Since the start of May, I have lost five stone, which is absolutely amazing. I recently had another band fill, which seems to have done the trick and got me losing more quickly again after a few weeks of staying the same.
My 10ml gastric band now has an 8ml fill and it seems that I have finally found that sweet spot. While I felt a difference after my previous fill, it didn't take long for my appetite to return and I found that I could eat larger meals. However, after this most recent fill, my meals are staying small and I don't feel hungry that often. Here's how things are going so far:
My 10ml gastric band now has an 8ml fill and it seems that I have finally found that sweet spot. While I felt a difference after my previous fill, it didn't take long for my appetite to return and I found that I could eat larger meals. However, after this most recent fill, my meals are staying small and I don't feel hungry that often. Here's how things are going so far:
Sadly, my tighter does also mean that I'm struggling with more foods, especially starchy food like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. These are some of my favourite things, but not being able to eat them as often as I like has definitely made a difference to my weight.
I've also found that my band feels tighter on some days than others. This means that while I was fine with something yesterday, it might cause me problems today. It also feels tighter at certain times of day, with the morning posing a particular problem. Rather than having a solid breakfast, I've found that having a Slimfast or Complan shake is the better option, especially as I can follow this up with a snack later on.
Other than that, things are pretty much the same in terms of what I can and can't eat. I haven't cut out everything I love, as there's no point in giving up all your treats. Even my surgeon said this after my holiday - I admitted to drinking a lot of sangria - as he wants me to make sustainable changes. I've tried giving up cake chocolate and sweets before and it just meant I ended up binging.
Instead, I have the odd treat - hot chocolate is my life - and find healthier ingredients to include in meals I like making, such as switching cream for Elmlea, which is surprisingly okay. This means that I'm not making my husband suffer - he already lives a pescetarian existence because of my - and I still enjoy cooking and food.
I've also found that my band feels tighter on some days than others. This means that while I was fine with something yesterday, it might cause me problems today. It also feels tighter at certain times of day, with the morning posing a particular problem. Rather than having a solid breakfast, I've found that having a Slimfast or Complan shake is the better option, especially as I can follow this up with a snack later on.
Other than that, things are pretty much the same in terms of what I can and can't eat. I haven't cut out everything I love, as there's no point in giving up all your treats. Even my surgeon said this after my holiday - I admitted to drinking a lot of sangria - as he wants me to make sustainable changes. I've tried giving up cake chocolate and sweets before and it just meant I ended up binging.
Instead, I have the odd treat - hot chocolate is my life - and find healthier ingredients to include in meals I like making, such as switching cream for Elmlea, which is surprisingly okay. This means that I'm not making my husband suffer - he already lives a pescetarian existence because of my - and I still enjoy cooking and food.
Exercise
I'm now able to exercise a lot more and don't get as tired as I used to. I walk a lot - I manage at least five miles a day - and I do more exercise at home. More importantly, I have a lot more inclination to exercise because I know that I can do it without being in serious pain.
Previously, walking to work would leave me exhausted and probably make my back and knees hurt. I haven't had back pain due to walking - or any back pain really - in weeks, which is a totally new experience for me. While I'm not totally pain-free due to messed up foot - yay for having to get more tests - which hurts after most walks, I hurt nowhere near as much as I used to.
I have found the importance of a rest day though, even when it comes to just walking. I'm still heavy and so the strain walking puts on my legs is greater than a slimmer person. This means that after a few days of walking to and from work and closing in on 18,000 steps, my legs do start to ache and can't handle as much. I'm paying attention to when this happens and I'll hop on a bus instead of walking home, while my Mondays I spend working from home give me a chance to really relax.
I'm genuinely looking forward to going to some gym classes and especially want to get back into yoga now, so this is my main goal - if anyone knows of good classes near Armley, let me know!
Previously, walking to work would leave me exhausted and probably make my back and knees hurt. I haven't had back pain due to walking - or any back pain really - in weeks, which is a totally new experience for me. While I'm not totally pain-free due to messed up foot - yay for having to get more tests - which hurts after most walks, I hurt nowhere near as much as I used to.
I have found the importance of a rest day though, even when it comes to just walking. I'm still heavy and so the strain walking puts on my legs is greater than a slimmer person. This means that after a few days of walking to and from work and closing in on 18,000 steps, my legs do start to ache and can't handle as much. I'm paying attention to when this happens and I'll hop on a bus instead of walking home, while my Mondays I spend working from home give me a chance to really relax.
I'm genuinely looking forward to going to some gym classes and especially want to get back into yoga now, so this is my main goal - if anyone knows of good classes near Armley, let me know!
Clothes
My clothes continue to get too big for me. While this would be an excuse to buy new clothes, not only am I not made of money, it's also not worth it as a week later they are slightly too big for me too. I have bought a few things that are a bit small to start with and have then been amazed just a week later when they fit so much better.
Even my favourite belt is now too big, which shows me how much my waist has shrunk, considering I could only do it up on the first notch at first and now the last is still too loose. In fact, my waist is almost a size 16 now, which means it is officially a size smaller than my top and two sizes smaller than my bum and hips - although my jeans are now getting baggy in this area so I may have lost another size there too. The day I can do up the size 16 skirt my husband got me for our anniversary will be a good day and is not too far off!
I've even been able to buy some clothes from Primark that aren't leggings or vest tops, which is something I have avoided for the last couple of years because I could never find anything that fit me. This basically means that I can rejoice in the amazing thing that is cheap knitwear. It also means I will soon be making a point to buy some full outfits for cheap rather than just relying on my trick of cinching dresses and tops in with belts.
Even my favourite belt is now too big, which shows me how much my waist has shrunk, considering I could only do it up on the first notch at first and now the last is still too loose. In fact, my waist is almost a size 16 now, which means it is officially a size smaller than my top and two sizes smaller than my bum and hips - although my jeans are now getting baggy in this area so I may have lost another size there too. The day I can do up the size 16 skirt my husband got me for our anniversary will be a good day and is not too far off!
I've even been able to buy some clothes from Primark that aren't leggings or vest tops, which is something I have avoided for the last couple of years because I could never find anything that fit me. This basically means that I can rejoice in the amazing thing that is cheap knitwear. It also means I will soon be making a point to buy some full outfits for cheap rather than just relying on my trick of cinching dresses and tops in with belts.
Mood
While SAD always causes me a few issues throughout autumn and winter, making my anxiety and depression rear their ugly heads much more, my mood is still really good.
I'm so happy with the progress I've made and the changes I can see in myself, as well as the achievements I've made, especially recently. Walking over 10,000 steps a day may not seem like a big thing to some, but to me it is huge, as is the fact that I now have clothes in my wardrobe that could fit another person in with me.
In general, I'm not as tired all the time, which is brilliant, and I'm trying to get out of the house more and see people regularly. This operation has triggered so many changes that I cannot express how glad I am that I took this step.
I'm so happy with the progress I've made and the changes I can see in myself, as well as the achievements I've made, especially recently. Walking over 10,000 steps a day may not seem like a big thing to some, but to me it is huge, as is the fact that I now have clothes in my wardrobe that could fit another person in with me.
In general, I'm not as tired all the time, which is brilliant, and I'm trying to get out of the house more and see people regularly. This operation has triggered so many changes that I cannot express how glad I am that I took this step.
