5K Realities

My 5K training is NOT going well. Last week I decided to run and just see how long I could go without having to walk. I made it 15 minutes before I ran out of gas and before my hip pain got unbearable. After that, I walked for 5, ran for 5, etc. until I completed 30 minutes.

I'm not worried about finishing the 5K, but there is no way I'm going to be able to run the whole thing. I'm disappointed, but realize that walking it is still better than what I could have done a year ago. After running, it kills my hip to even walk for a couple of days, so I am no longer trying to train by running. I'm just sticking to swimming. Once this 5K is completed, I don't care if I ever run again.

I paid my entry fee so I wouldn't be able to back out. Heaven help me!

Latest Doctor's Appointments

I had two doctor's appointments this week. On Wednesday, I saw my family practitioner and on Friday, the cardiologist.

While at the family practitioner's, I was sitting in the hallway and my doctor walked by. He didn't recognize me. He smiled and was friendly, but it was obvious it didn't register for him who I was. He came back a minute later and told me as much. My weight loss plus my change in hair color caused the confusion.

The visit went very well. My blood pressure was only 118/73, which is normal. I'm not sure when the last time was that I had a normal blood pressure. I'm hopeful that soon I can go off blood pressure medicine.

My Estimated Average Glucose was 111 (5.5%). This number continues to decrease and is considered normal. I also learned that when my thyroid was tested in February, it was only .5, which is a little low. They tested me again and may need to decrease my prescription, which would be cool.

The cardiologist visit was also good. I didn't note the numbers and they aren't available in the system, but I know my blood pressure was 108/something. My pulse and EKG were lower than normal, but since I don't have trouble feeling light headed and my energy levels are good, it isn't a concern. Never in my life have I had an EKG that didn't show up abnormal and have to be followed up with an echocardiogram. I don't have to go back to the cardiologist again.

My health continues to improve and it is remarkable to me.

Today I was at a recital and ran into one of David's classmates that has been a guest in our home several times. I greeted him warmly, but he didn't recognize me. It was awkward and embarrassing, but also kind of amazing. Once he figured out who I was, things were back to normal.

Happy Mother's Day!

My kids are the reason I had this surgery in the first place. I'm so happy to celebrate this day with them.

WEIGH IN!!

Today, after a month of not weighing myself, I finally did an official weigh in. I have lost 4.4 pounds! This is fantastic because I was terrified that I would have gained 10 or something horrible like that. I knew my clothes were still loose, so I was hoping that I would have lost. I still wish it were faster, but I'm grateful for any loss. It became almost as stressful to wait a month to weigh in, so I don't want to do that again, but I also think weighing every day becomes stressful and discouraging. I think I'll just start weighing whenever I want and at least once a week.

Today marks 10 months since my surgery. I really hope to have lost 100 pounds by the year mark, but it may not happen. I recently had a birthday and it was amazing to think of the difference between how I feel now and how I felt last year.

 Heaviest weight: 296.5

Surgery weight: 274.5

Today's weight: 207.8
Total pounds lost: 88.7 lbs.

Starting BMI: 49

Today's BMI: 34.6

Back when I was preparing for the surgery, I made a list of things I was excited about doing once I had lost some weight. (you can read that post HERE). I thought it would be interesting to go back and look at that list and see how many of those things I have been able to do.

• Hugging my husband without my belly getting in the way (same for slow dancing) - CHECK!
• Sleeping without a CPap - CHECK!
• Sliding into a booth at a restaurant without worrying that I won't fit - CHECK!
• Buckling my seat belt on an airplane without having to ask for an extension - CHECK!
• Lowering the tray table on said airplane - CHECK!
• Picking something off the floor while buckled into the seat belt on a plane or in the car - CHECK!
• Being carried by my husband - CHECK! (well, sort of)
• Fitting into an assigned seat at a theater or stadium - CHECK!
• Holding my laptop on my lap - CHECK!
• Holding my kids on my lap - CHECK!
• Trying on clothes - CHECK!
• Crossing my legs - CHECK!
• Holding my hands in my lap instead of my arms crossed over my belly - CHECK!
• Helping my kids ride their bikes - haven't tried this one
• Wearing a cute bra - CHECK!
• Feeling comfortable in a swimming suit (is that even possible?) - CHECK!
• Going out with the women in my family and not feeling like the ugly duckling - undecided
• Not being tired all the time - I'm still tired pretty much all the time
• Riding all the rides at Disneyland (except Magic Mountain, it makes me nauseous) - pending
• Being a better example for my daughter - in progress

I am seriously shocked at how many of these have been accomplished.

At the same time I posted the above list, I also listed some things I was worried about.

• Losing my hair - I'm not a big fan of my hair these days, but I'll take the trade.
• Dying during surgery (I'm terrified of not waking up from anesthesia) - I survived.
• Being awake during surgery, but not able to let the doctors know I can feel everything - I didn't wake up.
• Looking older and wizened (more wrinkles) - My neck is pretty wrinkly, but I think the rest of me looks younger.
• Excessive saggy skin - I have it. Especially my arms, inner thighs and stomach, but again, I'll take the trade off.
• Looking in the mirror and not recognizing myself - I did go through that for a time, but I'm used to my new face.
• Being thirsty. (I drink a lot of water and that will have to stop.) - I'm much less thirsty. Apparently my excessive thirst was a sign of high blood sugar.
• Insomnia (some people suffer from this after the surgery) - I don't have insomnia, but it is a lot harder for me to fall asleep than it was before. A LOT HARDER.
• Not losing weight despite the surgery - 88 pounds and counting!
• Gaining the weight back - I will have to stay aware and fight hard to prevent myself from slipping back.

I feel like a winner!