Major milestone update!

I reached my first 100 pounds lost!!!

On New Year's Eve I woke up to find that I had passed the 100 pounds lost mark, reaching 100.1 pounds lost total since I started my pre-op diet on 8/28/2018.  In 18 weeks (today!) I have lost 101.9 pounds.  I feel so much better overall.  My next goal is to get to my pre-pregnancy weight of 299 pounds.  I'm only 12.7 pounds away from that.  ONLY 12.7 pounds. 

Since today is New Years Day 2019, the weather was cold but beautiful so we decided to go on a hike.  According to my FitBit the hike was about 2.5 miles over about 90 minutes.  Lots of the paths were mud so it wasn't as fast going as I would have liked (I have a terrible fear of falling after falling twice on my knees at over 375 pounds), but I didn't have to take more than 2 small breathers after going up hills.  I was able to keep the pace with my boys pretty well considering the old me would have had to stop many times and wouldn't have been the one saying 'let's go this way' or 'it's really not that big a deal, let's keep going this way'.  I think even my husband was shocked at my stamina.  And today, before the hike, he said, "you've been moving a lot faster lately".  Which, for him, is a huge compliment because my husband is the power walker of the century, LOL.  He seriously walks so fast everywhere we go.  Totally a speed walker.  

After we had lunch, we headed to Panera (I order a cup of Turkey Chili, eat half, and take the rest home for another meal), ran a few quick errands, and then came home.  One thing I'm noticing after a 2.5 mile hike was that my feet don't feel like they've been ran over by a truck.  And right now, I can't stop thinking about how I'm going to start training for a 5k, and which one am I going to do?  Also, during my hike, there was a point where I really, REALLY wanted to start jogging but I had my purse and didn't want to try it in front of the boys.  So I might start taking evening walks again around the block and maybe trying some short jogs to start getting used to it.  I really would like to get to where I can jog a full 5k and complete it in 40 minutes or less. 

My clothes fit so much differently now.  I'm still wearing the same size pants, but they are huge in the thighs but not quite too big yet around the waist.  That's the last part to go, from what I've read online.  My shirts are getting too big, so I've gotten a couple smaller tops through a friend and on FB Marketplace.  With how fast my sizes are going to be changing, I don't want to spend a bunch of money on clothes that won't fit for long.  Truth is, I'm still struggling with finding tops that look decent since my belly is still bigger than I like.  I really think I have Diastasis Recti.  Where the stomach muscles separate during pregnancy... but I don't think mine has ever gone back.  I feel like I look like there is a bowling ball in my stomach all the time.  As I lose a bit more weight, it's something I'll definitely be asking my doctor about.  Possible surgery, or exercises can be done to correct it.  The stomach area is the last place to shrink anyways.  I will admit it's getting smaller just not as fast as I wanted to. 

I'm starting to feel like I'm getting that melted candle look in some spots.  But the weird thing is I really like it.  I can't stop touching myself (not what you think), because everything feels so much different than it ever has.  I'm loving how loose my skin feels.  I can actually pinch my skin.  I find myself just grabbing my arms and thighs and feeling how loose the skin feels and reveling in amazement.  My wedding ring is ridiculously loose now.  As I type, it keeps spinning around my finger so the diamond is in the way, which is annoying but makes me smile.  But again, another victory.  I'm thinking what I would like to do is get it re-set in a new setting when it gets too big to wear at all.  So maybe as a goal weight gift to myself, since I would imagine that to be a $$$ venture.  I've had a setting in mind for about 15 years too, so this would be a great venue to do that.  

Other things I've been able to do are to be able to sit cross-legged on my chair at home without almost any effort.  I've been able to do that now for about six weeks.  I also tried crossing my legs and was able to do it.  I know for some that doesn't seem like a big deal, but when someone hasn't been able to do it for close to 20 years, then it's a win!  Also, I've been able to move my seat forward in my car like 3 inches closer to the steering wheel!  That's a big accomplishment.  And when I flew to California, I used a seatbelt extender for each flight, but when I tested to see how much of the extender I needed, it was only like 2" so I am fairly sure that next time I fly, I won't need them at all!  Woo hoo!  

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years!  Mine was quiet, but I don't mind it!