Vitamin Check , The Bender Ball and Bariatric Surgery convention

Just thought I would write again and tell everyone that I got my results back for my vitamin levels and everything is good except for vitamin D. I have to start taking an extra supplement for D everyday, 1,000 mil. I was thrilled to know that everything was going well with my health and that I was not vitamin deficient. Many gbp people suffer from vitamin deficiencies and you have to keep a careful eye on having your levels checked yearly. My hair has stopped shedding too, which is such a relief. I was beginning to think my thick hair would go thin! My friends kept reassuring me otherwise. I have the thickest hair EVER! It takes about 2 hours just to color it at the hair salon!!

I have also been using my new green "Bender Ball" to work out my abs. I think that it is working well. I can really feel the burn and I hope that the results will be positive in the end. I have only been using it for 2 weeks now and already feel sore! I have also been keeping up with my cardio/strength training workouts at least 3-4 days a week. It makes me very happy and energized! I have also been doing some nature trail walking with two of my good friends Jeremy and Sally. Jeremy and I have split the cost of a Georgia Nature Trail membership(Chattahoochee Natural Parks). It cost only $25 and it will get you into all the nature trials and parks for free for one year(Normally it's $2-3 every visit). Last weekend, I went to the Roswell Mill area/Vickery Creek trail and walked over 3 miles! We got lost and had to use Jay's iphone GPS app to get us back to my car! It was hilarious!! We hysterically laughed the whole time. We promised ourselves to meet every weekend and go trail walking. It's a great workout! Jay is a good motivator too! He is tough and really pushes you to go the extra mile!! I am also going to meet up with my friend Sally during the week and go trail walking too! When you meet with a friend, it gives you accountability and that extra needed encouragement.

I am volunteering for the next two days for the "Lighten UP Expo" at the Atlanta Hilton Hotel. It is a Bariatric Surgery convention that has product/information booths, guest speakers, chef and nutrition information, etc. My gbp doctor, Dr. Cellio Burrowes and his staff will be there too. It will be a chance for me to mingle and talk with others who have had the surgery. I am very excited about it! I will write later and let everyone know how it goes. I have to wake up pretty early for the next two days, so my butt is getting into bed early!!!

Be on the lookout for more pictures soon!!

6 months and 111 pounds down!!

The whole gang - Nikki, me, Beth Anne, Ceejay, Hannah, Brandon and the Birthday Boy - Jay!

Me and Nikki


At the Porter Bar Pub - Hannah and Brittney

The B-day boy and Lulu


Me and Brit

Happy 31st Birthday Jay Jay!!


It has been forever since I have written on my blogger! I feel awful about this fact! I have just been so busy with life and trying to find a J-O-B! The job hunt is on and I am ready to be employed!!

I just went to my two month follow-up with Dr. Burrowes today, my Gastric By-Pass surgeon. I was so excited to get on that big scale and weigh myself! I have lost a grand total of 111 pounds! I am at 226 pounds(337 lbs. before surgery). I have met my 100 pound goal and I could not be any happier about it! My next goal is to get below 200 pounds! My doc would like to see me get down to 160 pounds, I would prefer 150. That means I have 66 more pounds to lose before I hit my doctor's goal. We also did some blood work to test my vitamin levels. They took 8 tubes of blood! The nurse was great and found my small vein with ease. I will know the results in a couple of weeks. My next visit with the doctor is in 5 months. I wounder how much I will have lost by then....it will be exciting to find out!

I have been working out like a crazy lady!! I do not know what has taken over my body - mentally and physically...but I love to get my fitness on! I have been doing a combination of of walk/jogging to my apartment complex gym and then doing 20 minutes of cardio and 20-30 minutes of strength training. I have been keeping up with this workout for about 3 weeks now. I try to get out at least 3-4 times a week. I have notice that the weight is just melting off. I am really worried about sagging skin issues and really want to start toning up my body. I also purchased a "Bender Ball" at Target. I haven't started using it yet...but I am going to figure it out tonight. It comes with 3 instruction DVDs, so it should be fun!

I have some new pictures from Jeremy's 31st Birthday dinner night. I feel that my face keeps getting smaller and smaller. It is so surreal to see yourself changing everyday. It takes a lot of getting used to, it's like a new body birthday present every week!