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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Weigh Day


Good Thursday Morning! I'm actually a day late in reporting this, but as of yesterday I am down more than 45 lbs. (20.41 Kg.) since my pre-op weigh-in on 2/5/10! That will be 14 weeks tomorrow for a weekly average of 3.21 lbs. (1.46 Kg.).

This is the first time that I've thought, wow, that's a lot of weight gone! I'm nearly down 50 lbs. which is half way to my first goal. A few people who don't know about the surgery have commented on the weight loss and I feel loads better about myself and my appearance. I've gone from a size 24 to a size 20 in pants and from a 3X to a 1X in shirts.

I think that there a several things that are working really well for me. In no particular order, they are:

1) Blogging - I cannot say enough about what a wonderful support the blogging community is through this. I have learned so much from your experiences and feel like I always have people willing to listen, offer advice, and share their own struggles and achievements.

2) Logging - Yes, I am one of those people who write down my food and the calorie and protein counts. I know several bandsters do not do this and yes, it does feel a bit like a diet, but I know myself well enough to know that I can easily underestimate what I've eaten if I don't keep track of it.

3) Protein - As a lacto/ovo vegetarian since the age of 19, I haven't really eaten a protein rich diet over the years. I'm sure I got enough protein before, but I did so be eating way more calories and carbs than my body needed. Now I am eating at least 50 grams of protein a day and trying to keep the calories under 1,300 a day.

4) Exercise - I have always been a fairly active person. Mostly I prefer to get my activity outdoors by riding my bike and walking. I have a large dog and I walk him every morning, rain or shine for at least 30 minutes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I try to ride my bike to work - about six miles round trip. I also ride my bike to church on Sundays (two miles) and I walk again in the evenings a couple times a week. Although I have worked out in a gym regularly at times in the past, I don't really have the time or money for that right now. For the last couple weeks, I've been lifting free weights in the evening while watching TV. I usually just do a couple of sets.

5) Eating in Moderation - I do not restrict any foods from my diet. I eat chocolate, chips, pizza, butter, cream, regular cheese and sour cream. I do not eat SF foods or low fat foods. I don't eat these things everyday or all the time, of course, but nothing is off limits. My only pet-peeve about Blogland is that so many people will post about being "bad" and eating something they feel they shouldn't. IMHO that is a sure-fire way to set oneself up for a binge. I have done this enough times myself and I know that if I punish myself for choosing the "wrong" food, I will end up feeling deprived. I do have to be careful when I eat sugar because it leaves me craving other carbs, but as long as I am aware of it, it doesn't cause an issue.

I'm wondering if anyone experiences increased band tightness in the evenings? I have read that several of you are tight in the morning, but I am finding that I am tightest in the evening. I can eat the most easily at lunch time, but by dinner, I am practically choking on my own spit. Hopefully this will settle down now that TOM has left town so I can eat a proper dinner.

Well...I hope you are all having the beautiful weather that we are having in the PAC NW today! Enjoy your Thursday!

12 comments:

Katie J ♥ said...

That is great Amanda! It took me over a year to lose that much

Fiona said...

Well done! Its so nice when people compliment you on how you look. I agree about the "wrong" foods. My surgeon told me not to eat "diet" food as the real stuff is better for you in the small quantities we are able to consume and more satisfying so staves of the craving.
You sound like you are well on track to reach your goals. Good for you x

Theresa said...

You are doing so great! I am totally impressed.

MandaPanda said...

That's fantastic! And Thanks for the tips!

Kristin said...

Congratulations, Amanda! 45 pounds is phenomenal, and you are well on your way to goal.

carla said...

Congrats on the 45 lbs that is amazing. No I have never been tight at night at all, hmm that is interesting though.I thought the reason we were tighter in the morning is because we are dehydrated after sleeping all night so it is strange after drinking liquids all day that someone would be tight at night

Bonnie said...

That's great weight loss. I hope I can lose at that rate when my time comes. Thanks for the tips.

THE DASH! said...

How fantastic. 45lbs is SUCH an amazing achievement - you sound proud of yourself through all you're doing and so you should. Sometimes this band journey of ours is not easy and yet we keep pushing through. I loved your list of things positive. Great going.

Cindylew said...

45 is huge...can't wait to be just like you.

-Grace- said...

Congrats!!!


Also, I totally agree that banning foods or labeling them as "bad" just increases binging. At least it does for me!

Anonymous said...

Well done Amanda!

I am still loving that you're putting the kilos in for us metric people... thanks for that!

I agree whole heartedly about your comments on dieting, the band has set us free from this.

I am a tight morning band person, right up until lunchish, so most of my afternoons/evenings are having yummy things. Good luck with it though I would rather be tighter in the evenings and open in the mornings as I am a big time breakfast foodie. LOL. If this is the only struggle I have to lose weight it isn't even a bump.

Well done again!

DB said...

Congratulations Amanda!!!!!