6 month update

Hi all! Today is my 6 month surgiversary.  For the most part, things are going well.  I am down 150 lbs from my high weight, 96 lbs since surgery, and 124 pounds since my consult 2.5 months before surgery.  I have to admit that I haven't been great at following a plan and keeping track of food.  In a way, it is because I haven't had to.  The weight loss has been fairly easy to this point and I generally only think about eating when I'm hungry.  That being said, the skin has been a ton more obvious and I am going to at least start tracking protein to make sure I don't get weak or lose more muscle.  I am size 14 in pants, large in shirts - I don't think those changes have reached my mind yet though because I have been buying xl tops...thinking it is just too out there to get large.  Later, I realize they are too big.  It is strange not to go to the plus size section! My current jeans are the plus size ones that I've worn this whole time - just gone from 26 on down.  Next drop I will have to find "regular people" jeans.  

This weekend we went hiking by lake superior.  We went last year when I was about 140 pounds heavier.  Last year, it was so challenging that I had to stop every couple of minutes and barely made it the 0.7 miles to one waterfall.  This year, it was easy to hike 5 miles (including tons of stairs and hills) and I was climbing rocks and enjoying life.  My fiancee even sprained his ankle trying to keep up with my speed!  I felt so free and alive! It was such a great feeling to have both of us worried about whether I could make it.  

I've been getting attention from guys lately and I remember this from the last time I lost a lot of weight.  It is hard to navigate it because of course it is very flattering.  It helps that I dated a lot before when I lost weight (after my divorce) because now I know that it really didn't bring anything great in my life.  My temptation this last month (he is gorgeous, exactly the type I would never think would like me, artistic, thoughtful and intelligent) was good for me to deal with before my wedding next month.  It forced me to have an intentional thought process about it and come to the conclusion that flirting with that temptation would only bring sadness and negativity into my life.  My fiancee has treated me the same through skinny, fat, and skinny and he is who I choose.

Medically, my hair is falling out more.  I have also had chronic diarrhea for 3 months and an elevated lipase.  I'm pretty sure I have developed celiac disease and need to change to gluten-free.  It's pretty overwhelming.  If anyone has experience with this, please share!

Hope you all are doing well!!!

Jen

Congratulations on your awesome weight loss!! I have celiac disease (had it prior to surgery)... So if you have any questions send me a message :)

Yay! Can you rec any helpful websites to learn the diet?

Congratulations on a fantastic six months, Jen!  And kudos to you for not falling into the trap (now that you're getting a lot more male attention) of believing that the grass is greener on the other side.  I've known people who substitute bingeing on relationships/sex once they stop bingeing on food.  

Keep up the great work! 

Thanks Tracy! Yes, it is a tempting trap and I am soooo glad I didn't end up in it. 

Congratulation on your weight loss good luck with you fiancee all very exciting.  Are you taking Biotin it really helps with hair, nails and skin. I take 5000 mcg a day. I am 8 months out from surgery and have never had a issue with hair lose 

Thanks. Will try that!