Back in the Country

I'm back in the country after being in Munich all week for business.  Ah, Germany...land of beer, schnitzel & big, doughy pretzels.  I'm sure tomorrow's weigh-in will not be pretty.

I flew out last Sunday but I did weigh-in before I left.  185.8lbs.  This is a huge milestone for me - 40lbs!  Halfway at 3 month bandiversary!  Fleeting as I'm sure it was - this is still a huge accomplishment for me.

And the hits keep on coming....I had to refresh my work wardrobe before this trip.  A fabulous suit is absolutely crucial for my job & I got a great one late last week.  The jacket was a size 12 - fit perfectly and even buttoned around my boobs.  That never used to happen!  Even better, the pants were size 10.  I originally grabbed size 14 & 12 but the waist on the size 12s was just too huge.  I'll admit the size 10 are a bit snug across my thighs but they fit nicely through waist & butt.  Besides, in 5lbs, they will be ideal.

More than sizes, my tastes are changing, too.  Usually, I would choose a dark suit with a brightly colored shirt underneath.  "Black is sliming" and all that plus a garish color to draw attention up (very What Not to Wear).  But this time, I went for a light colored suit (in a lighter weight fabric for spring) with a nude colored shirt underneath - all in all, it felt very fashionable.  Nice change

But wait - there's more!  I even bought a dress.  shocking!! Calvin Klein so its very professional with sleek details.  Light grey in color & I picked up some gorgeous camel stacked heels.  I surprised myself & wore the dress to the first day of the conference.  Now that I have a jaw line (this is new), I wore my hair up in a messy bun with larger gold hoops.  I felt so put-together.  Well-styled.  Classic.  Dare I say - even pretty?

Right before I left, I went in for my last free visit with the doc.  Got just a smidge of a fill - 0.125 ccs.  I'm surprised how much impact altitude seems to have on my band.   Close to sea level in Munich I could eat all kinds of breads - pretzels, croissants, etc.  All sorts of things that have been no-go living in Denver.  And the minute I got off the plane back home....all those things are out the window again!

cheers,
chloe

Another weigh-in

It's Monday again so you know what that means....
today's weigh-in: 188.4lbs
down 1.8lbs since last week

Not big numbers but still going in the right direction.  Not really surprised given my weekend....my household is little topsy-turvy from the typical "Leave it to Beaver" American household.   See, I'm Ward & my hubs is June.  I work & he is a stay-at-home dad which means he handles the vast majority of kid-related duties.  Except this weekend.  This weekend he went home to KC for some manly time with his dad & brother.  So I was left alone all weekend with the kid.  All by myself - just her & I.  This is a very rare occurrence.   I am happy to report that we both survived - we went shopping, got her hair cut, went out to eat, etc but I did not really get my sweat on.

Oh, well, back to the gym tonight.
Drs appt scheduled for tomorrow - I'm thinking I'll get a small fill.  I had a couple great days of restriction in the last 2 weeks but I am able to eat more & more plus hunger has started to creep back in.   Just a small one....

cheers,
Chloe

Bigger Loser Addict & NSVs

me: hi, my name is Chloe & I am a Biggest Loser addict
you:  hello, Chloe.  Welcome to the group.

I have never, ever watched this show - til now.  And now, I can't stop. More than that, I get all blubbery watching it!  This is sooo not me.  I am definitely not a "crier"   But on the show last night, Cara the trainer was doing this thing where she'd push people down, make them get up & scream "I'm a fighter."  over & over again.  As the people got more tired, the screams became more primal & for some it seemed to hit a core spot deep inside.  Just watching it I was getting all weepy & teary-eyed.   I wonder - am I a fighter, too?

A nice NSV to report.....I was at the mall last night with the hubs ('cause he needed new jeans - he's started going to the gym, too, & I want him to show off his new booty!).  I stopped in "THAT" store.  You know - THAT store....the one you always windowshop but never walk in because you know everything in there is too cute & too small to fit?  For me, THAT store is Anthropologie.   Great casual, fun, flirty & feminine clothes.  Not boring like Eddie Bauer.  I actually went in last night & tried on a couple things.  Not really expecting anything to fit but rather to get a sense of how close I might be.  Well, sisters, let me tell ya - I'm there!  I walked out with a shirt - in MEDIUM!!!!!  wowser for me.  Can't wait to wear it - a lot - & wear a smile every time I put it on.  NSV, ladies, NSV

One final story from a day in the life - my husband got stuck last night!  No, he's not a bandster - he just ate too fast & it got stuck in his throat.  He tried walking around, spitting it up, drinking fluids but nothing worked - it was just stuck.  He even slimed!  Eventually, he did get it down but I told him thats what a band feels like.   hahahaha

Shame about him getting stuck, tho', since I made a great dinner last night.  Steak au poivre from America's Test Kitchen.   Steak is a pretty dense protein, so it was big deal for me to try it.  I think the hubs ate too fast because he was so excited to have something other than chicken!  I'm happy to report I did pretty well with it.  I did buy really tender cut of meat & it was cut rather than thin.  I had to eat really slowly (which has been a challenge for me), chew really well (again, challenging) and put down utensils between bites to keep a slow place.  In the end, I did eat about 4oz plus about 1/3c roasted carrots.  Feels like I'm learning this banded lifestyle....

cheers,
chloe

Feeling good!

today's weigh-in: 190.2lbs
down 3.4lbs from last week

I am sooo close to halfway point - I can practically smell it!  I was looking at my ticker today & my little flower is almost halfway.  Its surreal.  It doesn't really register that its me.

Last week's unfill has been great.  I am not miserable like I was before but I can still feel it if I consume too much.  I made soup yesterday & when I got to about a cup I could feel my belly filling it.  Time to stop eating - simple!  Also, I'm not really hungry.  This is a gift - I'm not constantly thinking about my next meal.

As much as I love the band, I realize that I am doing all the work - not the band.  I'm planning meals, making good food choices & going to the gym.

Here is a typical weekly workout:

Sunday: 1hr spin + 1hr Chisel (Chisel is a sculpting/strength training class.  Low weights, lots of reps)
Monday: 1hr kickbox + 1hr chisel
Tuesday: rest
Wed: 1hr kickbox + 1hr chisel
Thurs: 1hr Zumba
Fri: 1hr Chisel + maybe some yoga or swim laps
Sat: rest

I've been doing this schedule now for about 4 weeks & I totally see a difference. My arms, abs, butt & legs are definitely toning up.  I have never been a gym person in my life so this is quite a change.  My biggest worry moving into an exercise routine was getting injured.  I feel like I'm in the groove now & don't want to get derailed.  My workouts are all pretty low-impact.  No bouncing around or step aerobics for me.  

Kickboxing & weights just make me feel strong.  It all makes me feel good.

cheers,
Chloe