3 Year Surgiversary!

3 Years Post-Op! So hard to believe, and yet still feels like yesterday.
I still feel so blessed to be able to live life at a healthy weight!

I know that I will always struggle with my weight.  However, my weight does not define me.  Food is not my reason for living.  In an effort to be honest and transparent - after my 2nd year post-op, I did gain about 25 pounds.  It came after a miscarriage, and I turned to food to cope.  I had to take a hard look at what I was going back to, and had a 'come to Jesus' meeting about what I was doing.  In about 6 months, I've lost almost 20 pounds.  Those have been the hardest 20 pounds I've ever lost.  My goal is to lose about 10 more to be at a comfortable weight.  It's a lifelong journey, not a sprint and I don't see that the goal is ever attained, because the goal is to stay healthy each day.  To live happy, healthy and full of joy... to know that I am created and loved by the Maker of the Universe... to know that He is always making goodness out of every circumstance in my life...

Happy 2 Year Surgiversary!

Yep! Hard to believe... it's my 2 year Surgiversary! TWO years ago today, I had my LIFE CHANGING Gastric Bypass Surgery.


I have lost a total of about 120 pounds, but I have gained so much more!
Leading up to January 12th, 2011 -- I had much excitement and fear. Fear not only of the surgery itself but of my life after surgery. Yes, there were times when I was nauseous, craved food I could not have, had dumping syndrome after being served 'not so diet' lemonade, and thrown up my fair share of chicken. The weeks right after surgery were no cake walk (pun intended). Surgery hurts, the gas pain hurts. But then it starts to wear off, and so does the memory of it as you begin to see the amazing results of your commitment.

However, there have been many more times when I have looked in the mirror and been shocked at what I saw -- 1 chin! Size LARGE shirts! Size 10/12 jeans! I would never give up the time that I completed a 5k race on my 30th Birthday with Richard and my Dad last year. I love that I can now shop in the regular stores. I even love that now I wear Spanx so that my extra skin doesn't jiggle so much, instead of it just compressing my size 24 belly. It's ok that ice cream makes me sick, and I've learned that rice and pasta do not have to be staples in the Southern Diet. They DO serve UN-sweet tea in North Carolina :o) and I'm the Splenda Queen -- always have a baggie of it in my pocketbook. I love the new confidence I have in myself. I knew I always had it, but my weight was hindering it. I amin control of my own health. I have squashed that old BMI of 49.7 and gotten it to "overweight." I am determined to get to "NORMAL". My LDL and Triglycerides are even in the lower side of normal now! I don't fear the scale now. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the scale - but we have a love/hate relationship and it does not rule me.

I will always be a food addict. The last 6 months have beeen trying, and I have realized even more that WLS is a tool -- I still have to work at being healthy. Exercise - yeah, I still don't like it BUT we bought a treadmill and I am working on getting my HDL Cholesterol higher. I am now working on losing these "last" 20 pounds. I am happy with my size right now, but I would like to lose 20 more in order to be a more optimal weight for my health. As much as 2011 was a life-changing year, we all have the capability of making the most of each and every day in order to achieve the best health possible.

I can't wait to see what Year 3 POST OP has for me!

I love these pictures

 

 

 

This is one of my most favorite pictures... of two of my most favorite people. February 2012 - Baby Dedication Sunday for Miss Carly Kate.

May I please see your ID?

.... and then next comes the puzzled look as they look back and forth between my drivers license photo and the girl standing in front of them :o)

What do you think?

March 2012 (Left) & November 2006 (Right)

It's me in both, I promise! Just got my new license in the mail... to start my new and best decade yet!

Happy Thinner Anniversary!

Happy 5th Anniversary!
11/11/11 and we're down -232 combined pounds!!
(Rich -115 & Jenn -117).... and we've never felt better :o)

We celebrated with a weekend getaway to Granny & Poppy's mountain house, and went to Chateau Morrisett for lunch on Nov 12th. We brought home 4 boxes of leftovers to enjoy for the next two days. Last year this time we ate everything on our plate (appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert.)

last year's anniversary lunch 11/11/2010...

Richard -- 11/11/2011 .... goodness he's handsome!

Richard -- 11/11/2010



Jennifer -- 11/11/2011


Jennifer -- 11/11/2010

100 Pounds Never Looked So SEXY!

Congratulations Richard! I am SO proud of you and your 100 pound loss. AMAZING! I just want to pinch those cute dimpled cheeks :o)

Happy 100 pounds! You're doing AWESOME!

HAPPY 8 MONTHS!

I can't believe it's been 8 months since my LIFE CHANGING weight loss surgery. I don't think I can put into words how my life has changed for the best from my health & overall appearance to my self esteem and energy. I'm in a size 14 jean (down from a tight-really-need-a-26 size 24) and a size Large shirt.

Today I stepped on the scale and weighed... 182 lbs.
I've lost 88 pounds since January 12th. I've lost 110 pounds from my highest weight of 292 pounds. That's crazy.



Richard is now down to 308 pounds. He's lost 92 pounds in 11 weeks! I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!! I always thought he was handsome, but now... well he's down right sexy ;o) ~~~ and he's MINE!

We're going to do some updated pics in the next week or so, stay tuned!

A few things:
1. I love to feel girly. I love bracelets, earrings & skirts.
2. Heels don't kill my feet like they used to!
3. Exercise is still not easy. And I still don't like it.
4. I can run the length of a parking lot without getting winded.
5. I can climb 4 flights of stairs without feeling like my lungs are going to burst.
6. Foods I used to love & crave, don't taste as good. (ie: mac & cheese, candy bars, pasta)
7. Diet soda are gross. It's funny how I used to LOVE diet coke, and now it tastes like medicine.
8. I am just as full when I eat a cheese stick as I am when I eat a sugar free cookie. The cheese stick is better for me.
9. I sometimes don't recognize the lady passing in the mirror.
10. I love having collar bones that aren't hidden!

updated pics :o) wk 6/wk 30

starting a new job, training for a 5k run & jumping back into life full of energy only has 1 draw back.... no time for blogging ;o) hope you'll forgive me!

here are a couple before/after pics... it's about time for Rich to get an updated one too! Richard is down over 71 pounds now (I'll have to get the exact poundage later) and I'm down about 85 since surgery (105 lbs lighter than my heaviest weight!)



(The picture on the bottom left if the ONLY picture of me at my highest weight of 292 lbs. I despise it, but it reminds me of how far I've come.)

WooHoo for Rich!

This before and after pic are from one year ago and 2 days ago! I guess my face does look a little thinner I'm also down 4 pants sizes.

As of today I (Richard) am down 58.9lb that's insane in 6 weeks. I know Jenn hit a new goal on her weight, I think it is like 108lb now! I'm so proud of her!

****update****
For the record, I (Jennifer) have lost 103 pounds *from my highest weight of 292*. Just wanted to make that clear. I have lost 82 pounds since WLS in January. I am SO proud of how Rich is doing... isn't that a cute face!?! Love him!

Rich Wk 1 & Jenn 6 Month Progress Pics

Happy Week #1, Rich!
I have to brag on my "Love Dumplin" (he hates it when I call him that, but I think he secretly loves it!)....
Richard lost 39 POUNDS in his 1st week post op! That's like losing a pre-schooler! SO PROUD OF HIM!

I started my new job this week, so I'm trying get used to my new "normal". The strangest thing is that no food is allowed at my desk except food that comes from the vending machine. Sounds healthy, huh?! Well, I put in for a doctor's note from my surgeon about that, and I'm crossing my fingers that I will be allowed bottled water, cheese sticks, and protein bars at my desk for break.

I mentioned last week was my 6 month check up. We took some pictures to share as progress pics. I CANNOT WAIT to share Richard's progress pics in a few weeks!! He is looking SO GOOD! Crazy Crazy :o) Enjoy!

father's day pic

the scale is moving slowly (but still down) now... but I can tell the inches are shrinking! This picture was taken Sunday 6.19.11 on Father's Day. Rich had his pre-op appointments yesterday as well. Everything checked out great! He's got 8 days until his surgery. Exciting times ahead!

All TOGETHER Now!

I can put my feet together!
Wanna see?!?!
These tootsies haven't been this close in 68 pounds ;o)

Week 16 Post Op/Weigh In Update (& Pics)

Oops! I missed wk 16... time got away from me!

Last week I lost 2 1/2 pounds to bring my total as of May 4th to -65 lbs gone! Woot! We took some pictures yesterday for Mother's Day... here's a little before and after shot. (Yesterday I was down another -2 lbs -- and since every pound counts, I updated it at -67 lbs) :o)


** I am 3 pounds away from a major milestone. When I get there... I'll be posting my actual weight ;o)

Shrinking!

Happy Week 15!

I lost 1/2 pound this week. Not too impressive, but strangely enough... I've gotten more comments "how I look different" this week than most any other. 62.5 pounds down now. I'll take it!

Thought I'd share some inches with you that really got my attention this morning...

12 Week Post Op - Weigh In & Pictures!

Happy 12 Weeks!
today I had lost another 3 pounds this week :o)
bringing my total weight loss to -57 pounds!