Shame On Me

It had been so long since I posted anything, I'd be surprised if I still had readers :)

Well, I'm maintaining. I am currently trying very hard not to be addicted to the scale anymore and trying to stay around once or twice a week of weighing myself. 

My last weigh in: 165

My pre-surgery weight: 316

Total loss: 151 lbs. 

Due to a sad funeral we had to attend, we got to visit with several old friends and a happy occasion, our niece's grad party family over the last couple of days. I'm finding it difficult to accept compliments and understand the double takes or the "I didn't recognize you" I've been getting. Hard for me to accept for some reason. 

Here are some updated pics of the fam, hopefully I'll give a good update on them soon:

On April 2 we all wore our matching Autism Awareness t-shirts. 

Weigh In

It's been a while since I did a weigh in. A LONG while. Like 2 months. Shame on me. But, can I use the excuse, holidays, surgery, life? Probably not. So let's start with numbers and then I'll tell you what's been going on. 

Last weigh in online: 163

This week's weight: 159.6 (I think)

This week's weight loss: -3.4 lbs

Total weight loss: 156.4 lbs

Now, for some reference as to why my number maybe lower last week and may go up this week. I had surgery 5 weeks ago Friday. Thus I had an unfill 5 weeks ago Thursday. So, Friday of this week I finally had my fill done. I'm probably at 7 cc's total right now. So, I did full liquids Friday and softs on Saturday and Sunday. So my numbers maybe off a bit next time because I've had a few carbs this weekend due to an intestinal issue. 

Ok so weight loss. I'm not going to lie. I'm thrilled. But I still have a fat girl brain. I don't think that's ever going to go away. I'm currently in a size 12 and when I was in a 26/28 I always said if I could just get into a 12 I'd be happy. Hmmmm. Now that I'm here I'd like to be lower. Something's wrong with me :-/. I probably could do 10's in some things but 12's right now. 

Realizing I'm almost half my body weight is a bit ridiculous too. I had an awful dream where I was wearing a skirt with elastic stretched out as far as it could be. I remember that and don't hope to go there again. 

Oh, I do want to say to my blogging buddies. Why did NO ONE warn me that you will have bowel issues after the fact?!  All news to me. So, anyone reading this and learning, yes it is an issue but you will make it through. Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!

NSV

I know I haven't blogged in forever. My goal weight for myself was 158. I can't seem to get there. So, I'm trying to be content at 165. I've been as low as 161.2 but I'm staying right around that 165 mark. And lately, I've been so addicted to the scale my husband had to hide it (yet again) from me. 

The clinic's goal was 145. That would put me at "normal" BMI. Ugh. Unless I sweat my bootie off (which I should be, I know) I just don't see that happening. 

So, can I be content? That's where my brain is now. Trying to not get too rillied up when I see that number jump a little because I know I bring it down. 

I had to have a couple of corrections to my hysterectomy 3 weeks ago (minor surgery). So I currently am without fluid in my band. I need to squeeze in the time to go back in now that I'm starting to feel better (see I say that and this morning - not so much). I didn't want my NP pushing on my tummy after the surgery. Plus I kinda want to get back to presurgery weight before going. 

Ok, so onto my newest NSV. Drumroll please...........I unsubscribed to Lane Bryant! I do not need them any longer :)

Before / Now

I hate pics of myself. I'm floating around 165. Today I was 165.6. I've gotten as low as 161.2. I think I need to learn to be content. 

Long Story Short

Yes I gained weight over the Christmas holiday. Yes it freaks me out a bit. But, I can go right back to my daily schedule!

New high, size 12 pants! A lot different than the size 28 I started with ;)

Friday Weigh In

Last weigh in: 163.8

This week's weight: 163

This week's weight loss: -0.8 lb

Total weight loss: 153 lbs

I have no idea what I was last week. I think the same. I think if I make it through all of our Christmas festivities and maintain, I should be happy. 

5 more lbs and I'll be at 50% weight loss!!!

Friday Weigh In

Last week's weight: 164.8

This week's weight: 163.8

This week's weight loss: -1 lb

Total weight loss: 152.2 lbs

Considering we had a big birthday weekend that consisted of a several day celebration for my husband and Thanksgiving thrown in this week, I'll take it!! I did see a lower number yesterday (163.2) but that was before we ate our Thanksgiving meal. How did y'all do? I tried to stay mainly liquid until we went to eat at my parents house. My plan was to eat on a small plate. That didn't happen. I did mainly eat my protein first, drank very little calories (that didn't include protein i.e. protein shake) and a bunch of water (101.4 oz). Other than that I tried not to overthink it. I over analyze every piece of food I put in my mouth now, which is both good and bad. I think it could eventually drive me to the point of madness if I don't start using it constructively or wisely. 

As you can tell by numbers above, I've almost lost 1/2 of my body weight. I have about 6 more lbs to go. In my really fast losing stage that would take 2 weeks. Now, probably more like 6. This is my goal. I've never outwardly said it on my blog. 158. My goal. 

My clinic on the other hand would like to see more like 140-145. Then I would be in the "normal" BMI range. Right now I'm still considered overweight. 

But I'm getting there. My lapband is just over 18 months old now. We keep pushing on.

One thing I would like to point out is how many plateaus I've hit in this journey. A ton!! But, having this tool is so different for me because it was never like a diet. A diet I would easily give up and go back to my old ways. Even knowing how many calories and fat grams were in something, I'd still eat it. Now, it's made it's way into my brain. Things are a lot easier to turn down. Do I always? No. Do I try? Absolutely!

I'll give you an example. The other day our company received an honor for being one of the best companies to work for. Two of the recruiters in our office made their way to the party and brought back cupcakes. I ate one. A few days later they passed out special candy bars with special packaging as a thank you, I did two things, first looked at the fat grams (20!!!) and second to see if it was nut free (was thinking about taking it home to my family - nope). So I gave it to one if the recruiters. So, I made a better choice. Could I have eaten it? Oh absolutely! But 20 g of fat? In ONE candy bar. Not worth it. 

I'm still learning as I go. Still losing but almost at the point of maintenance. I think if I get to 158 I should be proud and happy. If I never lose another lb I have lost 1/2 my body weight. But still work towards the 140-145 mark and see if I can get there. Might take me a while. Weight fell of FAST at first. Not so much anymore. 

Friday/Saturday Weigh Ins

Last week's weight: 165.8

This week's weight (Friday): 165.6

This week's weight (Saturday): 164.8

This week's weight loss: -1 lb

Total weight loss: 151.2 lbs

I was quite irritated yesterday when I saw the scale. Only -0.2 lbs. I know last week I talked about being in plateau. I actually just talked that out with my hubby yesterday too. I told him maybe the shock of the tummy tuck and subsequent weight loss after has put my body into shock mode (it's happened before when I lost a big amount in a short time) and now my brain is telling my body to slow down for some reason. Also, I'm sure, even though I was counting them, the stinkin Tootsie Rolls that have been plaguing my house, have not been helping!!

So this week's challenges are my husband's birthday weekend (it started yesterday - which you can see I had success so far - and by the way his actual birthday was yesterday) and Thanksgiving.  

Last Thanksgiving I was still "learning my band" and had a PB episode during dinner. Fun. I sincerely doubt we shall have a repeat of that. 

Today is a big Whovian day, which for my husband for it to fall on his birthday weekend is fantastic. It's the 50th anniversary of when Doctor Who first appeared on the telly. Big deal at our house :)

Kids are doing great at school. M made the A-B honor roll!! L is making strides at school and improvements. His gen ed and ASD teacher did a combined parent/teacher conference with me. He's making friendships with neurotypical kids which will help him!!!

How was your week?

This week's weigh in.....I've been a boring blogger lately

Last week's weight: 167.2

This week's weight: 165.8

This week's weight loss: -1.4 lbs

Total weight loss: 150.2 lbs

I always seem to self sabotage on the weekends and a teeny bit on the week days. I'm almost wondering if I feel like I'm getting towards maintenance OR if I'm in a plateau. Either way, I'd like to get to MY personal goal of 158. If I ever saw 140, I'd be thrilled. When I was losing 3 lbs a week, that wouldn't be that too far off. Either goal. Now it feels almost as far away as 150 lbs lost felt like. But really, I need to wrap my brain around, I'VE LOST 150 LBS! I need to get over myself. I'm wearing a size 14, maybe a 12 if I tried. I tried on my daughter's size 9 (that are probably a bit too big for her) jeans today. I could pull them up. Button. Zip. Wear. No way. 

Ok, how are you?

Friday's Weigh In

Last week's weight: 165.8

This week's weight: 167.2

This week's weight loss: +1.4 lbs

Total weight loss: 148.8 lbs

I'ma couple days late. Did I really want to post this?  Nope. Do I have legitimate excuses? You mean like my son's birthday effecting it, maybe. But at this point nothing is really an excuse anymore. It is what it is. So, I press on and try to work harder. 

Friday Weigh In

Last week's weight: 167.8

This week's weight: 165.8

This week's weight loss: 2 lbs

Total weight loss: 150.2 lbs

What?!?! That's crazy to me. 

It was a wet, windy not overly cold Halloween here. We trick and treated for about an hour. I had a football player and 

Amy Pond at house, how about you?

Friday Weigh In

10/18 Weigh in: 170.2 lbs

10/11 Weigh in 169.2 lbs

So what happened that week, my birthday. That's what happened. Then on 10/18 my dad had major surgery. The surgeon went in saying he was hoping just to do it (remove a polyp from my dad's stomach) laprosopic and he'd be home in 3-4 days.  But, depending on where it was and other circumstances, they may have to open him up and oh yeah, there's the possibility that I might have to take out half of your stomach.  Well, they ended up not being able to do it laprosopic, however, they were able to only remove the polyp and he still has his stomach!!! 

You know the time when they are about to take you into surgery and the anesthiologist is going over everything one more time? Well, that was the time my great-great aunt l, who is almost 93 and usually lives with my parents but is currently rehabbing at a nursing home (whew), they call and tell my mom that they think she's had a stroke! Talk about awful timing. So, between all of that and my son has had some awful ASD days. My daughter was struggling (she pushes herself when it comes to school) with algebra this week but my hubby said he saw the light bulb go on and that's an awesome indication that she is finally getting it. So, long story short, I saw 174. something this week. Freaked me out a bit. So, P hid my scale and I ate better. No more stress eating!!!!

This Week's Weight: 167.8 lbs

Weekly Loss: 2.4 lbs

Total Loss: 148.2 lbs

Friday Weigh In

10/8 Weigh in (forgot to do a weigh in last week): 172.2 lbs (which has been roughly my weight for the last week or so bouncing up and down but right around that)

This Week's Weight: 170.2 lbs

Weekly Loss: 2 lbs

Total Loss: 145.8

Listen, this lap band thing and certainly this tummy tuck thing is not easy BUT I am soooooo grateful and thankful. And would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!!

Before and Right Now Pics

So, I posted a pic on Instagram and Facebook yesterday of me before. It's of me and my daughter in 2009.  This was a reminder to NEVER go back. I know the scale fluctuates. But to NEVER go back!!!

I wish I would have had my hubby take a full shot pic of me on Sunday. I had on a new size (for me) jeans and a slenderizing black t-shirt for church (yep, we are that kind of church!) and I felt thinner looking. So, I do have a "selfie" I took. Please note my hair is a tint of green because we launched a bunch of stuff that day and I was trying to make it more fun for the kids. 

So here I am at about 172.2. Above, probably around 316ish. Big difference. 

One of the best decisions of my life. Is the lap band easy?? Um, NO!!! Is it possible? Most definitely!!  Is it work? Absolutely!!! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!!!

In tummy tuck and other news, I'm having my belly button revision today. And I go back to work on Monday. I haven't worked since mid-June. I hope my brain remembers everything!!!!! My boss is the best. I am also hoping to schedule my incision revision today too. It'll be during Christmas break (fun huh?). But, I figure I've taken enough time off work. And my plastic surgeon said it shouldn't be a big deal. 

TTFN!!!

Oops. Need to blog more.

Well, I WAS down to 172, and then we had a foodie kinda weekend. And quite frankly I am still majorly recovering from my tummy tuck so I'm not overly worried. And I think I've figured out my life with food. Yes, the scale is going to go up every now and again. But, then you go back to the things you know to do. Protein, water (which by the way since my surgery I've MAJORLY upped my water intake so I am patting myself on the back for that) and well, exercise.  Can't exercise so protein and water it is. And I have to be careful too. I have NO fluid in my band. And I really need to figure out when I am going to go do that. 

Oh and just to throw it in there, have I mentioned that I'm getting REALLY good at wound care?? Unless you ask, you don't want to know. But, ask me would I have the tummy tuck again, YES!!!!

My plan was to do it (my fill) right before I go back to work (Oct. 14) however, I am having my belly button revision surgery 6 days before I go back to work and my port got moved to right above my belly button and let me tell you my whole belly is tender to the touch as it is. So, I'm not quite sure what to do. My goal was to go back to work and be 175. Well, I'm already under that. So maybe I just need to relax. Story of my life by the way. 

So here's a few pics I thought you would enjoy. 

My girl right before having her braces removed:

And right after (FYI - Invisalign retainers - spoiled kids!!):

Did I show you first day school pics?? Here is M - 8th grade:

And here is L - 2nd grade:

L has seasonal asthma and it decided to kick in, so he had to breathing treatments for a bit:

Here's a selfie of me on our way to our church's small group that we lead. We had a road rally (no I didn't participate, I sat at the church and tallied points):

Well, I think that's about it for now. Hope all is well in your world. On the right side of my blog you can see the blogs I read. That Molly Girl is having her surgery tomorrow, head on over to her blog and wish her luck, give her your best advice or simply say hello!!

Bye guys!!!!

Friday Weigh In

Well, I just realized I haven't blogged. My tummy tuck surgery is healing, ok. More on that later. But, I'm having some other medical issues and well, I'm a hurtin' people. 

So, let me give a little update on my weigh in. My last weigh in online was when I went in for my surgery, 3 weeks ago. I still do not have any fluid in my band currently. 

Last Weigh in: 188.6 lbs

This Week's Weight: 173 lbs

3 Week Loss of: 15.6 lbs

Total Loss: 143 lbs

Now, please keep in mind that 9 of those lbs were from the surgery. But, this girl I've been downing water in my handy dandy (yes, I know my clinic doesn't like straws but it's working for me right now) Doctor Who TARDIS cup. Wanna see it?

So, back to my tummy tuck. Am I skinny minnie? Well, no. I still weigh 173. But, all that excess skin is GONE. The stuff that was bothering me. This is TRULY a personal choice. And more power to anyone who chooses different. But because my original weight was so high, I imagine at some point in my life that skin would have become a health hazard. 

Onto my issues. So, two things that are kinda typical have happened. My belly button (ya know the new one) and a spot on my incision line aren't quite healing the way they are supposed too. So, I'll have a couple of revision surgeries in a few months. I'm not worried. I trust my doctor. 

My husband took me to get a few things so that when I feel up to church or when I can finally go back to work I have clothes. I can't even believe I'm saying this but I bought leggings!!! They were XL but they weren't in the plus size section. And I also got some boots that go to my knees. I've never had them before. I love them. 

Here's the best part of the story. I shopped at Target and well I changed my mind about two sweaters I bought. So my precious husband returned them, went to Old Navy with a text that I had written for the sales associate to read and he came home with two adorable sweaters. He's really never shopped for me. Good job babe. 

So parts of me still are XL. A couple of tshirts and a tank were XXL but I'm still really swollen and was told maybe 6-12 months before I see all results. 

So that's me. Email me if your bored. Send a comment. I'm just laying around!!!

Finally Feel Like Blogging

Well I did it!!! I had my tummy tuck on August 30th! And yes, you can tremendously tell a major difference. But, I have a lot of swelling still. So, I probably won't really see results until at least 6 months. Some say up to a year!!

How did it go?!?!  Well, I'm gonna give TMI info here so if you aren't ready to read then don't!!!!

I have bulging discs and the 23 hr stay beds they keep in you in over night are not conducive to those. So, I could NOT see any abdomen pain through my back pain. It was AWFUL. And it stayed that way until I spoke with our office's medical assistant on Sunday. She spoke with the doctor and a muscle relaxer has saved the day. 

Ok, TMI #2. I have some bowel issues. Specifically a fissure. Add in constipation from pain meds and we have some SERIOUS issues. SERIOUS issues. Please pray. 

TMI #3, belly button and fat necrosis. I have some issues that will need some minor procedures to correct and make look really good. 

So, with all that honesty. Would I do it again? Probably. I don't have fat hanging way down like I did. She even got some of my love handle stuff :)

My weigh in the other morning was 176. That is a total loss of 140 lbs. My previous goal was to weigh 140-145. I think I'd be happy at 155-158. 

Friday Weigh In

Last Week's Weight: 188.6

This Week's Weight: 187

Weekly Loss: -1.6 lbs

Total Loss: 129 lbs

Today's the day!! In about 20 mins we'll be hopping in my minivan and off to the hospital we shall go!! It's tummy tuck day!!  I took advice and had my hubby take two before shots. Please ignore my big giant forehead. I look like a bobble head. 

Let's do this (I'm scared!!!!)!

Quick Blog - NSV??

My blood pressure today with a small cuff, 112/74 :)

Weigh in

Last week I didn't post. I was just plain irritated. I was up from the week previous. So here we go. 

Last week's weight: 189.6 (gained a lb from the week previous)

Today's weight: 188.6

Weekly Loss: -1 lb