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!

HELLOOOOOOOO 220's!!!!

Where you been all my life?!  Oh yeah that's right...you were hiding way underneath my fat butt!

No matter where you've been....I'm SOOOOOOOO glad to see you now!

That's right guys...I hopped on the scale this morning and I was 230.1 and then I pottied and tried again and I was 229.7!!!  It's a new era.  I really don't remember being this weight.  I know it was after meeting Jason but before getting married - like twelve years ago.  I was a size 18 when I met him and I am a solid 20 right now in any size clothing.  Some 20's are too big, some are just right, so I may be getting closer to 18. Wow.  As soon as I was getting super frustrated about plateau-ing, I had major loss this week.  I lost a half pound to a pound and a half every day this week.  I am back on track (until I plateau again and then I will have to read this post again and know I just need to stick with it and it will come - but there may be more whining....just bare with me).

The only thing I was able to improve this week was my water intake.  I was not able to exercise more in the evening due to scheduling conflicts.  I only walked 15 miles this week and it was all Saturday, Sunday, and Monday so it wasn't all technically this week.  I consciously drank more water and tried harder to stop snacking.  That's it.

A couple of things that are concerning me:

1. This whole poop situation (Dad, you may want to skip this part).  I used to have zero problems doing a number 2 pretty much whenever I wanted.  Since being banded those #2's have understandably slowed down because of my reduced food intake and for the simple fact that I no longer gorge myself uncontrollably with more food than my body would ever burn by sitting on the couch.  These last two weeks have become a real problem.  I have started taking fiber supplements and I have been increasing my vegetable intake.  It only seems to make it worse.  One day I literally thought I was going to have to go to the hospital and have my poo surgically removed.  I could only imagine how THAT conversation was going to go with the triage nurse.  THANK GOODNESS I found some glycerin suppositories in my cabinet.  I refuse to look and see if they have an expiration date- I don't remember buying them.  Those little babies have helped me get through the week.  I may just have to start taking a laxative every night before bed.  Any recommendations on a good one?
2. I've started losing more hair in the shower.  It's not clumps, I've just noticed an increase.  I've started taking biotin supplements to try and stop it.  I've always had such thick hair, I'm not that concerned, but I'd like to stop it.  I also got some new vitamins that have biotin in them.  
3. I've started taking iron supplements that may be affecting the whole poop situation (see bullet #1), but I had a friend hospitalized because of her iron levels being too low.  I get so excited about the weight loss, it's easy to forget how important what I eat is to my body and my well being.   

Other than these things, I am really happy and I have a ton more energy than 40 pounds ago.  I only wish I had been able to have this surgery years ago.  I'm glad I had it now.  :)  I feel good, I'm looking better, my health is better, I've made some new friends and rekindled some old friendships!  What's not to like?  When I saw my doctor this week she had a questionnaire about depression.  I almost had to laugh as I answered the questions.  I'm the furthest thing from depressed right now.  I'm a happy girl who needs to quit blogging so I can go join my family.  Love to all!  Thanks for reading!

NSV (Non Scale Victory)!!

I went to the doctor today and unfortunately I had to wait an hour past my appointment...frustration - especially when I had to take a half day to get there on time.  But I absolutely LOVE my doctor.  She's actually a physician's assistant, but I adore her.  I've never seen a physician that can top her.  She takes time and listens to me.   It wasn't her fault.  Here I am waiting in my hospital gown with my butt crack facing the door.  This is always a good position to wait in...

There are a bunch of NSV's to report:

• I was visiting to get my annual and I haven't seen her since I had surgery.  I was looking forward to seeing how much weight I had lost since I last saw her.  It was 45 pounds... 

• Then I had my blood pressure checked and it was 120 / 78.  Booyah!

• She removed some skin tags that I got during my pregnancy for free because I waited so long - AND she loves me.  This has nothing to do with my band...but work with me here.

• Next we went over my lab work.  The last time I had blood work done was 2006.  I am pretty sure my numbers got worse and not better before surgery.  

• Here is the comparison: 

I was pre-diabetic in 2006.  That's what the glucose is.  Look at the huge change!  She was also impressed with the triglyceride levels.  I think she said that is fat in the blood or something and is an indicator of people that overeat a lot.  GUILTY.  Anyway...it's really good now!  She wants me to work on raising my HDL cholesterol and lowering my LDL even though they are both within good range.  

I am going back in 3 months to check my iron levels.  I told her my concerns about making sure all was good with the lab band and my absorption levels.  

Is it wrong to be excited about seeing the doctor?!  If this is wrong, I don't want to be right!

Feeling discouraged...

Hello Bloggers, Friends, and Family!

I thought that last fill would send me on my way to extreme weight loss!  Unfortunately...it has not.  I feel more hungry now than ever.  My biggest problem is after school and the evenings.  I want to eat, eat, eat.  I used to be able to not eat breakfast and be fine.  Now I need that again too.  What the heck?! I thought I was almost in the 220's, but I've been bouncing around in the 230's all week - gaining more times than losing.  The lowest I got was 232.  At one point I was afraid I'd be back in the 240's.  Has anyone else had this experience?  I know my band is in place because of the barium test last time I visited.

I am not sure what is going on.  I think it could be a few things...I only walked 12 miles this week - two episodes.  It was just so busy and it got cold this week.  I need some cold weather walking/running gear.  I also am wondering if my water intake has decreased and I'm actually more thirsty than hungry.

This week I pledge to drink more water and exercise at least 4 times.  C'mon 220's!!!!!!!

Here are some pics I took this week.  I still have a lot of work to do...long sigh.

Stupid big butt.  I can't find jeans that fit my waist that fit over my butt. 

OMG- this picture really shows me how much work I have to do still.  I hate that front butt I have! 

90 days banded!

On July 9th, 2013 I got my lap band!  My life started changing along with my relationship with my nemesis, food and my ability to exercise!!

It's been good to me.  Below are my 90 day pictures, as promised.  I had to change shorts because I couldn't find the old ones.   These are short, very fitted shorts.  These show a bit more than the old ones.  I can't tell as big a difference in these pictures from the last ones...but I can sure tell a difference from the beginning!!  This is so fun!  I can't even imagine where this is going to go for me!  This first picture on the far right is not a good face for me...but the body is doing MUCH better!  It's hard to match the pictures up exactly - my husband is not the most patient photographer...so when you are looking at them, look for changes to the smoothness, not necessarily the overall size.  K- thanks :)

What is this....a waist?!!  Where has THAT thing been hiding?!

 I can tell a difference in the contour of the bod in this picture.  Much less lumpy overall.  

I think this blasted booty will be the last thing to go!!!  Man my hair has gotten much longer.  Actually when you look at my head...it's much smaller in the first picture.  I should have made this last one smaller.  That is encouraging.  

I've decided that I want to work for True Results and be a patient advocate.  Any ideas on how I go about getting this job?  Anyone out there have connections??  Hook me UUUUPPPP!!

These are a couple that didn't make the cut from the shoot today!  I feel like I am starting to look like a normal person!