The Big Picture

A blog before work?  Me?  Holy wow.

August has been a busy month, with school back in session (and starting a new job) and various other challenges.  I was thrilled to meet more bandsters at our AZ group gathering.  I got to meet two other people that are coming to Chicago, so I'm even more excited than ever.  I have more blogging to catch up on, but that'll have to wait until the weekend.

Last month I was sick for 2 weeks, and I gained 2 pounds overall.  The challenge weigh in this past Wednesday showed a .7 gain.  I wasn't pleased.  It has been in the back of my mind since I saw the scale.  This morning, I stepped on for my end of month weigh in, and smiled.  200.8.  Almost back to the low of 200.0 that I saw earlier this month.  Closer to Onederland.

August 1st Weigh In:  209.0
August 31 Weigh In:   200.8
Monthly loss: 8.2 pounds

Monthly Weight Record Page (click here to see my progress month by month)

I haven't had a monthly loss this good since last January.  I may have had ups and downs, but when I look at the big picture, the entire month, I'm very pleased.  I think a big part of it has to be the fact that I'm (literally) running after kids on a daily basis now.  Pretty exhausting!

More this weekend!  TGIF!!

New Blogger Alert ! Sara - Lady and the Band

Remember the first blog you ever wrote?  

...how excited you were when you got your first comment?  

...how scary it was to put yourself out there?

Introducing ... Sara from Lady and the Band.  This gal has done her homework and is ready to begin her journey with the help of a Lap Band on August 30, 2012.  Please stop by and check out her brand new blog (I love the wallpaper, myself).  

The Most Awesome NSV ! !

I've noticed lately that I can feel my collarbones and hip bones, but tonight I saw them for myself!!  My dad was in town for a few days and we went to a murder mystery dinner theater.  Here's the pic that made my jaw drop! 

I .... H A V E ... C O L L A R B O N E S !!   (and arm flab)

I am starting to see the beginnings of myself as a "normal" woman.  I still have a long way to go in the self image department, but this is a nice step.  

Kind of special to see something so remarkable with someone I love.  My dad is one of my biggest supporters, and I like knowing that I'm a daughter that he can be proud of, both inside and outside.  Love you, dad!

Lab Results: Vitamins B12 and D

Although my B12 level was in the normal range, I've been taking a sublingual supplement daily for the last two months.  I haven't really noticed any change in the amount of energy that I have.  

I had a few labs done last week, and requested a B12 level. 

Ummmm...normal range is 211-946.  Amy's B12 level: 1820.  Oops. 

I guess I'm just overly efficient.  My little experiment with B12 is done.  I didn't see any changes in energy level, so I'm done with it.  All it really did was make expensive urine.  LOL

On the other hand, my Vitamin D level is finally in the NORMAL range!!  I don't have any record of it ever being normal (since the late 1990's).  I've been supplementing daily for quite a while, and finally have found a dose that gets me to where I need to be.

One Year of Gummy Fiber and Gummy Multivitamins!

Today's Purchases at Costco!


Vitafusion Fiber Well Sugar Free Gummies (220 count)

• dose is 2/day (so 110 day supply per bottle) x 3 bottles = 330 days!  cost $50.37 
• 5 grams of fiber

Vitafusion Multivites (250 count)

• dose is 2/day (so 125 days supply per bottle) x 3 bottles = 375 day supply! cost $35.91

Special Savings at Costco (sale ended today)  $3 off each bottle (for first two of each type), so saved $12.00.

Grand total for 1 year (more or less) of multivitamins and fiber:  = $74.28 (tax not included)

If you're not a Costco member, you can still buy online with a small upcharge.  This is BY FAR the cheapest I've found these vitamins!  They're GOOD!  No wheat, milk, eggs, peanuts or soy.  All natural flavors and colors.  Just a note, the multivitamins don't have iron, so if that's a concern for you, make sure to supplement.  Otherwise, they look pretty complete to me.  I take an additional Vitamin D supplement daily.  

Here's a coupon that you can print for $1 off at a regular drugstore or mass merchandise store (Target, Walmart).  It doesn't expire until 12/31/12 and you can print unlimited times because it is a PDF.http://nnpvitamins.com/LCVF_101411/QR_Coupon/

The fiber gummies are something new for me.  I stopped taking the chewable fiber tabs because they were nasty.  I'll happily take these gummies!  I'm going to be a happy pooper soon.  I hope.

Yummy Food: Flatouts!

Ok, first, let me say that these won't fit into everyone's diet.  They're nothing miraculous.  But, they are something nice to have around for a quick meal.  I've had the full size Flatouts before (made pizza), and it was nice to have a ready made "crust, " but I wasn't terribly impressed.   This week I saw that there is a new type/size called, "Foldits."  I found that half of a Foldit is perfect!  It isn't as thin as a tortilla and, when toasted before putting toppings on, is quite delish.   Pile on the protein and you've got a decent, portion-controlled meal.  Remember, the nutitional info above is for a whole Foldit, which would be two of the circles.  I found that 1 was all I needed.

These are usually located near the deli section and NOT with the tortillas.  I've seen them at Walmart and a few grocery stores.  

Enjoy :)

New Tennis Shoes!

Who's got new shoes?  I do!  Who paid out the a$$ for them....I did!  Ok, it wasn't that bad with a Groupon, ($80), but well worth it.  Now Walking Puppy and I can walk further, baby!

This store is hard core, I'm tellin' ya.  They do all sorts of testing to see how you walk (I walked on a dreadmill that was easily the largest I have seen in my entire 34 years of life).  The gal basically told me not to wear socks that have cotton (or very little), to help prevent further blistering.  I declined the socks she tried to sell me that were $28.  Yikes. An hour later, I watched the horrified associate's face as I put on my Crocs flip flops and carried my pretty new kick a$$ shoes to the car.  Yup.  I live in Phoenix.  I wear flip flops every day unless there's a dang good reason not to.

New shoes.  New blinky safety light for Walking Pup.  New armband for iPhone.  

USE THEM, AMY!