Bitterness...

Okay, so I have to admit I have been very bitter lately. It's about my non-existant "green zone". It's this wonderful thing I hear banded people talking about but mine is missing...well maybe not missing because if I have never had it then it can't be lost...can it???? Anyway...if anyone finds an extra "green zone"...just go ahead...direct it my way! Turn left at Iowa please!

So I have been staying right around 208-211 for weeks now. Bouncing back and forth and back and forth and back and...you get the idea. So tonight after Zumba I had my hubby take some new pictures of me to put things in perspective for me. Or to make me feel a little better about the weight I have already lost! It has been just short of 4 months since surgery and I have lost on a good day 50 pounds! So that part is good...if only I didn't feel like eating my own arm off most days...

So anyway...here are the results.

This was me the morning of surgery in the hotel before going to the hospital 258 lbs

This was me tonight on a good day at 208 lbs. And that is Zoe, she insisted to have her profile taken too (love her!)

 

So yes, I know there have been positive changes...I just really would like to try the green! I go next Thursday for my 3rd fill....so hoping this is the one!

Fall in Iowa!

It is a beautiful time of year in Iowa!

Todays exercise was a family walk on a wooded trail!

We (My husband, myself, and Zoe) went 1.78 miles.

 

Zoe wouldn't look at me for a picture...we are on a walk and it's all business! Too many things to jump on and smell to be worrying about taking a picture :-)

 

What are you doing to keep active on the weekend???

 

Happy Sunday!

Getting Our Zumba On!!!

My second night of Zumba!
I drug my friend along for the ride!
This is my Angie! 
We laugh...a lot!

 

I think she was tired afterward!
But here is our fat crying=Success!
Does anyone know how many calories a 1 hour Zumba class burns????

Pulling and Tugging at Aquacise

Enough of that I said after tonights class!

Swim suit #1...cute for the beach...Tatas coming out at aquacise! (Not good!)

Swim suit #2...Tatas stayed in the top side, swim suit top creeping up around my neck! (Not good!)

So I took a trip after class to the athletic store for a swim suit made for activity!

Will have to wait to see how the new one holds up next Monday night!

New-Bee

Tonight I was the New-Bee in my Zumba class...was my first Zumba ever!
It was hot and it was sweaty...but most of all I felt completely comfortable there!
Huge Relief! And that means I will be going back! I'm excited to go back!
I found something fun to do this winter when the snow is flying in Iowa!

Here I am before the class....and did I mention today I have officially lost 50 pounds! Eeek!

I just did a SQUATJACK!

Yes I said it:
 
SQUATJACK
 
That was my amusement at my water aerobics class tonight! It was supposed to be my first night of Aqua Zumba...but the instructor was sick. So instead of that we just had regular water aerobics. Which was....just okay..really...a little bit...not what I was looking for.

But I loved the word she used for doing jumping jacks while squatting!
 
I was hoping a Aqua Zumba would at least make me feel like I get a workout, I have never felt like I had a good work out in a water class before and tonight was much of the same.
 
I am still hopeful that my new class will be wonderful on Wednesday night...we'll see...
 
This is what I feel we looked like tonight...yes I would be the ones wearing the flower cap if I had one :-) hehe

 

So onward to land Zumba tomorrow night!

SINGLES

No I'm not talking about a relationship status on Facebook!

I'm talking about this great new pan I found this weekend. Check it out!

The brand is Singles and it is for making small portions!

A.K.A. Specially made for us Lap Banders!

They had this skillet, a smaller pot with higher sides, and something to make a sandwhich with. I thought I would get the most use out of this one to make a scrambled egg in the morning and such.

For those in the midwest area of the country I bought this at Shopko on sale for $10!

Turkey Day!

So today I thought I would share with you a success of my husband. I think I have mention in previous blogs that he is also banded. He was banded November 2011 and is down about 85 pounds. He has spent most of his free time running since surgery and has spent the summer running in various 5Ks. His goal by the end of summer was to run a 10K, and today was the day!

 His Bib Number

 

 

 Before the Run

 

 

So just for fun I'll throw in a before picture....this one was taken shortly after surgery. It's a profile picture but I think you can see the difference!

 

 

Thanks to the Lap Band this transformation was possible!

 

 

 

 

 

ZuMbA Here I Come!! Ready or not!

So after my disappointment of not being able to start Zumba last week. I have now found 2 new leads that start next week that I am super duper excited about! I'll give you 2 hints:

Tuesday and Thursday! (Free at a local church!~~I love free!)

Monday and Wednesday!! (Free with my YMCA membership!)

I'm am really hoping this is the spice my workouts need to keep me heading to my goal!

My Exercise Plan--Revamped???

Okay, so I finally got myself completely convinced to go to my first zumba class! Yay! I was EXCITED! I even told someone at work I was going to go. (Just to make myself more accountable) I came home from work....slapped on my workout clothes, so I called ahead to make sure there was a class tonight like the website said...

DISAPPOINTMENT

They said the class in my town was on Wednesday night...REALLY?? One night a week? What good will that do?

So now I am back to square one trying to find a class to attend for winter. I live in small town Iowa, and when winter hits; going outside will be out of the question. I belong to our Y, but I can't see myself walking on a treadmill all winter, YUCK! They offer classes, but not at times I can get to before or after work.

Soooo....I'm really considering Zumba on Wii?? Who uses this out there? What do you think?
I also used to do videos called Leslie Sanson "Walk at Home" and used to enjoy them and work up a sweat. That is where my plan is heading. (I think)

I don't like not having a deffinate plan...it makes it too easy to fall out of the habit.

Who has fun unique ways they get their workout ON???

To Tell or NOT...

So I have been reading a lot lately on forums people who are banded and their choice to tell others about their band or not....

I guess this is something very personal, and based on your own individual personality.

I have chose to not tell people....well most of the time anyway. There are only a hand-ful of peeps that know! And I feel very comfortable with that. Outside of immediate family and a close friend, and a select few co-workers who had to know why I was gone from work a couple days.

My reasons for not telling are simple...
1. I don't want to have to EXPLAIN myself and my reasons and the surgery over and over and over.
2. I don't want to have to deal with any negativity. It's hard enough every day to do what I need to do without having someone else to make me feel bad about myself and my choice.
3. It's just comfortable and I like that.
4. I don't want to be a topic of discussion.

Now I can see why others do tell, I can see they might have more support from people. And at some point I might change my mind and tell others.

But for now, I am fine, just the way it is! I get inspiration and support from my husband (who has also been banded), family, and the huge online community of others who are walking in my shoes and understand who are blogging and on forums!

Happy Anniversary!

So...what one women may feel is an offensive anniversary gift...others....may not!

We were shopping at Best Buy yesterday and I found something that I didn't even know I wanted!

So yes..my husband bought it for me for our anniversary that is Wednesday!

It is the most awesomist SCALE!! Has anyone heard of or using a "fitbit" Scale??? This amazing tool measuers weight, and BMI. It's WiFi so it sends it directly to your account and you can access your information on your phone app as well! Even better it links to "My Fitness Pal" which I use to track all my food intake and exercise. Pulls all that information right into fitbit automatcally. It really is an amazing tool that I think will be very useful as I journey to my goal weight. I am loving it so far!

Here is the beauty~~~

 

Check out the website!

http://www.fitbit.com