10 things Thursday

Alrighty, gonna try this and see if I can come up with 10.

1) I'm so frustrated right now.  After getting a new scale and seeing things moving again, It looks like this weekends weigh in will put me right back at 225-ish.

2) (maybe an extension of #1) I shouldn't be frustrated since I've had some ice cream a couple nights this week, and keep forgetting to stop eating and wait to see if I'm done or not. I just keep going. (but really, this weight has been going on since Oct.. i'm over it)

3) I do get a pat on the back for today.  I went to a soup place for lunch today, they have 12 soups that change daily, and I was eyeballing the Twice-Baked Stuffed Potato (with bacon)..   but instead got chicken noodle.

Potato =Calories 380, fat 30 grams, net carbs 18 (carbs less fiber), dietary fiber 2 grams, protein 10 grams, per 8 ounce serving.

chicken noodle = Calories 120, fat 1 grams, net carbs 16 (carbs less fiber), dietary fiber 2 grams, protein 9 grams, per 8 ounce serving. PointsPlus: 3 


So yay for some part of my brain thinking (although I did eat 3/4 of the bread roll they gave me)


4)  I love my bracelet I got from myself  my hubby for christmas: 

5) I really need to win the Lotto.  Not only am I totally stressing over doing the budget this month (I'm pretty sure there's a couple of weeks when we've got about $15 for food)... but I really want to buy some personal training sessions.  Not only will they get me a work out plan, but Having somebody holding me accountable like that is good for me.  I can't seem to do it by myself.


6) Totally addicted to facebook. I don't post a lot, but I'm always checking to see what everybody else is doing. I think I live vicariously through my news feed.


7) Sometimes I love that my job can have a lot of downtime (plenty of time to catch up on blogger and/or make a post) .. and sometimes it sucks!! sitting for 8 hours with about 45 minutes of total work to do can go blow donkeys.  


8)  I'm  jealous of you people with your surgeon support groups.  I went to my first support group meeting after surgery.. and I was the ONLY band patient.  I know I should still go, but I also know me.  I know that the more irrelevant i find stuff (i.e. I CAN eat sugar and don't have to hunt down food with no sugar alcohols or whatever).. or the more.. jealous i get (the guy who was 6 months out from his bypass and had lost over 100 lbs so far), the less likely I am to want to go.. which is why I'm not.  But I do consider you all my support group.


9) speaking of speed, Sometimes i feel that my loss is hugely slow.  But then I read through some very successful people's blogs, and see I'm going faster, or at least on par with some of them.. and I feel better. i think I may need to do some more re-reading soon.


10) MINDSET.  I needs it! or at least the "right" one.  No more lazy, no more tons of food, no more bad food (within reason, part of why I got the band vs. bypass is "absolutely no_____!!" doesn't work for me)


And that's my ten things.  I'm not sure I can do this every week. I'm pretty boring :)


<3 
Sam

I'm pretty sure my fat cells are laughing at me.

Yes.. if fat cells could laugh, mine are doing the evil mad scientist "mwahahahhaha" right now.

Yesterday morning (after Christmas dinner mind you) I weighed 222.something.  This morning I magically weighed 225.6.. I didn't eat THAT bad yesterday.  So after so many days of going down slowly, it all magically came back in one day/night.  evil evil fat cells.

But that's okay. Nothing I can't come back from. In fact I've got my gym bag in my car, and I've been shivering so much at work this morning that's got to be good for a couple hundred calories burned too! LOL.

Anyways, just checking in!  Hope everybody had a good holiday weekend!

<3
Sam

Sunday (Christmas) weigh in

That is all. Going down again

Accountability

Looky what my bakery top ( in these size 16s it's more than a muffin top) and I did today!

LOL.  yes. wrong pic. stupid phone. and silly hubby for rushing me out the door while i'm trying to post. 

it's supposed to have this pic:

I'll leave the kittty, cause he is cute.

NSV of sorts

Yup, a NSV to report.. that came to be by pure laziness (aka not swapping laundry loads)

I was running around this morning trying to find some jeans (yay casual fridays!) .. and realized that both my pairs of size 18s are in the washer (as in still wet).  Oops.   So I look in my closet, the only two pairs in there are a size 20 (only if i want to be pulling them up all day) and a size 6 in Lane Bryants right size whatever line. Also, way too big.

So I go to the "soon" closet, and pull out a pair of 16s.. thinking "yeah right" .. but they're on!  they're tight.. but they're on! and buttoned! ... and with 3 inches of flab hanging over the top >.<

But we'll ignore the flab (or cover it with a loose top) and go with the fact that I'M WEARING SIZE SIXTEEN JEANS!! for the first time in years!

In other news, I almost forgot my gym bag this morning, but went back inside and grabbed it. AND I shaved my legs.. Nothing is stopping me!

<3
Sam

And done

Excuses are so easy

Walking into work this morning I was so proud that I actually managed to remember to put my gym bag in my car.  Now I can't use the excuse that "it's too inconvenient to go home, THEN go to the gym" ... so the very next thought i have?

"OMG, the pants i packed are capri length and I haven't shaved my legs in like a week!"

really brain?? really? this is what you come up with to keep me from going to the gym?  Do I honestly think people are going to be looking at my legs?? yeah.. right.  

I even got my early game access to the new MMO I want to play, which normally would mean me rushing home to plant my behind in a chair for the rest of the night, but I have VOWED!!! to go to the gym first.  It will happen.  And if it doesn't somebody come to Colorado and slap me silly!

<3,
Sam

I have a scale!!

Today's weight:

226.0


I don't have photographic evidence, as my phone was upstairs this morning, but it's true.. Otherwise I'd probably tell you I'd lost more than 2 lbs in the last 2 months.  >.<

yeah, since my last recorded weight 2 months ago, I've lost 2lbs.  HOWEVER, it is still a loss, and with all the cr@p I've been eating, It's amazing it hasn't gone up.  So I'll take it, and use this as motivation to get back in gear. (I know I've said that a lot recently, but I mean it!)

<3

Sam

update on my unfill and thanksgiving pics

Okay, so it's almost two weeks later.  But I think this unfill has been good.  I got 1cc removed, which should leave me with 5.

Firstly, there was not an excessive amount of poking to find my port and remove liquid. YAY!

Secondly, I can still feel my band working (hamburger last night was almost an issue), but it's not as bad in the morning.  It's still tighter in the morning than later in the day, but oatmeal or yogurt doesn't hurt anymore.  so hallelujah!

Now, I need to get back to eating the right things, and back to the gym.  Yes I've lost 60lbs.. but I've still got 60 more to go.  As it stands right now I'm that statistic.  You know "most gastric banding patients lose 50% of their excess weight".   I went into this wanting to NOT be that statistic, and I need to make that happen!  So RAWR!

I can do this. It's not rocket science, it's just head science.

<3 Sam

And no, I STILL don't have a new scale.  New house + new car = NO money.  I'm half tempted to put up a paypal donation button for a scale! LOL. not really, I know I can find the money.. just need to do it.. as with everything else <3

also also,

here's some pics from thanksgiving.  I decided to be all fancy!

surgeon appointment this afternoon

Yup,  I have an appointment to see my surgeon the day before thanksgiving.  Although if anything happens he'll probably be taking fluid out, instead of putting it in.  After I called my stomach started feeling better.. And i was tempted to call yesterday and cancel the appointment, until this morning. I got a Starbucks strawberry smoothie (lots of proteins!) for my drive this morning (YAY I got to drive my new car to work!) .. and for the first 20 minutes or so, I could feel the smoothie kinda getting caught up in my band.  It is cold, but it's blended well.
I could only do small sips of it at first, but by the time I got to work I was able to down the second half no problem.

I'm pretty sure I should be able to have a smoothie without feeling like it's almost getting stuck.  I'm just confused because I haven't had a fill since early July.  Nothing has changed.  Ah well.  I'll talk to the surgeon tonight and hopefully all will be well. And hopefully he won't continue to dissapoint me.  All the reviews on him are good, and he's being doing this forever, but I've never had a barium swallow.. i've never had a numbing shot before a fill (all two of them).. and for the first fill he had to sit and poke me multiple times. Like lots.. I know what's one thing that can cause leaks, and  you'd think a Doctor with 14 years experience (but maybe only 11 in lap band) would know better? I suppose if today is just as disappointing I'll contact Kaiser and see if I can go to the other bariatric surgeon they use.

I suppose that's it for now! hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

<3 Sam

edited to add:  Since I STILL don't have a scale, and until money is better i might not get one, I took some measurements today.  It was at work so they're prolly a little off, but I needed to see proof of progress.  so far in 6 months i've lost a total of 22.5 inches.  A breakdown of what I'm measureing is on my stats page.

Appointment made

Yarp, I have made an appointment with my surgeon to talk about an unfill.  Wednesday afternoon.  Now i'm all worried he'll think i'm doing it so i can eat more on thanksgiving.  Blah.  But honestly, I do better if I'm able to eat actual food for breakfast in the mornings.  Shakes don't cut it.  And yogurt sometimes is uncomfortable. So in I go.   Also for the last 4 days or so my stomach has felt a bit off.  Like not quite sick off, but not normal. sometimes eating helps (new feeling for hunger??) but not always.  Maybe my band has gotten too tight (weather? hormones? freak of nature?)  and it's irritating my stomach.

Hopefully all will be resolved soon!  On a yay note I "jogged" a bit as i was walking the doggy yesterday.  It wasn't for long, but still.  I don't think that the dog will make a good jogging companion, as much as he could use the exercise too.  He's way to interested in stopping and sniffing everything.. I'd yank my arm out of my socket if I was moving at a faster pace.

Speaking of dog walks, I need to figure out something.. In order to not walk the dog in the pitch black, I need to go straight home to walk him, skipping the gym.   I COULD go to the gym afterwards, but at that point i'm home, and the hubby is home and my will power is out the window (not to mention the rest of the people are off of work and the gym will be more crowded). Which is why I would always go to the gym on the way home, never stop.

I really should just go home, change to gym clothes, walk, throw the dog in the back yard and go to the gym... Just convincing myself at the time is the issue.. *sigh*

<3 Sam

Losing weight the hipster way

Came across this article today Losing Weight the Hipster way.

It was amusing.  But really it all comes down to same ol', same ol'.  Burn more than you consume.  :) but his tips are good:

Former "chubster" Martin Cizmar offers these tips on How to Work Out Without Looking Like a Tool:

Always take the stairs."It's pretty easy to commit to never riding an elevator or escalator again." He also recommends volunteering your help when your friends move, becoming the office go-fer to pick up off-site coffee, walkng the dog and energetically cleaning your residence (including the windows) once a week.

Walk whenever you can."Always an easy, low-impact way to go. Also, it doesn't really look like you're in the middle of a sweaty workout, so you can get some exercise in while wearing jeans, leaving the people you pass to think you're simply in a hurry to get somewhere," he writes.

Stand at concerts."You would probably burn 200 calories over the course of a four-hour concert. Not bad, right? So stand for the show — it's more rock 'n' roll, anyway."

Fidget.Cizmar endorses the nervous tics that drive everyone else crazy: Pacing, tapping your toe, wiggling a foot, slicking your pen. He cites endocrinologist James Levine's Science magazine article on non-exercise activity thermogenesis: Fidgeters burn an extra 350 calories a day.

Fitocracy

I don't know if any of you consider yourselves "gamers" like I do.  I don't know if any of you have heard of Fitocracy either.  But after reading an article about it, similar to this one About Fitocracy, I was totally interested.

Long story short, yes it's another website to track your fitness goals, work outs etc.  However this one has the gaming twist. you earn points, you level up, you have quests to complete.  One girl I know was interested because as she put it "I'm lazy as hell, but I'm super competitive too, so this could be good"  .. As for me, when I played WoW I was very into collecting all the "things" and leveling up, and getting achievements.  If I can apply that to fitness, this could work for me.

I finally got an invite today so yay! and I have 10 invites to give out it looks like.  So if anybody is interested, send me an email with your email (or if your not shy leave a comment with your email) and I'll invite you.  First come, first served!

<3

Sam

edited to add:  This is still in Beta, so expect changes/updates etc.  There's a forum associated with it, where you can make/get suggestions.  Looking around I don't find anything to track food, so you'd still need something for that, but it still looks fun for tracking exercise.

Picture Time

yup, Picture time!  mostly of my surrounding during the dog walk yesterday, and one of me!  I'm really likeing the front camera on the iPhone.  it makes taking self pics to easy!!




This is how work makes me feel

 ... I probably shouldn't put this picture first, as that's what you all will see on your reading list... ah well

and let me just say, it's not easy trying to take pics of the moon, with a dog on a leash!



hehe.. Oops.

Yeah, oops, it's been 20-ish days since I've blogged.  I totally blame my still broken and not replaced scale.  I have no progress to report!  Even if my scale were working I'm pretty sure i'd have no progress to report.  I have been very lax.  and Very into the cookie dough.  Bad me!   I think without my weigh-in's I haven't been holding myself very accountable.  *sigh*

Also in my non blogging defense, I did have like 3 days when we weren't home until late... because I got a new car!  it's my first ever new car.  I got a 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco.  I loves it! <3

Also also, Work has been a bit busier than usual.  I have 12 hours of overtime coming on this next check (yay $$)  and even without overtime, I haven't had as much blogging time as I had before.

Excuses, Excuses.

I promise to be better. no excuses.  It's okay if i go to the gym after work, then come home and walk the dog, even if it is going to be dark out!  And no more cookie dough!

Also my band has been weird lately.  I haven't had a fill in maybe 3 months.  I'm okay with that.  But I swear it's gotten tighter.  I mean maybe this last week or so was due to ToM, but even before that, applesauce felt like it was getting sort of stuck.   I dunno. I can still drink my water, so I'm not too worried, it's just odd.

<3
Sam

Edited to ad:

Let me clarify things..  It's really tight in the morning (sometimes) to the point where applesauce is a bit uncomfortable.. but it does go down. But later in the day regular food is fine (assuming i'm not wolfing it down).  I think/hope it's just hormones/cold weather (is that possible?) making things tighter in the morning.  If it keeps up I will call my doc about making sure everything is okay and/or taking a bit out. Because yeah, complications scare the bejeesus out of me.

Just a Funny

That is all

<3
Sam

This one still blows my mind.

Bride's Brother, My Brother, Sis-in-Law, Me, my Hubby

So not pretty.  Not saying I'm all that now, but I KNOW I look better than I did less than a year ago.

Sorry was just perusing facebook and came across this and shuddered.  Hooray for progress!

<3
Sam

Unofficial (late) weigh in

No picture, and this is a quicky, but on Sunday on my mom's scale (mine is still broken) I weighed 228.5.  So still (slowly) going down! huzzah!

coming up on sunday is a day to resist (yeah right) temptation.  We all have to work fri/sat/sun due to the Occupy _______ (your city here) protesters.  So they're planning a grilled cheese day on friday.  I haven't had grilled cheese in soooo long.  probably even years before surgery.  Sounds sooo good.  *sigh* but i'm pretty sure two pieces of bread won't feel so good.  Ah well.

That's all I've got for now.  I'm "working"  :)

<3 Sam

Too young to fall apart!!

Argh!! I though things were supposed to get better as I lose weight!  Last night as I was undressing for bed I did something to my knee.  It still hurts this morning.  It's not "OMG ow!" crippling pain, but it's there every time I try to extend it fully, or move it in any direction other than straight front and back.  My walk to work this morning was, slower and a bit limpy.   Last night it felt almost "mushy" .. that's the first word that came to mind to describe it.   I'm pretty sure this isn't good, but I'm hoping it goes away.

You throw this on top of my right elbow pain that's been going on for maybe a month now, and the plantar fasciitis that still flares up, you'd think my body is conspiring to keep me from moving ever.  blah.

The thing that bugs me about my knee is that i haven't been doing anything fancy.  Just walking mostly, and then i'm undressing (maybe I twisted funny?) and boom!! ow!

Blah, just ranting and annoying is all I am. Sorry bout that.

<3,
Sam

Still here!

I'm still here, I promise!  been a little busy  lately,  busy at work, busy at home.  Dog walkies take up time in the evenings.  Which is a good thing :)

No weigh in this week. My scale seems to be broken.  Unless I magically lost 230lbs and now weigh 0.0lbs.   I  put a new battery in and everything and 0.0.  This makes me sad.  And also aware of how much of a scale whore I was being.  I actually felt a little be of anxiety the first couple of days of broken scale. *sigh*  I can't find anything in the manual or on the internet  as to why it's stuck on 0 .. or how to fix it.  Looks like a scale might be in the budget for soon.

No scale might not be a bad thing.  On Saturday we went to dinner at a NICE Italian place for my friends birthday.  It's a bit pricey, but OMG was it worth it.  And I splurged. I had a choclatini. it was yummy! And chicken caccatori which was sooooo good.  and a dessert coffee that was probably more alcohol than coffee.  :)  

Tomorrow is the hubby and my 3rd anniversay!!  Holy cow, we're both still alive! hehehe.

Oh and I ordered an iPh*ne 4S.  :D I shall have the precious.  I've wanted an iPh*ne since they came out but have always been on veriz*on family plan, which is too good of a deal to switch.  But now...  yay!!

But that's all I have for now. just a quick check in.  And a quick doggy pic!


<3
Sam

Happy Birthday to me! a Weigh in, and a Doggy!

So, yesterday was my birthday.  32.   I feel like I'm getting old-ish.  But it's nice when people at work are saying they would have guessed closer to 22.  Hopefully they're not just being nice. I'd be awesome to have my Mom's genes.  She's 59 and looks late 40's/early 50's.

Weigh in day is going to stay on sunday's.  It's easy.  today was 230.2.  or 5 minutes later it was 231.3.  I'm going with the one I took a picture of.  And I stepped on the scale twice for each weight.   Ah well.  Either way is a  loss!

Also, on friday Chris and I brought home Charlie!  he's our new doggie.  We got him from one of the shelters in the area..ish.  It was about an hour drive. But when I saw his pic online, I was all "awwwwwwwww" and then i showed it to Chris and he was all "awwwwwwwww" .. So yay!  he's 9 months old and a Austrialian Shepherd mix.  He's so pretty.  I'm going to put a photo or two up, but there's more on my facebook if you want to friend me (NOT a desperate plea for friends ;)  )

That's enough for now I think

<3
Sam

A short treatise on Port pain, jealousy, and speed.

Not a whole lot going on.  Worked 12 hours today. Someone called in sick, so I stayed over for half a shift.  Nothing says fun like time and a half! Of course this means I didn't get to eat dinner until 8:30 or so.  Ah well, I'm pretty sure tomorrows weigh in isn't going to be spectacular.

So in regards to the title.  Port pain.  I don't know (although I'm hoping and assuming) if it's because I tend to sleep on my front left side, but today the area around my port is really hurty.  But it's  from the inside.  So if I move a certain way it hurts, but if I poke it, not so much.  Is this normal? should I be running to my surgeon? I just don't know.  I suppose best bet is to wait and see how it is in the next couple of days (which is what I'm doing with my elbow, which has been hurting for weeks).

I'm just falling apart! Oy!

Let's see, Jealousy.  I just found out my friend who got her band 2+ years ago is getting a tummy tuck in November.  While I'm happy for her, I'm also jealous as all get out.   I KNOW I'm going to need one (and prolly the ta-ta's too) my pannus is very disgusting and blah, and there's no way that's just going to shrink up and in and be all pretty.  BUT unless something amazing happens on the job/lotto/relative i don't know or care about dying front (I kid, I kid!) I'm so not going to be able to afford either of those surgeries.  And during the pre-surgery class I asked if Kaiser ever deemed skin removal surgery "medically necessary"  I was told no.  I've seen other answers on the Internet, but most of those are either out in California (so different system sort of) or from 2+ years ago.  I suppose since I'm only a few months out from surgery I could start saving $$.. but that never works out as planned.  I'll figure something out, I'm sure. (probably just learn to live with blah)

Last but not least, Speed.  I remember reading that the majority of weight lost with the band takes place in the first 8-ish months.  Is this really true?  Do I need to get my rear in gear if I ever want to see 170 (or less)??  I'm not terribly upset with how fast I'm losing, although when I created my stats page the other day, I realized I'd lost less since my surgery than I had thought. 30lbs in 4 months instead of the 40-45 like I had been thinking.  This makes me worried I'm going to be one of the "failures"  .. I suppose the only solution to that is to get my butt moving!  Zumba tomorrow!  

This is long and ranty enough, to ta-ta for now!
<3  Sam

p.s.  If any of you win the lotto think of me, and my future surgeries and current need for a personal trainer!! ;)

love ya!

Emotions

Nothing too deep or insightful today.  I think I'm just amused with the emotions I'm having with this weight-loss.  They're not what I would have expected.    I mean .. I'm almost dreading the day when my wedding/engagement rings won't fit.  That day is soon.  I know part of that is I have a bad habit of imagining what other people are thinking about me.  And for a long time I was imagining "oh the poor fat girl will never have anybody" .. even though I DID have someone, lacking the visible proof I assumed everyone thought I was alone.

I'm also .. annoyed that my pants are getting too big.  I'm happy, but at the same time.. annoyed when i have to hike them up.

The obvious weirdness is the "OMG I've lost 60lbs from my highest ever!!" which then swings to "OMG I've got another 60lbs (or more) to lose, I'll never do that"

I know I had a few other examples in my head a few minutes ago, but they flitted away. So I think I'll leave you with the statement that somehow I expected all "Happy Happy Joy Joy" and am confused by the other feelings leaking in.

<3
Sam

p.s.  bananas hurt :(

Heavy

Also, I've been watching Heavy on netflix.  I think I'm taking the wrong things away from this show.  Don't get me wrong, I like it.  It's moving. But my main thoughts are a) That's not fair, I want someone to pay for a personal trainer for me!  and b) Not fair, they weigh about what I weigh now, and are getting their belly fat/flap removed.   (and also "hey, she's going in for surgery with make-up on! that's a no-no")

Half of me watches this show and thinks "if they can do it, I can do it" and the other half of me refers back to my previous "not fair" statements.  I know life isn't fair.  I know there's a lot of stuff I can do myself without a trainer.  But I also know that'd help so much.  Someone to help keep me accountable every week.  Help me switch up (or even start) a routine.  It's frustrating.  I need to win the lotto.

<3
Sam

Lucky!

I'm so chalking this weeks loss up to luck.  Lots and lots of luck.  I've been crap with my food ( can we say 2 pints of ice cream over the week?)  .. I've been crap with my work outs (one night of Wii Zumba).   Granted, It was my ToM, and Thursday/Friday I was sick.  But there was more crap going on than was justified.  So hooray for lucky loss, and now i get back in gear and actually earn my weight loss.

I know i'm not around as much lately, but mostly that's because i'm boring.  Nothing much to report.  Got to take a class in courtroom testimony this week.   Going to court as an "expert witness" is a probably part of my job, so this was to make sure we're at least somewhat prepared to get torn apart on the witness stand by defense attornies.  Not looking forward to it, but at the same time, I am.

Otherwise, that's it. I"m boring.  But I read you all!

<3
Sam

A day late a pound short

Sunday weigh in on Monday!  233.8.  huzzah.  Down a bit, which is good after this week.  I was bad with food, even with being on mushies for a bit.  I was also bad with exercise, because moving made my tummy feel worse.  I think what made the difference was my house warming party yesterday.  Was up at 7am cleaning, had a small breakfast, and didn't eat again till 6ish? And i had a burger with a slice of cheese.  I only had like 2 bites of the various chips and dips we had out.  In all honestly this "I did so well" is mostly due to the fact that I was way to busy to eat.  But I'll take it.  I'm pretty sure if I had remembered to weigh yesterday It would have been closer to no loss for the week. I"m a cheater ;)    Hope you all have a great day!  time to clean up the house.. again

 <3
Sam

Freaking myself out

Blah.  After what seems to be everybody having issues with their band lately, I'm freaking myself out.  The last 2-3 days, after I eat my lunch, my stomach has hurt. Not sick feeling, just uncomfortable. And burps flavored like I whatever I ate.  So now i'm all "omg what if there's something wrong with my band too?"  I'm sure there's not, I've had this blah-tummy feeling before the band.. just.. welcome to my paranoid head.

<3
Sam

I have the best Mommy EVAR!

So, I told ya'll how my heels have been hurting.  They still do, however not near as much as before.  Thank you all for your suggestions :)   I did end up going to the doctor yesterday, mostly to see if they still do/cover through insurance doctor made orthotics.  I was told that Kaiser doesn't.  At least not at my office or my plan or something.  Or maybe just after jumping through a lot of hoops.  Either way, the doc just told me "stretches, ice, stretches, no flip flops, no flats, no heels, no bare feet" .. (no fun shoes is what I heard).  She also said especially with my flat feet orthotics could help.  (! oh! NSV, when they took my blood pressure, they didn't have to go get the big arm cuff!! yay!)

So I called my Mom and said "I know what I don't really want, but need for my birthday.. orthotics!"
Long story short I now have some Good Feet orthotics (and the shoes I've been eyeing) .. and HOLY COW are these suckers expensive.   My mommy loves me and my feet!  And I am spoiled rotten.

That is pretty much it for now, much house cleaning in the future, my house warming party is on Sunday! eesh.

<3
Sam

Sunday weigh in

235.8 .  I got that weight twice, so that's the official one :D  yay! that makes for a loss of 3 lbs this week.  My goal is to at least maintain that loss (obviously) and hopefully lose some more in the next week.  I say at least maintain because I seem to go up and down, and up and down...  I just want to go down.

And now, after my Mountain pictures last week, I'll give you a couple of other sights we see out here in Colorado. :)   (click on the pictures for full sized glory)

<3

Sam

Boredom

So, I work Saturdays.  Saturdays are really really really slow.  I've been watching tv and stuff on the computer at work (hooray for am.azon instant streaming).. but .. I've noticed since being banded... I eat when I'm bored. I'll be siting here, doing nothing, and suddenly thinking "i could go buy some sushi at king soopers" .. or whatever boredom noshing food you can think of.  Someone has a fundraiser box of $1 candy bars up on the counter.  I have availed myself of a twix or two.  Heck, today I ate my meatballs (thank you costco!) .. and 5 minutes later I was planning a run to go buy some sushi.  After a week of meatballs I KNOW that my 5 meatballs and pasta sauce is enough. I just need to wait a few minutes for the hungry to go away.  AND there's the fact that I've been really good all week, and headed towards a loss, and these Saturdays are messing up my Sunday weigh in! dang it!

I think I need to bring in my knitting again on weekends.  Put something to do in my hands.  Watching things is nice, but it's not keeping me occupied enough to keep me from wanting food.  It'd be  nice if willpower was enough, but if that were the case, I'd probably not be here in the first place.

  I've got a doctors appointment set up for Tuesday morning to talk about this heel pain.  Of course that means today after making the appointment, it feels way better.   Monday I have an appointment at the gym for a "fitness orientation"  .. basically a walk-though of how to use/where to start with the machines, and a lot of "if you buy training packages this is how I can help you" . I plan on taking notes, hopefully I can get him to help me find a starting weight to use.  And since I seem be sharing my appointments in reverse order, tomorrow morning is Zumba, and tomorrow afternoon is waxing the girly bits!

So plans. Long term, stop being bored! bring some knitting, coloring, gameboy, something!!! to get my mind of boredom eating.  short term: appointments galore!  I hope everyone else has a great long weekend!

<3,
Sam

Heel pain anyone?

Uhg, looking for some advice.

For about the last week my heels (especially my right one) have been KILLING me.  They've hurt off and on for who knows how many years, but this last week.. blah.  It's a miracle I went to Zumba on Sunday (this is why I need a gym buddy, if someone is waiting for me to be there, I'm there).  I couldn't do the jumpy bits of Zumba because when I tried STABBY pain in my heels.  And walking is ow.  Mucho Ow-o.  

I do have very flat feet, and don't wear orthotics (not even cheapies), and I'm sure this is the number one thing that will help.  I've also seen that ice could help.  And rest, which isn't an option. A) I HAVE to walk from the light rail station to work, about 1/2 a mile and B) If I use this as an excuse not to go to the gym, it'll be another 3 months before I go back. I know me.

So, any suggestions for heel pain?

My weekend!

My weekend has been awesomely fun.  Which so far has translated into awesomely bad in regards to food choices.   But I suppose I was never made to be perfect all the time, so It's all good. I had fun :D

Saturday was my friends annual seafood festival.  There was smoked fish, beer, wine, cheese, home-grown veggies, boiled shrimp, corn, potatoes and lobster!

Actual Picture from Saturday.

First today, I went to my first Zumba class.  I showed of my Jewish White Girl Skillz.  aka. I can't dance to save my life.  But it's okay. I had fun, and know if I keep going, I'll eventually stop looking like someone is poking me with a sharp stick.  

After that the Hubby, a friend and I went driving to the top of Mt. Evens.  That up a 14,000 foot tall mountain.  It's also apparently the highest paved road in North America.  I didn't know that.  But it's gorgeous up there. I live in a beautiful state.  Too bad I spent half the drive looking out the side of the car that didn't look down.  So not good for my nerves.  

There's a ton more pictures, find me on facebook if you're interested.

But after mountain, we went to Idaho Springs, where we had dinner at Beau Jo's Pizza.  They're so yummy.  I didn't have pizza, but what I did have was basically all the toppings of a pizza thrown together in a skillet... And the salad bar.  And about half a beer.  AND after that we walked down the street to a home-made ice cream place.  I had a waffle cone with spearmint chocolate chip ice cream. SOOOOOOOOOOO good.  and Soooooooooooo bad. <3 

I know I'm going to be hating the scale in the morning.  But I had a good time doing it. So no regrets!

<3

Sam

Back to Basics Weigh in!

And this one is worth reporting! huzzah!!

Last week was 243.6, this week 237.7! for a loss of 5.9?? dang.

I DO however think my scale needs new batteries or something.  It seems I can get two different weights depending on how i step on it.  I dunno. After this one, i stepped on and it said 238.1 .  But either way, new century, and back on track! huzzah!

<3,
Sam

Exercise

I need to add weights, just like this guy!  Only with more hair.. and cuter.. and .. yeah.

But weights, I need them!  I've done 4 days of cardio this week, with gym in the plan for after work today (and actually planning on Zumba with friends tomorrow!!).   But blah. I know HOW to use most of the fitness machines at the gym, I've had a trainer before, and I'm i'm fairly good with posture and breathing and all that. My problem is know what weight to start with, and putting together a plan (upper body, lower body, mix, etc). So I'm thinking i might need to beg/borrow/steal some $$ to get a few sessions of training, at least to get a starting point.  Anywhoozle, that's it for now. Wanted to share my 4 days in a row, with the potential for 6!

ttfn!
<3, Sam

It's CrAzY man!

It’s Friday so that means here in Draz Land it’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy!


We answer just a few questions to get to know each other better and to give our blog brains a break!

Copy to your own blog if you wish and ENJOY!

1. How much makeup do you wear daily, how long does it take you and are you loyal to certain brands?


Until, pretty much this week, NONE.  I'd put some on for special occasions, but that's it.  This week has been mascara.  I guess at 31 it's time I learn how this works..

2. Repeat question: I’m going to pick a person not knowing your relationship with them (or even if there is one) and you try to describe this person in 5 words/short sentences.

Your oldest paternal aunt
Chesty (I get the chesticles from that side)Secretly Snarky (again, so me)Nice
Hard working
Favorite


3. Tell me about your first real kiss and how old you were.

I was 14.  and I was sneaky! I had been told no dating until I was 16 (which totally would have been my JR. year of high school!!), but this guy asked me to the movies.  My mom was out of town (like in Germany) so I asked my step-dad and he let me go!  After that there's no turning back.  As a kiss.. it was a bit sloppy, but I think it may have been both of our firsts. 
4. If I gave you $1000.00 and told you that you had to give it to a charity – which charity would you choose and why?

I'd probably pick the Human Society and/or Dumb Friends League.  I guess I'm one of those horrible people (I've heard it!) that pick animals over humans.   It's not that I don't care about the people, it's just that I DO care about the animals.. if that makes any sense what-so-ever.
5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.


Blog land: I've been slacking.  I'm trying to keep up with everybody, and generally doing fairly well, but work is a bit busier this week.  Yes, I use work time as blogger time :)  But never fear, I may not be commenting as much, but I'm reading!


Real life:  I feel like I'm back on track band-wise.  I've gone exercising 3 days so far this week, with 2-3 more planned. I've also been (mostly) good with my food, and even when I'm making not so stellar food choices, the amount isn't too bad.   IF things keep going the way they have been, sunday's weigh in will be awesome! 


But now working is picking up again, so ttfn!!


<3 Sam

Might this be...

A post workout glow? For three days in a row? 
Heck yeah!




In other news, today ... was... blah at work.  It was BUSY .. mostly due to stupidity on the part of the shift prior to mine.   But there was only two of us there today. Usually there's at least 3.  So basically I didn't get to eat at all until 12:30..

but now the hubby is hungry, time to go make feesh.

<3,
sam

OMG what have I done??

Oh right, I went to the gym!  YAY gym  points! and I should get bonus points.  It's that time of the month, and lord knows I don't like to do ANYTHING during this time of the month, much less go to the gym.  But I did.  huzzah!   Now to make this a trend :D  I did 32 minutes on the elliptical machine, for a (supposed) total of 320 calories burned.  Not too shabby and a good place to start!

I am also please to report that the tiny 24hr fitness nearest me had enough machines that I could get an elliptical, and didn't have to wait.  They didn't, however, have the spiffy machines with televisions built in, that could sync with my ipod and track my workout with NIKE+.  Maybe the 2nd closest gym will. I'll probably try that one in the next day or two.

But I just wanted to check and and let you all know that I gymed! And it was good!

<3,
Sam

Back and better than ever!

Yup, I'm back, with an improved attitude!

Maybe it was the pre-TOM thing going on (now the full fledged thing is here..blah)

Maybe it was just me.. have an down day. It happens.   But after some retail therapy (I love you Coach outlet store!) and a trip to our new IKEA   (holy carp that store is huge!! 90 minutes of walking and that was zipping through the last half) but I feel better now!

Sunday's weigh in was basically the same. 243.6 (although liar scale said 242.? just a little bit later) and I'm okay with that.  Even though I wasn't going down, I wasn't really going up either.  it's a half victory!

I actually remembered to bring my gym bag today, so I'm going to hit up the 24hr fitness after work (and see how full this one is) and then more unpacking.  

And my co-workers continue to amuse me.  One of them (the only guy) just started the HCG diet.  Last week he lost 5lbs, so good for him?  I personally think the diet is crap (after reading many things, including the pills he's taking probably carry little to none of the hormone in question)  but good for him loosing weight.  Although he's already talking about the binge he's going to have in 6 weeks when he's done.. Seems to me that defeats the purpose.

Anyhows, just wanted to let you know that my attitude is in a much better place than last week, and I love you all!

<3,
Sam

Stalled

This is me. I need a push.  I am so stalled/dissapointed/frustrated right now.  And the crappy thing is, as much as I don't want it to, the push I need, the encouragement, the movement, it all has to come from me (not that I don't love and appreciate you all).

How is it that I KNOW these things, but it seems to do me no good?  This last week or two (in which i have been conspicuously absent, commenting, but not blogging) .. have been blah.  Bad food choices. Too much food. "Measuring? what's that?"  Yesterday for example. I wasn't really hungry all day (dunno why) .. but ended up eating a whole bacon cheeseburger (no bun) for dinner.  I could have probably gotten away with nussing.. or at the least just a quarter of it. But Head said "that looks good, you must eat it!" so I did.

My head is evil.  I get bored, I want to eat.  So I do.  It took me 3 days after saying I would to actually unpack my gym bag.  And the next day I forget to put it in my car.  My weight hasn't gone up.. but it hasn't really gone down either.  This just discourages me, which sends me into my cycle of "nothings working, why bother trying" ..  I KNOW this.. but somehow am not got at stopping this cycle once it starts.

I just need to do it.  It being exercise.  IT being measure my food, and stop after a cup (I'm pretty sure I won't be hungry after that).  IT being drink water at home.  IT being stop making excuses.. Sure I left my gym bag at home, but it's all of 8 minutes from my house to the gym, no reason I couldn't have gotten my stuff and then gone.   Sure I ate crap yesterday (and too much of it) but that doesn't mean I should eat crap today.

Each day is a new day and the only person who chooses what kind of day it will be is me.  Time for me to grow a pair and make it what I want it to be.  (Although if I could borrow a few of Draz's skittles and rainbows that'd be awesome!)

<3,
Sam

and the results are....

dun dun duuunnnnn

better than I expected, not as good as I hoped.  I think I'm back down to where I was 2 weeks ago (and have been hovering all week).  thank you stuck/pb episode?  time for work.. blech.

<3,
Sam

Uhg

Blah.

So today was craptastic in terms of food.   Breakfast was a starbucks strawberry smoothie.  I'm okay with that. It's sorta been my go-to breakfast lately.  It's 280 cal and 15g protein.  Not the best, but better than other choices, and it usually keeps me full till lunch.
But then!!! I had a greek yogurt for a snack.  And for lunch I had some sushi (Philadelphia rolls) AND some popcorn chicken from the grocery store...  I was (obviously) way full after that.. but ordered dinner around 6 anyways.  Hubby is out with friends, so I figured I'd try one of the chinese places around, I have to find a new one now.  So I order.. and wait 2 hours, which actually was kind of good.  That meant I was hungry by the time food got here.  So I take a bite of my crab-meat cheese wonton/crab rangoon (I figured they're crunchy, I'd be fine) .. and OMG STUCK.  like OW.  And .. PB.  it happened.  sliming.. burping, and a little bit coming up.  I'm soooo glad I was home alone.  Otherwise Hubby would so be all "I told you not to eat that!" *sigh*  Good thing I ordered some soup too, since that's all I ended up eating.

I think that was my bands way of saying "hey dipshit, you ate enough at lunch to feed yourself for 2 days, you don't need dinner!"

Blah.  So I'm predicting another not so steller weigh in tomorrow, but such is life.
Time to go beat some sense into my head.  It needs to learn to listen to my stomach more in regards to hungry vs. not hungry.

<3,
Sam

By popular demand..

Dress pics.  Please excuse the mess.  My room is in a state of explosion mostly due to unpacking.
Also keep in mind the current dress pics are lacking the spanks, tights, shoes and belt from the prior picture.  Let me know, I'm not sure I can tell a difference.

And then I need to figure out a quick way to make to drastically different sized pictures into one same sized picture so i can do side by side.

Also, work is being EVIL today.  People have brought in donuts, bagels, and CAKE.  and when I said maybe to cake, they went and brought me a piece! It's still sitting on my desk un-eaten.  but UGH.  EVIL.  :)

<3, Sam

I hate when my head and real life don't match

So I was going through my Sister-in-law's facebook looking at their wedding photos.  They got married this past December.  I came across this picture with me in it ... and I don't remember looking THAT fat.  *sigh* ..

Of course now I want to run downstairs, put on that dress, and see how it/I look now.. Maybe tomorrow.

<3,
Sam

Survey Time!

Time to share!



1. What is your occupation right now ?
Fingerprint Identification Technician for the Denver PD.   Sounds way cooler and more exciting than it actually is
2.What color are your socks right now?
White.  boring. I'm a big fan of fun sucks.. but they're not very "professional". :P
3. What are you listening to right now? 
the typing of hardworking people.. or me blogging.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? 
Honestly? *sigh*  I had the last bit of M&M's from going to see a movie on Sunday.

 
5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yup. I learned on one, currently drive one, and actually prefer it
 
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? 
My mommy.

7. Do you like the person you stole this blog from? 
Yup.  Although with the number of people who have done this, I"m not sure I stole it from any one person
8. How old are you today? 
31

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Football
10. What is your favorite drink?
Iced Tea (un-sweetened) with lemon. 
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? 
All the time.  I actually need to now, lots of grey showing (thanks mom and dad for that)

12. Favorite food? 
Mexican! 

13. What is the last movie you watched?
In the theater was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2.
At home it was Hot Tub Time Machine

14. Favorite day of the year? 
hmmm..  Any day not at work.

15. How do you vent anger?
I'll usually either vent to my Hubby (who tells me he's tired of hearing about the stupid i put up with at work) or vent to my Mom.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Legos

17. What is your favorite season? 
Probably either Fall or spring. Mostly for the lack of snow on the roads and lack of 90+ degree weather (so I guess spring is out, Fall wins!)

18. Cherries or Blueberries? 
Blueberries

19. Do you want your friends to blog this survey? 
Go right ahead! it's fun

20. Where is you favorite place to escape?My new big ol' bath tub and a book
21. Favorite Tv Show?
currently watching Glee.  Love it way more than I thought I would. But my favorite right now is Castle! Love me some Nathan Fillion! 
22. Living arrangements?
Just bought our house a couple of weeks ago! Me, my hubby and three kitties


23. When was the last time you cried? 
A couple of days ago.  Fighty time with the hubby and I was frustrated.  All is well now.

24. What is on the floor of your closet? 
Shoes! and cat fur.

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest?
Probably my friend Allison.  She's far away now, and we don't talk that much, but when we do it's the same.

26. What did you do last night? 
honestly >.>  skinny dipped in the hot tub   

27. What are you most afraid of?
 financial disaster I think.

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? 
mmm cheeseburger.  Sounds so yummy

29. Favorite dog breed?
I really want a Corgi!

30. Favorite day of the week? 
Sunday/monday. My weekend!

31. How many states have you lived in? 
Technically two.  I was born in Missouri, but moved to Colorado when I was 9 months old. 

32. Diamonds or pearls? 
Diamonds! Chics dig Sparklies!

33. What is your favorite flower?
hmm.  I've never really thought about it much.