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:

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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.