Weigh-In Saturday

Starting weight: 301
Last week's weight: 201

Today's weight: 199

Total loss: 102 pounds

Banded: 6/7/2013

 

Well hello there!

 

I think this goes on record as being the latest "Saturday" weigh-in post ever. I fully admit I have launched into Summer Mode and things just don't seem as pressing, you know? It's GLORIOUS and I wait ALL year for it.

 

I really don't know why I'm so thrilled though...my summer hasn't really even started full force. Since we've been out, I've already done 4 days of in-service...teacher meetings we have to do from June through August. They are about as exciting as you're imagining. Oh well...it's a small price to pay for a couple of months off.

 

My weight has been hanging out at the 199 mark and I am thrilled about it. I cannot even tell you how excited I was to see that number. Thank you all SO much for the kind comments and emails. It made the milestone even that much better to have you all share it with me.

 

I have a fill scheduled for Wednesday morning at 10:00 and I can tell that I need it. I haven't had a fill since March 5th, and I may be way overdue. I've noticed lately that I'm having "white knuckle" moments way more than I should. Moments where food that isn't normally even tempting to me seems like the most delicious thing ever. Like....oh I don't know...the package of Keebler Rainbo Chips Deluxe and the 15 Hershey's Dark Chocolate  kisses that I snarfed down during my meeting today. I'll give you the Hershey's kisses....I mean chocolate is always good, right? But the Rainbo Chips Deluxe? Can't believe I blew calories on those. They ain't no Sprinkles cupcake.

 

So yes...I'm hoping the fill helps. I've got 50 pounds to go and I cannot be derailed now by pedestrian baked goods. :) Or anything else.

 

Just to let you guys know...I'm going to be taking a little bit of a blogging hiatus. I'm going to be doing a little bit of traveling and a WHOLE lot of relaxing. I'll be back in a couple of weeks. Until then....I hope everyone is doing well and you're all getting to relax a bit too.

 

Thanks for reading. :)

Party of ONE!!!!

So this happened this morning…

Could y'all hear me whooping and hollering all the way from central Arkansas???!

So. Freaking. Excited.

The milestones are coming at me from all directions this week and it feels great. :)

Weigh-In Saturday...1 Year Bandiversary Edition :)

Starting weight: 301

Last week's weight: 201

Today's weight: 200

Total loss: 101 pounds

Banded: 6/7/2013

Sometimes words fail me. Right now all I'm really thinking is.......WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I seriously cannot believe it was one year ago today that I was banded. Time has not only flown, it has flown at warp speed.

I woke up this morning and just laid in bed for a loooooong while. This is very unlike me. Normally my first waking thought is COFFEE and then I start tackling my to do list.

Not today. Today I allowed myself some time to stop, reflect, and...dare I say it? To celebrate ME! Ha! I gave myself permission to be PROUD of myself. Because you know what? I AM!!

I'm proud that I made the choice to be healthy. I'm proud of the hard work I've put in. I made up my mind at the beginning of this process that I was going to give it everything I had. It hasn't always been easy. In fact, some days have been really hard. But I kept my eye on the prize and I've been richly rewarded. With things like...

• the excitement I feel when I put on clothes I actually want to wear
• not being so tired at the end of the work day that I need to take a nap
• having the confidence to look people directly in the eye when I speak my mind
• no knee pain
• better sleep
• having the energy to be a better wife/friend/teacher
• being able to sit anywhere 
• getting to rock my high heels again :)
• feeling better at 41 than I did at 21
• an online blogging community that supports, motivates and inspires me DAILY

And so, SO much more. These are just some of the things I've gained with 101 pounds lost.

I never IMAGINED I would be here in just a year's time. NEVER. EVER. But I'm so glad that I am.

I'm ready to see what awaits me in Year #2! Thank you ALL for reading.

  

Weigh-In Saturday

Starting weight: 301
Last week's weight: 201
Today's weight: 201
Total loss: 100 pounds
Banded: 6/7/2013

Happy weekend everyone! I hope you're having a relaxing one. Mine has been pretty productive. I've been doing tons of laundry, grocery shopping, projects around the house, etc. I've been in a GREAT mood all weekend because… I'm gearing up for the last three days of school. Oh, Summer. How I've missed you.

First things first… No weight lost this week. I'm not surprised one bit. After losing 2 1/2 pounds last week, combined with my TOM, I really wasn't expecting much if anything. I also returned to the gym this week after taking a couple of weeks off. Historically that means I'm going to maintain my weight or even gain a little bit since sore muscles hold a lot of water. That's what I have been told/read anyway. I think my body is like... "Girl, I'm good. I've lost 100 pounds, yo. You gotta let me chill." Meanwhile I'm over here like: "But we are sooooooo freaking close to getting below 200 for the first time in over a decade. Why are you DOING this to me????" The struggle is REAL.

But I'm going to have to calm the eff down. It's really starting to sink in that these last 50 pounds are not going to go as quickly as the first 100. I've been at the stage for a while now where I truly do have to fight for every pound lost. Exercising, watching my calories, drinking all my water. All the things we KNOW to do.

So this week....I have a new mantra. Liketohearithereitgoes: "There is NO timetable."

None. No one has given me a deadline. Not my friends, not my family, certainly not my surgeon.

Realizing this is both freeing and empowering. And that's a REALLY good combination. :)

I hope you all have a fantastic week. Thanks for reading.

 

 

May 27, 2000

On May 27th, 2000, I went on a first date with this really nice, cool guy that I had met at a local record store. Record stores. Remember those? He got my number, and called me a few days later to invite me to come see his band play a gig at a Little Rock hotspot called Cajun's Wharf.

As I walked in the bar that night, he and the band had just launched into Al Green's "Tired Of Being Alone". I was immediately impressed. At the first break, he made a beeline over to me to make sure that I was having a good time. I was. Before going back on stage for his second set, he told me to order whatever I wanted to drink and then he gave me a cute little side hug that I thought was the sweetest thing ever.

After the gig that night, we went to an all-night diner. We ordered the "Can't Decide Sampler" appetizer and two diet Cokes. And we talked. About everything. The more he talked, the more I liked him. John's voice has always felt like home to me. There was no awkward first date weirdness. No pretense. Just a feeling of "Oh! There you are. I've been waiting on you." Home.

We talked until the sun came up and 14 years later, the conversation still hasn't stopped.

He is my best friend, my constant support and my biggest cheerleader. He loves me no matter what size I am and has told me that I'm beautiful every single day that I've known him.

The past 14 years have included a lightning strike (John), adopting a sweet rescue cat, several major home renovations, and now this crazy weight loss journey. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have by my side.

Weigh-In Saturday

Starting weight: 301
Last week's weight: 203
Today's weight: 201
Total loss: 100 pounds
Banded: 6/7/2013

I know, I know....this post is late, late, LATE! I have been TOTALLY enjoying my three-day weekend and I hope you all have been too.

But yes...something BIG happened Friday morning. I honestly didn't expect it to happen this week. You guys know it's been a long time since I've had a 2 lb. loss week. But I woke up Friday morning and had a good feeling. I thought...okay maybe I'll just step on the scale a day early and see what it says.

It said this. :)

And I said "Hot damn!!!" Actually I can't remember WHAT I said, but I know there was wooping and cursing involved. It felt really, REALLY good. 100 pounds lost two weeks shy of my one-year Bandiversary. Hell. YES. And then I got dressed for school and took a selfie. :) It seemed like the thing to do! It's on the Progress Photo page, which I need to be better about updating.

It was a really great week overall. I got a haircut. Nothing as dramatic as Hollee's or Jessica's, but quite a bit shorter. It made me realize that I truly do love having short hair. I'll go even shorter next time.

It's crazy to think that this time last year I was beginning my pre-op diet...2 protein shakes and a 300 calorie dinner. I was also starting to get really, really nervous and excited. Nervous about the surgery itself and excited about all the possibilities for my future. I wish I could go back, give myself a big hug and just say..."Don't worry. You got this."

We have a week and a half left of school and I've spent most of today gearing up for the big finish. This is our last "real" week...where we count attendance and teach. Week after next is Semester Test week and only those who are testing will be there. Come on, Summer. Because you know...last summer I was kind of busy. :)

I hope everyone has a great week ahead. Thanks for reading.

Weigh-In Saturday

Starting weight: 301
Last week's weight: 204
Today's weight: 203
Total loss: 98 pounds
Banded: 6/7/2013

It feels great to see the scale moving in the right direction again. Even if it is just creeeeeeeeping down little by little. I'm so ready to see that 1 in front of my weight. I cannot even explain it. I think for me, it's going to be even more emotional than losing 100 pounds. It's been a LONG time.

Still...this past week was a good one. I felt a little more in control of my appetite, my calories, etc. Eating at home every evening (minus one) helped a LOT. And my band is still being quite cooperative too. I really do think I've done a better job listening to my band when it speaks lately. One of the biggest challenges? Just because it's on my plate doesn't mean I have to eat it. Do any of you struggle with this one?

It's a good thing I'm in a much better frame of mind because this week is gonna be go, go, GO. I have something I have to do every single night.

But that's okay...because I'm starting to feel summer right around the corner. And it dawned on me today that next Monday is Memorial Day! So technically there are only 2 Mondays left in the school year. :)

I hope everyone has a great week ahead. Thanks for reading.