current weight and a small sum up of the month.

I feel that now everything is slowing right down that weekly weigh ins don't really show much.  I will keep weighing of course but will just post monthly.

I hope you all keep reading!  1st of September is just 2 days away so check in then!

=)

Week 25 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 99.7 kg
Total loss = 32.6 kg

I went shopping twice this week and bought myself a little happiness. New handbag and various clothes.  I had forgotten how nice it feels to be able to walk into stores and try on clothes that fit and look nice - instead of just looking from the window thinking 'nothing's going to fit me in there'.  There's still more that I'd like to buy as my closet is still pretty bare after getting rid of all my big clothes, but am hoping to come down at least one more size before I buy too much more.  16 tops and 18 pants is fantastic, but a bit smaller to look less bumpy and bulgy would be so wonderful.

Nothing much to add about it all. 15 weeks to go to reach or exceed goal.

=)

Week 24 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 101 kg to 106 kg
Total loss = not sure??

Ok, I know I have been having some food control issues this week, temptation has been my enemy.  However, even temptation shouldn't put on this much weight.

I have weighed myself 6 times this morning each one in disbelief. None of the readings were repeated and each one was more then I was expecting.

Whether my scales are broken or my stance is off... I honestly am not sure what I weigh today.

I have my 6 month dietician appointment in a few weeks time where my blood work and meal plans will be analysed and modified to better fit me. I'm hoping that some of this weight gain can be pinpointed to certain behaviours that I can fix and get back on track.

Until then, it's just me.  I am still going to the gym, went 3 times this week.  Plan was to go more but I worked too hard in pump class at the beginning of the week and my legs have not yet forgiven me so I took it easy on machines the rest of the week.

Going back to basics with food... water water water, protein, lots of brothy soups... trying to change the scales on my own first.

I've kicked my sad slump and now need to kick my own butt.  Will see how it goes!

=)

Week 23 Weigh In

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 96.4 kg
Total loss = 35.9 kg

So a generally lazy week... been unexplainably tired and upset.  I haven't been exercising or watching what I eat and the result is a gain. Something very true and disturbing about how much negative thoughts and genuine depression can bring you down and put such a weight of sadness on you.  Disappointing result but it was expected. This amazing tool I have only works if I exercise and eat properly.

Back to the gym this week.  Seems unless I'm paying for it, I'm not motivated enough to work out on my own regularly.  Hopefully I snap out of it and get back on track this week.

Week 22 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 93.1 kg
Total loss = 39.2 kg

Wow how exciting!  Just 800 g shy of my 40 kilo goal!

I have noticed the last few weeks that the restriction my stomach gives when I eat is happening faster.  So I get full quicker then I have been getting used to.  It is probaby a result of when I was sick and didn't eat much but I am noticing that I am eating less.  For example I had gotten used to being able to have 1 to 1.5 slices of toast cut into soldiers to dunk into a soft boiled egg once every week or two. Now I can't finish even one piece of toast and only have half the egg.  I couldn't finish my salad yesterday or my meat and veg portion. I just feel full and want to stop eating.

I also haven't been snacking either except once every day or two on cheese and jatz. Just haven't wanted to.

Not that I'm complaining at all!  The scale going down is making me really happy.

Hopefully won't be too long til I pass that 40 kg mark!  What an achievement that will be!

=)

Five months - Measurements and Photos

Five months since the beginning of my '40 Kilos in 40 Weeks' challenge.

The measurements this month are as follows:  

I have lost mostly from my waist and hips this month (yay!!) with a total loss of 24.5 cm since last month and a whopping 136 cm combined loss over the whole 5 months.

Here are the photos for this month.

Front view

Side view

Back view

Don't forget to click on the 'Photos' tab above to see the comparison through the whole challenge.
I can't see much of a difference this month but maybe it's just me??  I do know that the green top I'm wearing in these photos used to be SUPER tight and look horrible.  I would only ever wear it as an under top, never on its own.  So that tells me things have changed.

I did weigh myself this morning but the official weigh in is not until tomorrow - if you're curious it was 95.0 kg this morning... see what tomorrow brings!

Thanks for reading!!

=)

Week 21 Weigh In

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 96.5 kg
Total loss = 35.8 kg

Wow!  I am so happy and cannot really believe that I am actually under a hundred kilos!

Over 35 kg gone!

I looked at my reward list and realised I am a little behind rewarding myself. Every 5 kg there was a reward and I haven't had one since my first 10 kg loss.  I am due a mani & pedi, massage, date night, night out dancing and my 35 kg reward was a shopping spree.

I might go and buy a new pair of jeans or belt or something today (as the 18s are quite loose round the belt and thighs).  I've still got a chesty cough so will hold off on the nights out. A massage or pedicure would be awesome! =)

With boot camp over the plan is to return to swimming (when my cold is gone) and I'd like to try jogging on my own. Now that I know I physically can do it. And will start yoga/pilates again at home.

I am so so happy with how this is all going.

=)

20 Weeks - HALF WAY!!

Starting weight: 132.3 kg

Today's weight:  103.7 kg

Total loss = 28.6 kg

WOW!! 

Half way through the 40 week challenge already!!  It seems only yesterday I was still very unhappily large and feeling like it was a hopeless case.  That nothing was going to change the way I looked and I should get used to it.  I had completely given up on me, my body and the idea that I could be better.  

But I have changed... in lots of ways.  Some I couldn't even imagine! The last 20 weeks have been very emotionally and physically draining and a constant mind challenge getting my head around everything. The continuous battle of trying to change my negative thoughts and self talk into positive and healthy affirmations and, in turn, a healthy lifestyle.  I know I am not there yet and I am a long way from my goal, but I have come a long way also.  I have lost 28.6 kg!  To be able to say that is such an achievement and I am so excited about it.  

How much weight is that??

28.6 kg = 

my 2 year old daughter (10.9 kg)
a farm sack of potatoes (10 kg)
2L of milk (2 kg)
a stick of butter (250 g)
a jar of jam (450 g)
a ream of paper (2.9 kg)
a bag of flour (1 kg)
a bag of sugar (1 kg)
AND
a tin of cocoa powder (100 g) 

all together!!!

OR (if you can imagine)

• Almost three farm sacks of potatoes (30 kg)
• Almost 10 reams of paper (29 kg)
• 14.3 X 2L bottles of milk
• 114.4 sticks of butter
• 63.5 jars of jam
• 28 and a half bags of flour
• 28 and a half bags of sugar
• 286 tins of cocoa powder

That's a lot of weight gone!

MY BRAG LIST

In 20 weeks I have...

• lost 28.6 kg
• gone from size 22 to a size 16 top
• gone from size 24 to size 18 bottom
• found my cheek bones, jaw line, collar bones, hip bones, and I like it!
• been reintroduced to my arm muscles, leg muscles and abs
• done loads of exercise (swimming, running, walking, cross trainer, weight training, yoga, core work, squats (way too many squats!) and more)
• found the woman inside of me again - actually feeling good about myself and wanting to make an effort with my hair/make up/clothes etc
• changed the way I eat/drink and look at food
• improved my breathing, my fitness, flexibility, my strength
• changed how I see myself
• and much much more

Thank you to all of the people who support me each day, each week, each month and each happy/sad moment.  Your motivation, encouragement and kindness is greatly appreciated every time.  

REMINDER

Please remember that the first 40 weeks of my journey is also dedicated to raising money in my
'40 Kilos in 40 Weeks' challenge.  

beyondblue is dedicated to reducing the impact of anxiety and depression on individuals, families, carers and society as a whole.  

If you would like to sponsor my journey and donate to beyondblue for my 40 week challenge, please click this link for more information, contact me or leave a comment.  There are various options for payment including secure online payment through Everyday Hero and all pledged donations do not need to be finalised until December on completion of the challenge.  All donations over $2 are tax deductible.  

Again - thank you to those who have already donated or who have pledged to donate!  Your support means so much to me and to beyondblue.

Have a safe and happy week.

Thanks for reading!

=)

Week 19 Weigh in (4 months 2 days post op)

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 106.0 kg
Total loss = 26.3 kg

The scale is moving back down, very slowly.

Not much to say, I have been feeling really really tired and nauseous all week... it has been making it hard to be motivated. I skipped boot camp out of laziness and wanting to sleep.

On a happy note I found my one big pair of pants I've kept and put them on. They were WAY too big. Then I put both legs in one leg whole and I could pull them up 3/4 of the way. I can't wait to do it again in a few months and see if I can pull them all the way up. When I can I'll take a photo of it and put it up.

That's all this week, thanks for reading.
=)

Week 18 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 107.0 kg
Total loss = 25.3 kg

Yay my weight is going back down! Great news especially since I seriously over indulged last night at a wedding.

I had ONE mini vegetarian spring roll canape, and I tasted each of the five course meals (completely devouring the wild mushrooms on toast) plus a small piece of cake. I also had one alcoholic drink that took me four hours to finish! I ordered my old usual, beam and diet coke with lots of ice in a tall glass. Not sure if my tastes have changed so much or if the drink arrived as a double (or even triple) shot but it was SOOOOO strong. I kept sipping then adding more ice and flat diet coke to weaken it. Eventually by the last quarter it was weak enough that I could take a whole mouthful at a time but wow.  Maybe, my next attempt at an alcoholic beverage should be something different.

Lots of exercise this week... will need to try and burn off this weekend.

Enjoy your week, thanks for reading.

=)

Four month - Measurements and Photos

Wow! Four months gone already since this 40-week challenge began.  

My measurements as of 1 July 2014 are as follows:

As you can see I have lost another 30.5 cm from around my body this month bringing my total cm lost to 111.5 cm!!  Wow indeed!  My arms losing 5.5 cm each and my legs losing 6 and 6.5 cm this month.  I am sure this is due to all the running, squats, push ups and weights I have been doing at boot camp!  

Will have to keep it up and push even harder! So happy.

Now for the photos!  Here are the usual front, side and back view.

Front view

Back view

Side view

These photos are front, side and back view with proper clothes on.

The next photo is an update of my belly without clothes on - so look away if you don't want to see it!!

You can see my surgery scars have almost disappeared and my stretch marks are more noticeable (to me at least) but most of all you can see how my skin is starting to droop as I am losing weight.  The bottom especially is starting to form a little w but as I pinch that area the skin is separate to the fat.  I am probably going to have a lot of excess skin drooping in this area when I am finished.  I think the excess skin is better than the fat so I'm ok with it and how it looks. Perhaps if it gets really bad when I have lost all the weight I can, one day I might have it cut off.  Will have to see how it is when I'm finished!

So that's it for this month.  

Check in again next month to see my progress continue 

and read my weekly weigh in posts along the way.

Thanks for reading.

=)

Week 17 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 107.4 kg
Total loss = 24.9 kg (+ 2.8 kg)

Hmmm not happy with that. I am really not sure what has caused such a big gain. I introduced carbs to my diet again a couple weeks ago, maybe I am not balancing my food right. Have been having a slice of multigrain toast or English muffin a few times a week at breakfast. I also, to be honest, had some chocolate last week... didn't have a lot but must have been enough to make me gain.. disappointing will have to do better. I have my food all organised including snacks so really need to have another look and figure out where I'm going so wrong.

General update:
I don't feel sick at all anymore when I eat. I get full quite easily but not that sick hurt feeling any more which is great. I changed my vitamins to VitaGummies multivitamin for adults because the band buddies chewable was seriously foul. My belly fat is breaking down and feels really squishy instead of like one big tyre... when I pinch my belly fat I can actually feel the fat and skin separately for the first time since like Year 6. I'm excited to see how it progresses over next few weeks and months. I was supposed to go in for my 3 month check up but missed it so need to get in for that. Not much else is happening... not that I can think of.

Boot camp update:
Week 2.. missed Monday, but Wednesday and Friday worked so so so hard. Wednesday was a square course with four stations (boxing, star jumps or burpees, kicking, squats or push ups). In between each station, the four sides of the square, was 3x 15m sprints with 2 second breath time. We did this continuously for the whole hour. I didn't have a boxing partner so the trainer was mine and he made me work! Wow really tiring but felt great when it was over.

Friday was a mix of running and various weights/squats/burpees/squat jumps/push up releases and push up exercises where you did as many as you could in 2m 30s and then repeated it trying to reach or beat your own score. It was hard work. In between each set there was 3 minutes of running. During the push up release challange I got 59 in 5 minutes where you had to run 50 metres then have 30 seconds to do them, run 50 metres, 30 seconds to do them etc until 5 minutes was up. That was impressive to me... the goal for the whole group was 60 so I did really well.

I am not sore anymore like I was last week. I have been tired but haven't had any muscle aches or pains... I am stretching a lot though, throughout the day also.

Am looking forward to the 1st of the month for my measurements and photos progress. Hope this is a better week!

Thanks for reading!

=)

Week 16 Weigh in and boot camp

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 104.6 kg
Total loss = 27.7 kg

Bit of a long one today...

As you know, I started boot camp this week.  Something I haven't done in six years! I thought I'd share the experience so far...

Monday morning... alarm shrieking at 5 am. I snoozed... twice. Managed to pull myself out of bed, get dressed, brush teeth, do hair, put shoes on and leave the house by 5.20 am.  Drove about 15-20 minutes to the park and sat freezing waiting for people to arrive.

Got out in the dark, freezing cold and stretched. Heard a man introduce himself, say it's test day and instructed everyone to run. So we did. Then the fun started..

5 minutes - run 20 metres and back as many times as you can - I did 24

Partnered up - 2 mins each, count for them during rests
2 minutes - push ups - 33 or 37 (I can't remember)
2 minutes - rest
2 minutes - squats - 41
2 minutes - rest
2 minutes - burpees - 10
2 minutes - rest
2 minutes - squat jumps - 33
2 minutes - rest

Boxing and running (can't remember the sequences) but I remember falling flat on my face and front with gloves on cause my legs had completely turned to jelly... I got up and kept going but ouch indeed.

More running then finished.

Needless to say I was last, slowest, weakest in all the exercises but I did them so that's something.

I hurt all over but was in serious stiff muscle pain in my legs all Monday and Tuesday. Every bend, every sit/stand motion including the toilet and getting in and out of the shower and bed, HURT!  I discovered we had denco rub in the house Tuesday night which did help ease the pain a little.

Wednesday morning... up, dressed, out and there by 5.45 am.

Stretch and run
Then see the cones set up at four lengths. The whole session used those cones.

Run to first cone and back, then second and back, third and back, fourth and back.

Then partnered up... we had to run the first three cones and back like before on our own while the other person did exercises on spot, then sprint to the fourth cone together and when we returned had to box. 5 minutes each person then swap.

5 minutes - She ran, I did 5 jumping jacks 2 burpees over and over again, then sprint together, then I had kick pad and she double punched x 20 and kicked x 10. This just continued about 3 or 4 times.
5 minutes - swap roles
5 minutes - same running, 5 squats, 2 sit ups, sprint, jab cross kick. Continue
5 minutes - swap roles
5 minutes - same running, 2 hurdle jumps 2 push ups, sprint, 30 low kicks. Continue
5 minutes - swap roles
5 minutes - same running, 2 burpees, 6 climbing steps
5 minutes - swap roles

Then run to cool down and quick stretch

I was in pain still but not as bad as earlier because I had my trusty denco rub! All pain was gone by Thursday morning,  I could bend again!

Friday...mmm not sure if it would've been better to stay home.

Got there and 2 cones set up, 20 metres and 200 metres. No partner work.

Run to 20 metres and back, run to 200 metres and back. 10 burpees then go again.

 On my way back from my first 200, I slipped a little on the wet grass (but didn't fall) and tore my groin muscle... I thought I was being silly so kept going... during the burpees my foot continued slipping and it hurt so much. I got up and did another set of running. During my third set I started walking and almost crying... I stopped and trainer told me to stretch it out. The stretch hurt so much. I kept stretching for ten minutes... still in so much pain... thinking I should just go home...

Trainer tells me to keep blood flowing. Walk instead of run and do push ups and sit ups instead of burpees. I was really slow and limped the whole time but I did it for almost the rest of the session while everyone else ran and crab crawled passed me.

During core work I did about 50 sit ups then I stretched and went home (everyone else did around 300).

I have been trying to rest and stretch it... still hurts but not excruciating.  Not sure if I will go Monday or just cross train at home... will see.

Even though it has been pretty constant pain this week, I do feel a little fitter, am very aware of my muscles and skeletal shape when I walk... skin feels amazing. I have also been able to fit in dresses that I haven't been able to zip up in 6 years. So all good things. The exercise has also brought on my monthlys so have been fairly emotional this week.

Thanks for reading.

=)

Week 15 Weigh in

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 105.3 kg
Total loss = 27 kg

My apologies for not blogging last week, was my daughter's birthday and I kept forgetting to weigh myself.

27 kg gone forever!  So happy and excited about it.  I went shopping this week because I literally had no clothes left that fit including underwear.

At the beginning of this journey I was a size 22 top and 24/26 bottom.
As of yesterday I now know that I am a comfortable size 16 top and an 18 bottom in most stores (20 for seriously tight jeans). And a size small in City Chic.

Such a great feeling... especially knowing that I'm not done yet!

Boot camp starts Monday. I am very excited to shed some more weight, get fit and hopefully tighten some of this loose skin.

Thanks for reading!

=)

Three month - Photos and Measurements

I can't believe it has been three months already - but it has!  Here are my measurements from this morning. As you can see I have lost another 17.5 cm from around my body (20 cm lost but 2.5 cm gain around my hips).  Which brings my total cm lost to 81 cm from all over my body.  Pretty fantastic stuff!

My three month photos!

Front view

Side and back view

Have a look at the Photos page/tab at the top of the blog for the monthly comparison photos lined up.

Today, my sister and I completed the MS 5 km walk at Darling Harbour.  

Here are a few pics from the experience!

 Crossed the finish line after 64 minutes!

Week 13 weigh in (2m 3w post op)

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's weight - 106.2 kg
Total loss = 26.1 kg

Yay! Have broken the 25 kg mark! Very exciting!

Tomorrow is 3 months since I began my 40 week journey. I will update measurements and add photos.  I am also doing the 5 km MS walk with my sister. I didn't feel comfortable registering for the longer run... because I don't run... but maybe next time? You never know.
I could become one of those people who jog for the fun/health benefits, not for 'running late!' reason. Anyway...

I don't feel any thinner this month but I am still wearing my old clothes trying to make them stretch a little longer. Hopefully when I buy new clothes I will be a more accessible size which will of course make a difference to how I feel about me and my changing body.

My arms are really loose and the whole bat wing thing is definitely happening. I start boot camp in two weeks so that will help tighten some of the sag. I've always had large arms though, even in my skinniest days, so I am expecting it.

My stomach has definitely come in... I have started being able to see my toes again when I look down (after I move my boobs out of the way)... happy that they're bigger than my stomach again!

Mmm I think that's it. Have a read tomorrow and see my progress pics...

=)

Week 12 weigh in (2m 2w post op)

Starting weight - 132.3 kg
Today's  weight - 107.5 kg
Total loss = 24.8 kg

There's not much to report on. I have been struggling to eat lately. The combination of never really being hungry, never being able to eat much and usually feeling sick afterwards, is making me feel really unmotivated to eat at all. Of course I do eat but have been skipping meals and haven't been too concerned with anything.

For example I've been having either a small cup of fruit or a small amount of porridge for breakfast... haven't been having my morning snack, cant be bothered.  Lunch, if I remember to eat, is soup or ham or chicken. Afternoon, if I remember, I have cheese or yoghurt. Then dinner, which I'm never in the mood for, is variations of what my family has.  So my protein intake is probably wrong and have been skipping vitamins... whoops.

I was never able to understand how people could simply not eat or didn't feel like eating.  There was never ever a time when I had that feeling. Whether I was happy, sad, stressed, bored, anything any situation any feeling, I could eat.  Now I am experiencing really not wanting to eat and sometimes physically making myself eat something.  I'm hoping it's just a rut phase of the process and not the way it is going to be forever.... although if it is going to stay this way, it would be much easier to keep my weight down, so I guess it's not all bad...

Bit depressing, oh well.

Til next week... stay safe, thanks for reading.

=)