Scattered update

The fill I got on Wed 12/21 is finally hitting me.  Which is a good thing (as soon as I get it figured out).  Hmmm ... here's an idea: go back to bandster basics: tiny bites, chew to pulverization, etc.  


Didn't go to the gym last night.  I was just too tired and simply did not feel well.  Was in bed at 845pm and it was a push to stay up that late.


In (yet another dreaded) meeting with the Twinkie-Twit big boss lady yesterday - I crossed my legs wearing jeans (ha !).  I'm sure it wasn't pretty and I had to kind of be on my side/hip to do it but I don't care !  In HER face !  Did I ever tell you about the boot comment?  She said: Blahblahblah - my calves aren't as fat as yours but they are still pretty big.  


Don't feel that good this morning.  Need to feel better, get a few things done and get to the gym !

Stupid-ass Piece of Plastic - be gone !

Well, that does it.  After 23 weeks of reporting in on a weekly basis the weight I had lost (well, not so much lately) - I am done.  I will be reporting in when I drop in five pound increments.  I will still weigh in daily but the anguish (or it is anger) of typing - no movement or up or down a tiny bit is just not worth it.


I am working out.  My body is changing and people are noticing.  I assume I am getting healthier. This is why I had WLS.  To get healthy.  Not to obsess about a number on the scale.  


Faith was the 'word' for 2011.  Faith that if I went through all of the insurance hoops I could have the surgery.  Faith that surgery would be successful.  Faith that I would loose some weight.  Faith that the scale would move, etc. etc.  I will continue having faith in 2012 that I will be successful with my health.  But I will not let a number on a stupid-ass piece of plastic tell me how I will feel about myself. 


Still working on the 2012 word but faith will always be with me. 

I don't think I have ten things

1.  Do you count coffee/tea as 'water'?


2.  Gym workout yesterday - 22 mins on elliptical (3 min cool down) and 30 mins treading water.


3.  Today - 23 mins on elliptical (2 min cool down) and 30 mins treading water.


4.  Both last night and tonight - not really able to eat toast with eggs/chz/bacon casserole (slime).  Now, it needs to be tossed (literally). 


5.  Am recalling (sorry, I don't remember where I read this): the band is different every day with every food for every one.


6.  Scale is not moving and I don't care at this point.


7.  Have been to the gym every day since Mon 12/19 with the exception of Cmas.


8.  Looking forward to New Years Day's tv marathon of Once Upon A Time ... need to rewatch the pilot.


9.  Thinking about my 2012 mantra.


10. I can't believe I'm not going on a friends vacation this year.  Which is is post/bitch for another time.

Workout Wednesday - compliments of Cat

I don't know who I am anymore.  I am sitting here at the car dealership getting my last free oil change (I have a Saturn and when they closed the dealership, another dealership sent me coupons for oil changes to be used before 12/31/11).  


My issues:


Free food.  I've had an oatmeal raisin and a choc chip cookie and a small bag of popcorn.  Since I've burped - I'm done now for dinner.  Calories added to myfitnesspal.com and I'm moving on. 


Workout.  I need to get to it.  Seriously, I've been looking forward to treading water all day long. Which really speak volumes about my work situation ... how sad.


Call me Cat - I need to workout on Wednesdays. 

A good use of 9 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo&feature=share

I hope this works ... if not and you want to check it out


23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?
www.youtube.com

Poof ! I am so computer illiterate. But I am not nap illiterate so I think I'll do that next.  

Christmas Eve Present

Actually, Christmas Eve Eve Present ... I have pair of size 16 jeans that I was going to try on in another 10 lbs (as I remember wearing them in the 220s) but after my happy-scale dance yesterday, I decided to try them on.


They FIT !!  They certainly weren't baggy, a little loose in the waist and a little of the white cotton showed in the front pockets but they fit !!  Note, they are size 16 WP (wide petite) but who cares !  


::: confetti toss :::

Oh it is about time !

The scale moved !  I had been in the last decade for two months ! And then bouncing around with 3 lbs for the past month.  Maybe those who said: oh yes, when you start working out - you will gain weight/stay the same were right??

Last fill seems to be okay.  I got sick yesterday after lunch (like I had never gotten sick before so I don't know if it was just bad food - but I go to this diner all of the time or it was me/the band) but seem to be fine now.

Working out - yes, every day this week (and I'll be going later today and tomorrow morning).  

Starting weight: 291.6
This morning (and have been for a few days): 239.2

A Christmas and band miracle.  

I have got to pay more attention

I had been eating more than I should for awhile now.  I went in for a fill today and she put in .5cc.  Now that I think about this ... I am now back to where I was (total of 6 cc) when I had to have an unfill.


Hmm.  I hope I'm okay at this level (because last time I was at 6cc - I was unable to eat without pain).  I had a cup of chili and a pinto and cheese (Taco Bell) for lunch and for dinner - some cheese (1oz) and five reduced fat Club crackers and a handful (argh !!) of nut's & bolts (homemade chex-mix) - I stopped by my parents after the gym ... 


I feel like Winnie-the-Pooh in his think-think-think mode ...


                                                           

Happy New Year (day 1)

Well, I did it.  The first day of (my) New Year (yesterday) was a success.  Good protein, good eating, plenty of water and I worked out.  Ta-da !


Reward: slight movement on the scale and four people told me that I looked good/thinner, smaller from behind, etc today.


Death to cookies !


                                         

Happy New Year (a little early)

For the most part, the holiday season parties are over (with the exception of meeting up with Maria the fabulous - Cat, we'll miss you) so now I will STOP, ASSESS and START-OVER !! (Happy New Year !)


The scale this morning placed me at a minus 50 lbs over the course of five months (but I posted that major milestone a long, long time ago).  I've since started working out and while I've appreciated people telling me - oh, you always gain weight when you start working out ... I know that it's also the carpy eating I've been doing.  Well, that bs is over.


And I have all of you to thank.  I spend a ton of time reading yesterday and got so inspired by all of your hard work that I realized that I needed to do the same HARD WORK.


Getting back to the basics:  protein first and shooting for 90 grams per day.  Water - 100 oz per day.  Exercise - get to that fancy-schmantzy gym you love so much four times a week and start using these walking, dancing, biggest looser dvds that are just collecting dust.  


Besides, once the real Jan 1 arrives, I'll already be set !


                                                     

Annual Christmas Party - the follow up

Well, I found the chalk and eraser at an Office Max (which was the 4th errand I did before I made it over to Professor's).  


And today, I am beat.  People start arriving at 6pm and for the first time both the turkey and lamb were done early so the stress was (for the first time) greatly reduced.  At one point, we had 75 people over with probably a handful of others to come later.  Every year the party is different (last night - the pool table never got used and no one went in the hot tub) but (as I said) - people arrived on time/early and most stayed late.  Lots and lots of laughter so I would say the party was a success.


I didn't really eat that much (a meatball or two, a few dips of taco dip or hummus) but the dark rum and diet cokes and the cookie, the bite of fudge and the toppings off two pieces of pizza (hello 2:00am) have made me feel like a total slug today.  Oh, and the fact that my legs are just plain tired.


Had some cheese and crackers this morning and some tostitos and salsa this afternoon.  Need to have a protein shake and more some water.  Thank goodness I took tomorrow off ... can't wait to get to the gym. 


Was looking at the photos I took this morning.  I wanted to delete all of the ones of me but for once I thought - hey, keep this so when you drop some more weight - you'll have another comparison pic.  So, I guess I did have some Lapband news to report :)

Annual Christmas Party

Oh wait, technically this is Professor's party and it's called a holiday party.  I've been getting caught up on blogs today, goofing around, making food that I can eat, etc.  I'm about to post before I leave and the phone just rang:


Can you please pick up an eraser and chalk before you come over?  ::: deep sigh ::: .  Have a great night everyone.  

This is my reminder

                                            

Where does the time go?

Ten years ago today, Professor and I had our first date and I still heart him :)  He's been around thru the lows and the highs of my weight and while not as openly supportive as the BOOBS (I love you gals) ~ he is in his own way.  For example, on Sunday he made one large omlette and had me slice off my own section.  Silly, I know. 


No movement on the scale so I guess that's good with all of the extra snacking I seem to be doing.  Department parties, RN of the year ceremony, vendors sending me stuff.  What is it with me and free food?  


What is it with me and having nothing to blog about?

Leslie is the Best Secret Bandit EVAH !

My Secret Bandit did it again ! Leslie from Band Sweet Band made me cry ... I just opened such a thoughtful gift that I cannot even believe it :)  I cannot find my camera (I am loosing everything lately which is just a microcosm of my life right now ... i.e. loosing it) or I would take a pic.  


First off, she knows much I love my furchild (Coco Fiona) and she included two little toys for her, a Hallmark cat ornament where you insert a pic of your fuzz (good thing I have plenty of those), a LOL Cat Calendar (so cute), a totally cool scarf which I am wearing tomorrow to work and a totally awesome little purple book (my fav color) entitled: Believe.  In it is little motivating quotes (which I just love).  And, the card - little cats with Santa hats singing: Wreck the Halls then pounce on the Mousies .. so, so cute !


Leslie ~ you are a total doll and will be such a great Mom to precious Violet ... I am so blessed to have such an awesome support system which lately I need to turn to ...


While I am doing better than every other year ... the food at work is just ridiculous.  The treats that are sent to me - I have been putting out for everyone but it seems like every department has a party that I get invited to and one chz and cracker turns into five.  One pesto on a toast point turns into three. 


Gym - Tuesday: 45 mins treading water and today: 30 mins treadmill and 7 mins elliptical (I'm adding a minute each time I get on it).  Not much but I am fighting TOM and a sinus headache (13 degrees on the weekend and it's 48 degrees right now).


Enough wining ... I'm still alive and plugging away ... ta !

NSV - climbed into a sailboat

Recall this post ....


Professor thinks we are too old for a small boat so he's been searching for a bigger one. The one he found (like most boats in Michigan) is stored on a cradle outside and yes it was 13 degrees this morning.  I had to climb up a 14 food ladder (simply laid upon the boat) and crawl thru the shrink wrap to get on the boat.  Oh, I wish I had taken a pic.  


I would have never done this (would physically not been able to) 50 lbs ago ...


                                                            

The ladder was like this - except it just had one side !! It was a fourteen foot ladder but it didn't really go all the way to where I had to get it ... again, I wish I had taken a pic !

Unknown number of things Saturday

Yuck ! While posting every day in November was too much ... not posting in December is too little ! Just finished a week of 13-14 hour days (three of which included gym time so that's good).


Scale - is down a little but still up .4 from my lowest weight (hmmm ... I think that was two weeks ago).  I now see the problem of gaining - how do you account for "I lost this week but I'm still at a net GAIN".  


Gym - LOVING IT. I think the key, for me, is - that I love this place. It is a beautiful building, clean, new, big towels, shampoo, conditioner, q-tips, cotton balls, hair dryers, lotion, mouthwash, etc.  Yes, it's expensive but if I'm going - it's worth it !


Job - still stinks but I don't care.  Not a lot of hiring in the HR world at the end of the year (not a lot of jobs to be able to apply).  I have faith ...


Band - I'm eating too much.  Need a fill but it will be tiny (recall, my last fill was 2cc and promptly when in for an unfill of .5cc).  The next time I can go is next Saturday but that's Professor's annual Cmas bash.  Really don't want to have to 'worry' while trying to host 75-100 people. 


I think that's it for now.  Looking foward to getting caught up on what happened in your week ! 

It happened ... no, not Cheez-its

Nacho chips.  It started mid-day when I started buckling under the stress and exhaustion at work. I had a 1 oz. bag of hot potato chips. I swear, it was like sugar in that I just wanted more.


Came home and had chili chicken for dinner and somehow that evil bag of nacho/tortilla chips was opened and 1/2 consumed. The band does not stop stupidity.  Adding water to the bag to soak the chips so that they were inedible stops the stupidity.


Logged the evil. Went to bed for a nap and now I'm up.  10 minutes will bring a new day and the gym bag is packed. 

If the gym is closed, does it still count as 'going'?

I suppose I should read the new gym info more carefully.  I got to the gym today at 530pm and there was a sign on the door to go to the back entrance. So I did.                                                                


I walked in the building and noticed that there were a group of people in one of the cooking demo rooms but no one else anywhere.  Someone came out of the cooking demo room and I inquired.  Found out that the place closes at 5pm.  Walked back out and around the building.  A nice little jaunt but not really a workout.                                                      

Met a g-friend at On the Border (Mexican food) for a late lunch.  The food was carp ! When did I become a picky eater? Someone who wants high quality food or dare I say - no food at all?
                                                     

Yoga class 1

Lived.


Amen. 

Whoa - weight gain !

Poof ! Well, it was bound to happen ... this is the first week since surgery where I gained.  1.4 lbs.  And it's real as it's been on the scale for most of the week.  No problem-o... I'm just going to continue working on doing all most of the right things and being patient.  <-- or maybe this is the wine talking as I was at a Cmas party tonight for my previous employer ;)


Here's to the week and month ahead !     

November 30 - Thankful For: My Health

I started this whole LB journey with one thing in mind - improving my health.  Yes, the little thoughts of jeans, boots, airline seats, crossing legs, running up a flight of stairs, etc. always manage to seep into my mind but overall, I just want to be healthier.


And, thanks to the LB and the awesome support of all of *you people*, I am getting what I want. To be healthier. :)


On a side note - guess who I ran into today as I was going into the gym this evening?  (Notice how I say 'going to the gym' so nonchalant, so cool?)  MARIA !!  Damn, she has got it all going on ... cooking for her husband, taking care of two tiny ones, big job, working out ...


And since we're on the topic of working out - 30 mins on the bike, SEVEN mins on the elliptical (.5 miles) and 25 mins on the treadmill.  And, with the crappy day I had - I was LOOKING FORWARD to getting to the gym ... my own kind of aversion therapy :)

November 29 - Thankful For: Hobbies

I am a reformed workaholic who worked for a man who told me: work is my hobby.  Shortly after, I decided I need to find something (anything !) for a hobby.  I think (the proverbial) 'we' can get so caught up with work and relationships that 'we' don't get to have hobbies.


I love to read, travel (or plan travel), stamp (i.e. Stampin Up) and in the summer be on a boat. It's not much but when I'm hobbying - I get so caught up - any problem from the day has disappeared. 


I think hobbies are important and I'm thankful for mine. 


p.s. this blogging everyday for the month of November is a bit much. :)

November 28 - Thankful For: Cool Gym I Found

It finally happened.  I started my 7 day no charge trial for the awesome gym I found.  I admit, it was peer pressure :)  Maria (http://lasttrainoutoffatland.blogspot.com/) is a member so if Maria is ... well, then I want to be :)    I'm telling you you ... Cat and Maria are just that cool .. they got me to get my bun to the gym 

Please be seated for the following announcement:
Recumbent bike: 30 mins.
Treadmill: 30 mins.
Elliptical: 5 mins (I just wanted to see if I could do it without dying).


THEN:
I went back this evening for 60 mins of pool time (I would think 45 mins of treading, 15 mins of faux swimming and pool-walking).  


Who am I?  
                                            

Meet Me on Monday - 11/28/11

Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you  questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we  can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!


1.  I really need to clean?  My craft closet.  2011 was the year to get and STAY organized.  I've done pretty well with the exception of one closet.  That is the: Please do not open closet. 


2.  What food makes you think of Christmas?  Nothing, really.  My family doesn't do the big Christmas dinner (Christmas Eve is 'the' celebration).


3.  If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?  Probably late 30s - early 40s.


4.  What was your first paying job?  McDonalds.  Apparently, 10% of people have worked there :)  Introduced one of my best friends to her husband there, was their maid of honor and they just celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary.


5.  Have you read the Twilight series?  Read them - yes.  Rented the movies and kept walking out the room, checking FB, taking phone calls, whatever.  Worst acting evah 

November 27 - Thankful For: Bodymedia FIT

It's my little buddy as it goes everywhere I go. 


                                           
The Bodymedia FIT measures calories burned, steps and sleep.  Each day, I enter my calories (their calorie database is pretty lame) and get to see what should be happening on the scale. As we all know, nothing in weight loss really happens like it 'should' but I still like to see the math.


The math says: I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.  We all know that I'm not, but I'm patient.  The FIT isn't going anywhere (but on my arm) and neither am I. 

November 26 - Thankful For: my niece and nephews

I was never one who 'had to have a baby or my life would not be complete' so aside from my 50 year old child (Professor) and my fur-child, I do not have kids.  And what is strange is that many of my friends don't have kids either.  Enter: my niece and nephews.


Rita is 8 (nine in February) and Hugh turned 4 yesterday.  They live in Germany so with the time difference you need to be planful when calling or skyping (which is why I missed calling yesterday).  My older nephews are 24 and 26.


I am thankful for all of them and love them as if they were my own.

Michigan Mini B.O.O.B.S

What a fantabulous Saturday !  I had brunch with Maria (http://lasttrainoutoffatland.blogspot.com/) and Cat (http://oneslimcat.blogspot.com) and I cannot even begin to tell you how awesome both of them are ... I didn't want to leave !

Smart, beautiful, funny - check, check, check.
Open, successful and can belt out a tune - check, check and check again.


I'm going to join the same gym at Maria (you read it here first) so I'll be seeing her again soon. (Yippee !)  Robyn - you're lucky to have Cat ... she's a sweetheart !


Did I mention that I didn't want to leave ?!  Great day ... feeling very blessed today. 

November 25 - Thankful For: Technology

Kind of.  I mean, I have regular old cell phone, I tend to use a yellow legal pad at work and do you see the typewriter at the top of my blog?


But, I met Professor through Match.com, Skyping my niece and nephew is always a bright spot in my day and I'm currently looking for a new job using any means possible which right now means via the internet.


I think I'll lump Facebook in here as well.  I love it.  I really do.  Just like being on the fringe of keeping up with people.  Don't need to know every little detail ... just like the fringe. 


Hmmm ... maybe I should be thankful for whoever invented electricity?  Happy Black Friday all !

November 24 - Thankful For: Professor

Every Thanksgiving and Easter, Professor opens his house for an Orphan's dinner where anyone who doesn't have family or doesn't want to travel or just wants somewhere to go after eating came come over and eat some more, drink some more and just be surrounded by good friends. 

There's a whole list of things I love about Professor but I think his generosity is right up near the top of the list.  In additional to (sometimes) being the best Sweetie in the world, he's a good friend.  


And, in band news, I think the stress of the past few weeks had finally caught up to me.  The scale was down 4.4 lbs and I'm pretty sure I haven't had a loss like that since the beginning of time of being banded.  Who cares why?  Just show me the money :)


I hope everyone had a spectacular Thanksgiving.  My precious niece and nephew Skyping from Germany was the highlight of my day :)
                                                   

November 23 - Thankful For: the little miracles

On Wednesday, I left my laptop at work and guess where I am today? Yes, at that place I have to go to receive money.


Stopped by Professor's on my way home and he had gotten in a little accident on his motorcycle (or his Hog as my Mother calls it).  Nothing too serious (no on else involved) but it's those times that I think: oh, thank God ! he's okay.  It's those little daily miracles for which I am thankful.

November 22 - Thankful For: the Lapband

My official weigh in day is Thursday but this news couldn't wait. Now, typically I'm no fan of the scale preferring to look for NSVs but hitting the 50 lb milestone was worth shouting from the roof top ! Today, I am thankful for the Lapband. 

Meet Me on Monday - 11/21/11

From Never Growing Old it's Meet Me on Monday where we answer 5 questions about ourselves to get to know each other better.


Questions:

1.  I wish I had more time to _________? Anything non-work related.  I have an hour commute in the morning and over an hour commute in the evening.  I also carpool so when it's my carpool pal drives - it's an even longer day. 

2.  What is your favorite kind of soup?  Tomato.  Love it !

3.  Where will you eat Thanksgiving dinner?  At my parents for dinner and then to Professors where he hosts an orphan dinner/party.  


4.  What is your favorite time of day?  On the weekend, the morning.  During the week - when I get on M-53, the expressway closest to home.

5.  Did you start Christmas shopping yet?  I only buy for my niece and nephews so it's easy.  

November 21 - Thankful For: Old Friends

I've previously posted that I was thankful for friends (I had gone out to b'fast with some of Professors friends) but today I am thankful for some of my old and dear friends.  I've had one g'friend since 5th grade, another since 8th and still another since the first day of 10th grade.  These are friends who are more like sisters ... have been around forever and who will be there for anything.  I am truly blessed to have these women as part of my life. 

NSV of the weekend: Professor said: You are getting smaller.  Music to my ears :)
                                                  

November 20 - Thankful For: The Kindness of Strangers

.

Twice yesterday, a stranger made me feel good. Once, at a stop light. The woman next to me and I made eye contact and we both smiled at each other. The second time was at the nail salon. I was at the sink washing my hands as was a 20-something woman. When she was done, she said: Have a nice Thanksgiving. 


Two simple acts.  A smile and a comment.


This also made me recall how you never know how you are affecting someone - both positively or negatively.  The last time I was at a funeral home people were raving about the woman who had died.  I kept thinking - did they tell her this when she was alive.  I try to live in the moment and tell people when they've said or done something that positively affects me, made me feel good.  Made me think about something differently.  


You never know ... 

November 19 - Thankful for: Writers

I love to read, watch tv and movies and appreciate good writing talent. My current fav authors are: Vince Flynn, David Baldacci, Lisa Scottoline, Harlan Coben, Patricia Cornwall and lots of chick-lit authors and generally anytime someone says: you HAVE to read this - I will.  


I like shows like Law & Order, Revenge, The Tudors, Big Love, Seifeld, Frasier, etc.  Shows with good writing. 


I don't understand all of the trash reality shows when there has got to be a gabillion young (and old) writers just waiting to be discovered, waiting for their break. I think it's a shame that the entertainment is now Snookie (or maybe their  30 mins of fame is over) and that Judge Judy makes $45 MILLION a year while a Supreme Court Justice makes $214,000 a year. 


I am thankful for talented writers (and that includes you). 

November 18 - Thankful For: Sunrise & Sunset

A beautiful sunrise or sunset.  I don't get to see them as often as I like (I live in Michigan) but there is something about the beauty in the sky that makes me appreciative of nature and reminds me that I should stop a little more frequently and smell the proverbial roses. 

On a band related front: I've been banded four months now and this is the longest that I have ever stuck with a lifestyle change.  ::: puffing up a bit over here while I watch the sun rise :::

November 17 - Thankful For: My Condo

My condo.  I know, it may sound silly but I really am thankful for this place.  Granted, the value has dropped substantially in the 13 years I've lived here but there are many days where I just look at the walls and say: mine, mine, it's all mine ! (Think evil step-mother in some cartoon movie).


It's not that convenient (i.e. wow, you live way out there??) to friends, Professor, employment but when I get here ... I just love it.  I call my condo: Pleasure Palace :)


In band-related news, I dropped 1.6 lbs this past week so I'm thankful for that too.  

November 16 - Thankful For: My Paycheck

I've been back to work for two months now and rumor has it that I will be part of the next round of layoffs.  The bigger rumor is that the agency is closing in 2012.  I'm okay with this (except for the money part). 

About a month before surgery, my (awesome) boss left so I knew I would not have any interest in staying here once he was gone. I have roughly an hour communte in the morning and an hour plus in the evening. The job's okay - nothing great so leaving will be no big deal. Oh, and the new boss is a twinkie-twit.

I've been prepping for the Pension Board Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) - think IRS for pensions since I've been back from vacation.  They are here this week and as stressed out as I've been .. they've been great.  It's the lack of support or appreciation from 'the others' here that is just getting me down.

Where am I going with all of this ... for now, I am thankful that I do have a job (well, just the paycheck part).

November 15 - Thankful For: My Secret Bandit

My secret bandit !  Her timing is impeccable !  I've been down lately and coming home to a package filled with loot was just so awesome !  In addition to the two Luna Bars and a package of Skinny Cow Chocs (all of which I'm saving and I've been wanting to try the SC Chocs), was a cool plastic cup (which I have been wanting) AND aloe moisture gloves, hand cream and pomegranate drink mix.  I love pomegranate.  Thanks, Secret Bandit !

November 14 - Thankful For: Bloggers

Bloggers. I think VickyD (my shrinking belly) was the first person that I stalked on Lap Band Talk.  Then, I think it was Amy (Finding me) and I definitely remember seeing Lapband Girl when I did a simple google search.  I quickly found their blogs and started reading and decided that I too needed to blog.  Nothing too much.  It was more of a 'this will keep my hands busy so I can't stuff my face' sort of response.  I just know me.  

And here it is ... 147 posts and 93 followers later. (OMG ... if I am not following you - please let me a comment so that I can !!).  I cannot get over the amount of information, love and support that I get from so many of you.  Your paths are incredible and while I still (occassionally) have doubts that the Lapband won't work for me or I'll somehow blow this new lifestyle ... you really do keep me grounded.  And for that, I thankful. 

November 13 - Thankful For: Friends

Friends.  Even though I'm an introvert I do, on occasion, go out.  Professor has friends that go to  b'fast every Sunday for like the last 16 years ... I decided to go today.  It was there that I was reminded something I read when I first got banded:

The band is different for every one, every day, for every food.  


Last night, for dinner, Professor and I split a Thai #5 (we used to both eat our own).  I ate my entire half portion (and about 1/3 cup of rice). Quite a bit of food, really.


This morning, I ate four pieces of bacon, one soft boiled egg, one bite of hash browns and owe bite of rye toast.  Done, finished, finito ... that's all she wrote and the fat lady had sung.  C R A Z Y.  


I love this band (and the friends from b'fast this morning). 

November 12 - Thankful For: Coco, my kitty

I've been trying not to post a Thankful For: my baby furchild, Coco Fiona but today she is being such a lover, I simply must post.

I have slight pet allergies and tried to foster two tiny kittens a few years ago.  That didn't work (breathing problems) so when I first met Coco I wasn't sure if she was going to work out.  1) I was concerned about my breathing and 2) I would be her 3rd Mama in only 20 months.  

However, if you can't already tell by how I rave on about her ... she is just a little lover and I feel so lucky to have her (no breathing problems, she's never scared of anyone) - just a real sweetie.


And, since it's Caturday ...

November 11 - Thankful For: Our Veterans

November 10 - Thankful For: Drivers who pay attention to driving

This was an easy one ~ on my way to work I had to stop quickly.  The van behind me stopped quickly.  I heard a crunch.  Looked in my rear view mirror and say the van turn on his blinker to pull over.  Apparently, the car behind the van did not stop and they got in a little accident.  THANKFULLY, I did not.  Thank you, Mr. Van Driver for stopping.


Down 1.4 lbs this week = happy.

Practice what you preach, Sisah and have a little faith

Right now, I blog for myself.  I'm hoping to (one day) be one of *you people* who can dispense advice rather than cheering you on from the sidelines but for now ... it's all about me.


I'm on track to loose just another single pound this week so I'm reminded of my own post - be happy with small losses.  Or a loss is a loss or some other platitude of happiness.  


Oh, and I don't pass on all sugar.  Someone brought to work yesterday homemade cupcakes with an icing I had never tasted before. DE-VINE.  These things were as big as your head.  I ate most of it and really am happy that I didn't inhale the entire thing (plus one for later).  See, progress. See, I blog for myself ... just to remind myself of this entire journey towards overall good health. I want to be the person that eats to live ... not the other way around.


Might as well put my I'm Thankful For: out there right now ... my faith.  I truly believe that 'I'm at where I'm suppose to be'.  Which, right now is in the bedroom getting ready for that 'place I am suppose to go'.

November 8 - Thankful For: The Library

The public library.  I love this place.  I am saving a ton of money (you can rent up to 10 dvds at a time - I'm on season 3 of True Blood), it appears that only adults work there, the hours are great and the place is just beautiful. 

I'm also thankful for my Kindle (which takes no toll on my wrists).  :)

Hypnosis - thankful for simple goals

Years ago (roughly 150), I went with a friend to a group hypnosis for weight loss.  I thought it was cool but it didn't really work as 150 years later, I went for WLS, but I digress.  I think there may have been a 'cassette' that you would listen to at home and I probably let that go by the wayside.


Anyway (or anywayS as they say in this area), one of the things that stuck out in my mind (lol) was the speaker saying: what if I could promise you that in one year you would be 52 pounds lighter (i.e one lb per week)? And not just get there and gain it all back? 52 pounds gone for good.  Would you be satisfied?  Of course, all of us were in a hypnotic state nodding our head yes /nod.


That's my goal for WLS.  I'm well on my way to being at 52 lbs gone within the year of WLS (oh great, now I've jinked it) but I'm here for the long haul.  If it takes one year, two years, however long ... I want this weight gone forever. 

November 7 - Thankful For: Saying No

The ability to pass on donuts and cider this morning at work.  


We had our annual United Way Kickoff party at work this morning and it felt soooooooo good not having a donut or going to get an extra donut afterwards or even take a donut for the next day. Everyone around me eating donuts and drinking cider but not me.  I loved it.


Donuts aren't really my food of choice so it's not as big of deal as I'm portraying but it just felt good to say no to the donut. 

Staring to get Thankful

I've been down for a bit and need to pull it together.  I'm late but I'm jumping on the Thankful List:

1.  The health of my family.  I have a very small family and we've been blessed with relatively good health.

2.  Decision to get the lapband in 2011.  I'm bouncing around right now but know that with the lapband - I can get healthy.  Besides, my weigh in day is Thr :)

3.  On Nov 3 - there was a spectacular sunrise and I remember thinking - I am thankful for all of my senses to be able to enjoy nature.

4.  This blogging community.  The amount of info and support that *you people* willingly give is unbelievable.

5.  On Nov 5 - thankful for Professor.  He's been working 7 days a week for two weeks now and he still wants to cook a meal for me (okay, well, this weekend's meal was Sunday bfast but he does like to cook).

6.  Nov 6 - thankful for my little fur-child, Coco Fiona.  I can't believe how lucky I got with her.  I got her at (about) 18 months and I was her third Mama.  I thought, for sure, that she would be skittish but she is a lover and is starting to become a lapcat.  

Since Draz was asking about desks - here's mine and I'm sneaking in an extra pic of Coco (it was in my g-parents cottage so it's probably close to 100 years old):

Did I say I was going to cook? LOL !!

That didn't take long ... 3 days into "Post Daily in November" and I don't post ... oh well ...


Had a bit of a revelation yesterday.  I knew thought that Professor and I were going to have a 'meal' last evening of awesome cheese, wine and a chicken curry. In the past, I would have starved myself all day but it occurred to me - with the band - you simply eat what you can eat. Not eating at lunch means nothing for dinner.  The band can only hold what the band can hold.  I know this is a basic of bandsters so I had to laugh at myself with this 'hit' me :)


Wine - yes.
Cheese - yes.
More wine - yes.
Two bottles - yes.
Chicken curry -- no.


So, I guess I can thank the band for not eating when I had (obviously) consumed quite a bit of wine (yep, I would probably say a bottle). A complete change from the past as I would have had the wine, the cheese, the more more and a full chicken curry dinner.  Love the band. 

TGIF

First off - candy bar update: went right to bed, did not pass candy bar, collect a small loss on the scale this morning.  I don't get too excited about the daily weigh-in but it made me :)


Only worked a half day today.  Took my car in for service - never fun. Came home and had a small lunch.  Still hungry an hour later until I read Ronnie's post and realized that I needed water.  Drinking water at work is so much easier ... 


Nora's post about celebrating, er ... I mean acknowledging her life in London ... which included wine and cheese has me trying to plan a nice dinner for Professor for tomorrow evening.  I'll be headed off tomorrow to a gourmet market and will hopefully come up with something. My Mom always says of gourmet markets: if those places were around when she was raising a family - she would have never cooked a meal (from scratch).  Expensive - yes, but at least I know the meal will be good. 


I'm lazing on the couch and Coco is leaning into me ... life is good.  And then I sneezed and she's gone ... life is still good :)

NaBloPoMo.

I read on Ronnie's blog who read it on Read's blog that November is National Blog Posting Month.  I wasn't going to blog today because I have nothing (nussing) to say but I'm up for a challenge that doesn't involve food so here we go ...


I don't even have 10 Things to say.


Yesterday was Coco's third birthday.  Posted the birthday party pic on Facebook ... if you want to be FB friends - pls leave a comment.  I don't post about WLS ... mostly about Coco.  Love her (and FB).


Lost a single pound this week which I'm fine with as I'm not working out.  Which needs to change.  


Had a bagel today for lunch.  Actually, it was left over from a meeting.  Ate it with cream chz and didn't have lunch.  Had a chz stick at 4pm.  I liked that I didn't beat myself up over the choice.  I wanted it and ate it. Done. 


Came home from work .  Had 11 Trader Joe Sweet Potato Chips. Moved onto a slice of Trader Joe bread (5 grams of protein) and a slice of jalapeno cheese (6 grams of protein).  I want one of the small chocolate Hanuta bars I brought home from Germany (I do eat chocolate but it's not my drug, er food of choice).  Am also very tired so if I can just leave the living room and go right into the bedroom - I will have successfully avoided the chocolate. 


Which I am doing now.  ::: yawn :::

What do my ankles really look like?

Whoa, the pic in the previous post is not me, the tat is not mine and my scale is word free.  I would like those ankles though ... maybe one day. I am pretty sure I have big boned ankles - they've been big so long I don't really know. (I played soccer as a teen - back in the 70s before it was popular and suffered many sprained ankles - just another reason to loose this weight.)  I want to  see what my ankles look like.


Professor gets zero kids at his house but he still buys candy.  You know - the big chocolate bag at Costco. Then, because he ate most of that he needed a few more regular ol' bags. There's only one Nestle's Crunch because he at the entire bag.  I did not eat one piece.  Do not, however, get between me and a bag of chips.  Oh wait. That was me ... pre-band. :)

Be good to yourself

Like many people (I wonder if just women do this), I have a little voice in my head that beats me down and on occasion it get's out of my head and is heard by friends who all say the same thing: don't talk like that about yourself.  


Awhile ago, a girlfriend took her little lesson one step farther: would you talk to your (precious) niece like that? She went on to say: the next time you want to berate yourself, ask yourself: would you ever say that to R?  Well, of course I would never talk to R like that, I would never say those berating comments to R. 


So, along with all of the new habits I am trying to form ... being good to myself is on the list. 

So ... it finally happened ...

And here I thought I'd be writing about W-m*rt, Grocery Store, L*wes, visit with parents, massage, bank, gas station, library and bank again but no .... it finally happened.


I've been struggling for a week now trying to eat some food (my stomach is growling) but (of course), not that much.  I'm one of *those* people who can not eat and simply not lose (sooooooo frustrating).  This ol' body has a memory like an elephant and will go into starvation mode in no time flat.  (I'm reminded of when I first got banded, was eating 500-600 cals and not losing !)


I made a divine grilled chz and bacon sandwich for lunch but this memory wanted more food.  Ok, I'll wait 45 mins and see.  Tick tock.  Still hungry.  Went into pre-band mode: ate too much junk, too fast and laid down (Coco and I have a standing Saturday afternoon nap). Then I started to feel weird.  Slime. Burp. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Up and into the bathroom.  Repeat.  I actually did toss a tiny bit.  All the while, Coco was sitting like a princess-croissant on my bed, waiting for me to return.


Woke up. Called Professor - "do not count on me eating much tonight" (as I don't really feel that good (I am typing and sipping water).


I feel like I'm a bit hung-over.  Oh, wait - that's just college football on tv.  I told you my body has a memory of it's own. 

   

Ten Things Thursday

Thanks, Laura over at Beer and Dogs :)  Here's my 10 Things:


1.  Went to the surgeon on Saturday - removed 0.5 cc.


2.  I can eat again without pain. Who would have thought 0.5 cc could make that much of a difference.


3.  In a way I feel like I'm starting over again figuring out a good amount (a good small amount) of food that I can eat that's good for me and stays with me for the longest time ...

4.  Lost 1.2 lbs this week. (43.6 since the pre-op diet.)


5.  Celebrating 13 weeks of Bandiversary (::: hello my band-twin, JRD :::)


6.  Celebrating 15 weeks of not having a single Cheez-it.  I had a two week pre-op diet to follow.  This is a band-miracle.


7.  I cannot even start to blog about work - it is just that awful.


8.  Am finally back on Eastern Standard Time.  Going to bed at 830am will get me up this early.  Hello, depression.


9.  Lowered my 401k (see work situation above) to make sure I can afford the gym I want to join.


10. Thankyouthankyouthankyou to my followers.  If I am not following you - please comment so that I can return the favor.

Back to the Surgeon

Spoke to the surgeon's office - not the psycho office manager but the woman who gave me the fill on Tuesday.  She did suggest that I come in for a tiny unfill so I'm headed there shortly.


While I have a ton of little goals - I think I did a post a list back in July - my ultimate goal is not so much a scale number but to be able to wear these size jeans:

Size 12 (I am almost positive they are Chic jeans), comfy and of course I thought I was fat.