How do you define normal? Me, its being able to walk into a regular store and buy clothes off the rack without looking for the extra x's. This past weekend I was able to do just that, sort of. Shirt was 2XLT, I have always had a long torso anyways, but the jeans were 42 waist which I have not seen in well over a decade. I was even still leary about buying them, knowing I might not be able to wear them for long before they are too big, but all my others are WAY too big now. It was kind of exciting to buy clothes that fit better than the ones I have, I also like the shirts I had, they hide a lot of extra skin that I dont want to show off. They are larger shirts but are comfortable in the fact that they are long enough and I have plenty of room in them.
I am down to 290 as of yesterday, kinda stuck there. It happens from time to time, where I am stuck at a weight for a week or so then it breaks loose. Had my 6 or 8 month (depends on who you ask) checkup and I had hit my goal of 150 before that appointment. Now my next goal is to have lost a total of 200 by my February appointment. I believe its possible, but if I dont make it not that big of a deal. See I have goals to hit but I know if I do not make it in the timeline I want to, its Ok. Some of the people I have talked to that have had the same operation or similar, get angry when they are not on the track they think they should be on. Look the surgery is just a tool, and like any tool it has to be used properly. I sometimes eat things I shouldn't, like flour tortillas or a little bit of flour pasta, but then I feel like crap afterwards. Not mentally, but physically and then I avoid them like the plague. Its all about listening to your body and making it happy with what you give it.
You also need to find a routine to get your workouts in. By workouts, I mean sweat pouring, muscle burning, drop from exhaustion workout in. Whether its from a group class, strength training (my favorite), cardio or whatever, you have to get it in. At two or three months after surgery I was in the gym building my future foundation for my lifestyle and body. I suggest an app called GymPact. It helps keep you going to the gym, or you lose money. I will let them explain it better, I like the accountability it has, if I miss one of the three workouts I say I am going to do in the week(I usually end up going more) its $10 per workout missed. There are some people I know who had the surgery well before I did and have not lost nearly as much as me, because they dont do their workouts like they should. They will go swim laps, walk a mile or two, but never at a good rate to break a sweat. I have been asked by them and by my Dr. along with the dietician, "What are you doing that others arent?" Its working out and doing the diet like you are supposed to, protein first then veggies then a little carb. Still keep it under, now 7 ozs. I stay at 6 only because thats where I am comfortable right now. I take my vitamins like I should, protein supplements regularly. If you do what you are supposed to and add the effort required to get more out of it, you will exceed the expectations you have for even yourself. That goes for whether you have had the surgery or just trying to change your life. I am not advocating the surgery, if you ask me I will tell you I am glad I did it for me, but a change in your life. Live to the fullest, enjoy its harvest.
All these things have led me to think to myself, what is normal? It used to mean going to work, eating, sleeping and doing it all over again. Now, it means waking up, prepping my protein drinks, getting my vitamin drink packs, gathering up my lunches for work into my little Libby 6oz bowls or a wheat, meat and cheese wrap. Then head to workout, class then work. One of the downsides of my surgery, my tailbone hurts if I sit too long, lost all the cushion there. Not really a bad thing but the days I am really tired it keeps me from being too lazy. Unfortunately, the weather is changing and golf is almost over with for the year. So, time to find another hobby? Nah I will just pour that time into being at the gym and working harder and longer. That way when next golf season comes around I can enjoy it even more.
Find your new normal, its not that hard.
