Ladybug

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Close to Chicago Bound!

I feel SO much better today!!  I'm not 100%, but I feel so much better that it almost feels like it.  I've gone to bed very early the last couple of nights and I will try to do so again tonight. 

After work yesterday, I went home to plan packing.  Since it is cold in Chicago, I had to break out the more Winter-ized outfits.  Seeing as I have no idea what fits and what doesn't, I had to try on EVERYTHING.  But I think I'm happy with what I have come up with.  Although there is one outfit that I'm not 100% sure on whether it is super fabulous or trasvestite streetwalker.  HA!  I'm sure my roomies will help me decide if I look ridiculous.

I just don't have a lot of sexy type going out clothes.  I don't go out much, but I do think that maybe I need to get a couple of things.  I deserve to look sexy every once in a while!! 

All I have to do tonight is pull out the undergarmets, accessories and jewlery and put it in the suitcase. 

Got my flu shot today.  Hopefully that will ward off the evil stuff for the year.  Although I fully expect to wake up in the middle of the night going "what the hell is wrong with my arm??"  That always happens.  :)

I will see many of you tomorrow or Friday and I can't wait!  Travel safe!

Hugs!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Weekend recap

How many times have I mentioned that I can't wait for October and for things to return to normal??  :)  But before that comes Chicago and I certainly don't want to miss that!

Friday night was so much fun!!  I went to see the Matt Nathanson/Train/Maroon 5 concert with Debi, BFF, Lizard and Lizard's running friend Pita.  Not only did I get to see Adam in person, I had an amazing time with friends!!  The weather was perfect for an outdoor concert and the music was excellent.

Saturday morning, I slept in and it felt great!  I finally got up and got productive.  I went shopping for some Chicago items and got some super hot boots at Nordstrom!!  I also picked up the cutest pair of boots for my niece's birthday (which is today and I managed to forget to send them.  Bad aunt!)  But she will love them when she gets them, I think.

Saturday night, I went with Lizard to the Candlelighter's 5K Run in Ft. Worth.  Proceeds from the run benefit children's cancer charities so I ran in honor of Sarah's son Cole.  It wasn't my best time, but for the heat & humidity (and apparently the fact that I was getting sick), it was not so bad.


After the run, Lizard & I went with a running friend of hers for nachos and swirl at Mi Concina.  YUM!!!!

Sunday morning I started feeling puny.  I kept thinking that if I just kept going, it would go away, you know?  I went to church, I went shopping (more boots!) and did all my laundry.  Sunday night BFF came over for dinner and I was starting to feel bad again.  I didn't even stay up for the whole Colts game.  When I woke up yesterday, it was like I had been run over by a truck.  BLEH!

I stayed home from work which is a rare event.  At least when it isn't scheduled like for my tonsillectomy.  :)  I couldn't even muster up the energy to go to the corner store and get some Bugles.  That's bad, people. 

But I'm a little better today.  Hopefully, I will be all better tomorrow, but if not, I will go to the doctor.  I must be in tip-top shape for Chicago!!  I'm really looking forward to it, ladies.

Big hugs!!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Better Late than Never! BOOBs survey.

Since Super September has made me a super sucky blogger, I missed out on the BOOBs survey.  I'm finally getting with the program!!

1.How did you pick your blog name?
Anyone that knows me well knows that I'm always chasing a goal.  To me, my never-ending quest isn't frustrating because once I finish one quest, I start another. 

2.When did you start blogging?
I started blogging on LBT in November 2009 and moved to my own blog space on Blogger in January/February 2011.  Wow, really?  It seems like a lot longer than that!!

3.Theme of blog.
Exercise, weight loss (or the quest thereof), & my crazy life.

4.Did you go to BOOBs 2010?
No, but I remember reading about it and wishing that I was part of it.  Hence the move to Blogger.

5.When were you banded?
January 2010. 

6.How much have you lost?
90-ish pounds.

7.What are you most looking forward to at BOOBs?
Meeting my new friends. 

8.What/who do you hope to find/see/accomplish at BOOBs 2011?
To allow myself to relax and enjoy!

9.Children? Pets?
Nope!

10.Who is your roomie?
I just surprised myself with tears.  WTF?  My roomies are Stephanie, Brandy & Dawnya.  The tears should tell you what I think of these ladies. 

11.What day do you arrive?
Thursday evening.

12.What airport/flight/time?
O'Hare 4:15pm.  If anyone is coming in around that time, I'm up for ride sharing!

13.What events are you signed up for?
Thursday night drag show, Friday tour, Friday night Second City show, Saturday morning Jazzercise.  I like to be a busy girl!!

14.Hobbies?
Working out, going to the theater, doing stuff.  :)

15.Career?
I'm a VP for a development company.  Mostly I'm presented with problems or messes and I fix them.

16.Single? Married? In a relationship?
Single with a BFF platonic life partner.  :)  I think everyone thinks we are a couple but we aren't.  Of course, there is the imaginary relationship I have with my fake boyfriend Adam.

17.Your birthday month?
June

18.What do you want other BOOBs to know about you?
Come talk to me because unless you hit me, spit on me or tell me that I'm fat...I'm going to like you!!  Can't wait to meet you all!
Hugs!

Quick Check In

Hi everybody!!  :)  Super September is still in full effect.  Work is busy (in a good way), social time is busy (in a great way), and I have completed 3 of the four out-of-town trips on my schedule.  After Chicago, things slow down and I will be able to get back to my regularly scheduled blogging and commenting schedule.  Thank goodness.  I miss you all!

Tonight I'm going to the Maroon 5/Train/Matt Nathanson concert.  We all know how I'm dating Adam Levine in my head, so my fantasy world will intersect with reality tonight.  :) 

CrossFit update:  I'm getting stronger all the time.  I even held a handstand for a couple of seconds!  I'm sore all over, but it feels great.

Still no further weight loss on the scale, but I'm hoping that when I measure next week, I will see some changes.  Honestly, I'm okay with where I am and as I continue to improve my fitness, I'm only getting healthier.  So while my perfect scenario of losing 40 more pounds and wearing a size 8 isn't really happening at the moment, things are still really good.  And really good is...well...really good. 

I'm looking forward to Chicago!!  I need to be thinking this weekend about what I need to pack.  At least it isn't still in the 100 degree range here, so it is a little easier to imagine what the weather might feel like.  Donna, Stephanie, Brandy, & Dawnya...I hope you are ready for me!!  There are so many people that I just can't wait to meet.

See you soon!!  Lots 'o hugs!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Remember Me?

My last post was 5 days ago and I have only posted 4 times in the month of September.  That isn't like me?!  But it is a reflection of the busy September I'm having.

Work is busy in a good way!  Usually I have down moments here and there, but it has been non-stop for a few weeks now.  I like it!  But there hasn't been any resting in my personal life either.

I scheduled 4 out of town trips in 6 weeks.  I went to Louisiana three weeks ago, Louisville 2 weeks ago and I leave for North Carolina tomorrow.  I'm visiting a dear friend and my godson.  It will be a nice trip!  If that isn't enough, I'm still trying to get in my work outs.  I went to support group, a super and super fun quick lunch with Fluffy & Angela AND saw The Help last night.  I've given up getting home before 9pm anymore apparently.  :)

I love it though.  After I get back from NC, I have my monthly Interesting Dinner on Tuesday, Hair (the musical) tickets on Wednesday, & Maroon 5/Train/Matt Nathanson concert tickets on Friday.  My niece's birthday is the following Tuesday, so I need to fit shopping in there somewhere.  And then just a few days later I leave for Chicago!!!!

::deep breath::  There is a whole lot in there, but it is all fun.  Plus, I'm really glad that all of this madness ends with the Chicago trip.  I'm planning to sit back and rest in October, so I will have nothing to be worried about but getting my fun on.  October will get me back into my routine and back to being a more participatory blogger.  I miss you guys. 

I just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm kicking.  I will see some of you in a couple weeks and I will be back with bells on soon!!

Love & hugs!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Somethings are better than losing weight.

You know, I'm doing fine with the mushy diet.  Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE a tortilla chip or a cracker, but otherwise, I'm totally fine.  I'm not hungry like I thought I would be.  And the best part is that all that acid reflux is going away.  I did have some yesterday from about 10am-3pm, but it was very mild.  We will see how it goes today.

I always check my CrossFit workout the night before to prepare.  For instance, if we are doing Power Cleans, I want to know what weight I lifted last time, so I know where to start this time.  I checked last night and saw that we were doing Presses and Back Squats.  YAY!!  I love weightlifting days.  Oh but wait...what is that at the very bottom?  1 mile TT.  Sigh.  That means one mile time trial.  One mile of running as fast as you can.  Damn it.

I toyed with the idea of not going, but I knew that was ridiculous.  The thing that really stunk was that unlike last time where the mile is the first thing we did after the warm up, the mile was the last thing we did.  Nothing like a little dread-filled weightlifting!

Presses are simple lifts from rack position (at the shoulders) over your head with no bouncing/jumping/etc.  It is all upper body.  Last time I did 60#, so I raised it to 65# this time.  It was really tough and I didn't fully get in all the reps, so I will keep it there for next time and until I can do more reps. 

Back squats are lower body.  You put the weight behind your head on your shoulders and squat.  Last time I did 75#, so I wanted to increase to 80#.  I needed 2.5# weights though and there weren't any left, so I thought I would get crazy and go to 85#.  After my first set, I recalculated and realized that my super awesome math skills put me at 95#.  Ha!  But I did ALL my reps easily so I'm glad I moved up extra.

Then it was time for that damn mile.  It is so irritating because I can run a damn mile.  But when I have to run it with 10 other people, the slowest of which can beat me by 2-3 minutes??  Ugh.  I promise that I try really hard to compete only with myself and not get down on myself about others kicking my butt.  But it gets old sometimes, especially when it is by SUCH a big margin.  Oh well, soldier on, right?

I didn't even try to keep up, I just ran my pace.  I was really hoping that I could get around that 11:18 pace I had last time, but I would have been okay with anything around 12 minutes.  It is amazing how much you can hate yourself during a 10-12 minute span.  Ha!  Anyway...I finished up a good 300m behind everyone...in fact, people were already gone when I got in.  :)  I crossed the line and looked at the clock - 10:50.  SWEET!  A new 1 mile PR.  In one moment I loved myself again.  I'm so easy.  This is when I realize, who gives a crap if I lose another pound or not.  I have decreased my mile pace by over 5 minutes in less than a year and a half.  That rocks! 

I'm headed to a high school football game to watch my little Kit Kat in the marching band at halftime.  Fun!!  I'm looking forward to a super fun weekend at home.  Hope you all have a good one!

HUGS!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Mushy Update

Good morning!!  I've decided that I'm actually more tired on mornings where I sleep later instead of getting up to CrossFit.  But I have Jazzercise tonight and I'm REALLY looking forward to it.  Too bad I can't go to Jazzercise at 6am a couple of days a week.  That would be AWESOME!!

Today is Day #3 of mushies and it really isn't so bad. 

Unexpected Pro #1:  I had no idea how bad the acid reflux really was because it is fading fast but it isn't completely gone.  I don't even think I realized that I had a sore throat all the time but now that it is gone, I notice!  :) 

Unexpected Pro #2:  I'm not hungry.  Last week I was (or at least I thought I was) hungry ALL the time.  I get some fluid taken out and I'm not hungry at all.  Don't get me wrong, I want to eat...or crunch rather, but I'm not really hungry.  This goes a long way toward me thinking that I wasn't hungry.  I continue to believe that I was having some pain or soreness in my stomach and I was reacting to it as though it was hunger. 

Unexpected Pro #3:  After only 2 days, my tummy is not as puffy.  I don't think I've lost a lot of fat or anything, but whatever water I was retaining or whatever swelling I had has gone away and I FEEL smaller.  My jeans even fit better than they did a few days ago. 

Unexpected Pro #4:  I'm being more creative with my mushies and I'm finding some fun things to eat.  Thank you for the suggestions yesterday.  Keep them coming if something comes to mind!  I'm excited to make some yummy homemade soup this weekend.

Unexpected Pro #5:  I'm realizing how much I have changed and how committed to this I am.  This little "setback" or whatever didn't give me even a moment's hesitation.  These types of things don't make me think that I should have never done this...not even for a second.  It just makes me realize that I need to be more diligent.  I was getting so frustrated with no weight loss and with hunger when I was really stacking the deck against myself.  I have to remember to step back and look at things a little more objectively which when you are a year in, two years in, six years in...whatever, can be difficult.  Instead of being frustrated or overwhelmed, I'm reinspired!!

Dawnya, thanks for reminding me that I haven't put up an August picture!  I'm working on that today.  :)

It is hard to believe that in three short weeks, I will be headed to Chicago.  I feel so connected to so many of you and to get to meet you in person is so fun!  See you soon!

Hugs!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Listen to your body!

I have known for a while that something wasn't right.  I feel like I eat a lot but I still feel hungry...not satisfied.  I just keep wanting to EAT.  However, I've been having a lot of acid reflux and we all know that is the #1 sign of a tight band.  I knew something had to give and I went to the doc yesterday.  It wasn't my favorite (HOT) fill doc on duty but my surgeon, so that would do.  I went through my issues and he looked me in the eye and said, "No restriction with acid reflux means erosion until proven otherwise."  He gave me a look that said "are you sure?" 

I thought about it and I said that I do have restriction.  I can't just eat whatever in unlimited quantities but I feel like I need to eat more than I should.  I do have acid reflux...not everyday, but a lot.  So we did a barium swallow and he said immediately that I'm swollen.  He took out a little bit and put me on a mushy diet for A WEEK.  I said, "a WEEK??"  He said, "well about a week."  Super.  He also ordered an EGD "just in case" and said to come in for a follow up after that.

Point #1:  even though I am out of the free aftercare portion of my self-pay program, this visit cost me nothing.  Maybe it wouldn't anywhere, I don't know.  But I do know that I took up a doctor's time and I was not charged for it.  I like that they care more about making sure you are safe and healthy than making an extra buck.

Point #2:  I think I'm crap at listening to my body.  Before I was out of the lobby, I noticed that some pain I didn't even realize I was having was gone.  By the evening, a sore throat that I think I had just gotten used to was gone.  I think I have a very high tolerance for pain and when something springs up, I just deal with it and move on.  When I was very large, I had all sorts of pains and I just fought through it for the most part.  I need to realize that today, if I have an ache or pain (not related to workout soreness), I really need to pay attention.  If I would have continued to ignore this for long term, it could have had very negative consequences.

Point #3:  I think that I still don't know exactly what hunger feels like.  While I think I have figured out (most of the time) when I feel head hunger, I don't always know what true stomach hunger feels like.  I think that if I legitimately feel something from my stomach, I assume it is hunger.  My friends have always said that I have an iron stomach.  I think that a lot of times, I eat through sickness and pain.  Most people would lose their appetite and quit eating when sick...I do the opposite.  I think that is causing me issues now because when I have stomach pain, it triggers me to eat instead of to stop.  I'm really going to have to focus on this once I start eating again.

Point #4:  Mushy diet for a week sucks, but somehow the doctor telling me to do it as opposed to me just deciding to do it makes it easier.  I didn't even use it as an excuse to skip CrossFit this morning.  Anybody have any good mushy recipes for me to try?  I think someone (Amanda maybe?) that mentioned cottage cheese and refried beans so I got that to try for dinner one day.  I haven't eaten anything solid in 36 hours and I feel so much better it is ridiculous. 

Point #5:  I truly didn't think I was too tight.  BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS SO HUNGRY.  But it may turn out that I wasn't hungry and I never would have figured that out on my own.  With this crazy thing, sometimes we have to step back and really look at things from different perspectives.

Crazy!  Anyway, CrossFit was great this morning as always.  We worked on stretching out our shoulders which was a little boring.  But then we worked on Jerks.  That is the 2nd part of the Olympic lift the Clean and Jerk.  I had done Cleans before where you go from the ground to rack position (at your shoulders) and the Jerk finishes the move taking it above your head with a little jump.  My max weight for that was 75# (I actually think I could have gone a little higher if I would have had more time.)  Our WOD: 

4 rounds:
200m run
5 Power Jerks at 65% max weight (so I did 50#)
10 Front Squats (again used the 50#)

I did it in 9:05 which was a little slow.  I think I was doing a sad job of running, but I will blame the lack of food.  :)  At least I went, right?! 

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to Jazzercise!  It seems like forever since I have been.  I need to get my dance on.

Hugs!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Labor Day Recap

Hi everyone!!!  I have missed you all so much.  :)  First I want to tell you that I have a fill appointment today and so I'm on a liquid diet per my doctor's instruction.  After CrossFitting this morning, I'm hungry and my brain might not be working properly.  You've been warned!!

My trip to Louisville was absolutely wonderful.  I flew in on Wednesday and spent some quality time with my brother.  On Thursday, I drove to my hometown and met my high school BFF.  HSBFF & I met in the 5th grade and were pretty much in separable through our senior year.  Our lives took different paths and we lost touch.  Thanks to F@cebook, we reconnected and I try to visit her when I'm in the area.  It was great to catch up!

Friday was a lazy day that ended at the pool with the whole family.  Saturday we got up bright and early for the 5K.  I have attached some pictures for your viewing pleasure. 
I think I can, I think I can...

Princess sprints to the finish!

Chip (as in "off the old block" because he reminds me SO MUCH of Big Bro) got 2nd place in his age group!

All done!!
Here is a side by side of me last year and this year.  I think it is funny because I look so much more miserable this year.  Ha!  Last year, I ran my first 5K (on this VERY hilly course) in 48:03 and this year, I ran the same course in 38:35.  A year and almost 10 minutes difference.  That's nuts!!  It was over 2:30 less than my best time on a flat Texas course.  I am proud!
After the race, we went to Lynn's Paradise Cafe for brunch.  If you are in the area, you should try it.  It is delicious!

I went running with SIL & Chip on Monday and went 2 miles.  I wish I would get myself to run more... I left for home yesterday afternoon.  I had such a great time with my little kiddos!!

It was SO TOUGH to get up for CrossFit this morning.  In fact, I had a dream that I was at work and Bach texted me which made me realize that I forgot to go!  Then the alarm went off. 

So, I was so proud of myself for running a 5K on Saturday.  Well, on Labor Day, the WOD was not only a 5K, but push ups and pull ups as well.  How lovely!  I can't say that I'm sorry I missed that.  The 5K was plenty. 

This morning we warmed up with a 400m and did some sprints.  It has been about 90 degrees at 6am the last several weeks, but this morning it was 65 degrees!  It was AWESOME!!  After the warm ups, we dead lifted.  Sprinkles was there so we paired up.  I missed Sprinkles during my hiatus!  I lifted 105# today which was 5# more than last time.  I think I will just continue to add 5-10# each time.

After the dead lifts, we did 3 rounds:  50m bear crawl & max time handstands.  I don't mind bear crawls (walking around on all fours) but it hurts my wrist.  Remember how I was able to do a handstand against the wall last time after several attempts?  This time, I walked right up to the wall and did it on my first try.  I had NO missed attempts.  YAY!!!  Progress.  I really hope to do an actual free handstand someday.  Right now I can get up on the wall, but I will have to work (A LOT) on balance. 

I have a fill appointment this afternoon.  Since my doc requires a liquid diet for the day of a fill, I guess I will be starving until then.  I'm going to talk to the doctor about where I am and see if he thinks I should get a fill.  It takes me more than a cup of food (way more) to be satisfied at a meal and I'm hungry within 2-3 hours (sometimes less.)  The only thing that makes me hesitate is that I still have acid reflux from time to time.  We shall see.

Nine more days until I'm on a plane and out of town again.  Yikes!!  I hope you all had a FABULOUS holiday weekend!

HUGS!!