LoriPA

Hi all, Sorry I haven't checked in for a while; been busy with a lot of things both life and work-related. I have my second fill appointment coming up tomorrow morning; it probably won't be much if anything at all, since I've been losing quite steadily. I just reached the 70 pound mark (I am a little over being two months post-op, by the way)! I've also been having some wavering emotions; one time I am ecstatic about this new journey I am on and other times I get anxious about how things will really be once I hit goal weight, if people seem to be reacting differently toward me now--and I am still far from being the size of a supermodel! It just feels weird sometimes...or perhaps I am being irrational. Yesterday was a blast; I went to the Elizabeth Arden salon inside Macy's to have my hair cut and styled as a nice little treat for myself, then went the arts festival for awhile. Last evening I then hit the hiking trail then relaxed with some friends for a (decaf) coffee klatch for a few hours. I'll probably head back out on the trail again later if it doesn't rain; otherwise, I'll have to do my workout indoors. And the best part of all...I CAN FIT INTO A SIZE 18!

With Memorial Day weekend in full swing here in the US, there will be plenty of picnics happening around the country. As with any special event, picnics can either be a pitfall or a pleasure for people on special diets and even those of us that have had medical/surgical interventions. Some good ideas to keep in mind on enjoying a picnic without paying the price later: Mindless eating at picnics during Memorial Day weekend will kill a week's worth of weight loss for those who have had the LAP-Band surgical procedure (thanks for the info, Wendell!). Avoid potato chips and snack crackers at all costs. Those innocuous-looking little Snacks add up in calories. Hot dogs: Very high fat content, and if one really knew what was in them, well, let's just say they wouldn't be so appetizing. If you must have a hot dog, aim for the Hebrew National brand or some other Kosher hot dog. Burgers: Personally, I do not consume red meat, and for those other non-red meat eaters, both veggie and turkey burgers are excellent alternatives. Whatever you may choose, the burger has less calories without the bun...and overload of condiments. Ice cream: Another trap for fat and calories. Opt for the no-sugar kind, Italian ice, sorbet, or sherbet instead. Better yet, steer clear of it altogether. Alcohol: Empty calories. If you must drink, make sure you have a meal first and keep drinks to a minimum. Calories should go toward food. Sodas: Do you have any idea what is IN that stuff, besides a large load of sugar? Try a sugar-free alternative, or the better alternative, bottled Water. Cakes, chocolates, Cookies, and appetizers may taste good, but calories add up. Go for the green salads and veggie plates (avoiding the dip)for in-between meal munchies. Planning what you are going to have at a picnic and eating according to your meal plan are the best ways to avoid high-calorie pitfalls during a picnic, while enjoying yourself at the same time. Happy Memorial Day!

Today was weigh in. SHOCKER! Four more pounds down, and if that wasn't enough, two inches off my waist and SIX inches off my hips! Imagine that. Usually the butt is the last to go. LOL. I've been doing most of my walking and major working out in the evenings when it is cooler. My friends Dave and Andy told me this morning I am starting to "look hot." ROFL! They never fail to amuse me.

Just a quick check in, hoping everyone had a nice Sunday. It was a nice weekend here for me; I raised $380 for the Arthritis Walk yesterday and had a great time doing the three mile course. And wouldn't you know I was back out there today getting in an extra mile walk around the neighborhood. If someone told me this time last year I'd be doing something like this, I think I would have told them they were NUTS. Two weeks before I go for my second adjustment! I'm really going to watch my program these coming weeks, since I'm not feeling any restriction any longer. Hopefully I will with the next adjustment.

It got up into the low 80's here today, but somehow, I got in a one hour workout! A two-mile walk in 30 minutes and then strength training for another 30. I guess time flew while I was having fun. One thing nice about warm weather is that I am less inclined to eat, which I think is what may have caused me to have a doozy of a headache yesterday. I made sure to at least have a small snack today, and no more headache. Of course my blood sugar yesterday being only 68 didn't help matters any either. Good thing I had some Slim Fast snack bars around....and I'm having a bowl of Kashi right now to tide me over until Breakfast tomorrow. Lesson learned. The good part of all this? Being able to use a "normal" scale and tape measure again..and sitting in chairs with ARMS!

I got my first fill last Monday and it took a few days for it to "kick in" before I really felt a bit of difference. 1cc may not last too long at the rate I have been dropping weight, but by Saturday, I felt like I had a full turkey dinner just from eating a turkey sandwich. And that was with just two ounces of turkey on lite wheat bread!

Not really, but I have cut out a lot of things such as sugar, white breads, red meat, caffeine, and carbonated beverages, along with all the junk food, as well as weigh and measure most of my portions.

I've gotten to the stage where I will have a snack only when I am very hungry and water doesn't take off the edge. Other than that, I've pretty much gotten out of the snacking habit.

WARNING...NON-SCALE VICTORY (NSV) AHEAD! So I am out for my walk today, just going along, admiring the view of this beautiful day and minding my own business. Most of the walk was uneventful, outside of saying HI to a few people I would pass by here and there, until I made my way back home, a car came by and some TWENTYSOMETHING guy whistled out the window at me! ROFL. Wow, how long has it been since that has happened? I have no idea *grin*....but it certainly feels great! The funny thing was, I had nothing revealing or outstanding on...just a casual outfit of capris and matching top. Of course, they were a couple of sizes smaller. Heh.

I was taking Lodine for my knees pre-op, and also getting cortisone shots. I had my last shot April 25, and only get them on an as-needed basis now, whereas before, I got them every 6-8 weeks. Since being banded, I have been off Lodine, but have found a GREAT alternative in glucosomine and chondroitin supplements. You can find them at just about any vitamin store or pharmacy. And they don't irritate my stomach, either.

If I had to go through it all again, I certainly would! I should have done this years ago.

It hit in the 80s today and I ran the central A/C for the first time this year. I went out to walk and then stopped at Subway for dinner, where I had a veggie sub on wheat bread and some bottled water. Of course, I ended up bringing part of it home...imagine that. It will likely be tomorrow's lunch. Anyway, I got this uncomfortable feeling not long after I ate, like I was bloated or something. I had to look around for a remote spot where no one would be around, then let go this humongous belch like a truck driver after a large meal. Must have been all the veggies. Yikes. Thank goodness no one was around because it even startled ME.

I remember I had to make an appointment for a gall bladder ultrasound for a routine test. Anyway, I called my local hospital to set up the test; and when it came to giving my weight, it was "we can't do your test here, you are over the weight limit our table holds. You have to go to another hospital." They couldn't hold someone that was only FOUR POUNDS over the limit? :rolleyes What really chapped my behind was me wasting ten minutes on the phone only to be told I'd have to call somewhere else! Why didn't they tell me this stuff before wasting my time with the questions? Sheesh.

The only cookies I've bothered having in my house are fat free Fig Newtons. Everything else just spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

One of my favorite proteins is natural peanut butter. Like everything else, it has to be used in moderation, so no more than a tablespoon or two at a time.

http://www.myspace.com/lapbanderswithheart I found this page; it looks to be fairly new. I put in a request and was accepted as a "friend" right away.

Sizzling Stir Fry Ingredients: 3 cups broccoli, chopped 3/4 cup chicken broth, divided 1/2 cup chopped green onions 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 2 tablespoons chopped ginger 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 red bell pepper, halved, seeded and diced 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 pound boneless pork tenderloin, cut in strips, 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds To Prepare: Steam broccoli until bright green but still firm. Drain; rinse with cold Water to stop cooking; drain again. Combine 1/4 cup of the broth, the green onion, garlic and ginger in food processor and pulse until mixture is minced. Set aside. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large saute pan. Add onion and bell peppers; saute 5 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. Transfer to a bowl. Add remaining oil to pan over medium-high heat. Add broccoli mixture and saute for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add pork and soy sauce and saute for four minutes or until pork is nearly cooked. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of broth and bring to a boil. Add broccoli and stir until broccoli is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add onion and bell pepper back to pan. Divide between 4 plates and garnish with sesame seeds. Yield: 4 servings Nutritional Values: Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Protein: 36 g, Calories: 311 kcal. The Biggest Loser Cookbook

Well, today was the doctor visit, then I went to dancercise class. I was nervous about the first band adjustment today....at one point, I even went to the bathroom almost in tears, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be once the port was found and the saline went in. I was expecting this GIANT needle, but actually it wasn't that big...LOL. 1 cc of saline went in, which I didn't feel at all. I laughed later for being such a scaredy cat fool. And I lost three more pounds.:clap2: I go back June 4 for the second adjustment...I am on soft stuff today and tomorrow and then back to regular food. It's beautiful out today...I may go for a walk later after my (soft) dinner.

Just popping in for a bit to see how everyone is doing! Looks like it is going to be a fine weekend here, with lots of sunshine! I certainly couldn't pass it up today, so I went out this morning and did some walking ! Got to get toned up for the 19th, you know... Had a tasty grilled chicken salad for a late lunch; talk about feeling satisfied! The thing was so big, I think I'll be able to get three meals out of it. Heh. Wow...what a contrast from the days a medium pizza would last only one meal.

Fiber, Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients * Are high in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds, such as vitamins A and E and beta carotene * May help reduce the risk of heart disease and other health conditions * Are low in calorie density, meaning you get a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories * Are readily available Apples Almonds Blueberries Broccoli Red Beans Salmon Spinach Sweet Potatoes Vegetable juice Wheat Germ

WI this week was a pound lost, but enough to get me to the 50 pound mark! I go for my first "fill" Monday morning, so I think the doctor is going to be pleased with what she sees when I go in. Of course, since the weather here has gotten nicer, I've been able to do a bit more of this , which is always great. AND...I was even able to pass up all the junk food at the tenant council meeting last night by taking my bottled Water and a Special K Cereal bar with me instead. Cookies just don't appeal to me any more for some reason.....

I'll be just past six weeks when I go for my first fill next Monday. I'm still losing a bit, but not as quickly as I initially was.

Well, my WI is usually Thursday, and curiosity killed the cat, but something told me to get on the scale this morning, even though I only planned to measure myself for some new jeans. I am officially back in TWO-terville (well, a few pounds below the mark, heh)! I am going to start stepping up the workout a little, increasing exercise from 20 to 30 minutes and two mile walks to three in May. I feel an incredible difference already just in the past six weeks since surgery. Who would have though in early March when I could barely move and on crutches I would progress this far? Right now I need to break up Feline Championship Wrestling before two of my cats kill each other.

Well, I went and did it on Friday--I signed up to walk in this year's Arthritis Walk. It's funny. I can't remember the last time I've done charity walks of any kind; I know it's been years. I used to do the March of Dimes ones every year when I was in school, and then a couple of times for the animal shelters later on before I got really big and then my knees got messed up, then of course I had to quit. Now I really feel like getting back into the swing of things again. There's a one-mile and three-mile option; I am going to go for the three-mile one. I've been walking more often and working out about 30 minutes a day now to prepare myself for the day (the walk is May 19)...and if it rains, well, phooey on that--I'll just take my umbrella!

My PMS symptoms became a lot less severe after I was banded. I also no longer have as painful cramping as I did before. My cycles also seem to be a little lighter. Sex drive? Meh. Not much change there.