What the hell? (and, I'm baack!)

First, what the hell? Where are all of my links to all of the wonderful blogs that I have not been keeping up with????? waaaaaaaaa!!!! I have reloaded the page and done everything to get them back, but absolutely no luck. I cannot believe it. PLEASE if someone can help me (and is still checking back for posts that never appear), please please please tell me how to fix it!

Yes, I'm back. Why? Not sure. I was watching TV tonight and thought how it would be great to see how everyone was doing. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to check in (see above - hint, hint - need help!).

I can't even remember what I weighed the last time I wrote, but I am thinking I am about 8lbs down since then. I haven't done a lot of exercising (sporadic at best) and have not consciously been dieting. All of this does not make great bandster progress. That being said, I am overall very satisfied with my progress. I am down 61.5 lbs down and am 23.5 lbs from goal.

I am feeling the desire to get back in gear though. Maybe that is what triggered me to post. Make it real by posting it out here. Well, time will tell. Stay tuned...

Doc Visit at GP

So, I had said quite some time ago about my hair loss. It has kind ebbed and flowed (ha), but never stopped falling out. The hairdresser again said I had lost a significant amount and she didn't like how much was coming out when she did her magic. The last doc appointment for the missed period had all the 'female stuff' come back normal. Made an appointment with the GP. (Note: I have a TON of hair---I'm lucky. Absolutely no one but the hairdresser and me notice it. Just thought you might be wondering.)

The appointment was today. She was a really nice doc. I haven't had a GP for a long time. She was really impressed with my weight loss and actually got mad at me for being down on myself for holding steady---kinda refreshing. Granted I acknowledged that I wasn't putting in as much effort, but she didn't think it was necessarily a bad thing as long as I was holding steady. In fact, she told me to quit being so hard on me about that as well.

Anyway, she is running a bunch of tests. Just to be sure there aren't any of the basic issues iron, extensive thyroid, etc. Anyway, she expects that everything will come back normal as I am in the 'capital of bands' --- so named by me --- and she has quite a few patients that have lap band. Turns out that all of hers have lost hair. Some more than others. My immediate fix - I am switching to liquid pre-natal vitamins. Nope - not pregnant - she recommended it as it is better absorbed in liquid form and there is more 'stuff' in them. She thinks this will help.

Cost me about 20 bucks for 30 days of the vitamins - not so cheap. So my plan is to use it for 30 days and then switch to a liquid multi-vitamin - cheaper, but better than the chewable. Guess I could research where to get the liquid pre-natal too. I just went to a health food store up the street and I highly doubt it was as cheap as online or in a chain store. That's my story. Weigh in isn't until Wednesday.

Amazing How I Forget

Man, I sure forget how to use Blogger when I don't use it very often. That is the title reference. Although, you could say it also applies at times to 'ben the band'. I get comfortable and decide to try to eat something that doesn't work, I get lazy and eat 'easy' stuff, and of course on the exercise front (I forget how much I should be doing it and how it will get me to goal).

The unfill continues to work well for me. I did miss a period though. I don't ever remember missing a period, but did at my past cycle. Nope, no pregnant - checked that! ;) Did go get checked out and preliminary tests such and pregnancy and thyroid were checked. All came back A-OK. Eventually, many weeks late, my friend arrived with a vengeance.

My hair is still coming out more so that is normal - hairdresser agrees. I am going to my primary physician on the 10th and will be having more tests run. I am wondering if I have some sort of deficiency going on. I'll report back when I have the results. I have not been taking my multi-vitamin religiously; although, I swear I have been getting in enough protein. Who knows - sick of guessing. Just going to find out once and for all.

On the loss front, was still at 178, then ballooned up to 180. I know I did not gain weight - there is just no way. My period came later after that weigh in and I will not weigh in again until Wednesday. Since cramps from hell were around and bloating was outta control (rings were stuck to hands!) I know there is a whole lotta water retention in that number. I REFUSE to worry about it. Just going to keep eating as I should and see what the next weigh in brings.

Why no loss? NO EXERCISE. Yep, if I want to get to my goal, I am going to have to exercise. There is NO excuse. I should be doing it and I am NOT going to get to goal without it. I need to come back and re-read this paragraph daily and kick my ass into gear. No promises are going to be made at this point. I wanted to get it out here though why it is my weight loss is so slow (right now non-existent).

That's it for now. Take care all! Keep losing.

Long Overdue!!!

Wow! Where to start. The weirdest thing happened to me. I got TIGHTER over time. Yes, most people say they get looser, but not me. I had only had two fills and was only at 1.8. A couple weeks ago, I recognized it was too tight. I had to eat mainly soft foods and right before the unfill only was able to keep liquids down. Not what I expected. So I asked, yes there are some people like me that get tighter over time. So, I had an unfill. Down to 1.4. My first fill took me to 1.2. The second to 1.8.

Advice: If you think you might be too tight, you probably are. It's important to deal with it. My weightloss pretty much stalled. I feel much better and still have plenty of restriction.

What else? I passed my 6-month banding anniversary. It was pretty uneventful. So much so that I completely forget until I was really looking at my spreadsheet that I track my weightloss on.

I (obviously) have not been posting much nor have I read the blogs I used to read daily. Why? I've just been busy. Work, fun, etc. I feel better about myself, so I have been doing more 'stuff'.

Official weigh in stats:
Starting weight: 234lbs
Current weight: 178lbs (I maintained all of May - Why? Too tight. Stalled my weight loss. Seriously. How do I know? Since the unfill, I am losing weight! Only 3.5lbs since I last posted, but I'll take it!)
Overall loss: 56lbs
Lbs to goal: 29lbs

Note: I still plan to be at my goal weight by my b-day in December. That will be a couple weeks after my 1 year bandiversary.

I'll try not to let so much time go between posts. Hopefully some of you are still stopping by.

Hectic Week!

I forgot to weigh this week! I remembered, but was already at work. Since I only weigh in on Wednesdays, I decided that I will just wait until next Wednesday to weight in. Oh well, I haven't been very focused because I hate, hate, HATE my job. I need to try and figure out what to do about it. Either I have to accept it and get over it or start looking for another one. Quitting and not ever working again sure sounds great, but unless I win the lottery just not very realistic. (I hate my job. I hate my job. I hate my job. I hate my job. I hate my job. I hate my job. I hate my job. I hate my job. Dang - that feels good!)

Have any of you run across monk-e-mail? It is hilarious!!! Here is a link. I recommend trying it out. My friends and I have been sending out tons of them. Believe it or not, they limit how many you can create in a day. Yes, I've maxed it out -- I'm a dork. Go try it!!!

To Only1 - I'm Sorry!

Only1 - I have been reading your blog - although I have gotten behind on all the ones that I read---I am slowly catching up. I read yours today and felt sad when I read this post. I thought that I had responded to your comments on my blog and that I had put a question in there to you that was asking why I had to put my email address on your blog to comment. I am totally and completely anonymous on my blog - not even my best friend knows about it. It is only for me. Therefore, I am scared of using my email address anywhere that could somehow link back to this blog. Please know that I have been following you and am pulling for you too! I will continue to do so and please continue to comment on my blog (if you want) and I will be sure to respond that way. You are a courageous woman and I think of you often. Keep in touch. For those of you reading, please stop by and say hi to Only1.

Two Week Post

I normally at least post on Wednesday - my weigh in day. Things have been hectic, so I didn't get around to it. Here's the scoop that covers two weeks: (170's here I come!!!)

Official weigh in stats:
Starting weight: 234lbs
Current weight: 181.5lbs (loss this week - 1/2 pound)
Overall loss: 52.5lbs
Lbs to goal: 32.5lbs

Fast Food: Taco Bell

Fast, yet healthy. I'm not kidding you. Taco Bell now has "Fresco Style". Essentially the good stuff - sauce and cheese - is substituted with a "Fiesta Salsa".

I had 2 Beef Crunchy Tacos. A bit high in fat (15 grams), but overall 300 calories. 13 grams of protein. Not the best, but for fast food I give it a thumbs up. Plus they get extra points for a website that has a nutrition calculator! It's cool, you can build your meal and get all the scoop at a click of a button.

Edgar

I'm bored, so I adopted a pet. Doesn't everyone need a purple hedgehog? I named him Edgar...

If you click him once, he will jump up a little. Do it again and he jumps higher. A third click and he jumps and rolls. Very cute. You can click the more button and a strawberry appears - feed it to Edgar. He is always hungry and is one of 'those' that never gains any weight.

adopt your own virtual pet!

Another Find: Quick Breakfast

OK, if you haven't guessed yet, I do not cook. I know how and I like to, but cooking for one person especially with a band is extremely difficult. Before trying to make like a 4 person meal lasted for days. Now it lasts for weeks---well, spoils and gets thrown out. So, I now hunt for things that are good to eat, easy, and small. Here is the latest find:


The All American South Beach Breakfast wrap!!!

(200 calories, 9g fat, 620mg sodium, 26g carbs, 15g fiber, 2g sugar, 19g protein = 4 Points)

Here's how the box describes the wrap: scrambled egg whites, reduced fat mozzarella, and nonfat cheddar cheeses, tomatoes, apple wood smoked bacon, and a cheese sauce in a wheat tortilla.

I was skeptical of the tomatoes - cause I just really don't like cooked ones, but with all the cheese and the bacon, I said bring it on!!!

It is wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla which I ate a couple bites of without problem, but I did that after eating the insides. And let me tell you, it was YUMMY! It actually had flavor! (I figure it was more like 125cals or less since I didn't eat much of the tortilla.)

Overall this is a keeper. There are also other flavors which you can find more info on here. I bought them at Walmart. A little under 2 bucks.

Happy Easter!! And, I did get new panties while I was at Walmart as well. Yep, a lazy cook and cheap! Cheap panties until goal, then maybe I'll splurge...but probably not.

Fast Food: Popeye's Naked Chicken Strips

Yep, I had fast food last night. I went to Popeye's. I had scoured all the websites of the fast food joints within 5 mins of my house and boy did I strike it rich. Popeye's has these chicken strips that don't have any batter or skin. They are marinated and spicy. YUM!

3 strips of which I could only eat 2 has 170 calories. 29 grams of protein. 5 grams of fat. Word of warning though: do NOT get the meal. If you do, you are going to get one of their yummy yummy bisquits. I knew I wouldn't be able to resist, but maybe you are stronger than me! ;) (BTW - That little tiny bisquit has 240 calories!)

I had the green beans as a side - only 40 calories. But they also have collard greens - going to have those next time (50 calories). Cost me less than 5 bucks. Sorry, no pic of the chicken. Guess they figure since it is naked and all that it isn't appropriate. You'll have to deal with a pic of the beans.

Panties

It's weird, but my panties all fit strange. My preference is bikini style. But lately I've noticed my panties fit like granny panties. You know high up on waist/hips. This is not a good look as they are now sticking up over my pants. I am going to have to get new ones --- I think I am down at least 2 sizes.

I have been holding off on getting new clothes. I just can't get myself to buy them when I still have 34.5lbs to go. Fortunately, I still have some in my closet that will work for now. I also have a bunch of clothes that are too big to wear, but I can't just seem to donate them to Goodwill. There's really two reasons:

1 - I have to say that I keep wondering if in the long run the band will work. I have read similar comments on other blogs of people that have had WLS. I believe it, but I don't --- it's hard to explain. I think this is normal though.

2 - Some of the clothes are just too dang cute/nice. That sounds bad and selfish, but dang it, when I'm honest I think that is part of the problem!

For now, I need to get the big clothes out of the closet. I think that will be a good first step.

Weekly weigh-in

I am feeling a rant coming on - directed at myself. I might decide to post it, but not sure. Yet again, I am trying to adjust my attitude!

Official weigh in stats:
Starting weight: 234lbs
Current weight: 183.5lbs (loss this week - 1/2 pound)
Overall loss: 50.5lbs
Lbs to goal: 34.5lbs

My latest find is another option for dreaded water. I keep trying, but water is just not my thing. Plus ya know 'they' say that green tea assists in weight loss. I've had two of the flavors - Blueberry Green Tea and White Cranberry Apple Green Tea - both are no carb, although they are sweetened with sorbitol. What is sorbitol anyway?

Fifty is special

Yep, I hit 50lbs today. It's funny how 50 is so much more special than the 48 just a week ago. Why is that? It is only 2 more lbs, but for some reason it is just way better! Another milestone in this journey. Here's the stats - with more information than normal in case anyone is interested:

Official weigh in stats:
Starting weight: 234lbs
Current weight: 184lbs (loss this week - 2 pounds)
Overall loss: 50lbs
Lbs to goal: 35lbs
Starting BMI: 36.6 (obese)
Current BMI: 28.8 (overweight)
Average weight loss: 2.5 lbs/week
Weeks since surgery: 20 weeks
Inches lost: Don't know!!! Should have measured!!!

I want JUICE!

Yes, sometimes I just really want to drink juice. The problem is that even a small amount has a lot of calories. Liquid calories - so they go straight through the band. So, I've been searching for juice-like products that are low in calories. Here are my finds:

• Snapple - diet cranberry/raspberry - not my favorite, but it had a cool pic.
  
• Diet V8 Splash - Berry Blend
  
• Diet V8 Splash - Fruit Medley
  
• Ocean Spray Light Juices - Love them all. Especially the ruby grapefruit.
  

That's my list so far. Anyone have other suggestions?

No, No, NOOOOOO!

I can't escape it! That stupid commercial. I am trying to enjoy the basketball tournament and what keeps coming on? Big Bucking Chicken!!! arrrrrrrrrrrghhhh. All I can say is Buck YOU Burger King!!!

On a separate and exciting note, although the NCAA tournament is still going on, the b-ball pool I'm in is over. I'm the winner!! Yep, me a girl. There are about 50 people in it. Won myself nearly 200 bucks. Pretty sweet...but the sweetest part is going around to the guys reminding them that me - the girl - won!

Wow - I'm not obese anymore!

My bmi is now 29.1, so I am officially overweight and no longer obese. My starting bmi was 36.6. This was a milestone that I hadn't even realized I achieved. Thanks to the blogger that reminded me with the post - can't remember which blog - but if you want to figure out your bmi the calculator is here. Go ahead - you might be surprised and be doing a happy dance too!

What did I hear?!?

I was watching TV and went into the kitchen when a commercial came on. I couldn't believe what I heard, so I went back. It was Burger King's commercial - 'Big Bucking Chicken'. I'm sure you can guess what I thought I heard without spelling it out. Can't say that I'm a big fan. I can picture all these young kids going around chanting it and saying, "But Mom, I heard it on TV. What's wrong with it?" Now that I think about it, that King that they use in the other commercials creeps me out too. Oh well, they lost my business anyway when I gave up fast food.

This week's progress

It's amazing what eating on plan can do! Results below:

Official weigh in stats:
Starting weight: 234lbs
Current weight: 186lbs (loss this week - 1 1/2 pound)
Overall loss: 48lbs
Lbs to goal: 37lbs

Template change

Due to feedback (OK complaints) from friends that all the black was too hard on the eyes, I switched my template. An advance warning that this is not the last change. I am messing with it myself which is highly unlikely to produce the results I want and looking for a reasonably priced designer to possibly take a stab at it. Know anyone?