Rewards

I used to stress about the scale... Now I don't weigh unless I go to the Dr. I was thinking today about rewards. It is nice to have mini goals and a plan. So far I have done a few things...
I lost 40lbs I started getting my nails done.
I lost 50lbs by Christmas... It made Christmas amazing. & an awesome reward trip to New Orleans for New Years!!
End of January I went to Kansas City, Mo to visit family. I no longer need a seat belt extender!! YAY.
I lost 80lbs I bought myself a birthday outfit to wear out.
I lost 100lbs I THREW MYSELF OUT OF A PERFECTLY GOOD AIRPLANE!!

The future is near...
As I am approaching my one year I have about 11 more weeks until I reach my year mark. I am thinking of ways I want to reward myself.
umm.... I am shooting for 125 down in a year. Not really sure what that reward is going to be just yet.
In Sept the Chicago trip to meet all of you is a big reward that in its self.
Another big milestone will be when I step on the scale to find onederland. Something I have not seen since I can remember. 199...
I have a cruise planned in November, so getting on that boat being in onederland will be none short of AMAZING!
Of course little things along the way of new clothes always makes feel great.
I am just curious how you all reward yourself????

Popcorn Day & About Gail

Today is Popcorn Day here at work. The airport has started doing snacks in the break rooms on most Friday's. The bags they gave us were individual white cheddar popcorn. yummy; however, it was my first time having popcorn since being banded. It felt kind of weird. Anyone else think it feels weird?? I was surprised that I could have it. My Dr.'s office we do low carb. Only 30 carbs a day. All the meat and veggies we want just gotta count the carbs in all the other stuff. I usually don't count strictly because I usually just eat meat and veggies. I use carbs as dip for my meat and just other random things. I always check the nutritional guide though when it is something that's not a meat or veggie. So I immediately turned the popcorn bag over, and it said 8 carbs I was like what!!! yay!

Last night I had a support group. Jody our group leader put me on the spot a little. I find it hard to praise myself. I know that I have done well, but I still have a hard time talking about how well I have done, and what I do to get there. She tends to push me with questions, and that helps. Truth is I do what to help others and inspire them we say it often, but if I can do it anyone can. I made this process my life. The past nine months has been all about Gail. My doctor is Dr. Cywes. He did not actually do my surgery it was done by another doc that was in his practice at the time. From the beginning of my process I have been real involved with the resources that the office has to offer: I workout with Deb she is my rock she has been with me since day one of this whole process. I see her on Mon and Wed for 30 min sessions. I attend small group counseling sessions on mon nights after I workout with Kristie. Man have those sessions changed me. I can see myself opening up more. I was always good to sit there and listen to everyone else, but rarely would discuss me until lately. I have always been a good ear, but not a good venter. Kristie challenges me every time I see her. Also, have Sunny the nutritionist. She is always a ray of sunshine. She always encourages me. When I reached out to her in email she has been very helpful. We also have big support groups the first and third Thursday of the month. They are lead by the four ladies taking turns. When it came to the day I was told a few months ago that my doc would be leaving the practice that I would have to either go with him, or start seeing Dr. Cywes. I sat down with the people that are most important in my life and decided since I invest so much of my time into Dr. Cywes team that I needed to stay with him. I am successful because I knew for me to make this work I needed to have things and people that keep me accountable. That is what my practice does for me. Every time I have an appointment with Dr C. I am so pleased with my decision. He is a great Doctor. He pushes and gives guidance. He genuinely cares for his patients. He might of not placed my band inside me, but to me that is not the part that matters. The person he is helping me become is the way bigger picture. So many times I have dieted in the past looking for a quick fix. This time for the first time. I am looking for a my whole lifestyle change. I am not going back only forward. It is not a quick fix. If It was I probably would have already quit. I love the person I am becoming. People often write on here they don't want to change. Change is good. Loving myself is a change I am talking about, having more confidence, going after what I want in life, not living to please those around me. I will always be the Gail everyone has loved you will just love me more haha!!
I notice myself trying new things. Opening up being more communicative, wanting more for myself. Being more confident. My friends tell me they see these things to.

After the support group last night I went with 4 other friends from the group to check out this place that does dance lessons. Well I don't dance, but they talked me into signing up. This should be interesting. I called Kathy my sister in law at 9 last night making her sign up with me. Maybe we will show you guys our new moves when we get together in Chicago. haha..It will be great exercise. Dr. C told me to find somethings to do. So I am just doing what I am told. We went to dinner after that. One of the girls said Gail have you ever tried the Mahi-Mahi.. I said ummm.. I've never had fish. funny I know. I tried it though and loved it. The old Gail would of not even opened my mouth to it. I think they are making me their little project haha...
It's so fun making good friends with people that are banded cause they just get it more than our other family and friends. Don't get me wrong I have the best support from my family and friends, but its nice to make relationships with people that understand completely what I am going through. Which is also another reason why this blog is so helpful.

I know it was a long post. Just had a lot to say. Hope everyone has an Awesome Friday. Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo

Beach Days

I love living in Florida!!! Beach Days are the Best!!!!

Gail's SkyDive 18,000 Feet Titusville FL

Here are the PICS...

Overcoming Stress

Whew!!! Just typing that title was a mouthful. Yesterday was an awful day. It was like a combination of everything happening over and over. Work was.... stupid. I didn't get my way on something, and what do I do.. You got it.. I pout. Then say something smart and uncalled for to my boss. I hate stupid rules sometimes. Especially when I can see a better result doing it my way. ha.. I sent some text to my close friends telling them what I said and did then I said I am a carbon copy of my Father. I sent him a text that said you have created a monster I am becoming more and more like you everyday. The day seemed to just get worse. Everything that someone said to me I didn't know if I wanted to scream at them or cry. Every thought that came through my head same thoughts, scream or cry. I was an emotional basket case. I was never a sweet lover until lately now my craving is chocolate. How in the devil did this happen. I always want Reese's, or Snickers. What in the world. Growing up my dad has been a diabetic, so we didn't have dessert, sweets, real cokes or anything like that. Every now and then I would want a piece of cheesecake, or Cold Stone ice cream (thanks to Mrs. Bird), but really never was a sweet lover. NOW total opposite. I sat at work wanting to go to the vending machine all afternoon, but I didn't do it!!! Yay me.

I got off work and went straight to my Dr. office where I go see Deb my personal trainer on Mondays and Wednesdays. The way there the devil sitting on my left shoulder kept telling me to call her and not go, turn the car around, but I chose not to. I knew that I would feel better after I sweat a little, and sure enough I had a good workout that always seems to help on a bad day.

I had made plans to go with Kathy my sister in law to a passion party that a friend of ours was having. Didn't really want to do that either, but I went home took a shower, got ready, and went to get Kathy. Got there and opened her refrig what was there... Cheesecake, but I resisted once again.

Meanwhile before I left the house I had text a Lapland friend I have named Stacy. I would like to share our text with you....

Gail: Had a bad day at work all I want is everything I am not supposed to have a large pizza, Reese's or Snickers!!!! Grrr!!!

Stacy: 100 pounds girl... 100 pounds! You did that and one day day or whoever made you this way can not stop you from staying on track! You got this... Get you some pork skins or a slim jim. Drink a diet coke. Don't give in. We are on track and doing good. We gonna get skinny.

Gail: U R the best ever thank u so much!!! I needed that kind of response.

Stacy:There is no turning back girl only moving forward. The food isn't worth not getting to wear those clothes we want to wear so bad. It would only satisfy you for the moment those jeans will satisfy you the whole night.

Gail: Thank you

Stacy: Anytime girl... that's what we are for.

We don't really know each other that well. We met at a support group meeting. We are friends on face book and text some, but I am so happy to know that when I called on her in a moment of weakness she knew exactly what to say. I have met a few amazing friends through my Dr,'s office. Some that read my blog. Just know I am so glad that we met. There are so many people that support and help me. I am thankful for all of you on this blog, and my friends, and family. I would not be as successful that I am without each of you.

So back to my original story. We left Kathy's house headed to the party. It turned out to be a good night with lots of laughs. It was just what I needed.

I overcome a bad day, and who came out on top I did. ME! I did it.

Guess What I Did...

Two years ago at Christmas, my sister in law Kathy said at the dinner table "I want to go skydiving when I turn 40!, in two years. Gail you should come with me." Me being the nice person I am I was like sure I'll go knowing that I could not go because I knew there was a weight restriction. This Christmas comes along she says " Gail you know my birthday is in May and I'll be 40, so we have to do it, and you have already lost weight you can do it!" We started telling people, so I couldn't back out. Well like my post said on Friday I lost 100 pounds. So what did you do when you lost 100 pounds? I threw myself out of a perfectly good airplane and had the time of my life!!! It was amazing!!!! I was scared to death, but I would so do it again. I had a crazy jump master that likes to do tricks. When we left the plane I leaned out the door and we started flipping 5 times in a row.... WOW. He was crazy fun. When I upload the video I'll post the link. That was my big surprise I have been talking about. You can now refer to me as a skydiver!!!! 18,000 feet, 1 min 20 sec free fall at 120 mph then an awesome time just floating around in the sky=AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!!

I hit the bulls eye!!!!

Confession to make. I promised my people at the Dr. Office that I would stop weighing at home, because last month it stressed me out. About 6:00pm today I just had to do it to see if I had lost even though I weighed last night at support group, but I was sooo close to a mega mega milestone that I could not wait till my appointment at the end of the month. So.... I stepped on the scale... It read 243 which is 100 down from my appointment in June of last year with my primary Dr. Then on my first appointment with my Lap band Dr. in July I was 338 my surgery was in August. So I think it is fair to count that weight and make today my 100 down mark! what you think? Because it just feels soooooo good. WOW... 9 months and I am down 100 pounds! Shut up, just shut up. The best part is I DID THIS, ME, GAIL... I DID IT!!!!

Ok I am done now. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I can't wait to share my surprise with you all tomorrow.

xoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY!

Today is my sister in law Kathy's birthday. I love her like she is my own sister. I am so thankful to have her in my life. Today I went to her work, and took her to lunch. We took pictures in dad's office. Just thought I'd share. We are doing something Saturday to celebrate. I can't wait to share with you all, but you have to wait till then..... I know, I know the suspense is gonna kill you, but its fun for me hahaha...

Have a good night you guys... xoxo