Welcome back

Hello world, it has been quite some time since my last check in. To recap I had the gastric sleeve the day after memorial day this year. This upcoming weekend is Labor Day weekend and my grand total is down 65 lbs since then. I have done a lot of learning since then on my limits, hitting daily macros and vitamins.
I am really thankful for my 2nd chance at healthy life and my tool that makes it possible. I feel I make more choices to be happy and enjoy time with family and actually have the energy to things with my kids.
I really struggle with being too hard on myself at times about my fitness. Let me preface this with I ensure I'm active daily and still do at least 30 minutes of walking 5-6 days a week.
Where I get tough on myself is because I may not actually go to the gym all the time anymore. For those that don't know my journey I had previously lost over 100 lbs with diet and exercise over a few year span. I got into mental funk where I feel didn't give myself enough family time or other activities instead I chose to go to the gym.
It grew into other unhealthy habits and even though I was still going to the gym 3 plus nights a week I burned myself out to a point where I gained all that weight back.
It boils down to you can't out work a bad diet. Your mental health and personal relationships are important too. I want to maintain a healthy balance outside of the gym and enjoy my gift I have been given with family. One of the things I have realized over the years is they go by quick and to make the most of them.

Start of week 3 seeing progress

Start of week 3 starting to see progress. I'm down over 25lbs thus far. Today I began "Stage 2" where I can have some meats and other items. I am easily making my fluid and protein goals. We'll see how I can handle some of these and keep learning the new me.

Post op for VSG:Still learning always loving new living

After over a week post op I work hard to meet all my goals of protein, fluids and exercise. I've successfully introduced new fiods and tolerated okay thus far. Sometimes the feeling stuck after a bit of cheese its just a reminder to slow down and pay attention. Actually tried sugar free drink and it feels like water 1st did and hurts a bit and to honest it not fond of sweet things. I guess thats goos to avoid
Issues in the future.

No A/C in the state of Missouri

Well, officially I am one week post op. I'm getting the hang of the new me. I'm down 20 lbs since last Sunday  when I started the liquid preop diet. The last few days our A/c unit has been out and yesterday was miserable but we made it. Today it was 72 with attic fan going and has been bearable today.
I'm still learning to listen to body to stop eating and it is going well to feel that fullness.

Trying some soft proteins.

Since I met all my protein and liquid goals I decided to see my tolerance to soft proteins. Today's breakfast menu included 1 egg  scrambled with a side of few oz of cottage cheese. Overall the textures and flavors were okay. Ill own up and say I did too much too soon. Only finished about 1/2 an egg and few bites of of the cottage cheese.  Its not as painful as the fluids were at first but it doesn't feel well so just going to listen to the body and so blessed to make it this far so quick. To this point no throwing up from meds or fluids etc, got all my fluids in and doing lots of walking, to sum it up I feel awesome and every day is a new adventure and victory.

Long night even longer day

Last night went ahead and did the laxative and suppository. It was a long night it worked is best Ill say it. Last night our air hoes out and I need to ensure I stay hydrated. Its a small set back of misery that I wasn't expecting but I am still super excited about this tool and journey.

Popsicle.. finally able to have one!

Day 4 post op and today I was able to take in a Popsicle. The water is is going  down a little easier. It's still an adjustment and even with minor pains and discomfort I am still really excited for this journey and the bigger non scale victories are coming.

Pics weights and goals

Hw 275
Sw 262
Cw 257
Gw 169

Day 3 making it home

Finally , I am writing this from home. Finally doing okay on my fluids, was able eat 2 bites of jello. It's still a little too soon for any thing that sweet so soon. If goes well I'll be having soft proteins by monday i.e eggs.
It is so nice to be home a few too many times when I was there, I would wake up
Not sure where I was and why. Once I move
I'd look down and remember why. Overall for pain it feels like Ive done a ton of sit ups
And my abs are sore. Here is to another day of a new me and a another day of healing.

Day 2 , let's go home, not yet..

Today is 2nd day after surgery, I am struggling with my water goal so far I've hit
48 oz of the 64oz goal. I've done good on the other things instead of 4 laps I've done 17 laps around the wing. Also I did okay on my spirometer.
Overall my pain is minimal other than drinking fluids. That is supposed to be temporary and expected pain with the fluids. I want to get home and be withy family. I am doing every thing asked of me and listening to my body. I've done things my way and it didn't work, I am motivated and bought into the process.

Day one of VSG, learning a new me

Day one post op from VSG (Vertical Sleeve gastrectomy). I am on track to meet all my goals my team gave me. 64 oz of water, spiromoter 10x an hr and walking 4 laps around the wing. Ill have to stay one more day due to pain and discomfort but overall not too bad. Its another great day learning the new me.

It is almost the end of day 0 of my new tool towards a healthier slimmer me. Few spells of gas pains and and nausea. I havent needed to vomit yet, knock on wood. I have met my goals for today, being able to pee, walking and using my spirometer hourly.
Bring on day 1, tomorrow I finally get a liquid diet.

A new journey and new tool.

Preface to my new journey with a new tool.

With out getting in to the gnats ass details, over the the past five years of my life it's been more than most people should have to endure in a life time. In the end it has made me a better person in the end. There was a true pain on my face and I was oozing misery. It was time to let it go and worry about things I can control and leave the rest to the lord. 

To better understand why I am writing this blog is to go back over a decade ago. When I was done playing college football I weighed over 275lbs. At this point in time made a commitment to eating right and exercise. Over a 2 year period I lost about 100lbs.

Eventually we can fast forward to that 5 year peorid I referred to earlier. The hell my family went through. In short over a 2 year period I gained the 100 lbs back. The lesson in the end you can't out work a bad diet. That was a tough journey the first time and need help achieving it again.

To wrap this up I am sharing with you that after deep consideration, evalutions and resarch I decided to do the Vertical Sleeve gastrectomy (weight loss surgery).

People may say why such a drastic choice? My simple answer is because on my frame 5'6 being at my weight prior to surgery of 270lbs is too much. I am just ticking time bomb of future complications, joint pain diseases if I dont do this now. In the end I dont now or in the future care what I look like. I want to had healhy years to my life and prior to the surgery I am happier than I have been in a long time