Friday Weigh-In Day & the Holidays are Here!

Can you believe that I have officially been at/below by goal weight of 145 lbs for FOUR years now?  I got to my goal weight on December 17, 2010.

That's about 120lbs lost. And I've kept it off.

This is a HUGE accomplishment for me.

Why?

For me, this weight loss journey is about KEEPING the weight off.

Not just losing the weight.

Here's today's weigh-in pic:

As you can see from today's weigh-in, the holidays are here. 

I am up a few pounds from last week, but still below my goal weight. 

I have been enjoying all of those cookies and treats that get passed around the office and parties this time of year.  I am not too worried about it. The 2-3 pounds up and down the scale don't phase me any more.  This process is all about what happens in "maintenance." 

Now how about a few updates on what I've been up to for the holidays:

I got my crafty-ness on with the kittehs and made Christmas paw print ornaments:

 

My Sweetie and I got busy making and decorating Ninja-Bread cookies. They're bad-ass.

We cruised around in our own backyard and went olive oil tasting in the Wine Country. Here's the official "let's-play-tourist-and-stand-in-the-vineyards" photo from that day:

As you can see, life goes on.

I still do all the things I need to do be healthy:

--I make correct food choices and portion sizes.
--I still EXERCISE most days of the week.

Lastly, I will leave you with this thought:

Merry Christmas!

I've Had My Lap-Band for Five Years!

Can you believe it?

It's been officially five years since my Lap-Band surgery: October 20, 2009.

Let's recap, shall we?

I began my journey at 260 lbs.

Jeans size 24W. Bra size 42DD.

I lost 120 lbs in 14 months and got to my goal weight of 145 lbs on December 17, 2010.

Now I'm a size 6.  Bra size 36D.

You may be wondering: does it seem like five years since my surgery?

Yes.

Has all the hard work that I've done and continue to to been worth it?

Absolutely.

Have you been here reading since the beginning?

Hope so.

If not, checkout all of my old posts that date back to October 2009:  The good, the bad, the ugly.

It's all here for your reading pleasure. Use the search box on the left of the page. It's great.

I will now share with you what I have learned these past five years. I will also now be very direct and to-the-point. It's how I roll.

The Lap-Band does ONE thing for me:

My Lap-Band turns down the volume on my hunger. I am almost NEVER hungry. This is AWESOME. Thank you Lap-Band.

I can eat all foods.

Bread? Yes.

Pasta? Yes.

Rice? Yes.

All foods? Yes.

I can also eat as much as I want. Give me some time (45+ mins) and watch me down an entire container of Ben & Jerry's or three slices of pizza, but these are rare moments for me.

Here's the difference: I choose not to eat these types of foods most of the time.

Now let's stroll down memory lane. What have the last five years been like?

Year 1: LOSING PHASE: All about learning the rules of my new weight loss surgery tool:

• Learning that I need to count calories and proteins
• Learning that I HAD to exercise.
• Learning that the food that I brought into my kitchen could not be tempting or a trigger food.
• Learning portion control, portion control, portion control.  My Lap-Band has never limited HOW MUCH or WHAT I can eat. I learned early that portion control was UP to ME.
• Weekly weigh-ins - checkout my weight loss ticker at the top of the page.

Year 2: GOAL! Getting to my goal weight and learning a new thing called MAINTENANCE:

• Learning that maintenance is pretty much the same as my losing phase (everything listed above), except with about an extra 200 calories a day to eat. Not that much.
• Learning to still count calories and proteins
• Learning that I HAD to exercise.  Still.
• Weekly weigh-ins 
  

Year 3: Maintenance never ends - There is NO "DONE":

• Learning how to handle a job change and a move from Oregon to California and still stay on track with my food choices and making exercise a priority.
• AND: 
• Learning that I STILL need to count calories and proteins
• Learning that I STILL HAD to exercise.
• Learning to keep an eye on the food that I brought into my kitchen could not be tempting or a trigger food.
• Learning to keep on my portion control, portion control, portion control.  
• Weekly weigh-ins 

Year 4: Maintenance never ends - There is NO "DONE": Do you see a theme here?

• Same as above. Still.
• Always keeping up with my weekly weigh-ins

Year 5: Maintenance never ends - There is NO "DONE": Do you see a theme here?

•  Same as above. Still.
• Always keeping up with my weekly weigh-ins

Honestly, this five year milestone is a somewhat of a non-event for me.

I didn't even realize that October 20th was coming up on the calendar until yesterday.  Surprise. There it was on the calendar.

I've been told that the longer that I stay at my goal weight, the longer that my long term success and weight loss will be.

We will see.

I hope so.

I think that the jury is still out.

I know that if I do the work that I need to do and Lap-Band helps me with hunger, then I can continue to be successful at maintaining my goal weight.

Do you have a Magic 8 ball that I could borrow? I would love to have a peek into my future.

PS: if you want to see what I'm up to on a daily basis, then checkout my Facebook page.  I post pics, updates, and the occasional TMI over-share for you.  You're welcome.

Can You Guess How Many Weigh-ins I've Shared With You?

I began my weight loss journey back in August 2009 with my very first weigh-in at 258lbs.

Today is my 260th Friday weekly weigh-in.

That's a lot of weeks.

Each and every Friday.

Yep, almost FIVE years of weigh-ins posted here on the interwebs for your viewing pleasure.

That's what I call accountability.

Today's weight: 141.8 lbs. 

Still below my goal weight of 145 lbs.

Accountability is one of the secrets to my success with the Lap-Band.

Maybe I should do a blog post with a list of my ultimate top five secrets to my success with my Lap-Band? 

I will totally share my success secrets with you...'cuz we're BFFs...right?

Have You Seen My Disguise?

Yep.

You have.

I've been wearing my "skinny girl" disguise for almost 4 years now.

Here's a pic from last summer.  It's the same disguise that I still wear today.

There are people in my life (friends, coworkers, etc) who never knew me as the Fatty.

My fatty days: when I weighed 258+ lbs.

I was a fatty for my entire adult life up until I was 31 years old.

Especially since I moved to California over a year ago, I have been wearing my disguise of the skinny girl quite easily.

And today...

It happened.

I was reminded of how much people really do see me in my disguise.

I forget about my disguise.

I'm still a fatty in my brain.

"You're so lucky. You don't have to watch your weight. You're naturally thin."

Those exact words were said to me as I walked into the ladies bathroom at work today.

Two coworkers were standing at the sinks, talking about their dieting and exercise. Right as I had walked into the room.

Perfect timing.

I smiled.

A compliment indeed.

And of course, I had to set the record straight.

I said, "Thank you, but that's not true, I used to weigh 258 lbs. I count calories, exercise almost every day, and I have a Lap-Band. It's A LOT of work, but totally worth it."

Friday Weigh-in Day & What Happened on the Fourth of July?

Where have I been?

On Facebook. 

If you want to know what I do for exercise, go check out Facebook.

If you want to know what I am eating, go check out Facebook.

If you want to know what new non-scale victories (NSV) that I have recently celebrated, go check out Facebook.

It's.  All.  On.  Facebook.

Anywhoozle, onwards to today's official Friday weigh-in.

Today is my 258th weekly weigh-in since I began the pre-op diet back in August 2009.  That's almost  FIVE years ago.

I weighed in at 258.8 lbs.

Yikes.

Today's weight?

142.6 lbs.

I am still below my goal weight of 145 lbs.

I have been at my goal weight for over 3 and half years now!

Lastly, here are a few pics from the Fourth of July. 

And guess what?

These are exclusive never-before-seen pics and they're NOT on Facebook:

The Dream Team

Nothing can beat experience.

And I just spent an amazing two days with THE team.

This team has buckets of Lap-Band experience.

This team has oodles of "been there, done that" types of experience with their Lap-Bands.

They.

Know.

The band.

Superstars of the band.

But now I think I've gotten ahead of myself, so let me start at the very beginning.

The very beginning of my two-day adventure...

I jumped on a plane.

Where to?

Austin, Texas.

To meet the peeps at the new company that now owns the Lap-Band: Apollo Endosurgery

Here's how it all went down:

First off, we got to ride in a cool shuttle van. Don't deny it. I know that you're jealous.

Then we toured their office and laboratory.  Yep, that's me cuddling up with a Lap-Band in the lab:

We also met cool lab peeps who were surprisingly not wearing sexy white lab coats:

That's Banded Wendy from YouTube

The lab tour continued. 

Don't worry, I followed the warning label and did not put any lube in my ears:

And then we ate.

And drank.

We lived it up and threw 'em back like champs.

'Cuz that's how us Lap-Banders roll.

Veteran Lap-Banders:
Alex who created BariatricPal & Amy (check out her blog here)

But you know what we really did for the most of the time we were in Austin?

We chilled in a conference room and talked about some serious issues: patient advocacy, weight loss surgery, and of course the Lap-Band:

Quick! Trivia question for you! How do you know that you're in a room full of WLS peeps? 

COUNT THE BOTTLES OF WATER in the pic above.

Yeah, it's a dead giveaway. 

We love our water. It's us in our natural habitat fo' sho'.

Then it was time for an up close and personal video interview with yours truly:

So now you know.

What really went down in less than 48 hours.

In that capital city of Texas.

The Dream Team.
One Team. One Dream.

But wait.

One last thing.

I forgot to tell you.

That plane ride.

Those tiny seats.

And that evil plane seat belt.

Guess what?  

That seat belt fit!

All the way around me with plenty of extra seat belt to spare.

It. 

Fits.

 

100% Chance of Rad

We had a fantabulous time this past weekend at the Color Me Rad 5k.

My third color run that I've done.

But you may be wondering...what exactly goes down at a color run?

Here's the 411:

You run, walk, or prance your way around a 5k course (usually all flat) - no hills! 

I totally walk it. 

No running for this girl.

First on the schedule? Tattoos and tutus!

My RAD bicep!

Next on the list? Throw color on each other!

The BF sure looks handsome in pink!

Then we started the 5k!

We walked through a bunch of different color stations where they threw colored powder (cornstarch) on the runners/walkers:

The ORANGE color station!

I never miss a chance to pose for pics with my peeps!

And of course, there's always time for kissing!

Before & After!

How Long Has My Obesity Been In Remission?

It's Friday weigh-in day again.

140.8 lbs.

Same weight as last week.


Thanks to a lot of hard work by Me AND with a little help from my Lap-Band, I can officially say:

My obesity has been in remission for almost FOUR years now!

Look How Much Weight That I Lost This Past Week!

Drumroll please...

Ta - Da!

A Two For One Special!

I've been a busy bunny lately.

I've still been doing my Friday weigh-ins.

I just haven't had time to post them here.

So this is a special twofer post just for you!

Two weigh-ins from the last two Fridays.

Let's get caught up, shall we?

Are You Looking For Soup Recipes?

One of my most fave things about our blog community is how we can share ideas and RECIPES with each other!

Check out this love nugget email that I just received from Ms. Chowder**  

She's a Lap-Bander that has a few fabulous recipes and ideas.  She gave me permission to share these with you.  Check 'em out below:

-------------------
Hi there,

I always enjoy your recipes, especially the soup one.  I LOVE soup!!  I have been making the one with a Progresso Light Chicken Dumpling soup can, chicken, milk, goat cheese, etc.  - you know which one I am talking about?  

Well, today I made a version of that and I think I hit gold with this one.  Wanted to share it with you and return the favor.  Here it is:

1 can of Progresso Light Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese

2 oz. chopped turkey ham (I use my zyliss hand chopper)

1 scoop Unjury protein powder chicken soup flavor (I dissolve it first in a little water before adding to soup)

2-4 T sliced almonds

Flat leave parsley (optional)

2-4 T Frenches Fried onion (optional)

45 g of Protein and about 14 WW Plus points for the whole thing.  I ate half for lunch and half for dinner.

I also tried another combination:

1 can of Progresso Light New England Clam Chowder

8 oz. Bay Scallops

1 scoop Unjury protein powder chicken soup flavor

Flat leave parsley (optional)

This one also has a ton of protein.  I didn't keep the can, but I guess it to be around 60 g of Protein for the whole thing.

Anyway, I hope you'll have a chance to try these.  They are so quick and easy to make, which is a MUST for me. 

See you on facebook,

Ms. Chowder

Surgery (self pay) April 2011

Lost 75 lbs  - at goal at 163 lbs and maintaining - yeah!!!! 

-------------------

Do you have a any recipes that you would like to share? Post your link and recipes below!  I can't wait to read them and give 'em a try.

**Not her real name -- I keep all emails that I receive from you all confidential. 

Did Ya See It?

Did you see my weigh-in numbers on Facebook?

I even included a Friday Flashback photo from my surgery day.

Go check it out here.

Would You Like a Tasty Donut?

Yep.

Me too.

I would like three donuts actually.

To be specific:

One with chocolate glaze.

One with sprinkles.

One with creme filling.

Thank.

You.

Very.

Much.

On Friday at work, I heard the announcement from the break room: "Krispy Kreme donuts you guys!"

My first thought: "Sweet!"

My second thought: "Wait! Look it up first"

Before I could jump up from my chair and run/walk to the breakroom, I went onto Krispy Kreme's website to look up the plain glazed donut that I knew I would eat.

Just to double check real quick.

Just to be super sure of what I was about to do.

Phew! I was relieved to see that a glazed donut is: 190 cals, 2 proteins.

I can do that.

That calorie count is totally in my "Weight Maintenance" lifestyle for a special once-a-week type of treat.

But then I scrolled down to read a few nutrition facts of the other items on the menu at Krispy Kreme.

And I came across this:

Mocha Dream Chiller. A 20 oz drink.

Yum! Right?!?


Guess how many calories and proteins are in this drink?

1050 calories, 5 proteins.


That drink would go.  right.  past.  my.  Lap-Band.  No problemo.

So, I ate that donut on Friday morning.

And I knew EXACTLY what I was getting into.

Weigh-in Day...

My scale is tired.

Or maybe my scale is broken.

Or perhaps it's time for new batteries.

How do I know?

What was today's weigh-in when I stood on the scale?

It was all over the place.

I saw everything from 141.4 lbs to 143.6 lbs.

WTF.

But I consider it a "win" because I'm still below my weight of 145 lbs.

I will put in new batteries in my scale and let ya know.
 

Weigh-in Day!

I've been doing these weekly Friday weigh-ins now for OVER 4 1/2 YEARS.

Go.

Me.

Goal weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight: 142.2 lbs.

Still below goal.

Onwards!

A Confession & Friday Weigh-In

I have a confession.

For me, Facebook updates are easier and faster than blogging.

If I had more time in a day, I could spend lovely amounts of time sharing every little detail about my life with you here on the blog.

I don't have that time right now.

But I can do a quick photo or update on what's going on in my life on Facebook.

So if you're not on Facebook, you're missing out on some awesome-sauce updates from yours truly.

How about a before and "now" photo comparison? Yep, that was posted earlier today on FACEBOOK.

How about a quick report from me at the grocery store on my latest food find? Yep, that was posted yesterday on FACEBOOK.

How about my latest sweaty workout update? Yep, that was posted on Facebook too.

How about an update on what I ate at an Italian restaurant recently? Yep, that was posted on Facebook too.

Head on over to the Facebook page and "LIKE" the page. And, VOILA! Magic! Lap Band Gal updates will show up in your newsfeed.  You won't be sorry.  All the cool kids are doing it.  You don't want to be left out now, do you?

Now let's talk about today's weigh-in.

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 142.6 lbs

Still below goal!

 I will see you over on Facebook!

Weigh-in Day

Did you know that I've been doing these weekly Friday weigh-ins for 4 years and 4 months now?

That's a total of 240 weekly weigh-ins. 

Each and every Friday since early August 2009.

I've now been at or my below my goal weight of 145 lbs for over 3 years.

That's a total of 168 weeks at my goal weight.

And let me tell ya, that's a WHOLE LOTTA work.

Every day it's WORK.

But all that WORK is worth it.

Today's weigh-in?

142.0 lbs

Still below goal.

Onwards!

The Secret Power of the Pink Tutu

I gave my Mom this bright pink tutu on Christmas Eve.  All wrapped up in a big Christmas box with a fancy bow:

And included with that tutu, were registration tickets to the most aweseome-sauce 5k color run for that upcoming February.

We would walk that 5k together in just a few months:

So what has happened since Mom received that pink tutu Christmas gift?

Actually, it wasn't good.

Mom was concerned.

Really worried.

Her hip, knees, shoulders, and feet hurt.

Uh Oh. 

She was worried whether she would be able to walk a that entire 5k.

Mom then got serious.

She joined a gym and made friends with the treadmill.

She started walking on that treadmill.

She walked 5 times a week on that treadmill.

3 miles each morning.

At 5am. 

Before work.

I guess you could say that bright pink tutu lit a fire inside her.

She was determined to wear that pink tutu and walk an entire 5k.

As the months passed, something wonderful happened:

She noticed that her hip didn't hurt anymore.

Her feet, shoulders, and knees...the aches and pains were GONE.

Mom was ready for the 5k walk.

And this past Saturday, we walked that walk together.

Gettin' ready for the 5k.  No dye...yet.

Rockin' that tutu!

Color bomb!

At the FINISH LINE!

Flashback Friday & Weigh-in

Tomorrow my Mom and I will be doing something super duper fun together.

It will be exciting.

It will be a milestone.

And there just may or may not be glitter thrown in the air.

But one thing is for sure: WE WILL GLOW.

Stay tuned for a full detailed blog post of the BIG EVENT that will go down bright and early tomorrow morning.

In honor of tomorrow's mother-daughter bonding extravaganza, here's a Flashback Friday for you:

Mom and I.

Or is it Mom and me?

Let's not forget the all-important digits for today's weigh-in:

• Goal weight: 145 lbs
• Today's weight: 142.4 lbs

Still below my goal weight!

Will you be back here tomorrow for the big reveal?

What? More Sparklies?

Did I tell you that I now want a white polka dot pony named Sparkle Pancake? 

But wait.

That's a story for another day.

Instead, I will tell you all about what I did for my three year goaliversary.  

Finally, right?

My three year goaliversary (three years of maintaining my weight below 145 lbs) was back on December 17, 2013.

But sometimes it takes this girl awhile to get her act together and make a decision.

If you look up indecisive in the dictionary, you may see a photo of yours truly.

I don't like to use the word "indecisive"

I prefer the words "planner" and "methodical."

All.  In.  Good. Time.

Anywhoozle, as you know, I like to celebrate my weight maintenance milestones with jewelry.

Remember the ring story that I told you about for my one year goaliversary?

 

Well, back in December, the parental units gave me these sparklies!  Natural Zircons.

2.3 Ct each

These are NOT Cubic Zirconia.

Don't be fooled.

These beauties are made by Mother Nature.

This past week, I finally got around to making them into solitaire white gold earrings at the local jeweler.

And TA DA!  

 

I chose to wear them for my lunch-hour workout today. 

One must sparkle at every opportunity, whether covered in sweat or not.

This IS my not-so-happy sweaty workout face. 

You're welcome.

And just like the rule that I have for my ring: I must be 145 lbs or less to wear my new goaliversary earrings. 

Talk about ACCOUNTABILITY to my health goals.

There is no turning back now.

Weigh-In Day

Still below my goal weight (145 lbs)!

Can You Imagine That Day?

Standing on that scale and seeing my goal weight staring back at me on that scale was that moment.

Back on that cold December morning in 2010 was the day that I could finally say, "I did it!"

All of those struggles to get to my goal weight had finally turned into a reality.

A reality of something that I had only hoped for.

I had only dreamed of that moment.

And now it had finally come true.

Now that I have maintained my goal weight for over three years, I find that I often thank myself for finally losing those 115+ pounds and keeping those pounds off.

I thank myself silently when I happen to overhear a conversation among a few obese coworkers (who are my age) talking about their doctor putting them on Type 2 Diabetes medications.

That could have easily have been me getting Type 2 Diabetes. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic before I was banded.

I thank myself quietly when walking through the neighborhood Costco Store and happen to see an obese person riding around in an electric scooter.

That could have easily have been me in that scooter. Before I was banded, I was totally on the road to "Scooter Town."

I thank myself proudly when I put on that size 2 skirt and size small top.  I stand in front of the mirror.  They fit and I feel amazing.  I think to myself, "this is me now."

I thank myself when I get to the top of the stairs (third floor) of my apartment building carrying six heavy grocery bags and realize that I am not even winded or out of breath.  This is me now.

I thank myself for continuing to do the HARD WORK each and every day to ensure that my 115+ pound weight loss remains a reality in my life.

And I have a feeling...

...that I'll be thanking myself for the rest of my life.

Weigh-in Day

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 142.6 lbs

Is it just me or are these weigh-in blog posts getting really old?

Weigh-in Day & You Asked For It...

Today is my 235th weekly Friday weigh-in.  The result? 142.8 lbs

Still below my goal weight of 145 lbs.

Awesome-sauce.

Here's a "Before" and "Now" BMI comparison. Because comparisons are the bomb dot com.

And since you have been asking and messaging me so sweetly over on Facebook for more cruise photos, here's a sail-away photo of the Boyfriend and I.  He has generously offered to do a guest blog post. I know! Lucky YOU!  What would YOU like to see a blog post about? Here's your chance: Please add your comment below.