Hair, hair everywhere!!

OMG! I am literally pulling my hair out! I asked my darling other half to give the kidlets a bath the other night and he made a comment about the hair trapped in the plug hole! Now don't get me wrong I usually do clean it out, but those damn hairs seem to be spreading like wild-fire. Upon inspection of every surface in our very small bathroom I noticed that at least one of my stray hairs was on every surface - that's pretty bad. I have very long hair which I have dyed dark, so I can't even blame anyone else!!!

By no means am I bald yet but I am starting to seriously consider if I would look good in a bandana or maybe a good ol' beanie will do the trick! I'm a little scared cause I have an odd egg-shaped head - it's not all that attractive really.

I remember when I was young I watched an older TV program where they were teaching young girls old school etiquette. I would try and try to walk with a book balanced on my head, but it always slipped to the sides no matter how straight my back was or how slowly I moved!!

Anyway I digress, I am hoping that I might be able to take something to reduce these adverse effects. The less breakage shampoos are not working, all they seem to be doing is causing my scalp to itch. I seem to have a very sensitive scalp all of a sudden. Something which I never used to have. Do any of you have this same problem? Have you found anything that helps or even just reduces the loss??

ANZAC DAY

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them,

LEST WE FORGET

Holidays are not what they used to be!

I am rapidly realising that all my feelings about food-related holidays were false. I used to love the Easter holidays, eating fish on Friday, BBQ's and a chocolate bunny for breakfast Easter Sunday.

Don't get me wrong I had a beautiful lunch which consisted of a Tasmanian Salmon cutlet and a prawn pasta salad. It was very yummy but it took me over 2 hours to eat it! I know I should stop after 30 minutes but if I do that I find I get hungry soon after so I usually just plug away until I have had my fill. Ususally if I stop, and get hungry shortly after I do not make the best nutritional choices, so it's sometimes best just to keep eating what I have.

The fact that I took that long means that my restriction was good. I should be pleased and I normally would be; but my mindset is back at my previous experiences of these holidays. I was talking with my mum about last Easter, and I confessed that I had probably eaten about 10 rabbits by this time last year (the shame). I kept having to go back to the store to replenish the gifts that I was secretly eating. This year I have had about 3 small solid baby eggs. Not bad! I am proud of this new me. I also am grieving the old me. Strange huh?

Anyway enough of my mini-pity-party! I am very much looking forward to the 5 day holiday. Not being a work is going to be great. We are planing on getting as much relaxation as two kids under 5 will allow. We will be taking them to a Kids in the Park day on Sunday which will be lovely. There will be alot of things on offer for the kids to do so I hope they enjoy it.

I have also tried to minimise the chocolate giving this year. Family will think I am being cheap but its more that I don't want my kids to grow up believing that holidays are all about the chocolate. It's about us all being together, and being thankful for everything we have. It is my hope that they grow up without the issues I have in relation to food/chocolate etc.

I hope you all have a fantastic Easter, whatever you are doing, where ever you are!

Blog Paragraphs

OK so my blog no longer likes paragraphs!!! Does anyone know how to fix it? It's very frustrating!!!!!

Final Week Spring Challenge Results & Latest Progress Pics

Don't ya just love my sleep socks!! I only ever wear socks to bed when it's cold and last night it was definately cold! Back to the challenge results - This week - 253.4, last week - 254.4, loss this week = 1 pound. I started the challenge at 260.4 and finished at 253.4, which is a total of 7 pounds lost for the challenge. If my mathematical skills are accurate that means I have lost a total of about 2.7% of my original body weight. This definately proves that you get out what you put in. To tell you the truth I did not put in much effort. I am a little embarrassed to admit this but it is the truth. I didn't do anything above and beyond. No additional exercise, only my usual amount, I struggled with my water off and on. So I am going to accept this as a good result, given the lack of real effort involved. I know I can do better. I know what I need to do to get a better result, all that's really needed is for me to actually DO IT! I have booked an appointment with my doctor. That gives me three weeks to see if I need a fill or not. Even if I don't think I need a fill I will keep my appointment just to check in. I think keeping in touch with my docotr will be a big part of this for me. He definately keeps me accountable in an encouraging way. I will elave you all now with my latest progress picture comparisons. There is no doubt that the changes are there, I just have to keep going. I need to keep my foot on the accelerator and keep the momentum going. Yesterday was my 5 month anniversary. Time just seems to be flying by at a rapid pace! Have a good week everyone!

Scared and hormonal!

I am still scared that I am going to fail. It has been playing on my mind since I decided to go ahead with the surgery. This is the first time I think I have ever written it down for the world to read. I was inspired by the YouTube video that Lap Band Girl posted today. That guy had a lot of good solid advice. I am choosing to take with me 2 main suggestions. Document my journey. Good and bad. I want this to be an honest account of how this process is affecting me, how it is changing my perspective, how it is changing my view on life. I don't particularly want to document what food I eat everyday etc, but from time to time I will certainly check in to how I am assisting my band with nutrition. The second thing is photos and measurements. Today is 5 months post op. It's gone fast and I feel like I am not achieving the results I should be. I then have an internal debate about my progress being good enough. In my head I know it is ok but my heart knows that I can put in more effort. I will be taking my monthly comparison pic tomorrow and will also do some measurements and update them on my blog. OK so before I let out all my hormonal frustrations I will leave you on a positive note - I felt skinny today. I know I am not skinny but today I FELT skinny. That's an achievement in itself!!!

Tired Much?

(hehe thats my daughter as a baby - isn't she cute as!)

I keep waking up tired? I am having a little difficulty getting to sleep - or a least it feels like I do - I asked Charlie last night and he seems to think I fall asleep relatively soon after going to bed. I'm not sure what's going on. Am I coming down with something? I don't think so. Do I sleep walk? No. Do I wake up through out the night? Not lately. I can't explain it.

In other news... Years and years ago, Charlie and I got engaged. I said I didn't really want to get married, possibly ever, but now I kinda do! So we are! Planning a wedding is serious business. People take it way too seriously for me. I just want a nice garden wedding with a BBQ lunch with family and friends. So that's what we are doing. I am a little excited but also overwhelmed and out of my comfort zone.

Wish me luck with planning the most simpliest and relaxing wedding of all time. Any suggestions which will help keep it simple will be highly sought after!!

Week 4 Spring Challenge Result and a day in the life...

Wow, it feels like forever since I blogged! I have been reading, sometimes commenting but I have a couple days of catching up to do!

First things first - Last week 255, this week 254.4 = Loss of 0.6 pounds. Nothing exciting to report there! So onto the business end of this post...

I haven't seen the clips of Dr Oz's show that relate the the lapband, nor have I seen the representation of 'real-life' banders who claim to only eat broth and yogurt. What I have seen is the numerous posts in relation to these videos and I thought I would put my daily life into the mix as suggested by the gorgeous Amy w!

Let me tell you - I was a little scared of doing this a first because I am definately not a perfect bandster...not by a long shot. OK so here it is ... be nice!

Breakfast - Jarrah white choca mocha with milk and 1 sugar

Approx 600mls water

Lunch - changes everyday, Friday for example was a small piece of lasagne

Approx 600mls water

Snack - Cheese and biscuits or dip, sometimes a piece of fruit

Tea - Fish or chicken & vegies including potato (I have to leave the potato until last) Sometimes I can only eat the protien.

Appro another 1L of water (if I am being a good water drinker for the day)

Dessert - Piece of chocolate (about 4 squares) or Ice cream (I usually get the skinny versions but sometimes I like to indulge on the fatter versions!) and another Jarrah White Choca Mocha.

Exercise - 3 - 5 minutes on the ab circle pro, 30 mins walking (this is a minimum) 3 nights a week I play my team sports (netball and basketball)

OK so there it is (gulp) don't be too harsh! lol Definately more that a few teaspoons of yogurt and some measly broth!!!

As yet I haven't had a chance to go through everyone else's day in the life posts, but I am pretty sure once I get through them I will need my pen and paper handy!!! I know I have a long way to go as far as my nutrition goes, but I am a work in progress, I am making small changes everyday. Eventually I will get to a stage where I am merely fueling my body - not being ruled by my wanting but for now I am getting there, one baby step at a time!

Week 4 Spring Challenge Result

YAY! A new low. Me likey!

Last week 256.6, this week 255 = loss of 1.6 pounds.

I am heading out for a local bandster lunch today. I really look forward to these days.

Today is the end of daylight savings :( I hate that it will soon be dark before I get home for work. Boo! Sometimes I wish I could just hybernate for the winter :)

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

Tiny fill for one please?

OK - now I know I need a fill. I was skeptical at first, thinking that I just needed to be more mindful of what I was putting in my mouth but after yesterday's eating I am sure of 2 things. 1 - I need a tiny fill 2 - I need to try and eat breakfast Breakfast is something I have struggled with since being banded. I just don't feel hungry in the morning - fast forward to 10am and I start to feel a little ping of hunger - fast forward to 11am and I have gone into food search mode. Food search mode for me is bad - very bad. It usually consists of staring into some random vending machine and before I know it I am holdiong an empty bag of chips. Anyway not good. I am not a real yogurty person. I used to love my toast in the morning but that is a thing of the past :( What are some other suggestions for a quick and easy - sit at your desk to eat - breakfast?? PS - I am resisting the call of the vending machine and am going to make myself up a nice late instead :) PPS - The Ab Pro is really good so far - I am getting a little bit of a sore spot on my knee - but I think its because I am not using the knee pads. I will start using the knee pads tonight and I am sure that will fix the problem. Happy April Fools Day everyone! I haven't even punk'd anyone this year - how boring is that!!