Whole9 30 Day Challenge Day 4

Such a wonderful sleep! Where my Mum and Dad live it is so quiet.  There were no dogs to jump on me at 630am and no noise.  I slept until 930am - unheard of normally!

I'm finding since being on holiday, I'm starting the day with a banana, and then having more of a brunch at lunchtime then dinner.  The banana is easy to digest first thing as my band tends to feel tight and gives me a bit of a boost to get going.  From what I understand on the challenge I can have a little fruit but have to really limit it if I want to achieve weight loss.  So I will still have my banana, however will limit fruit to a maximum of 2 pieces per day.

So good start to the day.  Sleep is an amazing thing!  I caught up with my bestie Frances and her kids Otis and Isla today.  Great to see her.  The kids a growing so fast - times like that I wish I lived closer.  A cute pic of Isla and Sam (my parents dog) below.  Not much else to the day, a lot of chilling out and caught up more with the parents in the evening.

Food lowdown:

Breakfast:  Banana

Brunch:  Scrambled eggs with onion, grilled chicken, capsicum, mushroom and garlic

Dinner:  Beef Bolar roast with salad - To get this meat down, I had to put a little gravy on it to keep it moist.  Dry reach runs the risk of sticking - speaking here from prior experience, and Im not going there again!

Snack:  Small handful of raw walnuts (yum)

Discovered that in the world of instant coffee - Moccona medium roast tastes pretty good black.  Weird as when I tried it in the past with milk and sweetner, I hated it.  Perhaps it is best served black!

Still drinking the lemon water - loving that!

Exercise:  None - yeah I know lazy - well yep pretty much!  Waiting to the detox lethargy to turn into energy!  Maybe tomorrow :)

The Week of Indulgence - Last Week of School

A post a little out of order, but am trying to finally catch up on drafts, half done posts and expanding on what I think to be important headings at the time (A couple of weeks later - some of my wee notes baffle me, so I'll skip those!)

Anyway, along with the great stuff, the gains (NSV's), the weight losses, and all those clothes I seem to keep buying, there also comes weeks that you would rather forget!

This happened a couple of weeks ago, which considered with the last week of the school term.  Now, for non-teachers, I find the third and second to last weeks worse in terms of behaviour and workload, and then the last week, a few more smiles appear around the staffroom and the classroom as everyone can see the light at the end of the tunnel which is the long awaited school holidays.  This term, a long one.  The Government thought it would be a 'smart' move to adjust the term dates, so that when the Rugby World Cup is on, schools will be on holiday and not congesting the motorways, therefore easing traffic woes.  To be honest this may only work in Auckland, and to a lesser extent Wellington (where I live).  However, in return, the school terms are screwed up with 3 long ones and one short one.  It means more work, pressure, and trying to get the kiddies all taught by the end of term 3 as we only have them for a couple of weeks in Term 4 before going off to NCEA exams (National Exams).  Anyway - this last week ended up being just as painful as the previous two, with deadlines and no end in sight for the workload.

I might add, the weekend before - got sick, still sick on the Monday so day in bed.  I have found since I now admit going back to work too early, I have suffered since with little immunity and catching every bug that seems to come around.  I'm hoping with the two week holiday - the rest will give me a boost!
So, being under the weather, my patience was not the best, and the kids seem to be filled with an element of CRAZY!  (later interpreted as I'm basically on holiday mode) I lost my temper at one stage, luckily a co-worker saw I was losing it and took over the class for a while so I could calm down.  I don't normally get like this, but at times the students certainly know the right buttons to push.  After class - I found chocolate - and I ate it, and ate a substantial amount of it.  I had bought this a prizes for quizzes, but after I lost my na na at them decided they weren't getting any!  So I ate it.  Thankfully - after the 4th or 5th easter egg, I realised what I was doing and threw them away!

That event was the last in a line of what I called the "Week of Indulgence"!. I also did some baking.  Firstly for a friends farewell morning tea.  What did I make?  Chocolate Rumballs....mmmmm mmmm.  The temptation was too much and I taste tested some (2-3), to confirm their delicious factor.  In that event, I also made chocolate brownies and banana cake, and 'taste tested' those.  At the time I didn't feel guilty.  I was sick and stressed.  There was also sweet sweet indulgence over the weekend before and a boozy evening with girl friends (but that was so totally worth it - such a fun night!) I have learnt from this that it is actually stress which ignites my sweetness cravings!  Lesson - manage stress in a non food way.

I'm trying the exercise thing.  I am totally loving the new gym, the coaches Donna and Matt and crossfit system they use.  I always come out pumped and excited.  They measure everything from the time you take to do the prescribed workout of the day, to how much you can bench press and what is you maximum weight you can do.  It totally gives you goals to work towards.  Highlight so far - well there are two:  The first being able to sumo deadlift 70kgs - yeah!!!, and the other was completing my first crossfit class (with some exercises moderated to suit my level - but that is the point of crossfit).  I am also looking more into the Paleo diet - a lifestyle that consists of eating the way Paleolithic people did.  No processed foods, lots of meat and animal protein plus good non starchy vegetables.  I will cover this more in a later entry.

Sumo deadlifts - except I had 70kilos to lift :)

I'm also walking, and aim to do more of this.  I need to remember how good I feel after exercise.  The hardest part is often just getting out and doing it in the first place!

Anyway - I did not escape a weight gain after all my indulgences.  I managed to put on 1.2 kilos.  However, unlike last time I did not get depressed about it.  Not all of that was due to the food though.  Still the hormones play a part in this one, and also the fact my hunger had not been tamed.  So, I got a fill.  The fill seems to be working a lot better than previously.  The pangs of constant hunger are all but gone.  As with my last post, not sure if in the green zone yet, or if I still need just a little bit more.  I will see when I go back home from holidays if the fill has worked out   for me in the weight loss department.

With being tighter, the ol' lessons get re- learnt.  Chew at least 20 times.  Small pieces into the mouth, and no skins if possible (for me anyway).  No dry meat.  The last two have caused horrible blockages and a lot of sliming (finally understand what this term means!).  Thinking I was good not having some sauce on the kebab meat - it ended up being too dry and not going down.  Also learnt always have some low calorie soft drink in the house, as it helps move the blockage.  And beer does not work.  Funny thing was I don't even like beer that much, and it was the only fizzy thing in the house - only made it worse!

Finally, I have read a couple of blogs recently about hair loss occurring approx 3-4 months after surgery. As I am approaching the 3rd month -

I'm wondering what causes this?

Does everyone suffer from this?

and is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening?

My hair was not in the greatest condition for the first six weeks after surgery due to the anaesthetic, but it has started to come right and resemble some form of normality.  So I am keen to keep my hair if I can!


Hope everyone has had a good Easter where ever in the world you are  :)

What I learnt this week!

First of all.....thank you for all the supportive and positive comments, and to my friends I see everyday the hugs and reassurance.

I'm feeling 100% better than I did this time last week.  I have learnt that my biggest enemy is MYSELF!  Nobody else.  It is something I have to work through, and with time my head space will catch up to all the changes going on in my life. 

My personal trainer in one of my last sessions with him (he is off to become a policeman), who knows me very well summed it up.  "Oh no, Cassie did not achieve excellence in her weight loss this week.  She focuses on the 900g she put on, doesn't matter about the 30 kilos she has lost.  She didn't get the perfect result this week."  (This all said with dripping sarcasm) It helped, and helped to reset my thinking.  Thanks Clayton :)  After 5 years with him - we have parted ways.  He has seen me through many weight loss ventures, and the gains from them.  However, at our last workout session, he left me at my best weight loss and on my way to me being the healthiest I can be.  He can be proud of his efforts, and tolerance with me over the years, and from that I am proud of myself as well....there I said it.  Yay!

This week I have started with a new trainer at a place called Mad Crossfit - a new system, and a new approach to achieving my goals.  Put to me by Clayton, it is a new exciting challenge.  Have had two sessions so far, and today I was doing shuttle runs...who would have thought???  Am starting with PT sessions and will build up to joining the hour long classes (small 6-8 people) once I more confident and familiar with the moves and techniques.  I'm loving it.  My new trainer, Donna is great - not too girly either - can't cope with those type of trainers!  The whole Mad Crossfit idea comes from the States, and they brought it here.  The focus is on  building strength and getting fit.  They can help with eating etc. but when it comes to the number on the scales, they aren't focussed on that.  I will leave the numbers to the clinic.  Fun times ahead :)

More positive things - after having an incident with a student's behaviour at school (work), I was pretty down on myself (again) - I posted a comment on Facebook about it not being my best teaching day, and outlined the basics of what happened which lead me to walking out on the class (putting myself in timeout) as it got to a point where I was either going to cry or completely nut off at the student.  Didn't expect much from the comment to be honest, but had some amazing supportive and positive comments from friends and ex students which again, put things in a better light for me.   Here were some of them:

I think you did the right thing by removing yourself from the situation Cass. And don't beat yourself up about it, you're only human, this k...ind of thing happens to everyone. I'd bet 100 bucks that it's happened to every other teacher you know at some point.  Yup, tomorrow will be better :-)

That is why I'm not a teacher..... I would need timeout everyday :D Tomorrow is going to be a better day!

I sympathise Cass and I hope that you have a much better day tomorrow. It's good you took yourself out of the situation. XO

Teaching is fantastic when it's good but god it sucks when you have a bad day... wine time? much love xx

much understanding from here - I felt that way so much last year! Thank god for an understanding HOD. Take it easy and tomorrow they will be angels for you :) Or else slam them!

It happens to us all, even JV! Tomorrow's another day, teenagers have short memories :)

silly students!! you need us back, we were the best aye hehehe ;) I hope tomorrow will be better for you and that, that class will calm down for you, other wise just bust out some kung fu hahaha x

It's okay, the awsum 7th formers of last year never saw that side of you, we all still think your awsum!

Everyday was your best day as a teacher !

Tomorrow is another day and you did the right thing. We all need space sometimes and with the pressure we are all under its a wonder it doesn't happen more often. Hang in there, I can see the holidays coming in fast:)

Don't beat yourself up about it. You've had a tough week and they must've tried it on when you didn't have much patience left.   Like someone else said, they probably will be angels next lesson.

We had teachers like that everyday, and you were definitly not one of them You are a great teacher

Miss u made me love bio haha now im doing a degree at it!! all thanks to u haha!! ur an awesome teacher i miss ur ways haha !

Kia Kaha Cass. You have to be strong to be a teacher, keep at it!!!!! xoxoxoxox

It was the students comments (in blue)  that actually touched me the most - never realised that saw me like that - quite humbling, but a lot of warm fuzzies.  Must remember to focus on the positive!

On the weight loss, I booked in to see the nurse, and got a fill - 0.6mL up to 3.6 mL now and booked in again in 2 weeks for another fill.  After about a day I felt more restriction.  I told her how although I thought I was chewing food enough, it still got stuck.  Turns out, its now the quality of chewing but the quantity of chewing!  I'm still eating too fast and the food doesnt have enough time to get through the band before the next lot is on its way - so build up occurs causing a blockage.  So focus is on chewing for a long time, putting utensils down and breaking between bites of food.  A learning process, but have not had a blockage since then.  The nurse was also very pleased with my progress and again told me not to worry about a less than a kilo gain.  I lost most of the 900g in the next week.  It does flucuated.   Other big tip I learnt - have water before a meal to lubricate my throat and reduce sticking/blocking.  Makes perfect sense really!!

So my week improved :)  I have more to blog but sleep calls for now.....'till next time.

Week 4 Post-Op - One month since banding!

Wow, what a week.  As my last post showed - the country was consumed with the tragedy of the Christchurch Earthquake.  Today almost a week later, there are still over 200 missing, 148 confirmed dead.  Many have fled the city either for a break or to start a new life some where safer.  The first funeral was today and tomorrow exactly a week after the quake, the country will stop and observe 2 minutes silence.  Help from the rest of the country and all around the world has been outstanding.  People can be amazing in a crisis.


On other things to happen during week 4 post-op.

I was back onto real food.  Wow, more flavours.  I had another sticking - when I grabbed a piece of chicken on the way to the gym (bit of protein) didn't chew it properly and of course it got stuck.  It was worse than the apricot - quite unpleasant and eventually threw it up.  I have been so much more vigilant since then with chewing....lots!  As the dietician said to me, you will learn the hard way.

I went in for my first fill - only got 0.5ml but feel a bit more restricted now and less hungry.  The surgeon was really pleased with my progress, and explained the whole accessory left hepatic artery to me.  Apparently this causes issues as it crosses where the band is.  Only 20% have this accessory artery while most others have the artery in the middle.  I may go back for a further fill in a couple of weeks.  I've now lost 29.6 kilos (65.3 pounds).  So excited to be only 400g away from 30 kilos! The dietician was also chuffed, and emphasised the learning curve in terms of eating.  Now have the post-op food guide to help me along.  It now also means that I have lost more than what my other dog Honey weighs at 29.4 kilos. 

Honey - am sure she was a fish in a past life ;)

At the clinic, I was shown the clothes rack which has clothes donated from other patients that no longer fit them.  You can help yourself on the condition that you also contribute as you lose weight and get new clothes.  Coolest idea!  It's like free clothes!  I found four pieces including an awesome long coat for Winter.  I have to say I have spent a lot of money on new clothes lately (not many new ones, but the trade me specials do build up over time!)  It is something I need to curb.  Funnily enough, I have noticed this is common amongst many lap bandits.  I guess I am swapping my food addiction for clothing.

Phyiscal activity increased over the last week aswell. Still two more weeks before I can return to weight training but was doing some decent walks.  Feels good, but certainly need to increase my fitness!  Looks like my new personal training programme will be like a boot camp (maybe not so military like though) so increasing fitness will be achieved!

I'm feeling a lot better, a lot more energy.  Stopped having naps, so good.  Went for a trip up the coast at the weekend, and enjoyed it immensely.  Felt like it was a good reward for making it through the first month recovery process.  Sun, sand, a great holiday house and company (and my dogs!) May have had a bit more wine than supposed to, but it was good! Especially playing Cranium  :)

View from the holiday home

Wine and cranium = fun!!

Me and Anthony :)

Week 3 Post Op

Onto soft foods this week - anything (within reason) that you could cut with a side of a fork.  So nice to eat something with substance!  Food served on a bread plate with special sections for protein, carbs, veges and sauces.  Its cool but so small.  However, I can't eat more than what is on that size plate, and with all the chewing and small portions I have to take in - it takes longer than everyone else to eat!  So different to before this all started.

Went to the surgeon on Thursday, and fortunately there was nothing wrong with the port or the nerves/muscles.  The pain was in the wrong place (which has got less everyday :) ).  Apparently it is one of two things - My digestive system getting used to more food or my ovaries started to work again (maybe ovulating).  Either way while I hope for the latter, I breathed a huge sigh of relief there was nothing wrong with my band etc.

Also weighed myself - no weight loss!!!  No weight gain either but I was not happy.  Asked the surgeon about it and said it happens and my body might be just catching up and getting used to having some nutrients.  He said I was looking smaller since surgery (apparently my tummy was flatter).  Hope this non weight loss doesn't last too long though, was quite gutting!

Am finding am getting hungrier.  Have got my first fill on Friday - can't wait!  As I get more hungry I feel a little powerless.  Im scared of falling back into old habits.  So Im hoping the fill will curb these hunger pangs somewhat.

Not long ago...minutes,  I was eating an apricot and didn't chew it properly, and I got my first blockage.  What a horrible feeling!!!  Makes you want to throw up and tried but eventually it went down.  Dont think was a major but very uncomfortable!  Live and learn and maybe skip apricots for a little while.  Kind of put me off!

Has been extremely hot the last couple of days.  For the first time in a while Im not struggling as much due to losing some weight.  Pretty nice :)

3 more weeks until I can return to the gym - craving some weight/resistance training!  Cardio is just a little boring.