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….
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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
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/
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....
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.
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!
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!
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