6 month Bandiversary/ then and now pics!

So I sat down to catch up on Blogs and realized that when I was gone to California that I forgot about my 6 month Band mark. Silly me!! So I thought I would share with you all a recap on my progress. I am down 62.5 pounds in 6 months! I have about 19 pounds until I hit my goal weight. I am off high blood pressure meds, diabetic meds and daily Prilosec. I have done my first 8K marathon. I am wearing size 14 pants and some 12's are beginning to fit me. I wear large or medium tops now. I can see my toes and actually touch my toes now as well. I have my smile back....I am no longer hiding behind my fat..looking for reasons to avoid the camera, shopping, etc. So much has changed in the last 6 months, I cannot begin to count my blessings. I am proud of myself for making the decision to be banded, proud of the hard work put into it, and also grateful for all of my new Band Friends to share in this journey with.
Finally, here is the photo I took at the surgery center before I headed back and the next picture (although not full length) is me with my long time friend from high school in CA. a few weeks ago. I think you will get the picture.....

Stopping in to say HI, i really am still alive.....

I have been super busy lately, and each night I think about reading blogs and writing but I have been too damn tired. Really, that is my honest excuse! I have probably missed out on some great news, NSV's, pics, and such of all you wonderful people. I am so sorry that I am behind. I will eventually get caught up though. Until then, I hope that you are all doing well and you are having a great weekend. Take Care....

Happy St. Patricks Day

I am back from my trip to Calif. and it is good to be home. It was great to see my family and my long time friends. I received so many compliments from everyone who hasn't seen me since my band/wt loss. It was very flattering. I felt proud of myself and what I have accomplished. My biggest NSV when I was gone was when my son came up to me and said "Mom, this is the most active you have been with us, I love that you are playing on the playground with us." how priceless is that? It made me think about my original goals I set before being banded which was to be an active Mom to my boys. I am doing it folks...and it feels great!
Hope you all have a wonderful St. Patricks Day, wear green so you don't get pinched!!!

Hello from the beautiful Napa Valley

just a quick note to say Hi...I am here for the week visiting with family and friends. I always forget how beautiful it is here in the Valley where I grew up.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss/weigh in/ lessons learned

I enjoyed being reminded today of the wonderful Dr. Seuss. I loved reading his books growing up and now reading them to my boys. Dr. S was a smart cookie.
I weighed in today at 180.5, I am down 2.1 pounds this week!! I can feel those 170's just right around the corner. Once I hit the 170's I will have officially lost more weight then any of my past attempts at weight loss the last 10 years. I will only be 20 something pounds away from my goal weight. Am I dreaming?? Is someone going to wake me up and I will still be obese?? Hell no, I have worked hard over the past 5 months. I remember one of my earlier posts that talked about "Earning your Body", I am realizing exactly what that means and what it takes. This band is a tool...plain and simple. I know when I am following the 10 golden rules and the times that I am not. It makes a difference. I have also learned to be kind to yourself but not too kind that you slip back into bad habits.

Tonight, I tested one of the rules and i made a mistake. We went to Chipotle for dinner tonight. I haven't drank soda pop since the night before my surgery and tonight I took a big swig of my husbands diet coke. Wrong idea.....instantly my eyes started to bulge and water, I got that terrible pain in my chest and knew I need to go to the bathroom and PB. Yep, I frothed at the mouth like a rabbid dog!! No fun. I felt so terrible I couldn't even eat any dinner. Good thing is I don't feel like doing that ever again..so I guess I am fully cured of my Diet Coke addiction.

Well I hope you all are doing well and have a great weekend!