Friday Weigh-In!

Not only did I manage to work off all that turkey/stuffing/pie...but I am at my lowest yet! And Onederland (that wonderful state of weighing in the one-hundreds) is just around the corner!!

Yes, I know I am in sore need of a new pedicure.  :-)  I will get to it this weekend. I find that painting my toenails is  A HECK OF A LOT EASIER with less 'belly' to bend over! Have a great weekend everyone! Watch for Dirty Girl Mud Run pictures to be posted here!

Dirty Girl Mud Run

How do I prepare for my first marathon? Do I stretch, train, run until I drop? Nooooooo! Not this chickadee!  I paint my nails!!

Dirty Girl Mud Run: 48 hours away...

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY FIRST 'MARATHON' THIS SATURDAY. EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT A 'TIMED' EVENT, IT'S MY FIRST TIME PARTICIPATING IN A PUBLIC, TEAM CHALLENGE. THE DIRTY GIRL MUD RUN CONSISTS OF VARIOUS OBSTACLES, LOTS OF MUD, AND THE CHANCE TO IMBIBE. LOL. PROCEEDS BENEFITS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION. LOOK FOR PICS TO BE POSTED THIS WEEKEND. BETTER YET, LOOK FOR DIRTY GIRL TO COME TO YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS. DIRTY GIRL 

How to Gain Four Pounds In One Week

Step One:
     EAT MORE

Step Two:
     EXERCISE LESS  

Repeat steps one & two ad nauseum...

  HAPPY 'BLACK FRIDAY' EVERYONE! I'm back on the wagon today!

Things I'm Thankful For...

Here are a few things that I'm thankful for...
  For the best son in the world! 'Nuff said.
  For never having PB'd. I read scary stuff on other blogs about PB'ing and sliming.
  For amazingly good health (for a fatty). Maybe a little arthritis, but otherwise A-OK.
  For a rewarding career. Being a nurse isn't just a job. I love what I do.
  For the best big brother in the world. Always my hero.
  For Daniel Craig. Me likey.
  For Preference by L'Oreal #7LA Lightest Auburn. To bring out the redhead in me.
  For social media which helps me connect with family and friends, old and new.
  For peanut butter and chocolate. Individually- yes. But combined--even better.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! THANKS FOR READING MY BLOG!

 
 

Turkey, stuffing, potatoes...Oh My!

   What was I thinking setting a goal to lose weight this week? With parties and work, home, and at friends, I'll be lucky to stay stable! Today we had a potluck at work. I focused on proteins (turkey, ham), but also tried small portions of pecan pie, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Not necessarily in that order. I'm trying to pride myself in knowing that I ate one tenth of what I would have eaten pre-band. For sure.
   So I'm officially retracting my goal this week. Or as we say on the prairie, "Whoa, Nelly."
   My new goal is to be in Onederland (weigh in the one hundred's) by December 7. That gives me two weeks to work off the carbs. I'm not hiding though; I will still post my weight as usual this Friday. I just don't expect fireworks.

Friday Weigh-In

   I'm down only a half a pound this week. I'm trying not to panic because I set a personal goal of being below 200lbs by Thanksgiving. That means I have to lose 3 lbs by Thursday!!  But I know my body, and I tend to lose 1/2 lb one week, then 2 or 3 the next. So I'm still shooting for the goal. I feel like The Little Engine That Could...

Myths about LapBand

  I thought I would take today to address some common MYTHS about LapBand surgery.

MYTH #1: The LapBand works by creating a 'pouch' in your stomach, reducing stomach size, and restricting the amount of food you eat.
TRUTH:  The LapBand does not create a pouch. It slightly restricts the top portion of your stomach, thereby sending signals to your brain that you are 'full' (this is called satiety). Each bite of food you take is squeezed across the band, which sends more signals that you are full, and further reducing appetite. It does not reduce the size of your stomach, and does not limit the amount of food you can eat. I can still eat a pan of brownies if I wanted to.

MYTH #2: The LapBand restricts your stomach, so you can only eat soups, protein shakes and yogurts.
TRUTH: Actually we (LapBand patients) are taught to AVOID soups and 'liquid calories' because they 'slip' past the Band quickly and don't promote satiety like solid foods. So we are taught to avoid soups, alcohol, sodas, ice cream, etc. We are taught to eat solid foods, albeit in small bites (dice-sized) and wait one minute between bites. The solid food takes longer to squeeze throught the Band, sending stronger signals to our brains that we are full. However, after surgery and after we get fluid put into the Band, we are on temporary (24 - 48hr) liquid diets until swelling settles and we can tolerate full foods.

MYTH #3: LapBand patients cannot eat out at a restaurant.
TRUTH: Yes we can and yes I do! I simply order a high-protein appetizer (think grilled shrimp or lettuce wraps) and that is my meal! I probably spend 1/3 at a restaurant compared with what I used to spend. Sometimes I'll order an entree and take most of it home... I usually get at least 3 meals out of one entree.

MYTH #4: Getting the LapBand (or any weight loss surgery) is 'taking the easy way out'.
TRUTH: Let me make this perfectly clear: I have endured kidney stones, sexual abuse, been through labor, watched my parents die, and lost my best friend/my child's father to cancer. THE LAPBAND IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING I HAVE DONE. Losing weight with the LapBand is in no way "easy". It is a constant struggle to eat right, exercise more, drink fluids, avoid carbs, and remember to take vitamins. I still think about food at least every hour. (Usually more!) The LapBand helps me because it helps to suppress my monster of an appetite. I have bad habits that formed from 30 years of overeating and being overweight. Three months post-surgery, I still struggle constantly with those demons. And let's be honest, there are many, many weight loss surgery patients who initially lose weight, only to gain it back. Weight loss surgery is not easy. It's hard on your wallet, your mind, your body, and your family. But I'm determined to use this as a tool to succeed in my war on fat!

The Liebster Award

Colleen at Colleensjourneytoahealthierlife.blogspot.com  has nominated me for the Liebster Award. Thank you, Colleen!  Liebster is a German word and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

The Rules

- Once you're nominated, write 11 facts about yourself.

- Then, take a look at the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked and answer them.

- Get your thinking cap on and come up with 11 questions of your own for your nominees to answer

- Then choose the 5 bloggers you want to nominate (they must have less than 200 followers) & let them know they've been nominated (there are no tag backs - you can't nominate the person who nominated you).

- Complete this post and then link it to the person who nominated you (in the comments of their blog).

 

So here are eleven facts about me:

    1) I'm a Leo. Sign of the Lion.

    2) I enjoy all types of music except Country and Rap.

    3) I have two older brothers.

    4) I am not a natural redhead. (shhhh!)

    5) I love to travel, have been to Europe and the Bahamas. Dream destinations include China, Hawaii, and Australia.

    6) I love being a nurse and I feel it was something I was born to do.

    7) I love to bake.

    8) Favorite TV shows are Boardwalk Empire and Elementary.

    9) Although I'm 42, I still consider myself a 'Twihard'. Team Jacob.

   10) My nickname is "Sis" or "Sissy". I've got some cousins who probably don't know my real name (Karen). 

   11) I believe in ghosts/spirits and also in reincarnation.

 

Eleven questions that Colleen wants me to answer:

1. Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?  Probably ROCKY MOUNTAIN 'FRIED OYSTERS'. These are actually fried bull testicles and eaten on a dare from my brother. Also, I grew up in a rural community, so I've eaten squirrels, rabbits, venison, groundhogs, quail, and wild turkey.
2. What crazy activities do you dream of trying someday? I would love to go on a zip-line. I am now officially below the weight limit, so let's go!!
3. Have you ever won a trophy? If so, what was it for? Yes, various trophies for bowling in my pre-teen years.
4. Dog or Cat? Cat(s). I have two.
5. Why do you blog? To be held accountable to my weight loss journey, and hopefully to inspire others.
6. What would you do if you didn’t have to work? I would volunteer more (at homeless shelters) and I would have more time to do crafts/scrapbooking etc.
7. What is your favorite movie? All-time fave is GONE WITH THE WIND.
8. How often do you get a haircut? Describe your worst haircut. Am letting it grow out, so I haven't been in a few months. Worst haircut was when the stylist 'forgot' to cut the right side of my head. I walked out of the salon, saw myself in the car mirror, and walked back in for her to finish the job!!!! Needless to say, never went back!!
9. What books on your shelf are begging to be read? Can't wait to read the third in Larsson's series: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. Love the first two books.
10. What quality do you like most about yourself? My loving heart.
11. What quality do you like least about yourself? My impatience.

 

And last but not least, the five whom I would like to 'pay it forward' and nominate for the Liebster Award:

    Ronnie @  http://www.bandumentary.blogspot.com/

    Ashlee @  My Lap Band Adventure

    Sarah  @  Fat on the Inside

    Terrie @ My Big Fat Life

    Sam @ Loosing Weight, Gaining Life

 

 

   

 

 

Friday Weigh-In

   OMG I am so excited!! I have lost 47 pounds since July 20th! I am well on my way towards my  goal of being in Onederland (WUN-DER-LAND:  that wonderful state of weighing in the one-hundreds), by Thanksgiving!
    And today Skyfall hit theaters, starring my boyfriend, Daniel Craig. I think he is such  a hottie. And I would love to be his next 'Bond girl'!  I will be splurging tonight with some movie-theater popcorn!

Friday Weigh-In

Yay! Lost another pound this week! Despite the Halloween candy temptation!! Take THAT, Milk Duds!!
My personal short-term goal is to be in Onederland (below 200lbs) by Thanksgiving. I know I can do it!!