Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Introducing ME!

Hi Bloggers world - I must admit I feel a little like I'm talking to myself as I don't have any followers yet, but if you're reading this and like what you read and you'd like to 'follow' me then welcome aboard!

I have been reading alot of wonderful blogs (thank you!) and thought it was about time I started my own. The journey of a bandit can be a little lonely at times, so I've found 'blog world' a great place to see how others are doing on their journey - the ups and downs - trials and tribulations, and I thought this would be a great place for me to share my experiences with others, and vent alittle too :)

I was banded on the 16th September 2010 in Canberra. Only a handful of people know that I have been banded, my husband - who has been very supportive, my mum - also banded (March 2010), my two best friends and my in laws. I had researched banding for a couple of years before doing it. My hesitation was that I was not morbidly obese (yet) - and I should have been able to do it on my own, but after another couple of years of loosing and gaining the same 10kg, 3 times over and then gaining some extra, I knew I was fighting a loosing battle, a battle I didn't want to keep fighting and loosing for the rest of my life. I have a strong family history of heart disease, morbid obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, etc etc - and while I am healthy now, I want it to stay that way. The decision to be banded was made.

I know the band is not a solution, it is not a cure. It is a part of a three pronged attack - diet, exercise and the band, its an aid, an aid I am grateful to have.

I am now two months on from being banded, my loss has been slow, but I know that this can be normal until 'the sweet spot' is found. I have a 13ml band, 5ml fill was put in during surgery, 2ml put in at 4 week post op check up and another 1.5ml put in this week, so a total of 8.5ml in the band. The doctor said he had to put 5ml in during surgery to help it hold in place - apparently I'm skinny on the inside! LOL.

My starting weight was 99.7kg, I am now 95.8kg, and ready to really kick myself into action. Yesterday I started a journal - to track my food intake, water intake, exercise etc a list of daily goals. With achieving my daily goals and with the aid of the band, I hope that all these unwanted kilos will melt away. My Goal is 70kg.

Daily Goals :
1. Eat Small Servings (and serve up small meals - my eyes are too big for my belly!)
2. Eat good food - limit refined carbs and eat low fat.
3. Drink 2lts of water
4. Daily Multivitamin and Vit D (need to remember to take these daily!)
5. Eat Slowly
6. No drinking during or for 30mins after meals.
7. Regular Exercise
8. Write down everything

So this blog is my on line journal - an outlet for my thoughts and feelings, thanks for reading!

Cheers,
Lee