107 Pounds down in 18 weeks!
fitmissbliss
Posts: 126 Member
This is my first post as an actual thread and I must confess I'm a bit nervous. But, here goes.
My name is Courtney, and as of Jan 1 2016, I have officially lost 100 pounds! As of 8/28/2015 I made the scariest decision of my life: I had weight loss surgery. I opted for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. For years, I've been yo-yoing back and forth losing 35-45 pounds and then gaining back 40-50. As of this past summer, I sat at 5'9, 299 pounds wearing a size 24. I had recently gained (yet again) all the weight I had lost through MFP and was incredibly disheartened. Add to this that my somewhat well controlled high blood pressure was climbing and my meds had been doubled, I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and I was less than a year out from facing the hardest thing I had ever faced- stage 3 uterine cancer and treatment. I was desperate for a healthy body and a new lease on life- desperate enough to be willing to risk my own life and seek medical intervention for my obesity and subsequent health issues.
The first 5 weeks after my weight loss surgery are the hardest I can remember. They made my cancer treatment seem like a walk in the park. I now realize I was going through extreme withdrawals from a very serious food and alcohol addiction. In these 18 weeks I have continued with the therapy necessary for me to break my addiction to food and alcohol, I have remained 100% sober (!!!), and I have lost 107 pounds. I've found a love and passion for running, and I compete a 5k 3-4 times per week as part of my normal routine. I'm regularly in the gym for circuit training, and have developed a borderline obsession with Pilates- and attend three sessions per week which are the most physically challenging thing I've ever done- and I love it. I eat a healthful whole foods diet of lean meats, green veggies, some fruit and minimal dairy. I've ended hurtful relationships, told people NO, and finally learned that taking care of myself first is ok. I've developed confidence in more than just my job...and I have an active and real social life (outside of th internet) for the first time in most of my adult life.
I know some may look at weight loss surgery as the "easy way out." I can tell from you from first hand personal experience, it isn't. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. I have about 12 food items in total I can consume day-to-day that sit comfortably and provide me the energy, protein and nutrition I need to function. I spend a minimum of an hour a day in the gym, and I spend an hour or two per week working on the "head stuff" that led me to 300 pounds and addictions. My life is no longer controlled or focused on food- instead, I've learned to enjoy my time with friend and family in other ways that are turning out to be WAY more fun. I feel good. I feel HOT. I can truly say that...and as weird and awkward as it is to say that...it's something I'm rather enjoying experiencing for the first time ever in almost 30 years.
To those of you considering weight loss surgery as a tool to help you reach a healthy weight and mental status...there is hope. This can be the best thing you'll ever do for yourself if you approach it knowing you will have to put in the work 100% just like anyone else- you just have an amazing tool to help provide you with the control that is desperately needed, and to give you a fighting chance to save your own life before it's too late.
[Edited by MFP Mods]
My name is Courtney, and as of Jan 1 2016, I have officially lost 100 pounds! As of 8/28/2015 I made the scariest decision of my life: I had weight loss surgery. I opted for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. For years, I've been yo-yoing back and forth losing 35-45 pounds and then gaining back 40-50. As of this past summer, I sat at 5'9, 299 pounds wearing a size 24. I had recently gained (yet again) all the weight I had lost through MFP and was incredibly disheartened. Add to this that my somewhat well controlled high blood pressure was climbing and my meds had been doubled, I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and I was less than a year out from facing the hardest thing I had ever faced- stage 3 uterine cancer and treatment. I was desperate for a healthy body and a new lease on life- desperate enough to be willing to risk my own life and seek medical intervention for my obesity and subsequent health issues.
The first 5 weeks after my weight loss surgery are the hardest I can remember. They made my cancer treatment seem like a walk in the park. I now realize I was going through extreme withdrawals from a very serious food and alcohol addiction. In these 18 weeks I have continued with the therapy necessary for me to break my addiction to food and alcohol, I have remained 100% sober (!!!), and I have lost 107 pounds. I've found a love and passion for running, and I compete a 5k 3-4 times per week as part of my normal routine. I'm regularly in the gym for circuit training, and have developed a borderline obsession with Pilates- and attend three sessions per week which are the most physically challenging thing I've ever done- and I love it. I eat a healthful whole foods diet of lean meats, green veggies, some fruit and minimal dairy. I've ended hurtful relationships, told people NO, and finally learned that taking care of myself first is ok. I've developed confidence in more than just my job...and I have an active and real social life (outside of th internet) for the first time in most of my adult life.
I know some may look at weight loss surgery as the "easy way out." I can tell from you from first hand personal experience, it isn't. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. I have about 12 food items in total I can consume day-to-day that sit comfortably and provide me the energy, protein and nutrition I need to function. I spend a minimum of an hour a day in the gym, and I spend an hour or two per week working on the "head stuff" that led me to 300 pounds and addictions. My life is no longer controlled or focused on food- instead, I've learned to enjoy my time with friend and family in other ways that are turning out to be WAY more fun. I feel good. I feel HOT. I can truly say that...and as weird and awkward as it is to say that...it's something I'm rather enjoying experiencing for the first time ever in almost 30 years.
To those of you considering weight loss surgery as a tool to help you reach a healthy weight and mental status...there is hope. This can be the best thing you'll ever do for yourself if you approach it knowing you will have to put in the work 100% just like anyone else- you just have an amazing tool to help provide you with the control that is desperately needed, and to give you a fighting chance to save your own life before it's too late.
[Edited by MFP Mods]
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Replies
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You look amazing! Well done on all your hard work
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Wow!! Congratulation on losing weight and getting your life back. You look absolutely amazing and healthier. Would you give an example of your daily meals and how frequent you eat. did you cut out bread and sweets or you are allowed to have some.0
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You look fantastic!!!! Well well well done!
The surgery is by far NOT the easy way out. My aunt had it done last year and what she went through and is still going through is not easy.
You can be incredibly proud of yourself!0 -
You look amazing! Congratulations! 0
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Well done, you look fantastic, you can be so proud of yourself...0
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You sound and look amazing
Getting your head in the right place and putting in the commitment
I hope your health markers are as equally rewarding as your physical appearance
Long may it last
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swing it, girl! you look amazing0
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Wow, that is awesome! You certainly sound like you have the motivation to succeed.0
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You have an awesome attitude about the surgery and what it can and cannot do. Many people think having surgery does all the "work" for you (that is why they say it is the "easy way out"). That is 100% not true. All the surgery does is help control your appetite (for about a year) so you can do the things you know you have to anyway (diet, exercise, mental) and have some hope of success. Sometimes a little help with self control on your appetite takes one little hurdle out of the way so you can really focus on the work without a gnawing black hole of a stomach distracting you (was my issue!). You still have to do all the same work everyone else does, and you still have to do "maintenance" like everyone else (no relaxing and thinking you cannot gain it back).
People who have WLS without this knowledge/attitude, where they think the surgery somehow means they never have to watch what they eat again or work on exercise or nutrition or maintenance - those are the ones who think the surgery "failed" them and tend to gain weight back once they learn to eat "around" the surgery.
Of course, if you could do all that without the additional appetite control, you would lose weight and end up in the same place without surgery. But some people need that additional help (like some people need diet pills, or heavy protein or fat for appetite control). Its not something to be done lightly, but for some people it is what they personally need to have any success.
Good job!!!0 -
You look fabulous!0
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Way to go, lady!0
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Well done, you look amazing xx0
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Gosh lass, you are looking ot indeed :-) Very well done :-)0
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Holy amazing, you look great! Way to take the time to put in the commitment!
Keep at it!
P.S. your waist is amazing.0 -
Wow!! Amazing job, you are so pretty! You have worked so hard. Thank you for being inspiring!! 0
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Congratulations, you look absolutely fantastic! A huge well done.0
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Risk of death...risk of post-op sequela...the fact you (general you) have to address your issues in a compressed time frame for it to be "successful"...
...nope, nothing "easy" about WLS. At all.
Sounds like you're on the correct track for you.
All the best, always.
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You look amazing!!!! And, your curves are to die for!!!! Congrats!!!0
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Wow! You look amazing!!0
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Oh my goodness, you look incredible! Can I just say (in a non-creepy way, haha) your body shape is amazing. You have the perfect hourglass. You were beautiful before, but you look beautiful and healthy now. Great job!0
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That's a super amazing transformation you're an inspiration thanks for sharing0
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You look amazing! Congrats 0
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Awesome work!0
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You look fantastic!!!!!!!!! DANG GIRL!0
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You look so great! Good job with all the hard work you put into this. You were very pretty before as well, and I LOVE your hair in all your after pictures. You are an inspiration.0
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Way to take care of your entire self! You look fantastic and happy! Congrats to you!0
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your waist is so small anything in particular you do? Great job by the way.0
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Beautiful! You look amazing and I know it has been a lot of hard work!0
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Awesome great job!0
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Wow you girl!!! Congrats on your journey you deserve this!0
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