Photo Shoot Fun

     One thing I want to be sure to do while I can is take the time to take pictures of myself while I'm feeling good about not just my looks, but my health overall.  4 years ago I did a photo shoot just for fun, and in 2018 I did it again.  I feel like it will be great to be older and look back on these images.  To see all the hard work and effort that I put in to stay healthy.  It's been 7 years since I had my weight loss surgery, and although I have put on 15 pounds over the last few years from not watching my calories like I should, I still look great and feel great!  It's important to celebrate that have fun beautiful images to commemorate it.  Hope enjoy looking at a few of them. I am having them printed, and putting them in an album.

New Scale

I went without owning a scale for about 3 months.  Pretty good really when you consider that I had been weighing myself every day for years now, sometimes twice a day.  But it was getting unhealthy to be weighing myself that often and I had finally decided it was best to get rid of it and force myself to have a withdrawal of sorts. It felt good.  Good to be focusing on just being being happy with how I looked and not worrying that I weigh a bit more than I would like. 

But everything comes to an end, and at some point you have to get a scale so you can keep track of your health.  I went on Amazon and found one that had great reviews and purchased it. Getting ready to do an official weigh in had me nervous, but I step on it ready for the worst. I was glad to see that although I hadn't lost any weight, I hadn't gained any either.  I was still holding steady at 171 pounds. Not what I want, but it's also fine. I keep on trying to remind myself that I look good, and feel good, and there isn't any reason  to be upset.  Of course that is difficult when you want to see the same low number you once did before, and look the same as you did with that low number, but life isn't easy, you gotta work hard, and I know I haven't been working as hard at losing it as I could be. This blog is full of me telling you guys how I am back on the exercise wagon and doing well, I am gonna lose that 15 pounds! lol  But then I don't, and fall back off.  I do well enough to maintain this weight, but man it's tough to lose the extra.

I guess in the end I am in a sense back to where I was when I was fat, mentally speaking at least.  I can continue to be this weight, and be content, or I can work harder and lose that weight. It's all a choice. Right now I am making some better choices, exercising a bit more, and I started drinking some Slim Fast shakes (not to supplement meals, but because they have 20 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar. I am not eating my protein bars any more, since I basically got addicted to them, so these drinks will help me keep my protein up. And they taste ok, so it could be worse. lol

Right now I am sticking to only weighing myself once a week, Sunday morning.  I think that is a good day. It's hard to not step on it and take a peek... but I am managing. This weight loss journey never ends. Weight loss surgery isn't a magic pill, it can't fix your mental problems with eating, but it is a great tool that helps you lose weight quick and live a healthier life.  Still the second best decision I ever made (1st being marrying my husband) and I don't regret it at all. I look good, I feel good, and most importantly, I have made a healthier life for myself. 

 

New Swimsuit in the Winter

New swimsuit is all set! Yes!  Stretch marks, loose skin, scars, etc. Doesn't matter because six years after weight loss surgery I'm still feeling good. Do I still want to lose that pesky extra 10-15 pounds? Sure I do. But damn it I still look awesome. Can't wait to wear this on our 20th anniversary cruise this summer. Hurry up July!

6 Years!

Link to a video about my 6 year check up.  :)  How has it been that long already?

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155933437063000&id=514672999

4 Pounds Down --- 12 To Go!

SO...the last time I weighed myself it was at night, when you aren't supposed to weigh yourself since you have eaten all day, and I saw the number that was unacceptable. 171 pounds. HELL NO!!!! So... on the exercise/calorie watching bandwagon I went. Weight loss surgery is a great tool, but it's hard work and I had been slacking off for too long. So that was about 12 days ago and last night I weighed myself again, yep, at night to keep with the trend, and I was at 167. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heading in the right direction. Back on the treadmill today, walking and trying to run a bit too. Counting calories, fat, and protein as I am supposed to. Of course I got on this same bandwagon in April, (as is obvious by a couple blog posts prior) and I am hopeful that this time I will maintain my motivation and over all determination. Anything worth having, like your health, is worth working hard for. And I certainly can't let all these surgeries go to waste right? lol P.S. If you are a regular reader of my blog this kind of post is familiar. I go through stages of doing great and maintaining the weight I like, and then struggling. It's an on going issue when you have a food problem. Mentally it is a HUGE struggle and I wish there was a pill I could simply take that made me only want to eat when actually hungry. Thank you to all of those who have supported me and lifted me when they see me about to snack and call me out on it. It always helps and is always appreciated. My goal of 155 pounds is getting closer!

REAL Bikini Bottom

Today marked a milestone.  Since losing weight and having my reconstructive surgeries I have greatly enjoyed wearing a two piece swimsuit...however; I have strictly only worn a bikini bottom with an attached skirt.  I have always felt that my inner thighs were way too flabby and unattractive due to excess skin from the weight loss to really look good in a regular bikini bottom.

Currently I'm on a mini vacation with James for our anniversary and we were in a gift ship looking around.  I came across a cute bikini bottom with no skirt and decided to try it on.  Normally I wouldn't haver bothered, but I had just experienced a bit of an epiphany in regards to what I should aollow myself to feel comfortable in when wearing swim wear...so I gave it a go.

I put it on...and decided that although I may not be a super model, I certainly don't look awful...and actually probably look good.  I need to stop worrying and just LIVE. I bought it.

And to top it off...James and I went swimming in the hotel pool and I wore it with confidence.  A bit nervous...but more confidence than not. I'm proud...excited...and feeling good about myself.  Moral of the story?  Stop worrying about how you look to everyone else and just be happy with you.  :)

30 Day Activity Challenge

In an effort to help the kids develop better eating habits that they can take into adulthood, I decided that the whole family will do a 30 Day Activity Challenge.  Being physically active in some way everyday for 30 days.  ALSO, eating as little added sugar as we can.  So far we are half way through, with our finishing day being July 24th.  Everyone is doing great.  Evelyn normally walks on our new/used treadmill, Isaiah works out with weights and the punching bag, James either walks or does a video, and I do one of a few things.  Ride my bike, walk 2 miles, or do a work out video.

I am really proud of our effort.  James has lost a few pounds already.  I have struggled (as you all know) to lose this annoying 10 pounds and I am hoping this will further help me to that goal.  I am doing well still monitoring my food/caloric intake and although I do go over sometimes, I am at least maintaining this weight, and not gaining.  That is good.  I need to do better of course and cut back on my snacking still, so it's less calories and thus I will lose weight.

So frustrating how weight loss surgery can help so much when it comes to losing weight, yet it can do nothing to help your mental issues with food.  BUT, I have known that for years now, as do you since I mention it often. lol  Nonetheless I am still proud of myself for at the very least maintaining my current weight.  It may be 10 pounds more than I would like, but I still look great and must remember that.  Even though it is hard, very hard.

Yet I will continue to try to lose this 10 pounds and regain my personal comfort level.  Knowing I look fine, doesn't change the fact that I simply don't feel as comfortable as I would like in my skin at this weight.  So onward I will go with it, as we all should when we have goals to reach.  Never stop trying!!  That is what must done.