ObesityHelp

My Birthday present from Hubby was a trip to Vegas.  The whole trip he treated me like a princess.  I never had to touch a suitcase or open a door.  We cuddled on the plane, we walked holding hands and he really just made me feel beautiful and special.  We left last Sunday night and came back Tuesday night.  Quick trip but any longer in Vegas would have driven me nuts.  We were always on the go and we were sooooo tired when we got home!

First off, the airplane.  I was actually really excited to fly as I haven't been on a plane since I've lost weight.  I now actually fit in the seat comfortably, I had plenty of room, plenty of seatbelt left over and could even cross my legs too!  And wow!  the tray table seemed so far away instead of resting on my stomach.

We stayed at Planet Holleywood, in the Forest Gump room.  The movie memorabilia in the room was really cool.  The room itself was huge and so comfy.  While walking through the lobby we noticed we were some of the older people there.  They have a lot of nightclubs in the hotel and a lot of very young people wandering around.  It was fun to watch all the kids in their dresses in contrast to us touristy types in our shorts and tank tops.

We did gamble a little but never won.  We even learned to play roullette, we played for almost an hour on $20 but still walked away with nothing.

We must have walked 10 miles!  We had lunch at Dick's Last Resort.  It was so hilarious that we wound up spending 2 hours there.  The shrimp was amazing and the entertaining staff even better.  It's not for the prudish or faint of heart, that's for sure.  We saw the lion habitat, Hooters, the fountains at the Bellagio, the pirate show at Tresure Island.  We spent a fair amount of time at M&M World.  We did so much I can't list it all.  The whole time it's 94 out and we're walking.  I was amazed that I never got tired or hot and sweaty.  And, I know this is vain, but this is the first time that I can catch my reflection and like what I see.

At the end it was so nice getting home.  I missed my kids sooooooo much!  That is the first time in a long time just Barry and I have gone away by ourselves and I enjoyed every single minute of it.  And of course the kids were spoiled with gifts from our trip.

Get ready to fall off your chair...............I bought a dress!  Don't know where I'll wear it but it's cute and it was on a great sale!  I never thought I'd buy a dress just because it was there.

Next week Barry and I are flying to Las Vegas for a few days.  I haven't flown since I've lost weight so it should be interesting.  Wonder what it feels like to actually fit IN the seat???

My last fill has really settled in.  I don't get stuck anymore because I really learned to slow down.  It's funny how you have to relearn the rules with every fill.  I can eat about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup depending on what it is.  I can't gulp liquids at all.  Mornings are still tight and I have to be careful with my coffee.  I'm trying to be really diligent in drinking my protien shake everyday.  With the small amount of food I just can't get all my protien from food.  My whole family really likes Muscle Milk light though.

My weight is still the same.  Bouncing around from 188.2-189.  It will move sooner or later.  The good thing is that I can fit into size 12 pants and size L tops.  Wow!  I just need my mind to catch up with my size.  Weird how I still see a big fatty when I look in the mirror most of the time.  I'm working on it.

Mark off another milestone!  A year ago when Kristyna ran the women's run for cheerleading I told her I would do it with her the next year.  Well, here it is the "next year".  She signed us up on Friday, just in the nick of time!  Okay, so she ran it and I walked it with a friend.  Kristyna was waiting for us near the finish line and then made us both run the last part to the finish line.  It actually felt good to run so I might try that next year.  It makes me so happy when my daughter tells me she's proud of me!

Friday night we went to Larry the Cable Guy.  I fit in metra seats with room to spare!  No more being squished!!!!!

We had my mom and sister and neice over for mother's day lunch.  I thought a summery lunch sounded good and it was wonderful.  I do have to say I made the best fruit salad ever!  Pineapple, strawberries and kiwi.

Barry and the kid's bought me just what I wanted.  Hints do work!  It's a ring, necklace and earring set I've had my eye on.  So I pick up the ring and slip it on.  Fits like a charm.  What I didn't realize is that the ring is a size 7.  Never thought I'd wear a size 7 ring.  I had told Barry an 8 so we were both shocked.  It's beautiful!

Yep, I did make it.  I'm officially down 80 pounds since I started this whole process one year ago.  I am now hoping to be at goal by my surgery anniversary.  That would be incredible!  My next goal is to reach 100 pounds down since I've convinced hubby that he should buy me a gift for achieving that milestone.  I'm thinking something shiny, of a gemstone nature!!!

Stress does affect the band!  I've read a lot about it but never really experienced it until this last week.  I've been getting stuck while eating since last Friday but I didn't make the connection until just yesterday.  Looking back, Friday was when all the stress started.  This most recent fill is probably the perfect level, call it the "green zone" or "sweet spot" but I love it.  It totally keeps me in check.  I eat very small portions and stay full for hours.  Most times I don't even get hungry but know I need to take the time to eat.  And as a bonus I've lost about 8 pounds since the fill.  Dr. Rohrer said I should be good to go for quite a while and I think I believe him!

Small portions - I'm still amazed.  Does this ever go away?  I dish up my plate, look at it, there's so little on there but in my head I'm wondering if I can even finish it.  Sometimes I can't.  I went from just a year ago thinking things were never enough to now thinking everything is too much.  Who would have thought!

Muscle milk light rocks!  I bought a case at Costco and it is so yummy!  Barry and Austin love it as well.  And as a bonus, the new Costco coupon book has a $6 off coupon.  I'll be stocking up!

Barry has decided to lose weight.  He's wanted to for a while but you know you have to have the mindset to do something about it.  He's been doing so good.  He's lost 7 pounds already and his boss who had been gone for a week, came back to work and actually noticed!  Keeps the motivation going!  I help him where I can but I will never be his food police.  I would have and stil would hate for anyone to tell me I can't or shouldn't eat something.  I set him up with the Daily Plate and he loves it, he can track his meals and see where he ends each day.  By seeing all the numbers he can make good choices.  Ha ha, the other night he's wandering through the kitchen saying he has a sweet tooth, a little later out of the blue I get the munchies.  I wasn't even hungry but wanted to snack!  The good thing is that I was still full from dinner and couldn't snack even if I tried.

I love my band!