No longer the Yo-Yo'er! :)

New life after lap band!

My Profile

  • Name: Luzenit
  • City: Charleston
  • Region: South Carolina
  • Country: United States

My Weight Loss

Height: 167.6cm
Start weight: 297.00lb
Current weight: 194.60lb
Goal weight: 170.00lb
Lost to date: 102.40lb
Remaining: 24.60lb

My Calendar

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May '12
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Before After
Really Simple Syndication
06/21/2010 20:25

I'd forgotten...

I'd honestly forgotten how good it feels to go to the grocery store, purchase everything according to my list and NOTHING else, and have exactly what I need to eat right for the week ahead. It feels good! 
 
I was also happy to have a lunch I'd already prepared at home and I'm  to know that tonight will be the same way...especially since I have a JSL meeting and there's always lots of food I want to eat. I'll go full and help eliminate temptation!
 
Hoping once we get out of the meeting I'll still have enough daylite to head out for a nice bike ride with Hayden.  If not we may just put our flashers on and wear bright clothing and go anyway! :-) 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (2) Top
06/21/2010 16:26

Cycle 1, Day 1

Good day everyone!
 
I was thinking about this week and how I was planning to really kick off this new 4 Week Cycle plan.  Last year when I first started dieting I had Phentermine to help me.  It made a huge difference in curbing those awful cravings and definitly helped my appetite stay down.  But this time...none of that.  I could go ask for more, but really I think I've decided I don't want any crutches - no hang ups or excuses.  If I can't eat right without the help of a pill then I'll never succeed.
 
Starting off this week with full plans of trying the new cycle diet I was talking about last week.  Right off the rip I've had to make a change - I forgot to bring my eggs with me this morning so I've opted to go with the oatmeal and fat free strawberry yogurt - the yogurt being the replacement.  I'll be better prepared tomorrow.  Can't believe I walked off and left hot food after I cooked it...LOL! What is wrong with me? At least I brought my lunch bag or I would have to go home to get my food or eat the can of soup I have in my desk drawer at work!
 
So the remainder of my food today goes like this:
-Snack  an apple
-Lunch is 4 oz of grilled chicken, 1/4 cup of cooked brown rice, and some steamfresh green beans
-Snack  two rice cakes
-Dinner is 4 oz Talapia filet and steamed california blend with some Mrs. Dash and Molly McButter to season it up a bit.
 
Thank God for seasonings because I can't stand bland food!  I'm having a hard time with just plain brown rice and I am trying really hard to avoid any excess sodium.  I've also nearly dropped all soda's again, but yesterday I cheated on that rule and had THREE cans of Diet Mt. Dew while we spent the day traveling and not nearly enough water. I can have diet soda even on WW but I know it's better for me (at least I think it is) if I don't have them at all or only one occasionally.  I save so much money when I'm not buying soda all the time which is yet another good reason to stop drinking them again.  Oh and also, the headache that comes from caffeine withdrawal sucks so now that I've had that experience again, I don't want to go back! That's an awful headache!
 
Weigh in this week showed only 1lb lost. I'm not going to fuss over it because it is a loss, but I had hoped for more. I guess considering I kind of followed this plan and that plan without being consistant on ONE plan for the week I am happy for 1lb lost...even if I expected more!  Now next week - oh yeah! It's on! I can't wait for weigh in next week!
 

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (2) Top
06/21/2010 03:53

:-) Hi gang

Well the weekend has FLOWN past me.  I spent yesterday doing some cleaning out of old clothing and packing my oldest for a week at camp and then church. Then today I drove five kids to camp...which is about three and a half hours up the road into the mountains. Adding in lunch and pee breaks we left at 10:45am and just got home about 8:15pm.  I'm pooped from all the driving and trying to get through a movie with the youngest now.
 
I wish I was a kid who could stay a week at this camp - it is so freaking cool!
 
Overall it wasn't a bad weekend...just tremendously busy!
 
Hope you guys had a great weekend and I'll catch up more tomorrow.
 
 

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (1) Top
06/18/2010 21:40

:-) So happy it's Friday!

I don't think I could be any more happy that it's Friday. I'm happy there will be no alarm clock to interupt my dreams in the morning!
 
Today I have had some big emotional happenings that in the past have been one of those things that "gave me an excuse" to eat and put me on that roller coaster.  Not today, but it wasn't easy at first. Don't know how I think I can mop up my tears with a cheeseburger! LOL I've written about it as a bit of a release and talked to my sister and brother for support. My parents divorce was supposed to be final this morning. (Step mom and Dad - she's been around for ages and half raised me.) But, she has decided to be vengeful or crazy, not sure which, and has contested the divorce and made quite the scene while putting my father down. He is a good man and does not deserve this abuse.  She's not thinking in her right mind and she's all but turned her back on all us kids. Killing me, and I'm so  upset over it, but I'm not eating over it!  I feel so badly for my Dad, though. Just when he seems to be doing really well he has to go through the hurt again.  Poor fellow.
 
The kids come home tomorrow - I've missed them so much this summer because they are staying 4 days a week at their Dad's house one week then 3 the next week.  Summer schedule is designed to keep them from being alone too much! Next week will be worse though because DD1 will be at camp all week (I drive a group up to the mountains on Sunday) and DD2 will have to stay with her Dad and her step mom all week because she can't stay alone. They live too far for me to pick her up every day. That gives me only one day with DD1 and maybe 2 days with DD2. :-( Lonely me...so I'll fill it with gym time and hopefully get into a good routine. 
 
The end of July until fall DD1 will have no life except color guard and school.  OH! I don't think I shared, but I'm terribly proud of her. Despite being the youngest, she made the fall colorguard team with the varsity and junior varsity! So she will miss a few pep rallies and things like that because she's still in middle school, but she'll be performing with the band at football games and competitions.   Our varsity competition team placed 11th in the world back in April and many of them are still on the team so she has great mentors.  Also, some of the seniors got great scholarships for college from it so I'm just thrilled she has gotten into this level of it so quickly.  I hope it turns into something long term for her.
 
DD2 is content to do nothing as long as I let her, but she's finally taken the bait on 4H club and horseback riding lessons. She starts the lessons on the 28th and she's pretty excited about it! I can't wait! It is a bit expensive though and I've definitly got to budget really tight for both girls activities.  Never would have thought high school sports would cost so much! I have to admit I figured the horseback riding lessons were costly though. 
 
I had to change up my plan for exercise last night to a 20 minute walk because I forgot about a prior engagement I couldn't back out of - then it went waaaaay longer than expected. I finally excused myself, but it was too late to make the gym as it was 9:20pm and gym closes 10pm.  The walk was good and brisk though and I feel glad that I at least accomplished some form of exercise rather than going home and to sleep.  (I would have walked more, but I don't do lightening and the sky was just lit up with it all around!)  This is another point where I'd usually let myself off the hook so I'm okay with it.  Due to this change up I also altered my sub for dinner and had sushi - but stayed in target range so I'm pleased with this also.
 
Today's meal plan:
 
Breakfast:  FF Peach yogurt with 1/2 granola bar
Lunch: Grilled Southwest chicken salad (OHHHH SO YUMMY!)
Dinner: not exactly sure yet as the cupboard is nearly bare.  think it will be grilled chicken breast and steamed veggies if I have enough left.  If not then a WW meal and side salad. 
 
I'm going to the store for my food list tomorrow so I can begin my 4 day cycle diet. I think this will work well for me. I'm also happy to be planning my gym schedule! Will be  a good weekend and looking up for next week! :-)
 
Hope you all have a great weekend!
 
 

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (2) Top
06/17/2010 19:46

The temptations are coming already!

Hello friends!
 
Well, I set my mind to what I want to do and the temptations are coming already! No way am I backing out though.  I think food is my "demon" I struggle with most and I've recently become aware of how to battle it!  Something like "Get thee gone foul demon!" ha ha Kidding...but I do a lot of praying about it!
 
I got a new diet plan I think I may try out. It's been done by a personal trainer at my Mom's office for a few people there and they are starting on it too.  It's a four week plan with four day cycles.  It's quite easy to follow and pretty cheap too....so I'm seriously considering trying it out.  I can prepare everything ahead of time and portion it out so all I have to do is grab and go.  Y'all take a look and see what you think.  I appreciate any feedback.  Oh - and of course cardio workouts were required in his plan as well.  I just think I may do well with everything laid out so neatly  - but then I did well with WW when I followed it and I did well with counting calories and fat when I did that too.  It just seems to me this would be a good "launching" diet to start off with as long as I fight off that demon! LOL
 
Day1:
Meal 1:1 whole egg and 1 egg white, 1/4 cup oats
Meal 2: piece of fruit
Meal 3: 4 oz chicken or fish, 4 oz potato or 1/4 c brown rice, and veggie
Meal 4: Handfull of raw nuts
Meal 5: 4 oz Chicken/Steak/Fish and veggie of choice
 
Day2:
Meal 1: 1 whole egg and 1 egg white, 1/4 cup oats
Meal 2: 1/2 piece of fruit
Meal 3: 4 oz chicken or fish and veggie
Meal 4: handful of nuts
Meal 5: 4 oz Chicken/Steak/fish and veggie of choice
 
Days 3 and 4:
Meal 1: 1 whole egg and 1 egg white, 1/4 cup oats
Meal 2: 6 oz chicken/fish, 1/4 cup brown rice cooked and choice of veggie
Meal 3: 6 oz chicken/fish/steak and choice of veggie
 
At any rate, I'm happy to be back in a mindset of losing. It's soooo much less guilt inducing! It's nice to be able to eat something and know it's okay to eat it - to not  have any guilt at all associated with it! 
 
Today I followed WW again:
Breakfast: Ham and Cheese Lean Pocket
Lunch: Salad with small portion of turkey shavings, 2 slices of avacado, red onion, one slice of swiss cheese and FF Caesar/Italian dressing.
Dinner: 1/2 Sweet onion terriyaki chicken from subway with spicy mustard and lettuce on whole wheat
 
Well, hope you guys are having a great day!
 
 
 

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (3) Top
04/28/2010 15:08

Blog Happy!

I'm excited to be blogging today from work...NO FILTER! Whooop!
 
Lots has happened since I blogged last week. Thursday night (I think after I'd just posted) my father came in the house looking gray. His heart was beating out of his chest and he had pain in his chest and his shoulder. His girlfriend drove him to the hospital while I dropped off my kids at my Mom's and picked up my sister. By the time we got there the doc had him regulated and thank God his cheeks were a healthy pink. It scared me so badly! I wasn't supposed to be driving and had just taken pain meds, but let me tell you I was so scared for  him it completely "sobered" me up in a flash!  My Dad is only 56 years old and he really is in good shape so having all these heart episodes is just scary to me for his health and for mine. Yet another reason to be healthier.
 
So...I got this discount card for WW in the mail. Only $129 for the whole summer.  I've been counting points again, but have caught myself sliding already. I hate paying for something extra besides the gym, but I'm going to do it because right now I desperately need the accountability of their scale every week.  I'm not trustworthy if left alone! Funny, but so true!  I'll do that next Thursday after I'm paid.
 
My epidural seems to have been a great one - since Friday I've only had two pain pills. I'm sleeping better at night thanks to the doctor giving me kolonepin. As hesitant as I was about it, I think I am now completely capable of admitting how much it helps me be calmer and rest better.  I'm so grateful for a night of sleep. Now I'm waking up to go pee from drinking so much water...not because I'm in terrible pain.  How awesome! Helps the attitude immensely...makes me feel like I care again.
 
HOW DID I STOP CARING? AFTER ALL THAT HARD WORK I JUST STOPPED CARING! UGH!  Well...glad it's changed!
 
Kids are doing fabulous. I've bought them each a bike and I'm still looking for one for myself. It seems bike riding doesn't hurt me much so I'm going to do a lot of that with the girls this summer. We have some excellent area's to ride around here.  Plus I am still very interested in being able to ride that 30 mile Ride for Hope in the fall.  I'd like to do it this time without huffing, puffing and stopping every 5 or 6 miles!
 
Hope you guys are all doing well. Have a great day losers!

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (4) Top
04/23/2010 01:27

The big weekend ahead and good news!

Hi gang. Been one of those days, but hopefully tomorrow will be just the opposite!  Got my second epidural in my back today so I'm thinking positive for tomorrow.  I've been a bit of a grump today, but in hindsight I see lots of positive things to reflect upon...

Starting with my beautiful girls who have been so helpful to me the last few days when I've really been struggling with pain.  They've helped do more chores than they are accustomed to doing and done it without a grumble! My parents have bent over backwards to help me by taking them to practice and games the last two weeks.  My friend was awesome for driving me an hour away and back to get this epidural...then bought my lunch! I am really blessed!

Tomorrow I'm off work because I have to wait 24 full hours from the time of my epidural before I can drive...good excuse not to work, huh?  I soooo hate that place! LOL Time away is a good thing. 
 
After the time limit is up I have lots of errands to get ready  for the party tomorrow night which is good becuase that doesn't involve decorating or lifting anything.  I am on the food committee...not so yay considering I've struggled so bad lately with my food intake, but I'm ready to do it and get it over!  My water intake will be doubled up tomorrow...hope that will help because I haven't taken in enough water daily lately. Will be a late, late night and an early start Saturday as we have to be at the golf club by 7am-ish. 
 
One thing that has worked for me lately is again something I am resistant to, but have to conceed the doctor is right. I have barely been sleeping due to back pain. I wake up all through the night. No sleep makes me a bear. BIG BEAR!  I truly hate taking pills. I'm scared of them in a wierd way...too easy to be addicted. Anyway, the doc gave me a mild dose of sleeping meds called Soma. They knocked me out hard so I won't take them again. I'm afraid I'll be doped up if the kids need me.  So he gave me a low dose of colonepin sp? which is for anxiety but mildly sedates as well.  OMG I slept fine and woke up fine. No lingering effects of dopey medicine  head and I felt so rested! Obviously the long months of these painful nights have had a more seriously negative effect on my attitude than I realized.  Doc also said lack of sleep can bring on mild depression and even make me feel stressed more than normal. This all added up can affect my blood pressure.  SO GOOD NEWS - Blood pressure was in normal range today! I was so relieved. I'm thinking a good night of sleep and the Cymbalta have helped my attitude, depression and my mindset too.  I really do hate medicine, but today I am thankful for it!
 
I've been jerked around on van repairs and I'm up to $300 out of pocket and still have the SAME problem. One guy finally helped me today and I'll have about $1000 worth of work to do in the next few months. First we attack the leaking oil issue then the other less important things, one by one. So much for saving for my house.  Unfortunately pills don't fix lying mechanics!  I can't believe this! I worked hard for that money!  There is a special place for liars...I believe this! But to cheat a single Mom, who is broke and trying to do right in life is just freaking wrong! UGH! That is my one and only real GRIPE for today, but the silver lining is I have finally found someone REALLY TRUTHFUL who has diagnosed the real problems and will help me, not cheat me.  So there to all those cheating male mechanichs looking to take my money and lie!

I'm thinking this summer I may find a part time job.  I know it's not the greatest idea considering my time limitations, but I have to do something to build my savings up and since the kids won't be home half the week I need to do something.  I'm praying on it and thinking if it's the wrong or right thing to do. I could always get back into selling more candles, but not so sure I want to do that since it isn't taxed.  I've developed a plan where I can save $600 a month, but that was BEFORE the whole problem with my van came up.  Input on work from home ideas would be awesome. I never know which one to believe when I see them advertised on the internet.
 
Hope you guys have a good day and weekend...don't know if I can be back on here for a few days, but will try!  Again, thanks to those of you sending me messages. Your support means a bunch more than you know!

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (2) Top
04/21/2010 04:43

Crazy train!

:) Hi folks! Been riding the crazy busy train lately...nothing new. Except I really think Ozzy sang to me today! LOL
 
I am soooo looking forward to the end of May. I think I'll have a full two months of no kids sports, no JSL, and just less busy overall! Completely wonderful sounding to me!
 
Great softball game tonight with my daughter...my head has just stopped pounding with excitement and then sadness because they lost.  But it was an awesome game and losing builds character so...let's hope she gets that lesson!
 
Had my cholesterol checked last week and I am proud to report I'm at 173! Yay! I was not too worried about it, but since my bp has been up I wasn't sure how it would look. Been almost two years since the last time it was checked.
 
Thursday is epidural number two in the new round.  Will be seven total.  I'm still nervous and not happy about it, but praying really hard it will work this time I'm hurting quite badly the last couple of days and ready for relief.
 
I am doing better on my plan this week. I'm happy about that. Friday is our golf tourney tee off party and Saturday is the tourney. I can't wait to have it over and done...lots of work involved.  Our goal is $35k this year...I pray we reach it.
 
Well, I hope you are all doing super well. Fabulous in fact! :-)
 
Talk to you all soon. Good day to you!!

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (2) Top
04/09/2010 04:39

:-)

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so relieved it's almost the weekend.
 
Life has slown down (sort of) for me this week. The kiddo's are on spring break this week so no school and they are at their Dad's for the rest of the week. My BFF is out of town on vacation so I'm house sitting for her. Actually, I'm dog sitting. This dog and I are not the best of friends either! LOL
 
I've had a topsy turvey week... got another stupid write up at work -love my boss who just has it in for me, got a BIG FAT SPEEDING TICKET, and my blood pressure has been high for some odd reason.  Stress maybe? Nah. I'm actually not as stressed as I'd normally be!  I'm so surprised about this blood pressure thing. I don't understand it at all...less stress and it's up high? Not eating bad...no fried foods, low sodium...??  I'm trying to figure this one out. Hopefully it won't continue so there will be no meds necessary.
 
Being alone the last two days has been really easy for me to stay on a good plan...no running around from practice to practice, etc.  Nice!  Just an easy going afternoon...so uncommon. I stayed outside (with the devil dog) for a long time this evening just walking and enjoying the beautiful weather. Maybe that will help the blood pressure come on down! LOL
 
Well guys...I'm hitting the bed now. I hope you guys are all doing fantastic!

Posted By: Luzenit Add Comment | Comments (3) Top
04/03/2010 06:59

Happy Easter!

Good morning! It's nearly 1am here in SC, USA and I'm up stuffing Easer Eggs with candy for this big egg hunt tomorrow. We're expecting a minimum of 500 kids...seriously think it will be more than double that! i've baked 7 dozen cupcakes for the bake sale and hope they will earn their $1!! Tried to make them look as appealing as possible. I can honestly say I have NO desire for a cupcake! LOL
 
Been a much better week and I've actually enjoyed a walk today. First really good walk in quite a while. I finally owned up and weighed myself.  Up 13lbs. INSANE. Lots of guilt, but nothing to do about it now except get busy. I swear I've had the obsession of stuffing my face just beating me every day. I want to eat eat eat....  But today was a good day and I didn't! One day at a time and back on the road to where I need to be. I've put it off long enough and I'm actually worn out from "hiding" from that person looking at me in the mirror!
 
I will say there is one major help I've had with the better attitude...it's called Cymbalta! Oh yes...it has helped me immensely and even the kids have noticed. I'm not so irritable and DD2 told me I didn't seem sad. Nice! I enjoyed a great sunny SC day at the school with my youngest for her Field Day. We had a blast! Tomorrow the egg hunt, catching up with old friends, special church thing and then I'm going to SLEEP!! I'm thinking of taking the kids to church with Dad at the 8:30 service then hitting the beach! It was 90 degrees here today!
 
Well, I've got to go finish these eggs so I can get at least five hours of sleep before the busy day. Hope you all have the best Easter and talk to you soon.
 

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