... moving the goalposts

Moving the goalposts..... just had to mention that I went to the clinic yesterday to see my bariatric Doctor.  She was very pleased with me to date, and called me a "motivated patient working the band sensibly and effectively" guess that makes me a grade A student then lol!!

I've had 0.1 added although to date can't notice any difference, and the big comment is:

...... that she wants to change my goal weight.....

Instead of 70kg (11stone) being my goal she wants to up it to 75kg (11stone 8lb).... as she thinks I may look too drawn and old at 70kg and that 75kg will look more healthy on me!??!  Not sure how I feel about that, so guess will cross that bridge when and if I reach 75kg!!  However, decided to check this on the BMI (body mass index) calculator I would still be classed as overweight if I weighed 75kg, and the recommended weight range for me height should be 61-69kg.... really... you have got to be kidding me - sounds quite unhealthy to me!!!  What do you reckon?...x

Happy New Year - 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2014!!!

Wow, how fast that past year went... but for me 2013 was a good one!  We had visits from my sister, parents and sister-in-law which was fab; had a great family holiday on the Gold Coast; managed a trip to Melbourne to catch up with my oldest pal; my ongoing contractual position at work became permanent; our permanent residency was granted allowing us to call Perth home; I managed to loose 20kg with the help of my band; and we all stayed healthy and happy for most of it!

I wonder what 2014 will hold...... mostly good things I hope!  We are planning a holiday back to the UK in September to catch up with our family and friends which will be good; I hope to loose a further 10kg and reach my goal for my band anniversary in May; and am hoping that again we stay healthy and happy!  I haven't made any NY resolutions although I'm keen to keep at my exercise, I'd like to get the kids outside more and away from the TV and XBOX and may look at doing some online study although not sure what yet.

Its been some weeks since I posted, as life has been full on and one big party really!  What with Xmas and New Year, visitors and parties..... life has been an endless stream of eating and drinking!!  Have kept to my small portion sizes, but have eaten everything and anything - not great for weightloss but great for enjoyment..... the booze however has been non-stop and continuously flowing....,. Zumba stopped over 2 weeks ago and doesn't restart until 13th... so not very conducive for weightloss!  On the upside, I wasn't looking to loose over the festive period, and set myself a goal of gaining no more than 1-2kg ........ I've managed to go swimming 3 times, swimming 14 lengths of a 50m pool which made a nice change and have gained only 1kg..... so pretty pleased with that.  I'm all set to get back to normal on Monday, and am even looking forward to some healthy, sensible eating and no booze!  I might even have a dry February..... but will think about that  nearer the time lol!

I have an appt on Monday at the clinic, and think I may have a smidgen more fill..... will see what the Doc suggests.  I will make sure I get back to my weekly blogging, and will upload some pics again soon.

Sending you all my very best wishes for 2014......x

Well, hello again.....

Woo Hoo, well hello again.... I'm back.... gosh its been a while since I posted - life has been hectic!

Well, on the weightloss no change..... am going to do sooooo well when I have to do maintenance!!  The upside is that I haven't gained either, my body has obviously found a weight its happy at and is happy to maintain.... !  I've had lots going on, have been to Melbourne and have had different Christmas events to attend so am pleased that am not gaining.  I am booked back at the clinic on 4 Jan, so may have some more fill or otherwise will either have to up the exercise or really re-evaluate what I'm eating!   On the health front my BMI has gone down from (36 - severely obese) to (28 - overweight), which is great and I'm feeling good about myself which is nice too!

Now Melbourne - had a fantastic time catching up with my oldest pal and her family, it was lovely to have some time-out away from hubby and kids to enjoy being with Nicola.  It was lovely to spend time in Nicola's beautiful home which was delightful and finally meet Marley the dog!  I did over indulge a little - but heck I was on holiday.... one day we went to the City and had a sandwich lunch closely followed by afternoon tea (more sandwiches, cream scones, cakes - yum)... our timing was a bit off lol; had thai one night; and cocktails at the movies another, and a delicious brekkie of poached eggs, mushroom, spinach on toast which was delicious ...... no stuck moments, but a brilliant time!

This is a full length of me at the Mornington Peninsula...

We had Richard's work's Christmas party last week, and had a really good time.... we seemed to dance all night long!  Although must have drunk plenty too as had the hangover from hell on Sunday!  We had a set meal, and can you believe I got stuck on the main of FISH....., mind it was soooooo dry, and I probably wasn't paying attention drinking and chatting, and obviously eating too fast!   Well, what gets stuck, must come out......

My Christmas shopping is bought and wrapped - whoop!  Thank God that's done, just the food bits I need to get, but as we are out for Christmas Day lunch no panic.

My sister-in-law and nephew arrive from the UK tomorrow, so we are frantically cleaning, tidying and shopping!  An excited house, as we are all looking forward to seeing them.  The weather here has been 40degrees for the last few days, so no doubt she'll be in shock following the UK weather!!  Have a few things planned but looking forward to a chilled out time.

Working a few hours on Monday, Wed and Fri this week and that's me done until the New Year.  Have works Christmas lunch on Friday - so should be a good week.

Well, my goal until the New Year is to not gain more than a kilo........ festive greetings to you all.....x

Comparisons.....

Morning all,

Phew its hot..... 30 odd degrees and doing housework do not mix!!  Nothing major to report, TOM arrived this week so the obligatory 0.6kg weight gain..... but do seem so have lost some more inches:

Inches                Chest:  Waist:   Tummy:   Hips:
May 2013           48        47.5       49.5        47
July 2013            44.5     44.5       46           43.5
August 2013       44         43.5       44.5       42.5
Nov 2013            42         41          43          42

Total lost             6           6.5        6.5          5

Have a look at these comparison photos:

May 2013

Add caption

November

Can definitely see some differences now, so glad that I decided to take pics throughout this journey, at least when the scales don't change I can see the changes in photos!  Have had to buy some more work pants as the last lot are too big now - whoop!  Well am off to Melbourne on Wednesday to see my oldest pal, can't wait to see her, and partake in some shopping delights that Melbourne is renowned for!!

Hope everyone is well, haven't heard much from you guys lately??!!?..x...

6 month's in.....

Whoop whoop.... after so many weeks plateauing (at least I know I'll manage maintenance!!), the scales moved.... down 1.2kg this week, bringing me to 80.8kg (12st 7lb) ..... so near but so far from the 70's.... well my lowest weight to date, and its my 6 month band anniversary!!!  Wow, how fast that 6months have gone!  Am pleased to have lost 19.6kg/3 stone 1lb in that time..... wow 3 stone.... would never have been able to do that without the help of the band... I love my band!!!

Looking back... what have I had to change.....:  I still love my food, that hasn't changed, just what and how much I eat... I eat very few carb's, haven't had a pasta meal since being banded, hardly eat potato, occasionally have a small amount of rice, the only consistent carb would be bread, if I need a quick lunch I may have a slice of toast with peanut butter.  If I go out for breakfast, I'll order the kids brekkie, if I go out for dinner I'll order an entree as my main, if we are having curry takeout I'll take a spoonful from everyone's else' curry instead of ordering one for myself.  I no longer drink fizzy drinks, haven't had a diet coke since being banded..... As I'm lucky enough to be able to eat all things, I've not felt that I've had to give anything up - all things in moderation..... and yes I still enjoy my wine!  Obviously, my portion sizes are hugely smaller now anything from half to 1 cup of food and this is how I'm able to loose weight.  The band stops me from feeling hungry, I do know that I would not be able to survive on eating so little without the band I would be in a state of hunger!!

What else has changed..... I'm enjoying exercising - whoop!  I've always done some form of exercise, but this time I enjoy it!  I love zumba, and try to go 3 times a week if poss, and I love my netball on a Monday evening.  I love trying on size16 clothes and buying them......  I love that I can buy clothes from most stores now and not just the outsize shops..... I love feeling more confident in how I look..... I love the fact that people are noticing and making nice comments.....  I love my band!

Loving my band....

How cool to be a mermaid....

How cool to be a mermaid!!!

Hi guys

Well a good week for me, have really tried thinking more about my food choices.... looking back on the last few weeks although my calorie count has stayed low my protein count has stayed low too due to the food choices I have made.....  This week I've tried to up my protein and have had a couple of days when I've gone back to optifast for brekkie and lunch to keep the calories low and protein high...... not a major weight loss 0.6kg but good enough and feeling empowered that the numbers will come lower next week.

I'm a bit late blogging again.... where does the time go?!?  Maybe its something to do with the fantastic weather we are finally having.... finally Summer's arrived in Perth was 37degrees yesterday hot but beautiful!  Had a really nice weekend, busy but good.  Richard had Friday off, so we did some jobs around the house in the morning and went out to lunch at a restaurant that looks out to the ocean - I choose the entree size "panko crumbed shell crab with chickpea salad" but had it as my main - wow was absolutely delicious - yum!!  The golf resort near where we live is now holding Friday sunset sessions where a singer comes and they lay on tapas and wraps, really good atmosphere, and is walkable from home so even better! 

Had friends over for a BBQ on Saturday, the kids all played in the pool; and on Sunday dropped Holly off to Hilarys Marina where she met some girlfriends and spent the day in the water chutes.  We stopped down there for brekkie, I had the kids breakfast which comprised "poached egg on toast, slice of bacon and hash brown" - actually first time in ages that I've felt any type of restriction, think I was eating too fast, anyway gave Rich the bacon but ate the rest.  Came home to sit on my sun lounge and read my book before heading back to the marina for a few glasses of wine in the breakwater before bringing Holly home - life is good!!

Needing to feel empowered......

DISHEARTENED

What a cute picture eh?  But that's how I'm feeling at the mo..... disheartened - I need to feel empowered!!  82.6kg (13stone) at my weighin on Friday..... so fed up with seeing 82 on the scales.... hasn't come down since 27 September!!!  Someone said I should shock my system some way in order for it to start loosing again...... any ideas?  Anyway, have decided to really track everything I eat and drink this week, and go back to two optifast shakes and a small meal daily..... hopefully this will kick start my weightloss again!  I've been to zumba this morning, have netball tonight and hope to get at least another 2 zumba classes in this week - so watch this space!!

I think I may need some fill......., can't really feel any restriction since having 0.2ml taken out the other week when I felt too tight.... maybe need to have just 0.1ml added back in to make a difference!?!?  What do you think?  Although, think I'll wait until after my Melbourne trip later this month as I noticed the band got tighter when I travelled in the plane......

Not much else to report really.... the weather has really hotted up 36degrees.... so need to get our pool cleaned and ready for use this weekend.....  Had a work meeting last Wednesday morning, and for a change of scene we had it on a colleagues boat at Hilarys Marina.... hard life eh?  Rich was away on a golf jolly this weekend, so had a couple of girlfriends over for a mojito or two -it was nice to catch up!  The decorating has pretty much finished, just the doors to do - so that's looking good and will be all ready for our visitors in December.

Hoping everyone has a good week....x