Ramblings...

First off, I want to thank all of you who have helped me see the errors in my "protein" shakes!!! As soon as I get my lazy butt motivated I am going to head into town and see what I can find. I have been so lazy these past few days!!! It has been rainy and dreary...we've gotten 7 3/4 inches of rain since Monday!!! Yesterday I barely got off the couch. I was hoping to get a run in yesterday evening...sigh. I MUST exercise!!!

I also wanted to do a little blog on how this past year has changed my life!!

• First off, obviously losing over 100 pounds is the BIG change!!!
• I went from wearing a size 26/28 to a 16. (Sometimes I can wear a 12/14 or 8/10 in knit shorts!!)
• My bra size went from 42DD to 38D. (I was kinda depressed that the girls were disappearing...but I'm good with it now!!)
• I have collarbones!!! And hip bones!! And wrist bones!!! And when I lay down I can see the outline of my ribs!!
• I can RUN!!! For short distances...but I can do it and it feels good!!
• I wore a dress to work at the end of school. I would have never done that a year ago. I got a lot of comments on my "tan and tone" legs...LOL
• I haven't eaten any pasta, rice, or soft bread (I occasionally eat croutons on my salad or a piece of crusty garlic bread - but  most of the time that bothers me so I avoid it!) or drank a soda in a year. I don't miss any of it!!
• I stood on the sidelines during football season with the entire stadium looking at me every Friday night with my head held high. CONFIDENCE!!!
• I came out of my shell at work. I made friends - great friends!!!
• I take pride in getting "dolled up" now.
• I took Zumba and danced my little a-rhythmic heart out.

There are some things I haven't given up since being banded. For instance, I still use REAL SUGAR in my coffee. I spent a small fortune on every sugar substitute on the market but I couldn't handle the twang. I did, however, go from three spoons of sugar to 1.5!! I still use real Ranch dressing on my salad. I occasionally drink SWEET tea but I usually get half-n-half. But, other than those little things I try very hard to follow all of the other guidelines.

Here's a question: I was told (by some women getting a fill at my one week post-op appointment) that we (bandsters) aren't supposed to drink from a straw. I've never directly asked my surgeon...I can never remember to ask...but was that in anyone else's guidelines??? Just wondering!!! It's hard to go to Sonic and get a tea and have to take the lid off and NOT spill!!!

Now I'm on to my list-making. We are going to the lake for the weekend. Peace and relaxation with a little fishing thrown in!!! It's my own piece of heaven!!!

Toledo Bend. My home away from home!!

I want to share a blog with you

My pastor's daughter has a blog that I would like to share with you guys. Let me warn you, it is a tear jerker - but for me it was truly an inspiration.

Their son was diagnosed with anencephaly (the absence of a large part of the brain and the skull) in utero back in January. She chose to blog her pregnancy. I can't even begin to imagine the difficulties she and her husband and the whole family went through - and are still going through.

Having fertility problems myself I am not sure I could hold it together if I finally got pregnant and be dealt this devastation. Her faith is immeasurable. That is what inspired me. Her blog is full of raw emotion that touched my soul.

Here is the link: http://thelittlejourneyofbabythomas.blogspot.com

If you get a chance, check it out.

The Itchies are Almost Gone!!

I am going to have to buy my PCP a present...the steriods/anti-fungal meds are doing their thang!!! The rash is leaving and so are the itchies!! And that is just after two doses. I now can see why my mom taped socks to my hands when I had the chicken pox. Chris - my wonderfully supportive hubby - threatened to do the same thing Sunday. I'm sorry, but if it itches, I'm gonna scratch!!!

I have a question!! I don't know how many of you ladies are able to eat in the morning. It's an absolute NO NO for me. I've tried several times but it almost always ends in DISASTER. Especially eggs...if I try to eat an egg before 11 AM I turn into SLIMER!!!! You know, I've never actually PB'd....but I have foamed and slimed and all that lovely stuff. Now, on to my question (I am beginning to think I have adult ADD - no kidding!!! I am extremely distractable...it drives my students crazy...oops, there I went again.)

Anyway!! I was wondering what kinds of protein shake you ladies prefer??? I have been drinking the Special K Chocolate shakes since I was banded! I have one almost every morning (except on the weekends when I am a bad bandster and skip breakfast - or at least replace it with 4 cups of java). The Special K shakes have 190 calories; 29 g of carbs; 18g of sugar; and 10g of protein. I honestly don't have a clue if this is the best choice or if I'm getting too much of something and not enough of something else. They come in 10 oz bottles and it is getting to the point where they don't keep me satisfied until lunch and I go searching for a snack. Confession: I don't always make great snack choices and a lot of the time I will eat a little bag (or 2) of Cheetos (my ultimate sin).

My nutritionist told me that I should stay away from protein shakes that come from powder because they have a tendency to irritate the band. But I have read many blogs where people buy powders...so IDK?? I have also tried the Slim Fast (drinkable but I don't really care for them) and the Atkins (HORRIBLE). I haven't tired Muscle Milk because $8 for a four-pack is just more than I want to pay!!!

So, if any of you have any advice...please send it my way!!!  ¡Muchas gracias!

On an unrelated note: we got RAIN!! Glorious droplets of water falling from the sky!!! It has been so hot and dry here this summer...we are actually in a 22 inch rain deficit. It has been miserable!! We have a place on the lake (actually resevoir) about 75 miles from here and it is at least 6 ft. low. The lake is our home away from home but it has been hard to enjoy it this year!!! I am so thankful for the rain. I almost ran outside and played - but it was also thundering and lightening like crazy and I didn't feel like being charbroiled!!!



Me and Chris after his Alumni Football game in April.
Imagine a bunch of 30 somethings playing
60 minute of full contact football.
It was a hoot!!



There is a fungus among us...

The doctor's verdict: and fungal rash. Does that not sound disgusting??? Basically, when I had the heat rash under my ta-tas it was a fungal infection -aka a yeast infection!!!! Yeast likes to hang out in dark moist places and I guess under my girls was the perfect place!!

For whatever reason the fungi (I think that's right...or at least how I remember it from high school) got the idea to set up house all over my skin!!! So he prescribed me some steroids (I'm going to PUMP you up!!!) and a pill that is used to treat the OTHER yeast infection. I have to wait 5 days and if it clears up I'm gtg. If not, then it's back to the doctor I go!!!

I am hoping the meds do their job and stop the itch because I really want to start Couch to 5k this week!!! (Has anyone else tried it?? One of my fb friends is currently doing it and I thought I would give it a try.) I really need to up my exercise and I thought that it was worth a shot!!! I will be picking up my bowflex this week and I am super excited about it!!! Not only do I NOT want batwings but I was some seriously cut arms!!!

So, I'm off to try and NOT scratch all my skin off...wish me luck!!!

Houston, we have a....Rash???

Last week I was having some chafing, heat rash, prickly heat issues...and here is my very first TMI post....under my ta-tas and at the  top of my thigh. Who would think that 109 pounds later I would be having these issues??

So, I researched and researched on the Internet and all the sites said. "Lose weight - it will decrease the risk of heat rash" Are you KIDDING ME????

But anywho...I've tried every idea. Cornstarch, Calamine, Desitin, Hyrdrocortisone, etc, etc.

The actual heat rash is GONE. Everything on that front is A-ok. BUT NOW I'm COVERED in a red bumpy super duper itchy rash. It's EVERYWHERE but my arms, face and feet. And it's still spreading. Did I mention it itches???

I will be up with the chickens in the morning and headed to the doctor to he can tell me what this is and FIX it. IF I don't scratch all my skin off before then!!!

Still alive and kicking!!!

So I am a lazy bum who completely abandoned my blog!!!! I occasionally would stalk other blogs but never comment or post.

I blame the second semester chaos!!! (Excuses, excuses) But I had Relay for Life, TAKS, Prom... But now that I am off for the summer I am committing myself back to blogging!!!!

Today is my one year bandiversary!! It is hard to believe that a year has passed. That had to be without a doubt the LONGEST day of my entire life!!! I am so glad I didn't chicken out at the last minute. I wouldn't trade my band for anything in the whole world!!!

I've lost a total of 109 pounds...which is crazy!!! I haven't been this "little" since probably junior high!!!

I am enjoying my summer vacation...trying hard to eat right and exercise. It is so hard because it is so blooming hot here!!! I started walking the track once the weather warmed up in April and now I can RUN (I run the length of the football field and walk the curves.) AND I even RUN BLEACHERS!!! I remember last summer right after surgery I started walking in the evenings. I would see young girls running bleachers and I told my friend, "One day that will be me." Of course, at that time I really didn't believe it. Then one afternoon I was at the track all by myself and decided, "What the heck?" So I did it!!! And then I became addicted. I have gotten out of the routine lately because of the heat. But I vow to get my butt out of bed and be at the track by 5:30 starting Monday.

I also plan on joining a gym this summer. I only get paid once a month so next week I'm taking the plunge. I had started doing Zumba in January and I absolutely LOVED it. I have NO rhythm what-so-ever but I didn't care. It got my heart pumping and made me feel good. Unfortunately they cancelled the class. BUT I think I've decided that Curves is my best option and they have Zumba Circuit...so we shall see.

This is my "seriously?" face.

I really need to work on toning up my arms. They are pretty pathetic. My legs, however are apparently really toned (and tanned - because in my mind being tan makes you look smaller!). The last week of school I was able to wear shorts (which I would have NEVER done a year ago) and I got a lot of compliments (even some catcalls!!). I guess those bleachers are paying off...I suppose I could start "running" them on my hands!!!!

On the band front: I haven't had a fill since January (eek!!) but I go in on July 18th. I am sure I am going to get an ear full from my surgeon. I also have another follow up with my GYN on the 30th of this month and an appointment with a fertility specialist on the 7th of July. AND I need to go for my one year blood work AND to the dentist....UGH...I am not a fan of doctors and it seems that I've seen more of my fair share in the last year.

Ok, so I think I've rambled enough to make up for my months and months of absence!!! So I will leave you with a few pictures. (I have found that I am more eager to pose for the camera these days!!!)

                                                        Me and my kiddos at Relay.

                                                                           Prom

Long Time No Blog

It's been almost two months since I've blogged. I've been a secret blog-stalker. I just haven't taken the time to blog. So here's the "skinny" on what's been happening in my life.

• I had surgery on December 1st to remove my cyst. It was the size of a basketball and had wrapped around my uterus and right ovary 6 times!!! It killed the ovary so they doctor removed it and my right tube.
• I got into a wreck the day before my surgery!!! It wasn't my fault - and I got my pink accents I've been wanting on my truck so it turned out well!!!
• My scales have been stuck for as long as I can remember....but I did buy all new pants - size 16!!!
• I finally got to go back to work on January 3rd. I missed all my kiddos and I think they might have missed me too!!!
• I've changed my teaching style to the "old school" way I used to do it....it is working and I couldn't be happier!!!
• I went for a fill today....Dr. Speigel scolded me for not losing enough weight and wouldn't take my cyst as an excuse!! He can be tough sometimes!!! He gave me a fill - I'm at 7ccs now. I told him I am going to be a better bandster!!!
• Today is the day I'm going to start walking again. No excuses!!!

That's pretty much it. I guess I haven't blogged because my progress had stopped. I am hoping this fill (and my lecture from my surgeon) will jump start my weight loss!!!!!
Toodles!!!
Oh yeah...looking back at my old medical records I have lost 96 pounds from my highest weight!!!! WOOT!!