Maintenance is Boring...But Just as Difficult as Losing

I wish I had some exciting new weight loss number on the scale to announce to you...but I don't...because maintenance is boring.

I wish I had some exciting news about a new smaller clothes size to announce to you...but I don't...because maintenance is boring.


Is this why so many weight loss bloggers disappear from the blogosphere the moment they hit their goal weight?  Where do they go?  Do they keep the weight off?

I wish that there were more bloggers who would talk about maintenance.  Why?  Because it's just as hard as losing in my opinion.  I still have to keep track of what I eat.  I still have to exercise 4+ times a week.  As I have said over and over..."THERE IS NO DONE."

PS: I'm working on a new color scheme/design for my blog...please be patient while under construction.

10 Superficial Reasons to Lose Weight

I stole borrowed this post from BenDoesLife.com

Ben lost 120+ lbs and has kept it off.  Way to go Ben!
So, with no further delays....

Here are 10 Superficial Reasons to Lose Weight. Because we can’t always be politically correct:

• You don’t have to pull the seatbelt as far to click it.
• Let’s be honest, chub-rub sucks.
• Far fewer sweat stains.
• Cartwheels are much easier (and graceful).
• No more pulling the shirt out of fat rolls when you sit down. (don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.)
• People don’t eyeball you questioningly when you take the last cookie/slice of pizza.
• You can put your shoes on like a normal person. For those of you that have never been obese, trust us, it’s really really hard to put shoes on.
• No more fat-tax ($2 for XXL and up shirts)
• No more pretending like you’re wearing a T-shirt over your bathing suit to “prevent sunburns.”
• Floors don’t creak as loudly. Sneaking up on people is much easier.

However, to be fair, here is one reason to stay fat:

• If you’re riding with friends in a two-door car, you always get shotgun, because everyone knows there’s no way you’re getting into the backseat without tearing some ligaments.

But even still, the lose-weight side wins convincingly 10-1. Let’s keep moving.

What’s your superficial reason to lose weight?

Weigh-in Day...and the Results Are...

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 144.0 lbs.

Happy Friday!

My Accountability Goal for 2011

I recently discovered the The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) which was established in 1994.

NWCR is the largest prospective investigation of long-term successful weight loss maintenance:

• Developed to identify and investigate the characteristics of individuals who have succeeded at long-term weight loss.
• Tracks over 5,000 individuals who have lost significant amounts of weight and kept it off for long periods of time.
• Detailed questionnaires and annual follow-up surveys are used to examine the behavioral and psychological characteristics of weight maintainers, as well as the strategies they use to maintaining their weight losses.
• It's FREE.

To join the NWCR, one must meet the following requirements: Lost at least 30 pounds and maintained a weight loss of at least 30 pounds for one year or more

 

So, my goal is that on December 17, 2011 (my one year anniversary of hitting goal), I can sign up and join the registry at 145 lbs, having maintained my 111 lb loss for 1 year.
 
PS: Weigh-in tomorrow.

The Witching Hour

I have been struggling lately with eating (or trying to not eat) after work/dinner. 

You know...that time between dinner and bedtime..?  I am so great with my food choices during the day at work and even during the day on the weekends.  Something just happens at night and I turn into a "Head Hunger" beast.

Well, lucky for me, I go to bed early (~9pm) since I have to be up early for work.  But still...that time between 7-9pm...I seem to creep my way back into the kitchen to see what I could eat.

I remember a tip/joke from back in the day when I was doing WW.  The leader would say, "If you run out of points for the day, just go to bed."  Ha ha ha..if only it was that easy.

I am trying to use my Sumo Wrestler analogy (Remember this post?).  It's not working.

Maybe brush my teeth right after dinner?  I don't chew gum any more for fear of swallowing it...so that's out.

Any tips for correcting this behavior?

Sad Day Yesterday...and a Pantyhose Funny

I went to my friend Amy's memorial service yesterday.  There was a great turnout of many friends and family...standing room only.  Thank you all for your kind comments on my post about Amy earlier this week.  She will be missed.

Anyways, just wanted to report that putting on pantyhose is just as difficult at 145 lbs as it was at 256 lbs.  I haven't worn them since before surgery, but yesterday was cold and I wanted to wear a skirt and not blind people with my pale legs.  Those pantyhose are the devil.  Glad I don't wear them too often. :)  At least they weren't "Queen Sized"

Yummy Soup! Thanks Amy!

Thanks to Amy over at "Once Upon a Time in the Land of Cheese and Sunkist", I cooked up a batch of her yummy Creamy Chicken Divan Soup.

Check out the recipe HERE if you haven't seen it yet.

I halved the recipe and it made 6 x 1 Cup servings.  1 serving for tonight's dinner and 5 more went into the freezer.

YUM!

New Blogger Alert!

Please stop by and say "hello" to Becky on her bandster blog "Prudence Rising". 

She is dual blogger...meaning she's sharing her journey both on blogspot and on Youtube.  She has already done a few vlogs! 

She recently emailed me and admitted to reading my entire blog from beginning to end.  That's over 300 posts!  I'm not sure if I should apologize or be honored?

She's already using her word of the year "Perseverance"!  Way to go Becky.

You can check out her blog HERE

Weigh-in Day...and the Results Are...

Week #5 of maintenance was a challenge...

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Current Weight: 145.7 lbs

I know what I need to do this week.

Happy Friday!

It's a Privilege

I was recently watching the show "Medium" which is a drama about a psychic who works with the Phoenix Police Dept and District Attorney's office.  Love that show!

Anyways, one scene showed the District Attorney negotiating with a prisoner...telling him that if he could provide information about a crime, the DA would have the Prison Warden expand the prisoners' privileges.

Guess what the main privilege that was discussed?

EXERCISE!

Yes, exercise is a privilege in prison. 

Think about that the next time you are too tired, too busy, or too "whatever" to get your body moving. 

Why do we limit ourselves with these self-created "prisons" by not exercising?

What did you do today to move your body through space? 

I took a 20 minute power walk around the office buildings at lunch and tonight is Zumba Toning and Zumba...90 minutes. I'm gonna get my sweat on!

PS: tomorrow is weigh-in day...too much fun on vacation has caught up with me...not looking good.

What I Learned on My Vacation

Just back from 5 days on vacation in Orlando, FL. What fun!  It was great to catch up with family and enjoy the sunshine.

Those of you who I am friends with on Facebook already saw this pic, but here it is again for those who missed it.  The Mice and I:

Here are my lessons from vacation:

• It is possible to workout on vacation. I Zumba'd at a local gym!
• Hamburger meat will never be my friend.  I can't chew it all the way to the consitency of applesauce as us bandsters are supposed to.  I just won't swallow it - I have my fear of  PB'ing for the first time.
• Therefore, trying to be discrete and spitting chewed up hamburger meat into paper napkins in a restaurant is gross.
• It is FABULOUS to shop for clothes that fit me well and make me look skinny!  I walked right into stores and could try on whatever I wanted.
• I see Lane Bryant through new eyes now.
• I cannot be trusted around cake...still.
• Even Minnie Mouse makes time for eating right and exercise.  Here's her to-do list from her house in Toon Town:

You Will Be Greatly Missed

While I was away visiting family in Orlando this weekend, I learned that my good friend Amy had passed away on Friday morning.

Some history for you: 

I first met Amy when I moved to town in 2007 and was looking for a nail technician to keep my acrylic nails looking fabulous.  Well, Amy did not disappoint!  She turned into a great friend and we giggled and gossiped over many nail appointments and fun times.

Amy even shared her struggle with obesity with me.  She had gastric bypass 5+ years ago, lost most of her excess body weight, and was successful in keeping the weight off.  A true superstar with her surgery.  

She was the one who introduced me to her surgeon (who ended up doing my band surgery).

My surgeon's practice requires their patients to have a "support person" through the pre-op and post-op process.  

Amy was my support person.  She went with me to all of the required appointments, classes, and of course was there with me on that early morning of October 20, 2009 for my band surgery.  Here's a picture of us right before I was wheeled off to surgery that morning.  All smiles!

Unfortunately, her time with us was cut short.

I will never forget her sense of humor.  Because, yes Amy, as you always said "tan fat looks better that pale fat."  Wherever you may be now, I know that you are enjoying that warm glow of the big tanning bed up in the sky.  RIP.

Back from Shopping! Mini Fashion Show! (Pics)

Just back from a busy day of shopping at the Orlando outlets!  All of these finds are from Ann Taylor Loft or Factory Store.

Size 6 dress (who knew that I have legs!)

Sizes: 8 Petite Jacket; 6 Petite Jeans

Sizes: Petite Large Shirt; 8 Petite skirt

Sizes: Small Cami; Medium Sweater; 6 Petite Jeans

PS: a newbie asked on a previous post what a "NSV" is.  Well, a Non-Scale Victory is a health or weight loss achievement not related to the scale.  Some examples may include: fitting into a smaller size of clothes or reducing the need for a medication due to an improvement in health (blood pressure, diabetes, etc).

Fortune Cookie Wisdom

From last night's dinner at Pei Wei:

300!

Wow!  300 followers!

You guys have all been so supportive in my weight loss journey and now into my maintenance.

Thank You!  You guys are the best!

Motivational Quote of the Day

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."


~Unknown Author

Weigh-in Day...and the results are...

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 144.8 lbs

Happy Friday!

One of My Breakfast Favorites!

This is one of my usual go-to breakfasts when I am at work.

A few dashes of Penzeys "Baking Spice" + A Splash of Torani SF Pumpkin Pie Syrup + Plain Greek Yogurt = Pumpkin Pie Yogurt (YUM!)

The Baking Spice contains: Cinnamon, Mace, Sweet Anise, and Cardamom

110 calories

16 grams protein

PS: I have also been known to add the Baking Spice to my cottage cheese pancakes on the weekends.  YUM!

Acting As If Every Meal Will Be My Last

Yep, I used to think like this...a lot.

It's taken me over a year to get my head around how false this idea is: "I better eat up now, not sure when I will have it again."

I remember that before starting a major diet or especially before starting the pre-op liquid diet, I would act as if every meal was my last.  You know, "We'd better go by Olive Garden, not sure when/if I will get to eat Fettuccine Alfredo and breadsticks again."  How wrong I was in that thinking.

For me, this false thought process also went hand-in-hand with the "it's cheap, so I better buy a ton of it...I'm saving money!" thought.

I can think of  TONS of examples in my life:

• Foods that I would think are only available or could only be made during holidays: "We have to make stuffing, it's Thanksgiving" or "We have to buy those cookies/cake/pie/etc because it's Christmas".  REALLY?!?  We live in the Western World people!  We have an abundance of food.  I bet you that I could find you a pumpkin pie in May or a beautiful Easter ham in September.  Think about it.
• In November, seeing the big sale bin of Halloween candy on sale at the grocery store for 75% off!  I would think to myself "What a deal! I better buy a bunch of bags, i'm saving money after all."  WRONG!
• Eating out on vacation or for a special occasion provided the excuse that I will never be able to have that wonderful food ever again.  Will I really never get to have that favorite dish or birthday cake again in my whole life?  Really?  Think about it.

How does food create this power over us?


I'm all for moderation and enjoying certain foods on that rare occasion, but making excuses for why I should eat a certain food just because my calendar or penny-pinching mentality tells me to is RIDICULOUS.
 
Guess what I ate this past Christmas 2010 for my holiday meal?  Wait a second...I can't remember actually...because food is fuel to me now.  I bet you can probably remember exactly what you ate.  Think about it.

Useful Printout to Take to the ER

I have discovered an poster/guide for ER doctors on treating bariatric patients. (found on a post on obesityhelp.com message boards).

Take a look at this PDF document.

I have heard the common complaint from bandsters that ER doctors sometimes don't know how to treat an overfilled or slipped band in the ER.  Well, this document explains the various bariatric surgeries.   It even advises how to treat an overfilled band, do an unfill, as well as what the band should and should not look like under xray/scan.

I will be emailing this link to myself just in case I ever have to show an ER doc how to adjust my band...a printout may be useful too.

This reminds me that I should really find my lost Medical ID Bracelet...and wear it.

PS: how stupid do doctors think we are with that comment in the white box in the upper left that says "Patients often don't know which procedure they have had..."  REALLY?!  sigh...

Weigh-in Day...and the results are...

Week # 3 of maintenance complete.
Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Current Weight: 144.6 lbs

Happy Friday!

Fun With Fat Photo...

Just a quick pic post.

It's a reminder for me....So that I never forget where I was and especially so that I never go back to 256+ lbs.

PS: Weigh-in Day Tomorrow

New Blogger Alert!

Please stop by and say "Hi" to Gayla at http://gaylajwastingaway.blogspot.com/

She was in a TV commercial where she talked about her success with the band! WOW!  Check it out on her blog.

Clothes for the Sisterhood! (Ls, XLs, 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s) **ALL TAKEN***

**UPDATE**

Here's who is getting what, please ensure you email me your mailing address (lapbandgal@yahoo.com):

****************************************************************

Well, this is the last of all my fat girl clothes...not counting my Jared pants and Jared shirt, of course...those are keepers forever.  

All of my clothes in my closet are now size 6/8 bottoms and Medium tops. A VERY crazy thought.

The rules:

• USA/Canada addresses only. (sorry)
• First person to comment on the post, gets first dibs.
• Email me your mailing address at lapbandgal@yahoo.com
• I'll pay for the shipping; if you can give me a business address I can save on the shipping costs...(maybe your office/work?)  But a residential address is OK too if that's all you have.
• Click on the photos to enlarge them and get a better look

#1 - Size Large Dressy Tank:  TAKEN

#2 - Blue Speedo Swimsuit  Size 18  TAKEN

#3 - Black Speedo Swimsuit  Size 18:  TAKEN

#4 - Two shorts - Size 12 - Jean and Black - Here's me wearing them:  TAKEN

#5 - Green/White Dot shirt (not stretchy) - Size 14W:  TAKEN




 #6 - Lane Bryant Stretchy Cami - Size 14/16W:TAKEN

#7 - New Balance White Capri w/ peach accents - Size XL: TAKEN

#8 - Black Dress Slacks Straight Leg - Size 12 Petite: TAKEN

#9 - Purple T shirt - Size XL: TAKEN




 #10 - Black Blazer  - Size 16: (goes with #12, see below)  TAKEN




#11 - Lane Bryant Straight-leg Black Pants - Size 16 Avg: TAKEN

 #12 - Black Pants - Straight Leg - Size 14: TAKEN

New York Times Article on Costs AFTER Gastric Banding

A recent article on expenses after being banded was recently published HERE.

It's an interesting read.  Nothing new...but still worth a read, especially for the newbies.

The best line of the entire article is the last line: "If you are not prepared to make the necessary lifestyle changes as well, then surgery is likely to be a waste of your time and money."

Enough said.

They're Out There...We Just Have To Know Where To Look

I picked up a take n' bake pizza last night from Papa Murphy's.  I eat pizza a couple of times a week.  Sometimes those 200 calorie Digiorno microwave pizzas, sometimes from a restaurant...it varies.

Anyways, tonight was from Papa Murphy's....

I chose a Large Thin Crust Delite Pizza with Chicken, Spinach, Onions, and Cheese. It has a thin cracker type of crust:

• 1/10th of this Large Pizza is about 180 calories

In contrast, if I had chosen one of the Large Stuffed Pizzas:

• 1/10th of a Large Pizza is about 365 calories

That's TWICE the calories!  Healthier choices are out there...we just have to know where to look.

PS: I had a good chuckle when I looked on the menu board at the restaurant...a large is supposed to feed 2-3 people.  (OR 10 bandsters!)

YUM!

Chicken Pesto Alfredo Recipe!

This is one of my new favorites...YUM!  It reminds me of something I used to eat at Olive Garden.

Stir all of the following up in a small bowl and microwave in 20 second increments until heated through.  Stir after each 20 seconds.  About a minute or so all together.

• 10 g of Pesto = 47 calories; 0 g protein
• 40 g of Alfredo Sauce = 46 calories; 1 g protein
• 3 oz chicken breast cooked chopped up = 140 calories; 26 g protein

Serves 1.  TOTAL: 233 calories; 27 g protein

Sorry for no pic of what it looks like when it's cooked/finished... I ate it before I remembered to take the pic. YUM!

PS: if you don't have a food scale yet, get one...in my opinion, it is one of the best tools...period.

Did You Sweat Today?

Did you get your heart rate up today?

Did you make yourself a priority today?

I did!

I went to Zumba and today's class was small so there was no hiding in the back of room.  Wow, did I sweat!  Here's the non-glamorous, no make-up, red-faced proof pic of me right after Zumba class.

Did You Sweat Today?  Let me know what you did!