I am more than happy to report that I survived the holidays without gaining any weight! Rock on!! Not one single pound. I enjoyed every single function I went to, tasted and sampled if I wanted to, but really watched portion control and tried to focus on proteins as my main staple. I drank a lot of water, unsweet tea etc too. I went to Boot Camp when I could. I didn't stress over anything and just enjoyed myself. And.....I am just fine!
I have actually LOST a few pounds the past 2 days but I won't take full credit for that. I have been super sick since Saturday (today is Monday). I finally have my first real "sick" of the season. Totally my first stomach virus since surgery and I had always wondered what it would be like post-op to have a stomach virus. So.....now I know. Not different than any other virus thank goodness but misrable nonetheless. I also got a really bad cold at the same time as the stomach virus. Totally weird!! Either way I really don't want to eat nor do I hold it down. I've decided that it doesn't matter how healthy one is, you are going to sick. Especially this time of year. I spent Thursday at the Georgia Aquarium with 1000's of people from all over the world with too many germs. I am sure I picked it up there and brought it back to Alabama. I was more worried that my sweet little nephews got sick but so far they are fine!
For New Year's I had fun plans with friends but will be laid up resting off this cold stuff instead. That is frustrating!! I have to go back to work on Wednesday and leave Friday for MIAMI for the National Championship Game! Pumped! However, I have no warm weather bottoms (capris or shorts) to wear. Prior to being sick I tried on all of my shorts that I had just worn this summer into about October!! All but one pair are HUGE on me. Cannot wear them at all. That is great but not good for my trip to Miami. I didn't want to buy warm weather clothes until next summer.
In the midst of being sick Saturday I tried to shop for my Miami trip. I was seriously so sick so didn't make it long but I did score some super good deals and smaller sizes! I bought my first pair of size 14 pants. A pair of white capris from The Limited (a store I haven't shopped in since I was in my 20's). I paid $7 for these cute little capris too. I actually bought them with hope that I could fit in them by the spring but amazingly they FIT!! Double good news!! I also had some coupons and got a pair of RED skinny jeans for less than $5 and a pair of black leggings for $5. I did spend more than I ever would on a cute little RED tunic at J Jill but it is perfect for the warm weather game next week (with my houndstooth scarf) and easily worn year round with leggings. So I was done shopping, stopped to get some Nyquil and have been in the bed for the past 2 days since.
test layout
About Me
- Ashley
- Birmingham, AL, United States
- On June 2, 2012 I had Gastric Sleeve surgery in Juarez, Mexico. This blog follows my journey, thoughts and challenges regarding a lifetime of being "just a pretty face" and the road to a healthier me!
December 31, 2012
December 20, 2012
Jump Rope Day 2
I just need everyone to know that in Bootcamp class tonight I was able to rock the jumprope warmup much better than yesterday. I jumped all the way down the room and back SIDEWAYS. Jumping the rope while also jumping backward across the room was a little more challenging. Well, A LOT challenging. I was able to just jump in place tons more but once Marco (trainer) started with all the fancy footwork and twisting the rope all crazy....he lost me! He is a former boxer so....yea!
Progress....progress. I then came home and ate half a roasted chicken but I digress.....No Bootcamp till after Christmas. I'm really sad!
Progress....progress. I then came home and ate half a roasted chicken but I digress.....No Bootcamp till after Christmas. I'm really sad!
Jump Rope Trainwreck
Last nite was my first nite back at Bootcamp in over a week. I was fine. Well, except for the jump rope warm-up exercises. I CANNOT jump rope....anymore. I honestly cannot think of the last time I jumped rope but I assure you in was in pre-pubescent times B.C.
Newton's Law of Physics applies to this trainwreck more than the law of "it's like riding a bike". I assure you that once my body was in motion it stayed in motion but not exactly the direction or flow I wanted. I could not get the rope to go under my feet at the same time the feet were in the air. Then I would have to hop twice before the rope made it back over and under the feet again. I am really not sure how that worked but it did. Even though I said "worked" I don't mean that in a successful way. I just mean I was able to get the trainwreck to stay on the tracks without major injury. I honestly think I looked like a baby horse trying to stand for the first time but with a jump rope swinging haphazardly around my head.
I could not stop laughing. Marco (one of my trainers) has got to think I am crazy. I love him now though. He is the one who tried to kill me the first time I ever went to Bootcamp. Marco is a boxing instructor so while I was still trying to figure out how to perfectly align my feet with the movement of the rope, he had moved on to having the class do things like Rocky does with the jumprope. We had to jump forward across the room, backward back across the room, and the sideways. Ummmm...negative.
I just asked Santa for a jump rope for Christmas. For one, I am EXTREMELY determined and I do not like not being good at something so I want to master the jump rope. Second, the jump rope is actually an excellent workout. I also asked Santa for boxing training gloves so I can start going to the Boxing classes at the gym. Other chicas in my Bootcamp class said the Boxing classes are an awesome workout. That will give me more options too!
Newton's Law of Physics applies to this trainwreck more than the law of "it's like riding a bike". I assure you that once my body was in motion it stayed in motion but not exactly the direction or flow I wanted. I could not get the rope to go under my feet at the same time the feet were in the air. Then I would have to hop twice before the rope made it back over and under the feet again. I am really not sure how that worked but it did. Even though I said "worked" I don't mean that in a successful way. I just mean I was able to get the trainwreck to stay on the tracks without major injury. I honestly think I looked like a baby horse trying to stand for the first time but with a jump rope swinging haphazardly around my head.
I could not stop laughing. Marco (one of my trainers) has got to think I am crazy. I love him now though. He is the one who tried to kill me the first time I ever went to Bootcamp. Marco is a boxing instructor so while I was still trying to figure out how to perfectly align my feet with the movement of the rope, he had moved on to having the class do things like Rocky does with the jumprope. We had to jump forward across the room, backward back across the room, and the sideways. Ummmm...negative.
I just asked Santa for a jump rope for Christmas. For one, I am EXTREMELY determined and I do not like not being good at something so I want to master the jump rope. Second, the jump rope is actually an excellent workout. I also asked Santa for boxing training gloves so I can start going to the Boxing classes at the gym. Other chicas in my Bootcamp class said the Boxing classes are an awesome workout. That will give me more options too!
December 18, 2012
Jingle Bell Run.....
Here are my pics from the Jingle Bell Run a few weeks ago. This is me RUNNING!! Remember, I don't run yall! I didn't run tons. Won't give anyone that false sense of accomplishment on my part. The fact that I could run at all without passing out is huge progress though. Now off to my next Christmas party...ha ha!
Pants on the Ground....
These are NEW jeans. Size 16 misses. These do fit when I first put them on but by the end of the day this is what I have.....saggy bootie!! I'll take it. I've never had clothes too big for me by the end of the day. Usually just as tight as when I put them on!
A face tells no lies!!
Well....this makes me feel better about nibbling on a cookie tonight! Day before my surgery and today! What a difference healthy living makes!!
June 2012-Day before surgery
December 2012--6 months post-op
Holy Holiday Hell.......
Oh my gosh! The holidays and my healthy lifestyle are not working well together. I haven't gained any weight but haven't lost more than a pound or two off and on this week. This holiday balance is hard. Harder than any holiday season ever but that is because I actually care what I eat and do now! On the positive side, I am amazingly blessed to have my social life back for a change. The past 5 years my teacher work and PhD demands really took a toll on my social life like it did my health. I usually had to say no, or I can't or had to cancel last minute to holiday gathering and socials so I could focus on school work. I am usually very sick by this time of year too. NOT sick right now (fabulous) AND.....I have had a holiday "something" every single day or nite for the last week. I have TWO tomorrow. I am so happy to have this time with friends. That is actually just as healthy for me emotionally as my "body" health. So I am thankful!
Downside of all this celebrating is FOOD and NO EXERCISE. Oh my gosh!! I am surrounded by appetizers, snacks, comfort food and sugary treats at every single gathering. I have done a great job maintaing portion control with my meals at the gatherings but I have also nibbled here and there on treats. The good thing is that I really do just nibble but I feel horrible, full, and guilty after. I think I am stressing more than I should. I read the blogs or advice from others that says DO NOT even nibble on something unhealthy. Actually, I do not think I am even supposed to look at it. Looking at it is an automatic 5 pound gain I am sure! Either way....it makes me feel horribly guilty. Then I read other blogs or advice that says to just watch portions, get a little plate or take a nibble not a bite etc. Still struggle emotionally with guilt either way. I must be Catholic and not know it!
Tonight's party with my most favorite girls was pizza, salad and a "treat swap". This is a pic of what came home with me tonight. It doesn't even look yummy to me oddly. I do love those Mexican Wedding Cookies though (shhhhhhh). I will share with friends and neighbors but feel so guilty for even tasting some of this tonight. I actually called my best guy friend from the car IN the driveway when I was leaving the party tonight to see if I could bring it all to him but he was at the GYM on the treadmill! Oy Vey!!
I have read all the "tips" that say to eat before you go to a party or just don't eat while you are there. Well, in the situations I have been in with my parties, it would be more than rude to not eat or the event was hours long and I had to eat something. I need to do a better job of planning or packing snacks, drinks and meals to take with me. Need to have things I keep in the car too. This is an issue and challenge. My responsibility though. Until I do it, I can't expect to make better choices in tight situations.
All my parties have been at night as well which means no bootcamp since last week. I need to come up with a Plan B workout. The good news is that my last 2 parties are tomorrow. I should be able to get it together after that. I really really love Bootcamp!! Who knew??
Tomorrow is a new day......just happens to be a damn day in December!!
December 14, 2012
December......almost a wrap!!
Wow!! I just realized it has been WEEKS since my last post. I have had some really awesome stuff going on, all fun, so I just haven't even realized all this time has passed. Basically here is where I have been lately and a few tidbits about each so grab a drink and snack and get comfy. Lots to tell you about the past 3 weeks!!
1. Atlanta for the SEC Championship. This was my first SEC championship but nothing new for Alabama. There were 18 of us who sat together for the game which made the experience even better. Beside the LSU game (in Tuscaloosa) in 2011, this was the most stressful game I have ever been to. My jaws were sore the next day. We decided at the last minute to drive over the nite before the game. Like at 10pm!! So, I was VERY unprepared with any foods or snacks and I ate terrible stadium and fast foods. Even though I only had little bites here and there, I ate TERRIBLE!! I gained almost 5 pounds!! So if you think it doesn't really matter what you put in your body....yup!! Here are some pics of me at the game. Feels so good to have someone take a full body shot of you and have no worries about anyone seeing it!!
This is our pic with AJ McCarron's mom Dee Dee!! We love her. Sassy women who stand loudly for what she believes in!!
2. Bootcamp classes about 3 nites a week. I LOVE these classes. Every time I go is different. I really like that because I don't get bored. It also means I can't back out if it is something I may not want to put myself through....ha ha. My goal is to go 3 nites a week but that has been hard with the holiday season. I am so amazed what I can do, how I can push myself and how at the end of the hour, I have survived yet another class. All the instructors are so different which is good. Really good for the body. One is HARD CORE bootcamp style and I am always very sore after his class. One is HARD CORE with the cardio and I really need that. I needed to build up my stamina and breathing. Another is lady and she does a circut style workout. I liked the predictability of what we would be doing. So, I feel it is a good balance. This week I am a little too sore. After running the 5k last weekend I was sore. Then my bootcamp on Monday focused on the legs. Therefore.....I do not sit on the potty. I basically just fall backward and pray I don't miss the throne. We had a Tornado drill at school yesterday which requires us to sit on the floor in the hall with our back against the wall. I literally had to lean my back against the wall and slide down slowly like melted ice cream running off a picnic table. It really was funny. When I am not so busy I'd like to start going to Zumba classes too. I miss going. Think it would be a good balance with the bootcamp.
3. Christmas Shopping for friends and family. I try to do a lot during the year so this wasn't so difficult and means I don't blow all my money in one month.
4. Christmas shopping for 2 children from my school who needed some love. I teach in a lower income school so we have our own Angel Tree for our students(anyomous of course and thanks to the super awesome school counselor we have). I asked the counselor for a sibling set and was blessed with a brother/sister. Our priority is to get them shoes and clothing then we can get them any toys they ask for. It took me HOURS to shops for these kids. I wanted them to have nice things. Not Walmart shoes etc so I really took my time to find gifts that were just so. I hope during this holiday season you feel inclined to help others somehow. I feel strongly that you find a way to help someone directly in your community and through an organization that you know will help someone in your community. Many of the big popular organizations use our donations to help other in countries overseas and I am just not down with that!! I want to help the faces and places I see everyday.
5. I've been sick twice this month but only with the crud. Amazing since the flu is spreading like wildfire in my school system. However, inevidible since my little ones in the classroom come to school sick and use me as a human tissue. This kept me out of bootcamp for a week and FORCED me to want to eat warm comfort food. The Bariatric way I survived this is by cooking tons of soups/stews. I made a veggie beef, lowfat chili and a black bean with smoked turkey sausage. I made enough to freeze about 20 1 cup containers. This really does make meal planning easy. I will set one out before I go to bed to take to work the next day. One container is 2-3 meals for me depending on how much I eat. I try to eat a salad or veggies and yogurt dip with this.
6. Jingle Bell Run 5k. This is the first time I have ever RUN during a 5k. Will post pics soon. I walked a lot but ran quite a bit and it felt fabulous. I really love doing these races because I help raise money and attention for a good cause (this one was for arthritis and in honor of my dear friend Jennifer's daughter Delaney who has JRA). I also love that I get a fun workout in for the day, I start my day bright and early and I just feel fabulous when I am done. I have already signed up to do the Warrior Dash next November. I also signed up for a super fun run in January called the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Dash. Before you yell at me to NOT run for doughnuts, I will say that this run support our local Children's Hospital which is one spectacular facility and has helped so many of my former students as well as friend's children who have had illnesses or injuries. But I will be running for doughnuts!! You run 2 miles, eat a dozen doughnuts and run back 2 miles. The good news is you don't have to eat the doughnuts. I can grab my hot and yummies and run back with the box. I will share with some friends I have coming to the race but not running! There really are a lot of fun runs to do in this town so hopefully I'll have a lot more to attend and get better at running every time I do one!
7. Transiberian Orchestra Concert. Christmas is not complete without some TSO or Mannheim Steamroller on the radio. I was super pumped to see TSO in concert. I didn't love the story line though. VERY weird!! Something about a child born with his oxgen cut off, brain injury, would never speak or work (ummmmmm.....the special ed teacher in me was like HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT???), the mother died giving birth and the father didn't want the kid so put him in an institution. I was like What Tha.....???? I LOVED the music though! Could listen to them play the hard rock Christmas music all nite.
8. Spent 4 hours with my stats professor running data analysis for my doctorate research. HUGE hurdle in the pursuit of my PhD. This is great news but also means I am going to have to work hard not to sit all day and nite writing. I will because that is how I work best. But NOT healthy and one of the main reasons I gained so much weight in the past few years. Thankful that there is a set day and time for my Bootcamp and Zumba classes. Makes it easier for me to set things down and go workout. If I had to just stop to go to the gym or go walk, it wouldn't happen.
9. Got ALL my gifts wrapped and under the tree. So pretty!! This literally took HOURS though!
10. And.....sat under the most beautiful sky at midnite last nite with a hot cup of tea and watched meteors shoot across the sky. Reflected on what an amazing journey life really is. But also made me think what a gift I have to be healthy, cognitive, able, functional etc. I need to respect those gifts and keep working hard to take care of these gifts I have been given.
Weightloss has been Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! I gain a few, lose those few, gain a few, lose those few. Same weight as last post!! Holiday parties, stress and busy social fun isn't helping. I have reached out to other Bariatric girls for some support. I'm sure the bootcamp workouts are buring fat but building muscle. That won't help with the scale but like I have said on here 100 times, I want to see the loss in numbers. The good news is my body is getting smaller, clothes bigger, my health is so much better, my energy level is fabulous, I am so much more physically able and I feel so awesome and happy. That scale haunts me though. Love/Hate relationship!
I do have Christmas parties every nite for the next 5 nites for sure. I want to have fun and enjoy the season but not over endulge. Will be interesting to see how I do. Everything I read about being social and eating says it is so hard to really know what you are taking in because you are having fun and not paying attention. I know this will be a challenge for me but really.....it is OK!! I said in the beginning after WLS that I was going to live and enjoy life. Not starve to be healthy. Will let you all know how I do with the "balance"!!
1. Atlanta for the SEC Championship. This was my first SEC championship but nothing new for Alabama. There were 18 of us who sat together for the game which made the experience even better. Beside the LSU game (in Tuscaloosa) in 2011, this was the most stressful game I have ever been to. My jaws were sore the next day. We decided at the last minute to drive over the nite before the game. Like at 10pm!! So, I was VERY unprepared with any foods or snacks and I ate terrible stadium and fast foods. Even though I only had little bites here and there, I ate TERRIBLE!! I gained almost 5 pounds!! So if you think it doesn't really matter what you put in your body....yup!! Here are some pics of me at the game. Feels so good to have someone take a full body shot of you and have no worries about anyone seeing it!!
This is our pic with AJ McCarron's mom Dee Dee!! We love her. Sassy women who stand loudly for what she believes in!!
2. Bootcamp classes about 3 nites a week. I LOVE these classes. Every time I go is different. I really like that because I don't get bored. It also means I can't back out if it is something I may not want to put myself through....ha ha. My goal is to go 3 nites a week but that has been hard with the holiday season. I am so amazed what I can do, how I can push myself and how at the end of the hour, I have survived yet another class. All the instructors are so different which is good. Really good for the body. One is HARD CORE bootcamp style and I am always very sore after his class. One is HARD CORE with the cardio and I really need that. I needed to build up my stamina and breathing. Another is lady and she does a circut style workout. I liked the predictability of what we would be doing. So, I feel it is a good balance. This week I am a little too sore. After running the 5k last weekend I was sore. Then my bootcamp on Monday focused on the legs. Therefore.....I do not sit on the potty. I basically just fall backward and pray I don't miss the throne. We had a Tornado drill at school yesterday which requires us to sit on the floor in the hall with our back against the wall. I literally had to lean my back against the wall and slide down slowly like melted ice cream running off a picnic table. It really was funny. When I am not so busy I'd like to start going to Zumba classes too. I miss going. Think it would be a good balance with the bootcamp.
3. Christmas Shopping for friends and family. I try to do a lot during the year so this wasn't so difficult and means I don't blow all my money in one month.
4. Christmas shopping for 2 children from my school who needed some love. I teach in a lower income school so we have our own Angel Tree for our students(anyomous of course and thanks to the super awesome school counselor we have). I asked the counselor for a sibling set and was blessed with a brother/sister. Our priority is to get them shoes and clothing then we can get them any toys they ask for. It took me HOURS to shops for these kids. I wanted them to have nice things. Not Walmart shoes etc so I really took my time to find gifts that were just so. I hope during this holiday season you feel inclined to help others somehow. I feel strongly that you find a way to help someone directly in your community and through an organization that you know will help someone in your community. Many of the big popular organizations use our donations to help other in countries overseas and I am just not down with that!! I want to help the faces and places I see everyday.
5. I've been sick twice this month but only with the crud. Amazing since the flu is spreading like wildfire in my school system. However, inevidible since my little ones in the classroom come to school sick and use me as a human tissue. This kept me out of bootcamp for a week and FORCED me to want to eat warm comfort food. The Bariatric way I survived this is by cooking tons of soups/stews. I made a veggie beef, lowfat chili and a black bean with smoked turkey sausage. I made enough to freeze about 20 1 cup containers. This really does make meal planning easy. I will set one out before I go to bed to take to work the next day. One container is 2-3 meals for me depending on how much I eat. I try to eat a salad or veggies and yogurt dip with this.
6. Jingle Bell Run 5k. This is the first time I have ever RUN during a 5k. Will post pics soon. I walked a lot but ran quite a bit and it felt fabulous. I really love doing these races because I help raise money and attention for a good cause (this one was for arthritis and in honor of my dear friend Jennifer's daughter Delaney who has JRA). I also love that I get a fun workout in for the day, I start my day bright and early and I just feel fabulous when I am done. I have already signed up to do the Warrior Dash next November. I also signed up for a super fun run in January called the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Dash. Before you yell at me to NOT run for doughnuts, I will say that this run support our local Children's Hospital which is one spectacular facility and has helped so many of my former students as well as friend's children who have had illnesses or injuries. But I will be running for doughnuts!! You run 2 miles, eat a dozen doughnuts and run back 2 miles. The good news is you don't have to eat the doughnuts. I can grab my hot and yummies and run back with the box. I will share with some friends I have coming to the race but not running! There really are a lot of fun runs to do in this town so hopefully I'll have a lot more to attend and get better at running every time I do one!
7. Transiberian Orchestra Concert. Christmas is not complete without some TSO or Mannheim Steamroller on the radio. I was super pumped to see TSO in concert. I didn't love the story line though. VERY weird!! Something about a child born with his oxgen cut off, brain injury, would never speak or work (ummmmmm.....the special ed teacher in me was like HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT???), the mother died giving birth and the father didn't want the kid so put him in an institution. I was like What Tha.....???? I LOVED the music though! Could listen to them play the hard rock Christmas music all nite.
8. Spent 4 hours with my stats professor running data analysis for my doctorate research. HUGE hurdle in the pursuit of my PhD. This is great news but also means I am going to have to work hard not to sit all day and nite writing. I will because that is how I work best. But NOT healthy and one of the main reasons I gained so much weight in the past few years. Thankful that there is a set day and time for my Bootcamp and Zumba classes. Makes it easier for me to set things down and go workout. If I had to just stop to go to the gym or go walk, it wouldn't happen.
9. Got ALL my gifts wrapped and under the tree. So pretty!! This literally took HOURS though!
10. And.....sat under the most beautiful sky at midnite last nite with a hot cup of tea and watched meteors shoot across the sky. Reflected on what an amazing journey life really is. But also made me think what a gift I have to be healthy, cognitive, able, functional etc. I need to respect those gifts and keep working hard to take care of these gifts I have been given.
Weightloss has been Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! I gain a few, lose those few, gain a few, lose those few. Same weight as last post!! Holiday parties, stress and busy social fun isn't helping. I have reached out to other Bariatric girls for some support. I'm sure the bootcamp workouts are buring fat but building muscle. That won't help with the scale but like I have said on here 100 times, I want to see the loss in numbers. The good news is my body is getting smaller, clothes bigger, my health is so much better, my energy level is fabulous, I am so much more physically able and I feel so awesome and happy. That scale haunts me though. Love/Hate relationship!
I do have Christmas parties every nite for the next 5 nites for sure. I want to have fun and enjoy the season but not over endulge. Will be interesting to see how I do. Everything I read about being social and eating says it is so hard to really know what you are taking in because you are having fun and not paying attention. I know this will be a challenge for me but really.....it is OK!! I said in the beginning after WLS that I was going to live and enjoy life. Not starve to be healthy. Will let you all know how I do with the "balance"!!
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