Duh, it really does work...

So, as you may or may not know, I had decided to give up all the crappy foods/sugars that I'd been gorging on for the past few months. I started last Monday and basically stopped eating the cookies, pudding, ice cream etc that I had been eating.  On Thursday, I probably could have killed someone for even a Hershey's kiss, but today, day 9, I'm feeling GOOOOODDDD!!!  And I got on the scale this morning and lo and behold, as a reward for my eating better and cutting out the crap, my scale is down 4.5 lbs since Monday the 16th. That is the most I've lost in a little over a week in a really long time. I noticed that since I wasn't eating the crap, I also wasn't really eating much more than my 3 meals and a small snack either.. amazing how this has worked for me..  I gotta tell you, 2.5 years out from Band Surgery and I'm still learning something new or relearning things every day!

MandaPanda posted a fantastic post this morning about Band Timelines and I so appreciated it! Everything she says is dead on. I lost about 80 lbs in my first year and then found out I was pregnant and am now, 9 months after giving birth, back to that 80 lbs. I still have about 70 lbs to go so I'm barely even 1/2 way there. Like Manda says, it does get harder after that first year and you do have to work harder. I am living that truth right now. I also think that unless you exercise, what is the point of getting the band?  You HAVE to incorporate exercise. It not only helps with the weight/fat loss, but it helps with the loose skin and honestly, it's all part of the motivation for me.  I've been really frustrated with a lot of people on blogs wondering why they aren't losing the weight or making excuses non-stop when they post the things they eat, the fact that they aren't exercising and have lost motivation... uh, DUH, there is your answer right there. As many have said, the Band is just a tool. YOU have to do the majority of the work. There are so many other things I want to say right now about the many people seemingly opting/hoping for alternative surgeries (those that actually have problems with the band which require them to have revision surgeries are not included in this BTW.. I fully get there are many medical reasons to have to find alternative options due to erosion, slippage, etc)   but I'll keep them to myself.  There are so many successful Bandsters among us that have lost a lot of weight and have kept it off.  We are very lucky that we can draw motivation from their successes every day!  So, please don't give up!

I'm going to my band doctor next week to get a check-in. I haven't been since early January but I haven't really felt the need to go either. I'm pretty sure my restriction is at a good level, I definitely have days where I get stuck, but in general, that's due to poor choices in eating.

Hope you all are having a lovely Tuesday!

Five Point Friday!!!!

Yahoo! We made it to the weekend. I have to say that after my Monday Sucks blog, things started looking up and now we are at Friday. PTL!
So, I know everyone does the whole 10 Things Thursday  and the BYOC on Fridays, but I had some other things to talk about today so I'm doing my own little 5 points today!

1. Mac is 9 months old today!! Hard to believe huh?? I have kept a human being alive for 9 months with little to no injuries (save for the one time he fell off the couch but that wasn't my fault.. that was Timmy's fault for looking away for a minute!). He's truly an unbelievable joy and I can't believe how long we waited for him to come into our lives, but we did and it was totally worth the wait.  Side note:  I actually  had a note from someone on FB that told me that I posted too many pictures of him.. say what?? I told them to either hide me or unfriend me b/c I didn't need that kind of BS. Can you believe that? I know I'm the obnoxious mom who posts a lot of pictures but seriously?? You are going to take the time out to tell me that I do it too much? buhbye!!  Oh, and if you want to be friends on FB and we aren't, let's be friends!  Warning though, I post a lot of pictures!!  Jen's FB page.   So anywho, here are a couple of 9 month shots: 

9 Month Shots

Me and Bub

His daycare was closed yesterday so I brought him in to work to see my pals.. and my friend Erin put him to work at her desk!!

2.  I should totally be doing work right now instead of blogging, but it's Friday and I'm not..  

3.  I'm going on a self-imposed sugar detox starting Monday. I seem to have slowed my weight loss right on down and I know exactly what is happening.  I sometimes get stuck so instead of eating something that is good for me, I'll eat what I know will go down and it's not always the best choice. I have a ways to go with this weight loss thing and I'm only sabotaging myself by not following the rules. So, I've told all my girls at work about the sugar detox in the hopes that if I do fall off the wagon, the disapproving looks and comments will make me feel bad enough to get right back on!  

4.  I can't believe I neglected to mention that my girlfriend Jamie and her husband and family (3 kids - 7, 6 and 3) came to visit last week. They stayed for almost a week and what at first seemed as if it might chaos for sure, ended up being the most fun week ever!!  I had to work all week but we would have dinners and fun at night and tons of laughs.. Jamie is one of my Chicago girls.  Everytime I see one or some of them, I get so sad when they leave and poor Timmy has to talk me out of packing up our stuff and moving back to Chicago!! 

5.  This weekend is going to be pretty low - key and I can't wait! We are going on a little date tomorrow night - dinner and a movie.. we roll large and super exciting, I know..   We are going to San Francisco in a couple of weeks so I'm trying to save some pennies so that I can do some serious shopping while there!!  

Hope you all have a good weekend!  

Mondays blow..

Yes, they do! AMIRIGHT??  Especially Mondays after a long weekend, one that was fantastic time spent with my boys..
I haven't blogged in a while (what's new?) so I figured I'd do a little catch up via bullets..

• Anyone have the new Blogger format? It blows like Mondays do..  not sure why they keep having to change it. 
• Know what else blows?? Judgmental people... seriously, why can't women just all get along and support each other and not try to one up or act like we are in freaking high school constantly?  it's really sad to me, but lately, I feel as if I'm surrounded by judgment. Maybe time to reexamine relationships??  OR just wish that everyone was like my Chicago girls? 
• My body is SORE!!! I did a private Pilates session this weekend to make up for two classes I had missed and holy moly if my booty didn't get whipped into shape during that session....  it's amazing when you focus on what you are doing, how much more sore you are!!!  I love taking the classes but a Private Session is always a better work out b/c you aren't paying attention to anything but what you are doing.  
• Our Easter was great. We went to Church (always fun with an 8 month old who likes to just say "da, da, da, da..." over and over and over again!) and then over to some friends house for lunch/dinner. I made Shrimp and Grits and a ridiculously decadent Peanut Butter Trifle..  beyond good! It's sitting in my fridge calling my name every time I open it.. I think Grace pinned it on Pinterest so damn you Grace!!! :) 
• My little boy is doing fantastically!  I feel a little bad that we didn't really do much for him for Easter. I mean, he has no clue right now the difference between Easter, Christmas and the 4th of July so I figured, why waste money on it when he doesn't even know the difference? I did get him a little Easter Chicken and his furry sisters discovered it while we were out yesterday so there goes that gift..  He did get a new bathing suit and a floatie for the pool so I guess I did get him something! He tried swimming (not really, but sitting in the water) on Friday. At first it was a little touch and go but once he got used to it, he was splish-splashing and trying to crawl all over the place. A few pics of him, in case you missed him.. 

He would not stop squirming in order for me to get a good pic, so Happy Easter!!  

 Trying to take off those damn bunny ears!!!

Happy guy in the pool! 

• Spring Training is finally over. I think after going to 8 games, I definitely did my duty as Wife of the Year!  It was fun, but it was nice to have our weekends back to just play by ear this weekend.  We are going to San Francisco for a game at the end of this month and then to  Milwaukee for a wedding the first weekend in June, oh and BTW, there just happens to be a game that weekend - how convenient!!  So, I'll still be getting Timmy's baseball fix in the next couple of months.  
• Just in case you missed seeing me or couldn't remember what I look like, I took a shot of myself last weekend in the car..  I'm a nerd.  I should have taken a full body shot b/c it was hotter than balls outside and I actually was wearing a tank top and shorts (the horror!).. I did not care that day how I looked but just needed to stay cool!  

• My band is finally loosening up a bit after about a month of being extremely tight. I had an ongoing battle with allergies and the mucous that was flowing down into my stomach was causing me to tighten up something fierce. Pretty much anything I ate, came back up.  Thus I lost NO weight in March.. total bummer but I think things are back on track now and I'm working on upping my exercise as well.  Pilates is good but I need to get the cardio in as well.  I seem to stay in a decade (ie weight range) for a couple of months.. so I've been in my current decade for about 2 months now so I'm ready to start seeing the scale go down again.  I've still got a long way to go!!! 

Hope everyone is well, sorry for the long post!!  

xo,js

Where does the time go??

Geez Louise, I just looked at my blog and noticed I hadn't made a post in over two weeks.. time is flying by these days. Not sure what is the cause - could be that I'm busy at work, could be that I have a 8 month old, or could be that there's just not enough time in the day... either way, I've not had a lot to talk about so I'll just check in!  (bullet style)

* Mac is doing great! He started crawling a couple of weeks ago and now it's just us running after him most of the time.. he rarely wants to be held, he needs to be FREE!!  It's actually really cute. He had an ear infection a couple of weeks ago and was prescribed Amoxicillan, well, about 5 days in, poor guy developed a horrible rash from head to toe, soooo, much like his mama, he's allergic to any "cillan" medicines.. He's doing much better this week so that's good. Here are a couple of pics since I've not been on in a while:

Our friends Gillian and Brian and their boys (Owen and Declan) were visiting us a couple of weeks ago and Mac LOVED hanging with the boys!! 

See, I can crawl!!! and I can look like a maniac while doing it!!! 

I've also figured out how to steal the remote and turn the TV on and off!! 

*We've had quite a few visitors this past month and are expecting more this upcoming week! My Aunt Joan and Uncle Bill were in town a couple of times while on their way to Tuscon for a few weeks. It was soo nice to hang out with them!  Our friends Gillian and Brian were also here (can't remember if I mentioned that in a previous post or not) with their boys - very fun!! And this weekend, our friends Jamie and Gerald arrive with their 3 kids from Chicago. I'm betting it's going to be a little chaotic at the house, but it'll be so fun!!  

*I have a big athletic supporter this past week!  While my beloved Spartans took a dump during the Sweet 16, I at least got to witness it!! They came through Phoenix and my friend Jen1 and I jumped at the chance to spend a million dollars going to watch the two teams we both root for (MSU and Marquette) completely play like they were in the Midwest High School BBall Championship game.. SERIOUSLY, it was depressing but the experience was worth it I guess!!!  We also took a 1/2 day the day before and went across the street to see the Brewers play the Diamondbacks (or should I say, play the most boring game ever and neither team score during a game!)  It was a gorgeous day and we got a little much needed sun on our faces (I'm still burned in one spot and am peeling like a mo-fo!)  So, at current count, I've been to 6 Brewers games this season and have 2 more until Spring Training is over (thankyoubabyjesus!) 

Before the big blowout when I was excited to be there!!! 

The Jens enjoying a much deserved day off at the ball park! 

Timmy and I on St. Patty's day at one of the many Brewers games we have been to! 

* I think I'll leave it at this for now but I still have a LOT to talk about now!  Until next time! 

Have a great weekend and hope you are all doing well! 

xo,js

Almost 2 years to the date.. an NSV!!!

So, if any of you are long time readers, you may remember this Post where I excitedly shared that I bought a pair of shorts for the first time in what, like 10 years?? Well, said shorts sat in my drawers for almost 2 years, until yesterday, when I was looking for something to wear to go to the baseball game and I pulled them out and GASP, I actually wore them (they fit, but were a little big!) not only to the game but out and about running errands. And, I didn't look too shabby in them (thank you Pilates!) Although, I did blind a few people with my paleness.  Baby Steps, people, Baby Steps... 

that is all!

Milestones, Doubt and a few pics..

Hey all, warning for those who still read my blogs, this will be ALL over the place!!  Sorry in advance!

• Mark the date!  Today, I finally fit into my smallest pair of pre-preggo jeans.. can I get a WOO-HOO??  Granted, I've been wearing them for a while, but I was finally able to comfortably button them without using the old hair-tie trick! 
• I've been having a pity party with myself lately b/c I'm feeling as if, no matter how much I lose, I'm going to be stuck in the plus-size section forever..  it's so irritating!  I mean, when is it going to happen for me that I can just shop in regular sizes? I was so close prior to Mac but now things have shifted and while my legs are thinning out quite a bit, my stomach area seems to staying put.. even with all the Pilates! So freaking irritating.  I will show you the picture later that really set me over the edge...
• This weekend was bananas.  I can't believe I used to have these kind of weekends on a regular basis before Mac..  Friday night, I went over to Joy's for dinner with her and Michelle and we drank a little wine and had some fun conversation. Went to bed at 12 which is at least 2 hours past my normal bedtime!! Saturday during the day I was running around town with Mac doing a bunch of errands and Saturday night, Tim and I went out for my girlfriend JB's birthday. We went to Old Town Scottsdale for dinner and then to another place for cocktails..  talk about another late night.. woke up yesterday in a semi wine/moscow mule fog..  Sunday, we went to a Pancake breakfast /fundraiser (I promptly got stuck on a small piece of sausage so there wasn't much eating for me!) and then we went to the first of many Brewers Spring Training games..  this was Mac's first game and I can't even tell you the joy on Tim's face when he was able to bring his son (whom he waited for a long time for) to his first baseball game.. Granted, little Mac probably couldn't have seen the difference between the baseball game and a trip to Safeway, but Tim was so excited. It was cute!
• So, with all the craziness of the weekend, I still got on the scale today and saw a drop of a pound since Friday. I'm moving in the right direction, just need to get my mind right.. and stop the constant lack of self-confidence..  not sure how to change that b/c I just see myself in such a negative light.

Anywho, here are pics from this weekend.  Hope you all had a good one.. the weather here in AZ was ridiculously gorgeous! Wish it would stay this way all the time and not get hotter than hell in a couple of months!!

Sorry that you got cut out of the picture Timmy!!!  (Oh, and I'm just now realizing that I have a piece of peanut stuck in my teeth in all these pictures.. nice, Jen, nice!!)

Notice the belly here.. large and in charge.  and I'm not preggers.

Poor guy just woke up and now I'm making him take pics..

his favorite spot - on his daddy's shoulders!!

some of my girls on Saturday night.. I loved this shirt until I saw myself in it.. what is up with the large bulging belly.. oy vey.. more situps needed.

BYOC!

I love reading the BYOC's that Drazil does but I rarely do them, but don't have much to say lately, so here goes!!

1. Since I talked about psychics this week - I'm curious....if you could see one for free and you could only ask one question - what would it be?



* I'm not sure.. I'm totally on the fence about psychics.. I would love to go see one but I'm scared of what I'd find out.  The only one I've ever seen was at a company event and I asked her if I'd have kids ever and she said yes, a boy.. but I mean, she had  a  50/50 chance of getting that right!!!  I guess if I did ask one, I'd ask if my future was long and healthy.

2. What's your favorite ice cream flavor and topping?


* MMM Ice Cream!! I love Mint Chocolate Chip, but if I'm putting toppings on ice cream, I'd go chocolate with either granola, M&Ms or just whipped cream!


3. What's your preferred method of working out? DVDs, an external gym, gym inside your home, classes?

* Currently it is reformer Pilates but I also love to walk/run outside.. I hate the treadmill. If I'm at the gym, I do the elliptical and weights.

4. If you work outside the home or if you ever did or will in the future - do you think it's better/easier to work with men or woman? Who do you work mostly with now?


I work with both. I do feel like sometimes it's easier to work with men b/c you don't get the whole catty bitchiness that you get with women. HOWEVER, where I work, the men are such divas that the drama they have (which is usually minimal) sometimes is worse than the ladies.  I do like the women I work with though!


5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

Real Life is good.  Mac is now waking up every night at 2 which is annoying, but oh well, he's a baby. So, I'm a little more tired than normal.  My Aunt and Uncle have been staying with us for the last couple of nights which has been fun. I don't get to see my family much so when I do, it's always a treat!


Blogland is good - seems like everyone is excited for BOOBs!  So am I !!