I love to make New Year's Resolutions and commit to change at the turn of a new year. My commitments for change for 2010 include:
1. Focus on Spiritual Growth
2. Focus on Family
3. Focus on Health
- Exercise 5 times per week
- Appreciate who I am and how I look like every day (in the past, no matter how much weight I lost, I wasn't satisfied)
4. Focus on finishing dissertation
- Propose by February
- Defend by May
- Graduate by Summer
Yesterday, I went to my appointment and had .25 removed from my band. I didn't know how much was in my band, but the nurse said that I have 6.35 remaining in my 10 cc band.
I immediately felt a difference and was able to eat and I continued to feel restriction too, which I was afraid wouldn't be as effective.
I am so happy that I am over halfway to my goal of 150 lbs. I am receiving compliments on a daily basis about my weight loss. I am striving to reach my goal because I haven't been at it since high school. However, if I don't lose another pound, I still feel good about my progress. I feel so much better about myself. I was headed on a path of destruction. I have no doubt in my mind that I had I not opted for the lapband, I would have reached 300 pounds during this end of my stressful year on my job.
I know that I must become more consistent at drinking more water, taking my multivitamin, and exercising in order to promote more weight loss.
Last week I went to my lap band doctor to have my band checked out because I hadn't been able to keep anything down. I thought or felt like something was wrong. My doctor determined that I was too tight and consequently my pouch had dilated. He removed 1.5 cc's and I am scheduled for a check up after six weeks. If all is well, then I will be able to get a fill. Although I was happy that my band hadn't slipped and I didn't have to have another surgery, it has been tough being able to eat so much. For the past week, I have been devouring any and every kind of food imaginable.
Since then, I have gained 10 lbs. Yes, I went to the doctor last Wednesday and by Tuesday morning, I had gained 10 lbs. The scale read 171 lbs. and I had been around 160 for the past year.
I am sick...what sane person allows food to kill them? Who can gain 10 lbs in a week with a lap band? I can and I have...
Tuesday morning, I was determined to put an end to this madness. I woke up and went for a walk before preparing for work. At work, I drank water. I increased my protein and decreased my junk food intake.
I know that I need a lifestyle change and it begins with my commitment to myself.
I celebrated my one year bandiversary on November 20th. I have lost a total of 51 lbs. and I am only 9 lbs away from my goal weight. I feel good about the progress I have made even though it has not been an easy journey. It has really been rough at times. I have spent more time trying to work the band than I have been working out. I would love to be at goal weight of 153 lbs. by my birthday, Dec. 17th. It will only require that I:
1. do some form of cardio workout 3-4 days
2. drink my water
3. take my vitamins
4. eat the way I am supposed to...
I haven't come this far (and spent over 13,500 dollars) to stop before I get to my goal, which is pretty conservative. My doctor thinks I should go down to the 140's but I think that is too small and would be hard for me to maintain.
Ok...I am on my way to a thinner, healthier, happier me!:thumbup:
Okay...my weight loss has stopped for the past week or so which is what I expected. I always plateau for about two - three weeks. I am not going to use this an excuse to give up though. I am going to make sure that I am getting my protein and drinking my water. I have been walking every morning. I might need to switch it up some. I thought about joining a gym to lift weights, but I just haven't committed to that decision yet.
I can tell by the way that some of my clothes fit that I am losing something...I am not quite sure how I can be losing inches without losing weight when I am not doing any heavy resistance training.
For the past two weeks or so, I have been at or about 182 lbs. I want so very badly to be in the 170's. :smile2:
I know this is a journey...I am not going to give up. I am going to put my metabolism in gear. I haven't been walking as much, so I am going to increase my activity again. Also, I need to drink my water too! So...let's see how those two goals work for me!
Today I decided to wear a sleeveless top for the first time in approximately 10 years. I feel liberated. After spending the last couple of months noticing others who wore sleeveless shirts, I decided to get out of my box. My husband was impressed and noticed immediately. I feel very good about the progress that I have made on this journey.
I was excited this morning when I stepped on the scale and it read an even 172 lbs. I increased my exercise by getting in my 10,000 steps with steps, treadmill, and walking more. In addition, I have been drinking the protein water.
I am excited that I am getting closer to my goal. I don't think I want to get all the way down to 150 lbs. Currently, I am 172 and wear sizes 8 and 10's. I really just want to be a fit size 8. I think 155 - 160 lbs. will allow that comfort, so I am less than 20 lbs away from my goal.
It's a slow journey, but a worthwhile one. I struggled at the beginning and wondered what had I done, but I am very glad I did it.
This morning, I walked and concluded my workout with exercises to tone my arms. People are noticing that I am losing weight and as I receive compliments, I am sharing my lapband secret. I didn't announce to everyone when I had it done because I didn't want anyone to discourage me or judge me. The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. I am definitely learning each day about how to live with my band and the journey has not been easy, but I don't regret my decision to get the band.
So...I am celebrating the progress I have made! I am almost at the 20 lbs mark. I am not where I want to be, but I thank God I am not where I use to be.
Sept. 1, 2009
weight 164.8 lbs
start (nov) - current = loss
chest - 40.5 - 35.5 = 10 inches loss
waist - 41 - 29.5 = 11.5 inchess loss
hips - 47.5 - 40.5 = 7 inches loss
arm - 14 - 12.5 = 1.5 inchess loss
thigh - 28 - 23 = 5 inches loss
Total inches loss = 34 inches
Total weight loss = 48.2 lbs.
The weight loss has continued at a rate of approximately 5 lbs. per month. I am amazed at my total weight loss of 48.2 lbs and 34 total inches loss. I am wearing 8's and 10's and feeling good about myself. There are still times that I look in the mirror and I see the overweight person that I used to be...I don't know if that will ever change.
I am approximately 12 lbs. away from my goal of 153 lbs., which will put me at a total weight loss of 60 lbs. I can't believe that I am this close when I have been so far away. Now I must work to adjust my psychological addiction to food that cause me to be overweight in the first place.
I am not looking forward to eating out today for Mothers' Day. It's also my TOM, so I know that the restriction is tight. I must remember to chew, chew, chew, and chew some more and take small bites.
I joined the Shrinko de Mayo Challenge. I am hoping to lose 15 lbs. in about six weeks. I think I do well with a challenge and accountability. Since starting, I have already lost three pounds. Last night, I went shopping for lunch foods for when I return to work. I don't plan to eat out at all! I bought a whole case of shakes in case my band is as tight as it seems. I am not going to panic yet because I have read about several people who had a tightly restricted band and then after a week or two, it loosened up into a sweet spot. I am hoping that is the case for me.
Spring break is indeed over. My...how time flies! Yesterday at church, a lady who was probably twice my age, testified that she finally realized the secret to weight loss -- DISCIPLINE!!! She stated that she was now focused on being more disciplined and less reliant on a quick fix.
As I sat and listened to her testimony, I silently prayed that I would not struggle with weight loss for the rest of my life. I want to be disciplined and focused. I want my outside to manifest what I feel on the inside.
So as I prepare to return to work after a week long break, I have to remember to be disciplined.
1. Drink more water.
2. No eating out!!!
I will continue to lose weight and feel healthier if I remain disciplined.
Everything that I have tried to eat has gotten stuck the past few days. I have tried to search the forum that discussed the TOM, but I have been unsuccessful. I just hope this tightness ends when my TOM ends.
I am losing weight because I cannot eat. I have tried to increase my intake of fluids to compensate for my lack of nourishment.
My TOM arrived on Thursday and to my surprise, not only do I cramp and feel awful, but I am also experiencing a tighter band. I have not been able to eat much at all. I had read on the forum about this occuring, but I am now experiencing it.
Well..the good part about it is that I will lose some weight during my TOM for a change!
Yesterday at church, the preacher's text was MYOB...Mind Your Own Business. Immediately after church, this lady approached me to say that I know this goes against what the preacher said because I have to mind your business. She proceeded to explain to me that I was too thin. She went on to say that had she not been plump, she wouldn't have survived her battle with cancer. To say the least, I was speechless. How could I respond without being or seeming rude?
This has become an ongoing problem as I get closer to my goal weight. I haven't been this small in a very long time, so people equate it with too thin when I don't think it's actually the case.
I am fortunate that my body can carry more weight. Currently, I can wear sizes 6, 8, and 10s. I don't want to be unrealistic, but I do want reach my goal.
I couldn't believe the scale this morning...I lost over 2 lbs which put me in the 170's and a total weight loss of 33.2 lbs.
I am so thankful for this forum and all of the encouraging comments that were left. I took some B12, increased my water intake and walking, and stopped the snacking after 6:00 p.m.
I am definitely getting a lot of positive comments about my weight loss. My clothes are fitting loose and I feel so...good that I could scream!
Okay...this is a strange feeling that I must confront. I have become satisfied with my current weight loss and I have no motivation for losing the 11 lbs. to get me to my goal weight of 153 lbs. It has been a very long time since I have been in the 150's... probably high school was the last time.
My mind tells me that I should try to get to goal by my 1 year bandiversary of Nov. 20th. It's a realistic goal to lose 11 lbs in two months.
I don't understand why I am so afraid. I don't think I realized how much I used my obesity as an outward covering to shield me from experiencing life. I now feel like I no longer have a shield and consequently, I am noticed more often than ever by women who compliment my outfits and men who open the door for me.
I just need to take one day at a time and enjoy the journey...