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!)

The 4 Hour Body

The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman by Timothy Ferriss

http://www.fourhourbody.com/

Has anyone read this book yet? I purchased the book for a friend of mine since I thought it would be fun to read. I now have purchased a version for myself and I am actually enjoying the read. At first I thought it would be a gimmick book and full of non-sense but as I am reading it - it is pretty funny, easy to read, and so far proving it is worth the buy. 

I am reading a chapter about his SlowCarb diet. It is really how all bandsters should be eat - no carbs, no liquid calories etc... as I am reading more into this book - I am contemplating on doing the SlowCarb diet for a few weeks. The people who I have spoken to about this book have tried this no carb diet and have lost weight in all cases. Maybe worth a try.

Here is its summary:

Is it possible to....

• Reach your genetic potential in 6 months?
• Sleep 2 hours per day and perform better than on 8 hours?
• Lose more fat than a marathoner by bingeing?

Indeed, and much more. This is not just another diet and fitness book.

The 4-Hour Body is the result of an obsessive quest, spanning more than a decade, to hack the human body. It contains the collective wisdom of hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of jaw-dropping personal experimentation. From Olympic training centers to black-market laboratories, from Silicon Valley to South Africa, Tim Ferriss, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, fixated on one life-changing question:

For all things physical, what are the tiniest changes that produce the biggest results? Thousands of tests later, this book contains the answers for both men and women. From the gym to the bedroom, it's all here, and it all works.

How to prevent fat gain while bingeing (X-mas, holidays, weekends)

How to increase fat-loss 300% with a few bags of ice

How Tim gained 34 pounds of muscle in 28 days, without steroids, and in four hours of total gym time

How to sleep 2 hours per day and feel fully rested

How to produce 15-minute female orgasms

How to triple testosterone and double sperm count

How to go from running 5 kilometers to 50 kilometers in 12 weeks

How to reverse "permanent" injuries

How to add 150+ pounds to your lifts in 6 months

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are more than 50 topics covered, all with real-world experiments, many including more than 200 test subjects. You don't need better genetics or more discipline. You need immediate results that compel you to continue. That's exactly what The 4-Hour Body delivers.

More Weight Loss

This year has started out horrible on the health front. I was sick for one week with a serious cold. Got over it then one week later I got a stomach flu for 2 days. It has allowed me two great things... 1) to have a mental break from work since I have been feeling overwhelmed and 2) I lost another 5 pounds since last weigh in.  How crazy is that!?!

Now, I can't really count this as my actual weight since I was sick and my body is reacting. But in a way I am excited for just a quick moment. I am planning on getting a flu shot when I go see my general doctor this coming month. I never want to get the flu again. What a mess and toll it takes on your body. Yucky! My jeans are a little looser today.

I hope I have got out all sickness for the year... only healthy months ahead. I have to kick my butt into gear and really step it up at work. I can't be lazy or let the ball drop on certain projects coming up. It is amazing how much work can reflect on your life. I haven't been so stressed with work and yet so sick. Are they linked in some way....mmmm....

I have a family wedding at the end of February that I would like to be at 190 for. That would be 10 pound weight loss since I had set this mini goal for myself. Granted, I wans't planning on getting sick in between. If it can stay off that would be great and it can help me meet my goal quicker. I will take my next Monday weight in as my actual weight and go from there. I think this mini goal is helping me be accountable. Really accountable this time.

Goal for this week: Get back to normal day to day

Weight for today: 193.6 lbs.

Fiber Suggestion

This post is mainly for Amy because she is always stating pooping isn't the same after banding. Here is a suggestion to her and all.... BENEFIBER! Three spoon fulls in a drink or food once a day. Really helps. You can add more as needed. I mix mine into juice or soy milk.

Happy Pooping

Premier Protein Bar

I recently came across these from the same company that makes the protein shakes I drink. They carry protein bars that have 30 grams of Protein. I buy them in bulk at Costco. I have it on days I am on the go. But I try not to eat them daily or days I have my protein shake.

Premier Protein Bar
With 30 grams of high quality protein, the Premier Protein Bar has what it takes to be the most convenient meal replacement on the shelves. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how smooth and delicious a high-packed protein bar can be.




Available in Chocolate Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate Crunch, and Yogurt Peanut Butter Crunch.


http://www.premiernutrition.com

1 YEAR 3 MONTHS

Today isn't an official weigh in day but I am so excited to see the scale moving again. I am at my all time low so far 197.2! Wow! I know it is only a few pounds but from gaining 4 pounds over the holidays and then losing it plus a few extra is sweet! Now I am REALLY into Onederland! Plus Four now minus Seven.

I am very excited that the scale is moving plus I get to put a different and lower number at my progress ticker today. The past few months have been a mental struggle. I fell into some old patterns and habits. Blogging just wasn't fun and I became negative. Weight loss is hard and whom ever said getting gastric banding was easy or a cheating ... No way in hell is it!

January 19th marked my One Year, Three Months. It is a mark of a new start and new 2011 year. I must have a different approach to my goals. What I was doing wasn't working. This day I also had my rescheduled appointment to get a fill. Remember last week I was sick so my Doctor didn't want to do the fill. Well he was very aggressive with his fill and gave me a full 1 cc. And I do fell it this time, I am loving it. Wednesday and Thursday I never got hungry once. It was a great feeling. I felt powerful and in charge again.

As a follow up to my post at the beginning of the week.... Thank you for your comments. This person has been very supportive since I had posted. I have made a few comments about 'helping me' but I am going to have another in-depth conversation this weekend. I need the most support from this person and it is only my fault if I don't speak up.

Weight for today: 197.2