I hit goal today!

[blackcatsandbaddecisions 851]

I had surgery on 11/10/20, but started my weight loss efforts on 7/5/20. If you’ve been here a while I’m sure you’ve seen me lurking about the forums.

Stats: SW 339. CW: 165. I am a 5’10 woman in her 40s. I work full time and have young children. My current BMI is 23, I started off with it closer to 50.

I knew it was going to take me a while to hit goal- I had 174 lbs to lose. I did all the calculators pre-op that said I would be lucky to get under 200 lbs, but I decided that just wasn’t going to apply to me (haha). My plan was to focus on fruits, vegetables, and healthy Proteins while ramping up exercise. I eliminated Cookies, pastries, and candy but that’s about it. I don’t do low carb, because that isn’t how I’m planning on living the rest of my life. I focus on calorie reduction, which sounds like oh if that’s so easy why did you need surgery? Well cutting calories is possible if you aren’t hungry all the time no matter how much you eat, and if you can fill up on the healthy things without it being like flash paper into a volcano. I honestly did need the surgery, and I’m not going to pretend it did the work for me, but it gave me the help for the work I wanted to be able to do.

Six days a week I do a split between running and rowing for a half hour. I’m going to run in a 5k this spring, which has been a dream of mine for years. I exercise on my lunch break every day.

Yes, I have some loose skin. It’s nowhere as bad as people make it out to be. I am not exactly planning on running around in a bikini so it’s not like it limits my life at all. It’s not visible in my clothes, not even tight fitting ones. I might get it removed some day, but if I don’t I’ll still be happy.

This weight loss has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for me. Life is difficult when you are morbidly obese. It’s difficult physically, emotionally, and socially. This weight loss hasn’t fixed every problem in my life, but I didn’t expect for it to. It fixed my weight related problems, and I had a lot of them.

This surgery can be life changing, but it’s not a magic bullet. You still have to make huge life changes. But if you feel sabotaged you your own constant hunger, cravings, and binges, this can really be the tool you use to dig yourself out of the seemingly insurmountable weight you need to lose.

This isn’t a finish line for me. I am still working on hopefully losing another 15 lbs, and I’m never going back to my old eating habits. I know I signed up for a lifelong change, otherwise I’ll be right back where I started. But finally hitting goal was a nice early Christmas present to myself. Sorry for the essay, but I don’t really have anyone in real life to share with who gets it!

[csrouse 16]

Congratulations. So very proud of you, as I understand what it took to get where you are. Don’t lose focus now.

[SummerTimeGirl 582]

Absolutely outstanding!!! Congrats to you and thanks for sharing all that good info about what you're doing and what's been working for you.

[lizonaplane 1,612]

You're an inspiration!

[summerseeker 2,139]

You look just wow.... I hope I can follow in your footsteps. Thank you for the detail in your journey

[Summermoose 193]

Congratulations! What an accomplishment! 😃

[MissT25 10]

Congratulations! You look amazing! I love what you said about carbs. I hope I can do the same. You look to have about the same build as me. How have you handled extra or sagging skin?

Sent from my SM-G988U using BariatricPal mobile app

[MissT25 10]

Nevermind... I must have missed where you mentioned that. Thank you for so much detail!

Sent from my SM-G988U using BariatricPal mobile app

[GreenTealael 25,336]

3 hours ago, blackcatsandbaddecisions said:

I did all the calculators pre-op that said I would be lucky to get under 200 lbs, but I decided that just wasn’t going to apply to me (haha).

Fantastic job🏆

[TRAVELRN 73]

Congratulations

I can't wait to be where you are. Patience is the key!!

Nannette

[Lifestyle Changer 49]

Congratulations and it’s an awesome Christmas gift to yourself!

[DoodlesMom 98]

Yeah, I've seen you around on here. Wow, you look so great! Your dress is very flattering. No, the loose skin isn't visible. Thanks so much for sharing. 😄 It's motivating to hear what a success the surgery has been for you. Running is great exercise. That's great you found something you enjoy. Nothing beats the runner's high. Keep it up and please keep us updated.

[ShoppGirl 4,785]

Congratulations. Awesome Christmas gift of health.

[Luna Girl 310]

Congratulations!! You look fantastic! And Merry Christmas!

[OutdoorsGirl 93]

That’s wonderful news! Congratulations!