In Cali....and updates

So my new assignment started on the 7th and I have been on the move ever since.

BOOBS was awesome.  I met some of the best women ever.  I would like to thank the planning committee for all of their hard work and a great trip.

On the 7th I flew into California to start my new contract.  Orientation isn't bad just long.  Three days of computer class and three days of hospital orientation and now 5 days of on the floor orientation, I have never had so much orientation.

On Monday I bent over my suitcase wrong and pulled a muscle and has been bothering me since.  It has gotten very painful at time but am hoping it is better by Thursday.  Thursday night after work I fly back to Dallas for the OAC conference where I hope to meet Eggface and get some great information!

I have missed reading everyones post but getting to that today.....

Bye for now

Not feeling so hot

In my last post I left out a biggggg point......my sinuses are being attacked by ragweed that is blooming at home in Texas right now. I haven't had sinus issues for almost three years, which is awesome considering I lived with monthly attacks for years. The last time was the worst when I lost my voice. I don't think this time will get that bad, but I am feeling pretty bad. This being said I am in San Fran anyway trying to have a great time.
As a travel nurse, most of us strive to do a few things. One make good money and two be in some of  the most awesome cities in America. Now I do the first one very well.  The second I have done an ok job at doing.  My friend Steph that is here working right now has managed to do both.  She lives right near the bay and in my opinion, the heart of SF. She doesn't have a car due to parking and expense and everything is so close. She has a great apartment. I am grateful for her generosity kindness for letting me stay with her.
Today I will walk six blocks to get my rental car that cost me $20 to park last night and drive down to Santa Clara and visit the hospital that I will be working. This afternoon I will visit the girls I worked with when I was here working last year. Tomorrow I have a short class/meeting in Livermoore and then off til I leave for home on Sunday.

Getting protein has been hard this week due to all the swelling and drainage and my lack of wanting to have a protein shake, but today I will have to go in search of a GNC as I like their premade shakes.

When I get home I work Monday Tuesday and Wednesday and then I am off again to Chicago and my very first BOOBS where I will get to meet a few of my heros. Grab your capes girls I am coming. Lol

Have a great weekend all!!!!!

Sea life is wonderful.

Now back to the real world, or at least for a few days. The cruise was great and I really loved seeing my sister and niece having such a good time. It was their first.
Yes I drank to much and didn't have enough protein and no excuerise finally caught up with me!  I gained six pounds. Yikes!!!  I know how to fix this and will.

I am off today to San Fran for the weekend, some for work and some for play. Can't wait to see my friends in SF area!

Next weekend is the big weekend!!!!  I can't wait to meet you all and hug your necks.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Cruise Time

I leave out tomorrow for Mexico.  A cruise......yes now that is the life.  Having been on farther trips this year with Gertty(my band), I am not to nervous however, this will be somewhat of a new experience with her.  I do hope I wont get sea sick.  Vomitting or at least retching like a 7 foot truck driver, is to say the least painful.  I know I will be fine, just a few pretrip jitters.
My sister and niece who have never been on a cruise before, are going with me.  This excites me to no end!

I am still working on plans for my trip to Chicago for my first BOOBS, and wow am I excited to meet everyone. I want to do everything it seems....lol.  I have never been to Chicago and have always wanted to visit.

Oct 7 I will fly out to Silicon Valley for my next contract.  I will get to see my friends that I worked with last year when I was in Vallejo.  I will fly home the end of Oct for the first annual OAC convention.  A friend and I will be staying at the Anatole Hotel, which is suppose to be very nice.

Many exciting things happening still the year and I am ready.....

Til next time and Bon Voyage.....

I know I know......

It has been way to long since I last posted.  Work, School, and well life kinda just takes you away sometimes.....we have all been there.

I am maintaining my weight within a 7 pound balance.  What does this mean Bella?  Well kids it means my highest weight has never been higher than 187 and my lowest hasn't been below 180.  I eat great for the most part, but as you all know I am a foodie and still like to indulge, but I am happy to say it doesn't take over my life and I return to healthier eating sooner than I use to.  I guess I can be called on maintenance now since March as I have not lost or gained more than the 7 pounds.  I am not at the gym like I want to be but that will always be a struggle for many of us.  I will however start with yoga on Sat with a 90 min intro class.  I do hope that I like it.  I will give it plenty of opportunity as I have a second 90 min intro class on Sunday planned as well.

My divorce will be final Aug 24th.  A chapter in my life that needs closing.  I am sad but know its the right thing for me!

BOOBS is coming.....and I can't wait!  I have my room and my roomie....Miss Andrea, who might I ass is to sweet for words.  I am excited to be able to meet everyone and explore all Chicago has to offer.  This will be my first year!

I have been trying to pay off a credit card this summer so that I can have plastic surgery this winter, but it has not been going very well.  I am sad about this, but the trips I have taken this year have been worth waiting a bit longer for surgery.

Bucket List......Shouldnt we all have one?  I do, although it is not in writing I still have one in my head. I have been able to mark a few of those things off this year.  Like visiting Europe.  Although I am not done in Europe I have a great start!

Another cruise planned for Sept and this time I will be taking my sister and niece with me, neither of which have ever been.  I am so excited.  The cruise is short and one I have been on several times.  Just to Cozumel and Progresso, but one that I like a lot.  It will be a great first experience for my family.

No new pictures at the moment but hopefully soon....

Love to all my bloggers...

Life Happened

Yeah Yeah Yeah I know excuses excuses, but really there are no good excuses.....so I guess I will just write.

My trips out of the country went great and no major weight gain, which in itself is...AWESOME!

I am still not back at the gym like I should be.

I am still weighing in around 182 ish.

I am in the Dallas area working til at least Aug for now.

I did get to meet with a great group of girls for dinner Sunday night.

I am going to BOOBS this year and rooming with the awesome Andrea.

I am having these strange leg cramps but not in the back of my leg as I have always had, but on the outside of my leg from my calf to my ankle.  Kinda strange.  I will keep with my water and add a few bananas to my diet to see if that helps.

I am considering doing Jamie Easton's Living Fit free system online.  Lots of protein, no cardio the first six weeks, and 45 mins of weight training every day.  The idea is that when used and fed properly, muscles will burn calories day and night, in turn burning fat and sculpting the body.

I still have not decided that I am in maintenance yet!

Thats all sisters...

No Scale.....

But I have decided I can do this without my scale. It has been since May 28 that I was last on my scale and at that point I was up a few pounds. I also made a decision about my weight loss goals. I want to get down to 170 so that I will always have 10 pounds to play with and still be at my first goal weight. This way I am not living on a diet I am just living healthy and happy. When I get back from my trip I will start interviewing plastic surgeons for my skin removal in various areas and possibly a "boob job". I am not planning surgery til the winter, but I know finding the right doctor is important. Any suggestions will be welcomed. I am still in Istanbul. I will back on sat with a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam then to LAX then Dallas. I will be at BOOBS this year and will be rooming with Andrea from andreasweightlossjourney.com. I will be getting my tickets soon. I can't wait to meet everyone! It seems I can't add pictures from my iPad so they will have to wait til I get home. Til then....

Blogging From Istanbul

I know it has been since may that anyone has heard from me.....sorry. When I got back from Rome work was all in my face. I am now in Istanbul and return June 12. I had a lay over in Paris but didn't much done other than seeing the Effel tower which was amazing. The food ok but the creeps were awesome! I had nutella of course! The gym is not possible here, but all the walking makes up for no gym time. I have been having stuck issues since I left home. I seriously think it is due to subconscious anxiety about being out of the country. I stay hydrated and have protein every chance I get. I did bring my quest and cliff builder protein bars, just wish I had brought more. The shopping here is great. It seems I am a size 42 in Turkish sizes. I am not letting this bother me as I know different countries have different sizes. I finally got some Starbucks today with steamed breve......my fav. The Turkish coffee is not only strong but wasn't told not to drink the slug at the bottom. Yuck! The Turkish tea is strong but good. Headed to Athens today for the weekend. Can't wait!

Running in Rome....

Only happened once...lol but it did.  I don't usually run outside.  As an adult that is I have only ran on a treadmill.  I thought just going for a job around the Roman Forum would be no problem as our hotel was just a block away. RIGHT!  Cobblestones, pebbles, dodging nuns and priests and unfamiliar territory were all big obstacles.  I walked mostly but some running did happen, just not as much as I would have liked.  We did tours and walked everywhere so exercise was not an issue.  My friend was wearing a pedometer.   In all we walked 20 miles while we were gone.  Not bad at all.  The food was amazing as I knew it would be.  With all of the great food and gelato every night while in Rome I knew I had gained.  I jumped on the scale this morning and weighed 181.4 which is a loss of almost 2 pounds from my weight of 183 when I left.  I was shocked and over joyed!  I want to thank everyone for their kind and encouraging words on my last posts.  As always you guys are awesome!

A few more pictures for you.....

Just so you know...my friend wanted to tag along to get a few pictures of the Roman Forum and decided me running and walking on vacation was fairly picture worthy.....

Currently in Prague...

I fly home tomorrow.  Spent 5 days in Rome and 4 in Prague.  I haven't been on a scale in over a week and am very scarred.  Everything still fits even my 14s so we shall see!  Here are some pictures for you....

in Pompeii

I love this one!

 Yes these are lemons!

 The Trevi Fountain

 In Tuscany

I AM OFF....

I head to Rome today.  It will be my first trip to Europe and I couldn't be more excited! Wait that isn't the truth, I am scared to death.  So many things that I am worried about.  I won't be working for two weeks so no pay check for two weeks.  I won't have my scale with me and the last time I forgot my scale at home I lasted a day and had to run out and buy one.  I will be in the country with the best italian food in the world..... whats a fat girl to do but eat?

Bright side..... I have bills paid til I get paid next and have spending money.  My brain will have to shut off to the no scale thing, I am stronger than a scale.  I have my gym clothes and a running route for Rome and committed to running or at least walking for 30 or more mins everyday. And my friends who have been my biggest supporters will be with me and help to keep the fat girl in check.  And I only have one wine tasting tour scheduled so that should help with food exposure.  I am leaving the country with a higher weight than I would like 183.6, but I am not discouraged.  This too shall not get me down cause......I AM GOING TO ROME!

I will post pictures as soon as I can!

Hear are a few of the blue bonnets here in TX.....

Dressing room at Calvin Klein in new jeans

At a friends birthday party on Sat night....

Me with my nephew in FL...

Weekly weigh in....

Yes a few days late but here it goes.  Starting weight 280, last weeks weight 182 which was a nice drop finally from the 192-187 that I had been jumping back and forth with, and on Friday my weight was 180. This number means a few things to me......my goal met!!!!!  Yes that right I said I met my 100lb goal.  I can't believe it either.  I have to say there wasn't anything magical about the 100th pound when I hit it.  I just know that I made a goal and I have gotten to it!

Now you ask am I done?  Ummm nope.  I would like to be able to walk into any store and be able to fit into a pair of jeans, weather I wanted to buy them or even wear them.  Silly thing I know, but just like any other goal I will strive for it.

On A Jet Plane....

Headed to FL for some family, friends and beach time.  I couldn't fit my tennis shoes and gym clothes in my small suitcase so they are in a walmart plastic bag and are being carried on.  Hows that for dedication and determination.

There is a volleyball tourney and fun day fundraiser benefiting the children's home that I grew up in and I can't wait to see everyone.

I have a big weigh in post brewing but will have to wait and post that later.  I have been slack on the post for a week now due to returning to school and working a lot this week.

ONE YEAR LATER.......

March 31, 2011 was the day that changed my life forever.  I had Lap Band surgery a year ago yesterday.  This past year has been amazing!  I have found a girl I haven't seen in 20 years!  Oh how I have missed her.  

Many birthdays have come and gone but none so great as this year's.

My goal for one year was 100lbs down, but as the last three months I have yoyo'd up and down and didn't have it checked out I didn't make my 100lbs.  What I did make though thanks to a fill on Tuesday......

Thats right 98lbs!  I finally passed the 187 mark!  

So as far as the fill, it went fine for the first few hours anyway.  That afternoon I started PBing everything except my saliva.  I thought it was due to the swelling so I waited to see.  The next day, sips of water worked, however nothing else did. When I woke up on Thursday I went in and my surgeon took out half a cc and admitted to being somewhat aggressive with my fill.  At that point I had lost 8lbs since my fill on Tuesday morning.  Let me just say water never tasted so good.  I am doing fine now and still losing.

Numbers..... Starting weight 280, Heaviest weight 283, Todays weight 182.  I didn't do any measurements so none to report.  I started out in a 26/28 and today I had an American Eagle size 14 and size large shirt on.

And this would be my gift to celebrate my 100lb goal being met, but I am not there yet so it will have to be just a because gift to myself....I love it!

I do think that is all I have to report for now....Have a great week girls.

Oh wait I almost forgot....I am going to BOOBS this year and am on the list, but I would like to have a few roommates.  If anyone is interested just leave a comment and your email address so we can chat about it.  Cant wait....

Gerty is looking great

So I had my appointment today at the surgery center and saw my Gerty under fluro and she is doing just fine.  No slipping, however she was loooooose.  Not anymore though.  I paid more attention to the picture on the fluro this time and I learned a few things.  For one my underwires on my bra are large...lol.  I saw just exactly where Gerty is sitting and how liquid passes through and for the last few months passing through Gerty like a bat out of you know where..... My surgeon isn't one to tell how much is in your band....however, I have tried.  Today I paid very strict attention to how much was in the syringe before he accessed my port.  It looked to be 1 maybe 2 ccs in a 10cc syringe.  Accessing my port today proved to be a little harder than in the past.  After he numbed the area he put the needle in but couldn't find the rubber part of the port that allows him in to put fluid in and take it out and he had to use the fluro to find it.  That hurt and is still sore but I will live.  So before he pulled all of the fluid out he sat me up and had me drink the liquid and saw just how fast Gerty was letting it through...very fast.  He just looked at me and laughed and I said told ya so.  He put the fill in and it looked like I may have just around 3ccs in there.  I also learned today that your port can flip.  Yes I said flip.  That is what he was worried about when he couldn't access it so easily.

So for the next three days I will have clear liquids, can't wait.  The weight loss should pick up as well.

Thanks to everyone who left comments of concern and to that special blogger who suggested I get a fill.

Weigh in Friday

Even thou I am not losing I should still do a weigh in day.......

Todays Weight 187.9, last Friday's weight 187.6, Feb 23 weight 192.4, Starting weight 280.  I know I don't have anything to complain about, but would still love to lose some more weight....

Til next time.

No Fill...

I went to see my surgeon today knowing that he would hear my situation and say well of course you need a fill.....mmmm nope he didn't.  He wanted to get some labs to be sure we weren't missing some underlying problem like thyroid issues, and have set up an appointment to look at Gerty under fluro.  My surgeon did at first make the comment that maybe my body was happy at my current weight.  I didn't dismiss that at all, but I did tell him that I don't want something to be wrong and me not see it just because I was under the impression that my body was happy at this current weight.  He agreed.
The labs have been drawn and will go on Tuesday for the fluro.  lol My doctor and his nurse did comment that I needed to buy smaller pants!!!!

In all I think the appointment went well......

A Fill

I finally have an appointment to go for a fill tomorrow at 1145.  I really think this is what I need to jumpstart weight loss again.  My yoyo has from four pounds to just 3 and is now between 187 and 190.  This little bit is a nice change and does give me hope.

I want to thank everyone for their comments and support.

An update after the fill will come tomorrow.

Hmmm

So while at work today the dietitian happen to be up on the floor seeing patients and I bent her ear a bit.  I explained about my situation and asked what she thought.  Without asking how many calories I was taking in, she said that I needed to decrease my calorie intake.  When I told her that my calories were around 1000 and 1200 a day she said "oh I wouldn't want you to go below 1000 a day.  So she just kinda left me with a I will check on it and see what I can find out remark.  Oh well.

I am in Houston for work til Monday and found a Central Market tonight......YAY.  One word for this place....HEAVEN.  Got some almond crusted tilapia, couscous, and grilled salmon.  Cant wait!

A few things....

So I asked at my gym about a personal trainer, but they don't have any as of yet as they have just open a few months ago.  The fellow that was there working asking me what I needed and I told him about my surgery, weight loss, diet and then the stall.  He offered to work with me and give me a few tips.  So yesterday I went in for my tip lesson and he asked if I were ready to work....I said YES.  After some running on the treadmill he took me to various machines and showed my some free weight moves and how to breath.  Well the breathing part was easy although I kept getting dizzy and afterwards my arms felt like jello.  Today my biceps hurt but not bad.  I am back down to my lowest weight of 188.6.  I just hope I can keep dropping.

Thanks for all of the comments.  I did call my surgeons office but he couldn't see me today and I have to drive back to Houston today for work.  I will make an appointment for the end of the month as it will be my one year bandaversary on the 31st.  I really wanted to hit 100 gone by then, but not sure I can.  At this  point only 8 pounds to go but that will be hard to do.

I was catching up on my blog reading today and saw where someone had asked you to list five things you like about yourself.....I think I can do that.....

I like my new body....I know I fret about not losing the last few months, but I have to admit I love my new body.  It isn't perfect or exactly where I want it to be, but I know it looks and feels better to do just about everything in life today versus this time last year.

I like my smile and face.  I am not sure what is making what look better, my hair being straight or my face being thinner.  Either way its a good combo.

I like my teeth and smile.  My teeth are straight and white and both of those came natural.

I like my toes and feet.  I have always thought they were cute.

I like my friendly nature.  As a travel nurse I meet loads people, but I think its my good nature that helps me make friends so easy.

Well thats it for today......