♕ajtexas♕

Such great ideas. We have become so lazy! It is time to Move It!!!

Floridays, you are one of my favorite friends here. You tell it like it is & I love that!!!! You helped me get to my goal and now that I enter the maintenance chapter of my journey I will be looking to you for guidance. I look forward to your blogs!

Oh I will try the insurance route first, but I am not holding my breath (I work for the state.....)

I was banded on February 7, 2012, ten months ago. So what has changed? Ten Months Ago Today Weight 250lbs Weight 175lbs BMI 37 BMI 25 Pant size 22 Pant size 10 3 different meds for high blood pressure Don’t take any meds for high blood pressure Diagnosed pre-diabetic All blood work is NORMAL Hated myself, depressed Very happy with myself! Isolated myself, no friends Love all my new friends (especially the Banded Bs) Couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath Walk up 8 floors of stairs to my office every morning When I started this journey I knew I would have to change a lot of things (food I ate, volume I ate, exercise, etc…), I knew it would be a long hard journey and I hoped I would have the strength to be successful. Now here I am ten months later, at goal and starting the next chapter of my journey (maintaining). I make it sound easy, but I have to say IT’S NOT! I struggled many times. I got frustrated and wished I didn’t have to follow the rules. I had weight gains and plateaus. BUT, I didn’t give up. I kept plugging along and it worked. Here I am happier than I have been in 30 years. Now, I am focused on maintaining my weight and hopefully saving enough money for a tummy tuck next year. Lol To all the newly banded or about to be banded, success is a wonderful thing. It takes hard work, dedication and wantpower (CG I love your term). I love my band!!!!

Be careful in your selection do not choose too young and take only such as have been reared in a good moral atmosphere. Some wives insist on keeping husbands in a pickle, while others put them in hot water. This only makes them sour, hard, and sometimes bitter. Even poor varieties may be made sweet and good by garnishing them with patience, well-sweetened with smiles and flavored with kisses to taste. Keep warm in a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with peaches and cream. When thus preserved, they will keep for years. This is from Carla Emery’s book The Encyclopedia of Country Living.

Yesterday my husband & I were at an extended family gathering and a few of the relatives commented on my weight loss (they had not seen me since my surgery). I was sitting at a table with one of the cousins and she was asking me about it. I told her I had the Lap Band surgery and she said her daughter was thinking about doing that. Her daughter was also at the table and said either that or the sleeve. We started talking about WLS and I expressed that it didn’t matter which WLS a person does, they have to change their eating habits in order to be successful. They have to eat a lot of protein and veggies, no junk food, etc. She said oh I don’t know if weight loss is worth all that……. WHAT?????? Is losing almost 75 pounds in 9 months’ worth it? YES Is going down 6 pant sizes worth it? YES Is being off all prescription medicines for high blood pressure worth it? YES Is not being pre-diabetic worth it? YES Is being able to walk up the stairs to the 8th floor of my office building every morning worth it? YES Is being able to push the lawn mower around my house worth it? YES Is hearing friends & family say how wonderful I look worth it? YES IS IT WORTH IT? HELL YES!!!!!

At work today I overheard two coworkers talking. They were talking about ME and my weight loss. Now these two ladies are quite overweight themselves. Just saying so you get the picture… “I can’t believe her” “She is always bragging about it to everyone who walks by” I casually walk over to them. “Ladies I couldn't help but hear you talking about my weight loss. I have lost a lot of weight over the last 9 months and people notice that. Often people will ask me what’s your secrete? or How did you do it? When they ask I tell them my story, and if telling my story is bragging then guilty as charged!” I then turned and walked away with my head held high and a big huge smile on my face. Now I happened to be wearing my new fuchsia pink skinny pants and my grey high heal boots that hubby said made me look sexy! (Fashion note) I though should I be pissed? Nah, I’m happy!!! If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap) If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

You are on your way, enjoy the journey!

I try to measure my food all the time. Not a problem when I'm at home, I use my food scale. But what to do when eating out like at family and friends? I was given this chart by my nutritionist, I find it very handy and wanted to share it with anyone interested servingcard7.pdf

I love the movie Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) with Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, it’s a must see so rent it if you've never seen it. This is one of my favorite scenes…… Just wanted to share it with everyone. I never get mad, Mrs. Threadgoode. Never! The way I was raised it was bad manners. Well, I got mad and it felt terrific. I felt like I could beat the sh*t outta all those punks! Excuse my language. Just beat 'em to a pulp! Beat 'em till they begged for mercy. Towanda, the avenger! After I wipe out all the punks of this world, I'll take on the wife beaters, like Frank Bennett, and machine gun their genitals. Towanda will go on the rampage. I'll put tiny bombs in Penthouse and Playboy... so they'll explode when you open 'em. I'll ban all fashion models who weigh less than 130 pounds. I'll give half the military budget to people over 65... and declare wrinkles sexually desirable. Towanda, righter of wrongs, queen beyond compare! How many of them hormones you takin', honey

Great blog. It's nice to learn more about my BB friends. You are an inspiration!

So my doctor wants me to change my mindset, think maintenance instead of weight loss… What does that mean? I am finally comfortable with my portion sizes and my band. I don’t get stuck or pb, I can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, I can eat any foods, I eat 1200 calories a day and I don’t feel hungry between meals. For me, it means nothing changes. I lost my weight with my band more on the loose side than the tight side and therefore my body will settle and I’ll stop loosing (that’s what my doctor says). Probably around the weight of 170-175 lbs. That’s the physical part, but what about the mental part? How does the head handle maintenance?? What if I can’t keep the weight off? What if I fail and gain weight back? I can’t fail; I've worked too hard to get here. But, what if??? Man, the head is my biggest obstacle. I have to get a hold of my thoughts. I know I can do this. Per my doctor, nothing has changed. I still have the same fill; I still eat my cup of food, 3-4 ozs protein, ½ cup veggies. I still drink my water. I still exercise. I am at goal and it’s just another number on the scale. I'm just at the next chapter in my banded lifestyle.

Ahh... my job is done! I feel so satified now...hehehe!

Better get a box of tissues. You will get there!!!

Banjo, are you singing?

The last few weeks I have seen several threaded where members have gotten heated with topics and each other… It made me realize that we are a family, a big huge family. We fight just like brothers & sisters, we have those annoying aunts and uncles (you know the ones) but most important is we love each other and support each other to the hill. We all have one goal and that is to be thin. We are very passionate about our goal; we fight and defend it to all ends. And I for one love that!!!! I love reading the tough love, slap on the hand, you know better posts. I also love reading the cheering you on, you can do it; I believe in you, you got this posts. I also love being able to post these types of posts to my brothers and sisters. I thank each and every one of you for your words…every word! I would not be where I am at today if it wasn’t for those words and the support I have received from everyone here. P.S. If the Sister Sledge song is stuck in your head…..my job is done. lol

Thanksgiving is next week and with that is the all too famous family dinner… I will have my band portion, 3-4oz of turkey, ½ green beans, sweet potatoes & carrots, ¼ cup stuffing. I will be first in line and first to sit down at the table (my family makes me go first cause it takes me longer to eat). I will take my small bite and chew chew chew, then I’ll wait about a minute. In the mean time I’ll watch as my family members take bites the size of Mt Everest, chew 3 times and swallow while preparing the next bite… “Did you taste that?” “Can you taste the juices in the turkey?” “What about the stuffing? Can you taste the pecans and bacon?” “Oh my, don’t forget to breathe…” Wow, do people eat fast? My family sure does! So, I eat and watch. Everyone is finished except me. I tell my mother to go ahead and serve dessert while I finish my meal. Again, they wolf it down. “Hey, savor the bites I spent hours in the kitchen making those pies. Enjoy them, please!” I finally finish my dinner as my mother and niece finish clearing the table. The men make their way into the living room moaning and groaning about how full they are….. Me I am satisfied! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Thanks everyone. Your support means the world to me!

I went shopping today for sweaters. It appears that I am cold a lot these days & I don’t have many long sleeve tops that fit. So I picked out a few tops and walked by the jeans…. Out of complete curiosity I picked out a couple of different style in size 10 (currently size 12). Holy Sh*t they fit!!!!! I was dancing around in that dressing room and laughing. I’m sure the attendee thought I was nuts (ok I know I am but that’s a different story). That explains why the size 16 pants that I wore today bugged me so much; they were 3 sizes too big. Wow I don’t even know how old I was the last time I was size 10, 9 maybe 10 years old?? I am so floored, I’m numb.

No really I am. I have to be otherwise I would enjoy it, right? I truly hate exercising! I’ve never liked going to the gym, it’s boring. I don’t like getting all hot and sweaty, out of breath; heart beating like it will explode out of my chest. Hated PE in school, I was always the last kid picked for the team…. But one of the necessities for successful weight loss is exercise regularly. How do I accomplish this? I started simple by: Parking at the back of the parking lots Turning on some music and dancing around my house. (Dogs got a kick out of this; they thought it was play time.) Took my dogs for walks around our property. (We live on acreage in the country.) Then I bought an inexpensive exercise bike that folds up and sits in the corner of my living room (This way I see it every day). When I watch TV in the evenings I get on the bike and ride. I started doing 10 minutes and worked up to 30 minutes. Now I’m working on increasing the intensity (ride faster). Next, I started moving more at work. I started using the bathroom on different floors (walking the stairs to the floors); and getting up from my desk a couple of times a day just to walk the stairs. So here I am still don’t like exercising but I do move! I no longer use the elevator at work (and I’m on the 8th floor!) and I ride my bike 30 minutes 3-5 times a week. It’s not a lot but as long as I’m doing something I’m seeing results.

Love yourself again A cup of food per meal Protein first Beginning of a healthy life Abide by your doctor’s orders No vomiting Don’t deprive yourself Satisfied Unfill when too tight! Clothes are too big! Confidence increases Exercise regularly Stay in contact with your doctor Support from family and friends

Ok CG dinner tonight isn't as yummy. Linguini & clam sauce with a green salad. Dinner is at 7, don't be late!

If your doctors office or hospital doesn't offer one you might start your own, meet at a coffee shop. In the mean time this forum is great support. Check in daily, I do. We will support you!

MsAnn, You are not alone. We are all here for you. Reach out to any one of us and we wil listen. We love you.

My venison tastes like beef. No game taste. Its good!!!