Bariatric Surgery – One Year Update
Wow. it is genuinely hard to believe that my surgery was over a year ago now. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday and other days it feels like a lifetime ago. I am such a different person in so many ways and I have so many thoughts to share with you all. Read all my previous updates HERE.
*Originally published May 2023
Total Pounds Lost: 96lbs Total Inches Lost: 42 in
Lately I have been processing with my family and close friends about what this past year has meant to me. There have been a lot of ups and downs and I am still very much in the midst of this journey. In fact, this is lifelong for me. It will change and evolve, but I still have goals that I would like to achieve before I settle into the maintenance phase.
The past few months have actually been hard for me because my weight loss has stalled and I have only lost a few pounds (a little over 5lbs) since my 9 month update. This can be common and I know that it’s okay but it has taken its toll on me for sure. I really thought I would hit my goal of 100 lbs down before my 1 year mark. Even though I didn’t hit that goal, I have still lost 96lbs and I am so very proud of that.
I have talked a lot with my husband about why I feel so let down by not hitting that goal and about what kind of mindset I want to have as I walk into the next phases of this journey. I feel incredible, I am more confident, have so much more energy, can play with my kids, keep up with cleaning my house and have even discovered a new love for cute clothes.But, I don’t feel like I am done with my weight loss yet.
It’s not that I want to be ‘skinny’ or even be a certain size, I just can feel that I am not where I want to be yet. I think this is so so personal and individual. I am not going off of a BMI chart or dr recommendation, because those don’t feel right either. It’s hard to explain, but I believe that my body will know when I am ready to maintain.
I do not want to move forward with feelings of failure or fear, I know that will only lead me to make unhealthy decisions. I have already had to battle through thoughts of returning to habits that were a part of my past with disordered eating. For example, I really wanted to hit that 100 lb goal so my mind went to thoughts of ‘cleanses’ or fad diets to get there. I am proud of myself for working through that and sticking to my new healthier habits.
Weight loss surgery has truly been the tool that I needed to help me get my health back, but I still have to put in so much work. A lot of it being mental work. I still battle with food addiction and old coping mechanisms. Those don’t just disappear after surgery. It takes effort and consistency with missteps along the way. I am not perfect, I don’t stick my my diet 100% of the time and I am okay with that. I want to be able to maintain this lifestyle forever.
What’s Next?
My original goal weight was 180 lbs and I still feel like that might be a good place for me but my first step is to get below 200lbs. I am currently 213, so that is an achievable next goal for me. The past month has been a little crazy for our family, so I need to get back into some routine. Here are some things I will be focusing on as I work toward my next goal….
- Hitting my protein everyday – at least 100g but ideally closer to 120g. This also means that I will need to be consistent with tracking again. I use the Baritastic app to track and calculate my macros
- Hydration – this has been hard for me lately so I need to be more purposeful. I’m aiming for 64oz to 80oz daily
- Supplements – I am usually pretty good with all my supplements but I have been a little off track lately. I take my bariatric vitamins and have also been including hair growth supplements as well
- Morning Bible reading – this might not seem relevant to some, but my relationship with Christ greatly factors into my health. I have been reading the Bible everyday for most of the year, but I have fallen behind and need to get back on track
- Workouts – I was getting back into weight lifting at the gym and was using my treadmill regularly before our family got hit with weeks of illness. I need to get back to it, I feel so much better when I move my body purposefully everyday
- Meal Prepping – this is something that I want to start. I don’t need to have full meals ready but I would like to have some proteins grilled ahead of time, hard boiled eggs, fruits and veggies washed and chopped etc. I think this will help so much, especially as a busy mother of 3.
