Today marks 18 weeks since I was banded. I went to the Rec this morning and Thomas weighed me. I weigh less than 200 pounds (well .5 pounds less). I was so pleased that I accomplished my first major goal. It still seems hard to believe that if I eat right and exercise, the pounds just keep coming off. That has never happened before.
On August 13th when I went for my bariatric surgery class, I weighed 243.6 pounds. That was 20 weeks ago and during that time, I have lost 44.1 pounds or about 2 pounds a week on average. That is just about perfect as far as what the doctor wants.
I have so much for which to be thankful. I feel so much better. Thomas laughed today and noted that I was jumping up and down with excitement. I couldn't have jumped six months ago. I am especially thankful for the loss due to having the holidays in the middle of this time period and also that last surgery which was a setback.
Now I need to set my second goal. I believe I have an appointment with Dr. Glatt in February. I would flat blow him away if I had lost 50 pounds on his scale by then. I think that it would have to be 60 pounds on any other scale to be safe. I think they have those hospital scales rigged. Any thing less than 195 pounds should cause a smile on his face. So for the time being, I think I will shoot for 188 by Valentine's Day. I also want to plan to exercise 6 days a week.
Happy New Year to all and may 2009 be a time for losing for all of my friendly bandits.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Home From the Holidays
Well bandits, I made it through my first full blown holiday! I learned a few things and I think I better write it down so I remember.
First, if I am going to eat cold shrimp, I must chew even though they are bite size. Our Christmas eve feast tasted so good but after the meal, I thought I was having a heart attack from the pain in the chest. I realized that what seemed like chewing probably equated to buzz sawing through the pile of shrimp on my plate and that if I ever (and at that point I doubted I would) ate shrimp again, I must chew them thoroughly!
Second, I can't eat rice. The literature says you can't but I have to try things. We went to a pleasant little oriental restaurant in Northfield and I ordered my entree. Of course, it came with rice. I put just a couple of teaspoons under the bed of chicken cashew and chewed slowly. The rice wouldn't stay down. Let that be that lesson.
Third, ice cream goes down with no problem. So it is best to measure a reasonable amount and eat it slowly as it goes right through the pouch and those calories can add up quickly. My brother and I take after our dad who loved ice cream. Vanilla in a bowl is a happy time.
It is a fact that food is an integral part of a family holiday. As a bandster, I just have to think about what and how much I plan to eat and participate with reasonable sensibility.
First, if I am going to eat cold shrimp, I must chew even though they are bite size. Our Christmas eve feast tasted so good but after the meal, I thought I was having a heart attack from the pain in the chest. I realized that what seemed like chewing probably equated to buzz sawing through the pile of shrimp on my plate and that if I ever (and at that point I doubted I would) ate shrimp again, I must chew them thoroughly!
Second, I can't eat rice. The literature says you can't but I have to try things. We went to a pleasant little oriental restaurant in Northfield and I ordered my entree. Of course, it came with rice. I put just a couple of teaspoons under the bed of chicken cashew and chewed slowly. The rice wouldn't stay down. Let that be that lesson.
Third, ice cream goes down with no problem. So it is best to measure a reasonable amount and eat it slowly as it goes right through the pouch and those calories can add up quickly. My brother and I take after our dad who loved ice cream. Vanilla in a bowl is a happy time.
It is a fact that food is an integral part of a family holiday. As a bandster, I just have to think about what and how much I plan to eat and participate with reasonable sensibility.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Sorry I took time off
Oh my, it has been a long time since I have posted to my blog. So much has taken place. First off, Allison got strep throat so I took off on the 16th to drive to Waconia to help with my grandsons while she got back to normal. After three days in Minnesota, we zipped back to South Dakota and put in a marathon evening wrapping gifts so that we could celebrate Christmas with all on the 20th as that was Kevin's weekend off. It was a wonderful day with all of our family and we had so much fun with the grandsons. Of course, Zachary gave me his terrible cold so when we headed back to my brother's on the 23rd, I had the runny nose and sneezes. I have tried to be most careful with hand sanitizer and Kleenex so as not to give it away.
We had a wonderful Christmas eve and day with my brother and his wife at their home here in Minnesota. I have been very careful to drink lots of fluids and we have been eating sensibly so I ventured onto their bathroom scale on the 24th. That would be 18 weeks since banding and on their scale, I weighed 200 pounds. Now I am not certain how that equates with the scale at the Rec Center but it feels good to be in that range. Linda weighed a five pound bag of flour and it read 6 pounds. Needless to say I am hoping it says 200 when I weigh in at the Rec in five days.
Linda had to work today so I left the boys and went to the Eden Prairie mall to meet Allison with the Christmas presents they couldn't get in the Jeep last Monday. I just had to go into Talbots and look around. Actually, they have a large petite department and I love their slacks. No need to shorten them. I was a bit disappointed when I looked on the rack and the largest size were 16s. However, I found a grey wool lined pair of slacks to replace my old favorites and I decided to try them on. I have always hated trying on clothes. I think it is because nothing ever fit. Well, I went in and pulled those slacks up and buttoned and zipped them up. A bit snug but who would have believed I could wear a size 16?! I was psyched and they were an additional 40% off to day so I bought them and danced out of the store.
I have really let down on the exercise since the 15th. I didn't specifically exercise while at Allison's and so finally yesterday, I used my sister-in-laws' "gazelle" in the pole barn for 50 minutes. It felt good. I won't be able to reach the 750 mile goal at the bottom of the page but I have done remarkably. I read a really great article in this month's O magazine about taking better care of yourself. Poor Oprah fell off the wagon. I think it is reasonable to say that just because I didn't exercise for nine days doesn't mean I won't exercise regularly for the last four days of the year. I can get another 96 miles on the ticker before the 31st.
It has been a much needed break and I am feeling better today. As Vince said, I should be better by the time I have to go back to work. I hope to get some quilting in this next week. I want to have my friends over to play with my birthday, Christmas and anniversary gift, my new quilting machine. We will make merry and have fun. I guess I should call this to a close and go pick up the knitting I brought to Minnesota, a readers shawl. It is going to turn out quite well and I will enjoy the warmth.
We had a wonderful Christmas eve and day with my brother and his wife at their home here in Minnesota. I have been very careful to drink lots of fluids and we have been eating sensibly so I ventured onto their bathroom scale on the 24th. That would be 18 weeks since banding and on their scale, I weighed 200 pounds. Now I am not certain how that equates with the scale at the Rec Center but it feels good to be in that range. Linda weighed a five pound bag of flour and it read 6 pounds. Needless to say I am hoping it says 200 when I weigh in at the Rec in five days.
Linda had to work today so I left the boys and went to the Eden Prairie mall to meet Allison with the Christmas presents they couldn't get in the Jeep last Monday. I just had to go into Talbots and look around. Actually, they have a large petite department and I love their slacks. No need to shorten them. I was a bit disappointed when I looked on the rack and the largest size were 16s. However, I found a grey wool lined pair of slacks to replace my old favorites and I decided to try them on. I have always hated trying on clothes. I think it is because nothing ever fit. Well, I went in and pulled those slacks up and buttoned and zipped them up. A bit snug but who would have believed I could wear a size 16?! I was psyched and they were an additional 40% off to day so I bought them and danced out of the store.
I have really let down on the exercise since the 15th. I didn't specifically exercise while at Allison's and so finally yesterday, I used my sister-in-laws' "gazelle" in the pole barn for 50 minutes. It felt good. I won't be able to reach the 750 mile goal at the bottom of the page but I have done remarkably. I read a really great article in this month's O magazine about taking better care of yourself. Poor Oprah fell off the wagon. I think it is reasonable to say that just because I didn't exercise for nine days doesn't mean I won't exercise regularly for the last four days of the year. I can get another 96 miles on the ticker before the 31st.
It has been a much needed break and I am feeling better today. As Vince said, I should be better by the time I have to go back to work. I hope to get some quilting in this next week. I want to have my friends over to play with my birthday, Christmas and anniversary gift, my new quilting machine. We will make merry and have fun. I guess I should call this to a close and go pick up the knitting I brought to Minnesota, a readers shawl. It is going to turn out quite well and I will enjoy the warmth.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Support Group Not Hose
I drove to Sioux Falls tonight with Vince to go to the support group at the hospital. It is so worth it to sit down and have a discussion with others who are dealing with the same life experience. Each person is so unique and each has a story. Tonight's meeting was about "paying it forward". I said, from the very beginning, that the reason I am writing this blog is to share my story and perhaps give someone the push to take a step in changing their own life.
I did share about this blog tonight and I also mentioned my Australian friends (not by name) that I have begun to feel akin with as we wander down this path of bandsterhood. I just read one blog and she calls them the bandits. I think that is so cute. About the time one feels like they are slipping, along comes a new bandit to help one refocus. That happened tonight at the support group. A beautiful young woman shared that she was banded in October and has lost 33 pounds. I reminded her that is 11 cans of Crisco. That is so great! It isn't that one wants to compete with her to lose more, but rather, it just compels one to continue the journey with a bit more ATTITUDE!
I am still having the wretched dents in the ankles when I take off the wool socks at night. Some one recommended green tea as a natural diuretic but I so hate the taste of tea. I think I will just try to drink more water and really watch the sodium content of foods.
I do believe there is a real benefit in having a support group. Not that misery loves company but rather, it is good to hear others talk about some of the same feelings and experiences and give their take on it. I believe we are never to old to learn something from others. I especially like to learn from others who have positive attitudes and this group is full of those kind of people.
I did share about this blog tonight and I also mentioned my Australian friends (not by name) that I have begun to feel akin with as we wander down this path of bandsterhood. I just read one blog and she calls them the bandits. I think that is so cute. About the time one feels like they are slipping, along comes a new bandit to help one refocus. That happened tonight at the support group. A beautiful young woman shared that she was banded in October and has lost 33 pounds. I reminded her that is 11 cans of Crisco. That is so great! It isn't that one wants to compete with her to lose more, but rather, it just compels one to continue the journey with a bit more ATTITUDE!
I am still having the wretched dents in the ankles when I take off the wool socks at night. Some one recommended green tea as a natural diuretic but I so hate the taste of tea. I think I will just try to drink more water and really watch the sodium content of foods.
I do believe there is a real benefit in having a support group. Not that misery loves company but rather, it is good to hear others talk about some of the same feelings and experiences and give their take on it. I believe we are never to old to learn something from others. I especially like to learn from others who have positive attitudes and this group is full of those kind of people.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Add four sticks of butter
And I am not talking about a recipe. I finally faced the day when the scale went the wrong direction. I know I was exercising each day while I was gone but I also know I am retaining fluids. I have big dents in my ankles when I take off my socks each night. I was bummed but I refuse to get discouraged about it. I will just have to kick it in the rear for the next few days if I want to reach my goal of 200 pounds on December 31, 2008.
We went to a house party tonight and I had to practically run to the bathroom to keep from making a rousing embarassment of myself. I didn't chew the little meatball long enough and it got stuck. I tried to PB but it didn't work and the next thing I knew I was racing to the bathroom. That will teach me to try foods at parties.
I will weigh again on Tuesday to make certain I have taken off that pound. I then weigh on Thursday as Thomas is going to Oregon for Christmas and I want to check in with him before he leaves.
We went to a house party tonight and I had to practically run to the bathroom to keep from making a rousing embarassment of myself. I didn't chew the little meatball long enough and it got stuck. I tried to PB but it didn't work and the next thing I knew I was racing to the bathroom. That will teach me to try foods at parties.
I will weigh again on Tuesday to make certain I have taken off that pound. I then weigh on Thursday as Thomas is going to Oregon for Christmas and I want to check in with him before he leaves.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Taxis - Read this and weep!
I think you all know that I have been at an educational meeting in Washington DC this week. Actually we have been staying the Gaylord Nation on the Potomac. Wow, it is beautiful. Anyway, today we drove down to the mall and parked at the wrong end of Independence Avenue from the Holocaust Museum. The museum was absolutely a most emotional experience. I have wanted to visit it for years and today was the day. Well, it got to be a little later in the afternoon and I knew we needed to get the car and I sorta wanted to miss rush hour in downtown DC. So I walked the 1 mile plus back to the parking lot and was back to pick up the gals in just 24 minutes. Now I know that is not moving out but it is for me. I just started walking and before I knew it I had worked up a sweat and was done with the mile. Never would have happened four months ago.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Exercise
I have managed to go down and exercise every morning we have been in Washington DC. We have also walked a great deal and I am handling it quite well. We went to the FDR memorial tonight and it was an absolutely beautiful walk.
The food at this conference has been healthy and when we have gone at night, I have tried to eat right. The real problem in restaurants is that the portions are so large. Tonight I was able to order a baked potato and that was just enough.
Sara and I just listened to a web report about Oprah and how she has gained all of her weight back. That is a really scary thing to hear. The reporter talked about her yo-yo struggle with weight. I can so identify with that. I wonder if she has ever considered a lapband. I wonder if it would work for her. I must say I still fear it won't work for me. . . forever. I wonder if the scale will go down every time it gets close to a weigh in. It is just so hard to believe in myself.
It will be 15 weeks tomorrow since my surgery. 105 days and I am hoping for 41 lost pounds on Friday.
The food at this conference has been healthy and when we have gone at night, I have tried to eat right. The real problem in restaurants is that the portions are so large. Tonight I was able to order a baked potato and that was just enough.
Sara and I just listened to a web report about Oprah and how she has gained all of her weight back. That is a really scary thing to hear. The reporter talked about her yo-yo struggle with weight. I can so identify with that. I wonder if she has ever considered a lapband. I wonder if it would work for her. I must say I still fear it won't work for me. . . forever. I wonder if the scale will go down every time it gets close to a weigh in. It is just so hard to believe in myself.
It will be 15 weeks tomorrow since my surgery. 105 days and I am hoping for 41 lost pounds on Friday.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday Fill Ins from Washington DC
I am taking Tracey's lead and doing the fill in. Around the globe with the same ideas!
I give myself permission to feel good about my progress toward my goal.
Christmas with my children and grandchildren is what I am looking forward to right now.
If I could change one thing about someone I love it would be to encourage my husband to relax and laugh with me.
I have exercised and then walked and climbed the steps to the Lincoln Monument today.
Tomorrow I am planning on exercising and walking without pain at a conference.
I am going to decorate my house this week and begin to do some baking for Christmas.
I feel badly that we don't have any decorations outside on our house..
One of my favourite things to do is to spend time with Dillon.
I want to weigh 200 pounds before the end of 2008.
Attending church on Christmas eve is one of my best memories.
I give myself permission to feel good about my progress toward my goal.
Christmas with my children and grandchildren is what I am looking forward to right now.
If I could change one thing about someone I love it would be to encourage my husband to relax and laugh with me.
I have exercised and then walked and climbed the steps to the Lincoln Monument today.
Tomorrow I am planning on exercising and walking without pain at a conference.
I am going to decorate my house this week and begin to do some baking for Christmas.
I feel badly that we don't have any decorations outside on our house..
One of my favourite things to do is to spend time with Dillon.
I want to weigh 200 pounds before the end of 2008.
Attending church on Christmas eve is one of my best memories.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
New Meaning for Love Handles
Those of you who follow my blog know that I am at educational conferences for 9 days. Today I put on my favorite brown wool skirt. It is straight and has always been soft and comfy. It is a size 22 but Allison and I decided I should keep it for this winter as it has always looked nice. Right length and pretty stylish. Well, I can grab a handful of fabric on both sides and hold what should be a straight skirt is rather FULL. Nice problem to have but I don't think I will wear it again this winter. I am afraid I might lose it. I brought a red wool skirt to wear tomorrow and it is a size 20. Both are from Talbots and I really love to wear them. Guess I will stick with mostly slacks this winter and buy new skirts next fall. Haven't exercised yet today but will get it in. Didn't eat everything on my plate at lunch either. So far, so good.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
19 days left in Autumn
Since I was out of town on Friday, I weighed in with Thomas today. 204! That is a 3.5 pound loss in 10 days but better still it included a holiday. I can't begin to tell you how anxious I get when it is time to step on a scale. I just can't believe it is going to go down. I know the day will come when it will go up, at least I have seen that happen on almost everyone's blog. I know I will be devastated! Until then, I will continue to exercise everyday and eat right. The next 9 days are going to be a real test.
My goal for autumn was 43 pounds and with today's loss, I am at 39.6 pounds since August 13th. I have 3.4 pounds to lose in 19 days. I am going to make this goal. I need to. I have to. I am glad I didn't go for 50 because I would be disappointed. I am also adding a picture that Vince took on December 1st. Not only can I feel the difference, I am beginning to see it as well.
Would I do this again? Yes! Can you see the 13 cans of Crisco piled up?
My goal for autumn was 43 pounds and with today's loss, I am at 39.6 pounds since August 13th. I have 3.4 pounds to lose in 19 days. I am going to make this goal. I need to. I have to. I am glad I didn't go for 50 because I would be disappointed. I am also adding a picture that Vince took on December 1st. Not only can I feel the difference, I am beginning to see it as well.
Would I do this again? Yes! Can you see the 13 cans of Crisco piled up?
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