Back to work and working out!

 
Yesterday back at work I was swamped.  My new job has me hopping, but I love it.  I no longer dread coming to work, and I do not find myself watching the clock any longer.  I feel very blessed.

I feel guilty because with Thanksgiving and Cole being sick I did not work out.... not once.  I am heading to the gym tonight and I am anxious to get my buns back in gear once again.  I know that my body is craving it because I am beginning to get that tired feeling.  You know the one, the one from sitting on your "ASS"!  The one I had for most of my adult life.

Working out is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Sometimes it is hard to get yourself to go, but I have never not ONCE regretted it once I am done.  I always feel 100% better for going.

 
Someone at work, is counting the days til Christmas.  She has this nifty little sign that changes numbers each day.  I am almost done shopping so I am ready whenever it gets here.  I am enjoying my decorations so it can take its time.  I am sure by New Years that I will be ready to have them down and put away and my house back!

I did some shopping at Kohl's on Monday with my Kohl's cash from my Christmas shopping on Saturday.  I had $150 to spend and it was exciting.  I bought a pair of Lauren Conrad leggings in size L...can you freaking believe it a size L. (I had purchased XL a week before and they swam on me and I could pull them up to nearly under my boobs, Nichole said you need a smaller size so a size L). I was so pumped by this. 

I also got a Sweater dress from Elle and one from Daisy Fuentes and I love them both.  Nichole called me a "skinny bitch"!  Lovingly of course. I know that I am far from skinny but I am beginning to feel good about how I am looking again. My most prized purchase was an Apt 9 black sleeveless wrap around dress from the clearance rack for $16.90.  It fit me so perfectly. I mean really, a wrap around dress that was not in the "big girl" section  (do they even make wrap around dresses in those sizes)?  Do you know how long it has been since I did not have to shop in the "big girl" part of the store.  Well, none of anything I got was from there.  I can kiss that part of my shopping from days gone by "ta ta"!  Good rid dens and I am not sorry to see it go.

I feel good about the work I have done since July 5th and that fill.  I know that I can complete this journey now, and that I am not on a time table.  I think that when I lightened up on attacking myself for not making certain weights by certain dates, that things have sort of fell into place for me.

I am making healthy choices 95% of the time, and I am following the band rules and Commandments that I like to call them.  I know that by doing this, I WILL be successful.  I just cannot let the "excuse ass" get back in the door.


I think that is why my body is changing, because my mind is also healthy.  I am happy, and I feel good about myself, exactly the way I am right now.  I am still fat!!!!!!!!!  However, I can honestly say, that I am happy, because I know that being skinny is NOT what is going to bring me happiness.  I love that I have learned this.  Without this knowledge, I would still be beating up myself and my self esteem, which is a huge commitment and confidence crusher in my humble opinion.  It is what lead me to fall off the proverbial wagon!

Liquids are going semi OK, I did eat some turkey chili for supper last night, but I was hungry.  So I do not feel bad about doing it.  I have told myself if you are hungry, then eat.  If not, then don't.  It is working very well.  I am getting lots and lots of water in this time.  

I love my MIO!!  It has made sticking with drinking my water easier than ever.  My favorite is the Berry Pomegranate...YUM!  I will not drink anything that has aspartame in it ever again or eat for that matter.  I proved to myself over the past four years that it causes us to crave carbs.  When I stopped drinking crystal light, I was no longer hungry between meals, when I stopped chewing gum laid en with it, I was no longer hungry between meals.  I have been using MIO for over 5 months and it does not increase my cravings one little bit.  Yeah for me!

I have done posts on the importance of water, and why you have to drink water to be healthy and to lose weight.  I know that WATER is one of the keys to success!

I am looking forward to ZUMBA tonight! 

11 Nice Ways to say "NO to FOOD PUSHERS"

With Thanksgiving tomorrow and the holiday season upon us, I thought it appropriate to bring up the notorious "food pusher".  You know the ones right?  The ones who tempt you with everything known to man, that is NOT good for you.  It could be a co-worker pushing those ooey gooey chocolate chip homemade cookies she brought in, it might be your mother, "oh come on sweetie have another helping, you are eating like a bird", it might be your significant other - "what do you mean you do not want to have a glass of wine with me or two or three or four?"

During the holiday season especially, food temptations are everywhere.  From stuffing and pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, to eggnog and sugar cookies in December, the seasonal temptations are endless.  It can be tough enough to navigate the turkey buffet without your great aunt forcing an extra helping of mashed potatoes onto your plate, or resisting Grandma Fern's homemade dutch apple pie when she kindly smiles "oh my dear you must have a piece, I made it just for you"!

Food pushers range from well-intentioned loved ones to out right diet saboteurs.  Regardless of their motivation, you need to stick to your guns.  I find that honesty is best for me, and I simply tell them that my lifestyle has changed and that I am living healthy now.  Sometimes, that type of response just simply gets ignored.  So I have come up with some retorts to their food forcing ways that may help you keep in control of what goes onto your plate and ultimately into your mouth.

These tips will work year round, at birthday parties, special occasion dinners, Sunday brunch after church, any type of social gathering where temptations abound and the pushers lurk!

Food is DRUG to most of us!

The Push: "It's my specialty, you have to try it!"

Your Response: "I will in a bit!"

Why It Works: Stalling is a great tactic with food pushers. Odds are the offender won't follow you around making sure you actually try the dish. If they catch up with you by the end of the party to ask what you thought, tell them that it slipped your mind but you'll be sure to try it next time.

 
The Push: "This [insert name of high-calorie dish] is my favorite. You'll love it!"

Your Response: "I had some already—so delicious!"

Why It Works: A white lie in this situation isn't going to hurt anybody. You'll get out of eating food you don't want or need, and the food pusher will have gotten a compliment on what probably is a delicious dish.

The Push: "It's just once a year!"

Your Response: " But I'll probably live to celebrate more holidays if I stick with my healthy lifestyle!"

Why It Works: People can sometimes see healthy eating as vain—a means to the end result of losing weight and looking better. It's harder for a food pusher to argue with you if you bring attention to the fact that you eat right and exercise for better health and a longer life. Looking good just happens to be a side effect!

The Push: "Looks like someone is obsessed with dieting…"

Your Response: "I wouldn't say obsessed, but I am being conscious of what I eat."

Why It Works: Words like "food snob" or "obsessed" are pretty harsh when they're thrown around by food pushers. But don't let passive-aggressive comments like this bring you down—or make you veer away from your good eating intentions. Acknowledging your willpower and healthy food choices might influence others to be more conscious of what they eat. Sometimes you just have to combat food pushers with a little straightforward kindness.

The Push: "If you don't try my dish, I'm just going to have to force you to eat it!"
Your Response: "Sorry, but I don't like (or can't eat) [insert ingredient here]."

Why It Works: It's hard to argue with someone's personal food preferences. If someone doesn't like an ingredient whether its sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or butter, odds are that he or she hasn't liked it for a very long time. If you'd like to get creative with this one, go into detail about how you got sick on the ingredient as a kid or how your mom says you always threw it across the room as a baby. Who can argue with that?  

The Push: "You need some meat on your bones."

Your Response: "Trust me, I'm in no danger of wasting away!"

Why It Works: This food push is definitely on the passive-aggressive side. Using humor to fight back will defuse any tension while making it clear where you stand. 

The Push: "One bite isn't going to kill you."

Your Response: "I know, but once you pop you can't stop! And I'm sure it's so delicious I wouldn't be able to stop!"

Why It Works: This is another situation where humor will serve to distract the food pusher from his or her mission. It's a way to say "thanks, but no thanks" while making it clear that you're not interested in overindulging.

The Push: "But it's your favorite!"

 Your Response: "I think I've overdosed on it; I just can't eat it anymore!"

Why It Works: If you have a favorite holiday dish that everyone knows you love, it can be especially tough to escape this push. If a loved one made the dish specifically for you, the guilt can be enough to push you over the edge. But people understand that food preferences change, and most have been in that situation of enjoying a dish so much that they can't touch it for awhile.  

 
The Push: [Someone puts an extra helping on your plate without you asking.]

Your Response: Push it around with your fork like you did as a kid to make it look like you tried it.

Why It Works: While putting food on someone else's plate can be viewed as passive-aggressive, it was probably done with love. (Let's hope!) Making it look like you ate a bite or two can be an easy way out of the situation, but you can also just leave it alone and claim that you've already had your fill. (After all, you didn't add that extra helping!)

 
The Push: "Have another drink!"

Your Response: "I have to drive."

Why It Works: No one will argue with the fact that you want to drive home sober. If they do, you should have no qualms walking away from the conversation, period. If they offer a place for you to stay, you can always get out of the situation by blaming an early morning commitment or the fact that you need to get home to let the dog out. Kids will also get you out of everything.

 
The Push: "We have so many leftovers. Take some!"

 

Your Response: "That's OK! Just think, you'll have your meals for tomorrow taken care of."

Why It Works: Not every party guest wants to deal with the hassle of taking food with them, and this makes it clear that you'd rather the food stay. If the host is insistent, you can feign worry that they'll go bad in the car because you're not going straight home, or it'll go bad in your fridge because you've already been given so many leftovers at other parties recently. Or be polite and take them. You'll have more control of your food intake away from the party anyway. So whether you don't eat the leftovers at all or whether you split a piece of pie with your spouse, you're in control in this situation.

These tactics can work wonders in social situations, but honesty is sometimes the best policy. A simple "No, thank you" is hard for a food pusher to beat, especially if it's repeated emphatically. Remember, too, that it's okay to have treats in moderation, so don't deprive yourself of your favorite holiday foods. Just make sure that you're the one in control of your splurges—not a friend, family member or co-worker who doesn't know your fitness and health goals!

I wish you and your families the safest and blessed Thanksgiving!  

Remember Christmas and New Years are just around the corner! 

 

Goals do you set them?

Do you set goals for yourself?  Do you always set goals but only see them come and go and never realized?  Well join the group, I believe we all do this most of the time.    The good news is, that there are reasons why we do not see our goals realized.  There are actually smart ways to set goals.






Did you know that the human brain forgets 80% of detail within 24 hours and 99% within two weeks.  (This has been proven in memory studies.)  To me this is sort of a rude awakening that I needed to hear.  Writing down our goals keep them fresh and clear in our minds.  Hence why blogging and food logging has become such an important part of my life.


You can create a target date so now you have a point A and a point B.  Along the way you can have milestones, these can keep the momentum high and you focused on the right path.  Set smaller weekly or monthly goals along the way.  This can help as you move closer to that ultimate prize.




Milestones can be achievements and having nothing to do with the scale, such as being able to walk 3 miles.  To be able to swim laps for 45 minutes.  To be able to play nonstop with your children outside, or run for the first time in your life.


Plan out your actions that will help you get to this goal.  These are your daily and weekly nutrition and fitness goals that will ultimately lead you to your success.  This is how just doing a little bit each day will help you to find your dream of being thin.  Just by doing the actions, you will become a happier and healthier you.

You must be:

1. Realistic - Start off with a goal that isn't too ambitious, so that you can soon experience the thrills of success.  Build toward grander goals to keep your motivation high.
2. Specific - make sure it can be measured and tracked.
3. Forgiving - leave room for the 1 step forward - 1 step back  rule to apply.
4. Crystal clear - find a photo depicting or symbolizing what you want.  The clearer the point, the easier to stay focused.
5. Valuable - Remind yourself why you want to succeed in the first place.  
6. Challenging - What do you wish for?  This is the goal that will hold your attention the most. There is no reason that our wishes cannot become our goals.
7. Reward - every little bit of positive reinforcement helps.
8. Backed up - Prepare for the unknown with contingency plans before problems come up.  Have options waiting that will help you stay consistent in the face of the unexpected.

If you are able to do this, you will soon find that the journey becomes easier, and more fulfilling, and less of a drudge.
I cannot imagine wanting to start out on a trip, without some idea of what I want to do, or where I may end up.  I mean, OK maybe flying by the seat of your pants is OK if you are going to trek across Europe for 6 months, but most of the time a plan is of the utmost importance.


I have set my goals, and I am moving forward and I am loving every moment.

Wednesday Wisdom! Emotional Eating

For many of us, healthy habits go down the tubes when we are upset, bored, stressed or sad.  

Suppose you have the healthiest set of habits that you have ever had. you are eating more veggies than Bugs Bunny.  Your sleep is so consistent that the neighbors rooster doesn't get up until you do.  You exercise so often that your gym shoes start lacing themselves.  It is tough to think that something could get in your way.

Something can, and it often does.......Emotional Eating!

Emotional eating is quite possibly the #1 enemy of continued healthy living.  Sometimes we eat for the strangest reasons, bad day at work may escalate with a bag of chips on the couch.  An argument may drive you to the fridge to calm down.  A rough round of golf may lead you to the clubhouse for a chilli dog and a beer.

You have come so far, you are nearly at the end of your weight loss journey.  You have worked so hard to improve the day to day actions that point you in the right direction.  As we become masters of these habits we should be better prepared to combat some of the reasons behind the emotional eating pitfalls.  You can --and should--eliminate the emotional triggers so they no longer have a change to sabotage your lifestyle and healthy habits.

Emotional eating is a common problem.  In fact it is estimated that 75% of weight gain is due to emotional eating or mindless eating.

It is not always easy to pinpoint the root of these problems.  But you can take some steps to help to draw out these reasons and squash them like bugs.

     1.  Recognize the problem - you may be an emotional eater and not even know it.  Do you graze for no reason even though you are not hungry?  Do you find yourself in front of an open fridge and not know why?  Do you react to stress by opening your mouth and sticking an eating utensil in it?  Do you tend to gain weight when going through hectic/stressful times in your life?

     2.  Identify and Investigate Trigger Times - Become aware or danger times and situations.  Is coming home from work often an emotional time for you?  A visit with the in-laws?  Talking with the EX?  Do these times overlap with unhealthy eating episodes?  The best way to figure this out is to track your reasons for eating.  Hopefully hunger is the most common reason.  If you find there are others then you can plan for these triggers ahead of time.

     3.  Look at the reasons triggers have power - The root of emotional eating often lies in bigger picture questions.  Are you going through a stressful period at work, at home, in your marriage, or in some other way?  Have you had a recent failure that is crushing your self esteem?  Are you unhappy with your day to day life?  Have you gone through a traumatic experience, such as a death, divorce, bankruptcy or loss of job?

     
4.  Take it one trigger at a time - Write in your blog how these lifetime experiences are effecting your good food choices as well as your motivation.  First, figure out how these times are about to trigger an emotional eating episode and how to neutralize it.  Then think about what steps you can take to keep the issue from having a hold on you at all.  Focus on one at time, and be patient and generous with yourself.  This may take some time.  

Emotional eating triggers have  no easy answers, but ignoring them will only make things worse. Until you deal with these issues you make continue your ride on the diet roller coaster, no matter how hard you try to keep your healthy habits alive.  You can DO THIS!

Bandaversary 4 years!

November 5, 2007

It took me awhile to decide what I wanted to say for this post, and now that finals are over I can actually sit down and do it.


November 9, 2007, four years......where have I come?  I have been around the block of banding I can tell you that much.
I vowed before the band that I would never, ever go back to my old habits of abusing and misusing food, but I did.


I also vowed that I would never regain those 85 pounds that I lost back then, but I did.


I watched as my broken and sore body, became fitter, and actually craved exercise, and I found myself addicted to it, only to find excuses to keep me from doing it.


I basically broke all bandster rules, and I did it in no time at all.  It only took me about 6 months to put back on 50+ pounds, and it was hard for me.  I became depressed and angry at me, myself and I.  


Then I found blogging, yes I had already put on the brakes to my insane falling off of the wagon, but it was not until I found Catherine55 and others blogs, that what I had done truly changed my life for the better.  She now knows what she did for me because I was so fortunate to meet her at BOOBS 2.0.!

Catherine and Kristin BOOBS 2.0 Chicago

So what were the rules that I broke you ask?

1.        I stopped measuring my food.
2.        I got a fill that was too tight to eat solid protein.
3.        I did not go back to the Surgeon to be unfilled.
4.        I began to eat around my band (eating sliders, things that would pass easily through it mostly high calorie liquids, ice cream yes lots of ice cream) eating out more than cooking.
5.        I stopped stepping on the scale.
6.        I was not diligent in drinking my water.
7.        I stopped logging my food.
8.        I had no idea if I was eating enough protein, I stopped doing my protein shakes.
9.        I began to eat sugar again in large quantities.
10.        I began to drink orange soda again like it was OK! (only orange though I never went full bore back to all soda)  like that was an alright move on my part.
11.       I ate out of the site of anyone, I closet ate.  Denying even to myself what I was eating.
12.       I became depressed and did not ask for help.
13.       I stopped going to support group for my lap band.
14.       I would not listen to those who love me that I live with, when they began to notice my gain!
15.       I made it OK, to eat pasta and rice and even bread again, when I know this NOT on the bandster diet.

These are the things that I did, that I vowed I would never, ever do again.  These are the basics that I let slip away and I was  WRONG, I did them all.

I stopped the madness though, on June 28th, 2011, I saw my beloved surgeon once again and after a much needed ass chewing on his part.  Kristin at 276 pounds hung her head, and then smiled and said I am going to change my life once and for all.  On July 5th I had the second fill in my LapBand. Only the second fill I have ever had.  I remember that day so vividly, I was scared.  I was afraid of being to tight as I was after the first one so long ago.  I told myself you silly girl, you can eat 4 small pieces of pizza, you can eat bread, you need this fill and you need it NOW!  Stop the whining, and Just Do It!  I stopped at Taco Bell, and I had two taco's before getting filled.  Wow, I was a full fledged addict even still.


Since July, I have gotten my ass back in the gym.  I began to go each and every day, and I did something amazing.  I began to swim laps!  Me, the fat girl, who could never pull her ass through the water before, actually did and I increased and increased those laps and times til I can now swim for 60 minutes and I feel amazing when I do.  I started taking Zumba and found that I totally love this class and dancing.  It is fun and not like working out at all, I have even begun to run.  Yeah you heard right,  I can now say I run, not far mind you.  The most I have done is 1.5 miles and that is walk/ running.  But hey, it is a far cry from where I started.  I am down to 234.5 and I know that I still have a long way to go, to get where I need to be.


I am happy though, I feel I have turned that corner, I have really decided to not USE food for comfort, or think it is OK to eat the things I should not be. Maybe when I reach goal, I will go easier on myself with this, but for now, I am strict when it comes to everything.  I measure, I log, I count, I weigh and I move! I drink water, eat my protein and I thank god everyday for my BOOBS!


Going to BOOBS this year, really gave me motivation, to stay on track.  Seeing these amazing and beautiful women all in one location, and knowing that they all struggled with the same issues as me, made it OK!  I was not horrible, or a failure, I was simply a food addict, who needs support to get past it.

I have lost a freaking lot of weight.  I have lost over 130 pounds since my banding date of November 7, 2007.  I would be at goal if that weight loss had not included the 60+ gain.


If anyone takes anything away from my post, let it be this.  Your band is your best friend, treat it as so!  Your band will see you through the rough times, if you let it.  Your band is there to make you eat SOLID PROTEIN and Vegetables.  Your band is a tool, and you are it's source of power and enable it to do it's job effectively.  When you start making excuses, stop!  Walk away and reevaluate what and why this is happening, do not put it off.  You owe your life to it!

I am happy for the first time in a long time, truly happy.  I am not at goal and have much more work to do, but I know that I can get there now, because I have admitted to myself why I ate, and worked through it with counseling. 


I now EAT TO LIVE and I no longer LIVE TO EAT!  What a great feeling that is.

Kristin, Alan and Nichole November 11, 2011

7 Tips For Sticking With Your Workouts

I have been a member of my gym since four months before my surgery!  So that is nearly 4 1/2 years.  Now mind you I was religious in the beginning, I worked and worked.  I did water aerobics, I walked on the god for saken treadmill.  I walked on the track, I did yoga, I strength trained.  I became a workout junkie.....me, the middle age woman who because of being obese would never ever think about going to the gym upon waking in the morning before this.

When I fell off the wagon 18 months into my journey, I stopped going, I found every excuse known to man not so go.  Let's face it, excuses are like a_ _ holes well you know, everyone has one.  We all get busy, we all have bad days, we all have children or grandchildren, or full time jobs outside of our homes.  Even so at some point you have to stop, and say I am taking 30 or 45 minutes a day for MYSELF!

I always hated exercise because I did not like how I looked, I always felt someone would be watching me, and saying WOW she is fat!  Well so be it if they do, I am fat and I am trying to get UNFAT for lord sake.  That is why people go to a gym right?  If we all looked like Barbie, most of us would not even bother.  

The first few weeks felt like utter torture, it was so hard to make myself go.  But something truly wonderful began to happen, not only did I begin to see results on my scale and in my clothes, I began to feel better physically and emotionally.


I began to smile more, and feel happier.  It was true, all that stuff you read about why working out is absolutely wonderful for you.  I proved it to myself.

So what are the 7 tips I can give to you for staying the course you ask?


1.  I just go
I have never regretted going to the gym ever.  I have always felt better after going, even if it is after a grueling 60 minutes of Zumba and I thought my lungs were coming out of my body.

2.  I have come a long way baby
When I think over the past four years and where I was before I began to exercise, WHOA I am so much stronger and able to move better, and be up longer, and no longer have to sit on the side lines.  I would not trade this feeling for anything.

3.   I treat myself
I bring a good magazine with me to read, or I buy me a new workout shirt or something that makes me feel good about myself.


4.  I make a new playlist
I love music, I am a singer.  I have been in musicals, choirs, won at state and all of that.  I have to listen to music and when working out that is a given.  I am even asking for a container for Christmas to hold my IPOD in while I swim!  I have to have good music in my head, it makes my workouts fun!

5.  I work and play
Sometimes I plan something fun and exciting after my workout, or I go have a healthy dinner, or I simply get into my PJ's and relax with a cup of tea, I do something after for me!  I keep my eyes on the prize and envision it while I am working out.

6. I am not alone
I think of all the other women around the world and especially my fellow BOOBS who are also putting on their tennis shoes and heading to the gym right there with me.  I remind myself that they too are working out today!

7.   Sometimes it is ok not to workout
Sometimes you just need to take a break.  I know for me once I begin going I want to go every day.  But sometimes it is best to listen to our bodies and our minds.  If it has been a horrible day, take a break if you need to.  For me, going to the gym helps the stress, so I prefer to go.  However, it truly is ok to miss a day.  Sometimes we just have to go easy on ourselves.

Take it from me a women who never imagined herself working out and loving every moment. I am moving and I cannot ever imagine going back to being that OBESE couch potato of days gone by!

OMG.....another NSV!

I am on cloud 10 this morning, yeap that's right I am.  I got up and it was pouring down rain, and I was thinking "great what I am going to wear"!  I am really down to a bare nothing wardrobe.  I am down to only two pairs of pants that I can wear to work.  

I have chosen to NOT purchase any new clothes till I am totally and absolutely under 220.  So with that being said, I do have two shelves of pants in my closet that I cannot get into.  I have hung on to them because I love them.  This morning I looked upon these shelves and there was an olive green pair of pants from Old Navy that still had the tags on them!  I had purchased them three years ago on clearance for $4.  LOL

These pants have never graced my ass.  I love them.  I kept them in hopes that I might one day really wear them.  So I took them down and slipped them on, yeap that is right, I slipped them on!!!  I did not have to lie on the bed, or yank and pull and heave them over my hips.  I slipped them on and zipped them up.  I stood there in the middle of my closet, with the door closed, cause Alan and Cole were still sleeping and I cried.

I am thrilled that my body is making progress!  

Stop the insanity..................NOW!

A healthy lifestyle is not an all or nothing proposition.  Plans will go awry and obstacles will pop up.  Don't get down.  Get down to business.  






It doesn't matter how often you fall.  What matters is how you land and where you end up.  Cats have nine lives, and always seem to get second chances.  Cats also land on their feet when they fall.  Coincidence?  Healthy living is a process of learning.  Life does not always pan out as we thought, and fate has a toolbox full of wrenches to throw into your plans.

In the years ahead, you will go through success and failures, highs and lows, steps forward and steps back, times of plenty and times of difficulty.  When the dust settles and the books of life are squared away, you are doing well if you come out the other side, better, stronger and happier for the experience.

Some of us see weight loss and healthy living as struggles.  I believe this is because we have an all or nothing approach and will only accept perfection.  When we have to face anything less than 100% success, we fall into the vat of guilty despair, convinced that we have failed.  We then revert to our old habits and the cycle begins again.

Guess what, it does not have to be this way.  Healthy living is a process of learning.  Setbacks can show up in a lot of ways.  

Plateaus:  "the scale is just not moving anymore!"
Burnout:  "I just can't keep up this tough regiment anymore!"
Week Moments:  "I had a really bad week, and spent all weekend drinking, eating cheeseburgers, and donuts!"
Discouragement:  "I'm never going to make it all the way, I might as well just give up now!"
Interruptions:  "Why did I have to get sick now!"
Injuries:  "Can't believe I pulled a muscle right when I was starting to see progress!"

Since you are developing a new healthy life style, you can choose to do things differently this time.  Instead of expecting perfection, you can concentrate on damage control, on bouncing back.



Keep a positive attitude:  Studies have shown the optimists reach more goals than pessimists.   You see, a setback is not a brick wall that must be climbed, it is merely a gate that must be opened and gone through, you will soon be on your way.

Trust in your plan:  You spent allot of time, money and energy deciding to get your band.  You laid out the steps before you.  You knew it was only a matter of time to reach your goal.  You also knew, it was not an easy fix.  What was true in the beginning of your journey, still holds true today.  Stay the course. 


Believe in yourself: Self discipline is hard.  But you have what it takes to build a healthy lifestyle.  When things go wrong, do not beat yourself up, instead give yourself a pep talk.  You are worth the effort.  Your weight loss goals deserve another shot.  You are already doing more than most people even try to do.


Give yourself good reason to keep going: return to the basics of motivation to get back on track.  Look back over the reasons you got your band.  Remind yourself of how you felt those first weeks after surgery when you had no intention of cheating what so ever. Who can you connect with that can give you a lift?  Are you rewarding yourself often enough?  The answer to those questions may hold the golden nugget of motivation that you have forgotten about. 

Suddenly it's Saturday

1997  180 pounds

Kristin 1979 Hawaii  135 pounds

 
Wow, I lost two whole days!  I have been sleeping on Tramadol for the past 36 hours.  That stuff made me so sick!  My tooth still hurts, but it seems to be getting better, it is not as bad as it was yesterday.  I have had two root canals in two days and let me tell you, I now have empathy for those who suffer with bad teeth.  

I am finally feeling like sitting up and decided I should blog.  I have not written or committed much since Thursday.

Kristin and Nichole 1999

I thought I would share some photos of me from over the years so you can see me before the weight gain, during and after my surgery and then the regain that I went through.

Mom, Kristin and Nichole 1997

 

 

2005  beginning of largest gain

This is when I really began putting on the weight, Alan was deployed to Iraq from May til October.  This was a horribly stressful time for me.  I began to eat, and eat and eat.

October 2005 Chicago  218 pounds

Cole Birthday  October 2006  265 pounds

November 1 2007 287 pounds 6 days prior to surgery

August 2008  227 pounds

October 2008  220 pounds

December 2008  218 pounds

January 2009 Kristin 212 pounds

October 2009  230 pounds

This is when I began to regain the weight!  

October 1, 2009  225 pounds

Kristin July 2010  265 pounds

Kristin 242 pounds BOOBS 2.0  10-1-11

I had regained back to 282 pounds by June 15, 2011. I do not have any pictures of the highest this time.  I had stopped taking my pictures.  This is when I saw my Surgeon to see about a fill.  He filled me on July 5, 2011.  I have 2cc in my 4cc band now.  I have lost 40 pounds since the fill and 55 pounds since my banding.  I have a long way to go, but I feel confidant now that I can make it!  


It is hard to post these pictures.  I look back when I was 180 pounds and wish I was back there again.  The 100+ pounds that I gained after that time, has many reasons but ultimately I had to figure out why I was addicted to food and admit my addiction.  I have done this, and I now know how to deal with this addiction in a very positive way.


I look forward to a slimmer 2012 and am anxious to see how this journey plays out for me!