That's Better

My dear scale decided to be nice again and gave me a 228 this morning. I hate those up and down swings. Well, it looks like this month is going to be a 5 pound loss, which is just fine with me. Not as exciting as last month's 8, but a very respectable pound a week. I went shopping yesterday, found some awesome clearance sales, including some dress pants for work that were originally marked $44 dollars that I got for $6! So not only did I buy one for now in a size 18, but I also bought a size 16. That's freakin' awesome. Also found some other pieces, all in all had a great day shopping. I still find it hard to believe that I am wearing those sizes. I am really going to need to work on my fall wardrobe, because I know that everything is going to be too big as I figure the last time I wore the clothes, in about March or April I weighed about 30 more pounds than now. Definitely gonna have to do some shopping.

Mean Old Scale!

That mean old scale has decided to be fickle. It gave me a new milestone just days ago and now it has decided to be mean and sneak 2 pounds back on. Ah, the ups and downs of the human body are ridiculous. I think it's gotta be because of the full moon this week, LOL. So today, the scale stands firm at 230. I have been trying to drink more water, thinking that might help ease a little water retention, but it hasn't seemed to help too much. I think I bitch and moan about this at least once a month, but it is so ridiculously frustrating. Why is it so easy to put pounds on but impossible to take them off? Supposedly there is some formula of 1 pound=3500 calories but I know that in most weeks I am either eating less or burning calories that would easily exceed that little equation. This too shall pass.

Yippee for 75!!

Isn't that a crazy number? I have lost 75 pounds. That is unbelievable. The wonderful scale gave me a 228 this morning, down from a high of 303. Just a mere 28 pounds from Onederland. Just 25 pounds to a 100 pound weight loss. That's insane. So far this month I have lost 5 pounds and I have a week to go. I would love to be able to shed 1-2 more, but 5 is wonderfully average at about a pound a week.

As we near the end of summer, I have fewer and fewer clothes that fit. I can wear lots of baggy shirts, but pants/capris are getting tougher to keep on all the time. I have dozens of old size 24's that have been working--just barely. They are getting pretty baggy in the butt and thighs and are just barely hanging on my waist enough to stay up. Time to go shopping this fall, knowing that I am in about a size 18 pants...and shrinking. That's awesome. Woohoo!

Working on Mr. Right...I Hope

Well, ladies my little project is progressing...slowly. I have found that patience is something I do not possess in great abundance in many aspects of my life. But I am trying. So several weeks ago I blogged about some dating prospects. Well this weekend I had my first face to face meeting with...um we'll just call him B. for anonymity for now. We've been chatting on Facebook for about a month now and it was so nice to meet in person. I could tell he was super nervous, and even though I was too, I was cool as a cucumber on the outside. Anyway, we had a nice afternoon together--it was with a large group so I think that helped. I am guessing I am going to have to help things along, as I get the feeling B is kinda shy and unsure of himself. So I asked him to meet me for dinner next Saturday via FB email, so now I wait for a reply.

OMG, what a crazy whirlwind of a life lately. This whole dating thing is sooooo new to me. I can't believe that I am brave enough to do this. What a wonderful and yet scary by-product of weight loss surgery--starting to live a life I had hoped for but didn't believe could happen. For every change I experience physically I think I have experienced 10 times that emotionally. That was something I never could have imagined when the docs slipped that little silicone band around my stomach.

Sweatin' Like a Pig

OMG, it was so hot and humid on my walk tonight, I am sweatin' like a pig. We are starting to lose so much daylight now, that I am walking in the dark in both the morning and the evening. That stinks. I think that I may have to join the gym this winter. I am feeling good about my latest fill, it feels tighter than before and yet not so tight that it is unbearable. I am hoping that really makes a difference in my weight loss and keeps it going. Hoping the scale reads a little lower again tomorrow. :)

NSV's Are Awesome

Just never know where an NSV is going to come from. I've had a few lately that I thought I would write here. First one is that I got to take a link out of my watch band. Who knew that skinny wrists would be part of weight loss. Apparently I am not "big boned" as I led myself to believe, lol. Under all that fat there is skinny little skeleton. The second NSV I have to share is that I sit differently. Things like crossing my legs or sitting with my legs pulled up to my chest. It's just a whole new way that my body fits into spaces. I just feel smaller, like I take up less space. NSV's are a great way to measure how you are changing, even when the scale isn't necessarily cooperating.

Just a Little Tiny Fill

Well, I just got home from a long 600 miles round trip to my band adjustment appointment. I got just a little smidge of a .2 cc fill as my PA says I am pretty darn close to my green zone. I have about 3.5 cc's total in my band. That doesn't seem like much, but apparently it is enough. This was my fourth fill. I can really feel the fill tonight, it feels a little achy and tight. I am definitely going to ease back into solids this time. Hope it isn't too tight. I will have to give it a few days to settle down I guess. Otherwise, I had a good trip and even had the chance to visit a good friend on the way home. Didn't get my walk in today, but oh well, I suppose I could use a break every now and then.

To Fill or Not to Fill...That is the Question

I have an appointment this week at the bariatric doc. This is just a routine check up and may be time for a fill, but I am really wondering if I need one. My weight loss had been good and I feel pretty comfortable with with what I can and can't eat right now. So I wonder what the doc/PA will decide to do. I find it a little hard to believe that we found my green zone so easily and so soon in this process, but perhaps we have. Guess I will take the advice of the docs and see what they think. I'd hate to be too tight and then have to fight to eat everything. Hmmm...so much to think about before Tuesday.

Shopping Spree!

Woohoo, I had a fun day today. I decided I was bored sitting at home and decided to road trip to Bismarck, ND about 2 hours from here to do some consignment/thrift store shopping. I brought home some great bargains. I was trying to plan ahead for a business trip I have coming up in late September and I knew that I didn't have anything left in my closet for fall/winter clothes from last year that fit. I ended up getting 3 pairs of dress pants, 3 jackets/blazers and 1 shirt for the amazing total of $70. They are all upscale brands too, and good quality so I was feeling really great with my purchases. I bought a few even if they were a bit snug, because I know I will shrink right into them eventually. I'm buying 18's and 20's, it's awesome to pull stuff off the rack and think "no that's too small" and then you try it on and find that it actually fits--or will in a month or so. So fun!

Better head out the door...time for my walk.

Do I Dare to Dream?

I have been thinking about my upcoming bandiversary in December. It's about 17 weeks away and I am wondering if I could possibly reach a 100 pound loss by then. That would be 26 pounds in 17 weeks or about 1.5 pounds per week. I think 1.5 is possible--it's not crazy, but it would certainly take some doing. I wouldn't be broken hearted if I missed the mark, but wow, it would be an awesome accomplishment if I could say that I got rid of 100 pounds in the first year.

So if I am going to make that goal, I think there are some things I need to do, and this may be a good time for a refresher course in "bandology" and some habits I could probably improve and/or continue:

• Eat slowly and chew well.
• Stop eating when you feel the "soft stop" of being satisfied but not full.
• Drink plenty of low calorie liquids between meals.
• Eat 3 meals a day, avoid snacking.
• Choose foods that fuel your body; especially proteins, fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly, at least 3-5 times per week.
• Take care of your mental and emotional health, use your support system.
• Blog to mark milestones and celebrate successes.

That's my version of the basics of living with a lapband. If I can just remember those principles, I know I will continue to be successful. Here's to the next 26 pounds disappearing!

P.S. I should clarify that the 100 lbs. is both pre and post surgery loss.

Thank You Bathroom Scale!

It may be short and very fleeting, but I actually saw 229 on the scale this morning after my walk! Woohoo! I love it when I see a new bracket of numbers. I can't believe I am in the 220's! This is a whole new world--we are talking high school, some 20 years ago since I have seen these "low" weights on me.

If...or should I say when...this 229 sticks, I have lost 4 pounds this month already. That is so awesome. Funny how physical activity actually helps you lose weight! I have been walking like a maniac, once and sometimes twice a day and really working up a sweat. It is so awesome to see the pounds coming off, I hope I can keep this up for a while. I know there may be an inevitable plateau in the future, but for now I am gonna celebrate!

August Progress Picture

Thought it was about time to post my monthly progress picture. Here's the latest version of me and just for fun I even tucked in my shirt...something I never do! I don't think it looks too bad. I still have lots of work to do, but wow, I can really see the change in my shape and my posture. I just feel smaller finally. The shirt is a big and baggy 3X leftover from several summers ago and the pants are an 18/20 that I bought this summer. I can't believe how my hips have shrunk, I can actually stand with my arms hanging straight down rather than having them bow out to the sides.

Notice how funny my watch is hanging off my left wrist too. My watch has been dangling on my wrist for months, but if I take out a link its just a bit too tight and I haven't found one that I really like to replace it, so it just hangs off of me. Who knew you could lose fat in your wrists. LOL. I am so close to the 220's I can taste it. As of this morning, after my walk and in the buff on the scale I weighed 230. So awesome!

New Walking Shoes and Sugar Rush

I am so excited to put on my brand new walking shoes for my walk tonight. I treated myself to a new pair of Avia running shoes. They are so cute with pink and orange. I love the way new shoes feel, like they are just hugging your feet. Hope they don't rub and cause any blisters. I will just have to get them worn in. I am going walking later, but I need to wait until the heat dissipates a little bit. It's another hot and steamy day here.

Wow, I was on a real eating "binge" today. Seems like I was just craving all sorts of sweet stuff and I totally gave into it today. I had a piece of peach pie at lunch, coconut M & M's while I was driving today and to top it all off I also decided to have a vanilla cone dipped in cherry at DQ. I am guessing that TOM will be here next week and that's why I went on such a sugar high. I have no excuses though, I chose to eat all those things today. Needless to say, my calorie count may be a little off. I tried to compensate through the rest of the day, but I know that my healthy food choices today were few and far between. Oh well, life goes on!

Hello 231!

Wow, I had an unexpected surprise of seeing 231 already on the scale this morning--I'll take it! That's awesome! I have been walking like crazy, so I am glad all those miles have been worth it. Today's forecast high temperature is 100 degrees, so I am up early and ready to head out the door to the track while the temperature is still relatively cool at 70 degrees. It's gonna be a scorcher later so I better get out there now. I did 4 miles last night, I may try to get 4 in again this morning if I have the stamina.

I can't believe I have been blogging for about a year. I looked back and realized that I started my lapband blog in early August. It's interesting to read those first few posts when I was still working on getting surgery approval. What an amazing year of ups and downs--mostly ups. I am nearly 8 months out from surgery and I feel like I am making good progress.

New Face

I just can't get over the fact the my face has changed so much. I was taking a new profile picture and thought I would put the two side by side. The one on the left is my 303 picture from June of last year and the one on the right was taken today, August 6, 2010 at 232. I feel like I have lost 20 pounds in my face alone, LOL. Just another progress picture to save for posterity. What a difference. :)

New Number!

I love it when the scale is kind! This morning I am so happy to report seeing 232. Can't wait for the 220's. I am so close! This is just so amazing. Getting lapband surgery was one of the best things I have ever done for myself...perhaps the best. Losing weight is doing wonders for my self esteem and confidence. To be quite honest, I was dealing with depression last fall and thanks to a happy pill once a day and a new outlook on life because of weight loss, I am feeling 10,000 times better.

Nice Walk With My Sister

It was such nice weather tonight my sister and I went for a long walk down by the river. That was actually the third time I walked today. I got up early this morning and did 2 miles, then I walked a mile at noon and then finally tonight we did about 2 miles. Wow, what a great day. I am trying hard to keep up the exercise and hopefully I can go into fall with a good routine. I think I may consider joining the gym again, for when the weather turns cruddy.

Scale hasn't moved a whole lot this week, but I have also been challenged by a family reunion with a big buffet over the weekend and I have been out of my routine at work too, having to attend some work functions and have lunch on the run. I need to learn how to roll with those punches and still make good food choices. I am learning!

August Walking Log

Well, I did really well with walking in July, by keeping track of my minutes walking here on my blog, so I think I will try it again in August...here's my minutes:

August 1: Oops!
August 2: Oops!
August 3: 40 minutes at track...that's better. Kinda got off track for a day or two.
August 4: 40 minutes in AM, 20 minutes at Noon, 40 minutes in PM...wow!
August 5: 45 minutes in AM + 30 minutes in PM
August 6: 80 minutes at track...4 miles, woohoo!
August 7: 60 minutes at track
August 8: 60 minutes at track + 40 minutes at track
August 9: 50 minutes at track + 60 minutes at track with NEW shoes! Woohoo!
August 10: 45 minutes at track + 75 minutes lawn mowing
August 11: 40 minutes at track + 60 minutes at track
August 12: 60 minutes at track
August 13: 60 minutes at track
August 14: 60 minutes at track
August 15: 60 minutes at track + 60 minutes at track
August 16: 60 minutes at track
August 17: Traveling, couldn't squeeze it in :(
August 18: 60 minutes at track + 40 minutes at track
August 19: 60 minutes at track
August 20: 60 minutes at track + 60 minutes at track
August 21: 30 minutes walk around Fairgrounds
August 22: 60 minutes at track
August 23: 40 minutes at track AM + 40 minutes at track PM
August 24: 60 minutes at track
August 25: 60 minutes at track + 20 at trail
August 26: 60 minutes at track
August 27: Took a break
August 28: Walked around mall
August 29: 20 minutes at track