So it's Weigh In Day and a NON SCALE VICTORY!!!!!!

I gained one pound! Sigh! I weighed 243.5.

Been sick and on antibiotics and had a migraine all in one week.

Wonder if that would cause a pound gain? Or maybe it was the comfort foods?

OH andi almost forgot------A NON SCALE VICTORY!!!!!

I was walking into Target and got my reflection in the window-----my hips are not as big and bubbled!!!!

TA DA!. (I just threw my hands up in a gymnastic 'done' pose)

Friday is BYOC Day!

It’s Friday and time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy...courtesy of the lovely Draz!  A couple of questions we answer to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break. Copy to your own blog and enjoy!

This week my questions are going to themed…as in they are all about blogging and just to throw you off – there are more than 5 this time!!

1. When did you begin blogging? Do you plan to do it a long time or do you think you’ll stop after a while?
I have blogged on and off for about 6 years. I started when we moved cross Country so our families and friends could keep up with us. Blogging helped me with missing everyone and the isolation. I like blogging. I am a writer. I will continue.

2. What do you enjoy more - blogging yourself or reading other’s blogs?
I LOVE reading everyone's blog. I enjoy all the different writing styles. Personalities flow through the blogs and it is so fun getting to know everyone. I find I also learn so much by reading blogs.

3. What’s the biggest thing blogging has taught you? Biggest surprise about blogging?
Blogging has reminded me how much I enjoy writing! No grades. No deadlines. No critiques. Biggest surprise? That people follow me!

4. Have you met any other bloggers in real life – solely because of your blog or theirs?
No.......BUT if you are down Texas way.....look me up! I would to LOVE to meet you!

5. Does your blog have a general theme as in one topic or do you cover everything and anything?
This blog is mostly about my weight loss journey. Occasionally family stuff sneaks in. My other blog is: www.MyEverdayFunnyLife.blogspot.com It is only about my everyday funny life, family, adventures, and experiences. I am working on a children's book. My dog is the catalyst to a lot of the stories and appears in my blog. I invite you to read and follow if you like.

6. Are you public or anonymous? Whichever you are – do you ever wish you were the other?
Oh I don't know. I am selectively anonymous. Although I do not advertise I am having Bariatric surgery, I am not silent about it either.

7. What’s your best blogging advice for a new blogger?
Be true to who you are. Don't try to fake it for sake of entertainment or for followers.

8. Does anyone in your real life read your blog/know it’s address? Do you wish they would or wouldn’t?
I guess 'real life' means people I know and see face to face. Does that mean my e-friends and blog friends are not real? Again I don't advertise it but I don't hide it and will give it out if the subject comes up.

9. Do you enjoy blogging or do you view it as a chore? How often do you blog?
YES I LOVE TO BLOG! I love to write and blog whenever!

10. Do you tell people in your real life that you blog? Or keep it a secret?
See question #8

Your thoughts, please......

I have 3 more weeks of my "Bandster in Waiting" doctor supervised diet. My surgery is sometime in December. I'm excited!

I am thinking about starting to have a protien drink for breakfast and lunch. I am noticing that if I have 30+ thingies of protien, I am not hungry for a good while. I figure I need to start preparing for a smaller quantity of food.

Also, do I need to give up coffee? If so, how do you handle the headache?

Please........what are your thoughts? Please?

What is going on?

Why am I sick AGAIN?

Not the flu but a bladder infection! Heck! What is going on? I am usually a healthy person.

Geez!

This has been an extremely stressful week for me. I think my resistance is low due to the stress over Hubby's cardiac issues. Does that make sense?

Does anyone know if antibiotics will retard my weigh loss efforts? Remember I am not banded yet.

Someone PLEASE say it is okay!!!!

This is a triple post------->>>>>

1. I found a protein drink I REALLY LIKE! Someone please tell me if it is a good one. I hope so!
'Naked' Protein Smoothie. Calories-220 Fat-2g Cholesterol-30mg Sodium-140mg Potassium-480mg Carbs-34g

Please please please please tell it is a good choice for a special ocassion protein drink!!!!

2. Sunday is my Weight In Day. I started at 257. Today I weighed 242.5. 14.5 pounds! That is not too shabby!

3. What should I say to family members people who say--"You are doing so good doing what you are doing. What not save the money and not get the Lap Band and continue doing what you're doing?" What do I say?

{SIDE BAR: Stressful times are upon me--hubby was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I am scared.}

Fitness Pal

I use Fitnesspal.com to track my calories, exercise, and nutrition.

It is NOT one of my favorite things!!!! It has opened my eyes! I really thought I made wise, healthy choices. I had no idea how many calories was in the things I have been eating and am still eating. No wonder I am a fatty!

And don't get me started on serving sizes! How does anyone expect you to not fall over dead if you can only eat a sandwich with one slice of bread? Geez!

So............here is my critic of Fitnesspal.com---I HATE IT AND I LOVE IT!

It has made me realize that I am doing the right thing, getting a Lap Band. The band will be the tool I will use to assist me with more realistic portion sizes--healthy choices--a mind set change--a tool in making positive life changes.

Can you believe a calorie counter can stimulate such a change?

Go figure!

WOW! Maybe this time...........................................

WOW!  16 FOLLOWERS!  That is so marvelous!  Thank you for following me and my journey!  I have learned so much from everyone!  *****"I love you, Man!"*****

So........This weekend I've had my First Non-Scale Victory! Actually it was two! 

#1--I had my i-Pad at work and the "kids" I work with, were looking at the pictures.  They across one where I was sitting playing with my Grandniece this past spring.  "Wow!  You can tell you have lost weight!"  You CAN tell!  Whoa!  I have only been doing the "Bandster in Waiting" diet prior to my surgery.  I think my body is just so ready to be healthy that it is responding to the lower caloric intake POSITIVELY!!!!

#2--I had to have a pair of pants taken up in the waist 2 inches!!!!!!  My Mom can do magical things with a sweing machine and cloth so she did it for me.  As I was standing on the stool with her pinning, she sat back and said "10 more pounds and you will have to give these up.  I am not able to take then in any more!!!!!" 

I am just TOTALLY THRILLED!!!!!  Maybe this time I will win...................................

I AM MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM MAD AT HUBBY!!!!!!!

I DO NOT WANT TO GO INTO DETAILS.

HOWEVER IT IS NOT ABOUT WLS.

I AM JUST SO MAD AND I JUST WANTED SOMEONE TO KNOW!!!!!!

First time for BYOC

1. What’s your most favorite noise and your least favorite noise?

Favorite: My grand daughter laughing! She's 10 months old and our first. I tell you this Grandma Gig is WONDERFUL!!!!! I never would have imagined my heart could hold this much love!

Un-Favorite: repetitive squeaks, taps, buzzes, clicks, scratches, popping, licking and smacking lips.

2. If you were a character in the movie Grease – who would you be?

Rizzo. I was a very compliant, agreeable, goody two shoes teenager. The most trouble I got into was receiving 9 demerits in Bible College for dancing in the buffet line!!!!! 10 demerits and you got kicked out of college. So I behaved like Sandy but inside I was a Wild and Crazy Girl--now I would be Rizzo because "when I am old I shall wear purple!" and I would not care about being a goody two shoes!


3. What was the name of your best friend in elementary school? Are you still friends?

Well.......I am an Air Force Brat. I was in two different school every year until high school. I never had a best friend but I had a lot of friends and was popular. I don't even remember the names of my schools. But........ I have never seen a stranger and I love talking (sometimes too much) and getting to know people.

4. Who is your current celebrity crush?

Brendan Fraiser-loved him since the days of 'Dudley DoRight' and especially in 'George of the Jungle' dressed in that loin cloth!, Ryan Reynolds-newest crush-he was so cute in 'The Proposal', Neal Caffrey on 'White Collar'--EVERYTHING is so mmmmmmm about him, Mario Lopez-he's got the cutest dimples, there are more but I do not want y'all to think I am fickle!

5. Repeat question: How was your week in real life and in blog land?

I am just starting my blog land life. I am happy with it. Not much else to say about that except I am really enjoying it!

Real life: I was actually thinking about this very thing this morning! How weird! I started listing (I love lists) my roles and titles. I wear many Hats! I will share with you---------->>>>
Girl, Christian, wife, daughter, sister, Auntie, Mom, Mother-in-law, great Aunt, sister-in-law, Grandma, friend, caregiver (Hubby is disabled), lead teller, bill payer, chauffeur (Hubby cannot drive), cook, maid, laundress, pill/medication organizer, Daughter of the King, encourager, money manager, CFO, dog walker/feeder, artist, singer, cheer giver, team player, secretary, blogger, a fatty but soon to be a Bandster!

In Real Life--I am tired! Hey, ya do what ya gotta do! AND I LOVE IT!!

Appointment #2

I saw Dr Ganta this morning and I took Hubby with me to meet him. It was a good visit! Since Hubby is a RN and was a Director in a hospital before he retired, he asked Dr Ganta some medical type questions. Later in the car, he said he was pleased and comfortable with Dr Ganta doing my procedure. I found this very comforting because I wasn't real sure I had Hubby's support. I feel his support now!

So I am 6 1/2 weeks into this 12 week "Bandster in Waiting" program that my insurance requires. I am doing a lot of research and getting a lot of questions answered. I am feeling less and less apprehensive.

And MORE and MORE EXCITED!

You Are Not a Failure!

I received this article from the protien I order online.  I have removed the product name. This is good to know!!!!

Your thoughts?????


"I Feel Like a Failure"


You are not a failure, 
1. It might or might not be that the surgery failed to give you the results you wanted.

2. It might or might not be that the products you are using are not giving you the quality -- and the results -- you deserve.

3. It might or might not be that the surgeon’s office failed to give you the advice you need.

Whether those are true or not, you yourself are not a failure. More important, you can reach your goal.

The first thing you need is good advice.  One of our Registered Dietitians shared this note about a conversation she had with one of our autoship customers.

Her surgeon told her to stop using the protein shakes and switch to "solid foods". He said it was adding calories.

I believe this is where many patients stop losing, or worse...start gaining weight. Patients start looking for other foods to keep them feeling as full as protein shakes. As a result, they take in more calories.

I explained how a protein shake is best for satiety -- not being hungry -- and how protein is key to weight loss and weight maintenance.

The patient admitted that she was more hungry after reducing her protein shake usage. She had started eating peanut butter for protein and snacking on raisin toast and dark chocolate.  She said an inner voice had told her not to stop the shakes, but she also wanted to listen to the surgeon.

The patient is returning to 3 servings of protein shakes per day, and is going to follow up with me. She was happy to have a second opinion from an RD. I am certain her weight loss will resume too.

I have heard similar stories from other customers and I think they would benefit in knowing that they are not alone, and that protein is not the cause of their weight gain.

 Here are a few things to remember:

1.      With or without weight loss surgery (WLS), protein is the foundation of weight loss success.

2.      Surgeons are good at surgery, but some of them don't know enough about nutrition and weight loss. When a surgeon says, "get back on solid foods", you have to listen closely. If that means ADD solid foods, that of course makes sense. But if that means get off the protein shakes -- that might be bad advice.

3.      Many WLS patients -- some say the majority -- of patients don't reach their goal, and even more experience weight regain. We say that is unfortunate, and unnecessary. We talk to many customers every day, and the ones who use protein shakes 3 to 4 times a day during weight loss, and 2 times a day for weight maintenance, are successful at reaching their weight goal and keeping the weight off.

Weight loss success: It's worth it. You can do it.

Support System.

I have been think about my Support System.

Ya' know---the people who offer you support about things you do-like having WLS. I have no doubt and am certain that I have the support of my folks, children, sister, nieces, and co-workers but I have not been real sure if I had the support of Hubby. He has not expressed much of an opinion abouy my having lap band surgery. I am not really sure why, but it feels like he is not supporting me.

I was getting concerned until today. I call him at lunch today and he told me he was watching TV when he started to think about me. (a good thing) He said he looked at my wedding portrait and thought how we both had changed over the years--we've been married 32 years. Then he suddenly realized that I was going to change again and he got excited about it!

I finally feel his support! He really wants me to do this! He's excited about it!

It's all going to be okay now.

Soon----very soon!!!!!

It's October.

Surgery is getting closer! I am reading so many blogs. It is SOOOO exciting to read y'all stories and your day to days!!!

I am hoping to make many many MANY e-friends.

Happiness!