Wednesday, December 23, 2009

You win some :) You lose some :(

Well it's been an interesting and full on week. My weight has come down and not only am I in ONEDERLAND, but I'm also under 90kgs!!! It's funny because we don't deal in pounds here in Australia, but kilograms and I've never given alot of thought to what I weighed in pounds until I did Michael Thurmond's 6 week body makeover (another diet, which actually did work and had pretty good principles and I lost 20kgs and then put back on 30kg :) and was on the forums there that they talked about this 'onederland' a bit. So I have been keeping my eye on the day that I would reach that goal and here it is! Hence, the winning part of the title. Also being under 90kgs isn't somewhere I've been for over 10 years so it was nice to see that on the scales this morning. I even took a photo, which I was going to post, but I have no idea where the lead is for the computer because I've just moved. I'm pretty happy about it, but it's mostly stress related and I've hardly been able to eat anything.

Now onto the losing part (and I don't mean weight). I got told on Monday that my contract is finishing on Thursday and won't be extended until February, which I was told it was going to be. Merry *^@#$%! Christmas!!! I'm so pissed off because I got headhunted for another role a few weeks ago and I knocked it back because I was supposed to have this role until Feb. That will teach me for doing the right thing!! I just wish I had've known about this weeks ago instead of finding out the week of Christmas. Of course everything shuts down and nothing will happen until the 4th, but it will more likely be even later than that. There's nothing I can do about it, it's the worst time of the year to be out of work. Another reason I'm so bummed is that I moved house recently and have done alot of renovations on it and spent alot of money, including a new kitchen, which is being finalised today and now I have no job, no income and no idea when I will!!! I have got some money saved so I am trying to think positive and just take advantage of the enforced break and enjoy it. So naturally, my Band friend has tightened right up and I can barely eat anything. Not that I want to anyway because I just feel ill and have that awful, sick feeling constantly in my tummy.

Oh well, let's hope 2010 will be a better year. I'll be putting in major efforts to get www.lapbandforthemind.com up and flying so I won't have to rely on other people for work and make it happen myself!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Jen

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Groundhog Day.....

So I went to see the lovely Dr Caroline and after discussing the events of 2 weeks ago, she was more than happy to put .1ml back in the band. Given I don't experience any reflux issues she knows I won't abuse the band so back in it went! Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference though! I definitely don't have the same level of restriction that I had last time and my weight has pretty much remained the same. I have to confess that I realised I had slipped back into some old habits and was eating too much snacky junky type food so this week I'm making an effort to do less of that as well as I think I had also been 'drinking' far too many calories which don't keep the hunger at bay for long enough! So I'm making an effort with that as well. Hopefully it pays off!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Jen

www.lapbandforthemind.com

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ho, Hum....

I haven't posted this week, mostly because I don't have a lot to say really. I know - how boring! To be honest , this week I've been struggling a bit because the loss of .1ml out of my band seems to have made such a difference where I haven't really lost any weight and I have even been fluctuating putting on! Not to mention I can eat more Devastated!

The good news is that I'm going to see the lovely Dr Caroline tomorrow and will have a good chat with her. I've also had a migraine for the last 3 days so that has knocked me around a bit. I feel better today, but am now very tired and can't wait for this week to be over. The more I thought about my last appointment a few weeks ago, the more I get annoyed. Although I know I had been quite tight and not able to eat a lot, I was happy with that because I was getting the results and combined with the thyroid treatment I've been taken I know I had a decent loss. So to have basically stayed the same the last 2 weeks is frustrating. That is the first time I'd seen that Doctor and she doesn't know me from a bar of soap or anything about my history so I should have spoken up. Although she is supposed to be the expert and who am I to question her?! I guess I know my own body best so I should have said something. I didn't because I knew I was coming back in 2 weeks so not a lot could happen. I will discuss with the Dr tomorrow who I have a good history with and see what she thinks. It had taken me a good 6 months to get to what I considered 'ideal restriction' and to lose it again from a measly .1ml out is really quite astonishing.

I still have a good 15kg - 20kg (at least 33 pds) that I want to lose and my BMI is around 34 so I am still classed as obese!!! One thing that annoys me about my surgery centre is that once you have lost 50% of your excess weight they class you as a success. Well I don't know about you, but although I am very proud of myself for the weight I have lost so far, I would hardly consider still being obese, a 'success'. I don't want to be 2 years own the track from my surgery and still trying to lose the last 10kgs.

Not a bad post from someone with nothing to say!!

Hope all is well with everyone :)

Jen

www.lapbandforthemind.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

Another one bites the dust....

Goal, that is!! Saturday marked the official weight loss of minus 40kgs (88 pds) - very excited!!! So close to the 80's too, can't wait to hit that decade!



Went to my surgery centre on Friday to get the results of my blood tests and the lovely fill Dr Caroline wasn't there so I saw someone else I hadn't seen before. She just glossed over the results of the blood tests and said they were fine, which annoyed me a bit because that was the main reason I went. I had lost 5.4 kgs (11.88 pds) in 6 weeks according to their scales and she was 'concerned' that it was too much for this stage of the journey (13 months in). She ended up taking .1ml OUT!!!! I couldn't believe it. She scared me a bit because she was talking about stretching my band so a new stomach forms above it and all these complications that can occur. I was in so much shock that I kind of just went with it and didn't know what to say. I know I hadn't been able to eat a great deal, but I've also been stressed with work and moving house the last 2 weeks so food was not a huge priority. I know I had talked about the flip side of tight vs less restricted, but I didn't know that I was going to get any out! Anyway, it hasn't seemed to have made a massive difference so far because I am still quite tight so we shall see what happens! I don't mind if I am able to eat just a bit more, but I am also mindful that I still have about another 20kgs (44 pds) to lose, which is still quite a bit, and to be honest I just want to get the losing weight bit over and done with! I don't want to be 2 years down the track and still not where I want to be.



I do have another appointment in 2 weeks to see my regular Dr so I'll go to that and see what she says and also what the weight loss looks like. Then I won't have another appointment until the first week in January so hopefully the restriction hangs around!



Have a great week everyone!

Jen



http://www.lapbandforthemind.com/

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's not a Monday...

It's Tuesday! I took yesterday off work after the moving of the weekend and although I am feeling like today is a Monday, at least it really isn't! :) The moving went well, as reasonably as it can anyway...about 7.00pm Saturday night when I was suffering sheer exhaustion and even my fingernails were hurting, I was SO happy that I had decided to take Monday off. It was kind of forced anyway because I had the Phone, Cable & Broadband people coming to connect everything and of course they give you a window of 5 hours so you have to sit around and wait. 2 days without my beloved Foxtel (cable) is more than I could handle! 2 of the 3 even turned up early, I couldn't believe it, that is unheard of. A lot of the unpacking is done, but there are still some things to sort out, I'll get there.....

Not a lot going on in Band Land. My weight has stayed the same, which is a tad annoying because I've still hardly been able to eat anything, but with all the moving I was hardly making the best choices possible and I am going to my surgery centre this Friday to get the results of my blood tests and although I won't be getting any fill, I'll have to weigh in. So this week I'll make an effort to eat a bit better and hopefully that will make some difference. Need to think about ramping up the exercise too. When I was walking the boys last night, we went for a bit of a jog and it was definitely easier carrying less weight so I'll have to keep that up. I'm SO close to 40kg (88pds) lost, I wish it would just hurry up! Purely out of coincidence my 10kg losses and major milestone losses are all about the same point so I don't have any for awhile and then they all come in the space of a few weeks. I'm only .5kg away from 40kg loss and only 1.5kg away from the 80s - now that is going to be a special day! I haven't seen an 8- on the scales in 10 years and I know it's 10 years because when I returned from living in London in 1999, I weighed 85kgs. And I didn't stay in the 80s for long either before the numbers started to climb. Hurry UP..............

Have a great week everyone!

Jen
xx

http://www.lapbandforthemind.com/

Monday, November 16, 2009

Monday :(

I hate Monday's, the weekend is never long enough and I can't stand to come back to work. I always wonder if I was to work 4 days a week and take Monday's off would I eventually feel the same way on Tuesday morning?!?!?

The weekend was very busy preparing to move this Saturday into my new house. There is still so much to do and another reason why I don't want to be at work is because I hardly feel like I had a weekend at all with all the running around and there is still so much to do that I'm worried I'm not going to get it all done before the moving truck arrives! Oh well, I guess it will either have to be done and if it isn't, the things that are left aren't super critical to the actual moving in bit. It's been a long time coming that it doesn't even actually feel like it's happening, I'm just going through the motions. I'm actually really tired and I feel like I need a break. The job situation is still a tad precarious and I don't feel like I can do much at the moment until it's somewhat sorted, which is annoying me.

Anyway enough of that, on to Lap Band news, where there isn't a great deal to report either! I did end up cancelling my appointment, but I will go to the next one because I need to get a blood test done and find out what my thyroid is up to. Hopefully the medication has been helping and there will be some improvement. The weight is coming off at a steady pace and I'm wondering if the medication has anything to do with that as well. As of today I've lost 4.7kgs in the last 4 weeks since my appointment so very happy with that, but most days still quite tight and I struggle with whether to keep it tight and try to get the weight off sooner or get some out and take a little longer. The debate never ends!! It's funny how it literally took me 12 months to the day to get to 'ideal restriction'. I am getting closer to goal, but still a bit to go so that's why I'm keeping it pretty tight at the moment because I don't want to still be trying to get to goal in another 6 months. I'd really like to get on with the business of maintaining!

Have a good week!

Jen

www.lapbandforthemind.com

Monday, November 9, 2009

Quick Update...

Not much to report really, just thought I'd quickly check in. I've been really tight lately and it's a good and a bad thing!

I've lost over 3kgs in the last 3 weeks, which I'm really happy about, but because I'm so tight I've hardly been able to eat anything and not really drink a great deal of liquid either and sometimes it can become a tad tiresome. We always want what we don't have, hey?! I've got an appointment with the lovely Dr Caroline this Friday, but at this stage I'll probably cancel it. It's so funny how something as little as .1ml can make all the difference! I don't want to get any out because I don't want to go the other way, but then sometimes it would be nice to eat and drink a little more. I've also had a few 'PBing' incidents which I don't enjoy at all. On better news, I went shopping and brought a few things in sizes I haven't been near for years so that's always exciting.

Things aren't so good on the job front, really, I can't stand it. I feel like I need a decent break. We're hoping that next year www.lapbandforthemind.com really takes off so I can ditch the crap job. Or we win Tattslotto!!! :)

Have a great week everyone!
Jen

Monday, October 26, 2009

Same Same, but different....

Not a great deal Lap Band wise going on, I brought a new house recently and it settled last Friday so all weekend was spent cleaning and preparing and meeting trades people and spending a lot of money, basically! I find on the weekend that I tend not to eat much because I always have a bit going on whereas during the week while I'm at work I tend to be very hungry. I think it's mostly because I'm bored, I don't like my job so I am always looking for something else to do. This week I am determined to break that cycle and have a good eating week. The weather is (allegedly) going to be good this week so I'll bring my runners in and go for a walk at lunchtime to get additional exercise in. I am also booked in for a fill this Friday, but at this stage I don't think I need to get anything put in, but will re-assess later in the week.

Funny thing that happened yesterday, I was carrying 20 litres (44 pds) of paint (10 in each hand) and I couldn't get over 1) how heavy they were and 2) how I've lost 17kgs more than that!!! It was really quite incredible when you put it in perspective. Can't possibly imagine how I carried all that extra weight, amazing!

Jodie & I went tap dancing last week, bloody hell it was funny and great exercise too! If you're looking to do some decent exercise, get a good workout and have plenty of fun, we suggest you give it a go. Can't wait to go back tomorrow!

Have a good week everyone!

http://www.lapbandforthemind.com/

Friday, October 16, 2009

"Happy Bandiversary to me…."

I went to see the lovely fill Dr Caroline and decided not to get any fill put in because I have been quite tight and I lost 2.5kgs (5.5pds) in the last 2 weeks so I am VERY happy with that. If I can lose 1kg a week with the eating and exercising I'm doing, I would be extremely satisfied with that. I also got the results of my 12 month blood tests and a few issues which aren't too dire, but still not as good as I would've liked. I'm deficient in folate and vitamin D so she wants me to take additional supplements and I've also got thyroid issues. I've been having trouble with my thyroid for some time and it's taken forever to sort out. I went to see an Endocrinologist and was diagnosed with overactive thyroid (which I thought was strange given I had all the symptoms for under active thyroid) and then given radio active treatment for that and now it seems that my thyroid is under active so the treatment must have worked too well! Now I'm going to have to go on medication for that, I'm hoping it works. I'm also hoping that this has been some of the reason why my weight loss had really hit a plateau for a bit there and this might kick my metabolism back into gear again and the weight loss to pick up. Fingers crossed!!

What a difference 12 months makes!! This time 12 months ago I had already been operated on and was back in my room. If someone had've told me right then that I would lose 35kgs (77 pounds) in the next 12 months with not a great deal of effort at all, I don't know whether I would have believed them!! This is the most weight I've ever lost, although I was coming from a place where I started at a higher weight to begin with so I guess that's not completely unsurprising. In a nutshell, I couldn't be happier. It took me a long time to get to a place where I even decided to go to a Lap Band information session and now, I wouldn't have it any other way. I remember back to about June last year and I was so unhappy. I felt sick and unwell all the time, none of my clothes fit me and really, I just hated myself. I have 2 dogs who demand to be walked twice a day every day and I was so overweight that I had trouble even walking around the small block and my back would hurt so bad and it was a painful experience I didn't look forward to. I had trouble getting out of bed and up off the couch, my knees and ankles were always hurting and I hardly had any clothes that fit me. I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't gone ahead and had the Gastric Band surgery - the thought actually fills me with dread. I think I was only lucky that I had no other illnesses associated with my obesity and probably the only thing I had on my side was my age. I knew that wasn't going to last forever though so I'm glad I finally acted when I did. This has been the best decision I've ever made.

Now 12 months down the track and I'm so much happier and I just feel so much better. I have more confidence, I have lots of clothes that I can wear now and walking my boys around the block is something I look forward to and we've even started jogging! The last time I went on a plane I didn't have to worry about whether the belt was going to do up or whether I was going to be able to squash myself into the seat, I don't have all those annoying aches and pains I once had. At the moment I'm in between moving houses so I just have the mattress on the floor because my bed is in pieces and I said to my Mum the other day that it's so much easier to get up off the floor when you weight 35kgs less!! 12 months ago there's no way I would have been able to do that everyday, it would have been far too much like hard work! One of the funniest things that I've found great pleasure in (and I'm sure some of your will relate to) is, I can see my collarbones!!!! I reckon the last time they made an appearance was back in high school! :) Isn't it funny how the smallest things can make you so happy??? The other night I went out for a few drinks and caught up with some people I hadn't seen in awhile and I had to wait for them to arrive. I sat by myself in a bar for 20 minutes and just took in everything that was going on. That was a really big achievement for me. 12 months ago not only would I have not gone to the drinks, but there is no way in the world that I would have sat there by myself waiting for people to arrive. Well done, me! I really am proud of myself. That's not to say it's all been smooth sailing. I haven't had any major mishaps with the Lap Band, just your usual PBing incidents and the like, but I've never for one second regretted the decision I've made. Sure some days I wish I could eat a whole pizza, but those days are very few and far between and I have to be honest and say it's not like I've gone without! I'd been on the diet merry-go-round for 20 years before this and had horrible self-esteem issues and there's no way to change all of that in even 12 months so even though I know I've come along way, there's still some way to go too. The positives of this experience and journey well and truly more than outweigh the negatives and no amount of pizza in the world is worth that :)

This is the first Christmas that is fast approaching that I'm not freaking out about because I need to lose all this weight in the shortest amount of time possible. I am getting into unfamiliar territory in terms of my weight loss and I am looking forward to the day where I can maintain my journey and not worry about the losing weight. The best thing about all of it is that when I reach my goal, I can be confident that I'll never put the weight back on again due to the help of my Lap Band friend.

And who knows what the future holds?! All I can say - Bring It On!!!!

http://www.lapbandforthemind.com

Friday, October 9, 2009

TGIF!!


I'm always happy on a Friday! :) Even though I have to come to work, I try to do as little as possible and the day always seems to go just that little bit quicker! :)

I've lost 1.4kgs (3.08pds) this week and I'm VERY, VERY happy with that. I haven't done as much exercise as I would've liked, but the Band is pretty tight and I've made an effort not to snack as much so it's definitely paying off! If this is to continue I'd be very happy, but I'd actually be very happy just to lose around 1kg a week, actually more than happy with that!

The job situation has finally resolved itself, which has really taken the pressure off in quite a few ways - thankfully. I'm going to a different office to work with my original Manager who is a good bloke so hopefully it will all be good. I'm still trying to offload one financial commitment around my neck which will happen soon so that will be the end of it and all will be right in the world again!

TGIF everyone - have a great weekend!!!!!

http://www.lapbandforthemind.com/

Friday, October 2, 2009

Happy Optifastiversary to me…..

Today makes 12 months to the day since I started Optifast, yay for me!! What a difference a year makes!

I'll wait until my official 12 month surgery date to go into things more, but in a nutshell, I just couldn't be happier in this part of my life. With 33kgs (73 pds) gone forever, my life has changed incredibly in the last 12 months. I'm so happy I made the decision to go ahead with the surgery, if I hadn't of, I can't even begin to imagine what I would weigh today. The thought is just far too scary to contemplate! I would've liked to have lost more weight, but I have to be completely honest, I've not had to put a great deal of effort into losing this 33kgs, when in the past to lose the same kind of weight I would have to exercise like a demon and never eat one bad thing in the whole time, I love the band SO much!!

I'm off to see the lovely fill Dr Caroline again this afternoon and I haven't decided if I'm going to have a fill or not. I had a bit of an incident on a protein drink of all things this morning and I think it was mostly because I have to be very, very careful with anything in the morning because I am always tighter than normal. I'll have a discussion with her, but I think I probably still need another .1ml so we'll see. Because I'd been so stressed and therefore tight, I wasn't going to add anymore, but now that's eased off a bit and although I'm still stressed, I can definitely eat more :(

On the job front - nothing definite as yet, but still plugging away hoping that something will come off soon. I had a meeting with my old Manager who originally hired me at this company and he said he has some things available so I've got my fingers and just about everything else crossed that it will all work out! I should know by the end of next week whether it will pan out or not.

Have a good weekend everyone!

http://www.lapbandforthemind.com

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Where's the silver lining?

Ok, so I've discovered the best way to get ideal restriction - lose your job! Tongue in cheek I know, but unfortunately a reality. I got told on Tuesday that I am 'no longer required' and to be honest, it was a massive shock. When I'm not trying to get http://www.lapbandforthemind.com off the ground, I work in IT as a contractor. I've been doing it for quite some time and you'd think I'd be used to the uncertainty of it, but I've never had a contract end early and I've never been completely blind sided like this, especially when they just renewed my contract until February next year. The 'good news' is that they've given me 3 weeks notice, when they actually only have to give me 24 hours notice so it gives me some time to find something else and still have some money coming in. Normally I wouldn't be too concerned, but I just brought another house and it settles in 4 weeks so financially I'm under a fair bit of pressure and I can't afford not to have an income. It's just me unfortunately and I have no one to back me up, if I don't work, I don't get paid. Normally I have money in the bank for times like this, but because I just brought the house, not so much money left in the bank!

So due to all this stress, my band is VERY TIGHT!! I've barely eaten for the last 3 days, I'm even having trouble with water, I feel sick all the time and I can't sleep. Great for the weight loss, not so good for everything else! I do have Plan A, B, C and all the way to Z so that is something. I'm waiting to see what 'the reason' is that this has happened, as everyone is telling me there is one and I'm sure it will become evident soon enough. I already have a few irons in the fire for a new contract so I'm hoping that this GFC (global financial crisis) I've been hearing SO much about, but have been completely untouched by so far is a bit of a myth!

I know I'll be ok, I have to be, there are no other options…

12 month 'Optifastiversary' is fast approaching next week (03/10), will talk more of that next time….

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Only Way is UP!! (or down, actually….)

Well I finally went to the lovely fill Dr Caroline on Friday and after a healthy discussion, we decided to add .2ml in - hello restriction!!!! It's been great so far, I can definitely notice a big difference, even to the point where I have to be careful drinking water. I know it's pretty tight, but I also know it will ease off so I'm ok with that and I do have another appointment booked in for 2 weeks so I'll see where I'm at then. I like to have them booked in every fortnight just so I have the option there if I need it. It's really hard to get in to see her and after a few dramas with some of the other fill doctor's at My weight has dropped down a bit in the past 2 days so I'm also really happy about that.

I'm continuing to do additional exercise each day, which I'm really happy about and Jodie & I have decided that next month we're going to start Tap Dance Class Lessons!!! Should be great fun, it will be good to do something different and new rather than the usual boring 'go for a walk' exercise.

Stay tuned for further details…

http://www.lapbandforthemind.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

S-T-R-U-G-G-L-I-N-G

I have to confess, I've been struggling with things plan since Monday, for a few different reasons. The restriction lasted about a day and I've still been really hungry and able to eat a fair bit more than I would like. This sends me into a bit of a spin and back to the bad 'ol days because then I get into this mentality of what I 'should' be doing as opposed to what I actually am doing and before I know it, I'm finding myself reverting back to old habits.

It disappointed me because I've been banded nearly a year and I 'should' know better, but Jodie & I had a really good chat about it and realised that I've had weight problems for more than 20 years and it's going to take more than 12 months to work through all those issues and get to a good place with it all. You know what they say....Rome wasn't built in a day....

I think I've also been putting myself under a bit of pressure because my 12 month 'bandiversary' is approaching and I've been wanting to lose as much weight as possible, but I realised that I've lost 32kgs/70.4pds (still with a month to go) and that is a fantastic effort. I've never lost that much weight before and had I not had Lap Band surgery, I don't want to even think about what I would weigh today, the thought truly horrifies me.

On a positive note, I have done extra exercise every day on top of the exercise I normally do so I'm quite happy with that, normally I'm better with the eating and not so much with the exercise so that's a win and I'm taking it! All I'm focusing on is to keep persisting with making healthy choices as much as possible, do as much exercise as I can (the weather is getting warmer so that helps!) and eventually I'll get there.

I'm booked in for my fill Friday afternoon and I'm not leaving her office until I'm chock full! Rock on.....

Will keep you updated....


http://lapbandforthemind.com/

Sunday, September 13, 2009

It must be a Monday...

Hi Everyone

Well, the stage is set! All the crap stuff is out of the house and I've been shopping and the cupboard is stock full of healthy, nutritious foods. I've got my food packed to take to work for the week and tonight I'll make sure my lunch is ready to go for tomorrow. I don't know about you, but pre-Banding days, nearly every Monday I was starting a diet or thinking about how I 'should' be starting one. Sunday would be filled with stuffing my face full of the foods that I would 'never be able to eat again'! Of course all these attempts were only relatively successful (some lasting many months and losing around 20kgs, most lucky to last until lunchtime or even get off the ground!!) as I eventually decided to go ahead with Lap Band surgery!

How different things are now with my lovely Band. I refuse to go on another 'diet' ever again and the best bit is, I don't have to. The great irony in all this is that my Band is SO tight at the moment, it's ridiculous, can barely eat anything. I do know that it's because my lovely monthly is due this week and I also know that it won't last probably past Wednesday! I'm going for a fill on Friday and will be getting at least .1ml put in and will discuss the possibility of maybe another .1ml with the lovely Dr Caroline.

So tomorrow is just another Monday, not a 'diet' Monday, I just want to make better choices and eat more healthy. I'm sick of dagging around at the same weight and want to step it up so I can continue on the downhill slide. I'll let you know how it goes!

Have a good week....


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The name of the game

Today's theme is persistence! Well I went and saw the lovely fill Doctor Caroline and only got .1ml put in thinking I am getting close to 'ideal restriction' (I am still thinking this is an urban myth!). To be honest, .1ml did jack sh*t!!! I've got another appointment for Friday week and can't get in any sooner so I'm just going to have to persist, persist, persist and keep going. Jodie & I had a good chat and I'm going to change things up a bit because I have to confess that I haven't been eating as well as I could be and I have to take responsibility for that - fess up - move on and make some changes! I usually only have a coffee first thing in the morning and don't eat until lunch and by doing that I find I'm usually hungrier in the evening so what do I do? - snack! Just like the bad 'ol days…so the snacks are out the window (or in the bin) and I'm going to get back to basics by eating three small meals a day, cutting out the snacks or if I need them, make healthy choices and see how that goes. I'll let you know!

Enough of the whinging and onto better news...I have what I call the 'plethora of pants'. This is a pile of pants gathered over many years of yo-yo dieting, of up and down weight, from size 22 down to 16, there must have been about 20 at one stage, but they have slowly been downsizing with me and are a plethora no more!! I realised on the weekend that there are only 2 pairs left!! They both fit and only one is unwearable (for now), but it won't be long before I would wear them in public. So even though my weight is not shifting as much as I would like, I am definitely continuing to lose inches and if I keep persisting, I will get there. I can't wait for the day that the plethora is gone and I will finally have to go shopping to buy some interim clothes. I'm still a fair way off goal so there will be more sizes to go down, but it will be a good day, the day I can actually buy a pair of size 14 pants (and then size 12)!

I also had another few experiences which showed me how far I've come in the last 12 months. I caught up with a few people I used to work with for lunch last week and it was the first time in a very long time that I wasn't filled with shear dread at the thought of it - I was actually excited about it. Normally I would be loathing it because I would have put on weight and had nothing half decent to wear and just the usual self loathing that goes along with not liking yourself very much. This time though I actually wasn't worried about it at all and I liked how I looked and was quite happy for them to see me, no one said wow look at you, you look fantastic, which was ok because half of them were blokes and I wouldn't expect them too, but I know I looked good and that's all that matters! The other thing was the other day I was heading to the lift in my car park and someone yelled out 'Jen' and I turned to see it was another guy I used to work with many years ago so we had a quick chat and as I walked off I said 'good to see you' and you know what? It actually was! Normally I would have been looking for the first hole to dive into or throwing myself down the elevator shaft, but I skipped off looking forward to the day ahead!!
I like to reflect on my journey and notice these changes that are going on not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. It really is a fantastic experience and I'm really proud of myself :)

P.S.
Our competition is going really well, but is going to end soon! Have you signed up or referred a friend to our FREE 'Mind the Band' newsletter for your chance to go into the draw for a US$150 Amazon.com voucher?!?! Don't miss out - visit www.lapbandforthemind.com for more details.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Who Knew?!

Well the seminar at the Dietitian was a very interesting experience! I pretty much realised that after nearly 12 months, I have been abusing my band! I know - shock horror!!!! She was saying that if you eat properly and chew your food there’s no reason why you can’t eat pretty much anything, even steak! Also there’s no reason why you can’t eat bread, which was a real eye opener, I thought bread was off the menu and I haven’t eaten it for months and months. It hadn’t been bothering me all that much, but sometimes every now and again I feel like I would like to eat a sandwich! Fresh, white bread is a no/no, but things like multi grain and sourdough are fine, which is what I would always go for anyway.

I had been eating reasonably well, but I felt my choices were limited and that nearly every meal had to be covered in some kind of sauce or a ‘wet’ consistency. Not so apparently! I’m pretty sure I haven’t been eating enough either. I’m meant to be going for a fill tomorrow so I need to decide whether I get more put in or just wait another few weeks and see how I can incorporate the things I learnt and see if it makes a difference to my weight loss.

So I was very impressed, I was glad to have learnt some things and I’m looking forward to putting them into action. I went out for dinner last night and had Vietnamese and was able to eat a civilised amount which included chicken, but still not very much compared to the old days. I was extremely satisfied and it felt great that I could be out socialising and not be worried as much about having an incident and spending half the night in the toilet! The woman was really good, her website is www.helenbauzon.com.au if you want to check her out. She has a lot of good products for sale online.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do because I know of surgeons who have said that you should be only eating once a day and there’s nothing wrong with that and if you’re not hungry until 4.00pm don’t worry and just don’t eat! That goes against everything I’ve ever read over the years about nutrition and ‘breakfast is the best meal of the day’, etc…I’m always looking for new things to try though and different things work for different people so we shall see!

We’ve had a great response so far to our competition. Don’t miss out on your chance to win a US$150 Amazon.com voucher! Visit http://www.lapbandforthemind.com to sign up!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Hmmmm.....

Hi everyone



Well after the beautifulness (is that a word?!, I'm thinking not) of last week, this week is a tad more so/so. My weight has not shifted and I still don't have the 'ideal restriction' that I am after. I'm wondering if this 'ideal restriction' is an urban myth! Has anyone actually experienced this 'ideal restriction' that keeps getting thrown around?!?! I would like to know!

I know I also need to get my butt moving more and do some more exercise, but it would certainly help if I wasn't so hungry much of the time! At least I'm going back this Friday for another fill and I'm hoping .1ml will do the trick. Astounding to think that such a tiny amount can make all the difference. I'm also making sure I go every week or every second week at the most until I get this right. My fill doctor is an awesome chick so she doesn't mind if I'm there every day!

Jodie & I are also attending a session with the Dietitian from our Surgery Centre on Tuesday night which will be interesting. She says to bring along any food you have trouble with and she'll show you how to eat it. I'm wondering what would happen if I turned up with a massive, thick, porterhouse steak?!?!

Have a good week everyone!!

visit www.lapbandforthemind.com and sign up for our free 'Mind the Band' newsletter and go into the draw to win a US$150 Amazon.com voucher!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

It's a Beautiful Day!!

Welcome to my first post! I’m starting on a VERY happy note because yesterday I weighed in and for the first time since 2005, I think, I’m actually not even really sure, I saw DOUBLE DIGITS!! I was ecstatic! I even had to take a photo and I can’t stop looking at it, I am very proud! Now I’ve lost 31.7kgs/70pds and am well and truly on the downhill slide. I am just over halfway, but I feel like I am finally starting to get somewhere.

I went overseas about 2 months ago and before I left I had quite a bit of fill taken out. When I came back, I headed straight back to my surgery centre the very next day because I didn’t want to be left to my own devices for too long! I had lost .7kg while away so was pretty happy about that, but was disappointed to learn that my fill Doctor wouldn’t put back all that she took out, they were only going to put a small bit back in. Geez, I was pissed off! I had been at really good restriction before I got it taken out, about 1kg a week, and it’s taken me all this time and I’m still not back at that same restriction. I’m hoping I’m there now, or will be with the next fill so hoping the weight loss will continue. That’s why I was so happy to see the double digits, they’ve been a long time coming!!

Some or you may or may not have come across my BFF’s blog, lapbandforthemind.blogspot.com, which is the official website for Lap Band for the Mind. If you haven’t had a look at our website, check it out – www.lapbandforthemind.com – we’re currently running a great competition where if you sign up for our free newsletter you can go into the draw to win a US$150 Amazon.com voucher and then for every friend you refer, you go into the draw again. Get in amongst it!!