I had a "FILL" today...first one in months! So my food money is going to Second Harvest.

Had a doctor appointment today. This is with my weight loss doctor and the pounds loss this past month was all of a half a pound! Ugh. This is truly my first time that I have not lost and at a stand still. But, I know what I need to do as well.

This past month has not been a normal one. Kinda of not working for Jax4kids as much as I was, so my daily routine has been tossed. My husband asked, when are you walk/jogging now? The answer really was next to never for the last month! So I am going to work out like I use to at home, walk/jog each day of the week like I use to as well....just I got to find the new time to do it. I just need to get back on track and back into a routine. Also my new game xbox game Michael Jackson The Experience will be used!

Today I went to my weight loss doctor. I call these appointments my accountability appointments. Calling them that worked for me today! I got a fill on my band today as a step in getting back on track. Dr. C took me back to the basics. We all need to go back to the basics sometimes. With Dr. C. when you get a fill on the band the first 24 hours is clear liquids, then Full Liquids for the next 2 days following clear liquids. Soft foods for 5 days after liquids. This is going to kick start me again I think! I have to admit, in some ways I was missing my kick starts. I got to complicate I guess. This is the first fill that I have had in months...since April I think.

Since I am not really eating for the next few days...I am going to go pick up food for my sons food drive. Chris is doing a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of Jacksonville. And I am going to get one item of each on the list on his flyer. So tomorrow I am going to pick up:
Canned Meat
Canned Fruit
Canned Vegetables
Boxed or bagged pasta/rice
Cereal items
Hamburger Helper
Meals in a can
Spaghetti Sauce in a can
Instant potatoes
Boxed Stuffing
Canned Yams
Canned Cranberry sauce
Canned green beans
Canned corn

Now looking at this list...so much on here I would not normally eat! But the need is great during the Holidays and this I felt was a good way to support my son and those who don't have as much. So I get to go shopping for items I don't shop for normally!

Well got to run now, need to get some sugar free jello for tonight! YUM!

Fun Size Candy, Halloween evils.

Ahhh the Fun Size Candy at Halloween! What little evils they are! It has been a rough month for me to eat the right things now this comes upon me in my home! Ugh!

So what to do during this time? I don't want to eat it...but it calls my name! I am so looking forward to tomorrow night for the "Trunk n Treat" that I can get it out of my home and not be so tempted! So to answer my question, it is will power that I am failing at!

Why do they also have to making fun size so people like me say it is only a bite or two in that bar...it won't hurt anything. But for me it will! I don't want to fall backwards but still go forward. For the last month, going forward has been hard in my weight loss. I have asked Phil the other night what if this is it on the weight loss and forever be around 200 lbs...give or take a pound or two . Wish it was easy again!

So tomorrow I am going to make my low carb chili and enjoy the night with the kids and decorate the back of the Jeep with my son Chris. I have to look forward to the other things other then this Fun Size Candy! This is just the start of the season of FOOD!

The Versatile Blogger Award

Chrissy of Losing it...(in SO many ways) She nominated me and fourteen others for ‘The Versatile Blogger‘ award. What a great honor and I really appreciate her considering my blog to receive this award. My first blogging award too! Thank you Chrissy!

One of the things in accepting this award you need to name seven things about yourself. So here goes my list of seven things about Judy!

1. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have been since I was 18 years old!

2. Once upon a time, I served in the United States Air Force and reached the rank of Staff Sargent while in.

3. I am a Mom of four great kids! Two are adults and two are teens. The youngest is our daughter. So she has three older brothers to protect her! :-)

4. This is my first True Blog. I only been blogging for a year now.

5. I love the outdoors and wish I didn't live is such hot weather so much of the year.

6. I used to be an internet DJ. Love music so it fit for a time.

7. Been told I can be funny at times, I just know that I like the simple things in life and I love to help anyone that I can.

Ok, that is about it for me..I could go on but it was to be only 7 things about me.

I am to pass this award along to about 14 others...to tell the truth, I don't really read 14 blogs at the moment. Bogging is still new to me. So as I go along and over time, I like to update this with the blogs and I come across them. But, here are a few I am passing this award onto.

Trishelle at Adventures of the Domestic Engineer

Sister LaJeunesse at Things of my Soul

Susan at Snapshot Sue

Shelly at The World according to Eggface

So thank you Chrissy for this award and also giving me the chance to reach out and look at some other really wonderful blogs. I know they are out there, I just need to find them!

Walk from Obesity

The Jacksonville Walk from Obesity was held on 15 October and I was able to take the morning off from work and walk it after all! My hubby Phil also join me this year and I was able to meet my goal of $100 raise thanks to family and friends!




Phil and I got to UNF where the walk was held early that Saturday and we walked I would say with about 100 or so people that morning.

I got to meet some people from Facebook that is also fighting Obesity. It was wonderful to meet my online friends LeAnn Banding My Belly and Tim Maninmyshadow.


LeAnn has had the surgery like I have and is well on her way to becoming who she would like to be. Has lost 5o lbs so far and is feeling GREAT!

Tim is inspiring! He has lost over 100 lbs and is doing all on his own! He was to have the lap band surgery but found the weight was coming off and now is working hard at that and is doing wonderful!

I also got to catch up with two ladies I met last year. I was so excited to see them as I forgot to write down their names last year! So this year I got a picture of them and their names!

Please meet Kena Pugh and Inez Rowe!

They were also happy to see me! It was great to catch up with them and introduce them to some of my weight loss center friends. Now, I can go back to last years post and properly put their name on their picture! Thanks Kena and Inez for walking again this year! Keep up the great work!

The Jacksonville Weight Loss Center

We were there in our Green "Look and Me.." shirts. I love this group! The support we have for each other is so helpful. I am so thankful when I went searching for a Dr. I found not only the best Doctor for me, but a whole package of help to succeed!

My last picture is that of my Brother from another Mother. Nick goes to church with me and has been on this journey about as long as I have. Nick, keep up the work! We will beat this together!

Thanks everyone for supporting me. This has turn into something for me bigger then just loosing weight and getting healthy. I have always felt the stigma that obesity can bring once I was there. I am now here to help others on their journey. Support is the key!

Loose a Job...get a job

This is my Roxy. Roxy is a puggle. My hubby took this picture a while back and I think it is a great one. Her look in this picture is kind of how I feel. Bit down but bright eyed.

Sorta lost my job, still with them but not doing as much for them anymore. But, the same day I got a new part time job. Only this one requires me to work the weekends. Because I don't want to work on Sundays, I work two 4 hour shifts on Saturday. For the most part that is ok, but a week from this Saturday was my Walk from Obesity that I really wanted to do and can't now. So I am feeling a bit down about that.

I am bright eyed about the new job for the simple fact I can stand and do it! I know little over a year ago I would not have been able to handle being on my feet. We need the extra money this brings in and I am happy that I am able to do this.

This job requires me to be in the face of the public! Would have I don't this a year ago? I don't think so only because I am more sure of myself. I have not felt this way in a very long time and I know I can do anything I need to do!

So I stand up and go and do! It is a great life because I can!

Onederland is taunting me!

I really want to see this number 199 or less on a regular bases. I am there one day and then I am not. Yesterday at my Doctors appointment I was not.

Come so far but only a little more to go. I have to keep in mind slow and steady wins the race! As long as I keep loosing I will make it to goal. So head up and keep pushing forward!

Why is the number on a scale so important? It is the person that is important not the number. Numbers are in our lives in everything we do! We have a phone number and these days that means anyone over the age of 12 anymore has a phone number. I remember when I was in my teens the only phone number I had was our home number. Now, it seems to be a life line for teens.

Those of us in the US has social security number. That petty important number to each of us. Then we might have a credit card number, bank account number, our tag on our cars have a number. All of these are important in some way so is it really necessary to focus on the scale number?

Loosing weight for me was about feeling better and be healthy. I feel I gotten to that point. Can I fine tune what I have done so far? Sure I can, but the end goal is here and I am successful in that! So with that said...199 and less will come, just might not be on my time line.

October Success Story

I am the Success Story for the month of October for the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center!

To see my story please visit here. Thank you to all who follow me here and on my Facebook page.

Found a new Love!

Phil the love of my life and I were out shopping the other night. Came across this little gem. Going low carb to help me loose the weight I have had to give up so much for the fight of weight loss. But never the less it is my life style change now.

So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk I found is so GOOD! I can mix my protein mix with it. Taste better then water I have been mixing my protein mix with. To me it taste much like skim milk. So smell and pure white! I can't wait to try it in some other things that I make that are low carb. This milk only has one carb for one cup and 50 cal. I was so excited about this I emailed my "Nut" and told her about this. My "Nut" is my Nutritionist at my weight loss center.

I wish it was this easy to find the things that taste good that I like. This is a lifestyle change now for me but I will be honest, I am tired of the same old things. I have my staples but I am now feeling it is the same things. So, I am on a mission to find the low carb good stuff! If you have any great low carb stuff let me know in the comments!

See you later!

11 Month Update

 

11 Month Update 

For my birthday I asked my friends on Facebook what daring thing I should do!  Got lots of answers and I will be doing one of them real soon...as soon as my shoulder is up to it so stay tune!

So on my birthday I had my husband help me with an updated picture.  I had visited my weight loss doctor a few days before and even though I did not see Onederland (weight in the hundreds) I did have a BMI of 29.1!  I am now overweight and no longer obese!  I would have loved to have hit Onederland but I will take this as a wonderful gift to myself! I have to admit, I now check myself out and saying...I am looking good!  Shopping is wonderful now!  I even got into a size 14 jeans the other day...still a bit tight but I GOT them on!  September they will be mine!

Now, I am wishing Florida was cooler again.  I can't wait for the cooler weather!  I find working out is harder in this heat and I want to do a few 5k's this fall and winter. My first one will be the 15th of October.  Not a 5k but it is the first walk I did on this journey.  The Walk From Obesity is very close to my heart and can't wait to do it again.  Last year I could not do much, but I did it.  I am hoping more will come out and do this walk. 

Now as I come up on my one year mark, I think back to where I was this time last year.  I kick myself looking at old photos of myself.  I wish I had done this sooner for myself, for my family.  But I have done this and I will keep on going!  Long term I am going to be the best that I can be!  It going to be a great life and my hubby better hang on and come a long for the ride because I am ready to do anything!

Time to reflex as to who I was and who I am now

My husband was going though some old pictures and found this one of us a few years ago. I was working at the Sawgrass Marriott. It was around I would say Christmas of 2007. He emailed this to me with the subject line of "Look any different?" I open it and went OH WOW! Then I asked my self now why did I let myself get like that and not do something about it sooner?

So this is my new inspiration picture from the past! The past that I don't want to revisit. The past that put me on the side lines of life where I didn't want to be! The shirt I have on in this picture I have in a bag to give away....when Phil emailed me the picture I had to pull it out and see just how big it was now! It so does not fit!

Tuesday, I go back to my weight loss Dr. I will step on the scales and I hope to see a drop but will not be a surprise if I don't and I will take that. I use these appointments as my accountability. But with school starting tomorrow I can get back into the routine of working out etc.

Who I am now is not the woman in the picture above. I am strong and not weak. Able to go and do and not get tired. Able to keep up with everyone! Walk without hurting. Maybe even run but the robo toe really don't like that to much so running might go to the sides lines for sure now.

But never the less I will go and found all those things I could not do before. For I am a new woman able to do all!

Set Goals

Well it is time for Back to School. My dear hubby Phil went back to work today to get his 5th grade classroom all set and ready for new students this year. His goals are the same as to have his kids do better all around. Chris my 17 year old son is getting his goal of Eagle done soon. He needs to as he is turning 18 at the end of the year. He is also getting ready for college as his Sr. year of High school will be spent going to college. Kaitlynn goal is to have A-B honor roll the first 9 weeks of school at a new school so she can get an IPOD touch. Goals...they are worth it.

So why is it now almost an year out I am finding it harder to set goals? I am no where near the point I want to be and I am not doing myself any good not eating the way I should. My goal of 199 by my birthday seems so far away but it really is only a few pounds....just I keep hurting myself in my eating and workout habits. I need to regroup. I need to do what I know I need to do. So why is it so hard now?

I am enjoying living my life in my new body. Size 16 feels so good on me. For those who are saying wow size 16...you got to think I am very tall and size 16 is very good for me. I have about 35 more pounds to loose to be where I want to be...so why is it so hard now to get there?

So now I am setting some new goals again. I want to be in Onederland in September. I also want to get back to my workout of walking 2-3 miles a day. I want to do my scripture reading everyday. I will eat right.

Next week I go back into my weight loss Doctor. I am interested to see what I have lost. I hope some but I am not going to be surprised if it is none....I just pray I have not gained. At least this will keep me accountable. If I screwed up I will accept it and move on.

Walk from Obesity

DonorDrive®

Please help me reach my goal!

This was the first walking event I did right after I decided to loose my weight for good. I had many to support me then, I hope you will again! The first link below has my story, my weight loss blog. Please if you like share it with someone who might benefit from it.

The Walk from Obesity is the only event that brings together those who are directly affected by obesity. My participation in this event is key to raising funds and drawing attention to obesity and the need for treatment and prevention efforts.

Your tax-deductible gift will help the ASMBS Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition fund research, education and advocacy efforts to help fight obesity and the problems that those struggling with obesity face.

Thank you for your support!

A friend in Onederland

A weight loss banded friend of mine (that I yet to meet in person and we need to change that!) made the milestone today of ONEDERLAND! For those who is wondering what onederland is it is when you make it below 200lbs. Congrats Nancy! Keep up that great work!

What a wonderful feeling that must be! I am so close myself to that mark is why I am making this post today. To keep me accountable and to keep me on track!

This past month or so has been hard to stay on track. Eating the things I should not, not exercising like I should etc. I noticed this a few days ago and I said it will stop NOW. I am getting myself back on track and will be at that onderland mark by my birthday on the 25th of this month! It was this month a year ago I made such a life changing decision. Why should I fail now? I have come so far I just need to keep on going! As Dory would say "Just Keep Swimming, Swimming, Swimming!"

The Bucket List

Ahh The Famous Bucket List. Most people have one or something like that. I started one way back in high school and I found that over the years that bucket list changed. There were things on my list in high school that I could care less about now as my life changed shortly after high school to which the bucket list changed.

So the list in high school was something of travel you could say. Like join the Air Force and go over seas. I did just that! I did go into the Air Force and I lived in England while in the Air Force. Got to see all of England and would not trade that time for anything! So I guess I checked off most of that list.

Then a new list came about. One of joining my church. Lots of goals/bucket list there for me! I got to go to the Temple. Visit Salt Lake etc. I guess you can say that list is added to over the years.

Last year when I started my weight loss journey, I created a "New List" of the things I wanted to do when I lost weight or as I was loosing the weight. Here are some of the "Weight Loss Bucket List"

-Go to the beach and not feel like everyone was looking at me
-Workout and not feel faint
-Do a 5k
-Buy clothing in the "normal" size section in the store(add to this be able to shop anywhere for clothing!)
-Ride a roller-coaster
-Do more around the house
-Ride a horse
-Cross my legs when sitting

These are just some of the things on that list. There are others but for a moment today I like to talk about one of them. That is riding a horse. Yep! I got to ride a horse!

This is me at Camp Oz earlier in the month. I am one of the Stake Asst. Camp Directors for our church and we take girls ages 12-18 to camp with our church.

While at camp we got to ride horses one day. In the past years I didn't ride. I felt I was to heavy and well I don't know if I could have even gotten up on that horse!

This year my goal was to drop at least 100 lbs by camp time. I did just that and more! With this goal met, I felt I could ride. It was so much fun! If I never ride a horse again, I know I got that checked off of my bucket list for weight loss! What a great ride it was. I started to rain but I had that big smile on my face the whole time.

I feel a bucket list can help make your goals. It did for me! So that check is beside the "ride a horse" now. Set mini goals to make it to your big goal. Make a list of the things you dream about and go back to it once in a while to help you reach your goal.

Now I will close here so I can go on to other things on the list........

Being Sick with a Lap Band

Ok while no one likes being sick, I have learned being sick with a Lap Band is really a pain.

Chest congestion is not fun with a band. Then if you are not used to taking meds with the band, you sometimes forget you can't take the horse size pills even if they are cut in half!

I go into my primary care doctor yesterday. He was pleased at the amount of weight I have lost. Puts me on some meds to get me to feeling well and wants me to take Vitamin D again. Saying that Vitamin D is why I am sick because I don't have enough! ugh.

Today, I went to see my band doctor. I did this because last night I got part of that horse size pill stuck! It was not a petty site at all. It would not go down and it did come back up at least but that hurt! Then when I got up today from a rough sleep last night my chest hurt right where my band sits! After a UGI in his office the band is fine and I am just irritated and the Dr. wants me on fluids only for a few days to calm things down. So glad that everything is still fine.

I need to get better before the 4th. I go out of town for my Young Women of my church and we are going to camp for the week! It was this very Young Women camp and serving them that made me want to change my life. You could say they saved my life in a way!

So down another 6.5 lbs today. Great weight loss since the 3rd of June so all and all I am doing great with that...just now I got to get over this summer time cold!

Gynmast launches new fitness program

Gynmast launches new fitness program

Today was my 15 seconds of Fame! Follow the link to read and hear about Shannon Millers new Walk Fit program. Today was the first of an 8 week program each week.

I first met Shannon Miller back in September for the Walk from Obesity and then I could only walk if I was lucky one lap which was not even a mile around St. Luke's Hospital. Since then with the help of my wonderful Dr. I now have done two 5ks (walking them) and now I am doing this program to encourage others that walking at least 30mins a day is really a great form of exercise.

Who is that Woman in the Mirror?

Phil (that wonderful man of mine) and I were out at Wally World yesterday doing a bit of shopping. They are moving departments around again in the store and I found myself waiting on Phil while he was looking at a book. As I was waiting, for what ever reason, they had a few boxes of mirrors in middle of the aisle. You know the full body ones that you might hang on the back of the door. This is when I saw "THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR........

This mirror was in one of the boxes, it could not show my feet, and I am so tall it did not show my head in the reflex of the mirror. So only my shins to my shoulders I could see. I did a double take! Who was that woman there? She was looking of normal size. I looked around for a moment to make sure there was not someone standing beside me that would be in the mirror. Nope it was me and only me. I even found myself doing a little turn around to check out my backside! And it was then I found myself saying to myself...Dang! I look good anymore! Even if I am in workout clothes.

I really don't know the woman in the mirror. I see the old me, I even feel it at times. But I do know this is really all in my head. Yes, I have a mirror at home and see myself each day, but I think those who have taken this journey to loose weight need these unexpected times to make us realize that yes, I really have lost at least 125lbs! I hear it from my family and friends but it has been a long journey for me to come to know that I am really not obese anymore. I can shop in normal stores and find something new to wear! It is such a great feeling!

So, I just might have to go back to Wally World and buy that mirror. It was the mirror I saw my future in.

Yesterday was our 20th Wedding Anniversary

Phil and I have been married 20 years! Oh my what a ride! Looking at this picture we were young and thin! Phil is my MAJOR supporter in this journey to loose weight and always says I can do it! I love him so much.

In this picture taken the day we were married at the Washington DC Temple is my sons (now our sons) Adam and Justin. They were so young! Adam was taller then Justin at this time!

Justin is also a great supporter for me and he may not even know it. Every time he see me he says "WOW" you lost more weight! He now kids me because I am weighing less then he does!

Adam is also a supporter. He careful to ask where I would like to go if we go out for lunch. He might know this but I really started this blog to cover my journey for him. I worry about my Adam. Adam if you read this know I love you and would want you to find the freedom that I have.

As for the rest of my family who is not picture above and came later in our lifetime together. Chris is a wonderful huger AND supporter! Each day he loves to put his arms around me and see just how far he can go around now. One of my goals was to be of normal size weight by the time he graduated from High School. I am well on my way! Thank you Chris for your hugs!

My beautiful daughter Kaitlynn. She is my carb counter! She reads the labels as much as I do now. She says "Madre you can't eat that" or "That is like your whole carb count for the day". She did my first 5k with me. Likes to walk with me. Thank you Kaitlynn for doing all this with me! While we been on this journey, and I say we as my family been right there with me, we all have lost weight, toned up because of the way I now eat and the family most times eats the same way or just not as much.

So that is my family. We are there for each other and I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful family. I do not know where I might be today if I had not be blessed in finding such a wonderful husband and father. WE may not have it all together, but together we have it ALL!

They said the day would come......

My support group said the day will come...sooner or later I would FAIL in my good eating habits. And then they said when it does what are you going to do about it? Ok that day has come! Blasted Animal Cookies that Phil brought home. They are really kind of low in carbs and I don't eat many but they are there and they are calling my name! Cookies I know is my weakness so why oh why does he need to bring cookies home so often anymore? Last night he and Chris went to the store and what did they bring home? Cookies!

So the weight seems to be going down in spite of my fail to not eat these cookies in the big jar. I know I am not eating them like I used to. Handful at a time and maybe go back for a 2nd handful. I also noticed that it has been a bit stressful in my life over the last few weeks. I find myself wanting to look for food. I never thought of myself as an stressful eater but I discover I really am! Now that I know, I can work on this when I am stressed.

I wanted to have this blog to help others. I wonder at times if that is what it can do. I am human with a tool that I am still learning to use. So far so good for the most part. I just hope I can continue on.....in spite of the cookies of life!

Another 5k down

This past Saturday 30 April 2011 I did another 5k with these ladies! We had a great time that day. Did better this time then in the Gate River 5k. I had put out the link on Facebook and this is the group that said "Lets Do It" Some are from my weight loss center and two are really close friends of mine. Thank you for joining me!

If you told me that I would be looking for 5ks to do this time last year that I would be doing this I would have laugh at you. I would have NEVER gone for the 3mile walk for the joy of it let alone for the work out! I come a long way since the days of being a log on the couch!

Later in the week I head back to my Doctor for my monthly check on my weight loss. It seems it is slowing down a bit, but I keep telling myself I don't have as much to loose anymore. At any rate I hope I loss at least 7-10lbs over the last month. When I went shopping this weekend for some things to wear to church I marvel at the ideal that I was able to shop really any where I want to and I bought a size Large. That right it was not in the plus size section and I am often amazed that I get a size and I am swimming in it! I learned not to buy to big now but even maybe a bit smaller as I am still loosing weight. I can't replace everything I have stacked in a corner of my bedroom all at once but I can buy a few basics and go from there and hope I will be able to wear them for a little while. (And for those wondering if I am ever going to get rid of the FAT clothes they are going today or tomorrow! I promise!)

I am looking for things to do now. On Thursday May 5th I am going to volunteer to help the USO at MOE's in Jacksonville Beach for a few hours at Lunch time. Supporting our troops! I want to go and do like I have not done in years! This is simply because I have felt better and don't mind as much being out.

Before I close, I have to send a shout out to my Husband and Son and all those from my church that will be heading over to Alabama to help with the storm clean up on over Mothers Day weekend. It will be a long trip over a short weekend with much work to be done. When you are in service of your fellow men and the Lord you will be blessed as well as your families. It is a wonderful Mothers day present to have a husband and son in service for the Lord!

Have a great week everyone!

It has been a while

I know it has been a while since I have added anything significant to my blog (and I have been feeling a little guilty about that too!), so I thought it was time for an update and some thoughts that have been running through my head recently. I have been spending a great deal more time on myself lately And re-discovering "me", plus the enjoyment of actually having a life again. It might be a bit selfish...but feels really good!

Please forgive me if you find this long winded but I feel I need to share.

During the process of this life changing weight loss I have rediscovered some things about myself and about others I am going to share. I am going to be extremely honest. I know some who reads my blog may have already felt these things…there are others who will never know the feelings and those who might one day experience the very same things.

I recently have experienced a personal weight loss victory. There was a time I seriously wondered if it would ever happen for me. I am now officially down a total of 109 pounds from my top weight, and 99 pounds since my first appointment with my Weight Loss Doctor. I guess that is would be the equivalent of a smaller sized person or child. I still need to loose I would say about 50 pounds but I am well on my way to the smaller me. Now this is a MAJOR LANDMARK for me! It has taken me a few days to really sit down and think about all of this and pray that this is permanent because at times I sit and think the “What If”, What if I get rid of the clothes I can’t wear and I gain the weight back. What if my band fails or I fail my band? The list can go on but those are the big ones. I have gone and done things in the last few weeks that I have enjoyed and not done so in years without pain or the simple fact of being out of shape and get tired. I love the fact that I can go and do things that not to long ago could not.

The joys of the last few weeks include going down to Universal Studios and enjoying any rollercoaster I wanted to! AND not have to sit in the modify seating. I kept up the pace for the most part until I learned that I still need energy to get though the day and there really is not much to eat for someone like me in a park. Oh sure there is the $9 Turkey Leg that I would eat maybe 10 bites of but that is about it. So lesson learned here is I will take some beef jerky in with me to help hold me over.

I also went fishing. I got myself a fishing license and pole and went fishing. This is something I been wanting to go and do this for so long now but my weight held me back. Just didn’t feel like getting up and going you could say.

The energy I have now amazes me! I just want to go and do. Yeah, sometimes I fall back to my old self, but then I get to thinking that was the old me and I get up and go! Maybe this is why my blog is not updated as often now.

Loosing this much weight and therefore changing the way I look seems to get interesting responses from people. My close friends tell me how great I look. Some who I have not seen for over a year or so is amazed. I had one person not even recognize me when I went up to him to say hi and talk. I also get different responses from total strangers too. It feels really good to be smiled at again by passing strangers...but a little confusing too. After all, back then at 345 lbs I was still the same person inside...wasn't I? So why am I being treated so differently now? I haven't changed. Or have I? So I guess I am of a more acceptable weight even though I am still over weight? That makes wonder how have I might have made others feel when they might not have been of the acceptable realms of what we think? This has made me stop and think how I look at people and what I think.

Clothing. The one thing I really didn’t think about when I started this journey. That I would have to shop for new clothes and do something with the old ones. Don’t mind shopping if I have the money, but doing something with the old ones seems to be a problem. It goes back to the what ifs ; what if I fail or the band fails and I gain the weight back? I am in the mind set that I NEVER want to go back to being over 300 pounds. I know with the tool that I have and the lessons I have learned about eating, I won’t. So why is it so hard to get rid of the clothes that are my FAT clothes? I can’t wear them that is for sure!

This is getting long so I will end here for now. Sorry this was long. A lot on my mind and Life is really good when you feel better I guess you feel more when you feel better. In closing I will leave you with my quote of late. "When we have a vision of what we can BECOME, our power to act increases dramatically." Elder Oaks

Gate River Run March 12 2011

Here is my daughter Kaitlynn and I at the start of the 5k. The Florida Times Union 5k for Charity is at the same time as the Gate River Run. She stayed with me the whole time and we did it in 54.34. That is great as I really only been able to do this in the last few months.

The Green shirts we have on is from my weight loss center. You can see what they say on the front, and the back says I am running from Obesity! Jacksonville Weight Loss Center. There was about 15 of us from the Center plus my Doctor and Nutritionist ran in the 15k!

I walked and jog this race. I didn't finish first, but I was not last either. I would say I was about in the middle of the pack. Felt great to do this! So glad I did!

Kaitlynn and I as well as our group went over to the 15k finish line. It was there I learned a little bit about myself. I had finished my 5k. Walked over to the 15k finish line in hopes to see a few people I know. Then, I started really not feeling well! Everything kind of went gray/white and I kind of almost passed out! Luckily one of my friends noticed and her husband saw and caught me and laid me down on the sidewalk. Boy did I start to feel better then! Not sure if it was the lack of food, water, low blood pressure or all of the above that caused this! I have never had that happen before after a workout and I have had a few in the last few months! After a bit, I sat up, then got up and felt ok. Was able to walk back to the Expo and see some things there and head on to the car and came home. Scary but I at this time not to worried about it. But I promise myself, if it happens again I will go see a Doctor.

All and all it was a great day! I hope to run the Gator Bowl Run at the end of the year. Who knows, maybe next year I can run the 15k!

99 Lbs and counting!

Ok didn't get to that 100lbs mark yet but my Doctors visit went GREAT!
This side by side comparison is an eye opener for me! I can really start to see it in myself. I felt it, my clothes didn't fit any longer, I have more energy but like many who goes on a weight loss journey don't always see it in themselves. Tonight I have and WOW!

Didn't get a fill on the band today. Which is fine, I feel at this time I am at a good spot with it. I was asked today if I would be a mentor for someone that struggling with their weight journey. Also I was asked if I would go to a seminar sometime and tell my story. What an honor!

Rest of the week, I am focus on the Gate River Run (5k part). I get to pick up my first race packet of my life this week! I will be walking and some jogging but the goal now is to do the Gator Bowl 5k at the end of the year and run the whole thing! The only thing that has me a bit concern about this weekend is my robo toe. For those who don't know, I had my right big toe joint replaced Dec 2009. About two weeks ago, I tripped in a parking lot on a parking stop with that same foot and toe and it seems I bruised it. Been walking my miles, but jogging is another story at this time with the toe. I guess it just needs time to heal. Since it all metal in my toe I call it the Robo Toe.

So I am calling it a night. Thanks to all who support me with your kind words. I don't know if I could do this with out all of YOU!

I know I am in the 240'S and I am now having to wear bifocals!

I am so close to having lost 100lbs! I can't believe it! Last August when I started this jouney to now and I have lost almost 100lbs! Next week I get to update the ticker and I am hoping it will say that I have loss 100lbs! Next week is my doctors appointment and that is the scale I go off of. Still having a hard time with seeing it in myself, but the scale says so! My clothing says so! Having to shop for new everything says so! So why do I still see the old me?

Come to find out, that I am not the only one who sees the old self in themselves. Last night at support group we talked about self image. I also found out I am not the only one who can't get rid of their "FAT" clothing. At first I was keeping them as the "what if" but now I just want them not just thrown out but go to good use. I don't want to look at them, I just have them in boxes. Each day it seems I come across something that just don't fit anymore. I have found things that I hope one day I could wear again...and missed that window of wearing it again! Maybe we should do a clothing exchange at the center one night for support group. They done it before I got their. Put that on my list of things to do!

You know you are getting older when your glasses go to bifocals! UGH! I been wearing glasses since I was in High School. I noticed around the holidays last year I was having trouble reading. Gees with all the changes my body been going though, I shrug it off thinking that had something to do with it. Nope not really but I guess I was telling myself that to make me feel better! So today I order a pair of bifocals! That is just to get me by until I can order on Zenni Optical. Our whole family orders from their to get the best rate in glasses and we can each have more then one pair too!

So next week, I get to update again on here. Keep your fingers crossed that I can say 100lbs!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day everyone! The little heart is I LOVE MY LAP-BAND!

Sorry I have not updated in a couple of weeks. Getting my life back on track takes time I guess. I got in to my GYN Dr and we are working my pain issue now. So that is getting better. I had a 3rd fill on my band last week and I am doing well with that. Weight is coming off and I am starting to look great! So life is GRAND!

Eating is an adventure! I am amazed at just how little I do eat now and feel full! I made a mock lasagna last night on my plate with a few turkey meatballs, some sauce and cottage cheese. YUMMY!

My focus is the upcoming Gate River Run. The 5k part anyway. Going to be a wonderful day spent with some wonderful friends from the Weight Loss Center.

Well off for now! Take care everyone!

Friday Night at the aloft we got RECHARGED

Friday night the Jacksonville Weight Loss center did a recharge event for all their patients. It was a good time, nice hotel and lots of vendors! The picture is of me and a few other patients that help with the event. We passed out some goodie bags and signed up some for a buddy system if they wanted some help.

We really had a good time. Kathy (one to my left) and I passed out the goodie bags. It was great to meet each of the patients as they came to the event.

Everyone is on this weight loss journey, just in different stages you could say. The support I get from this center and everyone there that is a patient I am very thankful for!

I found my DREAM exercise machine that night! Even Phil fell in love with it. It is a seated elliptical by Octane Fitness Oh how I wish we could get one of these! Two in fact! I can just see Phil and I sitting on these watching a movie!

Phil gave blood that night as they had a blood mobile there. Fashion show, a Q&A panel and don't forget the food by Chef Kitty!

Good night! Wish I didn't have to leave early do to not feeling good.

After a Rough weekend I am still Thankful!

Yes, it was a very rough weekend. The pain in my side came back! I went to my PCM (Primary Care Doc) and got a referral to see my GYN Doc. I did this on Friday.

Friday night I went to the Recharge event put on by my weight loss center. It was a good time, good info but, I had to leave early because I started not to feel good. Phil and I went to get a bit to eat, and I could not eat. :( But the picture is me at the aloft hotel for this event!

Friday night was a tough night to sleep. By Saturday morning first thing, double over in pain and Phil took me to the ER where I spent a good part of the day. Good News....this pain has nothing to do with my band! It is in place where it needs to be and looks good. Bad News is what I expected all along. I do have a ovarian cyst! Good thing I started working on that referral to see my GYN doc! I am calling my PCM first thing in the morning to let them know that is what it is and to make sure they turn that referral over to tricare.

So after this weekend, I am still thankful for my band and my family. They are so supportive of me! I will get though this! Just is going to take time.

I hope I can walk some tomorrow. So I can keep up with the 5k for the the Gate Run in March. I am looking forward to that as my goal for the following year is the 15k Gate River Run!

Why is it somedays so hard to work out?

Today is raining and my back is really hurting today. Needed to walk 2-3 miles but I would have to do that at the gym because of the rain. I think after I type this out, I will work out with the xbox or something.

But, I got up today doubting myself. I have come about half way on this journey to my goal. Now I feel I am hitting the brick wall! I eat the right things, but at the wrong times. Don't want to work out but I do go or do something to fix that. Not dropping the weight as fast as I was and the start of this. I knew this would happen sooner or later. I now have to start setting more mini goals I guess to reach for. Gees listen to me...must be the rainy day making me feel this way as well as my back.

I really wish I had the extra money for a treadmill for our home. I know over time I can get one, but I wish I had it for days like today. Yesterday I did 30 mins on one at the gym and it really did feel good!

Rain, Rain go away come back another day!

eek! Have not posted in almost two weeks!

Life has been busy and stressful. I have to say, I am feeling much better, and the pain in my lower right side seems to have gone away. I hope it is for good! Been told a few times that this pain is not related to the band so that is good right? Bit of lower back pain but I am working though that.

So lets see, went to the Doctor last week and had lost 16 lbs from my last visit with him in December! That I was happy with. I did get another fill in my band so I have like about 5cc in my 10cc band. I noticed this weekend a bit more restriction with this so I have to be careful and chew, chew and chew some more on my food. This weekend I had the worst stuck with my band yet! (Not that I have had many) I am thankful I had not eaten to much but I ate to fast! I walked for a bit and it did go down after about 10mins. So lesson learned! Small bites and chew!

Changing my plans on walking the Gate River Run. The 15k is a bit much right now and with the set back from my lower right side pain made it hard to train for that. So I am for sure doing the 5k for Charity walk/run that same day. Never the less I am out there doing something! Just think a year ago I so would not have been able to do this 5k and now I can. I have come a long way since August 2010 even!

This Friday the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center is doing a Patient Appreciation and Recharge Event. This event will be held at the new aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park. I offer to help during this event too. The best thing about offering to help at this event is that I had to go buy some clothes for it. So I got a size that I have not worn in YEARS! So excited! They are giving away a xbox 360 and Kenect. Chef Kitty will be there making some great low carb meals and much more! Should be a great night.

I will close for now if you have not looked at my weight loss ticker on my page..take a look. Remember, this is from my heaviest in August to now! I am so happy, the Snoopy Dance is done every time I can update it!

It is cold in Florida!

And because it is cold, I find it harder to get out of bed! It really started last week when I was not feeling the best. I seem to have that lower right pain again. Not really dealing with the band, but I guess due to the weight loss, some other body changes are taking place and UGH! I am now going for testing and some other things. But I will say again, it not because of the band, but because I am loosing weight!

The cold makes it hard for me to walk outside. It is just so cold it hurts my foot. For those who don't know the history behind my foot I will give you a quick run down. I had my big toe joint replaced 13 months ago. But almost 18 years ago, I also had two screws placed in the same foot. So my right foot is full of metal! When it gets cold I find it hurts. Other then that, it good. I am so glad because prior to having the toe joint replaced, it would have made walk/jogging impossible!

Now to talk about my band for a moment. All and all seems to be going well. Today, is the first day since my fill almost two weeks ago, I find myself hungry between meals. So I know I have to control it a bit more this week until I go in next Tuesday for my next fill on the band. Also, it seems I have a inside stitch that seems to be coming out a tiny bit on my top incision. I am not worried about it and I do go back in next week, so I feel it is all going to be just fine.

I realized last appointment I didn't post a picture of me. So I am going to go back to that post and post the one we took later that day. It is great loosing all this weight, but hard to keep up with clothes I can wear! My friends say that a good problem to have...it is but not when you are a bit short on cash for now! :)

Difference between New Years Resolution and New Years Commitment

Happy New Year everyone! Last night, we stayed in. It was all good, got some rest, read, watch some movies and was with my family.

Early in the day I had posed a question on my Facebook. The question "What are you plans for the New Year? Then I went on to say I had set a mini goal of 30 mins at least of exercise for the first 100 days of the New Year. Some days it might just be walking for 30mins but it will be something. I got some comments like good for you, I am doing the same etc. But one comment made me think last night and led me to posting this on my blog.

The comment was "Good Luck, it is hard to keep those resolutions. So this got me to thinking that this was not really a resolution but a commitment. Then what is the difference between resolutions and commitments?

Resolutions are best defined as promise made by an individual to oneself most often for the elimination of a negative habit or maybe to loose weight or save money. What ever it is it is a promise to oneself that will begin on New Years Day. Commitment is much the same, a promise to oneself but the main difference is that a commitment is a promise made towards a course of action or a very definite set of goals.

So my commitment is to exercise. I defined it by doing this during the first 100 days of the new year for 30 mins a day. As a commitment I have a plan of action.

New Year's resolution

• Traditionally made at the beginning of each year
• Is a promise that an individual made to oneself
• May involved changing oneself or maybe stop bad habits

New Year's commitment

• A promise made to oneself to achieve a particular goal
• Needs a plan of action
• Defines a goal
• Has a due date and documented
  

So my commitment is that I promise myself to exercise each day for at least 30mins. I will do this via the gym, xbox 360 Kinect game "Your Shape", walk/jogging, or doing some form of exercise at home as defined by my trainer. The goal is to do this for 100 days and will end on 10 April. But, I know I will continue to exercise beyond that date! ;)