Exercise! ACK!

I met yesterday for my exercise consultation with Victor. We talked for an hour about why I have discontinued exercise plans in the past. After talking with him I really true think I was getting discouraged because when I would go to the gym I didn't know what I was supposed to be was correct, was I doing the right reps? What I on the machine for a long enough time? I mean I think my lack of exercise education added to everything, which gave me another reason to quit going. With Victor I came up with a sensible exercise plan that I could do at home 3 times a week. I know that if I start out going to the gym and do like 5 days I will burn out rather quickly. So I am opting to do the 3 days 30-45 minute at home routine to condition my body (AND MY BRAIN) into working out. I think it will be good.

*Holiday Update*
I survived the first round of holidays and the second starts tomorrow with the arrival of my uncle. That means home style dinners at mom's almost nightly, as well as a few lunch jaunts out and throw a hockey game on top of that and we are looking at a potential dieting nightmare! Oh wait! I forgot, I am not dieting, I am changing my ways! LOL! Well so far so good. I weighed myself when I got to work this morning (I work at a medical academy, of course we have scales!) and according to that scale I have lost 4 pounds since my dietitian appointment which was 12/18. So considering an occasion holiday croissant and cookie I think I did pretty darn good! Plus I am just excited about all of the things to come. I was catching up with an old friend over breakfast on Sunday and told him about the new journey that I am embarking on. He was really excited for me and it felt great. If he is reading this... HEY BOO! LOL!

Another Appointment...

So this morning I had my psychiatric eval. I met with the Dr. at 10:45 and it was actually a pleasant visit. We reviewed the test I had to take along with the packet of paperwork he sent me and then had an opportunity to chat. He told me that he currently had seen over 3000 patients go through with the surgery. And he said while the results varied the improvements that were made were amazing! I left the office feeling really good about my decision and just in a really good place in general. I will be attending his support group meeting in January with my hubby.
Yesterday was Christmas and it was a really good day. The family came over in the morning for the gift thing as well as breakfast and then we went to the in-laws (ugh!) at 1 for lunch followed by open house/dinner at my parents. Part of my meeting with the dietician last week was to attempt to reinvent the way that I was eating. I am trying to eat much less calorically speaking as well as incorporating healthy food (that I probaby normally wouldnt eat). So for example, breakfast today was a fat-free banana yogurt and a bottle of water. Lunch will probably be left over turkey pasta and then who know's what dinner will be. The major change that I made for now is I completely cut out soda. I am trying to drink alot more water and when I need something flavored I use a crystal light mix in. So far so good. I'll keep you posted on the progress! I have some more appointments next week so I will update as I go!

The Obligatory Intro

So I guess in order for this all to make sense I should tell you who I am. I will try to keep my sarcasm to a minimum. I am 29 year old mother, wife, sister, daughter, and of yeah I am a fat girl! I have been heavy (haha that sounds funny) my entire life. Well at least as far back as I can remember. I have been called every name in the book and felt every emotion; mad, sad, upset, indifferent. About 6 monthes ago I attended a weight loss seminar to discuss surgical options. I went with my mom and decided to pursue the process of getting Lap-Band Surgery. What is that you ask? Well according to the offical website http://www.lapband.com/ , "The LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System is a simple yet advanced gastric banding system that helps you gradually lose and control your weight by reducing the amount of food that your stomach can hold at one time." Sounds lovely right? So why did I decide to go this route? Well, It's the least invasive way to go and I have done the diets, the gym memberships and the whole shabang but unfortunatly life happens and you gain it all back! I don't expect this to be a miracle procedure, I know that there will be a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful.

So here is where I am with this process so far, I have met with a dietician and am working on changing my normal eating patterns and today I had a barium swallow done. Oh my freaking lord, I thought I was going to kutz (kutz: verb - to violently puke and gag) on the radiology tech! It was foul! Oh, did I mention that even though I am in the medical field that I can not stand the sight of blood or anything else bodily? Yeah see I told you this would get interesting! Enough for now, more to come...

P.S. That is me at the top, no not the big thing in red, that's Santa, I would be the big thing in green! (also pictured are the hubby and the son)