This isn't just a "wagon" anymore.....

Since the last time I have updated, I have lost 20 pounds and have been (if I do say so) kicking butt at the gym! I go at least three days a week and that has been since I started there on March 17. I wanted to work up to being able to do the Couch to 5K program which I wasn't able to do cause - as I had ALWAYS said "I don't DO running".... so I figured I ought to be able to run for a minute and then work up to phase one. This website shows more info for each phase. On April 3, I ran my first minute and felt like Rocky! Since then, I have done one minute runs up to four times. Yesterday, I fell at work and my ankle completely folded in half and I was so scared because I was going to start the actual program today. I iced it and put it up and it was good to go today. I went to the gym and did the first step for week one. I felt amazing!!! I got sideswiped by three dogs today at the dogpark and fell and hurt my ankle again! I think it's not so great this time, and I am so bummed that I can't do the workout again tomorrow.... I will take it easy, but I am still going to the gym... This is how I know it's not just a fad with me anymore. I look foreward to going to the gym now and that is a huge change from what used to be! I go to World Gym if anyone is looking for a workout partner!! I will post a pic soon. I am at my lowest today!! YAY!

Getting a grip!

I can't believe it's March 17 and I haven't written in four - FOUR months! Um... okay so maybe I do believe it..... I have been avoiding it...... I decided that this blog is for all of those who want to know about this journey, the good, the bad AND the ugly! This past year has been one in which I have learned more about myself than ever before, but it wasn't the most fun and beautiful thing in the world. Remember my post in November? It's not like you have to dig much to find it.... it's two before this one. I said I was learning a lot and was having a hard time.... It started right around then and I am finally coming out of it now! In talking to people it seems apparent that I am a trite and true sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I would have thought I may have had it to a very small degree, but not so. That in combination with the fact that my Vitamin D levels were also low poses a one-two punch for my attitude! Spring is coming so that is helping my attitude a little, but I have also started taking Vitamin D3 daily to help with my mood. Mood? Check.
I know that when I work, I get a lot of excercise (walk upwards of 5 miles in a shift and burn about 700-800 calories) but what about when I don't work? I can take Fenway for a walk but since my base level is so high from what I get at work I need more than a neighborhood walk. I joined World Gym this week and love it so much! I am getting the real workout that I need. I can still take Fen for a walk and to the Dog park but that is just extra and on top of what I am already getting and I like it that way! Excercise? Check!
Here's the best part! And, it's two fold! I have started taking Concerta for my ADD that was needing some serious attention (pun intended!) and am noticing a REAL difference! Not only does it help with attention and remembering daily tasks, but it is helpful with focusing, it curbs my appetite, and helps send that voice of reason when it is needed to curb those impulses I so frequently have. The Impulsive buys, the impulsive eats...etc.... Part deux is that I am finally seeing a therapist! She is wonderful and we get along so well! She knows just what to add and I don't hold a thing back with her! She is helping me to be the best person I can possibly be! Mind? Check!
I had slowly been gaining weight starting right after I posted the before and after pictures and had gained a total of 15 lbs. I have lost 10 of those in the last two weeks. I am feeling motivated and good and that makes me keep feeling motivated! I know that right now things are good and I will hit a hurdle again at one point or another, but I will be better equipped to handle these hurdles as they come at me! To those of you who support me, thank you a million times! I can't tell you what it means to me knowing you are out there!

Some before pictures!! Have fun!!

I have to say that some of these make me wonder what the heck I was thinking!?!? How did this happen!?!?!?!

I think this is the #1 picture that makes me gasp. I think this was September, 2008.

This is a close second.... July 2008 - in the "thinking" stage for Lap-band. Had gone to the informational session but that is it... Thank GOD I realized this needed to happen!

Remember in the post before this - the halloween costume for this year? This is the 2008 halloween costume.... neat idea (I was a 50's housewife ;)...), MUCH larger body....

This was taken last December (2008) with some co-workers.

Christmas 2008 with my hubby. What a change!

Has it really been THAT long??

Yes, you are reading this right....... it is now November 8.... it has been months since my last entry and I am such a bad girl..... You know what's cool, though? As I sit here typing, my legs are crossed and that is not something I have been able to do for very long.... I love it! I promised pics and I am coming through with that promise finally! But first, an update:
Things are going great! I may not have lost a TON of weight since my last post, but I have made a TON of breakthroughs and that is so much more valuable toward the actual weightloss! I have fallen in love with Zumba and that is making quite the difference in my life all around! Since my last post, I have started taking Microbiology (can't help but think that just may be the reason for my absence lately! lol!!) toward my nursing degree and I can't believe it but I am actually getting a (gasp!!) B in the class! Those of you who know me, know that science is NOT one of my strengths and for that I am having to study MUCH more than the average nursing student. Though I am spending a great deal of time studying, I must say that the class is wonderful and I am learning SO much and I love what I am learning! I feel lucky, also that I have a professor that I think is a perfect match for me!
Now for a few updated pics!

This was taken August 9. No doubt, after a LONG day of working on the deck!

Looking at this picture now tells me how far I have come!!

One of THE hottest days of the summer at Fenway Park. Excuse the protruding boob...

Just a good pic to get what I looked like. This was August 21.

Same Red Sox game. August 21.

At a friend's wedding on August 29.

At my cousin Julia's wedding on September 5. I can see a difference in my face...

And this? This is my halloween costume for this year.... some of you may remember my costume from last year? I think you'll agree this is WAY cuter!! ;)

I am going to do another blog post right after this one with some more pictures - including my halloween costume from last year.... wait til you see this one!!!!

I really want to thank you all again for you unwaivering support! I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank each and every one of you enough!!!

"Dr. Fill", Take 2

I went in today for fill number two. Bumped me up to 5cc's.... I wanted 6cc's but she said I wouldn't be able to drink tomorrow if I had gotten 6. Guess I'll have to trust her..... anyway..... It was a nice long fishing trip she took in my abdomen.... like a 10 minute fishing trip.... including me putting my chin to my chest and acting like I was doing crunches... only in a constant contraction.... fun..... then the needle found my port!! I will go back in two weeks to be bumped up to 5.5 and then two weeks later to be bumped up to 6. We'll see if I want to get more after that. I would ideally like to end up with 7cc's but that's me being annoyed that I am hungry for more than I would like to be.... eh.... oh, well.....

Keeping good on a promise.

Okay, so I know I have been promising progress pics for a while now, so it's only fair to post them now. I go for my second fill this Tuesday, August 11 so we will see how the progress goes from there. I am down a total of 18 lbs. Would like to see more, but 18 is 18 and it isn't a gain.... now that would be a little concerning.... lol. So, here are my pics:

This was taken April 29, a little over a month pre-op
(Like the straight hair?)

Showing off my new purse April 30

Taken May 8 - Looking at this now makes me

realize just how much I have lost

This is Op-Day!! June 5, 2009 - my rebirth-day.

Day after my surgery.... June 6, 2009.

Taken June 22 - 17 days post-op
Starting to notice the change.


Taken July 3. About four weeks post-op


July 7 - this is the most up-to-date pic I have.


I will work on getting more pics taken of me! July 7 was a month ago so I know new pics are in order! I will get on that ASAP! Things are great on my end, sorry for the lag in updates, this summer has been busy to say the least with building our new deck and the various hiccups that have introduced themselves to us in the meantime (such as the existing deck, off of which Seth was taking the planks and the frame collapsed on him. So not only are we going to be re-doing the decking on our existing deck - which we had planned anyway - but now we have to reframe the whole thing! Or... the insulation under the breezeway that was exposed by the collapsed deck that showed us that a critter that had shredded the insulation to get warm in the winter so Seth got under there this AM and replaced the insulation and put ply-wood over it so no critters can get into it. No wonder why our breezeway gets so cold in the winter!!!) Long parenthesis, I know!! Peace out! :)

Went to see "Dr. Fill" yesterday!

Yesterday I went to see my surgeon - who wasn't expecting me - I had been told I had an appointment for 1:30PM but the Casco Bay Surgeons office didn't have me scheduled in..... great..... I had someone come into my work to cover for me while I went to see him? Anyway, I went to the other part of the appointment and that was at the Maine Bariatric Center - right next door. I saw a bunch of familiar faces that I hadn't seen since before my surgery so it was nice to catch up and they were all saying how much weight I have lost and how great I was looking. That was nice.... I'm not gonna lie..... So I went with the RN into the exam room and she felt around for the port and had to make sure she was in with the needle. She drew out whatever saline was in there - about 1.5cc and put it all back in and added 2.5cc for a total of 4cc that is in there now. I go back in three weeks for another fill. Let me tell you how WEIRD it was going in!!! It felt fluttery and I SWEAR I could feel it filling my band! So for 48 hours, I am to eat pureed foods again..... not too bad...I can move on to soft foods tomorrow! I have been eating yogurt, soft serve, and hummus..... not an horrible diet. Least it's not baby food! I promise I will add photos soon! I know I have been bad and not posted any but I will soon!!