Cancers Suck... Let's Kick Some @ss!

As most you, my followers, may know, one of the items on my "To-Do" List for 2012 was to RUN a 5K. Nothing too daunting, but something I would have to put a little effort in for and do some training. Apparently fate thought this was a good idea as well, for the very next day after I made the decision, I was leafing through a magazine and came across an article highlighting several 5Ks in the United States. Low and behold, the one featured for New York City was this EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancers! How perfect, I thought!!! I quickly told my sister about it, and asked if she wanted to run it with me. Of course she did. Then I told my brother, and he wanted in as well. :)

This is a very personal cause for the three of us, as our mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer last Fall. Awareness for Ovarian Cancer is starting to increase, thankfully, but it is still very hard to detect until it has already reached a late stage. More research and early prevention needs to happen! We will also be running this race for our Great-Aunt who is a Breast Cancer survivor!, and Great-Grandmother, who is in Heaven now, after her battle with Breast Cancer. And even though this run/walk is one promoting Women's Cancers, we are running for ALL cancer patients!

In a world where cancers seem to lurk around every corner, it's easy to feel helpless. That's why this Run/Walk is so important to me... And on May 5th, my siblings and I will be actively doing something to help fight the cause. You can help be a part of that too! If you're able to donate even just $1 or $2, it will make a difference. Or, you can also come cheer us on, the day of the event!

Check out our team (Eggs Ovaries-E) page by clicking on the link below:
Thank you in advance for your support!

Yearly Test Results

As you know, I recently had my year anniversary with the Band. (ha ha Still makes me chuckle whenever I say I'm "with the Band") Standard practice, after a year, and I think yearly after that, is to have an Upper GI exam to make sure the Band is still in place and doing what it's supposed to be doing, as well as have a complete workup on your blood, including vitamin levels.

Now, I know I had some blood-work done back in October for my yearly physical, so I will give you the number updates from then. They're so good too!

Cholesterol (overall): Oct 2011 = 172 / Feb 2012 = 130 (42pt diff) (which means a total difference of 99pts since my highest level end of 2010)
Triglycerides: Oct 2011 = 178/ Feb 2012 = 116 (62pt diff!) (which means a total difference of 153pts since my highest level end of 2010) Phenomenal!

Also, my B12 vitamin level is no longer low like it used to be.

I'm attributing this to my eating as "clean" as possible and taking care of myself.

So, that's my happy news for the day. I'm a very healthy girl, and THAT means more to me than any number on the scale. :)

TDL - First Update

Figured I'd give everyone a little update on the progress of my To-Do List (TDL). I'll be doing this periodically throughout the year, as I cross items off, to not only keep you all informed, but to acknowledge and visually see my progress! :)

5. Severely limit processed foods/white sugars.
 Well, granted I have been following the 4HB diet, this is a given. CHECK.

7. Read 4 books that I have never read before.
I started reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, so soon I will only have 3 books to read before completing this task.

8. Read 2 non-fiction books.
Finished reading The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss. Only one non-fiction book to go! Any suggestions?

9. Blog weekly!
Even though I haven't been doing this so well, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that I have started up and have blogged for 2 weeks in a row. Planning to continue. :)

13. Learn Twitter.
CHECK. While I'm not a fanatic, and still consider myself a novice in the tweeting world, I have my own account and know how to use it (and do).

16. Run a 5K (that's right, I said RUN).
No, I haven't ran a 5K just yet, but have decided on one and will register within the next week. I also got my siblings to join me on this one. Yay! We will be running in the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for women's cancers.

26. Well "balanced" meals.
1. Protein, Fiber, Dairy, Veggies
Prior to starting the 4HB, I was doing this. A little difficult now that dairy is so limited during the week. 

32. Lose 30lbs.
I've already lost 8lbs since the beginning of the year... 22lbs to go! :)

33. Drink one cup of green tea, daily.
Minus a day here or there, I am doing this! CHECK.

42. Take supplements daily.
CHECK.

Well, that's all the updates for now. I am very close to crossing another one or two off the list completely, so stay tuned.

1st BANDiversary

Almost went the whole day without realizing this (thank you Angelae for mentioning it!), but today marks my one year anniversary with the Band! At this time, one year ago today, I was just coming out of anesthesia from surgery. I can't even believe the difference one year has made!

First the data... After one year, I have lost 64lbs. My BMI has gone down 11.6 points. I've lost at least 18-inches overall. Even my shoe size has gone down! Ha ha And of course my blood work numbers have decreased and I'm all within normal healthy ranges.

Today I am stronger, inside and out, healthier and feel like I have an infinite amount of energy. Mentally, I have grown stronger too. I still have the same mind, and it is constantly a work in progress. I have struggled emotionally, so many ups and downs, over the past year, learning to embrace a healthier/loving relationship with food. Being an empathetic person, who feels everything, it was easy to feed every emotion, without even thinking about what that meant and the repercussions that followed. And, while I am still working on this, re-training my brain, I have come a long way. I seek out healthier outlets for the floods of emotions I feel... whether it's reading, writing, having coffee with a friend, blogging or going for a drive. Now, most of the time I don't even think about food at those times, whereas before I would be shoving down half a bag of chips or eating a second meal before I even realized what I was feeling. Cravings are rare too. It's amazing. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE food and thoroughly enjoy it. I just don't over-indulge, and actually enjoy it much more these days.

For me, cooking is an art... a meditation. Something that indulges all my senses. There is nothing more comforting than the feel of a great blade chopping through an onion, or the sound of meat searing; the smell of onions sauteing in butter; the vibrant contrast of a ripe tomato chopped with a bunch of scallions, or the way the many flavor layers of a hearty stew meld together in your mouth. Missing out on all of these things was one of my biggest concerns about getting the Band... I didn't want to give that up. And, one year later, like I said, I am enjoying all those things on an even more heightened level. Now that I've got your mouths watering... Bon Apetit! :)

So now, I'm reaching out to you all for ideas on how to celebrate this momentous occasion! And, no, I'm not looking for a dinner out kind of celebration. Ha ha Just some little token to commemorate how far I've come, how much I've accomplished and the life-altering decision I made a little over a year ago to LIVE a healthier, longer life. :) Whaddya think?

But of course, I could not have made this journey alone. I am forever grateful for my unconditional loving family and amazing friends for all their support and love; As well as to all the other great, inspiring people, and new friends, I have met, along this journey, who are also traveling their own WLS journeys parallel to mine. A million times over... THANK YOU!

Before/Afters:

Blog Slacker & 4HB

Okay, so here we go... operation blog weekly, take two!

February 1st, one month into the "new" year, and almost everything that was at the end of last year, has completely changed. Can't even believe it. LOL It's like that old adage, "Be careful what you wish for... it just might come true." Well, I guess it's not completely like that, but I'm all over the place these days. I'm sure some of you are dying for details, while others are like, "Who are you again?" I apologize in advance for not getting into the nitty-gritty at the moment, but promise to fill you in when I am able to. How does that sound?

Have to say, my current backdrop, as I write this entry, is one of my favorites... If you guessed Starbucks, with my sister working (just love being able to look up and see her), you'd be correct. It's uncharacteristically busy, for the time of day, so I can't really hear the music playing, but I am still in a zone of peace and contentment. Which is something I embrace wholeheartedly, as it rarely comes around these days.

I may have mentioned The 4-Hour Body (4HB) to some of you, or in previous posts. It's something my mother read and started practicing this past summer, before she found out she was sick. She actually attributes finding her tumor when she did because of the incredible health she was in and being so attuned to her body... thanks to Tim Ferriss' "Uncommon guide to rapid fat-loss, incredible sex, and becoming super-human" (tagline for book). When mom first talked to me about this unconventional approach to becoming healthier, I was intrigued. The VERY short of it is follow these 5 rules for a Slow-Carb Diet

• Rule #1: Avoid "White" Carbohydrates (pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, tortillas, etc.)
• Rule #2: Eat the Same Few Meals Over and Over Again (mix and match from lean proteins, legumes and veggies)
• Rule #3: Don't Drink Calories (Lots of water a must, unsweetened tea, coffee and other no/low-cal bevs OK. NOT OK to drink milk (including soy), alcohol, beer, soft drinks or fruit juice.)
• Rule #4: Don't Eat Fruit (pretty much self-explanatory)
• Rule #5: Take One Day Off Per Week (Um, can we say, dream come true? Go nuts on this day, binge and eat crap, BUT there is a method to follow, so make sure you read the book.)

Oh, and having 1-2 glasses of red wine every day, is OK!!! (Sign me up!) Intrigued by the Binge Day? It's purpose is two-fold... 1st, most "diets" fail because they are so restrictive and let's face it, we're all human (at least I think... no offense to anyone reading this from another species); Tell us we can't have something, and suddenly that's all we seem to want to have! So, there ya go... go ahead and have it! 2nd, and probably more important, it helps keep your metabolism from getting complacent and jolts it back into gear. Another alluring detail... All you need is 4 hours of exercise per month?!?! WTF? No more marathon gym workouts several times per week? I'm listening...

Reason I'm mentioning this??? Well, like I said earlier, I was intrigued when I first got a taste. Then, after my mom's surgery and diagnosis, I got scared. Cancer is all over my family... is this my fate? So, I decided I wanted to make my body as cancer-hostile as possible. Enter, seriously reducing my consumption of processed foods and cutting way back on the "white" stuff. Have been working on this for past couple of months, with Tim's book basically playing it's roll of paper-weight (and boy is it hefty!) on my coffee table. I'd glance here and there, but guess I just wasn't "there" yet. Around Christmastime, I had my Harajuko moment (as Tim calls it). I was ready! And so, I finally opened it up, started reading, and kept reading. Cool thing about this bible of a book is, you don't read it from cover-to-cover... there are a few mandatory sections, but then you read it like a buffet, taking in only what is of interest/important to you!

And so, today is "officially" Day Three on the 4HB for me. I have to say, I feel great, energized and not the least bit deprived. My tactic for cravings? Stole from a fellow 4HB follower... When I have a craving, write it down. This way I acknowledge the craving, and it won't eat at me (no pun intended). Then, come Saturday (my appointed Binge Day), I'll take a look at the list... if I'm still craving any of those items, I'll have them. Simple. :)

If anyone is interested, or wants to know more about 4HB, please feel free to ask! Also, I strongly suggest before deciding to begin this on your own, to READ THE BOOK! A lot of this is all about timing, eating the right things at the right times, etc. You'll need the details.

Well, I think I've written enough for this entry! Be back very soon with some other blather to share.

Resolution Smahlution

So, I've been thinking a lot about new year resolutions lately; As I'm sure you all have been as well. Resolutions are these daunting, lofty goals we seem to set for ourselves, which almost inevitably result in failure. So I did a little research, and learned that within the first month, about 20% of people have already faltered on their New Year's resolutions, and by the middle of the year, over 50% of those resolutions will be long forgotten.

That's why, this year, I've decided to not make any New Year's "resolutions", but rather a "To-Do" list for the forthcoming 366 days (that's right... don't forget this year is a leap year)! My reasoning is this... there is no pressure when it comes to "To-Do" lists, and let's face it, they're kinda fun to cross off! :) And so, without further ado, in no particular order, I present MY list...

43 Things To Do in 2012

1. Cook one recipe from each cookbook I own.
2. Visit one place I've never been before. 
3. Move to a bigger apartment.
4. Save $5-10 per week.
5. Severely limit processed foods/white sugars.
6. Get a better job.
7. Read 4 books that I have never read before.
8. Read 2 non-fiction books.
9. Blog weekly!!!
10. Advance wedding plans!
11. Quit smoking.
12. Take lots of pictures.
1. Make sure camera is with me always.
13. Learn Twitter (already set up an account and am Tweeting!).
14. Go down the shore at least 4 times this summer.
15. Try an Aqua Zumba class.
16. Run a 5K (that's right, I said RUN).
17. Finish French Rosetta Stone discs.
18. Get rid of storage unit
1. Find "homes" for everything currently in storage.
19. Start playing my violin again.
20. Apply to Grad school.
21. Take a business course. 
22. Work on my book.
23. Family recipe collection project.
24. Photo collage.
25. Go to San Francisco.
26. Well "balanced" meals.
1. Protein, fiber, dairy, veggies...
27. Eat at one different cuisine restaurant each month (this is one of my favorites on the list! hee hee):
1. Indian
2. Jamaican
3. Ukranian (check!)
4. Thai
5. Korean
6. Moroccan
7. Ethiopian
8. Russian
9. Turkish
10. German
11. Phillipine
12. Creole
28. Go to Colombia.
29. Go hiking. 
30. Go to at least 3 concerts. 
31. Do kettle ball workout 3 times per week.
32. Lose 30lbs.
33. Drink 1 cup of green tea, daily.
34. Learn to love my body more.
35. Buy new tires for my car.
36. Enjoy a "staycation" at local hotel.
37. Get a library card.
38. Take at least 1 yoga class.
39. At least half of money to VM.
40. Read magazines I get within one week of receiving them, or get rid of them.
41. One night each week... NO electronics! Including cell phones off.
42. Take supplements daily.
43. Go skiing at least once.

What do you think? Not too lofty, right? Kind of like a fun challenge/game!

Now I challenge YOU to make your own list. What are some of things you would put on your To-Do list this year?

Happy New Year!

2012 is upon us. I feel like 2011 flew by in a flash! Before I knew it the holidays were here, and now they're gone. So much to be grateful for, and so much to hope for in the year ahead.

Had my first visit of the year for my Band yesterday. And, while I had a gain of a few pounds, I am not upset, nor am I discouraged. Haven't had an adjustment since the summer, and it was just time. Also, I am quite certain, a 2-week diet consisting largely of homemade cookies was a contributing factor. LOL It's okay though. I've been doing this long enough to know that one week or month even, in comparison with all the weeks and months in my life, is miniscule. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the holiday and have no regrets. As of yesterday afternoon, I am back on track, and in liquid/soft food diet glory! Ha Ha

My mom has 2 more chemo treatments to go, and then we'll find out how she is doing. I lit a candle for her in St. Patrick's cathedral the other day... still keeping faith every day. Unfortunately, right before Christmas, my Uncle Pat had brain tumors removed, and apparently has an aggressive form of cancer, for which he will need chemo and radiation. More prayers. AND, this past week, my Uncle Jimmy (Uncle Pat's brother) had surgery for bladder cancer. Yet more prayers. Am really hoping everyone will heal and continue on for many years! Cancer is a nasty thing. :(

How was everyone's holiday? Were you good boys and girls? Apparently I was, because I got an iPhone, Big Buddha bag, switch for my broken car window, Henkels Knife block, and lots of other great things for Christmas! :) That's enough to make a girl happy. But, what really made me happy, was being off of work the whole week after Christmas, and spending lots of time with my family each of those days. Priceless.

I'm upstate now, this weekend, with my mom. We went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie with my brother today. It was pretty good.

Keep checking in, because I plan to write a lot more often, and I will definitely be posting a new post within the next day or two... maybe even later tonight! (although, I wouldn't hold your breath) lol

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday season. May 2012 bring you health, happiness and prosperity!

Happy New Year!

ONEderland!

Even though temps have been unseasonably warm so far this December, I am truly experiencing a Winter ONEderland. Yes, that "typo" is intentional. After my monthly visit to Dr. V this past Friday, I am officially out of the 200lbs and into the, more socially acceptable & healthy, 100lbs. Yay! This is so exciting for me on many levels. Firstly, I can't remember the last time the number staring back at me on the scale started with anything other than a "2". Really, it's been YEARS. Secondly, there is that much less weight for my 5'2" frame to be carrying around, which is so much better for my heart and bones. I am only 6 points away from being just run-of-the-mill "Overweight" on the BMI scale!

My Thanksgiving holiday was quite splendid this year. Went home, like usual, from Wednesday to Saturday. For the first time in many years, John was with me the whole time. My brother, sister and I (with John's help) cooked the entire Thanksgiving meal, and were only a little over an hour late serving! Ha ha We rocked the meal, and a good time was had by all. Once relatives and friends went home on Thanksgiving, the four of us played an enjoyable game of Scrabble together and watched a movie. The time home with mom was perfect! Sunday, John and I made Thanksgiving dinner for his family, which was also delectable and enjoyable.

I have been trying to get into the Christmas spirit, immersing myself in Christmas cheer... listening to Christmas music, writing out Christmas cards, and anxious to decorate. John and I also walked over to our town's tree lighting this past Sunday. It was great, and there was even free hot cocoa! I'm really looking forward to our Leyden Family Christmas party this upcoming Sunday. Can't wait to spend the time with family I hardly get to see.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season thus far! I'll be back soon...

Updated pic of me over Thanksgiving weekend (11/25/2011):

NSV & Nonsense

Guess I should start off by clarifying the meaning of NSV, for those of you unfamiliar with weight-loss lingo. It simply stands for Non-Scale Victory! This is basically anything that provides positive feedback for you in regards to "weight-loss", other than the number on the scale. For example, your clothes no longer fitting you because they're too big, fitting into smaller-sized clothes, being able to climb a flight of stairs without getting winded, getting compliments from people, etc.

So, yesterday I had my annual physical... After the usual weigh-in, BP reading, etc., my doctor looked over my blood work, comparing it to last year's, and told me I had "wins" across the board! :) Here are my numbers this year, compared to last year...

Cholesterol (overall): 2010 = 229 / 2011 = 172 (57pt diff)
LDL (the bad stuff): 2010 = 138 / 2011 = 94 (44pt diff)
HDL (the good stuff): 2010 = 37 / 2011 = 42 (5pt diff Can still use improvement here, but better!)
Triglycerides: 2010 = 269 / 2011 = 178 (91pt diff!) 
And even though I never had a sugar problem (thank the Goddess), my glucose went from 86 in 2010 down to 73 this year.

As you can imagine, I am very happy about this bit of information!

And now a rant... I shouldn't get so upset, and expect it by now, but every year I am still unnerved about the premature exposure to all things Christmas. November 1st I had the unfortunate experience of not only seeing a house decorated and lit up, but also a large blow up reindeer planted in the middle of their front yard. Come on people! Let Halloween go out in style, and maybe even get through Thanksgiving first. Stores are already playing Christmas music. Ugh! Don't get me wrong, I love all things Christmas, but all in due time. I was raised with the belief that the Christmas season officially began when Santa (the real one) came in on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. And believe me, from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day I listen to nothing but Christmas music, and enjoy those special Christmas movies. But not a moment sooner. And I hate the fact that it's shoved down my throat everywhere I go before then! I understand if you want to take advantage of warmer weather to decorate your house with lights. Really, I get that. Especially for older folks. But, there is no need to plug the cord in and light them up before Thanksgiving! And, going back to the blow-up decorations... I am just not a fan of those at all!!! For any holiday. They're huge, obnoxious, and use entirely too much energy. Sorry if I've offended anyone here... these are merely my opinions. 


Okay. Got that off my chest! A few side notes...


Horrible Bosses and The Change Up are funny movies, if you're in the mood for a decent comedy. I recommend. 


This weekend I'm going to PA to visit my best friends and "nephews". Kristen and I will also be continuing our tradition of going to see the new Twilight movie! Can't wait!


My sister was promoted to Shift Manager at Starbucks. She is very happy about this, and I couldn't be prouder! :) She deserves it!


Mom has completed 2 of her 6 chemo treatments, and thankfully still feels well. 


Well, Tracey should be here soon (at SBX), so I'll sign-off for now. Until next time...

Aftershock

Time is an illusion… Eons have gone by, yet it feels like a mere blink of the eye. When looking back at the last blog entry I posted, I was joking about the earthquake we experienced. Little did I know I would soon be experiencing my own personal tremors, that would shake me to the core. Ironic. 

Mid-August my mother was told she had fibroids. Soon after it was discovered she had a tumor instead. She had surgery on September 14^th, where it was actually discovered she has an aggressive stage 3C Ovarian Cancer. It spread. They were able to remove any visible tumors, however she has now just began a rigorous course of chemo. Things have been rough, emotionally, to say the least, but I do my best to remain positive and be strong everyday! Especially for her. My mother is not only that, but my best friend, my strength and the love of my life. She has loved me unconditionally from day one. I have to have faith that she will be okay.

That being said, we all know how much harder it is to stay on track with eating healthy and losing weight when there is added stress in our lives. I have never been so grateful to have the Band, as I have been now! My mind is still the same, and there are days where I feel so stressed I feel as if I could eat the whole house, much like Hansel & Gretel. Thankfully, where as in the past I most likely would have binged my way through the contents of my kitchen, I am unable to do so. The restriction the Band provides me with has been enough of a support tool, that I have actually still been able to lose weight during this tumultuous time. I’ve also decided I would like to make my body as cancer-hostile as possible, and am beginning to incorporate an even healthier diet into my life, trying to eat as “clean” as possible. This basically means that I am gradually reducing/cutting out white flour, sugars and any processed foods, including opting for meats that are organic and hormone-free. Some substitutions I’ve found that are great when it comes to baking are agave nectar and almond meal! I’ve also learned that incorporating endive & onions daily, as well as sea bass weekly, will help keep cancer away. Who knows if that fact will change one day (it seems those kinds of things often do)? I haven’t been able to do that, but hey, worth a shot I guess.

I’ve been feeling a multitude of emotions over these past couple months, but mainly the drive to live my life to the fullest has been at the forefront. This has raised questions like, “What do I want to do with my life?” “Where do I see myself in 5 years?”, etc. While I don’t have all the answers just yet, I do know that I’m torn between two loves… Psychology (going back to school for my Master’s or Doctorate’s and doing clinical work with adolescents) and Culinary (maybe taking a business course or two, and opening up a small bakery/café/luncheonette type place, specializing in good-for-you, wholesome food). What to do, what to do? Lol

For now I’m just taking each day as it comes and trying to at least to do one thing I love everyday!

Had my monthly visit at the NJLA office today! Lost 1lb (which I’m very okay with), so Dr. Silvestri added a “drop” to my Band. All together, I’ve lost a total of 56lbs since the surgery! (that brings my BMI down to 36.7, and completely out of the “Morbidly Obese” category. Yay!) Amazing. It still shocks me when I look at a new picture taken, or catch a glimpse of my reflection in a store window. Who is that girl? Is that really me? And, as it turns out, yes, it really is! I still have a long way to go, but at this moment in my journey I am feeling stronger than ever! I have so much energy and strength, and my self-confidence has sky-rocketed (even though I’m still struggling here, I know it’s a slow process, but I am a work-in-progress, and will continue to grow each day.)!

Thank you for everyone who’s been there beside me along this journey at any given point! I couldn’t have made it here, where I am today, without the support of all of you. You have each blessed my life in some way, and I will always be grateful!

May you be well, and remember to live your life to the fullest, the best you can… Carpe Diem!

Seismic

So, the east coast was shaken awake yesterday afternoon. Mother Nature thought we could use a little jolt. All I have to say is, "Dear West Coast... please keep your tremors to yourself. We're good with the hurricanes and flooding. Thanks. Your loving sibling, East Coast." The funny thing is, everyone was in such a tizzy, and it wasn't even catastrophic (Thank the Goddess!). You know Californians are mocking the hell out of us. LOL My brother was telling me that they were joking about the rate at which news spreads on the internet these days, thanks to Twitter and Facebook, saying that word of the quake was outrunning the quake itself, and people were hearing about it before they were feeling it. Crazy! We had CNN on during dinner last night and heard the anchor say, "After today's dramatic events..." Nick and I looked at each other in disbelief (thinking they were talking about the earlier tremble), then we realized they were talking about Libya... Ok. REAL news! Ha ha

Since the cocktail party, I seem to have shrunk some more. Not in LBs, but literally in clothing. Good thing I'm going back to work and have a new part-time job, because I am very close to needing all new clothes. Got rid of two more pairs of pants that are too big, and will go through my shirts tonight. One of my blue shirts (that I still need for work) is immense, and where my bosom once filled it to capacity, the material now drapes incredibly loose. I'm not complaining... it's definitely a good feeling! And, even though I still have quite a way to go, for the first time in a long time I am actually feeling comfortable in my own skin. Since the difference is measurably noticeable, I thought it was time to create a Before/After photo to post...

Me w/ my cousin, Kevin (LEFT taken 1/1/2011; RIGHT taken 8/7/2011)

This has been a busy week for me... started my new part-time job at Sears, so I've been working every day (yay!). Monday night went to the Studio at Webster Hall to see Julia Nunes play with my brother. Last night, my siblings and I had dinner at Abuela's. Tonight is catch-up. Tomorrow, spending the day with my mom and family dinner at night. Close the store on Friday night. Then Saturday picnic and heading upstate to spend the night at mom's and go to Wine Festival at Bethelwoods on Sunday. 

Oh, mentioning the picnic reminds me to tell you a little about a new project I'm co-working on. Some of us NJLA patients have been talking about getting together our own group of WLS survivors for extra support along this journey. We came up with a name (Twisted Banditz), Dan created a FB group page, I am working on designing an emblem/logo for the group (will post pic when done), and Alan came up with an idea to have a picnic in the park, which will be our kick-off event, to be held this Saturday! We've already had a great response and by the end of the day had almost 30 members join the group! The idea is to provide a healthy forum for extra support amongst our community, and share knowledge based on each of our strengths and accomplishments. We'll see where it goes, but for now it's just a fun project. Dan even ordered a ton of those rubber bracelets. lol

Well, that's all for now, folks! Hope you've been enjoying the splendid weather we've been blessed with these past few days, here in northern NJ.

Celebration of Life

Today marks 190 days since my surgery! And on day 186 I celebrated with many other WLS patients, as well as the staff from Dr. V's office! The annual Celebration of Life cocktail party for patients took place this last Saturday evening at The Assembly in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. It was a blast for sure! Top Night!

Last year I went w/ John as his date. I remember dreading dress-shopping, and procrastinated as long as possible. I finally found a decent, comfortable dress, but did not feel all that stunning. This year was the complete opposite! I actually didn't need to buy a dress, had the perfect little black dress and contrary to the previous year, felt confident and sexy. I fashioned my hair w/ a small white flower clip, securing some of the hair up on the right side of my face, leaving just a few wisps to frame my face. I couldn't wait to show up sparkling, flirty and dressed in my brand new perspective! My friend, and fellow WLS companion, Dan, was the first person I saw... he smiled and said, "Look at you, ready for the prom!" Having never had the pleasure, or misfortune, of having a high school prom, I felt a sort of inner-pleasure. This was my night. And truly they picked the perfect title for this soiree!

I enjoyed the evening by catching up w/ friends I've made along this journey, quality time w/ my siblings (who came as our "dates"), saving my daily caloric intake for several Dewar's & Diet Cokes (ha ha) and laughing, dancing my ass off w/ the NJLA staff (John's friends from work, who have become like a 2nd family to me)!

In a world where having a college degree doesn't necessarily mean you have a job, and relationships change like daily menu specials, it's nice to feel secure about something. I am ever grateful for the positive turn around in my life, and know that I have made some sincere, wonderful friends (Dan, Alan... Nicole. and several others I'm just now meeting) along the way, and can count on them to be there with me every step of this journey... and beyond!

Here are some pictures from Saturday's event (8/13/2011):

With my wonderful siblings (Sarah & Nick)!

Dan, Alan & Nicole

NJLA Girls (from top-left): Maria, Giselly, Indira, Elizabeth, Me, Stella & Tammy)

The famous, Gaspar, Me, John & Elizabeth

Sistahs

Dan & I (near the end of the evening!)

On a Roll Again!

Apparently that last adjustment I had was the key! Gaspar, you're the best! All of a sudden the weight seems to literally be melting off me, and it's happening so fast. Went for a weigh-in last Friday, the 5th, just to see how I did in the 2 weeks post-adjustment, and... I lost 6lbs in that short time (42lbs total)! As a result, I have also lowered my BMI to below 40, therefore no longer classifying me as, the horrifying, "Morbidly Obese". I'm a happy girl! Slowly, but surely, I'm getting there, and feel great in the process. Really couldn't be happier about my health situation. Also, it seems those 6 little pounds have made a significant difference in my appearance, because everyone seems to be amazed at how much smaller I look and thinner my face is, even if it's only been a few weeks since they last saw me. 

Over the summer, the practice held three softball games, Patients vs. Staff. The staff won the first game, and patients the second, so Thomas (ED of the practice, and husband to Dr. V) declared that the winner of the third and final game would receive a prize. Of course, us patients kicked ass by a staggering 23-10! The prize was our choice... either a 3-month supply of vitamins, or a spa treatment. I opted for the spa treatment, which I happened to redeem after my weigh-in on Friday. So, feeling light and elated, I headed to the Glenpointe where I enjoyed a manicure, 30min facial and 30min massage. My first professional massage ever. It was divine, but not nearly long enough! And, for those of you wondering, I had a male masseuse... figured I might as well go big! Ha ha

Spent Saturday at the Bronx Zoo with Mauro, Claudia & her son, Andre. It was a lot of fun! They had this "Passport" excursion for children, that I played with Andre... we went all over the zoo getting the passports stamped and were able to fill them!

Watched Source Code the other day... it was pretty good. But, the movie I saw recently that I really loved was Limitless with Bradley Cooper (love that man!)... it was awesome!!! Highly recommend it. If you see it, let me know what you think. Anyone have any other movie recommendations for me?

Had a discussion with my friend last night about how the English language isn't what it used to be. Words used to be rich and saturated with lavishness. Now everything is "Yo" "Sup?" and "Um, like". When did we become so lazy and languid? I was thinking about how the Romeo & Juliet balcony scene might sound today... "Fuck, Romeo! Why the Hell do you have to be a fuckin' Montague? Dude! I mean, I guess it doesn't really matter, it's just a name. Coffee's still coffee whether you call it java, joe or what-have-you. Whatevs. Guess I could just give up my name? Fuck it! Let my parents try and stop me. I'm old enough to do what I want!" As opposed to the classic, "Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou, Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse they name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet...What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, so Romeo would, were he not Romeo called." Oh well... what would a post be without a little side-rant from me, right? Ha ha Something to ponder...

Well, my sister's off her shift, so I'm going to go hang out with her. Have a lovely day... it's beautiful here!

Walking on the Moon

My current soundtrack as I write this long overdue blog entry. The lyrics of this Police song are actually kinda cool and fitting in a way. I'm sitting here at Starbucks... my sister was working all day, so I thought I'd hang here and get to see her too!

A lot has been going on in my personal life the past 2 months, and while I haven't really had the time to write, I've missed it dearly!

Post WLS, as of this past Friday, the 22nd, I have lost a total of 36lbs. That being said, since my last post about 2 months ago, I've only lost 5lbs. This is due to partly to my not finding the right adjustment yet, and heavy stress triggers. I'm okay with this though, because this is a life-long journey, and what's 2 months in comparison?

I am learning to recognize the difference between true hunger and stress eating. I'm also becoming more attuned to my body and how I handle stress. Believe it or not, sometimes I don't even realize that I'm stressed out... it takes someone else to point it out to me. Then it's like, "Duh, Val!"

Here are some of my life updates (some of the stress is GOOD stuff), in no apparent order...

LIFE/RELATIONSHIPS
Remember way back when, I mentioned that great things were happening in my life and I would tell you about them soon enough?!? Well, sorry for the major delay, but basically... I'm engaged! That's right folks, ring-on-finger, date-set, location almost picked, engaged. Some of you reading this may already know this news. Let me assure those of you who had no idea and are surprised... it shocked the Hell outta me too! Oh, it's John, by the way! Without posting my complete personal life here, basically, John and I had been in a relationship for 9 years (yep... you read correctly... 9, as in almost a decade) together. We broke up, and have been apart for the past 2 years. March 1st, while talking about pretty much everything, John (out of nowhere) got down on his knee and said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Three weeks later, while visiting Kristen & Scott, he once again got down on one knee and proposed for a second time... this time with a ring. It was a very fulfilling moment for me, and the vintage-style ring is absolutely perfect!

As of June 1st, we've been living together (once again) in our new apartment! It was a mad dash trying to find one, but all worked out, and while the apartment is considerably small, it's really nice and in a quiet neighborhood. We like!

My soon-to-be Mother-in-Law (MIL) was in Colombia when all of this went down, and had no apartment when she returned, Soooo... she has been living with us! Yay! Ha Ha Nah, it hasn't been that bad, and is actually quite manageable. Knowing it's temporary is helpful, and having her there has actually proven quite advantageous. Which brings me to the next topic...

WORK
My position at Oasis runs from September through June, leaving me out of work, and out of an income for the summer! This is probably the most stressful factor in my life right now. I started really focusing all my time on job searching and sending out resumes near the end of June. I have yet to hear back from even one of those positions! I know it's hard out there, but do you have any idea what it's like to be 31 years old, have a college degree and plethora of qualifications, and somehow not be able to find a job?! I've been pretty much living on the few pennies I had, not able to pay all my bills, and really struggling these past few weeks. Any idea how damaging that can be to one's psyche? It's not pretty. That being said, I am doing my best to stay positive and hopeful, having faith that something will come along any minute! There is ONE prospect that seems somewhat hopeful... fingers crossed please everyone! :)

BAND/HEALTH
As I mentioned earlier, I haven't really been losing weight, but my body is changing and getting smaller. This is thanks to my re-introduction of the gym into my life! I've been going pretty regularly as many times as possible during the week, and have definitely noticed a difference, not only in the way I feel (strong, healthy), but in the way my clothes fit me! More and more items in my wardrobe are becoming obsolete. Shirts that I once "filled" and fit me snuggly, now hang loose. Pants that once couldn't close or gave me a muffin top, now need to be secured with a safety pin. Great non-scale measurements of success and self-confidence booster! Thank you Bally's! lol

That being said, I've still felt like I can eat more than I should be able to. That, combined with the fact that I'm a stress-eater (who isn't?!?), have been key in my number on the scale not budging. Well, that's not completely true... it did go up a few pounds during "that time of month", but I was able to shed those temporary pounds rather easily. So, after a month of trying to figure all these things out, I went for an adjustment. I was actually hesitant to go because I felt I was so close to filling my Band completely, and was afraid I would be the first person in history to have her Band filled to capacity and still be hungry! Gaspar saw me, looked at my chart, reassured me that my fear would not come to fruition, and said, "I think we just need to do this!" What he meant by that was adding a substantial amount of saline, as opposed to the 1/2CC's I'd been getting. He pulled out all the saline I had, to see exactly what was in there, and then added a full CC. John and I have actually been wondering if I was in fact too tight (for the first time!) since it's hard to get even liquids down sometimes. But, I've been adjusting better each day, and even though it's hard (especially first few bites), I am able to get food down and only the small portion that I should be eating. RESULT! :) (ha ha A little Coupling reference, for those of you who are familiar) I haven't been "throwing up", and as long as that's the case, I'm going to try and work with this adjustment.

MISCELLANEOUS
Finished watching all of Ghost Whisperer series awhile back! I liked. More recently I've made my way through The Office. Funny, funny show. We don't have cable, but do stream Netflix and Hulu Plus, so I've got plenty to keep me entertained.

Have been dreaming of opening my own cafe/bakery lately. Probably because I've got loads of free time on my hands these days! But, that's pretty much just a pipe dream. Need money for that! Would be nice though.

Another advantage to not working, which is also in conjunction with my sister working at Starbucks, is that I've enjoyed endless Iced Skim Lattes and lots of sissy-time so far this summer! :)

Ooh! I almost forgot one other measure of success... the other night I was getting ready to go to a party, and going through my jewelry. For the Hell of it, I decided to try on some rings that I haven't been able to wear in years! And they fit!!! Good feeling!

Also, I've lowered my BMI from a horrifying 47, to a slightly less horrifying 40.4 (as of Friday's weigh-in)!

And here are some more picture updates for your viewing pleasure!

Taken 5/5/2011 (at TWIN event, with Angelae):

Taken 7/17/2011:

Well, now that I've written a freakin' novel, I think I'll sign off for today. I'm actually waiting for my friend, Tracey to meet me! Oh, and here she is! :) Promise to be back soon! Have a great day!

Yay for Friday the 13th!

I don't know why everyone gets in such a tizzy every time the 13th falls on a Friday! Being born on the 13th, I consider it a lucky number for me. Not a curse. There are so many Friday the 13th superstitions, but they mostly come from some connection between religion and superstition. For instance:

On October 13, 1307, a day so infamous that Friday the 13th would become a synonym for ill fortune, officers of King Philip IV of France carried out mass arrests in a well-coordinated dawn raid that left several thousand Templars — knights, sergeants, priests, and serving brethren — in chains, charged with heresy, blasphemy, various obscenities, and homosexual practices. None of these charges was ever proven, even in France — and the Order was found innocent elsewhere — but in the seven years following the arrests, hundreds of Templars suffered excruciating tortures intended to force "confessions," and more than a hundred died under torture or were executed by burning at the stake.

Anyway, just thought I'd share some fun facts around Friday the 13th... Hope everyone is having a good day. I know I can't wait for next year, when my birthday falls on a Friday! :)

Now I'll fill you in on my Band journey...

Last Friday (after 3 weeks) I went to the office, gained 2lbs in that time, spoke w/ Dr. V, and she gave me a fill. Not sure how much, but I'm focusing more on the "feeling", and not on the amount of saline CCs that are in my Band. I told the doctor that I had been feeling hungry and sometimes the amount of food I am supposed to eat doesn't satisfy me, and I need a little more. Other times it's fine. She said I need an adjustment, but to also cut back on carbs, limiting them to once a day, if at all.

I felt pretty good after the adjustment, however this past week I have not felt much of a difference. I have been more cognizant of my carb intake, but still wasn't always feeling satisfied. Rather than wait for a few more weeks to by, where I could potentially gain more weight, I decided to see Dr. V today to let her know what was going on. Turns out I lost those 2lbs in the one week since my last visit. Yay! She still gave me an adjustment though, and said I did the right thing by not waiting.

So, I'm still in search of MY sweet spot, but loving life along the way! :)

P.S. Happy belated Mother's Day to all you mom's out there! I finally got to see my mom last night and it was wonderful! Nick, Sarah & I met her for dinner at this charming restaurant in Goshen, NY called Limoncello. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it. It was the first time we ever went there, the service was great, the food delicious and made from all fresh ingredients (including homemade pasta), food was also affordable and we were even given limoncello shots and coffee on the house!

Photo Update

I know I posted some "before" pictures awhile back, but some of you, who I haven't seen, have been asking to see some recent "after" pics.

And so, without further ado, here you are...

Taken 3/26/2011 (w/ my "nephew", Ryan):

Taken 4/22/2011 (cheesy self-shot):

Taken 4/22/2011 (before the Lady Gaga concert):

Time Flies!

Has it really been 17 days since my last post?! Plus, looking back, I realized I haven't updated you on the Band WL progress since back in March. Yikes! My apologies for being such a slacker. I've been so busy lately, looking for a job (will be out of work in about 2 months) and looking for an apartment (need to move out by June 1st), among other things, that one day just blurs into the next and here we are!

Let's talk Band. Last I mentioned, I was sick and had a teeny bit of saline removed, losing 4lbs in those few days since the adjustment. Well, a few days later I went to have that amount of saline put back in and had gained 3lbs. So, basically, I lost 1lb that week. Which is normal at this point in the game. I should be losing no more than 1-2lbs per week. Had my next appointment on April 17th, and lost those 3lbs, bringing my total WL back up to 31lbs! Yippee! Gaspar added another 1cc of saline to help w/ the hunger.

Since then, I've been feeling pretty good. I think I'm feeling the right amount of restriction, and I haven't really had any issues w/ food either. Dry chicken seems to be my biggest nemesis, but as long as I take small bites and chew enough, I'm usually OK.

I've also starting incorporating some Zumba workouts into my schedule. Not everyday, but a few times per week. Would really like to get back into the gym routine! Just need to find that motivation! I know, I know... don't we all?

Threw a surprise 30th birthday party for John, which was a huge success! He had no idea and a good time was had by all.

I spent Easter in PA w/ my family, visiting my Nana, and Palm Sunday w/ my family at my Auntie "I's" house. Overall the holiday was lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed the time w/ my family!

This weekend I'm making another trek out to PA (a little further this time), for the twins' Baptism. Angelae was able to get us a great deal on a hotel, so we're fortunate enough to go the night before. Times are pretty tight financially right now and I thought we were going to have to do the whole drive in one day.

Well, that's about all for now. Will post again shortly w/ some recent photos! :)

The Human Experience

Shocker, I know... 2 posts in one day, back-to-back! Ha ha

I just had something else to share w/ you all. At the recommendation of my brother, and then sister, I watched a documentary film entitled, The Human Experience. It is amazing and very touching. It's about 2 brothers who head out in search of, well, "the human experience", stepping in the shoes of those less fortunate than most. From living homeless on the streets of New York City, to helping sick children in Peru, to bonding w/ a leper community in Ghana, they share their experience for all to see.

I highly recommend watching this film, and challenge you to not be effected by it. What purpose do we have here on this earth, and how can we make a difference? Rent it, or stream it on Netflix as soon as you are able to. Just make sure you have some tissues nearby.

Two thumbs, way, way up there!

Self-Esteem and Attraction

So, I've been thinking about the correlation of self-esteem and attraction a lot lately. Are we attracted to someone based solely on their appearance, or is it something more that pulls us toward them? Perhaps an amazing personality, or incredible sense of humor? They say looks are only skin deep, but how well do we practice this concept?

The reason this has been on my mind lately is because I have noticed a difference in how I am treated by strangers, in particular the male gender. I know I have lost some weight, but I am still the same person I always was, and still overweight. Yet, I've noticed that I'm being approached by more men and it seems all of a sudden more guys are interested. I was talking w/ a friend about this. Where were all these guys before, when I was actually looking for someone? I haven't changed that drastically physically. So what is it? And then she said the simplest thing... "It's because you feel more self-confident about yourself." Could that really be the answer? Does it all come down to your level of self-confidence?

When a guy notices a woman, sure he notices her physical appearance first, but there might actually be more to what attracts him to her. If a woman has low self-esteem, it will show in her little mannerisms... head down, hair in face, constant fidgeting and probably not very good w/ eye contact. Is this a turn-off for men, no matter how gorgeous she may be? Do men really want a woman who is, not cocky and self-absorbed, but rather comfortable in her own skin? A woman who embraces her flaws and realizes her own beauty and true worth?

Is there really a correlation between self-esteem and attraction from others? I don't know... just something to ponder.

Hodge-Podge

Visit w/ the Gramlings was awesome! It was so good to see them and play w/ the twins. Who, by the way, are the sweetest little things ever. Ryan is crawling all over the place and Lucas has 2 teeth! They're such happy babies and you can't help but melt when in their presence. Only bummer was the time flew, and the weekend went by too quickly. I also got to see my Nana, as we stopped there on the way back from Kristen's, so that was nice, and also made her day.

My new adjustment was going well. Unfortunately, I came down w/ some food poisoning yesterday, and they released a 1/2cc of saline from my band since I was dry-heaving. However, I lost another 4lbs since Friday (31lbs lost total!), so that is a good indication that the adjustment was at a good point for me. We'll see how I do w/ the slightly less amount. I have a good feeling though.

While I was home sick yesterday, I got to finish watching season 3 of Ghost Whisperer. Yes, I'm still plugging away at watching the whole series. It's just so damn addicting! I got a preview DVD of Black Swan and am hoping to be able to watch it over the weekend. I've heard such great things about it.

My birthday is in a little less than 2 weeks. Can't believe I'm going to be 31 years old. I still feel like I'm 26! Not sure yet how I'll celebrate, but definitely looking forward to it. I love birthdays!

Tonight I met my friend, Meagan, for dinner to catch up. It was a wonderful evening and so good to see her. :) I also got to catch up on Grey's Anatomy tonight. Well, almost... I now have to watch tonight's episode that aired, since I missed it. But, other than that I'm caught up and it's getting good again. High drama.

I have to say that a lot of great things are happening in my life (I will share full details soon enough), and I am truly very happy. Thank you everyone for your support, encouragement, and love. I wouldn't be here without you all in my corner.

P.S. I promise to post a recent pic soon!