Anybody out there?

I know there are a few people that check this blog once in a while, but I'm not really sure how many followers I really have.

So, if you're out there post a comment or do something so that I know you are listening. =)

In the coming weeks/months I plan to change the blog a bit to make it more about my life/family/etc and less about the weight loss journey. Of course, that will always be a part of this blog because it will always be a part of me but there are other things to write about too.

For now, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Snow Day!

Nashville has been blessed (or cursed, depending how you see things) with its first snow fall of the 2010 - 2011 school year. I was actually really hoping we'd have school today as my class has been looking forward to this day for a long time.

See, we were scheduled to attend a viewing of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader today. We read the book last year and have been waiting for today since we finished it. Now we have to wait until after Christmas break to see it. The good news is that I'm confident the movie will continue to be at the theater three weeks from now; the bad news is we have to wait that long.

In the meantime, Halen is having fun with the snow...well, for about the 10 minutes she was able to stand the cold.

After we tried (and failed) to build a snowman, we came in for some hot chocolate. Funny how that makes everything better!

Enjoy the snow...and the hot chocolate!

It's so cliche`...

...but I'm going to say it anyway: what a difference a year makes!!

This was me one year ago:


See the date stamp? Oct 7th, 2009. More importantly, see how I didn't even have a lap to set that pumpkin on? I had to rest it on my belly to work on it. Sad when you think about it.

And here is a picture I asked Halen to take of me two days ago, Oct 7th, 2010.

So it bears repeating: what a difference a year makes!

Now for some really cool news; at least I'm excited about it. Next Wednesday, which will be my actual 1 year "surgiversary", I am having a friend take some photos of me. We're going to do it like a real photo shoot with me wearing a couple of different outfits and taking the pictures outside while having some fun. I can't wait; I even bought a new dress!


I also want to share my new stats from the body analyzer with you.


Weight: 142.0
BMI: 26.0 <---- OMG!!
Fat%: 28.5% (desireable range = 21 - 33%)
Fat mass: 40.5 lbs (desireable range = 27 - 50 lbs)
Fat free mass: 101.5 lbs (this is everything in my body that is NOT fatty tissues)


And, as I've done before, here are my beginning stats for comparison:


Weight: 288.0
BMI: 51.8
Fat %: 53.0
Fat Mass: 150 lbs
FFM: 133 lbs


Everything has gone great and the surgeon was very pleased, which makes me very pleased! My 1-year post op appointment was a success--as am I!! =)

September Pictures

Gosh, time goes by so fast...I just realized that I didn't put up any Septemeber pictures.

The picture of me sitting down at the bottom of this page is from August, so even though I didn't do the three pictures like I have in the past, you can see me from August.

I'm down 140 lbs, weighing in at 148 in these pictures. I've stayed the same weight for about a month now, so I've been focusing on learning how to stabalize and then maintain my new weight. Anyway, here are my 11 month post op pictures:

Also, just for fun I thought I'd post pictures of me from this past week. We had Homecoming week at LHS and I dressed up for our spirit days. Here I am on Favorite Team Day:

GO BUCKS!!

Since next month is going to mark 1 year since surgery, I'm asking a photographer friend to take some "real" pictures of me. I can't wait to get them made and show them to y'all!

I'm such a chicken!

You know, I've never been one to experiment in the kitchen but post-op I've had to get to used to that a bit more. But I'm still afraid. I'm afraid that I'll make a mess or screw something up (hey, this is the girl that once made spaghetti soup--tell ya about that another time); mostly I'm afraid that I'll dump something that doesn't agree with me.

But I've been dying to try these sugar free syrups for stuff: Torani. And here's my chance. The coolest post-op cook that I know is giving some away and I WANNA WIN because I really want to try them out and make some new stuff.

The Saga Continues....

....though very slowly.

Well, not VERY slowly I guess but much slower than before. I'm still losing--both weight and inches-- but it's slowed down quite a bit these last few months. Right after surgery I was losing upwards of 40 lbs a month, which then slowed to 20 lbs a month, and then 10 each month. But now it's taken me almost 2 months to lose 10 lbs.

I'm not complaining, I swear! In fact, I'm about to where I want to be so it's time to start thinking about stabilizing and learning how to maintain my weight. I am guessing that will be the major topic of conversation at my 1 year post-op doctor appointment on October 7th.

In the meantime I have an appointment on Aug. 24th with the general surgeon that helped to spur this whole thing. I plan to have her evaluate how the tumors in my abdomen are doing and see if we should still wait a year before we take them out. And see if she even thinks we *should* still take them out. I'll be sure to let y'all know. :)

Month 10 Stats:

Weight - 150
Bust - 36.75"
Waist - 33"
Hips - 42.5"
Thigh - 20"
Arm - 10.75"

Just showing off....

I had to take a minute and show off my new wedding/anniversary ring. After losing all of this weight, my original wedding ring from 15 years ago was 4+ sizes too big so it was time to get a new one. Plus it is a congratulatory gift for losing weight and getting my Master's degree, a birthday gift, and a 15th anniversary gift.

Matt and I chose a 3-stonte style with an emerald in the center to represent Halen (she was born May 6).

A huge thank you to Daniel (a former student) at American Jewelry Company in Mt. Juliet for helping us construct the perfect ring!