Trouble in Fillville or is this normal???

Hi...a quick post from our hotel in Canberra....I am super tight.  This morning I struggles (as mentioned) with my second cup of tea and was not even hungry till 11am and even then not super hungry even.  I made myself an Optifast shake which took about 20 mins to get through.  I could feel each mouthful and then after a few minutes it would dribble down and I could take another.  Even water was the same. It feels like the first week after surgery. Hunger came again slightly at 1.30pm where we stopped at Macca's on the drive down to Canberra.  I wasn't super hungry so chose the chicken snack wrap which looked huge to me and a skim cap.

I drank the skim cap first and took about 20 mins to eat half the chicken strip and two tiny mouthhfuls of lettuce and then I was super done.  No wrap or anything.  About 2 hours later I ate the other half of the chicken strip and had a skim cap again as I had a headache coming on.  I have not drunk half the water I usually would and I would say now at 5.30 is the first time I have felt a little untight.

So is this normal???  I am going to eat nothing at this rate....but hey I could lose a ton.

Just need some more experienced people to give their advice.  Please remember that I have never had bandster hell so I am tighter than alot of you to begin with.....

I look forward to your feed back....oh and Band Groupie 'bickie' is a biscuit...just Aussie slang!!!!

Talk soon

Sally xxx

Ps:  I am halfway to my 'worst' result weight...whoo hooo

Second Fill

Well I must say it has been a very busy week and I am struggling to keep up with all the blogs....so sorry but I will get there.

In exciting news I am now 13 kg down (28.6lbs) so I am thrilled about that.

I must say that I haven't been fantastic yesterday....or Wed night either.  I made Jen's beautiful Chicken Tortilla Soup on Wednesday and ate about 2 cups ...yummy...so yummy.  And the kids loved it and kept saying that they loved American food!!!  I also had some wine..it has been a full on week and I have felt myself needing something more....

Yesterday we had dog handling at Tafe and then I had to go straight to the Dr's....remember this is an hours trip each way.  Poor Oscar had to come along for the ride after Tafe...he is such a good boy allowing everyone to practice their restraint techniques and take his pulse and respitory rates and even a few thermoters up the rear end too.

I had much better vibes from the Dr's this visit.  I have lost 4kg(8.8lbs) according to their scales which seems right although the actual no's are different.  The dietician was very happy with my eating said it was one of the better overall menu's that she had seen.  She suggested a few tweaks like not eating breakfast of I am not hungry and avoiding soups and ham.  ham because it has been linked with colon cancer.  Then I saw the Dr and he gave me a small fill of 3/4 ml mainly because I had been hungrier this last week but he would usually give more as most people have been hungry for 2-3 weeks after the first fill...so he said I might be one of the lucky ones.

I ate 5 tiny bites of an optifast bar on the way home and way good restriction.  I have been craving something the last couple of days and my mum had made these yummo bickies for the kids so I think I had about 3 of those over the night and some more wine.  I had 1/4 of a leb bread with cheese which all cam e back up.  One and half cups of tea this mornign and I am full as a goog!!!!

Ok...have to run as I have to take my nieces to school, then the dog to dad's and then off to my specialist for my foot.  The girls have the day off school as we are going to Canberra (our nations's capital) for the weekend.

Will try and catch up with everyone soon

Sally xxx

Another Hungry Day!?!

Well I woke up this morning and was hungry about 1 hour after getting up.  I always have a cup of tea as soon as I get up...love it.  I went to Deep Aqua today and it was such a hot day and such a great way to exercise.  I was hungry after the class so grabbed a coffee with friends before I went food shopping.  I had to exchange a top for DD1 and so went to a different shopping centre than usual. 

It was about an hour after my coffee and I was really hungry and thought I should grab something to eat. As I didn't want to take too long I grabbed a wonton soup with some greens and it was yum.  So shopping done...including more jewellery....I went home and about 1 hour later (so 1.5 hours after the soup) and I am starving.  I made myself 2 Ryvitas (crackers) with avocado, cheese, ham, alfalfa and tomato.  Well I was full after that!!!

I had to take the girls to swimming for a make up class and so did 3/4 hour of pool walking and hopping on my good foot.  I seemed to be driving everyone everywhere tonight as DH was going to ACDC.  We ate dinner at about 6.10pm and then I had a miso soup and some almonds at 8.30pm.

So I just don't get it....Can't eat on Saturday and all that today. 

Food was:

8am :        Peach and strawberries with yogurt
10.30:       Small skim milk cap
12.00       small wonton soup...3 wontons, greens and stock
1.30:        2 ryvitas with avocado, ham, cheese, alfalfa and tomato
4.30pm    2 rice crackers
6.10pm    1.5 pumpkin and bean patties with a spoon of tabouli and 1 spoon of eggplant dip
8.30pm    Miso soup and 10 almonds

So do you think that is too much.  I know the soup wasn't really great in terms of keeping me full but how weird that I was hungry at 8.30pm...I never really am

Anyway, here is my top from yesterday and the jewllery I have been investing in.  Better than buying clothes that won't fit me soon.  Oh and thanks for all the comments on the medium but I am sure a Med in the US is heaps smaller and it is a very stretchy fabric as you can see.

I hope your day has been great

Sally xxx

Not sure what is going on????

Well yesterday I could barely eat but today is a different story!!!   We went out for breakfast today and I was not super hungry but had 2 poached eggs and 1/2 an egg/roma tomato.   But I was hungry about 2 hours later.   I was out shopping so just had some water to tide me over until I got home.  I must say that even though I get hungry with the band it is not the 'get out of my way I have to eat food or I will faint' type of hunger.  My stomach growls but I can cope with not eating straight away.....I like that.

Anyway I had a peach with yogurt when I got home but was hungry again in 2 1/2 hours but hung out for the nibblies as we had friends coming over for a BBQ.  I managed to eat a fair few olives, cheese and crackers  and homous and vegie sticks than I usually would be able too.  We had dinner about 2 hours after that and I had one small lamb Kofta a few bites of lebanese bread, some homous and eggplant dip and a spoon of tabouli...not too much at all.

The thing is I feel like this is heaps compared to what I ate yesterday or  some of the other days and can't figure out whether to get a fill or not.  I suppose I will see how the scales go this week and I have until Thursday to decide. Perhaps I am eating too quick and not at my sweet spot but I really don't think or should I say obsess about food as much with the band other than from a nutritional stand point or what not to get stuck on when out.

I also did some clothes shopping at Sussan today as I had a $50 voucher to use up.  I got myself a sleeveless vest type of jumper top.  The large fit well but I chose the medium (yes medium) and it looked fine.  I figure by the time the cooler weather comes it along the large will be too big.  Now I am not saying I am a medium ...it was very forgiving fabric but it felt good to go in and get something or the fact that things fit at all.  I love Sussan especially their sales as I usually pick up some great bargains and Jewellery.

Speaking of jewellery we were in Just Jeans returning a top from yesterday's shopping expedition and I found some great jewellery.  So I figure I can just get some more necklaces etc to compliment my clothes now as I will be fitting into some of my clothes before too long.  I have an obsession I think with costume jewellery even though I have some nice real stuff too.  I got 2 silver necklaces and a gold and black bead one.  It feels great to be out there shopping and taking care of my appearance especially after the way I felt a few months ago and last year was the pits.....

We also went to buy a new rug after breakfast but came away with some tab cutrains for the girls and a new lounge for our front room....no rug though.  Our lounge in that room is only 3 years old but we both hate it.....it seems to stain so easily and we think since we got new carpet and the house painted last year that it brings the front room down....so we now have to sell the old one on eBay.  Funny enough...the lounge we bought today was the one DH wanted 3 years ago...oooops.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend

Sally xxx

PBing at Sushi Train

Well I picked up the girls from my parents and decided that while DH was mowing the lawn etc that we would hit the shops to check out some clothes I saw in the Target catalogue.  Well I didn't end up liking anything and think I am a kg or 2 away from actually being a total size 16...they fit but would be a little tight around the bust.   But the girls found heaps and so we got them pants and stuff at Target and tops at Just Jeans and stuff for the new study at Smiggle....they had fun!!!  So did I

My youngest Kate loves Sushi train.  Me too.  My eldest is not a fan so we got her a cheesymite scroll from Bakers Delight and went to Sushi Train.  Now just remember that i ate here last Friday ..no problems at all.  We choose some tiny tuna rolls and some tiny chicken and avacado rolls.  I had maybe 2 tiny bits of both and knew I was in trouble.  The girls were still eating...Emma tried a rice paper roll and Kate was still hungry.   So as she chose another dish my mouth is watering and I am wondering why I didn't scope out the toilet like Jen always says she does.  I can barely talk at this stage.

The worst thing is I can't run out because I haven't paid and the girls are still eating and I can't stay here because I think what is coming up will be more than the serviette can handle.  So I say to the waitress that I am going to the toilet because I don't feel well...she says there is a toilet on the site (we are in a Westfield so I didn't expect them to have a tolilet)  I tell the girls to stay put and off I dash...yep up comes at least half the sushi.    I head back out and thank god I made it.

Within 3 minutes I am back in the toilet and this time only half make the bowl.  Like Debi half is on the floor.  Grosso....I finish up and try to tidy up...thankfully missing my clothes.  I have to say that this was the most scared I have been as I had no choice but to leave my 10 & 7 year old unattended and also the fear of throwing up at the Sushi Train. 

When I got home I was hungry so I had an Optifast shake.  I also was hungry before the Sushi but got nothing in and I also PBed the Sring Roll from last night.  I am due for a fill on Thursday but am thinking that I shouldn't bother as I am barely getting enough in this week.....although water is no problem.  I have lost around 4 kg (8.8lbs) in just over 3 weeks so perhaps I am at my sweet spot already???  I have never experienced Bandster Hell either...oh perhaps for just a day or two.

So what do you all think???  I would love your opinions

Sally xxx

Twelve and more thoughts on bowel movements...

Yes you are the number 12...yes as in 12kg (26.4lb) lost!!!!

Whooooo Hooooooo........but I sort of don't get it either.  After not being able to eat much at all this week you would have thought the scales would have moved but no they were going up and then down but on Thursday when I was able to eat more and had more carbs plus wine ...I wake up on Friday to have lost .2kg (.44lb) and then last night was our 16th year wedding anniversary and so I had champagne, about 4 crackers with cheese and a spring roll and about 1 spoonful of stirfry and yep this morning I have lost another .2kg making my total loss 12kg.  Well I am not complaining......

I had the weirdest day yesterday...very very tired and so I went to Aqua but after that I flaked.  I was even starting to fall asleep at the computer and so went and lay down and actually fell asleep.  Luckily I set the alarm and got up in time to get the kids from school.  They went to my parents last night so we could go out for our anniversary but DH has been travelling heaps and I was kinda out of it so we decided to stay in.  DH bought home a gorgeous bunch of flowers, champagne and some cheese and nibbles and we sat in our front room and caught up on life.  We then got some Thai takeaway.  It was really a wonderful night.

So I have had some more thoughts on our bowel movements post band....and NO I am not obsessed.  I was thinking about dogs and cats and how we are always told to feed them a premium brand of food and not the stuff found in the supermarket aisle which is filled with loads of filler etc.  When you do feed an animal on a premium brand you will notice that their poo's are less and of a better or firmer quality.  Less smelly too.  The reason behind this is the premium brand basically has less fillers and what is in the product is used up more readily by the animal meaning less wastage.

In a way it is the same for us post band.  Pre band we are eating way more than we should and not always of a great quality.  Therefore our bodies are very efficent at expelling the excess waste via our bowels.  Post band we eat less but hopefully of a much better quality and therefore our body is using up more of the food than pre band and has less to expel.

It was just a theory I have....what do you think????  And I am pleased to say that this girl has had some relief in that department without the laxative aid so whooooo bloody hooooo!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderul Saturday!!!

Sally xxx

Bandiversary, Bashful Bowel, Scales, Tight Band, Yellow Wee......

This blog is called Ramblings from the other side and I have a lot to ramble about today as my last post was about beautiful bloggers and I missed my 2 month Bandiversary.  I will put it in point form for ease of reading and that way I will try not to ramble as much.....

2 Month Bandiversary

Valentines Day was my 2 month Bandiversary and I forgot about it.  I was at an all time low so that was great...having lost 11.6kg which averages to about 1.16kg (2.55 lbs) a week.  So in all truthfulness I am happy with that.  Like anyone I would love it to be more but life without 11.6kg (25.5 lbs) extra on my frame so I am thankful I am away from that scary highest ever weight.  Also thanks to TJ for pointing out that I am nearly half way to my min Happy weight....I didn't even think of that.  Of course I plan to go lower but was starting out realistically

Bashful Bowel

I have upped the Benefibre, eaten apples, had allbran for breakfast and when did I actually feel like I could go easily????  Yep...right in the middle of class at Tafe (college) today!!!  Arghhhhhh....when I got to the loo I had a case of bashful bowel because all of the other toilets were full of people...so still no joy!!!!  Argh.  To Work in Progress....My daughter is wheat intolerant not me so I have not tried Metamucil Fibresure but it sounds just like Benefibre.  Tonight I bring out the big guns...Liquid Laxative.  Watch out!!!

Scales

The scales creeped up but I am not worried because I am backed up and have not over eaten at all this week ....if anything I have eaten less and I feel slimmer so once I explode I am sure all will be well

Tight Band

The last 2 days my band has been super tight.  I noticed it on Tuesday when I had a protein shake for breaky, then at 12md I had some left over chicken casserole and only ate a tiny amount and for dinner at around 8pm because I thought I should. I forced down a tiny bit of pork stirfry.  No fruit at all and I didn't even feel like dinner really.  Then yesterday I had a protein shake for breaky ...I made up some fruit, yogurt and nuts but couldn't face it so had the shake.  By 11.15am I was starving as I had been at work already for 4 hours and had about 3 tiny bites of my pumpkin and cannellini bean patty with homous and sort of got stuck in the tea room.  I rode it out and then managed to finish the little patty.  For dinner we had chicken rissoles with grated pumpkin and carrot and I could barely eat that either.....what the????  I am due for a fill next week and was wondering if I should bother.  Then I got hungry at about 9.30pm so had a few little peices of strawberries and peach (from my breakfast) and done.  This morning I had strawberries and more Allbran, and apple and skim cap at 10am and then a tiny 1/2 wrap shorter than the palm of my hand and full again but that was more than I have eaten in days.  Two hours later I am nibbling on my cheesestick and nuts in class and at the break got a cup of tea.  I have eaten more carbs today so that might scare the scales into moving but I am not sure what is going on at all...not time of the month or anything.  Plus my restriction seems more in the evening than the morning.  Weird!!!!

Yellow Wee

Has anyone noticed that their wee is heaps more yellow????  (Really letting it all hang out today!!!)  I thought initally it may have been the vitamins but it was ages away from the vitamins today and still yellow wee.....I have always carried my water bottle everywhere even pre-band and my husband fondly says to me "Are we bringing Warragamba Dam with us today??" In reference to said bottle.  So I used to always drink around 5 litres a day (169oz) and perhaps am down to 3lt (101 oz) post band and as I am not exercising hard core anymore...so why the yellow pee???  All comments welcome!!!

This is me at Tafe today stressing about picking up the kids when we were still doing assesments...and my sister who had the kids had to go to the airport and get my parents and my husband was on a plane from Melbourne...arghhh...oh and my work situation which I will discuss another day

Compliments

Well I went back to Tafe today and we had to catch up on 2 weeks work because of the strike.  This semester is going to be more heavy work wise.  Longer hours and straight back into it today.  On the shitty side...there are still many inconsiderate people who turn up late and keep taking up too much of the teacher's time re-covering assessments etc.  This year they are going to be tougher on students who don't always turn up and expect their tests and assignments to be re-done or handed in late.  I think this is great because at the end of the day why should they end up with the same qualifications if they are not doing the work or taking the course seriously.  But anyway the nice thing was a couple of people noticed i had lost weight...yay

Catchup

Last night i found a whole heap of comments that I had missed from my blog.  My new computer is super efficent and had filed most of them as spam.  So thank you so much for leaving a comment...I love them.  I can see my Followers have risen too....I am so grateful as I love the support of this bander community and sort of feel really part of it now.  Thanks you thank you thank you

And finally...yes this post is going to end....Secret Diaries of....I try and try and try to get into your blog but it jams me or won't connect and I don't know why.  One day I hope it works as I want to know where you are at.

Well that is it for now....if you are still here

Sally xxx

Gob Smacked....

Well just when you feel like no one is around .... out of the blue you get nominated for the Beautiful Blogger Award.  I was so chuffed to see that the lovely TJ of Metamorphic Journey had nominated me for the above award.  I must say I actually had to check the link as I thought it might have been another Sally but no it was me.  Thank you so much...you were one of my first followers and I have loved your Blog and progress ever since.

Here are the rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you for this award

• Copy the award and post it in your blog
• Link to the blog of the person who nominated you
• Tell seven interesting things about yourself
• Nominate seven bloggers
• Post links to the blogs of your nominees

Seven Interesting things about me:
 
1.  When I left High School I started studying Law but found it to be a little boring and not what I expected.  It really threw me because I had always wanted to be a Lawyer
 
2.  I was born in Tasmania (you might have known that) but after that we moved to Sydney then Melbourne then Sydney again.  By the time my sister was 11 we had moved 11 times.  The most traumatic move for me was my first year of High School moving from Melbourne to Sydney.  I really would hate to move my own children now that they are settled in school because of my experience.
 
3.  I can be very loud and will talk to everyone.  Whenever we go out I chat to everyone and my friends are always amazed that wherever we go I know someone.  Once my sister and I were on the escalators at the shopping centre and I got talking to a girl (remember it is only a 30 second ride) and I said I knew her from somewhere and she said that we met in the supermarket aisle a few weeks ago!!!!  My sister was horrified that I could remember her and her child while I just think I am friendly.
 
4.  I have a long tongue and can touch my nose and even make it look like I am picking it with my tongue....party trick!!!!
 
5.  I have muscle wastage in my left hand from falling on my elbow when I was little.  It wasted my Ulna nerve and as such it is a little weird. (You only notice when I point it out) I can shine a bright torch right through it and you can see it glow through my skin (another party trick...my kids love it!!!).  A surgeon once used me as a guinea pig for trainees to try and work out what went wrong...LOL
 
 

Can you sought of see how it is concave on the right side and my pinkie finger is bent????

6.  My husband propsed to me twice.  Not sure how I can explain that to you except for you to know that I didn't say no the first time - I was totally in love ...still am

7.  My sister and I went on Ready Steady Cook 2 years ago.  It was an absolute blast and my team won.  It has been shown on TV 3 times in total that I know of.  We both usually get calls all day once it has aired.

Ok...now for the hard part.  To name only seven nominations for this award.  It is so very hard as some of the Blogs I have nominated have already been received it but they were truly inspirational to me....so I have decided to give you my seven nominess regardless if they already have recieved it.  Perhaps one day they will see my post and know how much they have helped me.

My Beautiful Blogger Award Nominees

1.  Emma  - My so called lap-band life.  Emma's was the first positive blog that I had found whilst waiting for my first Dr's appointment.  She is a fellow Aussie and she got banded with her boyfriend on the same day and have done fantastically well.  I could so relate to them and their lifestyle and found that I could truly hope that having a lapband would make my life and weight loss so much better.  Thanks Emma.

2.  Cara - The Dash.  I found Cara's blog from Emma's and it opened up my world to so many success stories.  After reading Cara's blog I contacted her via email and her supportive words and friendship just flowed through in her words.  She has been supportive and responsible for making people aware that I even exsisted.  Thanks Cara for your support and friendship.

3.  Catherine - Chronicles from Bandland.  I found Catherine's blog through Cara's and just love her journey with the band.  It is how I hope my own journey will go...no obsession with food and still enjoying eating nice food and wine...oh whilst always looking tiny and fabulous....LOL  I also love reading about life in New York and her insightful and thought provoking posts.  This Aussie gal thinks you rock Catherine.

4.  Roo - A Brand New Roo.  An Aussie girl living in Dubai rocking the band with no family support.  I so admire her strength and determination to win this weight battle and having lost 30 kg (66 lbs) in 6 months she is so on her way...bigtime.  I also love hearing about her life and as an expat in the UAE too.  Roo I hope when you move back to Oz that we might be able to meet up...you like like so much fun too.

5.  Gen  -  i Heart the Band.  What a gal.  Love her story and her journey ...another journey I hope my results will be like.  To not diet and just eat well while enjoying food and wine...all in moderation.  I relate to so much of what she says and also love hearing about her life in Colarado.  Gen - i heart you and thanks for all your supportive comments....it always feels like a rockstar is visiting.  Good luck with the gallbladder op today/ tonight (not sure of the time distance!!!)

6.  Amy - Once Upon a Time in the Land of Cheese and Sunkist. I am sure Amy will recieve this award many many a time but how could I not include her????  For her honesty, her laughs, her great photos and for her wonderful perspective on life with the band.  One day I hope that she may visit my blog.....then I would know I have arrived!!!  Thanks Amy for being you and sharing yourself with so many.

7.  Nene - From Fatness to Fitness.  I can't even remember how I found Nene's Blog and but was so delighted to find her.  I love her story and her family is so gorgeous...stunning actually.  I love hearing about her ups and downs with the band and her refreshingly honest posts.  She has also given me some great encouragement and support and lost 40kg (88lbs)..oh and she is funny too.  Thanks Nene for all the support and advice....I love seeing a new post from you.

Well that's it.  I have lots of other stuff I want to write but that is a pretty long post so I will leave it there.

Till then

Sally xxx

Time to talk about Poo. (You have been warned......)

Well lately I have been finding that I am getting stuck quite a bit at the other end.....constipated!!!  I really was never constipated preband...a regular once a day gal in fact but I suppose with a band I am eating way less vegies and fruit than I usally would of although I am careful to still eat a serve of fruit and as many vegies as I can in a day.

It is just like little pellets and a bit of an effort too but this morning I think I lost 2 kgs on the loo.  Seriously how great to go and lose a load!!!  I did warn you...  I ate an apple yesterday and as I was just typing about fruit wondered if that helped me along a bit.  Ok enough said....are you still there?????

Well today is Valentine's Day and DH and I don't go overboard here as we celebrate our Wedding Anniversary on the 19th but also because I personally don't feel the need to be told to show my love on any particular day....we just always try to do it.  The kids however are excited and are downstairs making a gluten free chocolate cake for Valentines Day (amd also because they love cake!!!) They are also going to make dinner.  My girls just love to cook.  Back to DH...we usually just do a card but today he also bought me the Masterchef Cookbook.

I am so into cooking again...which is great for us all.  I think because I am allowing myself to eat what I FEEL like rather than following a diet.  I am really enjoying what I eat and because it is so much less then what is was pre band that I do try to make what I eat count nutritionally. Back to the book...I would probably only cook about 50% of the recipes as there are some things in it I just wouldn't eat but there are heaps of tips as well and the things I would cook look yummy.

One of my friends came over for lunch again yesterday and she commented that she thought I had lost more weight (and yes I have!!!! LOL) She is the friend who noticed around the 8kg mark and I suppose since I don't see her as often she notices more.  I felt great yesterday wearing some different clothes, as more of them are fitting and I spent the day out of my boot which was wonderful.  I am allowed small spells of wearing my orthotics now as well as the boot.  I am enjoying the Aqua classes especially in this hot weather and I also purchased Jillian Michaels '30 day Shred'.

A few of you have reccomended it and a friend of mine as well.  I will have to watch it to see what things I will be allowed to do as I am not to do any weight bearing stuff yet but maybe the abs???  Who knows.  I am planning on getting back to Pilates too but will wait until I get the Dr's approval but it is close ...I can feel it....and I certainly will not jeopardise my foot as aqua is better than nothing.

Here are the girls with their little muffins...cake is in the oven ...they just told me they are filling the cake with shipped cream....luckily I am not a huge fan so will just have a small slice.

I also find that I am happy to have just a sliver of cake these days rather than worrying about a cake actually taking up residence in my home...I would usually have to eat a fair whack of it.  I love the band.

So have a wonderful V day everyone......

Sally xxx

Oh forgot to say that I lost another .2 kg (.44lb) and on a Saturday morning too.  Who would have thought a weight loss on the weekend was ever possible????  No weigh this morning because as I have previously mentioned I was backed up and the relief came after breakfast!!!  Ok sorry ....enough info!!!!

Eleven Kilos and some thoughts.

Yes that is right...I have lost another kg bringing my total to 11.4kg (25.08 lbs...yes the .08 counts!!!) In fact since my fill I have lost 3.4kg (7.48lbs) but I do admit that I have been hungrier this week, so won't say no to another one in 2 weeks.  I seem to be still ok on four meals and lots of water and cups of tea.

It is funny how not many people have noticed that I have lost weight, I had one comment from a friend at 8kg and then last week from a lady at school who noticed but really no one else except my youngest daughter and my husband when I was wearing my new 3/4 jeans on the weekend.  But I have noticed from some of the blogs I have read, that many of you didn't get any comments early on in the weight loss but the more you lost it took less losses for people to notice.  I don't mind it was just an observation.  I feel way too good in myself to care.

Another thing is the things that males say...honestly do they think sometimes?  My DH has been away a bit over the last 2 weeks and the other night I was telling him how stuck I had been and how it all came back up.  I said that I thought it was because I would be tighter from my period and I ate the food a little too quickly.  Well he said " You always eat too fast".  I go...are you kidding???  Maybe pre band but for goodness sake I now take ages to eat just a cup full and most of the time leave some on my plate.  How can he not notice???  I sure he just spoke without thinking.....well here's hoping...for his sake!!!!  LOL.

Another thing is that now I have heaps of leftovers, because I can't eat a full serve anymore and I think that I need to allow 1 night a week for eating the leftovers.  I always take my lunch to work, even more so post-band so it is great on those days but last night I made a chicken korma curry with sweet potato, carrot and peas and then realised DH was coming in late from Melbourne so we have even more left over and I hate to waste good food.  Lucky he had some for lunch today..as did I so it is being whittled away.

I went to see Precious today at the movies.  Once again I turned up to Tafe (College) ready to get started on my course and today there was a teachers strike....arghhhhh.  I had gotten up early, got the kids and their lunch ready, guzzled breaky (well as fast as a bander can...more like chew chew chew as you do things in the kitchen and then popped dinner on in the slow cooker.  Luckily, DH was working from home and took the kids to school but within an hour I was home.  I text one of the other girls and she didn't turn up because she received a phone call...well why the hell didn't I and a few others????

So on the way home I thought I would go home and check the session times for Precious which is only one at Independant cinemas and then found out it was starting in 3/4 hour so I hot footed it over there and just made it only to find out it was a Reel Mums (you know mum and bubs) session.  I went in anyway and the bubs were great.  It is such a sad movie but great in the end because she realises her worth and gets out of the situation.  I feel less energetic today so it was a nice treat.  Bummer though because I could have gone to Deep Aqua...anyway have been twice this week and will go tomorrow with my firend.  I wore my pedometer to work yesterday and in 6 hours (left early because it wasn't busy) did 7,500 steps and it wasn't that busy.  According to my WW pedometer I was healthy and earnt 1 point!!!  Not that I am counting.

These pants I have on are really quite baggy now and loose at the top and can be pulled down without undoing.  I love wearing the baggier clothes because it shows yourself that you have lost but then I think people notice more in tighter clothes.  At one stage DH had to help me do these up just before the pre-op diet.  I have a white pair and balck pair of these pants if anyone pre-surgery or of a larger size would like them....size 18 Suzanne Grae which I always think is generous sizing so might even fit a size 20.

Well I could say heaps more but don't want to bore you all.

Oh and thanks to my new followers...I now have 30...unbelievable

For now....Sally xxx

Stuck. Yuck

Yesterday I was extra hungry....so just before I left to pick the girls up from school (we live 2 streets away and I have to drive because of my foot...ridiculous hey???)  I had a slice of ham and a Weight Watchers nut bar.  Now I usually don't eat these type of bars but bought them for when I craved something sweet.  Well it got stuck stuck stuck.

Emma had one of her friends over and I spent 1/2 hour in the toilet PBing....3 mini vomits (sorry if it is too much info) and it was up...thank goodness.  I have been a little tight ...I had mother monthly visit and even got stuck on a shake and vitiamin so I have been taking it super easy.

I skipped the planned dinner of chicken kofta's thinking that meat would not go down well after all the PBing so I made a really quick salmon quiche.  That went down ok but then I had it for dinner tonight and yep...3 PB's and relief.  How strange that I can eat breakfast but not dinner.  Oh well...hope the scales move.

Measurements:

Neck  32cm ( loss of 2.5cm Total 5cm)
Left & Right arm 31 cm ea (Loss 1.5 ea arm Total 3 cm ea arm)
Chest  111cm (Loss 7 cm Total 12....yay yay yay)
Waist   110cm (Loss 5cm Total 9)
Hips   120cm (Loss 4 cm Total 7)
Thighs R& L 62 cm ea (loss 3cm each Total 5 cm ea)

Loss:   27.5cm (11 inches)  Since Late December
Total Loss: 49 cm (16 inches) since Surgery

Good luck to Sandy-Lee as she waits to see if her operation can go ahead.  You are in my thoughts!!!

Till then

Sally xxx

Getting to know me...

Well I have exercised today and am feeling a little flat.  I can't seem to get motivated and I wanted to do the ironing but this humid and wet weather we have is not letting anything dry!!!  I am a bit picky today also so am up here wasting time on my computer and thought I would do the Getting to know me questions....

Just a quick call out to "Secret Diaries of"....I am having trouble getting into your blog.  Is anyone else???

Here goes:

1. What time did you get up this morning?


I woke up a little late today at around 7.15am.  I was just super tired I suppose.

2. How do you like your steak?

I don't like steak....but love lamb, pork, chicken and seafood.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

I saw NINE last week with a girlfriend but can't say I was super impressed.  I also saw Avatar recently and LOVED that....how do they come up with these things???

4. What is your favorite TV show?

I love Medium.  Also I got into a few shows that are not on free to air TV last year as I spent so much time resting my foot...Dexter, True Blood and Entourage

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

For now I am happy here in The Sutherland Shire in Sydney NSW.  I would love to have a home on the water though instead of being 15 mins away.

6. What did you have for breakfast?



Am a little bit tight due to the visit of Mother Monthly so I just had an Optifast shake

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

OMG...what isn't.  Love Thai, Lebanese, Indian, Seafood, Italian, Greek, Middle eastern, Pizza (none post band though :( yet :)) It wouldbe accurate to say their are not many foods I dislike than listing them all

8. What foods do you dislike?

Steak, large thick slices of eggplant (small cubed is ok) and anything really weird like fish heads, eyes, chicken feet etc....


9. Favorite place to eat?

We have a great local restaurant called Rocksalt....I have never had a bad meal there
10. Favorite dressing?

Probably olive oil and balsamic
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

I just got a new Toyota Camry on Friday!!!!  Hubby has a 4wd Pajero
12. What are your favorite clothes?

When I am at a good weight I love to wear dresses, 3/4 pants, jeans, skirts, tops ....oh anything really as long as I am slim!!!!

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

Oh wow....so many places.  Ireland, Spain, Greece and the Greek Isles, USA (particularly Hawaii, New York, Florida), Canada, , the rest of Europe that I haven't seen...oh lets just say anywhere I haven't been..otherwise the list will be too long

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Half full most the time.
15. Where would you want to retire?

Near the water.  Maybe Cronulla or Noosa
16. Favorite time of day?

Morning and when I get to sit down after the kids are in bed
17. Where were you born?

Launceston, Tasmania
18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Not really into sport except watching the girls play netball or the Olympic games

19. Bird watcher?

Not really except perhaps when in holidays and they gather around

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning for sure
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?

Hmmmm.....we booked a cruise to Noumea and the Isle of Pines, we are going to Canberra in a few weekends time ...OH...and I have lost 10kg!!!!
22. What did you want to be when you were little?

Lawyer, mother, wife, rich!!!!
23. What is your best childhood memory?

Nothing really stands out except for my childhood pets and our holidays down the coast with our cousins and Nanna.

24. Are you a cat or dog person?


Dog.....
25. Are you married?

Yes happily since 1994.  16 years this month.  He is my best friend and supporter and I love him to bits

26. Always wear your seat belt?  Always.


27. Been in a car accident?

One minor bingle....
28. Any pet peeves?

People who push in or park illegally...why do they think they are more important?????

29. Favorite Pizza Toppings?

Feta, olives, prawns, sundried tomato...anything really except pineapple or beef.  I don't like fruit with my savoury things

30. Favorite Flower?

Tulips or Gerberas

31. Favorite ice cream?

Cookie and Cream or gelato

32. Favorite fast food restaurant?


Moon's Sushi

33. How many times did you fail your driver's test?

Once..... :(
34. From whom did you get your last email?

A friend about Footy Tipping Comp


35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Anything clothes or shoes or homewars or stationary or handbags....or....or...or

36. Do anything spontaneous lately?

Catch up with girlfriends, went to the movies, jumped DH....I  am a fairly spontaneous person

37. Broccoli?

Love it!!!!  Love most vegies
38. What was your favorite vacation?

Europe with DH (no kids although I missed them like crazy!!!) and Hong Kong Disneyland with all the kids (I have a 19 yr old step son)

39. Last person you went out to dinner with?

A group of friends whilst on holidays

40. What are you listening to right now?

The whir of the fan and the bliss of silence

41. What is your favorite color?

Aqua blue, greens and watermelon
42. How many tattoos do you have?

None and no intention of getting any

43. Coffee drinker?

I enjoy a skim cappacino when out with friends.

Well I hope I have not bored you all to tears!!!!

 

Photos

This is me in my new size 16 pants....I still have a bit of muffin top going on though.

This is me the day of my operation..

Today 10.4 kg (22.8lbs) down

Side view...day of op.

Today...side view

Yesterday...these shorts are too big but oh so comfy.  It is so humid here atm.  I haven't worn this M top for a while.

Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson was playing so I was a posin' for the camera in tune to the music.

I am not loving the way i am looking yet but I am appreciating the 10kg down and trying to enjoy my life.....isn't it so hard to love ourselves.  I feel great then I see the pics.  I weigh about the same as Amy W but to me she looks way slimmer and I am taller too.

Thanks Gen for saying I must be tiny...I love the sentiment but let me reassure you....I am not.

That's it for now....

Sally xxx

It is all good...and more.

Ten, ten, ten, ten, yay 10!!!!!

I am so excited...I have had the best week...it seems to happen when you are losing....doesn't it???

I have lost 10.4 kg (22.88lbs) since my journey began and 2.4 kg (5.28lb) since last Thursday (fill day!!!)  I love the band.

In reflection it has not been too hard at all..(except the pre-op) I have enjoyed some wine and chocolate over the holidays and am for the most part enjoying my food except when it doesn't go down to easy.  I have really enjoyed cooking what I feel like and I certainly do not feel like I am on a diet...because I am not!!!

It is amazing how much just 10kg has made to my life....I am less breathless, I can bend over easier, my bras fit better (although they are grogy bogey...can't wait to ditch them), work is easier, my clothes are fitting so much better and I have more energy.  But the biggest change is too my outlook on life....just last June I was lying in bed thinking of how I could I end my life....the thought of my kids being without me and DH's support kept me here....thank god.  I was trying to get out of going to Fiji because I just couldn't bear having to buy larger clothes and facing how much weight I had put on...and travelling with a size 8 skinny mini.  My foot was in a bad way and I couldn't exercise.  I would sometimes not get out of bed....it was very very dark days.

Now I am loving life....and the weight loss is a part of that.  I just feel comfortable again....I can do everything easier and it is just 10kg!!!  My life is also greatly improved because I am off the crutches too and exercising again but I am sure 10kg of extra weight off my foot is making a huge difference too.

And I have had some NSV's too....a top I bought last September (size 16) and never wore because it was too tight...(you know how you buy them and say I will loose the weight???) well on hols it was still too tight but now it fits great.  And yesterday I got 2 pairs of denim 3/4 pants size 16 and a bargain at $10 each (Suzanne Grae)  They will tie me over until some of my nicer clothes fit.

On the exercise front I have done 3 deep aqua classes this week and also stayed off the wine (Major NSV!!!)  The exercise just makes me feel alive and I even went to aqua in the rain today (it is outside).  I also picked up my new car yesterday so I am feeling very spoilt.

Did anyone watch Biggest Loser's Master Class last night???  Finally some info on nutrition.  I loved the Dr who told them (and us) not to diet anymore and to just watch our portion sizes and what we eat.  Everything in moderation.  Following a mediterranean diet too seems to be the go.  Lots of fish, legumes, vegies and some olive oil....sounds just like healthy eating right?  He also said that we can exercise all day and it won't help us lose weight if we are not watching our nutrition which echoes the article that Yana posted on her blog.  Interesting!

I will post some pics soon.  Thanks for all you have supported me to this stage.  Next goal 15kg (33lbs)

Enjoy your weekend...I will!!!

GB xxx

Not far off my next goal

Well hubby fixed the internet but it still comes and goes....but I have been having a great week anyway.  Life without the crutches is grand and it feels so nice to be doing some normal things again and filling my day with things other than the 'puter, TV and books (besides work)

The scales are moving down and today I weighed in at 94.8kg which means I am just 0.4kg off my 10 kg ( 22lbs) mark...my second milestone as my first was 5kg.  I am making my goals little and realistic with 5kg incruments.  I am just loving how this last 1.6kg...3.52 lbs.... (in less than a week!!!) is making me feel.  My work clothes feel looser and it is so much easier to get around and bend over etc.  My job can be quite physical (I am a Vet Nurse) and towards the end of last year I really wondered how I would be able to keep up if I was breathless and struggling all the time.

In other great news I can notice a difference and my daughter noticed too...how sweet.  She said 'Mummy...you are really losing weight...look your tummy has gone down'.  Now the kids know nothing about the op and if they comment I will just say I am being healthy again.  My little one tends to be a little pudgy and has great self esteem so I try really hard to talk in terms of health rather than diet as diets send with it the idea that you are not good enough.  I truly believe that my weight/ food issues stem from being put on a diet at 8 by my well meaning mother.  I have had lots of counselling and believe that my young 8 year old self wondered what was wrong with her that she had to change or wasn't good enough how she was.

 For years I would not go somewhere if i felt fat on that day.  It would ruin lots of things for me.  I thought that people judged you by the way you looked and I think that when I really became fat, that is when I made some of my best friends and maybe I needed to be big to realise that what I perceived from a young age was truly wrong.  Anyway...back to my youngest....she loves healthy food and of course my eldest hates it and she is the slim one!!!!  Isn't that the story of our lives????

My pants today were hanging off me...time to downsize I think.!!!  Yay.  I have also done 1 deep aqua class on Monday and will do one tomorrow and Friday too.  Eating wise I am eating my 4 small meals a day and try to eat what I feel like but always choose valuable calories rather than empty ones....things like oats, strawberries/ peaches with yogurt, my spinach pie, salmon patties and hommous with vege sticks...I am also trying to eat a wide variety of foods to keep the nutritional levels up.  Having said that I had 2 homemade bickies tonight.  My mum made them for my youngest who is wheat intolerant so they had peanut butter, choc chips, sugar and bi carbs.  They were so sweet but hit the spot as I think the monthly visitor will be upon mesoon and I just felt like them.

So sorry to hear so many off you are experiencing 'the Blues' aand I hope things pick up for you all soon

Till next time...GB xxx