Picture comparison of one of my favorite shirts

My mom sent me a picture from two Christmas' ago. Just so happened I was wearing that same shirt today. So here is the comparison...

There is a bit of a difference, I guess. :) I forgot a real bra, and my sports bra doesn't really work with this shirt. hehehe
I have heard that the boobs are the first to go in weight loss... I wish! Take some, please!



First Un-Fill and Weigh In.

This morning's weight was 233.
I didn't post my weight last week, but 2 weeks ago I was 231. Not a bad gain, but I had seen 237 within the last week.

In case you have never had your band too tight, this is what is was like (for me).

I was throwing up after almost every meal.
I was afraid to eat solids, so I would go for liquids (not satisfying, and usually higher in calories).
Choking on said liquids was common... then the slime would come.
Waking up in the middle of the night, trying to catch your breath because the slime had trickled into the lungs.
And somehow, I gained weight through all of this.

At first I thought, this will pass.. the band will loosen up. It's better to be too tight then too loose right? WRONG!

I kept thinking this will pass.. but it wasn't. I needed an un-fill.
Funny, the things that pop in your head when considering calling your surgeon to do an un-fill - I'm a failure, I'm going to gain weight (wait.. I already did with it tight), I damaged my pouch...

Then, Lap Band Gal posts this. I don't listen to podcasts. I do now. THANK YOU LBG.

It was full of great info on how the band should work, how it does work, and how we need to think about the band, and the "restriction" level.

So, I had an un-fill yesterday. My surgeon took out .5cc. My 10cc band now has 6.75cc's. She is thinking my band is probably happiest here. I know one thing is for sure. I am happier here.
I am on fluids right now, but no more slime! No more choking! No more PB!

Onwards.

Halfway to my original goal

I noticed my ticker says I am halfway to my original goal. I have no idea what my body will be like at that weight, but my doctor thought that would be a realistic goal for me. I suppose once I get there, re-evaluating could be necessary.

Tracking my food again has really helped, along with a .25cc fill I got last week. I feel satisfied, and I am really focusing on getting 80 grams of protein. That is when I have had the best success, is when I focus on getting enough protein.

So, I think it has finally happened... with the weigh loss, comes saggy skin (still fatty) but it is very annoying when I am trying to do jumping jacks or any other bouncing kind of exercises. It's like when I come down from a jump, my front is still up in the air.. really throws off my momentum.
I think it is time to buy me some SPANX. Have any of you found a style or even brand that works better than another? I would like a brand or style that would go well with sports/workouts, so strong, but not hot... if you know what I mean... I already sweat enough.

I wonder if my insurance would cover skin removal if it becomes even more annoying?

I am a bad blogger

I am not very good at keeping a blog. I will admit that. But I sure do like coming back and reading all of your blogs and seeing how your journeys are going. Mine is going slowly but surley.

My weight this morning was 231 which means I have dropped 60 pounds!!!

There is only 4 1/2 months until my wedding, and it would be freaking amazing if I could be in ONEderland by then. The winter months are so hard, because it is cold and dark, and I just want to sleep all the time. I have come up with a morning routine that I am going to start doing starting Monday morning. Here it is:

Wedding Workout Routine

30 Jumping Jacks

5 Push Ups

25 Knee Highs

7 Burpees

10 Crunches

7 Squats

5 push ups

10 Crunches

5 Push ups

7 Squats

30 Jumping Jacks

1 minute wall sit

5 push ups

25 knee highs

 

Repeat 3-5 times

Got that off of Pinterest :)

20 weeks until the wedding, so I am thinking if I keep up with this routine, and switch it up a bit after a few weeks, I can get rid of my flabby arms and tone my back. I want to look stunning in my gown.

Keep up the good work everyone! Stay strong through the holidays.



Almost, one year Bandiversary

Weigh in

Starting weight: 291

Last week’s weight: 243.4

Today’s weight: 240.6

This time last year, I was on a strict high protein, low carb diet in preparation for my Lap Band Surgery. I had waited a looooong time for this to happen. It happened, and each day, I am so grateful for my band. It hasn’t been as easy as I thought it would have been. I wasn’t as “successful” as I thought I would have been… meaning, I didn’t lose 100 lbs my first year. But I did learn a lot, I am still learning, and I am much healthier that I have ever been in my adult life.

So, I thought I would grace you with my before and after 1 year photos. I have lost 50lbs. You would think, that much loss, you would see a bigger difference. Do you see anything?

 

 At least I feel the difference. I ran 4.5 miles straight 2 days ago without stopping!! No way could I have done that last year.

I have a long journey still ahead of me, but now, I don’t give up after 2 weeks of dieting. Even if I don’t see results, I continue in my new lifestyle. I sometimes have better ideas, which spark a better loss, but then it seems like my body gets used to it and then stops losing. It is a constant game to get creative with something new to keep from getting bored.

Here is to the next year in the life of my band!

Cheers

Hooked on something addictive

Starting weight: 291
Last (2) weeks weight: 245.4
Today's weight: 243.4

2 more down...

I was peer pressured into doing something that I heard can be addictive. At first I was scared. Scared of dying, scared of what people would think of me while doing it... After I did it, I felt hooked on it already. I mean, it was such a rush. Okay, okay. I am done trying to pretend this is a cool story. I tried a spinning class. Within 5 minutes, I was sweating puddles, but loving it. Bike riding for fun and leisure has been this summer's theme, so why not try it inside on a crappy, rainy day. There was pain, there were times when I wanted to run out of the class, but I challenged myself, I was the only one that knew what level I was on, and I just did it. Going back to that class is in my future. This time with better shoes.

Try it... You might surprise yourself like I did.... and might actually enjoy it.

Another late weigh in

Well, here it is.
Starting Weight - 291
Last weeks weight - 248
This weeks weight - 245.4

-2.6 lbs

Woohooo!!! I am getting there. I am a half a pound away from being under my driver's license weight. How cool is that? Next week, I hope.

15 lbs away from being half way to my goal weight. Slowly, but surely. Now that I am at a good fill, and my mind has seemed to catch on, I am hoping that I can reach Onederland by January 1st!
That would be an amazing start to the new year. I have 5.5 months and 46 lbs to go.
That would add up to be a little over 8lbs a month. 2 lbs a week. That is tough, but if you don't have clear goals, how can you reach them?
Can she do it??? Stay tuned for sure.

Rolling on down the river

I am a couple days late due to the holiday, but here it is.

Starting weight 291
Last weeks Wed weigh in - 250.0
Today's weigh in - 248.0

2 more pounds down! I will take it for sure. So, when I first started this journey, there were a few things that I jotted down HERE as far as milestones/goals.
I made one this week.... I am now no longer too heavy for zip lining. And... if I ever wanted to do a helicopter/dog sled tour, I would not get the extra weight charge for being over 250!!!
That is a great thing, since this summer my fiancé and I work for a helicopter company for some extra cash for the wedding, and we want to take a ride on our tour. So excited about that.
We have been getting more and more active thanks to the amazing weather, but now that the 4^th of July is over and Solstice has happened, it is going to start raining again. Sure, we will try to get outside as much as possible, but I really don’t enjoy riding bikes in the rain.
He has started working out at the gym before work, and has a friend acting as a personal trainer. I might just bite the bullet and start paying for the gym again and join them in the fun. He has a goal of a six pack for the wedding (which is totally do-able for him since he is pretty skinny already) and I still have my wedding dress to fit into.

Confession… I bought my dress in January, a size 16. Not a women’s 16, a real 16. I feel with the progress I have been making is still not getting me close to fit into it. Yes I have 9 more months to go before the big day, but I would really like to get there and not have the stress of not knowing if I will fit into it. I will have alterations done to it, because I want a corset back put in. I think, that too, will give a bit more wiggle room for whatever size I end up at that time.

On a fun note (and slightly embarrassing) I am 3 pounds away to what my driver’s license says I am. Hahaha!!! I never changed it almost 50 lbs heavier LOL! I won’t change it until after the wedding, so by then, it should be a much bigger difference. Here is hoping to be in wonderland by then!

Weighing in today

I used to weigh in on Friday's, but ever since I came back to my blog, it has been sort of sporadic. But.. since it was a week from last time, figured maybe I will keep up with Wednesdays.

Last weeks weight 253.8
Today's weight:250.0

Soooooo close to that next 10 lb segment. I lost almost 4 pounds this week! I sure hope this pace keeps up.

This week my Maid of Honor is up here. We have been busy making origami flowers for the bridesmaid bouquets. They are turning out so good. We are also having our engagement party tomorrow, so we have been prepping for that. So much to do.
Okay.. bye fellow losers! Until next time.

I love it when I get it!!!

So last week, I posted about my epiphany.
I started off that week weighing 256.6
and today I am 253.8

That is almost a whole 3 lbs in a week. Am I really starting to get it?
That is exciting. Sure.. there were even a couple small slip ups, but I kept moving forward. It was a pretty challenging week as we have been getting record high temps of 87 here. :)
I was invited to BBQ's almost every night. I kept reciting to myself.. I am in the losing phase... there will be more BBQ's next summer...and I was able to say no to what I needed to. I was still able to sip on my water, have a plum, and enjoy the company of my friends.

I really hope I can keep the momentum going. I feel my band is filled just right, because I am not as hungry, and feel satisfied with the much smaller portions I have been having. It's nice to feel what it is supposed to feel like. I have only had this good of restriction a couple of times.

A cool side note...

I was walking to the ball field for my softball game, and I saw a good friend walking behind me. I kept going, and when I got to the dugout, my friend walked right past me. I said "Hey, no hello?" He looked at me and said he didn't recognize me from the back, and that he noticed how slim I was getting. Now, I had just seen him about a couple weeks before, so I don't know if he was just saying that because he didn't say hello, but I think he was serious. Hey.. I'll take it.

I am going to do one year progress pictures in August. I am kind of excited to see them. I can't believe it's almost been a year. Oiy.. I need to really focus!

Epiphany.

You know what… when I was preparing for 6 months to get my surgery, I read all the books and blogs, talked with doctors and nutritionists, and was committed to this life change, I honestly thought it would be easier.

Even though I KNEW it was going to take work, I failed to act upon my knowledge.

I am the queen of knowing how to maintain post band! But I am supposed to be losing, not maintaining. I fool myself into thinking that my body is different and that maybe I am just meant to be going slower than I thought I would be going. Here I am 10 months post band, and I have only lost 36 lbs. In my mind, I should have been at least 60lbs down.

What is going on?

I took a break from blog land to get away from successful bloggers, because I was feeling bad that I was not as successful as they were. I came back, refreshed, and ready to start focusing again, and you know what…. still, after a year and a half from the very beginning of my journey, my mindset was still wrong.

I was reading some of my favorite blogs, and I read something that just kind of hit me. Something to the effect of “I never ate that while I was in the losing phase…” and I was like… well, isn’t that funny. Sure, I have changed my eating habits dramatically since having Lap band surgery, but I pretty much been maintaining for the last 6 months.

I thought I was doing it right by the food choices I was making, tracking the food in my fitness pal, exercising.

Maybe that’s still the problem though. Pre-band, I would struggle to maintain. I would gain and lose, gain and lose. Post band, I lost and now I maintain.

Here is my epiphany…. And yes… I am sure some of you are like…. Duh, why did it take you so long to figure it out???

Maybe what I think is losing, isn’t. Maybe what I have been doing IS actually my body’s maintenance. I know I think to myself all the time, “Well, pre-band, I would have eaten a full bowl of ice cream, now I just eat a cup.” Helloooooo during losing phase, I should stay away from those high calorie sliders to begin with.

Epiphanated plan: until I get to goal weight, I need to be strict; I WILL be strict with my eating. I will NOT justify a smaller portion of “forbidden foods” until I hit goal weight.

Sure there will be slip ups here and there. I am far from perfect, but if I go into this new mind set of short term strictness, I can slowly incorporate those treats once I hit goal and onto the maintenance phase.

Long story short: I think/hope I get it now. Let the pounds start falling as my plan takes shape.

Refreshed

Hi Blogland -
I am feelin' good...
My newest obsession = Bike riding
The oddly, but maybe good/ bad part = weight gain

I am so hoping it is muscles. We have been biking about 10 miles a night, 5 nights a week.  Maybe it is just water weight...


That sticks around....



.... for a couple months.....



Maybe not. :)



What matters is that I feel great and people have been commenting on how my face looks thinner. I have a mini goal of loosing 5 lbs before my maid of honor flys up here at the end of the month. I am going on a refresh my mind mission and go back to basics and really focus. Wish me luck!

Cruise Ships back in town

I hate winters.. but I absolutely LOVE the summers here when the cruise ships start showing up. Downtown comes to life and the streets are crowded with tourists. It makes me so happy. Finally we have a break in the cold and rain, so I am rarin' to get outside. I am back on track with my C25K, but I restarted week 4 since I had a couple weeks off for travel. Dock walks at lunch, and softball or fishing at night! Pretty sure it will be a piece of cake to get in my 10,000 steps.
Speaking of cake... someone at work brought in a super chocolate decadent cake, and my desk is in the middle of our office, so all the junk gets placed right by me all the time. It looks good, and I am sure it tastes good, but enough with the sweets. I don't have the best will power, and so far, my band lets me eat what I want, so it's up to me.

I have been trying to find foods that are good for me, but also that I enjoy, and I came across the Mediterranean Diet. Has anyone heard or tried it?
The food looks like something I would like to eat on a regular basis. I might just give it a try. I need to do something to get my head in the game again.

Happy Hump Day!!!

I'm back and ready to move forward

Hi blogland.
I have been MIA for a while. If you used to keep up with me, I am sorry I abandoned you, but I needed the break.
Life has been getting back to a steady pace. My house is back to normal (from the damage of the burst pipe), wedding plans are pretty much completed...at least the big stuff, and although I have been trying to keep up with weight loss efforts, it is time to get more motivation. Blogging helped with that. Thinking of this as a fresh, new start!

Starting weight: 291
Today's weight: 256

35 pounds lighter than I was. Still have a long ways to go, but even though the scale is moving at a glacial rate, my clothes are loose, and I am a true size 18. That is great! I have been jogging almost daily, I feel great, I just need to keep up on my fills and come up with an eating plan that works for me. I think that is the toughest part for me.

Are there any good resources you use for deciding on an eating plan?

By the way, how have all of you been? I'm not going to lie... as I am writing this post, I am realizing how much I've missed being online keeping up with all of you!

It's getting hard to blog.. debating

I am finding it hard to keep up with my blog. Not really because of time restraints, which is sometimes, but not enough to keep me from blogging, but because I am discouraged. I had hopes of rocking this band. I was mentally ready before surgery, and I still do not regret my surgery at all, but I have lost the drive to try.
I need a fill.
I need to go back to basics.
I need to get moving again.

But I don't feel like keeping up anymore.

Weigh in Day and a great motivator for me

Starting weight: 291
Last time I weighed in (12/14/12) : 258.6
Today: 259.4

Just a little up.. but still in the same place. I got a fill right before I left for my Christmas vacation, and I felt like that fill was pretty good. I definitely felt the stop signal. It was great. I think it has loosened it's grip just a tad, but I feel full for the appropriate amount of time on the food size I eat, so onwards to getting back to exercising. I think the fact I pretty much maintained is great, but had I exercised.. I probably would have done a lot better.

So, I have the ultimate, tangible motivation now. If you didn't read my last post, I got engaged. :) The funny thing is, I was "just browsing" wedding dresses online, because I had no idea what I would even like. Funny though, I found one I really liked, showed it to my mom, and she bought it right then and there. It is returnable, so I figured this would be the best way, since there are no bridal shops in Juneau. Well, my package arrived yesterday (which happened to be my birthday. woohoo for packages on my birthday!), I opened it, and there it was. My wedding dress. It was just like the picture, only I ordered it in a size 16, and I am currently in between 18-20 right now, but I skyped my family and tried it on. I could get it over my butt and sort of up. Enough to see the shape on my body. It is perfect. We all love it! What a find. for $350 bucks.. it is amazing. But of course, I can't fit into it fully. We plan to get married April of next year, so I have a year and 4 months to reach that goal, and hopefully exceed it so I need it taken in. :) It is risky, but it is a huge motivation. Anytime I get side tracked.. I know I can look in my closet, and keep going for my goal.
Call me crazy, but I love it!

I've missed you!

Hi blog land!
It has been a while! So many things have happened that are keeping me too busy, but I will catch you up.. mostly because it's pretty exciting.
First, my man and I took a trip to Idaho to spend Christmas with my family. SO.MUCH.FUN! I love my family to pieces. Here is a picture of me and my sister for our date night.

OKAY, Second, we flew back on NYE, got home to find that a pipe had burst and flooded the whole first floor... of our new house! Not a way to come back from vacation. Luckily, within hours, our carpet was gone, and the insurance adjuster said it is covered, and I get new floors (YAY.. No more teal carpet) and possibly new cabinets and countertops. Oh... and new insulation in our crawl space. So without even unpacking our bags, we grabbed them and headed to my man's parents house. Not the way I wanted to spend NYE...

New Years Day... I was sitting on the couch flipping through cabinet designs, when my man approached me and told me he was sad that 2012 ended on such a bad note, but that 2013 should start off on a great note.. and PROPOSED!!! I'M ENGAGED!!!

Holy mixed emotions batman... but, because it's me, I thrive on coordination and excitement, so I am happy as a clam. BTW.. Where do these sayings come from? Why is a clam happy?

Is it weird that I have only been engaged for a week and I pretty much have the wedding planned out? I even had to start from scratch. We were going to get married on a cruise ship.. that's how we met, but our families really want certain people to go, so we decided to stick with land and head to Las Vegas. It will be classy and super fun!

Andddddd we also got an addition to the family.. This is Macy! She warms my heart.

I told you I had a lot to share. Lots going on, but all in all..happy.. and on a weight loss note.. I didn't once get on the scale while on vacation, and I didn't make the best choices, but I did watch portion sizes. I was happy to find that when I got on the scale this morning, I was only .2lbs up. I know it is up, and not a loss, but trust me.. I am soooooo happy with that. I have never been able to not gain at least 5 lbs when home for Christmas.



I am back on blog land, back on the bandwagon, and can't wait to catch up on all your stories.