My first bento

I finally got around to getting a bento style box and some accessories and made my first bento box this morning.  If you don't know about bento boxes check out this blog http://wendolonia.com/blog/ to learn all about them.

I got the box at the Container Store (one of my favorite stores ever).  It's got two sections and a smaller lidded box that fits into the top section. I got the silicone containers at joanne's (they are cupcake liners). I had to cut them down a little to fit in the box.

In the bottom:  two hard boiled eggs, raspberries, and baked cheesits.

In the top:  cucumbers and ham and cheese roll ups.  The eggs and raspberries are for breakfast, the rest for lunch.

Here are close ups of the eggs, I found molds to make them into bear and bunny shapes, so cute!  The eggs didn't come out perfect, but still better than a plain egg.

It didn't really take that long to pack, but it does take planning.  Trying to figure out what to put where took the longest.

Weigh In Wednesday

Hopped on the scale and saw something I hadn't in a long time... a gain.

285.0

Only 0.6 lb increase, but it's still hard to see the numbers go up.  I know this is just leftover vacay fluctuation.  I didn't do any official exercise , but did spend lots of time in the pool/ocean and walked a bunch. I also didn't track my food/fluid intake like normal.  

Now that I'm back to the real world goal is at least 30 minutes of exercise 4 times a week and back to logging everything that goes in my mouth.  Now to stay off the scale until next Wednesday.

Back from vacay

Got back from a great vacation to Florida. Will post a summary and some pics soon. Best news is that I weighed in at 284.6 this morning. No loss, but no gain! I did pretty well with my eating, but I didn't log everything like I have been and there was some alcohol and ice cream ibgestion ( but not at the same time).

Hope everything is well with everyone. I'll be catching up with everyones blogs

Ten Things Thursday

1.       I weighed in on Wednesday at 287.4, down 1.2 pounds from last week.

2.       Goal for the month was to get to 285, but since I’m starting vacation Saturday I won’t be weighing in until we are back. Who knows where I’ll be after vacation.  I’m in desperate need of a fill (only my second, but I was too afraid to get one right before we left for vacation so it won’t be until after we get back).

3.       Leaving for vacation on Saturday and I haven’t even thought about what clothes I’m packing. 

4.       Oh, and I haven’t tried on any of my swimsuits,  I know the ones I bought last year will be too big, hope that some of my older ones fit ok.  If not it will be a desperate dash to the store on Friday to find a new one.

5.       Tried on the size 20 pants I bought at Goodwill and was able to get them buttoned and zipped.  Too tight for me to wear out in public, but not too horrible. 

6.       Did a little happy dance that I got into a size 20.  Waited until I was out of said 20’s cause I didn’t want to split them ;)

7.       Puppies are going to the doggy spa next week.  It cost as much as the rest of our vacation to have them stay there a week.  It will be worth it because it includes a week of training of our newest dog, Missi.

8.       Missi is an escape artist.  Last weekend my husband let her out to run around in our fenced back yard as usual.  Later when he was calling her to come in our neighbor who was in her backyard asked what kind of dog Missi was, and if she had long floppy ears.  As soon as I heard this I’m out the front door running to her yard.  Sure enough there’s Missi, just as happy as can be.  I guess she had been there for a while.  The neighbor was calling the number on her collar, but since it’s from the vet from rescue in another state, she wasn’t getting anyone.

9.       We went out and got new tags for both dogs that day, with our current information.

10.   Instead of going to see a movie that day like we planned, we spent the afternoon filling the not 1 but 2 holes we found dug under the fence!

Weigh In Wednesday

So I haven't been eating the best this past week, nothing too horrible just not the best.  Too many snacks; ice cream is an evil thing.   So without further ado...

288.6

So only 0.8 pound down since last week.  It is still a loss, better than a gain.  And the best news is that I can officially claim 4o pounds down.

My MFP ticker said 40 pounds last week, but really it was 39.6, so I didn't announce it.  So only a small loss this week, but enough to put me to another mini goal... insert Happy Dance.  At the beginning of the month my goal was to get to 285 by the 31st. I'll be on vacation that week, so my last weigh in for the month will be on 28th.  That's 3.6 pounds in 10 days, not sure if I will make it, but that's ok. 

Before surgery, when I was 329, I just wanted to be below 300 by the time I'm on vacation.  So I've already surpassed that goal.

I've noticed some new followers, thanks for joining me on my journey.  Leave a comment and let me know if you have a blog and I'll follow you as well.

Shopping and pics

Went shopping in my closet last night, a concept completely foreign to my husband.  I don't have near as many pants in different sizes as I thought I had.  Shirts, shirts are another story...I have more than I will ever wear.  I moved 1 pair of work pants, 2 pairs of casual pants, 2 casual shirts and 1 work shirt into the can be worn now section of the closet.  I still have lots (and lots) of shirts in the can't wear yet section.  I also made another pile of clothes to donate, either too big, or I don't like the style.  For some reason I went through a striped phase (probably because that's all I could find that would fit at the time).

Then today I went shopping at at resale and thrift stores.  I was terrible dissapointed at the resale shops, hardly any plus size clothes.  Goodwill, on the other hand was great.  Went to two stores, at the first I found 2 pairs of black pants, one size 20, one size 18.  The second store I found 2 pairs of brown pants one 18 and one 20 and a grey pair size 20. 

Now of course those pants don't fit yet, but that's the point.  I'm going to need something in a few weeks (hopefully).  The size 22s I tried on today fit well now and I almost bought them, but I'm hoping that they will be too big soon and I still have enough pants I can wear now.  Can't wait until I can weat my new pants.  Considering two months ago I was sqeeszing into 28s, fitting into 22s felt wonderful!

Speaking of 2 months ago, or to be more specific 8 weeks ago I took my first set of pictures.  You know what that means?   New picture time, never would have thought I'd enjoy having my picture taken.  Well, I still don't as you can tell be my expression, but I love to see the difference. (Pre-surgery and 8 weeks post op.)


 

 

Last time I couldn't really see changes, this time I totally can.  By the way, it's not the same clothes, same colors, but smaller sizes. Sorry for the poor quality, and lack of cropping.

Happy and Sore

I love my surgery center!  There is so much support available to patients.  I've talked about how much I like the support group, well last night I went to the workout group.  I love how all of these classes/support is included in the cost of surgery.

Class was awesome!  Wasn't sure how I would do since I haven't really worked out in a while, but I kicked ass last night. 45 minutes of aerobics and 15 minutes of weights/stretching, and I did it all, didn't have to stop once. I was sweating bullets and my face was bright red (see pic).  


It was a small class, only three of us plus the instructor.  The other woman there had rny almost 5 years ago and the guy had rny 2 years ago. Again, I was the only bandster, but what does it really matter?

I can't wait to go back.  The class meets every thursday, and they also have a treadmill, elliptical and recumbent bike to use if you don't want to do the aerobics.

So today I'm sore, but no where near as sore as I thought I'd be.  Although I've been told that tomorrow maybe the worst of it, we'll see.

Post workout pic, face isn't as red as it was in class, but I still have that glow.

Ten Thing Thursday

1.  I realized today that I am almost 1/3 of the way to my goal (for now) weight.  Just a couple more pounds and I'll hit that mini goal, amazing.

2.  Went to see me primary care dr for an ear infection, weighed in with a almost 40 pound loss and normal BP for the first time ever in her office.  She didn't mention either, really, no way to go, keep it up, how are things going?  I really don't like my dr, but she's convenient.

3.  Fellow band blogger Julie at the dandy bandy  was banded this morning.

4.  Going to my first exercise class since surgery.  The class is through the surgery center, and included in the cost of surgery.  Hopefully I'll like it.

5.  Ate some Trail Mix today way to quickly.  I think I had my first "mini" stuck episode.  Lasted about 15-20 minutes, felt like I wanted to vomit but couldn't.

6.  No more Trail Mix for me.

7.  My husband is one of the strangest people I know.  He loves to go to concerts and I have seen the following acts (along with many many others): Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman, Ronnie James Dio, Judy Collins, Alice Cooper and last night Fiona Apple.

8.  After the concert I described Fiona Apple as a cross between: Olive Oil x an angst ridden teenage girl x the strange ex mortician/model/designer on the Oddities reality tv show.

9.  Not my favorite concert, but certainly better than Alice Cooper.

10.  Looks like it might rain, and I am so exited.  We are in a drought situation and rain would be heavenly.

oh, just thought of another

11.  I don't like spam commenters

Wednesday Weigh in

Official Weight for this week:

289.4

 Down 2.1 pounds from last week.  Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.  Me eating hasn't been as great this past week.  Nothing horrible, keeping it around 1,100 calories a day, but it would be less if I didn't snack as much.  (Those little 90 calorie Snickers mini ice cream bars are yummy.)  And I've been out to eat at restaurants a couple of times in this past week.  Made good choices, but still struggling with portion control.

Just keep reminding myself I won't change all my bad eating habits immediately, slow and steady wins this race.

Monday Already?

This weekend went too fast.  Didn't do much, went to the movies, out to eat, tried not to shrivel up and die from the heat.  It's so nice today, high was only 90.  Considering it's been over 100 everyday for the last week, 90 feels cool.  This weekend highs were 104/105.  UGH, I am not cut out for hot weather.  Oh well, it is preparing me for our Florida trip at the end of this month.

Some NSV:

   I was able to take the extender off my everyday necklace.  Nice to not have that extra, non-matching     section for everyone to see.  (It didn't bother me before when my hair was long, but now it's so short the extender was completely visible).

   I was able to get a few more things out of the "not quite yest" section of my closet and move them to the "able to wear now" section.

   Started using my exercise bike again.  Now doing 40 minutes at a time.  Trying for 3 times a week, so far meeting that goal.

   Stayed off the scale since last Wednesday. The urge to just check and see has been strong, but trying to  resist.

I've been doing well with eating, but I definitely need some more fill.  I tried another donut, and I ate the whole thing (really small bites, chewed really well, but still the whole thing!)  More restriction please. I have to check and see when my next fill is.  I'm averaging about 1,100 calories a day.  Getting in my protein and fluids, so ok I think.  They never gave me a calorie range.

Had a yummy lunch of canned chicken mixed with tostito's spinach dip.  I know I found that suggestion on someone's blog, or on lapbandtalk.com so if it was yours THANKS.  Much better than mixed with just mayo, very flavorful.

Wednesday Weigh In

So since I broke down and bought a scale over the weekend I thought I should have an official weigh in day. And since I do love n alliteration, wednesday it is.

I went to a general bariatric surgery support group last night instead of my usual lap band group (that was cancelled because it would have been today). It was ok, but I was the only member of the band there, everyone else was RNY, so I couldn't really relate to most of the issues they were having. There was a special guest who did some movement and meditation excercises that were really good. She teaches yoga, something I've been interested in, but scared to go and look like a fool. Knowing she works with a lot of bariatric patients as well as "normal" people makes me interested in trying it out. Just have to see how much she charges.

I also weighed in at the office so I could compare with my scale at home.

Office weight: 294.1
Home weight: 295.2

Ugh, so supposedly I have gained almost 4 pounds since I weighed in on sunday on the new scale. Don't you love fluctuation? Since I had already made the decision that the official weigh in would be Wednesday, I'm not really going to count that.

So this morning I got up and did the official weigh in (after peeing of course).

291.5

Now I just have to stay off it for a week.  It's in the guest bathroom, so I won't have to see it everyday, but just knowing it's there may tempt me.  I need to be strong, and avoid the temptation of the scale.





Weekend Update

Very quiet weekend, husband had to study for a test he takes this Friday, so I spent lot's of time shopping.  Not that I really bought much, but did get lots of walking in. I did get a scale, figured it was about time.  I had been weighing in at the dr office, but once a month just won't be enough.

I have a support group tomorrow night so I'll weigh in there to get the official weight, then come home and weigh with the new scale.  That way I can compare the two.  I will be officially weighing in once a week.  Now I just have to figure out  how to keep myself off the scale every day.

Don't know if you are following The World According to Eggface if you aren't you should be.  She has a lot of great recipes.  She had gastric bypass, but the the recipes work just as well for bandsters.  I made a modified version of her "Bites, basically crustless quiches, using ham, swiss cheese, onion and green pepper.  So easy to make, and tasted yummy.  I took a pic, I'll have to add it later.


Staring using my stationary bike again. Rode for 20 minutes Friday and Saturday.  Took a break yesterday.  You'd think with all the padding I have my butt shouldn't hurt this much.  Have to get a pillow t sit on.  Tried to use the treadmill, but there's something wring with the belt. Not surprising since I bought it almost 13 years ago for $200.  May have break down and get a new one.


We finally got rain, after almost 3 weeks with none.  So glad, could have done without the thunderstorms, but I'll take what I can get.  Hopefully what we got will be enough prevent fires from the neighbors setting off fireworks this week. The lawns around here are like straw.

Fill Day 2

Haven't noticed much of a difference yet, but since I'm still on liquids I wouldn't expect to. I did notice this morning I had a little pressure in my chest.  Is there really a difference, or am I just thinking I felt a  difference? I know I am more aware of everything that I drink/eat now, looking for signs of a problem.  I'm really afraid of PBing/getting stuck.  


For the first time yesterday someone at work asked about my weight loss. I only told a few people, she wasn't one of them, but she noticed my weight loss and  my small portions and put 2 and 2 together.  She was very supportive.  Her daughter has been thinking about WLS, but isn't sure if it's right for her.  I told her I would be willing to talk to her daughter and share my experience.  It felt good to talk about, I would love to help others on their journey.

First Fill

Had my first post op visit with my surgeon.  I'm glad he's good at operating because his bedside manner is lacking. He's not horrible like some surgeon's I've had, just quick and to the point.  I think I saw him for all of five minutes.  He was getting up to walk out the door when I said I had questions, kind of had to reel him back in the room, but I did get answers.

So here's the set up for the fill.  The nurse wasn't sure he was going to want to do one since it wasn't 6 weeks since surgery... no it was only 5 weeks and 2 days. She set up for it just in case.  He agreed to do it though, so that made me happy.

It was actually the PA that did the fill, and she was great.  No problems finding the port, got the needle in the first try.  Didn't hurt, just pinched as it went in.  She put in 3cc sat me up and had me drink some water (with the needle sticking out (yes that big honking needle with the yellow cap in the picture).  Has some gurgling/burping with the 3, so she took out 0.5 and everything was fine.  Laid back down and she took the needle out.  Easy peasy lemon sqeazy.

So I am now the proud owner at a 10cc band with 2.5cc fill.  So far so good, have to be on liquids for 2 days, soft for 1 then progress as tolerated.  Had a protein shake without problems.  Do feel some tightness in my chest, similar to what I felt the first day or two after surgery. Hopefully it goes away like it did before.

The great news is I saw the dietitian and I have officially lost  33 pounds since surgery 5 weeks and 2 days ago (and 35.7 pounds since my initial weigh-in).  I know it will slow down, so I can't count on this pace, but so excited for how far I've come so quickly.

Quick update

So tomorrow is my first visit with my surgeon since surgery.  Can't wait to see what he thinks of my progress, and to get weighed.  Who would of thought I was excited to get weighed at the dr?  I think I'm going to break down and buy a scale for home.  Just weighing once a month was ok during the "healing" stage, but I'm not sure about now.

Not sure if I'm getting a fill or not tomorrow.  I really hope I get one, but kind of scared as well.  Not of the fill, but of the possible restriction.  I'm scared of being too tight, of PBing.  Rationally I know it will be fine, just first time jitters I guess.

I also meet with the nutritionist, and hopefully will get to advance my diet to more normal (bandster) size portions instead of the 2oz meals I have been eating.  Or 2-4 oz meals I've really been eating in the last couple of days, if I'm being really honest.

Hope everyone is doing well.

It's about moderation not deprivation

So after my pity party I had yesterday I did some thinking...scary I know.  Yes I ate the apple strudel, but was it the end of the world?  No.  Is it going to derail my journey?  Absolutely not!  I'm human, we all are.  No one is perfect, least of all me.  I can't beat myself up for being human. I went cold turkey on carbs and I'm surprised I lasted as long as I did (well except for that one instance with the donut, but I bet if I had that now I would eat the whole thing).

I have been trying to follow my doctors instructions to the letter.  I've done well, but it's getting hard.  I'm hungry and I have no restriction. (That strudel went down just fine).  I know I'm still in the healing phase, and according to my surgeon durin this phase it's 2oz meals 3 times a day plus 2-3 protein shakes.

The problem is I'm 5 weeks out and I need to eat more that 700 calories a day.  Even with the 440 clories from the strudel I only hit 958 calories.  So without that strudel I would have been at 518. YIKES!

Yes in the begining it was great, no hunger and  weight dropping off.  However it makes no sense to me that this week I can only eat 2oz and by next week I can have up to a cup of food per meal.  Can we get a little bit of transition?   

So here's my plan:  follow the prescribed plan as much as I can, but I'm not going to beat myself up.   Soon the prescibed plan won't be as rigid, and what  will happen then?  I need to re-train my brain into not focusing on food.  The way to do that isn't from depriving myself of things that I want.  That will only make me want it even more, so I will get into a situation where I have to have it.  The lesson I have to teach myself is moderation.  That's why I got this band in the first place.  I still want to be able to eat, just eat less. 

So onto my next stage of this journey.  Never thought it was going to be easy, but I will do this.

Oh and I had 2 oz of turkey meatball for dinner instead of the 1 I'm supposed to have.  I'm such a rebel ;)

Feel Like Puking

I've been doing so well, or so I thought. Don't you just love it when you start feeling self righteous about how this isn't really bad, and you don't know why other people are struggling...and then a big dose of reality smacks you up side the head? This week is hunger is just kicking my butt.  I just want to eat...everything and anything.  


I've been following my doctor's/nutritionist's plan and it has worked well for me, until this week.  I've been tracking my food on MyFitnessPal, and I've been amazed that I've only been eating 700-800 calories a day and NOT feeling hungry.  It's been great, and I thought I had it all figured out.  Little did I know.


Today I gave into temptation.  I was so hungry (real or head hunger I haven't figured out yet) I had to have something.  I started fixating on the coffee shop downstairs that sells these amazing apple strudel.  I did resist until after lunch and then told myself I would only have a tiny bite.  Well that 1 bite turned into 1/4 of it, which turned into 1/2, then that ugly voice in my head said " you might as well it the whole thing"  so that's what I did.


Now I want to puke.  Not literally, I didn't get stuck, PB or anything.  No restriction has it's benefits I guess. I just feel like I've failed.  My first real test and I got a big old F-.  

One month in band land

I can't believe 1 month ago today I was banded.  The time has flown by!  I don't have a 1 month weight loss since I don't have a scale in the house.  I go back to the surgeon next week and I'll get a weight then.  I'm wavering on when to get a scale.  I'm going to try and hold out 1 more month.  I'm the type that would be on the scale multiple times a day.  It would be nice though to be able to do weekly weigh ins.

I took pics last night.  I can't really tell a difference and I'm ok with that I know my clothes are fitting better.  I will be doing pics every month and can't wait to see the difference this time next year.

Pre Surgery










Month 1

Pre Surgery

Month 1

Pre Surgery

Month 1

Another One Bites the Dust

Another pair of pants that is.  My go to casual Friday khakis are all but falling off today.  So I think this will be the last time the make an appearance.  Happy Dance.  This morning I did find an older pair of  khakis in the closet, I haven't tried them on yet, hopefully they'll fit.

TTT

1. I don’t own a scale, so I can only weigh myself when I go to my surgeon’s office either for a checkup or a support group. I have a check up, and possible first fill, on 6/27. I can’t wait to weigh in.

2. Never would have thought I’d be excited to get on the scale at the doctor’s.

3. On 6/6 I was 21 pounds down since surgery. I’m hoping to be 30 pounds down by 6/27.

4. I love my surgeon’s eating plan. Seems like I’m always eating or drinking something.

5. I’m averaging about 700 calories a day, and the amazing thing is I’m not hungry! (Well I’ve had a couple of hunger episode, but they weren’t too bad and they didn’t last). I can’t believe eating so little is relatively easy for me to do.

6. Our new dog Missy had a nickname…”Miss-demeanor”. She gets on the furniture any chance she gets, even if we have just made her get down. Hopefully she’ll learn soon.

7. She’s got such sad hound dogs eyes I’m almost willing to let her stay on the couch.

8. I tried Muscle Milk Banana Cream for the first time this week, and spit it out after one sip. Most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted.

9. I bought a new black cardigan sweater to wear in the office since they seem to think if it’s hot outside it should be sub-zero inside. Well I bought an 18/20. It fits as long as I don’t try to button it up. I can’t wait until I can wear it buttoned up and not look like a sausage.

10. Just a little over 6 weeks until vacation and I can’t wait!