What works for me?

Let me start by summarizing my last few months:

• I had life changing surgery with my arm lift, breast lift & augmentation.
• I took a once in a lifetime vacation for two weeks in London during the Olympics.
• I gained a lot of weight. 

Those are the highlights anyway.  I will probably write a little more on the trip later, but right now I want to focus on my weight loss, or lack thereof. 

During my recovery, I couldn't work out.  I tried eating Paleo and while it is amazing in theory, I couldn't get it to work for me.  You want to know why?  Because I kept making excuses and I didn't follow the program.  It is the story of my life, so there is really no surprise there.  :)

So, Paleo didn't work.  What did work for me? 

What worked for me was having my band at proper restriction

and eating according to the gastric banding "rules."

OMG.  What a concept!  I can say with confidence, that I have had my band at "proper" restriction many times over the last few years.  But it was only when I was following the rules, that I had true and lasting success.  I type this as I just stuffed a ginormo bite of breakfast in my piehole.  Nice, Beth Ann.  Very nice.

So, what's the plan?

1. Tomorrow, I go in for a fill. 
2. I have printed out my rules for eating like a bandster and I will follow it.
3. I will drink water.
4. I will work out consistently.
5. I will blog.

Those are the things I did during my extended period of weight loss.  When I started pushing the rules, eating things that I "could" eat instead of focusing on what I "should" eat was when I stopped losing.  I do feel strongly that the biggest reason I gained weight was because I could exercise.  That's fine and I don't regret my surgery or my vacation, but now I can't just maintain.  I have to lose.

Additionally, blogging is an integral part of me losing weight.  I make all sorts of excuses of why I can't blog, but if I'm honest with myself it is because I don't want to admit I'm failing.  Blogging makes me be accountable and I only don't do it when I don't want to face up to my actions.  Do I really want to lose weight?  Yes, I believe I do. 

My rules (mostly stolen from Maria...):

1. Small meals
2. Small bites
3. Heed your stop signs
4. Do not drink while eating
5. Protein first!
6. Avoid junk
7. Water, water, water
8. No liquid calories
9. Chew
10. Is it worth it?

I have 5 weeks until my 20th high school reunion and 6 weeks to BOOBs.  I can't say how much I will lose, but I know that if I follow the rules for nutrition and work out, then I will feel so much better about myself when it is time to meet up with old friends.  That's what matters, right?

Hugs!