Week 4 Update: Losing It Challenge

I had a great week this week, and did something that I’ve never done before.  I liked it so much that I’m going to repeat it at least 3 times.  To find out more, watch:

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Week 3 Update: Losing It Challenge

I’ve been doing so well this week, but have little to show for it on the scale.  I know the scale’s not everything, but in this case, with my current goal, it actually IS.  So some changes are afoot.

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Weigh-In Wednesday – Journey to Lose 20+ lbs

Wow, it has been forever since I’ve written a weigh-in post, so today was really exciting.  I have to admit that I had a lot of anticipation going into today’s weigh-in for some reason.  I think maybe because it had been so long.  Plus, I feel like I have so much riding on losing these first 20 lbs or so.  So, let’s get to that scale shot:

My new starting weight.  Yikes!  I’m in the 290’s.  But, it is what it is, and there’s no where to go but down, right?  On a more positive note, this is down 3.1 from what I weighed on Kaiser’s scale on Sunday.  I’m not sure how accurate that loss is, though, because I had eaten and had coffee, had to use the restroom, and I was fully clothed (wearing jeans).  Today, and on all weigh-ins, I did it first thing in the morning, after the bathroom, without anything on.  Since that’s how I’ll be doing all my future weigh-ins, we’ll just take this as the starting point.

In other news, I found out yesterday that my Lab Band surgery is completely covered by Kaiser. COMPLETELY.  Meaning zero dollars out of my pocket!  For the surgery, the overnight stay, etc.  That was phenomenal news!  Since I haven’t had to have surgery since I’ve had Kaiser as my insurance for about 10 years now (thankfully), I had no idea what my surgery out-of-pocket expense might be.  I expected to have to pay something, but I was really shocked and so thrilled that I won’t.  Not even a co-pay.  I believe my fills will be the $15 co-pay, but that’s a pittance compared to what others pay for this surgery.  People who pay out-of-pocket for it spend upwards of $10.000.  My friend who had insurance and had the surgery paid $3000.  So I am very pleased to have Kaiser at this point, and feel very ready to jump through whatever hoops they want to throw at me if it means a free surgery.

Speaking of those hoops.  One of the biggest, most challenging ones is happening right now.  Today is Day 1 of being smoke free.  As I write this, it’s 9:15am, and I haven’t smoked at all.  I have the Patch on, and I guess that’s helping.  I would’ve definitely had at least one cig by now, normally.  I have had bad reactions (fast heartbeat) to the Patch in the past, but so far I’m good to go.  I did buy some Nicorette gum, just in case the Patch proves to give me a racing heart.  Always good to have a back-up plan, right?

As far as my 1200 calorie/day meal plan, I’ve been doing fairly well these first couple of days.  Both Monday and Tuesday I went over 1200 by about 200 calories, but I’m really going to try to keep it closer to 1200 today.  I think my breakfasts were too caloric those other days.  The oatmeal and the add-ins I have with it add up quickly.  Today I’m going to buy some eggs to hard-boil, which will be a good source of protein and an easy, on-the-go breakfast I can take with me.  (I’m also planning to have yogurt and a piece of fruit, as the Kaiser meal plan recommends).

All those vitamins I have to take?  They’re going down remarkably easily.  I am really glad I bought that pill organizer and loaded it up for the week on Sunday, because now all I have to do is slip it in my bag and go.  It’s going to be a lifesaver once school really starts.

As far as exercise, I’ve been taking 30-45 minute walks with Lulu, which is activity, but probably not enough to really make a difference in terms of weight loss.  So starting today, I’m going to go back to the gym.  It’s been over 2 months since I’ve stepped foot in the gym, but I need to get back to it.  Seriously.  It’s not like I don’t like my gym, either.  I do.  I just like exercising outside when the weather’s nice, so I’ve been taking advantage of the good weather this summer.  But thing thing is, I can still go swimming, walking, or for a bike ride AND go to the gym.  I’m actually looking forward to going later today.  Lulu is going to doggie daycare, so it will be easy for me to fit that in.  That’s going to be the nice thing about having her in the daycare when school first starts – she can be safe and happy and playing while I go to the gym right after school and I won’t worry about her.  And I can still get there to pick her up before 5pm, which is great.

Lose It shout out: if any of you use Lose It to track your calories/exercise (as I do), please add me as your friend.  My email address for Lose It is bellasboldbriliantblog at gmail dot com (but obviously written the normal way).  I’d love to have some of you share your logs with me so we can keep track of each other.

I made a video about my first couple of days on this new meal plan and this morning’s weigh-in, so most of the information is redundant to this post.  The one thing that it does have at the beginning are some full-body (waist up) shots of me.  I feel like I look really big in the video; much bigger than I feel. The quality of the video isn’t as good as it normally would be because I had to use iMovie to include the weigh-in photo:

Overall, I’ve got a renewed sense of motivation now that I’m losing this weight for the Lap Band surgery.  I’m highly inspired and I know that my progress is finally going to show great strides.  So exciting!

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I’m Approved!

Earlier this morning I got a letter from Kaiser letting me know that I’ve been approved for the Lap Band surgery!

WhooooooooHOOOOOOOOOO!

I made a quick little YouTube video to commemorate the news:

(You KNOW I was excited if I went on camera, for all of YouTube and you guys to see, without any make-up on!  ;))

Now, I know this is only the next step in the process, but I don’t think I’ve been this excited to attend a 2-hour meeting in a my life.

The meeting itself if on Sunday, August 8 from 11:30-1:30.  There’s a huge medical history questionnaire that I need to fill out and bring with me to the meeting, but luckily the questions are all easily answered.  Apparently they’ll schedule me for a consult (with whom I have no idea), and then I just keep on the path.

I’m not sure if they will weigh me at the orientation or not, but I’m going to go ready for anything.  I am really glad that this is all falling into place and the process has truly begun now.  I just want to find out how much weight they’re going to require me to lose, start losing it, and keep the ball rolling.

In any case, this news today made it a fantastic Friday.

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My 1st YouTube Video

I thought that it would be fun to add a multimedia dimension to this blog by beginning to include weekly YouTube videos.  This is a major step for me, because up to this point, I haven’t “exposed” myself this much.  But really, what am I afraid of?

Most of the info in this first video is probably stuff that you already know if you’ve been following me for a while, but I thought some of you might find it interesting to hear my voice and see me.  (I know I love getting to know bloggers who have been somewhat anonymous previously). I think these weekly videos will be a wonderful way for me to see my progress “in living color.”

BTW – Seeing the poor quality of the video produced using my iMovie and my webcam, I definitely think I’m going to invest in a cheapie video camera.  I’ve been wanting to get one to take some vids of Lulu, anyway, so it will serve both purposes.

Enjoy!

P.S. – if you’d like, you can subscribe to my YouTube videos so that you can watch them on that format, which might be easier if you have other YT vloggers that you follow, as I do.

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Who Knew There Were So Many LOSERS Out There?

Ok, so maybe I’m coming to this party a little late, but did you guys realize that there’s a whole weight loss community of vloggers on YouTube?

Now I pride myself on being very internet savvy.  Of staying on top of the trends, if you will. But somehow I was completely oblivious to this whole wave of people posting weight loss vlogs on YouTube.  There’s an entire community of people who all have the same goals, struggles, challenges, and ambitions that I (we) do.  Again, who knew? (Oh, YOU did.  Oh, ok, I guess I’m the only one who’s been living in a cave).

I found out about this on Sunday when I was looking for something else on YouTube and spent at least 2 hours watching all these videos by various people.  One group that I really like call themselves  WeightLossLosers and have designed a daily “channel” of vlogs that are all about weight loss.  Each of the 5 contributors are following different weight loss plans and are at different stages of their weight loss journey.  Still, the commonality they share is their commitment to living a healthier life.

I’m really enjoying watching all of their insights, ideas, and attitudes come through in their vlogs.  I thought you might, too, so I’m posting the introductory vlog that advertises the “channel.”

Go to YouTube today to get some good information and to be inspired.  (Be forewarned: These vlogs are so engaging that they can be a huge timesuck.  Only go if you have some time on your hands).

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