Growing up, I was a competitive swimmer for 9 years. I swam year-round and competed at a very high level. I was amazing, if I do say so myself!
Fast forward 13 years and I haven't swam a single lap in a pool...until last night. I'm finally semi-comfortable being in a swimsuit (a conservative, lap-swimming one piece) and decided to start taking advantage of the pools at my gym!
Gosh, what a difference 13 years makes. I used to be able to swim my heart out 4 days a week for 2 hours a day! Last night, I had to FIGHT to keep swimming for 40 minutes! I did it, though, and my arms are hurting like a mother today, as are my hip flexors.
You'd think that because it was so difficult that I'd be discouraged. Oh no no. Not so, my fine blogger friends! It makes me want to work harder to get back into the shape I was in while I was competing!
However, I do have to adjust my workouts. I thought I would be able to swim for at least an hour, but that's not gonna happen. Instead, I'll do a few weights in the actual gym then head to the pool for 40 minutes.
Sound good? Good.
Up next: why I can't stop eating and how much I hate getting unfills. Stay tuned ;)
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Hating Life...
Ugh. I do not want to be back. Do you have any idea how amazing it was to not think about work for 18 days?!? Or to be out of NJ for 16 days?!? It was bliss...
Vacation was super. It was fabulous. It was just what I needed. I've got a nice little tan going, too!
After I had the 2cc taken out 8 days ago, I fell off the wagon and have gained a few lbs. I was so excited to be able to eat and boy can I!! I only have the slightest bit of restriction now. I'm not eating as much as I was pre-op, but I'm eating more than I have since post-op. So, back on the wagon I go.
I'm going to give myself a personal challenge: 7 hours of exercise per week until I go on my cruise (30 days!). It's going to be tough, but I need something to keep me accountable.
After the cruise (the day we dock), I'm going back to my surgeon in ATL and we are going to discuss adding some of the 2cc back in. I'm fully prepared to get 1cc max put in. I don't think they will be as aggressive with fills from here on out, which I'm completely okay with.
Prior to my fiascos of the last few months, I was aiming for speed when it came to weight loss. Now, I want it to be as painless as possible...I'm speaking both figuratively and literally.
Today, I have eaten (so far):
-Reduced Sugar Oatmeal packet
-Cup of Mandarin Oranges
-Ham & Swiss on low carb tortilla
-Baby Carrots & 1/4 c hummus
-Mini York Patty
Vacation was super. It was fabulous. It was just what I needed. I've got a nice little tan going, too!
After I had the 2cc taken out 8 days ago, I fell off the wagon and have gained a few lbs. I was so excited to be able to eat and boy can I!! I only have the slightest bit of restriction now. I'm not eating as much as I was pre-op, but I'm eating more than I have since post-op. So, back on the wagon I go.
I'm going to give myself a personal challenge: 7 hours of exercise per week until I go on my cruise (30 days!). It's going to be tough, but I need something to keep me accountable.
After the cruise (the day we dock), I'm going back to my surgeon in ATL and we are going to discuss adding some of the 2cc back in. I'm fully prepared to get 1cc max put in. I don't think they will be as aggressive with fills from here on out, which I'm completely okay with.
Prior to my fiascos of the last few months, I was aiming for speed when it came to weight loss. Now, I want it to be as painless as possible...I'm speaking both figuratively and literally.
Today, I have eaten (so far):
-Reduced Sugar Oatmeal packet
-Cup of Mandarin Oranges
-Ham & Swiss on low carb tortilla
-Baby Carrots & 1/4 c hummus
-Mini York Patty
Monday, May 24, 2010
Hydrated & Ready to Rock!
So, I'm fully rehydrated since my issue last week. I gained back 3lb, but the dr. said he thought the scale would move up since I had so little fluid in me.
I made some turkey chili over the weekend and I think it would be wonderful, but I put too many crushed red pepper flakes in it! Spi-cy!
I have also found the most delicious mashed potatoes you can buy. Side note: I still have to eat very mushy foods at lunch. Popeye's Chicken! The gravy has bits of meat in it and it has a little kick to it. I highly recommend.
Did anyone catch the "Overweight in America" show that aired on CNBC last Monday? I thought it was excellent! It's a great look at the disease and what we need to do to reverse it.
So, I've had a delayed celebration of making it to Onederland. I didn't want to celebrate when it first showed on my scale bc I didn't know if it was real or not. Well, it's real. I've hit it and I'm so happy. It's amazing how one little number can really work you over psychologically. I love seeing that "1". I still have around 45lb. to go to my ULTIMATE goal and 35lb. to my original goal.
I changed my goal recently b/c I noticed that at under 200 I couldn't see myself the way I'd like to be at 165. I felt like at 155 I would be happier AND it's well into my "normal" range for BMI. 165 was at the very high end. I don't want to be close to being overweight anymore!
I made some turkey chili over the weekend and I think it would be wonderful, but I put too many crushed red pepper flakes in it! Spi-cy!
I have also found the most delicious mashed potatoes you can buy. Side note: I still have to eat very mushy foods at lunch. Popeye's Chicken! The gravy has bits of meat in it and it has a little kick to it. I highly recommend.
Did anyone catch the "Overweight in America" show that aired on CNBC last Monday? I thought it was excellent! It's a great look at the disease and what we need to do to reverse it.
So, I've had a delayed celebration of making it to Onederland. I didn't want to celebrate when it first showed on my scale bc I didn't know if it was real or not. Well, it's real. I've hit it and I'm so happy. It's amazing how one little number can really work you over psychologically. I love seeing that "1". I still have around 45lb. to go to my ULTIMATE goal and 35lb. to my original goal.
I changed my goal recently b/c I noticed that at under 200 I couldn't see myself the way I'd like to be at 165. I felt like at 155 I would be happier AND it's well into my "normal" range for BMI. 165 was at the very high end. I don't want to be close to being overweight anymore!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Biting the Bullet
Hello lovelies!!!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's and Future Mom's!
I hope you all have had a nice weekend! My butt has been planted on my couch and in my bed, except for a haircut and a shopping trip to Old Navy yesterday :) This is just the kind of weekend I like! Although, I do miss being with my Mom on Mother's Day, a little sad about that.
It has come to my attention (well, I've known it for weeks) that I need a fill. Remember, that since I moved from ATL (where I had surgery 5.5 mo. ago) I now have to pay RIDICULOUS amounts to get fills (as in $600 for each one). I have several options: 1. wait until I go back to ATL in mid June and get a free fill or 2. pay $600 and get one in NJ and schedule a free one when I go back to ATL in early August. When I say free, I mean that it's included in my one year of aftercare. So, that will be over on 11/20/10.
I have chosen option #2 and let me tell you why. Up here, fills are done under fluoroscopy so I feel like it will be a little more accurate. Also, if you look to the right, I have a goal of hitting 200 by Memorial Day. I am 6lb. away and cannot break this plateau! I've been here for about 6 weeks! And finally, if I get this fill now, it will be about 3 mo. when I go back to ATL and, in my head, I'm thinking I'll need a fill now.
I'm just ready to get back on the losing train again. I'm enjoying losing weight and seeing my body change, but this is not where I want to stay. I still have 41 lb. until goal so this journey is not over by a long shot.
So, I scheduled for a fill on Tuesday! Let's hope this jump starts me!
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's and Future Mom's!
I hope you all have had a nice weekend! My butt has been planted on my couch and in my bed, except for a haircut and a shopping trip to Old Navy yesterday :) This is just the kind of weekend I like! Although, I do miss being with my Mom on Mother's Day, a little sad about that.
It has come to my attention (well, I've known it for weeks) that I need a fill. Remember, that since I moved from ATL (where I had surgery 5.5 mo. ago) I now have to pay RIDICULOUS amounts to get fills (as in $600 for each one). I have several options: 1. wait until I go back to ATL in mid June and get a free fill or 2. pay $600 and get one in NJ and schedule a free one when I go back to ATL in early August. When I say free, I mean that it's included in my one year of aftercare. So, that will be over on 11/20/10.
I have chosen option #2 and let me tell you why. Up here, fills are done under fluoroscopy so I feel like it will be a little more accurate. Also, if you look to the right, I have a goal of hitting 200 by Memorial Day. I am 6lb. away and cannot break this plateau! I've been here for about 6 weeks! And finally, if I get this fill now, it will be about 3 mo. when I go back to ATL and, in my head, I'm thinking I'll need a fill now.
I'm just ready to get back on the losing train again. I'm enjoying losing weight and seeing my body change, but this is not where I want to stay. I still have 41 lb. until goal so this journey is not over by a long shot.
So, I scheduled for a fill on Tuesday! Let's hope this jump starts me!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Updates, updates, updates!
Everything has been going well since my last update. I think I may have passed my plateau as I’m now at 206! 3lb. away from no longer being “obese” and 6lb. away from Onederland! I know that Onederland is not that big of a deal for many of you shorter people, but it’s huge to me. I’m 5’9” so I start looking pretty darn good once I make it to the 100s.
My parents came up to visit me last weekend and we had the best time. I haven’t been homesick since I got here, but if there ever was a time, I was pretty close to it when I dropped them off at the airport last Sunday. I definitely miss Atlanta, but know in my heart of hearts that I’ll go back one day (I just don’t know when that is).
I need a fill and have needed one for some time now. However, since I’m self pay, I really don’t want to spend $700 to get it done up here. Sooooo, I have to wait until June 28th to get it done at my surgeon’s office in ATL. That’s quite a while to wait, my friends! Luckily, I joined a gym last month and signed up for a Team Fitness class. It’s 3 months long and you go 3 days a week. It’s a pure fat burning workout. I also try to go to the gym to do weights another 1-2 times a week. This period until I get another fill is going to be very similar to Bandster Hell, but I am DETERMINED to make my goal of hitting Onederland before Memorial Day!
It’s so interesting to see my body changing. This morning, I was flexing in the mirror and admiring my once hidden muscles. They are lookin’ good! I know I’ve for sure lost muscle mass these last 2 years of inactivity and weight gain. Usually, when I’m at this weight, I’m in tight 14s. Now, I’m in loose 16s, but not at all in 14s. I’m in between and it stinks! I hate my clothes looking so baggy, but would never ever wear clothes that make my legs look like stuffed sausages, you know?
On the semi non-band related front, 3 friends and I booked a cruise for early August! It’s just a 4 nighter, but I’m seriously hoping to be lookin’ hot by then. All 4 of us are going to be crammed in the same cabin. How hilarious will that be! The things we go through to save a few bucks…
My parents came up to visit me last weekend and we had the best time. I haven’t been homesick since I got here, but if there ever was a time, I was pretty close to it when I dropped them off at the airport last Sunday. I definitely miss Atlanta, but know in my heart of hearts that I’ll go back one day (I just don’t know when that is).
I need a fill and have needed one for some time now. However, since I’m self pay, I really don’t want to spend $700 to get it done up here. Sooooo, I have to wait until June 28th to get it done at my surgeon’s office in ATL. That’s quite a while to wait, my friends! Luckily, I joined a gym last month and signed up for a Team Fitness class. It’s 3 months long and you go 3 days a week. It’s a pure fat burning workout. I also try to go to the gym to do weights another 1-2 times a week. This period until I get another fill is going to be very similar to Bandster Hell, but I am DETERMINED to make my goal of hitting Onederland before Memorial Day!
It’s so interesting to see my body changing. This morning, I was flexing in the mirror and admiring my once hidden muscles. They are lookin’ good! I know I’ve for sure lost muscle mass these last 2 years of inactivity and weight gain. Usually, when I’m at this weight, I’m in tight 14s. Now, I’m in loose 16s, but not at all in 14s. I’m in between and it stinks! I hate my clothes looking so baggy, but would never ever wear clothes that make my legs look like stuffed sausages, you know?
On the semi non-band related front, 3 friends and I booked a cruise for early August! It’s just a 4 nighter, but I’m seriously hoping to be lookin’ hot by then. All 4 of us are going to be crammed in the same cabin. How hilarious will that be! The things we go through to save a few bucks…
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Problems!!
I’m having serious problems when it comes to restriction…it’s gone. I haven’t lost a pound in 3 weeks! In fact, I’ve PUT ON 1.5lb. No good, let me tell you. I flirted with my sweet spot, but that’s all it was…flirtation.
I can now chug water (no good), eat cookies (no good), and am hungry at 8am (NO GOOD!). I’m not stupid or naïve. I know what my problems are now I just need to fix them.:
-Cadburry Eggs - I’ve probably eaten a good 20 this Easter. Since Easter is over, this is no longer a problem.
-Candy – specifically chocolate. This became a problem when the Cadburrys became a problem. Oh! And I found that if I was hungry and was too tight (b/c of a fill), I’d eat a chocolate bar and would let the pieces melt in my mouth.
-Tartar Sauce – I eat fish and when I eat fish, I eat Tartar Sauce. I am not going to buy anymore b/c the fat content is just way too high.
-String Cheese – I had been buying the non-low fat version b/c I was having a hard time getting fat and calories. This is no longer a problem. If I must eat string cheese, it’s going to be low-fat from now on.
So, now that restriction (aka sweet spot or green zone) is gone, I have to change a few nasty habits and increase the exercise. I’ve started with the exercise, now just to change those eating habits and I’ll be good, I hope!
In non-band related issues, I am so frustrated about work. I cannot stand the PMO of my current project. He’s not only a jerk to me, but has no filter when it comes to speaking to our client. He flipped out on me today and when that happens, I don’t react so well. If someone starts yelling at me, I yell right back. I can’t help it!
God, grant me patience PLEASE!!!
I can now chug water (no good), eat cookies (no good), and am hungry at 8am (NO GOOD!). I’m not stupid or naïve. I know what my problems are now I just need to fix them.:
-Cadburry Eggs - I’ve probably eaten a good 20 this Easter. Since Easter is over, this is no longer a problem.
-Candy – specifically chocolate. This became a problem when the Cadburrys became a problem. Oh! And I found that if I was hungry and was too tight (b/c of a fill), I’d eat a chocolate bar and would let the pieces melt in my mouth.
-Tartar Sauce – I eat fish and when I eat fish, I eat Tartar Sauce. I am not going to buy anymore b/c the fat content is just way too high.
-String Cheese – I had been buying the non-low fat version b/c I was having a hard time getting fat and calories. This is no longer a problem. If I must eat string cheese, it’s going to be low-fat from now on.
So, now that restriction (aka sweet spot or green zone) is gone, I have to change a few nasty habits and increase the exercise. I’ve started with the exercise, now just to change those eating habits and I’ll be good, I hope!
In non-band related issues, I am so frustrated about work. I cannot stand the PMO of my current project. He’s not only a jerk to me, but has no filter when it comes to speaking to our client. He flipped out on me today and when that happens, I don’t react so well. If someone starts yelling at me, I yell right back. I can’t help it!
God, grant me patience PLEASE!!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sweet Spot = Achieved!
I'm at my sweet spot. Fo' sho'. I can eat, but not a lot...very small amounts. My struggle is eating the right foods. I don't eat a lot of vegetables and I really don't eat much meat. Meat is really difficult for me. I get my protein in mostly through protein drinks and dairy.
I joined a gym this week. It costs $90/mo (RIDICULOUS), but is pretty much worth it. They have over 100 treadmills along with hundreds of other cardio machines, every weight machine you can imagine, 2 indoor pools, an outdoor pool, 3 studios for classes, a gymnasium, rock climbing wall, cafe, spa, and salon! It's amazing.
NJ is not so bad so far. I do miss home, but I'm not as homesick as I thought I would be. My parents are coming up in 2 weeks and I'm really excited about that. I'll be so happy to see them.
Goals for this week are to eat more solid protein, eat vegetables, and work out at least 4x.
I joined a gym this week. It costs $90/mo (RIDICULOUS), but is pretty much worth it. They have over 100 treadmills along with hundreds of other cardio machines, every weight machine you can imagine, 2 indoor pools, an outdoor pool, 3 studios for classes, a gymnasium, rock climbing wall, cafe, spa, and salon! It's amazing.
NJ is not so bad so far. I do miss home, but I'm not as homesick as I thought I would be. My parents are coming up in 2 weeks and I'm really excited about that. I'll be so happy to see them.
Goals for this week are to eat more solid protein, eat vegetables, and work out at least 4x.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
3 more days!
I'm getting so gosh darn excited. Surprisingly, I'm not nervous at all. Ask me again on Thursday evening, though.
Update on the pre-op diet: I hate it. Protein officially sucks unless it's in shake form. I received 5 samples from Chike nutrition and they are delicious! Otherwise, I hate meals. I basically eat to feel full, definitely not for taste.
I still really need to get my room in order. I don't want to have a lot to do when I get back from recouping at the beach. I need to finish my laundry, change my sheets, and clean / vacuum.
Last night I got my pain meds from the pharmacy. Is it bad when the people at Target Pharmacy know you by name? I think so. I'm hoping that changes over the next few months. I'm hoping that my prescriptions will be greatly reduced due to my weight loss.
Update on the pre-op diet: I hate it. Protein officially sucks unless it's in shake form. I received 5 samples from Chike nutrition and they are delicious! Otherwise, I hate meals. I basically eat to feel full, definitely not for taste.
I still really need to get my room in order. I don't want to have a lot to do when I get back from recouping at the beach. I need to finish my laundry, change my sheets, and clean / vacuum.
Last night I got my pain meds from the pharmacy. Is it bad when the people at Target Pharmacy know you by name? I think so. I'm hoping that changes over the next few months. I'm hoping that my prescriptions will be greatly reduced due to my weight loss.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
2 posts in 2 days!
I think I'm going through a "Quarter Life Crisis" or is it "Third Life Crisis" now? Yes. I think it's "Third Life Crisis."
I am not happy where I'm at in my life and it's not just because of my weight. I'm not satisfied with my career path. I don't like where it's going. I fear that if I stay in this industry I will end up angry and hating my job (which I currently do). Therefore, I want to change industries. However, in order to change industries, I would most likely have to go back to school and, being that I am self pay for my Lap-Band, it is unlikely that a bank would give me a loan to cover my tuition, books, mortgage, living expenses, etc.
So, it makes me want to sell my house! Then I wouldn't need money for a mortgage. I can rent an apartment for 1/2 of what my mortgage is. BUT the real estate market is still in the shitter and there is no sign of it getting better. Example: I bought my place in 3/08 and now, my neighbors are listing (not actually selling) their places for $25k less than what I paid. Can you say screwed?
Anyway, I don't know what to do. I was thinking of looking in to becoming an Office Manager of a nice medical practice. Serious title cut, but I think the work would be more satisfying. If the practice is nice enough I would make comparable money, I think.
I'll look into it. It's nothing pressing.
I am not happy where I'm at in my life and it's not just because of my weight. I'm not satisfied with my career path. I don't like where it's going. I fear that if I stay in this industry I will end up angry and hating my job (which I currently do). Therefore, I want to change industries. However, in order to change industries, I would most likely have to go back to school and, being that I am self pay for my Lap-Band, it is unlikely that a bank would give me a loan to cover my tuition, books, mortgage, living expenses, etc.
So, it makes me want to sell my house! Then I wouldn't need money for a mortgage. I can rent an apartment for 1/2 of what my mortgage is. BUT the real estate market is still in the shitter and there is no sign of it getting better. Example: I bought my place in 3/08 and now, my neighbors are listing (not actually selling) their places for $25k less than what I paid. Can you say screwed?
Anyway, I don't know what to do. I was thinking of looking in to becoming an Office Manager of a nice medical practice. Serious title cut, but I think the work would be more satisfying. If the practice is nice enough I would make comparable money, I think.
I'll look into it. It's nothing pressing.