I literally have a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear. Normally, this would be a horrible scenario for a fashionista such as myself. However, I'm okay with this situation. Why you ask? Because I have lost a total of 36 (down to 290 lbs.!!!), and my clothes are all pretty much too big.
Now this does present a challenege when I have a special event to attend, but I'm okay with rocking the same dress with different accesories to create a different look. I can now wear dresses I was bursting out the seams of a few months ago without the assistance of Spanx (also know as God's gift to women). I can now wear a few pairs of jeans I haven't been able to fit into in more than two years! But most importantly, I like the way I look in my clothes much more now. My rolls are still here (hey boos!), but they are much less pronounced. After a Thursday ab session with Zac, I swear I have a six pack... under my gut. LOL
My next challenege will be finding new smaller clothes that are inexpensive. I am on a very tight financial budget, and I haven't shopped in about year. Those of you who know me well know I was once on a first name basis with the girls at Torrid Town Center in Kennesaw. I would go at least once a month and spend on average about $150 per month in there. I do miss my lovelies.
I'm excited to visit DC next month and see some of my college friends I haven't seen in about more than a year and a half. Some of them have already noticed by weightloss from pictures I've posted on Facebook. I just can't wait until I'm at a size where I can raid my friends' closets. That's something I've never been able to experience, but look forward to doing! #untilnexttimefolks
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Testing, Testing... 1, 2, 3!
This is just a test post from my new T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S touch phone. Android is so much better than Blackberry. I love having an app that allows me to post straight from my phone!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Breaking 300
On Monday, I had an appointment for my second fill. I had my first fill on January 17, and since then, I've lost 10 lbs.! I weighed in on Monday at 297 lbs.
As many of you know, I've been hovering right around 300 hundred since the surgery. For weeks, I'd step on the scale and it would read anything from 300 to 305. It took a lot of hard work, but I'm finally below 300 lbs. again. I haven't weighed less than 300 lbs. since I graduated from high school, so you can imagine my excitement and happiness to reach this milestone.
People say it all the time, but exercise really is the key to weight loss. Of course you can lose weight by eating a low-fat, low-calorie diet everyday, but the realities of life do not always afford you this luxury. It's very expensive to eat healthy in today's economy. I made a major change in the choices I made in food back in December when I had my surgery. Could I eat even healthier? Of course, but I also try to work on the self-control aspect of my weight loss journey.
After my liquid diet ended, I was working out sporadically. Now that I have a regular workout schedule and a rigorous plan with my trainer, I can definitely see the results. I have to wear a belt with all of my pants or else they are constantly falling down. I also look better in my clothes. My rolls are still here, but they are less pronounced in my current clothes. I can wear dresses I wouldn't dare wear without Spanx before without them. And overall, I feel good on the inside. I was actually upset when I sprained my knee and the doctor told me I couldn’t exercise for two weeks. I sat out one week, but I was back in the gym the second week doing upper body training and low-impact cardio.
I have another fill scheduled for March 17, and then I'll go to a schedule of a fill every three months. I can't wait to see the results. Zac (my trainer) and I are working hard to get me Beyonce fine! :o)
As many of you know, I've been hovering right around 300 hundred since the surgery. For weeks, I'd step on the scale and it would read anything from 300 to 305. It took a lot of hard work, but I'm finally below 300 lbs. again. I haven't weighed less than 300 lbs. since I graduated from high school, so you can imagine my excitement and happiness to reach this milestone.
People say it all the time, but exercise really is the key to weight loss. Of course you can lose weight by eating a low-fat, low-calorie diet everyday, but the realities of life do not always afford you this luxury. It's very expensive to eat healthy in today's economy. I made a major change in the choices I made in food back in December when I had my surgery. Could I eat even healthier? Of course, but I also try to work on the self-control aspect of my weight loss journey.
After my liquid diet ended, I was working out sporadically. Now that I have a regular workout schedule and a rigorous plan with my trainer, I can definitely see the results. I have to wear a belt with all of my pants or else they are constantly falling down. I also look better in my clothes. My rolls are still here, but they are less pronounced in my current clothes. I can wear dresses I wouldn't dare wear without Spanx before without them. And overall, I feel good on the inside. I was actually upset when I sprained my knee and the doctor told me I couldn’t exercise for two weeks. I sat out one week, but I was back in the gym the second week doing upper body training and low-impact cardio.
I have another fill scheduled for March 17, and then I'll go to a schedule of a fill every three months. I can't wait to see the results. Zac (my trainer) and I are working hard to get me Beyonce fine! :o)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I Be Up in the Gym Just Working on My Fitness
Those of you who know me well know that I HATE going to the gym. I like to come home after a "hard" day's work and take a nap. I'll admit it... I'm kind of lazy. When I started this weight loss journey, I knew this would be my greatest challenge.
I haven't been as committed on the exercise front. I started going to the gym once I got medical clearance, then the holidays and New Year came around, and I abandoned my routine. A few weeks ago, I decided I would have no more excuses and would start my workouts again every week day after work. Well, that was a bit of an over statement. I find myself super tired on Mondays because I'm still recovering from the weekend and getting adjusted to getting up early and going to work. And Fridays... let be real. Fridays after work, I usually crash or start getting ready for what ever I'm planning to do that night. So now I've set a more realistic goal: I will work out in the gym Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and on Sundays, I'll attend a Zumba class with some of my girlfriends.
I started my solo workouts in the gym, which consisted of 30 minutes on the treadmill, 15 minutes on the elliptical machine (#archnemisis), and 15 minutes on the bicycle. Last Wednesday, I was just not feeling it and almost convinced myself that I shouldn't go to work out. I didn't listen to that little devil on my shoulder and proceeded to the gym to work out. After about 10 minutes on the treadmill, two roommates entered the gym and one was training the other.
I asked the personal trainer about his background and his fees, which were super expensive ($50 for an hour session; $25 for a half-hour session). I let him know I couldn't afford that and thanked him for his time. Out of the kindness of his heart, he allowed me to join his roommate for that training session for free. He worked me out like never before.
I always felt that personal trainers were overrated, but they aren't. He definitely pushes me to the limit. I never pushed myself that hard working out by myself. He keeps me motivated and lets me know I'm doing a good job. And boy, do I feel the difference! I could barely move the next day. I worked out harder in 30 minutes with him than I did in an hour by myself. He joined me, again, the next day to do some cardio on the treadmill.
After explaining my financial situation with him, he agreed to work with me two times a week for $20 a week. Those of you who have worked with trainers know that's an AMAZING deal. I made excuses as to why I couldn't afford a personal trainer. After careful reevaluation, I realized that I could afford it if I cut out some of my other bad habits. Weight loss is a priority, so I had to start treating it that way. I've wasted money on frivolous things in the past which weren't benefiting my overall health. Using that money towards a personal trainer is a much better use of my funds, time, brain cells, and a list of other things. This is definitely an evolving moment for me, and I am proud of this personal growth.
I haven't been as committed on the exercise front. I started going to the gym once I got medical clearance, then the holidays and New Year came around, and I abandoned my routine. A few weeks ago, I decided I would have no more excuses and would start my workouts again every week day after work. Well, that was a bit of an over statement. I find myself super tired on Mondays because I'm still recovering from the weekend and getting adjusted to getting up early and going to work. And Fridays... let be real. Fridays after work, I usually crash or start getting ready for what ever I'm planning to do that night. So now I've set a more realistic goal: I will work out in the gym Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and on Sundays, I'll attend a Zumba class with some of my girlfriends.
I started my solo workouts in the gym, which consisted of 30 minutes on the treadmill, 15 minutes on the elliptical machine (#archnemisis), and 15 minutes on the bicycle. Last Wednesday, I was just not feeling it and almost convinced myself that I shouldn't go to work out. I didn't listen to that little devil on my shoulder and proceeded to the gym to work out. After about 10 minutes on the treadmill, two roommates entered the gym and one was training the other.
I asked the personal trainer about his background and his fees, which were super expensive ($50 for an hour session; $25 for a half-hour session). I let him know I couldn't afford that and thanked him for his time. Out of the kindness of his heart, he allowed me to join his roommate for that training session for free. He worked me out like never before.
I always felt that personal trainers were overrated, but they aren't. He definitely pushes me to the limit. I never pushed myself that hard working out by myself. He keeps me motivated and lets me know I'm doing a good job. And boy, do I feel the difference! I could barely move the next day. I worked out harder in 30 minutes with him than I did in an hour by myself. He joined me, again, the next day to do some cardio on the treadmill.
After explaining my financial situation with him, he agreed to work with me two times a week for $20 a week. Those of you who have worked with trainers know that's an AMAZING deal. I made excuses as to why I couldn't afford a personal trainer. After careful reevaluation, I realized that I could afford it if I cut out some of my other bad habits. Weight loss is a priority, so I had to start treating it that way. I've wasted money on frivolous things in the past which weren't benefiting my overall health. Using that money towards a personal trainer is a much better use of my funds, time, brain cells, and a list of other things. This is definitely an evolving moment for me, and I am proud of this personal growth.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Let Me Fill You In...
Yesterday was a great day! I had an appointment with my surgeon to get my first "fill" for my lap band. Originally scheduled for January 10, I had to reschedule my appointment due to Snowpocalypse 2011. Many people have asked me to explain this process to them, so here goes...
When saline is injected and the silicone ballon expands, the upper part of your stomach stays full for a longer period of time. Food, over time, drops through the banded opening and is digested normally. Doctors band the upper portion of your stomach because this is where all of the nerves are that tell your brain you are full.
The lap band is a plastic band that fastens around your stomach. The inside lining of that band is a silicon "balloon." The band then has a silicon vessel that leads to a port, which is situated above your belly button area. When the doctor gives you a "fill," he uses a huber needle (very thin needle) to inject saline into your port and fill your band.
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| The lap band is placed on the upper portion of the stomach. |
I will start off having monthly fills. As time goes on, I'll have fills based upon my weight loss progression. Eventually, I'll get to a point where I'll only need a fill once a year.
Getting the band filled helps with food resctriction, as well. I will not be able to eat as much because my upper stomach will get full quicker and stay full longer. There are certain foods that don't pass through the band as easily, such as tough meat, bread, and rice. It's a great deal of work learning what your body can and cannot digest. Every person and every band is different. The one consensus I've gathered is that Mexican food passes through the band easily, which is great because that's my favorite types of food!
If I overeat or eat something that does not digest well, it can feel like the food is stuck in my esophagus and cause me to vomit what I've just eaten. I've, for the most part, been eating tilapia and boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I have to get creative because eating fish and chicken every day can get pretty boring, pretty fast. I'll eventually do a post showcasing some of my concoctions so you all can see some of the healthier food items I've learned to prepare.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Trigger Happy
So this week has been extremely stressful for me, which has not been good for the healthy eating habits I've been working so hard on. As some of you know, I have a super important interview for a DREAM job on Thursday afternoon. I booked this interview a few days before Christmas, and allegedly, the office manager emailed me the information concerning the details of the presentation I had to do in this said email on December 22. Well, I combed through my junk mail every day from the time I booked the interview until this past Monday. I sent an email to the office manager on December 29 asking about the email confirmation from her, but she didn't respond because the office was closed the week between Christmas and New Year's.
So Monday, January 3 comes around, and she finally sends me details of the interview and the presentation. I begin to FREAK THE FUCK OUT! I just want to do well and make an impression, and it's very stressful to do a good presentation in THREE days, especially considering I could have had 15 days to complete it.
With all that being said, the stress made me just want to pig out and eat. Unfortunately, I didn't have the will power to not go to Mellow Mushroom and get a small House pizza with no black olives and extra mushrooms. #myfave. While it was delicious, I felt super guilty after eating it, especially since I've been working so hard to make better food choices. I did share a lot of the greasy pork toppings with my dogs, and they thoroughly enjoyed them.
Eating healthy is very hard. It takes a lot of dedication and planning. Perhaps if I had gone grocery shopping, I wouldn't have an empty fridge, and would have no excuse to go out and get something bad (yet so good) to eat. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow, so it's back to tilapia fillets, chicken breasts, and spinach. #yum-o. I'll do a special post on some of the concoctions I've been preparing one of these days.
On a much happier note, I've scheduled my first fill for Monday, January 10 at 8:00 am. I'll do a more detailed post explaining this process! #untilnexttime
So Monday, January 3 comes around, and she finally sends me details of the interview and the presentation. I begin to FREAK THE FUCK OUT! I just want to do well and make an impression, and it's very stressful to do a good presentation in THREE days, especially considering I could have had 15 days to complete it.
With all that being said, the stress made me just want to pig out and eat. Unfortunately, I didn't have the will power to not go to Mellow Mushroom and get a small House pizza with no black olives and extra mushrooms. #myfave. While it was delicious, I felt super guilty after eating it, especially since I've been working so hard to make better food choices. I did share a lot of the greasy pork toppings with my dogs, and they thoroughly enjoyed them.
Eating healthy is very hard. It takes a lot of dedication and planning. Perhaps if I had gone grocery shopping, I wouldn't have an empty fridge, and would have no excuse to go out and get something bad (yet so good) to eat. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow, so it's back to tilapia fillets, chicken breasts, and spinach. #yum-o. I'll do a special post on some of the concoctions I've been preparing one of these days.
On a much happier note, I've scheduled my first fill for Monday, January 10 at 8:00 am. I'll do a more detailed post explaining this process! #untilnexttime
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Things People Failed to Mention...
It's been a while since my last post, so I definitely wanted to update you all on what's been going on. I finally bought a scale. It was really nice tempered glass scale... only $13.99 plus tax from Ross. It was lovely.... but it didn't work. LOL. So I had to go to Target and spend $24.99 plus tax on a new scale. It works fine, and can store up to 15 weights in its memory so I can track my weightloss... but it's not as pretty. :o)
I made it through the holidays okay and was able to maintain my weight well. I'm hovering right around 300 lbs. now. I haven't been working out like I should, so I'm okay with this hovering weight phase. I was cleared to exericise at my December 13 post-op appointment, but didn't make out to the gym until the next week. Then I caught my mom's cold and going to the gym just wasn't happening.
This week, I was ready to start my workout regimen. Sunday night while tidying up around the house, I started to experience some pain in my abdomen. I laid down and watched a movie, but when it was time for bed, I had trouble going to sleep because I couldn't get comfortable. The next morning, I was sore, but okay. Throughout the day when I would get up at work, I would experience the pain, but it was still bearable.
On my walk back to the parking garage, the pain began to be debilitating. I was stopping at every block, trying to comfort myself through the pain. I texted my sister to see if she experienced the same pains, which she had. Then I called my doctor's office to speak to the nurse. Apparently, you can experience bad adominal pain when you overexert yourself before your port truly settles. I'm feeling better today, and hopefully, it'll be uphill from here.
I'm looking forward to next month when I can schedule an appointment for my first fill. Right now, I'm still able to eat just about anything, I just feel fuller more quickly. Once I get a fill, the true restriction kicks in, and I won't be able to eat as much and will stay full longer. #cantwait
Happy New Year to you all... and thanks for taking this journey with me! #untilnexttime
I made it through the holidays okay and was able to maintain my weight well. I'm hovering right around 300 lbs. now. I haven't been working out like I should, so I'm okay with this hovering weight phase. I was cleared to exericise at my December 13 post-op appointment, but didn't make out to the gym until the next week. Then I caught my mom's cold and going to the gym just wasn't happening.
This week, I was ready to start my workout regimen. Sunday night while tidying up around the house, I started to experience some pain in my abdomen. I laid down and watched a movie, but when it was time for bed, I had trouble going to sleep because I couldn't get comfortable. The next morning, I was sore, but okay. Throughout the day when I would get up at work, I would experience the pain, but it was still bearable.
On my walk back to the parking garage, the pain began to be debilitating. I was stopping at every block, trying to comfort myself through the pain. I texted my sister to see if she experienced the same pains, which she had. Then I called my doctor's office to speak to the nurse. Apparently, you can experience bad adominal pain when you overexert yourself before your port truly settles. I'm feeling better today, and hopefully, it'll be uphill from here.
I'm looking forward to next month when I can schedule an appointment for my first fill. Right now, I'm still able to eat just about anything, I just feel fuller more quickly. Once I get a fill, the true restriction kicks in, and I won't be able to eat as much and will stay full longer. #cantwait
Happy New Year to you all... and thanks for taking this journey with me! #untilnexttime
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dropping the Pounds
Today was my first post-op appointment with my surgeon. I was super excited, because I haven't been weighed since my pre-op appointment on November 22. I have lost a total of 15 lbs.! I could not be more ecstatic, especially since I indulged myself with a few favorites before having my surgery.
The Davis holiday party on Saturday was a blast! Patti and Eric are the best. The food was delicious, and I was able to enjoy it in moderation. I received so many compliments on how great I looked in my dress, and I felt amazing! Thanks to Marcus for being my debonair date for the evening.
It's been 3 years since I last wore this dress!
We're fancy... huh?
I've been able to eat food just fine. I'll get my first "fill" in about a month, so that may change. The key is to concentrate when I eat my meals. I have to focus on chewing my food well and eat slowly. That's a lot harder to do than you may think, especially when you're used to inhaling all your meals. I am most excited that I've now been medically cleared to start exercising. Let the pound shedding begin!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Hello Solids!
Today marked the end of my dreaded liquid diet. I was super excited to eat some real food with substance. While you drop pounds quickly consuming nothing but liquids, there are some awful side effects. The hunger pains were unbearable at times, and the lightheadedness often threw me for a loop. I'll leave the rest to your imagination, but let's just say: if it goes in as liquid... It comes out as liquid. #tmi
I celebrated my first day back on solids by going to lunch with my line sister. We went to Mellow Mushroom in Midtown, a favorite since our days at Grady High. I ordered a Chef Salad with the intention of only being able to eat about half of it and having some leftovers. I spent much of my time chopping up everything finely and the rest of the time making sure I was chewing everything well. It was much tastier than I remember, but a week of liquids will make anything taste good!
I was so satisfied, I decided to go home and take a nap. I've never gotten the itis from a salad, but there's always a first time for everything.
On a completely different note, I will be asking Santa for an iPad! I am typing this post from my older sister's iPad and it's AWESOME! That's huge coming from me considering I have declared a war on all things touch screen.
I celebrated my first day back on solids by going to lunch with my line sister. We went to Mellow Mushroom in Midtown, a favorite since our days at Grady High. I ordered a Chef Salad with the intention of only being able to eat about half of it and having some leftovers. I spent much of my time chopping up everything finely and the rest of the time making sure I was chewing everything well. It was much tastier than I remember, but a week of liquids will make anything taste good!
I was so satisfied, I decided to go home and take a nap. I've never gotten the itis from a salad, but there's always a first time for everything.
On a completely different note, I will be asking Santa for an iPad! I am typing this post from my older sister's iPad and it's AWESOME! That's huge coming from me considering I have declared a war on all things touch screen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Ode to the Liquid Diet
Okay, so we're four days post-op now, and I have three days left on my liquid diet. At first, this liquid diet really sucked. Other than the jello and popsicles, I wasn't really feeling too much on the bare list of things I could eat the first week. The protein shakes, which I started drinking the week of my surgery, actually aren't going down that well. The first sip of one sends me straight into a dry heave. #notgood
My mom has been taking really good care of me though--fixing up various liquid concoctions in my rarely used blender. I get full off of 6 to 8 oz. of liquids in a meal setting now, which still amazes me, considering how much I could eat before.
I'm not sure how much weight I've lost, and probably won't know for sure until my post-op appointment with my surgeon on Monday morning. The first thing on my list of things to purchase next pay period is a scale.
Just when I thought this liquid diet was the bane of my existence, it surprised the hell out of me. I'll be attending a fancy holiday party on Saturday with one of my best friends. In a frenzy to figure out what I'd be wearing, I started trying on what I call my fancy dress--those just being really nice $100+ dresses I purchased at a department store for more than likely for a wedding in the past two years or so.
Pre-surgery, I was the perfect size 26 plus. I could squeeze my behind into a size 24 dress with the help of woman's BFF and best invention of the modern century... SPANX! Today I tried on this gorgeous black and cream silk Maggie London dress I bought for a former coworker's wedding in November of 2007. Now, it was a little tight back then when I wore it to her wedding. I was popping out the top, and the banded waist wasn't the most comfortable. I just added a shrug to it so that people couldn't tell how poorly it actually fitted.
Today, I tried this dress on as an option for this fancy holiday party. Much to my surprise, this dress fit perfectly... no Spanx needed. This was the greatest feeling in the world. I tried on this multi-print Robbie B. dress that I attempted to wear to my sorority meeting that was way too tight around the midsection just a few weeks ago... fits PERFECTLY without the help of Spanx! This has totally made my week and made up for this painfully tasteless liquid diet I've been on.
The cherry on top of this ice cream sundae of a day was a surprise visit from one of my oldest pals. She came bearing a get well balloon, roses, and a bag full of things I could eat on my liquid diet. #thanksAMT
In the words of Ice Cube... "Today was a good day!" Until next time folks...
My mom has been taking really good care of me though--fixing up various liquid concoctions in my rarely used blender. I get full off of 6 to 8 oz. of liquids in a meal setting now, which still amazes me, considering how much I could eat before.
I'm not sure how much weight I've lost, and probably won't know for sure until my post-op appointment with my surgeon on Monday morning. The first thing on my list of things to purchase next pay period is a scale.
Just when I thought this liquid diet was the bane of my existence, it surprised the hell out of me. I'll be attending a fancy holiday party on Saturday with one of my best friends. In a frenzy to figure out what I'd be wearing, I started trying on what I call my fancy dress--those just being really nice $100+ dresses I purchased at a department store for more than likely for a wedding in the past two years or so.
Pre-surgery, I was the perfect size 26 plus. I could squeeze my behind into a size 24 dress with the help of woman's BFF and best invention of the modern century... SPANX! Today I tried on this gorgeous black and cream silk Maggie London dress I bought for a former coworker's wedding in November of 2007. Now, it was a little tight back then when I wore it to her wedding. I was popping out the top, and the banded waist wasn't the most comfortable. I just added a shrug to it so that people couldn't tell how poorly it actually fitted.
Today, I tried this dress on as an option for this fancy holiday party. Much to my surprise, this dress fit perfectly... no Spanx needed. This was the greatest feeling in the world. I tried on this multi-print Robbie B. dress that I attempted to wear to my sorority meeting that was way too tight around the midsection just a few weeks ago... fits PERFECTLY without the help of Spanx! This has totally made my week and made up for this painfully tasteless liquid diet I've been on.
The cherry on top of this ice cream sundae of a day was a surprise visit from one of my oldest pals. She came bearing a get well balloon, roses, and a bag full of things I could eat on my liquid diet. #thanksAMT
In the words of Ice Cube... "Today was a good day!" Until next time folks...
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