Happy 5K Eve

Well this is it! In less than 12 hours I will have completed running my first 5K.

Now, I will post more about the race tomorrow after it is all said and done, but I wanted to share with you a few preparations that HAD to be made prior to race day.

1. Music Mix. CHECK:) Fully equipped with Black Eyed Peas, Britney Spears, Trick Daddy, Christian Aguilera, Kanye, Beyonce, and of course The Rocket Summer.


2. Hot bath....CHECK Not to mention "shaving" off some of my time for the race. The legs are freshly shaved. LOVE IT. Plus, a nice sugar scrub to end the evening.


3. New race clothes....CHECK....though I procrastinated so they are still being washed....BUST!


4. Protein powder....CHECK. Just bought some new "Jay Robb" vanilla protein powder and thanks to my friend Jackie, I will be mixing it with ice and my coffee in the morning.


5. Race Bib pinned to shirt and Time Token on shoe....CHECK. NOW I feel official.


6. Ipod Charging....CHECK


7. Drinking Tea to relax....CHECK


8. Hydrated and Carbo "loaded." CHECK....well ok drank plenty of water and my carbs were minimal, but doesn't "carbo loading" sound so official?


9. Tutu made...UNFINISHED Business....sorry sissy, maybe next race;)


10. EXCITED BEYOND WORDS!!!!! CHECK CHECK CHECK

So there you have it.....at about 7:40am tomorrow morning these girls will have completed their first 5K race!

ONE YEAR SURGIVERSARY!

OH MY GOSH!!!!

IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR!!!!!

HOORAY!!!!!

In celebration of my one year surgiversary, I wanted to post some pictures of before and after. I purposely saved this outfit because I knew that it would come in handy. The green shirt and pants was the last outfit I wore before I went into surgery. The jeans and red shirt was my very favorite outfit...which you can see is much too big now. The jeans are a size 22W and now I am a 10. The shirt was a 3x and now I am a Large or Extra Large!

This belt used to be too small and now look at it! I have so much room!!!!!!

Measurements:

Body Part: Before: After: Total Lost (all measurments are in inches)

Neck: 16.5-13.5-3 lost

Chest: 52-42-10 lost
Shoulders: 54-44-10 lost
Waist: 60-41-19 lost
Hips: 55-47.5-7.5 lost
Right Bicep: 16.75-12.75-4 lost
Left Bicep: 16.5-12.25-4.25 lost
Right Thigh: 29.5-24.75-4.75 lost
Left Thigh: 28.75-24.5-4.25 lost
Right Calf: 20-17.5-2.5 lost
Left Calf: 20-16.75- 3.25 lost
Ring Size:11-7-4 Ring size
Body % Fat: 46.6-30.3-16.3 lost (this measurment is 2 months old. Has not been tested for a while)

72.5 Total Inches LOST!!!!

So, after a whole year of life changing experiences, lets talk about the good stuff! There has been so many changes and revelations this last year that I want to share with you. The list could go on forever, BUT dont worry, I wont keep you too long!

1. First off, I make a really cheap date:) I dont eat too much, so we could split something. "The drinks will kill you!" as my dad says, but I cant drink while I eat, so you will be saving money there. Plus, I cant eat sugar, so we will not be getting dessert. This makes shopping for food and eating out super easy!
   


2. Small plate, big plate, or a platter, when my stomach is full it doesnt even matter! I used to eat on small plates, but what I realized is that no matter what size my plate is, my stomach gets full and I am down for the count.



3. I can now sit behind the steering wheel and have my stomach not hit it in my car!



4. I can sit in the back seat and the seatbelts fit, plus I can now ride in my dad's Corvette comfortably. It totally makes sense to me now why he bought it after he lost all of the weight. HMMM what should I buy myself when I hit my goal?!?!?
   


5. I do not have to worry about breaking chairs when I sit down.



6. My butt fits into chairs now! Like really, the starbucks chair actually fit my tushie!



7. I still have the fat girl mentality though. I get claustrophobic when I sit next to people. I feel like I am taking up too much space....but I really guess I am not.



8. I wear high heels as much as possible! My feet dont hurt and I dont feel like I am going to snap the heel off!
   


9. I have not eaten fast food in a whole year and I really dont miss it!



10. I love fruit more than anything these days. Give me a pear and I am happy :)
    


11. I am running 10-15 miles per week now....by choice!



12. My money now wants to go to workout clothes and good running shoes instead of food!



13. This year I "found" my collar bones and the chest bones.



14. I felt my ribs for the first time.



15. I thought my hip bones were tumors in my sides. I did not even know they existed until this year:) I can ACTUALLY feel my hips/pelvis.



16. For the first time, I hurt my spine getting into the bathtub. I laid down to "relax" and thought someone was stabbing me....but no, it was just my spine! OUCH!
    


17. Sitting on hard surfaces hurts the "cheeks"



18. No more missed calls when my phone is on vibrate. The fat used to absorb the vibrations and I could not feel it, NOW I can for sure feel the vibrating of the phone.



19. I feel like I actually have eyes. I know this sounds really odd, but when your face is so full, it seems like my eyes disappeared. BUT...ladies and gentlemen, they are back in full force!

So I have made it a full year post gastric bypass surgery! I am not done yet, but getting closer to my goal each and every day! The fun thing is this, I am really never done. Health is something that we cling to each day. I will continue to dedicate my time to being healthy. Sure, I will hit my goal weight....eventually, but health continues forever!

So there it is my friends! I made it...one year down....many to go!!!

HIP

Hip


HOORAY!!!!!


Look out 2011 here I come!!!!!!

1 year Post-Op Appointment

This is going to be a quick post because my TRUE year post op is not until December 28th, but I had my one year post op appointment with the doctor yesterday!

It is crazy because one year ago today I have having my Pre-Op appointment basically signing my life away. I was getting ready for Christmas, very much like I am doing today, and thinking "this is my last REAL Christmas." I was also thinking "well next year I am going to miss out on all the cookies, cakes, and fudge." Now, a year later, none of that really even matters. I took myself to Winco to buy some SF candy in the bulk bins and am ready to enjoy the real meaning of Christmas.

So ok ok back to my appointment. It was WONDERFUL! I am down a total of 155 pounds from the day I was admitted into the hospital for surgery. Though the pounds are wonderful, the really exciting thing is my BMI (body mass index) has decreased significantly. Pre-op my BMI was 53.6% which tips the charts of MORBIDLY OBESE. Looking back now, I am shocked! Some BMI charts do not even have a option for 363 pounds in their calculations. Now, almost one year later, I am at a BMI of 31.01 which is borderline Overweight/Obese. So sure, I still have some ways to go, but I am on the right track.

Because I have lost 69.28% of my excess body weight and have been having problems with extra skin, I am being recommended for plastic surgery to remove the excess skin! I am actually really excited about this. Sparing the details, the excess skin is a medical necessity especially for my arms and my stomach. As time progresses, I may have to get extra skin removed from my legs as well. I am not going to do anything drastically to change my body, but the excess skin makes it really hard to exercise. To paint a mental picture for ya, I dont want my stomach and arms "sloshing" around. I never knew that you could make armpit fart sounds with extra skin! Funny?? Depends what 7 year old boy you ask. ;)

So that is basically the details released from my post op appointment. On my year Surgiversary, I will post all the inches details and new pictures!

Until then, Merry Christmas and thanks for continually supporting me through this journey!

The Tortoise & The Hare

This is Emily & I after a 3.4 miler. See how refreshed & energetic she looks? See how red & sweaty & ready to die I look? Yeah. So not fair. Oh, and yes, we totally try to match when we run together. Loves it.

My sister has been bugging me (as only little sisters can) about guest blogging again. Honestly, I feel like such a total dork when I guest blog because, as stated in my last post, you come here for her journey & her sense of humor & I don't even come close to being as entertaining as her. I am far behind her in the humor department.

I am also far behind her on every stinking run we have ever taken together. We are training together for our first 5K. We are following the Couch to 5K program & highly recommend it. The thing is, for Emily it wasn't exactly couch to 5K. It was more "gym 5 days a week & meeting with a trainer 2 of those days" to 5K. Me? It was "on the couch getting winded walking to the kitchen for another brownie" to 5K. So maybe I was setting myself up for feeling like a failure. I'm not the most competitive person but I am very comparative. Meaning, I often compare myself with those around me. So, when my sister & I headed out for that first run I figured she still had 40+ pounds on me & that I would be the one encouraging her not to give up. Ha! The pride comes before the fall, right?

I did not fall, literally, but I sure fell behind. I remember our very first run. It was a gorgeous & cool day & we headed out with our iPods synched to the second with our Week 1 Mix Down (our own music with Emily's ghetto fabulous impersonation telling us when to walk & run). We did our 5 minute warm up brisk walk & I was winded. Then came time to run for 60 seconds. 15 seconds into it I thought I was going to die. I made it the full 60 seconds though & was surprised that Emily was right beside me. (Remember, I thought she'd be eating my dust). 3 minutes of walking followed the first run & at the end of the walking I heard "RUN" in my ears & I guess (according to my sister) I said some very un-Heather-like words & got to running.

The first week we kept pace with one another but by week 2 she was much faster than me. I remember her saying something along the lines of..."um, well, when we run do you want to try & pick up the pace a little?" I probably would have died had I tried to run faster but I told her she was more than welcome. Ever since then we have kept pace during our warm up & cool down but during the run she is always about a block ahead of me. Emily & I joke about this tortoise & hare situation but it's not just us who have caught on! My dad gave Emily a card for her birthday & on the front of the card were two women running. The blonde was in front & the brunette was in back. Emily says "Oh, look, it's me & Heathy" and dad says "Yeah! & look who's up front" ha ha ha. Thanks dad!

I could be annoyed & jealous at her speed but instead I just choose to remember that this means that on race day she will finish first...and be there to high five & hug me at the finish line!

----Heather----

Times are a Changin!

Hello Friends!

It is Thanksgiving Eve and I can not believe I am almost 11 months post op. Boy have things changed since last Thanksgiving.

Lets paint a picture here...Last Thanksgiving, I was so eager to eat EVERYTHING in sight. That's right; turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, green beans, trying yams...again, apple pie, ice cream, pumpkin pie, pecan pie! I ate myself into a ridiculous stupor. And....if I remember correctly, actually threw up because I ate too much and was so so so sick. But, I guess 3 platefuls will do that to you.

I was not physically active and sure was not planning on doing that any time soon. I mean come on...being 363 pounds is not conducive to exercising...and for me it was not really conducive to doing much of anything.

BUT...THIS YEAR.....Things have changed!

Tomorrow will be quite a different day! I look at the list of foods I ate last year, and my perspective has totally changed. Sure, I will eat a little turkey, a few bites of mashed potatoes and some stuffing, but my heart is set on the veggies and the Sugar Free Pie. Instead of eating 3 platefuls of food and getting sick, I will be eating one child's plateful. Oh, don't get me wrong, that plate will be full....but it is a SMALL plate. I think it is more of a psychological thing to have a full plate on Thanksgiving, but mine will just me a much smaller plateful.

SO....lets now talk about some of the physical activity changes that have occurred this year. Never in my life would I have dreamed that I would go running on Thanksgiving Day before we eat. And not just any run....but my 5K training run which is 3.4 miles. That's right...on Thanksgiving, not to mention that today I woke up at 5:00 am to take a spin class and walked my butt off at Disneyland all day!

I feel like a "self made athlete!" Ok ok so I can't take all the credit, I have an AMAZING personal trainer, but I work so hard to stay fit and take care of my body.

Who would have even imagined I would be where I am at this year as compared to last year?

For that I am so grateful!

So my friends, enjoy your Thanksgiving and be truly grateful for the air in our lungs and the ability to be active!

Gym Rat Rants Part Deux

I get asked sometimes if I have a favorite post...or which one makes me laugh still to this day? I would have to honestly answer that as YES for sure. THIS POST...day in and day out proves itself to be true. I run into these people who do these things all the time! I guess they have not been reading my advice for them.

Well, joyfully for you readers, but sadly for me, I have to report I have issued my second letter to the attendees at the gym....*wink*

So here it is...

Dear Gym Members...

First and foremost, the last 9 months have been quite a pleasure working out with you. You see, I completely enjoy seeing you work out and it is quite inspiring to work out with the same people every week. BUT there are some of you that need a bit of an intervention. So...this letter is for you. I have made it quite easy. I will now give you a list of things that I would appreciate you NOT do at the gym while we work out.

Lets discuss proper workout attire. I am sorry to report that Toms, Keds, and Ecko Whites are not appropriate footwear. If you want to develop shin splints...please do that at another gym. I do not want to see you limping around. INVEST in some tennis shoes.

On the topic of attire, I would kindly suggest you not wear jeans or overalls to work out. As far as I know, chafing is not a very good look on you. Save yourself the embarrassment of chafed "areas" and the discomfort.


Please bring a water bottle! The water fountain is for a "quick sip." You look like a camel preparing for a drought when you stand there for 100 years drinking water. I think that hump on your back is due to poor posture, not for holding water. Furthermore, please keep your mouth off the drinking fountain. Thanks :)

If you smoke, wear too much perfume, Axe deodorant, or rub Icy Hot on before you work out...please do not choose to run next to me. If I wanted to smell an array of aroma, I would frequent Purfumania, not the gym. NUFF SAID!

Also, person next to me on the treadmill, I specifically pick out a mix of my own music to listen to. Your singing, humming, whistling or just plain loud music is not necessary.

This one is specifically for men....why do you insist on ripping the arms off your t-shirt and all the way down the sides? I mean really, if you wanted a faux shirt...what I call a dicky, I can get you one, but do not waste a perfectly good shirt only to rip it. Furthermore, I would really prefer not to see your mipples. Thanks:)

Ladies: A sports bra is not considered a shirt. They call them undergarments for a reason...Empasis on the UNDER!

Speaking of undergarments...please WEAR them!

And lastly....Men please do not wear SHORT shorts...I mean sure I have no problem saying "hi" to some thigh, but I have been known to shriek at some cheek!

So there you have it. Fellow gym attendees, thank you for keeping me happy with some minor workout adjustments.

LOVE: A fellow Gym Rat

You may have finished reading this and still curious if you would be considered a "gym rat."

If you ask yourself this, here are three tell tale signs you are indeed a gym rat!

1. When you hear the word "push up" you know that this is indeed an exercise, not the most delectable Popsicle you will have eaten.
2. When you hear the word "kettle bell" you know that this means a piece exercise equippment, not the bell that sounds when tea is ready. And it certainly is not for bringing the cows home.
3. When you hear the word "hamstring" you know that is a muscle, not a ham and string cheese sandwich.

So there you have my dear readers. Do you have any gym rants you want to share? I would love to hear them!

ONE YEAR BLOG-IVERSARY

That is right faithful readers...today marks my

ONE year blog-iversary!

Can you believe it? I have been blogging for one whole year! I am shocked myself that I still have stuff to say. My life is pretty boring but losing 150lbs is far from boring. Sure I have a little more to go, but I wanted to recap the last year by following up on a list a created 1 year ago today!

It was titled Fry Me Up Some Reasons....Here is my 10 top fun reasons why I wanted Gastric Bypass with my now follow up answers.

#1 I look forward to taking up only one seat on an airplane. (Personal space, please!)

Have not been on an airplane yet, but pretty sure since I can sit in the back seat of a car and only take up my one spot and the seatbelts actually fit, I will not be the dreaded person to sit next to on an airplane. Nor will I be the first one escorted off the plane if they are over the weight limit.

#2 I finally get to sit in the back seat of a car, with two other people.

Like I said above, though I get carsick, it is such a relief not to be a burden to people and always have to sit shotgun. Furthermore, I can actually sit in the middle seat!

#3 Say goodbye bigger water bills for more laundry. (Save the whales:)

I can actually say that this one is true! Since I am smaller, I have smaller clothing, thus smaller loads of laundry. I have gone from doing 4-5 loads of laundry a week to only 2. Not to mention I am adding 3-4 more outfits from working out at the gym. I must say it is pretty cool to only have to fold and do 2 loads of laundry. Shamu and I are buddies:)

#4 I wont have to say excuse me every time I have to squeeze past someone.

SUCH a relief! I mean really....how annoying was it for my belly or other large areas bumping into people. Now the only thing busting people up is my HUGE purse or my boxing punches.

#5 I will save money on replacing furniture I break. ( How do I budget that Dave Ramsey?)

TRUE! I have not broken a single piece of furniture this last year. Let me tell you....those cheap chairs are not even budging.

#6 Better gas mileage in my car.....(I don't know if that is true, but lets go with it:)

Sadly this is not true...Maybe it is due to the fact that at any given time I have my weight in water bottles in my trunk. I do drive a Honda, so I really can not complain about bad gas mileage.

#7 Look out here I come Bounce Houses and Ballet.

Still no ballet! I want to do it so bad...but have not found the time and dont quite have the leotard body;)

#8 Even Rollercoasters will be more fun. (Scared to death, not scared to die)

Most def will not ride one...still so scared!

#9 STILETTOS. I don't have to worry about snapping off the heal.

OH MY GOSH!!! SO fun!!! I love me some stilettes! So hot and so fun to wear. Like I have said before, I have no one to be short for so going from 5 foot 11 to 6 foot 3 is no problem.

#10 SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING! Did I say SHOPPING?

For sure an expensive perk! I have never bought so many clothes in my life! It does get annoying because I buy something cute and wear it less than a month and it is too big, but hey it is fun to shop. Fashion Find Fridays was born because of my love of shopping.

Well so there you have it! I predicted some exciting new things...and there they were!

Hope you enjoyed it:)