Anyone up for a Card Exchange?

Thanksgiving was good. pretty quiet actually.  Just me, the hubby and a friend for dinner.  I cooked so I had control over what we ate.  Didn't make stuffing since my husband doesn't like it and I don't eat it (carbs are my downfall).  Other than that it was a usual Thanksgiving dinner for us: turkey, roasted potatoes and carrots, butternut squash, snap peas, rolls and cranberry sauce.  It was hard to remember to not take a huge portion of anything.  It helped that the plated we use for special occasions are my grandparents wedding china, the made the plates a lot smaller back then.  I made mini apple and mincemeat pies and our friend brought a no bake pumpkin cheesecake.  That cheesecake was sooooo yummy.  He left it at our house.   Problem is my hubby won't eat it and it calls my name.  So I did something almost unthinkable... I thew it out.  Well, not right away.  I ate it for two days and realized having it in the house was a mistake, cause I was going to end up eating all of it, so in the trash is went.  I felt bad that i was throwing out perfectly good food, but it's what I had to do.

You'll see me new ticker at the top of my blog for the Jingle Bell 5K.  I'm trying to kick things up a little.  I've got less than two weeks, so no excuses for me.   After I got the turkey in the oven I went out and did Week 2 Day 1.  First time with wogging for 90 secs.  Didn't do so well with that, couldn't make it the whole time.  The amazing thing is the 45 sec wog really wasn't that bad!  I did W2D1 again on saturday and this time made it through all the run times without stopping, yippee!!

Saturday we went out an my hubby got me an early Christmas present, new sneakers.  Not just any old sneakers mind you, but running sneakers from New Balance.  I'll try and take a pic of them.  They are very comfy, they should be for $150.  Never spent that much on shoes EVER.  They will be worth it though, I plan on wearing them into the ground.

Sunday was spent taking down the fall decorations and starting to put up Christmas stuff.  Didn't get everything up, just didn't seem right since it's still November.  I'll do most of it this coming weekend.

I did pull out my cards for this year and it got me thinking.  I love sending cards, and even more I love getting cards.  I display them all winter long.  Any one interested in a card exchange?  I would be more than happy to arrange.  Just let me know if anyone is interested.  I know we are semi anonymous here in blogland, so it's ok if you don't want participate because you would have to share your real name/address.

If you are interested I would just need your name and address.  I would compile everyone's info and send to everyone participating.(I promise not so sell, or use for any other nefarious purpose).   You would send a card to everyone on the list then sit back and wait for the cards to roll in.

Weigh in Wednesday and 6 Month Bandiversary

Weighing in today at...

255.2

Down 0.4 pound since last week.  Disappointed it's not more, but thankful it's a loss and not a gain.  With the bum ankle I wasn't able to do my Derby or aerobics class, and I didn't get the dogs walk in for a couple of days.

On a more important note, it had been exactly 6 months since my surgery.  I can't believe how fast the time has gone.  The decision for surgery was the best one I ever made.  I am in such a better place than I was 6 months ago.  I still have a ways to go, and I seem to be at a plateau, but I know I can get there.  

Just a few stats from before and now:

Weight

   Before: 329

   Now:    255.2

Pant Size

   Before: tight 28

   Now:   tight 18

Shirt Size

   Before:  4x

   Now:     1x

Medications

   Before:  7 medications

   Now:    4 medications; stopped the two for high blood pressure, one for pre-diabetes and cut in half the dose for reflux

Exercise

   Before:  what exercise ;)

   Now:    walk the dogs every day for 30-60 minutes, Derby Lite (roller skating) 90 minutes each week, aerobics class 60 minutes each week.

Total Loss to date:  

73.8

An average of 12.3 pounds per month!!!  

I am so proud of myself for losing the weight.  I am more proud of myself for admitting I needed help.  Taking that first step to attend a seminar was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I'm so glad I did it.

Ten Things Thursday

1.  Well, it was bound to happen, I'm surprised it took this long...I hurt myself at Derby Lite last night.  Not too bad, just a sprained ankle.  It was right at the beginning of class.

2.  I have to admit for about 15-20 minutes of icing it down I was seriously considering putting my skates back and finishing class.  That lasted until I tried to stand up and pain shot up my leg. It's puffy and still hurts, hopefully it will get better quick.

3.  I signed up for my first (and maybe last) 5K. I'll be doing the Jingle Bell 5K on December 8th. My goal is just to finish under an hour.  I plan on doing mostly walking, with a little wogging thrown in for good measure.

4.  I started an Ease into Couch to 5K. So far I've only done week 1 two weeks in a row.  My plan was to finish Week 1 tomorrow and start Week 2 on Sunday.  Think I might have to delay that for a few days.

5.  I bought an awesome pair of high boots.  I've wanted a pair for a looong time, but couldn't find a pair that would fit over my pudgy calfs.  I was so excited that these fit!

6.  Thanksgiving is a week away.  I'm cooking and have yet to even think about what I'm going to make.  There will only be three of us, so not a big deal.  But I probably should decide soon so I can shop this weekend.

7.  Most of the things I'm asking for for Christmas are exercise related:  FitBit, new wheels for my skates, bag for my derby gear, new skeakers... wow what I change.

8.  I'm running out of things...I always think I have sooo much to say, but end up scapping the bottom of the barrel to make it to 10.

9.  Any suggestions for songs to add to my 5K playlist?  My favorites so far are Stronger by Kelly Clarkson, and Firework by Katie Perry.

10.  I saw Christmas lights when I was out last night.  Too early, way to early.  I LOVE Christmas  but can we at least wait until after Thanksgiving people?

Weigh in Wednesday aka Teeter Totter

UGH, I want to get off this Teeter Totter,  I feel like I've been stuck on it forever.  Today's weight...

255.6

Up a pound since last week...  I think I've hit a plateau.  For the last month I've been gaining and losing the same pound or two.  Need a good swift kick in the arse to get me into the 240's.  I thought I had been doing so much better this past week, and still up a pound.  It may be due to my TOM, and just water weight.  I have noticed my rings are tighter this week.  

Maybe next week will be a big loss, but that won't happen if I don't keep up with eating right and exercising.  So that's my focus for this coming week, one day at a time.

Liebster Award

Katrin at go goggy go has nominated me for the Liebster Award.  Thanks Katrin for thinking of me.  Liebster is a German word and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.  

The Rules

- Once you're nominated, write 11 facts about yourself.

- Then, take a look at the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked and answer them.

- Get your thinking cap on and come up with 11 questions of your own for your nominees to answer

- Then choose the 5 bloggers you want to nominate (they must have less than 200 followers) & let them know they've been nominated (there are no tag backs - you can't nominate the person who nominated you).

- Complete this post and then link it to the person who nominated you (in the comments of their blog).

11 Facts about Myself:

1. I've lived in 7 different states as an adult.
2. I love old movie musicals.
3. My Derby Name is Polly Yerinsane
4. I love animals and have worked with a couple of different dog rescue groups.
5. I turned 40 this year, and I have no idea where all those years have gone.  I don't feel 40.
6. I like given presents more than getting presents.
7. I have studied three lanquages: French, German and Russian.  I'm no good at any of them, and now if I try to speak one I end up mashing up all three.
8. I've been to Ireland twice, and can't wait to go back.
9. I LOVE the smell of fresh ground coffee, but can't stand the taste.
10. I worked as a telemarketer in college.  Great money, but horrible job.
11. I love doing crafts, however I usually start projects, but never finish them

11 Questions from Karen for me to answer: 

1. What is your favorite holiday of the year?
   Christmas, I love being home with family and friends, and giving presents. 
2. What is your best childhood memory?
   Spending time with my Grandpa and his ponies
3. I  love to blog because......
   I get so much support from some amazing people.
4. What would your dream job be?
   Haven't figured this out yet, when I do I'll go for it.
5. What would your last meal be?
   Chicken Parmasean  (This was actually my last "real" meal before being banded.
6. Do you feel like you are in the space and place you are meant to be?
   Yes and no.  I am happy with who I am and where I am, but I still wonder about who I could be.
7. George Clooney or Brad Pitt?
   George Clooney, absolutely
8. What is your most precious possession?
   Pictures of my family
9. Do you prefer an adventure vacation or relaxing vacation?
   relaxing with a little adventure thrown in for good measure.
10. How do you define success?
    Being happy, making other's happy.
11. What inspired you to create a blog?
    When I was planning my surgery I found some wonderful blogs that answered my questions, and made me more comfortable in my decision.  I hoped that by sharing my story I may help someone else.

My 11 Questions:

1. Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
2. What crazy activities do you dream of trying someday?
3. Have you ever won a trophy? If so, what was it for?
4. Dog or Cat?
5. Why do you blog?
6. What would you do if you didn’t have to work?
7. What is your favorite movie?
8. How often do you get a haircut?  Describe your worst haircut
9. What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
10. What quality do you like most  about yourself?
11. What quality do you like least about yourself?

My 5 Nominees Are:

The Dandy Bandy
Lady Biker Banded
Laps in Life
Banded in Texas
From Fabulous to Fit

Who's Morbid? NOT ME!!!!

I weighed in this morning, saw a loss, but wasn't really too excited.  Today's weight...

254.6 *

Wasn't excited that is until I logged into my weight ticker and it said my new BMI is 39.9.  I am officially no longer Morbidly Obese!  OK, I understand I'm still obese, and  I still have a looooong way to go,but getting rid of that word is something I've been so focused on.  My BMI has gone from 51.1 to 39.9 in just a little less than 6 months. YIPPEE.

Refocus... that's my plan.  Got a new pedometer (lost my old one), starting logging food and fluids on MFP. Taking more time to plan out my meals so I'm not scrambling to figure out what to eat.

I have also started working towards a 5K.  The instructor of my aerobics class has a team for the Jingle Bell Run in December.  I'm going to sign up for her team.  Walking is fine, but I don't want to completely embarrass myself.  To that end I've started a Ease into Couch to 5K program.  Did Week 1 Day 1 on Monday, I was pleasantly surprised.  I wogged through the running parts and I didn't "wog" every time I was supposed to, but I did so much better than I thought I would. In total I think I wogged for almost 6 minutes.  Each wog time was at most 60 secs, and I was able to do that.  I was sucking wind by the end, but was able to recover relatively quickly.

I should do Week 1 Day 2 tonight.  Not sure if I will or not since I've got Derby Lite tonight as well.  I'll see if I have time to do it before class.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement!!  

* had to update, my dyslexia kicked in when I originally posted weight as 256.4, it really was 254.6

Struggling and wisdom

I've been struggling with my eating, I've been using halloween as an excuse, but I know that it started before that.  Eating cookies, candy, and yes even drinking soda.  I know that all that is against the rules, but I did it anyway.  UGH, why do I do this to myself.

I've also been struggling with my emotions.  It's hard not to fall back into the old mindset of since I've messed up a little, might as well just give it all up and continue to eat crap.  Reading other people blogs is so helpful...today I came across o great post by Julie at The Dandy Bandy.

Just what I needed today.  So no more wallowing, time to get back up and re-dedicate to my journey.

Sometimes when you're struggling it's hard because you think you are alone.  But remember, there are lots of use out there going through the same things.  We need to share our struggles, as well as our successes.  We can do this TOGETHER!!!