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

You all asked, so I'm sharing a few. They aren't too too naughty.

I'm not even going to try to lie and say this doesn't feel good.   Highest recorded weight was 344.4. But, I do know that I saw the 350's on a few occasions that I refused to write down.  I've come a long way.   It has been 19 months since surgery and regardless of my decision to revise, weight loss surgery has been the best decision of my life and one of the things I'm most proud of. I have a lot in my life to be thankful for and proud of my hard work, but nothing makes me feel as good physically as losing 1/3 of my body weight!    

It's been a while since I told you all that I ordered lots and lots of protein shake samples to see if I could become a protein shake girl.... and guess what?! I think I am! I think I love protein shakes! My favorites so far: Matrix Peanut Butter Cookie Matrix Bananas and Cream Matrix Mint Cookie I even got Christy hooked on these, same exact flavors too! I mix each of them with unsweetened almond milk (only adds 30 cals for a whole cup!).  I like to mix in PB2 (awesome product-check it out if you don't know what it is) to the Banana flavor, or SF Torani Chocolate Syrup to the Banana or Peanut Butter flavors.  The Mint Cookie shakes need nothing added to them.  They're amazing as is.  I could live off of these shakes.... oh wait.  After revision, I'm going to for a while. As for MyBariatricPantry , we've had a little rough start due to some shipping issues that were out of their control, but I've heard such great things about them that I...

I've put off writing this blog for most of the evening.  A part of me feels like a failure for what I'm about to write.  Another part of me feels like I'm letting down those of you who've told me I have inspired you.  But I need to make this about me, and only me. This morning a light bulb went off in my head.  It was a combination of a costly dental appointment this morning and some emails with Sheila .  I realized I don't want to do this lap band follow-up for the rest of my life...for hopefully another 50ish years?!  In my 18 months post-op, I've had close to 30 adjustments!  Sheila used the phrase 'one and done' in her first email to me yesterday when describing the sleeve, and that's what I want.  I don't want to sacrifice financially as well as my time for this band anymore.   That's why I decided to ask my PA today about revision to VSG...the sleeve.  I'm surprised because last weekend I was worrying she would say that was ...

I've been struggling this week. First Monday morning, I was up 2 pounds from the day I proclaimed my 15 pound weightloss by May 4.  For some reason, until just now, I was sure it was 3 pounds.  But it's 2. I was pissed. I mean, I NEVER set strict short term goals, and the one time I do, I promptly go in the wrong direction.  So, now I have 17 pounds to lose by May 4. Then, I can't eat.  My band has suddenly tightened up!  Like nobody's business.  I had to eat my yogurt sooo slowly it wasn't even funny.  I PB'd creamed spinach and mashed sweet potatoes.  WTH. So I mentioned it to a few banded friends who went through the usual list of things that make us gain weight/give us restriction. Stress?  What do I have to be stressed about?  Life at the new job has been great. Can't be that. Period?  Nope, I don't really get one of those. Can't be that. Then Monday night I went to bed and had dreams I was in pain in the uter...

First let me say that this decision is in no way a reflection of how successful or not I feel that I've been. Not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but I think I've done great with my Lap Band friend.  108 pounds lost in this 18 months together.  Sometimes she and I don't get along because she can be a fickle little bitch, but overall, we've really connected.  I learned to chew chew chew, take smaller bites, what I can and can't eat.  It's been a beautiful union, and I think my decision, when I made it, was the right decision for me. Do I think I can get to my goal with this band?  Hell yes I do! So what's the problem? It seems more and more insurance companies are having issues with the band or WLS in general.  They don't want to cover this or that, and those of you who are banding can understand that the lap band is a LOT of follow up. It is for any banded person, but especially for me with my leaking port. When I was in the process o...

I REALLY just needed some fun to remind myself of how lucky I am. Saturday I went to a little St. Patrick's day gathering and it was everything I needed. Fun. Wine. Friends. New faces. I had a great time and just wanted to share a few photos. In these pictures, I feel like the new woman I am becoming for the first time in a while! Being Silly. Yep, that's GREEN wine! And... being even sillier... It was a good weekend :) Life is good today!

1.  Still loving my new job, but I can tell I'm going to be busy.  But busy is good! 2.  I haven't had time to do my usual at work blog reading.  Do any of you use an app on your phone to read blogs?  I need one, and would love a suggestion on which one is good. 3.  I'm retaining water something serious.  :( 4.  I've been going to the morning bootcamps and that trainer is just not as hard.  Last night I planned my evening around making it to the 6:45pm bootcamp so that I could see my friend who is the owner/evening trainer.  She really kicked my butt.  I was sweating in a way I haven't in a while. 5.  I found the most awesome strapless bra at Lane Bryant.  Although most of their clothes are too big now, I still need them for bras.  I got measured again and am a 38DDD.  I didn't want to believe it so I tried the 38D and there was no way in hell.  The 38DDD strapless was PERFECT.  It supports and ...

I know I may be a little late to the game, but a HUGE congratulations to Luka for new opportunities ahead as well as personal and career growth.  I'm so proud of her courage to pursue greater opportunities!! I woke up this morning excited to start my new job.  I didn't feel stressed, but it was not possible to even keep my coffee down!  So I tried but gave up after several PB episodes.  Instead of making a shake for the drive as I'd planned, I threw a Matrix Bananas and Cream and a Protizyme Peanut Butter Cookie Protein serving in my purse for later.  No other snacks as usual, I guess I wasn't thinking. The drive to the office wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected.  I had given myself an hour and made it in 35 minutes so I sat in my car talking to a girlfriend that I chat with on most drives into work.  When I walked in, I was surprised to find I was in orientation all day with four remote employees for most of the day.  I hadn't been warned o...

I VERY rarely set a timed goal.  At the end of 2013, it felt like a big deal to say I was getting to onederland (my goal) in 2014. But here I am ready to make an even shorter-term goal. I want to lose 15 pounds before my 26th birthday. That means I need to lose 15 pounds in 8 weeks.  CAN I do it?  Yes!  It will be hard, but I'm going to bust my ass between now and then so that hopefully I will see 222 or lower on my birthday!   I went shopping today and bought a dress to match some shoes that I LOVE.  The dress is nice but will be great once I lose another 15 pounds, and if I do that, I will wear this dress on my birthday. So I'm claiming it. I will weigh 222 by May 4th!

I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  I will not eat my emotions.  Instead I'll write about them. I am feeling a little blue today. I woke up crying this morning, and I didn't know why.  Then on my way to work, I thought of my friend who I h...

Minus 106.8 pounds

Yesterday I was in a piss poor mood. Went to bed early so I could wake up for the 5am Bootcamp class.  But instead of getting extra sleep, I had nightmares. I first dreamed about being left at the altar. Then about being tortured and raped.  I woke from this dream only to fall back asleep and resume the dream.  I woke in such a sweat that my bed was soaking wet. Then I dreamed it was football season again.  Yes, that's a nightmare too, just not as bad. So I drug my ass out of bed and reluctantly went to Bootcamp. And all is well with the world. Exercise makes me better. Sigh, but now I'm at work, doing some mindless boring task I don't want to do. Will I look like an asshole if I request to use my last personal day tomorrow since Monday is my last day?  Probably, but I don't care.  Fingers crossed my manager approves it.

oh. my. goodness. I can't stop myself from eating! I need this stupid snow to go away!  I'm ready for spring!!! Wanna hear what I had for dinner last night? 2 servings of pringles 2 chobani flips 1 regular fat free chobani 2 servings of gluten free rice crackers (white cheddar) a small banana It was snack central at my house last night. UGH! I'm a food addict :( Normally I'd refer to myself as a recovering food addict. But it seems I've fallen off the wagon. Need. to. get. back. on.

The days leading up to my Boudoir shoot yesterday, I was excited!  But then yesterday came, and I'll be honest... a little fear began to creep in. I was afraid I would hate every photo.  I was afraid that at the end of the shoot, I would hate my body. I got there a little early and had my hair and makeup started.  The girl who did it was amazing and so nice.  We talked and she made me feel so comfortable.  I did curly hair and dramatic makeup.  It was fun to get all dolled up, I got the girl's number so that she can do my birthday hair and makeup!   Dressing room selfie as I waited between outfit changes The photo shoots themselves were a lot of fun.  Afterward I got to go through the photos and choose "Maybes" and "Nos" to narrow my choices. I had 23 maybes! Then I narrowed it to 9.  geez....  And finally got it down to 4.  I got 1 free edited photo, and chose to take the other 3 unedited so that I didn't ...