May 19, 2010 Bandaversary

[Kristi]

Good Morning All,

Today is my 1 year Bandaversary. I am so shocked at all the changes that have taken place in one years time.

The changes:

Weight: was 238 pre-op and 221 day of surgery. Now 127

Waist: was 38-39 and now 26

Clothing sizes:

Jeans: was size 18(tight) & now size 2

T-shirt Size: was XL-XXL & now Sm-Med (depending on the cut.)

Dress size: was 16-18 now 2-4 (again depending on the cut)

When I started this journey, I really did not expect to be where I am now or lose the amount of weight I have lost. It is hard to explain. Well I had come to the conclusion early on, that I would follow the band rules as much as possible and exercise and maybe this time in my attempts to lose, maybe this time would not be as difficult.

I gave up all sodas, rice, bread, pasta and fried foods almost a month before my surgery. I figured since my Doc said I shouldn’t or couldn’t have them, and gaining 4 pounds after getting the approval and then seeing myself at my best friend’s wedding on wide screen I was done. That was probably one of the most humiliating times I had ever experienced and even though no one made me feel me feel like I was as heavy as I was….. I was DONE! You know when you decide enough is enough, well I called out ENOUGH.

When it has come to eating, I still eat all my proteins first and then eat my veggies. I have always allowed myself a splurge here and there because I thought if I didn’t I would go a little too far one day.

As soon as I was given the OK to go to the gym, I was there putting in as much effort as I could. I found out early on that if I didn’t work-out, I didn’t lose weight. The band is a tool and I learned that I had to put in the effort. Band restriction is great and after a fill I would maintain my weight but to actually lose, I have had to exercise.

So, I hired a trainer at my gym and I feel it was one of the best investments I have ever made. I have had the trainer since the end of July and my work-out schedule has kept changing all along and I know that it has helped.

I haven’t been on as much lately because I was in a bad car accident that totaled my vehicle. Sitting at the computer has not been easy at all. I am still here, still trying to respond when I can get online.

I am now below goal, I think because I have been so stressed since the accident. Eating the past few weeks, has been difficult because I just have not been hungry. It used to be when I was stressed I would eat and eat, and now it is the opposite. I am no longer living to eat, I am eating to live. It does make a difference.

Stress really can cause weight-loss because my husband was also in the accident and he is down 5 pounds from it all. He told me the stress diet helped him get under the 200 pound mark he had been trying to get past, but its not really how he wanted to lose it.

I just want to say, this group has truly been my only real support from the beginning. So many of you mean so much to me and you are my friends. I feel so lucky and so fortunate to have found this forum because I would have been very very lost.

Hugs to all,

Kristi

One last thing, CELEBRATE the little victories. Whether they are scale related or not, they are WORTH celebrating.

Losing inches are just as important if not more than a number on the scale.

[EricaG]

OK... im at work. reading your post.. and a tear ran down my cheeck... im looking around to see if anyone noticed, lol. Kristi you are truly my motivation.. congratz and i can't wait to get my but back into the gym...

only one request... can you elaborate on your workout routine with your trainer? what types of workouts did you do.. well for the few of us that can't afford a trainer.. :]

[AngieB]

Kristi - I am so proud to be your friend and most of all proud of your success! I can not tell you how amazing you are. I enjoy your posts so much. You are so supportive, honest and kind. Your hard work and firm decision to turn your life around have really paid off. You are super hot and healthy!

HUGS to you my friend! It has been a pleasure watching you transform!

Angie

[AngieB]

Oh Crap....I completely forgot to post anything about your wreck.

I am so sorry and hope you and the hubby feel better soon. Did either of you get more than soreness as an injury? I hope you are okay and get the soreness worked out ASAP. Sorry to hear about your car too!

((BIG HUGS))

Angie

[jhawkchick75]

Sorry to hear about your accident! I know how stress can really mess us up!

Congrats on your bandiversary!! You have done such a rock star job i'm so happy for you! I am hoping to be at goal by my 2 year anniversary. This last 10lbs has just been a real B.

Keep up the great work!!!

[Kristi]

Good morning, Sorry I went MIA for a while, but I am back.

Erica, thank you.

Working out with the trainer seemed to change regularly. But a couple of the things I had done on a very regular basis was my warm-up routine, which consisted of 5-10 minutes of the row machine or elliptical. Then we would either work on upper body or lower body. After I would do 12-16 minutes on the elliptical, doing the walk,jog, sprint in intervals. (1 min of walk mode, 1 min of jog mode and 30 sec of sprint mode & repeat until time is up.) Then I would get on the stationary bike or the treadmill for 25 minutes. If you go to a gym, you should be able to ask a trainer for some guidelines without paying for it, plus they can teach you how to use the machines properly. The only thing I wish I could have had was a work-out buddy. But I moved to a new area a few years ago and most of my friends that I used to workout with live in San Diego. Workout buddies are great motivation.

Angie, Thank you Sweetie. I feel very fortunate to have learned so many things from you & I still learn new things all the time.

Shelby, I haven't always felt like a rock star , but I have I definitely felt supported, thank you. Last 10 lbs or not, you look fabulous!

Well, about my accident, my hubby is doing better, which I am thrilled about. We are both still getting treated. I am not as good as he is, but I am trying. I have hated that I cannot go to the gym and workout to alleviate the stress of it all. You really do notice when your routines are all messed up and cannot do much to change it.

It all has been slow, but it is what it is. It has depressed me a bit, but I have been trying to keep my chin up.

Hugs,

Kristi

[becca2]

Thank you for sharing that. It really helps. Your success is amazing!

[RevyD]

Congratulations Kristi. You have done so well in the past year and I am so thankful that you post here. You always have a kind word and a word of wisdom for us.

I am sorry to hear about your accident and pray that both you and husband will recover quickly.

Debbie