Nepotism Alert !!!

So my DH, Rick, decided to start a blog and thought I'd give him a newbie shout out. So I can't promise he'll be as awesome as me, but it's nice to have some guys around.

http://rickswiththeband.blogspot.com/

Surgery is Friday - so wish him luck!!

The Big 9-0!

I am officially in the 180's and that means 90 pounds off since my band. The 180's is VERY uncharted territory for me - I'm thinking maybe freshman year of college was the last time I saw them. Also, it means I'm 29 pounds away from my goal. Yes, they will be a hard 29 pounds I'm sure, but I'll get there.

Its' going to be a busy week for me so I'm not sure if I'll post again. I'm supposed to have my upper GI tomorrow morning, but I'm thinking of postponing it because I've got a bad cold + TOM, so that equals kind of tight. The last thing I need right now is for them to see films of me really tight and want to take some fill out. Yes, I'm paranoid, but I know how these things go sometimes. I'll see how I eat today and decide later.

Rick's surgery is Friday, so think goods thoughts. I know he is nervous, but he's doing pretty well. I feel like I'm doing it all over again making grocery lists and such. It's amazing what you forget in a year - I totally couldn't remember the post op diet.

Have a good week everyone!

Greek Yogurt Pops

Cate and I made Greek yogurt pops yesterday for a treat. They are really good (and fun for kids) so I thought I'd share the recipe and stats.

1 cup non fat Greek yogurt (I used Fage)
1 cup strawberries ( I used frozen, unsweetened)
16 Chocolate chips
Splenda ( 2-3 Tablespoons)

* wearing a sassy sunvisor  is optional

Add yogurt strawberries & splenda (to taste) to blender.

Blend and pour in Popsicle molds. We added 4 chocolate chips to each pops for some extra decadence. 

Put in the freezer for about 3 hours (the waiting is torture). Then enjoy (we ate them too fast to take pictures).

Here are the stats for each pop.

Calories	Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbs	Sugar	Fiber	Protein
52	1g	0mg	21mg	9g	5g	1g	5g

Jeans Day

So we had our first United Way jeans day yesterday and I proudly wore my size 14's that Band-Babe sent me. Now I've been in 14's for awhile, but jeans always make it real. Anyway I took a quick shot before I left. It looks like I have a super muffin top, but the jeans are actually loose. My stomach actually has some weird naturally built in muffins right now. Any of you guys have that? All of the sudden my stomach has lots of peaks and valleys, like it coming off in chunks - if I'm brave I'll post a pic of it.

Something about jeans makes people want to talk about my body because I had so many people make weight loss comments yesterday. They were all positive, so it was OK.

If you guys haven't checked out Christine's blog you should. She's has very thought provoking posts and is a band superstar  (140's!!). She's also giving away tons of clothes right now.

I have a bad cold and just want to veg, but my house is a disaster so I must clean a little. Hope you guys have a good weekend.

BYOC

1. This comes from my post yesterday about me bragging that I can still wear the same earrings I wore in high school….got me to wondering…how many piercings do you have? (the ones you can tell us about anyway – *wink wink)

I have two – one in each ear. I actually have 3 holes though (no laughing) because when they first pierced my ears they shot the gun thing down at an angle so the back of my earring was really low (you could see it hanging down), so my Mom made them do it again to get the back straight. So in one ear I have 2 holes on the back and sometimes it still opens up after 33 years.

2. I'm asking this one because I'm getting another tattoo soon…and even have plans to get one of a lizard – my little Draz – because this blog and you all have become a major part of my life. Anywhoozle – how many tattoos do you have? If you have none and wanted to get one – what would it be?

I do not have any tattoos and don't have any desire to get one.
I have lots of friends that have beautiful ones (including many of you I'm sure) and my hubby would love to get one(I think he's going to pick it for his goal reward), but they just aren't me.


3. If you've ever suffered from a weight-loss plateau, what's your best advice to get past it?

I don't know if I have any great advice here. So far, in this weight loss adventure my biggest plateau was the month of March and it sucked. I do journal my food when I'm stuck just to see what's going on and that helps.

4. This is a repeat. I liked last week's challenge for BYOC and I saw a lot of people this week follow through on the promise they made last week. You pick one thing for just one day next week that you want to do….and mentally doing it for the one day can totally jump start more successes. And I feel like I can do anything for just one day.
What will you do for just one day in your quest towards health?

 

I will drink all my water on Monday  - especially because I'm getting a bad cold and I know it will make me feel better to start the week.

5. Repeat *make someone a Superstar* question – what's your favorite blog or comment of the week?

I loved Draz's blog on taking meds (even though I didn't comment – sorry Draz) because sometimes people have opinions on things without having any perspective/knowledge and can be judgmental. Like so many things in life, I feel like this a topic that you should keep your mouth shut about unless you have some personal experience.

I also loved Angie's SOB post. She's the best and I think the SOB posts are great because we see that even people who admit to not being perfect can reach their goals.  Also, I've got 10.5 pounds let until I'm a hundred down since surgery and I want to be an SOB!

My Personal Slow Food Movement

I am big fan of the Slow Food Movement, in fact Rick and I used to belong to a local Slow Food club. If you don't know, the Slow Food Movement began in the 80's to counteract the fast food lifestyle and promote local foods and cuisine. However, today I am talking about something different. Since my crappy appointment on Monday I've had a bit a paranoia set in (yes, me) about an eroded band. I've tried really hard to look at my eating as of late and while my choices have been pretty good, I've gotten in the bad habit of eating too fast. I should not have that uncomfortable feeling all the time when I eat and since I don't PB or slime, I just push the food down and live with it. NOT GOOD.
I've made a conscious effort the last few days to really eat slowly and I feel like a huge dumb ass for falling into that bad habit. I feel good when I'm eating and no sticking pain. I know I eat fast from the many years I worked in the food industry - you basically ate when you could and wolfed it down so you could get back to work. I know that this will be an issue for Rick too after surgery, so I think concentrating on it will help both of us.

Have any of you found out that you've fallen back into that habit?

Keep calm, Carry on

I wanted to thank everyone for their support yesterday – obviously I was frustrated, pissed off and feeling sorry for myself. I especially want to thank those who wanted to physically hurt the NP for me – that shows you care.

Even before I posted I made an appointment for next week for an upper GI – better safe then sorry. I am trying to have a calmer outlook about some of it. Yes, this woman is very cautious and is looking out for my best interest. I still think it's a little bit of BS to question why I would want a fill if I've lost weight because I lost weight with very little restriction – the two aren't necessarily related if you're using will power (plus I've lost very little in the last 3 weeks).

 

I do feel like I need a tiny fill, but I'm trying to reexamine my eating to see if I can improve it or if I've changed it lately. I know I've had more carb-y sliders lately (like these Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips – they aren't that bad calorically, but I've over indulged). Also, I used to have a latte every morning and in the evening, but since the weather changed I've stopped. These can really fill me up so I'm wondering if that's making a difference in my hunger level. With all that being said, I know things aren't sticking with me the same way – I had a Luna Protein bar at around 9:00AM and it's 11:00 and I'm getting hungry – that's not cool.

 

So I'm going try to focus a little more on what I'm eating and get some scale action – fill or no fill.  I do have to see my surgeon next Friday when she does Rick's surgery so maybe we'll have some answers by then (although it's probably inappropriate to address that when it's not about me, I'll see what she says).

F***

OK, fuck was my working title, but apparentlt blogger doesn't let it show up in Reader if you do that.
I'm not sure where to begin - I had a fill appointment this morning. I went to see the other NP because the NP I used to see left. She walks in and says hi- have we met? I said no I used to see Tara. OK I have to write this conversationally or I'll go crazy.

Mean NP: Oh you 9.5 cc's in your band
Poor, hungry me: Actually 9.75 from my last fill in April
MNP: I've never had anyone go that high with your band I don't feel comfortable giving you a fill.
PHM: really? Well, I'm getting hungry every 2 hours, I need a fill. I'm not here for any issues.
MNP: Well, maybe I will. Oh I see you were at 9.75 before and you had an unfill
PHM: Well yes, but that was December, I've lost probably 25 pounds since then and I've been at 9.75 since April with no problems.
MNP: I see you've lost weight since that fill in April, why do you think you need another?
PHM: Because I'm hungry, the fact I've lost weight has nothing do to do with this  - except I've probably lost fat around my stomach and need a tweak.
MNP: Well I won't give you one unless your surgeon OKs it. I'll go call her and discuss it.
PHM: grunt
20 minutes later she comes back
MNP: I'm sorry that took so long. She said no, you need to have an upper GI first
PHM: So I'm never going to have another fill?
MNP: No, you just need to have an upper GI so we can rule out erosion and then maybe.
PHM: (zipping up my purse) OK, but just to clarify, my band holds 11cc's right?
MNP: yes, but too tight bands cause erosion. We just want to make sure you're OK because I've never seen anyone with that much fill in a Lap Band Vanguard band. Ever. But you've really done great with weight loss , we have bypass patients that don't lose that much
PHM: grunt


So yea, I'm pissed and want to gain like ten pounds and go back and say can I have fucking fill in my eroded band now?? Please? Ughh - I knew I would have trouble when Tara left. And of course now I'm paranoid that I have an eroded band because my ports been hurting lately and that can be a sign if you're ports infected. So I don't know if I want to be pig headed and not get the upper GI or get it just to find out and hopefully say screw you guys give me a fill. I hate stupid freakin people.

So enough of that - I had a good crazy weekend up to that point. Cate graduated preschool and my cake for my Mom & Dad's anniversary party came out OK. Here are some pictures:

Mom & Dad's Cake

Preschool Grad

Hope everyone's doing well - thanks for letting me vent

OK Here's The Picture...

Sweet dreams ladies....

Picture Test

I'm trying to figure out how I can post via email with pictures. This is supposed to work, so I thought I'd provide some eye candy for a Friday afternoon.
Here's hoping you'll see what I see.


Have a great weekend!

Fill Musings, Crazy Week and a Sisterhood Request

For someone who is considered a pretty successful bandster, I still struggle with restriction questions. Right now my restriction isn't bad, I'm still limited to about a cup portion size, but I'm getting hungry really quickly. This for me is my normal "I need a fill" signal and I have one scheduled for Monday, but I always worry at this high level (9.75cc's) about being overfilled. I definitely need it though, I'm getting hungry and eating too many snacks and my weight has been the same for 3 weeks. Decision made – thanks for working that out with me.

 

I have an insanely crazy end of the week/weekend in front of me. Tomorrow night I have Cate's preschool graduation (I know I'm a dork and will cry). Then Saturday we promised to take her to see Toy Story 3 then we have a family dinner for my Mom & Dad's 50^th Anniversary that night – for which I have committed to making a two tiered replica of their wedding cake.  I have made small wedding cakes in the past, so it's not that big of deal, but it always takes more time than you think. Sunday there's a party for one of my nephews HS graduation and Fathers Day! I can do this – I'll just need to sleep late Monday.

 

OK, I have a sisterhood request for all you skinny mini's out there. Does anyone have some size 14 jeans they want to part with? All I have is 16 and they won't stay up. I didn't buy jeans because I don't normally wear them in summer, but I'm the United Way coordinator for my department at work and we just got approved to have 8 jeans day Fridays from June to September for a fundraiser. So I'm expected to wear jeans. So anyway if anyone has some in their too big pile and would like to send them my way I'd be eternally grateful. I'd be happy to pay shipping.

 

OK bloggies – I'm going to try to stay caught up the rest of the week, but probably won't comment too much. I'll post some pictures of all my festivities next week.

Troubling news and BYOC

Ughh – I am not sure why I'm so upset about this, but I decided to call and schedule a little fill this morning because I'm getting hungry quickly so I'm due for a tweak and they told me Tara, my NP left the hospital recently. Seriously, I'm not sure why but I almost cried on the phone. I tried not to pump the coordinator for too much info, but in my head I'm like WHERE DID SHE GO? Like I would switch practices to follow her.

I've been trying to figure out why it's bugging me so much, I guess she was just very easy to work with (I never had to fight for a fill like some of you guys do) and super supportive of me. So in my crazy head I'm like I'm going to fail now that Tara's gone. Of course I know that someone I see every 4-6 weeks for like 20 minutes was not the key to my success, but I can always look for excuses. Like I said not rational, but I never claimed to be very often.

Onto BYOC:

What was your first pet?

Our dog Lassie – she was a small collie (not a sheltie) and was the best freaking dog ever. My family got her about a year before I was born so and she protected me. When I was a baby my Mom had my out in a stroller and my Mom's friend (our neighbor) came over and was going to take me for a walk and Lassie went ape shit on her and wouldn't let her leave with me because she thought I was being kidnapped (or whatever dogs think). Isn't that sweet? Well, not for the neighbor. She died when I was in 4^th grade, everyone cried – even my Dad.

2. When did you lose your virginity? …..

Ok - I was a late bloomer and never did the actual deed until I went off to college. So I was 19 I think. Not that much to expand upon if you know what I mean.

#3 & 4 – Drazil is combining these two because this answer could be long. If you could, post what a daily meal plan looks like for each of you – out of curiosity and out of possibly learning new foods to try.

Breakfast:

7:00AM - Coffee

9:00-10:00AM - A protein bar or poached egg (if I'm home)

Lunch:

Between 12:00-1:30: A cup of something (could be left over dinner, tuna salad, hummus & crackers, soup, chili)

Snack: Between 4:00-5:00 String cheese, Greek yogurt, Baby Bell cheese, fruit

Dinner: 7:00PM

3 oz of protein (chicken, fish, ground turkey in various ways of prepare)

¼ cup of starch (rice, potatoes, quinoa)

¼ cup of veg

1 piece of Lindt Touch of Sea Salt dark chocolate at night with coffee

5. Repeat question: What blog or blog comment stayed with you or stuck with you the most this week and why?

Well everyone's sweet comments on my anniversary vlog were awesome and meant so to me (I haven't deleted them from my email yet).

I really liked Dawn's blog about trying to branch back out into the world (Draz also had a great similar post) – I could relate

Is the guy in the cube next to me playing drums? Or am I hung over?

I learned a few things last night:

 

1. When you go with your best friend to try on wedding dresses, you will cry (she's getting married in April)
2. If you go out for "one glass" of wine after and you both have had bariatric procedures (she had RNY), you'll get drunk quickly
3. When you're 38 a hangover on Thursday morning is not glamorous

 

 

 

The interesting thing about last night is we went to a small bridal boutique that a woman started because she was really frustrated when she went out to shop for wedding dresses and she couldn't try any of the samples on because they were all 8/10 and she was a 14/16 girl. So she only carries dresses that she can get samples in that are an 18 and up. Granted, they are very high end dresses, but I think the concept is awesome. I remember shopping for wedding dresses and while I wasn't huge at that point I was a solid 18/20 and my options were really limited.

 

While we were there she asked me if I was getting married and I told her I've been married for years, but I've lost weight and I need to get my band resized (I'm only wearing my engagement ring). Of course she asked me how I'm losing and I told her. She was very interested and asked a lot of questions and we talked about the mental aspect of it. I'm going to send her my surgeon's info. I haven't really told a complete stranger before but I guess I'm at point where if it I feel the person is asking because they have their own weight battle (as opposed to nosey co-workers) then why not? At this point I feel I'm a good example of what the band can do when you work it right.

 

I am on my second iced coffee of the day and it's only 9:00AM – God help me.

 

I've been debating the last few days if I need a little fill or if I'm not eating enough solid protein at meals, but I getting hungry quickly.  I'll give it a few more days and decide.

One Year

Forgive me for the volume my camera sucks! I think based on this vlog my anniversary gift should be a haircut.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Newbie Alert

Hi gang! I found a new blog The Hungry Girl's Diary by Jenny. She's having surgery next week and could use some followers and comments from the crew!
http://hungrygirlsdiary.blogspot.com/

Bullet Points of Crazy

• One thing I'm not very good at is stopping eating. Even after almost a year (and probably six months of good restriction) I still need to get that extra bite. Of course then I freak myself out that I'm stretching my pouch – I'm sure I'm not but like right now I probably just ate a cup of tuna when I could have stopped at half a cup, but half a cup never seems like enough mentally.
• My husband got his surgery date – July 2^nd! Lots of drama at his work – he runs a wine shop and since he'll be out over the holiday the owners are freaking out because it interferes with their annual July 4^th trip to their Lake house (boo-hoo). I could write a whole long post on his work situation (which is bizarre), but I'll say this, the female of the couple that owns the business calls him like 2 hours after he tells them about the date and says "maybe you should switch the date because what if something happens over the weekend and your surgeon is off for the holiday and you have to deal with interns?? You would be better off to do it the next week." Her concern is overwhelming – can you believe this shit?? I told him to tell her that it's Johns Fucking Hopkins and not a third world hospital and since they OWN their vacation house they can go the next week. They do not know what he is having done, but seriously the balls – not to mention the business is closed July 4^th & 5^th so they can still go on their precious vacation, just not as long. OK that did go on awhile – sorry.
• Am I they only that gets paranoid that other bloggers don't like her? Seriously, I go through these phases where I'll be like "that person never comments on my blog, but I comment on hers, maybe I should unfollow her because she doesn't like me, no maybe that would be worse". Yes that is my sad mental conversation. Now I know there are people I follow that I LOVE, but I don't always comment on because they post earlier in the day and I'm at work and I can't comment from Google Reader and I never get caught up, so I'm not sure why I take it so personally. I need help.
• I wore my new size 14 bathing suit to the pool Sunday and felt pretty good. I'm going to take a picture in it but I seriously need to tan my vampire like skin first. While I was at the pool a couple came in and just sat at the edge and put their feet in. The woman was very large and had regular clothes on. I so desperately wanted to be like you don't have to just wear capris to the pool and stick your feet in – you can be normal like me. Of course I wouldn't say that, but does that go through your head now? I mean I'm not Kate Moss, but I feel normal now (size wise) and it makes me feel sad when I see a miserable big person. Maybe I shouldn't assume everyone is miserable, but it's hard not to.
• What is it that makes a 4 day week seem longer than a normal 5 day week? I'm so ready for Saturday.
• Take care lovelies!