Weigh in

~Weigh in ~ 
Start Weight ~ 241
Last Week ~ 160.2
This Week ~ 158.2
Loss of ~ 2 pounds! 
Total loss ~ 82.8


This is a huge loss for me!  I can't remember the last time I had such a solid loss.  Off to work I go feelin' like a true Honey Badger.  
Lessons from this week ~ no wine = loss
                                    ~ running = loss
                                    ~ cutting out sugar = loss
                                    ~ cutting out carbs = loss
                                   ~ tracking calories = loss
                                   ~ drinking water = loss 


And just because I love pimps:

Who is that Pink Biotch? 

A love letter...and response = NSV

THIS WAS THE EMAIL I WOKE UP TO ON THIS FINE SATURDAY MORNING AS I AM ABOUT TO GO OUT IN 32 DEGREE WEATHER AND DO MY LONG RUN....

Dear Vanessa ,

One year ago, you ordered the following product from Zappos.com:

Levi'® Plus Plus Size 512â Perfectly Shaping Boot Cut - Impromptu - 20W/Medium

We wanted to let you know that right now, your size is still available from Zappos.com. You can order the same product again by visiting......


THIS IS MY RESPONSE: 


Dear Zappos,


I love you.  I love you for many reasons but right now I love you for reminding me that one year ago I was shopping for size 20W jeans.  Thank you letting me know how far I've come. However, I won't be ordering that size anymore, If you have something in a 10 or and 8 please keep me posted.  You see, last winter I took control of my life and will never again need a size 20.
I would love to ramble on here, but have to go running.


Cheers,
Vanessa

Weekend and Weigh in!

This weekend was like a "coming out" party for me ~ not that kind ~ more like a debutante coming out :)  I went to a horse show to help my friend with her customers and I hadn't seen many of them since pre-op. Who thought it would be possible to get tired of hearing "you look great!"  "how much have you lost"  "how did u do it?" ?

I went the route of telling people that I exercise like a maniac, I eat really well and that I had surgery.  

It really does take some getting used to - becoming visible again.  

Had a great weekend with family who I never see. I spent so many years making excuses not to go to these family parties but this year I got really into it. I think living in the moment has helped. I even managed to make it through the family bbq without over eating (mainly b/c NO vegan options - who puts bacon in potato salad???)  Unfortunately had to eat dessert - blueberry crumble to soak up the margarita I drank so I could drive home. It was really great to spend time with my cousins and have real conversations with them ~ we are usually just together for quick visits.


Sunday I went to the Surf Club with my cousins and their kids ~ I am not a fan of children (there, I'm outted) but these kids were fun and I had a blast hanging out with them ~ it reminded me of when I was a kid.  Then I plunked down on the ocean for the rest of the afternoon and chillaxed after kid time.
I love my band ~ lunch at the beach would usually be a free for all for me but thanks to the band ~ I had a half cup of salad and half portion of french fries ~ woo hoo!  


I would be weighing in this morning ~ but just sprained my m*ther effin ankle AGAIN walking the dogs!  So I'll not be running today or getting on the scale.. I swear I'm gonna be on the Short Bus soon...

So I'm just going to count the Sunday morning weigh in.  I went for a run pre-beach and saw 174.4 on the scale after - holy sh*t that's 4.6lbs down! 


Since my last fill I have noticed that whenever I eat I have pain in my stomach for about an hour after ~ not sure what thats all about - i should probably eat less and chew more...duh!

Accountability.....

Beach party last night  ~ chopped my hair off....

I'm going to take a page from dinnerland and write it down today ~  I have been focusing on everything
BUT the food ~ because, well, everything else is AWESOME ~ the food is not.  I have been binging on chips and all kinds of CRAP!  So here it is ~ my Plan for today...

100oz WATER

PROTEIN SHAKE ~ breakfast

Veggie Tali over rice for lunch ~

veggie dog mid day snack  ~ 14 g protein 140 calories 

roast tofu and corn salad for dinner ~ 

That's the basic outline ....

Montauk MTB Ride ~ AKA Sunday Mass

Its Sunday!  I'm so happy I have the morning free after yesterday's crazy day of showings.
There is a running joke among our mountain bike group that sunday morning rides are called Sunday Mass ~ since there is something so spiritual about being out with mother nature and greeting the day in the woods.  And since none of us would get up early to go to church but will jump at the chance to get out of the house pre-dawn to ride our bikes for hours...

I'm going out to Montauk to ride with my friend Jeanine.  I know it is just the next town over, but it feels like we are all Thelma and Louise when we load up her truck with the bikes, throw on some Greatful Dead and get ready to play in the woods on our bikes away from phones and people.  We started our obsession with mountain biking together three years ago and have a blast whenever we ride ~ generally giggling and quoting Family Guy episodes along the trail ~"I feel Right".

I'm trying super hard to get miles in for VT50 but its not been easy ~ I broke my new wheelset and had to rush to the bike shop.  After bribing the mechanics with a 6 pack of Fosters and some Heineken I got my bike back in 24 hours ~ unheard of service in August when the masses are here in the Hamptons and everyone is backed up.  But hey ~ you gotta grease the wheels.

Hoping we get in a good 3 hour ride and 15 miles this morning ~ and here is plan for the day ~ I figure if I map it out, I will keep to it ~ the food has been an issue ~ especially at dinner seconds and THIRDS ~  what the WHAT!

Morning  ~ 1 c coffe with .25 c lite soy milk
                   Breakfast Shake  ~ choocolate soy milk, peanut butter, green vibrance and spirutein
                   pre ride gu
                   G2 ~ durning ride
Lunch ~ Leftover corn salad from last night  1c
Dinner ~ Tempeh roasted over quinoa with spinach
Snack ~ Berries
100 oz of WATER

I CAN DO THIS!!!

Top Ten Things I love about This Journey

My Brain is fried from this week  ~ so little list to ease the pain...

Here are my top 10 for this week ~

10. Taking up less space in the world
9. Feeling full
8. Being fast
7. Wanting and loving exercise
6. Doing things outside my comfort zone
5. Shopping for clothes at American Eagle ~ see new dress below
4. Having more energy
3. Not having to eye up a plastic chair at a restaurant and pray that it holds
2. Finding others like me ~ realizing I am not alone
1. Becoming visible to the world

Yes - this is Sammy my diva dog stealing the shot!

That about sums it up this morning ~ what do you love about this Journey?

Response to Lap Band Girl Post

So Lap Band Girl had a great post yesterday:  Here are my answers:

What were your feelings when you first researched getting the band? Embarrassed? Excited? Scared? Happy? Etc?

I was a bit embarrassed and ashamed that I after many many attempts at loosing wight I always failed .  But once I made peace with the idea knowing that it was a tool, I began to seek out people who had the band.  After talking to people I felt much better about it and even got really excited.

Do you tell people about your band? If you do, how do you tell people? 
I was telling everyone and anyone about it.  I still do.  I usually just blurt it out after I tell them the amount of exercise I do.  It makes me really mad that people assume that it is all the band.


Do you only tell certain people?  
Most people in my life know I had the surgery.  I tell just about everyone who asks.


Any other advice for Cookie?
Make sure you have a surgeon that you like.  And yes, it was the best decision I have ever made.  No ~ it is not  magic bean ~ just a tool, but a very good one.  Exercise is the most important part of the journey! 

Balance and Wishes

Ok - crack that whip! Rant and confessions

Getting back on track today.  Yesterday I took the day off from exercise and that really messes with my head.  I am convinced that within 24 hours I will gain all my weight back and then some.  This is a real head trip and I'm hoping I can get it under control soon.  Yesterday was a free for all food day.  I thought it would be a good idea to eat two left over focaccia sandwiches after I had a large lunch and pasta salad. oy - I did not feel well all evening ~ will be doing liquids all day today to repent for my sins.

I am having a hard time balancing life ~ A big shout out to all you working moms who are also on the weight loss journey and doing it.  I have no kids ~ well, I do count my dogs ~ my job is flexible and my husband is super helpful and awesome, and I still have a hard time.  It seems I can only do one thing well at a time. Right now that's ME.  I am having a hard time getting it together with work and keeping up with the house work.  My focus had been 100% on me and my lap band journey.  I am now trying to put at least 50% toward my work and I just don't have it.

All I want is to be able to train full time for the VT50 and other races  ~ Hey anyone at Allergan want to sponsor this lap bander?  Just askin'...

Ok - time to put on the big girl panties and get to work today ~

The New (Post Op)Birthday

So a quick Birthday comparison...

Before Lap Band Surgery ~ for my big day I would spend many days dreaming about which restaurant we would go to.. I would have a huge breakfast (that was my favorite meal) ~ waffles and muffins and scrambled tofu...yummmm
Then  I would lay around most of the day - go to lunch and then start partying late afternoon ~ lots of wine/champagne and huge dinner and of course cake! All of this sugar would then trigger a binge that would last through Halloween! And I would feel like this:

Post Lap Band Surgery ~ After taking a few days to detox from my cake I will be staying away from sugar.
First event of the day~ 24 mile Mountain Bike Ride with my most awesome husband and friends at a dirt park ~ 8am
Have a work meeting (I never work on my b-day ~ this is an exception) 2:30
Boot Camp @ 5:30 ~ can't wait because we will be doing TRX too
Swim and Paddle after boot camp at the beach and pot luck picnic @ sunset!
Woo hoo!
I love my band and my new life!!
I'll be posting new pictures tomorrow
oh and ~ NSV - went shopping last night ~ new bras and underwear - 36C from  42D - (I refused to go to DD but probably should have at the time)

New Blog Design ~ And deep thoughts

Here she is!  Athena in all her awesomeness.  She is the voice inside me that says keep running, keep biking, you can go another mile, don't give up.  She keeps watch over me near a buffet table.  She taps me on the shoulder when I am browsing the refrigerator.  She will fight the Hostess Snowball that calls to me in the store (eeww gross - did I really eat that once upon a time).  Nothing phases her ~ she never cries into a bag of chips or feels sorry for herself.  I am slowly becoming her.  

At the other end of the spectrum is the old me - the out of control fat girl who couldn't get from point A to point B without something sweet, the girl who didn't believe she was good enough ~ and had no self confidence.  I am leaving that person behind and the farther away I get, the more I hate her.  

Today as I was cleaning out my closet and putting all my way too big clothes in box to make way for Athena's wardrobe I was grossed out.  I want no memories of who I was. I'm not saving my fat jeans, I am not keeping any of my old clothes I don't even want pictures around.  That other person was weak, sloppy and depressed.  I'm not going back.  

Athena was asking what took you so long?  Why did you not care before?  How could you let it get so bad?  Then I remind myself that ~ HEY! I had to have surgery to get here.  It wasn't easy.  Now, with the combined efforts of Athena and the Lap Band I can conquer this once and for all and move that fat girl out of my house to make room for Athena. 

This is the part where Beyonce comes out and sings some type of girl power anthem....just sayin'.

BYOC ~ a day late

and BYOC brought to you by Drazil

It’s BYOC day! Bring Your Own Crazy! We answer a few questions to get to know each other better and to give our blog brains a break! Copy and paste to your own blog and enjoy!!

1. Alright – forgive me – we’re gonna get a little personal here. I was flipping through my organizer and saw in big bright letters “ANNUAL PHYSICAL DUE” coming up soon. Then I remembered that last year my lady bits doc said that since I haven’t had a bad pap in so many years – that I don’t have to come back for another 3 years if I don’t want to. What the what? Did you guys know that? 

No speculum in the vaginulum? 

Anywhoozle – it sounds all good but really – do any of you follow this medical rule? Do you go every three years if you’ve never had a bad pap?

I go yearly ~ last year the dr said I didn't need a pap ~ so I was trying to skip this year but need to get a new IUD (greatest device ever!!)
2. If you read, what are you reading right now? Or how about what is your fave music right now?

I love love love to read.  I was reading Unbroken- but it was so depressing that I just downloaded a Janet Evanovich book - funny and light reading.  My favorite music right now is some old school hip hop - been blasting some Tribe Called Quest and Beastie Boys lately.

3. Name some of your favorite smells.

I love the smell of diesel.  I'm such a hick.  I also love the smell of  horses after a bath, salt air, fresh cut grass and the smell of a fire on a cool fall day. 



4. Showers or baths? Shampoo only or shampoo & conditioner? Shave daily or just when you start feeling and looking like an ape?

Showers ~ been taking at least two a day lately - so much heat here.  Shave daily - I hate the feel of stubble.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blogland. 

Real life: I had a pretty good week ~ did my first track workout - yay! Went to boot camp and did a bit of biking.  Got a new helmet and new bike shoes.  Food has been great ~ not hungry with this heat.

In blog-land - I'm really excited - Jen @ Just Foolin Blog Designs has designed a really cool new look for my blog - This should be up soon! 

Ramblings of a 90 degree afternoon............

Weigh in today ~ official # is......187.4 - a gain from the other day but down 3.6 since last week ~ woo2hoo!   I'm sure that was the glass of wine I had last night after my bi-annual Golf outing. 

Speaking of Golf...my husband is a golfer ~ I am not.  Once every two years I'll go out with him and see if I like it yet ~ Not yet.  Frankly, I like my hobbies dangerous or deadly like Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Running or Cliff Diving.  Golf, I'll try again in 2013.

The Trophy Wives ~ golfing

So on to today's event ~ I went for a Fill a week earlier than scheduled.  Not all the time, but some of the time I can get down a lot of food ~ usually when I am sitting home alone and bored or when there is guacamole in front of me ~ it just jumps into my mouth.  I am hoping this fill (1cc) will reign me in a bit.  So I am up to 5cc total.  Twelve pounds lost since my last visit My Dr is happy and I am happy ~ what more could a girl ask for.  

I know everyone's journey is different ~ I am lucky that exercise has never been an issue ~ for me it is eating.  I have used and abused food since I was a kid.  It is just now with the help of the Band that I can slow down just enough to recognize the triggers and the split second when things go wrong.  I am 1 for 10 so far in stopping in that moment.  Like right now I am working from home...and that is a trigger for me ...and there is a box of cookies on the counter in front of me....I wont eat them because I am on liquids after my fill and because I am off sugar...but they are talking to me and waiving....I can imagine eating them ...then I immediately know that they won't taste as good as I think they will and then I will feel bad.  So I say NO! to you Mr Cookie ~ I am going to go for a bike ride ~ I say Good Day!

Weigh in Day

191.0 - loss of 1.8 pounds this week ~ I'll take it!

Today is a rest day for me ~ I am wiped from the race yesterday.  I'm spending the 4th on the beach and then watching the Tour de France ~ love those boys in spandex!

Ah summer!
Happy 4th to all

Damn it feels good to be a Gangsta!

NSVs make feel like I can do anything!  They are so much better than standing on the scale with my fingers crossed begging the numbers to drop.  I went out for a mountain bike ride yesterday with a good friend - someone who is like a mentor to me - much faster and more experienced than I am.  I was actually able to catch him and even stay within 30 seconds of him! wooohoooo!  Talk about a natural high!! Oh and it didn't hurt that he mentioned that my butt is much smaller! Yeah!

I do love me some gansta rap - thus the title of this blog (ghetto boys) - I also love the Grateful Dead and have been known to blast some Miley Cyrus from time to time. - so you could say I am a well rounded music lover.  I am feeling even more "Gansta" today because I bought a new car yesterday!  Hell to the yeah!  Whats even better?  Its a small car - that I would not have been able to fit in 4 months ago!  A Subaru Impreza Sport Wagon - in my mind it is a rally car and I have been driving it like I am in a rally (thus the car sick husband last night).
Off to get a killer playlist ready for today - Whats your favorite driving music?  Would love any suggestions....

This is not me - but I wish it were...

A Day in the Life

Happy Monday (my day off so really is!) And my weigh in day...192.8 up .2 not sure what that's all about..

I thought I'd give a snap shot of a typical day for this vegan athlete. This was yesterday.

I am usually between 50 and 60g of protein a day. And try to be around 1100 cal.

WALK DOGS ON BEACH - 45 MINUTES

1cup coffee - .25 cup of lite soy milk - 15cal and 1.5 g pro
Breakfast: Shake:
                4oz lite soy milk - 30cal 3g prot
                4oz organic apple juice - 45 cal 0 pro
                1 scoop spirutein protein powder - 99 cal 14g pro
                1 scoop green vibrance - 44 cal 2.6g pro
                1 Tbs flax meal - 30 cal 1.5 g pro
                .5 cup frozen blue berries - 30 cal
                                                                                  
                             295 cal and 22g protein - approx

Lunch : .5 cup refried beans - 100 cal 6g pro
            8 grain soy flatbread - 90 cal 5g pro
            baby spinach 3oz -10 cal 2g pro
           sliced tomato - 15 cal 0 pro
            1tbs taco sauce - 10 cal
                                                                              
                    225 cal and  13 g protein

Pre mountain bike ride  - gu -100 cal (this is straight carbs and helps to prevent "bonking" on the ride.)
During ride - g2-watered down - approx 50 cal

TRAINING RIDE - OUT AND BACK - OUT BEING ALL UP HILL - 2HOURS - 16 MILES - Boooyah!

Dinner - Spinach Salad made with tempeh bacon and walnuts 450 cal - 10g
               roasted tofu 80 cal 10 g protein
                                                                      
                   530  cal 20g pro

Total for the day - 1200 cal and 55 g pro -
I'll be posting some more creative recipes soon...

Hello out there!

My first post in Blog Land.  Thank you Lap Band Gal for inspiring me to blog!  A bit about me and my Journey so far:
I am an obsessive mountain biker who just took up running.  I am vegan - who knew it was possible to be vegan and fat!  I had Lap Band surgery 12 weeks ago April 6, 2011.  My highest weight was 241 and I am now 192.2.  I'm pretty stoked!
I have always loved being active - although it was pretty hard to ride my bike at my highest weight.  My surgery went well and recovery has been easy.  I think that's because I was already active and had no co-morbidity symptoms.
My journey has little to do with what size jeans I'm wearing (although its fun to shop for smaller ones) but instead it is about becoming an athlete.  I am proud of being active and getting in my daily exercise but now I want more!  Now I want to win.  This blog, I hope, will help to keep me accountable and track my goals over the next year.  First goal - July 3rd 8K race.