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

Week #2 of Maintenance Complete

Today's Weight:  144.7 lbs

Quote of the Day:

"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas." – Author Unknown

The Easy Way Out

"The Easy Way Out."  Bandsters just love it when we hear those four little words used as description of what it's like to get healthy and lose weight with the band?  Right? *note sarcasm*

Of course, we all know that the lifestyle with the band (or any weight loss surgery or diet plan for that matter) is not the easy way out.  It's difficult.  It's tough.  It's a lot of WORK.  It takes planning.  It requires making conscious choices every f***ing day.

I have been thinking a little about the phrase "the easy way out" and have determined that for me, the easy way out was being FAT.  It was SOOO EASY to be fat! 

I didn't have to think about what I put in my mouth. EVER.  If it tasted good, I ate it.  I didn't think about how many calories a food had in it or how much protein it contained.  I didn't worry about eating an In-n-Out Double Double Cheeseburger in 4 minutes flat, while guzzling a large sugary Coke.  Taking a trip to Panda Express and eating two servings of Orange Chicken and a huge serving of fried rice...no problem!  Being fat was EASY.

I didn't have to think about how I would get my 30+ minutes of exercise each day.  Exercise?....are you crazy?!?  It was more fun to sit on the couch each night and watch my favorite TV shows.  Being fat was EASY.

I didn't have to think about how much water I had consumed in a day.  I just enjoyed my Mt Dews and Cokes all throughout the day...What fun!  No multiple trips to the ladies room due to massive water consumption for the fat girl.  Being fat was EASY.

Why do I continue to travel down this road of improved health?  I'll tell you why:

• My back doesn't hurt when I wake up in the morning anymore.
• My not-so-sexy cankles are gone.
• My blood pressure is normal..no more meds!
• I need so much less sleep.. I was so tired when I was fat...I missed out on a lot.
• To keep looking hot in my size 6 jeans.

Why do you continue to make healthy food choices and make time for exercise? 

I think that it's important that we find the "why" in this journey so that we never go back to the "easy way out."

New Banded Blogger Alert

Michelle over at Just Getting Started... was banded back in October of this year. 

Please stop by and say "hello"

Thanks!

My Word for 2011

Last year's word for 2010 was CHOICE.


What is this year's word?  


This was a tough decision.  


There are so many great words to choose from.


Are you ready for it?




Prudence.    

\ˈprü-dən(t)s\

Definition:
The ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.

According to Wikipedia, "Prudence" is characterized by “being careful about one’s choices, not taking undue risks, and not saying or doing things that might later be regretted.”

Individuals with PRUDENCE have the following attributes:

• They take a foresighted stance toward their personal future, thinking and caring about it, planning for it, and holding long-term goals and aspirations.
• They are skilled at resisting self-defeating impulses and at persisting in beneficial activities that lack immediate appeal.
• They show a style of thinking about everyday life choices that is reflective, deliberate, and practical.

I am hoping to have PRUDENCE in the new year.

What's your word for 2011?

 

Mini Bowls!

I received a few more mini bowls for Christmas. :)

They are from the Japan Pavilion at Epcot.  I am going to pretend that the Japanese words on them say "chew, chew, chew!" or "stop eating when you get full!"  They hold only about one cup of food.  Perfect!

I can add them to the mini plate/bowl shelf in the kitchen.

I know that I've been eating sensible small portions for the week when I see the dishwasher full of them.

Merry Christmas & a Photo From LAST Christmas

I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas day!

I will leave you with a photo from last year's Christmas day meal.  Christmas 2009 and weighing about 216 lbs.  I was 40 lbs down from my highest weight of 256 lbs... about 2+ months post op.

Think about how much you could achieve by next Christmas.

What are your goals for a healthier YOU?

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

Week #1 of maintenance went well.

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 143.4 lbs

Merry Christmas!

The Scars May Have Faded...But I Can Never Forget...

Here's what my belly looked like the day after surgery and now today:

Sometimes I have to remind myself of all that I went through to get to where I am today at a healthy weight, a "normal" BMI, normal blood pressure, etc.

Sure, there has been a lot of calorie counting and exercise, but I am talking about the surgery itself and the week post-op.

There are a few newly banded bloggers out there who recently shared their surgery day stories and it helps me to remember the pain and unpleasant days after surgery. 

Surgery is a big deal...wait, let me say that again, surgery is a big friggin' deal.  Especially a surgery that is elective and I CHOSE it.

A HUGE and drastic step in my opinion.  On that day....there was general anesthesia, there were scalpels, there was blood.  I'm sure they used big scary tools like these:

I'm not just talking a quick eyebrow waxing here... LOL.

I may sound a litte dramatic, but this isn't something that I could just decide to do and then not see it through to it's most optimum outcome.  This isn't Bridalplasty.  Now that's a hot mess. :)

I also still get a little "wierded out" by the thought that there's a foreign object/device inside of me.  People sometimes say, "well lots of people have foreign objects in them...you know...hip replacements, knee replacements..."  I don't agree.  Choosing the band is a different scenario all together.

So the next time I am tempted by a cookie, chips, chocolate, pizza, or whatever food the day brings, I need to remember the choice I made back in 2009 for improved health.

They say hindsight is 20/20.  Well, I can tell you that getting the band was one of the best (and biggest)  decisions I have made for my health....period.

Welcome Back Restriction...!

Hello Restriction,

I wish you were around this weekend when I was tempted with all those sweets and yummy snacks.

Water is slow going down this morning...totally wierd.  Is it stress? Is it allergies?  Who knows.

I may actually have a protein shake today...gasp!  I hardly ever drink those.  My favorite: Unjury Chocolate.

Had a preliminary weigh-in this morning to see where I am in regards to maintaining the goal weight of 145 lbs.  Well, it was 144.9 lbs.  :)  We will see what the weight is on Friday's official weigh-in.

New Bandster Blogger Alert!

There's a new blogger (cadx2mom) out there at http://confessionsofanoverweightmom.blogspot.com/

She's just been approved for surgery.  Please go over and say hello!

PS:  cadx2mom >> I can't comment on your blog.  Adjust your settings so we can all comment.