Losing Again

Let's just say I've been monkeying around with the same five pounds
since January. I'll lose it and gain it every other week. I have to
admit that my food choices had not always been stellar. So, I went back
to see my MD and had my band tightened up - and tightened up good.

Apparently,
it was just what I needed. The weight is coming off again and my
attitude about food and my motivation level have improved dramatically.
As of today I am down 130 lbs. in one year, and 150 lbs. down from my
highest weight. That's amazing...huh?

I have 10 more pound to go to be at my goal weight and my goal BMI. Only 10 lbs. left, wow...

Marc

Ride On

Thursday was BEAUTIFUL outside. I got my motorcycle out and rode all day. It was pretty cool at 9 AM but but lunch it had warmed up quite a bit and was a great day for riding.

There is a sense of freedom on the bike that is really unequaled, even in my Jeep with the top off. I am really looking forward to regular warmer weather so that I can ride more often. It certainly will help save on gas.

Until next time,
Marc

Better Today

It has been a very roller coaster week or so for me. There has been lots of turmoil on several fronts in my life. My tendancy when life gets stressful is to want to turn to my comfort foods. I have done that some. However, I am so thankful for my Lap-Band because while I do make poor choices on occasion, I have a tool that keeps me in check and allows me to start over fresh the next day. So far, a few bad choices have not led to self sabotage - which certainly was my pattern over the past numerous diet attempts.

On a good note - we adopted a new dog this weekend. His name is Jackson Rocolicious Gamble I. We call him "Jack" for short. I hope you enjoy his picture.

Marc

Depressed

I'd like to think it is just the weather that has got me down. I know better. Life is too busy. I owe too much money. My pastor and friend is leaving. My wife's boss has no understanding of grace. Today, I feel trapped.

Boy, could I use some ice cream. Old habits die hard.

Marc

Support Group

I moderated my first support group last night. That sounds so official. In reality, the group would have carried on just fine without me. Everyone had much to say. It is apparent that the group is very much needed. It is a shame that our surgeon hasn't had a lap-band specific group until now. The needs for lap-band vs. bypass are different. It is important for folks to find support among those going through similar experiences. I look forward to the future of this group. There is a wide range of experience - veterans to newbies. I am sure there is much we can learn from each other.

Marc

Hot Coffee & Used Clothes Shopping

Just a few random thoughts for today.

I love coffee. I always have, but it seems to have changed and intensified since banding. I like to try different flavors and strengths. I like to try different coffee shops and brands. For Christmas, my wife got me a gift card to Starbucks. You can always bet that is a safe gift for me. So on occasion, not daily, I stop by Starbucks and get a coffee. I don't do the fancy stuff because most of it has way too much sugar and carbs. On occasion I get a shot of a sugar free syrup for fun. Today I stopped by and noticed that they now have sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup. Um...can you say good. I may have discovered a new favorite treat. I am savoring every last drop.

After leaving Starbucks, I stopped by the Goodwill Store, used clothing, house wares, and local employment training facility. It is in a pretty nice neighborhood and often have some great buys. Since I have blown through clothing sizes, it is where I do a great deal of my clothes shopping. Today I hit the jackpot. I've been wanting a camel hair blazer for a long time, but would never buy one because I was too big or they were too expensive. Since losing weight I have been looking at them on eBay and in other stores. Sam's Club carried them this holiday season, and I even found one a Sam's yesterday for $40. A great bargain, but I opted to buy some groceries instead. Anyway, today at the Goodwill store I found a used camel hair sports coat from a local high end retailer marked at $10, but today was 50% off day, so I got it for $5.00. I immediately took it down the street to the cleaners. By the first of next week, I will have a SUPER nice jacket for less than $15.00 total.

Score!
Marc

Rough Week or So

I've had some unusual tightening in my throat over the past few weeks. It is right at my adams apple. It just feels like my throat is tight. Weird huh? I can eat and drink just fine, no PBing or anything.

I called my MD and he scheduled a barium swallow test to check my esophagus out. The more I thought about it, the more freaked out I became. I went through lots of "what if?" scenarios in my head - a band slip, esophageal dilation, throat cancer, on and on. In my panic, many of these scenarios resulted in my band having to be removed. I decided that next to having a loved one die, having my band removed is one of the worst things that could happen to me.

Well I waited on the results all day and none came. I called the MD early the next morning, as i had previously scheduled a band adjustment for later in the afternoon. The MD said their didn't appear to be anything wrong with my band and we could go ahead with the adjustment.

We did. He looked at it good, and even let me see it. All is well. He added .2 cc's. That means I have 8.2 cc's in a 10 cc. band. I only have about 20 lbs to go.

I still do not have an explanation for the tightness in my throat. It is getting better though. My MD says it could be from stress. Who knows.

I guess I could call this my first complication. If this is as bad as it gets, I am blessed.

Marc

Holidays are over, WHEW!

Well, I didn't just fall of the wagon over the holidays. I jumped. I pretty much ate what I wanted, just not as much of it. I over did it twice, once before Christmas and on New Years day, and made myself sick. No fun at all.

Now that the holidays are over, I am resolved once more to climb back on the wagon and carve off the last lbs. I was planning to lose.

On a good note, I didn't gain weight over the holidays and I did manage to exercise a few times a week.

Now on to my New Years Resolution. I've never been big on resolutions, but I guess this whole past year has been about living out all of those failed resolutions over the past many years. So this year I resolve to lose more weight, more specifically to get to at least 220 lbs. I'm only 15 away from that. And, I am going to up my weight training regimen significantly so that by the end of 2007, I will be able to bench press my body weight. I would do it in High School, we'll see if I can do it again.

Wish me luck, and a big thanks to everyone for your support in 2006,
Marc

8.5 Month Post-op Photos

I Did It!!! 5 K in 38.56

It was bitterly cold, 17 degrees. I wasn't able to run the entire course, but I did finish. I wasn't first across the line, and I wasn't last. It has been a GREAT day. One more goal I can check off of my list.

Special thanks to all of my friends and family that ran/walked the race. And a huge thanks to Dave Collins who was by my side every step, fast or slow, of the 3.1 miles.

Here are some race photos. #1 is me in running gear. #2 the finish line with the time clock. #3 is approachng the finish line. #4 the start, I'm the one waving my arm in the air. I know they are not in cronological order. Sorry

I could be a crack addict

I'm not, but I could be. Let me clarify...For the most part, I have shared the positives of my weightloss journey through this blog. There are LOTS of positives. And while my journey has been remarkably easy, I must confess that I really miss food and some of what is associated with it. I also am discovering that I crave things I never did before and my will power to turn it down can be thwarted fairly easily. Not only do I crave things, but if available and I give into the temptation, I tend to binge until the said food item is GONE. For example, I bought a half gallon of ice cream to have a bowl of and share with my family. Well the second night it was in the house and nobody was eating it, I felt an almost uncontrollable urge to finish it off. It nearly consumed all of my thoughts and would not let up until I gave in. I finally gave in and ate it ALL. Another example, last night we were setting up our Christmas tree and I decided I would make a few cookies to add to the festivities. I made 10 cookies. My kids each ate one, my wife ate two, I ate the rest. I wasn't hungry, but I had no will power at all.

It is disconcerting that with all of the success I have had losing the weight and getting my physical body back in shape, I still have not found the magic ticket to correct my behavior. So, while I am not a crack addict. I do see how someone could become addicted to a substance.

All that being said, I am so glad I had the surgery. The beauty of my situation is that even with my errant behaviors, I have a tool that will help me continue to lose the weight and keep it off for the long haul.

By the way, today I will run my first 5K race. It is 15 degrees outside. What was I thinking.

Marc

First Parade Ride

Here I am on the new (old) bike. It was VERY cold, but lots of fun.

I'm Below Average

I found some statistics on line that suggest that the average waist size of an American male is 37". Today I am wearing a size 36" jeans and they are a little big. I guess that means I below average. That is a first for me.

Other good news today... I passed my motorcycle license test today. I am now a licensed driver. I even rode my new bike home from the testing center. I was a bit nervous as we've had some rain and the roads were slick. I was also concerned about riding on the interstate. All went well though. I am looking forward to this new adventure on the open road.

As a result of the events in the paragraph above, I have a new drivers liscense with a new picture. WOW I look different.

Until later...
Ride on,
Marc

Wow Moments

I went to my sleep study Doctor last Friday (I'm having a study done tonight, Monday), and when the MD came in we talked about my weight loss etc. Over the years, I never really knew my highest weight, because I stopped weighing for several years. The MD started flipping through my chart and told me that the highest weight they had recorded was 370 lbs. WOW, the highest I knew was 360 lbs. On the day of surgery I was 351 lbs. Today, I am 241. Pretty amazing huh?

I bought a motorcycle this weekend. I've never had one before. It is a 1981 Honda CB750 Classic. I got it from a guy that was strapped for cash and need to sell the bike bad. I got it for $150.00. Yep that's right, $150.00. Yes, it runs. It runs good, and is looking much better with the elbow grease I am putting in. It didn't have a key, so I had to remove the ignition switch and have a key made. It cost me $22 to have two keys made. By the time I get everything fixed that needs fixing, I will have $300.00 in a really nice bike.

I guess I have officially begun my mid-life crisis.

Ride on,
Marc

Down Some More

I'm now down to 242 lbs. for a total loss of 109 lbs. since March 23, 2006.

Post more later.

Marc

Just Keep Running

I ran a complete mile today without stopping!

I had been really struggling with my stamina and decided to slow down a bit and see if that helped. It did! I was able to go much further than before.

After running the mile, I continued with the normal walk/run regimen.

It has been a good day,
Marc

Hellish Halloween

The Halloween sweets got the best of me. I sampled many of the chocolate delights in my kid's stash of candies. I think they were even better than I remembered. I felt some guilt for doing so, but not much.

This morning I was on the treadmill and ran further than I had previously without stopping. Then I continued with my walk/run regimen. I know my heart is getting stronger. It feels good to have my health returning.

On another note. My wife's work has a big celebration dinner this Thursday night at the local art museum. It is a suit and tie affair. So, I had to buy a suit. I am between a 44 and 46 regular coat and a 36/38 pant. I started out at a 58 coat and a 50 pant. Pretty cool huh?

Party on Wayne,
Marc

Update

It was a VERY busy weekend. It was supposed to be busy, just in a different way. My kids play soccer and both were to play this weekend, one in an all day Saturday and Sunday tournament. Due to bad weather on Friday, the tournament and other games were cancelled. YAHOO! FREE WEEKEND...sort of.

I had planned to take today, Monday, off to install an underground fence for our dogs. We decided to get a jump start on it Saturday. We got it all done. There was LOTS of up and down, bending over and on my knees work. I was a bit sore the next day, but not too bad at all. I also pressure washed part of the house. It was a beautiful day outside and we sure didn't waste it.

On another not, my sleep apnea must be improving because my c-pap is beginning to drive me crazy when previously, I could not sleep without it. The pressure has been waking me up and giving me serious dry mouth. I have a self adjusting machine, but apparently It is still too much. I have an appointment with my sleep MD later this month. Hopefully we will schedule another study and sooner rather than later I will be ridded of my machine. Oh what a happy day that will be.

That's all for now,
Marc

You Can Comment

I know there are folks reading my Blog, because they tell me occasionally. If you read, how about commenting every once in while so I can tell who is around.

Thanks,
Marc

Made if to the Century Mark

As posted previously, I had my fourth adjustment some two weeks ago. I then left town to help rebuild homes in Mississippi and finish off the week with some R&R at the beach. I did not have access to any scales so I didn't weight myself. When I returned home, I didn't make it to the gym until Tuesday of that this week. That is where I officially weigh myself. When I did, I was so please to see that I have finally made it to one of my mini goals and lost more than 100 lbs. Actually, as of today, I have lost 102 lbs. That means I have 23 more to go to make it to my initial goal weight and 48 to my dream weight.

I am still training for this 5K race in December. I am worried that I am not going to have enough stamina to run the entire thing. I am not worried about completing the race, I just don't know if I'll be able to run the whole thing. I am going to keep training and work a little harder at it for the next 5-6 weeks and see where I am then. I will be excited to complete it running or walking. It is certainly a far cry from 8 months ago when I got winded walking to the mailbox.

Take care all,
Marc