Christy.Lynn

This week has been so full of ups and downs! But as the days progress and my stamina increases, the ups are far outweighing the downs. I'm still struggling some with a liquid diet (and still have one whole week more to go), but today I finally found a sense of peace in not having to worry about what I'll have for lunch or dinner or snack, or whatever. It's simply not the many options - I have soup, a protein shake, or juice mixed with protein powder, and that's about it. I am actually enjoying the simplicity. I would LOVE to eat and chew something, but I wouldn't even if it was sitting in front of me... mostly because I'm scared of what would happen if it gets stuck or whatever, and I am DONE throwing up for awhile. So taking it easy is much... well, easier.
 
I've gotten to talk with some people on here, and am really loving meeting new people and where they are in their process of banding. It's so encouraging to talk to someone who is a month out from me, or a year out, or those who haven't gotten banded yet and have the excitement for the unknown! Looking forward to trying some new soup recipes, maybe a taco cheese soup or tomato-y lasagna/spaghetti soup
 
Still no regrets!

This week has been so full of ups and downs! But as the days progress and my stamina increases, the ups are far outweighing the downs. I'm still struggling some with a liquid diet (and still have one whole week more to go), but today I finally found a sense of peace in not having to worry about what I'll have for lunch or dinner or snack, or whatever. It's simply not the many options - I have soup, a protein shake, or juice mixed with protein powder, and that's about it. I am actually enjoying the simplicity. I would LOVE to eat and chew something, but I wouldn't even if it was sitting in front of me... mostly because I'm scared of what would happen if it gets stuck or whatever, and I am DONE throwing up for awhile. So taking it easy is much... well, easier.
 
I've gotten to talk with some people on here, and am really loving meeting new people and where they are in their process of banding. It's so encouraging to talk to someone who is a month out from me, or a year out, or those who haven't gotten banded yet and have the excitement for the unknown! Looking forward to trying some new soup recipes, maybe a taco cheese soup or tomato-y lasagna/spaghetti soup
 
Still no regrets!

I have never had a blog or the desire for oen until now. I was banded in 2007 and started out very strong but after a divorce, a new baby, and becoming a single mom, my workouts and motivation just took a nose dive. A friend of mine wanted to lose soem weight and started this program through Team Beachbody. I watched as she posted stuff about her diet, challenges and victories all over facebook. I guess her before and after pictures are what affected me. I remebered seeing my before pictures and how excited I was to have made such a noticable change to my appearance and my health and I wanted that feeling back. So today is a new day. I have started the Turbofire program and to help me stay motivated I have decided to become a coach and help others as well. I'll never forget how important it was for me to be able to connect with other people going through the same things I was going through and what a help they were to me when I needed a kick in the butt. I'm going to pay it foward and again, make a choice to be the strongest healthiest me I can be for myself and the people that love and depend on me.  Today is a new day and I look foward to many more healthier happier days. A new fitness program that I can work with and a wonderful support group with team beachbody and lapband talk. I'm coming back and I'll be better than ever. I'm worth it.

Well, another weekend has come and gone and I am back to work this AM. Had a successful weekend with very few slip ups.
 
I had a NSV moment this weekend..We had some dead spots in our yard so we had dug them up and were re-sodding..well, I was carrying the 40 pound bags of new dirt and throwing the squares of sod while my husband "watched". I asked if he was going to help - he laughed and told me that I was in better shape than he was, so he would just "let me" get my exercise in for the day..Hehe, As tired as I was - not to mention dirty - I kept on with the bags and the sod until the job was done. I acutally amazed myself in the fact that I was not short of breath and did not really get overly tired and no soreness. Now, you to have to know I live in Florida and it was 97 degrees and humid - Hot my friends..A year and 100 pounds ago - none of this would have been remotely possible. But I guess I am in pretty good shape to have done this job.
 
As I sit and look at my tiny plate, with my tiny amount of food (all the time really wanting a pizza followed by some ice cream) I reflect back on this weekend and realize that I have come a long way. I am not only smaller, I am healthier and stronger than I was one year ago. Yep, I still have about 40 pounds more to go (the weight of one bag of dirt - which I thought was HEAVY) so I trudge on..Moving foward, not wanting to go back to the old fat me. I am thankful for the surgery and my weight loss...even if I never reach my goal weight - hey, there is still 100 pounds less of me today and that in itself is a "GOLD MEDAL" performance - if I do say so myself.
 
So, next time you feel down, feeling left out or short changed - go find an old picture of yourself (a fat one) and think back at just how "wonderful life was" when you were heavier - huffing and puffing your way through life, with sore knees, bad ankles and who knows what going on in your insides. Hang in there bandster peeps - we are in this boat together and we will succeed one way or the other.
 
This Saturday I am doing my 5th 5K - this one is up and down the ramps of the Jaguars (NFL) football stadium. It is called the "Stadium Challenge" and it is a tough one. I did it last year and I am crazy enough to do it again. Been working hard on my training. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I make it through such a demanding 5K. Maybe that dirt and sod "training" will come in handy.....I bet my husband will take credit for that one !
 
Until next time - have a great week and stay true to yourself !
 
Melinda in Florida

I had my surgical consultation yesterday and it went swimmingly. Dr. Rantis was a lot cooler then I expected. Reading his reviews online led me to believe that a) he is a terrific surgeon and he lacks bedside manner. I thought his bedside manner was fine, and he seemed to think I was quite hilarious so that gives him a check mark in my book
 
We discussed my health history and asked me if I had any issues. I said, "No, I'm pretty healthy. Just fat." he said, "I like you, you're funny." Maybe I opened him up a little more because I tend to have a blunt, no holds barred type of attitude. Who knows.
 
After having my body composition analysis done, I studied the little print out in disgust. 310 pounds even. That is not the woman I see when I look in the mirror. I don't feel like a 310 pounds person. I don't like myself right now, and I can't wait to change that. I can't wait to see the number on the scale go down and down and down. I don't know how I've allowed myself to get to this point. I'm embarassed and disgusted and just plain sad. The doc asked me what my goal weight was and I told him at this point, my goal is to break the 200 pound barrier. I remember when I weighed about 225, thinking the same thing, I just want to get below 200. How silly was I! What I would give to only have to work off 25 pounds. Now I need to focus on working off over 100. Sick.
 
Now, I wait. I have to get a pyschological evaluation and personality test done, and I need to attend a pre-surgery nutrition class for bariatric patients. I have scheduled both already, pysch eval on 8/16 and nutrition class on 8/23. I guess I will find out after that what my next steps are. I plan on taking some before photos this week to track my progress. Really not looking forward to that but I will do it for the sake of the cause.