New Year, New Girl, 2K16

Oh! Hey! 

(well this is embarrassing.....)

HOW ARE YOU? I feel like it's been forEVER since I last saw you! 

And really, I have no one to blame but myself. 

I tend to do this with blogs/journals/any sort of documenting my life experiences,

but I have had so many people ask me about my blog that I realized that it was time to get back on the bandwagon. 

SO much has happened since I last hit my 50 pound mark and blogged about it.

I almost feel like a whole new girl. 

I started a new semester, 

with all new goals,

new job,

new internships opportunities (x2),

a whole new world of dating,

working out with my trainer,
new hair style,

and SO much more. 

(if you're nosy enough to ask me about any of the above I'd be happy to fill you in on my life) 

I can't believe that I am almost 8 months post-op!

Where has the time gone? 

My body is still changing so so much, but it sometimes it can be hard to see it in yourself,

even if the scale is telling you that it's true. 

It wasn't until today when I was going through my camera roll,

and decided to take some "update pictures" did I feel like I could see a difference. 

Total time: 8 months post-op 

Total weight loss- 85 pounds

(These pictures were taken only this last August, so about the last time I posted on the blog. I was about 50 pounds down in these before pictures) 

(this one is backwards, but you get the idea)

For those of you wondering, I am back to as normal of a diet as I think I ever will be.

I can eat a lot of things again, but with MUCH moderation.

If I get too much sugar, I get sick.

If I eat too fast, I get sick.

If I eat more than a palm sized amount of food at a time, I get sick.

But 8 months in, I've basically figured out what works and what doesn't,

and its become fairly easy to stay away from the things that don't go ever well. 

Since school started this fall, I've STRUGGLED getting to the gym. 

Over the summer I was doing so well, and getting so strong, 

but it was hard to keep up the routine when school started.

I've made adjustments to my school schedule, 

and I have moved back home so it is easier to attend "my gym" 

and I think both of these things, as well as some new found determination will make a difference.

I've started running again and I can already tell a difference between starting a cardio routine 80 pounds ago, and today.  

I am not perfect.

My diet is not perfect.

as I just mentioned above, 

my workout routine is not perfect,

but I'm improving,

I'm changing,

I'm transitioning.

I'm doing so well.

I am so blessed.

I am so thankful for my amazing parents 

who made this life change so possible and their love and support 

through the physical and mental pain of it all. 

They are my rock. I would not be able to do without them. 

If you have young children (especially girls) who struggle with their weight,

I beg you to read this article. 

As someone who came from a home that kept most of these rules, 

I can say that it made the world of difference. 

New years resolution 2k16- UPDATE THIS BLOG MORE FREQUENTLY.

(but seriously, feel free to hold me accountable and ask when I'll update again)

Current phone wallpapers:

All Liquid Diet- Day3

Today is was my birthday! 

Last week when we set my surgery date,

and I found out that I could have my surgery as early as May 4th,

I was excited at the idea to get it done A.S.A.P.

The only thing that made me hesitant was that
I was going to have to do the "all liquid thing" on my birthday.

But I decided that it wouldn't be worth delaying my surgery 

a whole week later just for one day.

I'm not going to lie. It wasn't fun.

I guess I just didn't realize how much of your birthday revolves around food!

My neighbors brought me over my favorite candies,

everyone wanted to take me out to lunch,

some of my favorite guys brought me a HUGE cupcake,

and I just wanted to celebrate because I had nothing else exciting going on.

Luckily I had spent a wonderful weekend before celebrating.

I just kept telling myself that "last weekend was the celebration" .

Like I said, it was a bummer.

To top everything off,

I sprained my ankle.

I have to move out of my apartment this week, 

and so I was carrying some boxes 

and I couldn't see the uneven sidewalk in front of me,

so I totally biffed it.

It hurt real bad to walk,

and I had to work a couple of hours later!

I had already asked everyone I could think of to cover my shift 

(because of my birthday)

so I knew that no one could cover for me.

So I hobbeled to work, 

where everyone wanted to buy me dinner. 

Luckily almost everyone knew that I was officially "all liquid". 

My manager ended up buying me and the girl working with me dinner.

I just ordered a really yummy tortilla soup

that can a very flavourous broth 

and I just had to take out all the chunks.

But I was still a happy camper with my soup.

And then I realized, 

I could still eat out with my friends

I would just need to order non chunky, soups!

This realization broadened my horizons in so many ways.

I suddenly didn't feel as depressed as before.

So here are the lessons from the day:

- Learn to how to celebrate without food

-You can still each out with friends. Just order soup

and lastly:

All Liquid Diet- Day 2

Weeeee!

Day two is done!

I am amazed at the difference between yesterday and today.

Yesterday I felt crabby, emotional, and overall HANGRY all day.

I felt like my body was constantly sending signals to my brain telling me

"You're hungry, you're hungry you're really really hungry."

It basically consumed my thoughts the entire day.

Today, I woke up feeling GREAT.

I started the day with Xyngular+Crystal Light Pure Mixed Berry

                                                                       

It was a pretty good mixture, but honestly my favorite part 

was that I added some chipped ice from the corner market. 

It made all the difference!

Made the drink colder, smoother,

plus I'm an ice chewer- 

so it felt like I was actually eating something.

So ya, that was a win.  

It keep me going for quite a while.

Actually, I feel like I barely "ate" anything today.

A couple of protein shakes, but not nearly as many as yesterday. 

My body did not feel nearly as hungry as yesterday. 

I felt more in control, and it felt great.

I'm looking for a simple protein counter or "anything" counting widget. 

Anyone have any ideas?

Also, this article made me laugh out loud,

and I love that the Lilly Pulizer Plus sized line at Target was such a success!

Starting Fresh

I'm the kind of girl who has struggled with her weight her whole life. 

To be completely honest, I'm not sure if I know any different. 

It's always been part of who I am- the fat girl. 

You know, no one WANTS to be the fat girl. 

But when you don't know anything else, you just kind of learn to live with it.

I've fluctuated- Oh how I've fluctuated. 

But finally enough has become enough.

I'm ready to start fresh, 

to change forever,

and I've decided to document it. 

In two short weeks, I will have life changing surgery-

Gastric bypass

In which they basically scrape out my innards 

and leave me with a stomach the size of my thumb. 

Rad. 

As I've researched this, 

I was hoping to find someone else's story 

who could warn me of what was to come,

where I could read their life changing experience 

and get excited for mine

but I didn't find much. 

Gastric Bypass apparently is embarrassing

apparently we're not supposed to talk about it,

let alone make it a public affair,

but you know what I say?

Screw it. 

If my experience can motivate someone else's 

or even just the creative outlet that I will need

let that be. 

Now lets be honest here:

I'm not a writer.

I'm not a health professional.

I don't even have my life together

I'm just a girl,

making some changes 

and seeing some changes,

and this is my tale of transition.