This time I'll make it work!!

Ok, so 5th fill over.. brought me to 7.5cc (in a 14cc band) - they only gave me .5 this time b/c she said once we get to 1/2 filled, they lower the amounts of fill.  She also said I should start inching closer to the Green Zone after this fill or the next.   Let's hope!!!

Instead of meeting with my regular doctor yesterday, I met with the PA who apparently has been at this office for a year yet I've never laid eyes on the woman before. I kind of felt like I was cheating on Dr. Skinner b/c I really liked the PA!!!  She was able to find my port quickly and without having to move around alot and cause all sorts of chaos on ma belly... 

I was pretty honest with her about how I was feeling about the band. How I didn't understand why I had plateaued so much for the last 2 or so months and was so hungry all the time.  How I desperately didn't want this whole thing to be like being on a diet etc..  so we discussed.  I have come to realize that for some people, not treating this as a diet works very well for them, but for others, you really have to watch what you are eating and drinking and doing in order to see maximum results.  I unfortunately seem to fall into the latter category.  Not sure why this is such a revelation to me after almost 4 months!!!  So, we went back to basics and I clearly now know what I haven't been doing right and what I have been doing great!!

Not doing (need to dos..)
1.  measuring my food - I still put more food on my plate than I should - I may not eat it but I still have it.  I am going to take the advice of many on here and eat off smaller plates, measure or put all my food in small bowls. She told me that even though when I see the smaller amount of food and think it's not going to be enough, that I'd be surprised if I just eat slower, taking breaks, etc..  at how filling it can be.

2. After my fills, I'm going to follow the 2 days liquids, 2 days soft foods rule.  I hadn't really been following it!!

3.  Take a bite, put your fork down, wait a minute, take a bite, put your fork down, wait a minute.. and so on and so on and so on..

4.  DO NOT DRINK WITH MEALS!  I don't drink with meals but I also don't wait 30 minutes either.

5. DRINK lots of water. I'm getting better at this!!

Doing Great: 

1.  Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!!  I am shouting it to the rooftop that I've been awesome at the exercising aspect.  I can always improve ( like bumping up from 45 min cardio to an hour) but overall, I'm really proud of myself for sticking to it.  Plus, now I have the Crazy Kathi Challenge (1 hr/day + no booze for 2 months) to commit to and prove myself at!! 

2. Being honest with myself (Ok, I know this is a lame one!) but it takes a lot for me to admit that maybe I've been wrong or going about something the wrong way. 

I'm hoping in the next 2 months or so I can move alot of the Not Doings into the Doing Great category. 
In the meantime, I'll keep chugging away!! I have a new goal - 60 lbs by 6 months.  I'm at 46 down now and Sunday is my 4 months so that's 14 lbs away in 2 more months...  I'd love to exceed it!!! 

Have a great weekend!! Thanks for listening (and reading) to my mind-babble and for your constant encouragement!!! 

Why can't I see it??

Hey all!!!  Well, I got my commenting ability back.. not sure what was going on there, but I was only able to comment from my phone and that's just annoying.  Today, I'm able to comment from my laptop.. who knows what tomorrow will bring!!!

So, lots going on here!!  We have our National Sales Meeting going on right now and it's been crazy busy. I work in Marketing so we are pretty instrumental during the meeting.  Add to the fact that the resort it's being held at is in BFE, it's been making for LOOOOONNNNNNGGGG days..  hopefully things will slow down next week once the meeting is over!! 

I was supposed to have a fill today but I missed my appointment b/c of said meeting..  so, I'm going tomorrow.  Instead of the fill, I ended up going to work out for 2 hours (1 with myself and 1 with Kathi..) that woman is CRAZY!!! She threw down the gauntlet today with me and issued me a 2 month challenge that involves no drinking and 1 hour daily cardio (plus the days I work out with her)..  and she guarantees my weight loss will pick up. I'm accepting her challenge b/c I've been soo frustrated lately with being a lap-band loser..  I know in our little lap-band world, being a loser is good, but I've been questioning things lately and hoping that I'm not a failure at this whole thing. Just feels like everyone is losing so much and here I am, stuck!!!  I lost a lot in the beginning and have really plateaued over the past couple of months.  It's super frustrating.  I really need restriction b/c I am feeling I can eat anything and am constantly hungry.  I did have a really bad stuck moment yesterday. We were breaking for lunch and I was SCARFING my food down - I had taken like 3 bites of chicken salad and was like, holy shit, I'm totally stuck and here I am, in a public place.. WTF am I going to do.. I did not want to be sliming in the public bathroom with a bunch of the sales reps around... so I excused myself and headed to the bathroom and leaned over the toilet and anytime I felt like something was coming up, I just flushed so no one heard me!!  After about 20 minutes, I finally felt better but it sucked!!   Note to self, even when starving, you have to chew!!!

So, my friend JB has been bugging me to change my fb profile pic b/c she said that I don't really look like it anymore, so I changed it... I honestly don't see any difference in them!!  Is my body dysmorphia so bad that even after losing 40+ lbs, I still don't notice a change in me??  that's whack!!  Just when I was feeling down about things, my BFF Shannon sent me an email and it said:  Topic:  Girl...  Message:  "You look great.. was just looking at your pics on FB.... "  that literally made my day.

Ok, here are my new (on the left) and my old (on the right) profile pics...  My old was taken when we were in Mexico about 3 weeks before surgery. I was super tan and totally relaxed!!! 

Here are some other pics from Saturday night's big event..

Hope you are all having a great week!! I'll get around to commenting on all the blogs I missed!!

xoxo, js

Irritated with trying to comment!!!

I'm so irritated with blogger right now. For some reason, I can't comment on anyone's blogs and I have lots to say!!!  Anyone ever have any issues with this?? 

Bloodies, Mimosas and Beer OH MY!!!

Well......... this is the blog where I confess to a multitude of sins of the booze variety..... Yes, it's true, my name is Jen and I might have been overserved yesterday/last night..  so much for my plan to not do so!!!  :)

The day started out innocent enough.. went to the gym (go me!) and then met up with some work girlfriends for lunch and pedis prior to our Annual Company Event.  I should have known by the crowd I was hanging out with that things would quickly take a turn towards boozetown...  we started out with Bloody Mary's and then when we figured out that we had some time to kill before our pedi appointment, we ordered some mimosas and then another one and then the waiter who was charmed by our outspokenness and loudness, decided to bring us some shots.. OH Lordy...... we commenced to our pedis which were lovely.. my only issue is that I must have had the massage chair on super high b/c there is a spot just under my shoulder blades that is KILLING me..  feels like I got punched in the back.  Anyways, I digress...  we left the spa place and headed home where I thankfully decided to not continue reveling in my day buzz and took a little nap. 

We met up with some other co-workers at a bar for pre-party cocktails and then headed over to the event.  Did I mention that there was free booze and I'm a sucker for free booze at company events?  I drank beer, lots of it..  Oy............   I barely ate anything which might have been my downfall. The theme of the event was "On the Boardwalk" and there were psychics, arcade games and photo booths so there wasn't a lot of focus on the food.  I did grab a chicken breast while standing in line for the psychic (who by the way was ridic..) and ate about half of it. That's all I had the whole night, if you don't count the numerous beers..

My co-workers are super fun and crazy so we tore up the dance floor and I took tons of pictures which I would love to share but I think my camera cord must be at work b/c we can't find it anywhere here. I'll post tomorrow! We went to a club in Old Town Scottsdale after and I think Timmy and I were there for a grand total of 30 minutes and then decided we did not need to be out anymore!  So glad we were so wise!! Wish I would have had that wisdom when I was drinking all the beer!!! 

Today hasn't been as rough as I thought it would be. I got up and ate 1/2 an egg and then went to see Valentines Day with Michelle.. It was HORRIBLE.  I wish we would have left after the first 10 minutes!  I did go to the gym (Yay me!) and walked on the treadmill for 45 minutes.. that was rough!  But I think I sweat out the majority of the alcohol in my system.

So, good news is that beer and champagne do not give me any issues with the band - no extra gassiness or anything..AND thank goodness I wasn't as bombed as many of my co-horts!! I didn't do anything or say anything inappropriate!! (believe me, it's happened before!)

Bad News is that beer and champagned do not give me any issues with the band!! That's dangerous information for me to be aware of!!!

I need to tighten up my intake b/c I have a fill this week and I'll be damned if I haven't lost any weight.. I might go bananas if that happens..

Happy Tuesday.. oops, I mean Wednesday!

Anyone else totally screwed up with the days this week?  I think not working on Monday f'd up my whole schedule!! Got some really random thoughts coming at you in this blog!!

The only thing good about today being Wednesday is that only 2 more days to the weekend!! WOOT!
We have our annual company event on Saturday night which should be both interesting and fun!  I'm sure it will be a lot different than last year since last year, I overimbided on my beloved beer and that won't be happening this year!!  Not a fan of puking and/or hangovers anymore.  Still should be a good time..  yes, I am still fun, even when not being overserved!!

I have a fill next week and I'm looking forward to it... seems like I'm good for 2 weeks and then am ready for another. I hope that this one will get me to the green zone, but if not, I'll keep plugging away!!

Remember in my last blog where I talked about working out a LOT on MOnday?? Well, my body is hating me for it today!! Yesterday was bad but today is almost unbearable with the walking. Everytime I have to get up from my desk, a little groan comes out..   And to top it off, I went back today for more torture!!! this time it was the arms though..  total misery.. tomorrow I will probably not be able to even do my hairdo..  pain is good right?? I'm about to hit the gym downstairs at work to get in some more cardio - it'll be slow going for sure.  You'd think with all this moving I'm doing, the lbs would just be melting off.. notsomuch.. I'll keep hoping that soon.........

Finally, to all you NYC peeps, my mom and I are planning a trip to NYC in mid-May. Would love to meet some of ya'll if schedules work out!! I'll keep you posted! 

Hope you all had a great hump day!! 

HobNobbing with the Celebs.. and other fun things..

ha!  actually we did no hob-nobbing with the celebs this weekend, just wanted to see if I could get your attention!!! :)  Being the celebrity crazed person I am, it sucks that I might be the only person who has gone to LA multiple times and NEVER seen a celeb (I'm not sure you can count a couple of the Real Housewives of OC or NY as celebs - I did see them on Robertston Blvd at the Ivy last year).. I feel like I'm always on the lookout and I get NOTHING!!! So, not fair!!

Ok, so this is my 2nd blog today.. had to spread the love to my niece Kate on her birthday in my previous blog... 

We did have a great weekend. We always do when we hang with Ian and Angela.  It's just easy, you know??  It took us FOREVER to get to The Oaks on Friday..  I ended up having to work for 1/2 the day and then we were making good time and then Timmy got behind the wheel. Oh Lawsy.. that man was not meant to be a driver.. besides the tap, tap tapping on the gas pedal and the club music that we have to listen to when he drives ( we have a rule, whomever is driving gets to pick the music) we get nowhere really fast.  Then, to top it off, as he is moving towards the WRONG freeway, he asks me "which road do I take".. 'Uh, not this one buddy..." so after a 1 1/2 hour detour through Riverside, we end up smack dab in the middle of LA rush hour.. good times.. thank goodness Angela had the Sangria (Nector of the Gods) poured and ready for us when we got there!! 

We got up early on Saturday morning and headed to Universal Studios.. if you've never been, SO FUN!!!  It was a beautiful day and the park was a great time.  We went on the studio tour, walked around a lot, met Dora the Explorer, Curious George, Woody the Woodpecker and Frankenstien.. Delaney, who is almost 2, was a Rockstar.. the adults had just as much fun as she did!! 

I had a really good NSV!!! I was so worried to go on a ride there b/c I thought for sure I'd be the person they made get out b/c the bar didn't fit over my stomach.. but NOPE, had no issues!!! There was actually a lot of room between me and the bar!  Now, I can go to Disneyland with no fears!!! 

My eating was not perfect this weekend but traveling seems to be hard!!  I had a beer or two and some sangria and ate some fast food on the road. I did have a salad at Universal.. who does that?? It was good though!!! Luckily I did not have any stuck issues..

We headed home yesterday and stopped in Palm Springs for some outlet shopping!  Love me some shopping!
I had today off and it was a much needed break and very relaxing. I was seriously getting burnt out with work and needed a mental health day. I went shopping a little and then sat outside in our 75 degree weather and got a nice little tan/sunburn.

I worked out more than a human should today.. worked out with Kathi for an hour, did another 45 minutes of cardio and then went for a 45 minute walk on the trails with Michelle and KD..  my lower half is going to be pissed at me tomorrow...

Hope you all had a great weekend and got some time to do something fun!!

xo, js

Kate is GREAT!!!!!

Today is my niece Kate's 9th birthday and since I have a lot of family and friends followers, I thought I'd dedicate my post to her!!! 

I'm no poet, so I'm not even going to try to come up with a rhyme, but I am going to tell you all about this beautiful, sweet little girl..  who happens to be one of my most favorite people on the planet!!!

TOP 9 Reasons Kate is GREAT!!! 

1.  She lights up a room when she walks in..  she instantly makes you want to be around her.
2.  She tells me she loves me when she sees me - and puts funny messages on my Iphone
3.  She has a hilarious sense of humor
4.  She is smart, sweet, caring and talented - she's an excellent athlete AND dancer
5.  She's respectful of her parents, her grandparents and others
6.  She's a fashionista
7.  She laughs at Uncle Timmy's jokes and when he pretends to talk like Frieda and Murphy
8.  She has a huge heart and loves all people and animals
9. She's the kind of kiddo that when Tim and I do have a child, that our kid is so much like Kate..

Kate - we love you and are so lucky to have you as our niece!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxo,
AJ and UT...

Quick little post!!!

I'm overwhelmed at work. There, I said it..   I don't know what to do about it but lately I feel like I am constantly underwater..  it's annoying and exhausting!! I keep thinking, "ok, next week it'll be better" but next week keeps coming and it's still crazy. I've been pulling some mad overtime lately which is great for the pocketbook but it cuts into my workout time and my "at home" time.. 

We are heading to LA this weekend to see our friends Angela and Ian (and BabyD!) and I'm already stressed out about it b/c I was planning on taking Friday off. I may just work in the morning (or work from home) but we'll see..

Some good news to report today though!!! I went back to my endocrinologist this morning to get results from some recent blood work and not only did the scale show a 5.5 lb loss in 3 weeks but my thyroid levels are "pristine" as she put it!!!  I'm the lowest on my TSH that I've been since I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago with hypothyroid!!! That's so exciting to me!!! AND, the 5.5 loss was WITH jeans on!! Double WOOT!!!!!!!

That's all..  more work to do and then I'm meeting Michelle and KD at Pita Jungle (I'm obsessed with that place!)

Have a great night!!!
xo
js

SUPER Sunday and Ski Fun!!

Well, well, well, here you are again Super Bowl Sunday.. one of my old favorite pig out days!  Glad to see you but this year, well, there will be one less piggy pigging out!! ME!  At least that's how I'm hoping it will go! We are headed over to our friends home to join the big party! I'm bringing chocolate fondue but I picked up tons of strawberries and bananas to dip. I'll have a little chocolate and a lot of fruit! Anyways, GO SAINTS!!!!!  I would have preferred the Vikings (b/c I love me some Brett Favre) but I'll take the Saints in this one!

Ski day Friday was so much fun!! Below are some pics.  I laughed my ass off (not literally although I wish!) with my girls, the other Jens!  It was a 3 Jen day.. We weren't even an hour out of Phoenix and Speedy Jen got pulled over for going 92 in a 65. Oops!!  Nevertheless, we seized the moment to take a pic!

I hadn't skiied in a little over 5 years and I could tell.. my legs were burning!!!  I did pretty well for not having skiied in that long. All total, with taking breaks, riding the lift, laughing at each other, chatting, drinking a beer, we probably skiied consistently around 2.5 hours.. which was a pretty good workout! I woke up on Saturday a little stiff and a lot sore!!  A good sore though!!

I spent Saturday doing almost nothing and loved every minute of it!! Saw Up in the Air and then came home and watched The Hurt Locker and Michael Jackson's This is It.. all really good movies. I loved Up in the Air!! I love Clooney too!!  Hurt Locker was very intense! 

Got on the Wii Fit this morning and am down the 5 lbs that my TOTM packed on this week. I'm so happy about that!  I got the Wii Fit Plus for Christmas and it's really good! I love the regular Wii Fit, but was getting tired of some of the same moves so this adds a little variety to the workout!  Thanks to Kristin for posting the challenge this week. It was a good motivator to workout every day!! I just gotta keep at it now!!

Hope you all have a good Super Bowl Sunday and a good start to your week!!  Be good!! :)

Tap Tap Tap... is this thing ON??

You know how when anyone gets in front of a microphone and they tap it and try to figure out if it's on?? Well, that's how I feel about my band today!!! :) 
I went in for my 4th fill and man was it super frustrating!!! When I weighed in, I had not lost ONE lb!!!!!!!! WTF?    I weighed in with my trainer on Monday and had lost 5 lbs since the beginning of January so that would have been 3 since my last fill.  Today, got on that scale and NOTHING!!!  I'm beyond frustrated and irritated today!!!  I know that it's very likely that since I just got my period last night, that has a lot to do with it b/c I feel very bloated, but come on! 
So, I got another cc which brings me to 7cc in a 14cc band. Hopefully this will do the trick b/c I can't handle another month on a plateau!  I did schedule my next fill for 3 weeks away instead of 4 when I would have my period AGAIN and be frustrated again.
geez, it sucks being a woman sometimes!

over and out.