I'M WEARING WHITE LINEN PANTS THIS WEEKEND!!

First time in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!  A co-worker bought them for me, and I am going to be in Dallas for three days...so I'm going to wear them!!!  Yes, there may be a little jiggle going on under there...but nothing obscene!!!  DAMN labor day rules...I'm wearing white!!!

(no weigh in on Monday..was out of town on a little vacay...but i stayed the same...Yea...kinda!!)

WEEK TWO WEIGH IN...NOW I KNOW WHY I'M DOING THIS!!!

I GAINED A POUND THIS WEEK!!!!  Have I mentioned I'm a sugar addict??? AAARRGGGHHH!!!
Okay...I am obviously going to need more cardio than my 3 mile communte on my bicycle every day!!!! I've got this...this is SO going to work!!

FIRST EVER WEEKLY WEIGH IN!!!!!!!!!

I have been so inspired by Andrea's success and dedicated weigh ins...that i went big city shopping yesterday and bought a set of scales to start a weekly weigh in!!!!  Thanks, Andrea...i want to be as successful as you!!!!!

Here is my first ever blogged weigh in!!!!!

More Alaska Pictures!!!

 Taken on the Seward Highway

 Along the Seward Highway

 Small boat harbor, Seward

 MY biggest fish

 Hiking Exit Glacier

 Headed to our first cabin

 Barber Cabin, our first home in the woods

 More adventuring

 Out in the canoe on Lower Russian lake

 Lower Russian Lake

 Marti along the trail

 Rustic B&B...BIG wolf

 His mouth was as big as my head

 Inside the cabins, no electricty or plumbing

Upper Russian Lake

Hiya Sweet Bandsters!!!

It's been so long!!!  I'm a bad blogger...but i want to get back into...well...i haven't ever really been "into" a very steady groove...but here we go!!!  I ended up having to have 12 inches of my colon removed back in April due to the diverticulitis I've been suffering from for 3 years.  My lap band surgeon did the colectomy, and I was in the hospital for 8 DAYS!!! AARRGGGHHH!!!  The only good thing about being in the hospital that long...is that i got down to 202 pounds!!!!  He took all of the fluid out of my band during the surgery so that if i got sick i wouldn't hurt myself throwing up.  So...lost a foot of colon, and all my restriction.  Fast forward 8 weeks...all healed up from colectomy...but still no fluid in my band...then....ALASKA!!! 
Hubby and i spent 15 days in Alaska in June, and back packed into the backcountry for seven days...staying in federal government cabins that we had reserved 6 month prior.  Total hike of 21 miles, with 34 pound pack...equals...damn...i'm outta shape!!!

Finally back to reality now...finally have some restriction...but back up to 218 pounds!!  AARRGGHHHH!!!  I have two new yoga dvd's, and the rec center is going to start opening up earlier...so i've got to get after it!!!  i want a yoga bod!!!!


I'm going to upload more photos soon!!!

Helloooo Sweet BOOBS!! Long time no seeee!!!

Yes, I am among this living!!  YEA!!  I have had some ups and downs...but things are looking better every day!!  I have to have a colon resection next week due to my extensive diverticulitis problems...so...hmmm....how much will 12 inches of my colon weigh???? Could i finally get below 200?????? Not funny...I know...but I be lying if i said i hadn't been thinking about it!!!  I haven't been able to get a fill in quite some time due to the risk of a foreign body infection with the diverticulitis...so I don't even know how much my band has in it anymore!!!

I will be in the hospital for 5-7 days, and off work for 3 weeks!!!! 3 weeks!!!! a new one for me...don't know if i'll be able to handle it!!!!  Hubby is being so wonderful and will be moving his office to the house to help me recoup.  I have been working out trying to get as strong as I can pre-op...this surgery is NOT going to knock me down...why??? BECAUSE WE ARE STILL GOING TO HIKE THROUGH ALASKA IN JUNE!!!  I CAN do this!!!

Here are a few pics from an 8 mile hike we took a few weeks ago...fun times!!! 

Love you gals!!!  I'll do better keeping posted!!!!

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

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



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!!

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??

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

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

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!!!

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

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