Six Month Baniversary!

Today is my baniversary!

Six months ago I took the step that changed my life!

In the last six months I've undergone some amazing changes.

• went to Haiti
• walked a 5 K
  
• dropped 36 inches
• dropped 4 sizes
• began jogging
• no longer take ANY medications
• went on vacation to Disney World and walked, walked, and walked all the parks!
• went to Disney and rode ALL the RIDES!
  
• and lost 67 lbs!

Here's my 6 month pic!



I am so thankful I finally took this step and am still adjusting to life in a smaller body!

Those Who Have Gone Before

One of my most unexpected blessings of having weight loss surgery has been the community of people I've discovered who have also had surgery.

There are so many blogs and discussion boards out there that offer support, encouragement, and my favorite - recipes!!

One of these blogs is: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Shelly's recipes are amazing!! She's giving away an ice cream maker in honor of her birthday! Of course I entered! So pop on over and try to win it too!

What are your favorite blogs/sites for weight loss surgery? Where have you found your support?

5k and 50 Pounds!

This weekend I participated in my first 5K!

It was an amazing and emotional experience. I chose the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. It was so awesome to be with so many people in our nation's capital working together to end breast cancer. I rode the metro (our subway) downtown and was so inspired to see all the people getting on the train who were race participants. One group really touched me. They had camo shirts that said, "Heather's Team". About 15 team mates got on the train and then there was Heather. It was obvious that Heather is in the midst of her battle. Head wrapped in scarf, donned with a tiara she got on the train pumped and ready to walk! I was so touched by this display of friendship and courage. It was amazing. I cried for the first time that day!

Dr. Jill Biden spoke as we got ready to walk. I was pretty excited and ready to get going. I was walking with a team of people and we were all ready to get started! It gets going pretty slowly with all the people who are there walking. But we did get moving. It was hot and I was sweating but we were walking! We walked for what seemed like a long time and then we can to the cut off. They have a 1 mile cut off (instead of a 5K you can just do 1 mile). This cut off is mostly for the ill and disabled people who are walking. That's when it started. The doubt. Can I make it? Why I am doing this? Why don't I just quit?

I could have quit. I could have cut the race short and walked only 1 mile. I really thought of it. I even figured out my excuses to use with my group.

I nearly did, but I didn't.

I am not a quitter anymore. I've quit a lot of things in my life. Mostly the saxophone and diets but those are in the past. I am not quitting again!

I finished that race. It was HARD! I don't know how I did it but I did! As I crossed the finish line I broke down in tears. I cried because I did it! I finished something that at one time seemed impossible. I cried for all the women- all the sisters, daughters, and mothers battling cancer, I cried praying that my nieces and daughters would never have to walk to end cancer, I cried because I am a new person.

I was so exhausted I don't know how I walked 5 blocks back to the metro. But I did. Everything hurt! To top all that off I found out today I walked with an upper respiratory, ear, and sinus infection!

I am 50lbs down too! I am over that little hump and back to loosing. I have to keep getting that exercise into my schedule but I am glad to be loosing again!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement! It really means a lot to me!

Official First Fill

I had my first fill today.

3 cc of liquid were injected into my band. I was a little nervous but everything turned out just fine. I could fill my band inflating.

The doctor said I am doing very well. I fell like I could be doing better. I am not sure if I have unrealistic expectations or not. I just really want to get down FAST!

I hate that I keep yo-yoing back and forth. Hopefully this fill will be just what I need to kick it up a notch here!

I did manage to make it to the gym today! Honestly that is the real secret! Getting my booty moving!

On another note; tomorrow is my first 5K! Granted I'll be walking but it is my first 5K post op. I am doing the National Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. I am pretty excited and just hope I can make it across the finish line without too much drama!

That Dreaded P Word

Well it's happened!

I've plateaued! (commence dramatic music)

Well not sure if it's a plateau but I keep gaining and loosing the same 5 lbs. Vacation has really messed up my mojo and I have three more coming this summer! Plus I haven't been exercising regularly. You know there is always an excuse!

I am trying to get back on track but having a really hard time. I've lost that little mental band I had. By mental band I mean that I had this fear that I may get sick if I ate too much. Well now I know I can eat way more than 1 cup at a time. You know my biggest weakness is salad! Man I love me some salad! That stuff just slides right down!

So, all that said, it's time for my first fill. I am going in on Friday for a fill. I am hoping that will give me a little more restriction and more will power to get back on track!

Check in with me later this week to see how that fill goes! I really want to be 199lbs by January 1!

Wish me luck!

I Am Back!

Well I am back in more ways than one!

I recently went on a girls vacation and then a servant trip to Haiti.

All the ladies understand the translation of "girls vacation". For those of you unaware of this secret lingo I'll inform you. A "girls vacation" is basically a vacation of drinking and eating. Two things I can do very well. I went to Miami with some girl friends and we had a fantastic time lounging on the beach and dancing the night away! For the first time since surgery I did notice I could eat around my band. By that I mean that if I wait long enough I can eat more than my recommended amount. Plus I broke pretty much every rule. I was eating and drinking at the same time, drinking alcohol, skipping protein drinks, and skipping vitamins. I was a very bad girl...

But I had so much fun!

The view from my hammock......

After a few days in Miami I headed to Haiti for a servant trip. What a change! Haiti was a very rewarding experience. I love the people of Haiti and have an even great appreciation for the gifts and blessings I have as a privileged American. Those of us who live in the privileged world take so much for granted. I will carry these children and people in my heart forever.

I did manage to avoid rice while in Haiti. Overall it was a fantastic experience. I only gained 4 lbs for the 10 days I was gone. That's pretty amazing considering all the stuff I ate!

So now I've been back for 1 week and have lost those 4lbs and 3 more. My grand total is 47 lbs. Only three more pounds to the big 5- 0!

I am noticing I am eating more and more hungry...so you know that means time for a fill. I am not scheduled to go back until June 26 but may go in a little earlier! I want to give it another week or so to see if I can get back to a steady weight loss.

First Fill?

Well it's been a while since my last post.

I am doing very well and so very happy about my progress.

I had my 6 week check up with my doctor. Some band patients get a fill at 6 weeks. I am doing so well that both my doctor and I decided to wait 6 more weeks before my first fill!

Since I begin my liquid diet (2 weeks before surgery) I've lost 44 lbs!! You know what that means! Six more to 50 lbs!!

I am amazed at my progress. I am amazed at how awesome I feel. I amazed that I ever fit into my clothing! I've had to go shopping and buy some new summer stuff but thankfully I have a dear friend (also a fellow bander) who has grown out of her clothing and given me all her summer stuff! I am well set!

I am leaving for vacation on Monday!! I am going to Miami with some girlfriends and then onto Haiti for a mission trip. I am very excited and can't wait to seat in the seat and buckle my seat belt without an extender!!

I promise to post some pictures soon!