3 Years Later

I am back after a long three year blog free life. We say it time and time again... life happens, life happens. When I was first banded in 2009 it was a new experience I had never been through. I met some wonderful people that were going through the same thing at the same thing, so blogging was a huge part of my journey. As the years went by I did really well staying on tract, going to support groups, therapy, exercising, eating low carb, drinking lots of water, all the key factors that worked for me. I lost about 160 pounds to my lowest. A WHOLE PERSON!!! Over the past I would say four of the seven since I got my band I have gained 60 pounds back. I have managed to keep 100 pounds off. That has always been a big thing in my head. I would not allow myself to touch that 100.  I am so close to that number that I finally broke down and made an appointment with my doctor. I went today. It was a really good visit. I love having a doctor that takes his time to talk to me, and explain stuff for me to understand not just give me a fill and send me on my way. I feel so good about making and keeping the appointment. I am excited about starting over in my journey. I have so many clothes I want to wear again. I got cocky when I lost the weight. Got my first real boyfriend, and just let life happen. It was a whole life I had never had, and I just couldnt balance. I am excited what the future holds. I do well setting goals, so goals are in place and I am gonna do this thing one more time. Who all is still out here in blog land????? I miss all you guys!!!!

Zumba

I have started back to the gym. It always made me feel better when I was active, so I started going back last week. On Thursday I faced a fear and went to Zumba class at the gym all by myself which is huge for me. Two years ago I would go to Zumba but I would always drag people with me. I made a few calls and text to some friends, but everyone had other plans. I laid on my bed and had a moment with myself. Then I just jumped up and said to myself I can not depend on anyone but myself to get this weight off. I walked in and the instructor came up to me and said, first time? I was like umm yeah can you tell? She said this is not like the regular zumba that you might have taken before. I do mine a little hip hop. I was almost scared enough at that point to tough it out. I am like its only an hour and you need this, so I stayed. I loved it. I laughed a lot and just had a great time. I even dragged my roommate to go with me on Saturday. I went to the morning class on Monday so three times so far in a week. I am on my way. I knew once I got back to my routines on what I know worked and got me down to my lowest in 2012 that I can and I will get back there. Zumba gives me something to look forward to now. Its a fun class and it keeps me active. I am thinking about trying out the power pump next. Anyone ever taken that class?

Tuesday Weigh In Day

Checking in on my week one of being back on track, back to working on my fitness. 4 pounds down!! woohoo. 

Successful week of low carb, and exercise. I hit the gym hard before work tonight. It has kept me more awake haha not feeling so tired sitting at this desk all night like I usually am. I also started a level one 30 day work out challenge today. The jumping jacks are a little much... don't you know fat people don't jump!!! hahaha.. The push ups I did girl ones, but hey like I said just do something!! So I am doing it!

Weekend In The Swamp

Happy Monday!!

This weekend I went to Gainesville, Fl home of the Florida Gators. Many reasons to go this past weekend. First, my super awesome cousin lives there, and goes to school there, and my good friend Chris Mott too! Second, one of my favorite cover bands with friend John Earle lead singer of Who rescued Who played both Friday and Saturday night at an awesome spot called Tall Paul's! Third, the game was Fl vs. TN a huge rivalry game now after Saturdays game Fl has won 9 times in a row! Woohoo chomp chomp! It was an awesome girls weekend with great friends. With Matt being gone my number goal is to stay busy. I'm thankful for Faith to plan a trip and get me out of town!! 

I also stayed strict to my low carb diet. Sooo proud of myself! Tomorrow is weigh in day we will see how good this week has been. Its all I can do to stay off the scale today, but I made a promise one day a week weigh in! I got this!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week! 

The Journey Continues

In an effort to get back to my weight loss I am loving the support I have from my family and close friends. They know how important this is to me, and all the calls, emails, texts, and small words of encouragement are what makes me wanna continue. After losing all the weight I did and then putting 60 pounds back on I know now I had to be ready to get back to it. I know what to do. I was successful and I've still managed to gain 60 pounds from my lowest I lost, but yet keep 100 pounds off. My "I'm back" post in July was just to get it all off my chest and come back to my support group that was there from day one of my journey. I thought I was ready then. I began to make better food choices, but just really wasn't in it. I am now. I started on Tuesday back to the low carb lifestyle that I rocked at for 3 years. So, Tuesdays will be the only day ill get on the scale I recently bought a bike and made plans with a friend to start riding together or walking together once a week. It's all about the people there to help you reach your goals. Looking forward to that.

My boyfriend is a chief in the Navy last on Sept 11th he moved to Groton, CT I am still here in Jacksonville, FL we are gonna make a go at this long distance thing. I remind myself all the time it could be so much worse he's got shore duty there for the next three years. I hope to end up there with him at some point when the time is right for us. He has my heart. Lots of Skype calls and plane rides will be made. He's so good at encouraging me to. Excited to see what the future holds for us. 

Well that's my update!!

Just Do Something

I woke up this morning not having to be back to work until 6pm. I planned to just have a lazy day all day. Knowing I was gonna have to be at work a 12 hour shift all night long I knew I would wake up early, but then planned to nap later. Well... I did wake up around 8 moved to the couch then back to bed and ended up not getting up till 1pm. I turned on the tv, played with Shadow my roommates dog, and then just thought to my self what should I do.My boyfriend told me in our conversation before bed last night that since I have a lot of time I should go to the gym, so I looked outside it was all rainy I am like yeah not so much. I made some chicken salad for lunch. I have been doing good all week with my eating by the way. As I laid there though I kept thinking to myself get up Gail. When I decided to jump back into my journey I reached out to my friend Amy. All I kept remembering today was in her message saying "you just gotta do something, just something.!" So I got up put on my workout clothes and turned on the TV went to Comcast on demand and did a 30 min cardio workout. I feel so much better already about myself that I just didn't lay there all day. So my advice for you today is.. Just do something!! Anything!

Finally Sunday

Man its been such a looooong weekend. I had to work fri-sun very long shifts. I am happy to say only two and a half more hours and I am outta here. Yay for two days off.

21 day water challenge update. I have successfully drank one gallon of water for the past four days. I found this app to use on my iPhone, so I don't have to keep adding all day no matter what size cup or bottle I use. It helps me know how much I have to go for the rest of the day.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

21 Day Water Challenge

How much water should you drink a day?? There are so many different answers to this question. I spent a lot of time googling this. Many different answers like women need 2.2 liters, 9, 8 oz cups per day for 72 oz, multiply your weight by 2/3. The list goes on and on. My doctor recently told me to divide your weight in half. There are many articles that use this half your body weight formula. For me any water at this point is good. I used to be so good at it. Now I'm lucky to drink two glasses. 

They say it takes about 21 days to create a habit. I am starting today to drink at least gallon of water per day. 128oz. Anyone wanna take this 21 day challenge with me??? 

Savannah, Ga

Oh how I love the city of Savannah. Last week my man and I spent three wonderful days there. We totally acted like tourist the whole time.. It is a great city, but sharing it with such an important person in your life is priceless.

Boat Ride

an Interesting Read

Everyone needs a Call-a-Cab

I Heart Piano Bars

 Trolley Ride

The Beat Goes On Show

Beautiful View 

Forstyth Park My FAV!

4 Miles

Every other Monday is usually a day off for me. That day is usually a Kay and Gail day. Sunday I got a text that said 4 mile walk on the beach tomorrow??? I thought to myself ummm really??? Funny thing is a year ago that would have never been my response. I was so active and just in the working out zone and just loving my new over 160 pound weigh tloss self that I successfully worked at for two years then kept off a while. This month will be four years for my whole journey. I feel successful cause I am still over 100 pounds down but not where I should be. It was just amazing to have a friend that loves me so much to be blunt with me and challenge me. That's a true friend.

We successfully completed a four mile walk on the beach.  My feet are on FIRE!!!! I woke up this morning feeling great. I do have two blisters, but no pain, no gain!! Having a good support system is the number one thing that makes it work for me. Love you my friend!!!

I'M BACK

Where do you start when you have fallen off the wagon, but finally ready to get back at it??? Right where it all began right here from the week before my surgery I was on this blog with the wonderful friends I made. Some of us follow each other on facebook, so we still keep up with each other, but facebook is not a place I am totally honest with my journey. I think a lot of you would agree with that. With all that being sad here I go…


My life has been up and down over the last year with a failed relationship, too tight of a band, and weight gain I can successfully say 2012 was NOT the best year for me. Everyone has a story so now I have finally decided to be honest with myself and share my story. The first two and a half years of my surgery I was a beast! I was so committed I did everything I was told. I went to group therapy, had a blog, great support with friends and family, and worked out with a personal trainer three days a week. I was on FIRE the weight came off and I was feeling great, awesome, and fantastic. In March of 2012 I got real sick something was stuck like never before, and I had to call the dr on a Sunday. He met me at the office and took out all the fluid, so it would pass. He told me to come back in the next week to get it filled back up. I left for a cruise the next day. Boy or Boy never do that to a banded girl. I ate, ate, and ate. I was FReeeee! Ha.. I finally decided to go back in May and had gained 25 pounds yes in just those two months. I got a fill left the office and had the worst week of my life. I could not eat or drink anything at all. I lived like that for a week. I was completely miserable throwing up a lot. I went back into the dr and had to argue with him that something was wrong. Till finally he put me on the x-ray machine wear you can drink the white stuff and watch it go down, and it proved to him that I was extremely too tight. He loosen it and sent me on my way. I was angry at that point, so no more was I a good banding patient anymore. I tested everything and found out I could eat pretty much any and everything, so I did. Going through a bad break up in August I still wanted to just go back to the old way and use food for comfort. Then I found out my dr office was closing and had to pick a new dr. It was just so much and I didn’t want to do it.

I have a wonderful friend that was always on my case about the gaining, but I was not hearing him. He is a blessing in my life and I would not have had the courage to make the appointment without him. I continued to work out, but you can go to the gym and spend all the money on a personal trainer, but that still doesn’t work if the food you are putting inside you is not the right food. I am living proof of that. I finally got to my breaking point. All my clothes started not fitting. It is hot here and Florida and none of my shorts fit. I finally had to hit rock bottom with my self. Being over weight for my whole life I never got had the feeling people would say how they want to get back to where they where when they were smaller until now. When I look in the mirror I finally see it. It was like a semi truck hit me. All of the sudden I had to face it, so I made appointment with the Dr he actually did my surgery, but left the practice that I started with so I felt more comfortable going to someone I knew it was yesterday. I got tightened. It was a really good appointment. I gained 65 pounds. Wow that was so hard to type that, but the only way I am going to be able to totally get back is to be honest. I need my friends here that got me through. You guys are awesome and I am reaching out again just like I am the new be! I am blessed with a wonderful support system of great friends and family. I also have a wonderful man in my life who is a great supporter of me getting back on track.

I know I got a lot of catching up to do, but I am BACK! I still think about our BOOBs trip to Chicago all the time. I have missed you guys!!!! No matter what I do not feel like a failure. I have still kept off 100 pounds, so that in it self is achievement!

Latest and Greatest!!

Its been over a year since I have blogged. Well here is an update on me. I am still at it. Working out 3-6 days a week with a personal trainer that is just amazing, and living life for me finally. Life is good people. I sure do miss all my blogging friends. I am hoping to get back at this you all helped me out so much when I was first banded. I will never forget the impact a lot of you had on my journey.

Miss September

My Dr.'s office put me on their website as Miss September. Here is a link. Check out my story.

Jax Weight Loss Center


Also I did a photo shoot with my friend Lyndsay. Check out these pics.

Photoshoot Pics

Happy Two Year's To me!!!!!!

Two years ago today I changed my life forever. Making the decision to get a lapband has been the best thing I;ve ever done. I am so thankful for my family and friends that have helped me, encouraged me, supported me, and loved me through this amazing journey. I never knew life could be this good.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Hello everyone I just wanted to wish all my blogging friends a great long weekend. I hope you enjoy time with your families and friends. I have some family in town that I will be visiting as well as spending time with my wonderful friends. Be sure to honor the people that have served or currently serve our country.

on a HUGE side note. GAIL HALL achieved a huge milestone this week.... Are you ready for it??? I am now under 200 pounds. My weight no longer begins with a 2. I am smaller now then I was in the fifth grade for the first time! AMAZING YOU HEAR ME??? AMAZING!

I love you all!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom in the world!! To all my blogging friends that are Mother's I hope you enjoy this day with your families. It takes a special person to be a Mom. I am blessed to know a lot of great Mother's. I am fixing to get off work, and get up early for a day with my family. I can't wait.

I have also included some new pics of me since I have been a bad missing in action blogger lately. I miss you guys. Hope all is well with you all.

This is the best!!! No carbs and No calories!!! 

Personal Training

Since I have been banded I have been seeing a personal trainer with the exception of a few months. My first trainer was let go from my Dr. Office then the search went out for a new one. The practice hired a new girl. I finally gave her a try, and really liked her. She was then let go also. I know, I know tends to be a pattern. I get attached to them then they get fired haha.. Anyway, I usually fall apart when my routine is messed up, but this time I have managed to stay on track. Thanks to my team of help. Ashley my trainer reached out to me when she didn't have to. She could have cut all ties and she continued to reach out and check on me. She invited me to the park to do cardio while she was trying to figure out what she was going to do. I just found out this week that starting on Monday we are all set up to start training again. Three days a week. I cant wait to get back at it. When my friend Chris was in town my birthday week I went to the gym with him. He worked my arms so hard. I was sore for two days, but it felt great. I have until Aug 11th to make my two year mark from surgery. I will be at my final goal by then. With the help of my personal team, Dr. C, Ashley, and Kaloni my nutritionist, and of course my amazing family and friend support system. I have got this!!! Here's to it folks!!!!!

Here is a pic of me and my trainer Ashley.

She's BACK!!!

Yes, Yes, Yes.... I know I have been the WORST blogger of the year!! Can I get an award for that????

I know a lot of you follow me on facebook that way you can keep tabs on my crazy life, but I know that blogging is not the same.

Soooo much to tell... Don’t even know where to start. So here goes nothing... The last time I blogged was my work Christmas party. Gosh that’s three months ago.. I'll just hit ya'll with the highlights. Christmas was awesome. I worked Christmas Eve and Day, but then went with my parents to my Aunt and Uncles house in North Carolina. I was able to experience my first ever white Christmas. It was my first time ever in the snow. I love being a Florida girl, but it was nice to play in the snow. New years I spent with my Brother, Sister in law, and a few close friends in Fernandina Beach, Fl. our local spot. It ended up being a big night for me cause I closed the door to a very long, long idea of a relationship I was making up in my head with a guy that never wanted me, but in my head I have had our life planned out for years. He is a very good friend. That I do love very much, but only as my friend. I am so thankful for that night. I had finally reached my breaking point and knew I had to let go of the idea of there ever being anything more. It opened my eyes up that I was just holding on to the idea of us for the past couple of years because I thought I would never be good enough for anyone, and what we had felt perfect. Now I know I am good enough to be loved by someone. I just got to find him and never settle. Ya’ll got a brother you want me to meet hahah.. Just kidding. Moving on. In an effort not to hurt my family that read my blog with to many details on Jan 9th tragedy struck my family with the worst week ever. My Brother and Sister in Law are getting a divorce. No need to spill details because only the two involved know all the truth. I just know for me it was and is the worst pain ever. As you guys know that met Kathy at Boobs 2010 in Chicago we were really close friends. I called her my sister. They had been married for 15 years together for 18 so she's been in my life for a long time. Since I was 12. I went through a real hard time feeling all kinds of emotions. I didn’t want to lose her friendship because she was the closest girlfriend I had. My brother and I had lots of talks him telling me it wasn’t my fault. I was blaming my self for asking her to go out with me and my friends, I know she is grown and can make her own decisions, but I still am human so it’s natural for me to feel bad. My brother would tell me don’t stop talking to her and being her friend so I tried that, but it seemed like every time we would hang out no matter what we did something she would say or do would make me mad or hurt my feelings. I guess because I knew my brother was hurting. I would get over it not say anything and then wait till the next time. On my Birthday last weekend we had a huge falling out. The only part of the conversation that replays in my head is "Gail, you need to separate your emotions." How can I be friends with someone who wants me to be emotionless? That's just a huge thing I am dealing with right now. I am very close to my family and this hurts so much. I have never had to go through anything like this. My nephew is my life. I love him so much. He is 13. I try to spend a lot of time with him. The good thing about this if there ever was a good thing is that I did not turn to food to grieve. I walk and run more now haha... My very good friend Jon was going through a lot at the same time. I did not want to be a lone, so I moved in with him and he has been a Godsend to me really. I am so blessed because he kept me together. He does not even know what he did for me. He is the most amazing friend anyone can ever ask for. I would have fallen apart if it wouldn’t have been for him. I still don’t wanna go back home yet cause I love not being a lone. We have just a good system it just works. Brings me to Feb I did the Fight for Air climb at the Bank of America Tower here in jax. Our team was the Hall Climbers and we climbed 42 stories, 838 steps. Wow you hear me, Wow! Then it was my year and a half mark of my surgery. Oh what an awesome time I am having with this journey it is a whole new life. Unless you have been overweight your whole life and lose the weight you have no idea how much life is different now...People often say in these blogs they don’t want losing the weight to change them. Well it does. I am more open and vocal now than I ever have been. I have confidence that I have never had before. I might not be different, but I am just a butterfly coming out of my cocoon. Then it was my Brothers birthday lunch with the family of course. Then we had Valentine's Day which I spent with friends. No love, lots of losses but no loves yet haha... March I did the Gate River Run. Which is HUGE. It is one of the Nations largest 15k's (9.3 miles) I did not run I walked/jogged, but I finished. What a great and awesome feeling. I was the girl that over a year ago could not walk from the parking garage at work to my desk without breathing hard and now I have completed a 15k!!! My 30th Birthday was last weekend that what an awesome time I had. Awesome presents from my dad. Vera Bradley sunglasses prescription, the new Ipad that just came out, and a very nice Coach watch, and a hotel room on Amelia Island for three nights. My friends Brooke and Billy got me a big cookie cake. That is my favorite. Also, my really good friend Chris came into town from Nashville. I was able to have the whole week off work to spend with him and our friends. Joshua got me a nice case for my new Ipad. Lots of friends came out to dinner and we made a nice long week of it. I am so blessed and thankful....

All this leaves me to give you one more piece of sad news. I had signed up for Boobs 2011, but just realized that is the weekend my good friend is getting married. I am a bridesmaid, so I can not miss that. She would not be happy ha... I am very sad that I will not be able to make it. I had such a great time and was looking forward to seeing each of you again. :( I am very sorry.

I hope everyone is doing great and I promise to be a better blogger. Here are some pictures of my highlights I mentioned

Christmas Party 2010

My friend Jon and I went to my work Christmas party last Saturday night. It was a lot of fun. I still can't believe how far I have come, and that I actually wore this dress, but I did!!!

Another 5K Completed

Last Saturday, December 11th. Kathy and I completed our 5th 5K of the year. Casa Jingle Bell. We tied Jingle Bells to our shoes, wore bell bracelets on our wrists, and went out all festive for the season. It was COLD, but lots of fun. My parents and brother and joey came along to cheer us on. It was a great day!!

I am doing The Fight for Air Climb for the American Lung Association on Feb 5th at the Bank of America  building downtown Jacksonville.  They have practices on Tues and Thurs. I just attended my first practice. 42 stories and 838 steps!!!! I did it!!! 20:35 yay me!!!!!!

Yours Truly.... Look at me!!!!

For sooo long I had fears of going to restaurants with booths. I would get anxiety as I waited in hopes that we would get seated at a table cause at most every place I would not fit, but now there's no fear. I prefer booths. Today I had lunch with my friend Ashli and little Caleb. I sat in a booth and  even held Caleb putting him to sleep. How awesome! Not gonna lie tears of joy when I left!!  I did this ladies I did it!! Actually I'm doing it!!!!  Love ya'll xoxo

Yesterday Kathy, Jason and I completed my 4th 5k of the year. Beat our time by 2 min. Which is great considering I worked the night before 12 hours got off and went straight to the 5k. So the combination of no sleep and all the hills were great haha!! Thanks to Jason and Kathy for pushing me to keep going faster and harder.  We had a cookout with friends later in the afternoon. I am so blessed!  Xoxo