80s BABY!!!!

That's 80 friends. I will soon get to the 80lbs. down, but give me a minute.

Hello to all my new and seasoned friends that seem to think I have something interesting to say. I ♥ you all. Thank you for keeping up with these crazy ramblings. I hope that you will let me know if I'm not following you so that I can do that ASAP. It's almost Friday and that means "IT's THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEKEEEEEEENNNNNND BAAAAAAAAAABY!!!"

Hugging my BOOBS & A Song for You

I have been reading posts for the last day or so about the return of people from the BOOBS event. It seems that some have met with a sort of postpartum/reflection. The trip no doubt was fun, but also brought out some hidden things that the ones affected were not prepared to deal with. For that I have a big ole HUG and say just breathe. I'm playing DJ today so this is for you.

Lady Lap Band is giving away something cool

Hey all,

Just a short post to let you know that Lady Lap Band is giving a way this


Dang I would love to win this. Good luck all.

p.

Weight Loss, Jealousy & Going back to school

Morning all *yawn*,

No I haven't awakened yet. I worked out and my muscles are sore. I did the full 3 mile workout with Leslie Sansone. For those of you who don't know her (I'm sure most of you do), she has a series of videos aptly titled "Walk Away the Pounds. She is wonderful. She gives you a full workout that it is not strenuous on your limbs, but gives you a good heart and deep muscle work out. I own this one:

It comes with a stretchy band for that part of the workout when the muscles are really engaged. Well I had a break through yesterday when I did the first session all the way through. That's 3 miles NON-STOP!! That's a feat for me as I had only gotten up to 2 miles and would stop. Before that I would do 1 mile probably twice a day. I am so proud of myself. I exercised for 45 minutes without taking a break. Even in Zumba I would have to take a breather. I'm happy to say I'm down 2lbs. since my last doctor visit and my goal is to lose another 8 to 10 before my next trip to Nashville to go to TSU's homecoming on November 6th. I can't wait to see my son's face when he sees the weight loss.

Next I must confess, I haven't been able to read the BOOBs updates because of overwhelming jealousy. Yes I admit it. I see it and it pains me to see that I missed all of that. I'm so happy you guys had fun, but I'm sad :-(. I saw someone post that they need a date for the next one because they don't plan on missing it. I agree. I refuse to miss the next BOOBs event. I know the powers that be that did all the planning need a long respite, and by all means do that, but when you get a breather, I need to know some plan details ;-). I will eventually catch up on the blogs, but until then know that I'm here and well.

The thing that has been keeping me most busy is that I made a big decision. I don't know if anyone remembers the job that I applied for that was formerly occupied by my ED (Executive Director) who left for Hawaii. Well they didn't even consider me for the job. It's ok because after much thought, counsel and meditation, I realized I wouldn't be happy in that job anyway. The person who left the job was part of the interviewing committee and somehow I knew that I had no chance. It wasn't negative thinking that x'ed me out it was realistic thinking. They wanted someone in the job that fit in the looks department. I fit neither of their criteria, although my job skills were impeccable. So I made the decision to go back to school and finish up my bachelor's degree. I plan to get it in Counseling/Social Work. I have many gifts and talents and this degree just hinges on one of them. I will soon after get my master's. I am looking forward to doing something for myself after all these years. I start in the Spring of '11 and plan to do an accelerated program. Since I work at a university, I can go free.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

B.O.O.B.s Questionaire

Here is the Gillyified version of Drazil’s BYOC.

1) You’re trapped on a desert island and you can bring only 3 of your favourite foods along. What do you bring?

•Cheese
•Yogurt
•Lasagna

2) If you could meet any 3 people, living or dead, who would they be and why?

•Dr. Martin Luther King, I would like to know what he thinks of America today.
•President Obama, what his plan is to fix this country and how we can get the Republicans on board with this.
•Matt Lauer, cause I love to watch him on the Today show. I love the way he interviews.

3) What is your stripper name? (take the name of your first pet and the name of the street you grew up on)

JoJo Sax

4) How old were you when you lost your virginity? Alternative question if you don’t want to answer this: What is your LEAST favourite part of your bod since losing weight? Your MOST favourite since losing weight?

I'm going to answer both questions. I was 21 years old when I lost my virginity. My least favorite part of my bod right now is my hanging stomach. I haven't lost much, but I want it to go already. My favorite part right now is my sliming face.

5) Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a house that is supposedly haunted?

I definitely believe in ghost, evil and good spirits. I love watching "Ghost Hunters." I have wanted to go on an adventure in a haunted house. I watch different ghost shows sometimes.

6) What is your natural hair colour? If you dye it something completely different from what your momma gave ya, how come?

Dark Brown is my natural color. I haven't dyed it a long while, but in November I hope to get it cut and dye it a dark caramel color.

7) Boxers or briefs? Alternatively…bikinis or granny panties?

For a guy definitely boxers for myself, Bikinis

8) If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? (Trilogies do not count as one movie, cheaterpantses!)

Dang it I was going to say either the Harry Potter movies or Chronicles of Narnia series, but since they don't count....The Wizard of Oz.

9) What is your guilty pleasure (feel free to go straight to the gutter with this one if the spirit moves you!)

LOL, I really don't have one. I have this thing about having an addictive personality so I don't let myself get to engrossed in anything for long. I watch a little reality tv, but won't let myself be a slave to it. There is not one show that I watch religiously. I don't know I might have to check myself on that one to see if I'm fibbing or not.

10) How many pounds gone forever are you celebrating?? :)

25lbs. gone FOREVER!!!!! Celebrate good times, come on!!!!!

1st Fill - Eazy Peazzy & Thank you Grace!!

I got my first fill today. After invisioning pain and the doctor being an a-hole, I got the biggest surprise of the day. Not only did the needle stick not hurt, but the doctor actually was cordial today. There are no words to describe him, but he was cordial today. I'm down 17.4lbs. since the surgery and a total of 25.4lbs. overall. I am very happy with that. I have a 10cc band, but I have no clue how much fluid the doctor put in because he was quick and I was to busy asking questions. I called the office back to ask, but they said that he is not aggressive with fills and put very little in. I am to do liquids today and mushies for the next two days.

When I called back I talked with the office manager Bonnie (whom I just LOVE) and she advised me to not mix my protein with juice. Even low calorie/no fat juices. I had been counting calories and fat grams, but neglected to count carbs, which she says plays a big part in loosing weight. I knew this, but was so focused on what Dr. Woodman said about counting fat grams. Anyway, I will definitely be incorporating this. The juice I use for my smoothie is only 50 cals/0 fat grams per 8 oz. cup, but has 30 carbohydrates (YIKES)!!! So needless to say I am going to find another way to mix my protein. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. She told me that a lot of her patients don't lose as much weight as they could because they are on high calorie protein shakes and juices. She also said that when you get the lap band because you have been obese, your body wants to hold on to every gram of carb or fat (which I knew) when trying to loose weight, but also that your body doesn't even metabolize those things the same. If anyone had taken a picture of my face, that look would have been priceless. Bonnie, though did what Dr. Woodman didn't and that was tell me that she is so proud of me. YAY ME!!!

I save the best for last!! I want to thank Grace of Grace's Fat Chance for the parcel I got in the mail on Saturday. OMGGGGG!!!! I am so happy. I even have on a pair of the slacks and a cute top she sent me today. She was so gracious enough to throw in an extra pair of slacks. A few of my sister's were over so when I got the package they were just in awe. They were saying how cute the items were. Everything fits wonderfully and the slacks have a little room for me to run my finger along the waistline. I will be out of these in no time. I have this huge smile on my face. I just love the Sisterhood!! Thank you Grace!!!

Bandster HEEEEEELLLLLL!!!

I am so hungry right now. I just ate a 4 oz cup of sugar free applesauce and a cheese stick. I don't eat lunch for another hour and a half. UGGGG!!! My stomach is growling like a rabid wolf. Dang it!! I have drank my water and still no let up. Ahhh well, I will be alright.

I went to a support group last night and I can say like all others in this support forum, that there is nothing like my sisters here. The group had about 8 people all in various states of WLS. One lady was considering getting the lap band. There was one person who had the by-pass and another the sleeve, the other 5 of us all had the band in various states of post op. Nothing the nutritionist said was anything I hadn't heard before. She sat there and told us about some studies she had read and basically read a little from the paper. After a while this guy who had the sleeve kind of took over. Actually, I was glad he did because it was boooooooorinnnng. I don't understand what a support group is for if it isn't for support. Maybe I'm just spoiled by what I have with you guys.

Anywho, I go for my first fill and follow up appointment on this Monday (9/20) coming up. One of the ladies who had the band on July 1st told me that our doctor won't have a problem with how much weight I have lost. She said he kind of got in her butt during her follow up because she had lost only 12lbs. Dr. Woodman thinks that you should loose at least 10. I thought well you did that. She said that wasn't anything spectacular in his eyes. Oh well, he will be alright. I still have a week left, so I will see how much I will drop by the 20th. Its not a race and the nutritionist said the same thing that Amy W. said in that everyone is different. I am anxious to see if this first fill will make a difference for me and to see how aggressive he will be with the fill. He is known to be an a-hole, but he doesn't scare me.

I was so excited to see my son this past weekend when he came home with the band to play in the classic. Now I am counting the days until Thanksgiving when he will be home for a few days. I know once that is gone I will be counting the days until Christmas. I miss my son! Here is a picture of him in action at the first game.

With a Cherry on Top!!

I got the "Cherry on Top Award"!!


These are the rules:
1. Answer the question: If you had one chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

My answer is similar to Lena's. I wish I would have finished college. I hated that I couldn't go to the college I wanted to out of town and rebelled. My mom didn't want me to leave town (I was still 17) and so I had to go to a local HBCU. I hated it there. I was the fat girl amongst thin light skinned beauties and I hadn't yet figured out that I too was beautiful. Nevertheless I wasted my scholarships and flunked out. I do regret it, and have since tried going back but can't stay committed because of other priorities. Now that my son is in college, I question whether I can now and could be truly committed. I don't want to go back if my heart and passion is not there and thus flunk out again.

2. Pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have been selected for the award.

1. Joey
2. Linda
3. Tessie
4. The Banded Lady
5. CindyLew
6. Alycejo

Because I don't conform I had to add another one Ms. Stephanie

There are just so many wonderful ladies that add that spice or that cherry on top and I salute you. To many of y'all to name.

3. You have to thank the person (people) who gave you the award.

Lena you are such a jewel and I consider it an honor to be in the same category as yourself. ♥♥♥

A re-post from a Successful Bander

Hey all! I hope your day has been going fabulous!! I was re-reading Amy W's blog and ran across this entry. I think it says so much about what I have been doing and maybe some of you might see a little of this in yourselves as well. I know I am guilty of it so when I read this entry it just rang true. Amy is such an inspiration to me. Once Upon a Time in the Land of Cheese and Sunkist was the very first blog I started reading and I got hooked. I almost became a stalker of this wonderfully funny charismatic young woman. She hasn't posted in a while, but I know she is still out there, probably still riding high off of her recent birthday. Amy I need a post because I'm starting to have withdraw symptoms.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A BIG FAT Comparison
I have been mulling over this post for a few days. I wanted to talk about comparing our weight loss with others. I wonder if my feelings would be different if I were at the low end of the spectrum...but here goes:

My thought on comparing our weight loss with other's weight loss is....

DON'T DO IT

It only feels good when you are "winning". The rest of the time, it makes you feel like a failure. There is no point in it really. It doesn't matter if someone was banded the same time as you or not. We are all built different, shaped different, have different genes, and different jean sizes. Our daily lives are different, our environment is different, our bands are different. And with all those differences, why would you expect to have the same results? For example, Mary, who was banded months after me, has now passed me in weight loss. Do you know why? For all the reasons I listed above AND because she works out more than me and probably doesn't sneak Sunkist into her desk drawer. So I don't beat myself up about it. Would you like someone else to beat you up? No. So why do it to yourself?

We chose the band for various reasons. Hopefully though, we all knew that the band was a slower weight loss, 1-2 pounds on average. But still we, (ME) get cranky when on AVERAGE, that is what we lose. It's like we look at the scale and say "Ah HELL NO BIATCH....ONE POUND!" Like we didnt know that is what is expected. We want Biggest Loser numbers! Well guess what!? We dont work out with the hot Gillian or Bob 8 hours a day on a magical ranch. We live real lives with kids, work, cheetos, parents. And we are succeeding. You know how we feel when one of the contestants are standing up there boohooing about "only" losing 6 pounds in a week? Do you ever think that maybe other, nonbanded folk, look at us the same way when we bitch about only losing 4, 6, or 8 pounds in a month? How quickly we have forgotten that we used to GAIN that in a month.

I started this journey in January at 327 pounds. When I hear people starting off at a weight like 233 (where I am now) or lower, and referring to themselves as FAT COWS, or saying "I can't believe I weigh 233...do I get my feelings hurt? No, bc I am smart enough to realize that weight is relative. So while at 233 I feel like I am doing pretty good....for others....that is their highest weight ever. BUT, my point is that when you are feeling like an unpolished turd about your weight, remember that there are those that started even fatter than you! I look at the girl on the Biggest Loser who weighs over 400 pounds and I am grateful for my 327 pound starting weight because I had a head start on her.

We are doing this.
We are changing our present and our future.
We can't change the past, but we can learn from it.
We will and we can be better, do better, and live better.
mmmhmmm...Yes We Can (sorry, I felt like Obama half way into my speech and had to throw that it in).

I am writing this for all of us! Sometimes the girl in the mirror with the pointed toe needs a reminder too! Love ya blog buds!

To read this in full Amy W. form click here

New Clothes & WL!!

I am going to make this a quick one because I have a doctor's appointment to go to and then a office birthday party to come back and plan for.

I have to first say a HUGE thank you to Joey for the Sisterhood donation. I recieved in my mail box the cutest two tops I've ever seen. I tried them on for my fam and they said "ooooh aaaahhh!" They loved them and said I looked so cute in them. I am just so thankful for a support system such as this. My mom, I think was shocked because she has never seen anything like this before. I tried to explain it to her, but in my excitement don't think I did it justice. Thank you again Joey!!! I♥U!!

Next on the band front. I have lost another 2lbs. So that puts me at 255lbs. I can't even remember when I weighed 255 pounds. This time last year I was on chemo and at 275lbs. I had did a crash diet and lost about 8lbs and trying to make a decision to be healthy. I was bald from the treatments and making sure I kept a positive attitude. Well today is a new day. I can see the weight loss and it is amazing me. I look at the pic above and I don't remember my face being that thin. Wow. The first pic was taken in July a week or two before band surgery. I think I was at 275 then. I was till trying to get those 8lbs. off I had gained. The second picture is me today (forgive my hair, waiting on my hair products in the mail) at 255lbs.

Happy Monday all!!!

Bruno Mars

Love this song and he is so cute!! Enjoy!!



This is such a happy song that I could cruise too.

I WHIP MY HAIR!!

Hey all!! I'm in a good mood this morning. I'm tired as heck. I posted a comment on another blog that said I now understand the fatigue that comes along with the band and not eating much. Whew, but I'm ok. I'm going to still do Zumba this evening. They say exercise gives you energy right. I have no clue how I'm doing with the Chica challenge in comparison to others, but I have been exercising. I calculate a total of 20.9 miles and a total of 8 hours of exerise. I included the Zumba time, but I don't know how many miles or distance that calculates into. Anywho I know I'm behind the veterans, but I'm proud of myself because this is the most exercise I have done consistently in years. My clothes are looser and I can feel my collar bones even though I can't see them yet, LOL. My VP tells me everyday I'm melting right before her eyes. I just shake my head and laugh at her. I'm down 13lbs. since surgery and if I add my pre-surgery loss that's a total of 21lbs. I'm proud of myself even though I want to rush things.

I found this audio of Willow Smith's new song "I Whip My Hair". I love the Smith family. I read where someone said that Will and Jada are pimping out their children and not letting them live regular lives, but I know that as a child I had high aspirations. What are their parents to do, tell them nope you can't act, or sing or model. You have to play, jump and run with the other kids your age and that's it. I think if a child aspires to do things that are positive, then we as parents should support that. Anyway, I'm getting off my soap box now. Check out the song below.

Fair Food & a little of I Wish Wednesday!

I found this in my newspaper today. I read another person's blog and they wrote about there not being any good food choices at the fair. This person choose the Barbeque Turkey leg because it was grilled. She only took about 3 bites before she was full. It's just a little blurb, but it shows how many calories fair food can contain. Dang it cause I love corn dogs.

From webmd.com
Stick with the cotton candy when you head out to the fair. A billowy cone weighs in at 171 calories and 0 fat grams - but remember, it's completely sugar. If you're bringing out the stretch pants, though, here's some food for thought: Fried Snickers, 444 calories and 29 grams of fat; giant turkey leg, 1136 calories and 45 grams of fat; and funnel cake, 760 calories and 44 grams of fat.

Here are some more I found:

Fried Twinkie (2 oz.): 420 calories/34 g fat
Funnel cake (1): 760 calories/44 g fat
Twinkie Dog Sundae: 500 calories/14 g fat
Fried cheesecake (6 oz.): 655 calories/47 g fat
Foot-long hot dog and bun: 470 calories/26 g fat

The folk eating Fried Butter are just waiting to fall over dead.

You can find the whole article here: Fair Food Calories

And look at this heart attack waiting to happen:


Here is a little of "I Wish Wednesday"

•I wish I didn't worry about stretching my pouch so much. My best friend who had the band went for her fill back in June and told the doctor that she think she might have stretched her band and he said "you probably did" and had an I could care less attitude. Now I know my friend wasn't doing what she was supposed to and I am for 99% of the time so I don't know why I worry about it so much.

•I wish the apartment my sister applied for would call her already. I'm so ready to get my house back and clean, Clean, CLEAN!!

•I wish that I was doing something that I love all the time. Like Joey and Draz! One day, I will. One day I tell ya!!

Sharing!!

First off I have to use the word that Jenn coined "haphausted". I can say thats where I am right now. I went to Nashville for my son's first game and had ball. I'm tired as heck, but am so happy.

Here is a pic of my SUN during the game. I didn't get a chance to get a full frontal one cause those guys were on the go. We have the Southern Heritage Classic this weekend where he will be home with the band. I'm so excited. I'm sitting right by the band.


I posted earlier about my eating, but we also went sight seeing. We saw the oddest dogs and they were .....lets just say special. Wow!


These dogs were just sitting there on a motorcycle. Very trained dogs. I had to question though how in the whole wide world they got their fur like that. No normal dog would have sat still for that. You had to see it.

Hope you guys are having a great week so far. I got Zumba tonight.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!

Anyone remember Ren & Stimpy. They were the most silliest cartoon out at the time. I hated to watch them, but it's like I couldn't turn away.


Grace of Grace's Fat Chance and Nella the Skinny B---H! were so wonderful in presenting me with such marvelous award. Thank you Grace & Nella for being such sweethearts.

So here are 10 things I like:

1. I love to hear the birds chirping on a cool crisp summer morning (before it gets 99 degrees). It takes me back to my childhood where my bed was under a window and every morning I would be awaken by a bird singing happily.

2. I love to sleep in and get up when my body says "wake up sunshine."

3. Music...it calms my soul (especially Jazz - listening to Miles Davis now). When anything stressful is going on, I can just pop in a CD and play something and my body just automatically transport.

4. My family. No matter if we get angry we are still there for one another. Everybody can't say they like their families. You have to love them, but like is another story. I truly do like them.

5. Technology. I have this thing where I have to get a new phone every year. I'm trying to cut that out, but in a few weeks I am getting an iPhone. I was going to wait until I get my longevity check, but the buttons on the phone I have are acting fickle so it's time. I also love computers.

6. The Food Network. On weekends I can sit and watch hours of that channel.

7. Which brings me to my favorite cook on there. I like Rachel Ray. I would love to meet her. Anybody got the hook up?

8. Fingernail polish. I have this collection of colors that I have been building forever. My sisters and nieces always come over to borrow. They always laugh because they feel like normal people have about 5 bottles of nail polish in different colors. Well I have about 55 or more.

9. Jewerly. I love little bracelets and earrings you can get from the beauty supply store. They don't cost much and I have built a little collection of that too.

10. Paper of any kind. I really like those cute journals. Kohl's has a cute one that I want to pick up. I think I have more journals and writing books than anything in my house.

Here are 10 Bloggers that I love and there are more, but I guess I will follow the rules....this time ;-).

1. Stephanie
2. Bonnie
3. Ronke
4. Joey
5. Catherine
6. Nicole
7. Amanda
8. Angela
9. Michelle
10.Mary

There are so many others. In fact 75 or more of you lovely gals, but of course I would be all day typing. Just know that you all deserve this award.

To all my lovely new followers....thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!! I appreciate you being along on this journey with me and I look forward to sharing in your's. If I have happened to over look you and am not following your blog somehow, please let me know in a comment.

On the WL front, I have lost another pound. I went to Nashville for my son's first game and had a ball. I tried to make good food choices, for the most part I think I did well. I didn't get stuck or anything like that although I was looking for it. Went to Applebee's and had a Grilled Chicken Pasta salad & a little Spinach & Artichoke dip Saturday night, Since I was traveling Saturday Morning I had homemade veggie chili for breakfast. I am not a breakfast person, so unless it's yogurt or a protein drink, I stick to non breakfast fare. I didn't get a chance to eat a lot so I had plenty of water and some cheese sticks to tide me over. On Sunday, I ate some of the pasta salad I had from the night before because you know I didn't finish it. For lunch that day we went to Shoney's and I got a salad and tried the chicken but it didn't feel good going down so I got some Meatloaf and it was nasty so I just stuck with some mashed potatoes and called it a day. The only problem I would say that I'm having when I go out is drinking while eating. when I'm at home or work its not a problem, but when I'm out with friends, I find myself wanting to drink because it's there. I guess I could just not order it and get a to go cup. Later that evening as we were dropping our children off we stopped at Jack in the Box and I got a Teriyaki Chicken bowl. It had in there broccoli, grilled chiken in teriyaki, shredded carrots and rice. It was actually good and I got full and couldn't eat it all. I always worry though about stretching my pouch.

Other stuff to tell, but I don't want to bore you guys and this post is already becoming to long.....HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Amy came up with this great idea. I think it's a great idea to one get to know each other better, but just over all feel good about ourselves or just vent. Whatever the topic may be for that week.

Today's subject:
Let's celebrate our own beauty and how wonderful we all look with a photo of your favorite feature.

Funny because for years I always thought that my smile was the most captivating thing I had on my body. I would smile big and bright showing all my teeth. One day I had to give a speech about our best trait and I said it was my winning smile. The teacher asked for responses after the speech to critique or whatever and this guy said that my smile was nice, but it was my eyes that drew him in. Needless to say I was shocked. I always thought I had these little slanted eyes that no one could tell were open when I smiled. Later in life, I told one of my BFFs the story and she agreed. Who knew...?