SillyAuntDi

Getting mentally prepared for a personal training session this afternoon...I think this one is in the boxing ring. Pray for me...LOL.

I officially weigh and track that weight every Wednesday morning. However, I will occasionally step on the scale on a Saturday or Sunday. I could easily let the scale dictate my mood, so I do avoid stepping on too frequently. I'm still thinking about moving to monthly weigh-ins...but right now, I think that weekly is good. I can catch things (slight increases) before they snowball into something huge and defeating (not so little increases) You have to figure out what is best for you on your journey!

Sounds like you have received very good advice! I hope your doctor can help. I had bouts of nausea off and on for the first two weeks. But, I was all liquids during that time. The first time I had anything thicker than a watered-down Protein shake, I went running for my meds...but it settled down very quickly. Good luck! Keep us informed.

Positive attitudes are awesome things Keep up the good work!

It's being able to live the life I always wanted. I'm planning vacations that I wouldn't have dreamed of one or two years ago. My friends have started noticing that I don't get "winded" just walking to the car in the parking lot. It's a great feeling

My foot doctor reccommends New Balance. I've had great experiences with them. Go to a New Balance store if possible to get fitted. Then, you can buy the shoes anywhere.

7.5 mile bike ride yesterday; boxing class today...

So, I went back to the gym for a TRX class. I'd never taken one and the gym is offering intro classes to see if there is interest in formal classes later. OH MY LORD...while I absolutely see that I will love this type of exercise, I am so very sore already! I hate to think what tomorrow will bring I'll be back at it soon. Need a little recovery time! I'm planning a bike ride on Sunday since spring weather will be back and the sun will be shining! Have a great day.

Absolutely it's life changing!

Welcome to the family! And congrats on taking the leap! Take the next days to heal. Listen to your doctor and ask him lots of questions. Be sure to walk around to help with the gas pains. Drink your fluids. And listen to your body. We will be here to dish out encouragement, and give you those little pushes you need to move along on this fabulous journey. Good luck! Keep us posted

One hour personal training appt with one of the best trainers at the boxing gym. I laughed through the pain. I bet I won't be laughing tomorrow...we worked core and legs. I'm going to feel that tomorrow.

Congratulations! I know you are so happy That is quite the accomplishment.

When your nerves kick in...and mine did right up until I fell asleep in the operating room...take a deep breath and remember all the reasons for doing this. Remember what you will be gaining, don't dwell on what you may be giving up. As you recover in the days after the procedure, do not stress over the scales...listen to your body and your doctor and take time to heal. Follow your doctor's plan as best as you can...he has a plan for a reason. Ask him questions. We will all be here to offer encouragement along the way. And most importantly, take a moment to thank yourself for taking this step. It's going to be an amazing journey. Good luck to you! Let us know how you are doing!

I forgot in that long-winded post to say this: I have a polite "stop eating now" burp. I try really hard to listen. Sometimes the food is just so good that I take another bite. If I push it, I get the not so polite "STOP NOW" belch that makes people turn around and stare My 10-year-old niece listens and says "Wasn't that your full burp? You need to put your fork down, Aunt Di!" LOL...gotta love her

VARIETY!!! I struggle with getting variety in my foods. It's easy to fall into a routine and eat the same things over and over because we know they work for us. Then, we get bored. That's when we eat things we shouldn't....let's fight this together! I like to blend flavors. I will blend two Protein sources in a meal. So instead of just chicken, I'll do chicken and black Beans. I'll add a slice of low-fat cheese to a garden/veggie burger. I eat my yogurt and follow it with a few almonds for a salty finish. Once I've devoured my protein I eat a veggie followed lastly by a starch/carb. I'll admit, I very rarely make it to the starchy food. I try very hard not to eat the same foods twice in a day, or even the same lunch menu on back to back days. I try new veggies or new recipes at least once a week. I get lots of ideas on pinterest. I have discovered an obsession with butternut squash and spaghetti squash. Kale chips are DEVINE! I cannot wait for the spring/summer veggies to come in so I can start on those. Roasted zucchini is my all time favorite. You'll have a better idea of what foods you are allowed after you visit your NUT. Talk about being bored with what you are currently doing. Ask how to blend flavors and still meet your requirements. Talk about any particular food from your previous life that you are missing and what you can substitute for it now. Ask for recipes and suggestions. They want you to succeed and will help you! Good luck! You are going to do amazing things

Congrats!!!! I fell in love with my heating pad. It helped a great deal with the discomfort from the gas. I also have chronic neck and shoulder problems and my pain flaired after surgery, so the heating pad helped with that muscle pain as well. Good luck! Keep us posted on your recovery

Never apologize for questions! I like FAGE Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla. I also like the Yoplait 100 Greek Yogurts. I just try to find on that's easy on the sugars I have tried the Muscle Milk drinks, and like them pretty much. But, I have a dairy and whey allergy, so I cannot have them every day. (I can tolerate Greek yogurts and some cheeses, but no milk.) So, I use GNC Pro Performance Egg Protein powder. My nut gave me high marks on this one when we discussed my need to find a non-whey based protein powder. As for coffee...every doctor has a different idea of when/if you can add it back in. So, I would find out what your plan states. I had to ask/beg my doc to let me start it back just shy of 3 months post-op. Even then, it's not every day, and it's only one cup per day. But, that's my choice, not his. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

6.5 mile bike ride along the river this morning...

Awesome!!!

This was me one year ago at a company event: This is me the other day at the same company event, one year later: I had lapband surgery on September 11, 2013; about 6 months after that first picture was taken. In that picture, you see the person who had made the decision and was waiting for the first visit with her surgeon/hero. I was miserable. I hated that camera pointed at me. But, I "smiled" and did my part. I hated what I had let happen to my body. I was in constant pain. I could barely move. As my journey progressed and I went through the approval process, my sense of hope began to return. It was possible. I could do it. I started making a list of goals. Of course the first one was lose weight...duh. But, I started realizing I was putting things on this list that had nothing to do with the scales. I started realizing just how much of my LIFE I had given up while packing on the pounds. I've lost over 110 lbs since September 11. I never imagined that I would lose so much so fast. My doc grins like the cheshire cat at every appointment. He told me today "You are FANTASTIC. You are RARE. I see you being so DETERMINED and FOCUSED. You are FABULOUS." You know what...he's absolutely correct. He gave me a plan with a list of rules. I've followed them as best as I can. I'm human. I slip. I eat ice cream on occasion...and I'm allergic to it. I still like chocolate candy. I just don't eat the entire bag in one sitting anymore. My journey hasn't been all butterflies and rainbows. It's been full of ups and downs. But, I have zero regrets. Look at the person in the second picture. That smile is genuine. I was happy to be there and pose for that picture. That is the smile of a person who has their LIFE back. I'm not done on my journey. My scales tell me I have a ways to go before I meet my weight goal. But, one year ago, I was planning how to avoid my life. I was always looking for a reason to not join my friends or family. Now, 12 months after that first picture, I'm planning roller coasters, family vacations, snorkeling, boxing classes, bike rides....new adventures. I've discovered that my most important goal on my list was to get my life back. GOAL MET.

Thank you Band Master. This grasshopper has learned many lessons along the way and likes to share... (I call all of the people I train at work grasshoppers....love the reference!)

It's hard to fight that "It tastes so good, I want a little more" demon! I pay the price when I ignore that warning burp I get I choose not to eat bread. I haven't really tried it since I was banded. But, I know if I do and it works for me then I'll be a goner...so I just don't. I don't really miss it. I have accepted that the band isn't going to keep me from eating the "wrong things"...that is my job. It's job is to give me reminders along the way (burbs, hiccups...that "full feeling"). My band is doing it's job well, so it's easier for me to do mine. Good luck!

I went shopping last night with a friend. I ended up buying a skirt. It was a regular XL...not in the "plus" section. Not in the "womens" section. Just in the Ladies department. I also put on a pair of pants that didn't have a W behind the number. Not quite there, but it's going to be soon Have a great Friday!

Hi Kara, First...how is your husband? Second...how are you recovering from the surgery? Is your pain getting better? Hopefully everthing is progressing nicely from a recovery point of view. That said...you are in a healing stage. Weight loss may be slow at this point. Your body just went through surgery!!! There is a lot of swelling inside of you that you can't see. So, while we all get excited about this great decision we've made, it's easy to forget that we need to heal first and then focus on our weight loss. Take these first few weeks and focus on your doctor's plan for you. Practice the rules they have given you...then, when your body is ready to drop the pounds, you'll be ahead of the game! You are going to do great! Listen to your doctor, ask questions of him. Follow his rules. We'll all be here to offer encouragement along the way. And don't...no matter what...fall victim to the evil comparison trap. Do not get frustrated that you have "only lost 1 lb" when Suzie Q lost 15 lbs in the same amount of time. Everybody has their own path on this journey. So, Celebrate that one pound lost. Celebrate the healthy choices your are making for your body, your life, your family...and enjoy the ride!

Fantastic job! You look amazing Congrats on your bandiversary!!!