Let's Cruise Back in Time...

The same exact ocean.

The same exact cruise ship.

The same exact spot on that deck.

Just four years later...

Why No Weigh-in Today?

Because I'm floating along in the Pacific Ocean on the beautiful Sapphire Princess...

My scale didn't fit in my suitcase or in this teeny tiny little cruise ship bathroom.

Stay tuned for cruise pics and updates soon!

Weigh-in Day!

In case you missed it over on Facebook, I'm still below goal!

Weigh-in Day. Again.

Weigh-in Day.

Good.

Times.

Each and every Friday I've stood on that scale and told you my weight.

Each and every Friday since August 2009.

I am pretty much busier than ever lately, so I've been posting a lot more of my updates over on Facebook.

You wanna know what I'm eating? I post it over on Facebook.

You wanna know about the latest Non-Scale Victory (NSV) that I just achieved? It's on Facebook.

You wanna know today's weigh-in? Yep. Over on Facebook.

Goal weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight: 143.0 lbs

Still below goal!

Weigh-in Day

Did ya see it?

I posted my weight on Facebook.

142.0 

Still below my goal weight!

Sweet.

I Was Afraid...

It was just before New Year's Eve 2009.

I was newly banded for about two months.

And I received an email from a friend (also recently banded, whom I had met at Support Group). We shall call her "Candy."  'Cuz food names are my fave.

Candy's email was all about this new exercise craze that she wanted to try: ZUMBA.

Candy wanted me to sign up for a Zumba six-week session of classes that began in January. She wanted me to go with her.

The classes began in just a few weeks! Gasp!

WTF.

Seriously?

Me?!

Exercise?

Sweat was no fun.

Being out of breath was even less fun.

I was about 210 lbs at the time.

And I had seen those Zumba commercials on TV.

Those Zumba people were skinny.

And healthy.

And had abs of steal.

That just wasn't me.

I was a couch-sitter.

TV watching was my exercise.

But with Candy's persistent emails and convincing, I signed up for that Zumba class.

On the first day of Zumba class I walked in the door in my baggy sweatpants and big t-shirt.

I hid in the back of the room.

Hopefully no one would see me struggle.

Hopefully no one else would see how afraid I was of failing at this thing called "exercise."

And guess what?

Candy was a no show.

Yikes.

All alone in a room full of strangers.

I thought about walking out that door...many times.

But I stuck with it.

The whole hour of class.

Yes, I was sweaty.

Yes, I was out of breath.

And yes, I hurt in places that I didn't know that my body could hurt.

But I finished that Zumba class.

And guess what?

I had an AMAZING and FUN time.

Shaking my booty.

Dancin'.

Jumpin'.

And that was the moment.

That light bulb moment.

The moment that I realized that exercise isn't that bad.

And that exercise could actually be FUN.

I continued to go to Zumba class and finish out that six week session.

And then I signed up for more classes.

And more classes.

Over the following year, I lost 70 lbs doing Zumba.

Who knew that exercise can actually be fun?

All that I had to do was stop being afraid...

Rockin' those Zumba Toning Sticks!

How I Lost Weight Over Christmas Week

Before I tell you what the official weigh-in was for this week, let us first admire Pemberley wearing her new hair bow that Santa brought her.  Awww....

 

Here's the digits for this week's weight:

Last week's weight: 142.6 lbs

Today's weight: 139.6 lbs

How in the heck did a THREE pound loss happen over Christmas week with all those goodies and treats everywhere?

Let's make a list, shall we?

1. I told you over on Facebook that my band was feeling SUPER TIGHT because Aunt Flo was about to arrive. Adding in some stress and seasonal sinus allergies: a Lap-Band perfect storm for tightness.
2. Because of the super tight feeling, I ate very much like a bandster is supposed to: barely a half a cup of food at each meal.  I probably had 2-3 bites of turkey and a small stuffing "muffin" for Christmas lunch. And I was absolutely OK with that.  For me, the holidays are no longer about the food, but rather who I spend my holidays with that matter.
3. I only exercised twice over the week instead of my usual 4-5 times for the week. I probably lost some muscle.
4. I usually lose weight during the week of Aunt Flo's visit.

Here is today's weigh-in photo. That's Pemberley's paw in the upper left. She's been there at every weekly weigh-in since I began my weight loss journey in August 2009:

Weigh-in Day

Goal weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight: 142.6 lbs

Still below goal.

Happy Friday!

OMG! Did You Hear?

Pretty.

Much.

The.

Most.

Useful.

Thing.

I.

Have.

Ever.

Heard. 

It was the most wisely spent 60+ minutes of my day in a long, long time.

I just listened to this podcast.

It's an interview with one of the all-knowing  GODS  experts on the Lap-Band: Dr John Dixon.

My favorite part of the podcast?

When Dr. Dixon talks about (at length) about what proper fill level is for a Lap-Band.

My second favorite part?

When he talks about what the expected life span (expiration date) is for a Lap-Band.

Go check it out HERE.

You won't be sorry.

Why Is Today Such A Big Day For Me?

In my mind, today is kinda a bigger deal than my actual surgery date.

What is today?

Exactly three years ago today on December 17, 2010:

I stepped on the scale and I had reached my goal weight of 145 lbs.

Finally!  After 14 months of lots of hard work.

You can read about that fateful day HERE.

It was an AWESOME-SAUCE of a day.

And then can you believe it? I maintained my goal weight for one whole year on December 17, 2011. Read that post HERE.

And THEN I maintained my goal weight for two whole years on December 17, 2012. Read that post HERE.

Now, I have achieved three whole years of maintaining my goal weight today on December 17, 2013.

Do I still have the fear that I will GAIN ALL 115+ lbs back?

Absolutely.

Pretty much each and every day freakin' day.

That fear is still very present in my life.

Sigh.

How will I celebrate my GOALiversary this year?

I can tell you how I will NOT celebrate it.

I will not eat to celebrate.

Maybe I'll go buy myself a new fantastic skinny girl outfit.

Because let me tell ya...

I.

deserve.

It.