It is time to switch time frames, 2-months since my GB surgery. I am still bouncing around my weight plateau of 210. Received my optimum fill on Monday and really think this is the sweet spot for fill level. Spent the weekend with family in Idaho and managed to hold steady. Not gaining weight over a family weekend is a big deal for me. I watched everyone eat fast except for my skinny older sister. I was pacing my skinny sister for once in my life!
The loose clothes theme is continuing. Not feeling too well this morning caught something from my BF. Check back soon as I expect weight loss to start again.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Support Groups Aren't For Me
Well after being "needled" by the nurse that has been sticking me for my fills, I finally caved and went to the support group last night at NWWLS. Needless to say, it was as expected for me and somewhat a waste of my time. While the information presented was interesting it was already something I had spent time researching and figuring out on my own. I tend to be more of a self-starter and do my investigations on my own. The topic was Mindful Eating and was actually interesting.
When the meeting broke into small groups is where it got dicey for me. I am not a weight watchers meeting kind of person. A good percentage of the bandsters in the "emotional" eating group basically sat around whining about life (yes, I know sometimes life sucks and slaps you when you are down) and saying how they were getting around the band or throwing up in the bushes outside of restaurants. Another recent bandster and I seemed to both be looking around the group and probably thinking the same thing, Pull Yourselves Together People. It was not a positive experience, rather a bit of a downer to see some of the non-success people still whining about how they couldn't get it together. Man, I didn't think I was so intolerant of whiners. Not like I am a huge success as I did sneak a couple soft serve (FREE) ice cream cones this weekend and added one pound (kicked my scale, yes I did) this past week.
I was looking for some useful information and tools to succeed. I had already reached a couple of the conclusions by myself... the band is just a tool not a cure-all. That being said, I do like reading the Yahoo groups for bandsters. I can skip over the whiners and find the discussions about things that interested me.
Got my 3rd fill yesterday and I can finally feel the difference and have to slow down and really focus on taking small bites. YES!
My Personal Trainer is really pumping up the workouts and I know I am doing better with some of the weight gone (15#). I am going to speak with my PT about becoming my fitness mentor as I want to re-up my instructor certifications and perhaps do training in the future. There is a huge opportunity with the recently banded and barely exercised. Based on what I saw in the group, they want training with someone who has been through the banding and understands. I just want to be a hard-ass like my PT and whip them into shape.
When the meeting broke into small groups is where it got dicey for me. I am not a weight watchers meeting kind of person. A good percentage of the bandsters in the "emotional" eating group basically sat around whining about life (yes, I know sometimes life sucks and slaps you when you are down) and saying how they were getting around the band or throwing up in the bushes outside of restaurants. Another recent bandster and I seemed to both be looking around the group and probably thinking the same thing, Pull Yourselves Together People. It was not a positive experience, rather a bit of a downer to see some of the non-success people still whining about how they couldn't get it together. Man, I didn't think I was so intolerant of whiners. Not like I am a huge success as I did sneak a couple soft serve (FREE) ice cream cones this weekend and added one pound (kicked my scale, yes I did) this past week.
I was looking for some useful information and tools to succeed. I had already reached a couple of the conclusions by myself... the band is just a tool not a cure-all. That being said, I do like reading the Yahoo groups for bandsters. I can skip over the whiners and find the discussions about things that interested me.
Got my 3rd fill yesterday and I can finally feel the difference and have to slow down and really focus on taking small bites. YES!
My Personal Trainer is really pumping up the workouts and I know I am doing better with some of the weight gone (15#). I am going to speak with my PT about becoming my fitness mentor as I want to re-up my instructor certifications and perhaps do training in the future. There is a huge opportunity with the recently banded and barely exercised. Based on what I saw in the group, they want training with someone who has been through the banding and understands. I just want to be a hard-ass like my PT and whip them into shape.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Post GB Surgery - 6 1/2 weeks
Day 46 since GB surgery (Realize Band) and some days are harder than others. Today I realized I still have an emotional eating problem. I want to stuff my face to make myself feel better even though I know that doesn’t work. Thank goodness the Realize Band puts a crimp in my stuff in the food desire. I am heading in for another fill on Monday, part of the regularly scheduled fill cycle for the new bandsters. This will be my third fill. The second was only 1cc and it made a difference while my stomach was still getting use to the fill but then I got hungry again in a couple days.
My weight isn’t falling off like in my dreams it would but it is dropping. I have got my typical ½ lb. weight gain from working out hard yesterday. My clothes are definitely looser and I am toning up nicely. My low weight this week was 209.5 but this morning it jumped to 210 again. Sigh. Slow but regular progress is encouraging while discouraging all at the same time.
Diet change – cheese is out again as it is causing breakouts on my face. Darn I was beginning to really like the bits of cheese. I am keeping the milk in my diet for now just to put in my tea and coffee.
My weight isn’t falling off like in my dreams it would but it is dropping. I have got my typical ½ lb. weight gain from working out hard yesterday. My clothes are definitely looser and I am toning up nicely. My low weight this week was 209.5 but this morning it jumped to 210 again. Sigh. Slow but regular progress is encouraging while discouraging all at the same time.
Diet change – cheese is out again as it is causing breakouts on my face. Darn I was beginning to really like the bits of cheese. I am keeping the milk in my diet for now just to put in my tea and coffee.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Five Weeks since GB (Realize Band) surgery
Five weeks past GB surgery (Realize band) and I had my first “fill” appointment on Monday. Not too bad, just a wee prick in my port/tummy area. The worst part was my skin’s reaction to the adhesive on the band aid the nurse used to cover the shot area. It was itchy afterwards and I just put it off to the area being unhappy about the needle shot. Then I took off the band aid Tuesday morning and saw the red area and it stung. Nasty for sure and I will let them know next time, no Band-Aid.
Fill was only 4 mil and not enough to curb my returning hunger. The fill slowed me down a little bit but got the shakes Monday afternoon and had to eat. They have me scheduled to go in for fills for the next three Mondays as they hone in on the perfect fill to lose weight. Apparently I am NOT suppose to eat 1200 calories but about 1000 calories if I want to maintain a 1 – 2 pound a week weight loss. Mentally I have had some eating that happened when I wasn’t hungry but just craving, cheese slices mostly.
It is so funny that I am thinking I am overeating when it is only 1200 calories. I will do better this week on my eating awareness. Drinking more fluids is vital and I am improving. I am also doing more walking every morning on the treadmill to pop my aerobic activity. The inches have been coming off even though I am not currently losing weight. I do expect a weight loss this week with the recent fill. It has me more focused on the food I am eating and why I am eating it. Session with Mistress Meghan tonight at Health Happenings in Monroe and it is suppose to be HOT outside which means sweltering in her little gym. It will be a sweat shop experience tonight for sure!
I purchased a Flip digital video camera to take some videos to post on my blog. It will have to wait until the tripod which is backordered arrives. In the meantime, I will be doing practice videos and figuring out how to edit and which software to download to edit with… all fun.
Fill was only 4 mil and not enough to curb my returning hunger. The fill slowed me down a little bit but got the shakes Monday afternoon and had to eat. They have me scheduled to go in for fills for the next three Mondays as they hone in on the perfect fill to lose weight. Apparently I am NOT suppose to eat 1200 calories but about 1000 calories if I want to maintain a 1 – 2 pound a week weight loss. Mentally I have had some eating that happened when I wasn’t hungry but just craving, cheese slices mostly.
It is so funny that I am thinking I am overeating when it is only 1200 calories. I will do better this week on my eating awareness. Drinking more fluids is vital and I am improving. I am also doing more walking every morning on the treadmill to pop my aerobic activity. The inches have been coming off even though I am not currently losing weight. I do expect a weight loss this week with the recent fill. It has me more focused on the food I am eating and why I am eating it. Session with Mistress Meghan tonight at Health Happenings in Monroe and it is suppose to be HOT outside which means sweltering in her little gym. It will be a sweat shop experience tonight for sure!
I purchased a Flip digital video camera to take some videos to post on my blog. It will have to wait until the tripod which is backordered arrives. In the meantime, I will be doing practice videos and figuring out how to edit and which software to download to edit with… all fun.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
GB Update - 4 1/2 weeks since surgery
Why am I so delinquent in doing my posts? It is about 4 ½ weeks since my GB surgery (Realize Band) and I am doing great. The scars are healing up nice with the special essential oil potion my esthetician made for me. I am not missing the rice, bread, and pasta as much as I thought I would. After the first week without, it got easier as I was making new food choices. I am eating some of my favorites again like green beans. Who knew that green beans actually have lots of protein and are way good for you? I think it is really a bit of an addition to rice, bread, pasta, and even potatoes that keeps one eating them.
I admit, I still have potatoes every once in a while. The doctor told me to watch it as they are almost as bad as eating straight sugar. Sheesh, they take all the fun out of eating sometimes. Sometimes I go thru the McDonalds drive thru and order a side of eggs with a sausage patty on my way to work, for breakfast when I hit the office. They actually will sell you sides of things without the bread or potatoes! This is excellent for me and cheaper than the meals! I have been having things like chicken salad or egg salad, totally legit and good for me especially when I make them myself at home. I have to watch some of the low-fat spreads as they have sugar in them. I often chose to use “regular” mayo and have less. The regular tends to have more flavor than the low-fat.
Weight loss has stalled out and I even gained a couple back this past week. Bummed about that little episode but I go for my first fill appointment tomorrow and expect that to help me get back on the losing train. Current weight is 213 – and I should not be disappointed but somehow I am a wee bit. That is still down 13.5 pounds from start in 4 ½ weeks. Not a bad start but I did hit 210.5 for a brief bright moment on Friday morning. Weight gain usually happens with more food and less water/liquid than I should be drinking. I do love the fact my jeans/pants are getting looser and my t-shirts are “skimming” my tummy not stretched around it.
I admit, I still have potatoes every once in a while. The doctor told me to watch it as they are almost as bad as eating straight sugar. Sheesh, they take all the fun out of eating sometimes. Sometimes I go thru the McDonalds drive thru and order a side of eggs with a sausage patty on my way to work, for breakfast when I hit the office. They actually will sell you sides of things without the bread or potatoes! This is excellent for me and cheaper than the meals! I have been having things like chicken salad or egg salad, totally legit and good for me especially when I make them myself at home. I have to watch some of the low-fat spreads as they have sugar in them. I often chose to use “regular” mayo and have less. The regular tends to have more flavor than the low-fat.
Weight loss has stalled out and I even gained a couple back this past week. Bummed about that little episode but I go for my first fill appointment tomorrow and expect that to help me get back on the losing train. Current weight is 213 – and I should not be disappointed but somehow I am a wee bit. That is still down 13.5 pounds from start in 4 ½ weeks. Not a bad start but I did hit 210.5 for a brief bright moment on Friday morning. Weight gain usually happens with more food and less water/liquid than I should be drinking. I do love the fact my jeans/pants are getting looser and my t-shirts are “skimming” my tummy not stretched around it.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Week 3 since Gastric Band Surgery
No, it can’t be a week since my last blog?!? Maybe it is the continued conversations I have inside my head that keeps me thinking I have actually posted an update. Oh well, things happen and life goes on. This is officially week 3 after gastric band surgery and I still love it. Next week is my first fill appointment, should be an interesting experience as I am not overly fond of needles. LOL. I continue to lose weight and of course I have a spreadsheet (I am the spreadsheet queen) that tracks my weight loss. This is in addition to the Realize Band Website which is flippin’ awesome. In my spreadsheet I have the weekly average calculated; it is a little above the 2-pound per week mark. Woo!
Last night at my Mistress Meghan session (personal trainer at Health Happenings in Monroe) I did my first abdominal exercises since the surgery. Almost all of them, but couldn’t do the lower abs as the port scar/area was not happy. Oh well, the happy experience of seeing beyond my tummy as I did crunches on the exercise ball was soooooo wonderful. I may make it through this with my skin keeping up with the weight loss.
Starting weight when this all started 226.5, weighed in this morning at 211 for a 15.5 pound overall loss. Surgery day weight was 220.5, so 9.5 pounds from surgery which is a fantastic weekly average. All my clothes are loose and I am on a strict no-purchase clothing regime. I have the next size jeans waiting in my closet (from the last time I lost weight) so will tough it out for a while with loose clothing. Wow, loose clothing… YES!
Last night at my Mistress Meghan session (personal trainer at Health Happenings in Monroe) I did my first abdominal exercises since the surgery. Almost all of them, but couldn’t do the lower abs as the port scar/area was not happy. Oh well, the happy experience of seeing beyond my tummy as I did crunches on the exercise ball was soooooo wonderful. I may make it through this with my skin keeping up with the weight loss.
Starting weight when this all started 226.5, weighed in this morning at 211 for a 15.5 pound overall loss. Surgery day weight was 220.5, so 9.5 pounds from surgery which is a fantastic weekly average. All my clothes are loose and I am on a strict no-purchase clothing regime. I have the next size jeans waiting in my closet (from the last time I lost weight) so will tough it out for a while with loose clothing. Wow, loose clothing… YES!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Day 14 Post Gastric Band Surgery - 2 weeks
Day 14 after gastric banding: I am still amazed that I continue to lose weight. Yes, mentally I get it that I am not eating as much as I use to but still... wow. I had a new experience last night eating a pork chop w/mashed potatoes. I ended up giving 1/2 my chop to the BF and only had 1/4 cup mashed potatoes. OH MY GOD what just happened there?!? He gave me that quizzical funny look that says "who are you" and ate it. Told me I could have the rest of the mashed potatoes and my response, "I'd love to but I can't, too full." We laughed at the moment. I think I also had the pressure/pain right where the ribcage meets indicating that I might have ate too much. Today I am on liquid protein just to make sure I didn't stress my new Realize Band area.
The surgery scars are healing nicely. Only have a couple steri-strips left in place (the one over the port scar for sure is going to be the last to come off). That adhesive is a bear to get off the skin. My facialist created a special essential oil blend for my tummy and scars. Sayra is the absolute best person for skin products. It is a base oil of sesame with lavender, frankincense, and carrot seed oils. It smells clean and natural and I am already using it. A little goes a long way with these oil blends. Sayra also makes her own special blends of cleanser and facial lotions which I use. My face is awesome thanks to her. This is a critical time for the skin to be replenished as the weight loss continues. Lots of hydration by drinking water and sugar-free liquids but also caring directly for the skin with wonderful products.
I am a firm believer in being friends with your belly and bottom. Don't neglect the bits that need the most care with lotion and oils. I have said this on many an occasion with my kickboxing clients. Lotion up and get to know and love your body as it is changing.
The surgery scars are healing nicely. Only have a couple steri-strips left in place (the one over the port scar for sure is going to be the last to come off). That adhesive is a bear to get off the skin. My facialist created a special essential oil blend for my tummy and scars. Sayra is the absolute best person for skin products. It is a base oil of sesame with lavender, frankincense, and carrot seed oils. It smells clean and natural and I am already using it. A little goes a long way with these oil blends. Sayra also makes her own special blends of cleanser and facial lotions which I use. My face is awesome thanks to her. This is a critical time for the skin to be replenished as the weight loss continues. Lots of hydration by drinking water and sugar-free liquids but also caring directly for the skin with wonderful products.
I am a firm believer in being friends with your belly and bottom. Don't neglect the bits that need the most care with lotion and oils. I have said this on many an occasion with my kickboxing clients. Lotion up and get to know and love your body as it is changing.
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