Getting back to basics.... and it's working!

Well, it has been 4.5 years since my sleeve and life certainly does go on.  I have had weight gain, weight loss, plastic surgery, emotional ups and downs.....and I have come to the conclusion that if I want to weight what I want to weigh....I have to get back to basics...and stay there.

Brian and I are getting married on August 8, and that was definitely motivation to take my situation of "I feel ok" and make me want to say "I am at my best!".  So.... I knew a visit to my surgeon was in order.  He was very direct with me and was somewhat upset that I was 15 lbs up from my lowest weight (I didn't have the heart to tell him that I had been about 15lbs higher than THAT...eeks!) and told me that no, it wasn't a catastrophic amount, but the only way I was going to successfully lose the weight and keep it off, would be to go back to the way I was eating right after surgery.  I guess that lifestyle is tried and true and although it is painful at times....it works.  High protein, greens, extremely low carbs, and tons of water.  My sweet tooth needs to go away and stay away....that is probably my biggest weakness!

Another change in my life is that last year I started substitute teaching, and by the end of the year this year, I am pretty much a permanent fixture in the kids' school.  It is fantastic because a) I love it and b) I get to see my kids throughout the day! See....lunch with the kids on a random day :)

 In fact things went so well that I ended up taking a long term position in a fourth grade classroom for 2.5 months.  Crazy!  It was definitely a wake up call into how lucky I am to not have to work full time right now.  And the biggest thing that suffered (aside from my laundry basket) was my fitness level.

You see, the one thing that I have pretty much always stayed true to after surgery has been a commitment to fitness.  I go on binges, where I will work out 5-6 days a week, and then at other times maybe 2-3, but either way, I am still always trying to be active.  And for someone like me, who looooooves snacks, it is ESSENTIAL.  I gained 8lbs in the 2.5 months that I was working full time and I felt like crap at the end of it..... and that is how I ended up back in Dr. Cirangle's office as mentioned above.

I have been really lucky to find a few activities that don't seem as painful as simply going to the gym.  I still walk the Stanford Dish (4 miles with lots of incline) with friends, and I also take barre classes a couple times a week which are miserable, but man do they work!  And then last but certainly not least... zumba.  My one true fitness love.  And mainly because of the lady below: Asya.  

She was a competitive gymnast in  Bulgaria and I met her when she was teaching zumba at a studio 2.5 years ago.  She has since moved on and I have since followed her.  And now she is more of a friend than simply a zumba instructor.  I adore her class and the fact that I leave dripping in sweat.  But it is more of a party than a workout which is just what I need.  As far as HER fitness level, Asya is at a 10.... not an ounce of fat it seems, and as she gets hot while dancing she takes off her tank top and dances in her sports bra.  There have been plenty of sweaty days where I wanted to join her but have been too self conscious to do so.  But yesterday I said screw it.... my shirt was bugging me and I was hot.... so I finally braved dancing "topless".  It was....different.  I was still slightly self conscious of rolls etc while dancing, whereas normally that is not an issue.  But I am proud of myself for doing it!  AND while wearing crazy pants?!  Who am I??!!!

So, aside from all of my crazy dieting and fitness I have been busy with a trip to Las Vegas, which was awesome (and not conducive to weightloss!!!)  But I felt great!

And my little bro graduated from high school.  Life is going to be very odd with him gone all year.  Our last activity together was walking the Stanford Dish though so hi five for family fitness!  AND I did love my outfit for his graduation ; )  Dressed for winter in summer in the Bay Area.  Typical!

 And last but not least, I was driving myself insane trying to find a wedding dress.  I found one right after Brian and I got engaged as a bridal store was closing, but something deep down kept telling me it was pretty....but not what I was meant to wear.

Nice, but not "the one"!

So I have been to countless bridal salons, online looking at used dresses...you name it I have done it.  The one below was not "the one" either, but it was pretty!

Can't spoil the surprise by posting it online...but there will definitely be an update with wedding pictures!

So as for my quest to reach my thinnest point, the wheels are turning and my body is appreciating my efforts.  I lost 6lbs last month, and I lost 1.5in around my love handles and .75in around my natural waist.  Extremities all stayed the same, which isn't surprising...it's only been a month.  But I FEEL a ton better, and people have started making comments about my looking thin or thinner, and that of course is always a welcome thing!  I am about 1.5 inches from buttoning my skinniest skinny jeans....but I did get them over my hips!!!

SO CLOSE!

Life is good my friends, life is good.  I am so blessed in many ways and I am really enjoying the life that Brian and I have together.  The kids are growing so quickly and become more fun as the years go by.  They are both healthy, happy, and crazy smart.  My only wish is for them to stop arguing! :)