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Your Fired

Friday I came home from work and my yard was not done, see I am the last yard of the week. So I am thinking after years of having my yard done, because I was too FAT to do it myself. I figured if I can walk 2.5 miles, I can mow my own yard. So I fired the yard crew and got the mower out and mowed. This may seem like a simple task to many but since I was so FAT I could not do it without it taking me hours since I would have to mow a little and rest a lot, mow a little and rest a lot. When I mowed I edged, fertilized, and killed the bugs while I was out there. I did everything in 2.5 hours on a Friday night after working all day and walking 2.5 miles at lunch. Boy I love the LB. More money saved since I was spending $200 a month for yard care, add this to the $400 I am saving in food and I will take a nice vacation this year.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

5
 

You can eat well, with good food, that is healthy for you

Well, I am almost 4 weeks post LB and life has for the most part returned to normal, other than the food which is better. I am still not hungry and have no problem going all day one the one meal and a shake or two, no snacks, not treats. Today I even made brownies for a friend and never even tasted them. That is how not hungry I am, not bad for someone who has not had a fill. I continue to treat myself good and my meals are good. I am eating wisely, tonight I had grouper and crab. I bought one Grouper fillet which will do two meals and used the last of my crab. Seasoned it with Old-bay and some other spices and pan seared it in a little butter and pancheta drippings (hoped I spelled that right). I am learning what I always knew but failed to practice. You can eat well, with good food, that is healthy for you. OK the butter and pancheta drippings could have been left out but the point I am making is I am eating good food and loving it. Thanks LB. I did get brought back to Earth yesterday when I moved 3 small plants that were in my home office outside, I felt it in my mid-section for the rest of the day. But this morning no issues.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Will it ever stop raining

It has rained none stop for the past two day, this use to not bother me. I would just get a gallon of ice cream and all my favorite foods and cook, eat, and sleep for two days. But now, I have energy, I want to do things. First it messes up my walks, you have to walk and exercise to loss weight. You can't get a LB and set on the couch, your energy level won't let you do that. In group this week we had two groups, the groups that exercise and loses weight and the group that does not and complains that they are not losing it very fast, if at all. They are also the ones that said they cheat more often than the other group. But don't worry, I am not talking about being a gym rat. I am talking about returning to a normal life, doing things, going to the park, museums, malls, things you avoided before. You know like working in the yard cleaning the garage. Anyway back to me, on Friday I forgot to eat, I had two protein shakes and then missed dinner. Just forgot, amazing. Yesterday I had one protein shake and for dinner I cooked a tuna steak and two crab cakes for me. Remember I am treating myself well. I also cooked a steak and mashed potatoes for the other half. I did eat 3 bits of steak, the first beef I had had since LB. Wanted to know if I could eat it, and yes it was very good. I ate my two small crab cakes and a few bites of tuna and I was done. All together maybe 6 ounces. That seems to be my max. Hope this helps you as much as it helps me.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

What a difference two weeks makes

Two weeks ago today I had my LB. Now I am treating my scars with Mederma and pretty much life has returned to normal other than I am still off work, won't go back till the 13th, (I have great benes). Today I begin to incorporate LB into my life, I bought a container for my counter to put my protein shake mix in, yes my doctor is a fan of the shakes past recovery. I made room in my spice cabinet for my supplements and made room for my scale. The interesting thing is I still have no desire for food. Two weeks ago that was all I thought of. Tomorrow I see the doctor for the first post-op check-up. I will update after that visit. If you are thinking about this surgery, stop thinking and do it. I believe I am down about 30 pounds, but will give the official weight tomorrow.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Well, I am at a standstill and I know why..

It has been too hot to walk like I was walking and it has slowed down my weight loss.I really need to be down another 15 pounds by the last week of July for my Vegas trip, self imposed goal. Anyway I will continue on and I am not discouraged, I know it will continue to come off if I don't cheat and work my band like my company works me (not a complaint, glad to have a job). The 4th of July will be different, instead of me grilling, drinking and eating. I will be chill-in. I did buy a brisket for a friend to cook for me, don't know if I can eat it, but will give it a try. Chopped up in the food processor a quarter cup at a time. I have just now begun to get a little solid food down since my tragic chicken episode last week. I also bought another chicken today, took it off the bone and chopped it to shreds, then shredded it with a fork. Maybe and just maybe I will be able to eat some of it. No worries if I don't eat no big deal. I also think my lack of food has stalled my weight loss. Happy 4th of July to everyone.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Un-eventful Week

It was really just an normal week. Nothing major to report since getting stuck on Monday. I have been very careful since then and I did eat my steak after a few days and had no issues. I am only down a few pounds since my last update, I guess I am at another terrible plateau , hate it when I am not losing. I wanted to be down to a certain weight by my Vegas trip and only time will tell, but as it looks now, that goal is going to be hard fought. That is something else I want to point out, you have to set realistic goals each month then make it happen, either by increasing your exercise or decreasing your food. Since it is just too hot for me to go out and walk like I was I have decreased my food intake. I am shooting for about 800 calories a day as opposed to my normal 1000. I know I can make this work and you have to work this band.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Twp Months Post-Op and the old jeans are now in the garage sale

I had my LB on March 16th so it seems fitting on May 15 to let everyone know, I have gone from a tight 46inch to a comfortable 42inch. I have added my 46's to the garage sale pile along with the belts I can no longer wear. Life is good going down. I am so much more active, I have not had a migraine since LB, I have not even taken any headache medicine, pepcid, rolaids, etc. Maybe the LBer's are contributing to the global recession. less food, less clothes, less everything. Life is good going down.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Two full weeks, life is good

Today is the completion two weeks. I cooked my first LB meal today. Cooked some ground turkey, with a little beef and tomato bullion, then added some tomato soup. Had another good day, I did not bandage my wounds today since there has not been bleeding for the past two days. I am really trying to move on with my life and "Life is Good". Food is not longer the center of my life, I use to plan the weekend on where I would go to eat and what I would cook, now that is not even a thought. Not to mention my food/dining bill has basically ended. Let's see my shopping list was Silk Light Soy Milk, Special K protein Water mixes, and some 2% string cheese. I get my protein shake mix from the doctor "Chike" it is good. I plan to continue two shakes and one meal a day till I get my weight off. I am still not exercising enough, that will come with time.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Two days post-op

I have completed my second day post-op without any issues. I don't feel bad, I just don't feel good. I am moving around more and more so that is a good sign. I don't know how much of that is because of the hernia repair, but all in all I think I am doing good. I am drinking broth, water and Gatorade. No hunger, in fact I have to make myself drink the broth. I have not taken a shower yet, even though I was told I could. Just not enough energy. I am down about 20lbs since I begin the pre-op diet. Thanks to everyone.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Today was a defining moment

Usually on Saturday nights I have steak. It's just what I do. Well as usual I went and got a couple of nice filets today from The Fresh Market. Cooked them up tonight and even though I cut mine in the size of a pencil eraser and chewed, chewed, chewed. It would not go down. I guess my days of eating steak are over. But I will try again tomorrow. On a positive note, I did walk my 5 miles at 6am this morning, mowed the yard ( and that was with a push mower) planted some plants and worked in the yard the rest of the day. Guess you know why I wanted a steak. I ended up drinking a protein shake. Guess that last fill really did the trick.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Three Days post band

Good news to report today. I was able to sleep in the bed some last night, only about two hours at a time,then I would have to get up and walk around to get the gas off my stomach. But this is a huge improvement and I feel much better today. Yesterday evening I begin to belch a lot and begin taking Mylanta. Not sure it is working but it helps, yesterday the belching was painful today not so much. I was also about to go to the bathroom for the first time since the band. So it looks like by body is beginning to adjust and get back into the norm. The best news of all is this morning my scale was below 300lbs for the first time in a long time. :sneaky: My abdomen no longer hurts like it did the first couple of days when I would get up and down out of the chair. Looks like a brand new day to me....
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

This is going to sound odd

This morning I ordered a heavy duty rolling clothes rack, I know bazaar. But I need something to start moving my old clothes out. Everything I put on is too large and I have to get them out of here. So I ordered a rolling rack, remember I have years of FAT clothes all the way up, but this time if I can't wear it out it goes as I am very confident that I will never be that size again. Once it gets here if I try on something and it is too big it can go straight to the rack. Then out to the garage sale or charity. The LB has changed my life....Alos let me note that my restriction is holding, it is only liquids for me at this point. It is strange when your turned off by food, because you know what will happen if you eat it. LOVE IT!
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

These boots are made for walking

On Tuesday, I did a half mile. Yesterday I did a mile and a half. Today two miles, mind you this is on my hour lunch. Plus I came home and worked in the yard for two hours. Beats coming home to nap. Also even though I do not have a fill, I reached my full level today. If you read my blog, I am eating turkey patties and some turkey each night for dinner, I only have one meal. Today I had my patty, it was a little bigger than the others but not by much and I ate some turkey, well about half way though my turkey, I was full had that bad feeling in my stomach. You know with turkey you can feel it go though the stoma, well I reached a point that no more would go through. I got right up threw the rest away and begin walking to help ease the pain. Then begin belching and now all is good. Mind you this was just one turkey patty, I get four out of a pound of turkey and a slice of turkey breast and I eat with an appetizer fork so I won't eat too much. I may never need a fill. :smile2: I have not noticed much weight loss this week, but the inches are coming off, I now wear my belt on the last inside notch as opposed to the first notch. If your large get a LB.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

The immersion blender is my new "Best Friend"

I have struggled since my fill last week getting any solids down. You read where I tried steak. Last night it was ground turkey, still had major issues, took me an hour to eat then an hour at the sink getting it back up. Not much fun. So today I turned my ground turkey into chili, then hit it with the immersion blender till it looked like red apple sauce. At that point I had no issues consuming about a cup, maybe more. Since it was the first real food I have had in days I did not mind going over a little. I know this tightness will loosen up, but for now I will say I can't imagine having another fill. It is all about working the tool and I would say that is what I am doing. Best to all of you for reading my rants, Greg
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Still doing GREAT

I am still on track and doing great. I have stayed the course and not even thought about cheating. I am still walking two miles everyday and working in the yard. I am still sleeping better than ever and while I don't have tons of energy I feel good for the most part. I am getting between 700-900 calories a day, but after speaking to the nutritionist after feeling weak on day, I may need to boost it to around 1000 calories a day. Weight has slowed down as far as coming off, but did I really expect to continue losing 5 pounds per week, well maybe hoping. Still eating the same thing, food no longer seems to b the issue in my life. I will be glad in a year when I can blog that I have lost my weight.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Second day back at work and I walked during lunch

I am slow to get to the exercise due to my hernia surgery, but today I walked during lunch. Maybe only did a mile, maybe less, but I walked. Now that the weather is getting nice I will do this everyday during lunch. The walk did me good, when I got home I was able to go piddle around outside for 1.5 hours before I came in and had my turkey patty and a piece of turkey breast. I could feel the turkey breast go down and then slide through, not such a good feeling, maybe I should stick to the ground turkey. Anyway this is one month and one day past surgery and I already feel so much better, and look so much better. I do not have to come home and take a nap after work, and not worrying about food is great. I want to tell all the people who are like me, large, have you thought about a LB. Wish this was around when I was 30.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Planning for the week

I go back to work tomorrow after a month off and am planning for my meals. Breakfast before I go in each day will be a Chike Protein Shake, lunch will be a Slim fast 20 gram protein shake, I will take 3 waters and two Special K protein Packets, 5g each ( that in itself will give me 58g of protein). I am cooking 4 turkey burgers, which I made out of a one pound package of Italian ground turkey, which I binded with some southwest Eggbeaters, and I am also cooking one of those JenneO Turkey breast in a bag. Easy, Easy, Easy. This should cover me through next Saturday. I wanted to have good food prepared and ready to go, so I won't eat bad food. Everything else is going well. I find it very interesting that I now can eat for week for less than I use to spend to eat a day. I guess my food budget is about $25 a week now. I will still treat myself well, since I eat so little I am going to make sure what I eat is the best. Yesterday I got so busy, that I forgot to eat dinner, so the Grouper I cooked on Friday will be my dinner tonight.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Packing for Vegas

I started packing for Vegas today, I leave next Sunday. I have packed enough Muscle Milk Light to cover my protein needs each day. I know sometimes when you fly you tighten up, and if I was any tighter (well perhaps I should not use that phrase). If you have any suggestions for me on my trip please chime in. At least my food bill in Vegas should be next to nothing.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

OMG what a fill

I had my second fill yesterday and it was only an increase of .4cc, but what a difference. I went from being able to eat steak on Saturday night to having to drink my water slow. Tonight I tried some chicken noodle soup, I thought I was going to die. I slimed big time and PB'ed forever but it did go down as opposed to coming up. I guess I have to slow down even more and maybe be on clear liquids for a few day. I AM NOT COMPLAINING, I would love to be at my sweet spot on the second fill, but that might be just a dream.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Officially 53.5

OK, I am not at my official self impossed goal to be down 60 pound in week 11 post-op. But I am close.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

News Flash****now down 70 pounds****

OK, I have really been struggling since my last fill. On Tuesday I tried to eat some chicken and it got stuck, by Wednesday I could barely get water down. Yesterday I was able to drink some water and a little broth. I spoke with my Dr. and he offered to do a un-fill. But I am going to hold out for now, as long as I can get water and broth I am good. I hope it will loosen up in a few day, may have some swelling due to being stuck. I was at a good spot and don't want to regress. The good news is I am now down 70 pounds in 3.5 months. Keeping the faith...
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

New Toy must have for the LB and it's free

Last week in group one of the ladies talked about The Daily Plate which is now located on Livestrong. I had been tracking my calories manually in a spreadsheet, not much fun. Well on The daily Plate you can track what you eat, when you eat, and your exercise. It is just awesome, since I am trying to stay around the 1000 calories a day. it is so easy and has food by the brand. I will soon be adding a link so you can see what I eat. Also I still continue to walk when it is not raining. Will write again soon, gotta run.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Much better now and that was so odd

My last post I talked about how hungry I was and I cheated. It was so weird, the next day I was fine and this weekend I forgot to eat some meals. I scheduled a fill for tomorrow, that is number two. But I am off my plateau and lost another 5 pound. Will update my ticker after I get my fill so I will have an official weight. I walked and worked in the yard all weekend, I have so much energy now. Each week it gets better. I cooked sea bass and that is very very good, I also had a steak Saturday night without issue. You can really eat good with the LB if you work at it. Hope everyone is doing great.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Much Better Day

I am having a good day, I went to Walmart and did a little shopping. I had someone with me to do all the bending, loading, etc. I just pointed and paid :thumbup:. I wanted to get some soups since I did not have any. I got tomato, cream of chicken, and cream of mushroom. I plan to begin adding these in slowly. I also got numerous pureed fruits for next weeks when I am on mushes. There was a good sugar free selection from Mott's and some creamed potatoes. I have a group meeting at Dr. Luttrell's on Thursday and actually looking forward to it. Then I have my first follow-up with him on Tuesday. I am approved till April 13th so I will have a full month to cover. This is very good. I really felt for the people who had to go back to work on Monday, I don't think that was a possibility for me. But again, I had hernia surgery as well. My swelling has gone down yet one of the incisions is still bleeding just a spot. Other than that the incisions look well. I guess when the hair grows out no one will ever know. I have not lost any additional weight but am doing good to get in 500 calories a day. I need more protein to create weight loss. I am so glad I shaved in advance, one of the guys in Men of March (Men's Room) is having to treat the rash caused by the shaving. I am sleeping better and that is very good. I got so little sleep the first week. Hope these post help. I know they helped me.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Like a bad date the hunger has finally arrived

For those who have read my blog, I have been very proud that I did not have to go through Bandster Hell and have not had a fill and this is post-op+ 8 weeks. Well a couple of nights ago I got very hungry and had to have another protein shake and each day since it has been an issue. I went from eating 700 calories a day to forcing 1000 to keep from getting weak. Now I am around 1500 a day. The only thing that changed is my increased exercise. That might be driving my hunger. But I did not wait, the next morning I picked up the phone and called the Doctor's office and I will get my first fill next Tuesday at 11:15am. That is how it is going to roll, I paid good money or at least the part the insurance did not cover for this band and I plan to use it to it's fullest. If I need a fill, I will get one. Trust me the money I save on food each month will more than pay for my fill. And for those who take satisfaction that I need a fill, I also slimed and PB'ed today because when I am hungry I eat too fast. I may be doing more of that once I get a fill.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
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