Deb G.

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I hadn't realized how long it had been since posting here.  Time flies I guess.

So the news is that I'm able to eat again.  My last appointment with Dr. Clark resulted in .5cc being removed from the band.  This was an amazing improvement to the quality of my life.  I'm able to eat again.  I was to the point that I wasn't getting any nutritional benefit from food.  My brain and body were really feeling sluggish.  But that's greatly improved now. 

I'm losing very slowly, but I'm not doing any exercise to help.  I haven't done aerobics in several weeks.  This needs to change if I plan on losing more weight.

I'm down to 288-290 but my official weekly weigh in will be on Wednesday.  I'm not sure why I chose Wed for weigh in other than they both start with W. 

I've been having days lately where I just really miss extended family.  We have no family in Austin and it's hard sometimes to be excited about being so far from family.  It's a good thing we have each other and the house.  

I'll try to be more diligent about checking in on the blog and posting updates.  It's good to get share the feelings and emotions with others.

I had an appointment with the surgeon yesterday.  My weight was up from the visit before.  So we did an adjustment.  I'm up to 5 cc now.  Today was a challenge to eat.  Any grain based carbs make me feel a little ill.  I am able to eat, but it's like learning how to eat all over again. 

I have missed 2 days of aerobics now and I'm feeling it.  I've also had a cortisone shot in my foot to ease the plantar fasciitis pain.  I'm hoping that by taking the edge off the foot pain I will be able to stretch it properly and start excercising properly.  Of course it doesn't help that I have 2 very large blisters on my feet.  Poor shoe choice over the weekend.

So the short end of the story is that I'm over 300 a little bit.  The good news is that with the adjustment and the exercise I am really hoping to see the numbers fall again soon.

School started this week.  I'm taking full load at the community college.  On M and W I have to drive to campus because it's far away and very unsafe to ride my bike or walk.  On T and Th I have classes at my local campus.  I got the bright idea to ride my bike to school today.  I learned some VERY valuable lessons for future ventures into this process.

1.  Don't bother taking a change of clothes.  I was going to take a change of clothes so that I could change into regular clothes after aerobics class.  This is bad for a couple of reasons.  I have no place to store the change of clothes and I do not have room in my backpack to haul them back and forth every day.  Also, wearing non comfy clothes to ride my bike home is was a mistake.  My denim capris were miserable to try and ride my bike in.  I was sweaty and they stuck to me and greatly restricted my leg movement.

2. Don't take all my books to classes.  Edit what I absolutely have to take so that I don't add bruises to the bruises I have already created around my shoulders and into the arm pits.  I also got several bruises on my lower arms and wrists as a result of trying to get my back pack on and off my back with 25+ lbs of weight in it.

3. Don't stop for any reason if peddling up hill.  It's nearly impossible for a 300lb woman to start a bike moving from dead stop while gonig up an incline. 

In other news, and these are the good points of the day:

Walking around campus with my back pack (which weighed about 25 lbs) was a whole lot easier than walking around campus with my books and the 70 extra lbs I had last semester.

Sitting in the regular desks (chair built into writing surface they call a desk in college) was not a problem for the first time since starting at this campus.  I got some gum on my shirt because some bonehead left it under the writing surface, but I was comfortable the entire class and I didn't bruise my belly sliding in and out.

There are foods that I think will be OK to eat at the campus cafe.  Although the Chicken Teriyaki will not be tried again.  It was way too much food, way too expensive and I wasn't impressed.  Fortunately I only have to consider eating on campus for 2 meals a week.  I just don't have room in my backpack to carry lunch on the days I ride my bike.

I met another student who had bypass surgery a year ago.  We exchanged numbers and I'm really looking forward to getting to know her more.  We dont' have any classes together, but it's cool to have stumbled upon her.

So all in all a good day.  My arms are sore from my backpack, my butt is sore from my bike, and I'm tired, but overall feeling pretty good about this decision.

And the bad news, I've been hovering about 303 lbs for 2+ weeks.  I got below 300 twice, thought it was for real, and then NOPE.  I'm really hoping the change in schedule (being out of the house more) and the added aerobics class and bike riding will spur the weight loss again. 

I'll update my photo when I get below 300 again and keep it there for a while. 

Well it's official, I'm accepting what the scale has been telling me most of the week.  300 is gone forever.  Never to be seen from again.  I will be updating my picture and get some new measurements soon.  I've set my major goals for ever 25 lbs.  For 300 reward I got My Spanish Coach for my DS, a new shirt and a necklace.

I feel FANfreakingTASTIC.  Just had to hop on and share the wonderful news. 

Also, the movie Mama Mia is so cute and full of energy.  I really enjoyed watching it!

I've also decided that even though I only get the skinny latte (sugar free, fat free) from Starbucks, I will no longer get one unless I ride my bike there.  So far I haven't had one, but I sure wanted to cheat tonight on my way home from the movies.  Instead I came home, changed my clothes (it was too late to go for a bike ride) and am about to heat up some water to have my Sugar Free International Foods Vanilla thing.  Either that or a chocolate protein drink. 

So happy to be under 300 it's not even funny.  Also it looks like my school semester will be backed with a student loan.  So that's another positive for now.  I know I have to pay back the loans when I graduate, but that's not for another 3 years.  The good news I can get the education for now and worry about paying it back later.

Well my 10 lbs from 300 seems to be stuck.  Or I cursed myself by celebrating too soon.  I haven't lost anything since last week yet.  Infact, I only saw that small number once then it went back up to 313-316 depending on the day.

I just have to pay attention I guess and make sure I'm getting enough protein.  I ran out of protein drinks last week and haven't had the extra funds to put into buying some more.  I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I know it was nice having a sweet protein drink when I had that sweet tooth.  I don't feel like I've been grazing or eating things I shouldn't, but the scale says a different story.

I'll just keep on keeping on.  For now no weight update.

Oh yeah, I did decide what I wanted for the 300 lb celebration.  I want a program for my Nintendo DS called My Spanish Coach.  I'd love to get fluent in my Spanish again.  Supposedly this program will help. 

Well boys and girls and supporters from all over.

I'm about 10 pounds away from 300.  I weighed in at 310 today or yesterday and I feel FANTASTIC!

I broke down and bought some frumpy, but smaller pants so I can sell or donate my size 5x draw string and elastic waist pants.  It's uncomfortable wearing so much extra cloth around my legs and tummy.  I've been thinking about what i want to do when I hit major 25 lbs loss milestones.

When I hit 275 I want to go to either Sea World or Six Flags in San Antonio.  It'll be nice to be able to ride some of the rides.  When I hit 225 I want to fly to California and visit my sister and friends.  I'm not sure what I want to do when I hit 300 and 250 though.

I've also been dealing with the hassles of getting an education using student loans and credits from4 different learning institutions.  Financial aid office said I have too many credits for financial aid.  Although I doubt they'll give me anything other than a loan.  Which means technically they aren't giving me anything.  Registrars office says I don't have enough credits so I couldn't register until the last day.  At first I thought my classes were all full, and was annoyed.  Then I figured out that I just didn't know how to get myself through the silly online system.

I also teach cake decorating.  I know silly to be so "big" and decorating cakes.  But to me it's like looking at art, not food.  I love making them pretty and then letting other people eat them.  =)  I love even more teaching other people how to play with their food.  I just love sharing my joy for being crafty with other people I guess.

I'm also really looking forward to riding my bike again and doing the water aerobics at the gym. Also taking regular aerobics at the college.  I'm going to take it with the same instructor I had last fall.  WHAT a difference.  I'll be over 4 months post op and probably 70 lbs smaller then when she last time.  I should be able to move a little bit better this time around. 

Wish me luck and happy summer everyone.

Happy 4th of July everyone.  Best of luck at the picnics and get togethers.

The scale had dipped down to 317 this week, but it didn't stay there for more than a day or so.  Although I'm officially claiming 50 pounds gone forever.  Yay me!  It feels GREAT.

I know, not a topic we like to discuss.  I had told myself when I hit 325 I was going to get fitted and buy a bra or 2 that fit and looked nice under my cloths.   I went to Petticoat Fair in Austin got fitted and was very concerned about underwire bras.  They are so uncomfortable.  My issue with them has been they poke my underarms, or stick out in the middle giving me a third boob, or just aren't supportive enough.  This wonderful sales person found an underwire that fits.  And it's an unbelievable size.  38 H.   OMG, an H cup is a lot of bra.  But the 38 around is AMAZING.  The other 2 I bought were 40 H.  Before I was wearing a 46 DDD.  I had not idea I was wearing bras that were way too big and not nearly enough cup.  A good bra fit makes a world of difference for esteem and the way clothes fit.  So ladies, treat yourself to a bra fitting and buy a good bra.  It will change your life.

I also bought a couple of shirts and pants at Catherine's.  Catherine's isn't the cheapest place, but they are bigger sizes.  Guess WHAT!  I am in a 3x (26-28) shirt.  Not all of them fit, but enough of them fit that I might be able to shop at Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Target or Wal-Mart for my shirts.  Possibly even skirts if they are full enough in the hips.  My pants are still tricky, but I did buy a pair of jeans and capris.  Both are denim with a little bit stretch.  They both have pockets, zipper, belt loops and get this.  A BELT!  AMAZING.  I feel so good about shopping.  I don't want to go crazy, but it felt amazing to buy stuff that fit.   *does the happy dance*

My advice for you, set small goals.  Get manicures, pedicures or new underwear when you lose your next 20 or 25 lbs.  Treat yourself.  You're working hard and you deserve it.

I had 2 appointments today.  The first was with the diabetes doctor.  Their scale said I weighed 321.6 lbs.  Then a couple of hours later I had an appointment with my primary care physcian.  Their scale said I weighed in at 321.8.

The moral of the story is that I set a goal to go bra shopping when I hit 325.  I have been below 325 now for over a week, so I can officially claim th weight loss and I plan to get a few new bras.  Just a couple though, I don't want to get too many or waste my valuable money.  =)  But woo hoo!  

I'm seriously considering finding some pants too.  I have noticed ALL the pants I own and wear are very saggy in the crotch, which makes them very uncomfortable.  My elastic only waisted pants require safety pins to keep them up and my draw string ones are cinched very tight and look just awful.  My tops aren't all that attractive either.  I can't spent a lot of money, but I can't continue to look so frumpy either.  

Anyway, I see Doctor Clark on Monday.  It should be another good appointment.  Although I think I might decline an offer for a fill if he makes one.  Many proteins (meat) is giving me issue.  And it's making me not want to eat them.  But it's not all the time, so I'll just keep making small bites and chewing very well I guess.

Onward and downward!

I went to see Dr. Clark yesterday.  He's pleased so far.  I have to keep reminding myself that it's only been 5 weeks since surgery.  He's said he's happy if he sees 1-2 lbs a week for weight loss.

I haven't started excersising yet, but I want too.  I just have to figure out how to make my feet stop hurting.  And schedule time at the gym.  I keep forgetting to write the aqua classes into my calendar.  I know it's a lame excuse.

The good news is that I'm still losing, I'm still excited about this and I'm on the right track.

In other news, I no longer work at Sam's Club bakery.  I think it would have killed me.  But I start teaching my Wilton classes tonight.  I called my students last night and they all seem excited.  This is fantastic since I am very excited also.

I am also still working part time decorating Ice Cream cakes.  Some people ask me "Isn't it hard to be working to lose weight and be around all these cakes?"  The answer is simply no.  It's not difficult.  I enjoy decorating cake.  I love to see people light up when they see my cakes and I can't wait to teach other people this joyous art form.  For me it's not about eating it, it's about creating it.  Sure I have to taste the cake and icing ot make sure they are edible.  But I don't want more than a small, very small, taste.  I'm excited about cake, but I'm more excited about shopping in Target.