hello...is this thing on?!

So my life is pretty uneventful...so I haven't posted. Here are a few updates and some pictures. So I had an amazing weekend in New Orleans in October with some great friends. There was tins of drinking and lots of laughs. I hit my goal weight in September.  But I revised it to lose another 10 lbs. I've lost 5 of those so far. My weight loss has slowed because I hate food and I'm not eating enough.  It sucks. But oh well. As you will see from the pictures I love the way I look. It's about toning things up now.

I was recently promoted so I'm moving to cold ass Minnesota.  I'm not excited about the cold, but I can't wait  to learn new things. Okay...that's it. This was posted using my phone. I apologize in advance for all typos.
 

I refer to many of my pictures as dressing room chronicles. In this pic I was at old navy try on jeans...these  were mine though.

This pic was me in a size 10 pant and size 8 blazer...crazy right.

Nights in New Orleans at the famed Cats Meow. I spent the weekend flirting with a bartender named Carl.

Drinking on Bourbon street. I did yoga on those dirty streets too.

This is Carl the bartender...gosh he was so handsome to me.

Dressing room chronicles again.a size 8 skirt and a medium sweater. Damn my ass looks great.

My last night of fun in NO with my girls.

Just trying the selfie thing.

I loved my lipstick.

This is to show it ain't perfect...but it's coming along and I love my body!!

She kicks and she scores the winning GOAL!!

That's right. I finally did it. I made goal. It was a magical moment (okay...not really).  It was great to step on that scale and see that all of my hardwork and dedication had finally paid off. The goal I set for myself was 185. This was the number in my head when I got my lap band and it remained the same when I revised the the sleep. 

Well on Sunday, September 15th after a great Bikram yoga class I hoped my behind on the scale and was rewarded with my goal weigh.  Yippie for me!!!

To celebrate I did the most amazing thing. I kept living my life. That's it people. That's what I did and it was amazing.

The goals have been revised. My new goal is 175. If I meet it...great...if I don't...I won't lose any sleep. The reason I set a new goal is to allow a little wiggle room for the weight I will gain from weight lifting. I desparately need to tone some things up. 

Well that is all I have. Thanks for your continued support.

P.S.
I'm not getting as many blogs in my reading list. I'm still using goggle reader and that could be the problem. However, I don't know what else to do. I hope you all are well.

I like big butts and I can not lie

I do...I like big butts.  The problem is my butt is no longer very big.  It kinda looks flat...which I'm not feeling at all.  I'm on a mission to get my booty to look bootylicious again.  LOL 

I'm not crazy people...but I find curves to be sexy.  I like the weight loss...but I gotta keep my curves.  So far so good in every area except my butt.  I'm doing squats like it's nobody's business.  I will get my booty back damn it all to hell.

Okay...so everyone knows that I have been unhappy in my job for quite sometime.  It's not the employer...mostly it's just me needing to grow.  I'm putting in for new positions left and right.  I'm even putting in for gigs out of state.  I need room to grow and spread my wings.  I need to make a difference. 

The older I get the more I want to leave behind a legacy that I can be proud of. I want to help others.  Ugh...I'm still planning on going to law school...that has never changed.  I just want to have all my kiddos in school before I do.

Oh well.  Life is life.  I get to see some of my favorite people next month.  I'm super geeked about that.  Oh I'm even more excited about my plans for October of 2014.  LOL....again....life is life...somedays it's good...some days I'm only a few seconds away from being on the next episode of snapped.  LOL

Have a great weekend everybody.
 This is for my bad ass kids.  Dang I'm sleepy.

Life, life, life, life...

Life is hard sometime!!!  I'm not one to complain (okay...yes I am).  Sometimes it seems like I take 1 foot forward and tumble backwards down a flight of stairs. If it ain't one thing it's another. I'm just tired.  I don't even want to go see my therapist.  He can only talk to me...he can't fix my problems.  I want shit to be fixed.  I want it to be better.  I'm tired...so so tired.

In other non dramatic news my daughter started kindergarten on Monday.  Her first day went great.  She even came home with her folder indicating she had a good day.  Unfortunately, it didn't go as well the second day.  Her folder stated that she did not listen.  Well if you know me you know I don't play.  I believe children should be respectful to others.  It is how I was raised and it is how I'm raising my child.  So last night my 5 year old had to write sentences.  LOL.  It wasn't required by the teacher...but it is required by this momma.  Her sentence was "I will listen."  She had to fill up both sides of the page.  No TV watching for the night and no toys or playing with her brothers.  The only privilege she didn't lose was her bedtime story.  Needless to say...she did not like being punished.  I hope she remembers that and behaves today. 

The damn scale...yeah...that whore.  I'm 7 pounds away from my goal.  The scale will not go down.  It's a conspiracy.  I know I will get there...but it is truly messing with my time line that I set for myself. 

One of my best friends moved to Texas.  She is now 3.5 hours away as opposed to 18 hours away.  However, I haven't seen her yet.  I'm hoping to remedy that situation this weekend.

I love, love, love Bikram yoga. Every time I walk into that studio I ask myself why I do this bullshit.  But by the end of the class I know.  I feel a calmness about myself and I need that.  It helps me stay focused and it doesn't hurt that I burn about 422 calories per class.  However, I really do need to find another workout that I enjoy. I need more.  On the days that I don't have yoga I have tried to do a DVD, but I'm always bored and irritated before it's all said and done. 

It's so great to see so many people blogging again.  Congratulations to all of you who are still losing weight or maintaining weight.  A hug of encouragement to those who are struggling.  No that it's a journey...not a race...take it one day at a time. 

Life is meant to be lived...

...even when you want to bury your head in the sand. Hey there my loves. I finished the 30 day Bikram yoga challenge and lived to tell it. I also lost 10pounds during the challenge. I love how knowing I have yoga makes me drink my water. It has made a difference in my weight loss. Here is my new favorite posture...especially since I can do it now. Standing bow pulling pose

July was awesome. It was my birth month, my anniversary month and my daughter turned 5.  Charles and I had a kid free weekend for my birthday. We did dinner and an amusement park. We also had brunch with my boo, Angela. It was a good weekend.

I spent our anniversary school supply shopping for our daughter....I want my money back $93.13...it's kindergarten for goodness sake. She enjoyed her birthday at home with gifts and cake as well as a trip to the inflatable play land.

Weight loss is going great!!! I've lost 77 lbs in seven and a half months. My surgeon is pleased and I'm happier than a sissy in a pickle patch. I'm 7 lbs away from my first goal of 185.

finally. ..

I have made it to the land of oneder. LOL

Hey there

I've been meaning to blog...but I've been lazy. I'm reading and occasionally commenting on your blogs. My best friend was here for a visit and we had so much fun.  Here are a couple of pics from us hitting the town. We were celebrating our 35th year of life. We usually spend our actual birthdays together, but life and kids has made that impossible the last couple of years. So this year we just picked a month. It was great having her here and I cried when she left.

In the photos I'm 6 months out from revision and weighing in at 205. This was the weekend of June 21st. She went to my six month follow up with the surgeon. I'm doing great and have lost over 60% of my excess body weight.

In other news I'm doing a 30 day Bikram yoga challenge. It is going to kill me. I'm over it already...but I'll keep going. My birthday is coming up and Charles and I are going to spend the day at great America riding roller coasters. I'm super excited.

bloglovin

I added a button to follow my blog on bloglovin'.  I'm not sure if I've completely figured it out yet.  But I don't want to lose my followers.  I have lots to say.  Well I think I do. So hit the link and follow me.

Blogger sucks

My blog roll is gone. No blogs are showing up. Is anyone else having this problem?

Hey, hey, hey

Hello my good people!!!  How's it hanging?  Let's start with some updates.

I'm 6 months out since my revision from band to sleeve.  I'm happy with my progress...although I'm 3 lbs short of meeting my personal 6 month goal of being below 200 (I'm stuck at 202).  I've lost a total of 63 lbs since the revision.  I'm happy with those numbers. 
Besides the numbers on the scale my journey with WLS has been nothing short of amazing.  I'm doing more physically active things with my kids and by myself.  I'm not always sitting around...though I do watch a lot of TV.  I'm buying clothes at any store.  I'm good.

I hope everyone is doing well. 

Goals, goals, goals

Has anyone ever canceled an appointment to see their surgeon because the scale isn't moving?  Mmm...kay...me either!!!

Seriously though...my surgeons goals are irrelevant to me.  But my own personal goals are very important.  The damn scale is stuck.  I refuse to let it stay that way.  I'm 22 lbs away from my initial goal and 32 lbs away from my "damn girl you bad" goal.

I'm going to get there before my birthday in 2 months.  I will make it happen.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend. 

Remember Memorial day is a time to honor those who fought for our freedom.

A whole lotta nothing

I've been planning this big EPIC 300th post.  But I got nothing.  You see my life is nothing but the same stuff different day.  I wake up, I go to work, I come home, I play with kids, I work out (again), then I go to bed.  Nothing changes.  Occasionally, I may go on a day trip or hang out at the park...but my life is pretty uneventful.  Sorry.

My stay off the scale challenge was a total bust.  I couldn't stay away after my 10 mile run/walk.  I wanted to know if it made a difference.  It didn't.  My damn scale has barely moved for weeks.  Then I start my cycle and drop 3 lbs.  Who does that?  My body is so strange.  I lose during my cycle when everyone else gains.  Crazy.

The good news is.  I am officially, 104 lbs lighter than I was on November 15, 2010.  The last 58 lbs were lost since my revision from band to sleeve.  I'm so excited.  I weigh 207 lbs as of Sunday, May 12, 2013. 

I'm back to working out.  I hadn't moved much since the race on April 14th.  I just didn't have it in me.  But now...I'm back to Bikram yoga.  Yup...I saved my money to pay for 6 months of yoga.  Who the hell pays to go in a hot ass room for 1.5 hours to damn near die...this idiot obviously.  But I'm so excited.  I started back on Friday, May 10th.  Today will make 4 days in a row that I have gone.  I'm aiming for 4 days a week.  I'm also going to get back to running/walking/dancing a few nights a week.  However, I really want to try the Jamie Eason (I think that is how you spell her name) 12 week workout.  We shall see.

I'm finally doing better on getting my water in daily.  I think it is because I know I need to get and stay hydrated in order to effectively participate in a Bikram yoga class. 

In other news...my kids are growing like weeds and they are the best kiddos ever.  The get on my last damn nerve...but they make me laugh and smile all at the same time. 

I'm still looking for employment.  That is the story of my life.  I'm not giving up. 

So that's that.  I hope everyone has a great week.

I did it!!!

I ran/walked/cried through 10 miles.  I finished my race.  I got my medal and I promised never to do somethign that foolish again.  LOL

No seriously,  I'm so proud of this accomplishment....people have been really negative about my decision to participate in this race.  But I showed up...which is more than some do...and I put my feet on the ground and finished.  That's all that matters.  I finished.

When I heard the news about Boston on yesterday afternoon...all I could do was cry.  I was so saddened by the obvious disregard for human life that I felt numb inside.


Please pray for the city of Boston and for all the runners who participated in the race from across the globe. 

Living in the closet and the scale

I'm living in the closet about my weight loss surgery.  Yup...I'm hiding out.  Here is the thing...I'm not ashamed of my surgery.  Never have been and I never will be.  However, I am was afraid of failing...so I didn't tell anyone but my immediate family and my best friends.  Now that I am having some success with my weight loss...I'm still in the closet.  The thing is...if someone ask me what I'm doing...I tell them I'm eating smaller portions...I'm exercising more...and I had WLS.  I never lie if I'm directly asked about it.  The thing is I don't feel it is anyone's business.  That's just me.  I'm not an overly private person..but there are somethings I just don't feel the need to share.  My WLS is one of those things.  I'm friends with many of you on FB and you have recently witness me post workout or food photos.  Thank you for your encouraging words.  I would just ask that you don't mention my WLS on FB as it is no body's business but mine.  Thank you in advance.

Do you ever get tired of people mentioning your weight loss.  I never thought I would say this...but I'M SICK TO DEATH OF IT.  Like seriously...if we see each other several times a week...I dont' need you to remind me that I've lost weight.  Fool...I know that.  I hate to sound ungrateful...but I don't want to talk about my weight.  I'm not good at accepting compliments.  Yes...this is from the girl who loves being the center of attention.  Just let me be me without mentioning the obvious.  That would be ideal.  I know it won't happen...and I will try to get better at accepting the compliment instead of trying to direct the conversation to another topic. 

I've been sleeved for 17 weeks (4 months) now.  Whew how time flys when your eating smaller portions.  LOL  I'm down a total of 48 lbs.  Which brings my grand total weight loss since being banded in 2010 to 94 lbs gone FORFUCKINGEVER!!!!!  I'm happy with the numbers...but please know I'm not stopping.  I"m going to keep going until I reach that magical place....lol...sorry I'm watching someone eat lucky charms.  LOL  No seriously...I'm good.  I know where I want to go and how to get there.

How often do you weigh?  A lady in one of my support groups says she only steps on the scale every 6 weeks.  She says she allows her clothes to tell her how successful she is.  I'm thinking about giving it a try.  That damn scale is evil.  It hasn't moved this week...even though I've been playing with my calories just to get it going.  Nada.  So I'm going to give the scale a break.  I'm not going to step back on until Wednesday May 8th.  Well at least that is the plan.   LOL

Wear your day well my friends...wear your day well.

Stuff

So I made these fish tacos tonight. OMG they were yummy in my tummy.  This was the plate I made for Charles.  I made myself a taco.  But I only had 3 bites and then I was full.  But those 3 bites were super tasty.

 

 

I love the color combo of blue and yellow....or blue and green....or blue, yellow & green. I just love color.
Sorry for the picture quality...it was taken by a 4 year old.

 

 

 

Well nothing exciting to report. Umm doing a 30 workouts in 30 days challenge with a friend. Makes me realize how much I do not like working out.  Only because I'm not doing anything fun.  If I were doing some fun workout I would enjoy it more.  Oh well..I'm to cheap to do anything fun right now. Oh yeah I'm participating in a race on Sunday. I'm so not prepared for 10 miles...but I'm going. Training was going well.  Then my mom got sick and I had to take care of her, the kids, Charles...everybody but Dawnya.  But I'm cheap...and I refuse to pay $75 for a t-shirt...so I will be at the starting line come Sunday morning.  Needless to say there will be more walking than running. Oh there will be lots of crying too. LOL

 

Okay...that's it....I think.  

Food you avoid

So what do you do when you find out a food no longer agrees with you since having surgery?  For me...I never had that problem with my band.  All food worked and went down with no problem.  Well except for my little issue with pork...but luckily that passed.  I couldn't have imagined a life without bacon. 

Well since having the revision to sleeve...there are certain things that will no longer work with my tummy.  And when I say they don't work...it is bad people.  When I eat a food that doesn't agree...my heart rate increases, my head starts to hurt, I start sweating and I have a build up of saliva in my mouth.  It feels like hell and I want to pull myself into a ball and cry like a baby. 

I have taken to writing down the food items that make me feel this way.  As soon as I eat something and this happens it goes into my little notebook.  If I didn't write it down I would eat it again...because I suffer from CRS (can't remember shit). 

Do you have any foods that make you feel like crap?

Shopping

I'm vain. I know this. I truly care about how I look. Always have and always will. Even at my heaviest I made it my business to dress myself well.

It helps that I love to shop.  One of the main reasons I had surgery is so that I could shop at more places.  I'm happy to report I can go into any store and fit the clothes.

I'm currently in a size 16 pant and a M/L shirt. I'm down to 219.8 as of this morning.  My starting weight the day of my lap band surgery was 311. I lost 50 lbs with my band. But after the complications started I gained. The morning of my revision to sleeve I weighed 275. That was 14 weeks ago.

I'm super excited to be on this journey.

Realization

I realized today that I am not a fan of organized runs.  I don't like running with a ton of people.  For me it is uncomfortable.  I like running alone (when I run)...doing me.  So that means a jam comes through the headphones I can stop and bounce a little before continuing the run.  Umm...apparently, people don't appreciate you stopping dead in your tracks to dance during a 5k.  Ummm...my bad.  Needless to say...this means I've wasted a few buck signing up for these runs.  I'll go and get my t-shirt...but I won't get a medal at the end because I'm not going to run it.  LOL

So as you can see my post are few and far between. I really just don't have much to say.  Seriously, my life is as boring as watching paint dry.  LOL

Well I hope everyone is doing well with their wellness goals.  I'm still on track...which is a great thing.  Have a fantabulous day folks. 

Away we go!!!

Here are some picks to show how far I have come since November 16, 2010.  I will forever be grateful for my lap band surgery.  Now I'm even more grateful for my revision to the sleeve.  I'm 47 pounds away from my goal.  My journey started in November 2010.  I started at 311 lbs.  As of Sunday I'm 232.4 lbs.  Many people always say...well you could have done that without surgery. I can honestly say...NO I COULD NOT!!! The first group of photos were taken the day before surgery, at the six month mark and finally at the 1 year mark.  The photos in the red dress were taken on
January 27, 2013.

Stalling

Everything in my life has been trying to keep me from my daily workouts.  It has worked for the last 2 days.  Totally ticks me off because I'm now experiencing my first stall since surgery.  No real worries though.  I plan on getting back on it today. 

I saw the surgeon on Friday.  He was happy with my 36 lb weight loss in 7 weeks.  He did give me a goal for our next visit.  I need to lose 25 lbs by the time I see him again on March 29th.  I'm confident I can do it.  I just need to knock this stall out the way.  It is going down my peeps.

I miss blogging so much...but the truth is...I have nothing to talk about. My life is a bunch of the same...kids, work, exercise and family.  Nothing exciting.  If something exciting does happen I will be sure to tell y'all first.  LOL

I'm still reading your blogs.  I try to comment...but the truth is...if I have nothing to say I don't.  But I'm keeping up. 

I hope everyone is having a great day.  I'm just ready for mine to end.  I didn't plan my meals this week...so I'm just grumpy as hell.  Then I went to the grocery store last night.  I hate the grocery store with a passion so strong it hurts.  Plus I took all 3 of my kids...3 kids...3 different grocery stores...but we are finished with our shopping for the month...with the exception of milk and break.

Are you ladies staying accountable to your new year goals?  I hope so. 

Jumping rope

Sometimes you have to take exercise back to the days of your childhood.  The days when you spent hour after hour outside playing with your friends until you mom screamed out the front door that the street lights were about to come one.  Honey...she didn't need to scream...I was already on my way...I didn't want a butt whipping.

I say that to say...that the exercise that we just considered playing in our childhood still has the same health benefits.  Yesterday, I jumped rope for a good 15 minutes and tried (it was a sin and a shame) to hula hoop.  Like seriously...who forgets how to hula hoop...obviously me.  It was so much fun.  My kids were upstairs cleaning their rooms.  But my youngest just sat in the chair and watched me.  He was so fascinated.  Why can't all exercise be this fun?  I enjoyed myself.  It would have been even better if there were 2 other girls around so we could have gotten in a game of double dutch.  I would have tore that up.  Next on the agenda of playful exercise is a game of hop scotch.  My daughter loves this.  I can't wait.

I hope you are still working toward your health goals for the new year. I am.  When I get home from work this morning I'm signing up for two 5k races.  The  first is in March.  I'm not sure when the other is...but it is awesome.  It is an electric light display 5k.  Austin always has some weird type of race going on during race season.

In the weight loss department I'm down to an all time low of 237 lbs.  Yup...I weigh myself twice a week.  Once on Sunday morning and then again on Wednesday.  I'm looking forward to reaching my goal by my birthday. 

Have a great week my friends. 

P.S.  The kid shows Calliou and Max & Ruby are the devil.

Ummm...yeah I can never come up with a title.

Tonight I attended a social hosted by the Austin chapter of Black Girls Run (BGR).  It was a lot of fun and I was able to get fitted an have a run test for a new pair of running shoes.  Did I need them...no...did I get them...yes.  The reason being is my running is increasing and I will need to break those bad boys in before my first race.  BTW...I've signed up for 2 5k's and I have the Austin 10/20 which is a 10 mile race with 20 bands set up along the route. It's going to be fun.  Let's just hope I'm ready. 

Our social was a kick off to our C25K program.  It's great having a group to train with if the mood so strikes me.  It won't because they usually run on Saturday morning and that is the only morning I can actually sleep in. 

The event was held at a local fitness store.  I did get a great sports bra tonight.  I'm so glad, because my last one is way to big.  I also finally broke down and purchased a heart rate monitor.  I can't wait to see the difference it has on my activity level.  The treadmills at my job have a program that allows you to sync your heart rate monitor to the treadmill so it will automatically increase the speed or slow it down based on your target heart rate.  Awesome!!!

WLS Support Group

Last night I went to my first ever support group.  True enough I have been a WLS patient since November of 2010, but I had never attended a support group.  I received all of the support I needed from the blogs...or so I thought.  I was wrong.  Being in a room with people who have gone through/are going through the exact same thing as me was an amazing experience. 

I talked non-stop...even though we all know I'm really shy.  LOL  But it was great.  I met some amazing people...who I have already interacted with some through a private FB group for Bariatric patients in my area. 

After attending just one meeting...I know I will become a permanent fixture at them all.  It's like there is so much there for me to learn and offer.  One of the awesome things they do is a clothing exchange at every meeting.  If the clothes aren't taken they are donated.  I plan on making their donations go to a better place than the salvation army and good will.  Those are great places...but how about the homeless shelter, the batter women shelter, dress for success....etc.

So how is everyone doing?  I hope all is well in your world and you are keep up the momentum of your new year goals.  I'm doing well.  Just needing to get my butt in gear with the exercise.  I'm starting the 30 day shred tonight (hopefully, I finish it this time.)  I will only do it Monday - Saturday.  Sunday is my rest day from all exercise.  If anyone has the DVD and would like to do it with me...let me know.

I get to have soft foods on January 23rd...I'm happier than a flea at the pound.

Happy New Year!!!!

It's a new year.  Are you excited?  Are you ready to make some changes?  Well as you all know I don't start my new year until my birthday.  I make my "goals" then. 

I'm super excited about 2013 though.  I love watching everyone work toward new goals...finding the thing that makes them happy and keeps them that way.

My all the time goal is to find a fulfilling job.  I want to get excited about going to work.  I need to make a difference.  However, I'm waiting on God to order my steps.

So today I'm exactly 3 weeks post-op revising my band to gastric sleeve.  Everything is going well.  I'm healing without any problems.  I am actually scheduled to workout tonight.  It's cold her in central Texas so I might have to take this workout to the living room of my house instead of the gym at my job.  I must admit I do miss my Bikram Yoga classes.  Unfortunately, the cost was just to much.  No worries though...I'm budgeting my finances to be able to pay for 1 full year of unlimited yoga.  That's my goal. 

I want to take this time to wish each of you a Happy New Year.  Last year is gone...let it go.  Today, tomorrow and the rest of the year is yours for the taking. 

A wonderful blogger has returned.  Grace has been gone for awhile, but she is back and ready to take back over her life.  She is going through right now.  Please stop by her blog and offer up your support.  Thanks!!