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.