Overeaters Anonymous....Anyone?

Well, Not Anonymous anymore... 

• I went to my first OA meeting today and I feel pretty good about how it went.... 
• I met some people who I can really relate to, I heard my story in their story....
• I am actively working on my head, since healing that could heal my body permanently.
• I am revising to Gastric Bypass and even though I was successful with my lapband, I could have been more successful with more control of my head hunger....
• I have been aware that I needed more help with the Psychological part of food addiction for a long time... I go to support group, hang with my BOOBs whenever possible, search out kindred spirits wherever I go, see my therapist as often as needed, etc. 
• Now I am adding OA to that... one of my close friends told me that she tried OA and it wasn't for her, Too Much God.... I won't say who because her lack of faith doesn't define her, but I believe we all need a little more God in our lives, we are too weak to do this alone. I am too weak to do this alone. 
• I have alot of tools to beat this Obesity thing... I am armed. I have 20+ years of successful dieting, I have 2+ years with a lapband teaching me proper portion control, I have Meditations from Geneen Roth's and other books, I have awareness of what are my triggers, I have strong nutritional knowledge from years of research and bossy nutritionists, and I am about to have another surgery to help me in these final battles to win this war... I might as well arm myself with God too. He turned water into wine, maybe he can turn cupcakes and ice cream into broccoli and greek yogurt.... Fingers Crossed!         

PS. I finished the last book of the Fifty Shades Series and I wish there was another... It was a great story! If you have been living under a rock and haven't read them yet, do it! It was add some spice to your love affairs! Even if they're with yourself! 
                                                                                                  

10 Things Thursday!.... Why not?

Here we go....

1. Why is Green Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream better than White Mint Chocolate Chip? It's mintier... Also, Why am I eating Ice cream while on a Weight Loss Journey? Damn, you're noisy... Mind your beeswax! Before I eat that too...
2. Why are we all so crazy about a man who spanks his wife to keep her in line? When for centuries we have been fighting to become more independent and be considered equal... Damn that Christian Grey!
3. Why does Chick Fila's food have to be so delicious? Those Bible beaters are killing me with their dumbass hate, but their food is like crack! It seems Hate tastes Great, It is not Bitter... but bittersweet.... I will not go to Chick Fila, I will not go to Chick Fila, I will not go to Chick fila... I will still go to Chick Fila, It seems Food Addiction is stronger than Hate! But I will give them dirty looks and try to pass off Canadian coins there....
4. I finished my insurance required weight management visits last Monday and even though I have some more testing to do, I should be scheduled for both surgeries next week, The lapband removal with be soon, and then 6 weeks of recovery before they do my gastric bypass. It's been frustrating, but I am getting there....
5. I loved Dark Knight Rises, we saw the screening for it last night and it was Bad Ass... I think I am growing into a full fledged Geekette.... from a Geek by Marriage. I am loving the Super Heroes movies these days! 
6. My Brother and his family are on vacation in Ocean City, Maryland and I am missing them like crazy... They should be home Saturday, and although I know they're enjoying themselves... I can't wait to give them hugs and kisses! 
7. I wear my FitBit ultra every day and even though I am not at a fitness level to keep up with 10000 steps a day, I will get there.... as of now I get between 6000-8000 most days, and I went over 10000 on 4 days, one of which was 14200. So it is challenging me to walk more and climb more steps... which will keep me more active after my surgeries. I got told yesterday that I will be unable to swim after the surgeries for a while because I can't get chlorine near the incisions.  Since Water aerobics and other water based activities are my main workouts.... I have to figure out other ways to keep active for a while. 
8. BTW, Since my unfill.... I have zero restriction, so It is preparing me for having no band... for the 6 weeks between surgeries. And 2 weeks of that should be my pre-op diet so... Only 4 weeks of crazy hunger and 1 of those weeks will be severe recovery from the lapband removal so I doubt I will be hungry. We'll see! 
9. I am reading Fifty Shades Freed, which is the 3rd book of the Fifty Shades of Grey series, just in case you've been living under a rock... It is very good, like so good that I am rushing this blog post to get back to it. 
10. I want to send all my good juju to all my blog followers and friends who are having issues with their bands... or whatever. It has been a tough year for bandsters.... Fingers crossed that by luck, hope, intervention, revision, mojo rising, or some magic beans that we will find our inner selves.... Eventually! Good Luck!

Bullets... and Bullshit!

Well, Well, Well.... I need to catch you up.

• I love my FitBit, it is challenging me to walk more and further, to climb steps instead of using elevators, and be more active overall. It is wonderful! I just wish it was waterproof.
• Jen's visit went great, We hung out, shopped the Goodwills, went to the Shore(Jersey Shore, for you who aren't tri-staters), rode the ducks, saw the Liberty Bell, hit the casino, and hung/Swam with Beth...We had a great time! 
• My George and I had a great time down the Shore when we went for our romantic B&B getaway too. It is nice to spend some time just being us... 
• Tomorrow is my Niece/Cousin's birthday party(If you are wondering how she's both my niece and my cousin, she's not... She is my cousin but since I am like 38 years older than her... She calls me Aunt. I look forward to seeing my family but hope there's less drama than July 4th's traumatic events..
• My Nephews Chase and Blake and my niece Avery are going away for a week with their parents at Ocean City Maryland, and I am really going to miss them. I wish I had gotten to see them today.... 
• I have my last Weight Management Visit with my surgeon's office on Monday, that is if they've fixed the mistake marking my first WM visit as something else...
• I saw Coldplay in concert again on July 5th, as always they were awesome! Their music is amazing! I love it! That being said... Next month we are seeing Kelly Clarkson and the Fray, and we are seeing Train... With a Meet and Greet. I love Train! And to meet Pat Monahan... Yay!

Ten Things Thursday! Alot to Swallow!

Well.... Let's get started with the 10 things...

1. I really enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey, I am just finishing reading Fifty Shades Darker... And can't wait to read Fifty Shades Freed. The books are hot though, so you may jump your husband, wife, partner, or a stranger in the subway or an elevator though, so be prepared. \
2. I got a FitBit Ultra for my birthday thanx to some great Amazon Gift Cards and an awesome sale... and I love it so far! I can see where I need to improve, and that I am doing better than I thought I was... I have to give a shoutout to my Bandster Friend Beth who's FitBit advice and a very generous birthday gift card made my purchase possible! 
3. While I am mentioning Beth... She is headed for Chicago this year for her first BOOBs experience, and as most of you know I am not Going... (My surgery is probably going to fall around that time and money is tight these days) I was hoping you all would take her under your batwings and show her a good time, She is in her first year after surgery and has been doing very well... and she is sarcastic and funny just like me, so you get all the funny without my bitchiness... It's a Win Win, if you ask me! Check out her blog if you haven't already, and find her in Chi-Town!
4. I mentioned my birthday earlier... I love Cake, especially sweet sugary birthday cake. And I didn't get any this year... because I didn't want it sitting around this house, and I didn't want to eat it all on a Sugar Bender. Well, That plan... Backfired. I have been eating sugary crap trying to fulfill that desire for several days. Luckily, I haven't gained any weight since I have my fitbit challenging me to be more active. 
5. I have been going to the movies alot like usual, I really loved Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter... It was so friggin' good, full of action, special effects, historial accuracies and fun inaccuracies, great costumes and settings... One of the best of the year so far! I loved Brave too... Being a huge Disney & Pixar Fan, a fiery redhead myself, and of a slight Scottish descent... I loved every moment of it! I see alot of movies, and I can't tell you about them all or I will bore you to tears, but I see pretty much everything so let me know if you are interested in any and I will reply with my thoughts. As for Magic Mike, I was very disappointed. There was not much story, no chemistry between the characters and not enough striptease... When gorgeous scantily clad men can't save a movie, What's wrong in this world?
6. I have been trying to work out more... and Beth and I have been water walking and chatting it up on friday nights at our gym, I can be more active! I know I can do this! 
7. I have been cooking alot lately, I am really starting to enjoy experimenting and finding new healthy choices. I used the crockpot a couple times and made a killer pot roast, and some pulled pork. Good stuff! And Healthy too. The pulled pork was a Hungry Girl Recipe... I love her stuff!
8. My niece, her boyfriend and their baby girl... got their first apartment last week. We are trying to get them started with some furniture and kitchen stuff. But nothing we offer is good enough for her fancy 22 year old mind. I find it so funny to see what it is like to be young and stupid... I have lived a lifetime sitting my ample ass on second hand couches... Anyway, I have had a happy life so far, you can't buy happy! 
9. I am looking forward to a visit from my BBFF Jen, she was my roomie in Chicago for BOOBs for the last 2 years and I wish we lived closer than 3000+ miles apart. I can't wait to  introduce her to my family especially my little angels, we are going to hang out with Barb, and I am going to show her my Philly! It's gonna be a blast!
10. July 4th is always a big family BBQ every year, so I will not torture myself til after that... because I am giving up Sugar for a week to detox, and I am not sure when I will start sometime in July. I will keep you updated.

Eggface has another awesome giveaway... Great Recipes and more. Check it out! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2012/06/eggface-goody-bag-giveaway.html

Updates.... A Journey Paused.

Well, I went for my 4th or 5th Weight Management appt with my Surgeon's office... Since it's not a first for me, I went through insurance approval hoop jumping 2 1/2 years ago before I had my lapband installed... This time is less stressful since I now know what to expect and I am not fearful of my new surgery or starting a new chapter of my weight loss journey...

• My nutritionist told me to start logging my food again, I had stopped for the last few months.... So I am plugging it into myfitnesspal and seeing where I could make some cutbacks.
• My weight was up again... So I need to make sure I get back to basics and listen to my body better. I am trying to start swimming at least at the gym... Friday will be the first TRY. We will see.
• I have been cooking alot lately and I really enjoy finding new ways to make healthy food Yummy! I have brought a couple of old friends back into the mix that I have had on the back burner, namely Pork and a little beef. I find that variety makes staying on track much easier. I slip into my chicken, turkey, greek yogurt... routine for a few weeks and then spice it up with some homemade pulled pork (Hungry Girl has a great recipe) or fajitas at home... Which my hubby loves. I like to find things that are bread based like pulled pork or fajitas and eat them without the bread... BTW, Cheesesteaks... need the bread. They are Yuck without it. So I eat them in a pita or some flatbread. 
• I am still going to alot of advanced movie screenings and loving being back in that lifestyle... This week I saw Rock of Ages(Actually my 2nd time seeing it), Lola Versus(Good but not Great), That's my Boy(My 3rd time seeing it, I love Adam Sandler and I needed the laugh), and tomorrow night I am seeing TED(I am looking forward to it since I love Seth MacFarlane)...
• I am loving my new Nieces... Giana(My Great Niece) is almost 6 weeks old and Avery(Redheaded like her Auntie) is almost 5 weeks old. This is gonna be a great summer... I can't wait!

Fed Up... on Sugar and other nutrients!

Well, I am at the end of my rope... Trying to lose weight caused me to maintain for a long while, but as soon as i am supposed to maintain for my new revision... I lose a few pounds here and there... but then I start to gain a few pounds here and there. My back has been giving me severe spasms... so working out is a no go... but every little activity I do causes me to crave carbs especially sugar. Lets go over the facts... Bullet style. 

• I am so much less active so that may be why I am not losing and even gaining weight... I need to find a way to stop giving into the sugar cravings, and go to my gym to use the pool at least. 
• I need serious therapy for food addictions and disorders, I notice I eat right at breakfast, slip up slightly at lunch but no biggie and maybe a little slip up at dinner....but mostly good choices, and then 9pm hits and I want junk. The feeling is so strong and I try to quench it with a healthy snack but I eat my way to junk slowly. My calories are still around where they want them but I feel like I messed up my own day... and the scale shows it. 
• Why... When I was eating totally right and exercising regularly did I not blame myself for the scale's hateful behavior but now that my eating is 20% questionable... I get so angry at myself. I do not want to RELOSE weight. I fought so hard to lose the first time. 
• I have a weight management appt with my surgeon's office... I am headed for my 5th one and I need 6 for insurance approval. I know they are going to be casual about the weight gain, heartburn/reflux, and the PBing... because I have agreed to the revision but I want this band out sooner, rather than later... It is making me unable to eat my meals, even though they are correct portion size/protein first and healthy... I feel stuck within 2 or 3 bites, even though I am chewing well and eating slowly... when I PB which is too often, everything comes up. And I get reflux later that day. I am annoyed now, why wouldn't I agree to the revision a year ago when they first suggested it? I would be through this and on to my new life, band-free. 
• I think my muscle relaxers and pain meds are making me struggle more with cravings and weight gain. I hope I really didn't gain that much weight, I still feel the same and my clothes fit the same. I am nauseous often too. This is a long journey, and I knew it would be but I feel like I am living in a holding pattern for too long.