Non-Scale Victory (NSV) Alert!

Isn't is weird how we only hear what we want to hear sometimes?

I realized last night that my Jazzercise instructor has now said to me three times in the last few months that I should also become a Jazzercise instructor.

Why did I only really listen and hear her last night when she said it again?

Who knows.

But it's definitely a NSV in my book.  

Before I was banded, never in a bazillion years did I EVER expect to be healthy and fit enough for another human being to think that I could actually lead an exercise class, let alone an aerobics class.  

Seriously.

I will probably never teach Jazzercise, but I guess I should never say "never."  Crazier and more unbelievable things have happened since I've been banded (fitting into a size 4 dress!)

Who knows what the future holds?

What's in My Monday Bag?

I have a bag that I nicknamed long ago the...."Monday Bag." 

It's a bag that I take to work on Mondays that's full of food and other stuff other stuff that helps me stay on track with my food choices during the week. 

I usually pack the bag on Sunday night before going to bed or Monday morning at 'O dark thirty before I leave for work.  Did you know that I arrive at work usually around 6:30AM, and this is of my own choosing?  Yeah, I'm one of those crazy morning people.

Anyways, here's this morning's Monday bag.  Try to contain your jealousy of my office's tres chic wood panelling and pastel pink guest chairs which are AWE-SOME:

Here's what's in this morning's bag:

From left to right:

• Fage 2% plain yogurts
• Bariatric Advantage Calcium Chewy Bites
• Baby Arugula (LOVE!)
• Goat cheese crumbles (my crack)
• 3 oz. pre-portioned chopped chicken breast in tupperwares
• Hard boiled eggs

Other foods/items that are sometimes in the Monday bag, but not today?

• Splenda packets
• Crystal Light/Propel Zero packets
• 1/2 gallon 1% Milk
• String Cheese
• Salad dressing
• Diet Hot Cocoa packets (the 25 calorie ones)

Having all these healthy food choices ready to go helps me resist the temptations that can sometimes happen, especially when a coworker says, "Hey, I'm gonna hit up the Taco Bell drive-thru, want anything?"

Teeny Tiny Casseroles!

I received these 1 cup casserole stoneware dishes for my birthday. They are portion control perfected!


But I have a problem. I have no band-friendly casserole recipes. Do you? Help.

Thanks!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Debbie Downer...Pity Party of One

Remember when I told you back in September about how non-scale victories can be taken away?

Well, let's add another one to that craptastic list.

My primary care doctor (who's a total hottie by the way; now you know how I choose doctors) says that my blood pressure numbers are still too high.

So guess what? Yep I am now taking ANOTHER medication for high blood pressure. Yep, and of course the first pill that I took yesterday morning, I promptly PB'd up.  I'll have to cut them in half or take them at night.

Anyways, what I still need to wrap my head around is this:

At the ripe old age 33 and with all that I do to improve my health every...damn...day, how can I still need medications for high blood pressure?

I guess I never realized how much genetics can affect my health.  I have always "owned" my obesity as my problem.  After all, I'm the one who shoved all those cookies down my pie hole all those years.

Dr. Hottie says that he thinks that genetics is the main reason for my high blood pressure.  I kinda agree, especially after consulting my family tree, it seems that almost every relative on both sides of the tree either has or had high blood pressure.  Yeah, I really won the genetic lottery.  Go me.

This also makes be beg the question about how much money I'm supposed to be saving with having lost over 111 lbs.  You know, that dog 'n pony show Lap Band seminar where they tell you all about the money that you're gonna save with losing weight? Hmmm... Those co-pays for the medications are now adding up.

As I've said before:

I choose to exercise five times a week  I usually do about 300+ minutes a week; us bandsters are encouraged to get at least 210 minutes a week (30 minutes each day).

I choose to eat healthy foods (most of the time).

I choose to constantly count and keep track in my head of calories and protein eaten.

But I cannot choose my genetics.

Weigh-in Day...and a New Banded Blogger Alert!

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 140.7 lbs

New Banded Blogger Alert! *** New Banded Blogger Alert! *** New Banded Blogger Alert!

Have you stopped by Heather's blog yet? Check it out: Choosin' to be Losin'

In her profile, Heather says that she has Shorkies.  At first I thought, huh? "Snorks"?

Yeah, not so much.  It turns out that this is shorkie, pretty damn cute if you ask me:

Why I Can Never Have Cereal In My House

Before I tell you about how cereal is the devil, what can say about yesterday's comments? Wow.

Thank you for your comments, feedback, and support on yesterday's blog post.  Isn't that what's so great about the blogging community? We get to have our opinions and voices heard.

Okay, onwards to some tasty breakfast cereal!

Cereal is one of my trigger foods.

Cereal is my crack.

I can't have it in the house.  Ever.

I'm sure that you can guess why.

I can't just have one little bowl and call it good.

In the pre-banded days, I could easily eat 3 or 4 large bowls of cereal in one sitting.  Then there's that wonderful experience of eating it straight out of the box...dry...while sitting on the couch watching TV.  Oh my.  There could be an entire episode of Intervention about the craziness that I would get myself into with cereal.

So, I was reminded yesterday of why cereal will always be my heroine.

Yep, I was minding my own business and pushing my cart down the aisles of the grocery store last night when I saw this....it wasn't even in the axis of evil cereal aisle (which I avoid like the plague).  It jumped out at me near the frozen foods.  Take a look at this NEW cereal:

Oh! REAL chocolate inside cereal? Yes, please.  And if that wasn't enough fun chocolate for me, next to it was it's evil twin:  DOUBLE chocolate!

I ran away from that cereal.  I ran fast.  Before it could jump into my cart and come home with me.

Am I Full of Sh*t?

Not literally.  'Cuz Miralax is my B.F.F. 

But figuratively speaking.

I got called out. 

Yep, I was called out by friend who says that I am, apparently, full of sh*t.  It was said in a joking way, but there's some truth there perhaps.

I think it's my food choices that I talk about here on the blog and Facebook page compared with what I do in real life.  She said it to me when I was gobbling down my fourth cheddar bay biscuit at Red Lobster.

Here's the thing: when I am out with friends (at their houses, at a restaurant, or bar), I'm usually a terrible bandster *hangs head in shame*  Promise not to tell anyone?  That will be our little secret, mmmmmkaaay?

Want some examples of the reee-diculousness that I get myself into?

• Mozzarella sticks? sure.
• Dairy Queen Blizzards? Yes, please.
• Fries and pizza? OK, why not.
• Margaritas, chips and guacamole? Abso-freakin'-lutely.

Sure, the portions are smaller than the pre-band days and since I make exercise my b*tch, the scale never reveals any of these food choices.

But I don't usually tell you about my occasional poor food choices. Do you know why? 

Because:

1. I know that most of you guys are in your losing phase and you don't want to be tempted by food porn.  I know that I personally would feel very discouraged if I kept reading about some skinny bitch strutting around in size 6 jeans while she stuffed her face with bread sticks at the Olive Garden.
2. I never, ever ate those foods when I was losing.  It was a LONG 14 months.  Whew!
3. When I am not hanging out with friends, I am pretty "hard core" with my eating and on track.  This is about 80% of the time.

I may be full of sh*t, but perhaps only 20% of the time?

Maybe this is what maintenance is all about?

Nothing Worthwhile is Ever Without Complications

Did you read that recent study that claimed that Gastric Bypass was more effective and a better surgery overall when compared with Lap Band?  If you missed it, go read "Gastric Bypass Destroys Lap Bands in Head-to-Head Study." 

WTF. 

I was kinda sad after reading that article.  Combine that with reading about Angela who is having her slipped band surgery this week, and I was not so excited about my prospects with this band.

As you may remember, I came THIS CLOSE to getting gastric bypass instead of the band.  I started to wonder if I made the right decision in getting a band.

I also skimmed through the Lap Band message boards and forums out there on the interwebs. 

It seems that I wasn't the only person who had read that Debbie Downer anti-band article. 

The boards were lighting up with "my surgery is better than your surgery" and "nanny nanny boo boo" nasty posts.  These train wreck posts reminded me of the hot mess of drama that can only be contained in all-day marathon 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.'  Some people have way too much time on their hands these days.

Then, yesterday, the heavens opened up, the sun shone, the birds chirped...I had a smile on my face.  Yep, I read this ROCKSTAR blog post by bariatric surgeon Dr. Cobourn. 

Go read it.  Now.  Did you read it?  Good. High five.

Dr. Cobourn pretty much shoots down every claim that the original study outlines....and then some. 

The data in the original study was old.  Plain and simple.  There are new surgical techniques for installing bands and better made bands now that increase the long term success rates and reduce the complications with bands overall.

To me, it has never mattered what weight loss surgery someone has (Band, DS, RNY, Sleeve, etc) or if someone's following more traditional methods (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc).  We all have the same goal of improved health.  We just may have different paths to take to get there.

No matter the path one chooses, I just wish that people would realize that if there is no self-accountability, no change in food choices, and no increase in exercise, then it's all over before it began.  Why bother?

But do you know who does have buckets of accountability, keeps track of her food choices, exercises like a superstar, and has lost 122 lbs?  Yep, that would be Angela.

Oh My God! I'm Going On A Plane! Freak Out Mode Has Officially Begun!

Yep, those were the crazy thoughts going on in my head when I was getting ready to fly on a plane for the first time with my band.

Jump into the time travel machine and let me take you back in time... to Thanksgiving of 2009.

Yep, I first flew with my band when I was 5 weeks post op...all the way to Orlando, Florida.

Could I fly any farther away from Oregon and still be in the good ol' USA? There should be a language change and currency exchange with that much flying.  Seriously.

So...back to Thanksgiving 2009: to say that I was a little freaked out was an understatement. I am an experienced world traveler, but with the band, this would be a completely new experience.

I may have looked like this on the outside (always a smiling face), but I was a bundle of nerves on the inside.

(30 lbs lost, 5 weeks post-op)

Here are all the crazy thoughts that were swimming around in my head before my trip:

• I've only just started mushies and soft foods, what would I eat? Oh no! 
• Will there be anything in the airports to eat? drink?! Yikes!
• Would my band swell up to the size of Texas while I was in flight and then I wouldn't be able to eat or drink anything?
• Why won't those TSA people let me take a yogurt or a protein shake through security? They're a bunch of meanies.
• I haven't had a fill yet, is it possible to get an unfill this early? (I had 4.5ccs put in at surgery)
• Maybe there's a Lap Band doctor in Orlando that could do an unfill for me? I should google that.

This list could go on and on...

Of course, all of that freaking out was not necessary.

I was able to eat and drink...on and off the plane.

I've found that Starbucks is a bandsters best friend.  Their strawberry smoothies have about 250 cals and 20 proteins.  And we all know where there's an airport, there's usually at least one Starbucks.

I ate and drank all through the Orlando area and the Disney parks during that Thanksgiving weekend.  I noticed that I could always find something on the menu that would work for me.

I am so happy that I got all that anxiety over and done with on that first banded trip.

I just counted the number of flights that I've taken since being banded (I used all my fingers and toes to count...and Pemberley helped): 48 flights with no issues or problems at all.

And do you know what the biggest challenge is now when I fly?  Saying "no thank you" to the flight attendants when they tempt me with their lovely red shiny cans of Coke Classic and tasty oatmeal cookies.  Damn you Alaska Airlines and your crack cookies.  I still struggle with the idea that traveling means that I get to go off of my eating plan.

Anyways, now that I am headed to London next month, I have no worries about traveling and flying with my band.

But I do have one concern: bathrooms.

I drink tons of water now and I know how there are not many public bathrooms available in London.  I was not a water drinker during my last trips to London.  Any ideas?  Starbucks? McDonalds?

Help.

Two New Banded Bloggers!

There are two more ladies out there for you to say hello to and send some B.O.O.B.s love to:

"My Pork" emailed me yesterday with the following:

"I am a new blogger and just wanted to let you know that I was inspired to start blogging while reading ALL of your posts. It took me 2 days. I know my husband was tired of me talking about what you have been able to accomplish with your “tool”. I just wanted to say Hi. So, Hi."


"October 11" also just started blogging.  She was banded on October 11 (duh), but from reading her blog, I just can't figure out what year?  I think 2011?  Hmm... I will have to ask her about that.  My favorite post of hers so far is the day after surgery photo.  Me likey.


Please stop by and say "hi" to these lovely ladies!

Give More, Expect Less...

Do you know Shelly over at "The World According to Eggface"?

Shelly has truly inspired me with her food donation idea.  I am going to join her in giving back to my community and donating food to my local food pantry.

Here's the plan:

• I'm going to clip coupons and analyze those grocery sales flyers to collect 111 non-perishable food items to represent the 111 lbs I lost to meet my goal weight. 
• One pound lost = One food item
• My goal is to have all the food collected and donated before I leave for London in mid February.

I hope you too can join Shelly in her food donation idea. 

You don't have to be at your goal weight yet to join in.  Shelly has some other fun donation ideas on her blog, so please stop by her blog and say hello.

Weigh-in Day.... and What Went Down Yesterday (Literally)

Goal weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight: 141.2 lbs

Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes yesterday.  I had an amazing birthday.

As you could probably guess, yesterday was like running a gauntlet of food and drink.  Nothing like a birthday to bring all those food pushers out of the woodwork.  And of course, all going down on the day before weigh-in day.  Good times.

The first hurdle? Italian food buffet including a catered lunch of pasta, bread, and cookies (not birthday related, but an employee appreciation luncheon). 

My inner fatty was jumping up and down with excitement.  PASTA! BREAD! COOKIES! Let the games begin.  I looked around for a protein choice, but alas, there was none.  So I ate some tortellini, lasagna, and three (!) white chocolate macadamia nut cookies (the large ones from Costco).  Chocolate's protein, right?  I was reee-donk-ulous!

Then my team gave me this cute little espresso chocolate mousse mug....all edible.  I wore that pink bow in my hair for the rest of the work day 'cuz that's how I roll.  I like to scare my coworkers.  Mission accomplished.

Then it was off to dinner for one of my favorites types of food. THAI!  Check out this lovely ginormous dish of Pad Thai. Yum!

 Then, my friends surprised me with a chocolate cake. They're sneaky like that.

What a great and memorable birthday! 

If you would like to see what happened after the candles and cake (the celebrations continued!), go check out Facebook for a photo.

So Many Candles... So Little Cake

Yep, today is my 33rd birthday...

Here's a celebratory non-scale victory (NSV) for you:

Every January they make all of us Jazzercise students fill out a new info and participation card (A.K.A. "sign away your legal rights away" card).

The card has all kinds of YES or NO health questions on it.

This one question made me stop and think for a minute:

"Are you overweight (more than 20 pounds)?"

And do you see which box I checked?  

That's right, I checked the NO box!

What a great birthday present that is to myself:  not being overweight!

"You Can't Half-Ass It"

Yep, those words were spoken by Twinkie* last night at my surgeon's Lap Band support group.

Remember Twinkie?  Go back and read this post from August of last year.

Well, Twinkie is officially ROCKING his band.  Yep.  He's proving to be the weight loss KING.

I know that he will be successful with his weight loss because, as he said, "you can't half-ass it" with the band.  You gotta work it.

He GETS it.  He really gets it.

I could see that look of determination on his face.  And to be honest, I wish that I could always see that look of determination on every bandster that I meet, but it's not always there.  I wonder why?

I wonder if I had that look on my face when I was early in my journey like Twinkie?

Do I still have that look of determination?

I hope so.



*Not his real name because that would be really weird and isn't Twinkie a name for a cute little puppy that looks like this? Seriously.  I want a bow in my hair like that.  I would wear it to Jazzercise.

Does the Food Addiction & Stress Eating Ever Go Away?

I arrived at my desk this morning and I'm barely 30 minutes into my work day...and guess what...let the stress begin. 

Nothing like a three day weekend to let the emails pile up and the to-do list get even longer.  Luckily, work stress is the only kind of stress that gets my band to close up. Here's hoping.

I want to eat every...single...donut...in...that...damn...cafeteria...right...now.  Don't even get me started on that f*cking breakfast buffet....oh and the bagels...don't forget the bagels.  Toasted with peanut butter and strawberry jelly.

I also want to crawl under my desk and take a nap.  Sigh.

But I'll just sit here and drink my Miralaxed spiked water while trying to not bite somebody's head off.  'Cuz I will.

The End.

Segways - Before & Now

Lately, I've been trying to teach myself how to use Photoshop and the best that I can do so far is putting two photos next to each other with text.

Exciting, it's not.

Do you have any helpful Photoshop tips for me?

I wish that I had the FABULOUS photo and blog design skills that Jen over at Just Foolin Blog Designs has.  She's the one who made my blog so fancy.  If you haven't visited her design site, go check it out.

Jen also recently did one of the best posts that I've read in a long time: Things they don't tell you in the Lap Band Informational Seminar.

What Would You Rather Be?

I came across this this study which made me think.  Yeah, my head hurts now.  Ouch.  I think I deserve a cookie.

This study took me to the land of "What If?"  You know, that magical place with prancing rainbow-maned unicorns and where everyone gets a puppy and a cupcake? Yeah, I'm talkin' about that place.

Anyways, here's the study:

47 patients who lost 100 lbs or more and who successfully maintained weight loss for at least three years following gastric restrictive surgery for morbid obesity viewed their previous morbidly obese state as having been extremely distressful.


In spite of the strong proclivity (tendency) for people to evaluate their own worst handicap as less disabling than other handicaps, patients said they would prefer to be normal weight with a major handicap (deaf, dyslexic, diabetic, legally blind, very bad acne, heart disease, one leg amputated) than to be morbidly obese.


All patients said they would rather be normal weight than a morbidly obese multi-millionaire.

Yes, I do realize that only 47 patients were in the study and it's 20 years old, but still interesting.

I think this study proves how motivated those who have a weight loss surgery (WLS) are to keep the weight off for good.

Personally, I may be very motivated, but would totally rather be back at 256 lbs without a disability.  But wait, isn't being a overweight now considered a disability anyway? Hmm... 

And by the way, how is "very bad acne" a disability or handicap? I don't understand that.

Of course, I'd rather be healthy at a normal BMI than be a multi-millionaire.

What about you?

My Lap Band is Going to London

And...

I get to go too.

I am so excited!

I can't remember if I ever told you or not, but London has a special place in my heart.

I first went to London in the Fall of '99 for a university semester abroad. I lived in London for over 3 months as a student and tourist. Since we only had classes three days a week, I had lots of fun exploring not just England, but enjoyed side trips to Scotland, Ireland, France, and Czech Republic.  I should dig up some of those photos to show you sometime.  I scrapbooked the entire experience in two large binders.

Anyways, this trip to London next month will be my fourth trip back to visit London since '99.  As the saying goes, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

If you haven't figured out yet that I'm a lover of all things British, then let me remind you:

• That one of my favorite movies is Love Actually and a close runner up is The Young Victoria.
• My cat's name is Pemberley (of Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice").  
• By the way, anybody else watching the new season of Downton Abbey on PBS?  Love it!
• Mary Poppins is my favorite Disney character. "She's practically perfect in every way."
• And of course, we can't leave out this British Hottie:

You're welcome, Ladies.

I am looking forward to catching up with friends, visiting the museums, shopping (!), minding the gap, and of course going to one of my ALL TIME favorite London things: Evensong at Westminster.

I can't wait!

Head over to Facebook to see a photo of me in London in 2007.  An excellent "before" photo!

Weigh-in Day...

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight:

...and yes, I am still rockin' the red Christmas glitter...

Happy Friday!

A Non-Scale Victory & How Easily I Forget

I'm not sure when this Non-Scale Victory (NSV) happened.  Probably sometime over the last year?  Who knows, but it's worth mentioning.

This NSV is related to putting on shoes.  A simple and easy task, right?  No, not exactly easy with an extra 115 lbs on my body.

I don't know about you, but I remember that when I was a fatty, putting on my tennis shoes and tying them would take some major effort.

First, I would have to find somewhere to sit down.  That was so important to the process.

Then, after sitting down I would have to fix my shirt because as a fatty, I know too well the "pull your shirt out of your fat belly rolls" technique.

After that there was struggling to reach my feet.  Put the socks on, one by one. 

Finally I would get the shoes on and get them tied.

Sigh.

It was a like a little mini-workout.  There was usually some sweat involved.

I would like to thank my Sister for pointing out this NSV to me when I was visiting her in Florida during the holidays.

She noticed that as I was getting ready to go for a walk...I just stood there, slipped my tennis shoes on my feet and tied them (while still standing up) and I was out the door. 

I've noticed that taking my shoes off and then on again when going through security at the airport is much easier now.  But, what I don't understand is the last three trips, I've been chosen to go through those new scanner machines each and every time?  What's that about?  Oh well, I guess that's a discussion for another day.  I also have been wondering if they can see my band?

OK, next topic, which is probably TMI for some of you.  You've been warned.  Proceed with caution. Seriously.

I think it is hilarious how I sometimes forget how much my band restriction increases when Aunt Flo shows up.  Since I'm a multi-cycling kinda girl who likes to  control  schedule anything and everything in my life, she only visits four times a year (how GREAT is that ladies?!? I highly recommend it.) 

Anyways, I was eating my lunch yesterday (a hard boiled egg, string cheese, leafy greens) and noticed that my band was saying hello to me.  Big time.  The food just kinda sat there above my band.  I was so confused.  So I started wondering...hmmm...could it be the weather? Allergies?  The bra too tight today? Then, BAM! I remembered Aunt Flo was in town.

I read all of your posts about this phenomenon all the time, but how quickly I forget. 

"Well, Clarice - have the lambs stopped screaming?"

Don't ya just love Hannibal Lecter...

Anyways, since there are no 'Trader Joes' or 'Whole Paycheck Foods' stores in my area, I feel very lucky to have a source for really cool locally produced food that offers lots of organic meats, fruits, and veggies. 

But I have now officially ventured into 'No Man's Land' by recently buying some organic ground lamb.

You see, I've never cooked lamb before.  I'm kinda scared...

I am also trying really, really hard to not think of this cutie-patootie:

But rather this: Lamb Burgers. YUM!

3 ounces of cooked ground lamb has 190 calories and 22 grams of protein which makes this girly happy.

OK, so I have two questions:

• Will I be able to chew the ground lamb completely to the consistency of applesauce like us bandsters are supposed to? I have trouble chewing ground beef completely.
• Can you recommend any recipes?  I do have a few Indian curry simmer sauces in jars that may work?  HELP!

Thanks!

Say 'Hello' To My Little Friend...

You know how us bandsters are supposed to only eat an approximate one cup serving of food at a meal? 

I can't stand that phrase "supposed to"...  I like it almost as much as when people say to me, "You can't eat that, right?"  Which I always respond with "Wanna bet?" 

It's not about what I "Can" or "Can't" eat, it's about what I "Should" or "Shouldn't" eat.

Anyways, since my band has never restricted the amount of food that I can eat, I have had to always be a measurer, weigher, and tracker of my portions.  Yep, I measure ounces and grams on my food scale and cups with one of my seven (!) measuring cups.  Over two years post-op and I still use my food scale every day.

Isn't it crazy that my band will stop me from taking a vitamin (stuck and then up it comes), yet it will allow me eat an entire Taco Bell Beefy 5-layer Burrito?  WTF.

Therefore, I've discovered another way to remind myself what a proper one cup portion looks like.  Say hello to my new B.F.F., a tiny little Starbucks cup.  It sits on my desk at work.  Empty.  All by himself.

A stack of these small Starbucks cups was left in our office by some random vendor or overly eager outside sales person back in December.  Of course, the cups were delivered along with some coffee carriers and those damn breakfast cakes/scones which are my crack weakness. I guess the theory is if they give us coffee and food, then we will buy their products/services. I steered clear of that entire situation.

Anyways, here's that cup next to a medium (grande) latte......tiny, right? It's only 8 oz:

So, my questions for you: 

• How do you track your portion sizes? 
• Do you have any tools/reminders/tips that work for you? 

I want to know.

R.I.P. Mr. Dependable

Well, it's official.


Mr Dependable (my scale) was no longer accurate and promptly gave up the good fight yesterday.

So, I have a new scale in my life.

Meet Mr. Dependable 2.0:

He tells me all kinds of things that I don't really want to know like my hydration level and bone mass.  At least he's got a pretty blue screen.  I'll show his lovely blue face to you on Friday's weigh-in.

PS: Did you see me over on Facebook trying on some size 22W pants at Target? It provided me with some perspective and a reminder of how much smaller I am now.  I think I am getting used to my size small tops and petite size 6 jeans.  I just never, ever want to take my smaller size for granted.

I Wish That My Vacuum Did This!

Weigh-in Day...

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 142.5 lbs

Happy Friday!

PS: Did you see today's question over on Facebook?

What do I Eat?

I've received a few emails and blog post requests lately asking about what I eat.

When I was losing, I was very, very structured and wrote ALL OF MY FOOD choices down on a post it note.  Pretty old school, but it worked.  115 lbs gone in 14 months.

Keep in mind:

• I never counted fat grams, EVER.
• I never counted carbs, EVER
• All I kept track of was calories and protein.  That's it.
• Oh yeah, I also cut out ALL alcohol.

Here's what I ate when I was losing:

I will usually eat like this now that I'm in maintenance approximately 5 of the 7 days of the week.  I have nicknamed this menu plan or way of eating "hard core." Don't ask me why, I just do. 

Those other two days where I loosely follow this plan, I will also eat other foods that will take my calorie counts up to about 2000+ each day.  I will not tell you what those specific foods are because what happens on "Fat Girl Fridays" can only be discussed using whispered hushed voices.  Shhh...

Anyways, now it's your turn.  I encourage you to post about what you are eating to be a successful loser.  I want to know.

What I Should Have Asked Santa For...

A spreadsheet.

Yep.

Don't roll your eyes at me.

Seriously....I want a Biggest Loser spreadsheet.  It would look like this:

I don't need contestant names, that's not what I'm after.

I want some data on long term maintenance of the contestants' weight loss.

Using my pretty sketchy math skills, I guess that there's been about 250 contestants so far?  They just began season 13 and there's anywhere from 15 to 20 contestants per season.

What I want to know is this: How many contestants have kept their weight off?

There was a Biggest Loser reunion show a few weeks ago where they highlighted a few old contestants who of course have kept their weight off.  The common theme that I noticed with these featured contestants was that their weight loss was either very recent or they had somehow made their healthy lifestyle part of their income stream.  Yep, they were either working as personal trainers or selling some kind weight loss product (Brita water bottles) or eating plan (Biggest Loser meals).  They have sponsors.  They are workin' it.  They have some serious accountability (cha-ching!) to keep the weight off.

But what about the other approximate 200 or so contestants.  What's happened to them? Have they maintained their weight loss?

So, Santa, if you're reading this....I've been a very good girl.

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

PS: I'm having a slight weigh-in crisis.  I saw 148 lbs on the scale! Either my scale is officially dying or my Christmas week of poor food choices has caught up with me.  Sigh.

Do You Feel Like You Know a Weight Loss Secret? (and a Silly New Year's Eve Photo)

Have you seen all those new TV commercials with celebrities selling the latest weight loss plans?

It's the new year, so I guess that's what us Americans are supposed to do: lose weight.  I hate the concept of a new year's resolution.  What's wrong with starting fresh or making changes on July 27th? Or how about March 19th? Those are perfectly good days to begin a healthy lifestyle.

It seems with these new years resolutions, we all are supposed to pretend to try to lose weight for about three weeks and then give up like every other year.  Oh, and let's remember to also join a gym that we will only go to for a few weeks.  I did it.  For many, many years.  Every January.  I get it.  I'd lose about 20 lbs and then promptly gain it all back (plus some more) by spring time.  What fun that was. *Note: sarcasm*

The one commercial that seems to be on repeat all day every day lately is Janet Jackson and her Nutrisystem.  I'm so glad that she is convincing Americans that if they eat little boxes and cans of pre-packaged food that they'll lose the weight and keep it off.  Right. *note: MORE sarcasm*  And don't even get me started on that HCG diet.

When I see any of these weight loss infomercials or ads, I sometimes think to myself:

"Whew! I am so relieved that I have figured it out already. I've actually done it and I know how to keep it off."

It's like I know a secret or something.  But it's no secret.  Everyone knows what they need to lose weight: eat less, move more.  But we all know it's not that easy.  Easier said than done, of course.

That's why I am so happy to have some extra help with this tool, the Lap Band.  It's helping me in my weight loss and maintenance.  It's the one thing that has worked for me.  

Your secret may be the sleeve, Gastric Bypass, Weight Watchers, or whatever works for you.

OK, here's the silly new year's eve photo that I promised.  This is what happens when I drink too much whipped cream vodka and strawberry soda...and yeah, those are Christmas stockings on my feet:

Would You Like to See Some Florida Vacation Photos?

Oh my...

Where to begin?

Let's see...let's begin with our FABULOUS evening on Christmas day at the Hollywood Studios Walt Disney World.  The dancing light displays were AMAZING!

At approximately 6:20AM EST on December 26th, I could be seen prancing deliriously around in spicy brown boots in JCPenney's shoe department at their after Christmas sale.  Yep. It happened. These boots were originally $100 and I bought them for $20! Score!  A big 'thank you' to my sister, Queen of the Coupon Universe, for snagging that JCPenney coupon out of the newspaper.

I had some help blogging while I was in Florida - here's 'Indi', my Sister's cat:

Here I am with my sister and parents. Aren't we festive in our red n' green?  After seeing these pics, I dare anyone to play the "I can't lose weight because of my genetics" card with me. It is possible.

Cocktail time at the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World! I had a key lime pie martini and my Sister had an island breeze. YUM:

Here we are at the Magic Kingdom....along with 50,000 of our closest friends.  It was packed! But we had tons of fun.  I went on my FAVORITE Disney ride: The Carousel of Progress. I also got to see my favorite characters: "The Dapper Dans." By the way, do you like my new hat? I think that I'll wear it on my first day back at the office.  Nothing says 'business casual' like bright pink furry ears, right?

I would like to thank my Brother-in-Law for this last pic.  He was testing out a new flash attachment on his camera.  He jumped through the doorway and captured this moment of me sneaking some Christmas cookies. 

Busted!  

(P.S.: his Mom is a bandster too!)

It was a very memorable trip and the best part was the time catching up with family and friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!