Me Before...Just A Reminder

It's interesting to look 'back' a couple of days before my banding. I was filled with fluid, uncomfortable, sluggish and dying. No, really. I had very little o2 circulating, could not walk a small flight of stairs and ate everything that didn't eat me first!

I wanted to give you the real past to compare. One year to one year. Wow, what a difference a year makes and how life changes. Alllllll for the betterrrrrrr.

And, still working on ME! That's my job! A fun job however!
I'm so glad I'm closer to ONE FACE!! It was really round!!!

Dancing in the Rain

My life changed June, 2008 when I happened upon the most fantastic PCP at Baylor College of Med. The picture on the left is one year after Lap Band...March 12, 2010. The picture on the right is December, 2009.

Yes, I was huge prior to surgery and in very poor health. But, the greatest life changing event ever happened and my world turned upside down. Never say never and never doubt the sound advice of a professional you trust.

This has been the greatest journey I have ever experienced. No regrets. No doubts and certainly no chance of 'going back' from whence I came. Good health has graced me again, giving me a new chance at life. Yes, my energy level is very high, my walking ability is fantastic and my mind has shifted to the 'healthier me' and keeping it that way.

I've been proud to know that I have friends and relatives who have gone this route after seeing me and understanding the value of it. I'm proud for them...for they are moving into a new, refreshing life they've not known in a while.

I have friends who have experienced by-pass, band and the sleeve, long before my banding...and, they have been a great support for me. I am still working on another 50 pounds in this year. It is slower with the band, but, I love my band. Well, except for the past two days when it had a mind of it's own and didn't want anything passing into my pouch.

Yes, I said pouch...about the size of a large egg intended to hold 4 ounces to a cup and a half at a meal. The end. Limited intake and making healthy choices have been the key to success. Not sure where I'd be today had I not run into Dr. Rogers, but, let's not go there.

I'm here, I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm active and I'm livin' and luvin' life. What more could I want? Travel, fun, new experiences...all of the above! There's nothing holding me back any longer, so, it's time to begin planning.

Life changes are exciting. I have a feeling I have more of those ahead and perhaps they will out do the banding. But, I'll guarantee you this...it'll be fun finding out and discovering those things.

I hope anyone having family or friends who have battled weight forever (and lost) will share this blog with those individuals. All it takes is a desire, courage and willingness to take that first step. The rest is a PIECE OF CAKE!!!! NOT. Just a phrase.

Life's too short to be bound by fat. There's too much laughter to be had in this 'ol world...and, it's never too late to make the most of it and DANCE IN THE RAIN! Speaking of...since I began my walking program, I have walked in the rain, walked in freezing temps and walked in the hot sun. Who cares...I'm walking for my life!

No longer am I LIVING TO EAT...I'M EATING TO LIVE.

Think about that! It's a big difference.

I don't post here as often, but I will continue over time. I wish to say a personal thank you to my readers, to my friends, to my family and to my marvelous BCM team of physicians. They have me in their computer and all of them can glance at me with the push of a button.

Now, for a kid who grew up scared too death of doctors...this is phenominal. I know my mother is dancin' in Heaven over me ending up with my own, personal team of docs and a direct line to my surgeon's right hand, Barbara! Gotta luv it!!!!

Nuff said for this day. Read it. Share it. Try it. Grin and bear it. Talk it. Walk it. Do it. Enjoy it. It's the best thing I've ever done in my life!!!

A Day With My Band

Once you've had several fills, the band is much tighter and limits the amount of food going in. If you eat too fast, if you eat large bites, if you drink while you eat..."we've got trouble, right here in River city"!! The elevator will reverse and the food is g o i n g u p!! Not fun!

Less is more...meaning meals that consist of 4 ounces to 12 ounces. The end. It's taken me an entire year to 'give in' to that necessity! But, now that I have, I'm on the weigh down again! Eureeka.

Breakfast - an instant packet of oatmeal (in a bowl, cover with water and nuke it for 1 1/2 minutes...enjoy)

Lunch/dinner - no later than 2 p.m. protein, veggie

mid-afternoon snack Zone Protein Bar Chocolate Almond Raisin...yum and yum

evening - can of Campbell's healthy request soup
the end.

You can not keep eating larger portions even if your band allows it. You must minimize you food intake, shrink your mind and realize you rarely feel hunger at all. Why? Well, excuse me, but that is the purpose of the band!! IT WORKS! Pay attention and work on your mental abiblities.

I hope this is helpful, in some ways for folks who slow down and read. Oft times, I think of my days at Humble Middle School and the spring I went to Weight Watchers with my best friend "Shu". We had a blast, lost weight and loved every minute of it.

By the Fall semester,, I was 50 pounds lighter, miles happier and wondered why none of my students said anything. My new lease on life had brightened my classroom and made me far more enjoyable to be around.

Then, one afternoon, I walked out of my classroom and saw an eighth grade Mom sitting there, waiting for her daughter to finish practice. We began to talk...she said, 'I hope you know how great an influence you've been on these kids'. I was shocked. "Why", I asked. They are excited over your weight loss and your new, happy spirit they see every day.

They had talked about it and decided, if I could do that, they could accomplish whatever they set their minds to. I asked why none of them had commented on it all. She said, they weren't sure they should. I told her to encourage them to share thoughts!

Wow, talk about impact without knowing it or thinking about it. We are role models in every step of life. People are watching, sometimes wishing they could do that and sometimes, they make major changes due to what they've seen in us.

I've shared my health story with various individuals in the past months. Many have said, "wow, everyone should be exposed to you. Your enthusiasm is contagious." Good for me! I'm proud to know that somehow I have possibly affected folks for the better.

I do know that a couple of cousins have undertaken bariatric surgery after seeing me or hearing about me. Yeah. If it saves lives, I'm all for it.

Here's to today and many new tomorrows. Life is ever changing and it's up to us to seek the best 'avenue' for our life path. As for me? I have two very special friends...J and M. Both of these people have been close by my side and shared their love and support! They are not the only two great folks in my life, but they are two noteable BFF's. I will also thank an old LVHS classmate, Billy.

Although we never shared a lot of laughs, classes or time together back in the day, we are still BFF's, connected with all of the remaining graduates and keeping in touch via email and Facebook. He is one individual who has shared some of the sweetest thoughts and opened my eyes with every word. After many of my classmates heard of my near demise back in March, 2004...he took time to write one of the most moving emails that I've ever received from a long past friend.

I thank him. I thank J and M. I thanks all of my BFF's and family. I thank it's time to quit writing now.

Determination

He was old, flaming red, knobby kneed and crippled with arthritis. I called him Blaze. My first horse, I was six years old. My savings account had a whoppin' $60 in it and that's exactly what the old horse cost me.
A family with seven kids had owned him, allowed the kids to pound him too death on pavement over the years and then, threw him away at the Cameron Park Stables in Waco. My dad saw him, knew he couldn't move all that fast and away we went...to the farm, Blaze in the trailer and my heart pumping out of my ears!
I had just turned six years of age then and didn't get a saddle until age 8. My daddy wanted me to 'learn how to' ride prior to a saddle. So, for two years...bareback, it was.
One of my favorite things to do every morning was to jump on Blaze and follow daddy with his load of hay. Down the gravel road, around the lazy curve and into a gate leading to the upper pasture. I was in heaven.
Now, this horse was not your automatic, smooth moving animal. He had a stilted trot and pounded the dirt with every step. I had done well for my first few weeks..learning...feeling proud...until -- one morning we headed down the gravel road in a hard trot.
His back came up, my butt went down and the only problem was the fact that I missed him as I cam down!
S P L A T!! Nothin' but gravel. Ouch and ouch, again. Daddy stopped the old red chevy pick-up and walked back to me. Tears flowing, I handed him the reins and said, "I'm not gettin' back on him'!!! Calmy, my daddy answered, "daughter, you'll get back on or we'll sell him tomorrow." Guess what, I couldn't get back on fast enough.
From that day forward I became a second Annie Oakley of sorts! I learned to balance, ride and go with the wind regardless of speed. From Blaze, I moved on into more attractive, faster moving horses. When you learn to ride bareback for a couple of years, you learn to 'become one with the horse'..it's like you're one piece in movement, syncopated and rythmical at every gait.
My year with lap band has been somewhat like my first year with that old, knobby kneed gelding. I've fallen off a couple of times, but have climbed back on with more determination than before.
Rather than face defeat and the possibilty of return to bad health, I chose to ride hard and go with the wind. It hasn't been easy. It's been a learning curve for an entire year.
However, I am proud of myself and I have proven to ME that I am very capable of managing my new lifestyle. I want to move on as I did with my different horses. It can only get better and offer more fun with each passing day.
So, to any of you reading this...BUCK UP!! Get with it and turn to a healthier style of living. For obese people, the battle never ends. But, with determination, the battle can be a win-win in your column with the right attitude.
Here's to weight loss, improved health, ease in movement and a long, happy life!

Today's Pic...March 6, 2010

I went to Kirkland's to browse...they had a great mirror. I was fascinated when I stopped....

You can see a change in my face from my last two week's work!

Yahooooooooooooooooooo....

That, my friends, is what it's all about!!!

Left pic at Kirkland's

Right pic in the bedroom mirror....oh well...ya duz tha best ya can when ya can!!

The First Year has Gone

And, so, the first year came and went (on the 12th). My life has completely changed, my personality is totally different and I can out walk most commn folk these days if they dilly dally!

I was on the brink of self destruction in July, 2008 when I happened upon a Baylor College of Med PPO for the first time. He instantly recommended me for Lap Band surgery, knowing that my health issues would fade with the weight gone.

And, thus, the journey began. The pic on the left was the day before surgery. The middle pic was about two months after and the right pic is today. This has been a journey and so it continues. Nothing worth having in life, comes easy or without focus. I have gone through mental, social, emotional and physical changes by the week.

I dropped weight instantly during the first three months and then struggled on a plateau. I finally sorted through the necessities of the band and reminded me...

the tummy is the size of a large egg

if you wait for it to allow, you can eat the wrong high caloric foods]

the band did not take care of my mental hang ups

snacks are not a part of a banders life

going to bed on a full tummy, doesn't cut it

minimal intake during the day is the key

no one can do this for me

how can I change my status quo to more success

Understand, I'm extremely pleased with my band. To have normal b/p and blood sugar, etc. is the most rewarding thing in the world. Also, I didn't do this to be skinny like today's models...however, I am ready to drop another 50 or so. So, read on and discover how I have effectively come to a self understanding in the last two weeks.

To see the scale go up one pound, two pounds or more...is the most frightening thing in my life today. Didn't affect me like that in the old days, but, hey, after surgery, financial input, recovery and meeting with my surgeon every month for the first six months...somehow has left a strong imprint on my brain.

Two weeks ago, I announced to Michael...I am having oatmeal for breakfast, my main meal of the day no later than 2 pm and a can of Healthy Request Campbell's soup or another oatmeal at night. I have allowed my self to enjoy one protein bar a day and I consume iced tea, tons of water and few favortie juices now and then.

Since I changed my routine, lowered my intake to a small amount every 24/7, I have come down five magic pounds. You see, without work, personal changes and more...nothing is a magic bullet.

Some of the rewards these days....

fitting in a booth at a restaurant

ordering an appetizer or eating a couple bite's off M's platter

wearing smaller sizes

fitting in the theatre seat and not hanging over

crossing my legs

sitting 'Indian style' at night in my recliner, if I choose

able to tie shoes without fainting

going down a couple sizes in the 'over the shoulder boulder holder' category

going down to regular size 18 from a woman's size 24 (a couple of 16's in there as well)

walking in a teacher's classroom and having no 'oh, my gosh, look at her stares from students)

fitting in a student's desk to observe the teacher

fitting in tight stalls in the restroom

able to ride my bike at top speed for exercise

bowling like a maniac, throwing a 12 pound ball

no edema of any kind any place for the past twelve months

sleeping and resting on an empty tummy

and, the list goes on

I have some ups and downs in life in the past six months. Some things have taken my focus and caused me to waiver in my journey. However, the bottom line for anyone in this situation is SELF. If you don't do it yourself, for yourself, and like it, WHY DO IT AT ALL???

Do I have occasion to excuse myself from the dinner table at holidays to go and empty my too fast amounts I threw down. Yep. Does it make a difference? Yep. Does it slow me down? Yep. Does it make me remember what I must do? Yep. Do I have regrets? Nope.

There's no room for self pity, self destruction or 'oh, woe is me'...it's a job and like Nike, JUST DO IT. Do I have a goal weight in mind? Yes...but this is a never ending thing in my life now. I will never gain my weight back...I love living life with a smile on my face.

Rather that living to eat...I now eat to live and lose more pounds.

Many of you have supported me, listened to me, loved me and been there throughout this entire time. Please, hang around another year and wait to see 'less of me'...okay?

The song says "Life's A Dance, You Learn as You Go"....I'm dancin' as fast as I can! And, I've even learned to dance in the rain! I find ways to make my own sunshine...and, for many of you...you completely understand where I'm coming from!

Wishing you a great spring and summer! Yep, would love for you share comments here and be honest!! Nope, I won't pout.