charliecharms

Hello!!
 
As I said in my last blog post, my stall is now over. How did I break it? By doing a few things that are working for me (that means they may, but may not work for you!!)
 
I limit myself to no more than 1400 calories a day. That might seem really high, but I also REALLLLY exercise and my body seems to be handling that well because I'm losing weight. I feel good.
 
I found a diet - really just a great eating plan that works for me, although I modify it for myself. I focus on how food feels inside my body and while I'm exercising I focus on repeating several mantras. There are some things I don't eat - tofu is one of them and I don't handle beef well now that my band is in place. I eat chicken and fish and I have veggies and fruits. I was never a good salad eater and I'm still not, but I insert veggies into omelet's, into stir fry, into anything. I also can't handle bread, but I can eat crackers and I love my Wasa crackers.
 
I'm using less and less in the way of shakes because I'm aware that they don't keep me full for a lengthy period of time. Shakes and liquids pass through the bad relatively quickly, whereas 'real' food has to process through the band, through the stomach.
 
So I had only my 2nd fill scheduled for this Tuesday, but I'm also in this groove, and I don't want to play with that at all. After speaking to the nursing team at the clinic where I had surgery, they agreed. I'm pushing out on having another fill in another three weeks. I can move that up if I need to.
 
After reading a lot, I decided that it was a possibility that I wasn't eating enough, and for me, that turned out to be true. I felt there was little harm in experimenting. Just like not that long ago I discovered that I can push my body with exercise. Believe me when I say that I barter with myself constantly. "Maybe I'll only do 20 minutes", "maybe I don't have to exercise today", "maybe it's too hot/cold/windy/early/late to exercise", "maybe I can eat that entire box of cookies"...UGH! It goes on and on and I ignore it all. I feel so good when I have promised myself that I'll eat well and exercise that day and I actually do that. Upon occasion I allow myself some treat. I feel like I could go on a bender at any time and I try to keep vigilant.
 
All is good right now, and I know that can change, but I have my band to help me and an outstanding medical team at my disposal.
 
I wish everyone success!
 
Nancy
 

I had heard that traveling can cause your band to become tighter. Well, in Vegas my band lost all restriction, but as soon as I got to Houston for my lay over, I was much tighter and now that I'm home I have great restriction. So, traveling did mess with my band just not the way I thought it would.
 
My trip was awesome. Vegas is a different kinda animal. I played the slots and broke even in the end. This trip we went out to Fremont Street. I loved the live music and insanely crazy people walking around and posing for pics. We also took a bus tour out to the Grand Canyon... Awe inspiring site and I conquered my fear of heights by walking on the Skywalk. That's a check off of my bucket list!
 
A year ago I would not have taken this trip. 1) I could barely squeeze into an airline seat and couldn't buckle my seatbelt .this time pssssh! I fit in my seat and had room to spare with my seatbelt. 2) I wouldn't have been able to walk the strip and enjoy the sights. This time I walked from early morning till late, late, well, early morning. My back still hurt like hell, but I had my meds and managed wonderfully. 3) I always felt like people would stare or make comments about my size everywhere I went. I know some of this was in my head, but not all of it! This trip a guy bought me some drinks and we danced for what seemed like hours. Got some winks and I felt sexy as hell.
 
Life with the band takes a lot of dedication, but the pay-off is so worth it. My life is so much more fulfilling. I can't wait until I reach my goal! I was determined to make this WLS work and I haven't lost sight of that. I have my moments of disappointment. I don't want to give the impression it's been all sugar free peaches and fat free cream. But, I've chosen to focus on the positive and it's working for me.
 
Love your band and it will love you back!

Next month is my last month of my six month dieting etc. required by my insurance. I lose some weight the last 5 months not enough. I want to lose 30 lbs by May 21 ( surgeon appt) I will have my two meals, one protein shake and two no or low carb snacks. No more diet sodas and drink one gallon of water a day. Next week will start back working out at the gym. Time To Make A Change to Save My Life!!!!!