I have been traveling on business for twenty years and can count on one hand the number of times I have gone to a hotel gym. This morning up at 5:30 am Bermuda time which is 4:30 EST and I hit the gym at my hotel to walk 40 minutes on the treadmill. I am really proud of myself for doing it and it felt great. I didn't let my usual fears of running into someone at the hotel or the gym and having them see me in workout clothes get to me. After all - they see me dressed and know what I look like so seeing me workout and adapt a healthier lifestyle would only be a plus!
Last night went out to a restaurant and had delicious Tuna Tartare and had no issues. I was full enough and willpower kept me from eating anything else that I knew would slide down.
I just hope I can keep it up. Blogging about it definitely helps.
In about an hour I have to give a presentation to our entire senior management team - I know that if I hadn't lost the 22 lbs I would definitely be self conscious and even though 22 is only a small amount compared to what I need to lose, I just have so much more confidence and feel better. Remember one of the things that pushed me to the surgery was that I felt my weight was going to hold me back professionally. Will let you know how it goes :)
Good-bye for now. . .hope everyone has a great day!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
"Failure is not an option!!"
I read it on someone's blog and it is really helping me because I feel the same way. Tomorrow it will be 3 weeks since I was banded. I am down 22 lbs as of this morning and really feeling great. I am following all the rules - eating 4-5 small meals every 3 hours and while I don't really feel the restriction, I am full after a small amount. Drinking a lot of water, not drinking an hour after meals, and I have been walking on my treadmill for 40 minutes every day. I do have to use willpower a lot with foods that I know I wouldn't have any trouble with the band. But everytime I get tempted I just think about the extreme that I had to do to lose weight. Honestly I remember myself lying in pain in the recovery room and the couple of days after surgery. (For anyone not banded it was not terrible and I would do it again in an instant!) I am determined not to give in to the Bandster Hell.
Today we went to visit my cousin for her birthday and my sister stopped by. They hadn't seen me since 5 days out - when I was down about 8 lbs. They both totally saw the difference and that felt good. When we said good-bye I said "Next time you see me I will be smaller" and it felt great because I know it will be true. We live about an hour away and I likely won't see them until the end of the month at my son's birthday party.
Tomorrow I go on a business trip to Bermuda for our semi-annual senior management meetings. I will be with a group of 30 eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 3 days. I am actually not even nervous. Last time I was there (pre-op diet) I just told people I was doing a protein shake diet if I felt the need and will likely do the same. I have packed up some protein shakes. The person planning knows about my band and told me there will be soup at every meal so I will just stick to that. And I am sure there will be plenty of yogurt too. There is a store across from the hotel that sells Chobani.
I am really looking forward to being away. My boys are exhausting and since I work at home when I am not traveling I really look forward to these trips. I will actually be away a couple of days next week too but just in NYC and Baltimore. Luckily my husband is fantastic, we have our au pair that lives in, and a babysitter that helps out 3 mornings a week.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Will post from Bermuda and maybe get a nice picture or two to put up.
xoxo Susan
Today we went to visit my cousin for her birthday and my sister stopped by. They hadn't seen me since 5 days out - when I was down about 8 lbs. They both totally saw the difference and that felt good. When we said good-bye I said "Next time you see me I will be smaller" and it felt great because I know it will be true. We live about an hour away and I likely won't see them until the end of the month at my son's birthday party.
Tomorrow I go on a business trip to Bermuda for our semi-annual senior management meetings. I will be with a group of 30 eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 3 days. I am actually not even nervous. Last time I was there (pre-op diet) I just told people I was doing a protein shake diet if I felt the need and will likely do the same. I have packed up some protein shakes. The person planning knows about my band and told me there will be soup at every meal so I will just stick to that. And I am sure there will be plenty of yogurt too. There is a store across from the hotel that sells Chobani.
I am really looking forward to being away. My boys are exhausting and since I work at home when I am not traveling I really look forward to these trips. I will actually be away a couple of days next week too but just in NYC and Baltimore. Luckily my husband is fantastic, we have our au pair that lives in, and a babysitter that helps out 3 mornings a week.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Will post from Bermuda and maybe get a nice picture or two to put up.
xoxo Susan
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Catch up - been a busy week! Down 21 lbs!
It has been a hectic week but everything is going really well. I am now down 21 lbs and it feels terrific!!
On Tuesday I had my post-op follow up appointment and met with the nutritionist. They said I am doing great and put me on "soft solids". To be honest I am still kind of scared and more comfortable with my mushies! I know I need to move on and try and so I will. Yesterday I was also in NYC in the afternoon and I didn't want to chance it so I had pureed vegetable soup for lunch. By the time I took the train home at 8:00 pm I was STARVING. When I got off the train I met my two best girlfriends who were out to dinner at a restaurant nearby. It was one of those brick oven Italian places and I was able to order a side of meatballs with some extra sauce in case they were dry. They were so delicious! Really soft and moist. I had 1 1/2 and then had to stop. Now typically when I would go to this restaurant I would have pizza, cheese, fried calamari, pasta -and 2 glasses of wine. Italian food is definitely my favorite. The check would be about $50. Last night had my meatballs and was satisfied - I didn't even need the wine - and my check was $5.30! How amazing is that??? It felt really good to go out to a place that I went to prior to surgery and be able to eat something tasty. . . and cheap!
On the exercise front - I did 1.75 miles on the treadmill on Monday, missed Tuesday because in NYC most of the day, did 1.5 miles yesterday morning before I started working - totally one of the benefits from working from home. In fact I am going to sneak in today's walk shortly. . .
I am going to try having some scrambled eggs with cheese for lunch. I have really been focusing on my protein intake and not having anything that doesn't supply some protein. Except for my SF jello and pudding snack that I have at night.
I know I need to drink more water and will focus on that. On Monday I have my semi-annual management meetings in Bermuda and am hoping to be down another 4 lbs. I know a lot to ask and will be tough but would be great. 2 more lbs would be nice too. Am I getting greedy :)
Have a great day!
On Tuesday I had my post-op follow up appointment and met with the nutritionist. They said I am doing great and put me on "soft solids". To be honest I am still kind of scared and more comfortable with my mushies! I know I need to move on and try and so I will. Yesterday I was also in NYC in the afternoon and I didn't want to chance it so I had pureed vegetable soup for lunch. By the time I took the train home at 8:00 pm I was STARVING. When I got off the train I met my two best girlfriends who were out to dinner at a restaurant nearby. It was one of those brick oven Italian places and I was able to order a side of meatballs with some extra sauce in case they were dry. They were so delicious! Really soft and moist. I had 1 1/2 and then had to stop. Now typically when I would go to this restaurant I would have pizza, cheese, fried calamari, pasta -and 2 glasses of wine. Italian food is definitely my favorite. The check would be about $50. Last night had my meatballs and was satisfied - I didn't even need the wine - and my check was $5.30! How amazing is that??? It felt really good to go out to a place that I went to prior to surgery and be able to eat something tasty. . . and cheap!
On the exercise front - I did 1.75 miles on the treadmill on Monday, missed Tuesday because in NYC most of the day, did 1.5 miles yesterday morning before I started working - totally one of the benefits from working from home. In fact I am going to sneak in today's walk shortly. . .
I am going to try having some scrambled eggs with cheese for lunch. I have really been focusing on my protein intake and not having anything that doesn't supply some protein. Except for my SF jello and pudding snack that I have at night.
I know I need to drink more water and will focus on that. On Monday I have my semi-annual management meetings in Bermuda and am hoping to be down another 4 lbs. I know a lot to ask and will be tough but would be great. 2 more lbs would be nice too. Am I getting greedy :)
Have a great day!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Two Week Bandiversary
Okay - I know it must be annoying to some of you who don't like the word Bandiversary so I promise from now on I will only do 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 1 year, etc. :)
Just so hard to believe it was only 2 weeks ago tonight that I had my surgery.
I am feeling really good :)
Still on mushies and eating mostly chili, soup and protein shakes. I did make some egg salad with low fat mayo which was great and tomorrow I might try chicken salad. To get more protein I have been adding pureed chicken to my chili and soups.
Tomorrow I have my first follow up with the doctor and the nutritionist - and a WEIGH IN! From my highest I am down about 19 lbs but I had lost about 5 before my first visit to the doctor right around Thanksgiving.
I do feel like I could eat more than I am so sheer willpower is what is driving me right now. I look forward to the fills and seeing what real restriction is like.
I have been great about exercising and walked for 1.5 miles on the treadmill today. Tomorrow I have to go to NYC to the doctor and then I have another appointment. Also want to visit a friend who is 26 weeks pregnant with twins and was just hospitalized and put on bed rest. I don't know anymore details but am praying she is okay. Something about her cervix being shorter than it should be at this stage.
I am really feeling so good and know that as the year progresses I am going to just feel better and better. I already have more energy and it is easier to get up in the morning. I can't wait to start fitting into some old clothes.
Until tomorrow. . .
Just so hard to believe it was only 2 weeks ago tonight that I had my surgery.
I am feeling really good :)
Still on mushies and eating mostly chili, soup and protein shakes. I did make some egg salad with low fat mayo which was great and tomorrow I might try chicken salad. To get more protein I have been adding pureed chicken to my chili and soups.
Tomorrow I have my first follow up with the doctor and the nutritionist - and a WEIGH IN! From my highest I am down about 19 lbs but I had lost about 5 before my first visit to the doctor right around Thanksgiving.
I do feel like I could eat more than I am so sheer willpower is what is driving me right now. I look forward to the fills and seeing what real restriction is like.
I have been great about exercising and walked for 1.5 miles on the treadmill today. Tomorrow I have to go to NYC to the doctor and then I have another appointment. Also want to visit a friend who is 26 weeks pregnant with twins and was just hospitalized and put on bed rest. I don't know anymore details but am praying she is okay. Something about her cervix being shorter than it should be at this stage.
I am really feeling so good and know that as the year progresses I am going to just feel better and better. I already have more energy and it is easier to get up in the morning. I can't wait to start fitting into some old clothes.
Until tomorrow. . .
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year's Eve Pictures
Me and two of my boys
I am learning how to post pictures and will get some good "before" ones up!
I am learning how to post pictures and will get some good "before" ones up!
I gotta feeling. . .
2011 is going to be a great year!!
My word is hopeful and I actually feel in control of my weight destiny. We had a great New Year's Eve - hibatchi with friends and kids and then went to see the fireworks display in our town which was really amazing. I was fine just having soup and tea and didn't even miss drinking. Our bill was so much cheaper too. Saving money on dining and drinking is going to be a huge plus of the band!
On New Year's Day we just relaxed. I have been diligent about my walking on the treadmill - yesterday walked 2 miles in 46 minutes but I do think I overdid it a bit b/c I had a mild cramp in my side all day and was freaking I did something to my stitches. Today it is fine though. My surgeon's instructions are to walk 30 minutes a day as long as you are comfortable. I think I better stick to the 30 minutes for now.
We went out for brunch yesterday and I thought the place we went to would have chili but they didn't so I just sipped water. I don't know where this amazing will power is coming from and I am praying that it lasts.
So still having my craving for chili - I picked up some Wendy's chili for dinner - pureed it with some low fat cheese and it was delicious! I also pureed a piece of baked potato with broccoli and just a bit of low fat sour cream to keep it most. I was very full but a really satisfying pureed dinner.
Looking forward to my first doctor appointment on Tuesday and official weigh in at the office. And tomorrow it is back to work. Have a great day!
My word is hopeful and I actually feel in control of my weight destiny. We had a great New Year's Eve - hibatchi with friends and kids and then went to see the fireworks display in our town which was really amazing. I was fine just having soup and tea and didn't even miss drinking. Our bill was so much cheaper too. Saving money on dining and drinking is going to be a huge plus of the band!
On New Year's Day we just relaxed. I have been diligent about my walking on the treadmill - yesterday walked 2 miles in 46 minutes but I do think I overdid it a bit b/c I had a mild cramp in my side all day and was freaking I did something to my stitches. Today it is fine though. My surgeon's instructions are to walk 30 minutes a day as long as you are comfortable. I think I better stick to the 30 minutes for now.
We went out for brunch yesterday and I thought the place we went to would have chili but they didn't so I just sipped water. I don't know where this amazing will power is coming from and I am praying that it lasts.
So still having my craving for chili - I picked up some Wendy's chili for dinner - pureed it with some low fat cheese and it was delicious! I also pureed a piece of baked potato with broccoli and just a bit of low fat sour cream to keep it most. I was very full but a really satisfying pureed dinner.
Looking forward to my first doctor appointment on Tuesday and official weigh in at the office. And tomorrow it is back to work. Have a great day!