Well, here I am....all alone....

Except for all of you!

I went to my doctor this week for my LAST FORMAL CHECK-UP!  How freaking scary is that?  It has been almost a year since my revision to Sleeve surgery.  He spent over 30 minutes with me....even though he had a waiting room full of patients.  He basically said that I have surpassed his expectations of where he thought I would settle as a final weight and he said that I should listen to my body and give myself a 5 lb window to fluctuate.  I'm ok with that. He had me crying and made me promise that even though I live 120 miles away, I would try to come back at yearly intervals.  He said not only would it give him a chance to admire his work (I love him), but it would also give me some form of accountability.  Really?  I'm thinking I need more than a "oh, a year is coming up and its time to see my doctor!  I better lose this weight I've gained! "

No. First and foremost, I need to be accountable to myself.  Thankfully, I have Steve and my family to help me with that!  Than,  I need to keep blogging and keep up all the friendships I've made around here with woman who have become so special to me.  Everyone is at different points on this thing we call a 'Weight Loss Journey'.  It helps to step back sometimes and retrace our steps with those who are not as far along.  It keeps me grounded, so to speak and helps me as much as I hope I help others.

I know I am not the only one who says "I'm not ever going to gain that weight back" but we all know how easy it is to slide with our weight and that is just a fact of life.  The way I explained it to my doctor is, I feel like after losing all this weight, the slate was wiped clean.  Getting the lapband and than the Sleeve basically gave me a chance for a "do over".  I am now at a weight that I am healthy and comfortable with.  I am in control of what I put into my mouth so I should be strong enough to respect myself enough not to gain it back!  That is my plan. One day at a time.  What an interesting concept, yes?

While I was at his office, he wanted to try out a new machine he has gotten since my last visit, the InBody520.  It measured my weight, lean body mass and body fat mass.  According to this sophisticated piece of modern machinery, I am at a 22 BMI (on a scale of 18.5 - 25 for normal) with a 30.6% of body fat (on a scale of 18.0 - 28 for normal).  This means that I would need to lose an additional 13.4 lbs of fat and gain 2.4 lbs of muscle mass.  At my current weight of 139 lbs, this would bring me to about 128 lbs!  We both looked at each other and agreed....it is what it is.  So much for $15,000+ machines!!!  I am comfortable at this weight and so far, I am able to maintain it without any extreme measures such as exercising 2 hrs a day 7 days a week!  There ain't no way this body is ever going to see a 1-2 before a number on a scale unless I am holding on to a towel bar!!!!!  And we dont want to go there anytime soon...believe you me!