My Independence Day !!

Words can't describe the amazement and sense of self pride I felt when I made this! I never realized how far I have really come! Thank you to everyone who stood beside me through this journey and who are still here giving me the courage and support to continue until I reach my final goal!!!

FAQ's and Updates

Ever since I have had surgery, I have had a lot of people ask be questions about the surgery. So I have decided to do a little FAQ from my point of view.

1.)  Do you ever regret having the Lap-Band done?   Absolutely not! I think it is one of the BEST things I have ever done! I could not be happier with my decision to have it done.

2.) What was the recovery like?  For me the first few days really sucked. I had a gas bubble floating around and it was very painful  until it passed, and thank God when it did! I don't think I have ever been so uncomfortable in my life. There was a point during those first few days where I was so miserable I was second guessing why I ever had it done ( mind you that is the ONLY time I have ever questioned having the procedure, and looking back, that pain and discomfort was totally worth it). It was hard to breath, hard to sleep, hard to walk, hard to couch, pretty much any movement was uncomfortable and a bit painful! But the recovery process is going to be different for every one. Considering other surgeries, I'm sure this is a walk in the park!

3.) How much dose it cost? This is always a tough question to answer because it is based on each individual insurance plan and benefits. My benefits for the Lap-Band was as followed: 90% coverage once I met my $350 deductible. On my plan I also had a $2,000 maximum out of pocket. So the most I would have to pay would of been $2,000. Since I already had met my deductible for the year my total came out to around $1,700 and I owed only $300 something up front. Well worth the money if you ask me! So really you would have to check with your physician and insurance company for an appropriate answer to that question.

4.) What does the incision look like and how big?

Not very big at all. Now granted it is right in the middle of my stomach which bothered me at first, however now I just look at it and think " I would rather shower this scar off in the middle of my stomach rather than have a giant ol' tummy I never wanted to shower off"

5.) What can you eat? That once again will vary from person to person. I can pretty much eat everything I could be before, just not nearly as much. Now I do have a hard time with ground beef, and some days I really miss a greasy cheeseburger, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to deal with.  Breads are hard to deal with unless they are toasted or really thin, and even then I am limited on how much I can eat. Figuring out what  I can and can not eat has been an adventure to say the least. Sucks finding out the hard way that something doesn't agree or that I ate too fast. Live and learn!

6.) Do you really have to work out? DUH! The Lap-Band is not a miracle procedure nor is it a cure all to your weight issue. It is simply another tool given to you to help you achieve your ultimate goal! I still have to watch every little thing that enters my body. Now I don't count calories or anything like that, however I try to stay away from empty liquid calories. Especially after surgery you want to hit the gym hard, with the weight loss from the Lap-Band you want to make sure that you are toning up your body so you do not have loose, unattractive loose skin all over the place. To me, I think I would rather be fat than have all this loose skin just hanging out.

So those are the top 6 questions I get asked often, and if I forgot any or you have any thing else you would like to know, just ask me! and on to the picture updates:

Weight 225 lbs as of 3/21/12

Still not perfect but well on my way!

I have tried to flip this picture around a hundred and one times and I just can't figure it out. So anyways the first picture was taken 01/12/2012. The second picture was taken 03/25/2012!

 Beast Mode!

So that is what I have been up to lately and I have honestly got to say I don't think that I would be doing so well if it wasn't for the awesome support system I have and an awesome gym buddy (the boyfriend). I'm sure he doesn't know it, and if he does he hides it well, he is a big motivator for me to get my butt up and off to the gym, and to actually push myself past limits I thought I had! Never would I of imagined myself going an hour on the treadmill, let alone doing and incline of 15! And then venturing over to "the boys side" of the gym and doing weights and what now, yep wouldn't be doing it! So a big thanks goes out to boo!

All because of a dress!

I have never been one to wear a dress, let alone be the girl that will try one on for the hell of it. Well yesterday I was at JC Pennys looking for a pair of jeans, you know since all of mine are WAY to big, and I ran across this really pretty dress! Now normally I would just acknowledge that the dress was indeed pretty and go on about my way. In my eyes dresses are not a flattering piece of clothing when you are over weight. To me, a dress just screams " hey here's my giant tummy, yep right here! here it is, go ahead and look at it!!" and who really wants that? Not yesterday, yesterday I decided that I was in fact going to try this beautiful dress on! Boy oh boy am I glad that I did. I LOVE IT! I have never felt pretty, let alone beautiful in a dress before. In this dress, I felt like a million bucks. 

I know I probably should have, but I did not buy the dress. I just couldn't talk myself into spending $45.00 on a dress that I don't have a place to wear it to, and I didn't want to risk it being too big by time the event came up that would call for a dress. 

And speaking of loosing weight, I realize it has been A LONG TIME since I have last posted about my weight loss. As of this past Wednesday I am down to 225.4!!! So that would make 41.1 pounds lost since December 2nd!!! 

Life is good! 

There will ALWAYS be a bump in the road.

I have learned that there will always be a bump in the road when it comes to your weight loss journey, there is no getting around that. You just have to put your big girl panties on and make the best of the situation and keep your eye on the end result.

Since I have had my first fill,  I have only been to the gym a handful of times. I have let life get in the way of going to the gym. Going out to eat with friends, doing this, that, and the other. Everything but what I should be doing. I did manage to make it to Zumba with my neighbor. Talk about fun! I forgot how much I truly enjoy doing Zumba, and just how much you actually sweat while doing it! I am going to have to find a cheap Zumba game for the Wii and making it a point to do that at least once a week, on top of going to the gym like I am supposed to. 

Tried to go to the gym today. That was a bomb. My darn key tag would not let me in. Now normally, I would of just shrugged my shoulders and went on about my day. Not any more! I went straight home and out in my Biggest Loser DVD for the Wii and did a work out routine on there ! You can not let those little bumps in the road get you down and detour you away from your ultimate goal. Just have to find a way around them! And that is exactly what I did! 

So this next statement might not sound like a big thing to most people, but to people whom have been over weight a majority of their life will know the excitement in this! I got out of the shower the other day and wrapped my towel around me...... AND BOTH ENDS OF THE TOWEL MET!!!!!!! I could not tell you the last time that has happened. Well this a regular sized towel that is. I felt like a million bucks! It's the little things that really get me excited, and keep me motivated to keep on this journey! 

 

                           WHOOO HOOO!!! 

Also yesterday I put on my smallest pair of pants I own, too big! I looked like saggin' baggin' berry all day! Looks like I am going to have to give in and go buy a cheap pair of pants! 

And I almost for got to mention, I have went from a 2xl to a xl in scrub tops!!! 

<3

Cadio helps you look good in clothes. Free Weights help you look good naked

LOTS! to catch up on!

Monday Jan 16
I know I went to the gym on Monday. I just can't remember all that I did that day. I know I did arms with Bob. He made me venture over onto the "boys" side of the gym. Everything over there is so BIG and intimidating! Oh well, have to get over that and utilize ALL that the gym has to offer.

Tuesday Jan 17
Legs day! Worked out with Cyndi and Bob! Did my 25 minute cardio warm up:

Then proceeded with the leg machines. Not sure what they are called. I pushed up on one and down on the other. I felt the burn and I broke a sweat! That's all I know and all I cared about lol. Also did some squats with a medicine ball.. Booty's by Carla! ha-ha

Wednesday Jan 18:
Went to the gym solo that day. Decided to take the day off from strength training and just did some lovely cardio! 41 minuets. 459 calories burned. Works for me!

This is also my day I do my weekly weigh in. 241.6!!!! 24.9 POUNDS LOST SINCE DEC 2ND!!!

Thursday Jan 19th:
Met with a personal trainer after work. Good Golly Miss Molly! She had me do a 4 min warm up on the eliptical, then rest of the hour was nothing but free weights. And boy did I sweat like a whore in church. Every muscle on my body was screaming for help, and I loved it! It felt so good! I learned that working larger muscle groups will help you burn more calories and tone all at the same time. Worth my time that's for sure! Lot's of new things I will continue to keep doing!!!!

Also went in for my first fill that morning! Everything went really well. The process for a fill in interesting to say the least but not as bad as I thought it would be. They inject your port with saline until its completly closed. Then you drink some water until your eye balls are the size of the moon, then the doctor slowly removes some  of the saline until you can feel the water flow through the pouch.

                                                                        Fun times! 

And for the people who don't know how the Lap-Band is set up on the inside, here is a pic of what it looks like:

And when I weighed in at the doctors on Thursday.... 240.3!!!! So that has me down 26.2 pounds!!! Hell yea!! 

Updated photos: Not beautiful, but I am getting there:

So there it is. I know the pics are a little different and not of good quality, but I had no one here to help take pics so this is as good as it gets!!! 

Thursday Jan. 12, 2012

Completely forgot to blog about Thursday. And yes that is that last time I went to the gym. Slacker, I know. I am however going tonight after work!

Thursday was Cardio and Legs night. All I am going to say is, Bob doesn't play when it comes to the machines. It hurt. A LOT! But I guess no pain no gain!

No to shabby I guess. I am going to try and go for 45 minutes tonight. I always just do 30 minutes. Now it's time to push myself! Wish me luck!

I am not a fan of this contraption at all!!! It hurts. And it’s not a very attractive position for me. I hate to look at this photo and see all of those lumps and bulges below my boobs. I just have to keep telling myself, it's not going to be like that forever and that's why I am at the gym so I can get rid of those!

So there is my Thursday night in a nut shell.

2 pounds

That's how much I have gained! I did my weekly weigh in yesterday ( January 11,2012) and I was up to 245.4! I was so pissed! Everyone kept saying oh it's just muscle, blah blah blah. Well whatever that 2 pounds was, I was not happy to see my number go up. Just didn't settle well with me mentally. So off to the gym I went last night with Cyndi and Bob.

Did the whole treadmill thing last night like I always do, however, last night I actually RAN on the treadmill a couple times. I NEVER run when I do the treadmill, just kind of walk really fast. I'm not sure what made me run. Could of been the 2 pound gain, could of been the awesome new music I put on my iPod. Not sure. But whatever it was, I liked it.  Looks like I will be trying this running thing a little more often, well when the gym isn't packed that is. Don't really want everyone witnessing that possible disaster ha-ha. And when I wasn't running I had a serious incline going on. At one point I was at an 15 incline ( the highest incline that treadmill would go...OUCHIE)

After the treadmill, went and visited the hip adductor and abductor like I always do. I am determined to get rid of these thunder thighs!! Did some crunches with a medicine ball and some planks. Going back tonight and doing it all over again.

Friday should be an interesting time. I meet with a personal trainer @ 3pm. Of course I have it set up on Friday the 13th.... just my luck! Hopefully she doesn't try and kill me!

Spring in January!

Love love love this weather! When is the last time it was 60 degrees in January? Got to love Kentucky and its crazy weather. It has literally snowed and been spring like weather in the same week! I guess the saying is true. If you do not like the weather in Kentucky, hang around for a while, it will change, haha.

I had to take advantage of the beautiful weather and took Boss to Bernheim for a walk today instead of going to the gym. Figured the pup could use some fresh air and a nice walk. We did a three mile walk around Lake Nevin.

Simple day, simple blog

8 week challenge

The gym is doing this 8 week challenge and you have to sign up before the end of January. I really want to do it! You give them a little bio about you, a before picture, and 20 bucks. Then at the end of the 8 weeks they will compare the before and after picture, inches lost, weight lost, and all that jazz. Then the top 3 people get rewarded. 1st place is pretty sweet, 6 months free membership, 6 months free tanning and I think a few personal training sessions. The only this that is holding me back is, I feel it's not fair for me to join in on the challenge since I have had the lap-band done, so I don't know I am a little torn on that! I will probably go ahead and sign up for the challenge anyways so that way I have just ONE MORE thing to help motivate me to become the best, and most fit ME, I can be!

Last night was a pretty lame night at the gym... It was so packed!!! I'm not a fan of a packed gym! I like to be able to go in there, use whatever piece of equipment I want to use right then and there and get it over with. That was not the case last night. Every single cardio machine was occupied when I got there. Not cool! I always start off with cardio! It's how I get into my rhythm and get pumped about being at the gym. I do not like just jumping right into weights and what not as soon as I get there. However I guess I am going to have to get used to this happening until all of the "new years resolution go-ers" start dropping out. I hate to see people give up on their fitness goals, but maybe they could try going to another gym, and not be so inconvenient to me and my gym time ha-ha :0)

January 4th:
10 min treadmill
.55 miles
98 calories
WEAK!!!

Tonight, as the gangsta kids say "I WILL GO H.A.M" ha-ha. ... I should never use that statement again!

Slim-derella

How cute of a nickname is that?  A lady at work has started calling me Slim-derella everytime she see me. I just love it :0)

A friend on Facebook wrote on my wall the other day, this is what she said:



Carla, i havent everr read your blogs til just recently when we got internet back. lol I was using my phone for internet. lol but anyways i just wanted to tell you that you look greatt!!! lol. i am so proud of you. i dont think i could ever have the strength and motivation to do what your doing. and ur blog is so open about everything. i didnt realize how hard it must have been to start that and keep up with it. u should be very proud of urself. but i just wanted to say that i noticed wat u were doing and how good u look. lol. ur blogs are very inspiring. keep it up.
♥ brittni & emma :)

It is always an awesome feeling when someone says they are proud of you and acknowledges all of your hard work! Makes all of the struggling, hard work, and sacrifices worth it! Everyday I hear something positive and I can not help but have a GREAT day and a smile on my face!

Tuesday January 3rd 2012:

My neighbor Kim went to the gym with me last night. It is always nice having a gym buddy and someone to hold you accountable for your workouts! I must say, I had a very productive work out last night. My thighs and booty are on fire and so sore today! It was a night of cardio and squats!!

A little blury, but you get the general idea!

35 minutes on the treadmill last night. 358 calories burned. 1.70 miles!

SQUATS! Why must they be so darn painfull? So effective, but my Lord so painfull. The saying NO PAIN NO GAIN .. Yea it came to life when people discovered squats. And squats with a medicine ball... go ahead and shoot me now!!!

OUCH! That is all  I am going to say. I love them, I really do. I enjoy the burning, it lets me know something it going on, and there WILL be results.... I just also hate, hate, hate them and like to bitch a little bit about them as well!

And to wrap this blog up. My weekly Wednesday weigh in:
December 2nd                January 4th:                Total Loss:
Weight: 266.5                 Weight:  243.4              23.1 lbs
BMI:     43.0                   BMI:      38.7                4.3

 

Greasy Fries or Skinny Thighs? You decide!

Love that saying! It has been a good motivation statement for me! So I have quite a bit of stuff to talk about tonight!! :

Tuesday December 27th:

Cardio day only at the gym! 1.69 miles on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Burned 364 calories!

Now as far as the rest of the week, I WAS A SLACKER! And I feel horrible about missing Friday and Saturday! I've decided Wednesdays and Thursdays will be my off days. So I have to make sure I stick to my schedule this week!! 

Wednesday December 28th:

Had my 2 week follow up with my lap-band doctor. Everything went great! I have lost a total for 20 pounds since December 20th!!! How awesome is that!! The doctor had nothing but good things to say! Well except for the fact that I need to start eating more often than just one or two times a day. Which I have been trying a lot harder to do. I'm just not all that hungry.

Wednesday and Thursday I had SO many positive things said to me. I felt like a million bucks! I was told I was looking skinny and that I looked fabulous! Thursday I wore a pair of jeans to work, which I have never done since I have been there. All I can say is, I love the ladies I work with! Everyone was just saying how great I looked and what not. I couldn't not help but smile! I honestly could of cried, that's how amazing it felt to hear all of those compliments! 

Friday December 30th:

The first time I have went to the grocery since surgery, AND I GOT TO BUY REAL FOOD! Super excited about that! I was so tired of opening my refrigerator and seeing nothing but liquids and "soft" foods. Bought this low calorie milk

I was a little nervous about buying it at first, I just knew it was going to taste like garbage and be a total waste of my money. Actually it's not bad at all and doesn't take too different from regular milk! So glad I decided to buy it, despite my hesitation! Worth the money and the fewer calories per serving! The white milk is also very tasty in my egg and salsa omelet!

I swear it taste a lot better than it looks in this photo! 

So I like to think my trip to the store was a success! Made a lot more healthier choices than I would of a few months ago. Which only gives me more motivation and more drive to reach my goal! 

I WILL make sure this is a true statement! 

Sunday January 1st:

Cardio and Strength Training day!!! 30 minutes on the treadmill went 1.37 miles and burned 283 calories. It felt so good to be back in the gym tonight.

*I was pretty sure I was going to die while taking this picture. For future reference, one should not attempt picture taking while on a treadmill*

 Did some ab workouts with a medicine ball. Lot of arm work outs with the dumbbells. And of course I had to visit the hip abductor and adductor... Bye bye thunder thighs!!