"Very New York"

Had an amazing weekend and I am not paying for it at all. I had a huge family event with a lot of out of town family and a wedding. It was so much fun but of course revolves around food... like most family events can.

I ate out most of the weekend and yet I did okay with what I ate. I think. Friday I ate a brewery and I had salad, veggies and 3 ribs. I have the hardest time not drinking ice tea or water when I am eating out. Everyone else has a drink and it just a habit hard to break. Saturday was my free day off of no carbs. Didn't go hog wild and ate pretty decent until dinner. The wedding I went to was Italian-ish so they served the dishes family style and were all pastas. The dinner portion control was up to me and I did great by only putting small amounts of each. I even ate gelato. I had to stop there since even thought it was GREAT it upset my stomach. I got ahead of myself. Sunday was followed up with a family brunch. Amazing spread and amazing bread pudding. I ate too much and didn't eat the remaining of the day. It is amazing how much more I can eat when  drink with a meal. It is a killer for a bandster! Made up for any wrong choices by dancing my butt of at the wedding and making sure I went to the gym before going to do family events.

The best thing that happened this weekend was not only feeling in control of what I was eating. But the complements I kept getting. About my glasses, hair, skin, weight loss, and how beautiful I looked. Some of the people I saw this weekend had't seen me in over a year so some were excited and shocked I lost weight. One of my cousin's who is into fashion told me I looked  'Very New York'. I will take that complement. Anyone I talked to had gave me a complement. This NEVER happens. It felt AWESOME! Just gives me a little boost to keep on truckin' and working on myself.

The Spanx helped too.... my first ever owned. It kept me warm in the low temps and rainy weather. Gave me a bit of confidence by sliming all the curves out. No lines. Didn't know they were crotchless either! Scandalous Spanx designers!

My goal I had last made was to loose 10 pounds by this date. I didn't do it. But with the no-carb diet I think I have slimming down. It gives the illusion I lost some but it was more inches than anything. I am going to keep up with the no-carb for 6 days on - 1 day off. It is giving me a lot more energy. Can't get lazy - I am on a roll.

Goal for this week: Gotta get back to taking my vitamins!

Weight for today: 197

My Weaknesses

I confess that my weaknesses are sweets. 
I have a serious sweet tooth that is ever more present after being banded. I am posting this today so when I look back I will remember my struggles and being on this no-card diet I have chose to do. It is a mental struggle to rid my sweet tooth so there are times I give in. THESE My Friends, are my comforts - my sweet tooth choices.

Drum roll please...

And a formal introduction to...

7-11 Iced Mocha - 8 ounces = 140 cal

Chocolate Doughnuts - 1 large = 250 cal

Starbucks Soy Chai - Grande = 230 cal

Vanilla Soymilk - 1 cup = 90 cal

Trader Joe's Powerberries - 1/4 cup = 180 cal

All are easy to eat/drink banded - they slip right thru. I know soy milk isn't really that bad but when you constantly drink it - it adds up. I wanted to see how many calories were in each of these sinful treats of mine... I came across FatSecret. 

 A great site to check out is called FatSecret. It lists a large selection of nutritional facts for anything your heart desires! Check it out.

I really want to get to 190 and these damn things are in my way!

No Carbs: Week 2

The past two weeks I have been doing my no carb diet and it is proving to be a good thing. I thought I would feel like I was suffering or crazy at some point. The scale moved down a lot the first week to 194 but this week it is back up to 198. I think I am in my cycle soon. But the BIGGEST difference is that my pants are looser and my scale states my fat percentage and that is even going down. I notice my thighs and waist are slimming down. It is a great feeling. My body is changing even if the number on the scale isn't. My tummy is getting flatter, My muffin tops are gone, my face is slimming down.... I am going to do this for another 2 weeks.

6 days of no-carb, 1 day a free day.

I realized this past week:
1. Having a free day/Eating un healthy foods and going to the gym can't happen in the same day. I felt so sluggish and was tired really quick.

2. Learning to listen to my body and having more energy when doing no carbs is great! I push myself harder at the gym. I don't get tired.

3. The hardest thing the past two weeks was to resist having my morning Chai or Mocha. I am addicted to having something. It is loaded with sugar and is just bad in so many ways. Must resist!

4. I also have a serious sweet tooth since being banded. I can't give in - if not it ends up bad and I eat something way to sugary. There were a few occasions I gave in.

Goal for this week: Keep up this motivation!

Weight for today: 198

Really, No Carbs

If you have read my previous posts I have started a No Carb diet. Crazy but true! I think it is perfect timing to of read The 4 Hour Body since I had been feeling in a slump over not loosing any weight for months. The diet consists of basically eating eggs, meat, lentils, veggies. And then you have 1 Free day where you can eat whatever you want. I started on Tuesday and by Friday I was down 4 pounds. Saturday was my Free Day. I haven't weighted myself since Friday morning.

When it came to my Free Day which I really looked forward to.. I really didn't splurge as much as I thought I would of. But it did feel nice to have a break and recharge myself for 6 days back on no carbs. It just shows that I really ate a lot of carbs. I haven't been eating lentils with every meal since too many beans equals gas.... I also still drink my protein drinks on my gym days. But so far great results. I am liking this a lot.

This book has really changed my life at this moment. It has made me think more about what I am eating wrong, I work out harder with the tips the author gives you, I have started to read another book that was mentioned in The 4 Hour body about Total Immersion Swimming. I even purchased radiation reducing Pong cell phone cover.  You may think I am crazy for reading a book and making these changes but in all honesty they have really made a difference. I highly recommend reading this book.

I am now on my second week of no carbs... I am feeling in control and strong about my food choices. I am not feeling like I am suffering or struggling one bit. This is a great way to feel again.

Weight for today: 194 lbs. (Fridays weigh in) *ALL TIME LOW*

Goal for this week: Continue being strong and resist them carbs!

Only I Will Remain

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. When the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. 
- Bene Gesserit "Litany Again Fear", From Frank Herbert's Dune


This quote really got me thinking about my journey to success and where I am on it's path. The previous me wass happy on the outside, but very unhappy on the inside. I put on a face that wasn't me. I felt lost and incomplete. I thought I was in control of my life. I thought I was in control of my eating. How can eating really be all that I was. I was fearful to be any different, I didn't know I could be a better version of myself. I became ashamed and sad. I thought that was all to life and who I would be.

Today, the present me... I am happy inside and outside. I have began to re-love myself and my body. I am healthy and I feel strong. My inner self has changed, I am more willing to do things outside of my box, be daring and courageous. Words I would of never put in one sentence to describe myself. I find myself the first one to dance and not feel that people will judge. I find myself smiling all the time and sometimes for no reason. I want to get out of bed early and do something. Since I am improving my own self, my relationships have also changed. I thought I would of lost a few friends thru being banded since I don't eat out or drink a lot like I use to... But those who were there before are even more present in my life today. My relationship with my boyfriend has grown to. I feel a connection to him and who we will become as a couple in years to come. He has been a strong supporter in my progress and healthy lifestyle. I know at times he doesn't understand why I did gastric banding, But he does see who I have become. This connection to him and others have helped me be strong and to rid myself of fear. I know that no matter what, these people love and care for me, no matter who I was, am and will become. I am forever grateful that they share in this joy.

When I am struggling to get thru my day, hunger or issue I face I really need to face that fear... let it pass over me or through me... because at the end of that day... it is me who has to make it count.

Goal for this week: No Carbs!

Weight for today: 198 (back up again - sad)

On The Right Track

Last week I was very sick with the stomach flu and lost 7 pounds but now that my body is back to normal I am at 195.6. This is a perfect 5 pounds and I don't mind the 2 pound weight gain. It is most likely water weight since I can actually keep stuff down. Plus with my period, it may go back down when I am done. The big picture is that the scale is moving and that is awesome. My fill really did help and it is giving me back the power to stay full. I do miss that feeling. It is nice to have it again.

Now that I am getting my strength back, I have been pushing myself at the gym more. I don't have much of a difference from my strength that I did 1 year ago. In fact I would say that I am not as strong as I was even 6 months ago. I go thru phases where I want to do more cardio and/or weights. Right now I am really enjoying the balance I have of 1 hour of cardio 3x's per week, 1 hour of Spin Class, 1.5hours 3x's per week of Weights. I am not getting bored with this routine either. I am contemplating attending the kick boxing class or getting back into the pool once a week. Kick Boxing burns mass calories thru cardio, but I do love swimming since I used to be part of the swim team in junior high and high school (many moons ago). This past Sunday I did cardio mixed with squats - lets just say I am STILL sore 2 days later. The past two weekends we have gone on 10 mile bike rides on Saturday mornings. It is relaxing to do something outdoors with my boyfriend instead of going to the gym for our exercise.

I am noticing that even with the little bit of weight I have lost - I do feel it in my clothes and I see it in the mirror.

I feel more control of what I am eating and I am making more of a mental note of less carbs now that I am reading The 4 Hour Body(see last post). Worth the purchase so far.

Goal for this week: Kick boxing, Swim or Bike longer?

Weight for today: 195.6
(If I loose 5 more pounds that puts me HALF way to GOAL!)