6 Month Surgiversary!

Today is my 6 month Surgiversary. I'm down 73 lbs., and gee-zus, I've lost count of the inches. I was hoping to hit 8o lbs. down, but it wasn't in the cards for me. Big deal... check this out:

Weight
From 307 to 233

% Body Fat
From 54.1% to 39.4%

Neck
From 16.75" to 14.75" (down 2")

Upper Arm
From 18" to 14.33" (down 3.67)

Chest
From 48.5" to 43.25" (down 5.25")

Waist
From 54.25" to 41.5" (down 12.75")

Hips
From 59" to 51.25" (down 7.75")

Thighs
From 28.75" to 25.25" (down 3.5")

Calf
From 19" to 17.25" (down 1.75")

I'm far from "Barbi", but down almost 35" accross my body feels damn good :)

"Live Your Best Life"

"It's my life.
It's now or never.
I ain't gonna live forever.
I just want to live while I'm alive."

Sometimes I think what the hell am I doing? I need to get a plan in place. I need to be doing what it is I am passionate about. I need to do what it is I think I will enjoy. I need to do something that makes a difference.

Why am I letting this opportunity to do something pass me by?

Because I'm not ready?

Because I didn't plan it?

Because I don't want my family to suffer because my focus is elsewhere.

Because I'm scared. All of the above, I'm sure.

Except there's this feeling nawing at me; I feel that as I lose weight my confidence rises. As my confidence rises, so does my optimism with regard to making a career change.

I want to do physical therapy. It's competitive, but there's no need to worry about that when I haven't even started. One step at a time. Right?

I see stories all the time about people who entered med school at 40! There is nothing stopping me... well, except me.

Ugh.. such a random (or not so random) thought -- just had to get it out.

Never Enough Time!

Being unemployed gave me time off, but now I wish it was more! However, that being said, I am extremely thankful I have a new job to go to on Monday morning. It's even nicer to know that all our debt will be paid-off! Whoohooo. While it's not an atrocious amount, when we accrue it we start stressing over it.

Weight loss is going well, but slow. I will have measurements taken on Saturday and will post some pictures. On the 15th is my 6 month "surgiversary." I'd love to hit 80 lbs. lost by then, but we'll see what happens. I'll be happy being down a good number of inches and not losing any lean muscle mass. Since October I've actually put on 8 lbs. of lean muscle mass, which is a great accomplishment post-op. I stopped losing my hair -- I'm not sure if it was the Biotin I started taking twice a day, or just that the hair loss phase was over. In any case, the Biotin is really helping my dry skin and hair, so I will continue to take it.

I had a few personal milestones recently...

I can actually wear Nike work-out clothes! Gone are the days when I had to scour retail stores for functional and comfortable work-out clothing in plus-sizes. I found some new-with-tags deals on E-bay and treated myself. It's just one of those things I never imaged I'd be able to wear. I went to the local sports store and felt like everyone was going to tattle one me for shopping in the "wrong" department! No sirens or whistles blew, but it was a new experience for me. It's not like I'm a brand whore, but I do work-out hard. I like to feel comfortable and confident when I exercise; having the right gear does that for me.

Then, I bought my Inspi(red) tee back in December. I can wear it now; I even wear it out of the house! It was an XL from the GAP, so that was a serious mindf*k seeing I could actually wear it in public and not look like a stuffed Italian Sausage. I can't get a full-length pic of me with it on, by myself -- but I'll show off the new haircut and color!



I found these pics too. They are a reminder from where I came. The first was a night out and the second was just 4 months after my daughter was born in January of '04. I can still remember how miserable and self-conscious I felt when these pictures were taken. Not to be dramatic, but it hurts to see these and remember how unhappy about my body I was. Not that it's perfect now, but at least I'm leading my life again and not making decisions based on whether or not my body can handle a situation.

My last milestone (for now that is) has to do with running. I can actually jog for 15 minutes straight at 4.5 miles an hour. It freakin' amazes me. I really did hate running before, but now I kind of like it. I enjoy challenging myself minute-by-minute on the treadmill. Also, I had a personal best on the leg press of 460 lbs. My trainer says I am "pushing weight with the big boys." My husband was very surprised; as was my back the next day, but I did it and I'm only going to get stronger!

I've finally spent some time getting caught up with my not-so-fattie-sassy friends, and I'm so proud of all of you. Everyone is doing amazing and I love reading yourblogs and sharing in your successes and yeah, even listening to your rants about life and such too.

Have a great weekend all!

Counting down 6 months until the "40 and Fab" tour beings in Vegas. :)

Unemployed & Loafin' (but not for long)

Today I received an official offer to be the IT Manger for a small, privately held company that has been in business for over 80 years. It's currently being run by 3rd generation, with the 4th coming up through the ranks.

To say this company is stable is an understatemet. People don't seem to leave! During the interview the executive manager listed a ton of names, each with more than 10 and 20 years of tennure. The only reason the IT Manager position is open is because the father of the employee is ill, and he has to leave to take care of him. He won't be totally gone at that; he'll be consulting for the time being.

It's a little more money, and a notch up position wise. It would be my next logical step.

I swear one of the best things is not having to pay $180.00/month is parking downtown! That's a raise in itself!

I'll write more about seeing the Industrial Phsychologist, but I will say it was interesting. Here's some of what he said after 4 hours of testing:

• Fiercely independent ("your husband probably knows this.")
• You put a ton of time in planning critical decisions. Once you decide on something you don't budge (both good and bad).
• You lack confidence in your ability to do your job, because you don't have your degree completed (he's right, and he gave me some really good suggestions). "You could do the same job as someone else, know you do it better, yet stil feel inferior if you know they have their degree and you don't." (no surprise here)
• Team player, firm-but-friendly supervisory manner. Need to use different assertiveness techniques (firm-but-friendly isn't always the answer).
• "Will throw yourself in front of a train" to confront issues regarding ethical issues or matters or fairness -- or anything you know for certain is right.
• Somewhat shy (due to the confidence issue), but once comfortable creates good and productive relationships with co-workers.
• Employers get more bang for their buck than expected with you. You do a good job, but you have the brainpower to really WOW them.
• 95% percentile on logic and reasoning; he said my brain is "like a Porsche Boxster couped up in a garage with the engine revving." "Pop the clutch and get back to school!" I have "the brainpower to not just succeed but exceed!" (so he says)
• Rated as average on attention to detail, organization, drive, energy and focus.
  Overall I see myself clearly and as others see me. (this is a change from many years ago, so that's kind of interesting to see the growth).

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes. I will get back to posting regularly!

Unemployed & Loafin'

Well, today is my first official day of being unemployed. Somewhat of a celebration in the back of my mind, because since I was 14 years old I've always had a job. I suppose it's abou time I collect on my unemployment.

No rest for the weary though. I had an interview for an IT Manager position which went really well, and they want to proceed. They send all their managers to an industrial phsychologist. I'm sure once they figure out I'm whack, all deals will be off. :)

I'm going to use this bit of time to get things done and do some activities with Cassie. Hopefully I'll only be off for a few weeks. Hopefully.

I'm off to get ready to visit the shrink, so later!