Hollee's Weight Loss Success Story ((in progress))

In 8.5 months, I've had 14 lap band adjustments. That's a lot. And I think I need a little break. ........... More than a few times, you all have told me that my band is too tight and I'll do better if I'm a little looser. So I'm going to test this. I'm going to cancel my next appointment and make one for later. Wish me luck!!!

I've been craving a burger. Not just any burger. A CHAR GRILL burger. Char Grill is a local NC burger joint that used to only be in Raleigh, but now there are several other locations in Cary and Chapel Hill.  The one in Chapel Hill is my own personal hell , because it is SOOOO close to my work.  I drive by and smell the lovely scent of grilling....EVERY...SINGLE...DAY. So today I finally went and ordered a Jr. Cheeseburger, no bun. This is what I got:   A cheeseburger?  Or a salad? Anyway, I was slightly amused by how much lettuce is "on" my burger. Coincidentally, I know my taste buds have changed...because this was not as delicious as I imagined it would be.

Starting weight: 344 Today's weight: 261 Loss from last week: -0.6 pounds Total loss: -83.0 pounds

I hope you all had a great Memorial Day and remembered the reason for which we had the day off for BBQing.  These holidays can be hard for me due to a friend dying in Iraq 7 years ago so I tend to try to keep busy on them. Several weeks ago some girl friends and I started talking about having a cookout, where we decided my friend A would host since her neighborhood has a pool and grills.  Her guy was going to be the only male there, so a couple of weeks ago I mentioned bringing Mr. Banker and we both agreed it was a bad idea.  Until Saturday night, friend A and her bf realized he knows Mr. Banker.  Small world! So, Mr. Banker ended up coming to the cookout with me yesterday and it went REALLY well.  He seemed to pass the friend test... which is particularly difficult with one friend, Patrice.  She has never EVER said she liked any guy I've ever dated, but she said she likes Mr. Banker....after some time spent playing 20 questions with him. I was def...

I did it!!!! I ran for a total of 23 minutes yesterday! C25k was only 15 minutes, then 5, but after I conquered the first 20 minutes, I decided to run a little more. This picture is what the c25k organizer posted on his Facebook last night :)

I am usually really open about my band.  All of my family and close friends now know.  Quite a few coworkers know.  Even some of the people in my running group who I BARELY KNOW, know that I am banded.  I'm an open book kind of person anyway, so being open about this is really nothing new. I surprised myself yesterday though. I was WAYYYY overdue for my annual eye exam, my contact prescription has been expired for about 6 months, so I finally made an appointment to see a new opthalmologist at my office.  This was a tough decision because the last time I went to this Opthalmology practice, I despised every minute of it... every member of the staff was rude, abrasive, late, etc.  So I decided I'd give them another try with a different doctor and I'm quite glad I did.  I loved him as a doctor, and he was easy on the eyes too (pun about him being handsome AND an eye doctor intended). When the nurse took me back to a room, she asked for an update on m...

  Thats a -0.8 pound loss since last week. And -82.8 pound loss total. That's the good news. The bad news is I haven't slept worth shit.  I honestly believe that sleeping well is a key to successful weight loss, and the last week, I can only imagine how much I would've lost if I slept better. I was so tired that on the 17th last week, I totally didn't even realize it was my 8 month Bandiversary.  I am truly happy for this decision.  And the idea of my mom having surgery is starting to grow on me.  She's been talking about it a fair amount lately, and I just want her to be happy/healthier.

Is that an M? Why yes, it is!! I'm 260-ish pounds and this size M dress, given to me by a friend, finally fits!!

Today was week 6 day 1 of my couch to 5k program. Although I'm constantly impressed by my progress, I feel like I've let myself down Friday and today. Last week on Monday and Wednesday the male organizer ran with us and I was able to complete all the intervals running. Then Friday came and the female organizer ran with the slower group. Twice I had to stop and walk for 30 seconds. Although I didn't do quite as well, my run keeper app told me my pace was greatly increased. I was unhappy with myself but then today was even worse! Again the female organizer ran with my group. I ran the first 10 minutes, but then the second interval I only ran about 5 minutes before needing a break. My breathing was okay today but my hip hurt. I thought about it a lot and I honestly believe I would've pushed through the pain if I'd been with the male runner. He has promised to run with me Wednesday to help motivate me again. I'm starting to feel like a failure. I want to kick this...

I have been so stressed.  Stressed to the point that my band has tightened (in addition to the fill I got Thursday) and my mouth has a blister from stress. I always thought it was rude to talk about money, so I try not to.  I rarely discuss when I'm struggling.  But I can't hold it in anymore. I love the company I work for, I love the people, I love the idea that what I do every day is helping people.  What I don't love is the fact that I think I'm under-paid.  About a year ago in April, when I was doing the paperwork to close on  my house, my boss mentioned getting a raise at my one year Job anniversary.  That never happened, but since I don't like conflict, I didn't say anything. I finally decided to say something a few weeks ago, when it had been exactly one year since that last promise, and now I'm coming up on my two year anniversary in my current role.  The response from my boss was that I'm "irreplaceable" and she would make it rig...

#IAMTHEDRAGON   WTF does #IAMTHEDRAGON mean....you're probably asking.... As a Lead Satellite for NC for my favorite band, I often do online promotional posts on social media.  The new promotion is #IAMTHEDRAGON...where we were supposed to pic something that made us feel inspired and photograph/film it and post it online with the #IAMTHEDRAGON tag. So, I chose running with a little twist (splattered paint).  That's what's empowering to me.  So above is my finished product. #WIW   In other news, I'm down another 2.2 pounds since last week, a total of 82 pounds.

I don't think I have ever given anything in my life so much effort and committment.  Between the weight loss and the running, I think this is the most physically difficult thing I have ever done in my twenty-five years of life. But that's what makes it so rewarding.   Week 5, Day 1 Group : Kira, Janet, Jill, Me, Kelly, Rigel, Natalie, Victoria, Mike (behind Victoria), Laurie, Harsha, and Gail The meetup group has started to split into two groups.  There's the faster group and the slower group.  I'm a member of the slower group.  Yesterday's workout was 16 minutes of running total (5, 6, 5 minute runs).  We did it! I was so proud of myself and Victoria.  We have come a long way.  I couldn't make it after the first two 60 second runs on the first day.  One of the meetup organizers, Joe, stayed with us and helped us out.  He told us not to talk and he just coached us through.  He was really great.  He r...

Saturday I realized I had a problem.  I guess the first step to fixing it is realizing it exists, so at least I'm making progress. After cleaning out my cabinets Saturday, I made Cajun Salmon and Turkey Tacos (food for a few days).  When I cook, since it's just me at home, I usually cook more than one meal at a time so that I don't have to do it again anytime soon.  Cooking can be a lot of work for just one person.  Unfortunately I PB'd both of those meals (lunch and dinner) because I was so excited about real food that I took giant gulps instead of the tiny bites I'm supposed to have. On that note, have you all noticed when you eat with other people how giant their bites seem now? I notice that all the time. Anyway, Saturday's food choices were a giant leap forward from what I've done the rest of last week. For Mother's Day on Sunday, my mom and Grandmother came to visit.  This is a really nice treat for me because it is usually m...

Forgive me bloggers, for I have cheated. A lot. I've been bad. Very bad. The last 7 days have been awful. I think I have had one meal over the last week that was not Greek yogurt or ice cream. I need to get back on track. My band is loose, and I've been hungry, but those foods have been readily available at my house and I've been lazy. I haven't cooked in like 2 weeks. I'm going to try to get back on track today. I began the morning cleaning my pantry because the mail service provided paper bags to leave at the mail box today full of groceries for the needy. I got rid of all those boxed meals, like hamburger helper etc. Now I'm going to go cook some turkey tacos... Regardless of my poor food choices I'm still losing weight. But I know I'm not getting my protein, so I need to fix this NOW!! P.S. Yes I know I need some lawn care lol

So, I've decided instead of jumping into a relationship, I want to date around a little and see what's out there.  You all heard about Mr. Banker on Wednesday. I also met a guy on my birthday at the club, so I guess his nickname will come from the club....Solas.  Monday we went to play pool and last night we went on a walking trail date.  We were talking about vacations so showed him some photos from Mexico in 2011.  He came to a pic of me, and asked if it was my friend I went with.  I said no, it was me.  His response was "Wow, you don't even look like the same person." That felt good. PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO: JANUARY 2011 A little fun in the Miami airport  On the way to the beach Beautiful Landscaping You know, I actually kind of enjoy looking at the old pictures.  They remind me of how far I have come, and how much I have changed.  They remind me of the reason I'm doing this.  Honestly, when I see ...

C25K UPDATE: I take really simple things for granted. Last night, when I got home from running, I took a warm shower and just sat down in the bath with the shower running over me.  In that moment, I was so thankful for running water.  Maybe that sounds a little silly, but there is nothing better than a good shower after a lot of sweating. Yesterday was Week 4, Day 2 of C25K.  The workout was: 5 minute brisk Warm up Walk 3 Minute Run 2 Minute Walk 5 Minute Run 3 Minute Walk ((Turn Around)) 5 Minute Run 3 Minute Walk 3 Minute Run Cool Down walk until we get back to our cars   The time is messed up because we took a little break between the two 5 Minute runs, but the distance is accurate.  That's almost a 5k!!! woop woop!!! Next week is going to be ROUGH!  Monday is three 5 Minute runs and then Friday is just one 20 Minute run.  Have they lost their minds? I make it through the 3 minute ...

How in the world did that happen?!? 2 pound loss since last week 79.2 pound loss overall!!! I was just sure I was going to gain weight after plenty of birthday cake, ice cream, and alcohol last weekend. I love a surprise loss!!   Maybe I danced all the junk food calories off!  Coincidentally, thought I'd mention that I AGAIN made it through the entire night in my high heels on my birthday, and that makes me extremely happy.  I love that my feet don't scream from all the excess weight! Also, last night I had a second date with a guy, we will call him Mr. Banker.  The first date was just drinks and last night was a movie.  I had told him I'd lost quite a bit of weight on our first date, and last night he mentioned that I looked slimmer than I had on our first date (which due to bad timing, was two weeks ago).  Later, I said something about living off of yogurt right now, and as soon as I'd said it I wished I hadn't.  I slipped....

I spent the last week feeling kind of down that I am not where I wanted to be in this weight loss journey.  When I started, I had this unrealistic idea that I would be at my goal weight by my birthday.  I now realize that would probably be unhealthy and I'm okay with where I am, but I was just feeling weird about getting older I guess. Regardless of the fact that I have 65ish pounds left to go, I still think I looked fabulous! Thank you all for helping me choose the gold dress!  My friends really wanted me to wear the white/black dress but I just felt so much more comfortable in this one. Here I am standing in front of my decorated hotel door.  The staff at the Glenwood Raleigh Hampton Inn is awesome! Me, Patrice, and Becca Arran, Me, Patrice, and Kira  Patrice, Becca, Me, Arran, Kira, Kaleigh, Jessica, Alexis, and Jenni Becca and Me- we have been best friends since the 6th grade I went swimming at the end of the night.........

  Good Morning. Today's weight is exactly the same as it was last Friday when I posted a weigh in photo...coincidentally though, that's down 3.6 pounds less than last Weigh-In Wednesday. I'm not sure why I haven't lost anything since last Friday, but I have a sneaky idea it has something to do with that bitch Aunt Drip (instead of Flow) coming to visit me for the first time in almost 3 YEARS.  Yeah, you read that right, I hadn't had a visit since June 2010 thanks to my lovely IUD.  Oh well, next week will hopefully be better...or maybe not after birthday partying...