Ollie123

In June, just 3 short months ago I blogged about not being able to get a ring off my right hand for many years. My doctor said they could cut it off as it was restricting my blood flow especially when retaining water.

I patiently waited. Every week trying to see if it would budge, a little soap..Nope. A little oil..Nope. Icing the finger...Nope. Wrapping dental floss tightly around the finger to then slide off...Nope.

Well...Drum roll. I just washed my hands and decided to twist away and off it came!

Not that I won't put it back on but sliding that ring off gave me such as sense of accomplishment. I'm now down 29 pounds and feeling like more like my old self.

Here's to accomplishing small goals that make you smile.

Ollie

I'm 3/4 of the way through September and had lost 2 more pounds but gained back three!

I keep wondering what I'm doing differently and have determined EVERYTHING!

I stopped exercising, I stopped counting protein and calories, I started drinking high calorie libations, I started making excuses for eating cake and ice cream, blah, blah , blah...

Since my last blog I've enjoyed three family birthdays.

I've dealt with the death of family member.

I've learned new software at work.

I've sprained my ankle.

I've had house guests for three weeks.

I'm in the middle of a law suit.

All triggers to get be back to believing that food is a comfort not energy.

Today is a new day. I've said no the the banana bread and lemon cake at work. I've journaled what I've put in my mouth and plan to go for bike ride this evening.

Everyday is a new day and I plan to make this one better than yesterday.

Wish me luck as I haul this fat butt back on the wagon.

Ollie

This has been the best summer in 5 years!

My highlights included wearing shorts and a swimsuit on multiple occassions and actually swimming while I was at the pool.

My hubby and I enjoyed several concerts including an outdoor concert that I wore a sundress.

I visited Las Vegas and walked every morning that I was there at least 4 miles.

I have ridden my bike over 325 miles and walked over 138 since June 1st.

I've had an energy level and a renewed interest in life after losing 25 pounds and 10 inches.

I love my Lapband.

Ollie

"Muscle weighs more than fat." Do you know how many times I've heard that in the month of July? Too many. But finally that wicked scale finally threw me a bone and dropped by two pounds. I'm now under 240.

Now, I'm not whining although it sounds like it. I have biked over 170 miles since July 3rd. So I deserved to drop at least 5 pounds in my mind. Don't you agree? Yes, the inches are dropping off too but I'm yet to drop a full size so that will be the telling moment.

Everyday I jump on my bike with a renewed sense of awareness of how strong I'm getting. The hills are not so itimidating, the traffic less invasive, but more than anything my mind is opening up to challenging this body to go another mile.

Two days ago it hit close to 100 degrees when i was biking home 9 miles from work. Someone asked me if I felt sick when biking at that temperature but amazingly if you hydrate you're fine and it's almost cool when the breeze hits you.

I have a goal to hit 500 miles on my bike by my birthday on August 28th. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Ollie

So with all my newly acquired energy I have undertaken a Garage Sale this weekend.

As I strolled through my house plucking pictures from the wall, clothing from my closet, knick-knacks, furniture, dishes, jewelry, you name I have it and I'm tired of it.

Where in the world did all this excess baggage come from? My daughter made the comment, "Yeah Mom..you're lightening up!" As she encouraged me to get rid of the stuff she calls clutter.

I'm going to start a new rule at my house that whenever I bring something in I must take something out. Hopefully, eliminating the excess clutter.

The same principal can be applied to my weight. Keeping my calorie intake at 1600. No.. if,ands or buts, just period. Anymore calories and I must exercise the extra calories off in that day. Keeping myself in balance.

This weight loss thing sure can hit you on very many levels of your life.

Wish me luck on my "Lightening Up Sale!"

Ollie

Today as I was bicycling to work I saw a small girl running and it got me thinking about how strong children's legs are and subsequently how weak mine felt at that very moment due to a large hill I had just crested.

When I was a child these were my favorite

things I used my legs for without knowing how much stronger they were making me.

• leg wrestling
  
• Hanging from jungle gym
  
• cartwheels
  
• splits
  
• back handsprings
  
• riding a bike
  
• 50 yard dash
  
• climbing trees
  
• balance beam
  
• roller skating
  
• dancing
  
• walking 18 blocks to/from school home
  
• kick soccer
  
• swimming
  
• jumping on a trampoline
  
• Jumping rope
  

What happens to us? I can't believe how lazy we get as adults? Yes, we're busy in other ways but what happened to staying out until dark running until it was time for bed? Instead we beeline straight for the couch with the remote and fall asleep before dark.

I'm not sure what happened to me but I'm determined to change my life. Not to add more activities or responsibilities but "fun."

Ollie

Although I wouldn't admit it, I think I felt that I would be "the one" that my weight would magically melt off after receiving my first fill. Guess what, it has not.

I now have 6.2 cc's in my band and struggle to eat some foods. I have had several PB episodes primarily because of acquired "bad" eating habits which include trying to enhale my food without chewing it and taking too big of bites for my own good. I feel restriction finally and it has helped me a great deal not to overeat.

As far as exercising, I now have it down and am getting very strong. I can ride my bike for 10 miles in one shot and I can walk 5 miles without feeling I could die. This is an amazing change for me as I would have never walked more than one block 3 months ago.

As far as weight loss...It is a disappointing number in my eyes but that's only because I wanted the weight to melt off. I had set unrealistic goals in my mind and the scale is not participating with my fantasy. I have lost 16-18 pounds on a good day.

My clothes fit a lot differently. I actually have lost several inches in my hips, waist and thighs. I have not lost one full size but expect to go down within the month.

I have learned to have patience with eating, with the mirror, with exercising, and most of all the scale.

Ollie

Went to my first Support group last night where we had a guest speaker; clinical phychologist who specializes in Weight Loss Counseling.

Best information I took away was learning to live your life today, not waiting for that "day" when you finally reach your goal. I seem to daydream about that day as if it will change my life. I'll wake up that day and be someone else. I'm starting to "get" what she means.

Tonight is "Girls Night Out" and I always look forward to some time with the girls.

Ollie

Try Miralax (over the counter) Add it to a cup of juice and you'll be back on track.

Ollie

I'm totally with you about the comment of losing your youth to weight. Just remember to enjoy the journey now and not feel like you have to be at the end goal before you enjoy your life.

It is a journey and you will get there!

Best of luck,

Ollie

I just received a fill this week and now have 6.2cc in a 10cc band and just now starting to fill restriction on a daily basis.

Enjoy the feeling of restriction!

Ollie

I HATE SCALES!

So I've been exercising for 5 weeks without fail. Sometimes walking 5 miles a day, other times riding my bike for 10 miles. Each day I strip down, tip-toe my way onto that scale waiting for my prize. URGH!!!! I gained?

So the Dr. and everyother human being has reminded me that muscle weighs more than fat...How much more? Jeeze, I must be solid muscle by now and the fat should be dripping off me. Patience, patience... I'M NOT Patient!

Ok, so tomorrow when I get on that scale it better throw me a bone or I'll throw it out the window.

Ollie-

P.S. Sorry to rant but somedays you just have to!

Good for you for finding your strength to see through the veil of self denial. I too covered myself up and will never do it again. I look forward to reading more of your journey.

Ollie

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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!