*Sigh*

I'm having a bit of a break down today. This evening will be the first night of the proceeding month that my husband goes back on the night shift. Previous months, I've only been moderately stressed when he makes his monthly switch from days to nights. But... those were the days when I didn't care about my health, the gym, and calories burned vs. consumed. For the past month or so, my husband has so graciously made it possible for me to go to the gym every day of the week. He would stay with our sweet girl, while I went and got some "me" time.
This month should be interesting with trying to figure how to make my gym routine work.

Another thing for today's post- I made a "before and... in progress" picture on Thanksgiving. Though I was able to tell I was losing weight in many ways (loose jeans, better heart rate, old cloths fitting that haven't for ages) putting these two pictures together, really was amazing. It just solidified that all of my hard work is SHOWING! So here it is-

NSV

I ran two miles yesterday afternoon, on top of my regular gym routine! I know this isn't much compared to what some do on a daily basis. But less than three months ago, I wasn't even walking on the treadmill, no less running! I've been stuck between a mile and a mile and a half lately. Yesterday I cranked out two. Can't wait to run all 5K.

"I'm light as a feather!"

In the beginning of this week, my husband and I ventured to Garmicsh, Germany for a 2 night, 3 day stay at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, centered in the gorgeous Alps! It was our 3 year wedding anniversary on the 15th. Prior to leaving, I made a pact with a friend, that I wouldn't do my weekly weigh-in this Friday (which has typically turned into Saturday's) due to the fact that vacation has an infamous way of putting ~on~ the pounds. And that wasn't really what I needed this week.

But this morning I had Horton on my mind. The scene where he was feeling "light as a feather" was running on replay in my mind from the moment I woke up. So I took it as a good sign that I should definitely weigh myself this morning!

Down almost three pounds from last week!!!! Though my week hasn't been the best with working out, I did make great food choices, and still was very active through out my vacation. I walked around the little towns (for shopping of course!), and through some of the trails in the mountains. We even took our daughter swimming at least 3 times during our stay. I also made it to the resort's gym Tuesday morning for an hour work out. Eating was pretty far from my mind for the most part, since we were so busy! The night of our anniversary, I ordered a chicken bacon melt sandwich. Certainly not the best food choice. BUT! My band turned it into one! Two bites in, I had to leave the table, because it got stuck! So I ended up only eating the grilled chicken with cheese on it. Bread and bacon had to hit the high road!

This is all quite a trip. Working out while on vacation!? Not eating the bacon?!? So happy to say that the old me has somewhat disappeared, and the healthier me is here for the long haul!

She's So Hiiii-eeeee-iiiiigh!

Just got home from the gym! Does anyone else feel a high/euphoric feeling when they return home from a good workout? That Tal Bachman song, "She's So High" Just runs through my head, an makes me all giddy. I don't know if its the fact that I get some "me-time", or if its the endorphins, or both. But it's the greatest feeling, and it quite literally lifts my mood for the remainder of the day! I am very much grateful that my husband supports my daily trips to the gym. I am so blessed to have him.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been praying over a goal. Wasn't sure if it was realistic or not. But Now I am. So here it is...

By March 15th, 2012, I want to be able to run a 30 minute or less (hopefully much less) 5K. March 15th is the day my husband and I started dating, and it will mark 6 wonderful years of knowing him! So! There it is, out in the open. Hold me accountable!!!! =D Have a good weekend everyone!

Working the Scale Corner No More!

Definition of a Scale Whore- one who hops on the scale at least once a day, in hopes to be paid in pounds lost. Often resulting in bad payment.

This was me. For a week.

Never. AGAIN!

So ridiculous. I went through a lot of unnecessary disappointment this week. I even went so far as to buy a new scale, just in case my original one wasn't telling the truth. Each day my weight would fluctuate 1-5 pounds. This was something I absolutely hated seeing (who doesn't?), especially because I have been busting butt and pushing myself at the gym. Not to mention I have been counting calories all week. It felt like all of my hard work was absolutely pointless. Yes... I did have a "screw-it" thought pass through my little pea-brain, but I did not act upon it. It was very tempting to say "Screw it. All of this work is giving me zero results. Why bother to continue it?" But after going through all of the hard work of the surgery, that kind of mind-frame is just not acceptable to me. 

Something else working against me this week, is that annoying lady time of the month. So that could have quite possibly been the reason for the weight flux. 

So what did this week of scale hookin' get me? A lot of unneeded and unnecessary stress... and maintenance! If I had just stayed clear of the "corner" this week, and stayed loyal to my healthy scale relationship, I would have had refreshing results at the end of the week. A .1 loss. 

Lesson learned!

Some things I will be doing within the next week on top of going to the gym every day, to take my getting in shape up a notch are purchasing the BodyBugg, and joining Team Beachbody. I've heard great things about the BodyBugg and will be buying that next week. As far as Team Beachbody- I just joined today. I look forward to seeing results with this program and having a coach (who happens to be a fellow friend!) to help me along my weight-loss journey! I'll report more on that as things progress!!

Another NSV!!!

For the past three weeks, I have been exercising everyday, and making it to the gym at least every other day. I started off slow with 30 minutes on the elliptical. I then threw in a little speed walking on the treadmill. And then threw in a little biking. Each day I would spend a little more time on each machine. Last week I tried my hand at jogging on the treadmill. I haven't really run since high school. Something that also has prevented me from jogging/running has been my breast size. Running is definitely not something I feel comfortable doing with my girls going every which way. So when I decided to jog last week, it was really a step out of my comfort zone! This week I have been able to run about 3/4 of a mile. This was really hard for me, and found that I wasn't able to push myself to get to that one. whole. MILE! So frustrating.

This morning at the gym, I pushed and pushed and pushed myself. Time hasn't gone by so slowly since I was in labor. I made it past the .75 mark. I then found my self at .87. And at that point, .9 felt good enough for me. I just couldn't make it one more minute running on that treadmill!

^This would have been the case if I was working out alone. But I had my friend Connie on the treadmill beside me! She just happened to look over right about the time I was going to decrease the speed and said-

"Oh!!! Your almost there!"

Those simple words were all it took (thank you Connie!!!), and I finally reached my mile today! I was of course happy that I had reached it, but I couldn't seem to get over how long it took. 12 minutes and 47 seconds is not my idea of a good mile time. But I quickly got over that when my husband said "Live in the now, and keep striving for better!", and I was soon 100% elated that I had run an entire mile. I can't wait to look back on this blog post and chuckle, because I will then be running 3 or 4 miles. 

All in all today I did 8 miles- 1 on the treadmill, 2 on the elliptical, and 5 on the bike. Ok.. and another .5 on the treadmill for cool down. 

As far as food choices go, I feel like I've been doing pretty well! I often find that I'm actually not hungry. The thought of eating is passing through my mind FAR less than pre-surgery. I do however think I will need another fill. I think I'm still able to eat just a little bit more than I should be able to put away. But knowing this, has also made self-control easier. We shall see! I'll give it another week or two and see how I make out. 

Again, I spaced my weigh in this morning... so that will come tomorrow morning! Stay tuned =)

Post Fill Experiences

So, my first fill was on Friday! The appointment itself was interesting to say the least, but only because I have never seen such a horrible lack of organization. Dealing with this German hospital has been good and bad. Positive because they did a wonderful job with my surgery, and medically, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Negative, because its been a nightmare with the language barrier, and the commute is retched. Also, I don't think a lot of the doctors up there are wild on the idea of American patients.
Anyway! The fill itself was perfect! I had no pain at all. However, the doctor that did the procedure, took me right back to radiology. He didn't even attempt without an X-Ray. I've heard that this is not the norm. I've heard that they normally try to get to the port without it, and should they have no luck, that they then move to do an X-Ray. But, he did a sufficient job none the less. He put in 3cc's. This made me happy. I was concerned because of how hungry I was, and how much I knew I needed a fill. These trips to Frankfurt are hardly what I want to do once a month. So I requested that he put in as much as possible, due to the fact that its a good two hour drive. And also, every time I go for an appointment, we basically have to plan to be there for a solid 3 hours, if not more. Not ideal for my little one. She gets VERY bored, VERY quick.
I of course didn't feel much different after the fill. I was advised to be on liquids for the remainder of the day, and then I could go back to regular foods the following day. So it wasn't until the Halloween party that I had my first bit of food. Well, low and behold, I ate too much, or I ate too fast... I'm not really sure what happened. I started out very focused on my eating, making sure I was chewing and so forth. But I think with getting distracted in conversation, one of the two happened, and I made a mad dash for the bathroom, which was of course occupied, and then ended up outside. But by the time I got out there, I simply paced up and down the side walk, and after 20 minutes it seemed to get better. This was my first time around with food getting stuck, and let me tell you, I did not enjoy in the least!!!! It's all about learning at this point. I just can't wait until I have this band all figured out!

On a brighter note- Here are some fun pictures from the party, courtesy of my dear friend Connie! 

My husband and I, dressed as old geezers. 

I have a feeling this will be us in a couple dozen years!

My little bumble bee! Missing parts of her costume, but you know how it is with toddlers!

Well, back to the fill.  I'm hoping that the amount I have in my band right now will do the trick. So far it has. I am not hungry much at all, and when I am, I am feeling a good amount of restriction. I must say, the full feeling is really quite marvelous!!!!!