New Low and stomach is healing and getting better!

I'm at a new low for me.  I weighed 183 this past week and that's almost 17lbs I've lost since November! I'm at 184.5 today, but my water weight is fluctuating.  The initial 8 lbs was from stress of family member passing away in late Jan (stroke after lung cancer diagnosis/treatment) and the other 9 have been a result of my reflux and subsequent endoscopy.  Seeing 183 on the scale was monumental for me!  I'm wearing a size 14 because I'm not well toned because I'm not working out.  That's my focus - to get started and stay consistent.  Oh, Amy Cheese and Sunkist, you're my inspiration!

I actually slept all night last night without waking up or puking acid/water in the middle of a deep sleep!  I've found if I take my Prilosec around 6pm, I have a better night than if I take it in the morning.  I'm just so damn happy to have slept all night!  YeeeHawww!
I've also been tracking my calories and am a little too low most days.  That's why I'm losing.  It's so easy to slip into eating what is comfortable and easy - but my energy is very low so I've not exercised.  So, I bought some protein shakes and focused on taking in protein and green vegetables to get my nutrition back in line and energy back.

I'm going to a She Crab Soup Contest today.  Samples from about 18 competitors are judged by people who buy tickets to attend.  I love she crab soup and am very picky having grown up around it all my life.  That's going to be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to attending it with my mom and daughter.  And as with most seafood events, they'll have craft beers there too.  I wanted to share a new one I discovered, UFO's Big Squeeze Shandy which is beer with grapefruit.  It's actually quite awesome - just a citrusy hint of grapefruit which I love!  This is a seasonal beer you can only get in the Summer, but if you like Shocktop's Orange or Fat Tire, you'll like this one!

My goals for this week are to continue on my quest to get to 180 by Memorial Day.  I have to start working out in the gym with weights and running to build muscle and muscle tone.  I just have to get myself to a place where I'm not as fatigued as I'm feeling now.  Increasing my protein is going to make the most impact here - so I'm focusing on that and making myself eat whole foods, not soup or mashed potatoes which I have been eating because it was all my stomach could take!  My follow up appt with my gastroenterologist is next week.  I'll be discussing my major eating issues with her then and worried about the after effects of the next endoscopy I'm scheduled for in 2 weeks.  UGH!  I'm a little freaked out worried about having the same after effects as the last.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter.  It rained here so I planned an Easter Tea party for my daughter and my nieces (and one little nephew!)  We had cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, apricot tea, fruit salad, mini quiches and other silly little tea party snacks!

 Cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwiches.  First time I've bought white bread in years! lol!!

 My sister made little coconut nests with chocolate eggs (middle tier).

 We also made Peeps houses out of graham cracked, royal icing and edible easter grass!

I survived puking out the window while driving....

So, I slept pretty good last night, propped up on my multiple pillows so that my upper half is elevated to avoid the reflux waking me from a dead sleep puking water and acid.  My stomach was on lock down, coffee - nada!, milk - nope!, water - yes, a little.  I figured, it's just too early and it will subside.  So I made my wonderful iced coffee with milk and a little half and half for my breakfast while driving to work.  I get on this long and winding road - and suddenly begin to salivate.  My stomach is starting to cramp and more salivating.  I search for a plastic bottle, a cup, anything to puke into.  I have NOTHING and NO WHERE to pull off.  So I quickly press the window button to get that window down as fast as possible and I puke out the W-I-N-D-O-W!  Can you believe that?!?  I'm driving at 45 mph, on a two lane road in the woods and wrecking was a definite possibility.  I had slimed the side of my car, my hair, my shirt, the side of my face.
This is the same cramp I had before, also in a car, a few days after my endoscopy where I frantically signaled the driver (because I had a mouth full of spit) to pull over and I subsequently puked.  There was no nausea and this happened quickly.  It's like I have a charlie horse cramp, those cramps you get sometimes in your toes or calves, but in my stomach.  I puke and suddenly life is good, cramp goes away and it's like nothing ever happened.  My stomach and band are just a little sore.
And since this is the 2nd time this has happened in less than a month and it's never happened to me like that before, I decided it HAS to be the endoscopy.  Something happened b/c things are so irritated and different now.  I recall the gastroenterologist telling me she was a little worried that the camera might be too big, and if so she had a smaller one she could use.  I advised her that my band was relatively loose compared to most and so she said she'd try the larger b/c it was a better camera.  She told me afterwards that she was able to use the larger one.  What if she forced that larger camera, with good intent, but that force moved the band like it would if it slipped?  Something definitely changed, and I chalked it up to swelling after the procedure.  But it's not getting better.  I have some days that are better than others, but for the most part my stomach is on LOCK DOWN.  I'm not losing a lot b/c when I can eat, I'm eating the wrong things.  But not anymore.
I'm on the path to losing 10lbs by Memorial Day and I'm going to eliminate chocolate and Reese's Peanut Butter Easter Eggs.  We go camping (drinking, dancing, cooking) with a bunch of friends to a really fun place on the Bay every Memorial Day and I want to look good in a bathing suit and shorts.  It's a campground where they serve a buffet breakfast you can walk to, karaoke, fireworks, crafts, and a 24x7 ice cream store on premisis so it's not really CAMPING camping, but it's a ridiculous amount of fun!!    I'm going to eat clean and am already increasing the exercise.  I'm also doing a Color Me Rad run in a few weeks and Summer is right around the corner.  I'm smaller, but need to tone up!  I'm ready and I WANT the thrill of losing again and the thrill of wearing a smaller size!!!
It was SO great hearing and seeing comments from you guys.  Thanks for that - what an amazing community of supporters you guys are!!!

 This weekend with my husband drinking Orange Crushes.....so awesome!

He got shrimp, I got she crab soup and couldn't finish it all due to LOCKDOWN mode....

Have a great week everyone!

Endoscopy and ready to lose 10lbs!

Hi Everyone!

It's true that it's been quite a while since I've posted.  Lots of life stuff going on, one of my best friends passed away (brain cancer), my stressful, high level responsibility job, in-law passing away (stroke while being treated for stage 3 lung cancer), son's surgery (broken collar bone), life in general gets pretty busy.  That pic above was from our family apple picking trip we take each fall in Central Va.

My weight increased to 201 and I freaked out worried that I was going to gain all this weight back.  I have a very low level fill unlike many people.  I like it this way because it does make me less hungry - just having the band does that for me.  There are times when I can eat a lot and times (like when I have PMS) that I cannot.  So it works for me.

Work stress and the death of my husband's mother was very stressful and I lost 10lbs because I simply wasn't eating much.  I dropped to about 190.  I had stomach pains from work stress and home stress and it was unusual for me because I just couldn't eat.  I have also had increased problems with reflux and was worried my consistent stomach aches were most likely an ulcer.  I was also a little freaked out because I worried that perhaps the band had eroded.

I went to a gastro-enterologist, had a endoscopy done (they knock  you out for about 15 mins, insert a small tube with camera down your esophagus and evaluate it and your stomach for any issues).    The results of the endoscopy were that I had grade C esophogitis - which basically means that on a scale of A-D (D being worst) - that it was a serious problem.  The best part is that there was no ulcer, no precancerous lesions, and while a grade C is serious enough, medicine should improve it.  I think as I get older I am processing stressful situations a little differently.  The anxiety we all feel over stressors seems to now go to my stomach.  I get a stomach ache and can't eat.  I never understood people who lost weight when they were stressed because I always ate more and gained weight when I was stressed.  Having experienced both, I can tell you, they both suck!!

I've been taking Prilosec for almost a month now.  But that's not the whole story......

Ever since I have had the endoscopy done, my stomach and my band are so tight that I am having a heck of time eating at all.  Even liquids.  About 2 days after the procedure, I actually had to pull my car over and throw up after an intense nausea and a cramping pain in my stomach and band.  If I eat or drink less than 2 hours before I go to bed, I don't sleep because it just keeps coming up my throat.   Last night, the water in my stomach just came up and out my nose while I was in a dead sleep.  I can feel the food or liquid sitting before going through the band, my stomach begins to contract and move the food through but it's like the band is irritated or inflamed and just won't accept it.  I can feel my stomach and literally foam is created and I spit it out OR these micro burps, little bits of air move up my esophagus and come up all on their own.  My stomach is creating a lot of air when I'm trying to digest food which leads to bloating and air in my stomach which HURTS!

I'm not sure if perhaps the folds of my stomach inside the band which were happy and perfect before were disturbed when they passed the camera through it or what is causing these pretty difficult problems.  I thought it was perhaps just a little irritated from the procedure which is understandable.   But, they have not subsided and it's actually getting worse.  I have a follow up appointment soon and hopefully I can put this behind me.

The fun part of having lost this weight again is that I'm trying on all the shorts and pants that I couldn't wear last year because I was consistently in the high 190's.   And they FIT!!   I told myself I'd never allow the scale to go over 200 again in my life.  Reaching 201 really freaked me out!  Unfortunately, stress was the catalyst to get me to lose 10lbs, but I have to say, I really LOVE having those 10 lbs off.  I am comfortably wearing a size 14 again!  I simply cannot believe what a HUGE difference just 10lbs makes.  Its such a huge difference that it motiving me to lose 10 more!

Scale said 188 yesterday.  I"m struggling to eat healthy with my stomach issues because ice cream, milk, soups (too much sodium!) all make my stomach feel better.  I cannot eat fruits and veggies that are high in fiber and that's a BIG problem.  I don't want to be in that place, I want to eat healthy foods.  I want to eat clean and what my body needs to thrive on, not chemicals, salt, sugar, and fat!

I've been doing yoga.  But haven't had the energy to run.  I am ready, however, to get things going again and break into a new personal best of losing 10lbs and getting to 178!  I know I can do this because I've done it before.  I know the formula - work out consistently and plan my meals.  It's that simple, but really hard to put into practice with all that life brings us everyday.  It takes making it a priority and letting other things fall to the wayside.  I've learned I can't do all the things I want/need, so I have to pick.  And I'm picking focusing on losing another 10 lbs!

The pic below was a few months ago - we took our kids on their first cruise, we had a blast and will definitely do it again with them.

Hope everyone is doing well out there!

Last week before a tropical vacation

The countdown has begun.  I packed my suitcase this weekend, made all the necessary trips to Ulta to buy travel sized cosmetics and shampoo and tanning lotion!  I even bought a new bathing suit.  No pictures, sorry....  Anyway, 4 more days and I'll be in paradise with my DH!!!  I packed a lot of beautiful lingerie that he's bought me over the years, always too small to fit.  I can wear most of them now and its  like shopping at Victoria's Secret without all the cost!  TMI, I know.  But I'm really excited.

I've not done a great job working out, my work days have been extremely long - didn't leave work until  630 tonight even though I went in early.  I'm thanking my lucky stars that I've made it to March 2013 and am still saving according to plan!  9 more months until I can be truly free.  6 more months after that and I'll have saved enough to buy the luxuries I've always really wanted but don't want to spend $$ on:
1. Tummy tuck
2.  New couch and chairs (I love to decorate)
3.  Stand up paddle board
4.  various home improvement projects

I've still got some knee pain but I'm ready to get in gear and increase my running schedule.  I need to get the miles increased and get the time in.  I'm sitting still - not gaining or losing - so I need to increase the exercise.  And I'm ready to do that.  Changing the time has really helped-I love all this daylight in the afternoon/evenings!!  That will allow me to go for runs when I get home from work b/c it will still be light out.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Just getting through the week

Hope you all are having a great week.  I've been busy cleaning since my mom will be staying at my house to watch the kids in 2 weeks while hubby and I enjoy Mexico with friends.  I do feel a little guilty leaving the kids at home, but I also know I would only be happy with my Mom here.  Knowing she's going to be here puts my mind at ease.  The place we're staying (perhaps all places do this  now) offers unlimited calls to the US for free.  So I can call anytime and talk as long as I want without fear of an outrageous bill.

I still have so much to do to prepare to leave.  Not just packing, but getting all the kids stuff ready so my mom doesn't have to do much at all.  Washing all their clothes, buying all their meals, buying stuff for the kids lunches, etc.  But I'm happily doing it knowing in just a couple of weeks, I'll be poolside!

I've not found many clothes to take with me.  I can't find anything cute and I don't feel very cute with these extra 15 lbs on me.  Only my bigger shorts fit and my shirts just don't feel as good since I gain in my stomach.

I've hurt my other knee and hamstring- now that the one that gives me trouble is all good.  So, I've not been running.  No excuses, I need to figure some other sort of exercise out.  I've got weights under my desk at work and a yoga mat.  I could easily do planks and arm work while sitting at my desk or on conference calls.  Every little bit counts!

Have a great week everyone!

So happy its finally FRIDAY!

 This is the first thing I did went I got to La*guna B*each 2 weeks ago.  Adjusting back to East coast time is always hard for me.  My friend and I went to this great little place that overlooks the Pacific ocean and has the most amazing Mexican food.  I know I shouldn't post food pics, but my goodness it was so good!  Fresh squeezed margaritas and fresh made salsa and guacamole!  My favorite!
Running 30 mins on the treadmill means I can enjoy this stuff!!

Since the chiropractor has been adjusting my knee, it has really made all the difference.  He said my tibia or fibula can sometimes get out of alignment, like your back can.  Makes sense.  All I know is that I have NO KNEE PAIN at all.  I even ran the half in CA with no pain during or after!  Fantastic!

I'm feeling much better emotionally/stress-wise since yesterday.  Looking forward to the weekend and getting a few good runs in!  I'm focused on eating well and making my awesome green shakes.  Hope you have a great weekend as well.

Tough week - its going to get better

I cannot wait for the day that I have saved enough to finally get to stay at home.  I realize that having that option is something not everyone can do - heck, I've not been able to to that my entire life.  There will be sacrifices, but the gift of just time at home and choosing what I want to do seems like a dream come true.  Such a high stress job, being responsible for so many people, and all the overwhelmingly large decisions that I have to make and be accountable for are just too much stress sometimes.  And bringing that stress home b/c I just can't stop thinking about the problems I have to solve sucks! I've been up at 4am and 3am respectively and can't get back to sleep these last two nights.

I've been having issues with my sleep lately - I've also had issues where I simply could not get enough sleep.  Sleep issues suck too!  My son is having sleep issues, even though the blood pressure medicine he's taking is supposed to make him sleepy.  He is taking blood pressure medicine because the side effect is that it decreases tics.

His situation is very emotionally stressful for him and for me.  It's difficult to see your child suffering in this way.  He is in counseling so that he learns how to deal with stress, ridicule, ostracizing, etc. as a result of having tics he cannot control.  We will get through this and he's a great kid.  I just wish he didn't have to face this.  He's only 11.  Its a lot for a 11 year old to deal with.

On a positive note, only 3 more weeks to Mexico!  Hubs and I are going.  I'm going to drink. A lot.  My mom is going to come to my house and stay with my kids.  They love her and I lover her for doing this so that we can go!

I'm not on track to lose the 10lbs I wanted to before Mexico.  I've been stress eating at night b/c I run out of time to eat during the day.  No excuse - I need to take control and make time for it.

I'm wondering if I'm Vitamin D deficient again.  6 mos ago, my blood work showed I was deficient - which is crazy.  I drink milk like a crazy person (I love milk!) and get adequate sunlight.  My doctor gave me prescription Vitamin D - 50,000 IUs per pill to take 1x per week for 4 weeks.  My energy level increased and general 'fogginess' lifted after week 2 of taking the pills.  It definitely made a difference in how I was feeling.  I researched this deficiency - and learned its an indicator of a thyroid disorder.  I'll go back to the doctor for my cholesterol check up and blood work this week.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!