Reset time!

Since my last post - a bit more down, but now think Im on the up.  I'm being positive.

After writing my last post, I realised I had got into a bad state - quite depressed about everything and a tad overwhelmed and maybe expecting too much of myself all at once! 

Thanks for the kind words and support from all.  I needed to step back and re-evaluate everything.  Im already on anti-depressants (which have done me wonders over the years - they do help to balance me).  However, I need to be stricter with my food - not neccessarily worried about portion size (thats pretty good), its what Im putting in my mouth.  Since the loosening of the band this has improved - however I still have an addiction to sugar.  I can stop for a while but I keep going back to it for comfort.  But does it make me feel better - thinking about it - short answer.....NO!  It affects my moods, my sleep and probably does not do much for my stress.  Up until now, it has been my comfort, my feel good food and always there, along with the caramel machiatos from Starbucks. I realise - I'm talking like an addict! Its like alcohol, cigarettes or drugs - sugar is my addiction!

NOW is the time for change - after a reality check email from my Crossfit coach - who says it how it is, and stated how bad my skin was looking at an event at the weekend (this clearly being due to reaction to sugar and dairy) - it was time to seriously take a look at my nutrition.

So starting back on the food diary monitoring everything I eat, cut out sugar, no more visits to Starbucks (that will save me money too!)

I am also struggling staying well - getting colds/viruses every couple of weeks.  Went to the docs who have taken blood samples to see if Im lacking in something.  Has anyone else with lapband found this?  I thought I would be more well post surgery, but cant escape the cold every couple of weeks.  This time of term Im seriously run down so also probably not at my best immunity.

Im going to go back the Paleo way - this worked a lot the first time I tried it (30 day challenge).  My goal of losing 10 kilos in 10 weeks not quite the success I wanted - since I plateaued - Ive started losing again.  Im at a 3-4 loss and with 2.5 weeks left - I would be quite excited if I made the 10 kilo mark.   I don't think I factored life into the equation.  I was talking to a friend today and we both said how great it would be to be locked away in the Biggest Loser house for 3 months without other influences/interuptions.

My next goal from this reset is to be at my best for 'barbells for boobs' on October 29th at my crossfit gym (this workout is done at gyms all over the world).  The workout is 30 clean and jerks in a row with a cap of 15 mins for the workout.  Proceeds from the event go to breast cancer research.  This gives me FOCUS - my word of the year :)

Finally some pics from Fight Gone Bad 6 - held at the weekend (with my bad face ;))
I did the womens intermediate version and got a score of 243 - improving from my last attempt.  Fight Gone Bad consists of:
Three rounds of:
Wall-ball, 20/14 pound ball, 10 ft target (Reps)
Sumo deadlift high-pull, 16 kg (Reps)
Box Step Up, 20″ box (Reps)
Push-press, 15 kg (Reps)
Row (Calories)

Psyching myself up for the sumo deadlift

Step Ups

Push Press

Row

Wall ball - trying to hit the pink target!

Straight After 3 rounds - alive...just!

Mmm, some of the sweat and t shirt marks I left behind!

Onwards and Upwards!!!

Still amongst the living!

I am still alive...really I am.  So much going on lately and the blogging has slipped badly.  Not just the blog but there seems to be a lot that I need to get around to doing, and just hasn't happened yet.  Well 3 weeks now until term break (2 weeks off school....I swear teachers are more excited than the kids).  So Im hoping to tick many things off my to do list.

The last month has been pretty crazy.   Not all can be mentioned here in the blogging realm, but when things seemed to calm down, something else pops up.  The WOW and OH MY GOD factor has been pretty huge in some cases.  However to update on some events:

BAD AS

I entered my Weightlifting competition.  It was a blast!  Well run and so many awesome women (and men helping out) and supporters (Thanks Hubby, Riki and Kate for the cheers and support).  In the kilo for kilo competition, still too heavy to warrant even considering placing, but in the overall lifting I worked out I came 10th= out of 31 contestants!  Stoked and with only about 6 weeks proper training, I figure I can do a lot better next year :)  In the morning I got a photo taken in my gears, and compared it to my initial photo - quite a change there, as seen below.


October 2010



June 2011

  
Other pics from Bad As:

DOWN TO DUNEDIN

The next day after the competition I flew to Dunedin (where my parents are) to help look after Dad post-op.  While I thought I would have quite a bit of down time, that didn't happen.  So it was a good thing that I forgot most of my work I was meant to do down there.  My Dad had his op, had his colon resected, and is healing pretty well almost 4 weeks on.  He has to go through chemo once he heals completely as a precaution as there may be still some cancerous cells lurking.  However, he is getting better every day.  Im so happy for the outcome.  It was a great time to spend a lot of quality Dad-Daughter time together.  I took him out for coffees etc and he loved it.  Even helping with a spot of clothes shopping.  I introduced him to the 'Man Chair' outside the changing rooms - he loved that and all the commentary coming from the changing rooms.  Valued memories I will treasure :)

Had a few times to see a couple of friends and got to meet my best friends new bub - Isla at only 2 weeks old, and of course big older bro - Otis - 2.

PALEO CHALLENGE

With all that has been going on, I was still doing the paleo challenge.  Have completed that and managed to lose about 3.4 kilos.  New ways of eating now, still always a learning process, and a constant battle with that sugar craving.  I have lost the lethargy feeling and feeling more awake and energised.  I did stay on Step 1 for the majority but have laid off the bread and grains.  Im please to say bread just does not appeal to me. With all the busy times at the moment and a lot of stress with work and family, I feel eating this way and exercising has got me through it better than I would have coped a year ago with the extra weight and the less than desirable lifestyle I had.  What a difference a year makes.

I made a paleo meal during the challenge consisting of:

Butternut Pumpkin Soup with Cayenne Pepper (and then a bit of coconut milk as put in too much pepper!)

Beef Burgundy

Walnut and Honey Biscuits

Invited the mother in law around and of course husband had some and they loved it.  No biscuits left either!Not so skeptical now....well maybe!


In the weight loss department have now lost 37.4 kilos (82.3 pounds).  At this point when I look for images, there are a lot of pictures of anorexic people - not so ideal.  But I have lost the weight of a giant leopard!

I started proper crossfit classes on Saturday and my muscles are certainly aware of the workout, and Im going back tomorrow.  I did the class which involved a warm up then the workout called 'Cindy' which I scaled to 5 body rows (normally pull ups), 10 scaled press ups and 15 squats - continuing to rounds of that for 20 mins.  Awesome but intense!  This was followed by an hour of lifting, flipping etc of heavy stuff - fun :)

Can't wait for the holidays to focus on weight loss and exercise without distractions.  I now have a new goal in sight.  My husband and I booked tickets to Melbourne for a 2 week holiday in the next lot of holidays.  I want to lose at least 10 kilos before then!  Its just over 3 months away - I think totally do-able. So excited for the holiday though!  Great shopping there.

Briefly on other things.  More friends having babies, another 2 couple friends of ours got engaged, been to baby shower today (I try but really they are not my thing - maybe it helps if you are a mother??).  My husband and I are going for adoption at the moment and go under further assessment in a couple of weeks.  While the process is long, its ticking away.  My too big clothes are piling up - another thing to do is to clear out the wardrobe, and put on Trade Me (Melbourne will be great for clothes shopping).  Except for essentials, I will hold off on buying clothes until there.  Also booked in to see a psychologist at the clinic to help with everything that is going on in my life at present and how to keep on track with eating.  Not sure if I need a fill either - I feel Im on the cusp of one.

Hope all is well with you all!

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 :)

Post Op week 2 - I lost a Layla!

For those of you who don't know, Layla is our youngest dog (20 months).  My weight loss this week was 1.2 kilos - I was slightly gutted....why?  I thought I would lose more.  Too used to the 2 kilo a week, now back to reality and actually having some food of the pureed description.  On the more positive side, Layla weighs 28 kilos, so I lost her weight plus 500g (so a block of butter).  Yay!

16 days since surgery.  I'm doing alright.  In the last week I made it to work the whole working week!  That was my big goal after being slightly too ambitious the week before.  I have been made aware though just how much I do move around at school/teaching.  I tried to force myself to sit down and make students come to me - didn't work.  I like to be more interactive and talk to them.  Sitting up the front just made me feel isolated from the class.  And...you can keep a better eye on what is going on amongst the masses and that they are actually doing their work....it is high school after all.

A bit of a come down this week from the op.  Felt a bit bleh.  Got sick of the pureed foods after about three days.  Tired of being just plain exhausted.  Only managed a couple of walks and a PT session this week (more walking) - frustrating as I got fit before the op. 

For foods - hubby did make me lovely combos, having little cottage pies in a ramekin dish (minced up chicken/vege) and vege topping (not potato).  I advanced onto hummus and cruskits for lunch - 2-3 of them.  Sometimes having lite yoghurt and 1/2 banana too.  That was about it.  I was satisfied.  While I say that - I did start to get physically hungry at times this week (rumbles in the tum, and feeling hungry sick), so knew I had to eat.  Routine of school makes it hard - something I have to work at.

Consequences of the new regime - being blocked up - that so sucks - Benefiber and alpine tea to the rescue.  Apparently according to the dietitician - normal and should ease when back on real food.

Next week - soft foods.  This means food you can cut with the side of a fork.  Veges have to be cooked well.  Still nothing too high in carbs (Potatoes etc), no bread, and no fibrous veges (corn, asparagus, celery).  Chicken breast and steak are off the list as too dry. Also any fruit or vege with peel or a coat.  Avoid or remove peel.

But the big thing is - I get to chew something finally!!!!  Like a big girl :)

One other thing that has arisen.  Initially I had some pain where the port is (I think).  Is this to do with the muscle growing around it and recovery?  It has pretty much gone for now.  But in the last few days I have had pain to the left of the port and slightly down.  Hasn't gottten any better and I can't link it to anything.  Initially I thought I had pulled a muscle but it goes and comes back.  It hurts more when I am standing.  Today in the supermarket it felt like a stabbing pain and almost doubled over - however the pain went away.  I thought it was due to digesting but it had been hours since I had eaten.  Has anyone who is banded had this?  Is it normal?  HELP!  I have search internet sites and not much has come up.  I guess if it continues, I'll check in with the clinic.

Onto week 3.....

7 sleeps until surgery

Just a quick update:

Just weighed in a lost another 2 kilos (4.4lbs) !  weeeeeeeee!!!  Im very excited :)

So in total - thats 24.3 kilos lost = 53.5lbs - made it over the 50lb mark!

This week has been a little up and down.  I think I may have over done the exercise, just because my body is not taking in enough to always keep me going.  Im alright though.  It's a good tired, not a I just cna't be bothered tired.

So this week: 

Monday:  2 walks
Tuesday:  1 PT session, 1 walk
Wednesday:  Energy slump - day off - slept a lot, and felt a lot better for it.  Did go TV shopping with Kate so not a complete vege day.
Thursday:  1 PT session, 1 walk
Friday: 1 PT session, 1 walk.

Tomorrow, I head to Auckland for a few days to see my friends with their growing pregnant bellies. Hope they are having good hormone days ;)  It will be great to see them - too long between visits between us.  I guess that is what happens you all live in different parts of the country.  I see that we are going on a 2 hr nature walk - hope the weather is good for it.  Hope my fitness is up to scratch.

So as I do with my weight loss, I like to see what it equates to - so what does 24.3kgs/53.5lbs look like?

 This cute dog!

 The shipping weight of this outdoor furniture set

This hovercraft



 This fish!

7 sleeps until surgery day - the excitement builds :)

Word of 2011

Arggghhhh the detox - week 1 of pre-op diet 2.  How soon one forgets the effects of it.

Within 2 days, my energy levels plummetted!   But due to heat - sleep still hard.  By Friday, I was sporting some pretty decent panda eyes.   Have been trying to keep up the exercise, but Fridays PT session was swapped for a sleep in.  I love sleep when I can get it.

Day 7 now, as long as I eat when I am meant to - things are getting better, and the energy levels are on the up!  In the week ahead, exercise every day no matter what.  Still on holiday for another 3 weeks so no excuse!

In a few blogs I have been reading, I noticed that people are chosing a:

Word Of The Year

I thought I would try this, actually harder than I thought.  So many words, but which one will drive me for the year?  Well this is it -



I thought about success, goal, determination, achievement etc but focus is what I need to get all of these.  Keep my eye on the prize as they would say and success will be mine.  That will be my 2011 :)