Decision Making...

Sometimes in life things don't go exactly the way you planned. That's just life right? I have come to one of those junctures and realized that I needed to make a change.

I'm currently on day 2 of severe muscle pain. ...I know that this is good....and bad. lol Good because I pushed myself and had 2 great workouts in a row. Bad because I pushed myself maybe a bit to hard. Whoops. I feel like this is a lesson for me. A lesson on learning how far is too far and where my limits are.

I have come a long way in this journey. I am currently at 70 lbs lost since starting and I've lost 4 dress sizes. That is A LOT, but sometimes I forget that while I've achieved a lot I also have a long way to go. I recently began the c25k app to learn how to run. At this time, because of my recent painful set back, I feel like I took on to much to soon.

I am going to be stopping my c25k training starting now. I think that I am still to heavy for my legs to handle the impact of running. I want to focus on strengthening my legs, having better endurance and losing more weight before trying again. Looking at this as a goal to work towards instead of a set back is what will keep me going.

Trying to stay optimistic when things like this happen is key, and I'm trying very hard. In just the last 2 days I've felt like giving up, giving in and not caring. But I can't let those feelings win because I have way to much more that I want to do....

 

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~ Justina

12 Weeks Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     252 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 70 lbs

Transformation Thursday...

It's transformation Thursday and so I thought I'd share a quick picture I made up.  I took my measurements for the first time this month and was excited to see more changes!  I can't believe how many inches I've lost already!  Sometimes I swear those inches mean more to me than seeing a new number on a scale.  It feels so amazing to put on a new pair of jeans that fit better or are a smaller size!

I hope you all are having a great month. It's FINALLY getting warmer here in Ohio.  It's been above 35 degrees every day this week and that is quite nice. :)  I'm hoping that now that the weather is nicer that means we can get outside more!

 

 

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~ Justina

11 Weeks Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     253 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 69 lbs

 

March Is Upon Us...

Whoops, went a little long again!  It's weigh-in Monday again so I remembered that I needed to hop over here and update!

Drum roll please....

I BROKE INTO THE 250'S!!!!! Woohoo!!!  I am BEYOND ecstatic about this!  I can't remember the last time I was so close to 250 lbs!!  eek!! 

Last week I was sort of in a funk because my Monday weigh-in was 265 lbs.  For some reason I had gained 2 lbs from the previous week and man did it make me depressed.  Everyone kept telling me it was muscle mass but I just couldn't get over it.  So seeing that I lost the 2 lb gain PLUS another 4 lbs makes me sooooooo excited!!  It's a good week indeed!

  Saturday we got to go outside for a nice walk around the block.  I can't wait for spring, we have been cooped up for to long.  We of course got snow yesterday and it's back in the teens for temps.  Ugh...hate Ohio winters.

I hope you are all doing well.  There isn't much else going on here.  I've been working my arms pretty hard befcause that flab underneath is starting to get awfully saggy.  I'm trying to keep up with it and man is it hard!  My personal trainer has been altering my workouts every week to try and help with it.  I'm hoping I start seeing some results soon!

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~ Justina

9 Weeks Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     259 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 63 lbs

It's Weigh In Day Again...

Wow! I haven't been on here in like forever!! Sorry about that!  I spend a lot of time on Facebook so my Facebook page for my journey is usually more up to date than this one.

So today is #WeighInMonday again!  I am down to.... *drumroll*......

Woohoo 263 lbs!!  I'm super excited to have broke into the 260's and now i'm oh so close to the 250's!!!  I was a little worried this week that I wouldn't have much of a loss because I only got to the gym 3 times last week.  But evidently that counted for something since last Monday's weigh in was 266 lbs!

My goal for this week is to get to the gym 4 days.  It's going to be a busy week again so I really hope I can do it!  I'm also hoping to break into the 250's, but i know its a little ambitious since that would be a 4 lb loss...but you never know.  Hard work and determination can go a long way!

I had my 6 week appt with the Dr on Friday.  Everything went well and they said my progress is on track.  They expect you to lose about 2-3 lbs per week in the beginning and since i'm losing 3-4 i'm a little above average.  That's always nice to hear!  I'm officially on the "Soft Foods" part of the diet.  Basically it means i can't have anything crunchy.  Which let me tell you, that totally sucks.  I mean sometimes you just need to crunch something!  I'm also still not supposed to be eating raw fruits or veggies.  Although i'm not quite sure why because i've had raw fruits already and everything has been fine.  Weird.

My personal trainer at our gym has been working me hard.  I had a session with him last week and couldn't walk the next morning.  It was crazy!  I have another session with him tomorrow morning and I'm asking him to give me some more focus on my arms because i noticed that the skin under my arm is getting really saggy.  Appartently i'm not keeping up with it yet.  

Well...that's about all i've got for now. I'm off to do some squats and planks here at home and then heading to they gym later to do some cardio and my weight machines.  I hope you all have a good week!

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~ Justina

7 Weeks Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     263 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 59 lbs

Weigh In Monday...

It is weigh in day!  And the results are.........

I lost 2 more lbs!!  New weight is 270!!

I didn't hit the 260's like i wanted to, but that's totally okay and now my new goal for this week!

Unfortunatly i got hit with a killer cold today (as did the rest of my family) and it's awful.  It's making me cough and my throat is hurting a bunch. Ugh, so miserable.  I'm worried its going to put a kink in my workouts this weeks and i'm not excited about that.  I have my workout session with my trainer in the morning and i'm refusing to cancel it.  I NEED to go!  Even if i have to drag myself out of bed! Or maybe Daniel can kick me out of bed. lol

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~ Justina

1 Month Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     270 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 52 lbs

One Month Since Surgery...

I'm such a blog slacker!! lol  So sorry i've been MIA.  But please remember that if i'm not on here i'm on Facebook posting away!

www.facebook.com/inspirationlivelonger

So...I've hit ONE MONTH SINCE SURGERY!!! It seems like it's been longer, weird.  And....I'VE HIT MY FIRST 50LB LOSS!  Woohoo!!

My one month surgery anniversary was thursday, i celebrated by weighing. lol  I came in at 272lbs which is exactly 50lbs since i started my journey and 16lbs since surgery! So awesome!

Everything seems to be going well.  I started with my personal trainer last week and love him, he's totally awesome.  I meet with him on Tuesday mornings and he's given me some weekly goals to hit.  I learned how to use 4 machines and he taught me how to do 3 core exercises i can do on the floor and one of them is on a wall.  I've been trying to do them at least every other day.  Today I skipped my normal afternoon Sunday nap and went to the gym instead.  That is crazy for me because i loooooove to nap!  I'm so sleepy now. lol

But i did 10 minutes on the Arc Trainer today!!!  The first time i did that machine i barely made it to 5 mins.  That sucker is hard (yet still easier than the elliptical for me).  I've been working up on 2 min intervals ever since that first time and I got to 10 minutes today.  It was exhausting but felt amazing to accomplish that!

This week i'm hoping to get to the gym more.  I seemed to be in some sort of funk last week and didn't want to go as much.  I'd get to motivation to go but wouldn't act on it or would make an excuse. NO EXCUSES!!!

Tomorrow is my weigh in day and i'm a little nervous.  I don't feel like i was active enough this week to lose anything.  I'm crossing my fingers though.  I'm hoping to see 269 lbs on that scale readout in the morning.  That would make me happy.  :)

Thanks for catching up and remember to check out my Facebook page for better updates!

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~ Justina

1 Month Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     272 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 50 lbs

It's The Weekend...

It's finally the weekend!!  Today I took my first day off from the gym all week.  I've been going straight every day since Sunday.  Today it was like -15 degrees with the windchill factor.  Brrrrrr!!

I feel like I did pretty well this week at both the gym and eating.  A few days ago I had a weird like 3lb gain.  I'm not sure if it was water weight or muscle gain or what. lol  But i made my husband hide the scale and he's only allowed to bring it back out on Monday's, which is my official weigh in days.  lol  I feel like it's the only way i can stop obsessively weighing myself!

Anyway I don't have much going on to write about.  I hope you all stay warm and enjoy your weekend!

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~ Justina

Day 25 Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     275 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 47 lbs

Week 4...

Hello all! It's a new week! How have you all been doing??!!

I got in 2 days at the gym already this week. Feeling good!  I noticed today that my muscles aren't as sore anymore. I'm hoping that's a good sign that i'm getting used to my workouts.  

I met with my personal trainer today to set up a schedule and talk about goals.  Our first meeting will be next week on Tuesday morning.  I'm very excited to see what he has to teach me! I told him that my goals are to work on problem areas that will be a struggle with losing weight so rapidly.  I'm concerned about my arms, legs and stomach getting very flabby. So I want to work on toning those areas and any other strength training that i can work on.  He said that is a definite thing we can work on and we can rearrange things as we go along to meet my needs.  Exciting stuff!

I lost 5lbs this week!!  Last Monday I weighed in at 280lbs and today I weighed in at 275lbs!!  Woohoo!!  A 5lb loss is AMAZING!! I'm so excited!  

I took a new comparrison picture because i hadn't in a while.  The results are again amazing to me and i can't believe i'm being blessed to go through this journey.  Here is the picture:

Well Thanks again for checking up on me!  I hope you all have a fantastic week and keep the workouts going!!  Remember, any movement is better than no movement!  

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~ Justina

Day 22 Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     275 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 47 lbs

Burning The Fat...

Workout Selfie!

So i started working out this week.  I have gotten in 2 days this week so far and i plan on going tomorrow to the gym i joined with my husband.  We decided to get a couples membership and did the Platinum plan.  It came with 8 sessions (a piece) with a personal trainer!  It has a few other perks which will also be nice.  I'm excited to get my sessions set up soon!  But for now there is plenty of machines to use there on my own.  There are also a ton of classes that are all included in the package.  Someday i'd like to do Zumba if i can get fit enough to do it. lol  I've heard its pretty challenging at first. Maybe i should try it at home.

I have weighed in at 276 this week for a 12 lb loss since surgery.  I will officially be 3 weeks out in 3 days.  So 12 lbs in 3 weeks is about 4 lbs a week. That's not bad!  I'm very excited about the energy and confidence that I've gained.  I feel like a different person already!

I'm still doing pretty well with eating.  I've had a few rough days this week but nothing to bad.  It's just hard some days to get all that protein in.  It's hard to convince yourself to eat when you don't feel like it anymore. lol

Here is a new recipe i made for a quick breakfast and it is DELICIOUS!!

Veggie Quiches

3 Large Eggs
3/4 Cup Fat-Free Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup Red, Yellow, Green Peppers & Onions
Salt & Pepper to taste

Spray a muffin tin, then pour mixture into cups.  Mine made 8 cups.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes! Enjoy a yummy breakfast!!

Thanks for catching up with me!! Have a great weekend!

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~ Justina

Day 19 Post Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     276 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 46 lbs

Changing sizes...

So sorry i've been behind on posting on here!  I've been posting a lot on Facebook.  So be sure to check me out there if you would like more updates more often!

So I am still currently on the puree stage of the diet.  I have been managing to get pretty close to my protein, carb and fat goals every day.  Carbs are of course the hardest to not go over on.  But i think i've been doing fairly well with it.

I had my first post op appointment a few days ago and it went well.  The Dr. said my incisions looked great and I am cleared for light cardio.  I think at around 2 months out i am allowed to do any exercise.  Today I went to check out a health center here in town today.  It's a rehab place but they also have non rehab members. Their prices are fairly similar to the YMCA, which i also considered, but they have many more perks.  I think both me and my husband are going to join, they even have a child watching place so Daniel and i could exercise together!

Eating so far has worked out okay with my school schedule.  I have been able to carry around a shake and a yogurt along with my water bottle.  Looks like its going to work out okay.

My most exciting thing that has happened while i was gone was going shopping!  I needed new pants so i went on the hunt.  Turns out i lost 2 sizes!!! I've gone from a 28 to a 24!!  It was super exciting!  Here is my celebration picture!

I think that's about all i can post for now.  I'm all out of new information.  I hope you have enjoyed catching up on me!  Thanks again for checking me out!!

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~ Justina

Day 14 Post Op:


Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Surgery Weight:     288 lbs
Current Weight:     278 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 44 lbs

Day 1 On Puree....

Hello again followers!  Today was a wonderful day, a wonderful day full of food!! haha  I was finally allowed to move onto the puree stage today and my tummy was very happy about that.

I started my day with a goal of eating 6 mini meals and managed to do 5, not to bad.  I have goals that i am supposed to meet everyday for protein, fats and carbs.  My protein goal is at least 60 grams, the fat goal is at least 27 grams and the carb goal is at least 50 grams (i think I'm not staring at the paper right now so that might be wrong. lol)  Anyway, I came right to both my protein and fat goals and went a little over the carbs.  Those darn carbs! lol

We are no longer supposed to worry about calories, just the 3 goals i listed.  But just to reference i did eat a total of 780 calories today, which seems like nothing!  But i assure you i am quite full from the day and satisfied as well.

I ate about every 2 hours which is when i would get hungry again.  It's amazing to think that just 1/4 - 1/2 a cup of food makes me full now.  The only thing i didn't enjoy much today was the protein powder that i had.  For my morning snack i made a protein shake with bananas and strawberries.  The powder is soy based and i really didn't like it. I'll be looking for a new type to replace it with soon.  At least the canister isn't large so i don't have to endure it long.

I did notice that since i was eating today i had more energy which is always nice.  I managed to make 2 blankets that my girls are selling for charity.  Lately I've only been able to make 1 before getting worn out.  I snuck a nap in earlier today too. hehe

Classes were once again cancelled for me tomorrow so i won't have to worry about figuring out my eating tomorrow.  But i will for Wednesday.  Luckily my Prof cancelled my morning lab that day so I'll just have to figure lunch, a snack and then dinner.  Unfortunately I'll be in class during dinner time.  The struggles of being a college kid. lol

So all in all it was a good day. I lost another 2 lbs!!!  I ate, i felt full and i was in a pleasant mood. (not eating was kind of making me a bear) ;)

I hope that you are all staying warm.  It's a freezing -11 here in good old Ohio and the wind chill is -38!!!  Stay warm my friends!!

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~ Justina

Day 7 Post Op:


Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Current Weight:     280 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 42 lbs

40 Down...

Hello loyal followers! Sorry I haven't posted In a few days. Just in case you were unaware I also have a Facebook page. So when I don't post on here there is a good chance I'm  posting there.  so here is the link if you are interested in that page! I'd love to see you there!

www.facebook.com/inspirationlivelonger

So, not much changes here. Ive been recovering well and my incisions are good and itchy. Which of course is good because that means they are healing.  I've been STARVING the last 3 days. haha My stomach has been trying to eat itself because I've been on liquids only all this time.

Tomorrow is the big day because I start on pureed! Never in my life did I think id be happy to eat pureed food. lol But non the less I am excited and I've been spending the last few days gathering recipes and ideas for some variety.  I was a little worried about tomorrow being my first day on foods and starting my first day of classes.  But it seems mother nature has taken care of that for me since we are going to get some FREEZING weather here in good old Ohio and classes were cancelled for tomorrow.  The kids don't have school now until Wednesday either. So the less stress the better!

yesterday was a major Scale Victory for me.  I hit 282 lbs, which is exactly 40 lbs less than what I started at!! I celebrated by having my husband take some pictures of me and making a comparison picture. I can't believe the difference already and man does it feel amazing!

Well that's all i've got for now. Tomorrow I will be back with the results of my first day on purée! I'm excited and a little nervous. Really don't want to throw up so I'm hoping I can feel my limits and do alright.

Thanks for reading!

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~ Justina

Day 6 Post-Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Current Weight:     282 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 40 lbs

Feeling Better...

Today was a better day. Yesterday my stomach was pretty angry with me. Today I think its accepting the fact that I had it changed. My one super exciting thing was that I didn't  get sick at all today! Yay!!  lol

I was able to drink a lot more fluids and I have a slight appetite.  My stomach made all sorts of angry noises at me today. I'm not quite sure if it was angry or hungry. lol  But food didn't sound to unappealing today so I guess that's good. 

My incisions seem to be healing well and are just a tiny bit tender. I couldn't resist weighing myself this morning, I know I know, but I lost 3 lbs!!

So there isn't much news yet. Just hanging in there and recovering. Thanks for checking in!

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~ Justina

Day 3 Post-Op:

Starting Weight:     322 lbs
Current Weight:     285 lbs
Weight Lost:          - 37 lbs