Questions and stuff

I saw this over at Lap Band Gal's Blog and figured I'd fill it out!


* What would you say is the most important lesson or lessons you've learned about eating since you've been banded, and how has this contributed to your weight loss?


That a LOT of foods are terrible for you, everything has calories, and almost all restaurant food has TONS of calories, and the servings are meant for 2, 3 or even 4 people. Pretty much never pretend anything is good for you, because it's probably not. Also band wise, less is more. As Lap Band girl said I can really eat whatever I want and a lot of it, but just don't... I'm still working on that.


* How are you sustaining your motivation to continue forward?


My motivation goes in and out ALL the time. Ultimately, I spent a lot of money on this surgery, I've spent a lot of money on every sort of diet, food delivery, trainers, and gym memberships, it's time to finish this once and for all. Also I have a lot of sick family right now, and that is reminding me that life is short, and it's important to be healthy. Food is just food.. it's not worth all the trouble it causes.


* If you've experienced any discouraging set back moments, how did you deal with them, how long did they take to pass-- and what sort of specific strategies might you suggest that could work?


All the time! The past month or so I've been stalled out. It's my own fault, my life is pretty stressful right now, so I'm turing to food.. about a week or so ago I just started kicking my ass again. You have to take things one day at a time. Don't beat yourself up if you cheat, or don't exercise one day. This is a journey, there is no expiration date.


* Have you ever worried about being a complete failure at the band, and then gotten over that worry-- if so: did you tell yourself certain things that helped or do certain activities that reassured you?


Not really.. I mean I worry I won't do as well as I hope. But I know 100% that it's all up to me and the decisions I make. This damn thing is gonna be in me forever, and I deal with the side effects of it whether I eat good or not, mind as well eat good.


* What is the proudest accomplishment you've made relative to your band journey thus far?


The weight I'm at now is my proudest, I haven't been this low in a long time. I also feel real accomplished that people notice! Even people I don't see that much, makes me feel good.


* What are you looking forward to doing next in your journey?


Right now hitting that 70lb goal, that will be the biggest amount of weight I've ever lost at one time I believe. I'm also looking forward to ONLY shopping in regular sizes. I'm getting close, but not quite yet. My giant ass still doesn't like regular size jeans LOL! (even though i'm a 16, IDEK)


* Where do you see yourself 1 year from now and how are you planning to get yourself there?


Hopefully at my goal and maintaining, I have 66lbs left to lose, till (what I currently want to be my goal), I should be able to do that in a year. I plan on eating less, exercising more, and having FAR less excuses for my behavior.


* What sort of goal setting do you do in general, and how do you motivate yourself to keep going towards those goals?


Well, I see every 10lbs as a goal, and wearing a new size as a goal, but I do have goals for events too, like my Idol goals, haha but now that Idol is over, I gotta create some new ones!! Maybe reward myself with something? Someone wanna reward me LOL?


* What is the most difficult thing about having the band and what makes it worth it anyway?


I guess knowing it doesn't do as much as I want it to. But as I said earlier, the damn this is THERE, it's not going away, mind as well work with it. I feel like the band works in so many strange ways, even ways it's not really supposed to haha.


* Given the choice, would you be too tight or too loose and why? How would you handle either situation if you couldn't get in to your doctor for 4 weeks?


Loose? I don't believe in restriction. The band doesn't stop you from eating, it controls your hunger. So why have it tight, and puking all the time? My hunger hormone or whatever is DEAD. It's gone RIP. So why would I need anymore fluid in my band? I think all it would do is make me start throwing up. I like bread, rice.. I like having the option of eating what I want. Yes it makes it a little harder, but then I'm not deprived. I have 5.5ccs in a 10cc band.


* What are your 3 to 5 'desert island band foods'-- things you WOULD NOT/ could not/ don't want to live without? What do you eat virtually every day and why?


Oatmeal!! I think I could live on only oatmeal if I had to LOL. Eggs, Lean Cuisines, Bagel thins


* How many meals do you generally eat per day and at what times?


3, whenever I wake up usually 9ish, 1230-1ish, 6ish. I don't really snack at all. If I do it's cause I want something.. not because I'm hungry, or if my meal will be really late.


* Do you exercise, and if so, about how much? Do you think exercise has been pivotal to your weight loss?


I've been walking about 45 minutes to 1 hour, around my neighborhood. I'm trying for 5 days a week. That is all I can commit to right now (only been a week, before that, nothing really.. maybe one day a week). I really just hate exercise. I hate being sweaty. I might step it up eventually (like, can someone hire me that hot trainer from Extreme Makeover? Then I'd work out ooh la la), when I'm smaller, but I really just don't enjoy it one bit. The walking I like, gives me time to think.

Hmm

So lots of fun and not so fun things in the past few weeks. First the American Idol finale was SO much fun. Loved seeing all my past Idol faves, and all the new contestants :). I got to meet my favorite Stefano too! Woohoo!! A bunch of my friends flew in to come to the finale, so I spent a few days playing tourist with them, went to Disneyland and stuff we had an great time! It's totally crazy to see someone's life go from normal, to super stardom. Congrats Scotty McCreery!

On the red carpet oooh la la! haha

Me and my buddy Tigger @ Disneyland!

Speaking of Idol, I totally had my first "stuck" experience ahaha. I was eating a sandwich after we had gotten our tickets (you wait inline all morning, then you can leave till show time). I was eating WAY too fast because I was missing all the cool stuff going on outside and I swallowed a chunk of bread, oh damn that doesn't feel good. It didn't come back up, but I could certainly feel it passing through for a few minutes. Also, I think that debunks the rumor that the food "sits" in the top of your pouch.. cause then why does it hurt IMMEDIATELY lol!


Besides that I moved back home about a week ago (goodbye Hollyweird!). Which is alright, since I'm still unemployed (ugh). The biggest adjustment is eating. My parents are trying to eat healthier.. but they aren't that serious about it (yea, I saw you eating fried chicken for dinner haha). It's very hard for me having all this other food in the house I wouldn't normally have! (and they eat out quite a bit) Literally at my apartment I had a can of oatmeal, some bagel thins and a few Lean Cuisines and that's it lol. Out of sight out of mind. I know I'm just making excuses for myself though...that is what being fat is, rationalizing eating crap ugh. I wish the band was built in willpower. Can I have a band around my mouth? LOL! Well, I told them today that I'm gonna eat my food and they can eat theirs, so it's easier for my portion control.


I lost 5lbs in April and 5lbs in May so I guess it's not THAT bad. 1lb a week yada yada yada. But I know I can be doing better! I revised my Idol goal to make it the Idol tour goal.. July 15th is my Idol tour show in LA... 14lbs I dunno if I can, but we can try :). My next goal is 2lbs so I can be the weight on my drivers license LMAO! Excitement.


Well, I think that's about all.. life is a bit crazy for me on the personal side, but I gotta do this. Gotta lose the damn weight! Something to stay positive about :)


TTYL!


Heather

Clothing Giveaway

EDIT: gone :) thanks :)


YAY 55 lbs down! Well, I'm moving at the end of the month.. and since I've lost so much weight, I have a lot of newer clothes that don't fit (yay?), so figured I'd see if anyone wants them before I donate or toss them out. 


All are gently used, some only worn once or twice... All are sized 18/20, or a 2x.. and most are from Lane Bryant or from Macy's INC collection.

Striped shirt from INC size 2x, the rest 18/20 from Lane Bryant except the plain teal tank w/ lace on the bottom (Torrid) and the black and grey sequin tank (random plus size store)

 If you want something, comment and I can send it, maybe we can work out paying for shipping.


I'm donating it all Saturday if I don't hear from you.

-Heather

Amazing article about how the Lap-band is NOT about restriction.

Somebody posted this on the Lap-band forums, it was written by a doctor, and I found it very interesting! This has actually always been my philosophy on the band (since I was banded). I never believed in the "sweet spot" or that one day I'd suddenly be able to just eat nothing and be really full. The hunger control makes much more sense. I wish the doctors would explain it to you like this, and how to work with your lack of hunger. I think everyone would be much more successful. OR it would stop some people from getting the band, if they understood how it really works. 


Lap-band Weight Loss Surgery is NOT About Restriction



In other news, not much going on here. I'm slacking on my diet, but I got back on track today and I started writing a food log again. So hopefully the scale will get moving again!

50lbs down!!

So it's been 4 months (well 4 months tomorrow) since my surgery.. and I hit the 50lb mark today! My BMI went from 46 down to 38. So exciting! I don't know what else to say about my journey, but everything is going well, the diet is getting easier. No problems over here!


Here's a pic of me in my fat pants today, these are the pair I was wearing before surgery.

Fat Pants! These are my size 22's, I'm size 18 now.

So is everyone watching American Idol??! Since you know I love it haha. I went to two tapings recently. So much fun! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Stefano vote for him ;). Also I actually ran into Scotty and Lauren when I was having dinner at the Grove! Such nice kids :)

Scotty McCreery

Lauren Alaina

Well that's all for now! Just working towards my Idol goal, maybe I can hit it!! The weight loss has been pretty steady this week. hmm! Wish me luck!

-Heather

30 Day Shred.

is evil! hahaha. I decided to download it and let Jillian Michaels kick my ass. I hurt everywhere! It's only 20 minutes, but it is a really intense workout! I feel like I do more in those 20 minutes than I ever did at the gym. It's a little hard for me to do these things, lots of impact (jumping jacks, jump rope) which are pretty painful when you are overweight haha. But as she says, I have 400 pound people doing jumping jacks no excuses! It's like 2 minutes of cardio, 3 minutes of strength training, and 1 minute of abs rotated.


If you have Time Warner Cable, you can watch it On Demand for free (part 1 only) in the "Health & Fitness" section, under Exercise TV. (They also have the Leslie Sansone walking ones I mentioned earlier)


I didn't lose any weight in a week, so I decided to kick my ass a little bit. Seems to be helping so far :) I'm down a pound today. I'm officially the weight I was in 9th grade haha... I had joined Lindora, not sure why I remember the exact weight from that day. I also remember that I was wearing my 98º t-shirt to the meeting... random! I think I ended up losing about 40lbs on Lindora before I gave up on it.


Next mini goal is the weight on my drivers license! hahah!! 12 more pounds for that. Still crossing my fingers for my Idol goal.. I don't think I'll make it, but it's possible I'll lose about 20 more. Which is still good :). I think realistically a goal would be I would like to be wearing a size 16 pants by then.


Speaking of Idol, I got to go to a taping this week! It was fun. We were way up in the balcony above the stage and couldn't see anything though..lame! But it was way cool when James Durbin came up there to start his performance. Is anyone else watching? Have a favorite? I like Stefano.. I also like Scotty and James.


That's all for now!
Heather

NSV!

I tried on several pairs of jeans at Macy's today, Size 18 and they fit! (didn't buy them but still! woo hoo). I also tried a shirt in a 1x and it was way to big. 


Mom, if you are so inclined it was these jeans: INC Jeans hahaha




Yesterday, I did some shopping at Lane Bryant, and everything was just too big in all the sizes I grabbed, had to do a 2nd trip to the dressing room haha. I tried on some denim jegging capris... still unsure how I feel about those... I think I looked less like a sausage in the capri version, but still... What is Lane Bryant's fascination with jeggings, skinny jeans, and tank tops.. I don't know about everyone else, but being overweight those are the LAST things I want to wear. I want sleeves to cover my arm fat (not tiny cap sleeves or tanks), I want jeans that are fitted, but not skin tight all the way down. I mean some of the tanks and stuff are cute.. but I always like wearing ONE shirt. I'm not one for a tank, cami, sweater, jacket, scarf.. I don't like it, and it's always warm here! Maybe when it's 100º will I wear just a tank.


LOL random rant... but yay for smaller clothes!

Low Carb..

Anyone do this?


I'm semi trying to go lower carb. Maybe not LOW carb. But I eat a lot of carbs, and I feel like I should cut it back. I tried yesterday, but I felt like crap, and I was really hungry after lunch. I tried again today, and by lunch I felt icky and had a headache so I had some bread with my lunch. Maybe I should have some carbs in the AM and less after that? I had eggs with mushrooms and tomatoes for breakfast with cottage cheese.. I'm following this diet I saw in a magazine, low carb plus pro-biotic cottage cheese or yogurt. I'm satisfied with the food I can eat, but I don't feel great. Hmm. I wanna kick it up slightly so I can meet my Idol finale goal. I have 27 lbs to go and 68 days to do it.


Other than that, I'm doing good. I ate fairly bad on my trip to Seattle and Newport Beach, but I didn't gain any weight so that's good phew, probably all the walking I did! (this pizza I had in Seattle was so good it would be worth gaining a pound LOL!!)


I went to Universal Studios today! That was fun. Lots of walking! Took some pictures, and I can tell even in my photos that I am smaller :D and it feels good to fit better in the rides!

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

I can't think of anything else! So goodnight all :)


-Heather

40lbs!!

Yay! Down 40lbs, crazy. I can't even tell you the last time I was this weight... maybe 3 or 4 years ago. 6 more pounds and I will weight what I did in 9th grade haha. 30 more pounds till my Idol goal in May. Ahh hopefully I can make it. Going to have to cut back a little bit to do that I think.


I hurt my thigh soooo bad last week! I have no idea how either. One day I was getting up from my desk and the pain was excruciating! Figured it would get better, but it didn't. So I went to my doctor and she said I probably pulled the muscle and gave me an anti inflammatory, which seems to be helping, it feels a lot better today. It's a little annoying not being able to exercise though.. even though I hate it, it does help with my weight loss.


Sorry, I haven't blogged much, frankly, I don't know what to post.. any ideas on what you'd like to hear or know about the lapband or my diet or whatever?!


A question to you guys, the fills, are they for restriction, or hunger control? For me, I have 5.5ccs in a 11cc band right now, and I can go 4 or 5 hours without a meal, easily. Now sure, obviously my brain wants food, but my body isn't hungry. But I wouldn't say I have much "restriction" I'm starting to think that restriction and the sweet spot is a myth. Obviously I can't eat as much as I could pre-banding, but I can certainly eat enough to completely sabotage myself and gain weight. I think if I got another fill, I would just have trouble eating (puking and getting stuck)... I don't see that it would make me full on less food. A ton of people seem to think it will stop them from eating if they get enough fluid in their bands, but I really just don't think that is the case. Maybe it depends how you see the band working for you? For me, I see it as controlling my hunger, and I do the rest of the work. I wish it did more, but I really think that is what it is supposed to do.


I'm going to Seattle next weekend!!!! I love it there, it's so awesome! I've been a couple of times to see Blake Lewis and some friends back in the day, but then I fell in love with the city, it's so great, now it's one of my favorite vacation spots! I love the artsy vibe, and everything is so chill there. Let me take a minute to recommend something, if you have never bid on a hotel on Priceline.com, do it!! Such great deals. I paid $71 a night for my 4 star hotel, the retail value for those nights is $191 a night. Can't beat it! I'm such a deal hound when it comes to travel. I refuse to pay too much. If I spend less on that stuff, I can spend more money on fun stuff!

Pic from my last trip to Seattle in 2009 :)

-Heather

2 Mile Walk // Exercise Idea

I've done this a few times I like this! It's easy, and requires almost no space. You know, sometimes you just don't want to leave the house (or it's snowing where you live). Also when I walk outside I get distracted, and dilly dally and walk slower, this helps you keep a good pace. I thought this was going to be really easy, but it's actually not that easy. My legs hurt haha. Try it!


Or in fact there are lots of great free videos on Exercise TV

1/2 Way to "Idol" Goal.

YAY! 35 lbs. I want 70 by May 18th, the American Idol finale. Incase you don't know me all that well, I LOVE American Idol. I have watched every year, and I'm a big fan of many of the artists that have come off the show.  My favorite Idols are Blake Lewis, Jordin Sparks, Chris Richardson, Kris Allen,  and Josh Gracin. I also live in Hollywood, so going to the finale is my favorite thing to do every year. I've gone to every finale since season 4, it's become kind of a tradition. I love to see all my Idol fan friends, and even people that fly out for it. It's so fun! On the first day you get to hang out and go meet a TON of the old Idol kids, which is always fun.  They come to promote whatever they are up to these days, and take advantage of all the free press. Then it is the coolest experience ever to watch someone win American Idol, I mean their life is changing forever. It's intense. My favorite was David Cook's winning moment, it was crazy in there! Everyone's crying, it was intense!! Beautiful moment. Here's some pics of my favorite Idol memories.

Me & Josh Gracin in San Diego in 2008, it's funny every time we have a pic we are either both "fatter" or  "skinnier" It's pretty hilarious. I've been to 15 Josh Gracin concerts ;)  I guess we are both skinnier at this time LOL. Gonna save us both and not post the ugly fat pic haha

Chris Richardson :) at the 2010 Idol Finale. He's the best, always so nice, and gives me a huge hug. I always pester him to figure out what he's up to at the finales. (it's always something haha, I'm waiting for that album!)

Jordin Sparks! She's one of my favorite people ever! She inspires me, and has a great outlook on life. This is in 2008 when she opened for Alicia Keys in Anaheim. (Her mom actually came out into the arena and looked for all her fans wearing orange and took us backstage!)

Blake Lewis, I love Blake, I've seen him more times than I can count (and in 4 different states lol), I'm so intrigued by his talent! He's so fun and different, nobody does what he does. This is us on New Years Eve 2008 in Seattle, WA (sooooo much fun!) 

My newest fav Kris Allen, this is in San Diego in 2010.  BEST SHOW EVER. No kidding, it was so fun! Wish I could repeat this day all over again.

Haha I think I just wanted an excuse to post Idol pics :P. Hey it's going to inspire me to reach my goal haha. 


Anyways lets see. I've been having oatmeal for breakfast all week.. I'm thinking this might help me lose a little more weight, I'm testing it out. I usually have eggs and toast for breakfast, but I think this is less calories, and keeps me full longer so I'm going to see how that goes. Man, yesterday I noticed I'm not hungry AT ALL. Hardly ever. I ate breakfast at like 9:30 then I ran some errands and went to the dentist and got back after 2 pm and I still wasn't hungry. I guess my band is at a good spot.


Well, I'm off, haha actually to go see another Idol Adam Lambert film an interview at the Grove LOL


-Heather

Gym and Underpants LOL!

I got 4 days in at the gym this week so far.. and I actually kind of enjoyed it. Well, enjoyed probably isn't the right word, but I knew I had to go, and I didn't argue with myself about going or not going. I guess I got over the whining that it was gross in there. It's not that bad, I'm just fickle about temperature! It's never cool enough in there.


I also started doing some weight lifting, not too much, but I think that will help me shape up and burn more fat. I'm pretty sore! haha. But I guess that's a good thing.


I'm down another pound so far, I weighed a day or two ago. I'm hoping for one more my Monday. I wish it was faster! But, this is good. Some people bust their ass, and work so hard, and eat nothing.. but what happens when you lose it all and you gotta eat a more normal amount of food? I feel like it'll be too much of a shock. I feel like now, I'm eating a pretty good amount, I'm not deprived, and it doesn't really feel like a diet. So my motivation is still up. Yes, I could eat a little bit less, and I'm working on it, but for now I'm happy. Maybe after another fill, I don't really know if I need another one? Maybe a tad more, but I'm pretty satisfied the way it is now.


Some NSV's (non scale victories) of the week. Haha.. well not sure if they are victories? Some of my gym pants are SO big I look like MC Hammer hahahahaha. I didn't even notice till I was lifting, they look ridiculous! Also my underwear are too big, never a problem I thought I'd have. I'm a bit annoyed because I probably have 50 or 75 pairs (I hate laundry), now I gotta replace?! Also my bra too, annoying! Everything is moving around and twisting, blah hate! But yay for needing new ones for a good reason.


Oh I tried this gum the Extra Dessert Delights, I got the strawberry shortcake.. It actually tastes like strawberry shortcake! Not bad for sugar free gum. I wish they had a chocolate flavor LOL I know chocolate gum sounds weird but it would be good!!! Also on a chewy thing note... buy all the gummy vitamins, they taste good! It's like a little treat, and you have to take em anyways. I love the Caltrate chocolate chews and I got One a Day fruit gummies.


I hope you all have a good weekend!


Heather

New Year, New You Challenge

I did a challenge on the lapband message board, 10lbs in January, and I weighed this morning, 10lbs!! woohoo.

NSV: Smaller Pants!

I went to Macy's this weekend, and I got 2 new pairs of pants in size 20 instead of 22 yay! Not a huge drop, but that's good :D. Ya'll know how much trouble I have with pants! Evil.


I'm starting to worry about my diet, ugh I gotta be more careful. It's hard! Maybe I need some more restriction. But I don't even know if that would help? I'm not hungry, I just want to eat. Well, I'm losing so I shouldn't worry...but I want to lose more than 1lb a week. Also I've been going out, and to dinner with friends a lot lately, in an effort to combat my funemployment boredom...which doesn't help because restaurant food is terrible for you. I don't understand it!? 


I'm getting a little better with exercise, I still don't like it though. I gotta do some toning, I think that will help me shape up better. I wish I still had my trainer :-/ . Haha, I was scared to do weights at the gym this week, it all looks so intimidating, and for some reason couldn't find the free weights? or they didn't have any?


Well, lets see everything else is pretty good here. I got to see 2 of my favorite Idols this week Josh Gracin & Blake Lewis so that makes me super happy!! They are both awesome. Here are a few pics of that, and one from Vegas :) (I figure some photos make things more interesting haha, only so much to say about my food habits LOL)

Blake at the Hollywood Knights Charity B-ball game

Josh Gracin at The Viper Room

Here's a pic from Vegas, walking to the Cosmopolitan :)

-Heather

30lbs!

So, I went to Vegas this weekend with my friend Nicole we had sooo much fun!! Totally random one nighter but it was cool. I tried pizza, we went to the sekrit Pizzeria at The Cosmopolitan! (coolest hotel ever!) The pizza went down fine.. not that I should know that haha, but it's good to know I can eat it sometimes.

I got back this morning and I did my weigh in 2 more lbs!! So thats like 4lbs last week  :D, so here are the photos as promised :D

Yay! 30lbs, 6 weeks

:D

Sticking needles in my alien port!

Haha, I had my fill today. It was totally the weirdest thing ever! So the doctor makes me stand in front of this giant machine, and sticks this huge needle in my port, it doesn't really hurt.. then he put some solution in, then he made me hold it and he looked on the fancy machine. Then he had me drink a sip of some sort of solution I guess so he could see it go down. Then he kept adjusting accordingly. It was just super weird! I felt like an alien. 


I asked him after how much he put in, he said 5.5 ccs. Which I was surprised about, but I guess why have 10 pointless appointments with 1/2 a cc at a time. I asked how big my band is he said it's over 11 ccs. He said not to worry about that. I always found it a little odd everyone was so focused how much is in there, shouldn't you just gauge it on your hunger and weight loss level?


I'm feeling a little uncomfortable now, but I think that's normal. I'm on liquids for the next 24hrs.


I'm a little scared what it's going to be like to eat! But I'm excited to lose more weight!


-Heather

This is me avoiding my workout

Hi!! 


Yea, I need to go hiking or something.. probably should before it gets hot. (yes, I said hot, it's going to be 85º today for some damn reason haha). So.. I lost another pound!! YAY! So that makes 2 last week, and I had my period so that's even better, I was scared to way this morning. Actually having your period makes your band tighter, it's weird, but I guess a blessing at the same time, because usually thats when you wanna eat lots of junk. Though it feels weird having cramps and stuff makes it hard to distinguish being full.


I went out to eat quite a bit this week, and had no problems. They actually passed some kinda of law where in California they have to post the calories on the menus of chain restaurants. It's so terrible how bad some food is. I went to California Pizza Kitchen after me and my friend Nicole went to see Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday (OMG Channing Tatum you are hot :D) Their Waldorf Chicken Salad has 1561 calories yikes! A SALAD!!! Actually there is almost nothing good there, I had to get a cup of soup and picked at a "small plates" wedge salad. 


I'm having my fill this week! Yay.. I guess? I still am confused about it though. I mean, I'm not hungry all the time, and I eat fairly small portions, I guess it'll be good to have it a little tighter so I eat even less. I'm scared to have it too tight so I get sick eating things. Like right now I LOVE sushi and I have no trouble getting it down with rice. I don't want to lose my rice tolerance! I had the best roll twice last week a "Red Dragon Roll" It's either a California roll or a Spicy Tuna roll with small slices of ahi tuna on top. It's delicious and filling :D


The more I read the Lapband forum I feel more normal haha. NOTHING has made me sick, I'm not losing my hair, I've had tolerance to every food I've tried. I'm losing weight, nothing hurts. I was so scared of all these things before the surgery and I'm not having any problems, go figure. Gosh the thing I hate the most over there is the people that are like "I can still eat a regular amount of food why am I not losing weight?" It's like um. Don't eat a normal amount of food, don't test your band. I totally thought it would feel different having the band, and that it would physically restrict my eating. But I actually feel quite normal. I have to control what goes in, and I have to watch calories, but it controls my hunger. Before, if I'd go on a diet I'd be hungry, or feel deprived so I would cheat.


I love this website. Lapband Transformation pretty much squashes any excuse you have for not losing weight.


So when I hit 30 pounds I'm gonna take a picture in my fat jeans, think I'll do that every 20 or 30 pounds cause I wanna see them get bigger!


Ok ok, off to exercise now,


Heather

Hiking

Oh man the last 2 days I went hiking!! Yesterday I did Runyan Canyon. Let's just say that was WAY harder than I remembered. I must be out of shape haha. I started at the top up on Mullholland and then I walked down, I went most of the way then went back up, oh lord I thought I was gonna die. That's a serious work out though, I felt like I accomplished much more doing that then just walking flat. I took a pic when I got to the top:

Top of Runyan Canyon, See downtown thru the smog?

Then today I went over to Fryman canyon which is a little more tame and I made it all the way though the loop, takes about an hour thats a good work out too, just not as steep as Runyan. Man, I'm so sore now! Might have to take tomorrow off.

View of Studio City from Fryman Canyon

So I guess that is all! I hope all this intense working out pays off :D

-Heather

Doctor's Appt

So, I'm doing good. I went and saw my doctor on Wednesday and everything was fine (albeit my appointment was 4 seconds long, and an hour drive haha). I'm going to get a fill on the 20th! I'm curious how that is going to go. I'm not hungry at all so I'm not that concerned. I'm just worried about getting sick, I'll have to be more careful about chewing my food.


I'm currently obsessed with chicken salad haha. It's so good! I found a good one at Fresh & Easy with pecans and cranberries in it, so tasty. Also for dinner tonight I had turkey salad from Bristol Farms with cranberries and walnuts, also tasty. I also tried sushi the other day, that went down good too, I was worried about rice, but I didn't have a problem. Probably because it's such a small amount.


I did lots of exercise this week yay!! I went to the gym twice, and took 2 walks. Today I walked all the way over to the wax museum! Yay. Gosh Hollywood is ugly though.. everything is just dirty and gross. Makes me miss Valencia. I'm going to try hiking next week!


I just got back from seeing HAIR at the Pantages, and it was horrible, so dated, damn hippies haha!


Heather

Foodddd

This is what I ate today. Admire my careful calculations! At least I think it's close. I wanted to get a more exact idea of what I was eating.


1/4 Cup Egg Beaters (30 cal, 6 protein)
1/2 serving 2% mexican blend cheese (40 cal, 3.5 protein)
1 tbsp Salsa Verde (5 cal, 0 protein)
1 packet oatmeal (120 cal, 4 protein)
1 tsp of Brown Sugar (15 cal, 0 protein)

(I made oatmeal because i realized 1 serving of egg beaters was way to small! and I really like breakfast)

1/2 cup Fresh & Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad (~180 cal, 11 protein)
5 Water crackers (90 cal, 2 protein)

"Taco Salad"
1/2 Cup Ground extra lean ground turkey (120 cal, 26 protein)
2 tbsp Salsa Verde (10 cal, 0 protein)
1 serving 2% mexican blend cheese (80 cal, 7 protein)
1 tbsp lite sour cream (40 cal, 2 protein)
1 whole grain taco shell smashed (55 cal , 2 protein)

(then I broiled the top if you were curious ahha)

Later I had more "taco salad" with less stuff

1/2 Cup Ground extra lean ground turkey (120 cal, 26 protein)
2 tbsp Salsa Verde (10 cal, 0 protein)
1/2 serving 2% mexican blend cheese (40 cal, 3.5 protein)
1 tbsp lite sour cream (40 cal, 2 protein)

995 calories, 63 protien

40 minutes of cardio burned about ~300+ calories

Diet & Exercise

Hello!

So, I've been doing pretty good getting the hang of this whole diet thing. This week I'm starting to be more careful with my portion sizes and measuring my food! 1/2 cup damn it!! Haha. I'm also trying to write down the calories and protein so I can get a better idea of what is going in. I got a recipe book too. Everything seems pretty easy, have to try something in there.

It's a little frustrating, I didn't lose any weight this week! BOO! But, actually I think that is normal for this period of time, with the healing and all. I'm just anxious to get started.

I did 2 days of cardio so far, I went to the gym and did 40 minutes on the treadmill today and yesterday. It felt good! But the gym is so gross, not my cup of tea, though not sure where I'd put a treadmill in my 300 sqft apartment hahaha, and it's too cold to walk outside (it SNOWED in parts of LA yesterday, I don't even know)

So overall things are good, nothing has made me sick, or worried or anything like that. I go see my doctor this week, so hopefully I'll get some more insight.

-Heather

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!! I'm glad to start fresh in 2011. Hopefully everything comes together in my life this year :). I'm looking forward to having more fun, and going on more crazy vacations. My life is pretty great :D (now I just need a job and to lose this weight haha)


I went clubbing last night with my friend Toto in West Hollywood, SO.MUCH.FUN! It was crazy by midnight getting all squashed to death by sweaty people. I had never been to this club before I love gay clubs they play all pop music it makes it so fun, they sure love themselves some Katy Perry. Also nothing better than like 5 guys telling you you look cute haha. Why are gays so awesome? I had one shot, that Toto picked out for me, didn't do much for me, didn't really get buzzed... not worth drinking. I still hate it. I guess I'm lucky in that aspect. People just always look like they are having so much fun drunk hahah!


-Heather