EdmontonGal

I felt this way shortly after surgery. I was losing and doing everything right but I wan unhappy. Turns out that sometimes, the surgery itself can cause a little bit of depression. It is allot of trauma to put your body through. Pinch hubbys ass, make him go on a walk with you and keep on trucking! This too shall pass. I turned to herbal tea (crazy good flavors out these days) when I was really just needing a comfort! GOOD LUCK!

Allot of people do not see the change in themselves! Take measurements. I didnt and regret it. The scale wont always move but if you are doing everything right, you will be getting more muscle and losing fat! Measurements will show you progress when the scale isnt. I still see myself at 262lbs sometimes. Other times, I see the change. Keep at it! YOu are looking great!

Good Morning All; This weeks weigh in: 172.8lbs Last weeks weigh in: 172.2lbs I've hit a wall. I have 10 more pounds to lose. I want to hit the 100lb mark. It has been months since I have lost anything and I was trying to maintain since the fall so that the wedding dress would fit. The wedding is over and done now. I want to get back on the wagon!!! The only thing stopping me is this bum leg and the mountain of excuses rolling around in my head. I have been walking... on occasion. But not like I could be. I am going to go see the Doctor later this week and get going to physio. The sun is shining here and I am eager to get going again. I'm eager to get my flexibility and confidence back. I want to spend my summer running hills with my besties and my pup. I want to hike and get back to kneeling in my garden. I planted a few things the other day and had to get an old milk crate out to sit on while I dug. Like my Grandmother had to do later in life. I want this stupid knee to get better already. Damn banana boat. UGH!!! So I haven't mentioned it yet but while I was in Mexico, I went back to see my tattoo artist friend who was hooking up a few friends of mine during our stay. He gave me the one tattoo that started my whole arm piece. Him, his brother and his cousin run the shop and they are pretty darn talented. If you are ever heading to PV and interested... hit me up. Anyhoot, I have been thinking about this for a long long time. Well, since I entered the 100's anyway. When my gf said that she was getting work done there, I couldn't miss out too!!! So in we went and BOOM - 20 minutes later I had my small reminder of the promise that I made to myself to day I hit 199lbs. NEVER AGAIN WILL I WEIGH OVER 199LBS! I know it is not a great photo but its all I got. It is still healing a bit too but I love it! It goes from red to orange to yellow. Maintaining where I am at for the last few months has been pretty tough. I see blogs from those incredible maintenance moders and I know that it is even a little tougher than losing because there is nothing coming for you. The reward of seeing the scale go down is no longer a boost every week. I know that seeing it stay the same is pretty sweet and I know that fitness and health are still priorities. I just cant predict how I will feel about it all. With the way that things are going, it may be another freaking year before I get the last 10lbs gone but I will get there! Take Care All!!!

Dont let yourself get HANGRY. lol. Make sure to eat a little bit even if you aren't hungry. If you get in to the habit of this now, it will be much easier to avoid it when you are back on solids. Being starved makes it really hard to eat an appropriate portion! GOOD LUCK!

Hi Friends! It has been way too long. Last Weigh In March 27th: 172.2lbs Today's Weigh in: 172.8lbs Ill try to keep this from rambling on but there is allot to share!!! The trip to Puerto Vallarta and the wedding were FABULOUS! We had so much fun and did so many things that I am still wishing that we were away. I was glad however, to return to a Canada that is turning green. I am a sunshine junky after our two weeks on the beach! During the first few days of our all-inclusive vacation I forgot all about my band. The food was amazing, the drinks plentiful and the room service available 24/7. This lasted 2 days before I was feeling like hell. By day 3, I was up at 7 hitting the gym before oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and a reasonable dinner MOST days. Don't be fooled in to thinking that I was a model bandster. I ended up drinking most of my calories and sugar while away in the form of Sangria or Arnold Palmers! I was pretty surprised to find myself feeling so crappy after living off of nachos and guacamole, deep-friend everything and sauces so rich they could put Donald Trump to shame. I was at this resort 2 years ago and had no problem whatsoever avoiding the salad bar and bland protein choices laid out beside that leafy green **** for "those" people. This time, I was thankful for it. I am shocked at the difference in my eating habits over the last 2 years without even really noticing on a daily basis. This trip really put that in to perspective for me and I am glad to have the reminder of just how far I have come. I also had a few other bandster reminders. I went boogey boarding. It was a riot. I loved every minute spent riding waves and braved the salt-water nasal enemas that rushed through my face with every wipe out. So worth it. What I didn't like was that my port was in the way. I had to brace myself off centre to not have my port rub on the board and be uncomfortable and this did not help with my balance at all. I trudged on. Also noticed it while pushing myself up on my belly on the side of the poll. Anyone find that their port gets in the way? The Mister and I went zip-lining in the mountains, rode inner tubes down the river and rode mules back up to the top of the mountain for lunch. It was a fantastic day alone together full of adventure and a little peak at the life outside of PV before the friends and family arrived on Saturday. On Sunday a few of us decided to take a ride on the banana boat. It was a great way to see the Malecon and downtown PV from the Ocean. The ride went on at a conservative speed until we got back closer to our resort. The 6 of us started to get a little cocky and started to demand further danger and risk. Brilliance! I was holding on like hell, squealing like a happy little monkey when it tipped and all of us fell off. I got my leg caught up on another passenger and twisted my knee. It was a shock right through my entire body and immediately I knew that it was bad. I cried like a baby and spent the rest of the day icing and elevating the frigger. The next day, I did the same in between the hair appointments, having lunch, lounging by the pool and oh ya, getting married. lol. I was fortunate to have my Dad and my Step-Dad walk me down the isle so the limp wasn't too obvious. The wedding. Where to begin? I love my family and friends. Everything went so smoothly. It all just came together! The girls all got ready together in my room. I was feeling great. They left. Mom and Sparms Bestie helped me into my dress. I shoved a dirty ol peso in my bra. (There is a story to this and I will share one day but I have to mention it now because the day isn't complete without this part.) I felt like a little rocket. I loved my dress and the salon did a good job on my hair. My flowers were gorgeous and nothing (not even the bum knee) could ruin this day. Then, I hit the elevator and knew that my Dads would be waiting for me. I was nervous. As soon as the doors opened, they melted and I LOST MY ****. I cried all of the way down the aisle. I cried when I saw my Handsome Mr. waiting for me and I cried when we exchanged our promise to one another. It was perfect! After the ceremony, we moved over to the reception where there was a sideshow of the Mister and I. The Besties did this. I knew they were putting allot of work in to it because I was feeling a little like they had been avoiding me over the last few months and I wasn't shy about letting them know. What choice did they have? They had to tell me. It was absolutely perfect and adorable, embarrassing, funny and so sweet. Thank you friends! We all settled in for a fantastic dinner. The meal was to die for, the music was fabo and everything was just perfect. (I know I know - GAG. I won't hate. I am the blah girl in every other circumstance) After dinner, the mister made a short speech thanking everyone for coming and for the support that we have received from all of them over the last 9 years. After the speech Sparms Bestie stole the mic and guided us over to a tv. I had no idea what was going on. SURPRISE - The Besties had put together a DVD (Poontang Mafia Productions) full of messages from those who couldn't make it (Our Grandparents, some Family and some friends, including Bestie MamaG and the GTeam). Again, I lost my ****. Turn on the tears, snots and running makeup. One of our friends had written a song just for us (AMAZING) and played it throughout the video. I was so overwhelmed and touched by all of the emotions of the day. To know that we are so loved by so many people, we are blessed. I have 3 amazing sisters from other misters that make me me. Ugh - so much bigger than words. This kicked off the party and a great married life! I strapped a tensor on after my first glass of wine and danced it out like a champ at the reception! Salt and Peppa, Montell Jordan, MIA - all the gooders. lol I paid for it over the next few days and our last few in Mexico. Xrays showed nothing and I am now on some medication for the pain and swelling. The bruise is just finally coming out now. What a doozey but thank goodness it wasn't something major! I want it to get better fast because I am chomping at the bit to get this jiggly **** all toned up over the summer. It's getting pretty darn loose and wrinkly around my mid-section and chest. Can I really complain. Nope, off to BBQ some chicken for dinner. Bring on summer! Take Care, Jenny JigglyBits

Thank you to all of you strangers who even care what is going on with me! My success is owed to the support from family, friends and bandsters!!!

This weeks weigh-in: 172.2lbs - HELLS YES - 90lbs down! I've been away for a few weeks so this is going to be a long one! SORRY ahead of time. I had a realization about my band Saturday morning. The besties and I were headed out for a day of bridesmaid dress hunting (yes I know, less than a month away) after a late St. Patrick's Day night. I rolled out of bed and figured that we would hit up a drive-thru on the way since I felt kind of like death. I am a coffee fanatic! I neeeeed a cup of joe in the morning before I even open my eyes. My regular routine is to have a few sips before my shower and getting dressed and then I eat the same oatmeal type concoction every morning. Same time, same portion, same everything. I never have problems in the morning. Since my last fill, I have had a few issues when I am on the road. Twice now, the Mr. and I have checked out of a hotel without coffee or breakfast and stopped in at McDonalds or Tim Hortons on the way since it is such a long drive home. We are in a hurry!!! Because I do not drink and eat with the bad, I have made the mistake of trying to eat first without the coffee. Things that would never get stuck, do. I couldn't figure it out and thought that it may be my band reacting to alcohol (for shame Jennifer, for shame). Well, this Saturday - BING!!! the light bulb came on after throwing up into a take out bag in the front seat of Sparms' new car while Mama G sat unfazed in the backseat. Totally embarrassing. They are both totally supportive and have really taken this journey with me but it sucked making them pull over to ditch my bag of slime. Then, it came to me - COFFEE LOOSENS MY BAND! I should not be eating anything solid in the morning until I have had a warmish liquid in there first. I have heard and read about this with many bandsters but never thought that it applied to me. Well, now I know. Over a year out of surgery and I am still learning and adapting to my ever-changing band! Work is nuts!!! Wedding stuff is even more nuts and life seems to be whizzing by! We leave in 12 more sleeps. Both of our suitcases are packed, the passports are locked and loaded and my dry whiter-than-snow skin is just dying for some sunshine and some humidity! I get my hair done today too! I've never had my hair done by a real professional. I stop by at the local strip mall for a chop here and there and because I have curly hair, no one can ever tell that it is a shitty job. Not today friends. I am hitting up a real professional! I am going to wait to put up this post so that I can include a pic. I'm hoping for something natural looking.UPDATE- The trip to the salon was worth the head message alone! Really liking how soft it feels. He even straightened it too! I felt like a special lady all afternoon. Over the last few weeks, the wedding odds and ends are being tied up. Saturday night, Sparms Bestie and I went to my Mom's house. Mom is a scrap-booker, card maker and crafter extraordinaire. We made gift tags for these gorgeous little ditties that we are sending home with guests: (this is not my photo, nor our guestbook). Collectively, the tag dream was materialised! They turned out better than I ever expected. This proven by the fact that we used none of the things that I purchased specifically for them! Thanks Mom and Sparms! Mama G Bestie braved make-up and underwear shopping with me. I have to admit, stores like that were really intimidating for me before. I don't wear make-up often at all. Partially because I have always purchased crap that I don't use more than once or twice. Mama G took me in to Seph*ra and wrangled a shop girl to test a bunch of powders on me.(Who wants sweat lip shiny wedding shots?) I would never insist on this alone. I would do my best to pick the one that I thought matched my colour and be done. After that trial, I know that I am completely clueless. I would assume that my skin was pink, not yellowish. What the hell do I know? Obviously nothing! Left the store with some great stuff and a little bit of an interest in make-up. I always believed that I would never be able to buy something from "V*ctoria's S#cret". Pssh, who cares? That place is STOOPID anyway! HMPH. Well, I hate to say it... I couldn't have been more wrong. These bras are like little silk memory foam pillows for the girls! The straps are made out of some kind of anti-slip material that feels like money on my skin! I was floored. I wanted one of everything! Mama G stood beside me and was my courage. We had so much fun chatting and browsing that all anxiety went out the window. I flipped through the drawers looking for a white strapless for under my wedding dress. They didn't have it in white at the one location but I found the style that I wanted and they held it for me at another location. The next day, the Mister and I went to pick it up. The Mister totally enjoyed the store more than he would ever care to admit and he bought the bra and a bottle of a perfume that I had been raving about. It's called "BOMBSHELL". *cough* *cough* HELLS YEAH I AM! I am also a very lucky girl! I love my friends and family... and they love me too... most of the time. lol.

This weeks weigh in: 175.4lbs. Down .6lbs this week. I went to a step class Friday. It kicked my ass and I loved every minute of it. Trying to use the toilet or climb stairs on Saturday SUCKED but it was that good good pain. I sweat my ass off through a tank and a t-shirt! GOOD STUFF! Phew! Work has been crazy and although my daily eating habits are just fine despite being out for work dinners almost every week night for the last week and all of this week too. At one of the dinners, I tried a few bites of a hot dog A HOT DOG!!! I haven't had a hot dog in forever. It smelled horribly delicious at the table next to us and I wanted mine with mustard. Tons of mustard. I had a bite and it was all good. Not quite what I imagined it to taste like but I settled on the compromise that since it was not a 10 out of 10, I would only have a few small bites and leave it alone. Well, I did have a few small bites while keeping up the conversation with a few folks. I must have been distracted because on my 3rd bite, about an 1/8th of the way in to this guilty pleasure, I felt a funny swallow. It was too big. I was going to get stuck at a work dinner. FABO! I quietly (couldn't talk) excused myself, went straight to the bathroom and was horrified to see 5 little girls playing around in and out of the 2 stalls. There was a line up! I could not imagine letting these innocent little darlings watch me lose my lunch into the garbage can, but it was coming. I couldn't open my mouth to tell them to hurry or get out of the way... so I waited swallowing hard, rocking the cold sweat and pacing. Finally, they left and I went straight in to the stall and effortlessly just spat it right out. Not to go in to TMI but this piece of hot dog that was causing all of this, was the size of a small pea. My vitamins are bigger than this. WTF? Lesson learned. Farewell hot dogs... I will miss you but my ass will not. Apparently, I have tricked myself in to believing that they taste a whole lot better than they really do. This weekend the hubby and I are hitting the slopes at Marmot Basin. A whole weekend away together... alone! I don't know if we have ever done this. I am really excited about us being able to share another hobby! I love the Rocky Mountains and I love Jasper, Alberta almost as much as I love the ocean. There is something to be said about a heard of elk greeting you at your door in the morning and the surrounding views of the Rocky Mountains. When I was younger I used to dream about building my own little cabin way up there in the bush with a zip line just for me to take my trips to town for supplies. Although I still love the idea, I know that I would never survive! lol. I love the outdoors and am so fortunate to live where I do. The promise of this will get me through this week! Check out one of the Travel Alberta Commercials: If anyone ever wants to come visit Canada for a BOOBS tour - let me know! lol. Sadly, I will not be making Chicago this year. I had hoped to but with the wedding in April (38 days until departure to be exact) and an awesome week-long road-trip with the Besties to Vancouver Island in July, I won't be able to afford it. It doesn't help that September is black out month for all of the field executives at work either. Maybe 2013! More news; My Mom had decided to have Bypass surgery in May after the Mexico trip. She has started a blog and when she figures out how to send me a link, I will share it with you all. I am really excited for her and she has worked really hard at all of this for a while now. She is down 30ish lbs so far and I only see her working harder and harder. Allot of the work has been on her own and she has even been trying to motivate some of the girls that she has met through different nutrition and psych classes that she has attended. I am proud of her and cannot wait for her to tap in to the wonderful world of support in blogland! Stay tuned! Take Care all and please keep your fingers crossed for me to escape the weekend without injury!

Thanks Shues! Loss is tough but it is that kick in the ass that I needed to start looking at the big picture again.