A Thanksgiving Miracle!

Morning Hotties!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, and enjoyed every morsel that passed through your band!

I had a great weekend- Thanksgiving was an adventure- I am learning how to live with my band (still un-named), and how to chew, chew, chew.  With my new tightness, I was able to still enjoy all of the wonderful morsels, but just in much less quantity.  I had a couple of glasses of wine (definitely seems to help loosen things up), turkey and all the trimmings. I tried a cresent roll- not good.  My first instinct was to drink to push it through, but I stopped myself, and simply breathed.  I stood up, walked around (made like I was getting a drink for my daughter), and by the time I got back to the table, it was fine.  It did make me slow down a lot, which is awesome. I had a few bites of mocha hazelnut cream pie- wow! Sweet!  Too sweet! I had a massive headache for the rest of the night- not sure if it was from the wine or the sugar, but let's say it's the sugar- more of a deterrent!

Yesterday was interesting.  Our refrigerator broke- boo hoo. I threw out a ton of stuff from the freezer, but saved some things that we could keep in the cooler on the deck on ice and cook in the next couple of days. I am hoping that it can be fixed- my hubby and my brother in law are very handy, and together they figured out the defective part in the compressor, and are out buying it now- and hopefully fixing it later this morning.  The angels were looking out for me, because I was on my way out to go food shopping- lucky for us, that didn't happen!  The frige cam with the house we bought last year, and is top of the line, and only 5 years old- I am really hoping not to have to replace it since it has the nice matching panels from our cabinets on it, and looks nice. If worse comes to worse, we will buy a new one- maybe stainless steel?  That was my preference, but I was happy enough with what came with the house not to change it.

And I lost 5 POUNDS!!!! Yay!

Everyone should have these problems. I am thankful that I have the life I have, the love I have, and the friends and support system (you guys!) that I have as well.

xoxoxo

A

Make that 34 Godesses!

Turkeys, and um...TURKEYS!

Hello there you 33 Goddesses!

Happy Turkey Eve!

I just erased a whole paragraph on the perils of project management.  I love my job, and my employer. I am thankful to all of the wonderful people I interact with, and on this eve of the thankful day, I need to remember that all of the unique personalities make up the greater whole.  To all of you special folks out there- THANK YOU! Without you, I wouldn't be needed so desperately in my role as organizer, reminder, and creative genius.

Kumbaya.

xoxoxo
A

Pretty Good Restriction

This past weekend was interesting, food wise. I had my fill on Friday, and was super careful all day and most of Saturday with mostly liquids and mushies.  I did go to a dinner party on Saturday night solo- hubby was watching the kids- and had a few drinks.  Wow. I feel like it hit me very hard. I did have two Manhattans, and a glass of wine at dinner, but still.  This was over the course of five hours- I should not have been so rocked.

Anywho, yesterday morning, I instinctively made a fried egg sandwich- egg, cheese, ketchup, butter, toast. I couldn't wait to take a huge bite with a big glass of diet iced tea.

WWWWWAAAAAIIIIITTTTT!!!!!!!!!!

Hello?? Annie??? It's me, your, um... band.  You're not suppossed to eat fast, eat much, or drink whilst eating, remember??  I tuned that b*tch out big time.

The first bite was huge and delicious, until...until...this horrific feeling came over me. I quickly took a large swig of icy cold iced tea. 

Um. Ow.  Ugh...

Hubby:  "You okay,  baby?"
Me:  "Um...Uh...."
2 year old princess:  "Mommy...you're scaring us!!!!"

Um.....

Ran to garbage can and hurled up what looked like 10X the amount I ate, including the iced tea. 

Yeah, so I'm tight.

I have to say that eating and drinking together is a major no-no for me. I think it expands the food in the stoma, or something, because it's the worst. 

I miss having large gulps of water!

Okay, it's fine. I will deal with it.

Like three people told me I look great today!

Woohoo!

xooxox
A

2nd Fill

So, today I had my second fill. I am at 5.5 cc's in a 10cc band.  I am happy to report that I have lost 9lbs in the 3 or so weeks since my first fill- yay! The better news is that I have not been an "ideal bandster",a nd still managed to lose 3lbs a week.  I am happy about that because I know that with more effort on my part (which I am committed to bring) I will be even more successful in three weeks when I get weighed again! 

I am feeling re-energized since I got such positive feedback at my appointment today. I met with both the PA and the nutritionist, and both were happy with my progress, and re-inforced the need to be in the "green zone" or sweet spot, to get maximum return for my investment.  I am committed to losing a significant amount pre-Christmas. Like 15lbs.  I think that is realistic.  My last three weeks were plagued with the Halloween candy, the trip to Maine, etc. I know the biggie- Thanksgiving- is upon us, but I am hoping that my positive attitude and my latest fill will help me make the right choices.

The thing I want to convey is the importance of making good choices. It's hard. Especially with the pressures of family, work, and social lives upon us. The most successful among us seem to be the most disciplined. That's awesome. I would love to be more disciplined, but sometimes it's not my top priority.  If I can be 80% good, that's where I believe I will have the best balance of weight loss and emotional stability. I am a little scared of getting to goal- whatever that is!  At the point when my weight isn't the biggest obstacle for me personally, then what?  I guess I will be figuring that out while losing the weight, and that's pretty exciting too.

Happy weekend wishes to all you sexy things out there!

xoxox
A

College Football

Hi there,
So, I follow a lot of bandsters that are football fans. I have to say that it seems like a lot of fun!  I went to St. John's (no football), and NYU (no football). In fact, the sports teams at NYU were the "Violets"- not a very football friendly name.  Crimson Tide vs. Violets? Not so much.

I have neveer tailgated, camped in a camper, gone to a college football game, or even thought about it. I had two boyfriends who were sports fans- and went to a couple of Jets and Giants games over the years, but never had the whole experience of tailgating, partying, eating seven layer dip, or anything. Wah.

So, have fun all you football fans!  I won't be watching from the big screen, but I will be looking forward to the posts, and pics.

Roll Tide?

xxxooo

Restriction? What Restriction??

Hello there!

I am still upbeat, but not quite as much as Monday, when I had my pre-TOM "burst of energy".  Does anyone else have this happen to them?  What happens is that the day before my monthly visitor comes a calling, I get very energetic, and start to feel fantastic.  I clean, do laundry, stay up late playing facebook games, and don't think about eating. The next day...whoomp. Bloated. Yuck. My weight is up like four pounds this week, which is not good, considering the challenge that I am participating in !!!!!!
The good news is that I always lose weight after my monthly visitor leaves town. 

On a food note, I made Giada's butternut squash lasagne over the weekend for my hubby. First of all, it is amazingly delicious. Second of all, it's not suppossed to be "band friendly"- pasta? I didn't think I would be able to indulge ever.  Third of all, I ate it Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. A pretty big piece too- probably a 4"x4" slice. Not stuck. Not even stuffed.  What's happening to me?????  I want my restriction back. Wah!

I have been snacking, which I know is a sign that a fill is due, so the timing is perfect, because, my second fill is coming up in a week and a half.

Meanwhile, I am down between 34-39 pounds, depending on the day.  I am looking forward to the big 4-0 (not that I thought I would ever say that!)

This weekend we are off to Cape Elizabeth, Maine (near Portland) for my neice Clara's Christening. The hubby, munchkin, and I are going, and my family will be there too.  Hopefully everyone will get along and be happy. 

More later??

xoxoox
A

I Feel Good

Yes, I do. I feel great. Why, you ask? Well, I am not certain, but I think it has to do with protien and vitamins!  You see, I took my vitamins last night, after a week or so of slacking off. I feel freakin' fantastic! I didn't weigh myself today, so that's not it. I didn't get a 50K raise and promotion today (which I deserve! :) I simply feel fanstastic.

Work is grand. No problems, all is clear. Of course, there are the normal irritations, but I love my job, and my job loves me, so it's all good.  At home? Things are also groovy. My hubby is in a good place, and I love spending time with my munchkin.  She is two and a half almost, and so funny. She takes after my husband in that regard- he is both fun and funny! Anyway, my daughter says to me as I am putting her to bed- "Mommy, you have blinkers!"  "Blinkers?" "No, not blinkers, STINKERS!" She just burst out laughing. So cute. I want to keep her my love bug forever, but I can say that I am enjoying her through every stage.

My philosophy in life is to "enjoy this stage of your life".  Single?  Embrace it! Get a trainer, get a pocketbook fetish, spend the day at the spa with your girlfriends!  Dating, but not married? Go away for the weekend, order the second bottle of wine! Have as much sex as possible!!  Engaged? Bask in the attention!  Spend time on the details! Enjoy the anticipation and excitement! Newlyweds?  Well, you get the idea.  Now that I have moved from several of these phases into wedded bliss and motherhood, I am enjoying this phase of my life too. As my weight creeps down, the enjoyment creeps up. I feel more alive, and like I am participating in my life. I no longer want to waste time being angry, ashamed, pissed off, hostile, etc. This is my life! I will never be this young ever again!  Powerful, huh?

It's heavy shit, but it's my journey. I strive to be the better person, the more generous, the friendlier, the giver, the gracious, the listener. The more I give of myself, the more I receive. It's what I truly believe. I am not taking about being a selfless doormat- no. I mean to really transcend the stupid and petty things that bother me and just live and be happy, and FEEL GOOD!

xoxoxo

A

PS- I can't believe I now have thirty followers! Thanks guys!

SUSHI?? SUSHI!!!!

Okay, so you may not get the reference from the title- Monsters, Inc. Anywhoozle. I ate 2 sushi rolls yesterday- spicy California roll, and spicy tuna. Lots of wasabi. Loved it.  At first, I thought I was going to be stuck- it sat there for about five seconds, but I slowed w   a   y down and got to enjoy my sushi.

The first thing that comes to mind is that I may not be restricted enough. The sushi was almost an experiment- it was a special occassion, and I really wanted it, but I know that many of you have problems with rice. The fact that I could eat two rolls was slightly disturbing, but I was full for the rest of the day.

I am getting another fill in two weeks- I will be sure to bring it up then. 

On another positive note- I am down two pounds so far this week. I am looking forward to continuing the downward trend, and now that the halloween candy and sushi are out of my system, I am back on track. My plan today is to DRINK MORE WATER!  I used to drink water constantly, but seem to have slowed down since I got banded.

Hope everyone is well, and looking forward to a great weekend!!

xoxox
A

Food, Glorious Food!

After a few missteps with the halloween candy, and the halloween candy, and did I mention the halloween candy, I am back on the wagon.

I have been ill the last couple of days- sore throat, headache, etc., and home with the halloween candy. I ate some. I didn't eat all of it, but it went down easy. I feel bad.

So, here's the good news and the bad news. Ready?? The good news is that I have lost 2lbs. The bad news is that I probably could have lost a lot more!!  Back on programme today (no, I am not British, but felt like spelling it that way!)

Today I started the day with a protien shake- always a good move for me. Starts me out right! I had a spinach and feta egg white omelete with rye toast and coleslaw. Ate more than I should have, but know I will not eat much for dinner now, so still feeling semi-virtuous.  My fill is there, but not stopping me from over eating. I have had one or two incidents where I thought I was pb'ing, but I think I was eating too fast.

Things to work on:
- Eat smaller bites
- Drink more water
- No water with meals
- No more candy

Okay. Feel better now.

xoxox
A