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

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy.....Wishing you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for your friendship.

Started with a new trainer yesterday. I think it's gonna be a good move. We did legs yesterday. I am soooooore!! No pain, No gain!! Here's to making it to goal by March!!!! Love u guys!!

Question for my Blogging Sisters... Anyone got bathing suits they can't wear anymore that you wanna pass along??? I'm going on a cruise in two weeks and need one or some hehe....

Bad bad chicken.... I usually don't have issues with chicken, but boy I just did... You know the drill first comes the tightness in your chest then the feeling that you just gotta get it out. I go to the bathroom throw up a little there's some chicken. I thought I was in the clear... Oh but I wasn't. I go back to the table sit there. My parents have all my looks down to a tee. They know just by looking at me that I'm not ok, and talking is not ok. My mom said, "Gail you ok?" I gave the look and if you know me well you know my answer was "it's all good." Then I looked up and said nope I gotta walk as soon as I stood up and headed to the bathroom there comes the gross part we hate... Slime as I now break into a sprint across the restaurant. Then get to the bathroom to finally get it out!! Followed by the lovely burps to let me know this time it's really all good!! :) still not feeling 100% but glad the worst is behind me! Hope everyone else had a better night than me!

I went to Universal Studios again over the weekend look who I got to play with!! 

Pirate Princess

I have only dressed up once for Halloween when I was in high school and a few times as a kid... Well this year I did the unimaginable... I dressed up. Last week I went to the Halloween store with my good friend Sarah also a bander (by the way she is soo close to her 100 down) we tried on costumes. It was soooo much fun. So I decided to play along. We went to a party called the Gravediggers ball. It was fun he see everyone dressed up. I had a wonderful time, so glad I did it. The confidence that I have gained over the last year is amazing. I still can't believe that I wore what I did.. Boots to my knees you hear me hahaha!!!! The best part of my outfit was that it came with pirate panties :) 

Lunch with Jacquie

I know all of you are jealous that I had lunch with Jacquie again today. I just love her soooo much. It was a much needed!!!

Making Strides for Breast Cancer 5K

Kathy and I did our 3rd 5k of the year last Saturday. Making Strides for Breast Cancer. We beat our time and had a lot of fun all for a great cause in honor of my Aunt Joyce and in support of my Aunt Nita and all the other survivors. My friend Jason came out and joined us to. Super awesome day! 

Welcome to my rut

I am very involved in my doctors office it is a huge place and I constantly have people asking me questions... How did you do so well? Why can't I succeed like you did? What do you eat? How much physical activity do you do? Yesterday I hit rock bottom. I felt overwhelmed and just totally helpless. I feel like I am not helping people the way I should. I feel at a loss of words these days. Yes I did very well in the beginning and lost 100 pounds quick, but the last 5 months I have only lost about 30 pounds. I know some of you are like 130 and you are complaining. Let me tell you I am not complaining at all. I am so happy with myself. I feel like I have finally accomplished something on my own.  I am steadily losing never gaining, but still not double digits every month anymore. I know it gets harder, but some people think I am perfect, and a pro at this banding thing. I am gonna put it out there to the whole world that I am not a pro. It is a life long struggle that I have to deal with every single day of my life. Just like everyone else that is going through this same process. I signed up knowing that I have to change my life forever. Its all about the choices we make 24 hours a day. When I cheat I admit it. and I do cheat. ha.. I have always been a people pleaser, but the past year I have worked so hard at improving myself that I have tried to constantly do what Gail wants to do, but deep down I still have the need to want to fix everyone. I get emails, texts, and phone calls from people and I want to fix them. I know I can't do it, but I get depressed that I lost so much weight, and I feel helpless when I dont have the right words to say. I had dinner with a good friend last night, and she said "Gail you can't fix no one but yourself." I know this, but I can't seem to get out of this rut. I have never really been the one to ask for help. I always listen to everyone and try to help them. So again this is huge for me. Angie the lady I went to dinner with last night used to be in a small group I used to have on Monday night months ago she even brought up the fact that at the beginning of those groups I would never talk about my self, but the leader Kristie did so well for me pushing me to open up. That was the creation of this new change in myself. I miss her and that group time so much. So now I am reaching out to you guys.

Roller Coaster Madness

For the first time in almost 9 years I finally got to ride a roller coaster. Before I could not even use the modified seating. On Monday I rode the Hulk at Universal in the front row!! Then did round two in the back row. I love roller coasters!! I see myself spending a lot of time there using my annual pass this year!

Donate to Me

Hey! Next Saturday I am walking a 5K for Breast Cancer. Click the link and donate to this great cause. I am walking in honor of my Aunt Joyce that I lost to breast cancer and for my Aunt Nita who is a survivor.

Thanks you guys!!!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Donate to Me!!

So as much of you know my Dr. put me on 3 weeks restriction because I had my all time low of a month weigh in only losing 2 pounds...my problem was Starbucks and Peanut M&M's waaayy to many carbs when my office only wants you to have 30 in a day. I spent the day shopping with my really good friend Jon. Our last stop was Target for some house stuff. We did the usual filled the buggy up. Checkout came I put my stuff up and paid. We got to the car he sat down and opened a bag of peanut m&m's are u kidding me???? My appointment is in the morning at 730 to end my 3 weeks. How ironic was that. He's funny.. I said to him you have got to be kidding me, his response was none for you missy haha!!! Not only was it hard in Chicago with a Starbuck on every corner. But I've got this... This girl has will power like crazy!!!  Hope everyone had a good day! 

No Neck... to... Neck

Chicago

Chicago was none other than AMAZING!! It was so nice and wonderful to meet all of you BOOBS! So many of you have helped me without even knowing you were helping... I am so glad I was able to go on this trip. Each of you welcomed me with open arms and Kathy as well.  I loved hanging out, laughing, sharing memories and making new ones. I just want to say thank you to everyone that had a part in making this past weekends one of the best ever in my life. I love you all, and cant wait to see you again. I'll post pics soon just haven't had time to sit and upload yet. Thank you all so much. xoxo.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Kathy just showed up. We are OUT THE DOOR MY FELLOW BOOB's LADIES!!! See you all very soon. For those of you that can not make it this trip... We will see you next time :)

Today I got mom to take these pics. The second one I really realized how far I have come... It's amazing really! 

Boobs Questions

Hi all the boobie girls! Someone much more organized than I am thought it would be fun to know more about you, and she enlisted me to think of some crazy questions…so…this is sort of a Gillyified version of Drazil’s BYOC. Knock yourselves out.


1) You’re trapped on a desert island and you can bring only 3 of your favourite foods along. What do you bring?

*Pizza with all the meats, mushrooms, and green olives.. Oh goodness my mouth just watered thinking about it. *Peanut m&m's since that is my newest craving all the freaking time. *Chicken. I could live off of chicken. I just love it.
2) If you could meet any 3 people, living or dead, who would they be and why?

*Jesus, because he is my Saviour. *Mr. Right 3. or *Mr. Right Now whichever comes first! :)


3) What is your stripper name? (take the name of your first pet and the name of the street you grew up on)

Midnight Church hahaha.. That made me bust out laughing.
4) How old were you when you lost your virginity? Alternative question if you don’t want to answer this: What is your LEAST favourite part of your bod since losing weight? Your MOST favourite since losing weight?

My arms are my least fav part. I have some loose skin that makes me mad everytime I look at it. My favorite is my collar bones hahaha......

5) Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a house that is supposedly haunted?

Yes and No I would have to have a friend with me

6) What is your natural hair colour? If you dye it something completely different from what your momma gave ya, how come?

Brown. It's kind of dull, so I always have highlights at one point I had a lot of blonde, but now I am headed back to being brown again.

7) Boxers or briefs? Alternatively…bikinis or granny panties?

Boxer briefs on him and hipsters or boyshorts for me
8) If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? (Trilogies do not count as one movie, cheaterpantses!)

Hope Floats

9) What is your guilty pleasure (feel free to go straight to the gutter with this one if the spirit moves you!)

Food
10) How many pounds gone forever are you celebrating?? :) 123

Its soooo close now. I can't wait to meet you all!!!!!!!!!

Challenges and Goals

I am coming to realize that I do the best in life when I am challenged, and when I set goals and have a plan.
I started a challenge with my support group at the dr office that will take us through the holidays ending on Jan 6th. It is a personal set goal weight loss challenge. Since everyone in our group is at a different place in their journey some prebanded, just banded, getting to their goal, a few pounds to go, ect. I came up with the idea that each person have their own goal, but it has to be approved or set by Jody our PA at the Dr. office. We will have two winners first the person that surpassed their goal the most and the second all the people that met their goal will put their name in a hat and one name will be drawn. Our Dr. office is providing visa gift cards for the winners. I think this is gonna be a great way to get through the holidays...
As far as personal goals go. I have 57 pounds to go until I reach my goal given to be by my doc. I have always had a goal date of Feb 11th cause that will be 18 months after being banded, but main goal date is March 18th which is exactly 6 months from day, and I will be 30!!! Such a big day, so I think this is my goal for myself. I got this!!! I appreciate all the support from my loving family and friends. I would not be this far if I was doing this journey on my own. I love and appreciate each one of you. I can never say thank you enough for believing in me.
Today is our big cookout for my dad. I can not wait to get home and be with my family and closest friends. Then its Chicago in less than a week. Can not wait!!! See you bloggers real soon!
much love xoxo

I am grounded

I went to the Dr. on Tuesday. I lost 2 pounds since I seen him last a month ago. Jody came in the room saying, "whats up? Gail this is not like you at all" I told her the only way I did well this whole year is because I had a routine. When my work schedule changed and other things started happening that affected my routine I started to mess up. I told her I eat right. I just have a problem with Starbucks and peanut M & M's. I We do low carb only 30 carbs a day. I used to be able to go to Starbucks, and order unsweetened passion tea which is no carbs, but I started ordering White Chocolate Mocha which is 64 carbs over two days worth of my allowed carbs... I have no clue where my craving for m&m's came from, but it is there. Thanks to the vending machines at work....So the dr came in and we talked. He said you are on restriction Gail for three weeks. No Starbucks and No m & m's. Fun, fun!! Then he gave me a fill. I think I am the tightest I have been this whole time. It's kind of like he was laughing on the inside saying I'll show her. Haha...
I got this!!! Here's to Gail hitting it hard for the next three weeks.
Happy Friday everyone... Some of my family comes in this weekend for a huge cookout we are having for my Dad's birthday. I am super excited to see everyone, Even though I will be working during the day all weekend long. BLAH!!!
XOXO!

My friends Shari and Mark got married this weekend. We stayed the weekend at the Amelia Island Plantation. It was so much fun good times with great friends. 

Update

Update from a painful weekend. I posted on Thursday that I was in a lot of pain on my right side. On Friday I went to the Dr after tests found that a bladder infection that I had two weeks ago traveled to my Kidneys giving me a horrible kidney infection. See my stupid butt quit taking my antibiotics when I started feeling better with the bladder infection instead of finishing it like I was supposed to :( Thankfully it was not too major. Thank you to everyone that showed their concern. Very sweet of you all. I can promise you I will finish the medications fully this time. I am a big baby when it comes to pain. My friend Jon and my sister in law Kathy were amazing. I love them both dearly for taking care of me driving me around trying to get me fixed.

On a side note I had a CT scan done of my abdomen and pelvis. I got the disc and brought it to my Dr. We was watching it all the sudden he looks at me and says Gail you are full of crap. I said no I am not! I promise it hurts real bad. He said no Gail literally. Yeah so I have a problem. I said I never have to go to the bathroom, and when I do it hurts to bad... He told me to get more fiber and some over the counter help. Wow it was disgusting to look at it on video. All that CRAP!!! hahaha.. 
Happy Wednesday to everyone!!!

The Winner Is.....

1. Post who gave you this award:  Liz

Thanks Liz you are such a wonderful person.

2. State 10 things you like:

Sunday’s with my parents

Lunch Dates

Having my own home

Beach Days

Traveling

The smell of mens cologne on a good looking man

Hanging out with my friends

Sitting outside at a restaurant when it’s nice out

Random Days

Peanut M & M’s – I know, I know but I just gotta have them :)

3. Give this award to 10 other bloggers and notify them with a comment:

Jacquie - http://jax0120.blogspot.com/

Stephanie- http://dreamsofskinnyhighheels.blogspot.com/

Amy- http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com/

Jennifer- http://lifeasiknowitsc.blogspot.com/

Drazil- http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/

Angie- http://angieinrepair.blogspot.com/

Jenny- http://embracinganewpath.blogspot.com/

Nella- http://nellaskinnybitch.blogspot.com/

Jennifer- http://jenslapbandjourney.blogspot.com/

Nicole- http://betterbanded.blogspot.com/

All of you are amazing people. You have all helped me on my journey over the last year. No better time than now to say Thank You!!!!

Have a great Labor Day Monday!!!

XOXO

NIghts at Work

It is 1245am I am at work finally I am able to sit down and get caught up.

First things first on Tuesday I got to go to lunch with Jacquie, her husband and my mom. This was Jacquie and I's second time meeting for lunch. She is so much fun. It's so nice being around her. Conversation is always so easy. She is a breath of fresh air.  We started talking about when I lost 100 pounds I sky dived. Steve then piped up he was hooked in the conversation then, so as she mentioned in her blog Steve will be sky diving with me in March. I can't wait. He got so excited just talking about it, as did I. My mom thought they were great people. It was such a wonderful time. Jacquie gave me some pants. It is always nice getting gifts. Can't wait to see you again Jacquie hope ya'll can make it to the cookout.

Next is a problem I am having. A couple of months ago, I had a pain on the right side of my body the Dr. thought it was my gallbladder we did a ultrasound, but everything was ok. A couple of days ago the pain is back. Tonight I walked into my support group and bam all of the sudden I am in horrible pain on the right side again. It felt like knives in there going to town. I was hunched over. They wanted to call the dr, but I am hard headed and said this will pass it did two days ago. Someone called me later and said it could be my appendix. I dont know.... Its horrible though, but it dont last two terribly long. I need to make an appointment I know. Tonight has been the longest pain. It lasted hours and is off and on all night. Anyone have any ideas?

Happy then Sad

My friend Josh introduced me to a girl that is getting banded next Thursday. We sent some messages back and fourth on facebook. I tried to answer her questions and concerns to the best that I could. While we was talking I asked her to come with me to Zumba. Well.. yesterday I was sooo tired from getting home from Orlando at 0130 then having to be at work at 0600 that I was not feeling like going to Zumba last night, but then I get the message from Sarah asking me if I was gonna be there. I knew I needed to go. Then I got another message from another patient at my dr. office asking me if I still was going to be at Zumba she wanted to try it. So there it was my sign that Gail you have to go. I would have felt bad for not going when people were counting on me to be there. So I went and it was great. I think we worked out harder than ever. It was so fun. I am glad I went. Sarah and Megan loved it as well and will be back!!

On a more important note. Most of you know that I have been working out with Deb my personal trainer at the Dr. Office. Well, there has been lots of drama going on, but last night I got the call that she was "let go" "fired" whatever you want to call it yesterday. I understand the correct thing to say is there are always two sides to every story, but for me I dont want to hear the other side. I am being selfish because I love Deb. I know for a fact that I would not have been so successful if it wasnt for her. I have been working out twice a week with her since I began my journey a year ago. Knowing I had somewhere to be twice a week that I had invested in not only with my money, but emotionally as well was keep me going. The past month I have not been to see her. I was on vacation then my schedule at work has been crazy with me having to do some training, so I missed her. I still had contact with her and did Zumba so I was not doing without, but now that she is gone from there I do not want to fail. That is something that I have always struggled with in previous times of trying to lose weight. My fear of failure then I just give up. I do not want to fail. I think I am stronger than I ever have been through this journey, and I want it to bad that I can say I am not ready to give up or fail. It just scares me. She said that she is going to another place, and we would figure it out.. so we shall see...

A Short Vaca

On Sunday I left to go to Orlando with one of my bestest buddies Josh. We had a very eventful weekend that included: Seaworld, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Bahama Breeze, Magic Kingdom, lots of rain, seen Switch at the movies, Dinner at Margaritaville, and we ended our three days with the Jack Johnson concert which was AWESOME! He is just amazing. Im at work today, I'll post pictures later.

On the band front... Why is that the whole weekend it seemed that I could eat, and eat... Then we stopped for lunch on Tuesday at 903 Mills Market. I attempted to eat a salad with chicken on it and some soup.. ummm yeah two bites into it and I was done.. The most horrible feeling ever! I knew I had something stuck. After walking around outside trying to get it to pass I had to just get it out.. Yes you guessed it... chicken.. yuck~! So embarrassing. Josh kept saying cant you just chew more, cut smaller, ect. He tried to be supportive. I have been banded now a year and only had four times that I felt really bad/uncomfortable that was one of them. I hate those times. Especially to be with someone. I rather deal with it on my own. I always talk about the good times on here, so I needed to post a bad time as well.... We all have them Im sure.
I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!!

An Awesome Weekend

Hey guys.. I had such a wonderful weekend I just had to share with you all. My life long friends the Kriner family have a daughter named Brooke who is one of my bestest friends in the worldl I love her and admire her dearly. She is married to a wonderful man named Billy. They also have a son named Jordan. He is in the Army. He met a wonderful lady named Oana. They got married in Italy, and this weekend came to Florida to have a reception here. It was such a wonderful time. We stayed in Fernandina Beach all weekend. Such a close getaway. Brookes Mom, Mrs. Theresa's family from New York are so much fun. I love getting to see them any chance I get.



Here are a few pics to share.








On the band front I have a challenge going on with Kathy my sister in law for Chicago. I did well this week with 4 more pounds down. I am super excited. When I started this journey 8-11-09 in a size 28-30 I never thought I would be where I am at today. The blue dress is a 16!! Wow.. I am still smiling. I wasnt even a 16 in 5th grade!!! Love you guys, Have a great week! xoxo

Happy Bandiversary to me!

A year ago today I had a tool put inside me that would change my life immensely. Boy oh Boy where do I start. I woke up today with a huge smile on my face. I am on a journey of finding myself. I have always been over weight. As far back as I can remember buying clothes even in 5th, 6th grade I was in plus size clothes. I am small now than I was then. Which is amazing, Thoughts of everything I have done this year that could not have been possible without the help of my band, my determination, my family, and my friends. My self confidence has sky rocketed. I never wanna sit still. Active as a bee. Zumba is my passion. I do that two days a week. Kathy went with me and she made the comment “I never thought I would see Gail Hall enjoying exercise but really loving the stuffing out of it!! Seriously I almost cried at zumba watching you!” I have done two 5K’s with my wonderful sister in law, Kathy. I lost 100 lbs and flipped myself out of a perfectly good airplane. I can wear my friends clothes for the first time in my life. I do things that I want to do, I have no issue saying no I don’t wanna do that. I am living my life for me. I am more out spoken now; I think that just comes with the confidence. I love getting attention from people. It just proves more and more that our society only see’s the outside of a person, but I am getting noticed now from my appearance which has never happened before. I went from a size 30 jeans to now 18 and some 16 depending on the brand/cut. 118 pounds down!!! U hear me people that is a person. A PERSON!! I struggle some here lately trying to keep motivated, but the end result is the same. This band is not a magic wand. I did this. I worked so hard all year, and I am not done yet!! I have the best Dr. in the world and his staff is amazing. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for those people and my support group of family and friends that keep me on track. I know this is short, but I have to get to work. I’ll come up with something better later.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day!!

I can not stop eating these!!!!! 

Vent Session

Has anyone else had one of those days where you just wanna eat EVERYTHING I tell you EVERYTHING??? Well I am having not only one of those days, but how about one of those weeks. I feel like I am losing my motivation. I need to knock myself back to reality and get back to it. I have done so well to just let it all go down the drain. It breaks my heart when people that email me and comment on my facebook about how good I am doing and they wish they could have my motivation while I feel like I have none these days. I have steady lost weight since I started this journey my year is next Wednesday. I have not gained any since my last appointment in July, but I had lost three pounds the week after my appointment and now gained those three back so I am right where I was when I left the dr two weeks ago. Ok, Ok so three pounds is nothing, but for me those three turns into thirty!!! I never ask for help, but I reached out to a friend yesterday. That was huge for me. Valerie is an awesome friend and I love her dearly. She is a fellow bandster that I met at my dr's office. We have become really good friends. It helps having close friends that totally get our "band issues." I have a huge group of family and friends that love me and support me, but none of them know where I am at emotionally right now with my inside struggle. I have a way of hiding sometimes. The one thing I fear the most through this whole process is coming this far and doing so well and then failing. I made a board one time at one of my small groups about six months there was a part of it that said. "I will achieve my goals and inspire others!" This board is still in my house on display I walked by it this morning read it and got an awful feeling in my stomach. I'll post the pictures of it. I don't think I ever blogged about it. My counselor Kristie that I used to see at my dr office gave us a handout it that project, so I made it. I had to email people ask them words that they thought of me, it has before, and during pictures on it. It was a really fun project. Thanks to all of you for being there. I can't wait till Chicago only 49 more days!!!