Reality Check Bounced!

I went to the Cleveland Clinic last Tuesday, and got a Reality Check for my 1 year checkup after my gastric bypass surgery. I had felt pretty good about where I was at. Realizing I still needed to lose at least another 10 to 15 pounds, but thought I had another 6 months to lose it.

Dr. Cooper said "no, this is it." But then proceeded to tell me I needed to lose about 15 pounds over the next 6 months. So I realize that now it is all up to me, and it is not the surgery any more. They do say, you will lose about 70% of your excess weight from the surgery, the rest is up to me. And I am into about 80%.

So this is the first part of August, and I am committed... no dedicated to giving the first hours of my day, every day, to better my health. I am not going overboard, but now is the time if there is ever going to be a time, to get it done. Needing to increase my activity, but again, not going so nuts about it that I don't have time for other things that I need to do.

So I feel good about myself right now, but looking forward to feeling better because I have fulfilled my committment by being dedicated daily to doing things. If I can do it, so can you.

2009 Weight Loss Recognized by TOPS International

In 2009, I lost 78.5 pounds. This was the second most weight loss for my division at the TOPS International and I was recognized for it at a recent convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I was humbled, honored and inspired all at the same time to be recognized by TOPS International in this way. At one point, we were about ready to drop out of TOPS, because we thought I would no longer be allowed to be in it after having had the surgery. Low and behold, they want to support weight loss even through this means, so they have formed a separate division to be supportive of our continued healthy life style.

There were so many everyday people who were being recognized because they too had lost a considerable amount of weight and they all had the following common traits in common: Commitment, Eating Right, Exercising Regularly and having a Support System/Team in place (in this case TOPS).

Gloria has been my best supporter in this journey of weight loss. But also Holly Spurlock, my trainer at the YMCA, and the entire Orrville TOPS Chapter OH #1982, have been there encouraging me on a very regular and frequent basis. I am sure I could not have gotten this far without them. I am certain, that I will not be able to keep it off if I would not continue to have a Support System like them.

I also need to acknowledge the Weight Loss Surgery Support Group in Canton, led by Terri Black. They are my primary support group of others who have had the weight loss surgery. It is always comforting and informative about what I am going through having had the surgery. Often times I realize what I am going through is pretty common.

Well here are some pictures of the convention. Again I appreciate the recognition of my significant weight loss last year, but also realize that it is not that unusual for those who have had the surgery. But at the same time, I realize that I am doing quite well on my weight loss, with hopefully only 10-15 lbs. to get to my goal weight of under 200 lbs. Lord willing.

This is at the convention showing you the size of it. those holding the lights in the Circle of Lights have met their goals and have kept their weight off (one for 50 years). I forget exactly how many were in attendance, but it filled up the ice hockey arena.



My getting my certificate from the TOPS President, taken from the projection screen on stage.

During the telling of my story, they projected my before picture onto the screen. Click here to go to the TOPS website, go to the bottom of the list then click on my name.

I am the fourth from the left in the picture below.

Then we had a receiving line that so many congratulated and encouraged us.

All Actions Have A Reaction

Well I have maintained at about this same level for a while now. That is not that unusual, but I am anxious to try to lose another 15-20 pounds yet. I guess I have to try harder on what I am eating and getting my exercise. I am at a stage where it is starting to get tougher to lose.

I had a write-up in our local paper in Orrville, the OrrViews. I wanted it to primarily promote our club and see if we could get more interest by people, after my recognition by Ohio TOPS.

I may see if I can get a write-up in some other papers, to promote the ideas of using a personal trainer and support groups. If it is not newsworthy, then I have at least tried.

Well the reason for my title is I broke down and had a "Buster Bar" from Dairy Queen with Gloria. I have at "Dilly Bars" before from there, with no adverse affects (except for the calories I did not need). But I think I had too much of a sugar rush, and from that I had "flushing" or where my body tries to expel it fast. In other words I had very hard bowel movements. From that I have developed some hemorroids. So there are consequences for making every decision we make. Next time, I will decide NOT to have a "Buster Bar!"

TOPS in Ohio

Well, I was awarded 1st place in the state of Ohio recently at the TOPS Ohio Recognition Days for my weightloss during 2009. I lost a total of 78.5 pounds during 2009. The division that I was recognized for was Division 9, for those who were utilizing a weight-loss surgery as a tool in their weight-loss. TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) is a weight loss support group, encouraging healthy eating and regular exercise as part of a persons lifestyle.

Gloria and I did not know what to expect when we got to the Convention Center, but we found out that we had a very enjoyable time.

There were lots of inspirational stories of people who took their weight off and have kept it off (even some with gastric bypass surgery). There were those still struggling to either take the weight off or keep it off. And there was a lot of fun mixed in with it too. Met a lot of nice people from across the state, too.

I am grateful to all of my support team, my wife, the members of my TOPS Chapter, Holly (my trainer), the Weight Loss Surgery Support Group in Canton, and Dr. Cooper from the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. They have all helped me keep on track, and make minor course adjustments.

I draw inspiration from Denny from Gloria's class. I draw inspiration also from Rick and Jerry from the YMCA. Thanks guys! I only hope that I can inspire others as much as you have inspired me!

Most of all I praise God for He has been so good to me.

Hit a Plateau

Well for the last couple of months it seems I have plateaued. I hover around the 200# mark. I found out at last week's Canton Ohio Weight Loss Surgery Support Group that's not unusual.

I started after last week's TOPS meeting with writing down what I am eating and the amount of exercise that I am getting (or at least the number of calories that I think I am burning up). It seems to help. Plan on doing that for at least a week or two.

One of the theme's I heard at the Ohio SRD Meeting we attended a couple of weekends ago was "Cut and Burn" Cut the calories that you consume, and burn up more through exercise.

I am reminded that to lose a pound, you need to either cut, burn or a combination of them that will use up 3,500 calories. To lose a pound a week, cut out 500 calories per day for seven days, or burn up 500 more calories per day for seven days. Do them both and you should lose 2 pounds, or at least that is the theory.

Nine Month Appointment - The Delivery

No, we didn't have a baby. LOL

The good news and the bad news. The bad news is as I wore clothes at my official weigh-in at Cleveland Clinic I officially weighed 222#'s. If they would have allowed me to have stripped down to my skivvies, I might have been under 220 ... again like I was last month.

So I have not lost that much weight in the last month. Why not? Because I have not been exercising... hardly at all... I had to admit that to my trainer last Friday when I checked in with her. So I have rededicated myself to this effort, and am going to take the challenge my trainer, Holly, has given me. To work out every morning (can miss a day, sparingly, once in a great while) even if it means I only work out for 30-40 minutes. Just need to make it a part of my morning routine.

My Cleveland Clinic Doctor, Dr. Cooper, told me today that I could step up my exercise to an increased heart rate of around 135. I did that tonight on the bike and felt better about it, because I worked up a sweat again. Dr. Cooper said that a safe heart rate to exercise at if you do not have any other factors involved is: 85% of the difference of your age and 220. So for me that is... well you can do the math. LOL I have set my heart rate monitor at 137 to be the max.

Dr. Cooper also is changing my blood pressure medicine to be the minimum amount, with the expectation that I will be off of it completely when I see her in July. I have been feeling out of it, spaced out, not dizzy but just really out of it a lot. And she thinks that will help.

I am off the CPAP machine, blood pressure is better, sugar is better, and now looking at the home stretch for the "easier" weight loss. I was told that I could continue losing after the year, but it becomes a little harder.

Others were recommended to keep a food diary, and the importance of exercise, which we hear a lot of in our TOPS meetings. She also asked how many meals we ate and how many snacks. She said for some of the women they should be looking at 1500 calories per day. She didn't tell me specifically, but I think I could have a little more. I have been snacking more than I should. I have an acquired taste for the candy "Good and Plenty" and try to rationalize that it isn't as bad as some other ones. Got to stay away from them. Like them too well. I will be good and plenty big, if I would snack on them on a regular basis. LOL Unfortunately, very little disagrees with me, but some things just don't taste as good to me as they used to.

Some people have trouble finding a support group, so I told Dr. Cooper about how TOPS is a good resource to keep people on track. I also believe in the other groups to share our experiences, even if it is only online. So I do think this type of support group is available to everyone who has this surgery.

Well I am posting my "official" before and after pictures for 9 months for those of you who are curious about where I am at on this journey.

Thanks for stopping in and showing an interest in my progress.

Maynard

Under 220 today

Well today was the first day I have weighed in under 220#'s, even if it was just by 0.4 of a pound. Slow but sure progress for a little while longer.

Doctors appointment next Monday, so will see what they weigh me in at.

Don't overdo it in the snow.