Oh Happy Day!!!

I woke up with a little surprise from the Weight Loss Gods for me on the scale today. I'm at 233! I blasted through my 30lb loss and this makes me feel good.

What does not make me feel good is how I lost it. I cannot describe to you the anxiety I am suffering because of this move. Being in limbo, trying to rent my house out and not give it away, not knowing when the move is going to happen or where I'll live, but knowing it is definitely happening (or so say my bosses and our CFO) has me in a constant state of anxiousness and I hate it. I can't sleep, I am moving constantly (twitching, bobbing my leg, etc.) and just can't calm down. I don't know what I need to do in order to fix this but I'll tell you this: Xanax is not working.

I still follow my Lap Band Rules: protein first, putting the fork down between bites, chewing like a mad woman, etc. I just think that I'm losing this weight extra fast because I can't sit still and I don't sleep.

So, thank you Weight Loss Gods! However, I'd really like to have just one night of restful sleep.

235!

Almost at 30lb lost! I'm so thrilled!

Food is still really tough for me. I'm not able to eat normal food or even a lot of band-friendly foods. However, I've noticed that as the day goes on, my band loosens.

I start each day with a hot cup of tea. After that, I drink my protein shake. Depending on how the shake goes down, I can tell how tight I'm going to be for the day.

I've been in training for the last day and a half. Thursday our catered lunch was Jason's Deli sandwiches, a few types of pasta salads and such, and cookies / deserts. I took two quarter sandwiches and just ate the turkey and ham off of them. That night we went to a really nice dinner and I ordered the Lobster (my absolute favorite protein on the planet). I was able to eat it! Not all of it, of course, but it went well! Yesterday we had a box lunch with sandwiches from Panera. My plan was to take the meat off like last time and just eat that. Yeah, that did not work. After sliming for about 5 min, jumping up and down, I was able to PB. Hallelujah!

Loosening Up?

I think the inflammation from my last fill is finally about to subside! Today I was able to eat mushies...kind of. At least I was able to eat teeny amounts, which I'm okay with! As long as it's fairly solid and satisfies me.

So far, I've lost 5lb since the fill. That's just b/c I've been on liquids, but I'm determined to maintain this loss until my next fill!

So, now my grand total loss since 11/13 (when I started pre-op) is 28lbs. Not too shabby.

Super Tight, Questions about Restriction, & a Quizzie! Yaaaaay!

First of all, I just want to congratulate SO MANY of you that I follow on how your weight loss has progressed over the last week! I was catching up on the last few days of blogs and SO MANY of you have posted great successes! Congratulations to you all!

As you know, I had my fill on Thursday (like I mentioned in my previous post) and I am still tight as Hell. Nothing but pure liquids for me. Not even mushies! It's misery...well, kind of. I am enjoying the weight loss, but to be honest, I just want something satisfying in my stomach! Not even to feel full, per se, but just to have something solid in there.

So, my question is, is this what restriction feels like? Not being able to eat normal food at all? Or is this still just the inflammation from my fill? Do any of you get inflammation like this after a fill? Is (true) restriction maybe just a bit better than this?

For example, my diet the last few days has consisted of nothing but watery protein drinks, creamy chicken soup in hand, more protein drinks, and today I had french onion soup broth (french onion soup w/ no cheese or bread). I'm not overly concerned that I need to get an unfill b/c I am still getting my nutrition in, but just not the calories, so I'm dropping weight pretty dang fast. Right now, I'm considering giving it another full day and if it's still like this on Tuesday, I'll call my dr.

Now it's QUIZZIE TIME!!!!!!

This seems to be viral...I love quizzes, but don't want to divulge too much about myself.
1. What time did you wake up today? about 9
2. How do you like your steak? Well, I haven't had steak since before 11/20, but I like filet mignon med-med well. I don't like my meat mooing across my plate.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Up in the Air
4. What is your favorite TV show? I have several, but most of all "Intervention." I'm obsessed with it.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I'm in the process of moving to NJ, but ideally I would live my life in London. I love that city.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Uhhh, considering I can't have anything thicker than creamy thin soup, I had a protein shake.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? MEXICAN!!!!!
8. What foods do you dislike? Most veggies, pork, tofu.
9. Favorite place to eat? My favorite restaurant cheap restaurant in the world is this place here called Taqueria del Sol. My favorite FANCY restaurant is either Atlanta Fish Market or Bones.
10. Favorite dressing? HOMEMADE Buttermilk Ranch...none of that stuff in a bottle.
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Acura TSX
12. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and a cute shirt.
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Portugal. Hawaii (I've been all over the world, but never to Hawaii!
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? It depends on the day. Over the last few years a lot of 1/2 empty days.
15. Where would you want to retire? No clue! I'm too young to think of that stuff.
16. Favorite time of day? Evening, but not night.
17. Where were you born? The great state of Missouri
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? College football. Specifically, Auburn football.
19. Bird watcher? Nope
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm an early riser
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Nope. You know all big news if you follow my blog.
22. What did you want to be when you were little? A financial analyst. HILARIOUS! Can you tell I was raised by to corporate big-wigs?
23. What is your best childhood memory? any time I spent with my dad and all my swim meets
24. Are you a cat or dog person? doggies, pls.
25. Are you married? Nope
26. Always wear your seat belt? Yes, or my car gets angry
27. Been in a car accident? Yes
28. Any pet peeves? Too many to mention. You'd think I was a world class bit*h
29. Favorite Pizza Toppings? cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms.
30. Favorite Flower? hibiscus
31. Favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Shortcake
32. Favorite fast food restaurant? Anything BUT McDonald's. I do like Krystal, though!
33. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None
34. From whom did you get your last email? I think a moving company
35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target.
36. Do anything spontaneous lately? Nope!
37. Broccoli? Cooked properly, yum! (agreed!) and with sour cream!
38. What was your favorite vacation? Soooo many. Backpacking through Europe by myself after college graduation, Mom's 60th birthday cruise, any week I get to spend at my parents' beach house...so many more!
39. Last person you went out to dinner with? one of my BFFs while I was in NYC...We went to Zarela!
40. What are you listening to right now? My dog snoring. So precious.
41. What is your favorite color? Green
42. How many tattoos do you have? Two.
43. Coffee drinker? More like Chai drinker.

2nd Fill

Today was my 2nd fill...HOLLA!!!! I needed it desperately. I was eating lots of junk and it would all just slide through my band. Not a good thing, my friends. Although, I have lost 3lb since my last fill. So at least it's moving in the correct direction.

So, my first fill was 3cc. Today I got 2.4cc. This equals a total of 5.4cc in my band. My next appointment is in 3 weeks. They are rushing it just a bit b/c I'm moving and they want to get me in for another fill before I get the heck out of Dodge. What good peeps.

But, seriously, I'm so sad about missing out on my free year of aftercare. I looked in to some places up there and IT IS RIDICULOUS! $300 just to get in and then another $300 for each fill. No ma'am. No ma'am. My company is going to fly me home once a quarter so I'll just have to come home a day early and get a fill at my current surgeon's office.

Anyway, I was able to drink a delicious and thin protein shake this morning.

NYC and BIG NEWS!!!

Let's start with the big news...I'm moving! My company is transferring me to New Jersey and even more crazy is that I'm supposed to be there in 6 days! While that may not happen, I will be there by the 26th, just not moved in...I don't even have an apartment, yet! I'll probably commuting weekly for a few weeks, staying in a hotel M - F. I own my house in ATL so I have to rent that out and the challenge there will be to kick my current roommate out before her lease ends.

This past weekend I went to visit one of my very good friends who lives in NYC...however, not for long. He's moving home to Birmingham at the end of February. Anyway, we had a wonderful time!!! We walked and ate and drank. I did gain a few lbs. so that's no good, but I'm sure I could have gained much more had we not walked everywhere under the sun. One of my favorite meals was at Zarela where I got the world famous Arroz con Pollo. Another favorite restaurant was the brunch at Calle Ocho. They have a complimentary sangria bar with 8 different sangrias!!!! My favorite non-meal was the delicious hot chocolate from Jacques Torres (aka Mr. Chocolate). Best hot chocolate EVER. One thing I will say about NYC (and this could just be the North, in general. IDK) is that the service is the WORST EVER. Servers do not give a rats butt if they provide you with good service. Multiple times I had to go on a hunger strike in order to get my water glass refilled.

So now it's back to reality. I have to figure out this transfer thing. And I have to eat well. My next fill is on Thursday and I'm not so sure they will be happy with my progress. Since gaining a few lbs in NYC, I'm only down about 1 lb since my last fill. Boooooo.

Who Should I Follow?

OK, so we are one big happy blogging community, but I feel like I don't follow enough bloggers. Who are some of your favorites that I should follow? I like people who not only talk about how great things are going but also acknowledge the struggles! Comment away with your favorite bloggers.

Previous Diets

What diets have you tried (and ultimately failed at) in the past? I'll list mine...it's a lot, hahaha.

-Weight Watchers (3x)
-Nutrisystem
-Jenny Craig
-Zone Diet
-Atkins
-My own diet where I worked out 2 or 3x a day and ate only 500 calories
-Phentermine (2x) medical weight loss
-Body for Life
-Cabbage Soup Diet

I'm only 27...that's twelve diets!!!! Ridonkulous, if you ask me. I don't ever want to be on one again. Fo sho.

I Posted This Little Gem Last Night...

It's about my fill, my weight loss, some awesome new foods I've found, and my dog Manolo!!!! Check it out...

First Post of the New Decade!

Happy New Year, y'all!

My fill has been super. I know its not true restriction, but I am loving it anyway! I have lost those 4 stupid pounds I gained since my lowest post-surgery weight AND another pound. Go me.

My NYE was lame-o. I was sick with a cold and had a migraine from it. So, since I was in Orlando visiting my friend, I stayed in bed while they all went out to a house party, but I didn't feel sad about it. In fact, I was perfectly happy to stay in. I got to watch the Killers concert! That's a perfect night for me.

New Years Day was the Outback Bowl!!!! It was super. We won...barely, but it was a great game!

I got back yesterday afternoon and am absolutely dreading going back to work tomorrow. I've been off since the 19th! However, today I went to TJ's and bought some delicious (and nutritious!) foods to take for lunch / snacks. One of my absolute faves is the Jell-o Mousse Temptations. Soooo good esp if you are craving chocolate and only 60 cals!

I hope you all had a pleasant New Year and I'm going to post a vlog on my YouTube channel tomorrow, I think!

1st Fill + I'm a Moron

Yesterday I got my first fill. They added 4cc's. I won't go into too much detail b/c I'm sure most of you know what it's like to get a fill. If you don't, leave a comment and I'll get back to you!

Afterward, I was sitting in the waiting room drinking my water (which took forever) and this lady came up to the front from the back. I guess she had her initial consultation. She asked me if I'd had the procedure and wanted to know about my experience. I told her about being self-pay, my surgery day, the post-surgery agony, the gas, my weight loss, the process of restriction, etc. I think it really helped her. I know I would have loved to have spoken w/ someone face-to-face prior to having my surgery. Sure, I read LBT and went to 2 seminars, but nothing beats picking someone's mind who has had it done and hearing what they liked and didn't like. Before I left she asked me if I would do it again. I said "absolutely! but ask me again in 11 months!" I still have so much to go through before I can truly say if I would do it again or not...but more than likely I think I'll be happy with my decision :)

So, after slooooooooowly drinking my water, I left to run errands. Let me tell you, that fill made me tight. I know it won't last and it is just inflamation, but all day I felt like something was stuck in the back of my throat. Not a pleasant feeling. So, about 2 I ate half a cup of lf cottage cheese. It took me over an hour to eat. No joke.

That night, realizing I couldn't eat any of the food in my house, I went to the grocery store and bought pudding and soup. I had half a cup of broccoli soup, but was CRAVING something sweet. So, I snuck one of my roomie's dog turd cookies (they are the pecan sandies w/ powdered sugar, but my family calls them dog turds). I ate a bite, went down okay. Took another bite, chewed, swallowed, and immediately knew I was stuck. Tried drinking water, but that was stupid b/c when you are stuck nothing can go through the band, not even water. So I hung out with my head over the kitchen sink for about twenty minutes with spit pouring out of my mouth. It felt like my chest would explode. Finally, I was in so much pain I jumped up and down throwing a fit at myself and BOOP! up it came! So, now, I can say I've had my first PB and PBing is different than puking b/c it tastes the same going out as it did going in. No bile to burn your esophagus or horrible taste in your mouth.

So, I have learned my lesson(s): 1. no more dog turds EVER 2. listen to your dr. when they say mushies only for a day or two after a fill 3. just b/c you crave it doesn't mean you can eat it.

I made a VLog!!

I hope you all enjoy. I actually made two videos. Blogger video was being retarded so I had to switch to YouTube. First video is posted first (obviously) ;)

The dreadful week...

It's the most wonderful / miserable time of the year!!!

I love Christmas...love it! love it! love it!  But this year, I'm hating it.  I'm leaving to drive to Arkansas to see both sides of my family on Wednesday.  My 4 days there will consist of eating, eating, and more eating.  It's all my family knows to do.  And, since I haven't had a fill and am at zero restriction, it's going to be pure misery.

My Mamaw makes delicious Chinese ribs and spring rolls for Christmas Eve.  Christmas day we go to a large family brunch with the most amazing foods.  Later on Christmas Day at my Grandma's we have my beloved chicken and dressing among other favorites.

I've already gained 3 lb. from my lowest post-surgery.  It makes me sad.  I think I'm going to have all of my favorite foods, just in moderation.  And when I get back, I'll get a fill (the 28th).  Hopefully, that will give me just a bit of restriction for my trip down to Tampa the 30th - 2nd.

However!  I did get to open my presents on Friday from Mom & Dad.  I got a Wii Fit Plus!  I've worked out both Saturday and Sunday on it.  My sides are hurting soooo bad from hula hooping.  Last night I discovered skateboarding and am determined to rock it out.  As well as soccer ball headbutting and dominating the snowball fight.  Cycling isn't so bad, either.

How I got to be fat...part 2.

Amy posted a blog about the eating habits that got her to her highest weight and posed the same question to her readers.  Here is my answer(s).

-I have been a binge eater all of my life.  I would eat and eat and eat until I felt like I would puke.  When the vomitatious feeling let up just a bit, I'd stuff my face even more.  I would make special trips to the grocery store just to get binge food: ice cream, pizza, cookies, candy / chocolate, and pre made foods.

-I ate in secret.  I have been a secret eater since about the age of 7 when I would come home from school and eat a whole box of cereal.  I'd then put the box back in the pantry so it looked like there was still cereal in there.  There wasn't.  I would also blame a lot of the secret eating on my dad.  If my mom asked if I had eaten all of the chocolate chips I'd give her a confused look and she'd say "Dad must have done it."  I wouldn't deny it.

-I would pack snacks for trips.  If I knew I was going to be around my mom on a vacation or trip to grandma's and she would scrutinize everything I ate, I'd pack a box of those delicious yet super fattening chocolate chip granola bars to eat when no one was around.  I'd also pack them if I were going somewhere with my thin friends who never got hungry.

-Fast food.  I <3'd value meals.  I would eat them for lunch, for snacks, for dinner, after a night of heavy drinking, etc.  Fast food is going to be a hard thing for me to give up.

-Eating super fast.  When I was actually hungry and I finally got food, I would eat so fast that I never gave my body time to register it was full.  This will be a challenge to stop, as well.

-Buying bags of chocolate and just sitting in front of the TV and eating it all.

-I hated (and still do hate) 95% of all vegetables.  My homecooked meals consisted of protein and starch / carb.  No veggies.

-Sauces.  I <3 condiments!  Buttermilk ranch, honey mustard, ketchup, tartar sauce, anything I can dip my food in, really.

So, those are my eating habits that lead me to get surgery.  It's funny that as I type these out, I see those that are still going to be a problem for me and those that I don't have to worry about so much anymore.

Workouts

I actually had a productive day yesterday.  I was really proud of myself.

I got up early and drove to BFE to Bass Pro Shop to get a gift card for my sister's fiance for Christmas.  On the way home I had to stop by Lowes to get a few items and when I got home, I immediately changed my clothes, grabbed my workout log and went to the gym!

I did one of the workouts from Workout Box!!  It was a great workout and, man, are my arms and back sore today.  Not to mention my butt from spinning for my cardio.  Bicycle seats and I do not work.  I feel great, today, though.  I miss the feeling of hurting so good post-workout.

I'm planning on going again tonight.  Typically, I have tennis practice on Monday nights (and that's a major workout), but today it's super rainy so no tennis tonight.  I'll probably just do 45 min. of cardio and tomorrow (crossing my fingers that I go) I'll do the 2nd workout in the series.

OMG.

Last night I broke down and was craving meat.  I haven't had meat since before surgery!  So, dummy me went to BK and got a Whopper.  No soda, no fries, just a Whopper.  I came home, sat at the table, and took a bite.  Then, I took another and another.  I obviously didn't finish it, but realized very quickly that this was incredibly unsatisfying.  I didn't like the taste!  I was almost proud of myself. 

In super happy news, everyone knows I love my Auburn Tigers.  We are going to the Outback Bowl (New Year's Day bowl, what what!!!!) in Tampa.  Welllllll, I will be there!  I'm super excited about that.  One of my bffs lives in Orlando so I'll be celebrating NYE with her and friends and the next day we are trekking it to Tampa to see our amazing Tigers!!!!!

Bad Cody!!!!

Yes, I have been bad.  I'm upset w/ myself, but I'm ready to work it out.

I usually weigh myself on Mondays, but not today, my friends.  I'm scared to look at the scale.  I have been eating a lot of junk, but atleast it's been in smaller quantities.  I also have not been eating just mushies.  I'm eating some solids.  NOT GOOD!  I don't want to stretch my pouch.

So, I'm back on the wagon today.  A prepackaged smoothie for breakfast, cottage cheese and a thinner soup for lunch, a snack of yogurt probably, and chili for dinner. 

The new tennis season also starts today.  Well, it doesn't start until January, but practices start tonight!  It's my mixed team so that means I'll play with boys!  Most are sooooo not attractive, but they are super fun.  So, I'm looking forward to getting my exercise tonight and have also printed out a few workouts from www.workoutbox.com.  Need to get BUFF!  Hahahaha.

Happy Monday, kids.  Stay positive and keep on keepin' on!!!

Shocking...

I was just reading up at LBT to get my daily inspiration and found a post from someone who was banded in early November who says they want to give up and get the LB taken out b/c they have only lost 12 lb in the 21 days post surgery.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

Ridiculous is what I say about that poster.  If they wanted to just drop lbs as quickly as possible, they should have gone for the gastric bypass.  We are told that this is going to be a long, slow process.  That the band is a TOOL and not a quick fix. 

It simply amazes me that people are willing to give up so quick!  We want to lose weight at a healthy pace (it helps with the excess skin!  helloooooo).  Personally, I don't want to drop a lot of weight immediately.  I want it to be a slow but continous thing.

We have to stay positive and motivated, y'all!!!

Superstylin'

Recently, I purchased an iPod shuffle just for workouts.  I haven't done it yet, but I plan to load it with only fast paced, motivational music to keep me pumped during workouts.  Currently, my iPhone is my mp3 player and it's way too heavy for workouts.  They don't make good armbands for it so the shuffle is my best option since it's small and lightweight!

I haven't had a migraine in about 2 weeks, which is huge for me, until yesterday.  Yesterday it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I had to go to the grocery store immediately after work to pick up some ingredients for a healthy spinach artichoke dip I promised to make for my tennis team's end of season party tonight.  By the time I got out of Publix, I was miserable.  Then, I had to sit in traffic for an hour.  I thought I was going to vomit in my car my head was hurting so bad.  I still have a residual headache after taking 2 Treximets over the course of the migraine.

If you've ever had a migraine, you know what I mean when I say it's the worst experience ever.  And, unfortunately, I usually get them at least once a week.  I know they will never go away since I've had them since I was 7, but I sure will be glad when they become more infrequent once I get this weight off!

Making the Best of Bandster Hell

I'm trying desperately to keep up my weightloss during Bandster Hell.  It would break my heart to regress or to not lose any weight between now and when I get restriction.

To avoid this possibility I've started keeping an online food log at fitday.com.  I'm trying to keep my caloric intake below 1000 and keep a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat.  Yesterday I didn't get near enough protein.  I only had one protein shake to supplement my protein intake.

Another way I plan to avoid gaining, I need to pick up the exercise.  I've noticed on LBT that those who are super successful exercise.  It's just so hard right now because I get embarrassed, but I have to get over that.