A not so funny thing happened on the way to get the camera

From the time I first stepped on the scale to the time I went and grabbed the camera to take the picture, I gained a pound.  Can you believe that?  Ugh.

So today's final weigh in is not as pretty as I hoped, but on a positive note, at least I'm in the negative and I didn't gain.  Of course, I think I would have done much better had I not gone to a cookie exchange this week and eaten half of the cookies I got!  Double ugh.

I did go and get a fill on Monday.  My last one before my year of free adjustments was up, although I actually have two free adjustments in the books as they give out a free adjustment when you go to the December support group meeting.  I was there last year right before I got banded, so I got one then, and I was at this months, so I got another one.  That's a $50 value for each adjustment.

Sorry I didn't put more together for my bandiversary post.  Just wasn't feeling like doing much reflection.  I'm still not.  If I did, I think I'd be more maudlin then positive, so I just won't go there.

But, a new year is about to begin so I am going to get my butt in action and see if I can create a perfect storm of good eating, good exercise, and snack moderation to create a downward trend in my weight.  That's my goal.  To do all three things at once.  I seem to do one sometimes two things at the same time, but not all three, thus the reason for my six month plateau.  I've got to bust through this and get back on track.

I gobbled the turkey!

And I've got the proof on my hips, belly and thighs!

Ugh, no exercise plus way too much to eat equals a gain!

223.2.

Oh well, it's a new week.

Holiday Challenge update

I've posted another loss this week.  I'm down to 220.6, which is 1.2 pound loss, I think.  I haven't had any caffeine yet so math is beyond me at the moment.

Not bad considering I didn't do a lick of exercise last week.  But I will do that that though this week.  I've got to!  With Thanksgiving coming up, there is no way I can slide this week by just watching what I eat.

Stuck plus a PB - ugh!

This morning, I scarfed down my cheese stick and turkey slices breakfast.  Not good.  It got stuck and while I didn't have time to PB, boy did it hurt and there was tons of slime.

Then tonight, prior to a meeting with one of our clients and their employees, they invited us to join them for dinner.  Chicken, mashed potatoes with green chili gravy, corn and salad.  I took two bites of the chicken and a bite of the potatoes and not only was I stuck, but I knew I had to PB.  I excused myself to the restroom where I proceeded to PB into the sink.  Gross.  Finished there, got back to the table, attempted a small bite of my salad.  Yeah, I'm done.  I come up with the excuse that my stomach was in knots due to my speaking to such a large crowd, and I'm able to wrap my leftover dinner for later.  I go to put it in the fridge in their kitchen and PB some more into the kitchen sink.  Thank God that no one was in there to see me.  Big huge globs of slime and salad/chicken coming out.  Yuck!

But, I made it through the presentation, got a round of applause from their employees, and finally go to sit down.  My feet were killing me after standing for two hours and being in my high heels.  Perhaps next time I should wear flats.

I came home and made me a shake as I knew I shouldn't attempt solid food after my day of eating.  And you know what is funny?  I had a Las Vegas roll at a local sushi restaurant for lunch today and had absolutely no problems with it.  Go figure.

No exercise today.  Hoping to get to the gym after tomorrow's meetings.

Holiday Challenge - results from week 1

Despite Aunt Flo showing up yesterday - two days early - I had a great week!  I'm down to 221.8, which is a loss of 2.8 pounds this week.  Sweet!
Yesterday I went to my mom's for the day.  We had crafts planned to create for her Christmas decorations (got to love Hob.by Lob.by).  They came out really good.  Mom cut all the bought decorations into small usable pieces and then my aunt and I made the crafts.  Here is how my project, a wreath for her pillar candle, turned out:

I ended up getting stuck twice yesterday!  First time was with a hot from the oven banana muffin.  Second was with lunch, baked chicken breast which was moist and spinach salad.  Ugh.  But, after making a run to the next town over's WalMart to buy AF supplies (remember, she was two days early so I wasn't prepared), and also buying some chocolate and kettle korn, all those snacks went down just fine.

My aunt made dinner last night, hamburger stew, and it was so good!  Thankfully, no problems with it.

I hope that all of you challengers had great first weeks too!  I'll be sure to swing by and check on you.

Thursday report

Lunch today at PF Changs was good, as expected. I ate not quite half of the lamb dish I ordered, and about half my brown rice. I love their brown rice!

Had my crown put in this afternoon, so my mouth was all numb. I went to the Y early and walked on the treadmill rather than doing a class.

Dinner tonight was grilled cheese sandwich with one bread slice and turkey slices, and tomato soup. Oh it was so good.

I got on the scales at the Y and they read 220! My scales at home read 222 this morning, so I am definitely making progress! Can't wait for the Sunday weigh in.

No gym tonight

Had to stay late at work tonight, didn't get out til 6:30, missing my class. Crazy busy at work, it's only going to get worse over the next three weeks. Still ate well today. Another salad for lunch, then had a small portion of chicken Alfredo.

Tomorrow's lunch is PF Changs. Yummm.

Brrrr!

Today a cold front moved in. It made it quite cold when I left the Y tonight. I'll have to remember to pack my stocking cap in my gym bag tonight for tomorrow as having a wet head after exercising then going out in the cold is not a good thing.

I've been eating spinach and mixed green salads with rotisserie turkey breast, dried cranberries, sugar snap peas, bell pepper, different cheeses (blue or cheddar), and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Tonight I added some Asian pear slices to it. So my calorie intake has been pretty good. Breakfast consists of light cheese stick, slices of deli turkey, and an apple.

I tried step aerobics tonight. The choreography was tough! I got so frustrated with it. But it was a good work out, a high calorie burner. I'm sure my muscles will be feeling it tomorrow.

Exercise & Good eating

I exercised today and coupled it with some pretty healthy eating. No sweets yesterday or today. So far, so good.

How are you doing?

New challenge begins

Today marks the day that the new Holiday Challenge begins. I really need this challenge. Not so much to win the money, because hey, we all know that it is usually the newer bandsters with lots to lose and losing lots will win. That's not why I am in this challenge. I am in it for the accountability of it. I haven't really had anyone to say boo to since the last challenge and it shows on the scales. Thank you again, Kristen, for running this challenge!

I am going to get back to my former bandster ways of eating: small bites, chew chew chew, small portions, LOTS LESS FOOD!

I am also going to do my best at exercising. Unfortunately, with the work I am in, our really busy season is upon us and I expect to have some really long days ahead of me. Hopefully I will still be able to get to the Y and exercise. I am going to need those extra calories burned if I want to meet my goal for the challenge.

Which brings me to the numbers.

Starting weight: 224.6 pounds
Goal weight: 210.0 pounds

So in the six weeks, I want to lose 14.6 pounds. That's 2.43 pounds a week. I need to do this. I can do this if I put my mind and body and mouth to it. I have been stuck and climbing at the 220-224 range since July. That's enough laziness for me.

I am going to try to start tracking my food intake and exercise each day. Not sure if I will be able to post it, but I need to see what it is I'm doing and I want my readers to see it to so they know what it is I am doing and what it is I am not doing. And don't be shy about calling me to task if I am slacking. I need your help. I think that is why most of us are in this challenge, so we can help each other.

In fact, I am going to create another blog list on my left sidebar with the blogs of each contestant (I really hope there aren't a ton because my blog will be really long :0). That way, I can see how you are doing and offer my support to you as well.

Best of losses to everyone who is competing. May all the bandsters lose!

Holiday Challenge

As mentioned in an earlier post, I will participate in a Holiday Challenge. Kristen is hosting this once again. Thanks girl, you rock!

Here is the great badge Joey put together for the challenge:

If you want more details on the challenge, or would like to join it, please click here.

Holiday challenge

I've joined a new weight loss challenge for the holidays. It gets started November 8 and runs through December 20, I think. I'll be posting more details on it. While it again is who loses the highest percentage of weight, I'm making my goal to be 10 pounds, or down to 210, whichever is greater! Thanks Kristen for organizing it again. You rock!