Thursday 24 May 2012

I am the worst blogger in history! Milestones have come and gone and I've failed to document them. As I was reading some past posts I really wish I would have! 2 major milestones are my last cigarette and bandiversary dates have shot past. May 13 & 19 come and gone just like that. I'm proud and ecstatic to report that I nearly reached my " ideal weight" goal of 119lbs. I'm at 132.6 (approx 67lbs)and have never felt better in my LIFE. I wish that I had the opportunity ages ago for this surgery. Is it tough? YES! Are the sacrifices worth it HELL YES! It is a daily struggle of intake and output. As I reflect on my journey I would not have been as successful if I hadn't done the following: 1. Had frequent contact and adjustments with my MD - 7 adjustments 2 under Fluor I had my band placed in the UK. My doctor is very conservative. I was on liquids a full month following band placement (longest 30 days of my life) followed by 2 weeks of mushy. With every band adjustment it was one week of liquid and one week of mushy. I followed it to a tee. This is when I would loose the most weight. If I uped my exercise the lbs dropped overnight. You should do what your doctor recommends for you 2. Followed the rules - reread them often -post them where you can see them 3. EXERCISE (nasty word I have grown to love thx lap band girl) I started off running between 1 light post and walking and running a light post and walking I'm now running 5k at least 2 x a week with a couple miles every other day. You have to find a exercise that doesn't make you dread it. It was running for me because it's solitary and I could de-stress no one wants anything from me when I'm running. In fact when I say I'm going for a run my family usually have a million things to do. I think many of us have put our wants, needs, health on the back burner to fulfil others wants and needs. Exercise is definitely putting yourself first. 30 min at least every other day. It's doable. Start NOW! It will speed up the weight loss! Whew - that was a long tirade because it is soooo important! I've done 6 5k 2 of those were mud runs with obstacle courses in the last year. Having a race scheduled kept me motivated to run. 4. Started out using www.myfitnesspal.com to record my intake and exercise really kept me on track. It helps to teach you to calorie count when you may not have the restriction from the band yet. I tried to keep my calories at 1200. It also teaches you what food is high in protein. High protein foods will fill you up, make you feel fuller and take more energy to process! 5. I was a daily weigher. Controversial I know. My rational was if I wait a whole week to see if I've gained or lost I'm going to loose time where I could be loosing. I did have times where I gained. When I went on vacay and didn't weigh and didn't care if I gained I gained! (food in France was worth the extra work) I realised I would have to WORK extra hard when I got home. 6. Take your vitamins. My skin and hair have never looked better. 7. Drink water - I do not consume any calories in liquid form unless I'm on my week of liquids following a fill! I have an occasional cocktail but I plan for it by not indulging in something or exercising more that week. We are a week away from moving from the UK to S. Korea. The life of a military family. I'm sure I'll be faced with some new band challenges in Asia but I say bring it on! LOVING my new REALITY!