WOW what a difference almost 10 months made!

Well I've been absent from this blog for almost 10 months now. And a LOT has happened since that time. I began this blog to document my diet and exercise attempts. After working out for about 2 solid months 5-7 days a week, 1-2 hours a day and dieting, I lost a whopping THREE pounds. 3. To say I was discouraged is putting it mildly. I felt deflated. After speaking to my family doctor, I decided to attend a gastric bypass seminar. That was in July 2011.

On September 23, 2011, I had Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery.

In the wild and hectic five months that followed, I have lost a total of 65 pounds (that number is the amount I have lost since the morning of my surgery) and I have dropped down to a size 14 jean.

I eat healthier than I have ever eaten in my life and so does my husband and our children. We do not have ANY white sugar, no fried foods and absolutely no carbonated sodas. Ever. That was a tough adjustment in the first 2 months but now it's the norm for us. I watch my protein and carb intake and I make sure to take my appropriate vitamins daily.

It was not an EASY surgery. It has not been EASY since. It has been HARD. It has taken WORK. I know and I understand that there are many people out there who have negative connotations in relation to weight loss surgery, but those are not the people I am worried about. I am focused on my own health, my family, and my friends who are more supportive than I could have ever imagined.

I'm back, blogging world, and I have an abundance of new information and advice for anyone who needs it or wants it. I am finally on the right track in my life and I could NOT be happier!

And I'm BACK!

After a hiatus, I'm finally BACK! I hit the gym hard today and tried my very first Body Pump class! It was no JOKE! I'm so extremely sore right now! I don't know if that's because I missed over a week in the gym, or if it's just because Body Pump is so different from any other class I've ever taken. It was intense, but I enjoyed it. It felt so good walking in those doors today. Dropping off the kiddos was probably my biggest concern given that we were going daily and then we missed almost a week and a half. But thankfully they didn't cry or need me so I got my full one hour class in. I may be sore, but man do I feel great! :)

Sluggish Week

So I'm still sick from this sinus infection, but I did spend some play time outside with my daughter today. I chased her around a little and we cranked up some music and danced. It wasn't a trip to the gym, but we did get out and move around a little. Hopefully Monday will be the beginning of a gym packed week. I sure hope these antibiotics kick in soon!

R.I.P.

Johnny Ellis

a.k.a.

Papa

a.k.a.

Pop Pop Pop

You will be forever missed, but we are so thankful you are in heaven and you feel no more pain. We love you.

Well...

I went to the doctor today and found out I have a sinus infection... :(

I got some antibiotics to knock it out, but until that takes effect I am feeling like death warmed over.

I am VERY bummed about missing the gym due to this, but I try to keep telling myself that I have the rest of my life to work out, and I plan on doing just that, so a few days missed due to illness isn't a big deal.

At least I'll be eating soup and things like that so my 'diet' won't suffer too much from this!

I'm planning on hitting the gym hard when I am feeling better. I see multiple two hour gym days in my future, and to tell the truth, I am ready for that. I actually MISS the gym!

Two months ago, I would have called you crazy if you would have said that I would miss the gym, but I honestly do. These days I've been MIA from the gym have been rough. I don't feel as energetic as I did and I can just feel a difference from not going.

I'm sure I'll be sore when I get back into the groove, but it's a sore I am looking forward to.

Hopefully after a long day of rest, soup and meds tomorrow, I'll be ready to hit the gym on Wednesday. Here's hoping I can make that happen! :)

Funday Sunday

Every year our town hosts the Dogwood Festival. There are street vendors, tons of food, rides, games, live music and basically something for everyone. It's tradition at the festival to munch on unhealthy foods like funnel cakes, corn dogs, fries, deep fried candy bars... the list goes on and on. Well I am very proud to report that I walked past and smelled all that delicious terrible food and did not get ONE bad thing. No sweets. Nothing fried. I settled on a half of a pineapple that was carved out and filled with grilled shrimp and grilled pineapple. It was delicious and super healthy! I was SO proud of myself! And given that we had to walk so much and so far that I now have blisters, I will say that I definitely got my fair share of exercise today as well! All in all, on a day that could have turned out to be very guilt inducing, I somehow escaped with minimal to NO damage to my diet! I can't tell you how happy I am to be reporting this, going to the gym tomorrow morning is going to be amazing given the weekend I had. I'm a lucky girl!

Sunny Saturday

Well, we're going to a wedding today of a friend from high school. I'm taking my two year old daughter Valen with me so I anticipate a lot of running around chasing her. That counts as exercise right? Happy Saturday everyone!