8 months post-op, and oh yea...ONEDERLAND!!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been so nervous to weigh myself for the last couple of weeks. I had a doctor's appointment two weeks ago and I was 206. Then it was my time of the month (yay for three months in a row!), so I just avoided the scale like the plague to avoid disappointment. Yesterday, I needed to do my 8 month stats. I do pictures and stats every two months and while technically that would have been Saturday, I lost track of the date (it was the weekend!). Anyway, I was hoping for a 202 - and I couldn't BELIEVE it when I saw 198 on the scale! I weighed myself three times to be sure. YEP! 198!!!! I'm officially out of the 200s and the scale starts with a 1 - therefore I'm in ONEderland! And it's NICE here!!!

Here are my pictures. I've been wearing the same camisole for all my pictures, but it's just too big now so I'm wearing a size XL top my sister-in-law gave me in the "during" pic and those are size 16 Lee jeans. I'm wearing a size 14 dress :)

Before: 324 lbs (these pictures were taken at 313 lbs), BMI 52.3, size 24 pants

During: 198 (126 lb loss), BMI 32

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I can't even begin to describe the difference that I feel. When I look at the before pictures, all I can think about is how much pain I was always in. It was hard to stay balanced between my big butt and stomach pulling me back and forwards. My knees always hurt and I had headaches all.the.time. I have so much more energy now. And my overall confidence is greater. I feel better. I love getting dressed up and doing my hair and makeup. It's a whole other world.

I am very strict with my eating. I haven't veered much away from my staples. I think it's a little nervousness about weight loss success. I know that what I've eaten has worked and I don't want to change it up until I'm at goal. So, I stick with meats, edamame, cheese, and veggies. Of course, I have the occasional bite or two of dessert. And I don't feel guilty about it whatsoever. I've also gone out three times since surgery and had drinks with friends. I am much more of a lightweight, but I let myself enjoy the occasional drink. My surgeon didn't tell me to avoid, he just warned me that it may hit me quickly and that I obviously shouldn't drink too many calories. But occasionally, I'm sure he would be fine with it. I've been working out for the past 6 weeks, at least once a week but usually twice. I am so unmotivated so it's hard, but at least I'm doing something. I had my wedding rings resized recently - I went from a 9 to a 7.

My surgeon's goal for me is 174. So I am 24 lbs away from success in his eyes. But I may want to go a little lower - like 150. We'll see. So far, I am VERY happy with my progress and would do it again in a heartbeat!