Joined the Triple-Digit Club and Under 200 Club

I have been woefully absent from blogging about my bariatric journey.  My last post on this subject was right after Thanksgiving, 12 weeks post-op.  At that point, I had reached 237 lbs, which was a major improvement over the 305.1 which was my maximum.  I haven't written about this since then, because nothing significant has happened from a bariatric / weight-loss perspective.  Well, other than I continued to lose about 1.5 - 2 pounds a week, every week, until March 21.  Around that time, I reached the triple-digit club - I had lost 100 pounds down to less than 205!  That was a major milestone.  I figured I'd wait a few more weeks, and get under 200, and then write my next blog post.  Well, then I went up and down between 200.5 and 204 for the next 6 weeks!  Then, finally, on May 6, I dipped under 200 for the first time since I was a teenager.  And now, I am celebrating!

This past weekend, I did what might be construed as an exhibit of prideful narcissism: I made a video chronicling my journey - and success.  I added music featuring Rush's song "Mission" from the 1987 album Hold Your Fire.  That song has always been motivational to me, and I think it goes well with the video.  I don't want to ever forget - or take for granted - this accomplishment.  And maybe this will inspire someone else.

It really is surprising to look back at how big my face - and body - was before I did this.  When my kids saw this video, they were shocked at how much they DIDN'T remember me being so big - even though it was only 8+ months ago.  

Anyway, this is not just about how I look, but about how I feel.  It's stunning how much of a difference 105 pounds makes.  I currently use some 30 pound dumbbell weights for some strength exercises.  Those things are HEAVY!  And I've lost 3 1/2 of them from my body!  I know my organs and joints are happier for the lighter burden.  I am more flexible and I have more energy.  I can turn over in bed without a major effort.  That used to be so difficult!  I can do physical activities without requiring a break every few minutes.  I've begun incorporating a small amount of jogging into my walks, and it feels soooo good to not feel like I'm running uphill through Jell-O as I once described my struggle.  My only problems now are my hip (which needs replacement) and my knees (which are already sub-par due to past meniscus surgeries).  I'm trying to take it easy, while wondering if every running step will be my last.  There's just such a more intense feeling of satisfaction after running, as compared to walking.  Endorphins.

My clothing wardrobe has turned over completely.  I've removed all the size 40-48 pants and 2XL and 3XL shirts, relegating them to the attic.  It's not that I think I might need them again, but I'm also saving them for my son in the event he eventually does this surgery and needs those sizes.  At least that's what I'm telling myself.  I've resurrected all my old T-shirts from my 20's and 30's which are in the XL range.  I've also received some suitably-fitting clothes from a friend's father, as well as from my own father-in-law, both of whom passed away in the past year.  More positively, however, was a trip to Belks I took about a month ago.  I needed some casual shorts and shirts, as I had NONE in my size, which I later found out was size 36 waist (pants) and size L or XL (shirt).  For every style of shorts or shirt I liked at Belks, they had sizes that fit.  That is such a far cry from prior experiences where none of the cool clothes fit, and the only options were what could be found in the Big & Tall section.  I literally shed a tear that day in Belks, as I was so happy to be able to wear "anything" I wanted.  Non-surgical victory.

As for food, here's where I am.  I can pretty much eat anything I want.  The key is that I still can't each much of it.  I can eat about the same amount that would fit in a small bowl or plate.  I have not eaten anything that made me immediately sick.  However, there are some foods that make me feel a little yechy: anything very sweet, such as some breakfast cereals or syrup, anything very bready, including subs or a burger.  The closest I came to being sick was when I had a small bowl of a sweet cereal, followed by a small glass of orange juice.  I think it was just too much sweetness or acid in the OJ.  Anyway, I was fine within 15 minutes.  For the most part, when we eat out, I will immediately divide the portions into 1/2 or 1/3 and only eat what I can hold.  The rest are leftovers.  Which reminds me: I think the financial benefit of getting 2x or 3x out of your food budget should be factored into any bariatric surgery business case.  I can often get 3 meals out of what is served at restaurants.  I think that as long as I continue to eat the small amount I'm eating, I will maintain my weight.  In the last 6 weeks, I have found myself more hungry in between meals.  In those cases, I need to make good choices.  I will sometimes have some peanuts or a few thin Oreos or a piece of candy.  But other times I will have a fruit or a protein bar or some peanut butter on a rice cake.  If /when I have a beer, it is indeed only one beer, and that might take 30 - 45 minutes to drink.  I've had maybe 2-3 sodas in the past 6 months, and don't really crave that.  I still love iced tea (sweetened with Stevia) and my 1 coffee per day.

I've lost enough weight now to where I get the invariable double-take looks when I see someone for the first time in a long time.  People have said they "seriously" didn't recognize me, and if I didn't say anything they would not have known it was me.  I can believe it.  I hardly recognize myself either!  For those who were used to and comfortable with Big Blain, I know it looks like I've gone too far, and maybe even look sickly.  You might implore me to not lose any more weight.  But I think that is due to comparing me to the 250-305 pound version of me for the last 30+ years.  That version of me was not healthy.  Please realize that I am now at the size I was when I started college.  I looked OK and was pretty healthy then, and I think I look OK now, and know I am healthier than I was 8+ months ago.  I still may lose some more weight.  My doctor was targeting me to get to about 185.  While I am perfectly OK with where I am now, I'm not going to TRY to NOT lose any more.  My doctor says that successful patients usually will reach their goal, then gain back 10-15 pounds, and then hopefully stay there.  So I still may lose a little more, and that's OK.  You can see on the weight graph, I've sort of plateaued around 200 the last 6 weeks.  Hope to stay there, or lower!

One of the areas I've tried to improve upon lately is strength training - mainly in my arms and core.  I've always been good about walking, so my legs are in pretty good shape.  But my arms have definitely lost some muscle the last 8 months.  I've been doing some in-home strength exercises, including the dreaded plank.  I'm up to 1 min 45 seconds on the plank.  I try to add 5 seconds every week.

I'll end this post with this last picture from a walk/run I did last week.  The perspective of the camera being on the ground makes me look a lot taller and thinner than I am, but I still like this picture.  I like what the sign says.  Like many prior diets, there was always an ending point.  The trail of losing weight ended, and then I returned back from whence I came.  This time, I'm crossing the threshold.  The trail does not end here.  The journey will continue, and it will continue forward, not backwards.