UGH.....Hangover!

O....M.....G.  I had a Halloween party at my house last night and we had an absolute BLAST!  Blowing off steam from a stressful workweek was just what I needed.  My house was just full of candles, pumpkins, black lights, scary masks, and witch hats!  The food was awesome - pounds of shrimp, hot wings, pasta salad, chips, dips, even chocolate spiders.  I made orange Monster martinis with candy bone finger stirrers - so cute! And everyone wore the coolest costumes.  We had a big wonderful fire in the fireplace on the deck and temps outside were perfect.   We played all kinds of music - all with "death" in the titles - remember OingoBoingo's song "Dead man's Party?"  It was fun........BUT.......oh the price of fun sometimes includes a hangover.  And fyi everyone:  the hangover is worse with a band - does everyone else already know this and forgot to tell me? 
Thank goodness I didn't *really* feel like I wanted to throw up because that would have been tortuous.  Seriously.  So soon to be bandsters - why is the hangover worse with a band - its probably not why you think.  The reason is that when you do not have restriction and you can eat WHILE you're drinking - you're better able to take it slow and pace yourself.  The food absorbs the alcohol effects.  You know how much you can drink and how much is too much - BUT - you know that amount based on drinking while EATing.  If you can't eat much - I only had like 2 shrimp and one hotwing - suddenly the VERY SAME amount you're used to drinking and being just a little *~happy~* turns into TOO MUCH.  Capice?  I woke up with a raging headache and since I'm very tight/restricted in the morning it was difficult to swallow 3 advil and attempt to rehydrate myself.  And it was difficult to eat something which always makes my personal hangovers better.  As soon as the Advil kicked in and I took a shower, I felt better. 
But wow - note to self:
1.  drink less than I used to be able to 
2.  drink lots of water before going to bed 
3.  take 3 advil before going to bed.
As soon as I get the pictures from my friend, I'll share them........oh what a night!
And one last thing - yesterday I was 210.5, and this morning I was 209.5!  That made my hungover face smile!

Upped the calories, 209.5 today!

The band is allowing me to eat a little more, which I'm pleased about, but not too much, which I'm also pleased about!  I needed to increase my calories and I've done so.  This morning when I hopped on the scale (after pee-ing away any water that would affect the scale of course!) it said 209.5!  I know its a fleeting moment - so we'll see what it says tomorrow - but how cool to see it in a new range, even if was only momentary! LOL.  I was glad to see the scale move a little bit.  My energy is up b/c those horsepill antibiotics have kicked my chest/head cold and b/c I'm eating more.  I can't wait to be in the 200-209 range for real!
Today was one of the most stressful days I've had work-wise in at least a few years.  I had to present on a conference call some data that was a pure and direct reflection on me to some very big players in the new company I'm now part of after the merger.  Some of them were domineering jerks, unfortunately, but since they couldn't dig much, the call overall went very well.  The worst part was worrying my systems would fail or that I would sound like a complete idiot.  I didn't but they continue to send people out to my office/center to investigate (read : dig until they find something) and that's just not a fun place to be.  Especially because, when you have a couple hundred people working for you indirectly through supervisors that DO work for you, you're relying on the leadership and skill of the sups to ensure that the entire group does not make gross errors or just perform to a lower standard when they're working with our customers.  One gross error or one human screw up or one person who honestly doesn't care and shouldn't be there anyway -  is what my entire team could be judged by.  Silly and unrealistic pressure, isn't it?  In any work team that big, there is going to be someone doesn't care or just screws up sometimes.  And with 18 supervisors - not every single one is going to be doing all they should be either.  Most of them are awesome but I do have two low performers who are just not the best sups and while what they don't do - isn't enough to justify a termination or move - they just do the bare minimum which is the perfect set up for a problem.  I guess, I'm rambling here b/c I feel frustrated over the unrealistic scrutiny and know that its impossible for us not to make a mistake.  I just dread the unrealistic expectation and find it frustrating that I no longer work for a company that is as supportive as I'm used to and is so much more cut throat.  Its just too bad, you know?  I'm also frustrated b/c while I've worked myself for some awesome leaders, the person I'm working for now is just NOT awesome.  In any way.  In fact, he's a narcissistic jerk.  It amazes me that people like that actually choose that for themselves.  I just don't get what they get out of it.  I was hoping working for him would be a temporary thing, but its going to be a little longer.  Its ok, I do a great job and so he has trouble finding issue with me personally.  Its just so...unnecessary.  I hate to see how he belittles other people and causes me stress b/c he won't help me out when I need it.  At least I have enough experience to know he's the minority and that karma is real.
Wow, sorry to bum you all out!  Not my intent, but at least I feel better! LOL.  I'm just glad that I can buffer him from the people that work for me - and they know how much of a jerk he is - so that not all of us have to be exposed to that ugliness.  I tell them that's what I get paid for and that they need to take notes so they don't make their employees feel the way he makes us feel.  Learn what NOT to do.
Ok, next subject!  I'm really happy with where my band is now.  I'm happy that its opened up a little bit to allow me to eat more - because I needed that.  But it still stops me from eating too much at this point.  And I'm not hungry much.  That, to me, is perfection!
I'm doing great with overall calories, protien, water, and vitamins.  Goal is to get better with the green veggies, antioxidants, omega-3's, and exercise.  Have you heard of chewable omega-3 supplements?  I got a coupon from costco and they advertised them.  Anyone ever tried these?  see below:

I was at Cheesecake Factory yesterday and had an AWESOME lunch!  I ordered the ahi tuna tartare and it was really amazing.  The tuna was a perfect solution to protien, it was cut up into small cubes and molded on top of diced avocado.  A little wasabi and soy sauce on top and it was just fantastic!  I highly recommend!  Good taste, high clean protein, healthy fat in the avocado.  It was perfection. :)  I need to remember to eat sashimi more often for the protien power.  While this isn't the best pic, it looked much better in person:

Still 211.5, stressful work week

I'm still eating very little but I believe my weight is stalled by the lack of calories.  Today is the first day that I was able to eat a real lunch - meaning whole food.  I ate two panko breaded fish pieces and some green beans.  I didn't make time to eat my protien shake for breakfast, and just now I've had some chicken and rice soup for dinner.  Its good that I'm able to eat more and I plan to continue to ensure I'm getting a nutritious 1200 calories in. 
I'm still at 211.5 and I know its because of the lack of calories.  I'm hoping eating more will help kick start some progress.
I'm also planning for a big Halloween dinner party at my house this Friday.  I've been so busy at work I've not had any time to plan food.  UGH.  I hate rushing - I like to enjoy the process.  Worst case, I'll order food from somewhere.  I'll post pics of it this weekend.  :)
Hope you all have a great day!

So where does the fat actually go when you lose weight?

I was thinking about this today as I was thinking about how I look forward to the mornings so I can hop on the scale and weigh myself.  I always pee first b/c it makes a big difference.  So where does the actual fat go?  I know that the fat cells are always there, and right now my fat cells are bloated with actual fat and as I lose weight they will shrink.  But where does the actual fat in my bloated fat cells go when they finally DO shrink and I lose weight?  Naturally, I googled it (what DID we ever do without the internet and google?) and found this:
Article
You may have heard that by following a proper diet and exercise program, you can actually turn body fat into muscle. Not true. Fat and muscle are two separate entities. You must burn fat and build muscle.
Here's how fat is burned:
When you lose weight (by eating less and exercising more), an enzyme located in fat cells disassembles the fat compounds and sends the components into the bloodstream. Liver and muscle cells take up these components and disassemble them even further until what's left is a compound called acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, a series of chemical reactions that takes place in the mitochondria -- the cell's "power plant."
The end product is made up of...
• Carbon dioxide, which is expelled when you exhale.
• Water, which is lost as urine and perspiration.
• Heat, which helps maintain body temperature.
• ATP, the molecule that fuels cellular activities that require energy.
On the flip side, to build muscle you need to work those muscles on a regular basis (no pain, no gain)...and eat appropriate amounts of dietary protein. Your protein grams for the day should total about 50% of your body weight in pounds, unless you're a serious athlete, in which case your protein requirements should total about 50-80% of your body weight in pounds
By Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. - Posted on Mon, Aug 06, 2007, 10:00 pm PDT

Now I would never think that fat turns into muscle - I wasn't looking for that nor the amount of protien I need each day.  I just think the chemical process is amazing and since Anatomy and Chemistry were among my favorite classes in college, I enjoyed knowing exactly how that happens.
On the scale today I was up a lb.  Big deal.  I have no energy and actually laid down this afternoon which is practically unheard of with a Busy Bee 3-yr old who never seems to stop talking much less sit still.  I was *hoping* hubby would be able to join me (wink) but no such luck.  She never stopped talking and playing and walking and talking and running and playing and yelling and dancing and talking and eating and talking and drinking....well, you get the picture.   Have I told you guys my husband is amazing?  He really is and let me be totally lazy for a few hours while he cut the grass and kept the kids occupied.
I had a hard time eating again today, although last night I was able to take a bite of the topping on a piece of pizza and drink a lot.  I got a half of the horsepill antibiotic stuck last night and OUCH it hurt - I could actually feel it go through b/c I felt a sharp pain where my band is, I was totally sick to my stomach and breathing fast like you do when you're about to throw up for real - and then it totally went away and my nausea was instantly gone.  From now on, I'm breaking those suckers up into 4 parts instead of in half!
I tried to eat some cereal this a.m. - it was slow going and I only ate a half cup with milk.  I had some tuna with light mayo for lunch - another half cup - and it took me about a half hour to eat it.  I'm eating some greek yogurt now in effort to pack in the protein.  I'm also drinking mostly milk b/c with the few calories I'm eating, I can certainly afford the calories from the skim milk while getting all the other good stuff from the milk like Vit D and protein (8g in a cup).
My eating plan for this upcoming week will be:  breakfast: Protien shake (30g) 130 cal, Lunch - pureed soup, snack - greek yogurt (14g protein), Dinner - whatever we're having.  I need to find a way to get more water in and I have bottled water stocked in my office.  I also really need to find a way to get green vegetables in.  I'm having trouble with the bulk and fibrousness of most green vegetables and fruits.  I want the antioxidants and vitamins from them.  I don't want to make a smoothie b/c I hate the airbubbles in a blended smoothie.  I did buy some avocados and have been trying to eat those.  The texture is smooth enough.  Anyone have any good tricks or ideas on how to get some good green veggies in? 

210.5 today!

Its 10/24, one day past my goal of reaching 210.  I really didn't actually make it b/c I'm closer to 211 than 210 but the scale DID start with 210 and ended with .5.  Good enough!  I have a little less restriction today.  I actually ate 2 cookies but I could barely eat soup earlier.  I'm not eating any more bad stuff.  Why does the band let you eat cookies but I can't eat raw veggies right now?  Doesn't matter - I'm just not doing that again!

The scale stayed at 211! woot!

So the scaled stayed at 211!  I'm very happy about that!  Now I just need to get moving again and tighten this stuff up!  I attempted a video blog- I upgraded my blogger and it doesn't have the video option on the tool bar in the compose section, so I don't know how to do it without that.  All I havei s the image link, no video link in blogger for me.  I guess its in the same place as the elusive spell check which also disappeared when I upgraded!
I'm officially going to change my ticker since I think its going to stay here at 211.  Maybe in the next week I'll see 209 - like Gen - girl you are cruizin' right along!
I have a lot on my mind this weekend as I've received final news that my work location is 90% sure we're going to close.  I've got to decide what my plan of action will be.  Do I take severance, take some time off, and find a new job when the economy gets better in a year or two.  I'd like to take time off and be a stay at home mom.  Or, do I go ahead and relocate to another state, which means a move for my family and my husband would have to quit his job.  A job that he'd not get back once we returned here.  I don't want to move away permanently - I'd always want to come back - I'm just not sure what I really want long term.  Its a tough decision, really.  I also am considering going back to school to get my masters - as long as I'm employed, my employer will pay the tuition which is nice.  Something I really need to think through so I can feel good about my decision once it officially happens.  It probably won't happen for at least 4 mos or so.  I'll let you guys know what I think and even ask for your thoughts - I'd especially like to hear from those of you who have left good jobs to stay home.  Are you happy you did it?  Do you wish you would have done it differently?  What advice would you give someone else considering staying home and leaving a solid financial income?  What are the downfalls that I'm not considering b/c I'm not aware of them? 

211 today, can you believe it?

I sure can't.  I've not been eating much this week, this a much different experience this time with this much of a fill.  I know part of that has to be water weight b/c I was 213 yesterday.  How cool would it be for me to actually make my mini goal of 210 by 10/23?  I honestly know in my heart that won't happen tomorrow but I'm sure going to be close enough!
This fill really has been such a completely different experience.  I can't believe that I don't even get hungry during the day.  I could wait until 2 or 3pm to eat if I wanted to.  I have actually had to do that this week which is why I know I can last that long.  I'm not doing well with water intake so I've been focusing on that.  I've also been battling a strange cold that started in my throat and chest and after about 2.5 weeks has now gone into my head/sinus'.  I started taking antibiotic HORSE PILLS and had to break them in half.  UGH.  They were so hard to get down.  I'm able to eat a little more - volume-wise -  for dinner.  I'm learning the slower I eat, the more I'm able to get down with time.  Meaning, I can eat more and more - bigger bites - the longer I sit and/or graze.  I don't want to do that too much b/c then I'll overeat.  But I must say, I stay full after I eat just about a half cup to a cup of food.  And I stay very full much longer - like for 4-5 hours.  A couple of times,  I've even had to eat soup b/c I knew that was all I was going to be able to get down.  I've been doing well with getting the protien first and I've been doing protein shakes for breakfast along with a vitamin.  My only concern really is getting the water down and ensuring I'm getting vegetables down.  With this restriction fresh vegetables can be very hard to eat.   I don't even want to eat an apple b/c for as much as it would fill me up, I don't want to fill up with a fruit instead of a protien.
So is this what restriction really feels like?  Its so different than before and so, well, obvious!  I understand so much better now what everyone talks about when they are full and stay full for a long time.  Its wonderful, its awesome and to think I basically went 6 mos without this!
I do have to tell you that today I put on a pair of sz 18 Liz Claiborne dress pants that I'd had in my closet b/c while I could button them, they were too tight in the stomach and butt to wear in public.  Today - voila!   They fit perfectly and loosely!  So I'm losing in my stomach and my butt first....PERFECT!  No complaints here! 
My husband told me last night we were invited to a Christmas party with the car owners he's working with as part of his redneck hobby.  (Please excuse any offense but I have to say everyone would agree that racing go carts is redneck, right?  And he's proud of it! *sigh*)  Anyway, I would love to meet one of my goals by Christmas of looking somewhat decent in a new dress for this Christmas party!  I know I can do it.  I just wonder what weight I'd feel like I look pretty great?  Hmmmm.  I'm thinking that at 180, I'd look pretty darn awesome - but losing 30lbs by Christmas I think is a stretch and might be unhealthy.  Its ok.  I'd be happy at 190! :)

214.5 this morning

I barely ate 1000 cals yesterday and I did see a .5 loss.  Today was day one of the big conversion project at work - it was such a crazy busy day that I only drank half my starbucks and a protien shake.  I'm eating some leftover chili now for dinner and its slow going.  I'm finding that I can drink milk when I'm feeling restriction and it helps me.  I'm a little concerned of eating too few calories and shutting my metabolism down, so I'm working on that too.  Tomorrow I'm working out - and concentrating on consuming more calories.  I hope I'm at 214 tomorrow!

Still restricted, scale has stopped at 215

I'm still very restricted - I am able to eat very little- and always have to start with coffee or something warm or else I can't seem to eat much of it at all.  All day yesterday, as I was geting everything ready for the party, I only had one cup of coffee.  2pm party came along, I ate a couple of raspberries and drank some water and that was it until dinnertime.  I didn't even have a cupcake!  I just couldn't have even if I tried.  I tried to eat some Trader Joe's chicken fried rice (rice has never bothered me) but nope - couldn't eat it.  Then, I tried some Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup and b/c it was hot, of course, I was able to get it down.  I was still hungry so I warmed up some of the kid's Spaghettios w/ meatballs and it was so warm and hearty that I was able to eat about a cup of that.  Who ever thought I'd ever eat Sphaghettios??!!  Not me - I never even liked the way they smelled, but I'm telling you - they really hit the spot!
Today I had to go into work at 9:30 to oversee the conversion project - I had a 1/2 cup of coffee and for some dumb reason (well there were 12 dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts for all the employees) I mindlessly ate half a one - just not even thinking!  It got a little stuck, I had to go spit in the bathroom, UGH!  I felt so stupid for just reaching for that doughnut!  I'm glad the band stopped me.  It was such a wake up call to how easily we can overeat without even paying attention.
Its 3pm now, I stopped at Wendy's for chili on the way home - I thought the warmth and protien would be good for me.  I can barely eat a half a cup and I'm not hungry or worn down.  Its a wonderful thing.  I was really hoping after not eating very much yesterday, I might see a change on the scale, but nope - no change again today.  I'm at 215 and not even 214 like I was on Thursday.  But I'm absolutely, positively NOT complaining about 215 - I'm so very happy to be out of the 220's!  I swear I thought it would NEVER happen!
Hope you all are having a cozy day!  I'm sitting on the couch in a very soft cardigan, there's a fire in the fireplace, am I'm looking out the window as the rain drizzles on the lake outside.  I have a Sugar Cookie candle burning on the coffee table and its wonderful.  I love cozy!  Have a great day everyone!

This fill is working!

Lost again - got on the scale and I'm 214 today.  WOW WOW WOW!  Does this mean I'm going to start losing the weight now?  Am I finally going to be successful like all my fellow band bloggers?  I'm afraid to go there b/c I don't want to jinx myself!  I put some dates on my weight loss goals - I didn't do that before b/c I was tired of the disappointments when I didn't reach them.  Can I really get to Onederland by Thanksgiving and the low 190's by Christmas?!!?  I keep trying to stop myself from thinking those things and just go with the flow.....but I can't help it! I day dream about it! :)

Tonight I am going to dinner with my girlfriends to my favorite restaurant to celebrate one of our birthdays.  I know two of them are going to pressure me to eat more but I'm going to make up some excuse and hope they leave it alone.  I keep thinking about whether I am being authentic by keeping this from them, and its not that they wouldn't understand or be supportive, I just know that people make mistakes and DO talk about things they know and I feel that if I tell anyone - there is just the known risk that many people could find out.  It could be one of them accidentally telling someone, being overheard, etc.  I can't expect them NOT to tell their husbands and I just feel like that would be the first step of it getting out somehow.  I also can't see telling my girlfriends and not my family.  I will likely tell my sisters and my mom at some point - b/c I know they could keep it to themselves but I couldn't tell my SIL b/c she cannot keep it to herself.  Therefore, I can't tell my brother.  All that - all the upkeep- is why I choose to just keep it between my husband and myself.  Its just easier and simpler, you know? 
Gen blogged about the "half cup" at a time vs. calorie counting.  Great post - and the 'half cup' at a time is why I chose to get the 2nd fill.  I keep reading many success stories where they are eating 1/2 cup per meal and I'm wondering if this is what it will take for me to get the scale moving.  That is pretty much what I'm eating right now.  I can tell you that its not easy bc I WANT to eat more and enjoy the taste of the food over and over again.  But the restriction is definitely stopping me.  I still am having issues where I can't seem to burp the air and its turning into gas in my stomach, etc.  When I go to bed at night my stomach is bloated from the air and I have gas pains. *sigh* oh the embarassing honesty.....good thing we all understand each other!
Yesterday I was picking up party food for Busy Bee's birthday and they had some really nice Calvin Klein jeans at Costo.  Very cute - they went up to size 14.  I held up the 14 and thought - can you imagine being able to fit in a size 14 jeans?  I just can't imagine.  I wore size 14 jeans 4 years ago before I got pg with BusyBee - and I weighed about 198.  Amy had a really great post about how many sizes you really drop in the low 200's to 190's.  Its so true.  I'm 214 and am wearing my size 18's and could wear 16's but they would be tight.  I've not worn larger than an 18, even at 235 (it was, of course tight)  I wore that size.  Once I get down to 210, I'm sure I'll be in the 16's comfortably.  I'll need to be in the 180-190's to fit into 14's comfortably, I think.  I have absolutely NO idea what weight I'd be to fit into a 12 - I'm guessing 160-170's?   I just so enjoy reading other bloggers posts when they change sizes.  I really love the pictures too that all of you post b/c it is so inspiring to me and allows me to dream!
Have a wonderful day everyone!!

Tighter than a tick's.....

Wow, so this is what restriction feels like?  Holy cow.  What a difference .4cc's make.  I am not able to eat much - it takes me over 30 mins to eat a single greek yogurt (14g protein, 140 cal).  I had an atkin's shake for lunch (15g protien, 160 cal).  I ate a half a bananna for an afternoon snack (50cal,potassium) and I tried to eat some macaroni and cheese for dinner but got a few spoonfuls and PB'd.  I got a really sick feeling - never felt that before - felt that desperate - I'm-going-to-throw-up-urgently feeling for the first time and it was more of a blank, dry heave throw up.  Ugh, gross, and it hurt!  I'm sipping some skim milk and there is just no way I can eat any more.  This restriction is so differerent than I've ever felt - and I have the same side pains - like gas pains.  Its almost like the burping isn't happening and I can hear the air churning around in my stomach.  I know things will calm down soon and I will just wait it out.

ON a BIG note, I was dreaming this morning about what I'm going to look like if I lose this weight and decided I wanted to weigh 215 by this Saturday.  That's like 2lbs in this week.  Well, I got on the scale this a.m. and it said 215.5!  Down from 217 just yesterday.  I know that's water - but I also don't want my body breaking down my muscle for protien, so I am really going to push the protien supplements.  I'm also taking Centrum liquid.  Tastes awful!  Once I'm done with the bottle, I won't buy it again, I'll buy a chewable or have some of the kiddo's vitamins.  It will be so nice if my weight stays at 215 so it will be REAL.  My weight really bounces around 2 or so lbs all the time.  But I am excited to think this number could be real.  What's it going to be like to be at 210 or below?  I NEVER would have thought that could happen anytime soon.  I'm so glad I got the 2nd fill.  I just hope this isn't too tight and it relaxes a little.

Does my restriction sound normal to you all?  Do you think this restriction will relax after a few days?  If it does, I think I'll be perfect b/c I'm really afraid of eating solid things right now based on my experience just then with the mac n cheese!  I should have eaten the fish first!   

Got my 2nd fill yesterday

Yesterday I went and got my 2nd fill.  She put in .4 ccs bringing me to a total of 2.2cc in a 4cc band.  I ate soup for lunch and soup for dinner yesterday.  Scale says 217 this morning. 
My experience afterwards, eating the soup, was very different than before.  My stomach actually hurt - had sharp pains - while my stomach was trying to digest the food.  I also noticed a lot more burping and gas pains than I've ever felt.  Is that normal?  Is this a side effect to having a tighter band?  I hope this is perfect for what I need to eat only a cup of food at a time.  I know that I need to eat less if I want to lose more.  And before I could pretty much eat as much as I wanted it just took me longer.
I think that is a key component that I'm missing.  On the weekends I am grazing and the band does not stop you from grazing.  The band did slow me down - way down- and I was eating less.  But there were times it seemed my band was wide open.  That is what I wanted to stop b/c I knew it was where I was consuming excess calories.  I am eating a Chobani greek yogurt, I've eaten about half of the 1 cup container, and I feel the food not exactly going down quickly.  I am burping a lot. I feel full but my stomach is churning and is creating the burping.  At least I don't feel pain in my stomach like I did yesterday.  There is no way I could eat anything solid right now and I know it.  There is no way I'm going to finish this yogurt either.  I think this is just part of the swelling expected right after a fill and I expect that it won't always be this way.  I'm focused on protein b/c I was so tired yesterday and I went to bed early b/c I had no energy.  This yogurt has 14g total protien, so I probably got about 7g.  I'm planning on an Atkins shake for lunch b/c I need to finish those up before I buy more of the ones I prefer (Premier Protien) from Costco.
I need to get to the gym today but with the big project date looming this coming Sunday and BusyBee's birthday Saturday - I'm using my lunch hour to finish the birthday activity I have planned.  And I was so busy yesterday, I didn't even take a lunch so I'm a day behind.  Anyway - I'll make this work and I can't wait for her party Saturday.
I can't wait to start losing weight!  I feel like it was the right thing to do and I DO have restriction like I've never had before.  Does my restriction sound right to you guys?  Is this what its supposed to feel like?

No gain over the weekend! Woo hoo!

I decided not to get on the scale Mon & Tue b/c I just knew I had gained weight due to eating out every meal this past weekend.  If it weren't for the calories from breakfast at Waffle House to dinner of Chicken and dumplings at Cracker Barrel - I thought for sure I'd gain from the sodium levels alone!  I told myself 219 would be just fine - great news is I was 217.5 - Halelujiah!!!!  Same place I left off on Friday!  Woohoo!

Today was day 2 of the Kashi meals I got on sale this week.  Today I had Chicken Florentine - 22g protien and 290 calories - YUM - MAY!  Really good flavor and filling!  I give that one 4.5 stars (out of 5).  It had a great garlic taste and melted cheese on top.  Really good!
Breakfast:  Sbux with 1 splenda, 4T half and half and cinnamon (did you all know one teaspoon of cinnamon has as much antioxidants as a cup of blueberries?)
Greek yogurt - 14g protien
Lunch:  Kashi - Chicken Florentine 22g protein, 1 bottle water (with propel antioxidants added)
Dinner:  flank steak with red/yellow/orange peppers and onions sauteed.
The protein is definitely helping with my energy issues!  Now I need to work on the lack of water.
I've rescheduled my fill for later this week so I can get myself down to eating no more than a cup full at a time.  I hope I'm making the right decision about that.  I just don't know any other way to get things moving on the scale

Great weekend, tons of apples!

First, Fall out Boy and Blink 182 were AWESOME!  We had great seats and we really had a lot of fun!  here's a link to one of their songs.  Also if you look at my sister's other videos, they're a pretty amazing drum solo by Travis Barker.  His drumset is suspended in the air.  (PS, please be aware of the use of language here!  Big warning, if that offends you, you may not want to watch!)

I ate more than I should have, although the band definitely slowed me down which is a great thing.  I have really been out of energy.  And this weekend was no exception.  I'm noticing that I'm eating too many carbs and not enough protein perhaps - so I'm working on that this week.  I bought my lunches for the week - Farm Fresh has Kashi frozen meals at $3.51 and they're normally $4.59.  I had Red Curry Chicken today and it was pretty good.  I love curry and this was very light in curry if you're not a big curry eater.
Here's a few pics from the trip:

The Negotiator found a ladder and the apple "goldmine"

Busy Bee was pointing out apples from the ground for Daddy to pick for her.

Picture from the orchard overlooking the valley.  This particular orchard sits on top of Carter Mountain so the views are really awesome.

After picking loads and loads of apples, they sat and laughed with their bellies full of apples!  And you all DO know the side effect of eating that many apples right???  Fun times.

This week has been stressful, the regional VP is visiting tomorrow along with our director.  I have to present a big ppt show to her and him tomorrow.  I worked on it most of the day and the people responsible for giving me the content just didn't have it together which made me have to do much more work than I planned.  I hope tomorrow goes well and I'm looking forward to it being over. 

I had Starbucks for breakfast, a pear for a snack, a Kashi meal for lunch (300 cals) and some of Mr. Coconut's homemade spaghetti for dinner.  I also ate a chocolate chip cookie and didn't work out today.  I will work out tomorow for sure.  With all the stress, I'm more restricted than I have been but I'm thinking I need to be eating only a half a cup at any time and I'm definitely eating more than that.  Hunger has been low but I've been shaky all day.  I'm going to have more protien tomorrow than today, hopefully that will fix it.

 

Has this been the longest week ever for all of us?

What is up with that?  I swear this has been one of the LOOOONGEST weeks in a while.  Glad its over!  I'm getting ready to leave and go to see Blink-182 and Fall out boy in concert tonight.  Going with my sister and a friend - can't wait.  And we've got GREAT seats!  Wooot!
Leaving for the mountains tomorrow - will take about 4 hours to get there - then we'll go apple picking, hayride riding, pumpkin picking, and all the things that go along with Fall!  Will be driving back Sunday.
I also have to find a way to get more energy.  Anyone else?

Getting ready for a birthday!

I  decided to call and move my fill to Monday.  I feel better about that and this way I won't be testing my new band out of town and in front of my mom.  Mr. Coconuts thought it was a good idea too and I think its the right thing to do for me. 

My little Busy Bee is turning 3 in two weeks and so I wanted to share the invitations I made for her birthday party.  You guys already know I work in a male dominated technical field but I have an "inner Martha"  that I must answer to in order to feel balanced and happy.  I've not had much time to make/craft/knit/paint anything so this was a wonderfully creative outlet for me that quelled my stress level a little.  I use 2 simple invitation cardstock from Michael's craft store, bought a simple paper punch from the martha stewart line - it has two cute little seahorses on it and punched one of the cardstock and glue-dotted them together so the blue would show through the punched out seahorse.  I hand wrote the text and then just added some simple scrap book stickers to the bottom.  EASY PEASY - you could customize anything to fit any theme at all.  I don't scrap book - but they sure do have some cool stickers!! 

Anyway, its going to be a Mermaid theme and I went to the fabric store and bought tulle to make all the little girls who come over little blue and green tutus.  I also add a fabric mermaid tail on the back!  I'll be making cupcakes with little open clamshells on top (out of 2 madeline cookies) - complete with a petit pearl inside! Everything I want to do in Aqua and sea green.  I do LOVE planning parties, baby showers, and bridal showers.  It is so much fun!  I'll share the pics of the other stuff I make.  I've got to get busy!