My how fast time flies!

I just realized that I have posted one time in almost a year...I'm really very sorry about that. Things have been changing very rapidly in my life and it's been quite the ride!

In the last year the following things have happened:

• My husband has lost his income so we are down to my income alone. He is finishing up his apprenticeship at the local tattoo shop so even tho he works 9-11 hour days, he's not getting compensated for them since his education is his payment...I guess I prefer to look at this as free schooling. He's doing side jobs to earn some extra cash which has helped and I have taken on another job to help with finances; which is sufficient for now.



• We had to put Princess Ilean, our boxer of 7 1/2 years, to sleep on March 31st. WOW! that was hard. I still miss her but I know she is in a better place and she is no longer in pain. We think it was cancer that took her because of how quickly she deteriorated and the fact that she was not responding to any kinds of pain meds.



• I have gone from 312 lbs to my current weight (as of this morning) 196lbs!! I feel fabulous!



• I completed my first ever 5K! New goal for next year is to run it instead of walking it.



• I completed my second ever 5K the following week.



• Zabba has sprouted a new "sassy" attitude that I am still trying to figure out how to un-sprout (is that even a word?). MAN O MAN this kid has got A-T-I-T-U-D-E!! We have implemented operation "Hot Sauce" in our house when she is being naughty. The threat of this works better for us than time-outs and is apparently a worser fate than having your toenails ripped out one by one with a Barbie Tweezer.



• Speaking of Barbie...she has invaded our house! On the plus side I like her better than the Bratz dolls that look like local prostitutes.



• Got an awesome new tattoo in April and I hope to be adding onto it soon. Not quite sure how I will pay for it, but I guess a gal can dream...right?

Well, other that those things above, not much has been happening. I promised pictures for you in October and again in February so here they FINALLY are...the First one was taken October 19th the day before surgery and the last one was taken on July 25th at Zabba's 4th birthday party.

Here I am at a size 26/28 and 303.4lbs

Here I am at a size 16 and 198lbs

Well, it's been 4 months...

Ok, so I know it's been 4 months since my last post and I apologize. I have been horrible at posting on this blog, but it doesn't mean that I forget it's here. I just haven't been making time to get my thoughts down and I really need to be better about it. Here is an update on my progress so far:

I had my surgery on October 20th and it was successful! I made it through completely unscathed (with the exception of 6 minor incisions on my abdomen that make it look like I could potentially sport a smiley face). The day of surgery I weighed in at 303.8lbs (which is down from my highest of 312lbs in August) and last week when I went to the doctor to have my knees checked out, I weighed in at 238.6lbs!

It's been quite the journey and I have found support in places I didn't think I would. A couple of places I regularly visit are:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/
and
http://www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com/

Obesity Help-has been awesome for me because I get to talk to people who are going through much of the same things I am or they are further along in the process and understand where I am coming from and can help me with potential problems (like finding new ways to get protein in my diet which I struggle with at times). This site is for pre-ops, post-ops, no-ops and everyone who struggles with weight. I love this site and have been going to it everyday.

The World According to Eggface-Shelly is awesome and an inspiration! She is post op and had the same surgery as I did in 2006. I love her website because she is funny, tells it how it is and has some really awesome recipes that are FANTABULOUS! I have been making several of her dishes and my husband doesn't realize they are healthy (shh...don't tell him!). Also, she has some really awesome ways on how to get the protein in without eating the same thing over and over again which is a bonus! I HIGHLY recommend any one of her protein ice cream recipes! (BTW-she is currently having a giveaway on her blog-a Bento box this week, and something new and exciting next week! Check her out!)

I do have a couple of pictures that need to be posted so you can see my progress, but I have to say so far things are moving along rather well and I am surprised by the results I have seen. I will do my best to get the pictures up on the blog.

Well, I guess I better get back to work...UGH! Work-this has to be the worst 4-letter word in the dictionary!