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About this blog

:thumbup:My journey with the band - On my way to the 2nd part of my life!

Entries in this blog

 

Tuesday, 11/20/07

I will be glad when these holidays are over! Everyone keeps bringing all kinds of goodies to work. grrrrrrr.   I am scheduled for a fill tomorrow, and I was going to cancel it, but I think I am going to go ahead and get a very small fill. I think I only need a half of cc or .1 cc, very small amount. I have restriction, and I don't have any problems right now, but I think I might need just a tad little bit more.   My Menu today:   Bfast - Coffee, oatmeal   Lunch Turkey salad   Dinner Baked fish green beans   Supplements - 1 Quickslim30, 2 flinstones   Exercise - 20 min recumbant bike

tonya66

tonya66

 

11/19/07 - Happy Monday

Happy Monday, and I'm glad I have short week at work this week. I'm off on Thursday & Friday, and only work 1/2 day on Wednesday.   Well, this morning my boss made a homemade itallian cream cake (one of my favorites), so, I had a small piece of it. I wanted more, but I wouldn't let myself indulge any more. I really want to reach my doc's goal weight for me by my 1 year anniversary - so I need to eat right! I need to lose 12 more pounds in the next 2 months in order to reach it. It will be hard, because I only lost 3 lbs this month. But, I'm hoping to be able to start exercising pretty soon and that will help.   Today's menu   Bfast 1 cup coffee with s/f carmel cream 1 2x2" cake - BAD   Lunch 3/4 cup of turkey salad   Dinner Baked turkey broccoli   Suppliments - Quickslim30, 2 chewable flinstones   Exercise - 20 min on recumbant bike, 3 sets of squats against the stability ball/wall (my Physical therapy session) total gym.

tonya66

tonya66

 

Happy 10 month Band Anniversary to me

Okay, my weightloss has really slowed down, I weighed 167 this morning. I've only lost 3 lbs this past month, but thats okay, I lost right? I didnt gain. And 3 lbs is making a BIG difference in my size. Peaple are noticing every pound I lose now. Before it took 50 lbs before people started noticing. Inches are falling off quicker than the weight. I'm okay with that too.   Here is how my weight has gone: Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op - 174 7 mo post op - 178 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167

tonya66

tonya66

 

Will I ever be the same again?

Okay, since my accident, exercise has been pretty much slim pickens'. As I stated in my earlier post, my knee has really flared up again. So I go to my therapist today for my PT, and they took it easy on me because I had a lot of swelling. They ordered me off my knee all weekend.   I wish I could exercise. I'm ready to start another BFL challenge, I know I can do wonders with another challenge. I really miss exercise. I feel like my life is in limbo, I know I can shed these last 20 lbs if I could only kick some butt at the gym. Its just so frustrating. I keep having setbacks with this darn knee.   I'm wondering if this is going to be a life long challenge for me, will I ever be able exercise? Will I ever be the same again? I'm ready to do some dumbbell lunges, to work my booty, I'm ready to do some squats, some hard core cardio, I'm ready to sweat. I just feel so much better about myself when I have exercised.   Okay, just venting today. Sorry if anyone reads and It such a downer. I am just discouraged about my set back. grrrrr.   Okay, todays menu:   Bfast - had some iced coffee from McD's. Just wasn't hungry after drinking it.   Lunch - ate a breakfast burrito, without the flour tortia. Just the eggs out of it, good.   Dinner - grilled chicken (3 oz or less probably) and salad   Suppliments - Quickslim 30, 2 flinstones.   Exercise - not much, did only 10 min on recumbant bike. Taking it easy to help the knee heal.

tonya66

tonya66

 

11/15/07

I managed to stay of the scales this morning. TOM is around the corner, but I don't feel bloated, but I can tell I'm a little looser.   My knee is really hurting, not sure why so much pain. It only hurts when I walk, or put any pressure on it. I have therapy tomorrow, will have to ask about it.   I am also swollen again in my knee area, so back to putting the ice packs on it.   Menu today:   Bfast - Coffee w/cream   Lunch - ground beefe, salsa, broccoli   Dinner - grilled salmon, salad   Suppliments - 2 flinstone vitamins, 1 quickslim 30,   Exercise - just doing some stretches since my knee is killing me. Man this sucks.

tonya66

tonya66

 

11/13/07

I have a headache like no other today. Its the kind that makes your entire body ache. I have a lot of neck problems that are the result of a rear end pile up (I was the first car, and then 4 others smashed into me), so I had bad whiplash. Well that was about 7 years ago, and it has come back and really bothers me. I've been seeing an upper cervical specialist, they are a little different than the regular chiopracters, (sp?), His office is closed on Tuesday's & Thursdays, so I am dying this morning. I really need to get in to see him to have my neck adjusted. I think that is what is causing my headache. It starts at the back of my neck and shoots all the way up and around to my temple, it even goes down to my shoulders.   Anyhow, I managed to stay off the scales this morning, a big accomplishment for me. I am trying to go until next Monday before I weigh. Or at least wait a few days. I am too obsessed with those scales, we have a love/hate relationship. lol.   My menu today:   Bfast   sugar free frozen big train with extra shot of expresso (I needed the caffeine today)   Lunch Ground lean beef with salsa, broccoli   Dinner 1 cup of bean soup with some lean ham - thick soup   Suppliemnts - multi vitamin, Quickslim 30   Exercise - hmmm, need to do it, but not sure if I will today.

tonya66

tonya66

 

11/12/07

Last night I had a small pig out, I was worried about the scales jumping way up.   I had ham, mashed potatoes, corn, dinner roll and dessert. I was so full I thought I would puke. Even the ham was only 3 oz, and everything I ate was smaller portions, I ate too much. Miserable feeling.   I was worred about stepping on the scales, pre band, I would have gained 3 or 5 pounds in one night, no kidding. But I was only up .3 ounces, scale read 168.1. I was so glad not to see the 170's.   I am hoping to be at 165 by my 10 month band birthday which is 11/18. My goal is to be at 160 by my 11 month band bday, and 155 at my 1 year - 155 is my doctors goal, 145 to 148 is my goal.   I just so happy that I am losing again.   Todays menu   Bfast - Weight smart oatmeal   Lunch - lean ground beef with diced tomatoes, onions.   Dinner - 3 oz of ham, salad   Supplements - 2 multi flinstones vitamins, 1 quickslim-30   Exercise - 2 session of 10 min on recumbant bike - still working on my knee, it really hurts lately.

tonya66

tonya66

 

Good-bye, Good-bye forever!

Good-bye 170's, good-bye forever. I loved you once, but after months being with you, it was time to move to a number that is truly better, the 160's. Today, I met the 160's and they have truly made me feel great. Weighed in today at 167.8. Yes, I love the 160's now, 170's treated me good for awhile, but the 160's will treat me better.   I am so happy - I haven't weighed in the 160's in like 15 to 17 years. I can't even remember the last time I weighed this. I know it was before my kids were born and they are 17 & 15 now. So, its been a loooong time.   I'm enjoying my ride with the lap-band, it truly has been amazing. It has taken me places that I never thought I would be, never thought was possible. I actually am being called "skinny", by kids and DH tell me how skinny i've become. I love it!

tonya66

tonya66

 

11/09/07

Wt 170.3   Scale is steadily moving down, I'm hoping to get to 169 by Monday. If I can chose the right foods over the weekend, I might be there. Weekends are the hardest time for me, We always go out to eat on Fridays, so seem to eat more than I should, and its not always the right choice. So, I'm going to focus on eating healthy over the weekend to see if I can hit the 169 mark. If I do, I will be so happy!   Exercise so far today:   10min recumbant bike, some strength training on my legs (total gym). Will try and do some more time on the bike later this afternoon.

tonya66

tonya66

 

11/07/07

Wt today 171.4, moved a little down from the other day, but still up from last Monday I think.   I do think I have lost inches, I feel skinier.   Menu today:   Bfast -   Liquid calories again - I really need to work on this (small white vanilla bean mocha expresso with whipping cream)   Lunch   salsbury steak - 1/2 of one (140 calories) Brocolli with low fat cheese (50 calories)   Dinner   salsbury steak again - 280 calories salad - 100 calories   Exercise Recumbant bike (am) - 10 min Recumbant bike (3:00) - 15 min Elliptical (3:00) - 5 min

tonya66

tonya66

 

November 6, 2007

Well, I said this was the week I was going to get back into my exercise program....I have yet to start to it. So, I need to get back into the grove of things. Weight is not moving, but it is still staying the same, so I'm happy that it is not even bouncing up right now. I am expecting a drop sooooooon.   I go to the sleep center today to take my machine to be adjusted, it is now too powerful for me. I can't wait to get off the cpap machine.

tonya66

tonya66

 

Still determined that November WILL be the month!

Scales read 172.8, so I'm up 1.2 lbs since last Monday. I'm not discouraged, I'm still determined that November, I will get out of the 170's! Not sure why I'm up, but I'm sure its water weight, and I will not get upset!   Menu today:   Bfast coffee with cream 1/2 of a packet of weight control oatmeal   Lunch Leftover meal from Zios (chicken and angel hair pasta (only ate about 1/4 cup of past and 1/4 cup of chicken)   Snack hungrey at 4:00 - so am having carb control yogurt mixed with Activia cottage cheese, only eat 1/2 of the small container of each.   Dinner ground beef little bit of green beans

tonya66

tonya66

 

November is going to be a GREAT month!

Okay - November, I'm starting off with the right mind and doing it right! I WILL lose weight this month, I WILL stay true to my Billy Bob (the name of my band), I WILL get back to exercising this month, and I WILL keep my journal updated more.   I talked to my Physical therapyst today regarding the elliptical machine, she gave me the okay to start on it this weekend, however, I have to take it slllooooow. She said no more than 15 min to start out on and not to go super fast (this is going to be hard for me to follow - but I will do my best). So, I am planning on exercising tomorrow. Next week, it will be back to the 5 am exercises I think. I'm going to try and do 15 min everyday next week of the elliptical!   My menu today   Bfast - liquid calories - bad bad bad (had a white mocha been coffee drink - grrrrrrr so mad at myself)   Lunch - about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese mixed with 1/2 container of carb control yogurt   snack - hand full of nuts which included almonds, macadamias, cashews.   Dinner - Salad bar from Ruby Tuesdays   Exercise - worked out at the PT office - did 10 min on bike, did some leg lifts, and did some resistance with my knee on 20 lbs (ouch).   Afternoon Exercise - did 10 min on recumbant bike   Suppliments - took 1 Quickslim-30, daily 5 veggie & fruit drink

tonya66

tonya66

 

10/31/07 - long month, but finally going good

Its been a long Month, things in my life have been hectic, my knee surgery really put a damper on things. My house flooding was a total nightmare, and my grandmothers passing was a heartache.   As they say, Old habits are hard to break. I realized just how much I was an emotional eater. I did it before I even realized I was eating for comfort. I am trying to "think" before I eat now and it seems to be working. I'm trying to get back to the basics and follow the rules. They are easy to sway away from the longer you have the band. But let me tell you, they are rules that you need to follow for the rest of your life. At least, I need to follow them.   My knee is improving everyday. I'M OFF MY CRUTCHES officially today!!!! I'm so excited!!!! I still have my brace on, but soon, that will be leaving too! I'm still tight, and I still have to ice it down throughout the day, but I can deal with that. I am going to probably get to start out SLOWLY next week on the elliptical machine. YAY.   My house, it looks so pretty now. Still have a lot of tiny things to do, but it looks like a home again!!!! I love my new wood floors, I love my new tile in the bathroom, I love my new paint in the bedrooms and new carpet. It looks like a totally new home (its about 40 years old).   My restriction has really kicked in, I have to slow down on drinking and eating. I get full quickly, so I'm making sure I eat good healthy protein that my body needs.   I'm taking the quickslim 30 (on my 2nd day of it), so I'm anxious to see if this will help me as well. I don't feel any different taking it, I don't feel like I have a lot of energy, or don't feel like I don't. I really feel the same. I do think it could be helping me with my appetite.   I was going to "try" and stay off scales, but I couldn't do it, I ended up weighing this morning and it said 170.4. So, I'm losing!!!!!   I am hoping by Monday, I will see the 160's! OMG, I can't believe I'm going to weigh in the 160's. Thats so hard for me to comprehend. when I say it out loud, or type it out loud, it just seems so unreal to me. It makes me want to cry. My eyes are tearing up now. I just can't believe I'm no longer morbidly obese. I am no longer Severe overweight, but the charts show Overweight and getting close to the "healthy weight" range. I'm out of the Red Zone on the charts.   I never want to go back to my old self, never ever ever! I feel so much better now. I love my new me. I'm trying to look past my imprefections (stretch marks, scars, sagging skin etc) and see what my DH tells me all the time - That I'm beautiful. Thats so hard for me, I still see myself as a fat ugly person. I know others don't see me that way, I get told I'm beautiful all the time, however it is hard to have a good self image of myself when I let myself go for so long.....but this is something I am working on. I want to be happy with my body and my looks and accept the things that I cannot change.   Okay - back to work I go............

tonya66

tonya66

 

Rules to follow with the lapband - A freindly reminder to myself

Eat slowly and chew thoroughly Food can pass through the new stoma only of it has been into very small pieces. Always remember to take more time for your meals and chew your food very well. Stop eating as soon as you feel full Once your stomach is full, your body receives a signal that you have eaten enough. It takes time, though, for you to become aware of this signal. If you rush through your meal, you may eat more than you need. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Take time to eat you meal. Try to recognize the feeling the fullness - then stop eating at once. Do not drink while you are eating This operation can work only if you eat solid food. If you drink at mealtimes, the food you have eaten becomes liquid and the effectiveness of the LAP-BAND System is greatly reduced. You should not drink anything for one to two hours after a meal. This allows you to keep the feeling of fullness as long as possible. Do not eat between meals After a meal, do not eat anything else until the next meal. Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons for weight-loss failure. It is very important to break this habit. Patients with proper "fill" levels do not feel hungry in between meals. If you are, this may be a sign that your band is too loose and you should tell your clinician. Eat only good quality food With the LAP-BAND System in place, you should be able to able to eat only a small amount so the the food you eat should be as healthy as possible. Do not fill your small stomach pouch with junk food that lacks vitamins and other important nutrients. Your meals should be high in protein and vitamins. Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat and cereals are good foods to choose. Foods high in fat and sugar are not. You may eat apples and oranges, but try to avoid orange juice and and apple juice. Ask your doctor or dietician before you take any vitamin supplements. Avoid fibrous food Food such as asparagus that contains many fibers can block the stoma. That's because you can't chew this food well enough to break it up into small pieces and your saliva can't break it down. Fibrous food should be avoided. If you would like to eat asparagus or other fibrous foods once in a while, then you must be sure to cook them well, cut them into very small pieces and them chew them thoroughly. Drink enough fluids during the day If you lose weight, your fat content will drop. This results in waste products. You will need to drink large amounts of liquid every day in order to urinate more and excrete these waste products from your body. Individual needs will vary, but you should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. Drink only low-calorie liquids. Drinks, including those containing calories, simply run through the narrow outlet created by the band. If you drink liquids high in calories, you will lose little weight, even if you otherwise follow your diet. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day This rule is just as important as the other nine rules. Since physical exercise consumes energy and burns calories, it is very important to successful weight loss. Exercise can help improve your general health. Your size may make it hard for you to exercise as much as you should. But get started, even if it is a little at first. The more weight you lose, the easier it should get. Start with simple exercises such as walking and swimming. Gradually expand you program to include more vigorous forms of exercise such as cycling, jogging and aerobics. Increase your activity level in the course of daily living. For example, stand rather than sit, walk rather than stand, be outside rather than inside, walk rather than drive, climb the stairs rather than use the elevator, etc. Remember you should always check with your doctor about the amount and type of exercise that is best for you. Food Choices Use this section to help you plan what you eat. you may choose what you would like from each of these food groups on a daily basis: Fruits and vegetable 1 to 2 servings of fresh fruit daily
2 to 3 servings of fresh vegetable daily Bread and Cereals 1 small portion of corn flakes for breakfast
1 to 2 slices of whole wheat or rye bread each day Meat, Fish, Poultry, Eggs 1 oz. to 2 oz. of meat, fish or poultry or one egg each day (remove all visible fat from the meat. remove the ski from poultry. Grilling, steaming, microwaving or boiling are best ways to prepare them with low fat). Dairy Products Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. In theory, then, they should be avoided. But these types of food have calcium. That makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet. Choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 oz. of cheese a day. Fats Restrict the use of fat to 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter or oil per day. You can have low-fat salad dressing and mayonnaise in moderation. Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish. Suitable drinks are: Tea or black coffee with low-calorie sweetener
Water
Non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories
Clear soup Note: Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and should be avoided. Foods to Avoid Some foods have a concentrated supply of calories with little nutritional value and should be avoided as much as possible. They include: Sugar and foods containing large quantities of sugar, such as: High-calorie soft drinks
Syrups
Cakes
Biscuits
Sweets
Jam
Marmalade
Honey
High-fat foods including:
Chocolate
Pies
Chips pastries Alcoholic drinks should also be consumed in moderation

tonya66

tonya66

 

My mind is finally right!

Yep, my mind is finally right. I've gotten over the "mindless eating", I'm back into the swing of things. I really am! I turned down CHOCOLATE MELTING CAKE last night. Yay! I felt so much in control when I didn't eat it.   It's been 3 weeks since my last fill and I notice I'm tighter, I think I've hit my sweet spot, I really do. I actually had a PB episode yesterday. I know it not good to PB, but I was glad I've finally got to the point to PB. I was eating some chicken - 4 bites and I was full, and my last bite got stuck. I think I took too big of a bite. I'm finally to the point where I need to take smaller bites. I'm glad I finally can feel the restriction!   I ordered some herbel suppliments from a girl that has lapband (babygotback - Aubree), they are called Quickslim-30. I started taking them today. You only take 1 a day first thing in the morning. Aubrey swears by them, so we'll see how they work for me. They are supposed to help your matabolism - somthing I need help with. :confused:   Weight this morning was 171.5. My menu today:     Bfast - coffee with protein powder mixed in   Lunch - albacore tuna mixed with brown rice   Dinner - grilled talapia - spinach salad   For all those who are considering lapband reading this - if anyone really reads this. Please know that the lapband can be your best friend. But, you can be your worst enemy. The thing with the band is, it works, but you have to work too. You cannot eat whatever you want and expect the band to "lose the weight for you". However, the thing the band will do is keep you from eating too much of whatever you want. For that, I am so grateful. I am able to maintain when I splurge, instead of gain. That to me is a major accomplishment. But, when I watch what I eat (eating grilled meats, and fresh veggies), I lose. All I have to do to lose weight is follow the band rules.   1) No liquid calories 2) protein first 3) no drinking with meals 4) stop eating after 20 min 5) stop eating when full - listen to your body 6) exercise 30 min a day   These are just a few of the rules I remember off hand. I have not been following them - and my mind is finally back in the game, so I'm following them now. I will succeed - I really will!!!

tonya66

tonya66

 

Another Day in the Lap Band world

Things are smoothing out for me and I am now realizing it is going to be a real struggle to get the last 25 lbs off. So, I've got to focus on what I'm eating....I've been eating whatever the heck I want,but just in small amounts, I've been maintaining, but not losing. My knee is preventing me from serious exercise.   I see the doc today and I'm hoping he releases me to start doing some elliptical training, I need something to make me sweat, I need to burn calories.   My weight this morning was 174.4 - Keep bouncing from 170 to 174! I need to see 169 on the scales, soon! I've got to get below the 170's! I've got to push myself, I've got to stay away from the chocolates, I've got to use some will power, I'm weak, I tell you I'm weak these days. I cave in for anything! Head hunger is getting the best of me, I'm doing the mindless eating thing! I want to see a size 10! My size 12's fit just right, my 14's are way too big. I need to see a size 10!   Now, for a little motivation, we booked our 2008 vacation last week. We're headed to the Eastern Carribean on a 7 day cruise out of Florida. We go to St. Thomas, St. Marteen, Nassau Bahamas. So now I have something to look forward to. I would love to wear a bikini!

tonya66

tonya66

 

Sometimes I should just stay in bed!

Sometimes I should just stay in bed, like today. Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up mad? Today is my day! First of all, I wake up and I knew right away my leg was swollen by the way it felt, It hurt and was throbbing and I can't bend it. This means I'm having another relapse, which extends the time I will be on these darn crutches and leg brace....grrrrrr.   2nd, I weigh. Bad mistake, Tom is here, my leg is swollen and I ate fattening stuff this weekend. The scales said 177! OMG, how can that be? I didn't eat that much - but I had manacotti and mexican over the weekend. I must be holding a lot of water is all I can say.   I'm just so darn discouraged! I'm in a bad mood I guess. I think I need to go home and take a nap.

tonya66

tonya66

 

Friday, 10/19/07

The last few days I can tell I can eat more than usual. grrrrr. Makes me wonder if this fill is no longer working! However, this morning I got a visit from TOM (time of month) so that might be the reason. I've read where some are looser right before TOM, then gets tighter once TOM arrives. So, I will see how I do over the weekend.   I really want this fill to work! I am at 3.8 cc's, you would think that would be plenty.   I did not weigh this morning since TOM is here and I know the scales will be up. I'm so ready to get to the 160's!

tonya66

tonya66

 

Happy 9 month band birthday to me!

Today marks my 9 month band anniversary. 9 months ago my life was in desperate situation, now I feel like I am in control. I am so happy with my decision to get banded!   Here is my history:   Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op - 174 7 mo post op - 178 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170

tonya66

tonya66

 

95 days until 1 year band anniversary!

wt this morning 172.2   I felt like I could still eat too much this weekend, however, the scales show differently.   I still can eat regular bites of food, but I do have to slow down. I'm wondering if I need just a tiny bit more of a fill?   I was ordered off my knee for the weekend because it was really swollen on Friday. They also ordered me back to 2 crutches instead of the one. So, no exercise for me over the weekend.   I have 95 days until 1/18, my 1 year Band Anniversary. I still would like to lose 24.2 pounds to reach my goal by my 1 year, which means, I will need to lose 1.78 lbs per week in order to lose it.   I am aiming to reach 145 by 1/18, however, if I reach the 150's, I will be happy.   Menu this weekend has been a bit spuratic - I've eaten cereal for breakfast, that usually holds me over until almost dinner.   I had some roast last night for dinner and rice, about 1/2 cup of each, maybe? I was full really fast it seemed.

tonya66

tonya66

 

My fill is working! 10/12/07

Exercise yesterday - notta, my knee was throbbing so I thought I should take it easy.   Menu yesterday   Bfast - coffee with SF cream Lunch - roasted chicken, 1/2 of a chicken breast Snack - a few more bits of my chicken breast Dinner - Made some homemade hamburgers with 98% lean beef, whole wheat bread, light mayo. I split one with my daughter, and took 3 bites of it and was full. Gave the remainder of it to my DH. Had about 4 chips with some spinach dip on it.   I think my fill is working. I haven't this full by eating a few bites since my surgery. I love it! I hope it continues to work......   Wt this morning 173.8

tonya66

tonya66

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