Sunday, July 31, 2011

Kids say the most interesting things

Last night we went to the "Symphony in the Park" put on in my town.  It was a great event with tons of things for the kids to do prior to the concert and very enjoyable music once the concert began.  Anyhoooooooooo, as we were leaving I was answering some questions my 7 year-old son had about the patriotic song tribute the orchestra put on at the end of the concert.  We were talking about the different branches of the military, what kinds of jobs military personnel have, how fortunate we are to have them, and why our country needs and appreciates those serving  in the military.

My son says:  "mom, I don't think I want to be in the military when I grow up-- it sounds like a really hard job.  I think I will get an easy job......like a doctor."  (I got a giggle out of that one.)  I think he's right though.

For all of you out there who have friends and family in the military, THANK YOU.  I appreciate everything these young men and women do to keep us safe and able to live a wonderful life in the USA.  I know I am not alone in this sentiment.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Buyers Remorse

Well, happy one-month band-a-versary to me!  The 'happy' part is a lie though.  I am one month out from surgery and have been at a plateau for two weeks...yes, you read that right, TWO WEEKS.  Now, prior to surgery, I did do some work on my "eating issues," pretended to have the band so I  followed the "rules" and followed the pre-op diet seriously.... I lost 25 lbs. in 6 months.  (I still have a good 45 lbs. to lose)  Not earth shattering weight loss but it was better than the alternative.....losing nothing and staying obese.

I somehow believed with the virtual calorie defict I was accruing the first few weeks post-op, that I would lose like 10-15 lbs this first month.  (Maybe I was delusional but based on what all of your blogs said about your first month, I didn't think that was too crazy!)  Nope, I lost 6.  I was down to 10 lbs and then started eating like 800 or 1000 (note sarcasm here) calories and my body just said "hey, let's hold on to these!"  I started my period 8 days early, and continued to spot until 2 days ago.  Clearly, something is going on.

The bottom line:  it's hard not to be frustrated when this should be my "big weight loss month" and it's just not.  Have you seen my exercise ticker?????  I am working like a crazy person and the damn scale just refuses to budge.  (btw: my surgeon says I am "doing fine" and "right on track"-- first fill won't be until the 23rd of August.  Ugh!!!!)

I think I want my money back.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Dancing Shoes!

 
I started tap class last night....yep, tap.  Here is my background into my serious dance training:

I took tap when I was like 6 years old for 8 weeks.  I took tap again back in 1989 or 1990 in college.  You can see where this is going right?

Here I am starting up tap again.  Do I know the moves?  Nope.  Can I make all the sounds with my shoes?  Nope.  Was I laughing like crazy last night when I couldn't get a combination?  YEP! 

It's good for my brain to try and do the combinations & it's good for me to do something just for me.  (I did even break a sweat....I think because the room was hot, not because we were working so hard.)  I needed new tap shoes because the ones from 1989 and pre-kids were soooooo tight.

I also bought Zumba shoes...kind of frivolous but I have been wanting them for a year.  Since it's summer and I am off work, I am able to go to a few Zumba classes a week instead of just Saturday morning.  I think the shoes will make me want to workout harder...........right??  ha ha!  Also, If I am going to be in the front of the class exercising (see yesterday's post) then I better be workin' it.

This is the year I make ME a priority.

p.s. do I get to count my "tap class" minutes on my exercise ticker??

Have a good one!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Trying something new

I took the advice of the super successful LapBandGal today.  A few weeks ago she blogged about making herself go to the FRONT of the room for Jazzercise or Zumba.  She said that being in the front makes her work harder....she might just have something there.

Now I love to exercise (don't be annoyed) but I NEVER, I repeat, NEVER stand in the front of the room.  I don't want to have to look at myself in the mirror, I don't want the people behind me to have to see my fat jiggle, I really don't know the moves that well, and I am usually sucking wind.  That said, this morning I got to the gym early for Zumba and picked a spot way up in the front.  I didn't know the moves well, my fat was jiggling, I only glanced at myself in the mirror a few times, & I was sweating..........BUT I did work hard because the teacher was right there...I couldn't hide and half-ass it.  She kept making eye-contact so I had to smile and try and put my all into it.

Darn it....I guess I should always go to the front.

Monday, July 25, 2011

What I have told my kids

I have two kids, ages five and seven.  They have gone with me to a few appointments over the last 6 weeks or so while I was getting ready for surgery.  I explained to them that something isn't quite right with mommy's tummy and the doctors are going to fix it.  (I stayed in the hospital for 24 hours so they knew something was up.)

Now that I am about a month out from surgery, they see that my incisions are healing up, I can go swimming, and start eating "real food."  My son did announce at dinner that "I am eating more than Mom, how is she going to grow?"  My husband and I just laughed but told him that my tummy doesn't want me to have too much food...it can only handle a little at a time or I will start having problems again.

Does that seem like an appropriate amount of information to give them?  What did you tell your kids?

Friday, July 22, 2011

The band goes on vacation

I am on a trip with my very best friends. I packed for all the activities we are going to do and I packed for any food situation. Being that I am still on purred and soft food stage I wanted to make sure that I would have something in my purse and in our hotel fridge so that I will make good choices. (Plus it doesn't help to have  anxiety if we go out to eat and there isn't something friendly on the menu.)

Well, at one point we went to Subway.... I was a little nervous.  The girls I was with know that I got the band but this was really my first food situation I had to deal with.  I just figured that I would get soup of the day  if it was "post-op friendly" type.  (The employee laughed when I asked what soup they had...granted it was 109 degrees out but I did have a valid question.)  They didn't have soup so I just drank the protein drink in my purse.

Soooooo--what did you do to be prepared for "band friendly" food when you are out and about and new to eating with the band?  Did you (or do you) have a "go to" item on the menu or something to eat that you always travel with in your purse?

Sunday, July 17, 2011

I know it's too early to be frustrated but....

Here I am two and half weeks post-op and things were moving right along on the scale.  I hit -10 lbs. and then jumped up 3 on the day I started my period.  That's where I have stayed.  Now, normally I would NOT complain about losing 7 lbs. in 2 1/2 weeks BUT everyone says they lost the most the first month after surgery.  I keep looking at my food journal....I am only eating around 800 calories.....how can I NOT be losing any pounds????  I thought maybe I wasn't eating enough so today I am trying for 1000 or 1200 calories to see if that helps.  (Prior to surgery, I was trying to eat between 1200-1400 cal per day and was able to lose 25 lbs. over six months.  Now I am having less and nada........)

Can anyone explain this????

Friday, July 15, 2011

BYOC

It’s Friday so that means it’s BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy! We answer questions today in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break. Copy and paste to your own blog if you so desire…and ENJOY!!

1. Let’s do something crazy….I’m going to list the rainbow colors and you type the first FOOD item that pops into your head that symbolizes that color for you…..here’s mine:


Red – strawberries
Orange – sweet potato
Yellow – squash
Green – salad
Blue – jello (my kids are always asking me to buy the blue kind.....why?  is blue a flavor?)
Purple – grapes...seedless of course
Brown – steak (can you tell the pureed diet is getting to me?????????????)
Black – oreos


2. What is on your kitchen table right now?

magazines, pencil box full of school supplies, some legos, a crumpled napkin.  Oh yes, you can see that I run a tight ship over here.  I am a picture of tidiness---well two kids will do that to a person.  Note the sarcasm.

3. What movie do you watch again and again and again? Not like what movie have you seen 5 times…but like what movie have you seen 30 times or more?

When Harry Met Sally, Sliding Doors, While You Were Sleeping---  I can't pick one.

4. If Satan had a last name – what would it be?




Satan is sooooooo busy, he doesn't even have time for a last name.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blogland and in real life.

Blogland:  really need to wrote on my own blog more, very inconsistent, but I do keep checking up on everyone else!

Real life:  Feeling great and about 98% like my old self now that I am 15 days post-op.  I did hit  
- 10 pounds since surgery and then started my (.) a week early.  Hmmmmm.  Hopefully, that -10 will still be there.

Lots of activities with the kiddos and their friends.  We started "summer school" at my house...really it's just 15 minutes of bridge work for the fall but I try to make it fun and use a funny name & voice, the kids seem to like it enough to get whatever I assign done.  Did lots of chores and laundry.  Went to the pool and water park.  Saw my surgeon today....says my port is just in a "perfect spot" for accessibility.  (Damn, who knew I would waste all of my overachieving on my port healing nicely???  I was holding out for the weight loss portion)

Have a good weekend!!!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

When will the stage one diet end????

Ok, I am happy that I made it to the other side. I am thrilled that my BFF and husband have taken amazing care of me. I am excited to start this new phase of life by taking care of me and getting as fit and healthy as I can at 40.

BUT
I am so tired of mashed potatoes, cream soup, yogurt, jello and protein drinks.  I am not getting enough calories in because it takes all of my common sense to make myself eat.   (I have lost 6 lbs. in this short time but come on.........)  Do I just have to suffer until I get to stage 2 in a few days?
Any suggestions?

Friday, July 8, 2011

Now we are talkin

I am now 9 days post-surgery and finally starting to feel like myself.  I am getting back some of my energy and eating a little more....I think the two are related!  My tummy really started to feel great yesterday around the port EXCEPT that I get this crazy nerve pain.  Oh yes, nerve pain.  No rhyme or reason to when and why it zaps me but I literally CAN NOT move or breath when it is aggrievated.  Only hit like 4 times so far today and I'll take it.  I think that my insides are moving around and as the settle in to their new positions something was putting pressure on something else.  (Oh yes, so much technical medical jargon you can hardly keep up huh!!)

Anyone have any ideas?? I don't see the doctor until next Friday & I hope it's gone by then.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

3 Days Post-op

Here I am.... banded. I am just three days since surgery.  Recovery is not that bad.  Day 1: was pretty good, stayed overnight in the hospital.  Day 2:  I think I did too much walking.  Day 3: Just hanging at home.  I've napped, watched tv, done the stairs a few times, took a shower.  I think things will just get easier each day. Trying hard to get in my liquids and food in TINY TINY sips at a time.

I am starting to burp and fart though....is this normal?