That's a bummer!

Zumba! I love it! It is sooooo fun! But........my Zumba days are over. I have a stress fracture in my heel. I am really bummed!

Life. I am still here.

I am still here. Albeit absent but still here.

It has been a week since I last posted, (sounds sorta like a confession!). I just think I need to vent. I am not mad at anything, I am just so overwhelmed right now and I just want to write about it. ****SPOILER ALERT****: This may be long - escape now if you are scared!

A year ago, I tore my achellis tendon. My weight was a contributing factor. I was in a cast for 4 months and a stirrup splint for 2 months. It has healed but my ankle/foot is not the same. That being said--I am having a hard time with Zumba. I REALLY like Zumba. I am no good at it but I am exersizing and liking it. It hurts my foot. Last night I wore an ACE and my stirrup splint. It still hurt. So much so that my foot throbbed all night long, waking me up many many times during the night and has really hurt all day. Not sure what to do now. It hurts to continue Zumba but I need to do Zumba in order to not hurt. ***sigh***

Work. Enough said

I am just finishing up a "mini vacation". I was going to spring clean and visit girlfriends and go to the movies. Well, it has happened again. What I plan or want to do, gets superseded by Hubby's disabilities and his illness. He is having total knee replacements April 12--two days before our 33rd wedding anniversary I might add. I have spent my "mini-vaca" taking him to the doctors for testing, pre-op, etc. He cannot drive due to his disability. Shoot, we recently bought a new car--the one He wanted, even though he cannot drive! I wanted a Challenger. We got a Camry. Don't get me wrong, I am very pleased with the Camry. It is just an other example of what I want gets pushed to the wayside. ***sigh***

Stomping Big Foot and Butterfingers live above me. Big Foot gets a walking and the glasses and dishes in my cabinets rattle and tink together. Butterfingers drops the bowling ball collection at least 4 times a day. Tried to talk to Big Foot but was ignored. I have spoken to the management office about it and they talk to them yet nothing changes.

Anyway all this and more has caused alot of stress. As a result, I have been comfort and stress eating. Not NEARLY as much as before WLS, but more than I think I should be. I have weighed the same or two weeks. No loss. No gain. No happy. I can really eat anything and have no real restriction. I have 5.5cc in my 10cc band. I think I need more.

Hubby's PCP is also my doctor. He knows I have an over filled plate and a high stress level. I take a "happy pill" - as I so loving call it - and Doc said that as long as i am hubby's caregiver and put with dealing with him, he will not take me off my "happy pill". I think he may be right.

Thanks for listening, errrr, reading! Love and blessings to all!

Workout Wednesday

Yes! You read that right! I - Me - The FORMER Couch Potatoe Queen - worked out on Wednesday!

Zumba! It is hard and I have no coordination but I REALLY like it! A stranger gave me a Double High Five! I sweated. I also learned to not eat before class. Makes for a hard workout.

I am sore but it feels good!

On the home front: Hubby is getting knee replacements. I am concerned as he has poor health and is a brittle diabetic. Risks are high but we have no option as there is nothing more that can be done for his knees and he is in EXTERME pain. I am going to try to control the stress and comfort eating I would do in the past. Prayers for both of us please.

Please permit me to brag..........

Today marks the tenth anniversary of my Son's service to The USA.
I am so proud of him! He is and remains my HERO
Thank you, Son, for your service, sacrifice, and pain.

Weekly Weight-in ------- ACK!

Starting weight: 257 lbs

Current weight: 204.5 lbs

Weekly Loss: GAIN 1.5 lbs.

Total Loss: 52.5 pounds!!!

BMI: 35.1

Week In Review: major stress; Chinese and Mexican food for days in a row. No wonder I gained!!

"Keep calm and carry on......"

I am serious--I need y'all's imput

This week marked my 3 month Bandiversary! Yay!

I got an email from my nutritionist saying I should be able to eat regular food, taking a multivitamin, and only requiring one protein supplement a day. Regular food is no problem but I do have some questions.

1. I did not realize I should have been continuing the protein supplements. In my mind that means protein drinks/shakes and I have not found one that I can handle the flavor or the aftertaste. I mean--it makes me ill and then I will have several days of tummy troubles and/or bathroom troubles. Is there a chewable protein pill? I have gotten protein bars and they are alright but they are high in calories and carbs. Any suggestion? What are y'all doing with protein supplements?

2. Multivitamins? I take a centrum chewable everyday but read an article about nutrition and hair loss. Here's the link. http://www.obesityaction.org/magazine/ywm22/wlsandhairloss.php
It says we need to have iron, zinc, vitamin A, B6 and various other supplements to stop hair loss. It is a very good article and it says that hair loss is normal for 6 to 12 months because of having major surgery and rapid weight loss but if it continues after a year there's a problem. I have been worried about the excessive amount of hair in my brush and this article set my mind at ease.
Anyway, back on subject--what vitamin supplements do you take?

I am serious here and need y'all's imput!

Thanks in advance.

I DID IT!

I DID IT! I did my first Zumba class! Ever! The WHOLE hour! I enjoyed it.

And the best part? I DID NOT DIE!

This is a picture of me 30 minutes AFTER the class!!!! I am very red in the face and my t-shirt is soaked! My panties are sticking to me! Even my shorts were sweaty! WOW!

So..... I had no shorts that fit. I wore the smallest ones I good find-they were too big.

While I was shaking my jiggly parts like there was no tomorrow--don't ya know it--my shorts fall down! Yup! Straight down to my ankles! Right there in front of God and everybody! Thank the Lord, I was at the back of the class and I wore my pretty pink panties today!

For the rest for the class when I had to "shake what yo mama gave ya" (that's what the leader would say-not me!)---I held on to my britches for dear life!

I need to get those stretchy workout short pants thingys!

WHAT A DAY!

Fiber.

Does anyone know if we bandsters can take Fiber Choice? I am having, bathroom difficulties and need some fiber.

Thoughts please?

Make a List Monday

This week’s category for Make A List Monday is your top ten current TV shows.  This list should include shows that are currently on television.

1. The Finder
2. The Big Bang Theory
3. NCIS
4. White Collar
5. Person of Interest
6. Dogs 101
7. Huckabee
8. Bones
9. Royal Pains
10. Dancing with the Stars--yes I know the new season has not started but it IS my FAVORITE Show and would have been my número UNO but it is currently not on but will be soon.

Ha ha ha ha!

A lady a church today said "Cheri! Pretty soon we will need two of you to make one shadow!"

I took that as a compliment!

Weight in Sunday!

Starting weight: 257 lbs

Current weight: 203 lbs

Weekly Loss: 2.5 lbs.

Total Loss: 54 pounds!!!

BMI: 34.8

Week In Review: STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS at home and work

"Keep calm and carry on......"

Filling Station

I saw Dr G yesterday.  I lost 11 lbs in a month!  Cool!  He is very very pleased with my progress. 
Since I am one of his first patients to have the Lap Band with Sleeve Pilcation, he asked many questions: 
Do I have restriction from the Band? Nope!
Do I have hunger? YES!!!!  Alot!  And I mean I get HUNGRY!!  I can eat a whole Cinnabon!  It takes me 1 1/2 hours to do so but I can eat a whole one!!!!!!
Pain? Reflux? Bathroom Issues?  Nope. Nope. I have random bouts of liquid poo.
That is your system getting used to your smaller stomach and is not dumping syndrome.  If it starts happening daily, call me.  Okay
Am I going to get a fill? Yes you are.  You should not be able to eat a whole Cinnabon.

So I got 1.5cc for a total of 5.5cc in my 10cc band.

He asked that if I did not have restriction, how did I to lose 11 pounds. I told him I eat till my tummy was full which is not very much.

He was pleased. I was glad cause it seems to be working.

Weird-what is that?

I got REALLY upset with my DS & DIL very very late last night and did not sleep well at all.

Then this morning DIL called yelling. I hung up her.

Now my lapband and tummy area feels weird. Sorta like there's a burp sitting there. It's like the band slightly clinches. There is no pain and it comes and goes. I haven't been hungry but I have eaten. The food seems to go down in slow motion.

Weird, huh?

Where's your port?

What side is your port on? 

Mine is on my right side.

My research shows it always on the left.

What side is yours on?

Update and Thanks!

Much thanks to all who have kept Hubby and I in your thoughts and prayers.

We found out today that he was approved by the insulin manufacture for the patient assistance program. They will be providing all of his insulins for the rest of the year at no cost to us! We are soooo thankful and are praising God for His provision.

Also, he was approved for medical benefits from the Veterans Administration. Not sure what that entails but we are grateful for it! We are researching.

My stress level has lowered some and it feels good!

BLESSINGS!

Dumping syndrome

I know that 'dumping' is not to occur with the lap band but have any of y'all had a 'dumping' situation?

I know this is one of those gross tabu subjects but I am having bouts of (ugh) liquid poop. It has happened shortly after eating.

Is this common? Do anyone else have this problems?

Make a List Monday

This week’s edition of Make a List Monday, (Thanks Robyn!), will focus on things you are most grateful for.

I am most grateful for...
...my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The thought of my life without Him leaves me frightened and my future would be an empty black void. All that I am, all that I have, all that I will ever be is the result of Jesus and His will in my life.

...my Hubby. He is my mighty oak, my sweetness, my smile.

...The "Grands"--my Granddaughter and my Grandnieces!

...my parents. They gave me a wonderful childhood! They showed me what a strong marriage was. They gave me my Christian heritage. They support me. They help me. They love me.

...my family and my Hubby's family

...the men and women, past and present, who fight for our freedom

...a comfortable bed--'nuff said!

...employment and the life and things it allows me to enjoy

...indoor plumbing--yes it's trival but I am so glad outhouses and chamber pots are not widely used or accepted

...my kindle - it's the best thing Hubby has given me next to our Son

AWOL

I haven't posted much lately because I am dealing with a extremely stressful and serious situation with Hubby. He is a brittle diabetic and is disabled as a result of it. He became eligible for Medicare this year and decided that I should remove him from my work coverage and he would go on Medicare. I was reluctant to agree but I did. Well there is this thing with Medicare called the "coverage gap" AKA "the doughnut hole". When the cost of your medications reach $2750, you fall into the doughnut hole and then you pay 50% to 86% for your meds. When you have paid $4750 out of your pocket (not including the medicine cost), you enter the "catastrophic stage" and copay drops to 1%.

Hubby takes two insulins and 6 shots a day. The cost for these drugs are unbelievably outrageous and our cost in the doughnut hole is more than my paycheck! So we cannot get his medicine. Two weeks ago we have applied with the manufactures for assistance. We hope to find out tomorrow.

Needless to say, my stress level is above and beyond high. Not to mention the normal stress of a full time job and all the things a wife and Mom does. It is heartbreaking to watch Hubby in so much pain. My eating choices have not been the best resulting in ony a half pound loss this week.

BUT-------I am still losing and I am looking good. This is a picture of me now....Please keep Hubby and I in your thoughts and prayers.

Fat Me

This is fat me-- Easter 2011. Ugh!

It's Sunday! That is Weigh-In Day!!!

Starting weight: 257 lbs

Current weight: 205.5 lbs

Weekly Loss: 0.5 lbs.

Total Loss: 51.5 pounds!!!

BMI: 35.3

Week In Review: testing the boundaries-no money to buy Hubby's insulin-worried-just carrying on.

"Keep calm and carry on......"