Keep moving on...

Life has been a little routine lately which is ok.  I went in last week for a fill and added 1cc for a total of 9ccs in my band with room to go.  I still haven't really "felt" the band, but I'm still working it.  I think the things that have made me successful are planning/weighing my food as much as possible and working out at least five times a week.  It works!  I'm currently 155 pounds which is the lowest weight I can ever remember.  I don't even remember being this weight in high school, so needless to say I'm THRILLED with my progress in just seven months of being banded.

So a few NSVs....I love to shop and feel like the trendy person that's been waiting to come out is finally here...it's so fun!  I also have started to feel attractive again and have much more confidence when I'm out and about - I feel GREAT!  I'm so thankful for what the band has helped me to achieve.  I'm proud and excited to see where it's going to take me next.

In the next few months, I want to work extra hard to get to my goal of 140-145 pounds.  I really don't have that far to go, so I need to push through and make it happen.  I have a trip planned for mid-may right around my birthday, so I'd love to be able to celebrate making it to goal while vacationing with some of my best friends...I really just want to celebrate my new life!  I'd also like to start dating again.  I finally love myself and feel like I'm really ready to let someone else love me too.  I'm not sure when or how this exactly will happen, but I'm putting it out there.  Watch out 2013!

A New Job and New Year!

It's been awhile since I have blogged...no one reads my blog anyway, so it's really not a big deal :o)  With that said, I've been busy!  I got a new job and am so thankful that everything worked out the way it did.  I was laid off on October 24th and started my new job on December 10th.  I am so blessed!  AND I love my new job so far!  One of the best parts is that I got a whole new wardrobe and it was FUN to shop and find trendy things!  Life is so good!

The holidays were also great this year.  Since I've lost the weight, I just feel so much more comfortable in my body and more confident all around.  Although the holidays were great, they did set me back a little with my weight loss.  It actually feels like I've gained and lost the same five pounds about three times.  I was at 159 right before Christmas, and this morning I was 161 after getting back on track with my eating and exercise.  Even though it's not perfect, I'm happy with my progress and will continue this fight!

2012 was a great year for me - a new life with the band, a new job and a new ME!  It's been such an amazing year, and I couldn't be happier.  I truly feel this is the happiest I've been in a very very long time.  So in this great new year, I'd like to get to my goal of 145, enter maintenance and last but not least meet someone special.  I don't think that's too much to ask..is it??

Happy New Year!  Can't wait to see what 2013 will bring!

Thanksgiving Fill

My poor planning and scheduling equated to a fill the day before Thanksgiving.  In some ways, it was a good idea, and in other ways it was very bad.  I had my appointment at 3:40 on Wednesday, so I couldn't have solids until 4PM on Thursday..shoot me!  My band now holds 8ccs with potential up to 14ccs.

The day actually went pretty well, and luckily it was just immediate family, so no questions about my bizarre eating on Thanksgiving.  I had coffee, malt-o-meal, yogurt, and tomato soup..it wasn't too bad except for the delicious smelling stuffing and pumpkin pie! Unfortunately  I ate WAY to much when I was finally clear for solids (and for the following two days) which made the scale creep up about three pounds.  I also felt sick!

I'm back to normal now with my eating and exercise routines, and feeling MUCH better!  I am almost back down to wear I was pre-turkey day at 165 pounds.  Could I have done better?  Sure, I could have done WAY better, but I'm happy that I didn't continue eating poorly and made my way back to a good spot with just 20 pounds to go to my goal.

Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Turkey Day, I know I had A LOT to celebrate from where I was a year ago.  I'm so thankful for my band, and the support of such wonderful friends and family!

On the HUNT!

Since my last post about my position being eliminated, I've been on the job hunt.  It's a lot harder than the last time around probably because it's been eight years, I've gained some experience, and I'm just older :)  Regardless, it's hard and it sucks, but I'm choosing to stay positive and just move on.  I submitted around ten resumes in the last couple of weeks, and haven't heard a word YET.  I'm really hoping that next week is the week where my phone starts ringing off the hook!  Can't wait to find my dream job!

The lay-off has been positive for my weight loss journey.  I've went to the gym most days and have been making good food choices, well with the exception of last nights mis-hap at the pizza buffet - but we don't need to talk about that!  At the gym, I've tried several cardio and strength training classes, so that's been a lot of fun!

All in all, I'm a little bored, getting my work outs in and excited to find out what's next in my life!

Life's a BIOTCH!

Tuesday and every day since have been tough.  I was laid off..laid off from a place I went to for eight years and made many friends.  I've cried...A LOT!! I'm still upset, but trying to find a way to move on with hopes of finding bigger, better things and coming out stronger in the end.

On the band front, I had my fourth fill and am at 7ccs currently.  The RN at the appointment said that I have lost weight faster than a lot of bypass and sleeve patients, so I felt good about the hard work I've been putting in.  I'm still not feeling much restriction and have no food limitations - which is great!  My lay off has caused a lot of anxiety and lack of appetite, so I've lost a bunch of weight this week..crazy I know.  I'm currently just 20 pounds away from my goal weight of 150 (ultimate is 140-145).  I got this.

So..to sum it up - Pretty upset about being unemployed, but life will go on.  Weight loss is going well, can't wait to get to goal!  I'm gonna be ok.

Corn dogs..YUMMM

Disclaimer..this is a random post about corn dogs, zumba, fills, and NSVs.

Who doesn't like corn dogs?  Well..actually.. probably a lot of people.  BUT if you do, I strongly recommend the Morning*Star veggie corn dogs for just 150 calories.  They are pretty good!  I had mine with some veggie chips tonight, and it was delicious!  Granted, this wasn't a protein packed meal, but it was worth it!  I love finding these little treasures..LOVE!

I got a 5 day pass this week to the local Y.  It certainly isn't a fancy or new facility, and some of the members seem a bit sketchy, but hey it works.  I took a Zumba class tonight, and loved it - the instructor was AMAZING.  Since summer is quickly fading, and exercising outside will be impossible very soon, I am seriously thinking about joining.  I think the classes will be super fun and keep me motivated to get to goal!  I want to try Latin Hip Hop, cycling, dance aerobics..so many things!

I have fill #4 next week.  I think I will get a small fill since I'm still pretty much able to eat whatever I want in whatever quantity I want.  Luckily, I've had quite a bit of self control to continue losing the weight.  I'm not quite at a ten pound loss for the month, but I'm close.  My weight was 180 this morning, so I'll take it.  I am really hoping that the change in my exercise routine at the gym will prevent me from being at a plateau..cross my fingers.  I'm starting to think that I can get to my first goal of 150 pounds sooner than May..it's a challenge!

Last but not least...TWO NSV's!  Two weekends ago, I had a bachelorette party to attend and didn't feel like I had anything cute or sexy to wear.  So, I went to the mall near my hometown feeling stressed about finding something, but guess what..it was FUN!  I fit into normal clothes and bought way more than needed just because it felt so amazing!  Secondly, I'm starting to NOT hate photos of myself.  There were many photos taken at the bachelorette party, and I kinda started to feel cute again in them and even put some new pics on my FB page.  Life is GOOD!

No one said it was easy...

or did they?  It's sad that a lot of people think this is the easy way out or it's easy to lose weight now that I have the band.  What those people don't see if me weighing my breakfast, lunch, and dinner and tracking everything on MFP.  They also don't see me working out every evening - I ran two miles for the first time tonight (well...jogged)!  Anyway, they just don't see it, and I'm saying right now...this isn't easy.

Take for instance this last Saturday evening when I attended the bachelorette party of a friend.  I survived the day by eating really well, but when the buffet of deliciousness was rolled out, I lost the battle.  Granted, I still ate better than before the band, but I made some poor choices.  Anyway, it was a mis-step, but I got back on the saddle on Sunday and worked out extra hard and long and have made good food choices ever since.

The point..this isn't easy, at least it isn't easy for me.  It's really a lot of hard work, and that's what I want people to see!