Sugar detox...

So I read this blog...300 Pounds Down

Holly is a real inspiration to me

She has an amazing story and you should totally check it out of you don't follow her.

She didn't have lap-band surgery but I have learned that it doesn't matter what type of WLS you had we are all a family.

I have gotten this idea from her...

I have been tired, moody, and suffering from head hunger.

I have one idea as to why...

Too much sugar!!!

So I am going to follow Holly's lead and do a sugar detox. I am going to spend the next three days only drinking low sugar protein shakes. I know that this won't be easy...but I did it for a week when I was on the pre-op diet and I can do it again. For the same reason...To get what I want out of life!

I shall keep you posted!

It is Wednesday already???

Beginning Weight (12/20/2012)- 330.6

Last Week’s Weight – 286.4

Today’s Weight – 284.8

Total Weight Loss – 45.8

I cannot believe that it is Wednesday already....

What a week...

For whatever reason it was a short but stressful one. I can not sure why it was stressful but it was.

I still managed to lost 1.6 pounds this week...which is about a pound more than I thought I would have. I had a TON of water in my legs yesterday but thanks to a water pill suggested by my doc I am free of it today!

I am debating on a switch up in my exercise plan...I think I am going to try out boxing!

I will keep you posted!!!

Snacks....and such....

Ok so....I get HUGE cravings for sweets...

I LOVE ice cream...but I usually only eat about two scoops. Before my banding...it was ALWAYS my down fall. I would stick to a diet and about a week in my body would SCREAM for the cold delicious creamy concoction that I could normally go without as long as I wasn't banned from eating it.

Since my banding...I find that I still want ice cream, but I order it knowing that I can't eat as much as I used too. Now I stick to one scoop. I eat it and then get depressed when I look at the nutritional information. It is almost always double digit carbs and little to no protein. This is a no no according to what I have found is my lap band diet.

I have found a solution to this....

My wonderful kitchenaid mixer with the ice cream maker attachment. This thing is AWESOME! The bowl has a liquid mixture and you throw the entire thing in the freezer, 12 hours later you can make ice cream!

I made this...

Chocolate Protein Ice Cream!!!!

The recipe is as follows:

In a blender combine the following:
1 1/4 cup milk (I used 1% cows milk)
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tbsp stevia ( or sweetener of your choice- sugar will drastically increase the carbs in this)
2 scoops vanilla protein powder.

mix on a high speed until the mixture is frothy...pour mixture into your ice cream maker and follow manufacture instructions...

When you have it at a soft serve consistency move to a container and place in freezer. This will freeze hard as a rock. When you wanna scoop it out defrost in your the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

The nutrition information on this is as follows:
Serving = 1/4 of total mixture
Calories: 106
Fat: 1.2g
Carbs: 7.5g
Protein: 18g

This stuff is awesome...You can easily change the flavor by changing the protein powder and the things you add.

Totally keeps me on track!

I just had to share....

Wacky Weigh In Wednesday

Beginning Weight (12/20/2012)- 330.6

Last Week’s Weight – 290.0

Today’s Weight – 286.4

Total Weight Loss – 44.2

SWEET!...I lost 3.6 pounds in one week.

I had a fairly awesome week so I am not surprised as much as I am glad that my hard work was confirmed by the scale.

I exercised everyday except Saturday...I only had one day where my calories were more than 1200. Which has NEVER happened for me. I typically float around 1700 calories a day...But since my last fill...I can't help but feel like I have FINALLY gotten to where I was meant to be this whole time. That elusive green zone has been teasing me and I have finally gotten there...Thank god!

As of today I have hit the mini mile stone that I had set for myself. Well actually I crushed it.

My short term goal has been to hit 25% loss of my excess body weight. So of the 165 pounds that I want to lose, I needed to lose 42 to hit 25%....I am at 44.2...So HA!...lol

God I am so close to 50 pounds...I have never lost that much.

In all my history of dieting and weight loss I lose motivation and have too hard a time sticking the the ridiculously restrictive diet that I had chosen to do. They always worked for a while and then I would go crazy and eat whatever it was that I felt I wasn't allowed to eat for the eight weeks I managed to stick to the "Whatever its name is" diet. Those 25 pounds I did managed to lose would be back on my ass in about 3 weeks and as I am sure you all know so would an additional ten pounds.

I don't feel that way this time. I got up this morning and pondered my options for breakfast...I could have made anything. Pancakes, waffles, eggs and toast...but I WANTED my protein shake. I am happy that only a cup of a high protein meal is all that I need and that I am not hungry for pretty close to four hours.

Making the jump to get my band was the greatest decision I have EVER made.

UPDATE: My baby girl is well on the road to recovery. She hasn't had a fever in 15 hours and is back to her bouncing happy self. THANK GOD!

Somedays I HATE being a parent....

My baby girl...

My precious little 6 year old...

For the first time in her life...Has strep!

She is miserable...She has a fever of 101.9, a sore throat, and can't keep much down.

She isn't hungry and is kinda weak...

IT IS KILLING ME!!!

I just want to scoop away her pain and take it in myself so that she doesn't have to feel this horrible.

I have spent most of the morning sitting with her and stroking her hair (that is what my mom used to do when I was sick)

The worst part of being a parent is knowing you aren't able to protect them from the pain.

I sent my poor little baby boy to his Grandfather's house. I figure the less he is exposed the better off I am in the long run. Boy I hope he doesn't get sick too!

S'Mores = EVIL!!!

Let's just get one thing straight...

S'mores are NASTY!

But their components...Ok more to get straight....

I DESPISE marshmallows!

I don't eat them with few exceptions...Rice Crispy Treats and Rocky Road Ice Cream...

Of the components...what I do like are the chocolate and the graham crackers.

Especially if you were to make a sandwich out of the crackers and chocolates and place them in the toaster oven and melt them slightly...That is like an orgasm for my mouth!

It is the one snack that I have YET to master my resistance too.

I am not a chocolate person...and I am not a cracker person...but put the two damn things together and I can't resist them...

I CANNOT wait until they are out of the house!

TTT

I am kinda breaking the rules for this whole "Ten Things Thursday".

I decided that I was going to come up with a themed one.

My theme for this week is "Ten Things I look Forward to When I get closer to the Keep on going line"

1. Being able to move easier...
   I have to be honest. I have NEVER been one of those over weight girls who had to get help getting off the couch or dreaded sitting on the floor. I am one of the first people at my house to take a seat at the coffee table on a cushion on the floor or wrestle around with my kids in the grass. I have no trouble getting back up to my feet it just isn't as graceful then I would like...That is what I look forward too...Being able to tuck my feet underneath me and just stand up!
2. Taking a bath...
   I take baths now, they are just a bit awkward. I look forward to the day that I can sit in the water and not touch the side of the tub unless I want to.
3. Shopping for clothes...
   I am sure this is the lament of EVERY overweight women on the planet. I typically walk into a store, go to the "Women's" section and find a sea of paisley, hibiscus, and daisy printed fabric cut into shapeless bags that I vividly remember my 94 year old Grandma (Rest her soul) wearing during the summer. Every article of clothing that I have at my disposal makes me feel shapeless and O L D! I hate it. Then their are crazy stores like Lane Bryant where you get fabulous fat people clothes but they cost WAY more for one shirt then my entire clothing allowance for a month. I cannot wait to walk until I can walk into Kohl's and buy a Vera Wang out fit for my high powered accounting job!
4. Sex with the lights on...
   I think that one is pretty self explanatory and to explain would lead to a TMI and I don't want to go down that road.
5. Feeling I look like the wife my hubby deserves...
   I know my husband loves me. We have two beautiful kids so I know that he finds me attractive, but still...Before me my husbands taste in women could be summed up in the following:
   1- Five Foot Three Inches tall (I am 5'7")
   2- Size 2-4 (Was an 18W when we met)
   3- Perfect boobs (They are just sad)
   4- Toned body (And...no...doesn't apply!)
   So with all this information...he chose me. Which I feel awesome about, but one of his ex-girlfriends is a friend of mine and I have to admit I feel a bit inadequate...I look forward to that changing...
6. Wearing the same outfit two seasons in a row...
   This one is kinda tied into the shopping one...but I would LOVE to have outfits that fit for more than one year. I mean my shirts almost always fit, it is my shorts and pants.
7. Looking in the mirror...I have a weird brain. I think I am a HELL of a lot cuter then I actually am. If I never look in a mirror or have a photo taken I think I am this awesomely cute girl. Then I look in a mirror, my first thought is "Ah crap...I am fat." I would love for that to go away...lol
8. Christmas Cards...
   I HATE being on the family Christmas cards. It is more like I hate being in family photos in general, but these are sent to every member of our family. I can't wait until I am proud of the christmas card photo.
9. Beach Body P90x/Insanity...
   When I get closer to my goal weight I am going to start doing my husband's workout routine, it will make all my muscles toned and awesome so that I can't have the best possible results...I look forward to it!
10. Skin removal surgery...
    This one I CANNOT wait for...I can't wait to have all this stretched and droopy skin removed. I have spoken to a plastic surgeon and he explain that he won't do anything until I have been at a stable weight for one year. I figured it was a good idea to check with them first. Nothing is more depressing then going to an appointment and being told you don't qualify...so I am avoiding that by checking in on the rules first.

24 weeks and counting...

Beginning Weight (12/20/2012)- 330.6

Last Week’s Weight – 292.4

Today’s Weight – 290.0

Total Weight Loss – 40.6

Weekly loss of 2.4 pounds....Not too shabby. Granted I have done this before recently. I would lose 2 pounds and then I would gain two pounds. Well I am going to try my damnedest to not gain it back next week.

Since my last fill I now have FANTASTIC restriction...It is wonderful! It is so nice to not be hungry all the time. Ok it wasn't all the time but I would have to perform feats of self control every day as I waited for my next meal to come along. Now I find myself hungry right on time!

The last two weeks have been fantastic and I feel like my Lap-Band break through is coming...

I will keep you posted!

Weekly Weigh in...and some news!

Beginning Weight (12/20/2012)- 330.6

Last Week’s Weight – 292.8

Today’s Weight – 292.4

Total Weight Loss – 38.2

Lost .4...not great...But at least it was a loss...I was thinking it would be more. The sad thing to me is that over the course of the last month I gained 1 pound. Whatever...lol

Got a fill yesterday...Up to 7.3cc in a 10cc band....

Ok so....I have been a bit quiet this week. We are on our annual "Heim Family Stay-Cation". We have hit The Magic house Childrens Museum, We went to a STL Cardinal's game (which they lost), we went to the STL Zoo, and today was Six Flags.

Six weeks ago, I posted a blog setting a goal for myself. I SO badly wanted to go on the Mr Freeze Reverse Blast Coaster.

So long story short for those of you who don't want to follow the link (It is ok, I understand clicking is tiring...lol) In 2009 my husband and I went to Six Flags with the singular goal of riding every coaster in the park. When I got on the Mr Freeze coaster I couldn't get the safety belt locked. I had to do the walk of shame and exit the coaster knowing the reason I couldn't ride was because I was too fat. It was the first time in my life that this had happened.

Today, June 6th 2013 I crossed the threshold of the same Six Flags with the intention of going on that coaster my body hummed with a constant stream of nervousness. "Will I fit?" "Will today be the day I get to ride the coaster?" "Maybe I won't even try it...Is it better not to know?" These were all thoughts going though my head as we went on the rides and played with my beautiful kids. I rode almost EVERY coaster at the park and the time came for me to test my NSV. My heart was pounding long before I began the trek to the loading deck.

Saying that I wanted to throw up is an understatement.

*Random Note* I am sure by now you are all like...Geez just get on with the story...and I apologize...but my mind is full and the creative formation of sentences is my current outlet!

My stomach fills with dread as the gates open for my husband and I to board the train. I grab the safety belt and pulled down the lap bar. Now despite what the cheering of the people around me, I don't feel any smaller. I was convinced that the belt wasn't going to buckle this time.

Well.....

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IT BUCKLED!!!!!!!!

I fit!!!

I couldn't believe it.

Celebratory Photo -Taken at hour 6 of 8...Tired, Sweaty, Dirty...but oh so happy!!

I got to ride the elusive coaster...I didn't have to do the walk of shame...

I got off the coaster when the ride was over (Not BEFORE!) and as I was walking out another set of riders shot out of the tunnel. I started crying...

I blame it on my period...My husband thinks that is a lie...While I don't want to admit it...I think he is right.

Over the last six weeks since I made the declaration that I was going to fit on that god damn coaster a lot of shit has happened...

1) I almost failed my accounting course...
2) My garage and basement flooded...
3) A tornado had it out for me and my family...
4) My little girl graduated from Kindergarten...
5) I got a sinus infection that would not go away...

I mean...that is a lot for six weeks.

It is not an excuse but simply an explanation about HOW I managed to gain a pound over all for the month.

But I made it...I met my goal...I wanted to fit on that damn coaster and I did. I may have gained a pound over the month but I lost 6 inches...so that is the difference. Regardless of what Julian Michaels says...I swapped out fat for lean muscle!

In that moment...I was proud of myself for the first time. I made a change and it has changed my life for the better...

That change made it so that I was ablet to log 16,196 steps walking around the park with my kids. It made it so that I was able to take my baby girl on her very first grown-up roller coaster. I was able to take my little boy on an actual steam engine powered train

I forgive myself for the set backs this month and next month will be different, But today I am reveling in the fact that I reached a goad...NSV or not...and I am going to celebrate by getting my diet back on track tomorrow. (I ate 1/4 of a funnel cake today...not the best choice but it was totally worth it!)

Bring it on!

Saint Charles, MO was NOT the place to be last night...

So last night I was at Wal-Mart with my kiddos. We were just finishing up the grocery shopping and only had a few things on the list. I knew that there was some rain coming and wanted to get home before the storm reached us.

Well the tornado sirens went off and I didn't really think that much of it. Around here they are used when ever bad weather is coming, it doesn't normally mean a tornado.

I was at the check out when the second siren sounded. I packed up my small bag worth 37 bucks and hurried towards the door. As SOON as I hit door I RAN...with my two kids sitting in the cart I RAN though the Walmart parking lot. I looked up to see almost a continuous light show in the clouds and I could feel the air changing. I practically threw my kids in the car and screeched out of the parking lot.

I thought I was going to make it home...that was so not true.

Apparently the storm was moving at 70 MPH and was NASTY. I made a right turn heading towards home and only had a few drops of water on my window. I made the last left and the next thing I knew I couldn't see farther then twenty feet in front of me. It was weird...The water wasn't streaming down my window, it wasn't even touching my window.  By this point the clouds were freaking me out and I was stopped to debate on running or trying to get home.

I decided to make a run for the house...it became a scene out of one of those end of the world movies...here I am in my AWESOME mini van with the two most precious things in my life dodging tree limbs and they are falling from the trees lining the road. I have my daughter FREAKING out in the back seat while limbs are crashing around us....trash cans are flying across the street and 70 MPH winds are pushing my van around. I have never been so scared in my life. I wasn't scared for me...I was scared for my babies. I was also scared for my husband who was at home and being a dip shit and standing in the backyard watching the show.

So after I got done dodging the things that were trying to kill us last night I skidded to a stop in my garage. The one thing I hadn't noticed was that the power went out as soon as the garage door was up. This means that the wind and the rain that was sheeting into my garage wasn't going to stop and there was a tornado coming. I leaped out of my car climbed up the side and freed my door from the track. I got soaked in the process but managed to pull the door down manually and get my kids inside.

I love my house...it is my home and it is where my kids feel safe but the blasted thing doesn't have a basement. What it does have is a space we call a cubby under the stairs. It is the most reinforced area in our house and most likely the safest in a storm like this. I crammed my two crying terrified children in there and sat in the dark until the storm was past. Ok we weren't totally in the dark, I had a flashlight on my phone that I used to make shadow puppets on my wall to keep my kids calm.

It was terrifying but in the end the worst thing that happened was a few tears and a power outage for 11 hours.

We are safe and sound thank god...but this has been a weird few weeks I tell you!