Im Back!

Hey guys!!

Sorry it has been so long, I have just been so busy with things going on in my life (all good things of course). First thing is first, I have just passed my 1 year Bandiversary on October 6th....woo hoo :o) Unfortunately I have not yet made it to my 100lbs down, but I am very close and I still feel as if I have done great. I am 95lbs down and I feel fantastic!! I haven't felt this good in I don't know how long, but it is amazing to not have to carry around this weight anymore!

This is short and sweet, but I hope all of you are doing well! I have some catching up to do on all of your blogs. Keep it up the great work and the hard work out there and I hope all of you had a great time in Chicago!! Wish I could have been there!!

As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

Catching Up...

I have no excuses, I am a terrible blogger! haha I have so much catching up to do on reading all of your wonderful blogs, the good news? I have started reading, the bad news? I have a long ways to go, but I promise I will get there!!

A quick update for me, I am doing great in my weight loss, however its very slow coming off right now...My current weight is 185lbs...which is my lowest ever, I am still trying to reach my big goal of 100lbs down, I have 6 more lbs to go, I know that I can do it, and I will get there! My 1 year anniversary is next month and at this point I don't know if I can make my big goal by then (this anniversary is of my surgery date by the way..haha I probably should have mentioned that). I know that if I put my mind to it, it will happen.

Today was a great day, I spent the day at the National Harbor with my lovely boyfriend. Its getting cooler here, and I am loving the weather, however I feel like I have no stores that I can shop at. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I feel like I still won't fit into the clothes at the regular stores. I tried to go shopping yesterday, I have a coupe of functions coming up that I need some nice outfits for, and I just feel like there is nothing cute out there that would fit me! Where do you guys shop and get your cute clothes from? I need help here!!! haha

I hope you all had a great weekend and I hope everyone has a good week coming up!! Keep up the great work out there, I am going to go catch up on what all of you are doing, even though I already know its going to be wonderful things!! As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

Getting Closer..

Hello All,

I know it has been a while since my last blog, but work has been hectic and I really just didn't have anything new to report. However that is not the case today! I have brand new numbers in that I am pleased to announce. I have really hit a plateau in my weight, but its okay. I am doing great where I am and finally my weight has decided to go in the right direction...DOWN...haha.

New numbers...

Starting Weight: 279lbs
Todays Weight: 186lbs
Weight Loss Total: 93lbs

My Major goal that I would like to hit is 100lbs down, I have 7lbs to go and I know I can get there with hard work and determination. I thank all of you so much everyday for giving me a place that I can read and get motivated by all of you out there! Without you all, I know that my weight loss would be much slower. Thank you all for all of your support!

Really quick before I forget, I know some of you previously have asked me how tall I am, I am 5'7" Not sure if that helps anyone...haha. I will also be taking more pictures this weekend, so hopefully they will be posted soon after I take them.

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend out there!! Keep up the hard work and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

Weekend Photos

I hope you all are having a great weekend out there. The weather has been kinda yucky here this weekend, but luckily not as hot as it has been. I thought I would share a couple of photos with you all. This is me at my lowest weight so far and in the smallest size pants of my journey so far. I hope you all enjoy.

Me...188lbs Size 12 Jeans

Same as above, just a side view

It is getting harder and harder these days to drop more weight, however I did have a long discussion with my surgeon about this, and he feels like I have no more weight to lose. However, I still feel like there is more to be lost and I am determined to get to my personal goal. Have any of you gone through this? I realize I am going to have to fix any issues I have in my mind, I do still feel sometimes when the clothes come off that I haven't lost 1lb from being 279lbs. Even when people touch me on the shoulder or ask me to do something simple, I have complex of "what are you crazy, I can't do that I am extremely overweight, what makes you think I can do this?" And then I remember wait, this is something I can do because I am not carrying the weight I used to. I know you all are probably confused with this last statement, but if there are any of you out there who understand this, do you ever feel like this?

Anyways, I hope you all are enjoying your weekend. As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!

New pictures...

Hello everyone, I hope you all are having a great week. I just wanted to share a couple of pictures with you. I finally got my hair done and I am able to wear it down...so enjoy the pictures. I am wearing scrubs and about to go to work in the pictures, but I was having a good hair day...haha. These are new scrubs as well...and in a much small size I might add which is exciting to me.

Me...189lbs

I know all of you are doing great things out there, I enjoy reading each and every one of your blogs. Keep up the great work and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

New numbers!!!

Well HAPPY FRIDAY to all, it sure is a happy friday for me!!

I was stuck between 190lbs and 193lbs and could not get past it for some time now, but today my numbers finally dropped and I have entered a new stage of numbers...thats right I am now in the 180s!!!!! I weighed in at 189.4lbs. SOOOOO excited!!! Not only did I enter a new set of numbers but that meants I have a hit a new goal as well....today I have lost a total of 90lbs.

Its a short blog tonight, but I wanted to share this with all of you, I really could not have made it this far without all of you to back me up! Thank you so much for always motivating me, I absolutely love you all!!  I hope everyone has a terrific weekend!! Keep up the GREAT work out there and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

Its all in my head...

Hello and good morning to everyone out there,

Its been a very HOT weekend here, I am talking triple digits. Anyways, I have really  been trying to change my style of clothing, however I have had much difficulty finding stores that spark my style. My mom and I went to an outlet mall yesterday and I was really excited to go, I have dropped several sizes since being heavy and I was ready to try on anything and everything.

We start shopping and for some reason every store I would walk into, I would see the TINY people going in and out of the stores and looking at the size of the clothes I would walk in and then walk out and tell my mom that nothing in that store would probably fit me. Of course she did the mom thing and said "Michelle I hate to tell you, but you will fit into those clothes now."

I guess I feel like when I take my clothes off, ALL of my weight reappears (due to excess skin). And then of course my self esteem drops several points. So what did I come out with from the outlet mall? 3 bras which I needed new bras anyways. Turns out I dropped a complete cup size and actual size (not bad).  However, I wasn't happy walking out of that mall with absolutely no new clothes! I went to the outlet mall wanting to find some really cute tops (different from my typical old navy style which I can't stand anymore) and I always see these really cute long sun dresses and I wanted to find one for myself...again failed. So long story short, I went home a little disappointed thinking there are no stores for me out there!

So I told my sister, Rachel, the story. I have come to the conclusion that I think its better if I go shopping alone. Then I don't have to feel as if I am holding someone up or rushing to look at things. So I decided to attempt shopping once more last night and went to Khols, where I really have never shopped. I was on my way talking to Rachel and telling her about my day and the clothes that I was looking for. She said Khols is a great place to start, but if I wanted a sundress I would have to look for it in the juniors department. Immediate RED FLAG in my mind. I told her are you crazy? There is no way anything from the juniors department is going to fit me. Rachel told me I had to just try, and she assured me that the sundresses would fit. So she wanted me to take her shopping with me, however Rachel lives in FL. So shopping with her was through my camera phone. I actually found a dress that I really liked from the JUNIORS department and sent a picture to my sister and she said "you look adorable, and you better buy that!" haha I definitely took her advice and bought it, and showed my mom and she loved it too! So it turned my bad day in a brighter day!

So I still have to find some cute tops, maybe you all can help me, what stores do you shop at for your cute clothes? I definitely have to get better, and realize im not that heavy girl anymore. It will take some time, but I know I will get there. I will share my picture from the dressing room with you all. Enjoy.

My new Sun Dress...love it!

As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!! I hope you all are staying cool out there, and I hope everything is doing great! Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Stuck...

Yup thats the name of it...STUCK! Not as in food though...as in my weight will not BUDGE...ok ok ok it will budge upward but not downward!!! I have been stuggling the past week or so and I even added more exercise into my regiman and for some reason my weight is fluctuating between 190 and 193lbs...I am trying to get to the 180s, but for some reason my body is just not having it right now! HELP!!!

The positive news....I bought my first size 12 jeans :o) SO exciting!! I would be even more excited though if I could get myself into the 180s...any tips or ideas would be GREAT for me!!

I hope you all are doing great out there...Keep up the awesome work...I am reading the great things you all are doing. As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

New pictures...

Hey guys!!

Well I just came back from a wonderful weekend in Wilmington, NC. I used to live there and Bryan and I went there for the weekend to see some really good friends. I also took some new pictures. Thought I would share with all of you.

Me...191 lbs Hotel room in NC

Side view 191 lbs

My best friend Amanda and I at Carolina Beach

Bryan and I getting ready for the fireworks

I hope you all have a very Happy 4th of July!! Spend it with the people you love and be safe out there!! As for me the weight is coming off slower these days but I am determined to lose 100lbs and I have 12lbs to go...I know I can do it!!! Enjoy the photos and have a great week out there!!

As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

Update

Hey everyone!

Just thought I would give you all an update...First thing is first...how is everyone doing out there?! I read so many great things and see how motivating each and every one of you are!

As for me, the new job is going great, I enjoy every minute of it! As for my weight it is coming along nicely. New numbers are in and they are as follows...

Starting weight: 279lbs
Current weight: 193lbs
Total weight loss: 86lbs

I wish I had time to write more, but I can hardly keep my eyes open. I hope all of you are doing great out there, I know you are! Can't wait to read and hear how things are going for everyone!

As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

New Blog Design!!

Hey guys check out my new blog design by Jen over at Justfoolinblogdesigns. She does AWESOME work and she will work with you on whatever you need. Thank you so much Jen for a Beautiful page I love it!!

Check out my awesome new picture button, I have posted all of my photos this far so you can see my progess. The photos start at my heaviest weight and go all the way down to my current weight. I will be adding pictures as I go along.

I hope all of you are doing great and as always, lets she those extra pounds together!!

Quick update...

Hello all,

I just wanted to give you all a quick update. I have family visiting from California, so I have been pretty occupied with that. We have done lots of stuff (Arlington Cemetary, Baltimore Harbor, Pensylvannia, and lots of other stuff too). But thats why I haven't been blogging lately.

Also in all the mess of things I got a new job :o) I will be working full time for the surgeon who did my surgery. As you all know I am a nurse and my doctors office had an opening and wanted me to work full time with them and I will also soon be teaching the seminars that we all went to before surgery. So I am very excited about that!!

As for my weight loss progress it is as follows...

Starting Weight: 279.6lbs
Todays Weight : 195.8lbs
Total weight loss: 84lbs

I have pictures coming, I just don't have time to post them right now, but as soon as my company leaves and I have some time you will all see new pictures!! SO excited!!

I know you all are doing great things out there, Keep up the great work and I will talk to you guys soon!!! As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

ONEderland...

I have reached my first MAJOR goal in my weight loss journey! I didn't think it would be this soon in the week just because yesterday I weighed myself and I was 201.2lbs. I thought for sure I wouldn't reach my goal until the end of the week just because my weight loss has been going a lot slower these days. But as always my body gave me quite a suprise this morning.

I went walking this morning with my mom and boyfriend (Bryan). We did about 2 miles on a trail...we had never gone to this trail before so we thought we would give it a try and it turned out to be a great walk. Much  more challenging than the walks we normally do so it was a good walk this morning. I definitely broke a nice sweat. The great part was that I was actually doing it, when I was heavier I would always moan and groan about exercising and now I can't live without it!

I know I know you don't want me to ramble on anymore you just want the numbers! haha ok so here they are and as promised a picture of the scale :o)

Thats right! I have reached ONEderland!!!

Starting Weight: 279.6lbs
Current Weight: 198.4lbs
Total Weight Loss to date: 81.2lbs

I can't even tell you how thrilled I am to be at this point! This was my first big goal met and now I am on to working towards my next major goal and I am so happy that I have such a great support system (all of you out there) to follow me on this journey and to be here with me every step of the way. I could not be more thankful for a greater group of people! You all inspire me everyday with everything that each and every one of you do out there. It keeps me going and it keeps me motivated and for that I can't thank you all enough!

Enjoy the rest of the week out there and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!

~*Michelle*~

Problems with Blogging...

Hey everyone, really quick, I am not sure if anyone is having any issues with blogging today, but for some reason I can't commet on anyones blog AND I can't get to the website with using http://www.blogspot.com/ I actually have to go to my web page and then go to my home page...so is anyone else having issues??? haha I have wanted to make comments on your blogs out there, but I can't so please bare with me.

I know Amanda over at Life of a (hopeful) loser was having a bad day and I tried to leave a comment Amanda so I will just leave it here...

You look BEAUTIFUL!!! Don't ever think for one second that you haven't changed, you look fabulous! I know its hard to see for yourself sometimes, I think that we all do that...because we still see ourselves as heavy. Im so sorry you didn't have a great time with your friends, I really wish I was going to the BOOBS convention just so I could meet you and make you feel better! Stay positive and know that you have done EXTREMELY well and you look fantastic!!

Let me know if anyone else is having problems...haha and if you can't leave a comment then I guess I know I am not the only one having issues.

Thanks everyone...

~*Michelle*~

Determination...

Good morning out there,

As you all know I having been trying to get to my first MAJOR goal since my surgery. I had a rough weekend where I put on 2lbs so it brought my weight to 203.6. Not a good thing! So I told myself that this is the week....this is the week that I am going to try my best to get to my first MAJOR goal (don't get me wrong, I have been trying) but my weight hasn't been going anywhere! So yesterday was Monday and I told myself that I was going to get all of my liquids in, eat what I am supposed to eat (which I normally do) and move a little more.

Weigh in this morning was 201.2lbs I am almost there! I really think my last fill was a good fill. I am really able to feel the restriction and I am very satisfied after a small meal.

So this week is all about determination. I am determined to try my best and hopefully reach my first MAJOR goal this week. I have 2lbs to lose and I know that if I stay focused and try my best thats all I can do and hopefully my body will work with me :o)

I will keep you all posted on my progress this week and maybe, just maybe I will get to see what ONEderland feels like :o) Lets all have a great week out there! And as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

New Pictures and Numbers...

Hello all,

Just thought you would like an update...first off, I am still here! haha I went to the doctor today, had another fill of 0.4cc so I am now up to 6.6cc total in my band. The restriction is definitely there and I have to constantly think to CHEW CHEW CHEW or it comes right back up...ugh! Anyways I am not at my big goal yet, but on my way there. This morning at the doctors office I weighed in at 202.0lbs thats a loss of 5lbs from the last time I was at the doctor 3 weeks ago and I was 207lbs then. I am working hard towards ONEderland...its so close I can feel it!!!

I know all of you have been doing amazing things out there, and I have to just say Thank you to all of you for your support and kind words. It is so inspiring to me what all of you do in your different ways and I know we will all get to where we want to be! As always lets shed those extra pounds together!

I will leave you with 2 pictures that I took this morning...my lowest weight in I don't know how long...Enjoy!!



Me at 202.0lbs

Side View 202.0lbs



Blog Designs...

Hi guys!!

Ok so I have been noticing that almost all of you have really neat things on your blogs, whether its the little scale things or different tabs for different things...well anyways...I NEED HELP!! haha I don't know how to put any of that on my blog and I would love for someone to explain it to me if they can on how to change up the background to make it my own and all kinds of things...if anyone knows what I am talking about can you please help me figure it out! Thanks so much!! I hope everyone is having a great week...I know I am :o) As always lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

Beautiful Weekend...

Hey everyone...I thought I would give you all a weekend update. This weekend has been SO beautiful! Except this wonderful Sunday it was supposed to be nice and now its very cloudy with rain :o( At least we had a really nice day yesterday. I started playing golf with my mom, but instead of using the Golf cart around the course we like to walk it, so not only are we getting exercise from playing the game, but we walk the entire course as well, which I love doing anyways!!

I had a great week of weight loss, I know I was stuck for a little while and I just have to say Thank you to all of you for your positive comments, it means so much to me and I really love seeing how all of you are doing out there!! I am keeping up with all of your blogs and you guys are truely inspiring to me and it just keeps me going! So thank you!

As for my weight loss, I am down 2 more pounds from this past week...so my new numbers are in at 205lbs...getting closer to my first goal of being under 200lbs!! So I am at a total weight loss of 74lbs...woo hoo!! Almost there I can feel it! haha

I hope all of you have a great weekend (whats left of it) and a great week this week! And I had a request to take a picture of the scale and I promise to do that as soon as I hit my first goal which will be 199...And I will have new pictures coming as well!! Have a great week out there! As always lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

My complaining paid off..

Okay so I know I was completely complaining this morning about the scale not moving at all...BUT I have to tell you guys, this morning I weighed myself on my scale at home with the clothes on that I was going to go to the doctors office in and I weighed in at 209.6lbs...well my appointment wasn't until 1pm and I usually go  to my appointments in the early morning because I don't like to eat or drink before my appointment...well I probably didn't do a very good thing by not eating or drinking anything until my appointment today but it paid off! I got the doctor and weighed in at 207.0lbs...FINALLY I get to my 207...almost to ONEderland!! I know it was accurte because I also weighed myself again on my scale before I left home so its not at all that the scales are off...my scale is accurate with my doctors scale...so that would be 72lbs lost ;o) SO excited!!

Also I have to say, Thank you so much for all of your positive and truely inspiring comments!! It means so much to me and I thank you all so much for your support through this journey!! Keep up the great work out there!!

~*Michelle*~

Im still here...haha

Hey everyone!

I know I haven't blogged in a while, I have just been so busy with my new job and doing school work, that I just feel like there aren't enough hours in the day! Anyways, I wanted to come on here this morning and give you all a little update on everything.

The new job is going great, I truely love what I am doing and I really enjoy the people I work with!! I just feel like the environment is not stressful and I am very comfortable talking to everyone and we have a good time at work and are able to get work done, so its just a really great work environment and very stress free!! However there is temptation in the nursing office (which is where I work of course) So we have a very large candy dispenser in our office that you pretty much hold your hand in front of and it releases whatever is in it...everyone is really good about keeping it full...not so good for me right? lol its usually full of M & Ms and skittles...however, I am really good about not falling for the temptatation and thats why I usually keep something to drink handy. I am actually proud of myself for not giving in and just taking a handful of M & Ms when we have people coming into our office CONSTANTLY getting candy!

Ok so I have been a bit frustrated lately regarding my weight. I feel like I have been working so hard and keeping on track with my diet and my work outs and I am not seeing the numbers on the scale that I would like to be seeing. I feel like I have been fighting just to keep my weight maintained and thats not what I want. I want the numbers to go lower. So I have been hanging around 208 and 209 for quite a while now and I have yet to see 207. I am almost to ONEderland but I feel like every time I get on the scale I am further and further away. SO frustrating!

So today I have a doctors appointment and I haven't had a fill in quite a while, so I was thinking this past month has been really tough for me and I really think its time for a small fill and tighten things up a bit.

I am going to remain on track with what I am doing, and hopefully I will begin to see the numbers drop a bit and hopefully I can hit ONEderland soon :o) It will be my first major goal hit since my surgery. I am very excited and I know I promised you all new photos so here ya go...enjoy



BEFORE: Me in the 270s, at my heaviest



AFTER: Me at around 208-209lbs getting read for work

 I know all of you are doing great things out there! I have been reading!! Keep up the GREAT work and as always lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

New numbers are In :o)

Well I am smiling BIG today :o)

First I want to say sorry I haven't blogged in a while, as my sister would say I am a little behind..haha, but I am about to catch you all up on what has been going on.

As you all are aware I am a new graduated Nurse and I just got hired for my first job which is at a Pediatricians Doctors office. Now I can't tell you how long I have been searching for a job, but a lot of companies didn't want to hire a new graduate. So of course I went through a lot of frustrations but then I told myself to think positively and something will come along...and it did! I just started my new job this week and I love it so far!

As for my weight I have hit a brand new low! I have hit two big goals I guess you could say. First of all today when I weighed myself I hit my 70lb weight loss!!! Thats right, as of today I am now down 70lbs since October. My new low number is 209.4lbs. I am out of the teens for good!! I can't even tell you how amazing it feels and how good I actually feel. That means I am 10lbs way from ONEderland!!! I do not even remember the last time I was at this weight let alone being in the 100s...although I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I promise to keep you all informed when that time comes!

Don't think for one second that I haven't been keeping up on my blog reading because I have even though I haven't been good about writing a blog myself. But you all are doing amazing things out there and I am so lucky to be able to be a part of all of this. Keep up the great work out there and hopefully I will have some new pictures coming soon, I know I haven't posted any in a long time, but they are coming!

As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

Happy Monday...

Good Morning everyone!

I hope everyone is having a great Monday so far. I started my morning with waking up to a lovely thunder/lightening storm...LOVE it! haha and then I woke up and hit the gym this morning. Awesome feeling!

Most of you know I hit a HUGE accomplishment last week and jogged my first mile the entire way through! So this morning I told myself yeah I am going to jog, but its okay if I don't make it to a mile. Well I surprised myself yet again and was able to jog the FULL mile! Its such a great feeling knowing that I am able to do that. I never thought I would even like jogging let alone exercise! Its a part of my life now and I love it!

So while I was at the gym, I over heard these 2 women discussing this website where you can go online and track your daily diet, exercise, measurements, and pretty much EVERYTHING. So I took a look at it and its a free website, but it has quite a bit of stuff on there and so I wanted to share it will all of you. Its http://www.fitday.com/, I tired it out and its a really cool website. Very easy to use and it calculates everything for you. If you type in a food and it doesn't have it then if you have the nutrition label of that food it allows you to create your own label. You can fix the serving sizes and everthing. I wasn't sure who likes to track their daily intake and exercise, but I like doing it because it keeps me accountable so I hope it comes in handy for anyone who likese to keep track of what they are doing.

I hope everyone has a great week. My goal this week is to try and make it to the gym everyday this week and make sure I am really focusing on my food intake and fluid intake. Weigh in day will be friday for me. As always lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

End of the Week Weight In...

Its been a very long week, but it sure did pay off! As most of you know, I have hit a huge accomplishment in my week...yup I jogged a full mile! Woo hoo! I also did my first step class this week. Wow that was a tough, but VERY fun class and I got an awesome work out! So I joined the gym this week, I was going on a free pass that I had, but now I actually belong and I am so excited to be able to go to a gym now instead of just in my basement! Now on the the good stuff haha...

Starting Weight: 279.0lbs
Todays Weight: 213.0lbs
Total Weight loss: 66lbs

I am so excited to be so close to my first goal which is to be under 200lbs. I also figured out that the last time I was a size 16, I was in my sophomore year of high school, and I actually think I weigh less now than I did then. CRAZY. It has been such a long time since I have been around this weight and I am so excited to hit my first small goal!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!

~*Michelle*~

HUGE Accomplishment...

I have friends that seem to think getting the Lap Band is the easy way out. That after you get the Lap Band the weight just falls off and I don't have to do anything. I am sure all of us have heard this before. But I really just have to say the Lap Band doesn't make you exercise, it doesn't make you sick when you are eating somehting you aren't supposed to, it doesn't make you change your diet...all of these things WE have to do ourselves. The Lap Band is simply a tool to restrict how much we let into our bodies at one time. Do I choose to exercise? YES...Do I choose what gets put into my body and what doesn't? YES...Do I choose to change my old bad habits into good habits? YES. The Lap Band doesn't make these decisions for me.

Today I accomplished something that I have never done before. I jogged an entire mile on the treadmill this morning. I went to the gym with  my mom this morning and told myself that I wasn't going to jog because I was a little sore from jogging 11 mintues straight yesterday. So I was power walking this morning and I decided that I do want to jog. Did I think I was going to make it as long as I did yesterday? No not at all. But I suprised myself and went further. I jogged an entire mile in 14 and a half minutes. I cannot even begin to describe the glow on my face afterwards that I actually accomplished this. I am definitely sore now, but its so worth it!

I have NEVER jogged an entire mile in my life. The last time I was even told to run a mile was in high school in PE class where they made the students run a mile every friday. I never used to run it because I was over weight and because I didn't like the fact that they forced all the students to do this. It used to take me more than 20 mintues to complete a mile in high school.

This was such a huge accomplishment for me today and it only makes me want to work that much harder. My mom was right there on the treadmill next to me and after I told her I had just jogged a mile she couldn't believe it and was excited for me as well. The feeling I have is just amazing!

Ceejay left me a comment yesterday that said "isn't it exciting to think that you might actually be atheletic" I have to say its such an amazing feeling that I would NEVER think or consider myself to be athletic, but we are all working towards that goal and I am so excited to be able to consider myself atheletic. I am not there yet, but I am getting there and I will get there in the future!

Thank you guys for all of your support! I truely love that there is always a support system waiting for me whenever I open my laptop! I couldn't make this journey without all of you so Thank you! I hope everyone has a great tuesday and lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

11 minute Jog...

Happy Monday everyone!!

As you all know I have been complaining about working out in my basement...haha. Well this past weekend was gorgeous! Saturday was my moms birthday and we spent most of the day in baltimore with my grandma just due to the fact that my dad had to help her with some things. So while my dad was helping my grandma my mom and I decided we were going to go out around the neighborhood and walk. We walked 3 miles and it felt so good to be outside and walking!

Sunday was even more gorgeous so my parents and my boyfriend and I took the dogs to the park and walked about a mile and a half. I actually jogged a little bit which was my first time since losing weight that I was able to even jog outside! Amazing feeling!

My mom belongs to a gym and I am really interested in joining. I hear all of you talk about zumba classes and some of you do spinning and I have never done either. So my mom got me a week free at her gym, and then of course if I like it im going to join. So this morning I got up with my mom and we went to the gym. There weren't any classes that I could do this morning so we went on my best friend...the treadmill. Its nice though because each treadmill is hooked up to its own TV so all of you have to do is bring a pair of headphones and you can watch what you want.

So im walking on the treadmill and I have been so in the mood to jog lately and Im not sure why. So I started jogging...dont get me wrong I am definteily still at a slow paced run, but for some reason this mornig when I was jogging, I wasn't tired...normally I can only run for about a minute or 2...but this morning something came over me and I just kept on going...I jogged for 11minutes straight! I can't even tell you how big the smile was on my face! I jogged almost an entire mile. I think I had about 0.4 miles to go, but at that point I had pushed myself to keep going and I was happy with jogging for 11minutes!

I am definitely back on track with my exercising...I hit a rough patch for a week or so, but I am back and totally excited!!! I hope everyone has a great week this week! As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

Struggling...

Ok so apparently I was completely spoiled when I went to FL because I was doing my work outs outside almost everyday and the weather was amazing and I couldn't get enough of it! Well now that I am back home, I have yet to go into my basement and get on the treadmill. I would walk out side but the weather is still a bit chilly here in MD to the point where it actually snowed a little bit last night. Anyways, I have been so UNmotivated to do my work outs because I don't want to be in the basement...I want to be outside! Not that I don't want to work out because I really do, just not in the basement!

So this morning I took one of the four dogs that we have for a walk down our driveway and to the end of the street...which is about the size of 2 football fields...totally not enough I know. I would definitely go further its just the fact thats its COLD outside and  I had the puppy with me so hes still afraid of different noises and things outside. So I decided that I am going to make it a point today to walk all four dogs, and hopefully it will warm up outside and that way I can walk further and really get a good work out in! I am going to make sure that I am on top of everything this week including my diet. I am going to make sure that all of my fluids get in as well!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and now lets have a great week out there and shed those extra pounds together!

~*Michelle*~

Cheese Chips Anyone?!

Last night my mom and I decided to go to support group. I have been wanting to go and my doctors office has support group once a week every thursday from about 6:30 to 8:30pm. Its held at the hospital about 10 minutes from our home. So my mom usually works late on thursdays because she works about an hour away. But I had told her in the beginning of the week that I was going to go to support group this thursday whether she wanted to come with me or not. So she came and we had a great experience.

Anyways, a lady in the support group last night brought up a question that we have all heard before and I thought I would share it with all of you. She asked about what to do late at night when she gets hungry? So everyone shared a little something and I am sharing this with you because I don't know if anyone has heard of Cheese Chips but last night was my first time hearing about them. So one lady said that when she gets hungry for something at night she makes cheese chips. So of course my mom and I look at each other and we ask "well what the hell are cheese chips?" The lady was telling us how you make them and all you do is take any kind of cheese and take a piece of parchment paper on a plate. Put the cheese on the parchment paper and put it in your microwave. Now to me it sounded pretty gross...I dont know why.

So today I was in the kitchen and I said to myself ok....a lot of times I CRAVE something crunchy and salty...well usually the only thing thats crunchy or salty is CARBS which is totally not my friend. So I decieded to try making cheese chips. Now the lady last night said she cooks hers for about 2-2 1/2 mins in the microwave. Well I tried mine for a minute and it was completely done and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! SO good. The best part is your eating cheese (usually low fat cheese of course) but they completey fill that craving of something crunchy and salty. So I used a low fat chedder cheese, but they said you could pretty much use any cheese you want. Play around with the numbers on your microwave because I am sure everyone microwave cooks a little different. But try them if you are interested. I really want to share that with all of you because I had never heard of cheese chips. It makes a great snack too like I said!

Ok so enough about cheese chips. I really want to share some photos with all of you. I have one old picture from the day of my surgery and then I have a couple from when I was a size 18 and then a couple from yesterday which I am now wearing a size 16. I can't even believe it! So enjoy the pictures...



October 6, 2010....Surgery Day...Weight 262lbs



Size 18 around 225lbs



Size 18 Side view

Size 16 216lbs



Size 16



Size 16 Side View

I hope you guys like the pictures...the ones in pink were done yesterday so they are the most recent. Keep up the GREAT work everyone and thank you again for being so supportive! I hope everyone has a great weekend as well!

As always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

Doctors appointment

Well hello all,

Today I had a doctors appointment...5lbs down from my last appointment 3 weeks ago...woo hoo! I also found out today that when I first started with my physician my BMI was 44 and today my BMI is 34. Linda my physician assistant was so funny and said you don't even qualify for any surgeries anymore she said I was too skinny...haha so nice to hear that! So I know I told you guys before but my current weight is 216lbs. I don't even remember the last time I was at this weight. I am getting very excited because my first goal that I set for myself is very reachable at this point. After I reach my first goal of 199lbs I will then set a new goal for myself.

Well I hope all of you are doing fantastic! I know that you are because I have been reading several of your blogs! I hope everyone has a great wednesday and I just wanted to give you all a little update! Take good care and I will be back soon to write a longer blog. Have a great day all!!

As always lets shed those extra pounds together :o)

~*Michelle*~

I found an old picture...

So the other day I was on my facebook account and I saw a picture of my friend who just recently got married probably about a year and a half ago. I remember I was at her bridal shower and there were pictures taken, but I couldn't remember being in any of them just due to the fact that when I was at my heaviest I hated having my picture taken...as I am sure we have all felt that way. Well I was looking through her wedding photos and came across a picture from her bridal shower...I had to take a double take!!! I didn't realize I was sitting in the very front row of the picture. I am going to share this phone with you all...you will see it below. I am the one in the white shirt and jeans...


My weight was probably in the 250s or 260s at this time...not quite sure

I just have to say it feels SO amazing not be like this anymore! Lap band has changed my life and I couldn't be more proud of myself....just so you all know I am heading downward in my weight...I weighed myself and as of yesterday I am at a new low of 216.0lbs I will be taking new pictures very soon...not sure if there is a big change from the last updated photos...but I will definitely have some new picutres. I could not do this without all of the support from you all!!! Thank you so much!!

As always lets shed those extra pounds together...I hope all of you are doing very well!!

~*Michelle*~

Happy, but sick...

Hello all!!

As you all know I was in FL visiting my sister and her boyfriend...it was amazing! I loved being able to walk almost everyday OUTSIDE. We went to this one area known as the Causeway, where you pretty much walk over a very large bridge, but it is the most beautiful place especially when you are able to see dolphins playing right below! SO AMAZING! My mom, my sister, and I walked almost everyday between 3 and 4 miles. Such a great feeling to know that I am able to walk that far and still feel like I could walk longer. I really tried to watch my diet while I was at my sisters. She is trying a vegan diet right now, but she is a very healthy eater as it is. She knows that my weakness is cake, so we just happend to make cupcakes, BUT it was for good reason. Not sure if I mentioned this but my sister and I are in our very good friends wedding in october and we are in charge of making her wedding cake. The bride to be wasn't sure if she wanted a cake or a cupcake wedding cake. So we tried cupcakes and decorated them with fondant. Very fun project, but bad on my part because I did eat 2 of them :o( But I figured I usually don't eat like that so its OKAY to treat myself every once in a while and it sure was worth it.

Well our trip was really great and we got to spend a lot of quality time together, unfortunately my last 2 days in FL I was sick on the couch with a cold/flu thing that I guess has been going around. I wasn't even sure if I would be able to fly home this morning because yesterday I couldn't even move off the couch. I woke up this morning and surprisingly felt much better, I sound TERRIBLE but I definitely feel so much better.

So my sister dropped my mom and I off at the Orlando airport this morning, goodbyes are very hard for our family just because we are so close! My mom and I were checked and and walking to the security line when my mom recieved a phone call from my dad saying that his father (my grandfather) had fallen unconcious at home and was at the hospital. My mom told my dad that she would call him right back just due to the fact that we were about to go through security. We were on the plane waiting for everyone to board when my mom called my dad, and by that time it was too late. My grand father passed away today. I know that he is in a better place and he is free of any kind of pain. I wanted to stay strong for my mom because she was extrememly upset not only at the death of her father-in-law but that she wasn't there to comfort my dad, due to the fact this was his frist parent to pass away and it was a bit shocking for us all. I know that my time will come where I need to grieve the loss of my grandpa, but I feel like I need to stay strong for my parents right now and keep it together for them. RIP Grandpa, you will truely be missed!

On a happier note, I felt as if I needed to weigh myself today, not sure why I guess its because I haven't weighed myself in a couple of days and wanted to see if all the walking in FL payed off. It sure did! Even after the 2 cupcakes I ate I have lost 4lbs. I left for FL at 221lbs and came home from FL at 217lbs. I am at an all time new low and couldn't be happier! I am actually at a lower weight than what my drivers license says! haha I never used to be honest about how much I actually weighed so its a good thing that my drivers license is wrong and thats acutally a heavier weight on there! woo hoo! Also on another happier note, I have dropped another pant size. I am kind of in between sizes but I am almost there. I started at a size 22/24 and I am definitely out of my size 18s but size 16s fit its just a little snug still, a couple more pounds and they will fit perfectly. So excited!!

Well enough of me talking, I hope you all are doing great! And as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!! Thank you again to everyone for all of your postive encouragement! It does not go un-noticed! I am so thankful to have such a great support system!

Florida!!!

Not sure if you guys knew or not, but my mom and I are in FL right now visiting my sister and her boyfriend for a week! Let me just say I have missed my sister so much. I talk about her all the time in blogs and its just hard being far away from each other because we are so close. But anyways, the weather is amazing here! Its been in the 70s and there is the perfect amount of breeze and its just beautiful here!

I do have to say I am getting my exercise in and I am finally able to go outside and enjoy a nice power walk instead of being in the basement on the treadmill alone. Don't get me wrong I love my work outs on my treadmill, but its jus so nice being outside and getting a little sun and 4.8 miles in! Not at one time but this morning my mom and I did a little over 2 mile walk because my sister was in school and then when she came home we drove over to this park that is close to her house and did 2 laps around the park which was another 2.5 miles so all together today we have walked about 4.8 miles which is such an amazing feeling! Even my mom commented this morning when we were walking and she said "I hate to tell you michelle, but you are walking so much better than what you used to walk" Its so good to hear those things!

I haven't seen my sister since November (Thanksgiving) and when she picked my mom and I up at the airport she just couldn't believe I was the same person. Now Rachel and I skype on the computer a lot and we are able to see each other, but you know its always different in person.

Not sure exactly what my weight is, but I did ask my sister if she had a scale so I am going to continue walking and eating healthy and really drinking my fluids and then I will weigh myself right before I leave to go back home next week! This could be a big weigh in for me, I could be looking at the teen numbers and out of the 20s for good! I am very excited!!

I hope all of you are having a great week and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!

~*Michelle*~

Happy Wednesday...

I hope you are all having a great Wednesday and I hope everyone is having a great week! So this morning I had a doctors appt with my surgeon and I know in my last post I was really debating whether or not to get another fill today...well I decided not to. I have been feeling very satisfied between meals and really not getting hungry. The last time I went to my surgeon I was 229.0 and that, like I said, was 2 weeks ago. This morning I weighed in and the scale said 221.0 a loss of 8lbs in 2 weeks!! I am so proud of myself. I am at a new low for myself and on my way to my first major goal which is to be under 200lbs for the first time in I don't know how many years!!

So when I went to my doctors office, I usually see the PA Linda in the office. Well I was waiting for my appointment in the waiting room and she happend to walk another patient out and just said hi to me. Well when it was my turn to be put into a room and she came in, she said to me "oh my gosh, I didn't even recognize that that was you sitting in the waiting room", she said "you look so amazing and you have changed so much that you don't even look like the same person!" It means so much to me to even hear those words!

So I am almost into the teens in my weight...I can't wait to be under 200lbs!! So to date my weight loss is 58lbs total...2 more lbs and I will hit 60lbs!! woo hoo!!

So really I just need to thank all of you who follow my blog! It means so much to me. It is so nice being able to have such a great support system! And once again I have to thank my sister and defintiely my mom! They have helped me throughout this whole process and they mean everything to me! I love you guys!! My mom and I are actually going to be going to FL next week to visit my sister so we are extremely excited!! Can't wait Rach!

Thanks again to everyone and as always lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

Possible Fill...

So this wednesday, I have another appointment with my doctors office. The last time I went was Jan. 26th so about 2 weeks. The last time I went I had a fill of 0.5cc which leaves me with 5.7cc all together in my band. I definitely feel the restriction from this past fill and have had a few issues with remembering to chew, but other than that no vomiting or anything, maybe just a bit of discomfort when I don't remember to chew thoroughly. I told myself that I wasn't going to get another fill for a while, but now I am thinking that I want another small fill. I am not too sure what to do. I don't want my band to be too tight, but I also don't want it to be not tight enough. My appetite is still really good, so I may just do a mall fill of either  0.2cc or 0.3cc...I know that everyone is different, but does anyone know what im kinda going through? If you did, please tell me what you decided to do and if it worked or if you had to get fluid removed. Thanks guys!!

I enjoyed an awesome workout this morning. I actually jogged this morning! WOW! ME?! Jogging!? crazy! It wasn't for very long, but I tried jogging last thursday and I only lasted about a minute. This morning I actually jogged for 4 minutes. I was very proud of myself! I did 2.23miles on the treadmill this morning and burned about 290calories. This morning I am drinking a protein shake for breakfast, as I normally do and just trying to enjoy the day.

Big weigh in at the doctors this week...hopefully I can put an awesome number on their scale! Thank you to all of you who follow my blog...and as always lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

A New Low...

Well its friday morning and I have been waiting for friday to come for a couple of days now. It was my weigh in day today. I haven't weighed myself in over a week. Actually the last time I was weighed was at my doctors office I believe last tuesday or wednesday. There I weighed in at 229.0lbs. I guess you could say I wasn't thrilled about thtat just because the time before I went to my doctors office I was 232.0lbs. That was a month previous to my 229. My lowest that I had gotten to during that time was 226.8lbs so I was thrilled to be going to the doctor to show them my awesome numbers....yeah...the morning of my doctors appt. I got on my scale and I had gained 3lbs! When I had also weighed myself 2 days before that and my number was still reading 226.8lbs. Anyways I found out being a woman isn't too easy...ovulation makes you gain weight apparantly so I was retaining fluids like no other!

Anyways, I decied I wasn't going to show my doctors another sorry 3lb loss even though they were happy that I lost 3lbs I wasn't happy because I knew what my other low was. So since I came back from my doctors office I have been working out on the treadmill every morning doing a little over 2miles each day an burning almost 300calories at a time. AWESOME feeling by the way. I made sure that I was reaching my fluid intake of 64oz of fluids everyday and I also made sure that my diet was on track. I wrote in my food journal everyday to make sure that whatever I was eating I was also writing.

Last week I also got a fill of 0.5cc in my band. Let me tell you, now I know why they want me to chew. I have not thrown up yet (knock on wood) but I definitely feel the restriction and I am hoping that won't need another fill for a while. My next appointment is Feb. 9th. So lets get down to it...I am finally at a new low in my weight. As of this morning my weight is currently 224.0lbs which is down 5lbs from weighing in at the docs office! I was all smiles this morning when I saw this number because it tells me that my hard work is definitely paying off! I am hoping to lose a little bit more if possible before my doctors appt on the 9th!

Sorry you all had to read my long story...haha my sister always makes fun of me and asks me why I have to have a story with everything I say. But I was excited about the number this morning so I had to make sure to tell her every little detail, like I am sharing with you all right now as well. So sorry Rachel for having to read this all over again but thats the duty of a sister!

I also just wanted to let you all know that my sister has a blog as well only she is on the cooking aspect of her blog which is called  For the Love of Food! Rachel is an amazing cook! Right now she is very into the Vegan diet, however she has many delicious recipes on her blog, some of them very healthy, some not. But she is always willing to try new things so if there is something that you are looking for or a recipe that you want to make healthy, shes definitely the one to ask! She can pretty much do it all! Usually when I want a substitute for something or anything, I ask her!

I hope you all have a great weekend! Thank you for following my blog and being so supportive!! Lets all keep up the good work and shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

New pictures...

Hi guys!

So my sister, Rachel, has been wanting me to take new pictures, but I didn't want to just because I don't feel like I look any different. Well I don't know how many of you have heard of Skype, but my sister and I use it all the time considering we don't live too close to each other. She lives in FL and I live in MD. Skype has the capability to do video chat as well, so thats what we do. Anyways this morning we were on skype and she said that I had looked like I lost more weight and that I looked really great!! She has to say that shes my sister! haha I love her though. Anyways so I denied her taking pictures of me right now, but then I got a text message from friend Angie who lives in CA and we went to nursing school together. She has been wanting me to send her a picture for the longest time and I always tell her no just because I am still at the point where I am a little camera shy still. But then I was like ok...I am going to do this! So I took my phone and went into the bathroom and shot some pictures of myself and sent them to her. Now keep in mind she hasn't seen me since November when I was in CA to take my boards. She was amazed at the progress I had made and was super excited. So then I talked to Rachel again on the phone (she was at school walking back to class) and I told her that I ended up taking pictures and she told me that I should share them all with you. So thats what I am going to do. Below you will find pictures that were taken as of this morning. Sorry they aren't too glamorous I took them after my work out this morning. You will also find another picture of when I was at one of my heaviest times that I had on my computer. I really didn't want to share this photo because I am almost embarrassed to say oh my gosh that person was me....but I want you all so be able to see it.

Me...I have not weighed myself in a couple of days, but I wll have a number for you all on Friday when I weigh in...this was after my work out of a 2.2mile walk



Another view....



Side View...

I found this picture on my computer as well...that is me at about 279lbs at my graduation...

I am the one standing in the backround with the ponytail by the Flag...around 279lbs as well....

I have been reading several posts that you all have written and I just have to say that you all are so inspirational and I love that I can come on here and have such a huge support system along side my family and friends!

I also want to give a special thanks to my sister who is my number one supporter. She is always encouraging me, even when I am having a bad day, I know that I can always talk to her for inspiring words! I love you Rach and I am so excited to see you in just 2 weeks!

Fill tomorrow...

Its been a while since I have posted (I know only about a week, but a lot of you post more frequently so to me its been a while). Anyways I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow for another fill. I need it!

My work outs have been going great. I was sick with a bad cold last week so I only exercised 2 times last week....I guess better than none right? Well this week I am back on track and so far so good. I am weighing 226.8lbs right now which is a low, I just wish it was lower. I have been able to do about 2 miles on the treadmil each morning which is an awesome feeling! I remember when I was barely able to do a mile.

My dad, Syd, has been getting into the exercise mode as well. But he likes walking outdoors which is awesome, however the cold winter isn't allowing too much of that. Today we have a bit of a warmer day so we will be going later in the afternoon for about a mile and a half walk. We have 4 dogs so usually we take 2 with us. But it will be a good change for my body. I can walk on the treadmil in the morning and then do another walk in the afternoon. When I first moved here (about 5 months ago) when I was at one of my heaviest points I used to go with my parents to do this walk. Its at a park nearby and its a little hilly...I remember how out of breath I was and how much pain I would have in my ankle and foot and sometimes my hip. But since I have lost a couple of pounds and winter set in and I started exercising regularly, I told my dad that I would join him on his walk this afternoon. It was funny he said im going to go about a mile and a half or 2 miles and I said dad I do about 2 miles every morning on the treadmil. Haha it was funny he had no idea and said ok then lets do it!

It feels so good to be able to go out and do things and not get so tired and down about everything! I am excited to go to my surgeons office tomorrow. Hopefully I will get another good fill. Linda the Physician Assistant who I normally see is wonderful! She is really so supportive of every patient that walks in the door and she truely cares about how your feeling as a patient. I will keep you all posted about how much if a fill I will get tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a great week and as always, lets shed those extra pounds together!!

~*Michelle*~

A new set of numbers...

As most of you all know I have been stuck in the 230s for a while. Well this week I really dedicated myself on focusing what I could do better. So I decided ok...I am done hanging out in the 230s and enough is enough. I have been working out daily on the tredmil doing about 2 miles every morning. Honestly, I have to say its such a great feeling to me now to be able to do that every morning. I used to dread working out, but now for some reason I actually look forward to my work outs. I really focused on drinking all of my fluids every day which for me is about 64oz a day. So I am sure you can all guess...yup I go to the bathroom constantly! Haha. So not only have I been doing my exercise and drinking all of my fluids but I have really been paying attention to my diet and actually writing everything down AND measuring everything out (even down to the salad dressing). It truely is an eye opener to actually see how much your eating and I think I lost focus with that for a while. But it feels great to be on track.

I had gotten to the point where I was weighing myself almost daily. I was getting so frustrated with the numbers that were on the scale that I decided I really can't do that to myself. So from now on I will be weighing myself once a week.

Well this morning was my 1 week challenge. I was very nervous for today to come just because I know how hard I have been working this week and I didn't want to be disappointed on the scale. I am sure most of you have felt this way. I had a million things running through my mind..."what if I lost nothing", "what if I gained weight", "what if I only lost a pound"...I hate feeling like this and most of all I hate that thats what weighing myself does to me! Then I thought to myself, I really need to stay positive about the situation. I know how hard I have been working and that was the important part to me. I have been feeling so good about everything that I have been doing this week and thats what I was going to focus on.

The big moment had arrived this morning. I thought to myself no matter what the number is, I am going to remain positive and keep doing what I am doing. After weighing myself twice this morning because I couldn't believe the first number I saw.....I thought to myself...the hard work paid off!!! I lost 6lbs!!! I have also come into some new numbers...I am no longer in the 230s. My new weight as of this morning is 227.4lbs. I have also reached my 50lb goal. I have now lost 52lbs to be exact and I now have a big smile on my face. WOW! To even think I have lost over 50lbs is amazing to me and I never thought this day would come!

I am going to keep up the hard work and start for my 60lb weight loss goal....8 more pounds to go. Thank you to all of you as well. I love all of the support we give each other and it truely helps me stay on track!

As always lets shed those pounds together!

~*Michelle*~

The little things count too...

So I have noticed these past few weeks that a couple of things are changing on my body. Not just my weight. What I mean by this is I actually am starting to see my collar bone, something I haven't seen in a couple of years. When I was in college taking anatomy and physiology, I always remember my instructor who used to tell all of her students that the sexiest part on a female was the collar bone. I am actually starting to see why and its such a great feeling. There is also the fact of actually being able to see my wrist bone. Another great feeling especially because my boyfriend, Bryan, used to not be able to fit his hand around my wrist and now he always says my wrists are getting so tiny! TINY?! Something I never thought possible (even though we are only talking about my wrists). Not to mention the ring Bryan gave me as a promise for the future, its too big on my finger now. Size 8 ring. And my favorite of all that I just noticed a couple of days ago and I am sure you all are going to think I am crazy, but that little triangle that you can see between your legs when they aren't touching!!! These are all such great feelings to me and it makes me want to work that much harder! I am sure all of you have discovered some of these as well. It makes it fun because you never know what your going to discover next on your body! Thats why I like to say that the little things count too ;o)

This week I have really been focusing on my exercising and drinking all of my fluids and really making sure that my diet is up to par. I feel like I have been stuck around the 230s for too long so I am really hoping to see a number drop this week. Its just frustrating to know that you are working hard and although I may be losing inches which is very important to me too, I still want that number on the scale to drop as well.

I hope everyone is doing great and as always lets shed those pounds together!

A Better Me

First I would like to start off by saying I hope everyone is enjoying the new year of 2011. As you all know I was in CT visiting friends for New Years. Well while I was there I was coming down with a cold. UGH! Sore throat, cough, chest aching from coughing, and to top it off a stuffy nose. I have to say though as bad as it sounds its really not a bad cold. Its really bad in the morning and night time but during the day its not too bad. I have still been able to do my workouts even though I am not walking as far as I normally do. Which brings me to my next point....

I see that you all are picking a word....well I have been thinking about my word for a while now and I really wasn't sure which word would fit me best. Until today...

I really wasn't feeling well this morning. But for some reason as soon as I woke up this morning I put my gym clothes on anyways ( I find that if I lay my gym clothes out the night before and thats the first thing I do in the morning is put those gym clothes on I know that I am definitely going to work out! ) Well anyways there is a lot of constructrion going on at the house right now...plus we have 3 dogs and 1 puppy who is definitely a handful. I normally have everyone on a routine where I am able to get my workout in before any craziness goes on. Well this morning was a bit different. We have had people here since about 7am this morning which messes up my whole schedule/routine!

So here I am this morning, extremely stuffy nose not feeling good and in my workout clothes. I always find that its easier to talk myself out of not doing a workout because I will make an excuse like oh im sick not feeling good or I will work out more tomorrow...and I am sure you all have gone through this at one point or another. WELL that all changed this morning. I decided my word for the year is going to be DEDICATION. I am going to be dedicated to myself and my family and most importantly my weight loss.

So I tried something new this morning....I talked myself IN to working out instead of talking myself OUT of working out. Even though I am not feeling 100% I told myself you know what it will be better to do something instead of nothing. I actually completely surprised myself this morning was able to power walk for 30min. I did 1.80 miles and burned 252 calories. It made me feel so good and extremely proud of myself. I also weighed myself this morning and am at my lowest weight that I haven't been at in I don't know how long. My current weight is 231.2 lbs.

So for all of you lets all dedicate ourselves to a great weight loss in 2011. I want to thank all of you as well for being so supportive and following my blog. I hope everyone has a great day!!

As always....lets shed those extra pounds together!

2011 Here I come!

Hello to all, and I hope you all had a GREAT new years!! I just came back from visiting friends in CT and had a great time. But now its time to buckle down and shed these extra pounds! This is going to be a short post but I wanted to make sure you guys didn't I disappeared or anything. I got back into the swing of things this morning and worked out. I didn't do as well as I hoped but I thought I did pretty well for being gone for a couple of days and not being able to use the tredmil like I was doing. So this morning I did a mile and a half burned 185 calories and felt really good! Breakfast consisted of a protein shake and a diet iced tea which was definitely refreshing.

So I want to hear from all of you...quick question...

How full are your bands and when were you able to feel FULL after a small meal?

After my surgery I had a couple of complications...right after surgery my band had 3cc's in it and I wasn't able to get anything into my system. I was very dehydrated and landed myself in the ER twice for fluids. FINALLY my doctor decided that the fluid needed to come completely out so I pretty much started from a completely empty band. Well coming on the 6th is my 3 month period and I now have 5.2cc's in my band (although my doctor counts it as having 2.2 because I was behind since they had to take out the 3cc's right after surgery). I now feel my band more than ever, however I still feel like I can eat too much of a meal. So I am very curious to find out how much fluid you all have in your  bands and am I ever going to be completely satisfied after a very small meal?? I probably sound ridiculous right now but to me its a little bit frustrating. Thanks for all your support and I look forward to hearing from you!!

Lets all make it a great year and help each other out as best we can!