Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Wanted to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!

These are pictures from Carey's Christmas Party...they even had people there to draw you!

Wishing you all a safe and very happy holiday with you and yours!

Time for a picture post..

I finally got around to uploading my Thanksgiving Day pictures..I was amazed at how much they changed even from last year. I remember Thanksgiving 09 I was THRILLED to be down 48lbs and you can tell by my smile..and after seeing pictures from this Thanksgiving..NEWS ALERT...someone has lost there booty...

Last night I went to the FIRST of my SEVEN Holiday party's I will be attending this year..YIKES!  I am trying hard to kick up my work outs ( I <3 Spin!) and enjoy my self at the parties (but not to much!)



12/10 Holiday Party  with my step mom



Thanksgiving 2009 thrilled to be down 48lbs (notice the booty)





Thanksgiving 2010 down 95lbs










Thanksgiving 2009



December 2010..my love and I.. and his silly faces he makes for the camera ;)

New Blogger being banded next week!

New Blogger Tracy is getting banded next Wednesday, let's show her some support!
And she get's Thanksgiving as her "last meal" how lucky! ( unless she is on liquids!)


http://www.bandadventures.blogspot.com/, If the link isn't working she left the last comment on my last post.



This year I am Thankful for my health, for the first time in my life being a healthy weight (on the charts!!).  For no longer needing medications due to my obesity. Good Bye Nexium, no more gurd! Good bye Metformin, no more borderline diabetes!


Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Challenge Weigh In, 95 LB's down and a size 4

My weigh in for the challenge is MUCH better than last week! I weighed in today for the Holiday Challenge  148.4, a loss of 3.2lbs this week, and a total of 95lbs DOWN!! I had pretty good restriction because of my T.O.M.

I <3 My Band!!

Yesterday I went shopping at my favorite store (J.Crew outlet)  They had an additional 40% off their clearance..there had been a blazer I had been eyeballing and it was on clearance now and of course no size 8 biggest size was a size 4 for shits and giggles I brought it in to the dressing room. I almost DIED right their in the dressing room, the size FOUR fit and buttoned and get this was NOT tight.. I literally had to look at the tag 10 times to make sure it really said 4. Oh and best part I scored it for $24  I believe my workouts are really helping me lose inches!

After thinking the jacket was sized wrong I went and tried and XS sweater... I was drooling over it at $98 purchased for $32!

 I did it I finally had the courage to purchase Skinny Jeans, these are Jeggings for $14! Size 8, I had to purchase the sequin top it was not on clearance but marked down to $30 

 

Good Luck this next to all who are doing the Holiday Challenges, I am hoping to just maintain my great loss for this week!!

What I eat

Lap Band Gal   Did a great post asking everyone to post what they eat I am guilty of eating the same things a lot..this will be helpful maybe get some new ideas from other people.

Every morning I have a  1/2 cup of coffee with half & half and sugar or  a Skinny Latte if I don't get coffee at home.

Breakfast M-F I have Chobani greek yogurt 140 cal 14 grams of protein, on the weekends my hubby makes me a sunny side up egg with a english muffin (if I am not to tight) or an eggbeaters omelet

Water I drink 3 32ounce Nalgene bottles so a total of 96 ounces a day

Snacks- Cheesestick 80 cal 7g protein or peanuts  or my favorite slices of cucumber with two tablespoons of hummus YUM! 

Lunch..a can of tuna with low fat mayo and pickles or a salad with a scoop or tuna and balsamic Vinaigrette or soup! ( I really need new lunch ideas) If it's crazy at work I eat a protein bar  on the run 220 cal 15 g protein  

Dinner- Grilled Turkey breast with squash, Chicken sausage with broccoli, turkey taco's, fish I love seafood, when I go out to eat I always order grilled salmon, turkey meatloaf, spaghetti squash with marinara that I add ground turkey too, turkey chili.


Dessert- I love skinnnnnnnnnny cow ice cream sandwiches, or yummy mint bars yum!


That's what I eat! What do you eat!!

gains, alterations, spinning galore

So my weigh in for the challenge today was 151.6 that's a .8 gain BOOOOOOOOO!

This gain especially saddens me because at the beginning of the week Tuesday to be exact I saw my weight for the first time EVER in my life began with a 14  ..I was so thrilled and jazzed that I was courageous enough to try spinning..I hated and loved it all at once loved it even more that it showed I had burned 750 calories in an hour!

BIGGEST NSV that happened during Spinning class.. Instructor: Hey I haven't seen you before is this the first time you have come to my class ME: Yep this is my first time Instructor: You mean in my class?? ME no ever my first spin class ever Instructor: WOW really? you did really great!  I about almost DIED with happiness..

So now that I am going to the gym I need new clothes, I was able to purchase a medium in workout pants and I went to the outlets today and the most expensive thing I bought was on a workout top! 

I also found an amazing Tailor! This women is great and is helping take in suits and pants so I don't have to go buy all new stuff.. Here is a picture I snapped hemming my new Paige jeans!

This week I am going back to spin on Tuesday, I will go to 4 classes at the gym this week.And I will like I always track calories and try to stay around 1,000 to 1,100 and high protein

And I am going to try and stop ordering mudslides  (it was so yummy though!)

Holiday Challenge/ My Jared Post!!!

I know some people must be thinking..why are you joining the challenge? She must be nuts, she will never win!

I am obviously not in it to win it, I am in it to stay motivated especially around all the tempting Holiday treats. I am DYING to get into the 140's. My weigh in today 150.8, I am 5lbs below my goal and 5lbs from my aspirational goal and 7lbs away from 100lbs down..which I would really like to see. 

I have been wanting to do my  Jared post for a little while, I woke up this morning with the start of the challenge motivated and wanting to take a picture, even though I just woke and no makeup!

These are the jeans I wore every day of the last year leading up until my Surgery, they were SKIN tight on me! and I even have holes in the seams from them being stretched out.

And proof that these suckers used to be SKIN tight on me

Florida March 09/ 5 months before Lap Band

I have seemed to have fallen into a rabbit hole...

So it's pretty appropriate that I was "Alice in Wonderland" for Halloween.

First let me explain that my new job, is CRAZY busy! I am not  allowed to be on blogger with my company internet acess and really I don't have time for it! Non-Profit works you to the bone! I am also doing a lot of traveling with this new job as well. This job is a lot of hard work but in the long run will be great for my career.

One perk of my new job is my hours! I am out by 4:30 and walk to the downtown YMCA that my husband goes too and we workout! I have fallen in love with Zumba & CardioFusion!

I am trying really hard to break into the 140's but my scale is stuck on 153, and by no means am I complaining. Last year for Halloween I did not dress up, I did go to a pumpkin festival so I have a picture to compare too and I remember being THRILLED because I was down 30 or so lbs!

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2010

My first EVER slutty halloween Costume! (The hubby approved!!)

This journey is so much fun with the people that you meet and the friendships you develop! I had a double date with Kristen on Friday, we went to a Hockey game and out to dinner.

a couple of NSV that made me cry

Tears of JOY! That is!!

 I have lots of news to share!! I will do bullets!

•  I got a new job!! I will be working for a non profit, I believe I will be much happier helping people and my schedule rocks! I have been looking for a job since February so it's been a long time coming!!

I told my husband that I needed a new winter coat he said well last year you couldn't button it..(he is right it was a size 16 Jcrew coat that I wasn't able to button) MEN lol

December 2009 size 16 couldn't button!

October 2010 size 8 buttoned!


Next weekend I am attending a friends wedding my best friend gave me a size 6 Calvin Klein Dress to try on...I was like um this is not going to fit..guess what I was wrong..I cried on the way home from her house .I have never been a size 6

 

Chicago....BEST GIRLS WEEKEND EVER

Ladies it was so amazing meeting you!! I wish it was longer! I am still exhausted.

 I was to busy drinking martinis to take a lot of pictures but here are a few..

                                           Angie also known as worlds greatest spooner

                                                     Views from our hotel room..AMAZING

                                                                       Roomies!

                              Jen..I know you have the one of you grabbing my ass I want so I can frame it

                                                           A little karaoke ..

                                                                   love these girls <3

      Ending the night with a few rounds of champagne..he had a sexy accent to boot and Angie can tell you if he was a good kisser :)

          

                                  Until we meet again....I hope it soon because I miss all of your faces!!!

BOOBS Question

1) You’re trapped on a desert island and you can bring only 3 of your favorite foods along. What do you bring?  1) Rare tuna/Sushi  2) Trader Joe's pop chips 3)  Starbucks Venti Skinny Vanilla latte


2) If you could meet any 3 people, living or dead, who would they be and why?
Elin Hilderbrand..my favorite author..My grandfather because I was 2 when he passed
and oh Tom Brady...(after he gets a haircut)

3) What is your stripper name? (take the name of your first pet and the name of the street you grew up on)
         Buster Washington...hmm?

4) How old were you when you lost your virginity? Alternative question if you don’t want to answer this: What is your LEAST fav part of your bod since losing weight? Your MOST favourite since losing weight? I was 16 ..  least inner thighs.. fav.my waist



5) Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a house that is supposedly haunted? Yes.. maybe



6) What is your natural hair colour? If you dye it something completely different from what your momma gave ya, how come? Dirty blonde.. I highlight and color ..cause a girl can never have to much money, be to skinny or be to blonde :)


7) Boxers or briefs? Alternatively…bikinis or granny panties?
Boxers! Thongs and boy short

8) If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? (Trilogies do not count as one movie, cheaterpantses!) PS I Love You... I just loved that movie..it made me cry  hard


9) What is your guilty pleasure (feel free to go straight to the gutter with this one if the spirit moves you!)

watching Reality TV.. Jersey Shore..the Hills ETC

10) How many pounds gone forever are you celebrating?? :)
Last week 90 , today 89..damn T.O.M

Could you vote for my friend Nedah PLEASE at Lean Kitchen

Hi Ladies,

I did a post a while back about my friend starting a blog. A Lean Kitchen blog, she focuses on dishes that are high pro-tein low carb. If you haven't signed up for her newsletter you should!

She has enter into a Food Blog Competion!

Please Vote she deserves it!!

Go Nedah!!

http://leankitchen.com/how-to-vote.htm

or (she is up at top lean kitchen!)
http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1/233?utm_campaign=pfb2010&utm_content=2&utm_medium=jswidget&utm_source=www.leankitchen.com

Thousand Word Thursday..

I am noticing a trend here!

I am a very lucky girl and I love my  hubby and my wedding rings..

And the coolest thing about being 90lbs down.. my fingers are smaller so it makes my bling look bigger SWEET! :)

I took this pic on our anniversary when I noticed my Diamond looking bigger..after a few cosmos

this is my manicure from last night! Essie's Rock Star SKINNY :) Love it!

Barium Swallow..anyone?

Hey Ladies!!

Has anyone had a Barium Swallow? I went to my DR today and since I am a year post op they want me to do a Barium Swallow..oh I can't wait to call my insurance to see if they will cover this..ugh.

I held off on getting a fill today, even though I have been hungrier lately. I didn't want to be to tight with my period next week and with flying to Chicago!

I am getting so pumped ladies..get your party panties!!!

My new blog header! Thank You Jennifer

Thank You so much Jennifer for sending me an email with this blog header! 

This blogging community amazes me every single day!

GOAL!

I have been quite lately...I have been keeping a secret... I have hit GOAL!!

I wanted to make sure that it was here to stay. I have seen 155 once last month and then bounced up all over the place had a nice 4lb vacation gain. And then last week I saw goal two days and a row..but I wanted to wait a week to make sure it was here to stay.

The past two mornings this is what I saw.. there are no words to say how grateful I am for my band. I thought I would be going crazy, but I am calm. I think I am calm because there is hope I can actually weigh in the 140's where I think my ultimate goal will be.  

My mantra KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON :) 

a package on my band anniversary...

I arrived home from work on my one year bandanniversary to find a package waiting for me!

Angie made my day (along with all my wonderful comments on my blog!) and sent me a pair of J Brand Jeans!! So exciting as they fit perfectly and are a size smaller in Jeans that I am wearing now. (Excuse the messy hair and no make up as I didn't get home from work until 8:30!)

A

                                      Angie you rock  & I can't wait to spoon you in Chicago!!!

My ONE Year BAND ANNIVERSARY

One year ago today 8/24/09 was one of the best days of my life. I was nervous and scared at this time I was hooked up to an IV and my poor hubby you could tell was nervous. They make you do a will before the hospital so it became real that there was a risk to doing this surgery. That day I was blessed with courage and hope to stop my fight with obesity once and for all.

I sit at my computer crying real tears of happiness, this year has been amazing. 

I have met new friends from blogging that I have developed REAL friendships with we talk about everything our life, slime. pbs everything. I don't where I would be with out being able to BBM Kristen or Angie or my daily texts from Jenny. These girls have made my journey so much richer,  I love you xo!

And to my husband who loved and supported me no matter what weight I was. He has truly been my biggest supporter and cheerleader. I love him and this journey has strengthened our marriage. I still remember the next day after surgery while I was resting that he came up and laid his hand on my back making sure I was still breathing, lol.

I have lost 85lbs I am currently 3lbs away from goal. It is my TOM and I am fighting with 4lbs of vacation weight and a crazy weekend. I have seen goal once, but have bounced all over the place. Goal would have been sweet today but no journey is perfect.

Thank You to the blogging community you are the BEST support system a girl could wish for so looking forward to Chicago.


If you are thinking about getting the band I have two words for you DO IT! 

Ladies I lift my glass of Champagne to you and say cheers! What a difference a year and a band makes! Love to all xo

This is why I tell...PLEASE follow my friend on her lap band journey

 After my 5k picture was posted on Facebook, I had lots of people private messaging me about what was my secret..One of them an old friend from High School, so I told her  sent her a lap band link and a a few blogs I follow, and received this message from her 

Thanks Nicole! I am getting so excited. We did find out that our insurance covers all of the procedure. I am making my Dr appt tomorrow and getting this caboose going. I have never been this excited about anything (other than finding out I was going to be a mommy) Your blog and pictures are even more an inspiration to me and makes me realize that I am not the only one in this boat. Thanks for all your help!

My friend decided to make her own blog, please support her and let her know how amazing having a band is! http://bandedmommyjourney.blogspot.com/?spref=fb



Again this is why I tell, to simply be able to help people fight their battle with obesity once and for all. 

Our second Anniversary Pictures..what a difference a band makes

Our First Anniversary was a month before my lap band surgery, what a difference a band makes!! I heart my band!

First 5K Post Op

Last year a week before surgery I walked a 5k race I was weighing in around 230( ish) I walked with my girlfriends and our time 1 hr 2 min, and that night I said I WILL run next year.

And I did!  I am proud of myself as my friends and husband walked this year, and I decided to do it by myself and with no IPOD!

My time wasn't the greatest but I got an email from my hubby this morning titled race results and it said
"42 mins woohoo good job lady!!!"

Now I have a time to improve on! And improved my time last year by 20 minutes..helps being 85lbs lighter!!

Just bought my ticket to CHICAGO!!!

BOOBS here I come!!! So very excited I purchased my ticket to Chicago. And cannot wait to meet all you fabulous ladies!!

Sorry ladies that I haven't been good about posting, I was on vacation last week and the week before was my Anniversary and dealing with my car drama. 

I swear there is a black cloud following me while we were away on vacation a pipe burst in our kitchen so we were dealing with our condo association and came home to an ripped up kitchen that was inoperable. 

I can't wait to do a post about our vacation and our anniversary and the best part compare photos from last year!

For now I will leave you with a picture of me on the beach the first day, before my 4LB vacation weight gain UGH.