Lots of news!

Lots of things to talk about today!

1)  I went in on Tuesday to see Sweet Carol about my band.  My blood pressure was the best it's been EVER.  It was something like 117/74.  woop whoop!  According to their scale, I had only lost .5 pounds a week for the six week stretch.  I explained my frustration and my issues discussed in my previous post.   I explained that my biggest problem was when I am cooking and I grab a handful of peanuts while I am waiting on my meal.  I talked about my exercise calories that myfitnesspal gives me for exercising.  Carol said not to use those calories and to stay within 1,000-1,200 calories a day.  After that part of our discussion, I knew I needed a fill.   We decided to do a .2 fill.

2)  This fill has been absolutely FABULOUS!  I feel great, I can go longer stretches without eating, I haven't had any stuck issues, and here's the best part:  I am losing again!

3)  According to my scale I was 231 on Tuesday, 229.6 on Wednesday, 227.4 on Thursday, 226.2 on Friday, and 225.4 on Saturday!  That's right!  I OWN the 220's now (but not for long I hope - I don't want to doom myself by making such a comment).

4)  How am I losing you ask....  I am using myfitnesspal on my iphone to track every calorie as best as I can.  I am going to the gym as often as I can which this week, it was Monday, Wednesday, and today.  I wish it was more.  When I go, I get on the treadmill and walk/run.  I am gradually increasing my running.  I typically walk 4.0 mph and when I run I bump it up to 5.0-5.5mph.  There is no formula I use to decide when to run.  I just go when I feel compelled or when I am close to ending a mile that I want to improve my time.  My best time so far has been 4.09 miles in 58.15 minutes.  I am really nervous about the 5K Turkey Trot.  Running in front of people?!  I may just have to walk the whole thing.  We will see.  I'll be sure to take pictures.


5)  I love the gym and all the changes that are happening to my body.  I feel so strong, so energetic, and so eager to keep going.  There are so many ups and downs on this journey.  I like to treasure the ups and really savor them.

6)  Speaking of savoring...I've been shopping lately.  I bought a new coat.  It's an XL.  Last year I bought a 3XL.  It's amazing the difference a year can make.  I'll see if hubby can take a picture for me to post.  I've been getting everything XL.  It fits!  I am totally loving shopping now.  I look at things in the store and think there is no way it will fit me but I try it on anyway for fun.  Then...it's like magic...it fits!  IT FITS IT FITS IT FITS!  I tried on a gagillion things today but I came home with one sweater and a pair of jeans. I felt terrible for the ladies working there who had to put away all my stuff.  At least they were all hung up - not everyone does that!  I currently have one pair of jeans that fit me....so I felt justified in buying them.  The sweater was red and sparkly and well, I just had to have it.  :)

Love to all!  Thanks for reading.  :)

Well

Hmm.  Not much to report.  I'm still stuck at 231-232.  I glimpsed 229 and then it was gone as quickly as it came.  My eating has been sporadic.  I still eat too fast.  I think I just need to start using my timer again.  I can pretty much eat whatever I want these days as long as I eat slowly.  :(  I wish I couldn't.

I want that feeling back from right after surgery when I had zero desire to eat.  I want to eat these days a lot.  I'm starting to get pretty frustrated so I am glad that I go see Carol on Tuesday for another follow up.  I don't want to be one of those people that have their band so tight that they can only eat liquids...but I may have to be while I am in this losing phase.  I'll see what Carol has to say on Tuesday.  Maybe I will ask the nutritionist for a plan.

Speaking of nutrition...I made the most wonderful chicken tonight!  
It's Spicy (not that spicy) Honey Chipotle Chicken.  Hubby was impressed and actually so was I!

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/05/girl-who-didnt-eat-everything.html

In other news, I joined a Gold's Gym Express yesterday.  I haven't been able to get my walking in these days because of the time change and the weather.  It's been getting dark so early, I don't feel safe walking after 6pm.  Joining was fun!  I pay $20 a month for unlimited access to equipment and I can bring a friend anytime I want.  I also get unlimited tanning (I won't use) and massage chair access.  I can dig some massage chair action.  

So while I was signing up, the guy working there was all flirty with me - called me beautiful once (snort).  I know they are supposed to do that to get business, but it was refreshing.  I haven't had a man besides my husband flirt with me in like...forever.   He asked me what size t-shirt I wanted with my membership.  I told him an XL and I was hoping on the inside that it would fit.  He looked at me and said "No...you'll want a large."  I wrinkled my nose in protest and he said to trust him because they run a little big.  I took the damn large shirt.  I did all my walking and really enjoyed the gym.  I am intimidated about using all the strength training equipment but they offer classes to show you how to use the equipment and make your own program.  I am looking forward to that and I am convincing myself that I am not afraid of the gym.  

This morning I went to school to work on some things for this week.  I left there and went to Lane Bryant to try to size myself again and buy some new bras.  My boobs are turning into a sad, wrinkly mess as they deflate.  I am planning "that" surgery as soon as I am close to goal.  My bras are no longer fitting correctly- it's like I have a big hole where my boobs used to be!  I wasn't sure if it was the cup or the band or the fact that my old ones are are all stretched out.  Soooo, I bought two more today I am down to a 38 - I was a 40- but my cup size stayed the same unless I want them to runneth over.  I do notteth wanteth them to runneth over.  So hooray for new bras finally!  

I tried on that damn t-shirt today and...it fit!  I don't think I have EVER worn a size large t-shirt.  I like that place!!!  I am going tomorrow after my school, meeting, and my ride home!  I can't wait!  

Oh....wait!  I forgot the coolest part!  The machines at the gym are the IFit machines.  They partnered with google maps and there is a screen on the treadmill.  I mapped out a workout on the website.  I am virtually walking through Central Park tomorrow and I got a free package that takes me through the national parks.  I'm pumped about it.  

Thanks for reading.  I know I haven't been that interesting lately....just seem to be stuck in a rut.  I am hoping this gym membership helps.  Love to all!

and goodbye...

Hello 220's...and goodbye 220's...and Hello 220's....

These two weeks since my last post have been a bunch of up and down.  I go up, and I go back down...

There hasn't been a whole lot to report.  No doctor visits, no milestones...just going down to 229 and then back up to 233.  There has been some puking.  I discovered that I can't eat macaroni and cheese anymore and I also can't eat in the morning before a cup of coffee.

This is less than exciting.  Oh yeah...the time change has really done a number on my walking.  I'm not sure when and how I can fit it in.  My dog really misses it too.  :(

I will be taking 120 day pictures this weekend.  I doubt you will tell any difference.  Maybe I should wait until next month.  I go see Carol on the 19th- I'd like to have some more poundage gone before then.  We'll see....

Love to all!