Happy Dance...Happy Dance!!

Ok, so totally doing the HAPPY DANCE!!! After my post and 2 weeks of sulking over my slow weight loss, I made a break through! This morning I stepped on the scale, not once but twice (cause I couldn't believe it!) and the number was...{DRUMROLL PLEASE} 236!!!! YAHOO!!!

This puts my total weight loss at 56lbs since April 1st and meets Goal #2 which is lose 50lbs!!! I am also officially 4lbs less than I am listed on my driver's license, it's the little things in life people!!

Ok, so officially starting tomorrow, I am back on the exercise wagon! My bff Meagan and I are venturing into the world of treadmills and exercycles...oh yeah, I said exercycles!!! I know I'm losing without the exercise but I really love the endorphine rush and how it makes me whole mental/physical outlook so much sunnier!!! Plus, I want to do the Warrior Dash next year!!! And run (or maybe jog, lol!) a marathon! These are things that were physically incapable of participating in...can't use that excuse for too much longer!!

Thanks again for all your love and support!!! Especially my Mom, sister and Meagan...you guys have been my sanity the past 2 months!!! Thanks!!

Peace and much love,
    Jordan

A more unpleasant post...

Ok, so the last few things I have blogged about have all been really awesome things, things that make my band amazing and my journey awesome...but here comes a little dose of reality.

With the band come certain complications. As you are going through the pre-band process you hear about foods you shouldn't eat and things you shouldn't do, but to be truthful, you really have to experience things for yourself. For instance...tons of bandsters can't eat rice...but I can. Lots of bandsters have problems with cheese...I don't. But there are a couple of things I've come across. It took me 2 1/2 months to regurge anything...I know that's gross but I thought it was quite an accomplishment! I'm still learning and with that learning comes some unpleasantries. For example, my band gets tighter at night...I should probably avoid eating past 10pm...but I don't always.  I should ALWAYS make sure I chew thoroughly and slow...BUT I DON'T ALWAYS. Tortillas...oh how I miss you...you are the ONLY food that I have wanted and haven't been able to eat. I've tried you fried, grilled, soft...you just don't love me or my band anymore but...small price to pay!! Bottom line...it's a learning curve and I'm starting to really understand my band and how it works and it's limitations in my body.

Dose of reality #2...the weight loss is slowing down...after losing almost 40lbs in 2 months I was really hoping to keep it up...but you can't lose like that forever. Now I've had a 2 week stall that kept me hovering right around the 248 mark which was frustrating. I've started moving the pin on the scale again though and this week I weighed in at 245.4. So hard to believe that I've lost almost 50lbs since April 1st...3 more lbs to goal #2...-50lbs. Then on to the biggest challenge yet...Onederland. If you are unfamiliar with the term it's when you finally drop below the 200lb mark and back into the 1-hundreds. I only have 46lbs to go!!! Woot woot!! 

This has been the best decision of my life. I would never be where I am in my weight loss without the band. So, even with the slower weight loss...I have never once regretted my decision!!

In other awesome news...I am enrolled in school for the fall. My degree has been on hold for a year now and I miss it terribly! I'll finish up all my electives then head back to the Graphic Design program to finish the second half of my AAS! Yay!!

All in all, 2011 has been an awesome year for me and now that my work schedule is chillin a little more, I look forward to enjoying the end of summer and all of my amazing friends and family!!

Peace and love

     Jordan

Across the pond...

So, I received an amazing package in the mail a couple weeks back and have just now been able to photograph and post all the awesome things that came to me by a dearest friend Lauren from the enchanted Chelmsford, England!

Here is the package in all of it's glory!

Yes, that does say to Jordan (too cool for words) Johnson!

Here was the first thing I noticed when I opened my parcel...what cute packaging!!!

I have heard so much about Lush, as a matter of fact, there is one in the mall I work at but I've never been or tried any Lush products...so this was awesome!

This is apparently a limited edition for the Royal wedding <3! Smells so yummy!

Here is what I originally thought would be in the package, but was pleasantly suprised with all my other goodies!

The one on the right is the one I had wanted...luckily the amazing Libra Moon decided to up the ante and send along some other colorful treasures!!

Last but not least, miss Lauren also included some delightful brochures for my (hopefully) visit over to the UK next year!! And as she put it...MAKEUP PORN!! I <3 Barry M!

This was one of the most amazing packages I've ever received...tied with Tamera!! My besties rock!!!

So, now, my challenge is to find some equally awesome trinkets to send over to her!! Can't wait to ship all of mine off :)

I DID IT!!

AS OF 11:37pm on 7/11/11 I WEIGH 248.4LBS!!! That means I just passed my very first milestone of getting to the 250lb mark!! I'm so flippin excited! That means I have lost 44lbs since April 1st! Thank you everyone for your support...it amazes me how many people mention the blog to me. At work or through text. I always assumed no one really read it because there weren't alot of followers or comments but I am flabbergasted at the amount of face to face feedback I get. It makes me wonder how many people may be ready this and getting inspiration or advice or maybe even just to know there is someone else out there in the same position, either way...thanks a million! I can't really tell you how loved this whole process has made me feel!!

Ok, so I have been working a crazy non stop schedule and it's killing me but, I will be reducing my hours here soon and will be getting back to some normalcy, because the past couple of weeks have seen the rise of my very first run-ins with my band! More on that later this week!

Peace, love and happiness!

        Jordan

1 year (and one day's) worth of knowledge!

I was logged on to my Lapband.com page today and realized that it was 366 days since I had started checking into the Lap Band seriously. I had started dieting and exercising regularly in February 2010 in an attempt to earn a healthier lifestyle. I lost 10lbs then plateued very quickly so I began investigating the LapBand. Just now as I wrote that I got all teary, I can't believe that not only am I now banded but I am having amazing success with it. Here's a little smattering of facts about me and my band (Eephus):

July 2nd 2010 - created my profile on lapband.com.
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July 17th 2010 - attended a lapband seminar by Malley Surgical and made the decision immediately that it was something I wanted to pursue.
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August 10th 2010 - met with the surgeon (Dr. Hitchcock, he did not perform my surgery) and solidified my decision to get my band.
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September 2010 - February 2011 - In September I went for my initial health evaluation with my primary care physician. I was put on an 1800 cal diet and followed up every month for weight/vital monitoring. In November 2010, I went for my psychiatric evaluation (how did they let a loon like me get away?!? lol) and then in January 2011 went for a dietary consultation which was so eye opening! I really thought I would have to be 120lbs and never eat ice cream again...I was so wrong. That was one of the most informative appointments I've ever had with a health care professional!
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February 28th 2011 - my information was submitted for insurance approval.
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March 8th 2011 - that was the day my life started changing! I was approved by insurance and everything moved so quickly from there!
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April 1st 2011 - started my pre-op diet. The first couple days were horrible but then my body adjusted and I really just started feeling great!
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April 14th 2011 - got my band "Eephus" if you're not familiar, an Eephus pitch in baseball is the slowest pitch that is thrown. Since I love baseball, what better name could I pick to remind me to slow down and take it easy?
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May 24th 2011 -  First fill (5cc in 10cc band), when you go for your first fills you go once, again in 2 weeks and again 2 weeks later. After my first fill I lost 8lbs in two weeks. I went back two weeks later and he chose not to fill me due to my 8lb weight loss. Within a few days I felt different as far as chewing went but I was still getting hungry in between meals.
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June 21st 2011 - second fill (6cc in 10cc band), this one changed everything! I could tell a difference immediately, especially when I wasn't chewing quite well enough. But I'm eating the appropriate amounts, staying full and losing very well.
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July 3rd 2011 - I am sitting here writing my blog. And here are some fun Jordan statistics:

Weight February 2010 - 292

Current Weight - 251

                   -41lbs

BMI February 2010 - 52

Current BMI: 44

                  -8 points

Pant size February 2010 - 26

Current pant size - 22

Top size February 2010 - 22/24

Current top size - 18/20 (have gone from size 4 to 2 @ Maurice's)

When I'm looking over these stats I'm baffled that it has only been 79 days since surgery! I have averaged a 0.52lb weight loss per day. I just feel incredibly blessed. I have been given an opportunity to change my life and live a long, healthy and prosperous future (there's the tears again!)

Once again, I cannot express enough my gratitude and love for all the support I have received in the last year. I am truly awestruck with the outpouring of love that has pulled me through doubt, the fear and the pain that have come along with my decision. Thank you all. I love you.

I will end this post with my favorite quote of all time:

"Don't ever be someone's slogan because you are poetry."

The post you've all been wanting...

So, everyone has expressed a desire to see some before and current pictures so now that I am 76 days post band and have lost 38lbs, I will post some pics now:

Before surgery (I looked gross anyway, should have at least put on some makeup!!! lol)

And here is yesterday: (my shirt is really blousy in front...next time will take pics in that exact before outfit!)

I feel incredible and can't wait to keep this journey going! Thanks everyone for tagging along!!!

Lucky fill #2

So...as established, the last appointment I had with my surgeon I didn't get a fill due to an 8lb weight loss. This time around, however, that was not the case. I think I'd only lost 1lb in 2 weeks so it was time for some action. I now have 6cc's in a 10cc band. I can definitely feel a difference this time. I feel a huge difference in the way I have to eat and the amount of food I can take in at a time. It's a good feeling and definitely a relief after the nawing hunger I was feeling in between meals. I was still maintaining my calorie count of 1300, but it was a struggle trying to make it through the afternoons. But, with a tighter band also comes more restriction. Yesterday I got stuck twice. I'm starting to realize the importance of eating with a fork instead of your hands!! I think it's too hard to watch bite size when you are using your hands to eat...this resulted in a minor stuck incident at lunch...not good, but still didn't bring it up. I have been successful every time at just waiting for the food to go down, it's uncomfortable but causes a lot less irritation than bringing it back up. My second stuck incident was also a hand food but I think it was mostly stuck due to soggy crust. I had pizza, the Thin DeLite pizza from Papa Murphy's to be exact. As far as pizza goes, it's a pretty good option. The crust is super thin and crispy...unless you reheat it...and then is sticks...a lot! Waiting for relief from that one was a little more difficult...and I think caused some irritation so I put myself on liquids/super soft solids for the day!

At job #1, we are doing a Biggest Loser contest. Since it started 3 weeks ago, I am down 6lbs. It's nice but I'm hoping for more at my weigh in next week!! Mama wants a new iPod! lol. Today is also the start of working 7 days/week. The goal is to pay off all my credit cards in 6 months. After that it will be time to buckle down and go back to school!!! I'm really excited for that. It's been put on hold for too long!!! The good thing is that at job #2 I will be working some closing shifts so I won't have to be in until 12 or 1...that means I can sleep in...woot woot!!!

On a sad note, I cancelled my 24HR fitness membership. It's much easier to walk with my sister and do my Wii fit than try to go workout after work. I wasn't going. It was a waste of money that could be spent paying off debt!! So, now I just have to buckle down and really start walking my butt off!! That was what I was doing at 24HR anyway. They had me working on the treadmill and eliptical...so, I was not ready to utilize all they had to offer. Somewhere down the road I will want to do some strength training but not quite yet!

Aside from that, I got a haircut and I HATE IT!!!!! I don't know what she was thinking. It wasn't my normal hairstylist (Jill @ Hairspray Cafe...she effin rocks). And now I have no hair left...*sigh*. So now I just have to let it grow and never cut it again, lol. It's been so long since I absolutely hated a haircut that I almost cried!! There's nothing to be done, I hate it so much that I didn't even post pics on FB, lol! But alas, what do I do?

Well, I think that about sums up my last week or two. And hopefully I'll be able to get on here a little more...somewhere in my 70hr work weeks!!!

Peace, love and cupcakes!!
      Jordan