Ollie123

I just confirmed a week's vacation with my hubby, son and daughter to spend Thanksgiving on the beach this year. This will be unusual for me as I usually host the big family dinner with 30 plus people and enough food to feed 60 which results in a 4 day feeding frenzy. I'm glad we're doing something a little less traditional this year as I hope to break some of my Holiday habits...gaining 5-10 pounds. What do I plan to do in Daytona? Swim, walk the beach, ride bicyles, dancing at night clubs, Christmas shopping, anything that requires me to be active. My goal will be to burn off any daily calories that are not necessary (ice cream, alcohol) and continure to lose weight while I'm there. I have approximately 130 days to get my body ready for a skimpy swimsuit. Will I be a size 8? No.... But I'll look damn good in a size 12! :thumbup: P.S. I have officially walked 100 miles since the first week in June and have ridden 48 miles on my bike. I feel so much stronger than I did 2 months ago.

Today I accomplished a major milestone for me. I rode my bike to work with was over 8 miles. It took me approximately 45 minutes with one stop for a drink of water. I really didn't think I could do it. First, I tried to talk myself out of it thinking I'd be too sweaty, and look terrible all day at work which is not optimal at my job. Then one of my co-workers rode and challenged me to. I'm a sucker for a challenge so this morning I woke up, took a shower, packed my backback with a knit dress that wouldn't wrinkle and a pair of sandals. Threw in my blow dryer and curling iron, deoderant, mascara and lipgloss and took off with wet hair under my bike helmet before I could talk myself out of it. The ride was amazing! I had no idea there were so many people on the trail at 6:30 in the morning? Who knew? I passed joggers, walkers, fellow bikers, the running team from a local highschool, a mommy with baby in tow. It made me feel so alive. Just about the time I hit the downtown area I ran into some mud but with a washcoth in my backback I was set. I'm sitting here at my desk looking quite strapping in my sundress, sandals and curled hair. Who knew I could go lean and green and have a little fun too. Loving my exercise even if the pounds aren't dropping as fast as I'd like... Ollie

Today I accomplished a major milestone for me. I rode my bike to work with was over 8 miles. It took me approximately 45 minutes with one stop for a drink of water. I really didn't think I could do it. First, I tried to talk myself out of it thinking I'd be too sweaty, and look terrible all day at work which is not optimal at my job. Then one of my co-workers rode and challenged me to. I'm a sucker for a challenge so this morning I woke up, took a shower, packed my backback with a knit dress that wouldn't wrinkle and a pair of sandals. Threw in my blow dryer and curling iron, deoderant, mascara and lipgloss and took off with wet hair under my bike helmet before I could talk myself out of it. The ride was amazing! I had no idea there were so many people on the trail at 6:30 in the morning? Who knew? I passed joggers, walkers, fellow bikers, the running team from a local highschool, a mommy with baby in tow. It made me feel so alive. Just about the time I hit the downtown area I ran into some mud but with a washcoth in my backback I was set. I'm sitting here at my desk looking quite strapping in my sundress, sandals and curled hair. Who knew I could go lean and green and have a little fun too. Loving my exercise even if the pounds aren't dropping as fast as I'd like... Ollie

OMG! I had forgotten how fun it is to get on your bike and just ride. No destination, no goal, just cruise. I now have the energy to bike for a hour at a time which can take you miles from home. Each time I hit a hill I have to count to 20, over and over again to make it to the top but with each wheel rotation I can feel the calories burning and my heart getting stronger. I found this website that helps you find bike paths in your community and can chart your progress, count the calories you've burned etc.. MapMyRide.com | My Training So if you are like me... Dig out your bike from the back of the garage, find the helmet, pump up the tires and get out and ride. Ollie

You should be able to create a profile including your weight, height age etc.. to get an accurate burn rate. Good luck. Ollie

I'm in for July's exercise challenge. I will walk 2 miles average everyday in the month of July. I have already walked 16 miles as of July 7 and biked 20 miles. Good luck everyone! Ollie

MapMyRide.com | My Training This is a great resource for bike trails all over the world. Also has a great training module to keep track of how far you've gone. See you on the trails!

OMG! I had forgotten how fun it is to get on your bike and just ride. No destination, no goal, just cruise. I now have the energy to bike for a hour at a time which can take you miles from home. Each time I hit a hill I have to count to 20, over and over again to make it to the top but with each wheel rotation I can feel the calories burning and my heart getting stronger. I found this website that helps you find bike paths in your community and can chart your progress, count the calories you've burned etc.. MapMyRide.com | My Training So if you are like me... Dig out your bike from the back of the garage, find the helmet, pump up the tires and get out and ride. Ollie

I really haven't felt like entertaining for a very long time but I'm raring to go again. Now that my energy level is back up and I've actually cleaned every nook and cranny in my house let the entertaining begin! We plan to have two couples over for the 4th. Planning a menu that's perfect for me appears to be easier than I thought. My hubby plans on grilling brats and chicken breasts. A great fresh salad and slurpy watermelon sounds perfect with a couple of lemonade martinis. I also now fit into summer clothes that I had tucked away because they were too small. I tried on a sundress and it zipped up with little struggle. Yes, losing weight is good. :wink:

Hi Cherie- Sorry you had a hard day but it does get better. I took boxed sugar free jello to work with me everyday and would make it in the morning and it would be ready by 3pm when I needed a little something to get me through the rest of the workday. I will be in Las Vegas August 9-15 for a convention and will not be looking forward to the heat! Take care of yourself, Ollie

I really haven't felt like entertaining for a very long time but I'm raring to go again. Now that my energy level is back up and I've actually cleaned every nook and cranny in my house let the entertaining begin! We plan to have two couples over for the 4th. Planning a menu that's perfect for me appears to be easier than I thought. My hubby plans on grilling brats and chicken breasts. A great fresh salad and slurpy watermelon sounds perfect with a couple of lemonade martinis. I also now fit into summer clothes that I had tucked away because they were too small. I tried on a sundress and it zipped up with little struggle. Yes, losing weight is good.

That's great weight loss, nice job. Keep us posted how you do and good luck with your journey!

Thanks for those helpful tips. I also learned about using dental floss You wrap it tightly enough to constrain the skin and then slip your ring over. My finger is not turning colors etc so not too concerned but I can't wait until I've lost enough for it to slip off without any effort. Thanks again!

Many years and pounds ago my very sweet husband purchased a Mother's ring for me. He commissioned to have it made from a small jeweler and asked that the birthstones of our children, his and my birthdays; Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire and Peridot, be surrounded by two rings of gold. I remember when he gave it to me. We took a Ski trip to Winter Park, CO, where he surprised me over the Christmas Holiday. He was so proud to give it to me as I was to receive it. Now twenty years later, the ring is still on my right hand but tight enough for a Dr. to suggest cutting it off? No way! I will lose the weight. At this point, it spins which is a good sign. Perhaps 30 pounds more and the ring can be taken off safely. Will I take it off when I can? Certainly not, but over my dead body will the ring be cut. This ring means more to me after 27 years of marriage than my wedding band. Small steps.. Ollie

Thanks for your responses! I'm glad you felt they were helpful enough to post on your fridge. Everyday my brain battled me for this exercising thing but I refuse to fail and know I have to exercise to make this surgery successful. Good luck with battling your demons too!

Why is it when I think about exercising I find so many "excuses" not to follow through. Here are my best: 1. I'm so busy, hard to find time... Reality- I'm blogging right now? 2. I'm so tired after working 8 hours... Reality- I feel energized after walking 3. My ankles swell after walking... Reality- My heart swells from not walking 4. It's too hot... Reality- I love the sun 5. It's too cold... Reality- I love to ski in wintry conditions 6. No one will walk with me... Reality-I like the peacefulness of not talking sometimes 7. My thighs rub together Reality- Swooshy pants fix that 8. I'm lazy Reality- I'm not, just put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walking on that door. So, as my Lapband birthday present I started walking again on June 7 and have now walked 28 miles since my present to myself. Here are my tips to you. Take your cellphone in case you fall, get blisters etc.. Take a bottle of water to hydrate yourself. IPOD's are great to get your heartrate up, especially "crank it up" music. At sometime in my "Fat Journey" I started making excuses. I promise myself to no longer make excuses about exercising as the gift of a strong heart far outweighs the comfort of my favorite soft cushioned chair and remote control, or laptop. Ollie

Ok. Has anyone been through the nesting phase? I started cleaning my house yesterday at 7am. First the bathrooms, on to the dusting and I mean oiling the furniture including the kitchen cabinets. I took a break to have a protein shake and wipe the sweat away but then it hit me like a freight train... I must clean the windows, scrub the kitchen floor, and rearrange the laundry room. On to the bedroom where I cleaned my everything including my closet? I was possessed! I finally put the cleaning supplies away at 4pm and it occurred to me that I have not cleaned like this in 3 years. About the time I had put 35 more pounds of weight on. It really is the small changes in my journey that I appreciate. Incidently, I woke up this morning feeling so sore and it was a ssswwweeett feeling. Ollie

between walking and cleaning i should have my exercise where it needs to be. I can feel the creative side of me returning too? It's weird. almost feels like I've been sleeping for a very long time.

I know. Country music stirs my soul. We saw James Otto last weekend and just bought tickets to Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn.

Saw Clint Black at an outdoor concert this weekend with my hubby of 27 years. When we first met we liked Rock and Roll, I'm talking Pink Floyd, Moody Blues and Yes. As all relationships change so do tastes in music. When my husband started listening to Country Music I was shocked to say the least. When I asked him why he started listening to Country he said he felt the lyrics were more real and he could identify with them. About ten years ago we went through a really tough time in our relationship and almost parted ways. Mike made me a mix tape that included a few of his favorite songs that included When I say I do. It means so much to me now and thought I'd share it with you. We have been through a lot, thick and thin and hope you'll find the lyrics inspiring too. Ollie These times are troubled and these times are good And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall We take 'em all the way that we should Together you and me forsaking them all Deep in the night and by the light of day It always looks the same, true love always does And here by your side, or a million miles away Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel, The way it is, is the way that it was When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand Only you and I can undo all that we became That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man And after everything that comes and goes around Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found But forever you and I will be the ones Who found out what forever means When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time Be faithful and true, devoted to you That's what I had in mind when I said I do Truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you That's what I had in mind, that's what I had in mind, When I said I do

This morning after completing my walk I decided to set a timer to complete some chores before going to work. I set the stove timer to one hour, put in some music and promised myself not to slow down for one hour. Did it work? Why yes it did. I used to set timers for my children that are now grown and it worked famously. I'm beginning to understand that I'm having to retrain my brain to stay active and become a energized person rather than a lazy one which I've accomplished over the last few years. The ultimate payoff is keeping the metabolism moving and keeping it churning away at those fat cells when I'm not. Eating habits are just one piece of the puzzle, exercise is the largest piece though and sometimes the most obvious are the hardest. I'd love to hear any other ideas of tricking our brains to be obedient to this new lifestyle. Ollie

This morning after completing my walk I decided to set a timer to complete some chores before going to work. I set the stove timer to one hour, put in some music and promised myself not to slow down for one hour. Did it work? Why yes it did. I used to set timers for my children that are now grown and it worked famously. I'm beginning to understand that I'm having to retrain my brain to stay active and become a energized person rather than a lazy one which I've accomplished over the last few years. The ultimate payoff is keeping the metabolism moving and keeping it churning away at those fat cells when I'm not. Eating habits are just one piece of the puzzle, exercise is the largest piece though and sometimes the most obvious are the hardest. I'd love to hear any other ideas of tricking our brains to be obedient to this new lifestyle. Ollie

I'm stuck too. Was banded on 5/21, first fill on 6/23, and have scheduled my 2nd fill for 7/7... I am walking everyday, taking in 1200 cal., and 60 grams protein. I would expect that my weight would be melting off bit it is not. I've lost a total of 16 pounds since May 6. But if average the loss that's 8 pounds a month and that's not too bad. I think we all secretly hope that we will be the ones that 15 pounds drop off monthly without trying at least i do! Good luck to you!

Name......Current......Goal......Lost Ollie........242..........210....... That's 16 pounds a month!