"Lucky" No. 7

First things first...if you know me at all, you know that I don't believe in luck, so don't take it the wrong way, I just needed a catchy title, OK? Got it? Good.

Now, second things second...I'm sorry it's been a month of Sunday's (not really, but I'm a perpetual exaggerator) since I've blogged, but I've been sorta, kinda, just a smidge bit busy raising a rascal bunch of 3 boys.

Now, third things third...OK, enough of the numbering stuff, I've got a lot to say and that's gonna get real old real quick, so just try to keep up with my ramblings as best as you can! I went for my third fill on my band today and in a way I really really wanted to go, and in another way I really really wanted to avoid the appointment like the plague. Don't get me wrong, I really needed a fill, I mean like REALLY NEEDED IT, but I was just a tad apprehensive about the...drum roll please..............WEIGH IN! Scary thing, that ominous big black machine sitting in the corner of my doctor's office. Now I weigh myself at home, but it's only the official weigh in that goes in my records that counts. As of the last visit, I had experienced a significant slow down in my weight loss, only losing 6 lbs in a 7 week time period. I know, I know...before you go throwing tomatoes at me, that is a good weight loss and I know a ton of people that would be giddy over that, and I am proud of it, but I had been hoping for more. And this time, I knew it would be less. For starters, I've been a bad girl lately as far as my food choices go, and to top it off, I'm bloated and retaining water right now, so I knew it wasn't gonna be good. I was at least hoping to be the same weight and that I didn't gain anything. Thankfully, the scales were kind to me and I did lose 3 more pounds since my last visit bringing the total to 38 lbs. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

But the weight loss was just the tip of the iceberg as far as issues that I needed to address today at my appointment. I've been having some disturbing physical changes taking place that I am none too happy about. First and most alarming to me is the hair loss. I'm serious. This is no joke. Every time I wash my hair, I end up with a handful of hair that comes out. It's bad. Really bad. It's not like I have thick hair as it is, so this is really bothering me. And I'm really tired. I know that I have been burning the candle at both ends, so to speak, as of late, but it's really hard to tell if it's because I'm raising 3 boys, babysitting two 11 month old girls two days per week, as well as all of the other stuff that goes with being a mom, or if it's really something to worry about. I just want to be sure that nothing is wrong. So, my Dr. gave me a long list of things to do, most importantly starting with a full blood work up. He's checking everything... iron, B12, glucose, folic acid, Vitamin D, and the list goes on. He's also checking for "malabsorption post surgery" and "malnutrition mild degree" whatever those things mean. That last one actually makes me laugh. One would certainly not think of me as being malnourished at first glance, huh? Anyhoo...that's that! Oh, and he actually said I might not be getting enough fat to eat. Imagine that!

Next on the list is to up my protein intake from 50-60 grams to 70! That's near impossible. I struggle getting enough already. I'm still not sure how I'll do it. And I also need to increase my multivitamin intake from 1 per day to 2 as well as adding a B complex, fish oil supplement and Biotin. Great. Just great. I can barely remember to take my 1 multivitamin each day and that's with signs posted all over the house to "take meds". Really I have those signs. I made them up after forgetting for almost a week straight to take my vitamins and other meds. I'm so forgetful.

So, to get to the "lucky" no. 7.....Today I received another 1.5 cc's of saline in my band bringing my total amount to 7 cc's. I am super excited that Dr. Small went with that amount. I've been hungry lately. Honestly, I feel like some days I can eat just as much as I could before the surgery. I've really been trying to pay attention to it, but it's so hard to tell if I really am hungry or if I just want to eat just to eat, you know...old habits die hard.

So, that just about sums up my day. Thanks for following along and putting up with my randomness. I appreciate all of the support from everyone that has encouraged me, complimented me, or admired me from afar. You know who you are ;-)

Until next time........

Andrea

P.S. I forgot to mention that my Dr. wasn't as concerned as I was at the significant slow down in my weight loss, especially when I mentioned to him that I have been running and preparing to do a 5k run next month. He said something about my muscles storing more water or something to help with the physical exertion that goes along with running. I dunno, it just sounded good to me! So, that's my story and I'm stickin to it!!!

I'm "That" Mommy

Somewhere along the way I became the mommy I said I never would become. I think you know the one I'm talking about....The mama who says "NO" to her children's requests to go outside and play because "I don't feel like cleaning up a mess if you get dirty."The mom whose reply is "I don't have time right now, I have to cook dinner" when her son asks her to read him a story. The mother who says to her children "Please go play, I need to finish up something on the computer ." The mommy who says "Not now" when her child asks her to play a game with him. The mommy who barely takes her eyes off of the newspaper to look at her son when he says "Look at me, Mommy" or "Watch this, Mommy." The kind of mommy who worries constantly about how dirty her house is and spends endless hours telling her children to pick up their toys. Or who spends hours on end scrubbing, disinfecting and organizing all the while her children are playing by themselves. The woman who looks like she has it all together on the outside with the perfect clothes, perfect hair, perfect husband, and perfect family, but who on the inside is a hot mess! How selfish I have become. I told God I would never take them for granted if He would bless me with children. How quickly I have forgotten. I have forgotten all those agonizing months and years of infertility. I have forgotten the moments of begging and pleading with God through tears to please place His trust in me and give me children. "I won't let you down, God", I said. I'm afraid I have. The only thing I can take comfort in is that it's not too late to change the kind of mama I am. My oldest is still only 5 and at the end of each day, all my boys still willingly give me hugs and kisses and say "I love you so much mommy." That gives me hope. And courage. Courage to change. Courage to ask God for His forgiveness and to help me to be the kind of mom that pleases Him. It won't happen overnight, I know. But I am dedicating myself to change. Will you ask yourself this question..."Am I the kind of mom that pleases God or is there room for change in my life?" Let's work on this together, shall we?

I DonT Wanna Be A Skinny Girl

So I've been M.I.A. for awhile. I apologize. It's just that I'm realizing something. I created this blog to be an outlet for me during this journey that I've embarked on. And in the beginning I really needed it. It was therapy for me. I wrote every day and it was a way for me to make it. Now that I'm 3 months out from surgery and am falling into a routine and making progress (slower than I'd hoped), I'm finding that I don't need the blog as much as I did before. I still do, but just not as much. I'm gaining more confidence and I just don't find that I need to write about every little detail in order to make it through the next day. Does that make sense? I hope so. So with that said, I won't be writing every day now. I don't want to feel like I have to come up with topics to talk about if they just aren't coming to me. Hopefully I'll at least make an appearance in blog land once or twice each week. And I may be taking the blog in a different direction too. As I mentioned in another post, I have sort of rediscovered my love of crafting, decorating and the like, so there may be times when I want to share with you new things I've done. I hope that's ok and I hope everyone will still continue to read. My main focus will still continue to be this weight loss/health journey that I'm on and I will continue to give frequent updates about my progress. I want to say thank you to all of you who have read and supported me so far. It has meant so much more to me than I can find the words to express. I love all of you for it!

Now, about that title above......I realized something when I was working out at the YMCA the other day. It must have been "skinny girl" day or something. I didn't get the memo, but I'm pretty sure that's what it was because the gym was filled to overflowing with not only skinny girls, but UNDER DRESSED skinny girls if you know what I mean. Not cute. But you know what? I didn't feel one bit intimidated by any of them! I used to. That's one of the things that kept me from committing to working out before. I was always intimidated by that. But not anymore. Cause I don't want to be a skinny girl anymore. I love my curves! I am really learning to embrace them! I think because I'm working out and losing fat that my curves are really becoming more noticeable. I like my hips, my thighs, my butt and my boobies (that's what my boys call them)! First of all, I don't think I could ever be a skinny girl even if I wanted to. I'm not built that way. Even when I was thin, I always had some substance. I guess you could even call me "thick." But I'm loving the new shape my body is taking. Skinny is just not what I want to be. It doesn't look attractive to me. I like being "soft" and not completely firm in all areas of my body. And that's just how I think a woman should look. So anyway, embrace your curves ladies! If you don't like something about yourself, change it. Do the work, commit and make the changes necessary. And along the way know that whatever size you are, you are beautiful just the way you are!

Can't Even Pinch An Inch

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, my husband and I exchanged the customary pinches with each other for not wearing green. Secretly between you and me, I purposely don't wear green on this day because I quite like having my husband pinch me wherever he chooses! Of course, I remembered what day it was first, so I offered the first pinch of the day with my husband following quickly behind. We went to the usual places first, with the rump being prime pickins. Only my honey didn't find as much junk in my trunk today as he did last year. He had a hard time finding enough flab there to pinch. He said "Baby, your butts so firm now, I can't even pinch an inch!" Love that man of mine!
As of two days ago, I have FINALLY broken my plateau that I was stuck at for 4 loooooooong weeks! I have now lost a whoppin grand total of 36 pounds! Can I get a "Holla?" Or an "Atta girl?" I am patting my own self on the back right now! Yes I'm proud. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I have worked hard for every single pound! Thanks to everyone for all of your encouragement. It means so much!
Now I must go find my honey so I can find somewhere else to pinch him before this day is over. This is so much fun!!!!!

3 Days To A New You (3 days per week, that is)

As promised, here is my 3 day alternating workout program. I try to exercise 4 times per week and I just keep rotating between upper body workouts, core training , and lower body workouts. I had no idea what most of these exercises were until my husband showed them to me, but if you don't have access to a hunky honey to show you, most gyms have trainers who are willing to guide you in the right direction. Happy exercising....

Day 1
Upper Body

** Cardio: 30 min.before or after strength training** ( Elliptical/Zumba)

*Machine Shoulder Presses: 2-3 sets / 8-12 reps each (24/36/36 lbs.)

*Side Dumbbell Raises: 2-3 sets / 10-12 reps each (24/36/36 lbs.)

*Smith Machine Incline Presses: 2-3 sets / 8-10 reps each (24/36/36 lbs.)

*Machine Rows: 2-3 sets / 8-10 reps each ( 50 lbs.)

*Dumbbell Curls: 2-3 sets / 10-12 reps each (12/15/18 lbs)

*Kneeling Cable Crunches: 2-3 sets / 15-20 reps each (60/70/80 lbs)

*Leg Raises; 2-3 sets / 10-12 reps each (just using own body weight)


Day 2
Core Training

**30 min. before or after strength training (Elliptical/Zumba)**

*Good Mornings: 2-3 sets/6-10 reps each (18/24/24 lbs.)

*Stiff Legged Dead lifts: 2-3 sets / 6-10 reps each (18 lbs.)

*Kettle bell Swings: 2-3 sets / 6-8 reps each (20/25/25 lbs.)

*Dumbbell Side Bends: 2-3 sets / 12-15 reps each (15/18/18 lbs.)

*Russian Twist on Stability Ball: 2-3 sets / 10-13 reps each

*Planks on Stability Ball or Against Wall: 3 sets / 20-30 seconds each


Day 3
Lower Body

** 30 min. cardio before or after strength training (Elliptical/Zumba)**

*Horizontal or 45% Leg Presses: 2-4 sets / 8-10 reps each ( 45/60/60 lbs.)

*Leg Extensions: 2-3 sets / 10-15 reps each ( 36 lbs.)

*Lying Leg Curls: 2-3 sets? 10-12 reps each ( 24 lbs.)

*Seated Calf Raises: 2-3 sets / 10-12 reps each ( 10/20/30 lbs.)

*Inner Thigh Machine: 2-3 sets / 8-10 reps each ( 45 lbs.)

*Outer Thigh Machine: 2-3 sets / 8-10 reps each (45 lbs.)

*Abdominal movements of your choice (I have been experimenting with a ton of these, I will do a separate blog detailing some)


So, that's my workouts. I try to allow 1 day in between to recover, but it isn't always possible. However on the days that I workout hard 2 days in a row, I am very sore afterwards. I'm learning the hard way that recovery time is very important. I feel that my body is adjusting to this workout plan so I am really looking forward to starting a revised plan next week. I hope this helps you to maybe try some of these same exercises. Let me know how you like them. Until tomorrow....

Bodacious Butt Buster

I am in love (well not really, but sort of) with the elliptical trainer. It's amazing. It has been one of the main keys to my success in losing 34 lbs. and in gaining a new level of fitness. As I was right in the middle of my normal 30 min. routine today, a friend walked into the gym and hopped onto the elliptical right beside of me. We got to chatting and I mentioned how I really like the elliptical and I'm so glad that I determined in my mind and pushed myself those few months ago to get off of the treadmill and onto the elliptical. As I mentioned before, it took me a little while. I did it by adding one minute at a time. It wasn't easy, but it was so worth it. She agreed with me and said something kind of funny. She told me that since she's been exercising on the elliptical she no longer has 4 butt cheeks, she only has 2 now! How funny! But it's so true. Of all the areas I've been working diligently on, my buns are lookin mighty fine if I do say so myself. Seriously, I have no flab there. I haven't tried it, but I really think you could bounce a quarter off my tushy now! And with my new cute undies on, I think I look hot! And most importantly, my honey likes the results too! I have caught him looking at me from across the room, admiring my new look.
If you haven't tried the elliptical before, you really should. I wanted to share some information with you about the elliptical that I found on a website. Maybe this will give you more of an idea what it can really do for you.....




http://http://www.ellipticaltrainers.com/articles/elliptical_treadmill.htm
Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers are relatively new to the family of fitness equipment, as compared to treadmills. They have increased in popularity during the last few years. And, perhaps at the rate they are going, these fitness machines will someday surpass the treadmill in popularity! But, do they deliver what they promise?

Elliptical trainers allow the athlete to burn a similar number of calories as jogging...but without the risk of injury to the back, knees, hips, or ankles. Your feet never leave the pedals. As a result, this type of machine is quite low-impact and goes easy on the joints. In fact, whereas exercising on a treadmill requires your body to absorb the impact force of walking or running, exercising on an elliptical can be compared to running in midair.

Because ellipticals are so low-impact and easy on the joints, this type of exercise equipment may very well be one of the best choices for older people or for individuals who are recovering from a joint injury.

Elliptical machines mimic the normal elliptical motion of the foot, the extension of the leg, and the rotation of the hip during walking or running. This motion uses all the leg muscles, giving you a total lower-body workout.

But, WAIT! There's more! Elliptical motion machines ALSO simultaneously work the upper body (unlike the treadmill, which works only the lower body)! As the feet go through their elliptical motion, the hands grip the moving handlebars, exercising the arms. The movement of the dual handlebars mimics cross-country skiing. Now, this particular type of workout may not necessarily pump you up to look like a bodybuilder. However, because you are including the upper 30% of your body in your workouts, the results will be more efficient. (And, those arms will be toned in no time!)

Because elliptical trainers DO work the upper and lower body simultaneously, the heart rate climbs more quickly. Thus, less time is required to achieve more results. The amount of energy expended is optimized. As the legs are being worked, the back, shoulders, chest, biceps, and triceps are also working ...making it possible to burn more calories in less time. (An optimal workout need only be about 20-30 minutes long.)

Some elliptical devices offer the option of shutting down the handlebars and working only the lower body. Even when this option is available, it evidently is not used very often ...likely because individuals appreciate being able to work the entire body at one time.

The foot pedals can be worked in a forward or reverse direction. When you change the direction of the pedals, you'll target your lower body in different ways. It is nice to be able to add versatility to your elliptical workouts, and such a change works to ensure optimal training of the leg muscles.

The intensity level can be adjusted on elliptical equipment to fit your personal level of fitness. Resistance may be added as desired to increase the workload on your legs throughout the forward or backward stride. With such an efficient workout, you can say 'goodbye' to flabby thighs and derrieres!

Previous studies have shown that working out on an elliptical unit can trick the body into believing it is working easier than it actually is. Therefore, as you're burning more calories in less time on an elliptical trainer, your body feels as though it doesn't have to work as hard to achieve its goals. This phenomenon is known as the "Rate of Perceived Exertion."

Additional benefits of elliptical training include its ability to build bone density and to inhibit the onset of osteoporosis. Everyone needs strong, healthy bones. This is especially a concern as we grow older, and our body's bone mass begins to deteriorate. Elliptical exercise can inhibit bone deterioration and actually improve bone thickness.

An elliptical device is safe to use (i.e. it stops when you stop). It uses very little electricity and is economical to operate. Because of its lesser impact, there is less wear and tear of the machine, making maintenance quite low. It has a small footprint, so it takes up less floor space than other fitness equipment. And, as with the treadmill, it allows you to exercise in a controlled environment for more comfort and convenience.

With all the benefits and the practicality of elliptical training machines, they just might end up exceeding the treadmill in popularity!

Reminder

No matter what type of exercise or fitness equipment you may prefer, remember to always consult with your health professional before beginning any exercise program!



In addition to sharing this information with you, I wanted to also show you my new exercise program that I've been using for the past few weeks. However, it's in my husband's weightlifting notebook which he has with him at work tonight, so it will have to wait until tomorrow. It is always a good idea to change things up every so often, so this will be my last week using this particular program and my husband is working on a new one for me to begin next week. When that is complete, I'll share that as well. Until tomorrow.....

This Little Piggy Went To The Restaurant...

During the past month or so I've had several occasions to go out to eat with other people at restaurants, birthday parties, and other events. At each of these events, I have been surrounded by people who know about my current "situation". They all know I've had lap band surgery. And I hate it. It's not enjoyable for me at all. Whether it's really the case or whether it's all in my head, I feel like people are staring at me. Like they are watching just what and how much I put on my plate and how quickly I shovel it in. And the questions. Stop with the questions already. Well, no I really don't want people to stop asking questions. But if you really want to know, send me an email, call me, stop me in the hall at church. Don't ask me while I'm TRYING to enjoy what little bit of food I'm supposed to eat. It's a constant reminder to me that I'm different than they are now. And so what if I have more food on my plate than you think I should have. It's my business, not yours. I've said it before and it bears repeating. I had surgery on my stomach, not my brain. Actually a dear friend of mine who had gastric bypass surgery several years ago first introduced me to that phrase. But it bears much truth. I struggle on a daily basis with how much to eat. Even though my stomach says "I'm full" my brain still sometimes tells me to eat. I am an emotional eater. I always have been and I don't know how to change that. Actually I believe it's impossible without God's help. And you know, I haven't been depending on Him lately like I should. I've been trying to do it within my own power. And I'm failing miserably. For the past week, I've known that I have an appointment this week for a second fill on my band and each day that the scale is stuck at the same weight, I wince. I so want to break that plateau that I've been at. I've been attempting to go on an all liquid diet for a day or two hoping to jump start my progress again. Each day starts out good enough. I make it through breakfast with a protein shake and some days even lunch is good. But then dinnertime comes, and then the dreaded evening and nighttime hours alone while my husband is at work. I hate it. I'm so lonely and all I want to do is eat. And some nights I do. Some I don't. I need a breakthrough. Somehow I need God to do something in me to break this hold that food has on me. It's debilitating at times. And it hasn't gone away with surgery. Sure it subsided for awhile, but it's raring it's ugly head back full force. Pray for me please. And please please please stop staring at me while I eat!

Are ya glad I'm back?