*sneaking in the back door, hopefully unnoticed*

Some of you might have noticed that my 5-Day Pouch Test didn't get past Day 1.  I suppose I owe you an explanation (especially those that were doing it with me).

Monday was supposed to be Day 1 and it started out just fine.  But right before I arrived at work I started to get a migraine.  I stuck to the plan for most of the day until 2pm when I started to get aura followed by a seven-hour migraine from hell.  I went home and slept off-and-on from 2:30-8:30pm and then again through the night.  I was nauseas, dehydrated, and generally nasty-feeling for the next 24 hours.  Basically, I needed to adjust the plan (aka stop it) in order to recover from the migraine.

I had every intention of re-starting on Wednesday, but I didn't.  Plain and simple, I was afraid it would trigger another migraine.  Plus, the scale started moving again so honestly I don't *want* to do the pouch test if I'm losing again. 

So, this is my explanation and subsequent apology to those out there that perhaps were counting on me to do this with you.

Forgive me?

Day One

Day one of my 5-day pouch test started off on the wrong foot.  I was awakened at 5:40 a.m. with a migraine.  Luckily, it was/is milder than my migraines usually are, so I was able to start the test today.

I started out my morning with a Carnation Breakfast Essentials shake (powder mix, 1 c. 1% milk, and a few ice cubes) at 7 a.m.  Blech, I had forgotten what it was like to drink those things.  Not entirely nasty, but not appetizing either. 

When I got to work at 8:15 I had to drink a cup of caffinated coffee w/ SF coffeemate and it helped my migraine a little.  Now, of course, I have a bad case of the caffeine jitters.  I don't drink caffeine EVER, but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

As soon as I'm done with this post I'm off to fill my water bottle (gotta get those 64 oz. in!) followed by a lunch of chicken noodle soup broth.  Because of the migraine this morning, I wasn't able to take time to prepare myself a decent liquid lunch.  I wanted to bring some SF pudding or jello, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.

Anyone else doing this with me?  How's it going?  What's your plan for today and tomorrow on liquids?

Testing...Testing...1-2-3

I'm going to start the 5-Day Pouch Test tomorrow.  I've been struggling since the holidays with being a "good bandster".  I've continued to loose weight (a little over 10 lbs. in the new year), but only by sheer luck and the skin of my teeth, I believe.

I got a much-needed fill a month ago, and had another one scheduled for this Thursday.  But this morning I called to cancel it because I don't feel as though I *deserve* a fill.  I haven't worked this last one like I should have, so I cannot justify getting another fill until I truly know what this one is doing for me.

I've been eating crap for the past few weeks.  Pizza?  Yup.  Chinese take-out?  Uh-huh.  Too many sweets at work?  Roger that.  The kids' lunch granola bars?  Pretzles?  Peanut butter straight out the jar?  Yes, yes, and (shamefully) yes.

So, this morning I decided that I am going to do a pouch test.  If for no other reason than to get myself back on the proverbial wagon and rid my body of those darn carbs and sweets.  I'm hoping also to find out where I am restriction-wise when I'm on a good WLS diet.  And, lastly, I want to challenge myself to really work the band and let it work for me.  I haven't come this far to just fall back into old habits.

So, does anyone want to do this with me?  I'd love to have a pouch-test buddy over the next five days.

Anyone?
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Bueller....?

Things People Say...

Since my surgery in June and the subsequent 80 lb. weight loss, obviously my physical appearance has become a major topic of conversation.  It is a rare day that goes by without someone commenting on my appearance.

Don't get me wrong.  I love to hear the observations, compliments, and encouragement regarding the drastic changes I've made in my life these past eight months.

But some days, not very often but SOME days, I want to be talked to about something other than weight-loss surgery, my new "diet", how much weight I've lost, etc.  I feel a bit like a broken record...   
....

"You are looking fantastic Jenny!  Aw, thank you!

How much weight have you lost so far?  Oh, a little more than 80 lbs.

Wow!  Do you feel amazing?  Oh yeah.  I feel totally different.  I have more energy, I enjoy being active, (etc. etc. etc.)

So, do you ever miss eating?  (laughing)  I still eat.  Five or more times a day.  It's just smaller portions and better quality food.  But no, I don't miss it.  I suppose I might if I was hungry all the time, but I'm never really hungry."
...

And the conversations go on and on like this, day in and day out for almost nine months now.  Like I said, I really do enjoy the compliments and I don't mind sharing my story with others at all.  I am happy to answer questions about what this experience has been like for me.

But sometimes I just get tired of answering the same questions and having the same conversations over and over again.  I know its because the changes in my appearance are still a "shock" to people.  And I'm changing from week to week, so that will continue for a while still. 

Nonetheless, I feel like a broken record.

ABCs of Me

Something to pass the time...

(A) Age: I will turn 30 on June 9th (also my 1 yr. bandiversary)
(B) Bed Size: King.  I needz mah sleepin' space, yo.

(C) Chore You Hate: Laundry.  Laundry is the bane of my existence.

(D) Dogs? Love them.  But can't have them (son's allergies)

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Toothbrush

(F) Favorite Color: in general?  Yellow.  To wear?  Peacock Blue.
(G) Gold or Silver? I wear more silver jewlery.

(H) Height: 5' 8"

(I) Instruments You Play: I played the clarinet in middle school and I used to play the piano.

(J) Job Title: Elementary School Nurse and Mom
(K) Kids: Two sons.  Cameron is almost 9 and Connor just turn 5.

(L) Live: The most perfect place in the world... Loveland, Colorado.

(M) Mom's Name: Betty  (she hates it)
(N) Nicknames: Jen, sister

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? Five days with each c-section with my sons and one night when I was banded.
(P) Pet Peeve: lateness.  I hate waiting for people.  Hate.It.

(Q) Quote from a Movie: I'm not bad.  I'm just drawn that way.  -- Jessica Rabbit
(R) Right or Left Handed? Righty

(S) Siblings: Yes.  One sister (younger by two years).  She's my bestie.  ♥

(T) Time You Wake Up? On school/work days, between 6-6:30a.m.  On weekends, I'd better not see anything besides the inside of my eyelids until at least 8 a.m.

(U) Underwear: baggy.  I need to go buy some new undies.

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: broccoli.  tastes like feet.  Blech.
(W) What Makes You Run Late: Nothing.  I never run late unless there is an emergency of some kind.  My motto is  "if you're on time, you're almost late" so I'm early everywhere I go.
(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: a couple on my feet to check for breaks (I'm very clumsy) and a chest xray or two to check for pneumonia.

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Tonight I'm making Chicken Florentine.  YUM!!
(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Penguin

Totally Over-Did It...

You know that kettlebell class I took on Saturday?  Well, I TOTALLY over-did it and am now paying for it in a big way.

I knew I would be pretty sore, but I had no idea it would be THIS sore.  Yesterday and today I could hardly move.  Every step makes me cringe in pain.  Getting up from a sitting position is torture, and forget about squatting down.  Totally out of the question.  Its mostly just my quads, hams, and buttocks that is unbearably painful.  But it's causing me to walk funny, which is causing my hips to go out which is, in turn, causing back/hip pain.

Yup, definitely over-did it.  It's one thing to be a little sore after a good workout, but this is just stupid.  I can hardly walk, let alone go to the gym and hop on the elliptical.  Today is *maybe* 10% better than yesterday.  I'm going to my mom's house tonight after the boys are in bed to sit in her hot tub.  Hopefully I can scorch some of the pain out of my muscles.  LOL

So yeah... let this be a warning to you.  Working hard is good.  Over-doing it, notsomuch.

Anyone have any quick and legitimate remedies for insanely sore muscles?   *cringecry*


On a positive note, I am down 2.7 lbs. this week.  I am a bit concerned that I'm not getting enough calories in, though.  Which might explain some of my plateau these last several weeks.  Today I consumed 650ish calories.  I'm not hungry and I'm going to bed in about three hours.  I think I may get too few calories probably three days a week most weeks.  I need more of a balance from day-to-day.  Any tips on how to up my calories without filling up on junk?

On track...

Just popping in for a quick update on how I'm doing now that I've kicked myself in the ass to make to my goal of 100lbs. lost by June 9th...

I'm back at the gym at least twice a week, hopefully more like 3 times a week from now on.  I've cut out virtually all "junk" food, especially the sweets that are ever-present at work.  And I've upped my water intake.  Just increasing my water has made me feel a lot better overall.

Today I took an Intro to Kettlebells class at my gym.  I've worked with kettlebells before, but only very basic moves for very short periods of time.  I learned SO MUCH in today's class and I got one heckuva workout!  My arms are so sore and my legs feel like jello.  But in a good way, kwim?  I'm going to do a full kettlebell workout once a week which is the perfect combination of cardio and strength.  Full body workout in one fell swoop, here I come!

I haven't lost any weight this week, but thats only because I gained last week and am now back down to where I "started" at 218.  If I lose 1.4(ish) lbs. per week, I will be 100lbs. down by June 9th.

I really think I can do this.  I really want to see a 1 as the first number in my weight.  It's been a looooong time coming.