Tummy huwts.

For the first time since being banded, I felt so awful last night after dinner. I didn't really eat much else through the day, but for dinner I had a stir fry with a peanut sauce and lots of veggies. It was sooo good that I think I either ate too much or maybe it got stuck a bit..? I've never been stuck before so I don't know..the uncomfortable feeling was more lower in my tummy, I assume if you're stuck it would be higher up..? Not sure, but I was miserable last night, and I am so not going to eat that much again. I went back for more carrots *pouty face*.

On the weight loss front.. I had a kickin week. But I've noticed I have become a slave to the scale. In a wicked way it controls my day by it's reading that morning. I was noting this last night, because I had a .7 gain yesterday. I had a good day, shopped a little, did my workout as usual, but all day i just had a sluggish feeling. Like I wasn't as motivated or didn't feel as good after my workout. And it's because I didn't lose weight yesterday! I am going out of town next weekend and unless there is a scale in the hotel gym I will wean a little then. I would like to think I could weigh in once a week but .....doubt it.

Does anyone know Lauren Conrad from the Hills..well, I love her, and she just came out with her own fashion line...at Kohls! It is very reasonable and very cute. I tried on a couple of her dresses yesterday, in a size 16! They were snug around the middle, but nuthin my spanx couldn't work a little magic on. I ended up purchasing a wicked cool sequin jacket, and I didn't have to get and XL. I have been eyeing one of these for awhile. They are nice because you can wear them with everything, little skirts or jeans and heels. I've noticed already that more doors are opening up for me clothing wise.

☮

A friend shared this with me last night and I loved it!
Enjoy your Friday all :))**

Just click on it to make it full size.

Cliff walk and a comparison pic.

I went on a beautiful walk the other day in Newport, RI. It goes along the ocean and is called a cliff walk. We went for about 3 miles, I was so sore the next day.









I wanted to put a pic on here of me in early January...wow!

Some of my faves in the cupboard.

I thought I would post about some of the things that I like to have in the house. I know that I am on solids now but, i have made the decision to not eat pasta or starches hardly ever. I haven't had any pasta since before banding, and I have not had starches at all, just one night we made some sweet potato fries here at home. I have been eating a lot of veggies, and I actually still eat a lot of the things that were on my mushies diet. I find I like a lot of it, and it seems to be working for me.

I almost forgot..I lost 2 lbs this morning!! So I surpassed the 35 mark. I was so happy.. ::does happy dance::

These are sandwich thins that I want to make pizzas with..


These are the makings for it..I forgot to put the reduced fat mozzarella in the shot.


I keep this around to dip my fresh veggies in, I also love roasted veggies.


Picked this up the other day, and I think we are going to use it with carrots to make some kind of carrot muffins, I loveeee carrot cake!


I know it's a slider food, but I am a big fan of Amy's low fat organic soups, big in my diet.


These only have 110 calories, these are bagel thins, I haven't had one yet, I am going to keep them around for when I absolutely want those carbs!


I eat a lot of seafood, and salmon is my favorite. I had this the other morning made with eggs and seasonings for an egg bake =yum..


Haven't tried this yet, but looked good!

Going thru my closet.

I have been going through a lot of my clothes that haven't fit me for awhile, and today I put on a pair of jeans that I used to wear..and they fit! It was a tight fit, but by golly I got 'em zipped :)) I notice that I had a tendency to buy clothes that I knew didn't fit me at the time, or would be a little snug, but I always told myself, it will fit me soon. Pfffft. Well, now they are fitting me. So many cute summer dresses and my old t-shirts that were too tight. So much stuff I forgot I even had! I found a dress today that I got from Marshalls last summer, I couldn't wear it, but now I can.

I was .9 down today. That makes my loss 34 lbs now! Whoa. I really think I am going to reach the mini goal I set for myself next month. I have just been really watching my calorie count, and trying not to snack.

It has been raing here for 2 days, and it is so cold and raw out, I am wrapped in blankets and just trying to stay warm.

Thats all for now ☮

Monday Funday.

I was thinking this morning about my day yesterday. I really had fun, I felt good, and I think it shows in my attitude and the way I dress. Last summer when I was at my heaviest, I barely wanted to do anything, I wouldn't do "playful" things, like run up the steps at the capital building and jump around. I always wore the same clothes bc I felt I looked horrible in everything. Now I am having so much fun getting dressed bc I have all these clothes that didn't fit for so long, it's like a new wardrobe kind of. I know I have a long way to go, but I was down another 1.5 lb today, and I even had wine yesterday!

It just makes me realize how depressed I was in that body. It is such a bad feeling. I used to look at other girls and envy the way that they are so carefree like, I want to be her!

I love my blogger family too. You are so inspirational. I love reading how everyone has up's and downs just like me. I love reading recipes to share and looing at pictures. Okay okay, I'm done being soppy.

Well, I hope everyone has a great day!
☮

Providence fun :)

I had so much fun in Providence today. There is this great Indian store that has everything under the sun, and the man is so sweet there, he has signs up that say if there is something you need in the store but can't afford it to let him know. I love it. I also found some crazy sunglasses, and did some dreamy window shopping.

Lunch was amazing, I had miso salmon..only had a few bites but is was so yum. Thought I would share some pics..



My Rocky moment at the capital building.





Fun at lunch :)

Beautiful Blogger time!

Barbara so kindly nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger Award.. (blushes)

Here are the directions.

• Thank the person who nominated you for this award


• Copy the award and post it in your blog


• Link to the blog of the person who nominated you


• Tell seven interesting things about yourself


• Nominate seven bloggers


• Post links to the blogs of your nominees


Well here goes - seven things you may not know about me:


1) I love used bookstores. You can find me there all the time, and I own hundreds of books.

2) I was on the yearbook committee in high school, and loved it. My teacher was this cool hippie with Hendrix posters up all over the room. Loved him.


3). I have two boys, Chase and Kayden = *swoon*


4). I have 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 parrots, 5 goats, and 1 chicken.


5) I have a lamp fetish, I have so many lamps, they are all over the house..I am constantly rotating them around from room to room. I think that lamplight is so much more inviting and soft than ceiling lights.


6) I love the beach. I love it so much that I buy a season pass to park. Living by the ocean is so wonderful.


7). I had cottage cheese for the first time when I started the lap-band process, I had managed to avoid my whole life!



So here are my nominations -


Jennifer
She is doing so well and I love reading her blog!

Band Groupie
Such a sweetheart, and she has been doing fabulous! Has great advice to give..

Kristin
Love her writing style, so witty!

Barbara
I love her humor, makes me laugh...her blog is such a great read!


Cara
She is such a warm, sweet person, and was one of my first blogger friends!


Gen
Her blog inspires me :)


Girl Bandit
One of my big supporters, and her blog is great!



Thank you again Barbara!

Loving my band ♡ ♡ ♡ ♥ ♥ ♥

I know I'm a new bandster, but I loved it when I put a dress on this week that fit again..! Several months ago I couldn't even put it on. I was talking about this last night, and I realized that for the first time in my life, I am going to lose this weight. Its just that simple. I used to always say.."if I lose weight" "I'll try this diet, or that diet" " I will go to the gym" or use Alli, or whatever! It's different now...and I don't think that I really knew how much my life would change. So, I just wanted to give my band a shout out. Cuz it's the bomb :)

I lost 1 lb this morning, gotta love that. I actually cooked yesterday (I don't usually do the cooking), I made a low fat chicken veggie soup with low sodium chicken and veggie broth, and all the fresh veggies I could find in the fridge. It was so good, and I even had a small piece of cornbread with it. This whole solids thing isn't too bad.

I thought I would share with everyone today two of my puppies..just because they are adorable and I want everyone to smile!



They are not really trying to kill each other here, they just play like this..
Enjoy your day all!

Ps..I know I'm new at the blogging thing, but I saw that Barbara nominated me (curtsy) Thank you thank you. At this poin I am unsure if I am supposed to do something, like if there is a proper nominee etiquette.

Fooey.

So my Dr.s appointment went pretty good today. He said that the oozing is do to a stitch that is probably not going to dissolve and is working it's way out, but it looks good. He said that if I see it or feel it to pull it out. So that was a relief..

I also asked if when I come back in 2 weeks do I get a fill then..and he said that if I keep doing what I'm doing I won't need a fill.. What..?? So I lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks. I have worked to lose that! Sighhh. I really have been working hard, I have not been eating as much as I was last week, and working out every day. Keep in mind I am very motivated for my vacay next month and I have a personal goal to reach. So I'm torn, do I eat when I really want to, and eat more calories than I have been, just to show that I'm not losing weight to get a fill..?? Um, no. I don't think so. He said that sometimes people lose a lot of weight, without ever needing a fill. Pffffft. I have this tool, and I am using it. I guess I feel a little duped because I assumed that everyone got a fill at 6 weeks, at least! I can't help it if I'm really busting my bum to lose weight.

So, I'm done ranting for today.
A positive of today..I got moved to solids, so that was good. I am very excited about that.

I got a swimsuit in the mail today that I ordered..but I am waiting till the morning to try it on..but it is very cute.

Called the Dr. today..

When I was about a week post op or so, I was doing some very light yoga, and I think during that, one of my staples might have moved or loosened a little. When I had them taken out a week or so after the that the Dr. didn't notice anything unusual about it. It is at my port incision. I thought it looked a little protruded out in one spot, but since he didn't say anything, I kind of forgot about it.

Well, today after my shower I was putting Vitamin E oil on and it is oozing, and it does not look pretty. It doesn't hurt at all. But now I'm wicked nervous. I'm thinking, ok, what are they going to do for this..? When I told her on the phone it was oozing she said I should come in tomorrow. I was going on Friday anyways to be put on solids..so I'm just heading in a day early.

Has this ever happened to anyone out there..? If so, how did they treat it?

On another note, I was down .7 this morning..yeah :) I feel like I have finally redeemed myself after enjoying wine this weekend. It snowed quite a bit here yesterday, so I have been unable to jog, instead I took my 10 lb weights and jogged up and down the stairs. I could only do it 4 times, but it was a workout!

I hope everyone is having a good night... :)

☮

Early fill begging = no luck :(

Wah.
I tried..I sent the email that Vanessa sent to her Dr. with my fingers crossed..! This was his reply..

Never fill before 6 weeks. Hungry is normal. Everyone feels it. When you see Dad (his father is filling in for him this week) he'll start you on solids and then we'll see what happens. No guzzling-its dangerous. If you remember I told you at your barium swallow that most folks don't lose on liquids or puree and that this is a slow steady process. Stay loose. You'll be great.

*pouty face*


Oh well. I shall wait. My first fill is scheduled for Thursday March 4th.

Sooo, I am convinced that the wine I had over the weekend has sabotaged me. I avoided the scale for 3 days, and when I stepped on today I had a .2 gain. So obviously today I am very cranky. *giggles* Nah, not really, but I am so with Kristin on her challenge for herself, I would love to lose 12-15 lb by the end of March. No jogging today because it is snowing..again. Yesterday I finished C25K week one, I did it for an extra 2 days tho, and I feel ready enough to move on. Yesterdays run actually went really easy.

So I couldn't help but notice that there is a rise in shows about "fat girls"..I mean, do people really want to watch reality shows about this..? Well, I do, because that is me, and I feel I relate to an extent..but I just don't see why a majority of people would want to watch these shows. Carnie Wilson has one, Ruby, and now Kirstie Alley.. Do skinny people watch just to make themselves feel better..? I just don't get it.

☮

Monday randomness.

I hope everyone had a good Valentines day! After holding back from wine for so long, I had some on Friday evening, it was so nice, I really enjoyed it. With dinner that night I had sashimi and edamame. But, I have refrained from weighing in since then.. I think my time of the month is right around the corner and I just feel so bloated and icky. I can't get on that scale. I am so acutely aware of my body now, little aches here or there.

We had a friend over last evening for dinner, which was scrumptious chili stuffed with fresh veggies, lots of which were shredded in the Cuisinart so I could have them no problem. When she saw me she was like, wow you look great! I haven't seen her since November. It was nice. Even tho I do see changes in my body, I look at it every day, and I work so hard at everything, what I'm eating and drinking and exercising...and some days I feel like I don't quite see the results I feel I should. I know that sounds horrible but its true! So it is a nice reminder when people notice.

Tomorrow will be my 4 week surgery anniversary..and I have my eyes on a fill. I have an appointment on Friday and I think I am going to use Vanessa's idea and shoot my Dr. an email.

I took a day off from working out yesterday. I have to get back to it today tho, cramps or not...! Have a great day all :)

Comparison pics!

I haven't done a comparison picture yet, so I thought it was about time, it's always a little inspirational.. This before pic is extremely hard for me to post, but I don't look like this anymore, and I never will. This was taken right after Christmas.



These are pics of me today..






Woot woot.

I hit the big 30 ♫ ♪

I am 30 pounds down. Finally, I know it's far from where I need to be, but I have this system where I set little goals every 2 weeks, and it really feels good when I make it!



I just have to share about my dinner last night, it was so yummy. It was a casserole type dish with chopped chicken breast, layered with fat free broccoli cheese soup and minced broccoli. So creamy and good. I must say that I am excited to start solids this next week...

I hope everyone has a lovely Valentines Day, I think I may venture out to dinner tonight..hmm.

BMR Calculator

I know that I'm mental, but I was doing research again, on caloric intake in the first several weeks of being banded. I came across this article.

You can use this website BMR Calculator to determine your Base Metabolic Rate. This is the number of calories you need to consume per day just to maintain your current weight. Then, if you want to lose 2 pounds per week, you'd take your BMR x 7 days - 7,000 calories / 7 days to get your new daily calorie limit. Be sure to recalculate your BMR after every 10 pounds lost so that you aren't eating too much. Also remember that when you exercise, you need to add those calories back in so you don't go so low that your body thinks it's in starvation mode.

My number of daily calories was low! In fact I had already surpassed it, after my 1/2 cup of cream of wheat lunch. Just a little something I'd thought I'd share. I may try it a day or two...has anyone ever used this..did it work..? I just get confused because sometimes you hear that to boost a weight loss you shoud increase calories. My protien shakes alone, with vitamin and protein supplements in them, are 350 calories.

I had a .7 loss today. Woot. Bring it.

Oh Fat Bastard, how I miss you.

When I made this decision to be healthier, and change my lifestyle, along came with it was the assumption that I would not drink alcohol. Not necessarily ever again, but for awhile. Don't get me wrong, I am huge foodie and wine lover. I loved having a glass (or two) while hanging around in the kitchen in the evenings, and maybe after dinner as well! I love having wine at dinner, which is a big reason I haven't went to dinner in FOREVER. I had my last alcoholic drink on January 8th, the day before I started my liquid diet, and I admit, reading everyones blogs about martinis and red wine, I'm like...hmmm. Maybe just one...?

I just really want this to work. I can't help but remember hearing the Dr. speak about how alcohol is empty calories and will slip right through the band. I want to be healthy and feel good, and have luxurious skin. Ok, I'm getting a little carried away, lol, but I do think that no alcohol, combined with lots of tea has only done well for me.

I have begun the search for a new swimsuit, *sigh* I wish I was excited, but of course I feel some trepidation about this. That shocking first glance in the full length mirror, with my winter white, no tan skin! Cringing at the thought of those changing room mirrors, which seem to show every bulge. I have been doing some looking online, but I wonder if that would just be a waste of time, in case the sizing is wrong. I just can't bring myself to that swimsuit department quite yet!

The snow is just starting to fall here. I suppose by this evening it will be our turn to be completely snowed in. Thats fine with me though...I love those cozy nights!

Tuesday stuff.

I am making a conscious effort to drink more water. The last two days I really stepped it up, and I saw an almost 2.5 lb drop this morning! I am only 2 lbs away from 30 lbs down..I am so excited. I want to try to do it by the weekend..

Yesterday I was so drained feeling, just so tired. The last thing I wanted to do was workout. I realised I have worked out every day for over 2 weeks. I asked myself "I could take a day of, couldn't I?". Well, let's just say my dreams to a new body overpowered my laziness, I ended up banging out 25 minutes on the elliptical. I try something new now, I go really fast on it, then slow again. It makes me sweat a lot more. I have a vacation coming up, and I want to be smokin. *ssssssss*

Foe the fist time in my life I had quiche, I must say it isn't bad, and since I am STILL on mushies it's a good choice. We made it with eggs, garlic, scallions, and fat free cheese, on a crust from Whole Foods that is wheat free and gluten free. It tastes pretty good. I have to try some new foods sometimes, because I feel like I eat so much of the same things.

I have started using Vitamin E oil on my scars. I hope it works..Not that I have any big bikini wearing plans coming up, but you never know!

☮

Upping calories..?

I have read on a few posts lately how they are having trouble with the scale moving so they up the caloric intake..and it works. Then I read on another blog that her Dr. said it was okay to skip breakfast and and eat only 1 meal daily. I think I am making myself and others mental around me by my obsessive asking about calories and reading labels. I really don't think I am getting enough calories...but then again I have this warped mind set that eating less is better! I am officialy in Bandster Hell.

I jogged/walked againg today even though it was my rest day of C25K, I forgot how good running makes me feel. I am almost scared to see what week 2 is like.

Well..I guess thats about it for today, not much else going on. Boring Sunday..
Happy Super Bowl Day!

☮

Slimfast or no Slimfast, that is the question.

I have so much left over Slimfast and Weight Watchers smoothie mix. I know that when I was on my pre-op diet my surgeon specifically said not to use those. So now I am wondering, do I throw them away..? Any opinions appreciated!

Day 2 Week 1 of C25K is done. I looked forward to it today, and this time I went to the local middle school and used the outdoor track. Much easier than going uphill (uh). It was a chill 22 degrees outside but by the second interval I did not feel it! Has anyone ever done week 1 twice? I just wonder if after my next session that I will be ready to do longer runs. I guess I could just give it a try and see.

I had a yummy dinner last night, thanks to TJ's Test kitchen..btw I would enter a link but I am not sure how to do that. wah.
Here is the recipe, it is so good! Thanks for sharing TJ..


Saucy Baked Eggs
For ONE serving:
1 cup Marinara sauce (jar or home made!)
2 eggs
Parmesan cheese-to sprinkle on after it bakes

Place sauce in corning ware- add two eggs, cover and bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees or until eggs are cooked to your liking. I only ate half, it was more than enough.

Ticker tales.

So, I have been doing so good this week, doing the elliptical every day for at least 20 minutes, but each time I step it up..25 minutes and then 30 minutes. Which is a huge thing for me, I have not done that machine for 30 minutes in almost 7 years. I was still frustrated tho, with my recent stop in losing, so yesterday I was browsing online about C25K, I think subconsciously I kept putting off reading about it, until then. I found a free download of the podcasts which was great because the first one I looked at wanted 19.99...um, no. So I went right then and did my first session. Holy Crap. 3/4 of the way thru the guy was like, "you're doing great! you should be feeling the run but not be out of breath" are you kidding? Lets just say I was out of breath. A lot of breath! haha. The little jaunt outside that I follow is a lot of uphills and downhills, it was nuts. I came right home and gave myself mega treatments, a hair mask, a face mask, and long hot soak. I really enjoyed it overall, and I'm so glad I was recommended it by so many of my blogger buddies, I had never heard of it.

It must have paid off because the scale did go down today. Woot. Only 1 lb but still.

I also have a grumbly complaint about my Wii fit scale. This whole time I've been weighing in with the setting for clothing being "light". Then if I weighed in on a different Wii game there was always a fluctuation (up) of 2 or so lbs. At my Dr.s appt this week, I had just weighed before I went, his scale was up. So I changed the the setting on my Wii, and they all match now. The downside in this is that I was 2-3 lbs heavier than I had thought the whole time! So..my weight loss for this week has been about 2.7 lbs. and I have just now reached the 25 lb weight loss that my ticker reports. See how we obsess over these things...? Well, i do anyway. So, any future weight loss, I can finally move my ticker. Because I don't know about you all, but I ❤❤❤ moving my ticker!

On another note...I know sometimes we all have "irregularity" ahem. So, I have found something that works great for me.


Yogi Tea
Get Regular
I'm tellin ya, it works! I drink it every other day in the mornings.


I read a blog yesterday that where she hadn't lost weight in awhile and she was going to do liquids for 3 days. This may not be such a bad idea, we would just have to make sure to get in all of our daily supplements.

Thank you all so much for your advice on my last post. It seems that everyone has their own strategies, and as I get my first fill I will just have to really listen to my body and see what works for me. I will so be scanning all this again when that time comes!

Is there a science to the band?

Is there a secret to how to get the most out of your band..? Such as drinking a certain amount of liquids at certain times...? I have been reading so many blogs these last couple days, and it seems a few of us are in scale slumpville. I was reading Band-Babes blog and she was talking about how she had drank so much water, and it made the band loose, and then she was going to add calories the next day and time her fill more carefully... I am just confused. This may all be because my scale just really hasn't moved the way it was. It was so much easier when there was a daily weight loss, even if it was .2! I am not gaining, but not losing. Just very frustrating. I don't feel like I am eating that much more than when I was on the liquid diet.. Probably the one thing that I did badly was have a little treat of SUGAR free pudding right before bed. I think of all these things the next day, like, yep- I shouldn't have had that pudding last night, or..maybe I had too much of this, or that.
aaahhhh!
Just have to keep going, every day is a new day.

For todays exercise challenge, 25 minutes on elliptical, and 45 minutes on Wii Biggest Loser.

my menu so far today..
breakfast: protein shake
lunch: tofu and sugar free fudgcicle
dinner: I think fat free Broccoli Cheese Soup.
and I made sugar free jello for a treat.

I eat many of the same things..I know this.

So excited for Shear Genius tonight! Have a good night all :)

☮

Old photo albums..oy.

I was looking thru an old photo album today, and I was noticing that my weight has really fluctuated, even as early as 12. I was chunky! Then I got to high school pictures..that was a hard time for me because I've always had weight issues, and when I was a freshman I developed a very unhealthy habit of taking laxatives, I know, that was bad. Even though that was a long time ago, I still remember the exhileration I felt when I went to New York & Company at the mall, and fit in to a size 6 jeans. I barely recognized myself! It makes me a little sad too, though...because it really brought to light how long my struggle has been. It took me so long to take control, but I have!

Does anyone ever get a fill before the 6 week point? I know that is rushing ahead, but of course I am noticing my appetite come back... When i saw my Dr. yesterday he said that i would be seeing him every 2 weeks for awhile, but he didn't specify about a fill. I know that my next appt. I will be put on solids...we'll see. Who doesn't love seeing the weight come off, but I know I should go with the flow.

On the menu today..
herbal tea
breakfast: the usual CIB protein shake
lunch: 1/2 c. marinated tofu, 1/4 c. sugar free pudding
dinner: 3 oz minced chix breast made into patty (yum)
more tea
some water in there too.

For the challenge today, I did 20 minutes this morning on the elliptical, and 30 minutes on Wii Fit.

☮

I accept the Challenge!

I was reading Vanessa's post this morning and saw that she was doing Kristin's challenge. 5 days of exercise, 20 minutes of exercise each day. I am still trying to learn everyones blogs and names, so I don't know which blog is hers, but thank you Kristin! I think it's a great idea, and I didn't really expect that I would do it, but I was just sitting on the couch, and I thought, you know what, you can do this challenge. So I got up right then and did the elliptical for 20 minutes...I know it wasn't a lot, but 3 months ago I could barely do it for 10 minutes. Then this evening I did it for another 20 minutes.

What I am noticing is that I am not gaining weight, but I am not losing either. The scale has not budged since Thursday, and I have been exercising and eating correctly. I am thinking that I was just on the liquids for so long, and then pureed and now mushies, and I have not cheated..but, I think that at first my body was like- what..? So the weight came right off. I am learning that for me..I need to really step up my exercising. Now that I am 2 weeks post op, I am able to do more, last week I could barely clean the house without getting tired.

So my first day of the challenge

2.1.2010 40 minutes on the elliptical

Menu today-
Breakfast: Carnation Instant Breakfast Protein shake with 1/2 banana
Lunch: 3/4 cup marinated tofu, sugar free applesauce cup, 1/4 cup fat free chocolate pudding
Dinner: 3/4 cup minced chicken breast topped with Cream of Mushroom soup