godsgirlnky

Thinking back on this year I remember most wondering how far I'd be when the first year was up. Never did I imagine that I would have exceeded my goal and be at the bottom end of all of the weight I had to lose.
 
Today it's been 11 months, and I weigh around 130 pounds. A little less some days, a little more others. I haven't counted the inches lately, but it's a lot. I bought a new pair of capri jeans last week and they were a size 1/2. ONE/TWO!! What??? Those jeans are Maurices brand, and I'm pretty sure the sizes run big. They have to. Just a month ago I was wearing a size 28 waist. I was thinking that was around a size 7/8 I know I'm a little smaller than that now, but a size 1/2 seems ridiculously small. I tried on a size 26 waist and they were snug.. so I don't know. I'm thinking my true size might more accurately be about a 4 right now. My boyfriend looked at those pants and asked me if they were for a kid! Haha, very funny mister boyfriend! I continue to drop inches in a mad fashion, and I believe it's because I've been working out. A lot. I do the express circuit three times a week, walk/run on the treadmill at least twice a week and play racquet ball. I'm no good at racquet ball as far as the "rules" go. But it's such an amazing workout getting in there and pounding that ball around. And it's fun!! The guys from the free-weight room watch and laugh sometimes.. I'm sure I look like a complete dork in there (along with my daughter - in- law) running around, sometimes missing the ball, sometimes slamming it, and I always have my i-pod on with good move tunes playing, so I'm in my own little world so to speak... marching to the beat of my own life. Laugh mister weight lifters.. see if I care!!
 
I haven't had a fill in over 2 months. I don't need one at all. I have tons of restriction still, and I'm really happy with where I am. I don't eat much at all, and it amazes me that I don't need to. That's huge for me. My life once revolved around when my next meal was.. what I was going to eat, how much I was eating, etc. etc. Now I forget to eat sometimes. Weird. I remember thinking that people who "forgot to eat" must be insane. Who forgets to eat? But trust me, it does get to that point. The other thing I tend to forget (believe it or not) is that I don't wear a size 2XL or XL even anymore. I bought a couple of those little spaghetti strap tank top thingies at Walmart a few days ago (you know the ones that are like $4) and automatically bought a size XL. Oops! Not so much. I need a medium now. Some old habits die hard I guess.
 
I have bony parts of my body. Weird. I still freeze easily.. no fat to insulate. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and have really been enjoying the unseasonably warm spring like days we've been having lately.
 
I'm up and moving so much more than I ever did before now. I feel like it, for starters. But I think it's mostly because I can! Not that I couldn't before, well... okay I couldn't do a lot. But now I have energy, and ability, and suddenly a desire to not let too much grass grow under my feet. Don't get me wrong, I can still laze around with the best of them for awhile, and still enjoy snuggling up and watching a movie sometimes, but when it's time to move, it's time to move! I ran (literally) to my car last week for something and my oldest son said "Now you're just showing off" I said "What? Why?" He said "I've never seen you run for ANYTHING.... EVER" Hahaha! Silly boy! I didn't even realize I did it!
 
My boobs have shrunk! Seriously. It's like someone stuck a needle in them and let all the air out! Booooo! Remember when I couldn't wait for them to shrink? I thought that somehow they would just shrink a little, just be a smaller version of what they were.. but no. We're talking tube-sock with an orange in it pretty much. Ahh well. The photo you see here doesn't really show the whole tube sock concept...but bras these days are basically smoke and mirrors my friends! Unfortunately what you see isn't really what you get. Yeah, yeah, a little false advertising.
 
11 months ago I figured it would be 2 years before I wrote a blog like this one. At least 2 years. I have had a very short journey filled with amazing losses and amazing gains. I found my other butt in far less time than I dreamed possible (even though it really, really needs some firm and tone work, but looks awesome in jeans). I found my energy. I found my mojo. I found my life. I'm so grateful for the things this year has given and taken away. I will be back in another month with my one year pictures, and anything new to share. Thanks for your support and words of encouragement along the way!
 
 
Follow me at http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com

This morning after I got out of the shower, I wrapped the towel around me, usually it comes undone the minute I move, oh, anywhere, but it stayed around me until I had to get ready, I guess this is some sort of a nsv (if it is than yay!!!)
 
Which got me thinking about goals. Also it got me thinking about how oblivious men are. Before Christmas, my co-worker was telling me about these rings that she gave her son's girlfriend for Christmas, they're called stackable expressions (google it!) so I tell my boyfriend about them (and not for nothing they are not that expensive!) for a Christmas idea and sure enough, guess what I don't get?? But he did give me a nice necklace.
 
Okay back to goals, so I've decided that with every ten pounds I lose I'm going to get one ring. Of course I'm not going to buy them every time I lose ten pounds, but for example, when I lose 50 I'll go to the jewelers and pick out five, cannot wait!
 
If I look at another shrimp again I'm going to be sick. I'm all shrimped out and that is one of my favorite foods, oh well they always have it at the grocery store. Next week I'm getting a fill and the mds requirements are two days of liquids two days of mushies and then solids by Friday, I totally forgot about this, so I guess I'm going to have to freeze the meatballs I made last night and also the corned beef and cabbage I'm making this weekend, but hey it's always good to have meals on hand!
 
Last night I went to the gym for 45 minutes on the elliptical. I like love to listen to music while working out, I have the iheartradio app on my phone, and I put it on to the spin cycle station, which is great club music and NO COMMERCIALS it keeps me motivated enough that I don't even realize that my time is almost up.
 
By the time I got home I was too tired to pack a breakfast and lunch for work tomorrow, so I had to resort to the cafeteria here, which is okay. I had a veggie egg white omlette with a little cheese it definetly filled me up.
 
I've realized I cannot be so obsessed about how many calories/protein I consume a day. If I eat something and I'm full, then I'm full. I'm going to try that for the next couple of weeks and see how that goes. Can't give up on my chobani though!
 
Have a good day!

I ran accross this dessert recipe that i'd like to try on special ocassion and like to share with you all...
 
Serving size: ½ cup Recipe makes: 20
Ingredients
 
1 sugar-free angel food cake
2 packages sugar-free banana instant pudding mix
3 ½ cups skim or 1% milk
15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups sliced strawberries, divided
1 medium banana, sliced thinly
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
8 ounces sugar-free whipped topping, thawed
1 Tablespoon sugar-free chocolate syrup

Directions
 
1.) Using your hands, tear a part half of the angel food cake into bite-sized chunks and place in the bottom of a trifle bowl (a 9x13 inch glass pan would also work!) Set aside.
2.) In a medium bowl, beat together pudding mixes and milk until mixture is thick and pudding-like. Add ricotta cheese and continue beating until evenly mixed. Layer half of the pudding mixture on top of the angel food cake chunks.
3.) Now you will simply be building layers: take 1 cup of the sliced strawberries and layer them on top of the pudding mixture. Then, add a thin layer of the whipped topping onto the strawberries. Next, make a full layer using all of the banana slices. The next layer will be the second half of angel food cake. Tear into bite-sized chunks and layer on top of the banana slices. Smooth down the rest of the pudding, and lay all of the pineapple tidbits on top.
4.) Finally, cover the pineapple tidbits with the rest of the whipped topping. Put the last ½ cup of slice strawberries on top in whatever decorative fashion you desire (or, none at all!) Drizzle on the sugar-free chocolate syrup, and you have a masterpiece!

After a week of anxiety and wanting to eat everything I could find (good thing I didn't find anything!), I had my first fill yesterday. So excited to report that my total weight loss is 34 lbs - weight loss from date of operation 22 lbs! I am excited, but I have to make a confession. I haven't given up my wine or bloody mary's - even though I have been drinking SO much less, I haven't cut it completely out. My nurse didn't seem upset about it, but reminded me of the calories in alcohol and to add what I drink to my total calories for the day. I haven't seen anyone on this site ever talk about alcohol.... Well, here I am. I can do without the chocolate, anything sweet, but don't take my wine! LOL
 
I have found a life-saver in food tracking and excercise tracking - MYFITNESSPAL.com There are even apps for every type of phone. I found it very enlightening (however, not surprising) that I was under-counting my calories, so when the tracker showed me the actual calories, carbs, protein and sodium, I made immediate adjustments. The best recommendation on protein shakes I have is make sure you have some everyday! Now that I can eat more, I have cut my protein shake serving down to 8 ounces - which is 23 g protein, 1 carb, no sugar and 95 calories! Doesn't get better than that! It is SMOOTHIE KING'S GLADIATOR chocolate protein powder. Mix it with water.
 
I feel hopeful, excited, nervous and grateful for my new journey with my new best friend, her name is Lapsa. Take care all and I look foward to keeping up on the site - it is most encouraging and educational!
Leslie

I have hit below 300 for the first time in a year and half! Just wanted to share my milestone!

Well, I had my first post-op appointment yesterday and all went well. Dr. Snow told me that I am healing up nicely and doing good. I mentioned that my weight loss had stopped after going on mushies and he asked how much I was eating. Told him 1/2 cup for breakfast, and same for lunch and dinner. Liquids in between. I am not hungry between meals--though I have no restriction yet. He told me I could actually be eating a little bit more than that and showed me a plate in his office that is marked with the different food groups.
 
I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and purchased 3 plates of the same size, along with a few cocktail forks....but they were out of the small spoons, so I will still be using baby spoons until they get some more in......oh well..... I am keeping a sense of humor about it. I also have a few baby plates that are sectioned too..........but I won't be using those while company is present.... haha
 
I go back in another two weeks for my first adjustment (Jan 25th), so I am pretty excited about that.
 
I really like Dr. Snow, as he seems to be interested in all aspects of how I am doing with the band--mentally/psychologically as well as physically.
 
I am really glad that I did my homework before actually having the lap-band surgery. It has made this journey so much easier so far........
 

hi again just had to shout out loud I lost another 4 pounds this week had a fill last thurs. and went on liquides for 2 and half days then mushies and I lost 4 pounds thats a total of about 37 pds in 2 months I am loving my band
chow for now

Well, it's about 10:16p St. Louis time. After nesting like a pregnant mother getting ready to deliver twins, I have successfully cleaned the kitchen, done ALL the laundry, finished my business tasks I needed to get done, swept, dusted. You name it. Has anyone else experienced that? I'm sure my husband is thinking, "You should get surgery more often and our house would be cleaner!"
 
Kids are all tucked in, I'm getting ready to hibacleanse scrub and then I think I'm hitting the sak. I was not required to do a pre-surgery diet at all, but felt it would be best. At first I was going to do all hard core, but I really did protein shakes, and high protein meat. No bread (except at Maggiano's once) and I've quit soda cold turkey. I've lost 9lbs pre-op. Today I did egg whites with spinach, 2 pc turkey bacon. Then an Isopure for lunch, and I've had two protein shakes. Not as hard as I thought leading up to surgery.
 
I'm fortunate enough to be a nurse in the surgery center world, so I already know who my CRNA will be. Kind of weird though now everytime I see her I will think, gee she saw my big NAKED fatty-boubaladdy self! Oh well. I guess there could be worse things right.
 
Super excited to start feeling better. 0930 can't get here soon enough! I don't even care about skinny clothes or looking, "hot". I want to be able to bend over and tie my shoes without being out of breath. I want to get up in the morning and not have to lug around an extra 200lbs. This fat chic is ready to be healthy!

Well--my pants are getting pretty loose now, but I refuse to buy new ones cause I have so much more weight to lose.
So---at least for my work pants-which are work issued ugly pants--I decided I had to break down & get a belt. So since I need a plain black leather belt, I just went to JCP & the mens dept. Well when I found the right belt size, I realized that its length was almost as tall as me!!! YIKES!! I AM NOT BUYING THAT!! My waist is almost as round as I am tall???? DENY DENY DENY!!
I hastily changed that plan & decided that I will risk a walk down a camera monitored hallway & have my pants fall to the ground to the amusement of everyone!!
Americas Funniest Home Videos here I come!! lol

Well, today is day 2 of my pre-op liquid diet. We have my work Christmas Luncheon today. So much of our lives center around food. Two of my Christmas gifts yesterday were food...one box of chocolates, and the other a gift card to El Chico..........and I do love Mexican food.....
 
Haha.. I am trying to be brave and keep it all in perspective.... In the long run--what is one Christmas dinner or two????
 
I am anxiously awaiting surgery----come on Dec. 27th!!!
 
Counting down......

Well, today is day 2 of my pre-op liquid diet. We have my work Christmas Luncheon today. So much of our lives center around food. Two of my Christmas gifts yesterday were food...one box of chocolates, and the other a gift card to El Chico..........and I do love Mexican food.....
 
Haha.. I am trying to be brave and keep it all in perspective.... In the long run--what is one Christmas dinner or two????
 
I am anxiously awaiting surgery----come on Dec. 27th!!!
 
Counting down......

Yesterday was my 8 month bandiversary! I have to say that I have not had even one moment of regret for having made the decision to have a lap band! Not ONE!!
 
Today I am wearing cute jeans in a size 9 and they are fitting loosely!
Today I weigh 106 pounds less than I did at my highest weight just before my surgery.
Today I can more than keep up with my grandbabies and match their energy all day long!
Today I can share clothes with my best friend!
Today I am healthy beyond my wildest imagination!
Today I can wear bras that I bought from Victoria Secret (her secret is that if you're bigger than a 38DD you don't get to wear her stuff!!)
Today I barely remember how I used to look until I see those photos!
Today one of my grandsons 3 year old friends told me "You don't look like a grandma!"
Today I know that my goals are completely obtainable, and very well within my reach!
Today I know that I need a new driver's license photo and well.. a whole new license because mine says I weigh WAY more than I do!
Today I want to tell you that a Lap Band can help you be the you that is hiding inside beneath all those layers of weight. YOU know who you are.. now it's time to show everyone else!! Here's to better health, better self esteem, better shopping, better dating, better sex, better sleep, better choices, better LIFE!!
 
Today I look like this:
 
Today is GOOD!! Cheering you all on from the Nebraska prairie!!
 
Follow me @ http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com