I can hardly believe it’s been three months since my weight loss surgery! It’s gone fast, although I must say I’ve adapted really well to my new normal.
So now that I’m all healed, what is life like?
The scale is my friend some days, my enemy on others.
I weigh in every day on my scale, which automatically updates. Some days I’m down 1-2 pounds. Other days I’m up. The overall trajectory is down, however. Some days I’m excited about how much I’ve lost. Other days I feel like I should have lost more. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a life long journey, not a sprint.
People notice.
I’m to the point where people are noticing that I’m losing weight. Those who don’t know I’ve had surgery are usually a bit hesitant to bring it up, so they say something like, “You look great, have you done something with your hair?” Those who know me a bit better will ask if I’ve lost weight and whether I’m doing something special. When I reply weight loss surgery, you can tell they are not sure what to say. Yeah I don’t blame them, I was totally anti weight loss surgery a year ago! I also feel the need to point out that I really watch what I eat and exercise regularly. I know people think it’s the easy way out. However, that has been far from the case for me.
I track every bite in MyFitnessPal.
I eat around 600-900 calories a day. However, just because my stomach is smaller, doesn’t mean I automatically eat fewer calories. I need to make a conscious decision to NOT eat all day. It’s technically possible to graze. The other reason I track in MFP is because I am supposed to get 60-80 grams of protein in a day. Not only does this force me to make good food choices, but it is supposed to help prevent hair loss. That’s motivation right there! I am also supposed to get 64 oz of water in to ensure that the toxins being released from melting fat are flushed away. Oh there’s also a rule that you can’t drink while eating or for 30 minutes afterwards.
What I eat is also up to me. I could eat candy bars and ice cream. But I know that is not a healthy choice. I have decided to let myself have an occasional indulgence, but I’m still careful about not having sugar more than once or twice a week.
I’ve had people ask me what it’s like to not be able to eat as much as I’d like. It’s hard to explain. If I eat more than about a cup of food depending on density, I simply feel really full. Uncomfortably so. While I might find the food tasty, I actually don’t have a desire to eat more of it.
I work out nearly every day.
I hadn’t planned on this, but turns out I really enjoy the feeling after a workout. I’m running, swimming, and taking spin classes. I would love to do a triathlon this summer.
Going out to eat is cheaper.
DH and I still go out to eat occasionally. But instead of having a meal with wine, appetizer, main course, and dessert, we will get one entree with a heavy protein focus and eat it for at least three more meals. We have also gone to breakfast and ordered an omelet to share – no toast or potatoes – and have enough leftover for lunch, too.
I have more energy.
I’m not sure if this is the result of losing weight, eating better, exercising more, or what. But I feel great!
Clothing is a challenge.
I am now to the point where I fit into all the smaller clothes that I had saved (except for a few exercise clothes, ironically enough). Most of my clothes are too big but I don’t want to buy a ton because I am still losing weight. I have found some jeans and pants at Goodwill. For work clothes I use Gwynnie Bee (like NetFlix for clothes), but I’m starting to shrink out of their smaller sizes 🙁
Everyone wants to lose weight.
This has been an interesting discovery for me. Everyone, even my friends who I think are a perfectly healthy weight, tells me about the diet they are on. Also, everyone has a friend for whom weight loss surgery doesn’t work, or who became ill afterward. I am never quite sure what to say when people tell me this.
It’s been an interesting journey so far, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I don’t have a goal weight, I’m just trying to eat as healthy as I can and move as much as is enjoyable.
What's on your mind?