Before
BEFORE
When I graduated high school I weighed a good 183 lbs. Not that anything was wrong with that, I have seen beautiful women who have weighed more than that! But, I wasn't happy with myself. I was miserable not being able to wear what I wanted and hated that I could barley fit into my graduation dress when the day came. Now, I would like to tell you that I was determined to lose weight, I worked hard, etc. But, that is the thing...I didn't. I suffered from my Gallbladder attacks nightly, daily, and all in between. So, I started to lose weight with a combination of birth control and being sick. As November of 2013 hit, I got down to 140! After my surgery that month, I was down to 128 lbs. My goal was to be 120! This is a healthy weight for my height (5'3") and I plan on gaining and toning my muscles in my arms, stomach, legs, and butt. My goal is not to be "perfect" or "beautiful". My goal is to be happy with who I am PHYSICALLY. UPDATE: A few years later, I still struggle with my weight. I was steady at 130lbs and have gotten myself back up to 155lbs. This is where I'm starting again Nov 8 2014
When I graduated high school I weighed a good 183 lbs. Not that anything was wrong with that, I have seen beautiful women who have weighed more than that! But, I wasn't happy with myself. I was miserable not being able to wear what I wanted and hated that I could barley fit into my graduation dress when the day came. Now, I would like to tell you that I was determined to lose weight, I worked hard, etc. But, that is the thing...I didn't. I suffered from my Gallbladder attacks nightly, daily, and all in between. So, I started to lose weight with a combination of birth control and being sick. As November of 2013 hit, I got down to 140! After my surgery that month, I was down to 128 lbs. My goal was to be 120! This is a healthy weight for my height (5'3") and I plan on gaining and toning my muscles in my arms, stomach, legs, and butt. My goal is not to be "perfect" or "beautiful". My goal is to be happy with who I am PHYSICALLY. UPDATE: A few years later, I still struggle with my weight. I was steady at 130lbs and have gotten myself back up to 155lbs. This is where I'm starting again Nov 8 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
130lbs, toning
Monday, January 27, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Gallstones & Gallbladder
About 10 percent of the population have gallstones in their gallbladder, however, only 1 - 2% ever have a problem with their gallstones. I was one of those who suffered and I suffered for about 5 long painful years until I even knew what it was.
Now, if you do not know what a gallbladder is, in short: Your gallbladder is a small sack attached to the underside of your liver. Your liver produces bile (which helps digest fat) and that bile is stored in your gallbladder. Some people develop gallstones. When these gallstones get stuck in the bile duct that empties the bile into the intestines it causes horrible pain. In general, the pain is a horrible burning sensation in the chest. It can be described as having a heart attack, in some people. Your chest, stomach, and back hurt horrible. These attacks can last anywhere from 15 mins to (in my case) hours and HOURS. Usually, you wake up in the middle of the night with the attacks. But, they can come on at anytime after eating something greasy and fatty (because bile digests fat, your gallbladder contracts to empty bile into your intestines and then the attack happens.) My story ended with me getting my gallbladder removed with a simple and easy laparoscopic surgery.
When I had my first attack, I thought I was dying then. It only happened MAYBE once a month here and there. So, when I did go to the doctor they gave me an Upper GI series which they put off the pain to be Acid Reflux or GERD. So, I thought all was well. With an adjustment to my diet and some medications I went on with life only to be plagued with the pain more, this time more often. I went back to the doctor and they put it off to having a stomach ulcer. So, more diet adjustment and medications after I was STILL having the pain my gastroenterologist set me up for an Endoscopy. They found nothing, no sign of acid reflux nor an ulcer. But, she did mention my stomach was holding bile. (which has caused me to feel sick all the time). So, after some more visits with my Gastro Doctor she tried me on some medications for IBS thinking that would help. But it didn't. This was May of 2013. I turned 19 years old and was kicked off my health insurance. So, I never went back to the doctor, I quit my medications because they didn't help and I was constantly having pain.
One day, I got really sick. I had really bad symptoms that went away within 2 or 3 days. After some research with my new symptoms I just KNEW that I had gallstones. I read others stories online and I cried with joy knowing this was it. But, what do I do now? This was about July of 2013. But, by August I was sent to the ER with the WORSE pain in my life. I told the doctor my assumption and they gave me an ultrasound which turned out to be positive for multiple gallstones. I set my surgery up for November of 2013 and got my gallbladder removed. With no health insurance both the ER visit and surgery set me back about $30,000. With help of Financial Aid and discounts etc, that number has been cut down tremendously. I am happier, healthier, and feel great now that I no longer have my surgery. Now, that is it January I am officially healed and am ready to work my butt off to tone my muscles back up. :)
Now, if you do not know what a gallbladder is, in short: Your gallbladder is a small sack attached to the underside of your liver. Your liver produces bile (which helps digest fat) and that bile is stored in your gallbladder. Some people develop gallstones. When these gallstones get stuck in the bile duct that empties the bile into the intestines it causes horrible pain. In general, the pain is a horrible burning sensation in the chest. It can be described as having a heart attack, in some people. Your chest, stomach, and back hurt horrible. These attacks can last anywhere from 15 mins to (in my case) hours and HOURS. Usually, you wake up in the middle of the night with the attacks. But, they can come on at anytime after eating something greasy and fatty (because bile digests fat, your gallbladder contracts to empty bile into your intestines and then the attack happens.) My story ended with me getting my gallbladder removed with a simple and easy laparoscopic surgery.
When I had my first attack, I thought I was dying then. It only happened MAYBE once a month here and there. So, when I did go to the doctor they gave me an Upper GI series which they put off the pain to be Acid Reflux or GERD. So, I thought all was well. With an adjustment to my diet and some medications I went on with life only to be plagued with the pain more, this time more often. I went back to the doctor and they put it off to having a stomach ulcer. So, more diet adjustment and medications after I was STILL having the pain my gastroenterologist set me up for an Endoscopy. They found nothing, no sign of acid reflux nor an ulcer. But, she did mention my stomach was holding bile. (which has caused me to feel sick all the time). So, after some more visits with my Gastro Doctor she tried me on some medications for IBS thinking that would help. But it didn't. This was May of 2013. I turned 19 years old and was kicked off my health insurance. So, I never went back to the doctor, I quit my medications because they didn't help and I was constantly having pain.
One day, I got really sick. I had really bad symptoms that went away within 2 or 3 days. After some research with my new symptoms I just KNEW that I had gallstones. I read others stories online and I cried with joy knowing this was it. But, what do I do now? This was about July of 2013. But, by August I was sent to the ER with the WORSE pain in my life. I told the doctor my assumption and they gave me an ultrasound which turned out to be positive for multiple gallstones. I set my surgery up for November of 2013 and got my gallbladder removed. With no health insurance both the ER visit and surgery set me back about $30,000. With help of Financial Aid and discounts etc, that number has been cut down tremendously. I am happier, healthier, and feel great now that I no longer have my surgery. Now, that is it January I am officially healed and am ready to work my butt off to tone my muscles back up. :)
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