How?

Amanda... this one is for you. How am I doing it? Honestly, I have no firm response. We are all so different and our bodies respond differently to things so I hate to make prescriptions - but I will tell you some things about myself, my habits and my band.

1. I am not messing around. I am 38 years old and I have hated being fat for every second. I went into this with the mentality that this was my LAST CHANCE and I remind myself of that every day when I wake up.

2. I was an overeater, not a junk food addict. I think this makes a big difference. Honestly, I eat more ice cream now than I did before I was banded. I don't have a super sweet tooth. I ate WAY TOO MUCH food - and as we all know, the band really deals with this issue quite easily.

3. I exercise religiously. I go at least 5 times per week for one hour and I use that hour to its maximum. I run, I climb stairs - but I mostly focus on lifting weights and retaining muscle mass inspite of the low calorie intake.

4. Honestly, I dieted until I had restriction, which means I lost weight in that period when many people just hold their weight.

5. I go to the doctor every month. I don't skip. I need their insight and support. I know some doctors say not to come in until you stop losing weight, but my doctor is not like that. They want to see me, they want to watch my trends. So when I stop losing weight, I don't have to go weeks to rectify it.

6. I focus on protein. Without fail, I get at least 60 grams a day. Sometimes, that means I don't eat anything other than protein....;(

7. I don't drink any of my calories (except protein shakes).

8. I treat the liquid periods after each fill as a cleanse or a modified fast. I shock my body and get a little reset effect. Good for my head ;)

And that's really it so far...as things get more difficult here, I may have to be more careful about things. Today for example, I have had two cups of coffee, one protein shake, a cup of chicken soup and 3 ounces of chicken with a shot of mayo. I will have veggies and protein for dinner.

And I am not perfect....I don't drink enough water. I find it really difficult to drink very cold things and I used to chug water and struggle with sipping it. I am working on it though...

A L M O S T.......

I weigh 216.8 today.... that is .8 lbs from 70 FREAKING POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter how my mind messes with that, that's an undeniable number. This is not my typical thing - lose 10 pounds and then badger my husband "Do I look good? Can you tell? My pants are kind of loose..." No, this is different. This is unheard of. This is mind blowing. In fact, I am retiring my lane bryant belt today... yes, it is finally time. To think that a year ago, I could not even get it on, and now it is out of holes. Proof below...

Also, my goal jeans came today (not final goal, just next goal). They are a regular size 14...I can get them on, I just can't quite do them up. It's a great next goal. I am also hoping to hit ONEDERLAND in the next 6 weeks - by March 20th actually.

You guys are my support group!

So two of my awesome followers nominated me to receive this award. I really honestly don't know what I would do without the outlet that this blog provides, nor what I would do without your comments, input and support. Love to you all!

Here's the rules:
Thank the person who gave you the award, reveal seven things about yourself, and nominate 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered or love. Then leave a comment on their blog letting them know they've been nominated.

So... thank you FITBY40 and AMBER
. You both rock!

Seven things about myself....hmmmm.

1. I speak 5 languages and own my own translation company.
2. I grew up in Canada and have lived in France, Spain, Italy and Costa Rica.
3. My husband is from Costa Rica and we speak Spanish to our kids.
4. I have always felt like a skinny person and was ALWAYS shocked to see the fat person in the mirror.
5. I played college level field hockey.
6. I dream about going to Afghanistan and working with young girls.
7. I truly see my band as a gift and an opportunity to set straight some of the major things that have limited my life.

I read EVERYONE's blogs - I love them. I love reading about other people's perspectives and journeys. We all have so much in common and we are all on our way to freedom. I will assemble a list but I feel like I would exclude people if I limited it to 15.... everyone's voice should be heard and honored.

Just one....

Ok - I bought this dress...size large. I mean regular large you know? Not plus size.... it will be my first dress NON plus size in more than 18 years. When it gets here, I will put it on and post a pic. It screamed MEXICO to me... or maybe I wish my boobs looked like hers (nothing Victoria's Secret can't fix).

Bump....

Went to see my doc today. They are super pleased and told me I need to be too. I have accomplished beyond their expectations and that feels pretty awesome. He gave me .5 ccs just as a little head reset. I hadn't had a fill since October and have lost 38 pounds since that one. I love my doctor's office. I would be lost without them....they are cheerleaders and they actually get it. I think bariatric patients, especially bandsters, spend a lot of time with people who don't get it so I see my time in their office as refreshing.

Went to see the addiction therapist I had to see before my surgery. Just thought I would check in with him and discuss some of the changes and the ways I am dealing with them. It is hard for me to be nice to myself. I guess this is very common for the obese who think they deserve to suffer....that we are somehow less human than other people. If I can't punish myself by eating garbage, what can I do? It was a great discussion about guilt, joy and fear of success.

So....here I am, on liquid again for the first time in months....staring these last 60 pounds right in the face. Let's go!