Does Practice Make Perfect?

No way.

That saying: "Practice makes perfect" annoys me.  There is no "perfect."  The idea that there is no perfect has been a HUGE lesson for me to learn, but I'm finally getting it through my head.

But I do know: whatever I am practicing, I am getting better at.

If I continue the practice of hitting up Starbucks every day for my vanilla bean frappuccinos, then I'm getting better at defeating this tool of mine called the Lap Band.

If I practice choosing protein first at my meals, then I know that I'm getting better at being successful with maintaining my weight.

If I practice making exercise a priority each day, then I'm getting better at improving my heart health and building muscle.

What are you practicing and getting better at? I wanna know.

Where Are Hansel & Gretel When You Need Them?

I have a short list in my head of the few things that I had to give up to become a healthier me with the band.  

But do you know what?  Most of the things don't really matter much to me anymore and more importantly it was TOTALLY worth it.

Some examples? 

• Soda: It took me a long time to get over my addiction to Mt Dew and Coke.
• Chewing gum: who doesn't like minty fresh breath?  Seriously.

One of the toughest things to give up is one of my favorite holiday traditions:  Making a gingerbread house.  And I'm not talking about just any gingerbread house, I'm talking about a house that takes 2 months of weekends to put together with electric lights and weighs 30 lbs.  Yeah, I'm a crafty girl.

Did you know that most gingerbread house builders start in August with their planning, scheming, and building?  Yep, I received an email from these people today reminding me to sign up for the local gingerbread house competition.  It seems that this year's theme is movies and the silver screen.

I participated in 2007 and 2008.  I had an amazing time building the houses and displaying them at the competitions.

Unfortunately, I know that I cannot participate again this year as I definitely cannot be around all that candy for two months.  I will eat it.  I know my limits.

I still go to see the houses on display each holiday season which is fun, but it's just not the same as participating.

Here are photos from 2008:

Roof and sides!

Roof complete!

Frosting!

Who is that?

Construction!

Finished!

How to Gain Three Pounds in Three Days With the Lap Band

Just another friendly reminder to those who may not know...the Lap Band is not the "Easy Button."  I wish it was....sigh. 

The scale reported that I was up 3...THREE...pounds this morning.  I totally saw that coming.

I've just had a fun and food-filled three day weekend.  I pretty much ate my way through it.  If a food was in front of me, I ate it.  That's why I keep my food pantry and fridge stocked with pretty boring and healthy foods.  No temptations.

There were lots of yummy temptations this weekend.

I also thrive...BIG TIME...on routine.  My routine was off so off I went and ate foods that were not good choices.  Who needs protein when you can eat cookies.

Lastly, I need to stop it with the vanilla bean frappuccinos.  Those bad boys are my kryptonite.  The end.

PS: Thank you all for your comments on the dress post...sounds like the red one is the winner! 

She's Going the Distance, She's Going For Speed

I remember when I was a fatty (or if I were more politically correct, I would say "pre-band"), I always had this little voice in the back of mind that would warn me before I stepped onto or sat on something that had a weight limit or size limitation.

Examples?

• Plastic outdoor chairs
• Toilet seats
• Rides at Disneyland/fairs/carnivals
• Antique chairs
• Crawling into the back seat of a two-door car
• Riding on a Segway
• Helicopter ride in Hawaii
• This list could go on and on.

I would always wonder quietly:

Would it break if I sat/stood on it?

Can my ass fit on that chair?  Don't get me started on a discussion of chairs with arms.

Will I be able to fit myself into the back of that car? Will I be able to get back out of that car?

Fast forward to yesterday.  Someone bought a scooter at a neighborhood garage sale and brought it over to my house.  Of course, I jumped on and began scootin' all over the 'hood.

When I was done with my test drive and attempting to beat the land-speed record, I realized that the little voice in the back of my head is no longer there to tell me that I should be worried about breaking things with my weight or size.

I also noticed the warning label on the scooter showed a limit of 175lbs.  Not a problem for me!

Which One Is Your Favorite? Shopping Pics!

I went clothes shopping yesterday. You know, the kind of shopping where you try on A LOT of clothes. Do I get to consider it a workout? Maybe all that trying on clothes will cancel out the fun size Snickers bar that I'm munching on while I type?  Hope so.

Here's what I learned yesterday:

• Coldwater Creek has joined the crazy train of size inflations with their new sizes...they must have gotten their bad habit from Ann Taylor. I was a size 2 at Coldwater Creek yesterday. They also consider a size XL to mean 18-20.  Whatever.  Just another store to confuse women with their sizes.  They also need to realize that no woman wants to wear a sweatshirt with a bedazzled goldfish on it....just sayin'.

• Just because I can fit into something, doesn't mean I should buy it.  How opposite this is to when I used to shop as a fatty.  It was always a struggle to find something that "fits" and doesn't look "horrible."  I always settled for just OK. Now I must LOVE something before I buy it.

OK, onwards to the pics of what I bought....DRESSES!  Sizes 5 through 9 (juniors).

Perhaps one or more of these dresses will make an appearance in Chicago at BOOBs?  Who knows.  Which one is your favorite? 

#1 - Deep purple dress (can't tell in this pic):

#2 - Little black dress:

#3 - Zebra

#4 - Red shorty:

PS: Those heels were just worn for the pics, most likely I'll be exploring options like silver strappy heels/etc.

Weigh-in Day...and Some Analysis

Goal Weight: 145 lbs


Today's Weight: 139.0 lbs


Onwards to some analysis:


I stood on my surgeon's magic scale yesterday that reveals all kinds of fun things.  Here's a comparison with previous weigh-ins:


                                     11/18/10            2/4/11         8/11/11
Weight                         149.9                 144.8              140.0
Lbs Body Fat                 53.8                   48.9                44.3
Lbs Lean Body Mass     96.1                   95.9                95.7
Body Fat Percent          35.8%               33.7%              31.5%


Also, my current calorie count that I burn every day is at 1309...that's sitting still with no exercise.


Happy Friday!

New Banded Blogger Alert!

Please stop by and say "Hi" to MoMoJJ over at her blog My Journey...for JJ.

She's had a discouraging experience with the seminar she attended and could use some BOOBs love and support.

Thanks!

Part 2 - Hot Mess of a Blog Post!

Check out part 2.  WOW!

How Do You Know That You're Successful?

As I mentioned on the Facebook page earlier this week, I had a fabulous opportunity to meet with soon-to-be bandster, Sprinkles**, this past weekend. 

Sprinkles had a lot of great questions and we even explored the grocery store aisles together, checking out all the band-friendly food choices.  I was so proud to see her show up to our meetup with her lists and binders...gotta love another A-type personality bandster!

Sure, we talked about all the tools that are important to a successful weight loss journey with the band: food tracking/journaling, exercise, attending support group, vitamins, and of course MINDSET....80% mental game with the band in my opinion, damn it...sigh.  Still waitin' on that surgery for our brains.

But I feel that the most important thing that we discussed was setting a long term goal that was measurable.

I chose very scale-oriented goals for myself when I was pre-op...'cuz that's how I roll. I've already admitted to my scale whore tendencies....just accept it.

My main long term goal was to lose 100 lbs, which I did achieve at 10+ months post-op.  I also set incremental goals at each 10 lbs lost.  Scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page to check out those goals.

By achieving those goals, I knew that I was successful.

I mentioned to Sprinkles that her goals didn't have to be scale oriented: Perhaps no longer requiring a certain type of medication for an obesity related comorbidity? Resolving a health issue (diabetes, etc). Being able to walk for 30 minutes without having to stop and rest? Fitting into a certain size of pants? 

What goals have you set for yourself to know that you are successful?

Onwards to the link love.  There are so many examples of success out there in the blogosphere...here are just a few that have reached major milestones today:

• Jacquie has reached her goal weight today. Congrats!
• Sarah is celebrating her 1 year bandiversary today!
• Melissa is having surgery today!

**Not her real name (duh)...I like food names...mmmkkaaayy?

To Fill or Not To Fill?

Beth Ann just did a great post about whether she needs a fill or not.

I am having the exact same thoughts as I have a fill scheduled for Tuesday next week.  

Before I get into my reasons for or against the fill, keep in mind that the nurse practitioner who does my fills (Hi Reeger!) reads my blog...and you know how us bandsters know the "right" and "perfect" things to convince those medical professionals to give us our fills.  From the stories that I've read about on the blogs, some of us should be in used car sales with our skills of negotiation. 

If I did get a fill, I would NOT be asking for a "Big Girl Fill"...but rather .2 or .3 ccs.  Just a tweak.

Reasons for a fill:

• I'm getting hungry after about 2.5 hours (eating 3 oz lean protein). This is my main reason.
• I can knock back a Small Nutter Butter Blizzard in 15 minutes flat.  Not a good reason. :-(
• I feel like I've never really used this tool to it's full potential in regards to restriction
• I've NEVER PB'd or been stuck. I'm 21 months post-op. I still wonder what I'm missing out on. I know that it hurts like a mo' fo'...just curious.
• My surgeon's office is 3+ miles away. I could easily get an unfill (just another $125 appt fee..sigh). Another bad reason.

Reasons not to fill:

• I like being able to eat everything that may be available (Work dinners/BBQs/parties/traveling/etc). 
• I don't want to be someone who is constantly double-checking where the bathroom is at a restaurant just in case I need to make a run for it and PB.
• I'm trying to maintain, not lose.  Not sure about this reason...

So, what do you think? Help a bandster out here...fill or no fill?

PS: all time low on the scale again this morning...138 lbs and the jeans were kinda loser than usual this morning...