welcome to the ga aquarium...

...in a few minutes I'll be leaving home to go to Volunteer Orientation at the Georgia Aquarium.  When Darrell & I decided that I would quit working at the library back in October, one of our objectives was to free up some time that would allow me to volunteer and "give back" to the community on behalf of our family.  Almost a year later, I'm finally getting to do that!  I'm so excited about this opportunity. :)

+3 and a new low...

I got 3cc @ my fill yesterday, for a total of 5.25cc (I think I have a 10cc band--still not entirely sure since I keep forgetting to ask).  They had some difficulty with the fill--even though it was done under the fluoroscope.  Apparently, the needle picked up a fat molecule on the way in which plugged it up.  After about 1/2 hour of poking and re-poking (it didn't hurt since they had given me numbing shots prior), the surgical fellow finally called in Dr. Lin for assistance.  Dr. Lin gave it a couple of tries and then they decided to change the needle.  The new needle worked on the first try.

Dr. Lin was very generous with his fill.  He said that it was up to me to tell them if I wanted more or less.  He said they would give me as much as I asked for--unless they saw something on the fluoroscope to indicate otherwise.  He also said that it was up to me to decide when to come back--whether it was 1 week, 1 month or longer.  I just wish somebody would tell his secretary that.  Let's just say that actually making an appointment is a very lengthy and tedious process.

Liquids yesterday and for the rest of today.  Soft foods for breakfast and lunch tomorrow.  At that point if I feel like I'm doing okay, I can progress to "regular" eating tomorrow for dinner.

I'm also down a pound today for a new low and a total of 25lbs. lost!!!  I'm sure it has something to do with me not eating much yesterday (6oz. yogurt for breakfast, 8 oz smoothie for lunch and 1 cup soup for dinner), but I'll take it.

I'm feeling good about things and am hopeful that this fill, even if it doesn't get me to the sweet spot, will be more useful than the last.

Cheers!

fingers crossed...

...for my 2nd fill today.  I've lost 2.5 lbs since the 1st fill which was 4 weeks ago.  Better than gaining 2.5 lbs, I suppose.

A typical eating day for me:

BREAKFAST
6 oz. fat-free vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
1/3 cup home-made granola
or
Smoothie (yogurt, fruit, flax oil, agave nectar)

SNACK
12 oz. low sodium V-8

LUNCH
1 cup salad greens
1 oz. cheese
sprinkling salad veggies (green onion, tomato, etc)
4 oz protein (chicken, tuna salad, beef, etc)
1/2-1 tbsp dressing

SNACK
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup fruit

DINNER
4-6 oz. protein
1/2 cup cooked veg

VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS
Centrum chewable (x1)
Citracal petite (x2)
Mega Red krill oil (x1)
Green Tea extract (x2)
Biotin (x2)

I haven't counted the calories, but I think it's a pretty good balance.  I should be meeting with the dietician soon--we'll see what she says.

Cheers!

bacon=EVIL...

Did I really just eat 8 slices of bacon?  Yes, I think I did.  I promise I don't do stuff like this on a regular basis (even before the band).  Bacon is the devil!

http://www.rehabkc.org/events.asp

At least I don't live in Kansas City...

Cheers!

3wks/2lbs...

It's been 3 weeks since my first fill.  I've lost 2 pounds.  I thought I had some restriction during the first week, but it disappeared almost as soon as it arrived.  I know...I know...it's a "process" and all that.  I get it.  But, it's also frustrating. I want to lose weight and I want to lose it N.O.W.!!!  Only 1 more week until my second fill.  Fingers crossed.

comments...

I think I'm a little bit self-absorbed these days.  I read all of your blogs every day.  I think comments in my head.  But, for some reason, I just don't get around to sharing my thoughts and giving words of encouragement.  The sad thing is that I know what a huge difference a simple "way to go" or "don't be discouraged" can make.  I feel like I'm letting you all down.

While I work on this, please know that I am reading your blogs.  I am celebrating with those of you who have had success and cheering on those who are struggling.  I hope that someday soon I'll get this figured out and can be a truly supportive, contributing member of this community again.

10%...

As of this morning, I have lost 10% of my starting weight!!!  This is my first "official" weight loss goal to be met.  In fact, I have set all of my goals to be in 10% increments.  So, mark your calendars!--or, at least I'll mark mine. ;)  

August 11, 2010--24 lbs lost--10% of starting weight (241.5)--current weight 217.5

Cheers!

9 week NSV...

I had a checkup with my PCP this afternoon.  According to her records, I have lost 24 lbs (it turns out that my highest was actually 1.5 lbs higher than I originally thought).  But, the real victory was my blood pressure...110/70!!!

Cheers!

stooipd (.)...

Anticipating the continuation of my daily losses, I had a celebration post written and ready to go.  Today was supposed to be the day that I reached my 1st weight loss goal.  I only needed to lose 1/4 lb from yesterday's weigh-in.  Instead, my dear friend TOM decided to show up early this morning and my official weight is 1/2 lb. higher than yesterday.  That puts me 3/4 lb. from my intended goal.  

I know the reasons.  I know it's temporary.  I know it's nothing that I could have controlled. But, knowing all of that doesn't make it any less frustrating.  I really wanted to see those numbers.

On a more positive note, I'm doing better than this time last month when I actually gained 2 lb the week prior and held onto it for over 2 weeks.  I guess there's always a silver lining if you look hard enough.

Cheers!

a little restriction (maybe?)...

Two days ago, I had a smoothie for lunch.  Later, I was surprised to realize that it was time to start cooking dinner.  I had not even thought about food for almost 5 hours!  And, I wasn't terribly hungry.  I ate about 3 oz (cooked) chicken and about 1/4 cup mashed cauliflower for dinner and was quite satisfied.  The scale rewarded me the next morning with 1/2 lb. loss (yes, I'm a daily weigh-er--I like to look for patterns).

I had another smoothie for breakfast (blueberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, flax oil, Greek yogurt, agave nectar) yesterday around 9:15.  It took me a full 30 minutes to finish the 16oz smoothie.  I ate again about 2 hours later--2 oz. cheddar cheese.  That held me until about 4:00 when I had a banana.  I was rewarded, again, with 1/2 lb. loss.

I'm not sure I'm ready to officially claim restriction.  But, I definitely like the way things are going at this point.

Cheers!

have you seen those GIANT pills?

My doctor thinks "it would be great" if I started taking Omega-3 supplements to help with a myriad of health concerns--most notably, joint pain and cholesterol.  The most popular form of Omega-3 supplementation comes in the form if Fish Oil.  Ouch!  If you've ever seen a fish oil supplement, you know what I'm talking about--those are some gigantic pills!  I had a hard time getting them down even before the band.  I don't even want to think about it now.

Another option is Flax Oil--which, I do add to my smoothies.  You can add it to other things, too--oatmeal, grits, soup, drizzled on muffins or toast, etc.  But, it has a flavor that takes some getting used to.  I can handle it in my smoothies, but not in much else.  And, it can go rancid if you keep it too long.

Last week I was perusing the supplement aisle at my local Kroger and I found this.  Omega-3 Krill Oil supplements--they are really SMALL (you might even call them 'tiny')!!!  The box has an "actual size" photo on the front--which is what caught my eye.  I've been taking them for about a week and have had no problems getting them down.  They're even smaller than my Calcium supplement (Citracal Pettites) that were recommended by the bariatric center.  And--as a bonus--I don't get those awful fish burps!

Cheers!

this thing called exercise...

Darrell & I joined a gym! (did I mention this already?)

My mother's cardiac rehab program is at an end, and she joined Fitness 19 in order to continue strengthening her heart after the heart attack in Feb.  She got a Senior discount--her monthly fee is $9.95.  They let us join as family members on her account.  I also pay $9.95/month and Darrell pays $5.95/month.  Yep...that's right!--all three of us have a membership to Fitness 19 for less than $26/month.  AMAZING!!!  Of course, I haven't yet made it through the front door.  But, I'm planning on it. :)

Fitness 19 is a "back to basics" sort of gym.  Just quality equipment--no classes, no spas, no pool.  I did find a studio not too far away called Yoga Fitness & More.  They offer yoga (duh!), Zumba, Sculpting, Cardio-kickboxing, etc.  I'm planning to try that out this week.  In fact, there is a Gentle Yoga class tomorrow morning with my name on it!  And I can hear the treadmill @ Fitness 19 calling my name.

I have plans...now, I just have to stick with them.  I will do this!

Cheers!