Measurements vs Number on the Scale and Bucket List Update

I happened to write my measurements down on October 23, 2014, a day before my surgery. I feel this was very important because I knew my weight loss would slow and I would have to rely on results from working out. I measured under my bust, my bust, waist, hips, Right and Left Thighs, and Right and left Calf. All together I have lost 37 inches!! The major benefit of all the working out has been to get these results. 

Under Bust - 41" to 35.5"
Bust - 43" to 39"
Waist - 47.5" to 38.5"
Hips - 50" to 42"
Right Thigh - 26.5" to 22"
Left Thigh - 26" to 22"
Right Calf - 16" to 15"
Left Calf - 16" to 15"

My advice to anyone going through bariatric surgery, or any weight loss plan, is to not only watch the scale, but take your measurements! 

Last week I was so blessed to be able to travel to Colombia! I started in Bogota and ended in Cartagena. During the trip, I was able to check off some bucket list items. I did wear a 2-piece bathing suit, but I am waiting to check that one off. I want to get the yellow polka dot bikini. This summer I am hoping to check that one off, as well as the friend photo shoot, scuba, and piggy back ride. :)

Bucket List Update (Updated items in BLUE, Completed in BLACK, still have to do in RED)

#1 - I can't wait to buy clothes from any store I would like.  I have always been a fashionista trapped in a chunky girl's body. Which has made clothes buying limited. I can't wait to put together some fantastic outfits and I get to start with WINTER!

• I have bought underwear from Victoria's Secrets and am now in a size 16 so my hunni picked out some clothes at New York and Co.
• In early March I bought my first size 12 shorts. I then wore my first size 12 slacks. I wore a size 12 in Jean on March 20.  It's nice to be a size 12.
• My size 12s are too big, moving in to a size 10

#2 - I look forward to fitting comfortably in airplane/movie/theater/arena seats without imposing on the person next to me!

• I first realized I completed this goal while attending the 2015 Florida High School Basketball Championships in February. I sat next to a very nice older gentleman and I didn't feel like I was imposing on him. :)
• I flew comfortably to Colombia in June! 

#3 - Crossing my legs...

• I can do this comfortably all the time now.

#4 - I am going to take pole dancing lessons....which means I am hitting the gym to increase my upper body strength. 

• Took my first class April 7th!  I am signed up for the month of April!
• I'm still pole dancing and it has increased my strength and flexibility 

#5 - I look forward to coming off my high blood pressure medicine.  It makes me pee a lot! 

• My blood pressure is fantastic now, 118/75. My resting heart rate is also under 60bpm.

#6 - Wrap my legs around my man while being picked up (this also has a very sexual meaning, but i'm keeping this PG, hahahah)....still waiting....LOL

#7 - I look forward to being able to tie or fasten my shoes without huffing and puffing for air!

• Completed all the time :)

#8 - I'm definitely doing a pin-up photo shoot!....I have checked pricing and studios!

#9 - I have done 5ks in the past, but I would like to train and be able to run an entire race with ease.

#10 - I can't wait to be able to buy a tennis skirt and not be afraid to wear it in public!!   :)

• I have worn my tennis skirt out to play, but more importantly, I am wearing yoga pants in public. lol

#11 - I want to wear a two piece bathing suit that isn't a tankini!  I would prefer to wear a yellow polka dotted bikini just so I can sing the song!.....almost there!!

#12 - Zip lining!  wooohooo Most places have a weight limit and I can do some....but I want to be able to pick which zip line I would like to do!

#13 - I want a second tattoo.  Preferably on my hip line (because I want to be able to hide it),  I have thought about trying to cover up some of my scar from my DIEP surgery, but I will have to wait and see!  I have been a huge fan of "To Thine Own Self Be True", feathers, something breast cancer related, or something in Italian.... I have picked this out!

#14 - I have so many pairs of Gucci and Prada heels that I never wear because I mess shoes up from being too heavy or they are just hard to wear all day.  I can't WAIT to have less weight on my shoes and wear cuter ones!  PLUS....SOMEONE will owe me a pair of red Jimmy Choos when I get to 160 pounds!

#15 - I want to do a best friends photo shoot with my girls!  Since I have always be the heaviest one, by a long shot, I never wanted to do these.  I would like to hire a professional Photog and head over to Disney or some other fabulous location!  Along with my family, these ladies are my rock and support system...they keep me in line :)

#16 - It's coming close to Halloween and I can't help thinking that I will not be buying a costume this year, because A, I don't really have anywhere to wear it to, and B (more importantly) they never make anything cute over a size 16.  I CAN'T WAIT TO BUY A NORMAL SIZED COSTUME....

  

#17 - I can't wait to see the look of surprise on faces of those I do not see often after losing weight.  Seeing someone after a major change, whether it is weight loss or just a drastic hair cut, is always fun!

• Pretty safe to say I get these comments all the time from people that I go a few weeks without seeing. 

 #18 - I would like to go horseback riding, either on the beach or through a jungle-type environment.  Again, most horseback riding requirements have weight limitations and I always hit the borderline number.  I don't want to have to worry about that!

#19 - This is corny, but I can't wait to wrap a regular sized bath towel around me!!!!!!  It's cold when there are gaps!

#20 - I would like to sign up for my first Warrior Dash once I am in better shape.  This looks like so much fun, but I don't want to get stuck or not be able to pull myself along.

#21 - Let's just say better over all hygiene. I look forward to not have as many rolls and crevasses. Plus, I will be able to reach more places to shave ;)  hahaha, TMI I know. Soooooo much easier to shave now!

#22 - I want to be able to do 10 pull-ups! It's going to be a loooooong time before I do this. LOL

#23 - I have always wanted to become a certified Scuba Diver.  Part of me is scared and the other part knows I need to be in better shape.  This is something I will definitely do!

#24 - To weigh less than I did in High School!  My senior year, I probably weighed about 170. I thought I was soooo fat at the time. geezzz.. 

#25 - I would like to take up yoga and increase my flexibility.  I am hoping this will also enhance my sexual performance in the bedroom....and other places I will be able to fit with my new, slimmer body ;)  I have start my flexibilty classes, along with my Pole Classes. I am doing yoga as well. 

#26 - I want to be able to have my hunni give me a piggy back ride!!

#27 - Tango dance lessons....I am addicted to this sexual and sensual dance.  I have been since I traveled to Argentina!  

#28 - I can do anything without being judged by the size of my body...people will not be able to use that to pick fun of me and I will believe people when they tell me I am pretty.

• Disclaimer - Yes my husband makes me feel beautiful all the time. But you are lying to yourself if you say you don't like approval from others LOL. It's not that I didn't believe I was attractive. I guess I just never felt guys hit on me, over other girls, because they were initially attracted to me. Many guys hit on overweight women because they believe their self-esteem is low and the girl will fall over themselves for said guy. The first time I felt a guy was genuinely attracted to me, was last month. I happened to be grabbing drinks with a guy friend at a bar. As soon as my friend walked away to pay, a gentleman at the other said of the bar asked why a guy would leave such a beautiful woman all alone. I had to giggle, he had to be 5 years younger. He proceeded to ask me if I was from around there and if I would like a drink, I declined, as I was leaving. I am sure this seems trivial to most women, as most women were not 100 pounds overweight...however, it made my night!

#29 - I can buy sexy underwear and feel confident in them :)

#30 - I will treat my body as a temple and not continuously mistreat it, gaining the weight back...

Total weight loss - 81.8 lbs (19.2 lbs until my personal goal, 33.2 lbs until my doctors goal)
June 14, 2015 - 164.2
May 11, 2015 - 171.5
April 11, 2015 - 175.6
March 17, 2015 - 178 lbs
March 2, 2015 - 184.8
February 16, 2015 - 188.4
February 1, 2015 - 191 lbs
Jan 24, 2015 - 194.9 lbs
December 31, 2014 - 199.8 lbs
December 21, 2014 - 203.8 lbs
December 11, 2014 - 210.6 lbs
Five weeks post-op, November 28, 2014 - 214 lbs
Four weeks post-op, November 21, 2014 - 216 lbs
Three weeks post-op, November 14, 2014 - 221.9 lbs
Two weeks post-op, Nov 7, 2014 - 226.6 lbs
One week post-op, Oct 31, 2014 - 231.8 lbs
Weight morning of surgery, Oct 24, 2014 - 239 lbs
Weight at pre-op appointment, Oct 14, 2014 - 246 lbs