Feeling Good.

Today, I mowed the lawn then took a walk with Karen and the girls. It was a beautiful spring day and I am feeling good.

I have lost about 32 pounds so far. It is going a little slower than I expected but that is probably a good thing. I had another fill about a week ago. It always takes me about a week to get used to the tight feeling again. I have been eating really well this week and that boosted a little more weight loss. The weather helps that I can outside more.

We have also been working on the pool. The girls actually tried to go swimming today. Still a little too cold, but the young love to try.

I am also running for school board. The elections are this week. Last week was busy with a meet the canidates night and then a budget meeting. Then a couple of local papers called. There are actually 5 people running for one position. I thought I would run and get my name out there this year and then maybe try again next year. I think there is a local man who has grown up in Lyons and has a lot of family. I think he is going to win but it does not hurt to try.

Doctor appointments

I had 3 Doctor appointments last Wednesday and at one of them I had a fill for my band. They did not really put much in but boy could I feel a difference. On Wednesday, I was only able to have some Chicken Noodle Soup and scrambled eggs.

Then Thursday, was a tough day. I ate some cottage cheese for breakfast and I was doing fine. It was a half day of school for my kids that day, so they had breakfast and then a snack around 10:15 am. I had not brought my lunch or snacks thinking I would be able to run home after the kids were done for the day. However, I started not feeling very good about time for their snack. They were having graham crackers. I had a graham cracker before but not since my fill. I ate 2 squares and they just sat there. I could feel them and it felt like bad heartburn. So, for lunch I just drank and thought that eventually they would dissolve and move on down. They did not move until late that night.

I had plans to go with Karen and the girls to Applebee's for Karen's Birthday. I did not want to cancel on her, so off we went. I ordered a cheese quesadilla and thought that I would be able to eat by then. I took about 3 bites and could not eat anymore. I felt bad and I think that Karen felt bad. I hope she had a nice birthday. I tried to tell her that it was okay that I could not eat. I need to loose weight and we were out for her. I think overall the night was a success but that was a tough day.

I have been eating better since then and nothing else has gotten stuck. I am eating a lot of yogurt and soft foods again. I have lost another 4 pounds in the last few days. I am at 274. So, I felt bad for Karen and it did not feel good to have some food stuck. The only thing I can think is that I did not chew the food enough. I am fortunate that I have not thrown up. I can tell when I am full and it can get painful if I try to eat too much.

New Lifestyle

Ok, I admit that I am not very good at blogging. I often do not feel like I have much to say. However, now I am starting a new journey and lifestyle. On February 1, 2010 I had the Realize Band operation to help me loose weight. I am not proud of the weight I have put on over the years. I admit that I enjoy food and I am also an emotional eater. On February 1st I weighed in at 295. I really had a hard time deciding whether to put that on here but I guess that facing the facts may help in the long run.

The surgery went well. Actually went really fast and I was home the next day. The biggest problem I faced was getting rid of the gas from the surgery. I also had a old lady for a roommate and was awake most of the night I spent in the hospital. I could not wait to come home, so I could rest. Oh and my veins are always a problem with an IV or drawing blood. Sometimes finding my veins can be painful.

Since then I have gone from a liquid diet to soft foods and now adding regular but healthier food choices back into my diet. I can really feel myself get full and I like that feeling. Before I would often have kept eating right past what I really needed. I have lost 17 pounds so far, which is good for one month. I am now at 278. However, I do want to get a fill when I go in for my check up this week. I just do not want to eat and not loose. If the fill is not comfortable they can take it out.

I am eating 3 meals with a snack in the afternoon and evening. I am eating a lot of yogurt, sugar free pudding, fruit, soups, and flat bread sandwhiches. I also enjoy some oatmeal or 2 scrambled eggs for breakfast. Now that the weather is getting nice it is easier to take walks. Plus my dog loves to go for walks. I would also like to go to Zumba which is a dance/aerobic workout but I am trying to loose a little more and then I will be able to keep up better. It is an hour long class that they offer at the Community Center and Brittany's dance studio. It is very popular right now.

So, I am working hard to make some permanate changes. I am going to blog to keep everyone updated and document the journey.

Camping with the family!

This last weekend, we had a good time with the family. Bob, Teri and Haley came down to camp on Friday evening to Sunday. Carissa was excited about this fact. Then on Saturday Karen and the girls came out and stayed the night. Sue and Mark came out for dinner on Saturday but had a busy schedule for Sunday.

Everyone enjoyed dinner and we roasted marshmellows. Of course, we also had a clan of dogs to add to the confusion.

Brenna was a character of the night. When she first came the girls of course wanted to hit the swimming pool. The campground had not opened it yet for the season, but I had bought squirt guns and water balloons for entertainment. So, they arrive about 5 pm and John had just hit me with a whole bucket of water. I was trying to get him back unsuccessfully. So, when he was helping Karen park her car I was hiding behind the camper. He thought of this and tried to use Karen as a shield. I yelled to her to run away and did an okay job of getting John. Anyway, Alexis and Brenna wanted to get in on the fun. So, Brenna comes over and keeps taking my squirt guns because she quickly empties hers (usually on me). At this point, I suggest that Uncle Bob is way too dry. She goes after him and he is a good sport. He decides to pick her up and dunk only the tip of her head in the water because she will not give him the water gun. She gets back to her feet and yells "Your mean." I try to appease her with the fact that not to worry we are going to have cupcakes later. She immediately perks up and starts right back in squirting people.

The water fight goes on for another good 20 minutes and Brenna is right in the middle. At one point, Bob is still trying to catch up because now all of the girls are attacking him. So, he picks up the water bucket and throws it at Brenna and Carissa. Brenna yells at him "You ruined me!" She is wet from head to toe and was having a great time getting everyone else but did not appreciate Uncle Bob drenching her, that ended the fight but the adults all wished we had video taped it. She was so serious that she was ruined. It was funny.

She quickly made up with him when he took her to the park and bought a popsicle. I think everyone had a good time and we are hoping to schedule another camping trip soon. Karen is talking about coming out for the 4th of July.

Beautiful Month of May

Carissa's Birthday is this month and she is determined that the family get together. She had a whole speech on how she has not seen everyone since Christmas. So, we made some cards and delivered them to our local family. It looks like everyone is going to try to make it. We are going to have a BBQ, Marshmellows and camp. Carissa is excited.

We have also been working hard to open our pool. John and the girls have done a great job it took a little extra work because we did not open it last year. However, it is looking good and the girls can not wait for the really warm weather. They were hoping to get in today but it only got into the high 60's.

I had a great time in NYC with 4 other teachers. We had to drive down and it was a little tricky down in NYC but then we parked the van. We either walked, took the subway, and Friday night a cab. They really do drive crazy and I thought that was just a myth. We saw Time Square, Central park, Trump Tower and walked down 5th Ave with all the expensive stores like FAO, Tiffany's and SAKS.

Funny Things!

Yeah, it is Spring! Spring came early to upstate New York. I am glad because Winter came early and was long. The birds and flowers are out. It is easier to get out and take a walk or play some tennis.

This week I had a couple of funny moments that I would thought I would share. A little boy in my class has webbed fingers and has had some surgery. We have talked a lot in class about how people are different but still the same in many ways. This week as I was sitting with him to try to get him to settle down at rest time, he was doing everything possible to stay awake. He was holding on to my pointer finger at one point and starts to count my fingers. He only counted 4 because he was holding on to one of them. He says "Oh, no. You only have 4 fingers." So I ask him what about the one you are holding on too? He decided that I had 5 after that. Then he talks about my "big hands" compared to his small ones. He is a cutie but he can also push some buttons at times. He loves to sing and parrot me. He will repeat directions or other conversations. At first I thought he was trying to be a smart-Alec but now I think he is just hyper sensitive and it is his way of processing things.

Then yesterday, I asked John to help me take out the garbage. So, he did with some grumbling. After that he comes in to put in a new bag. He pulls out a garbage bag and starts to yell at me because it is too small to fit the can. I waited for him to finish ranting then asked him to shake the bag out. He does and laughs to say "Oh it is magic." I told him that I have bought the same bags for years and that now that he has finally figured it out he needs to practice more often. By the way, he just learned how to load the dishwasher soap and start that too.

Nutrition appointmet Update

I had a nutrition appointment and I have lost 11 pounds so far. Everything is going really well. I am not drinking soda, except for when we occasionally eat out. I am eating more balanced meals and writing all of it down. Plans are still set for the summer. Yeah!

We have had some really nice weather the last week or so. This last weekend we bought some cheap tennis rackets and we have been playing the last few days. The girls really enjoy going with me which is good for them too. John went with us once and he was funny. He kept trying to coach us but then struggled as much as we did with hitting the ball. We are able to laugh and enjoy it.

We are also looking forward to going camping. If the weather stays nice for the weekend. We are going to go out and start doing some spring clean up.

I am surprised but Brittany is excited about going out to camp. She often prefers to stay home on her own or do things with friends these days. I can not believe it but her 9th grade is almost at an end. I have an appointment tomorrow with the school counselor and Brittany to set up her classes for 10th grade. She has even more choices then I had back in school. They were encouraging her to look into a BOCES program but I am would prefer she does not and I think she agrees. We get some good time talking when we walk or play tennis.