Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hiya Sweet Band Sistas!

Yep, I've been gone a LONG time...trying to find the motivation to keep blogging...and I GOT IT YESTERDAY!  Was it some epiphany about health, fitness and my wonderful life, NOT...try getting stuck at lunch at work and having to get a ride home from a co-worker and puking in the front yard...barely making it out of her car.  My ultimate most embarrassing moment.  It was baked chicken...and i didn't chew it well enough.  I got my second fill about two weeks ago, and have been VERY tight, but nothing could have prepared me for this!  I had ridden my bike to work as usual, and knew i couldn't get home on it...but i had to get home...FAST!  I had struggled with it for about 20 minutes before i knew i was in big trouble. 
Needless to say I'm on liquids today...and taking it very slowly!
NOW...on to better news!!  I have started taking Taekwondo classes twice a week and i LOVE IT!!  I'm ringing wet with sweat after each one hour class, and the 14-18 year olds I'm with don't mind this granny in class at all, they are all so sweet and supportive of me! 
We were back up to see the grandson for his 3rd birthday and had a wonderful time...I'll share some pics from that trip.  Hope everyone is well, I haven't even been reading blogs I've been so busy!  I do costumes for my hubby's theatre productions, and we open Thursday, so all of my free time has been there.  Looking forward to the break after opening night!!!
Love all you gals and can't wait to catch up!  Oh yea...I've lost 5 more pounds...so happy about that! 






dede

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Hello BlogWorld! Is it Friday yet????

Hello BlogWorld! I’ve been blog lazy this week (or two)...shout out to my little sis for getting me off my butt and getting a new blog up! I haven’t lost any more weight, so I’ve started journaling my food today. Okay...time for honesty now...i just now stopped to journal cuz I really hadn’t done it yet, so i stopped to do it so I wouldn’t be a big ol liar...and in doing so...took the handful of chocolates out of my scrub pocket and put them back in the stash i lifted them from!! Blogging really does help...(thanks again sister!!)


Okay...now that I’m really journaling my food...I’m going to list my other goals for the next week.

1) Keep journaling my food. (gotta keep telling myself)

2) Keep riding my bike to and from work.

3) Get up and get on the elliptical at least 4 mornings.

4) Go to the Y and do my quad workout for my knees.

5) Try an early morning spin class cuz i’m late shift next week.

6) Drink more water and less crystal light.



My band and I have been getting along well, I go in for my second fill on the 22nd of this month, the day before I leave on a quick trip to see the kids for my grandson’s third birthday partay! I am still sitting at 219, and have been for.ev.er. My knees are feeling much better though...i can do the stairs with little to no pain anymore! Yea! I deconstructed a pair of scrub pants last week and used them for a pattern to try and make a new pair...I haven’t had time to sew them up...but I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes! I am still wearing all of the same clothes, and will be glad to get into some smaller ones!

I made an inspiration board the other night...just because I am very visually motivated, and it helps me to stand in front of it in the mornings and get excited about where I’m going to be able to go with my band. Just reminding myself that I’ve got to do my part to keep the ball rolling...and roll it will!! One of my short term goals is to be down to 210 by mid-late November for an annual Christmas shopping gig in Dallas that my sister and friends do every year. If any of you Dallas area gals want to have a mini-meet drop me a note! Could be so fun! I’m not going to Chicago this year...so I’m looking for all of the love I can get!!

My Inspiration Board



Monday, August 29, 2011

Kidnapped my Mom over the weekend...WATER TORTURE!!!

HA!!  NOT EXACTLY TORTURE!!  My sweet Mom lives about 3.5 hrs away and i hadn't seen her in over 3 months!  I made reservations at an AMAZING B&B...(got to check this out if you're ever in the area  www.stardustinn.com )  we had an INCREDIBLE TIME!  My Mom is 73, but about as young at heart as they come...and I surprised her with the trip to the lake, and a jet ski rental!  She tore the lake up!  We had so much fun!  A weekend of lake fun, great food, and meeting new folks...it could not have been better!  I felt so strong, and I know I'm not even back up to my old strength yet from 6 years ago before I put all of this weight back on.  I'm down 33 pounds since the lap band...but this weekend gave me such a boost of fitness motivation!  I think I'm going to start watching the scale a little closer...i've been letting it slide, and it's time to pay attention.  I've got some plans...AND rode my bike to work this morning...was running late so I rode fast!!  It was so fun...and i got there one time!!!  Wow...i'm all over the place...so here...some pics from the weekend!!








Monday, August 22, 2011

One pound down...2-teens...finally!!

219...not in over six years have I weighed this!!!  YEPPEEE!!
NSV this week were getting into a pair of Lane Bryant 18tall jeans that I've had for at least 7 years!!  And then waking up Sunday morning with no clean scrubs for work, and remembering some a co-worker had given me about 2 years ago that I couldn't get over my butt back then...WORE EM!!!!
Silly pictures for proof!!!
Was at the "Y" by 5:45 am this morning...let the hubs lift with me...but he slowed me down so we're going to do better next time.  I'm thinking about swapping cardio at home in the am and the extras at the "Y" in the evenings...I'm more motivated in the mornings so I need to do cardio then!!!
I've got the coolest weekend planned with my Mom...going to drive up to see her and have lots of surprises in store for her...can't tell you now cuz she reads my blog...but will take MANY PHOTOS!!!
lovelove
dede
 My size 18w jeans!!!
 BOOTIE SHOT!!
 CAN YOU SEE ME????
 Where's my butt now??

Thursday, August 18, 2011

WHAT THE HECK WAS I SO WORRIED ABOUT????

My first fill was COMPLETELY PAINLESS!  What a great job sweet Dr. B. did!!!  Love him!!  I now have 3.5cc in my 10cc band!! I am on liquids rest of today and all day tomorrow...no worries!  Still working out every day...gotta love it!  No weight loss to report yet...but maybe the next few days will show me some love!!!!  Thanks for all of the support my sistas!!!  I couldn't make it without you!!!
dede

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

FIRST FILL TOMORROW!

Well, I go in tomorrow at 1:00pm...little nervous...but more ready to be taking the next step! My exercise has been better than my food this week...still stuck at 220# hoping this fill + the exercise will push me into the 2-teens soon...(i feel like i've been saying that forever!)  My DH has noticed that i am able to eat more food lately...not that he was rude or anything, he just agreed to what i was saying.  Once I get the exercise to a good routine...i'm adding a food journal to the mix!  I can usually recall everything I've eaten at the end of the day, but I need to log during the day to really keep myself in check.  A running log of calories and protein and fiber is good for me!  After meeting with the surg. tomorrow, i hope i can start lifting weights some...my quads need it badly!  Love the sweat i'm getting off of the elliptical, but would like to try and firm up some of my jigglies!!  Will post after my fill!!! Thanks for all of the support!!!
dede

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

FINISHED 30 MINUTES ON THE BEAST!!!

FIRST DAY...24 MINUTES...SECOND DAY 30 MINUTES...YOU PROBABLY CAN'T SEE IT...BUT THERE IS SWEAT DRIPPING OFF OF MY EYEBROWS!!!!  YEA ME!!! 
THAT'S THE BEAST...BUT I LOVE IT!!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Made my first smoothie today...yuck...too fluffy...

Okay...i've decided i do need ice in my next one...gonna check out recipes in blogland and find something that will work better!!!  I'm sitting here with a pink smoothie mustache that goes over my nose!

I called my surgeon's office yesterday to find out when i can start working out.  Sofar i've just been walking and walking...did a little hiking on vacay...but now just walking...walk to work...walk at lunch...walk walk walk.  Well, the nurse told me that I can go ahead and start, just nothing strenuous and don't lift anything over 30 pounds.  Nothing strenuous...did I hear that right?  Excuse me...but I asked..."When can I start working out?"...nothing strenuous??  I don't get it....so can anyone help me??? I will be 5 weeks post op this Thursday...so how much of a workout can i do???

I'VE STOPPED LOSING ANY WEIGHT AND IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!!!!  See..i said it outloud!
help...
dede

Friday, August 5, 2011

BYOC!!!!!!

It’s Friday so you know what that means!


Yup, it’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy!!!!!
We answer a few questions in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break.
Copy to your own blog and enjoy!

1. I’m going to pick a person in your life – not knowing if you have a good or bad, existing or non-existent relationship with them – and your mission is to pick 5 words or traits or thoughts to describe them.

Your paternal grandmother.

Unconditional Love
Contagious Laughter
Radiating Beauty
Comfort Food Queen
Damn handy with a shotgun!



2. What’s your all time favorite color to paint your nails? And your toes?

I rarely paint my nails...but when I do...they are usually red or orangy.  I keep my toes pedicured nearly 100% of the time (I do them myself) and they are always painted BLACK!

3. Do you get along with your parents well?

Yes!  My mother is really the dearest person in the world to me!  I don't get to see her nearly as often as I'd like...and I keep telling myself to take more time to do just that!!  I love her so much!!!  She is so wise, loving, accepting, and is my cheerleader forever.  She is funny as hell, and must have dated sailors cuz she sounds like one at times!  She loves news programs and politics and don't cross her or you'll hear about it!!   Love you, Mom!!! 

4. Speaking of rainbows – rank the rainbow colors in the order you prefer.

Orange
Green
Violet
Indigo
Blue
Yellow
Red


5. Repeat question. How was your week in real life and in blog land this week?

Real life: Busy at work this week...that's great...up moving my body is feeling wonderful...i can't wait to feel the fat start to melt and the muscle start to get stronger!!  Took the last of my antibiotics today...so hopefully my weight will start to come off again soon!!
Blog land: WONDERFUL!  I've even blogged twice today!!!  I love the support and advice available here for all of us...blogging must lead to success!!!

Me and my big mouth!!



AARRGGHHH!! I cannot seem to take a small bite to save my ass! I guess I have always loved the sensation of stuffing a huge bite-full of food into my mouth and having it crammed in every nook and cranny of my kisser...I am just now discovering this though!! Maybe my parents scolded me as a child...perhaps I’ve even embarrassed my dinner companions...but I don’t remember it!! It’s been one of my hardest obstacles!!! I put these HUGE bites in my mouth and then think...”CRAP, what am I going to do now????” So I try and portion it out, put some in the side of my mouth...chew some...and then try and swallow just a tiny bit!!!! Portion size isn’t my issue...it’s BITE SIZE!!! Yes, I even admit to spitting some of it out when I’m alone!!! G-ROSS!!! My nutritionist recommended using junior sized flatware...but I can’t find anything that's not rubber with turtles and bunnies on it!!! Not to mention neon colored so everyone around me thinks I’ve stolen my grandson’s spoon!





So...not drinking while eating...and taking smaller bites...are two of my challenges that i WILL conquer...TODAY...NOT TOMORROW...TODAY....gulp...
dede

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

ALASKA AND OTHER FUN STUFF!!!


Well...it’s official!!! I’m going to ALASKA!!! WHOOOP WHHOOOPP! Yes, it’s not for another 10 months...but WHO-WAA! My DH has to be in Anchorage next June on business, so I will fly up after his business is finished...and we are going to stay an additional 10 days or so! Our plans at this point are to fish for a day or so then take a float plane out to a remote cabin provided by the Park Service where the pilot will drop us off and them come back for us at the end of our stay!!! No electricity, no indoor plumbing, just a wood stove and wooden bunks!!!! Oh, and a rowboat if we’re lucky! This may not sound like paradise to some of my sweet sisters out there...but believe me...this is my version of heaven!!




Now to band business...I am feeling much better, my diverticulitis seems to have just about healed up. I have four more days on the antibiotics...and have started eating regular food again. I haven’t added in any significant high fiber foods yet, due to the fact that I’m still supposed to be on pureed foods. I have to admit, I’m mostly just chewing my food really well instead of getting the blender/food processor out at this point. Thursday will be week four post op...so I’m on a regular diet then. I’ve been looking at ways to get the most fiber into my diet and still eat a lap band friendly diet. Prunes are always an option, and I went and got enough Bene-fiber to last me till I’m 90. Then there is always beans, beans and beans...get ready hunnie!



I’ve been eating smaller portions and hiding my drink at meal time. I think not drinking during meals is the biggest game changer for me. When I stay completely away from liquids at meal time...I eat VERY small portions! So my DH is helping me remember to “step away from the glass!”



Well...that’s all my news for today! Have a wonderful day sweet peeps!!!

Love love

dede

Saturday, July 30, 2011

New pics up on Progress Pictures Tab

My sweet hubby was working in the yard this morning when I left for work and he snapped these pictures for me.  I feel better every day...thanks gals, for all of your words of encouragement and support!!!
love love
dede

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Happy Birthday to my Amazing Little Sister, Dana!!!


Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Dana...Happy Birthday to You...
and many mooorrreeee!

I'll never forget this night...Stevie Nicks was never better!  And we sang every damn song!!!  She's our savior!
You are my inspiration, my laughter, my protector, and my confidant.  I love you so much!
dede

Diverticulitis...what was I thinking...oh yea...I wasn't

Well, I am three weeks post op today!  YEA!  But that also means that it's been 5 weeks since I ate one morsel of fiber...NOT GOOD!!!  What was I thinking!!!????  I know I have diverticulosis...my surgeon knows I have diverticulosis...so why the hell didn't i think about the effect this pre-op/post-op diet was going to have on my colon????  So...I'm home from work...two days into a diverticulitis attack...praying for the antibiotics to kick in and back on clear liquids.  Anyone else have this condition???  I guess benefiber would have been the thing to do these last two weeks or so...but not one mention of it from the surgeon...and me...I've been so focused on the post op diet I COMPLETED FORGOT ABOUT IT!!!  I need my head examined! 
Ok...so I've just channeled my grandmother on you guys and discussed my colon in an open forum...God bless us everyone!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Came home from vacation and started mushies minus ONE POUND!!!

YEA!  I'M GOING TO CELEBRATE THE HELL OUTTA THIS POUND!!!  One pound down cha cha cha  One pound down cha cha cha...That means I could be in the two hundred teens soon!!!!   I walked to work yesterday and it took me 25 minutes...so I'm making it a routine...(not so hard to do now while DH is outta town and there's still a car in the shop...hehee)
Here are a few more vacation shots...i can't stop looking at them!!!  Love you guys!!!
dede
 Majestic Grand Tetons
 Hike to Hidden Falls
 Hidden Falls
 Yes...i'm stealing sugar
 Posing for PapaDoc
 Mulies in the velvet in Colorado

Splish Splash!!!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Back from VACATION!!! Going on three weeks Post OP!!!

Hello all of my beautiful blogland babes!  What a wonderful time we had!  Yellowstone and the Tetons were majestic and wonderful...we hiked, floated, smooched on our kids and grandson and had an amazing time!  I will be three weeks post op on Thursday, so I'm eating softies now.  I will weigh in tomorrow...but I think I am probably about the same as before I left...which is a new one for me!!  I am learning to feel the band, and am realizing how important it will be not to drink during meals, because I think I can tell when I am just funneling the food through the band and when it is actually filling my new pouch.  I don't think I did as well as I could have...I was picking all day although i never really ate more than my allotment during each meal.  I am having all of these fears of messing up the band, flipping it...moving it...not letting it get settled in to it's spot...hope that's normal!   gee whiz...
Anywhoo...here are some pictures...i can really see the weight gone that I've already lost...old clothes that fit again is so much fun!!!!  Thanks for all of the blog love from everyone!!  I love being here!!!  Will post my weigh in tomorrow!!! 
~peace~~~
dede



Friday, July 15, 2011

Can't leave Comments :(...Off on VACATION :))


Hey Everyone!  I've been banging my head against the desk trying to leave comments for everyone and NOTHING!!!  GGGRREREEE!!! 

I'm 8 days PO and am HUMAN AGAIN!!!  I have been freezing soup like a mad woman getting ready for our trip out west.  I'm sure my little ice cube shaped soup servings are not new to many of you.  Gonna log in a ton of miles on the ol' Toyota...but can't wait to get to where the temperature ranges from upper 40's to mid 70's!!!!!!  AAAhhhh Yellowstone!!!!! Not to mention I get to try and overdose my Grandson with GMa sugars!!!  Mmmwhaaaaa!


I'm starting to feel my band some...especially with the thicker items like Greek yogurt and sugar free puddings.  I'm so excited about it!!!  I also figured out why I'm supposed to be eating the soups on my LIST...and not just blended up GOOD soup...can you say GAS????  Wow...that's all i can say...i would have never thought a little gas would have me walking like a Frankenbander...i just need the little bolts coming out of the sides of my neck...


I can't wait to get on the trails (yes easy ones...and yes, with bear spray DM) and feel some strength again.  I can't wait to gain all of my strength back and feel my muscles again...they are still suffering the effects of anesthesia...and walking the track here just leaves me wanting MORE!!!!

Have a lovely week beauties...love to all and I can't wait to post my post vacation weight!!!  NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY THAT BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEDE

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

SO HAPPY TO BE THIS FAR!!! 5 DAYS POST OP...

TURNED A CORNER!!!  I was beginning to think the room was ROUND!  My DH...my DM and my DS all told me I would make it...hang in there...you will get there...well...I listened...but still thought they were full of SHIT!  But...today came, and I'm back at work (light duty)...I have 3 hours left and think I'll make it!!!  Yea...it was worse than i thought it would be...i'm not gonna lie.  Nothing to motivate you like feeling like you've been hit by a freight train!! 
Had my staples removed yesterday...all incisions look great...still can't move gas through smoothly...it's all still getting hung up in places and so much damn fun.  I think a lot of it is how I am swallowing...how much air I am taking down with the fluids.  I've got to learn how to drink again...any tips??? 
I have dropped a lot of weight though!!!  from 252 to 224 today!  YIPPEEE!! (i still feel like i look like a sick geriatric patient.)  I have had some hunger pains, so surgeon said I could move ahead (2 days early) to full liquids.  Blended up some soup this morning and it was yummy.  Had some yogurt...and enjoyed it too...split it into three servings and let Avis (our canine on loan from friends spending 2 years in China with the Peace Corp.)  lick the container...she loves Greek.
dede

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Made it home from my Lap Band Surgery...can you say gasssssy???

Surgery went off with out  a hitch this morning...well...not really...guess who forgot to take her preop injection???  WHAT??? I work in a pharmacy for crying out loud!!##%#^^&^#$%#!!!

My doc was not pleased...but after a visit with the anesthesiologist...and the fact that during my pre op liquid diet (two weeks people!!) my BMI dropped to 37...they went ahead with the surgery!!!  I was freaking out!!! 

I split my 30 minutes of walking into two 15 minute sessions and felt great...by the gas in my chest and shoulders is about NASTY!!  I've used the Gas X strips twice...two each time...and I guess they aren't helping much...OR...they could be helping alot...in which case Thank Goodness!!!  Yikes...not fun. 

I think I have a little fever...DH just went to get a thermometer...why is it that we have to buy a new one every time we need one???  I don't get it.  Anyway...I feel pretty good and am so thankful it's all over.  He left my gall bladder...said it was healthy...I wish I knew how to keep it that way over the next few years!!!  If you have any tips I would love to hear them!!!  Anyway...thanks for reading...
dede

TODAY IS MY DAY...HEADED OFF TO SURGERY!!!!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

My theme song for my surgery coming up in 2 DAYS!!!!

Just found this video and I love it!!!  It is my new theme song for Thursday!!!!


http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--221564860

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Watching the time tick away to my surgery date...7/7/11!!! I'm so excited...not nervous AT ALL!!  Reading thru all of the bandster blogs has been a life saver!  I feel like I can find answers to
ANY questions! 
Hubby and I had a great afternoon, I had to work until noon, (I work in the inpatient pharmacy at the only hospital in town.)  Came home and changed and we went to the parade, coffee house, grocery, and his office to pick up books on Yellowstone, where we will be headed the last week of July on vacation!!  We get to see our sweet kids and grandson!
I feel like I'm ready here at home for post op...the only thing I'm not able to find is the junior sized flatware the nutritionist mentioned getting when I start eating..but i'll keep looking.
Have a great week!!!

Friday, July 1, 2011

New purpose to my blog!

Hi everyone...or anyone...just wanted open up and say that I'm currently undergoing the pre-op portion of my upcoming Lap Band surgery.  I am just 6 days away from changing my life forever.  Now...this doesn't mean that I've stopped sewing...but I've decided to put my health first for now.  My youngest child just graduated from high school in May...so I feel like I'm finally able to put myself a little higher on the priority list for now!! Yea!! 
My decision to band came about 6 weeks ago...it was a funny thing...i just decided one weekend, after reading and researching...that it would be the answer for me.  I've dieted my entire life...and the result of that is sitting here...at an uncomfortable weight with bad knees, terrible feet, three bulging disks in my lumbar spine, sleep apnea so severe I can't go without my CPAP for even one night, and more hope than I've had in years and years!
I've been on a liquid/protein shake diet for seven days, and will be on it thru my surgery date of July 7th.  Not much longer now!! YEA!!
I'm getting so much inspiration and motivation from all of the blogs of my fellow bandsters!!!  I can't wait to just read through everyone's journey!!! 
That's about it...I'll keep posting!
Numbers:
Highest weight: 267
Current weight: 237
Goal weight:  170
Surgery Date:  7/7/11