NSV!

I can squat!! I didn't realise! I haven't done it in so long as my knees just didn't cope, but I can squat!! Didn't hurt at all!

Yay for another Non-Scale Victory!!

NSV

I'm starting to see my cheekbones!!

NSV time

Everything has been pretty slow over the last few months. I'm still losing weight, and losing cm's and gaining flexibility and strength and fitness, but it's all slow.

I remind myself that in the LONG TERM battle against obesity that slow and steady wins the race. I'm here to stay healthy LONG TERM not just quickly lose weight.

Anyway, enough of me justifying my slowness in loss (when I know a lot of it is my lack of passion for the journey of late), I came here to tell you all of a great NSV.

Yesterday I bought some new PJ's. This time last year I was wearing a size (AUS) 24-26. The ones I bought yesterday were both 16-18!!

I have to be proud of that. Pat myself on the back I say. Pretend I didn't just eat a Caramello Koala, and get my eyes back on the prize. ;)

Weight update and NSV

I'm off to the surgeon this afternoon but before I go I wanted to tell you that the scales said 97.8kg this morning!! That's 29kg down - YAY! They're starting to move again.

AND I've discovered that I can walk down steps one foot per step - previously I had to put both feet on each step and walk sort of sideways because of my knees. So great news!!

See you after the surgeon visit, possibly a little fill coming maybe.

Are you sitting down??

I was excited enough yesterday when I had to buy 2 new bra's and they were another size smaller in the body measurement, but, today, I have news that tops that by far!!

I AM UNDER 100KG!!!!

DOUBLE FIGURES!!!

My first goal! I have reached my first goal!! I'm now 99.6kg and ECSTATIC!!! For my outside Aus friends that is basically the equivalent of getting under 200lb, the excitement of that. The milestone.

I have a long way to go to get to my ideal weight but by crikey, it's been a LOOOONNNGGG time since I've been under 100kg!!

I think it must be time for a fish picture!! ROFL!!!

That's a 27kg carp. I've lost the equivalent of that fish!! See how heavy it is for that man to hold?

I'm excited. I want more fish!!

How on earth have I been carrying that around all the time??

I really am proud of myself. It's a whole new life I have here, one where I can actively participate in the life of my family. I can DO things!!

This is massive. It has certainly helped me see the other side better... I'm on the other side!! Right side of the fence now, all downhill from here.

Yay for today!

A huge thank you to Emma over at My so-called lapband life for passing on some more clothes from the sisterhood. I got them today, and.... THE DRESS FITS!!!! It's a size 18 dress, super cool (zebra print) and I'm THRILLED that a dress in that size fits!! The top also *just* fits. Well it fits fine, but shows my love handles a little more than I'd like, but still fits. And the best news.... the size 18 jeans she sent JUST ABOUT FIT!! The only thing stopping me from getting into the jeans is my belly. And after 2 kids and 2 caesareans, I'm ok with that!! It will get there! So thank you for the clothes and for making me happy Em!!

Another awesome thing... last weigh in I was 101kg!!!!!! How damn close to under 100kg is that (don't answer, that's a rhetorical question LOL)???? SO SO HAPPY.

Today I did a huge workout at the gym, have started doing some weight training as well as cardio which is nice, I like it.

I have an appointment with the surgeon next week but I think I'll skip a fill, for the first time, I think I found the sweet spot. :)

TODAY IS GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!

Here I am!

Here I am, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, I was away.

I've had a week away with the family and I decided before I went that I wasn't going to worry too much about what I ate while away. I didn't completely throw abandon to the wind (is that the saying??) by gorging myself but I did eat things that were bad for me. I had quite a few things get stuck but that was my own fault for not concentrating on eating and not chewing properly.

I did do lots (and I mean LOTS) of walking as we were at a conference (Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia if anyone is interested) which was fairly spread out. There were lots of steps too (to our second floor apartment and at the venues, and on the ferries we went on, and up to the plane etc...) which my knees HATED. But no formal exercise all week.

So with no formal exercise and a diet that had chocolate and spring rolls involved, you'd think there would be bad news on the scales? Well I was pleasantly surprised! This morning I was 102.4kg, which is exactly the same as the lowest I've got so far! Great news for me! AND that is at TTOTM!!!!! Even better news!

But the BEST news of all... something I'd been *hoping* would happen... I DIDN'T NEED AN EXTENSION ON THE AIRPLANE SEATBELT!!!! First time!! I was so nervous putting it on. I *really* wanted not to need it, and when it went around me and clicked, with even a little give in it, I was SO SO HAPPY!!! Best NSV in ages.

The tape measure...

I was walking down the hallway and saw the tape measure (the kitten loves to play with it so it's always all over the house) and thought "ooh I haven't done that in ages".

Last measurements were on April 29:

* Chest 125cm
* Waist 129cm
* Hips 120cm
* Butt 127cm

To be honest my weight seems to be a bit stuck at the moment, I guess I'm on one of those horrid plateaus. It doesn't help that I'm probably not pushing 100% with my eating either, but we'll keep that bit quiet. ;)

So I grabbed the tape measure, and gasped!

* Chest 120cm
* Waist 121cm
* Hips 116cm
* Butt 124cm

That's 5cm off the ladies, 8cm (I repeat, 8cm) off the waist, 4cm off the hips and 3cm off my rear end in 2 months!!!! OH.MY.GOODNESS.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

I have to stop caring what the scales say.

Ok I've repeated that a few times, hopefully it will sink in. LOL!

Oh and not that BMI is all that important, but I'm only 1 point off being "obese" not "morbidly obese" LOL! Hmm, that really doesn't sound so thrilling. HAHA!

New size, new feeling

I am so happy that when I went shopping the other day I bought 2 tops size 20 and a pair of trackies in size 18!!! This is down from a 26 only 4 months ago!!! It's incredible. Hard to believe some days.

The other thing that happened to me is actually FAR more significant.

I was looking through some photo's the other day and found one of myself probably 1.5-2 years ago, when I was weighing the most I ever had.

Here it is, so you can see.

That's me, unfortunately NOT larger than life, that was life. Complete with half eaten lollipop. Size 26 (Australian), pretty much at the top of the range of clothes you can get without getting specially made or speciality shops (I'm not just talking the "fat" section in a shop, but EXTRA special shops). The size that made me decide I HAD to do something.

Well I've lost 25kg since then. I've KNOWN I've lost weight, I've been able to SEE in the mirror that I've lost weight, I've known it through my fitness, through the way that clothes fit, and in what other say. I've known it, and seen it.

BUT... until just the other day, when I saw that photo above, I had not been able to FEEL it.

FINALLY, 25kg later, I don't FEEL like that woman. I don't feel like that huge fat unattractive disgusting woman. I feel like a much smaller (25kg to be exact) woman who has a  much better level of fitness and is DAMN PROUD of the work she's put into this. Work? YES. Lap banding is NOT the easy road, it does not do it for you. I've worked for this, I've paid for this. I HAVE DONE THIS.

THIS......... is the new me, in my new sized clothes (excuse the phone pic taken by self).

That top photo? Someone else. That's not me. I don't feel like that any more. I feel empowered, I feel strong, and I feel SUCCESSFUL. I have a long way to go but my eyes are on the prize, and finally, the prize actually feels REAL.

Best NSV so far. :)

Goal ACHIEVED!

The kids were a *little* (LOL) cranky we were waiting in the rain a while for it to start.

I did it, I made the 5km in the MS Society Walk & Fun Run!

I did it at 3 & 5 year old pace most of the time, as the whole family came along. And I even did half of it with one or other of the kids on my shoulders (my neck is quite sore from that though).

AND it was cold and a bit wet here and there.

AND TOM arrived! First day! Worst day!

But even with all that against me I did it.

I'm having to convince myself it was a good effort. I really didn't get the euphoria I expected when I finished. It was a bit of a let down actually. It was more like "oh well, I did it. Boring". Why? I don't know. Maybe because it was more of a stroll? I know I didn't push as fast as I could because we did it as a family. Maybe that's it.

I'm a bit sore now (my hips were quite sore yesterday, but my muscles were ok) but not too bad at all really. Tired though.

Next year I'm doing the 5km RUN!

Weigh in & NSV's

Well I might put it in tiny writing this week as I'm really not happy that I gained this week. I'm up to 105.2kg which is up 400gm on last week! Pfft.

BUT...

I had some NSV's which in all reality should counteract the crappy weigh in.

1. I kept a pair of my size 26 pants (cargo pants) from pre-surgery to do the whole "before and after" shot when I get to goal. Now they were never super tight on me, but they did fit me. I found them yesterday and tried them on and OH MY GOODNESS THEY'RE HUGE!!! They're like clown pants on me!! I hadn't really had a visual of how much weight I've lost until I got in them!! THAT was a great NSV, something to keep me going.

2. On Sunday I went to the gym and while previously my longest time of continual jogging had been 4 minutes before I thought I might die and had to go back to walking, this time I (wait for it) did 10 minutes straight!! I did 20 minutes total, with one 10 minute stint of jogging, one 3 and one 1 minute. I'm super proud of that effort!  

3.  Today I went to the gym and did a reasonable workout and then I came home and did some more (28 minutes to be exact) on the Wii Fit, which I haven't used in ages (it's so rude how it remembers when you were there last!!). I did so much better than before, and I'm happy I did more instead of just sitting here at the computer.

I'm taking multivitamins and iron tablets now, as my doctor thinks I could be a bit malnutritioned. We know my iron is too low, and my hair falling out when brushed/washed is a bit (just mildly) concerning. So hopefully I can get the old energy levels and health levels back up to scratch.

Anyway it's time for a shower and off to school to help out with a program for my daughter. Thanks for staying around reading!! Please remember to link me on your blog, I'd love new readers! 

NSV

I had an NSV today - My butt actually fitted on the swing!!

We took the kids to the park and I've really missed swinging (it's so freeing!) because my butt would never fit on the swing. But today, it did!!

It felt SO GOOD swinging away!!

PS - When you type "adult swinging" into Google Images to get a picture to put in here, like I did, you get some VERY interesting pictures, let me tell you!! ROFL!!

An NSV to make the day better

<------- That's how I'm feeling right now. :)







Today I wore a t-shirt I haven't worn in a while (due to size) and some leggings to the gym. I only wore the leggings because I thought they'd be more comfortable than the large shorts & 3/4 length pants I've been wearing. I didn't think I looked particularly flash actually, it's not something I would have considered wearing in public, besides the gym.

But when I got to the gym the lady (LOVELY lady) at the desk GASPED!!! And for once, it wasn't in a bad way!! ROFL!! It was in a "oh my goodness the weight is dropping off you" way, because that's what she said! She sees me all the time, but usually my clothes are much looser (fat clothes that I can still wear but are big on me) and you can't see the loss as much.

Can I tell you how good that made me feel?? FLIPPIN' AWESOME!!!! Yes yes, our worth should come from within, from how we feel about ourselves, but you'd be kidding yourself if you didn't admit that it was important what others thought too! And I need some ego stroking every now and then, it pumps the spirit.

Anyway I did so much more at the gym, as I was feeling so inspired. I did 3km on the treadmill, 4km on the bike, 1km on the rower and a little on the fluid ergometer. Best session I've had to date. :)

Oh and the scales were down another 400gm today. That officially puts me at 18kg lost. ;)

It's that time of the week

Time for a weigh in.

Absolutely nothing to report this week. Exactly the same. 109.8kg. Poop.

I suppose I can't complain. It's been that TOM, I really don't have much restriction at all and have been able to eat too much (portion size and snacking - have been hungrier than I should be too), I haven't been as good with my diet (it's been Easter, give me a break LOL!!) and it's school holidays here so I haven't got to the gym at all this last week.

I have had some exercise though, we went for a bushwalk to see some beautiful waterfalls yesterday.

Toorongo Falls

My husband took those photo's - he's good isn't he?

The walk to the falls (we went the longest way) was about 2km I think (round trip). It was up and down, steps in places, and we even went a little off track at one stage to climb up the top of one lot of falls (on top of the rock in that last photo), and we were climbing over trees etc. So I got some good exercise that day - and our 3 and 5 year olds did it all and were FANTASTIC, was a lovely family day out.

The best thing about the day was when I was wondering why my husband kept saying "are you ok Hun?" and I'm thinking "why is he asking me that?" then I realised it is because previously I would have been struggling WAY WAY earlier. But I did the whole trip without much struggle at all. My breathing got heavier than normal, but my asthma didn't play up, and mostly... I DIDN'T GIVE UP!! I wasn't even CLOSE to giving up!

I certainly had a taste of the new life I'm headed towards, and it's just what I, and the family, want and need. An active Mummy to be part of an active family.

So the stable weight this week, won't get me down. I've had a glimpse of the prize at the end, and I like it.

Weigh in this week

Loving the scales today - 110.8kg! Nearly under 110! This is all just getting better and better!

Oh and guess what - I can touch my toes AND you can actually see that there are muscles in my calf - there is a little definition!

Oh my, OH MY OOOOHHHMMMMMYYYYYYY!!!

I have just nearly cried. With happiness!!

Before, I was a size 24-26. Definitely. Just depending on the style and brand of clothes.

Well I just went to get dressed and was curious about a couple of items I have that I'd got too big for (could fit on but looked disgusting in, was nearly bursting the seams apart) AND I CAN FIT IN THEM!!!!! Some of them are size 22, I found I could fit in most of my size 22 stuff from a couple of years ago. I could even fit into one size 18 skirt!!!!

If you haven't been here, I doubt you'd know how this makes me feel. I can't describe it. I want to cry, cry and cry.

I needed this. It makes it worth it!!! EYES ON THE PRIZE!!!

NSV's

Non Scale Victories!

I'd forgotten that I've had one! Thanks to Vanessa for reminding me! My loose top and safety pin holding up my pants is DEFINITELY a NSV.

Oh and I tried on one of the tops I'd been given to shrink into, and it fit! It was a little tight, I need to loose a smidge more to wear it properly, but still - WOO HOO!

And today - more!

We went to the beach today, and I just couldn't believe the difference in myself. I was able to run around with the kids more without getting puffed so easily (actually being able to run around was a bonus!), I walked SO MUCH during the day (my exercise for the day) and I even tried out helping row the boat, something I would have backed away from before. I was crap, but still, I tried! LOL!

I did have an ice cream and a sausage roll for lunch, certainly not the healthiest of foods. Actually I don't think any food today has been healthy. Oops! Thank goodness for the exercise burning off some of those calories. I don't feel as restricted as I'd hoped. I seem to be able to just have a cuppa in the morning then make it through until lunch, but I do still have the hunger. Can the restriction still come or should it be there right after the fill?

My port site is still a bit red, I might call them on Monday to see what they want to do. I don't want to get some deep set infection or something.