Week 44 - 11 Months

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 162.4

Total lost: 74.4 (134.1)

Inches lost: 43.25 (57.25)

BMI down: 13.3 (22.3)

Eleven months in! This month I lost 3.4 pounds and 4 inches. Two of those inches were off my waist. I continue to feel the change in my mindset, which I know will be the key to my successful transition to a new lifestyle after I hit my goal weight. I just want to get there!

We just arrived in Vegas after a cross-country trip. It was so much more comfortable to travel with this healthy body. I could curl up on the seat, bend over to pick up things from the floor, sleep in different hotel beds without being sore in the morning, and actively participate in walking or adventuring. It was much more enjoyable. Another perk was how much room I had in my suitcase. In the past, I had trouble fitting everything. This time, I kept thinking I had forgotten something because I still had room left over. The only bad part is that I don't have padding on my butt so it gets pretty sore.

Traveling is challenging because it's hard not to snack. I ate more calories than recommended by the program, but the choices I made were healthy. I ate almonds instead of chips. I gained .6 pounds. I'm okay with that! I know that will be back off tomorrow or the next day.

In the past when we traveled, I would take lots of pictures, but I avoided being in them. Now I love being in the pictures.

Elvis' pink Cadillac

Missouri

David thought it would be fun to take a picture of me taking a picture since I take so many. I don't even mind pictures of my back side! 

I went to the grocery store with my sister to make sure I have some of the staple foods I need. I love that my plan is adaptable to any time and any place.

Non Surgical Victories (NSV)

Sometimes the focus is so much on weight loss that I forget about everything else I'm gaining from this new life. I thought I had already blogged about my April lab work, but I can't find it so I'm doing it now. At that appointment, my blood pressure was 108/72.  That is well within the normal range. I have never maintained a blood pressure that low before. That is remarkable.

Below is a comparison of my blood work from June 2019 to April 2020.

Hemoglobin A1c dropped from 5.8 to 5.5

Cholesterol dropped from 195 to 157

LDL dropped from 128 to 100

Non-LDL dropped from 141 to 109

Glucose dropped from 96 to 49

eGFR rose from 105 to 108

TSH dropped from 1.9 to .9

T4 increased from 1.4 to 1.64

Vitamin D is 63, which is great

My HDL cholesterol dropped and my ALT went up, so I need to keep an eye on those. I also continue to have a high red blood cell count for some reason. Overall, I'm in excellent health. I imagine my numbers will be even better when I lose my final 13 pounds.

Week 43 - Beach Days Don't Scare Me Anymore!

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 163.2

Total lost: 73.6 (133.3)

I got new leggings this week and I'm shocked at how skinny my legs look! I have my mom's legs - who knew?!

We went to the beach this week and it was such a different experience for me. Not only was my suit too big, but I could easily walk across the sand. I was confident and not self conscious. It was an amazing day filled with self-realization.

There are few photos of me at the beach because I never wanted a picture of me in a swimming suit. I love being part of pictures now.

I also love that I'm being a powerful role model for my daughter. She is working on improving her own health because of the changes she's seen in my life.

These pictures, however, are way out of my comfort zone. They will not be seen on social media :). But it is pretty amazing that I'm even willing to take pictures like this because I'm no longer ashamed of my body - I'm proud of it.

I have shoulder bones!

We are heading out on a cross-country road trip this week. In the past, this would mean snacking for hours on end and somehow thinking that because I was riding in a car, I wouldn't gain weight from all the food. Not anymore! And because I'm not dieting, I'm making healthy choices for myself, the snacks aren't even tempting.

I LOVE MY LIFE!

Week 42 - No weight change

I didn't lose any weight this week, but it was still a great week - after all, I fed a camel!

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 164

Total lost: 72.8 (132.5)

And a giraffe tried to feed on me!

I completed a few more home improvement projects.

And did it all with tons of energy!

Still 14 pounds from goal. Still aiming for five pounds a month until I reach my goal.

Week 41 - Almost 2 Pounds Down

It was a great week. I'm down almost two pounds! I still have 14 pounds to go. My goal is 5 pounds a month for the next three months.

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 164

Total lost: 72.8 (132.5)

Today I had some chicken salad and chicken strips. Nothing crazy, but definitely not what I'm used to anymore. I feel sick. It's a reminder of how much better I feel when I eat healthy.