Double-Yew Tee Eff!

Guys, I am not joking when I say this is my first day off in about a month.

Seriously!

I don't want to go into the whole long story of how my job is seriously screwing me over on my paycheck right now (it's not on purpose, but someone is messing up bad), so I've been dishing out overtime to try and make up for the bonus they still owe me. I mean, it's the freakin' holidays, man!

Today, I finally don't have to walk my ass into work, and for that, I'm grateful. In fact, Tuesday was supposed to be my first real day off, and I still managed to find myself at work for a few hours. Ugh!

Okay, okay, I need to calm down.

Soooo....

What's up guys? Long time, no see. I have a feeling the blogging world is slowly slipping from my grasp. I really don't want it to, and I'm going to try my best to keep up with it. All of you are such a big support and inspiration, and I don't know where I'd be without you guys!

As of right now, I'm weighing in at around 232.8, which is still going in the right direction! I've been in the 230's for over a month, and that is aaaallll my fault. My weight would bounce up and down because of the shit I would put in my mouth, but I'm happy to say I'm still managing to go down in the right direction.

I saw on Z's blog that she is starting her own Holiday Weight Loss Challenge, and I think I'm going to join. There's nothing like the chance of winning some money to get your ass into gear, right?

As far as the Band, I did get a fill last Monday. I was noticing that nothing was keeping me full for more than a couple of hours at a time, and the PA added 0.8cc to the band. I believe I'm at 7.5 right now. I kinda lost track, lol. I'll figure it out. But the fill has helped, and as long as I eat my protein, I can stay full for about 4 hours at a time.

I'm also super stoked to announce that I can eat all the Wingstop I want and it's totally part of my diet, lol. In fact, I'm in the mood for some mild wings with lemon pepper on them right now.... Mmm, absolutely no carbs and tons of protein, and delicious?! If it didn't bust my wallet so hard, I'd eat it every day!

I also had my very first NSV a couple of weeks ago! A co-worker came up to me at work and asked me, "Are you losing weight?" I got all giddy inside, especially because she knows nothing of my Band.

I know I said I signed up for the Dirty Girl Mud Run, which is coming up this Saturday. In spite of myself, I've decided not to go. I know that it's not timed and not competitive, but I just really, really don't want to go anymore. I think it's because of the downer the Rock N Roll marathon put on me, but I'm not beating myself up over it. I just want to wait longer before I participate in any of these events again. I will (eventually) start the C25K program, and I'll start letting you guys know how that goes!

I hope to be in 220's soon. It's going to be a lot of work on my part, especially the way my weight has been yo-yo-ing in the 230's. I'd say the 220s were what I weighed when my beau and I first started dating, over two years ago. Once I manage to get past that, it will be territory I haven't touched since high school.

I just wanted to say that I'm proud of everyone and their weight loss accomplishments! Everyone is doing such a great job, and I'm happy that we're all working towards our goal of a happier, healthier lifestyle. I know I'm not around as much as I should be, but I just wanted to express my gratitude to everyone on here. You're all my inspiration, and I don't know what I'd do without you guys!

Liebster Award

 

The Rules

- Once you're nominated, write 11 facts about yourself.

- Then, take a look at the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked and answer them.

- Get your thinking cap on and come up with 11 questions of your own for your nominees to answer

- Then choose the 5 bloggers you want to nominate (they must have less than 200 followers) & let them know they've been nominated (there are no tag backs - you can't nominate the person who nominated you).

- Complete this post and then link it to the person who nominated you (in the comments of their blog).


Okay, so 11 facts about myself:

1. I feel like one of the youngest Bandsters out there, which kind of makes it hard for me to make friends with other WLS patients.

2. I was a major tomboy in high school. I didn't officially become a girl until like, two years ago, lol.

3. I don't like to use shorthand, even in text messages.

4. I love my boss, love my coworkers, hate my job.

5. I study meteorology. I love the weather!

6. Thunderstorms are my favorite! I have a cloud and lightning bolt tattoo on my wrist.

7. I feel like my weight loss progress is coming along really slow. I know it's mostly due to my decisions, though.

8. I love to read. I prefer fiction, because when I read, I like to be sucked into a whole different world.

9. I also like to write! Maybe one day, I'll post some of the things I've written on here. I just don't think a lot of Bandsters would prefer my writing, because I write action-y stuff.

10. I love videogames!

11. I love everyone on this blog! I might not be the most vocal person on here, but everyone has given me so much support with the littlest actions. I couldn't appreciate it more!!



All right, questions from Tee: 


1. coffee or tea?
Tea, definitely. Preferably Starbucks Shaken Black Tazo tea, no syrup, four Splendas. :D


2.favorite TV show?
I don't really watch TV, but out of all the series I've watched so far, I'd say my favorite was Dexter.

3. one book you absolutely would recommend?
That's a tough one, since most of the reading I do is written by amateur authors. When it comes to something that's already been published, I'd have to say Twilight. It is by no means a well written book, but it is one of my guiltiest pleasures.
  
4. if you could have a famous person's figure who would you choose?
Kate Beckinsale. And her hair, too. :D

5. do you wrap your children's gifts from "Santa" ? if you do not have kids, did your parents wrap yours as a kid?
I don't have kids, but I do remember my parents wrapping my gifts and saying they're from Santa.

6. favorite time of the year? why?
About this time. It's not too cold, not too warm.

7. biggest concern you had when making the choice to get banded?
My biggest concern was the possibility of complications. So far, I haven't had anything wrong, but the possibilities are still there.
8. does your family read your blog? if so do you ever wish they did not?
No, and no.

9. would your dream home be on the beach or in the mountains?
Beach, definitely. I grew up here in South Texas. I wouldn't survive the mountains!

10. have you traveled (out of state or country)  if so where?  
I was fortunate enough to go to San Diego for Comic Con this past July.

11. cat or dog ( i love both, but have kitties ) 
I have a cat named Vivi. I love dogs more, but they're harder to take care of.



And my questions from Banded in Texas:

1) Your dream travel destination?
Hawaii! I can't wait. Hopefully 2013 is my lucky year!

2) Favorite movie?
By far, Sunshine, starring Chris Evans. It's a must-watch.

3) Favorite book or magazine?
We'll have to go with Twilight again, since a lot of stuff I read in unpublished. But remember, guiltiest of pleasures, lol.

4) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully, getting out of grad school.

5) You just won $10 million dollars. How would you spend it?
I'd buy my parents a home, save the rest.

6) If you could meet/interview anyone living or dead, who would you meet and why?
Hmm, good question. Probably my real mom. I've met her, but never really..."met" her.

7) What is the weirdest/craziest thing you have ever eaten?
I am by no means a crazy eater. I like everything plain. I ate a grilled cheese with avocado in it the other day, does that count?

8) Any phobias?
I have a fear of heights. It's crazy-stupid. I had a hard time going up escalators because of it!

9) What is your best trait?
I'm a fast learner.

10) What is your least-favorite trait?
I'm judgmental, and I'm usually wrong.

11) Why do you blog? 
To ensure my success in my weight loss journey.



Now, time for 11 questions for my nominees:

1. Favorite color?
2. Do you have any pets?
3. Who has been your biggest supporter during your weight loss journey?
4. What's your favorite Band-friendly food?
5. Do you have any guilty pleasures?
6. What's your favorite thing to do for exercise?
7. What is one of your long-term goals?
8. How long have you been blogging?
9. Do you drink alcohol? If so, what's your favorite drink?
10. What do you want for Christmas?
11. How do you hold yourself accountable during your weight loss journey?

My nominees:
The Band-it Girl 
Robyn's Nest
Terrie

I could only get three, because everyone else was nominated already, lol.

Not really sad, just...

Determined.

Hey guys! Long time, no see.

And, well, I'm kind of ashamed to admit, but it was on purpose, too.

Let me start off by saying the reason why we weigh ourselves every week is to hold ourselves accountable for our actions. If our weight does not gradually go down, or even goes up, we know that somewhere, something isn't going the way it's supposed to. Sometimes, it could be the Band itself. Mostly, it's our own decisions.

So, I made some bad decisions.

And when weigh-in day came in, I had gained like, 3 pounds.

So I avoided blog world.

That's really not how it works, because I'm not holding myself accountable. If I don't hold myself accountable, then how the Hell do I expect to keep my weight loss journey going?

Well, truth is, the journey would probably come to a halt. And I do not want that.

Anywhoozle, that just means I need to come back here in full force. This blog is my main source of support during my weight loss journey, and I'm not lying when I say I need support every step of the way. Also, I need to do my part and support others as well.

Well, let's get this party started.

Okay, so let's get into the reason behind my "determined" state of mind.

Today was the Rock N' Roll 1/2 Marathon.

I did not finish.

I didn't even make it halfway.

By the 5 1/2 mile point, I had to quit because the pain I was feeling was too bad. My feet, legs, hips and back were aching so bad I couldn't continue. I had already been picked up once by the trailing pacers, and they were already coming around for the second time. I had started with a few people I had found from my doctor's office team, but by that point, they were way ahead of me.

So, why did I have to quit?

Because I didn't train right. Durrrr.

And that's my fault. If I had followed the training plan that had been handed to me, instead of trying to pursue what I thought would suffice, I might have at least made it to the halfway mark, if not further. But nope, sometimes I like to think I'm right about something I know nothing about, and this was one of those cases.

I didn't fail, though. To tell you the truth, I didn't expect to finish. Now, while I didn't meet my goal of halfway, I still participated and went as far as I possibly could, and that's all that matters.

Now, I have one year to train for next year's marathon. And by next year, I will run it.

Not walk it, run it.

Training starts next week with the C25K program. adorkabl has had phenomenal success with her program, and I'm pretty much convinced it could help me, too. I need to train properly to achieve my goals of becoming a runner, and this is the way to finally start.

Also, I need to find some buddies to go with me next year. Being alone most of the time wasn't fun. While the people from my doctor's office were nice, I just didn't know any of them like they knew each other. Next year, I'm hoping to have companions during the race.

As of right now, though, I'm still sore and my feet are still killing me. I don't even want to know what I'm going to feel like tomorrow. I did treat myself to a pedicure today, though. Just a little something to reward myself for trying!

I'd also like to say I'm sorry to Banded in Texas! As my Comic Con post might have insinuated, I suck at taking pictures. I don't have a pictures from the Rock n Roll marathon besides one!

Also, Tee and Banded in Texas have nominated me for the Liebster award! I'll answer all of those questions in a second post shortly!