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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

 

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

2
 

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

1
 

2/25/08

I woke up this morning and noticed my face was so round. Well, I started reading the side effects of my medication that I'm taking and it turns out the big side effect if taken more than 14 days is weight gain! I'm on steroids, and have been on them since 1/17/08. So that explains the weight gain.   Although I haven't made the right food choices, I was a little shocked that I had gained so much, because I never have in the past while not making the right food choices. So, I was a little depressed. Well this weekend I did really good with eating, and still gained another 3 lbs. Then I noticed my face looked distorted this morning. So I started researching the medication I'm on. Well, not only am I takig orally steroid, I'm also putting steroid drops in my eyes, so needless to say, its causing a weight gain. I should be off of it all by the end of this week.   Scale this mornng was really ugly 186.2. I do think once I quit taking the steroids I will start losing.   Okay menu today   Bfast 1 egg 2 slices of turkey bacon   Mid moring cup of coffee w/cream   Lunch salad dressing on side   Dinner ground hamburger salsa   Exercise -
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Next year is going to be different

No longer am I going to stress over the scales, I will take it one day at a time and learn to accept the things I cannot change.   The year 2008, Its going to be great No longer are we going to mess with our head We are going to change the person inside instead We will be happy and strong We will live healthy and long We will enjoy our new lives and silicone buddy Living any other way will only drive us nutty. So again I scream, the year 2008 Its going to be wonderful and great! I'm tired of living my life around the scales, I'm tired of obsessing with my weight. I will focus on making better choices, exercise and the rest will come. If it doesn't, I've come a long way and I can live with my weight at 167. I can deal with it, and 167 is not too far overweight. So, we'll see what next year brings.
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

5/14/08

Things going about the same....I had another accident this weekend with my poor body. lol. I was moving a huge branch from my neighbors yard, and well, it was heavy and fell on my foot. Now my foot is so swollen and black and blue, I can't wear any shoes except very loose flip flops. grrrrr.   I had to sit the gym out, but last night, I couldn't take it anymore and went to the gym. I did 45 min on the elliptical and worked my lower body out. Had a great abs workout! My foot paid the price later, and I'm still paying for it today, very swollen.   Menu today   Bfast oatmeal   Lunch chicken breast - grilled grilled veggies   Dinner protein shake   Oh - I took my measurements last night too - I'm going to start tracking them as well again. Since the scale is not moving, maybe my inches are - trying to not get discouraged.   Waist - 36" Hips - 44" - scary thighs 23 1/2" - calves - 15 3/4" chest - 39 1/2 arms (biceps) - 13" forearm - 9" neck - 14 1/2"   according to my measurements, my body fat is 41% - I'm in poor range, and I'm 24 lbs over the ideal - the most fat I should have is 36% - so, I still have a long way to go. :thumbup:
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

3/13/07

Weight - 201 :clap2:   Breakfast - early early cleansing tea/then had some yogurt & cottage cheese mixed   Lunch - 2 chicken strips (grilled)   Dinner - 1 cup of salad with 1 grilled chicken strip   Exercise - Well, no gym, but worked my butt off around the house and yard! I call that exercise - back is killing me   Notes - I ate more than usual today, but noticed hungrier today. I think the band is tighter some days, today, not as tight. I got several compliments at work today, telling me how good I'm looking (no one knows I had WLS).
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

7/14/08

Well, I'm trying to refocuss again on eating the bandster way since my cruise. So far today, its been good, planning on hitting the gym tonight.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

Reminders for me to remenber - Rules of the Road

What you need to know about living with the band By Robin McCoy When you begin the decision-making process to have Weight Loss Surgery (WLS), and specifically Lap Band® Surgery, it is vital that you fully understand the changes you must make in your lifestyle. WLS is not a magic pill. Weight loss is something that you must work at to be successful. There are several rules and circumstances that someone who has undergone Lap Band® Surgery, a “Bandster,” must follow and understand to see success and have a high quality banded life. Drinking Before and After Meals Not drinking during meals is, by far, one of the most important things to learn and is vital to your weight loss success. It is also one of the most challenging. Stop drinking all liquids at least 30 minutes before your meal. This allows all that is in your pouch to drain through to the lower stomach. Therefore your pouch is empty when you eat allowing the food to fill you up properly. Forgo all beverages during your meals. Drinking during a meal flushes the food through your band and the band is unable to function properly. Most people will have 2, 3 or even 4 glasses of liquid with meals. Servers in restaurants, trained to keep customers happy, will keep beverage glasses full throughout the meal. This is unhealthy for bandsters and sabotages their success. State firmly and clearly that you do not want a beverage. From personal experience, I know the often bewildered looks that follow the statement: “nothing to drink for me,” but diligence is the key. Like most changes required after the Lap Band® procedure, not drinking with meals gets much easier with time. Having now lost over 100 pounds, I no longer have difficulty asking my server not to bring me a beverage! Do not drink for an hour after a meal.The main reason is the same as drinking during your meal. Liquids wash the food through the band defeating its purpose. Another reason not to drink after a meal is if your pouch is full the beverage might not have anywhere to go…except backwards resulting in a spit-up. Suffice it to say that food and liquids making a return visit is not satisfying. By starting this practice immediately, at the next meal, you will be well on your way to a successful banding experience. Smaller Bites. More Chewing. Slower Eating. Begin to recognize and understand what a Bandster Bite is. At your next meal look at your bite size. Look at the amount of food on your fork and remember it. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the Bandster bite size after surgery. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the size of a Bandster bite after the first fill or adjustment. After each fill the bite size will get smaller until the bandster is eating toddler-sized bites. The reason for this is so the bite can be chewed completely to a liquid before swallowing.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

I'm a BAD girl!

I'm in Miami, Florida on business and just eating all the wrong stuff, I'm so mad at myself! I need to gain control! I do not want to step on the scales when I get home because I know that I've gained.   I MUST get back to the gym when I get home - I don't want to see the 170's again, but I have a feeling I'm back into the 170's. grrrrr. Its my own fault! I need to slap myself and gain control.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

up 1 lb

Well, I decided to step on the scales this morning since its been a week since I weighed and it showed me up 1 lb. I was a little upset, but I figure I was on liquids for so long and finally started mushy foods, maybe my body is just getting used to food now. Not sure why I'm up, but I won't let it get me down.   I feel really good & energetic today. The Ccap machine is doing wonders for my energy. Last night was the first night I was able to sleep with it all night. Usually I wake up because I open my mouth and then it dries my mouth out and I wake up choking. I finally went back to the sleep center and they gave me a chin strap. Well, that still wasn't working, but last night I figured out how to put the chin strap on where it would keep my mouth closed during the evening and I slept so good. I finally woke up around 4:30 am because my nose piece came off and the air was blowing on my cheek. But I get up at 5 am anyhow, so I pretty much slept with it all night.   My menu today looks like the following:   Bfast - 8 oz protein shake   lunch - 1/2 cup cottage cheese   dinner - 1/2 cup of cream of broccoli soup   And my goal is to get 64 oz of water in, do 30 min on treadmill.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

12/12/07

Well lets see where do I begin. I guess I can start off with I NEED A FILL!   We had a huge ice storm, the entire state is in a state of emergency, over 900 thousand homes & business are without power, including mine.   I was off work Monday and Tuesday due to no power, and finally today they are running our office off generators, so I was forced to come in. yuk.   My home is still without power, hoping it will be back on today.   Eating has been so off. I've been staying with my mother in law and eating her cooking - and desserts. I've eaten so much and I have avoided the scales so I'm not sure how much damage I have done. I have no excuses and I think I've used the excuse (I need a fill) too many times. I do need a fill, but I also need some will power and self control, and lately, I've had neither. I cannot wait until January 18th until I can get a fill. I cannot go on like this!   I need to focus and stay on plan, I need to practice some self control and NO MORE EXCUSES!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

1/08/08

I did not get up this am, however, I do have plans to exercise. I just had a rough night last night and woke up with a headache. So, I've decided to exercise today during my lunch hour. I brought my stuff to work, so there will be no excuses. Tomorrow, I will resume my 5 am routine!   Todays menu   Bfast coffee with cream/ iced coffee   snack - M2 yogurt with a handful of granola   lunch salad with salmon   dinner chicken breast, green beans   water, water and more water.   Exercise - 20 min of HIIT on recumbant bike   Wt - 179.9- grrrrrr - but, I have no one to blame but myself! Cannot wait until my fill in 10 more days!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

9/22/08

Went to Nashville this weekend, I had a great time. Ate too much and drank a little too much, but we had fun.   This morning woke up at 5am and hit the gym. I'm trying to get my groove back. I am also going to go tonight to work with weights.   Here us new plan:   Mon - 5:00 am - cardio 30 min 8:00 pm - weights and 15 min on elliptical   Tuesday - 5:00 am - cardio 35 min 9:00 pm - cardio 30 min   Wednesday - 5:00 am - cardio 40 min   Thursday - 5:00 am - cardio 30 min 8:00 pm - weights   Friday - 5:00 am - cardio - 45 min   Saturday - 3:00 pm - weights and 30 min on cardio machine   Sunday - OFF   wt - 171.9
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

4/18/07

Breakfast - coffee with cream   Lunch - 2 bites of cottage cheese, 1 boiled egg smashed with a little mayo   Dinner - 1/4 cup refried beans - very low on energy and drank a light Frapp from starbuchs (I need to get away from these, very addictive but so good)   Exercise - 3:30 pm - 30 min on treadmill, 4% incline, 3.2 & 3.3 mph, 249 calories, 1.61 distance   Notes - I am going to get out of the 190's, staying focussed on that. I think I have to learn to eat all over again. Up until now, I've been able to take regular bites of no problems, been able to drink big gulps of water, no problem. This has all changed! No more steak for me, at least for now.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

My last meal

My last meal was Saturday night at La Mansion restaurant. I was extremely hungry and looking forward to a good Mexican meal. My dinner started off with a basket full of warm chips with extra salt sprinkled on them, and a bowel of salsa. I order a cup of smoked white queso to go with my basket of chips.   I studied the menu really long and hard, decided exactly what I wanted. I decided to go with the Enchilada supreme dinner. It came with 4 enchiladas, a beef, chicken, bean and cheese. I asked for a shrimp instead of the bean and paid the difference. I also got a quacomole salad with my dinner. Normally, when I eat a large mexican dinner like this, I have leftovers - but not Saturday night. I ate every bit of it and was practically licking the plate for any drippings left behind.   I came home stuffed clear up to my neck, and ended up eating an oreo cookie. I was so full but totally satisfied. I felt like I truly enjoyed my "last supper".:hungry:
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

5/7/08 - 53 more days!

53 more days until my cruise! Yay!   Menu today   Bfast liquid calories (coffee drink)   Lunch chicken - roasted   Dinner- chicken/salsa spinach   exercise - 20 min on elliptical   circuit training - 1 hour doing upper body with cardio - keep heart rate up   wt - 179.9 - I hate this bouncing crap - up and down, up and down....grrrrrrrrr (TONYA - STAY OFF THE SCALES - MY INNER VOICE IS YELLING AT ME TO STAY OFF THE SCALES!)
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

2 days until banding!

I can't believe I only have 2 more days until banding! 48 hours to go!   This liquid stuff is about to kill me. I'm always hungry and I want to eat damn it! I am ready for surgery so I won't be hungry any more. My DH made fried catfish last night (he makes the best in the whole world!). Gosh, I went into the kitchn and there set a huge plate of it, so I ended up taking a piece. Yes, I cheated - AGAIN.   I've got to stick to liquids today, no cheating!:help:
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

I need to get back my MOJO

I need my mojo back to make it to the gym. I want to be like I used to be, where I got up at 5am and went to the gym, everyday! I've lost that "loving feeling" since my knee surgery last August. I really need to get it back!   My eating has been good, if I could just make it to the gym.   I have a busy night tonight, we have our bible/book study tonight and its at my house and its goody night, so everyone will stay late to eat, so by the time everyone leaves, it will be after 9 or 9:30. I will be too tired to make it to they gym. I am going to focus on going Thursday. I really wish I could get up in the am. I just can't seem to drag my butt out of bed in the mornings. I really need to work on this!   Here is my menu today   Bfast - Light Frapacino from Starbucks (200 cal), 1/2 cup of watermellon.   Lunch - 3 oz of tuna, 3 crackers   Dinner - grilled chicken 3 oz, spinach salad.   snack - No sugar added yogurt with a handfull of granola.   wt 177.9 - I know I said I wasn't going to get on the scales, but I did weigh this morning. I will continue to try and not get on them daily -
tonya66

tonya66

2
 

3/10/07

Exercise - 35 min on treadmill (244 calories, 1.77 miles, 3.2 mph, 3.0 incline) - evening exercise.   Eating -   Pretty much still doing the Master Cleanse, I did have about 7 bites of a salad (dressing on the side) and I was full. I'm drinking my cleanse mix up as I type.   I'm probably going to go off of the cleanse next week, I have a wedding to attend on Saturday, so I'm hoping to look extra sexy. I'll also see an ex boyfriend at the wedding (its his nephew that is getting married), and this ex dumped me, so I wanna look as good as possible!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

It hurts, but it has to be done!

Yes, it hurts, but it has to be done, I'm talking about taking my measurements. Since I start my pre-op tomorrow, I had my daughter take a before pic and I took my measurements. Man, they are BAD. I'm as big as a Dallas Cowboy linebacker! I decided that the pre-op is ever bit a part of the lap band, so I am counting every pound I lose, and every inch I lose from this point on.   I also probably will count the 20 pounds I already lost, I have worked for those, and I believe I deserve them. lol.   Okay, here goes my measurements:   Waist - 41 1/2" Hips - 51" ( ) Left Thigh - 28" (this is what the waist is suppose to be) calves - 17" left arm - 15 1/2" breast - 43" under breast - 37"   OMG, I can't believe I am this fat! My before pics makes me look prego. My belly is huge! But all this is going to change!
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

Rules of the Road pt 2

The next point is chewing. It is very important that food is completely chewed. Before swallowing ensure the food is a liquid. As the weight loss progresses the opening from the pouch to the lower stomach will be getting smaller. Therefore the food needs to be chewed more thoroughly. If a piece of food is too big to go through the stoma, or opening, it will get "stuck". This can be very painful. Slower eating becomes inevitable. Eating too fast encourages bigger bites. The bigger bite means the food isn’t chewed properly and it can get stuck. As a Bandster with over 18 months in, I still find myself falling into this trap. I get excited, chatting with friends and just forget to pay attention. A Bandster’s Eating Order Lap Band patients have a specific order in which to eat their food. It is important that there is enough protein in the diet to keep the bodies moving properly. Therefore, the protein should be eaten first. WLS patients need 40-60 grams of protein every day. This can come in a variety of ways. Protein shakes, cheese, fish, beef, chicken, soy. The challenge comes when only certain foods can be tolerated. Also, it is important that the protein is a “hard” protein (chicken, beef, and fish) if possible. It shouldn’t all come from protein shakes and cheese. The vegetables should be eaten second, and carbohydrates/starches last (if there is room). Proteins last longer in the pouch and take longer to process through the band allowing you to feel full sooner and maintain satiety longer. Hard proteins are the most difficult for a Bandster to consume. The hard proteins need to be more moist, more tender and chewed more completely than any other type of food. Generally speaking, proteins are the foods that get “stuck” most often and cause spit ups. This happens because the bite isn’t small enough and/or, because the protein hasn’t been chewed sufficiently before swallowing. For the record, beef is generally the most difficult food for Bandsters to eat. Beef is one of the most difficult foods for humans to digest. It can take several days for a piece of steak to actually work its way through the digestive track. And that’s on an un-banded person! So, if you eat a piece of steak and it isn’t chewed it up completely, it can sit in the pouch for an extended amount of time. Further, the stomach acids that help an un-banded person process beef are not present in the pouch and therefore are not there to help the body break the beef down. Remember each and every person is different so you will have to test your own waters. Some Bandsters have no trouble with beef whatsoever; others won’t go near it. From personal experience I know that each Bandster will figure out what he or she can or cannot tolerate through trial and error. Trust me when I say that tolerances change; one day ground beef is fine and the next you realize it isn’t any longer. You must be willing and able to adapt to sudden changes in your body’s ability to process certain foods.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

3/16/07

Breakfast - Tea, a handfull of almonds - about 7   Lunch - Went out to eat with an old friend - thai b-b-que, had 2 tiny spring rolls, 2 pieces of grilled shrimp, bite or 2 of rice, and 1 roasted chicken thigh (ate way too much, a little nauscious - Oh, by the way, my friend said I looked wonderful!)   Dinner - Went out with friends about 7 hours after my lunch, was not hungry, but ate one of my daughters chicken strip (they were breaded - but only ate one) I was full.   Exercise - treadmill 50 min - 381 calories, 2.60 distance, 3.5% incline, speed varried from 3.1 to 3.3.   Notes - Feeling really bloated today, feet a bit swollen, I think its getting close to TOM. Due around the 18th I think, but I'm so irregular, you never know when it will come and visit.
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

7/27/07

Woke up this moring full of energy, and loving life. Stepped on the scale and holy moly, down 2 more pounds, YES, I love life! Weighed in at 172!!!! Only 3 more pounds until I reach the 160's! I haven't been there in freaken YEARS!   Menu yesterday was pretty low, but doing a cleanse to help jump start the weightloss again before the cruise.   Todays menu a little more to eat than yesterday:   Bfast Bfast burrito from Taco Bueno, except hold the flour tortia, they just put the insides in a bowl for me of the borrito. So good. Only ate 1/2.   Lunch Cleanse drink   Dinner Not sure, its our night to go out to eat, will share something with my DH I'm sure.   Exercise Circuit training and working my Lower Body.   I am getting called skinny minny today. I'm in my size 12 shorts, that are a little baggy, and I have my shirt tucked in and no belly fat hanging over. lol. I can't believe I have my shirt tucked in!
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

4/29/08

I had a great workout last night on the elliptical machine, burned 340 calories! I'm building my strength back up and was able to do over 30 min on it last night. I'm trying to get back to 45 min. Slowly but surely!   I have 61 days until my cruise. Here is a challenge to myself -   1) For the next 60 days I will do a minimum of 45 min of cardio 5 days a week. This means I can go down during break and do 15 min on each break = 30 min, and in the evening I will do some at the gym!   2) For the next 60 days I will do strength training a minimum of 3 days a week.   3) For the next 60 days, I will work out 6 days per week!   4) For the next 60 days I will NOT have any chocolate. None!   5) For the next 60 days I will work my abs out 3x per week. I plan on attending the abs abs abs class at the gym. Oh yeah.   6) For the next 60 days I will lose a minimum of 15 lbs, my goal is 20, but will shoot for 15 for sure.   7) For the next 60 days I will focus on my diet - making healthy choices - no cheating.   8) For the next 60 days, I will tan - (already started this)   9) For the next 60 days its all about me!   10) For the next 60 days, I will get out of bed and do some sort of exercise before I get ready for work - even if its just stretching.   Yes, just 61 days and I will be sailing out in the ocean! Heading for St. Thomas, St. Marten and Bahamas - I'm so ready for this. I just hope I do better than my cruise last year (when I fell and had to have surgery :w00t:)   Okay - I owe, I owe, I owe, so off to work I go..............
tonya66

tonya66

1
 

9/24/08

I'm going strong with my 5:00 am exercise routine.   Oh how I wanted to NOT get up this morning, matter of fact, I told myself when the alarm went off that I would go ahead and take today "off". I was trying to talk myself out of getting up. As I lay there, trying to go back to sleep, I realized, I was awake and could not go back to sleep.   I drug myself out of bed, jumped into my exercise clothes and headed to the gym. I did 35 min on the elliptical machine. The only bad thing is my knee is burning burning burning. I can feel it grind with each downstroke on the elliptical, not good. I may be over doing it a bit. I've been hitting the gym both 5 am and 8 pm.   I did not weight this morning, I'm trying to hold of until either Friday or Monday. I am hoping the next time I weigh I am in the 160's.   I was soooo hungry this morning too, so I call IHOP and ordered an egg white omlet, I picked it up on my way to work, it was good, but I could only eat about 1/3 of it. Saving the rest for bfast tomorrow.   I'm off to work...........
tonya66

tonya66

1

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