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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Holy FREAK!

I've almost lost 90 lbs. (40.8 kg.)!  I'm just 4/10th  of a pound (.2 kg.) from being 90 lbs. down.  In just over eight months!  When I started this whole gastric-banding process, I honestly never imagined myself getting to this point.  I didn't want to get my hopes up.  I was so afraid this was going to be another crazy thing I tried that failed.

I lost 3.2 lbs. (1.5 kg.) this week and now weigh 190.4 lbs. (86.4 kg.).  My goal has always been to lose 100 lbs. (45.4) which means I am just 10.4 lbs. (4.7 kg.) from goal!  I am fully planning to revise my goal once I hit it because I'd also like to lose another 17 lbs. (7.7 kg.) from there to get to a normal BMI, but STILL!

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support through this process.  Blogging has been a HUGE part of my success.  You have supported me when I was down and helped me work through various problems and challenges along the way.  I try to follow as many of you as I can and some weeks I do better than others at reading and commenting.  Please leave your blog info in my comments if I am NOT following you.

I have read a few blogs lately talking about the upcoming holidays and what people are planning to do to make sure they don't get off track.  I have never really had to make any major plans through this process to avoid overeating.  My gastric band keeps my portion sizes small.  I try to make good food choices, but I also eat all foods in moderation.  I don't engage in behaviors that sabotage my efforts.  For example, I seldom drink high-calorie, low-nutrition coffee drinks.  I rarely drink alcohol.  I don't "graze".  I usually eat three times a day with nothing in between.  But if I'm hungry, I'll have a high-protein snack like a cheese stick.  I have been to several family dinners and not had any problems.  I either have a few "munchies" portioned on my plate before the meal or nothing until meal time, depending on how I feel.  I eat dessert.  I never deprive myself. 

But I also don't want to go into this time with my head burried in the sand.  So please tell me what your holiday plans are.  How do you handle the pitfalls of Halloween, Thanksgiving and the December holidays?

Can you tell I haven't posted since Friday?  I am jumping from topic to topic here because I have sooo much to say.

I have talked before about my financial stresses since my fella has been out of work since December and since I got fired for blogging at work (ha ha kidding...not fired yet anyways).  I took a loan to pay for my surgery (which my mom was supposed to pay when she got an inheritance that still hasn't come through so I've been paying) and I also have a small loan on my fella's laptop.  I have figured out a way to pay them both off by the end of the year.  I'm selling all my extra organs!  Do you need an eyeball (near-sighted) or a kidney?  No, not really.  Basically I am going to dedicate my Christmas bonus, tax refund and every extra penny I make to paying them both off.  So Christmas is going to suck.  And no going to the cabin during my vacation in December to play in the snow and the hot springs.  But the reward will be that in January those stupid loans will be paid off and 2011 should be a better financial year. 

Now of course if my fella manages to find a job, things will be much, much better and Christmas won't suck and we can still go to the cabin.  Figures crossed!

Lastly, I am feeling 1,000 times better.  All of the annoying band issues I was happening are resolved.  My acid reflux is about 90% resolved after 7 days on medication.  I'm not puking or PBing or having any other issues anymore.  I feel good.

Oh ya...I'm also going to the University of Oregon v. UCLA game tomorrow at Autzen Stadium.  So excited!  GO DUCKS!!!

22 comments:

Annie said...

Congratulations on your big loss! Very inspiring. I hope things work out with your fella, and his job situation.

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Debbie said...

Wow congrats on your loss. I am concern about how to handle the holidays myself. I am looking at new recipes for my turkey and the dressing. You have done amazing..

Jen from Oregon said...

Go Ducks!!!!
sounds like a good solid plan. Hope you get to go to the cabin!

-Grace- said...

You are doing great, Amanda!!!

Joey said...

WOO HOO!!!

Joey said...

P.S. I didn't realize we were banded at the same time! Neat!

Heather said...

Congratulations! You are doing so well. Just an awesome plan on the debt solution.

Island Bandit said...

wow.... you've done great! congrats!!!!!! Thanks for sharing the basic tips on how you've done it..... really helps a newbie like me to have these things hammered home. i admire your very responsible approach to dealing with that debt and since you're being so responsible i really really really hope your man gets a gig so you can have some fun too :)

Linda said...

You have kicked butt with your band!! Congrats!

DiZneDiVa said...

Wow! Fantastic... to be almost at Goal 8 months out. Congrats! What medicine did he put you on for the acid reflux? I've been having bouts with it as well. *Maria*-Blogger from "This one time at BAND Camp..."

Justawallflower said...

Wow, 90 pounds in 8 months! I don't dare set goals that high! I am actually going to set my goals low, so that when I surpass them I feel great! I am so excited for you! I hope your man finds that job and you finish out this year with a bang, otherwise, here's to a wonderful 2011!

As for holiday ;plans, I am completely not worried about halloween, being that I will just have had my band I will be riding that high through the holiday and probably won't feel deprived at all. I'm also not worried about Thanksgiving. Last year we did a really low key, healthy meal, and it was awesome! We had a small turkey (white meat only for me)mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes, and whole grain bread and some veggies. My hubby is actually excited about having another meal like that. Oh yeah, and a sugar free pumpkin pie that wasn't half bad! Of course I'll still be on mushies, I believe, but still not stressing over it. I'll get back to you about Christmas!

Cindylew said...

Congrats on your continuing success...you are rocking this lap band thing.

Read said...

Wow!!! You are doing superfantastic!!! Congratulations. Great plan for the debt too!!

Kathy said...

Congratulations Amanda. What meds did you take that worked after only a week. I am curious since I have had reflux and heartburn for a year and a half. I think your Christmas will be wonderful. After all, look how much less you weigh this year and if your bills get paid down that would make for an awesome Christmas too.

Kathy said...

One other thing.....Go Ducks!!! Yea!!

Tina said...

Wahoo on the loss and the payoff plans (I know that getting your head wrapped around stuff like that can help the weight of worry a bunch).

Now you know why I keep trying to get those last pounds off...the enticement of normal BMI :)

Amanda said...

I want to thank you so much for your comment on my blog yesterday! Most of the time I feel exactly like you do. Like diets are the problem and there is hope! But Monday I felt so defeated. I am so thankful for the support that I got that the tears turned into big soppy happy tears! I am a strong minded girl and I hate when I get down but it means so much that I have people to lean on. Thank you, truly!

MandaPanda said...

Holy cow!!! Your progress is simply amazing! You've come so far and should feel so so proud. I'm sure you'll feel a lot better once those loans are paid off. I have 2 years before I'm out of debt but it still feels nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Amanda Kiska said...

It is omeprazole magnesium acid reducer. The name brand version is Prilosec.

~Lisa~ said...

Great Blog - I'm now a new follower!! Thank you for your kind words on my blog!

And - CONGRATULATIONS on your 90lbs - you look absolutely terrific!!!

Jenny said...

Awesome!!!

Gen said...

WOW! I don't even remember if I told you congratulations before...so Congrats! You have done SO amazingly! I need to follow your lead! You really work the band the way it was meant to be done -- no depriving yourself, but no eating junk or grazing either. AWESOME!