Almost like Starting Over Again...

I am 12 days away from my 4th bandiversary, and have been on liquids for 3 days... I had a violent "episode" of vomiting last week which resulted in my band being completely tight to the point that I couldn't swallow water... so went in for a slight unfill... went from 5 to 2.5... They wanted to see me under floroscopy this past Tuesday, and here is where I ended up:

My band is good - no slippage, and looks great.  However, my pouch is a bit stretched out, so they decided for me to do 2 weeks (!) of liquids.  UGH!  It is almost like I am reliving the liver-shrinking-diet from pre-op.  This is a good thing for me though, because I really want to keep on being successful with the band, and as I approach year 4 on February 20th, I want to be doing things right!

So, on the 19th I go back to find out how things look, and I am hopeful that everything will be back to normal.  In the meantime, I need to find some good liquids (and mush) - basically my rule is primarily liquid with nothing to chew (i.e. cottage cheese, yogurt, etc... are okay).  I have made it through alright, but boy the grumpy-monster comes out of the closet a bit easier when there is no solid food in the tummy!

I'll keep you posted - maybe this will catapult me under that 200 mark.  Tuesday I was at 213... this morning I'm at 207.2.  Fingers crossed!

Jazzercise

I went again this morning at 8am and liked it - I LIKED IT AGAIN... Actually, I really, really liked it!

So I am signed up for the next 6 months!  I am hoping that this is a good way to get those calories burned, because honestly, I really don't enjoy running.  I like walking, casually... but running?  I've done it because I needed to, but dread every step and trudge.  I'll follow through with the 8K Lucia and I are signed up for in March, but other than the occasional race, I really want to find some kind of exercise I LIKE to do.

Surprisingly, Jazzercise is FUN!  I get to move my whole body, and shake things that shouldn't be shaken...  and let me be honest - things are shaking that SHOULD NOT BE (lol)!!!  However, I feel strong and healthy doing it, and I am really hoping that this will be a good use of my time and energy!  Shooting for 3x per week... Tuesday & Thursday nights (when Dennis is in town) and Saturday mornings.

Maybe I'll learn a few more dance moves out of this for that next party or wedding reception... watch out dance floor!

What I love about Me...

*** Courtesy of Amy... ***

Amy had a good blog post today:  What do you love about You?

And so, as I sit here drinking my 4th glass of chardonnay and eating French's Onions out of a bowl (yes - I am being completely honest - don't judge... and BTW they are a GREAT combination)... and as my oldest is on her 2nd day of strep (1st day of antibiotics, and LOTS of other drugs) and miserable, but in bed with her super-daddy...

Here is my answer to the ever-so-inspring-Amy:

• I love that I THINK I am a decent mother (I know I'm not great, but I aspire to be daily)...  Lucia tells me repeatedly that I am "great' so I should go with that.  Really, I should - she's 8 and still speaking honesty.  But can I share a secret?  I'm not a great mom, but I aspire to be daily.  REALLY I DO...  there are just a whole lot of demons I fight on a daily basis to get there

In other, less serious and honest bullets:

• I love that I look good for 40, even at 206... way better than I did at 30.  I'll take it.
• I love that I am pretty confident I am a good friend.  Hopefully, a best-friend to some.
• I love that I have so many women in my life that I count as GOOD friends.  Not just acquaintances, but truly good friends...  Some from my "before-Richmond" life and some from after... (you know who you are!)
• I love that I love my husband, after almost-12-years... and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
• I love that I still really like my job... BS and all...
• I love that my kids rock - more than anything in the world...
• I love the US of A... thank GOD for ALL of the amendments...
• I love that the beauty of WLS allows me to post this post...
• I love that I can blog this freely, without fear...

OK - time to go to bed...  Lots to love... so much not posted.

xoxoxo

Welcome back, band friend!!!

Ahhh... what a difference being banded correctly makes!  I am loving being back in the zone... I can only eat about 1/2 a cup of food, I am chewing WELL, and making good food choices.  I still can't believe that after 4 years (Feb 20th) that I still have challenges, but I am glad I do and that I still have this tool.

I went back in this past Wednesday and she took out 1/2 a CC... all the difference in the world!  I've lost 8 pounds since a week ago Friday, which is fine with me - although, I would have been fine with less if it meant being able to drink water for two days!

My girlfriend brought me to a Jazzercise class this morning, and I LOVED IT!  I haven't really done much exercise at all since having Liam (18 months ago!), but it certainly was a nice change of pace, and I liked it so much more than running...  I think if I can get into a groove of doing it 3 times a week, plus being at this good sweet spot, I just (fingers crossed) might finally get under 200 for good after 4 years!  Maybe, just maybe by my 4th band-iversary...

Happy New Year again my friends - I am really going to try much, much harder to blog on a more regular basis in 2013!

Happy New Year, 2013!!!

Well, hello friends!  Happy New Year - I hope you've had a Magical Christmas and great start to 2013!

It's been a while - a month, in fact... as I approach my 4 year band-iversary, I find myself less and less interested in blogging but I really want to find a way to get back involved...  I do read many of your updates, but seem to struggle to have much that is of any value to blog about.  Hopefully that will change in 2013.

On the band front, I was quite loose in the fall at the 4.5 cc level, and was okay with that until right after Christmas (yes, I made the decision to be able to fully enjoy Thanksgiving, my 40th, and Christmas without ANY WORRIES of PB'ing, etc... and I gained 10 pounds for that choice)!!!


We flew down to FL on the 22nd, and decided to upgrade to business class which was the best.decision.ever since I was "holding" Liam... HEAVEN in the form of a big seat and cocktails...  We had a blast there and really enjoyed an alternative Christmas...  Lots of fun in the Magic Kingdom (including the new Fantasyland) and in Hollywood Studios... Heck - Lucia did Tower of Terror and we did Rockin' Rollercoaster twice before 10AM!  Can't complain at all..  We were so pooped out by Christmas day that we bagged the parks, and decided to hang out at the condo and go to the pool, even though it was only 70.  I was COLD!

Liam's first ride on the carousel....

Waiting in line at "It's A Small World"

We got back from Disney on the 26th and I had to work the 27th and 28th...  Thankfully, I had an appointment the morning of the 28th to get a fill... I weighed in at 214.  YIKES.  Lots of fall enjoyment, which was totally by choice.  Imbibing of both the food and drink kind.  Honestly, more the drink (Chardonnay and Red Wine) kind.

So, we were aggressive, and Maya (my NP) put me up to 5.5 cc's...  The first few days were okay as I was on liquids, but come New Year's Eve things started tightening up... by the 1st, I couldn't even swallow water (or at least keep it down) so THANK GOD they were able to get me in on the 2nd and she backed me down to 5...  that minimal adjustment seemed to make the world of difference, and I can eat half-a-cup servings and drink water comfortably - WHOO HOO!  I've lost 7 pounds (from 214 to 207.1 this AM) since last Friday.  I'm okay with that.  And I've been fully measuring my servings at 1/2 a cup, and I continue to lose weight.

Liam, riding his xmas present post-xmas on our return!

On the personal front, I've had a great late-fall...  Thanksgiving with wonderful friends, then my 40th birthday which was a blast... lots of crazy-business in December with work, Lu's school, etc... and then we went to Disney from the 22nd - 26th with my folks which was a blast.  Not as warm as I would have liked, but a real treat!

I am really wanting to get below 200.  I know I've said that before, but it is time.  I'm signed up for an 8K with Lucia in Virginia Beach in March, and one of my BFF's has invited me to Jazzercise tomorrow morning at 8am (ugh).   But I am going, and I need to figure out how to get back into a more athletic mode where I was before getting pregnant with Liam.

That's where I am for now - Happy New Year to all of you!