BYOC

1. If you believe in a God - who or what form does it take? Person or thing? He or she? None of the above?

I believe in God...not really saying much more...think it would be hard to describe in a short blog.

 

2. If it were considered socially acceptable - would you stop shaving or waxing?

No I would shave.  I like being clean of body hair...I feel dirty with it.

 

3. How often do you weigh yourself? Why?

Every day and I also believe it keeps me in check if I don't get in on the scale its usually because I know it will not be favorable but if I don't address it right away...it will spiral.

4. When was the last time you admitted you were wrong? (Thank you to Joey for this question)
I feel like I admit it a lot.  Things are just not as black and white as I have always thought they were.  I find that I really don't know a lot and that is good.  I am constantly learning that there are a lot of RIGHT answers.

5. Repeat question. How was your week?

My week was pretty good still needing to practice my banding skills of eating slow, taking smaller bites and chew chew chew.  I can easily get stuck and do because I forget these things or get in a hurry.  I have noticed that some things I could eat prior to a fill no problem now I must chew more and eat slower....if I was just doing that to begin with never would have been an issue
blog land....sorry Draz I just can't seem to get the whole link and post thing..what can I say...I'm a dummy and do not seem to want to take the time to learn how to do this properly.

BOOBS flight booked!

So I am pretty stoked.  I just got done booking my BOOBS flight for September. I have never met any of you so I hope you all exist and are not a bunch of middle aged men sitting at there computer pretending to be banders....LOL!  Just kidding.  I can't wait to put some real faces to the blogs I read.  I also can't believe I am spending all this money and time on myself...but I deserve it right?  I gave up a trip to Vegas for this because I didn't have enough vacation but I totally feel its worth it!
I had a stuck episode last night.  Tried eating steak and corn and they got stuck....pretty sure it was my fault for not cutting it up and chewing better but I don't know about you but after a stuck episode I really don't feel like eating anymore and I just kind of gave up and drank water for the rest of the evening.  I never had a problem with skirt steak prior to my fill so I wasn't even giving it a second thought.  I need to pay more attention next time.
I am looking forward to my week off next week with my little boy should be some good bonding and fun time.

Fills...fills...schedule them fills

So I called and scheduled my next fill for next week...Wednesday...its during spring break so I will have to bring my 4 year old.  Hopefully he will not be scarred for life watching....he kind of got into it when I took him to my gyno for my depo shot...he thought it was cool and kept waiting for me to cry..."there is no crying in baseball"  just kidding.
I am also hoping the doc finds the port pronto...no fishing around....a girl can dream :)
I also still kept my fill on April 12th.  So my next two fills are scheduled in the next couple of weeks so I am pretty jacked I should be up to 7cc by April 12...maybe then I will feel some restriction.
I have been losing some weight so I must be feeling full longer or I wouldn't have started losing again...I finally feel better..no more throwing up thank god...and no more easter cande...I am in the process of looking for a vaccuum cleaner...if you remember I hired a housecleaner and she broke my vaccuum so I need another.  I am leaning towards a cannister so that its easier to do the stairs...husband thinks I should get a strap on.....vaccuum that is...not sure how I feel about that.
I saw best buy had an electrolux cannister for $250  may need to go check it out.

Sick of Being Sick!

So it started off with my son being sick..throwing up all night and I stayed home from work with him for two days..uuggghhh that wears a mom out!  Then I got it and I have been trying to not throw up but that is easier said than done when you are sick.  So I have been trying to stay hydrated because I am just not hungry but completely sick to my tummy...achy...and all around SICK.
It is probably good I got sick(did I just say that) because I had a binge on easter candy.  I should have NEVER bought the chocolate and brought it into the house.  I now know that I can't control myself around chocolate...I seem to turn into a different person.  I was so ashamed of myself that I could not control myself around it.  My hubby even lectured me and said that this is what I was doing to myself after a wonderful weight loss tool was put in my body.
So I am hungry, I am going to move up my fill to next week if I can...still too hungry.  BTW I never did bruise from my fill and the next day it felt fine.  I have dropped some weight since my fill but again it just seems to be me doing it not the band.  Which isn't totally true the band does seem to kick in but doesn't seem to keep me full for long...2 hours again is my magic number...must eat every two hours.  Well I am off to the bathroom...good bye bloggers

First Fill....am I a sprinkler

So I just had my first fill....not the best I think my doc pricked me over a dozen times...and not in a good way!  Bad girl.
He had a hard time locating the opening of my port it was tilted in a weird angle.  He did a ultrasound first and saw it right away...although the nurse didn't but he said that was because I have a certain low ride port or something.
I swear at one point he was up on the counter pushing down and all around ...I think he went thru 3 needles.
Well I got ahead of myself...they weighed me and I had lost weight...imagine that! Ok only 1 lb but yeah! Then he asked if I wanted to try the B12 shot I said why not so he said he needed blood work done first to make sure I needed it...well I got a new nurse she had problem finding my vein....couldn't get any blood..but when she took the needle out blood spurted everywhere..I asked if she could just tap into what was running all over my arm but she said no.  Then she asked if she could try my other arm..umm no I already am going in and having a needle in my tummy I don't need both arms with holes too...so I will have to wait until next time for that.
So today was just not my luck with needles --- ugh.  He said I could come back in a couple weeks for more fill.  He put in 3cc and said in a couple weeks we would go to 5cc.  I have a 10cc alergan band so I was game and he promised next time it would be better.  It really didn't hurt too bad just wished it would have went faster..I was in there for 45min with him
So liquids today mushies tomorrow.
I also decided to order meals from a butcher here in town who does low calorie low carb meals that they deliver to your house.  It works out to about $8 a day for meals but I am hoping I don't eat all the food I should be able to have some for leftovers.  I thought it was reasonable and the butcher has great meat so I am looking forward to not having to always wonder what I will eat.  He has chicken,tilapia, salmon, steaks along with veges and a starch(but not a lot of it)  Should get my delivery Thursday..when I am ready to eat solids again!

BYOC...I know I am late but I wanted to comment

 

BYOC!!!

1. How do you feel about college? If you have kids or siblings - will you encourage or require them to go? How long did you go and what for?

I think college is a must.  I will encourage my son to go...I already have a college fund going.  I went to college the summer after high school and went year round to graduate with my BS at 20.  I have a skill that people off the street do not have.  If I lose my job..oh well...I have a skill to fall back on that keeps me near my current pay no matter where I go.  I learned life in college.  I did not live at home(but maybe should have).  I struggled to afford living in college.  I ate top ramen and tuna throughout college...didn't buy any clothes just what my mom sent me.  I worked part time while I was in school.  It was a struggle..had a few break downs...but it was also the best time of my life.  I grew up so much coming from little ole Montana down to Phoenix AZ.  I learned to be more outgoing..take risks...save my money, budget and study hard...although I almost got kicked out because I partied so hard that first year I had to get my act together for the second year.  I have a BS in Computer Information Systems.  I graduated from DeVry. When I graduated I had at least 10 interviews and 3 flyouts(1 to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, AIC-3M)  I ended up taking the job at 3M in St Paul MN.

2. Pink or purple? Coke or Pepsi? Pen or pencil? Cursive or printing? Ketchup or mustard?

PINK

COKE...oh my god...I want some now

Pen

Cursive...I love getting letters...it is such a lost art!

Ketchup and mustard...although since banding I am more of a mustard person...too much sugar in ketchup

3. If you could live in any generation - which one would it be?

70's totally.. Love the music, the drugs, the rock and roll.....I am a big talker...

4. What do you sleep in?

pj bottoms and tops...I like them to match ...I used to iron them...no more since kids.

5. Repeat question - summarize your week!

HUNGRY

HUNGRY

HUNGRY

Gained 3 lbs.....

So I had a terrible weekend.  I have been hungry and there was a lot of get togethers this weekend which made it hard to make good choices.  My mom is irish so we went over to her house Saturday for corned beef, potatoes, cabbage and soda bread...I tried to limit my portions and have a protein shake beforehand but corned beef is just plain bad!!!
On Friday hubby picked up chinese food....I had thai fried rice...FRIED!  UGH...and the rice was no problem going down.  Yesterday a couple from church took us all out for another friends birthday to where.....PIZZA PARLOR---ughh....I couldn't win this weekend.  I was happy I stayed at 2 slices...actually 1 slice and the crust from my sons two peices.  Normally I would have had 3 pieces myself so I did sort of well....but when I got on the scale this morning up 3lbs from my low....seriously..this fill Tuesday can't come soon enough.
I went walking this weekend both days and got my exercise in but eating was devastating...my calories were around 1500 which is a far cry from the 1000-1200 I had during my losing phase.
I tried to pack well today so we will see how it goes.
I know you all say it takes a  few fills to feel restirction so I am actually just bummed because I don't know if this fill tomorrow will even notice a difference.

Doctor letting me come in a week early.....

Did you hear the heavens open and the angels sing....I did.
My doctor is letting me come in next Tuesday for my first fill rather than waiting until the 27th...Yay!!!!
Now I just need to try to not eat everything in site!
Went to chipotle today for lunch had the chicken lettuce bowl with black beans...so darn tasy!  Yes I ate the whole thing no problem..but I didn't have cheese or sourcream so the calories were actually kind of low 330 which wasn't bad considering it was eating out.
I am frustrated at work...been stuck on a programming problem for a week and my boss refuses to pay for any microsoft support so it just plain sucks...I am so sick of googling

I am sorry did I steal your cookie?

OMG I am a hungry crazy girl right now...I think the problem is I had copious amounts of sugar....so my husbands grandparents celebrated there 70th wedding anniversary Sunday and my mom made her homemade carrot cake that is just to die for...well I had a small piece...and it was HEAVEN..so darn good.
Then what did I do..take my other half home(she cut it in half for me and saved the other half in tin foil)  I ate that yesterday....seriously if it is not nailed down I will eat it.  I was hungry all day yesterday..I tried to make good choices but I just was hungry...I had 2 cups of shelled edamame yesterday...2 cups...needless to say I am paying for it today as I putter around.  I tried to pack some good stuff today and I was shocked that I was down .5lbs this morning but probably would have been down more minus the cake!
I am thinking about calling my office and pleading with them to move my fill up a week...I mean really why must I wait 6 weeks after surgery...my friend who got her band same day as mine (same doc) is getting her fill this Saturday..why does she get it 10 days prior to me....I'm calling.
On a different note...my son has spring break the first week in April and I am not sure what to do, I want to do something fun...just wish I had other mom to play with...oh well I guess we can hit the zoo, childrens museum, movie, library, jump house and shopping....have a great Tuesday !

Will I make this work....

Was over at Chris's blog and she brought up a good point which got me thinking.  Everyone tells me how the band is just a tool and you have to work it to be successful...this scares me.
I have tried to set it up so that I am successful.  I attend my support groups, I try to exercise, I log my food and I follow the band rules....will I succeed?  I don't know. 
Its hard to even celebrate the weight loss I have had because I am not 100% sure I can keep it off.  I have been able to lose weight before in the past...that is  not the problem...keeping it off is. 
So I wonder at what weight loss will I realize that I know how to do this?  Crazy. 
I should celebrate the weight I have lost now but I don't and I think well maybe in a year if I am still down I will realize that I can do this because I have never kept my weight down for a whole year..it usually starts to creep back up after awhile. 
I have lost 100lbs multiple times and done so in a short period of time but then it starts to creep back on...why can't I truly believe in the band and me.  I am so darn scared that It won't work for me, or it will need to be removed or something will sabotage my success.  Its probably all a mechanism so that I don't get disappointed....

Getting organized.....

So wish I had the day off today..having a hard time getting into work.  I finally got my tax stuff ready for the tax guy and finished filing stuff in my office...feels so nice to be organized---whos OCD.
My housecleaner did a crappy job...oh well they didn't charge much...but broke my vacuum cleaner..guess I will be getting a new one...this time I want a cannister one...carpet on stairs is a b*tch to clean.
I still got to finish that scrapbook for the grandparents but I started it!
I packed a little more in my lunch today to make sure I don't get off work STARVING MAD!
Have I mentioned how I hate waiting 30min after I eat to drink-----I was such a drinking queen during meals...I used to think it helped fill me up(but why was I hungry so quickly after I ate---hmmm)
I don't have much here today......happy weekend guys!

Ten Things Thursday

1.  So I like to learn lessons the hard way...and apparently I am just stupid--lol.  Got hungry again and had to pick up johnny and go to grocery store.  I got a rotiserrie chicken at store..as soon as I got home I took 2 bites of chicken breast...bam got stuck...came back up all slimy...had to walk around a bit to get that feeling to go away.  I should have planned better.  I should have had a shake or protein bar with me in my purse for those moments but I didn't.  I got a new purse at charming charlies this weekend and forgot to put them in there. doh!~
2.  I did not go to zumba last night..felt like it was too soon..not even 3 weeks until today.  So we rescheduled for next thursday.  I did go walking though so that made feel good.
3.  Need new tennis shoes mine just are not cutting it.
4.  Waiting for housecleaner she is 2 1/2 hours late...maybe she is not coming?  I haven't felt like bending over and scrubbing toilet or shower since surgery so hubby set up a housecleaner which I was glad because the house is driving me nuts!
5.  Work is awesome..figured out some crazy new stuff in Biztalk(thats the language I code in) that I had to google to get it working but figured it out all on my own and should save the company some money so that made me feel good.  I just took on a new coding language at work, they sent me to training and there are no experts at work.  Me and this other guy are it.  But its marketable and I haven't done anything new in 12 years so its awesome to get out of my comfort zone.
6.  Still losing weight...yay!  I have been really trying to fill up on protein and it does keep me fuller longer.  I have not had a protein shake in a few days because I am managing to get it in thru chicken, tuna, beans.  My new favorite..wasa cracker with chicken/apples/onions/greek yogurt...very nummy.
7.  No reflux...that is so awesome I love not having heartburn and my nails are growing like crazy!  In fact I need to paint them they look shabby.
8.  Went to charming charlies this weekend LOVE THAT STore...spent some money and time on me and got a few bracelets and earring, purse...I could drop a wad in that place.
9.  Hubby is interviewing with a big company that is going well and its a full time job working from home so that is a bonus seeing how right now we barely see each other with his hours being different from mine.
10. I love looking at peoples food diaries and seeing what they eat...is that bad?  I get ideas from them to try new things...kind of eaves dropping no? 

Have a great Thursday

ONLY 100lbs to go..........

So I realized that I lost 2.5lbs since my weigh in last week and I am pretty stoked about that.  The doctor told me at my post op last week that I would probably not lose any more weight until my first fill which of course made me think....pshhh...whatever now I want to prove him wrong.  I have been diligently tracking my calories which makes me more aware of what I am putting in my mouth. I will say I seem to be more creative with what I can eat so that I don't get bored and make a bad choice...
I finally had to put on my 18's today because the 22's seemed to slide off or leave me with severe plumbers crack.  I am finally down to my pre-baby weight.  Can't wait to be in the 240's..<sigh> always want what is just out of reach.  To be honest...I can't wait until 230's my wedding weight....or is that my 190's onderland.....ughhhh I sometimes wonder if I will EVER be happy with my weight...I am always so critical of it.  I remember being 175 and still wishing I was thinner....what a whiner.
I read the hunger games all three books over the last two weeks they were great can't wait to see the movie...I need another book to read.  A friend told me about the Janet Evanovich books which I have started to read but not really excited about them.  I am all over the place in books.  I liked the Game of Throne books by Martin and Harry Potter and DaVinci Code ughh what to read next...any suggestions?

MyFitnessPal a great motivator....and having friends helps!

So I had a great weekend!  I went walking around Tempe Town Lake Saturday morning for 90 minutes...it felt great.  I went with some seasoned lap banders from my support group.  They go every weekend but usually I can't make it..so glad I did this weekend.  I was having a hard time figuring out if I was feeling hunger pains, port pains or gas pains.  So when I felt them I downed(sipped) some water for awhile and if they didn't go away I had a bit to eat..that seems to be working out well because actually sometimes I am thirsty and not hungry.
Took Johnny to the Lorax what a cute movie, he loved it and told me he wants to buy the dvd...thats pretty special to him...and it brought up lots of conversation about greed and the environment which he asked a ton of questions on.  Like MandaPanda I am not sure why the PG rating??
I continue to track my food in MFP and have noticed that msarah76 rocks!  That girl can exercise..and faithfully, it truly inspires me to be more active...I tend to forget to add exercise to MFP and I need to remember to do that. 
I noticed I dropped a 1/2lb this weekend wish it was more but I will take it.  I am also eating more so I can see its not going to drop as fast.  I made a date with another mom to meet at the gym Wednesday so I am excited about that.

BYOC

BYOC 3/2/2012

It's Bring Your Own Crazy Friday in Carebear Land! Thanks Drazil!

1. Since I talked about psychics this week - I'm curious....if you could see one for free and you could only ask one question - what would it be?

*not really a psychic fan but to play along I would ask if I ever change careers

2. What's your favorite ice cream flavor and topping?

* Oh pretty plain here...I don't like stuff in my ice cream.  Just chocolate or vanilla with chocolate sauce nuts and whipped cream..love the toppings

3. What's your preferred method of working out? DVDs, an external gym, gym inside your home, classes?

*Gym and taking classes..they mix it up for me and I really enjoy taking them

4. If you work outside the home or if you ever did or will in the future - do you think it's better/easier to work with men or woman? Who do you work mostly with now?

*Interesting.  I have worked with both but I would say women.  They are more organized, more structured and have more personal interaction and support.  Men in my field have a hard time reporting to a woman, taking orders from a woman, keeping things organized and on track, don't really pass out the atta boys much if at all.  They are sexists.  They tend to be more lazy.  They like to have good ole boys clubs that womens don't really break into fully.  Don't get me wrong I love men just have not been real impressed by many.  And the ego's OMG I am in IT and I am literally blown away by the egos in my field.  I have been in the IT industry for 20+ years

5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

*Real life has been a challenge.  Trying to figure out my band and what all my aches and pains mean.  Am I truly hungry or is that gas, Did I eat to much or not enough.  Should I be drinking more and taking more supplements. Really hungry one day...food disgusts me the next...ughh

*blog land...love it and love all the bloggers and the support...favorite thing to get on and get updated