Pounds up and pounds down...

How is it that a body can register a 6 pound gain or loss in a sinle day?  Luckily I only consider my weight first thing in the morning.  Yes its the lowest weight, but hey...who says I can't have my cake and eat it too?  (figuratively speaking)

My current struggles...eating less.  I'm not hunry, but having a more steady normal lifestyle with my hubby home and kids around and summer has left me munching on things I shouldn't be munching on.  And that means I've gotten stuck pretty frequently lately...and thats no bueno.  Mostly because I hate bein stuck.  Its yuck.

So...that bein said...I've been workin on remembering the rules...again....*sigh*  It really is a life long process for me.

1.  tiny pea sized bites of meat FIRST.

2.  20g protein each meal minimum

3.  Veggies next.

4.  Stay away from the carbs...

And the hardest one for me right now...

....Don't drink your calories.  Boo!  I wish that wasn't a rule.  C'e la vie....it is...so life goes on...without me drinking my calories.

Due for an Update!

Welllll...I really have no excuses.  I got the good news about being taken off insulin and I disappeared into happyland for a couple of months...

But I'm back...

And you are all due an update...

And what better day to update than the day I got my surgeon back from deployment?!

YAY...doc is back from Kosovo and I couldn't be happier.  He was all smiles and proud of me today...I felt awesome.  He gave me big pats on the back and lots of great compliments and it was great to get that reaction from him after 6 months deployed.

And even better...I got new labwork done and 2 months after being taken off all meds for cholesterol and diabetes...My bloodsugars are in the NORMAL range.  Better than they were when I was ON the meds.  And my cholesterol hasn't budged which is awesome because its good right now. 

Booyah.

I'm weighing in at 191 today.  I've got 51 pounds to lose in the next year.  Doc did give me a dose of reality...he said that its likely the lapband is done with being the catalyst and these last 50 lbs are going to be good choices, willpower and exercise.  I can do it. 

I've gotten back to zumba 2x week and I work out at home 3x week on my treadmill and with weights.  Except today.  I've got some serious shin splints impeding me from walking normally right now let alone running.  So, I'm taking it slow...I'll take a walk tonight when it cools down.

So...here's a problem I have that I love...my cardio fitness is doing so well right now that unless I'm walking and keeping my heartrate under 120 I'm not in the fat burn zone.  which is making that whole keep losing weight thing difficult...so I realized that my zumba is awesome, but I have to slow it down the other three days to actually burn the fat so I can keep dropping the pounds.

I'm definitely in the green zone still.  I haven't needed any saline fills since January.  I can eat at least a little of pretty much anything...bread is hard...I can max about 1 piece/day...same with pasta, but its made meals a little easier because I can now have at least a little.  So for example...last night I had a halibut fish taco..cooked up the fish...added some cheese, lettuce and tomato...ate it in one of those little mini tortillas and it was the perfect size. 

Makes me think back to the days I could have EASILY consumed 5 of those in one sitting...I'm constantly amazed at how little food I actually  need to keep my body working healthy and happy.

Now for the cons...my fast food nemesis is a taco bell gordita.  I love those things.  And I recently discovered I can eat one of them.  So...I guess you can say I'm at the stage of finally figuring out if I've learned anything from this long process that started with a lapband.  I can eat one...I don't have to eat 10 and I don't have to have them every day...or even every week.  I like feeling so much more control over my food addiction.  its refreshing.

Ok...update over...but I'll be back much more frequently now.  I need to keep up with this to keep up with my weight loss.  The accountability this blog and you, my friends, provide is what keeps me motivated! 

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  

Good News Friday

Guess who's no longer an insulin dependant type 2 diabetic?

This Girl!

Doc gave me to go ahead to get off medication and try it on my own.  Cannot stop smiling.

Back to the Beginning

I recently had a long conversation with a good friend about why I chose to have the lapband surgery.  It's was the best thing that could have happened to me right now.  I've been struggling with staying on track.

If you are having the same trouble just tell someone why you chose this surgery.  Take yourself back to the beginning when your body always hurt, you couldn't walk far without gasping for air, you couldn't tie your shoes without taking a break.  Running down the beach was a distant dream, playing with your kids was a chore...you were sad, felt miserable and sick, hated doctor appointments and clothes shopping, hated photos...

My list could go on for miles.

And then take a look at where you are now.  

All of a sudden the things that were jacking up my dedication are sooo unimportant.  All of a sudden the reasons for my current trouble feel petty and unimportant compared to where I am going to be when I finally reach my goal.  It was a lightbulb moment when I realized there is nothing that will feel as good as getting off these last 50 pounds.

I needed this reminder.  I needed this pat on my back.  I needed to hear the longing in someone else to get to where I am right now.  I needed to remember WHY I did this in the first place.  So I've opened a can of whoopass on my bad habits that have crept back in and it feels GOOD.

I'm rejuvenated.

Try it.  If there is no one else...tell me why.  I want to hear it.  I want to keep reminding myself.

PS...I owe my 1 year photos on this blog.  They are coming soon!

1-Year Physical

Its not often you walk out of a doctor visit feeling like you want to sing and dance.  Today was my 1-year doctor physical.  My 1-year surgery date is on the 24th, but I met with my current substitute doctor today.  (Normal doctor is deployed in Afghanistan currently)

AND....

First, when I stepped on the scale, the nurse gave me a look and said..."You're in the 190's?  I never would have guessed that!  Girl, you are looking GOOD!"

Damn right!

Then doctor gives me my latest lab report numbers...

Cholesterol 115
BP 115/79
RHR 71

I need more folate, iron and vitamin D.

And...my diabetic A1C is FIVE POINT EIGHT.  5.8. 

I am BELOW the smiley face range!

Which means my level would be in this range...

Or if you prefer it more serious...I'm normal. 

Substitute doc called me a success story.  She congratulated me on being one of the "few" who succeed with lapband.  She asked me what I would call my secret to success was.  I told her I just followed the rules.  She laughed and told me that was actually a pretty powerful insight...and that it wasn't often they found people who followed the rules.

So...there you have it.  I'm on cloud 9 today with all the NSVs that happened and best of all...I'm down to yearly doctor appts unless I need a fill.

Life is good....

Do it.

I'm putting this out there for accountability.  I'm not eating right.  I'm not exercising like I need to.  I'm choosing slider foods.  I'm way too relaxed in making sure I get the right amount of proteins/carbs/vitamins.

Result...I will gain back weight and not be able to go off my Diabetes medications if I don't make the necessary changes and get back on track.

There.

Said it.

Now to do it.  Ryan will help me.  He's good inspiration.  :D

Food Glorious Food!

If you grew up the way I did you were allowed to watch very little TV and mostly survived on Saturday morning cartoons, Little House on the Prarie, Jaques Cousteaux and the Sunday night Disney movie.  That being said...if there is a musical out there that I haven't seen I'd be surprised.

Our house thrived on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Hello Dolly and, of course, Oliver.

Poor little hungry Oliver.

And its often that I get that song stuck in my head...Food, Glorious Food!

Food, Glorious food!
We're anxious to try it.
Three banquets a day --
Our favourite diet!

Just picture a great big steak --
Fried, roasted or stewed.
Oh, food,
Wonderful food,
Marvellous food,
Glorious food.
So, I hate to admit it, but I've been a little complacent in my eating and exercise lately.  That combined with a call from my doctor that my folic acid levels are low meant I needed to get back on track with both...but seriously...doing it all at once is pretty near impossible for me.  This learning curve of staying on track is not my thing. 

But...I did start with meal plans.  I've found that if I don't preplan my meals we end up eating fast food or crappy food that I can barely eat any of.  I'm still quite restricted.  Very little breads, zero pasta, only a cracker or two.  I stay away from rice and potatoes other than a spoonful or two.

Its pretty pitiful when I throw together a fast food meal (either from takeout or from the freezer) and I cook up things that I simply can't eat.

The bad part is that my body doesn't really get hungry much anymore...so instead of making a healthy contribution I just end up skipping food altogether or getting sick off of trying to force myself to eat something that I shouldn't.

**sigh**

Again...here is that lifestyle eating learning curve I still struggle with even after a year of being banded.

But for the last 2 weeks I had a meal plan.  Every night I knew exactly what we'd be making for dinner.  I LOVED IT.  So easy.  I shopped for what I needed in advance and each meal was planned around things that were thumbs up additions to my diet as well as food my kids will eat and healthy portions for my hubby.

Plus one of the biggest benefits I've found is my non-veggie liking kids are getting WAY more veggies that ever before.  I hide it in EVERYTHING...meatballs, meatloaf, hamburger, sauces, etc.

Never going back to the days of fast food frenzy. 

Plus, I found that my recipes almost always had leftovers which I froze for this nights when everyone is busy.  Yay!

So tonight I'm making shrimp and tortellini with onions and zucchini.  YUM. 

 Please sir, may I have some more?

Fat Tuesday Weigh In

April 24, 2013 - Start 264.4

Last weigh-in: 197.2

This week 194.2

Yay for the scale still going down!

I went back to the boob doctor today.  He made me cry.  I'm not sure if it was my crazy emotional hormonal  week, my personal body issues or his blunt bedside manner that set me off, but after him saying that if I followed insurance requirements I'd look lopsided, out of proportion and weird and that I'd be unhappy with the results I left frustrated angry and in tears.

So it's off the table right now.  I'll deal with the back pain and rashes through the summer...drop more weight and revisit this fall with a DIFFERENT doctor.  Besides, this guy looks like Doc from Back to the Future...it's kind of creepy.

In three weeks I'll have been banded 1 year.  How crazy is that!  It feels unreal that's it's been a whole year...and at the same time I feel like I've been doing this forever.  As predicted my tummy is the last to go.  

I think it's got to be the big guy upstairs teaching me patience.  

On a happier note...I made my mock Wendy's chili for dinner last night and my family ate it up!  Love that they loved it!  Feels good to be cooking healthy again.  Did I mention there was probably 12 sticks of butter used the week we were at the beach in our meals?  Lets just say there was no fat spared.  

Tonight I'm grilling brats and serving it with rice and green beans...ok...so not ALL healthy cooking.  ;)

Back from v.a.c.a.t.i.o.n.

Again.

We take lots of vacation when DH gets home from deployment...this time we headed home to Oregon and spent a week at the beach.

On the weight loss side I am pleased that initial scale check shows a loss!  But more on that on the next Fat Tuesday.

On the fun side of things...I had SO MUCH FUN.

Just a few photos...

My kids playing on the beach.  I ran like a crazy lady with that kite.  We never did get it to work well that day, but I got my exercise in trying!

Love him.  <3

Windy day..hangin' out with Grandpa and his dog...jumpin waves....the usual.  ;)

Cold today...but sunny.  Fun to just go for a long walk.

Bonfires on the beach....

Just happy.

Like I said too much fun.  

Fat Tuesday!

My last Fat Tuesday was quite awhile ago...and how appropriate to come back on the REAL Fat Tuesday.  I hope New Orleans is having an awesome party tonight.

I used my onederland weigh in as the last weigh in...so...

April 24, 2013 - Start 264.4

Last weigh-in: 199.0

This week 197.2

The good news is that after maintaining for a few weeks in anticipation and the the reality of having my soldier come home I have broken maintenance and the scale is moving down.

Yay!

Next goal is 185 by my April 24th 1-year anniversary of being banded.  Just putting that out there for accountability.

Monday 5

Mondays are stinky. 

Period.

Its just hard for me to be enthusiastic and so today I need to do a top 5 fun things.  It will improve my mood and make today bearable...

1.  Club XYZ - a small gay bar/dance club in Knoxville that I spent an evening in this weekend.  Not only did I get to watch a fabulous drag show, but I boogied until the wee hours of the morning and remembered how much I love to dance.

2.  This coffee cup that I must have for mother's day.  I laughed and laughed.  It so fits how I feel about motherhood.

3.  Kind hearts.  I had a math teacher in highschool that I found dry and boring.  I'll bet he had an awesome secret life...It would be cool to go back and meet those dry boring teachers as an adult some day to find out who they really are...

Click here to read about this guy's big heart.  And yes...this totally made me cry.

4.  The book I'm reading.  The Quest by Nelson DeMille.  I love almost all his stuff and this one is no exception.  Its a good read.  I want to spend the rest of my day in my bed and finish it. 

5.  This photographer who makes lemonade out of lemons with potholes.  Interesting, unique...I love the Alice in Wonderland take.

Ok...feeling better...now I guess I better work...

Back from my "honeymoon!"

Well, I'm resurfacing from finally getting my deployed hubby back home after another year in Afghanistan.  Its been SO GREAT to have him home.  But can I tell you he wreaks havoc on my eating and will power! 

I was surprised at how hard its been for me not to snack incessantly which is what I used to do before he left...I thought old habits were gone, but his return seems to have brought them back full force.  The good news is that I haven't gained...I seem to be maintaining, but thats ALSO not what I want.  I want to LOSE. 

198 pounds is a heck of a lot less than I started out at, but I'm ready to see 180's then 170's and so on...I got restarted in Zumba last week too...that will help...time to remember why I stopped doing the same old things and why a new lifestyle is required for me to keep feeling as good and as healthy as I do today!

But...its all worth it.  I love having him home.

And my favorite comment from him was, "I saw you walking toward me and it took me a minute to realize that you were my wife!"

I LOVE looking THAT different!

One year ago...

I was inspired by Carolina girls blog and started to reminisce a little today.  One year ago I had just been diagnosed a type 2 diabetic and was told my cholesterol was out of control.

I cried.  And cried and cried.

I went home afraid to tell my husband because I thought he wouldn't love me anymore.  My self worth was so diminished I thought that being sick made me no longer worthy as a wife or mother.

I was angry at myself for killing myself before my babies were old enough to understand.  At the time one was 5 and the other was 7 months old.  My life was over and nothing would ever be good again. Mortality had just punched me in my face.   I was sure nothing would ever be the same.

That last fear was the one that came true.  Despite my doctor discouraging me I went to my first informational weight loss surgery meeting and i was right...nothing would ever be the same again.

Here I am one year after that initial diagnosis.

66 lbs lighter

My A1C started at 8.1 and is now 6.1

My cholesterol is 99

I run without heaving.

I laugh more

I smile more

My kids are happier

Everyone eats healthier.

I know I've got years and years of life ahead of me...full of activity and adventures.

To say that my lapband surgery saved my life isnt true.  I SAVED MY LIFE.  My lapband helped me make better decisions.  I chose to change my eating habits.  I chose to exercise.  I chose to keep going even when it was hard.  And there have been times it has been really really hard.

What was it that David from this seasons Biggest Loser show said...something about how taking that first step was when I became a success story.

I'm not done yet.  I'm not even close to being done....but if you are just starting out...take my word for it.  It's all worth it.

Don't give up!

Hoping I made the right choice

I got a fill this morning...a small one.  Just .5ccs bringing me to 6.5ccs in my band.  I waffled on if it was the right choice or not.  Mostly because I'm right in the middle of Green and Yellow zones.

So...I'm not hungry (green), but I can eat large portions if I want, I snack between meals, and I'm fighting hard for a lost pound.(yellow)

It's great that the band is adjustable...and I'm hoping this small fill will bump me into the perfect green zone space.

And on the other hand I'm hoping this wasn't an overfill because maybe I snack because of habit or head hunger or maybe I have too large a portion because of self control.  And that's not going to get fixed by a fill...that's all in my head...

My normal doc is deployed.  (Boo!  Hiss!). He left in January and thankfully it's only a 6 monther so he'll be back in June.  He also just happens to be the only doctor able to do lapband surgery.  The doc I saw today apparently can do a fill, but not surgery.  No clue how all that works, but whatever.  

So my experience with her was weird.  She kept hitting something hard on the port while she was trying to find the opening with the needle...and I could feel it hitting...it made my teeth rattle.  Then when she sucked out the fluid to make sure there was no leaking it was the first time I'd been able to feel that happen.  Very strange sensation...and even worse when she put it all back in it took my breath away.  

I see her again at the end of March then I am hoping my doc is back to work before my next appt needs to take place.

Oh!  And I was back in ONEDERLAND this morning thanks to 9 hours of sleep.   198.6.  Woohoo!

Too sleepy for Fat Tuesday.

I weighed in this morning...no picture because I had left my phone downstairs and was way too lazy to go get it.  Its because I was soooo tired.  I started watching this season of the Biggest Loser on DVR a few days ago and last night was like a BL Binge-a-thon.  It was ridiculous.  I was up until almost 3 AM watching this show...and thats after being up two nights ago until 4AM watching the show...

The good news is I'm all caught up on the show. *insert sarcasm*

The bad news is that my children get up between 6-7AM and theat means I do to...and when I'm lacking sleep I'm ALWAYS fatter.

Truth.

So I did a little research and sure enough....not enough sleep will make you FATTER.

Check out this article here.

So first, the later you stay up the more you eat.  They say about 6% more calories than the other boring old people that hit the hay by 9PM...

Second...lack of sleep actually alters your fat cells.  They become less sensitive to insulin.  That was super interesting to me.  Being a type 2 diabetic...I wonder if my night owl tendencies had much to do with eventually coming to that diagnosis!

Finally...lack of sleep ages your fat cells approximately 20 years.  Also making them less efficient/effective and lowering your metabolism.

So...is it any wonder that I weighed in this AM at 201.  Making me really grumpy and irritated that there was a 2 on that scale. 

So I'm hitting the hay early tonight and I'm going to do a Fat Wednesday weigh in tomorrow AM and see where it brings me back to.

And in the meantime I'm going to practice the art of being old and boring and go to bed EARLY for the next week to see if it helps me lose weight.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

9 months out and feeling groovy...

Well, I should have published this back on January 24th...a whole week ago, but one thing after another and it just didn't happen.

I blame having kids.  Because really...everything I'm late for somehow relates back to my munchkins.  It's never just pure lazy or procrastination.  (Hahahaha)

So...on that day I weighed in at 200.8.  Ugh.  So close to my goal...but it STILL took me close to a week to finally get to that 1 at the front of my weight.  I'm there now so I guess we can say its "old news."

Other than that let me just tell you a few things...

1.  I sit down and look down and my gut is so flat.  Like I can see my thighs which is really weird.

2.  I LOVE crossing my legs comfortably.

3.  I don't eat enough.  I struggle with this every day,  I'm forcing myself to eat more and I think that's why I've started to lose weight again more regularly.  I don't want to starve myself but I'm just not hungry.  Ever.  I'm shooting for 800-1000 calories and 40 gr protein.  I'm talking this over with my doc on the 5th.  I was thinking about getting a fill because I can eat bread/meat/etc but I don't know if that's the best plan now.  

4.  I can eat the heck out of candy.  :/. I hate that candy is a slider food for me.  Skittles are my current nemesis.

5.  I'm not exercising enough.  Because of illness it's been 2 weeks since Zumba and I've only done minimal moving at home.  I REALLY need to ramp it up.  I have big dreams of this once my hubby is finally home.  Until then I feel like I'm treading water a little just staying afloat.

6.  I'm fighting for every pound these days.  I think my big loss days are gone, but I'm ok WTH that because I'm still losing.

So..here are my comparison pics...not a huge difference that I can see (***edited to add clarification...I mean difference between three months ago photos and now.  I definitely DO see the difference from start to finish.**) , but I don't expect that anymore.  Like I said...I'm just happy the scale continues to go down.

In other news...I'm scheduled for the next step for my reduction at the end of March.  Feeling better about it, but still nervous.

And...one more week and our deployment is OVER!  I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Onederland...did you hear me? Onederland!

I weighed myself about 12 times today.  I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

Can. Not. Be. Happier!

P.S.  I still owe you the 9 month post too...coming soon!

P.S.S.  one more week and my hubby gets home from deployment!

The process of losing...

Today AmVets came and picked up 5 large boxes of stuff, two bags of clothing, one bag of coats/scarves/hats, a highchair, a shelf, and baby paraphenalia.  It felt SO GOOD to get rid of that stuff.

And its a byproduct of my weight loss. 

I had an aha! moment today as I watched all these things leave my house.  I have held on to stuff just like I held onto my fatness for so long because its protected me.  Its kept me from having to deal with stuff that makes me sad...like the fact that my "baby" is now 19 months old and talking and runs and jumps and isn't really a baby anymore.

All those baby toys and clothes and shoes and things that have a history of just being touched by my munchkins was really hard to get rid of...I can't even tell you how much blubbering I will do when I take the crib apart and little dude gets a big boy bed.

Anywho...it made me stop and think about my weight.  Its protected me for so long and given me an identity that I'm comfortable with.  I'm the funny fat chick.  I'm the one always ready to try a new diet.  I'm the one who "wears her weight well."

With my weight loss that identity is changing...and its a little scary.

In fact...remember my boob job option?  I had the consult.  If I want a reduction its a go.  I'm TERRIFIED of losing my boobs right now.  They are painful and cause my back to ache, but it feels like one more thing that will change my personal identity...I've always been the girl with the big boobs.  Who will I be when they are gone?  Who will I be when my weight is gone?

Its very hard for me to even imagine how I will identify myself in 50 more pounds. 

So that was my aha! moment...I realized that I had to really start to think about the other parts of me that I want to be recognized and known for.

If anything was possible you all would call me wonder woman...the sexiest most awesome super hero of all time....that would be a cool new identity.  ha ha ha.

P.S.  Her boobs aren't small either.  ;)

So...in other news...201 weigh in today.  Just two days and two pounds to make my 199 goal by 9 months out.  (say a little prayer for me!) 

A little bit of everything...

It's kind of amazing how a day at the zoo feels like a complete wipeout workout.  I don't even know how to track my calories because I wasn't running...just walking at different speeds...up hills down hills pausing at animals to ooh and ahh with my munchkin kids...

But I am wiped out!

They are so cute, though and we had a great time.  

I bought a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor to help with days like today.  Isn't it pretty?  My favorite color and everything.

I'm super excited.  It tracks heart rate, calories burned and I can wear it in the water.  I've been eyeing them for awhile and they just went on sale so I couldn't pass it up.  Plus...I feel like I'm at the point where I'm fighting for every pound and this will help me keep on track for calories burned vs calories consumed.  I'll tell you how I like it when I finally get it in the mail.

Last but not least....TWO WEEKS until my honey comes back from deployment for good!  I'm just treading water it feels...just trying to keep my head afloat with all that is going on...which is quite frustrating because in just 4 days I'm at the 9 month mark and I WILL have a 1 in front of my weigh in.  I WILL!

So there you have it....a little bit of everything...and a little bit of nothing.

Tags still on...

I know I'm not the only one who has a little pile of clothes they bought intending to "lose the weight this time" and that dress/skirt/shirt/pants/etc was the inspiration and motivation to do it this time around.....

C'mon...fess up to all those clothes with the TAGS STILL ON.

So, I've been sorting through my pile....which is much larger than I'd like to admit.  Shirts, pants, pajamas, dresses...I even have UNDERWEAR in there that I thought I'd wear when I finally lost that gut.  *sigh*

On a side note....that stubborn gut is going to be the last thing to go in my case...it's the bain of my weight loss and the thing that keeps me honest about what I'm doing and why....

On a second side note...I'm really kind of bummed all the cute bras that I've stashed away for someday don't fit at all.  It's interesting to see how the weight loss has changed body proportions.

Anywho...I find a sundress I bought from Old Navy at least 10 years ago...size 14/16...It's hanging in my closet with the tags still on and I've never been able to fit into it...

The very idea that I carted this $20 sundress around for the last 10 years just makes me shake my head....but I did and now I'm kind of glad because I freakin' FIT INTO THE DRESS.  In fact, it's 28 degrees outside and I'm sporting an old navy sundress.

It's cute, right?  Haha...I'm totally wearing it today with boots/tights and a sweater.  

Small "get the mail" break.  And I've changed my clothes because even with boots, tights and a sweater I about froze my tushy off....and while I'd like my tushy smaller, frozen off is less desirable.  

Oh my aching...

I am S.O.R.E. 

Word to the wise...Do NOT sit on your butt for 2.5 weeks doing nothing but eating treats and then expect to jump right back into Zumba and exercise without serious consequences like:

1.  inability to walk
2.  inability to stand without groaning
3.  ouchy feet
4.  achy back
5.  a server case of complainitis....

I zumba'ed again this morning and feel wiped out.  Like I need a nap that lasts a week kind of wiped out.

Too bad I'm working this afternoon...and have two kids that require my attention...and have to go to hip hop dance class...yeah...its one of those days I just want my bed, my PJs and thats all I need.

Have I mentioned lately that my hubby gets home from deployment in about A MONTH???  I was going to join a crossfit bootcamp...but then I realized that if zumba is going to kick my butt...plus hubby coming home and all the work that goes along with that...I probably shouldn't throw a committment like that bootcamp in there without realizing I'll be overextending myself.

Its one of the best things that the lapband has helped me understand....sometimes you just have to put YOU first.

Plus, I'm fairly certain I want to be able to run and throw my arms around him when he gets off that plane and that bootcamp will make it so that I can barely move my feet and I doubt my arms would lift.

Just going to have to wait until a better time...

Fat Tuesday Weigh in

My last Fat Tuesday was way back in November!  So unacceptable!  But it stands to reason...that was the start of the Chocolate massacre and the cookie binge and the eggnog drinking...it was a BAD 4 weeks for me in the world of "cutting back on sugar."  Who am I kidding...that world didn't exist for me in December.

And so here is today's new year weigh in...

April 24, 2013 - Start 264.4

Last weigh-in: 211.8

This week 203.2

I'm glad/thankful/amazed that I lost pounds.  I replaced my protein intake with sugar.  It was that bad.

But, all things come to an end...and I've been detoxing....tossed everything in the garbage and I'm trying to stay away from it.  I'm hoping starting up Zumba again (first class today!) will help too.

Onward and healthier!

Disbelief

Sometimes you need a reminder of how far you've come. 

That is all.

Looking forward to...

One of my resolutions was a triathlon...a sprint triathlon to be exact....meaning a mini one since I'm nowhere near ready to swim long miles, run long miles AND bike long miles.

Here is the rub.

I love to swim and bike.

I do not love to run.  I've tried to love running.  I have.  TWO 5Ks this year and the entire C25K program and I still don't love it.

But I do love to swim and bike...which is why a triathlon is in my future....I figure enjoying two out of three makes it doable.

But holy cow there are few to choose from.  I was thinking September timeframe and I can't find one anwhere near me that isn't in March, April or May.

Ugh.  will not be ready by then.  Not going to kill myself....and I know I won't be ready by then.

So then I start thinking of the tough mudder or warrior dash or spartan race or something like that...

Hmmmm....is it too soon?

MAYBE. 

Because I'm getting a boob job.  Yup.  My surgeon and I discussed it and I'm having a reduction done.  Cannot wait.  The fact that I'm wearing three sports bras to even zumba was enough for him to say do it now instead of waiting until I hit goal weight.  He doesn't think they will change much over the next 60 pounds anyway...and as I told a friend...if they do then I'll just get implants. 

THAT was not something I thought I'd ever say...enjoy what God gave ya...thats what I told myself, but then I met Donnie Wahlberg (my lapband) and realized that a little extra help to make your body work better, more efficiently and healthy isn't a bad thing...

And yes...I can rationalize implants in there somehow...

So anywho...not getting ahead of myself, but I'm pretty excited and I'm just waiting to hear back from the insurance referral people to schedule it in the next few months.  My personal goal is to be in the 180's by the time it happens....Then I'm only 50 pounds to goal...

Resolutions for 2014

I really hate it when you write out a long post then accidently delete it all by touching your laptop touchpad wrong.

So...my long New Year's Resolution post is going to be much shorter than I'd hoped, but let me sum it up with this...

My weigh in yesterday was 203.  SO. CLOSE. TO ONEDERLAND!

I'm almost there.  That makes it a full 60 pounds lost since April.  I LOVE that.  Proud of myself.  Glad I did my surgery and don't regret any of it.

My first resolution is to make my goal weight this year.  That means another 65 pounds gone in 2014.

Second resolution is to do a sprint Triathlon. 

Third resolution is to cook less with processed foods.

Fourth resolution is to blog more!  Woot!  At least 3X per week.  And I'll be getting my website up and running this year...So...look for some changes to this site....

I've got more, but these are the weight loss related goals I've got.

I'm hoping everyone is following some great advice I saw on Facebook today...

"Today is the start of a blank 365 page book.  Write a good one."