1 year Anniversary

Happy Bandiversary to us!! It has been a year since we started this journey. This past year has had its ups and downs but I do not regret my decision to have the surgery. To help put it all in perspective I give you the following:

1. The day of surgery my BMI was 47.2 which puts it in the morbidly obese category. Today my BMI is 37.2 which is in the obese category. That is a 10 point drop in one year. Amazing.
2. Since the day of surgery I have lost 58 pounds. Fantastic.
3. The day of surgery I was in a 26/28 pant. Today I am in an 18. Unbelievable.
4. I have lost 45% of my excess body fat. Awesome.

Now I will not lie to you and say that I am over the moon with the above. I would have liked to lose more but the reality is my weight will be a lifelong struggle. I got off track over the holidays and just could not get back on the horse. However, my bandiversary has sparked a renewed effort in getting that BMI down, getting under 200 pounds and continue to shrink in size. I am very happy that my band helped me to not GAIN weight during my busy season and I know I have a lot to be grateful for.

Shortly after surgery, I considered what I wanted my goal weight to be. I now realize that I may never be the weight all the charts describe. I have accepted that reality and embrace myself for who I am and where I am. I have certainly had some emotional moments this past year letting go of some of the pain I felt from being obese. I know now that I was in complete denial as to what I really looked like. I knew I was fat but never processed the truth of it. I think that has been the hardest part of this year; coming to terms with being truly honest with myself. I still have trouble looking at those old pictures but know it is essential in my journey.

On to happy thoughts. Below are my favorite non scale victories over this past year.

• By far one of the best is being able to comfortably sit in a theater seat. I have not been on a plane since my surgery but know not using the seat belt extender will be awesome as well.
• Being able to slide right into a booth seat. Before I had to work my stomach in first.
• Buying clothes in the REGULAR women's section. Not the plus size section.
• David and Ashleigh being able to hug me with their arms ALL the way around me

I want to thank all my family and friends who have supported me this past year. I love you all so much.

Loree

Phantom of the Opera

Emily and I went to see Phantom of the Opera yesteray. Don't we look FABULOUS?!?! It was great to sit in the seats and not touch the sides!! No matter how far I still have to go, moments like those remind me of how far I have come.

Until next time

Loree

Been a couple of weeks

I know it has been a couple of weeks but sometimes life just does not cooperate with the best laid plans. Over the past two weeks I have lost 2.4 pounds!! Yea me! I have been very diligent about reducing the number of times I eat out. I have not been exercising like I should but as I said, life sometimes does not cooperate. I did bike once this week and anticipate getting back into the groove of it. I do feel as though I have started to come off my plateau which is encouraging. So until next time....

Loree

Struggle

So over the past three weeks I have lost 2.2 pounds. I am happy about that but can definitely tell that I am struggling. I was on antibiotics for basically three weeks and did not work out for two due to the coughing that would ensue. This past week I have been biking which has felt good. I will continue to work on getting my exercise in every week which will help me make the right choices. I did check my chart and I have lost 44% of my excess body weight. I am so pleased with that I can hardly stand myself. So I will just keep pluggling along and one day I will get to where I want to be.

Work has been stressful these past couple of weeks as well. The other tax preparer/reviewer quit mid January so we have been working on a game plan for the spring. We have enough contract work now that I feel like things will be okay. Since I don't handle change well, even change I want, I have been somewhat manic. Friday our contract person started so I think I have finally calmed down a bit. It will be intersting to see how the season goes.

Until next time
Loree

Update

I lost .2 pounds this week. I am happy with this. I also made my goal and did all my exercising. I am already starting to get that feeling after I work out that makes me want to do more. My knee seems to be holding up pretty good. So this next week will be more of the same with me working on increasing the amount of time I spend doing My Fitness Coach.

So one reason I know my knee is holding up better is I did some retail therapy last week after an all day CPE class. I bought some new boots. While in the store they felt pretty comfy so I went for it. I knew they were higher than my current boots but it was not until several days later that I actually measured the heel. These boots are 3 inches high. Whoa, I had no idea. What really tickles me pink is that I can wear them all day and my feet or knee do not hurt!!!!! Wearing these shoes would never had crossed my mind before the surgery. It would have been too dangerous. This just rocks!!!

Another interesting thing that happened this past week is I met someone who has had the band since July of 2007. We talked and she told me how she lost 67 pounds only to have a slip and gain it all back. After talking with her I am more determined than ever to make sure
I do not get too much fluid in that band.

I am continuing to plan better and eating 4 days a week at the office during lunch.

Until next time
Loree

Interesting week

First for the good news, I lost .9 pounds this week. Now the not so good news, I went to a CPE seminar yesterday and had trouble with the lunch they provided. I had the pleasure of losing lunch in the bathroom while several other people were taking care of business. So the lesson I have learned is to always make sure I have something to snack on at those types of events.

I made my goal for the week of exercising three days. I did enjoy using the My Fitness Coach fame and should be able to keep that up.

So I am looking forward to achieving my exercise goal again this week.

Until later
Loree

Last week of the year

So this Thursday was not only the last day of the year but also weigh day. I was down a pound so I lost that one I had gained the week before. My total weight loss since surgery is 53.9 pounds. I am proud of this accomplishment and look forward to continued success in 2010.

Most people make resolutions at New Years. I have decided to set a goal/resolution for each month so I can reach those goals. For January, I resolve to exercise 3 times a week for at least 5 minutes. To accomplish this I plan on using the Wii fit I gave myself at Christmas. I will let you know how I did at the end of the month.

Until next week

Loree

Update

I thought I would do an update since I missed it last week. I was up a pound on Thursday. I know it was entirely due to poor food choices. I accept responsibility for that pound. That being said, it will come back off and soon. I have had a wonderful time during the holidays but it is time to get my butt in gear. First order of business is making better food choices. So that is my goal for the January. Depending on how January goes, I will then set a goal for February.

On another note, I am grateful for all my blessings of the year. I look forward to all the challenges coming my way in 2010. I know with my family and friends I will succeed in whatever I put my mind to.

Loree

Playing Catch Up

(I wrote this 4 weeks ago…I will get caught up someday!)
So it has been 2 months since my last fill. I lost 11.6 pounds these last two months! It was a very informative appointment. My total “excess” weight is 95.5 pounds! OUCH, that kind of hurts to put that out there. The goal is to loose 1/3 (31.5 %) of your excess weight by your 6 month anniversary, it is just around the corner. I have lost 32.6%! I am feeling so good lately and I know it is because of my weight loss. To date I have lost 37.1 pounds.

There are several physical changes as well. My wedding ring is too big but I will not get it resized until am at the point where I need to be with my weight. I have gone from a size 24 to a size 16. I really need to purchase some essentials; my bra and panties are looking ridicules on me now! I am trying not to go shopping that much because I know the size I purchase will only be temporary. Todd and Grace are looking forward to me purchasing clothes that actually fit me. Todd asked me not to purchase clothes that look like a potato sack anymore and Grace would love for me to wear fancier clothes. Crossing my legs is an automatic thing for me now. There is something about being able to do it comfortably now.

Short term goals for me right now are to eat for 20 minutes a meal, to take a bite every 60 minutes instead of back to back. Exercise. Loose another 12.9 pounds before the New Year.

Here is the picture of me cleaning out my closet as well as the 9 trash bags of clothes I had to get rid of. To be honest, I probably have another bag of clothes to get rid of too!

{having issues...will add later}

A few experiences that I had while I was in Austin…

Trash Cans

So I experienced for the first time, needing to quickly find somewhere to get sick after lunch. I had gotten sick in the restaurant and made it to the bathroom in plenty of time. So I thought I would be just fine to leave. No need to stick around just to use the bathroom. As we start to walk down the street, I get the feeling! I am looking frantically for a place that I can run into to use their bathroom. Don't forget this is down town Austin and everyone locks their bathrooms around here! Well the next best thing was a nice big, green, stinky trash can. Thank goodness I let everyone walk ahead of me so only a select few strangers had to actually witness it!

3rd person I have seen today...

So this shirt is on my back for the last time! I was walking out of the bathroom and a woman who works on the same floor said "You are the third person I have seen on this floor that is pregnant!" (I can only confirm one since we work in the same office and she is due in 2 months) I just smiled and said, "Yep, it must be in the water". I wonder how far along she thought I looked. I came into the office and I knew Trudy would be honest. I asked her, if looking at me from the side, if I looked pregnant. She said “yeah, that shirt is way too big on you.”

So see you later shirt, you have been good to me but it is time we part ways!

PS, these jeans have to go too! I can not stand them falling off my waist anymore!

Here is a picture of Loree and I at the Pink concert in September



Until next time
Emily

Tea Party

Lorene and I at the 2009 Tea.


Lorene and I at the 2008 Tea.

So this past weekend I went to my Annual Christmas Tea with my favorite ladies and had a wonderful time. I thought it would be interesting to look at a picture from last year next to this year. I can not belive how different I look. I am grateful that this great group of ladies has been so supportive during my journey! I had no problem with the little sandwhiches and chewed very small bites. We had fun with our dirty santa gift exchange.

I lost .8 pounds this week. I can tell things are slowing down but I am also aware it is all up to me to get more exercise to jump start the body again. I also am thankful that I am still losing since I firmly believe every little bit gets me closer to the end goal.

I tend to get emotional this time of year. I definitely had post family visit depression after they all left last week. I look forward to our annual gathering so much that when it is over I get down in the dumps. This year was no exception. I do think I did not get as mopey as usual and part of that was not feeling bad about my weight. Now don't get me wrong, I am still dealing with issues/emotions regarding my weight but at least I did not shy away from the camera. I know for a fact that I had more energy than in past years which came in handy when chasing my nephews around. I can only imagine what next year will be like!!!

Until next time
Loree

Experiencing being too tight

Life has been pretty busy. Since my last post I am happy to report that I reached 50 pounds lost!!!! I am currently 51.9 down which is fantastic.

I got a fill of .4 on November 12th. I fought with it for three weeks before finally deciding that it was too much and I needed some taken out. So last Tuesday on December 1st I had them take .2cc out leaving me with 5.2cc in a 10cc band. It was astonishing how much better I felt after taking that little bit out. Being too tight was not fun and I was having trouble getting enough nutrition. I certainly don't want to compromise my health which is why I went for an unfill. The whole point of the lapband was not just to lose weight but to get healthy!

I also had to clean on my closet again. I gave away summer clothes which were too big. I also got rid of some pants. All in all I am happy to be able to shop in my old clothes.

Until next time
Loree

An Updated Post to Come Soon...

I know I have a lot to catch up on, I just don't want it to be a novel! I hope to post tonight after our Girl Scout meeting.

Good Morning

It certainly is a good morning. I finally remembered to let you know about my latest progress. Since my last post, I have lost 3.6 pounds for a total of 48.4. I am thrilled to be so close to meeting my first big goal. I put on some 18 pants the other day by accident and I could zip them up. I even wore them all day!! They were uncomfortable when I sat but I was not miserable. Amazing to me that in 6 months I have come so far.

I got a fill last Tuesday of .4cc so I am now at 5.4cc in my band. I have been struggling with this fill. Partly due to how tight I feel and partly to me having to adjust. I have been biking this week now that life seems to have calmed down. I know that exercise is the key to reaching my goal weight so I am really trying to get back in the habit. Plus it just makes me feel good.

My family is coming for Christmas in a couple of weeks. I know it is early but it is the only time we could get the entire family together. My brother keeps telling me he can't wait to see how great I look. I can't wait to show him!! He has been a great cheerleader through this entire process which will make it extra special to show off :)

I am also ready to take some holiday and family pictures where I am comfortable in how I look and not be ashamed of how fat I am. I cherish the pictures of me with my family and friends but have always said I wish I was not so big. Well, now I feel like I can relax and enjoy the moment. How sweet will that be?!?!

Loree

Progress

I never did get around to posting last week. Things have been surprisingly busy. So last week I lost 1.3 and this week I lost 3.3. Now my total is 44.8. I find this to be asolutely amazing. I will say that the only reason I lost the 3.3 this week is I have been battling a horrible cold and I just can't eat much. The drainage is just too much for my little pouch. Life is good otherwise.

Till next week

Loree

Reached another milestone

So this week I lost 1 .2 pounds reaching 40 pounds! I was thrilled to see that number on the scale.

Another milestone happened yesterday while shopping. I needed a couple of sweaters to supplement my winter wardrobe and Avenue was having a sale. I bought sweaters in 18/20 which completely shocked me. I mean I knew I was getting smaller but seeing that size on me seemed surreal. I know that sometimes the head takes a while to catch up to the body. The whole process has been a huge learning experience and I know there is more to learn. I am ready for it!

Tomorrow I turn 36 years young. I feel that this coming year will be another fantastic one made only better with my continued weight loss.

Loree

Time is moving fast

I lost 2 pounds this week!! That puts me 1 pound away from 40 pounds lost. How insane is that? The time just seems to be flying fast. In addition, I have now lost over 30% of my excess body weight. Sometimes it just does not seem real to me. I love it though.

So I realized last night when looking for some warmer pajamas that I don't have any!! I gave them all away in my massive closet purge! So I am heading to Walmart tonight to buy cheap jammies. Of course, the old ones I had would not have fit anyway but sometimes I forget how much I have away :)

So with an individual income tax deadline a week away who knows what this week holds. I am just grateful for today!!

Loree

Picture

I wanted to share a picture I took of Emily and I at Todd's 40th b-day celebration on 9-26.

Loree

Today

So today was a good day on the scale. I lost the little bit I gained last week plus TWO more pounds. I can't complain about that!!

Yes I made Emily clean her closet. However, since she hauled out 9 bags of clothes someone sure needed to lit the fire under her :)

My mom mentioned this website to track food called www.thedailyplate.com. I have been using it this past week and it sure has been helping. I was using my journal thing but I find that the website has lots of foods on there so I think I am being more accurate in my tracking. I also like all the exercises on there. So thanks mom!!

I will admit that the gain last week sure did mess with my head. I am sure it was busy season catching up with me but boy I sure did not like it. Even with this great tool, sometimes the brain just does not cooperate. So I have struggled with not giving myself such a hard time and remembering that it was just one week in my 10+ years of struggling with my weight. Luckily for me, I have people who understand my frustration and will listen to me whine. Thanks guys!

Until next time.....
Loree

Time to Catch Up

Where do I begin? Since my last post so much has happened in my "banded" life. This will be my longest post to date!

I got my last fill on 9/10. My first week (9/17) after that fill I lost 5.3 pounds. I was really able to tell a big difference with this last fill. The next week (9/24) I lost 1.4 pounds. Needless to say I am THRILLED!

I started my new job on 9/28. I am very excited about it. Since I will be traveling to Austin for several weeks I will not be able to do my "normal" weekly weigh in at home. So I thought I would weigh myself the day I leave and then again when I get home.

There have been a few great things that I have experienced since my last post.

• First I had to go shopping for some pants for the new job. When I started my new banded journey I was a size 24. I had to purchase size 18! I was very happy buying the size 20 but the lady in the store made me try on the 18's because she thought the 20's were too big. Much to my surprise they fit!

• Loree helped (made me) clean out my closet, FINALLY! It was a strange experience for me. I guess in my mind I had not completely come to terms that I was never going to be that size again. I mean I never had a problem getting rid of my smaller sized clothes. To be honest, I never thought I would wear those clothes again. I never had that closet of all the different sizes I have been. So 9 trash bags later, I got rid of anything that would not fit me. Either I was able to currently able to wear it or it was too big and had to go.

• Going to see my internist for my flu shot, the standard "weigh in" was in order. I got on the scale and automatically pushed the bottom weight to 250. Within a half a second I moved it quickly back to 200. I said "wait that is not me anymore!" I was smiling from ear to ear. I just had to giggle to myself.

• Loree and I went to see Pink in concert (yes, it was an awesome show!) and for the first time my hips did not touch the arm rests as I went to sit down and I was not out of breath walking up and down the steps or around the arena.

• My first experience on an airplane since being banded. Now this was amazing. I was able to actually fit in the seat just fine. When I buckled myself in the thought of having to ask for an extension never crossed my mind. Now, I had never had to ask for an extension but the last time I was on a plane, in January, I thought I may have had to (I am still not sure how it actually buckled). Not only was I able to buckle the belt, there was enough room for me the actually tighten it! I could not believe it. Once I pulled the belt through I had at least 6 inches of the belt in my hand. It was amazing! I was also able to cross my legs at the knee. In the past I was only able to cross them at my calf. Half of my leg was in the isle. This time it was not the case! The reality of my banded life hit me square in the eyes! I am sure the lady that was sitting next to me wondered why I had tears in my eyes. It was just overwhelming to me.

When I started my new banded life I sat down with Todd and tried to set some goals for my weight loss. My bench mark was Todd's birthday (9/26). My goal was to be down a total of 30 pounds. I came close at 28.9. My second bench mark is Christmas, I hope to be down a total of 50 pounds and my last one I made was to be down a total of 80 pounds at my 1 year anniversary since the surgery.

I hope having to eat out for every meal while I am traveling does not reflect on the scale! The good part is since I am in downtown Austin, I am walking everywhere!

I have several pictures I will post, hopefully this weekend.

Until next time...(since I am not sure if it will be weekly right now...)

Emily

Week 18

Well, this week I gained a bit. Not happy about that but just going to refocus my efforts. I did bike 3 times this week so I am happy about that.

Yesterday was a mess. Ashleigh had a VCUG done and my eating schedule got completely out of whack. I had trouble all day and will be doing liquids today since my throat is agitated. It does not help I have sinus drainage going on and that always gives me trouble. So I will just keep plugging along knowing that next week will be better!

Loree