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!

"One" IS Significant

Sorry I haven't been posting as often as I would like, but I haven't had much time on the internet lately. I will continue to make more of an effort to come online to blog. I love it!

I stuck to my plan this past week, journaling my food consumption and being aware of what I was eating. I definitely felt like I was overeating and would feel hungry before I thought I should. I really thought I gained weight since my last appointment, but when I got on the scale today, I was happy to see that I lost one pound! I know it's only one pound in two weeks, but that pound was so precious and I was so grateful to see it go. More so because I was afraid I had gained weight. Phew!

Gaspar (the NP from NYU) saw me today and did my adjustment for me. We spoke for a bit, and basically, as I already knew, but am now actually living it, everyone is different. Some people only need one adjustment and they're good to go, while it may take others three, four or six adjustments before they find their "sweet spot" and are living in the "Green Zone". Gaspar said he went a little easy on me (since I told him about my stuck chicken today) and gave me an extra 1.5cc's of saline. I am grateful for this since I am going away to western PA to visit Kristen, Scott and the boys, and won't have access to the doctors should I find myself too tight. For dinner I had some broccoli cheddar soup from Panera's (didn't feel like cooking), took my time, was able to get it down and felt satisfied after about 5oz. This is good. Once I start eating some solids, I'll be able to feel the restriction and know better where I stand.

Well, I'm off to bed. Have to get up early for my road trip tomorrow. Yay!

Yay... Warmth!

Could it be? Spring is finally here? No more snow? It is deliciously warm outside, and the sun is shining bright today, which always helps one's mood. :)

Today is one week since my first fill. I've been doing pretty well, able to eat and not feeling hungry. I am noticing, however, that at times, I need to eat a little more than 4-5oz of food to feel satisfied. Hence, I feel like I'm "overeating". Now, obviously the sense of the word has a completely different meaning than before Weight Loss Surgery (WLS). Before, when I "overate", it meant, that I consumed enough food for two people, and felt like I was going to explode. Now, after WLS, I never eat to the point of explosion, and "overeating" simply means I might eat 6-8oz of food instead of 4-5oz. Not the end of the world, but not the most optimal for maximum effectiveness of the Band.

So, here's my plan... my next appointment is next Friday, the 25th. I will just wait and see, not only the scale results, but find out what the doctor thinks, at that time. That will be 2 weeks after the adjustment. In the meantime, I will keep noting when I feel hungry and pay attention to the amount of food I am consuming. I am trying very hard to be cognizant of all factors while eating...

• what I'm eating (protein, veg, complex carb, etc); 
• the amount of time it takes me to eat (putting fork down after each bite and taking a long breath helps slow things down);
• making sure food is well chewed, and bite not too big; and
• how much food I am actually eating! (measuring out beforehand helps a lot)

We'll see how things go next week.

Tomorrow I'm going w/ my family to a few wineries in western Jersey to celebrate my aunt's birthday. Looking forward to the family time! Then tomorrow night, I am going bowling w/ several other WLS patients from NJLA. I am really looking forward to this! I get to meet other people who are going through the same things I am, in a fun and active setting. Who doesn't love to bowl, right?!?

Well, I'm off to enjoy the rest of this gorgeous day. Think I'll get my car washed! Soak up the sun, people, soak it up!