Week 33

Very little movement on the scale this week, but at least it's movement in the right direction. 210.6, which is .1 lb down from last week. I'll take it. I was so nervous this morning because this is the first time since surgery that I didn't step on the scale at all between Thursday weigh ins. I don't think it's worth the anxiety not to weigh between weigh ins, at least for me, anyhow. Things are on the band front are kind of weird. I'd been eating badly, especially the day Michael was born, and I PB'd this week. Too fast eating a pork chop. Yuck. But, it's only my second time in nearly 8 months, so I guess that's not so bad.

This might be weird, but my parents still make Easter baskets for my brother and me. Obviously, this year I said no candy. I asked my dad for any combination of Benefiber, vitamins, and my yummy delicious Costco protein shakes. I was out of the shakes already, so he stopped by and brought me 4 cases of protein shakes. I'm a happy girl. That's a pricey Easter basket though.

I have to go finish up some school stuff, so I'll leave you with what I think is the most fabulous picture of my bitty baby nephew.

Have a good day, all!
xoxo

Go Steelers!  We love you, Hines!

It's A BOY!!!

That's right, my sister-in-law finally gave birth to a healthy 8 lb 12 oz baby boy! We welcomed him into the world yesterday afternoon. 10 fingers, 10 toes, and absolutely beautiful (though I might be a bit biased). Both mommy and baby are in the hospital doing great. Anna was induced on Sunday night, and she was in labor for hours before they decided that they had to do a c-section. Justin and Anna looked so happy to finally meet their son. Here's a picture of the happy family...

Introducing Michael John



Anna and Michael will be going home on Thursday. I'm so excited to watch this little guy grow up. He's going to be so loved and so happy.

The only downside to yesterday was spending literally all day (9:30-5:00) at the hospital...with donuts...and other naughty things. But, back on track today. And this is a really weird thing to say, but I kind of feel like donuts don't taste as good as they used to. Now I know for the future.

Hope everyone's having a fabulous day!

xoxo

Week 32

Sorry for the absence. It's spring break and I've been doing spring breaky things--like homework and cleaning the house and the sort. Anyway, yesterday was supposed to be weigh in day, but I accidentally sabotaged myself Wednesday night by eating tons of sodium (I made beef with broccoli for dinner and used regular soy sauce-stupid). So, yesterday's weight was 212.4, which I knew was due to such a high amount of sodium, so I figured I'd wait til today for a more accurate reading because earlier in the week I had seen 211.1. Today, the scale said 210.7, which is a .9 lb loss since last week. And pretty well on track for where I wanted to be at my fill appointment, which I actually ended up not going to. I feel really good at the fill level I'm at and I don't want to mess with a good thing. Hopefully I can still make it to Onederland by my birthday on April 19. I'm a tad nervous, but I've been doing well with food and water, just need to bump up the exercise and I think I'll be golden.

Goodness, I shouldn't wait so long between posts. I've got lots to talk about. Well, Saturday, I went and met the fabulous Chris. The ice broke quickly-we met at Sbux and just as we met up on the sidewalk, a gaggle of girl scouts came by, giant wagon of cookies in tow. We made our way off that sidewalk and into Sbux so fast. Anyhow, Chris is such a sweet woman! It was really great to get to meet her and have the reassurance that the people I talk to are in fact real. And we found out that we live about 10-15 minutes away from each other, so that's super awesome. Like she said, we'll definitely have to make plans to get together again and take some pictures. I felt bad for making her leave her house so soon after surgery, but I was glad she was able to. She let me interview her for my class, which was weird because I felt like I was prying, but she was great about it. I'd love to do it again, sans a notepad, Chris.

After that, I went out with a bunch of friends to celebrate my friend Mary's birthday. The plan was to go to Hard Rock and then to a bar, and I was ok with that because I knew what I was going to order and everything. But, plans change. We had a party of 15 or so and the wait was going to be about 45 minutes, so we headed over to Houlihans where there was a 15 minute wait. I ended up eating 3 very small pieces of BBQ chicken flatbread pizza and a couple french fries.



Birthday girl  is in the middle with the zebra shirt, I'm in the back with my very best friend Sam on my right.



It ended up being a really good time. I've never really been out like that before, like to a club type thing or whatever. I know, I'm terribly lame. Anyhow, after dinner we went over to the previously mentioned club type thing. It was very loud, but very much fun. I definitely had a little too much to drink, as they had kamikaze shots for $1.00. I never ever dance, but that night, I ended  up on the dance floor with my lady friends and it really was fabulous. Loved being out like that. I've decided that maybe it would be good for me to act my age every once in a while. We left there around 1:30 or so and we all ended up at a restaurant. I was having so much fun, I just didn't want to go home yet. Ben did. He was soooo tired, but he was such a good sport for chauffeuring me around like that. Anyway, I got some mozzarella sticks and we sat and talked for a couple hours. Keep in mind it was daylight savings that night, so Ben and I didn't get home until 4:00am. I never do that. The last time that happened was probably 5 years ago when I was 18. It was...refreshing? Sure, refreshing.

Then, Sunday, Ben and I went to the home and garden show and I had millions of free samples. I was super surprised to still be in the 211s on Tuesday (Monday I was up to 216, but I attribute that to TOM and sodium).

Overall, it's been a pretty ok week. I've been a bit emotional for no good reason, but surely I'll get over it.

This niece or nephew of mine is now officially late. My brother's holding out hopes for a St. Patrick's Day baby, which would be super sweet. If she doesn't go into labor by Sunday, she's going in to the hospital on Sunday night/Monday morning at midnight and they'll induce her. I hope it's before then though because I'm on campus for 12 hours on Monday and it would really suck to not be there when my first niece or nephew enters the world.

Well, I guess I'm off to go some more spring breaky stuff. Hope everyone has a great weekend and a happy and safe Saint Patrick's Day.

xoxo

Week 31

Glad to report that the scale is down 1.9 pounds from my last weigh in, for a new low of 211.6! Even more exciting since the last time I weighed in wasn't on my usual Thursday, it was on Sunday (for my 7 month bandiversary) a mere 5 days ago. Super happy about that, but I'm getting nervous about making my goal of 210 by Monday. See, Aunt Flo is in town and in addition to that, I'm going out to Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday night to celebrate my friend Mary's birthday. I've already decided no alcohol and I know I'm going to get their chicken lettuce wraps for dinner. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any full nutritional information for their menu so I have no idea how much protein or sodium is in it, but it's 676 calories for the full appetizer portion. Also on Saturday, I get to meet Chris, which I'm super excited about. She generously offered to let me interview her for my research class, so that's our excuse to finally get together.

It looks like it should be a good weekend. Sunday is the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, which Ben and I have been going to every year for the past 3. Always a good time. I just hope I don't go crazy with the free samples of food. I'll for sure have to keep myself in check. But I mean, it's 9 acres of walking around, so that's got to count for something. Plus, I'll be pushing my mom around in a wheel chair for that 9 acres, so that should help, too. No worries, nothing's wrong. She's just arthritic and her legs don't work as well as they used to.

Speaking of mommy, I made reservations to go to afternoon tea at a fancy restaurant with my mom as well as Ben's. I'm pretty excited about it. Who doesn't love tiny sandwiches and little bites of food? Should be awesome.

Baby update: Sis-in-law's blood pressure has been pretty good for the past couple days...luckily both she and my brother are nurses so they can easily monitor it at home. She went to the dr on Tuesday and was told that they won't be inducing and she can probably last another week. She has another appt on Monday, so it looks like this baby will be born during my spring break, so I'm super pleased about that.

My God, this post is so much more cheerful than I'm feeling right now. I wonder how that happens? Like, I'm in the worst mood ever and you wouldn't be able to tell from my writing. I don't know if it's Aunt Flo or the rain or what, but I just feel like curling up and being sad all day. Preferably with a heating pad, some tea, tons of chocolate and about twelve super sized orders of fries. But that would probably be a bad idea. I will say that I'm not going to class today. Wish I could call off of work, but we need the money and I'm not dying, so I should probably go. Plus, I don't want to upset any old people by having my company send a replacement. On that note, I'm going to go mope for 4 hours before I have to head out. Hope everyone's having a good week.

xoxo

7 Month Comparison Pictures

Hey bloggers. Lots going on lately and no time to catch you up on it. I had Ben take my comparison pictures today. It's my 7 month bandiversary and I'm at 213.5, which is 50.9 lbs down from surgery and 65.5 down from my highest ever. Without further ado, here's the photo evidence. I don't know why they won't line up properly. You get the gist of it.



 

8/3/11
264.4 lbs



3/4/12
213.5 lbs

 

 


















I'm honestly amazed at the one from the side. Truth be told, I don't even see this in the mirror yet. Thank God for cameras.

Anyway, in addition to all my school stuff, my niece or nephew will be born any day now, it looks like. Sis-in-law is having blood pressure issues. They may induce today or tomorrow. They're at the hospital right now...just waiting to hear from my brother.

Before I go, I was looking at my profile pic the other day and realized that there's such a crazy difference between this picture...

Summer 2010, my heaviest (~278)

...And this picture...

2-11-12
~213 lbs

Is this even the same person???

xoxo