Belly Rub

The last couple of days, people have been commenting on how good I look. They then go on to ask what have I been doing? "Weight watchers", "Jenny Craig", etc. And then I tell them portion control. Then they look a little puzzled, and since I'm coming "out" to people who are asking now, I smile and say, "I had Lap Band surgery back in October, and then I proceed to rub my belly. When I realized what I was doing, I was like WTF?! Did I really just rub my belly?! What is all that about?! Does anyone else do this or am I only the one who does this? After I realized what I was doing, I was so distraught. Why am I doing this? I figured maybe it was because that is where my scars are, and technically, where the band is located?! Who knows - I just know that the next I come out to someone in person, I will be making sure that I am NOT rubbing my belly with my hand.

It kinda freaked me....weirdo.

Happy Tuesday!!

Another chance

This whole time, I have been using my Wii Fit to track my weight. So, I decided to get a new scale for myself. I haven't had a "bathroom scale" in many, many years. This is probably why I gained so much weight in the first place. Well, now I have a scale that will help me keep myself in line (I hope). Using the Wii Fit was always easy, cause I was using it anyways. Well, then it became a chore and sometimes I almost didn't weigh, so I wouldn't have to pull it all out. I've been working out in other ways than just the Wii Fit, so it wouldn't come out some weeks until Saturday AM for my weekly weigh in.

Ok - so - I weighed this morning and the official, first weigh in is: 261.4 (which ironically, I pulled the Wii Fit out and it matched).

Weigh in Day

I think that I'm just going to make Saturday my weigh in day! I've weighed in early the last couple of weeks and been happy with my results, so I'm gonna change it. So, today's weigh in is: 262.8, which is 2.2 down from last week!! Yay!! I've had 2 days at the gym this week and am going to go 2 days next week and try to go at least 2 days for the next three months (then my free period runs out and I will decide if I will continue or not!)

I feel great when I leave the gym, I like the sweaty, burning, invigorated kinda feeling. I wish that I could go early in the morning, then I could go every day. But, I do about an hour and a half twice a week, so that's like almost 30 mins a day all clumped together!! I still work out with my exercise ball and little weights at home on the days that I don't go to the gym, so I do feel like a total waste.

Last night, after working out for an hour and a half, I went to Walmart to finish up my Christmas shopping and get my stuff off of layaway, and that took another hour and a half, so that felt like a work out too! lol I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Christmas Holiday but I LOATHE shopping during it!! Everyone is so grouchy!!

Well, I have some homework to finish and then going to start wrapping and hiding presents while my son is at his Dad's house this weekend. Then grocery shopping at Walmart (another workout) and then maybe a bike ride to ride off the stress of shopping - lol!!!  Hope ya'll have a great day!!!

Love

OK - so - it's Friday! YAY! Ok - I was looking back on the last few blogs and realized that I forgot something. Last week was the last week of the fall semester and we had a little get together at happy hour at a local brewery. It was my, my boss and 5 of my favorite girls. I don't drink (beer), so I was just hanging out, listening to stories and we had a great time. Then, they gave my a card from the whole group. In the card was a gift card to The Gap. I immediately laughed and said, "I can't shop there", making a joke and then one of the girls said, "Maybe not now, but soon enough!!" WOW - I know that these girls have no idea how much that gesture of kindness has affected me. The feeling that all these young, 24-26yr old women all have faith in me, enough faith that they know that I will be able to use that gift card and soon. They have all been here for me the last few months, even when I left them high and dry while I was out recovering from my surgery. They have all been an essential part of my journey and I will never, ever forget their kindness. They all graduate in May, and it's my intention to be a much smaller size by then and I will stand proudly and watch them graduate! I can't wait!!

In case I've never mentioned this before, I love my job. I love every aspect of my job, and if I didn't have such a great support system during the day (which is the hardest time), then I probably wouldn't have considered this journey at all. Having these girls around, well, is just a great bonus!!

Well, this afternoon is going to be my second time at the new gym. Then I'm going Christmas shopping and getting my stuff off of lay a way, so I can wrap and hide everything - luckily, my son is with his Dad this weekend, so I have plenty of time and don't have to rush when he's asleep!!

Have a great Friday ya'll!!!

Two months down....

Two months ago today, my life changed forever. Today, my life has changed again. I went to my first session with my personal trainer, which is paid for (for 3 months) by the program that I joined at the Obesity Surgery Center when I signed up for surgery. Knowing I had this appointment today, I packed a change of clothes and put by my bag so I wouldn't forget them. Well, I forgot them. So, on the way to my appointment, I stopped at Walmart and picked up some exercise pants and a t-shirt. The pants I got are 2 (TWO) sizes smaller than what I was wearing 2 (TWO) months ago. And the t-shirt that I got was one size smaller.

When I got to the gym, it was empty. The owner, is the trainer that will be working with me. She had me fill out some paperwork and then we got started. She showed me around and then took a few measurements. She had my hold this little scale thingy to see what my % of body fat was. Well, it was a large number, which is kinda what I expected. Little depressing, but that's why I'm there, right? Well, then as she's going over all my numbers with me, she asked me what my goal was. I told her my goal weight and what I wanted to accomplish and she told me this: "Weight is just a number. A skinny person can die of a heart attack tomorrow. You need to be fit." Wow - weight is just a number. Here, I've been dwelling over numbers and the little ups and downs, and NOW I find out, it's not about numbers. Well, I sorta knew that, but I knew that once the weight started falling off (ha!) that I would become more healthy. Wrong. It's a full body commitment. My body is feeling better with the weight gone, but my mind and heart are still heavy. I need the kick of the endorphins to help me from the inside-out.

Well, we worked out on several different machines, starting with a mile walk on a treadmill, as fast as I could, to see what my heart rate level was. Well, luckily, I didn't die. I felt like it, but I didn't. Then we worked on some weights, which is my favorite, I could do that all day long. Finally, to finish off the day (and me, apparently), she had me on the elliptical machine...that S.O.B. will kill you, if you ain't careful! I did 2 minutes and I told her that I had to go! LOL She told me to try and add just 1 minute each time I'm there and that I will notice a difference sooner, than later.

Well, I'm trying to see how often I can go, but with my schedule, I doubt it will be often. I'm a full time, single Mother. I take care of my parents (sorta) and am a full time daughter. I go to school online full time. I work full time, 35 miles one-way from home. My son has ADHD and is starting to slip at school. I need the release from everything, but how do I work in the time? I wish I could push pause every so often.

I felt really comfortable at this gym. I haven't felt comfortable, anywhere, in a long time. Especially, not in my own skin. Well, wish me luck.

Night.

2 Month Bandiversary!

Two months ago tomorrow, on October 6, my life changed forever. Since then, I have lost 34 pounds, 13+ inches and gained a whole lot of self-esteem. I still have a ways to go, in all categories, but I have met some interesting people along the way and can't wait to meet more. I am struggling every day, with many battles, not just the weight loss. I wish I could share the struggles with everyone, not for the sympathy, but for empathy, for people to realize that everyone is fighting some kind of battle....maybe even two or three battles at once, so "Be kinder than necessary, because everyone is fighting some kind of battle" ~Unknown.

On another note, here's a few before and now pics, that help to keep my motivated! Enjoy!!

And in case I haven't said it lately, I LOVE MY BAND!!!!

All that ranting paid off.....early weigh in day....

Wow, I must have burned some extra calories this week with all the PMS-rants!! I decided to weigh this morning, to know whether or not this was going to be a good weekend or bad weekend and I was a happy camper!! Down another 2 pounds to 265!! My lowest weight in probably 10 years!! Which is really great considering the week I had - three end of semester parties at work, with all kinds of crap food. Then good ol' Aunt Flo is in town, so who knows, there may be a few pounds of water that will escape by my desk weigh in! (wishful thinking!!)

Well, I'm happy with myself and my decisions, because of all the wonderful food that was available, I proved to myself that by losing 2 pounds this week, I made the right decisions!! <patting myself on back!>

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!!! Hugs!!