6 Month Bandiversary & THANK YOU!

Six            MonthBandiversary!

Wow...6 months.  Life has changed in soooooo many ways!  I've lost 79 pounds as of this morning.  No matter what number I end up at, I will be much healthier and happier with a new me, no matter what that specific number is.


Thanks to each and every one of you reading this.  Yes, you.  You all are a big part of my weight loss.  Thanks to my family and friends.  There aren't many of you that know about the blog, so if you're reading this, I must like you!  


Fellow Bandsters - although I might not know you in person, I feel like I know you through your blogs.  Your blogs make me laugh so hard that I snort, and make me cry so hard I can't breathe.  Thanks for the support!

Here's to a safe, happy and HEALTHY 2012!!

Product Review - "Pure Protein" Protein Snack (gelatin stuff)

You may have seen my blog a few days ago HERE, when I discovered this new protein gelatin stuff.  Well, tonight I was short on my protein and decided to try one.  Here's the deal:

The positives:

• there are 23 grams of protein in that little single serve cup! wowza!
• only 100 cals, 2 carbs, 75 mg of sodium

The negatives:

• cost!  only three single serve cups are $4-6 (see above for a link to get a $2 coupon)
• contains artificial sweeteners
• took me a long time to eat it because it was so sour

As for the taste....well....it tasted like I poured a packet of Fruit Punch flavored Crystal light in my mouth.  Or a handful of sour candy.  Or licking the bottom of the package from Sour Patch Kids....ok, you get the point.  Very sour, but it was edible.  When I finished it, the artificial sweetener aftertaste was so strong that I ate a fingertip of BBQ sauce just to clear my palate.  Tonight I tried the "Cherry Punch" flavor - I'll try the other flavor (tropical something or other) on different day.   Interesting concept.

The Land of Geriatrics - Amy Joins a Gym!

I found a private gym that's a few miles from my house.  It is for women only.  How cool is that?  It is small (nothing even close to LA Fitness or the like), people know each other, and lastly...quite a few are geriatric.  Not that I have anything against the geriatric population....but there were quite a few tonight.  Maybe the non-geriatrics are in the land exercise area?  Surely Mildred is not on the elliptical, or is she?

Age aside, I really like the place.  I pay $30/month with no contract.  They even knocked $5 off the monthly fee because I'm a teacher.  My monthly dues cover everything - any class (land or water), as often as I want.  Way cool.  Nobody walks around nude because there are private showers and separate dressing stalls.  Even cooler.  I can't stand the geriatrics that prance around with saggy boobs.  Not that my boobs look any better at this point....but...I digress.

Tonight I did a 1 hour aqua aerobics class followed by 1 1/2 hours of water volleyball.    Once I thought I would pass out from exhaustion, I was finished, I pranced my wrinkled toes to the shower, cleaned up, put on a hoodie and shut the place down.  Wow.  I'm 33 years old and I just said that I shut down the fitness club at 9pm.  Last call.  LOL  Oh, how life has changed since banding last July.  Following the shower, I walked out to the car with Polly, Virginia, Mildred, Bethany and Gertrude.  Yes, I made all of those names up.  Call me dramatic.  They were actually a really fun group of ladies.  I was the youngest, but the rest were 40-65.  It will be interesting to see the age dynamic next week once folks are back to a regular work schedule.  Maybe they have single sons?!!?  :)

Joking aside, I really like the place a lot.  Even better, I found a new swimsuit today for $25 that has a little tiny half skirt (not a full one).  I've never wanted a skirted suit, but now that my body stops jiggling 5 minutes after I actually stop, I needed something.  Better yet - it was a size 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18.  Granted, I had to shove rolls of fat into the sides, but it looked decent.  The fit is good - I need the top to be much snugger since the disappearance of my ta tas roughly 80 pounds ago.

All in all, a good day.  Joined the gym, found rockin swimsuit, met some nice geriatrics.  I hope my swimsuit is dry by the morning because I'm hitting another class at 9:30 AM on my last weekday off.

Mildred is expecting me.

My "You Need More Protein" Kick! Shopping trip!

Today I took advantage of some good deals to make sure that I have what I need to get more protein in my diet.  I started off at Target, where I found Pure Protein bars (the 20g of protein size) - $5.26 for a box of six, BUT, there was a bonus bar in each box AND I had two $1 off coupons, so my total before tax was $19.04 for 28 bars.  68 cents a bar - not too shabby!  I really like these bars a lot (Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor).

I also used my two $2 off of the funky protein gelatin stuff that I saw yesterday at the nutrition store.  100 calories, very few carbs, and 20g of protein.  Seems like a nice way to get more protein in without more calories/carbs/etc.

The small bags of protein bites (20g in each bag) were purchased with my "Buy One Get One Free" coupon from Target.com.  $1 per bag wasn't too bad.

I did well with my first day on the protein kick - my goal has been 60-80g a day, but today I rocked the nutrition world with a whopping 97g of protein.

Pure Protein Coupons - $1/any product and $2/protein Jello

Join the email club and they'll send you a printable coupon via email to save you $1 off any product.  Walmart has the 20g of protein bar for $1.16, so with the coupon you'd pay SIXTEEN CENTS.  :)  I love me a good deal.

There's also a printable coupon that will save $2 on the protein Jello stuff.  I saw this at a nutrition store and thought it would be nasty, but with $2 off, I'll try.  My store had the three packs for around $4.   23 grams of protein in a little cup of Jello stuff?  Hmm...I'll let you know what I think.

You can print each coupon TWICE!

Click here to go to website

Coupon for EAS Myoplex ($2 off a four pack)

I know a lot of you drink these...so here's a coupon for $2 off
Click Here For Coupon :)

Group Song!! Jingle Bells (add your comment below!)

Jingle Bells
I feel swell
Now that I've lost weight.


add the next part in the comment area below...let's see if we can all make a song together.  I'll publish the final product!  Be creative!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas....

Twas the night before Christmas (a la Amy) ;)

And all through the house

My life has been changed

I now eat like a mouse.

My portions are small

I don't eat like a dragon

I must work hard 

To stay in the wagon.

I'll focus on me

And nobody else

'Cuz in the end

I must love myself.

It's frustrating and hard

And often I cry

But I said farewell

To crappy food choices last July.

I'd tried all I could

But just couldn't do it

I'd gotten to the point

When I said, "Just screw it."

Food was my love

Never let me down

It cheered me up

When my face had a frown.

I now have a tool

To help me lose weight

I want to be healthy

Now wouldn't that be great?

No more Velveeta, Doritos, or Mac n Cheese,

I no longer eat them,

Don't offer them, please.

I'd be lying if I said that I enjoy eating soy,

But it's part of my life, 

Food no longer equals joy.

I now think twice

When I pick up a fry

Do I really need it?

No.  I'm too young to die.

I wouldn't be successful without family near,

Or online friends, that celebrate my cheer

Without your support, 

I'd have never lost

80 pounds this year

Holy cow, a bridge I have crossed.

Merry Christmas, I say,

There's no turning back

Not even a nibble, not even a snack

There are no loopholes, not an inch of slack

Thanks for listening

To all of my yak.

NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My arm fit into the blood pressure cuff at the store!!! WHOOP WHOOP!!!!

Some Recent NSV's!

NSV = Non Scale Victory

1)  When I do a sit up, I can SEE OVER MY BELLY!!!  First time in years.  Many, many years.
2)  I saw a friend at Walmart today that I haven't seen since 2007.  She noticed my weight loss right away.
3)  I can not only feel my port, but I can now feel the band as well!  The blubber is shifting and I'm noticing myself off balance a lot, but I figure it's a good thing to be able to feel it now.
4)  I scored a sweet little workout set for the Wii at Sam's today.  It was on markdown for $6.88.  Yoga mat, step risers for the Wii Fit, hand weights, resistance band. Way cool.  

Not pictured: Yoga mat.  Rockin deal.

My Pal S.A.L.

S.A.L (the name of my Lap Band) is doing well.  Sometimes he talks back to me, but I'm learning.  :)  


I got to see SAL for the second time since surgery (7/1/11).  I saw it about 2 weeks post op and again last week (I requested).  I guess I just wanted to make sure that everything was still ok in there!   I labeled everything for ya'll.  The little hook things you can see on the left side are my bra hooks. Everything looked good, nice flow and the band is still at a good angle.  All I have to do is ask for my own photo and they happily print it out for me.   I keep it on my fridge as a reminder of, "Hey, don't forgot there's 12K of plastic inside you!  Do you really need to eat that?"   Here's my fluoroscopy image!

Click to Enlarge

Do You Like Torani Syrup? Free shipping offer . . .

I just picked up a bottle at the grocery store last week (Sugar Free Caramel) and was impressed.  Anywho, if you don't have it locally, the Torani website is offering free shipping.  Click HERE! for the website :)

Goodbye Morbid Obesity

Well folks, I have good news.  I've now met my short term goal of a 75 pound weight loss.  Actually, I've lot 78 pounds as of this morning.  I had really wanted to be at -75 on December 1st, but that didn't happen.  I've decided that I'm done making short term goals.  I'm just going to be happy with the weight loss that happens, watch my food and exercise levels, and just "be."  I'm still trying to learn how to live like a "normal" person and not micromanage all of this weight loss crap.


Beginning Weight (end of June 2011): 315 lbs
Current Weight: 237


Beginning BMI: 50.8
Current BMI: 38.2
BMI Loss of 12.6!
That means I'm no longer morbidly obese, I'm severely obese.  Sounds stupid, but it is a move in the right direction. I'll take any victory that I can get.  BMI Calculator


I'm my worst critic.  I need to tone things down a bit - some days I might log my food, some days I might not.   I'm not going to force myself to do it anymore.  Food/weight loss is on my mind all day long.  ALL DAY.  Like a crack addict, I'm always wondering when I'll get my fix.  My body is changing on the outside, but there are still a lot of inside issues to sort out --- do they make a Lap Band for that?  To stop the negative food thoughts?


Anyway, today I'm happy for the weight loss.  I've worked hard for it.  I will continue to work hard for it.  Why?  Because I deserve it.

Support Group Gone Wrong: How to Fail With Lap Band

I heard that there was a support group open to bariatric patients (obesity help website), so I decided to go.  It was at a cafe-type restaurant.  There were 5 or so other people, all of which were 55+.  Yes, it was strange since I'm almost 34.  There was one other bandster, everyone else was bypass.  It was nice to be around others but the age difference was awkward.

One bypass lady asked how much weight I've lost.  I told her 72 pounds.  Her eyes bugged out.  Apparently she was of the mindset that people with the band don't lose that much weight.  "Oh, that's incredible for the Lap Band!!"  Seriously?  SERIOUSLY?  Lady, if you think I'm stopping at 72 pounds, you're mistaken.  After the entire group quizzing me about "how" I lost "that much weight," I got to thinking.

Do people really not follow the band rules?  I know I've goofed, but I've learned. I watched the lady across from me (bandster) eat her lunch.  Cheeseburger and fries.  1/4 pound burger (with the bun, I might add) and fries.  I watched her drink a soda throughout the meal.  HELLO?!?!    She inhaled her food.  INHALED IT.  The entire burger and nearly every fry.  Ok, so I know I've not always made fantastic choices, but seriously.  I ate my burger with a fork, she used her hands.  She was done in 5 minutes (easily).  I had taken three bites.  I declined the free soda that came with the meal, she did not.  Body types differ, I realize that.  I know I'm picking the poor woman apart, but I just can't help ask...why?

And the reason she's failing?  Lack of education.  Her aftercare was barely anything at all.  She complains about being hungry but has no plans to get a fill.  I don't understand.  Isn't the solution kind of obvious?  GET A FILL.  She's much older, so maybe not so proactive, but she had kind of a ho-hum attitude.  She kept referring to the band as past tense.  "I lost XX pounds."  Why is this not an ongoing process?  Has she given up?  Thrown in the towel?  It made me wonder if her insurance hadn't covered the surgery, would her attitude be different if she had to cough up (ha, literally) the money?

Okay, thanks for reading my rant.  At least she's been going to the group for a while and hopefully she'll be motivated by hearing other bandsters (although in that group they are few and far between).  It seemed more like a social group for retirees than a support group.   I'll stick with my support group at TR.  I wish it was more than once a month though.

And for dinner....a protein shake.  Ucky!

Dear S.A.L

Dear S.A.L.,
I hadn't heard much from you in a week or so, but today you yelled really loud at me.  I had a bagel from Einsteins, well, sort of.  I just peeled off the top layer (Asiago, mmm) and ate slowly.  Really slowly.  I know I haven't had a bagel since pre-band days, and I know that I can't do dense bread, but I soooo wanted it.


Well, thanks for letting me know that I made a crappy choice.  Although you didn't make me get stuck, you gave me the most uncomfortable feeling in my chest.  Kind of like swallowing a Nerf ball.  Ok, sorry about that.  I won't do it again.  I promise.


Love,
Your Faithful Human, Amy

BYOC!! Bring Your Own Crazy!!

It’s Friday so it’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy! We answer a few questions in order to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break! Copy to your own blog if you wish and ENJOY!


Let’s do a little themed version of where you live and why!

1. Describe the structure you live in. (apartment, condo, house, mansion, cardboard box?)

House.  I share it with two dogs that I love like my family.  I have a 6 ft block wall, so I can walk around the backyard in the buck if I so choose.  I love my freedom :)
2. Describe the city you live in. (population, main attractions)

Northwest Phoenix near Paradise Valley Mall.  Phoenix is quite a melting pot.  I work in Tempe, which, in traffic, is a 45 minute commute in the morning and 1 hr commute in the evening.  I love the school district, which I why I drive so far.

3. Why do you live in the town you live in? (job, to get away from a different town, family, schools?)

My parents split.  Mom moved to NY, Dad moved to AZ, and I was just shrugging my shoulders wondering why I was staying in St. Louis.  I sold my condo and poof! - hello Phoenix.  I lived in Scottsdale, Tempe and Glendale (all in 6 months!) before I decided where to live.  I finished my M.Ed in 14 months while working full time.

4. What’s the view like from your backyard?

Hot tub, fruit trees (orange, grapefruit, apricot), palm trees in the neighbor's yard, a mountain if you're tall.

5. Repeat question: How has your week been in blogland and in real life?

I had a nice meeting with my school administration this morning and requested to move my class to a new room.  Right now my K-1st graders (Special Education) share a room with two other classrooms (3-4 and 4-5).  The noise level is high and I can't focus on what I need to do (not to mention the students!).  So....after the first of the year, I'll have my own classroom.  I'm very happy about that, but I'll miss being with the two other teachers.  Also in real life, a dear friend had to put her dog to sleep this week, so we spent a lot of time on the phone in tears.  She's a friend from St. Louis, and I knew her doggie very well.  It makes me so sad to know she's hurting without him, but he had cancer and it was his time to go.  Of course, it makes me think of my own dogs (ages 10 and 11 years), and the fact that they won't be around forever.  <sniff>  The weather has changed this week (huge drop in temp and pressure), which means one thing: headache.  I've had one for 3 days straight.  Tylenol doesn't do any good, so I don't bother, but it isn't quite a migraine where I need to pull out the big guns and be a zombie.  I'm just toughing through it, but dang, I plan on relaxing this weekend and not thinking about how much work it will be to move everything in the classroom.   Also, I'm down 72 pounds, 3 more until my mini goal of 75 lbs lost.