Category: Shedding my Weight

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

Six Months Post Op VSG: Stalls

Everlasting Sirua

Half a year down. One more year to go. I say this because that’s how long it may take to reach a goal weight with gastric sleeve. I’ve hit a stall recently. Mostly due to what I take in as food. Plus lack of exercise. I’m going to reset and start over. Back to strictly healthy foods and water. Along with upping my physical activity and holding myself responsible to go to the gym. The only cheat I’ll have is my weekly Starbucks that I love when studying. We will see how that goes.

Stalls are frustrating because you’re eating less and it feels like your body is refusing to lose weight. But sometimes taking a step back and assessing what you’re doing right or wrong then changing things a little can set you back on the right path. Mistakes are made along the way and habits don’t change in a day. I got lost along the way due to convenience and snacks. I let my cravings get the best of me when water should of been my best friend. I’ll get back there to that mindset of the gym and pushing past my limits.

Temptations are everywhere. Every outing. Every grocery shopping errand. People around you. Social parties. It’ll happen and you might fall off for a while. But it’s important to realize and get back up. Motivate yourself or find others to motivate you and support you. It’s okay to try again. It’s okay cause you’re learning and we are all learning. That’s the beauty of the journey (or struggle)

Hobbies, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

Fitness Journey Begins: 10 Weeks Post Op Weight Loss

Everlasting Sirua

The weeks fly by and I continue to find myself more comfortable with my decision of weight loss surgery. Do I miss eating a good amount of food? Yes. Do I still crave junk food? Sure I do. I’m still an Oreo gal every time my period comes up. But I manage to eat one cookie with some milk to curb that sweet tooth. I’m still drinking my protein since it’s the most convenient breakfast and focusing on a high protein and low carb diet.

Since I was given the okay to workout again. I don’t feel there’s much limits at all since I have to build my stamina and strength. It’s a slow progress I hope to achieve in the next few months. Excitedly I signed up for LA fitness along with my husband. I plan to have gym partners and bring family to motivate me. My main reason? The pool since I love swimming and being in the water. Working out alongside my husband and I’m happy they have a kids club for our younger son to stay and socialize. As a parent it’s always hard to find someone to watch the kids while you try to get something done. Sometimes it’s near impossible. More gyms should have a kids club environment for parents to work out since at times it’s our me time to get ourselves out of a stressful headspace.

Since the surgery I have lost 28 pounds. At my highest weight I’ve lost 36 pounds. It’s amazing how weight can impact a lot since the energy and motivation I have is wonderful. The numbers may not seem as much but comparatively I’ve lost as much as all 3 of my cats put together or the weight of a small child. Where was it hiding? I am not sure. The body is a funny place.

I am excited to share this journey with you all as I progress every week or month. I hope to motivate others and share my experience as honestly as I can. More updates soon!

Life, Shedding my Weight, Tarot/Card Readings, weight loss

5 Weeks Post Op VSG: Does it Get Easier?

Everlasting Sirua

5 weeks in and I’m feeling better mentally and physically. Granted I could walk more for some exercise but rather wait for my stomach to be fully recovered at 6-7 weeks before I attempt further distances in this heat. I won’t get into specific numbers yet until I’m further in but so far a total of 20 pounds have been lost! Exciting.

I am starting believe it starts to get easier. As someone who sees the pros and cons of things it’s been easy to see both sides.

Pros

  • Learning to eat slower
  • Diet changes to eat healthier
  • Portion changes
  • Less time spent eating
  • Less temptations to eat out
  • Reevaluate my relationship with food

Cons

  • Limited overall consumption of food or liquids
  • Difficult to eat and drink (recommended to wait 30 min to an hour after eating to drink anything)
  • Difficult to truly enjoy food all at once
  • Learning curve when eating small amounts

A lot of the cons are mainly learning curves of having this new stomach. It’s difficult if your previous relationship with food was to eat all at once, eating quickly or used to eating and drinking at once. All these habits become difficult and need to constantly remind yourself to stop once you start feeling full. It’s easy to feel uncomfortable if you overfill yourself and you risk heartburn, nausea, vomiting etc when doing any of the above cons.

I’m looking forward to going to the gym with my current weight loss and furthering my wellness journey. I’ll update in a couple of weeks. In the mean time, I did do a tarot pull this past Tuesday.

The Chariot

This card is about overcoming difficulties in my life and letting the positive come through. Whether it be about my health, work or personal life I can see this coming through for me in every aspect at the moment. I hope to continue down the path of positivity.

Thank you all for reading. I do enjoy updating about my life here and there. More tarot based blogs and updates coming. Hope summer hasn’t melted everyone!

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

VSG Journey: Three Weeks Post Op

Everlasting Sirua

Previously, I was on a weight loss journey where I documented the struggles and triumphs. However, as working mom and student in the midst of breastfeeding. I took a break to focus on other things and didn’t want to add to my daily stress. Admittedly, I was struggling. I always told myself if I have to resort to surgery I would consider it so here I am.

September 2021 I started the process for VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy). For those don’t know, there’s a process in which you need to be cleared for surgery involving specialists and even a psych evaluation. Although tedious, it’s necessary to be cleared for surgery and to follow the instructions of the surgeon when making this decision. Society might say this is the easy way out. However, three weeks in? It is not easy as people make it seem.

This is a permanent lifestyle change. You learn to eat again. The first few weeks you’re on a liquid diet then a purée/soft diet. You watch everyone around you eat “normally” yet you’re limited. Your relationship with food changes physically and emotionally you might realize more than initially thought.

A lot of struggles I’ve noticed is waiting to eat somewhat normal again. It takes about 6-8 weeks for the internal staples to heal. The liquid diet gives you what you need for a while to not only shrink your liver but let the staples heal a bit. The purée diet is a gentle way of introducing foods again without much pain to the stomach. If you’re someone like me who had a habit of eating quickly this is a struggle. You have to sip on everything. Make sure you’re eating as slow as you possibly can. You chew your food excessively, swallow and wait. If you don’t you’ll experience nausea, sweating, light headed, throwing up and even diarrhea in some cases. This phenomenon is known as dumping syndrome.

Currently, I am doing alright. I’m halfway through puree diet and soft foods I still drink my protein shakes twice a day. One a day vitamin and calcium chews along with some other medications to make sure my stomach doesn’t have issues. The vitamins I will need everyday for the rest of my life. It’s important to try to remember to take it everyday as you’re limited in calories and your body can’t get enough nutrients with the new limit your stomach has.

So far I’ve lost about 20 pounds. I feel the loss in the clothing I wear and mostly see it in my facial features. The progress will take time and I’m ready to face whatever comes my way. Do I have regrets? Sometimes. As it’s frustrating not being able to eat what I want, when I want since I’m at the mercy of the healing and small new stomach. But, I look forward to welcoming this new lifestyle and the health benefits.

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

Weight Plateau, Process And New Changes

Everlasting Sirua

I’ve hit a weight plateau where I haven’t lost weight and don’t gain much either. At first I was afraid for my milk supply. Even with all the supplements I was taking I wasn’t sure if it would be enough but I am going to chance it til I see there’s an issue.

I started on this wellness journey with an oversupply of milk. was proud but also felt as though it was draining so much out of me I did not know what to do. I was eating about 2,300 calories and still lost 1-2 lbs a week for about a month. It wasn’t until the milk supply lowered that I could lower my intake to 2,100. The weight loss still slow but manageable. I eventually reached my goal weight and plateaued. I didn’t mind since it was difficult as a mother of two, working from home and doing school online. Most days I am exhausted and only wish to curl up to my husband to watch anime as the kids sleep. I have days where I wish my brain could take a moment and breathe. It’s been difficult to find that peace and center ground. But, I did find it again.

I am now taking 1,850 calories to start. I would say 50 percent of my diet is protein shakes and dinner/snacks have been my main solid foods. I am slowly changing what dinner looks like and still reducing portions for now. I take my supplements to make sure I continue to have a milk supply for my son , keep myself hydrated and fed. Next week I would like to start a strength training regimen since I made 12 weeks postpartum. It’s important that the body heals and teach yourself patience in this process. Love yourself and the body you’re in. Find the will to keep going cause there will be days you give in and want that fast food that you know you shouldn’t have right now. But, you keep going and repeat the process again. You can do this!

Next time I will talk about what I am eating and if its working since all this is all recent. There’s still room to tweak or improve. I am no expert and also want to get blood drawn in my next physical to make sure my body is tolerating the way it should. Everyone’s journey is not the same but inspirations sparks from places we least expect it to. It does help that when I start to feel like my world is heavy. My husband brings me my favorite: Salmon sushi.

Hope everyone is staying safe and as always: Stay Sweet

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

First Weight Goal Achievement and Wellness Update

Everlasting Sirua

I achieved my first goal weight this week. I honestly can say that I haven’t seen this number on the scale since before 2016. I am feeling proud and more determined now. I cant say its been easy as I continue this journey. I am far from my true goal. Lately, it feels like I’m far from so many goals but every moment I am getting closer and that’s been my comfort in all this. That eventually I will reach my true goal and that I can continue to share with everyone my emotions, my struggles, and my progress.

Emotionally, I have been better I would say consideringI am now 11 weeks postpartum. It’s hard to believe how quick and well my recovery was this time around. It’s truly shocking how much mental health contributes to overall wellness. I recently started my period again and I haven’t mentioned this but before my period I tend to have PMS symptoms leading up to the day of. These can vary from minor to moderate. It’s a terrible cycle when I feel emotional over everything and can breakdown all the good I worked for the last few weeks in a moment because of a hormonal cycle and perhaps a bad day. I am hoping with my life style changes these symptoms improve as time goes on. I am tracking my cycles. Although, I do plan on getting an IUD soon. This will be my first time using birth control. I am a bit nervous about this but I need the comfort of knowing I am doing everything I can to prevent another pregnancy til further notice. I will discuss how I feel on it and anything else I can report about it.

My struggles have been high and low. I do have days where I wish I didn’t crave certain things but honestly my true cravings have been Milky Mama Lactation Brownies, Salmon (sushi or baked), and Chofan rice from our favorite restaurant with different meats we order. We try not to order out since that can throw off any progress so I limit the amount I eat and snack on something else later on to prevent me from going on a carb binge. The brownies are to help with my breastfeeding since I need the extra calories to help with production. Truly without the brownies I would be in a deficit in calories and I try to limit everything else throughout the day since sugar and carb content in them is high. These will soon be replaced by a fat burning protein once the baby is older and caffeine isn’t an issue for his belly. As a meal replacement it would be great as something to make and have quickly without feeling guilty especially in the morning where I struggle to fully wake up and eat something.

Progress so far has been going well. I will say that its been somewhere between 1-2 pounds a week for now. I feel this is my comfort level right now since I know my eating habits aren’t entirely perfect in terms of using a macro system and limiting carbs as a keto diet would. The reason being is breastfeeding. The supposed amount a mother burns while breastfeeding is 200-500 a day estimate. This can depend on how much milk is being produced. To counter this I eat healthier snacks like cheese, nuts, and fruits so I can enjoy my lactation brownie and cold cup of 1 percent milk later on. For the most part I tend to choose low carb, high protein meals and do my best to avoid take out if possible. Ive also adjusted my portions and that’s helped significantly. This is all slow progress since all of this began since before May-June 2020. Since the pregnancy threw me into a spin and i did my best to eat healthy through it as well.

I was also wondering whether I should share my progress on Tik Tok since I only just began posting on there for my Twitch stream and cutesy stuff I tend to order once in a while. Once I do I will probably share it more on my social platforms since instagram and twitter are my other platforms to share. If I decide to I will definitely share it on here and everywhere else. I’ll start putting my social links below to follow and chat. Thank you for reading!

If you’re interested in purchasing Milky Mama Lactation Brownies you can use my Referral Link for a 5 dollar off coupon. They also have cookies, supplements and drinks you can try! Always feel free to let me know if you try it and what you think.

Feel free to follow and chat with me using the above social links!

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

Implementing Walking as a Workout: Second Wellness Entry

Everlasting Sirua

Now that I started this journey it seems as though I am motivated more than ever. I want to prove I can do this and can build good habits as time goes on. Now that my eating is more or less established I wanted to add exercise to my routine. My schedule is hectic if it can be called a a schedule at this point but I figured I could free up 30 minutes to an hour to go walking while my newborn naps.

MapMyWalk has been my best friend at this point. I messaged some friends in hopes to motivate each other into walking along with me. Seeing their efforts and messages have been a huge help in this process. Cause I have days where I am exhausted. But, I need to push through this and do whats best for myself. Setting these goals and meeting them is truly important for me since it has to do with my health and I see that as an investment towards a brighter future.

I feel it. The nagging soreness that doesn’t leave unless you rest for two days and the heaviness of lifting my legs in the middle of the night or morning. Do I have regrets? Perhaps. But who doesn’t? I ask myself will it hurt more later or how much further can I push myself? I can probably make 2 miles into 3 and so on. Goal right now? Eventually get to 4 miles by June without pain. I am confident thats a great goal for me to look forward to. Either that or be jogging by June. That one is a higher up goal that I’m hesitant about since I am not a fan of the warmer months or jogging. However, I believe in myself and in my circle to continue motivating me with this. So if you’re in the beginning of your wellness journey. Welcome! Join along this beautiful struggle with me. If you’re further and have experience in this. Welcome! Send advice and help please.

I’ll continue to update periodically. I miss streaming video games, playing video games, I also have plans to update little blogs here and there about some unboxing and purchases I made. Some reviews on shows or movies I watched. I’m mostly into Asian drama, animes and some crime/doctor shows (Not Grey’s Anatomy since I haven’t even started there). Stay tuned and stay sweet everyone!

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

Weight loss and Hormones

Everlasting Sirua

Getting on that scale every Friday is intimidating. I look forward to it to see what’s working and what’s not. I don’t because I’m afraid to fail. As a woman of course every month I go through a week of having my menstrual (yes, my period) and the cravings used to be for Oreos. Not that I would deny having an Oreo milkshake even now. However, it’s usually much less likely for me to deny any while dealing cramps.

Luckily, I’ve been able to curb the cravings so far. I don’t deny myself the sweets. I only taste and move on for the most part. Besides, the protein shakes and afternoon walks really do curb the cravings as much as it can. I’m proud to say that although before my vacation I lost 3 pounds and gained 4. I was able to lost 7 lbs since coming back September 12. It’s been a month and 7 lbs is progress. Although I’m sure I can lose more. I’ll continue to do so. I’ll take as much as I can get at this point. Even if it’s 1lb a week. I’ll share more as I go. For now it’s only protein in the morning. Less carbs. More water. Combined with intermittent fasting. Hopefully I’ll continue losing every week!

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

Weight Loss Update

Everlasting Sirua

As most of you know from my previous blog. I started my weight loss journey to hopefully reach my goal slowly. Going on vacation I did my best to limit myself (not have seconds of any foods. Tasting dessert rather than finishing them. Limiting carbs as much as I could) overall I only gained 2 pounds which isn’t bad! Thought it would be more like 5 pounds. It’s been 2 weeks and I’m already down the 2 pounds that I gained. I need to buy more fat burner protein. Go back to limiting my carb intake more. Going out for more walks at least 4 times a week. Currently it’s about 3-4 but they’re usually short or too long that I lose the nerve to go the next day. I really hope in 6 months to reach my small goal of losing about 15 pounds. Wish me luck cause it’s more difficult than I planned it would be.

Life, Shedding my Weight, weight loss

The Little Things in Weight Loss

Everlasting Sirua

It’s easy to want to see fast results when you’re on a journey to weight loss. That’s why small goals matter. Ones that are easy to reach. Celebrate them accordingly and it’ll help your mindset, motivation and confidence.

Last month I purchased distressed Bermuda shorts in the size I usually buy and felt as if they were tighter than usual. I felt defeated and upset since they were so cute. I put them with the pile of “Jeans that might fit later” which is right next to “Pants that will probably never fit me again”. Sad, but true. I decided to try them on today with not much hope since I didn’t feel all that different. It’s been almost 2 weeks since I became serious about my journey and BOOM! They fit like a glove. I even did the squat test and they didn’t feel like they were going to rip and the button didn’t dig into my abdomen. As I silently sit here and do my quiet hurrays. I can’t help but feel even more motivated. This means I need to be more diligent. Find beauty in these tiny victories. Where will I be a month from now? 3 months? 6 months? A year? Let’s hope I’ll be fitting into one of the piles of jeans I have for later.