Past goal...175 pounds

So I have been really busy lately but I have gotten to my first goal of 180 pounds....!!! Yeah meeee!! But now I want to get down to 165 pounds....I am 10 pounds away from that! I’m so excited about my continued success, I am not as strict as I was in the beginning, but continue to lose weight. My plan is to get back on plan....I have 10 more pounds to lose and want to maintain that weight loss once I’m there. I am dating a man who lives in New York; I am going to visit around the first of December and am sooo excited. I am happy about where this may lead me. *175 pounds*

*185 pounds*

*178 pounds Halloween*

New 6 month updated photos

Will update really soon, just wanted to send you some new photos. 190 pounds and wearing size 12

Onedreland babyeeeeee!!!

I hit 195 this morning from a starting weight of 308, I'm so thrilled that this is working as well as it is. I have always worked my tool MY own way. I'll tell y'all and I will not make everybody happy but here it is: -I don't track any food! I did in the beginning until I just eye balled my stuff. -I don't weigh any of my food, I do measure sometimes. -I eat protein first and veggies last -I have not started to exercise yet, but as of 6 month out I will start and go HARD! -I do walk about 30 min a day... -I eat dark chocolate almost everyday (just a square or two, comes out to 3 gr. of carbs) -I have a cheat day once a week, really I don't go over board not that I could. But I'll have an extra ice coffee or a couple bites of fried chicken (my fave), a bite of a cupcake....I don't know but I allow myself one meal a week with no restrictions. -I don't drink enough water but everyday I do try to change that. -I have started to drink alcohol, not often but socially. -I am a baker by trade and have to taste the food prior to selling/catering and let me tell y'all I know I have that "dumping" thing that RNY's have....man If I eat anything to sweet (ice cream, frosting) I will be in the bathroom all next morning.....I'm really glad about this to be honest because prior to surgery I was a HUGE sweet eater, now its really in check aside from the dark choc, I don't eat sweets..... I love my sleeve, it was the best money I have ever spent! I did not think I would lose this much in this short of a time frame, I had given myself a year. I would do it all over again, in a heartbeat! I look at obese people now and wish I could tell them there are other options out there that really work (I wont don't worry....LOL). I went to Mexico and I am so glad that I ran into Wasabigbutt"s profile because before I knew about VSG I was planning on getting the Lap Band....so glad I didn't do that!! Thank you to you all, I am on here everyday and look forward to reading your stories. I will keep you guys updated on my progress put I can tell you I think I'm going to lower my goal weight to 160....we shall see.

100 pound loss photo update

 

 

100 pounds gone FOREVER!!!

I am so excited to report I meet my goal on my 5th month anniversary! I went from 308 to 208 in 5 months, that is still so crazy to me!! I am now wearing a loose size 16, soon to be in a 14.....woooohoooo!!! I don't have any recent photos but I am having a professional shoot this week done and will up date yall.

Size 16 jeans and 90 pounds lost....

OMG cant believe 90 pounds gone in 4 months!!!

New Pic...4 months out!

227.8 pounds

I'm an 80's baby!!!!

Im going to make this short and sweet, this weekend will be my 4 month anniversary, I will update with new pics! BUT today is a weight in day and I have reached 80.2 pounds lost....woooohoooo!!!! Stay tuned yall......

60 pounds down in 2 1/2 months!!!

This weekend I went to Las Vegas with my mother, the last time I was in Vegas was a month before surgery.

My mother and I

Before I left I told myself I would not worry about what I was going to eat...and lets just say "what goes down in Vegas, stays in Vegas", ha ha ha....in all honesty I didnt do that bad!

Me on Saturday night going to a party a family member was having.

On my way to the casino...NO I didn't hit a jackpot!

I am now home and back on plan, and I have come back with a bunch of new cloths so I'm going to go hard in the paint!!!

Almost down 60 pounds....

I really can’t believe my eyes when I step on the scale, it is still so unreal how fast and relatively easy this is. I wish I had done this a year ago, but am grateful I did when I did. I have been going out allot lately, I mean 60 pounds lighter and I feel like I can conquer the world...LOL!

I took this one the day I went to Mexico March 30, 2011 - 306 pounds

This one was taken on June 3, 2011 - 253.4 pounds

Say it ain't so.....

I am proud to announce I am 51 pounds lighter from my heaviest of 308....Woooohooooo!!! I’m so happy this is working. I have 74 more pounds to lose until I reach my goal.

OMG I feel like crap!!!

OK so I just ate a burger I saw featured on Diners, Dives, and Drive thru's....OK so the title should tell you why I'm feeling sick to my stomach. I have not had anything with as much fat since the night before surgery which was March 30th. My reason for making this "burger" was cuz the kids thought it looked great and asked me last night if we can have it for dinner tonight, and I thought "sure why not, I can have it cuz its all protein". So after work and school we go to the store and buy all the necessary ingredients (will tell you in a few), we go home and start the process.
It's a burger (not bad), with Blue Cheese crumbles and Bacon (very bad)...LOL...I wrapped mine in lettuce but had to add mustard and mayo (small amounts) and have a pickle on the side. The first bite was the BOMB.com!! Then the second bite sent my tummy into shock, and I could not go any further. What was I thinking, yes it was protein but full of greasy fat. I hope I didn’t hurt myself or sabotaged anything. I looked at my son and told him I need to stick with the healthy foods ONLY...he laughed!! This is my son’s burger

Please remind me to step away from the burger next time I think it’s a good idea!!!

I almost forgot to update yall....drum roll please....I am 47.6 pounds down and have not been sleeved 2 months yet. I LOVE MY SLEEVE; I have never lost this much, the most I have lost in the past was 40 pounds. So I am going to hook yall up with a more recent photo once I hit that big 50, I hope it happens next week before the 31st, which would be nice.

Feelin good, Looking good....

I know it's been quite some time since I last blogged, but in honor of my new follower I felt it was time to update all my peeps!!

I must say that this has been fairly easy...aside from all the head hunger and my mind playing games with me. OK so my surgery went really well, I went to Mexico and was treated wonderfully; the hotel and hospital were all I expected plus some. OK now flash forward 6 weeks (I think) and I have lost 43 pounds....yay me!!! I have been eating solid food since 5 weeks and have been doing pretty well, I do get full fast so I don’t eat that much. I eat two to three small meals a day and drink a protein drink, and water sometimes coffee. I don’t eat carby things, and I try to get only protein in, I really miss salads and veggies but I'm working on that slowly. Anyway I really hope by 6 months out I'm 100 pounds down, but I'm not going to stress about it. I have not bought anything new; I have way too many clothing sizes in my closet so I got that covered. Lets me see what ells......I feel lighter, I have more energy, and I think I look better. I promise I will upload a new pic once I get to 50 pounds gone. I'm really happy I did this; I am not (to) hungry so it’s been easy not to eat everything in sight. Although I find myself drawn to the cooking and travel channel more now than before. It’s like I want to just fantasize about all the things I can’t eat...crazy!! Anyway thank you for sticking with me and I do love reading all of your blogs, I think you guys are doing fabulous and I draw on you guys for inspiration.

There is a CLICK giveaway people!!!

OK so I know I owe you guys a blog about my experience getting SLEEVED, but first I'm going to tell you about a CLICK protein powder giveaway. If you go to theworldaccordingtoeggface blog you can enter for a chance to win this very nice basket.

This is a fabulous blog with wonderful recipes anyone post op can make and eat. I am so looking forward to making these recipes once I am at the food stage of this journey!!

Today is the DAY!!!!

I'm so thankful to everyone here that reads my blog; it makes me feel so good. I love reading everyone ells blogs to, most of the time I go to the very beginning of your journey and read to the present and let me tell you they are all like really good books you can’t put down!!

I 'm nerves and scared, and worried. I want to come out of this strong and determined, I pray there are no complications, I pray that my kids are safe without me, and I pray that this will help me lose the weight. I will update yall on my progress.

Pre-Op diet round #2

I am doing an AMAZING job this time around!!! I'm on day two and feel pretty good, although last night was rough. I wanted something sweet so bad I went online to research low carb deserts and found this delicious looking (didn't make it yet) chocolate "cake". OMG I cant wait to make this healthy and low carb treat, maybe the day before surgery as a celebration!!!

There is a secret ingredient that you guys will never guess unless you click the link. By the way this blog is full of great recipes for low carb/gluten free diets.

My weight yesterday morning before starting my pre-op was 306.4 pounds, I'm hoping I can get below 300 before surgery.

Getting nerves again...

So I'm two weeks away from surgery and this time around I'm really nerves. I think the last time I was so focused on the money, the kids, and my father coming that I was to stressed to feel anything ells. Now the surgery is paid, the kids are going to be with family, and my dad is not coming till end of April so I'm left feeling all the feelings I should have been in the first place.
I have this picture in my head of what I want to look like at the end of this, but I know that my body will look the way its supposed to, nothing I can do about that. But what if I don't like myself, what if I don't even lose the weight. I love sweets and the idea that I can no longer eat sweets is hard to except. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to do this and I'm going to stick to the book, but I'm just feeling scared.

It's my BIRTHDAY!!!!!

I got myself some birthday gifts for when I start losing weight. Both are in a size 14 so I have some time before I can fit them, but it will give me something to look forward to!

What do you guys think? Im going to model them when I can fit'em...LOL!!

New surgery date!!!!

I have had a cold and my doctor wants or did re-schedule my surgery for March 31st...I'm ok with this, I really don’t want to have any complications. I was originally having surgery on my birthday (March 10th) kind of like a "new birth", oh well.
The good news is now I can celebrate my birthday the old fashion way, with a great dinner and a big chocolate cake!!!

Pre Op diet sucks!!!

I’m having the hardest time staying on NO carb for my pre op diet. I should be doing high protein with veggies ONLY, and I have been doing high protein but will sneak in a couple spoon full’s of carbs. I am going to buckle down tomorrow cuz I really don’t want any complication post op.

This week leading up to surgery is soooo loong, OMG when is the day going to come??!! LOL, I guess I’m nerves and just want to get it over with, can’t wait!!!

Me in Vegas Feb 2011

Countdown time 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

OK so I know I’m a really bad blogger, I have been M.I.A. and I’m sorry. My plan is to start blogging on a regular basis and since I’m finally getting my surgery I’m sure I will have more to talk about. I’m starting my high protein/liquid diet tomorrow and then off to Mexico next Wednesday. I’m extremely nerves and scared.

On another note; I just found out that a rapper named Paul Wall from Houston TX (yes music rapper) had the VSG surgery on 12/31/09 and has since lost over 100 pounds. I’m really excited about this cuz it will bring allot more awareness to this type of WLS.

Before 320

After 215

Very cool right??

Thank you all for staying with me on this journey, it has only just began!

I'm a big cry baby....

I have been trying to lose weight my whole life but two years ago after I gave birth to my daughter I thought that I could just chill for a couple weeks then get back on the band wagon. OK so the picture I have up on my profile was taken when I was 8 months pregnant, the picture below was taken recently. The point is I gave up, I lost all motivation, and couldn't figure out what I was going to do. Now I think alot has to do with post pardon depression plus I was in a very bad relationship with my kids father. All I did that first year was breast feed, sit watch TV, and eat!! My daughter is going to be three this May and I'm bigger then I have ever been. I have tried every diet plan, bought ever diet book and magazine. I really want this surgery to happen and am looking forward to having it, I'm just worried that its another attempt at weight loss but it may not work (I may not work the program). I really want to succeed, I want to do this then move on with my life, right now my weight is stopping me from truly living the way I want to. I guess I just have to tell myself that every day, I want to remember how I feel today and never feel this way again. I will win this battle!!!!
On a lighter note, I think my ex has finally gotten the picture. I am so happy that he is out of my life and I dont think twice about telling him its over! I cant believe I wasted so much of my time with him, but had I not then lil miss Marley would not be here. Everything happens for a reason and I am OK with that. On tho bigger and better things!!!!

Drains & Sand are all thats on my mind....

I have been spending more hours then I should reading all these great blogs. I am so impressed with everyones success, I know I will also be a success story. Ok so the other night I was talking to my mom and informing her of some "new" information I received about the actual procedure; I'm scared to death of surgery and I read that there will be a drain tube/bag WTF??? I cant be having all that, and on top of that I have to have an Epidural...I'm not giving birth!! LOL, so the other night I was reading a blog and she went into detail about the damn drain tube/bag, OMG I was sick!! And on top of that she said the worst part of surgery was A. the drain tube and B. the taking out of the drain tube. Funny, I have to push my fears down real low so I can make it thru this!!
On a lighter note, I'm getting excited about my impromptu mini vacation to Cancun...me and my girl thats it, 4 days on the beach drinking and eating. I really enjoy traveling, I wish I worked in the travel industry or was really rich so I can travel day and night (with my kids of course).

Yes I can!!!

To day is the first Monday of the year, let me just say I didnt want to get out of bed this morning. I went to work last night then to the grocrey store, I was really tired when I got home around 11:30 pm, thank god my daughter was asleep! So did I go to bed?? NO because all of you guys have such great blogs I spend most nights into early mornings reading them. I came across two blogs last night from two women who have had surgery with my surgeon, so I was very excited to read them. I cant tell you how ready I am to take this next step in my life, I cant ever remember a time when I was at a "normal" weight...My dad asked me on New Years "Ashley have you seen Jennifer hudson lately?" I'm like of course, I think she is beautiful although I don't think she needs to lose any more weight, he said "maybe you could look into Weight Watchers", my dad seems to have forgotten that:
1. I have been fat all my life, its not like I just put on weight after the kids or something.
2. I have done WW more then a couple of times and I never lose any weight and I always waist my money.
He is just trying I know...

So I'm going to enroll in a english and math class for the spring semester, I need to complete these classes in order to apply for nursing school. Im looking forward to it, I love school I wish I could just go full time and not have to work but what ever amount of time I can spend on my education is fine with me.