Does anyone else...

Does anyone else check their blogs for grammar and spelling mistakes after the fact? I regularly read my most recent blog or two and correct the errors in it/them (or make it/them more reader friendly). What is particularly bothersome to me is when I have commenters (the first few) who I know have seen the mistake(s--usually plural). For instance, I have edited and changed my last blog post on bread three or four times since posting it. I even did it again this AM. I assure you that I have plenty of things that need doing besides blog revisions. Can we say, "Compulsive!" :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

"Why do you eat it without bread?"

I'm not going to say the name, but it's the place that rhymes with Ick Yonalds. I pulled into this fast food restaurant last night and got a fish sandwich without the bun (because I was starving, going to the gym, and didn't want to leave the gym early because I was hungry--like I've done before; my food choice was, admittedly, not good though--and getting it, in fact, seemed counterintuitive to jogging at the gym). I remember liking those fish sandwiches in days of yore, but it was not good at all last night (maybe that'll prevent me from ordering one again).

Anyhow, the interesting part of this story has nothing to do with the taste. I ordered my sandwich, pulled up to pay, and the gal at the window asked me, "Why do you eat it without bread?" I assumed that people did that regularly in the no-carb age. I was a little dumbstruck and just said, "It's complicated." Of course, now I sound very high maintenance and that, but I didn't want to get in a band conversation in the drive-thru (and, as you know, only two people in my 'real life', aside from my Pensacola bandit blog buddies, know about the senorita within). I am still a little surprised at her question. Has anyone ever asked any of you guys that point blank? What was your response?


Side Note: I was talking to my fiance a few weeks ago about ordering sandwiches without bread. We both agreed that if we were the one making the sandwich for a non-bread-eating customer, we'd probably throw in a little extra since the customer wouldn't get the bread--like more lettuce or meat or cheese. I know that this is a silly question, but what would you do as a 'sandwich artist' (hopefully, that lingo isn't copyrighted by the fastfood restaurant that rhymes with Rubday :) )?

Side Note #2: It has been fairly easy for me to give up bread as a bandit. Bread was never a go-to food for me. I miss it most on sandwiches because it holds them together. Saying that, I do eat it (wheat only) with sandwiches from time to time now (I have no real restriction issues with bread, it seems). But I don't eat it even as infrequently as I did pre-banding. Pasta is different. Before I was banded, I didn't think I would ever be able to sacrifice pasta, but I rarely eat it now. I was not consciously aware of that until I remembered the other day how much I love pasta. I've hardly had any cravings for it in the longest time. And rice and couscous have been uberannoying for me lately; they don't go down the hatch as well. So that knocks out three (or four--depending on how you view couscous) complex carbs right there. :)

Work Pictures This AM

This morning, I had my professional head-shot pictures made for work and got to see a preview of them from the cameraman. They turned out pretty good (if I can say so myself). I am debating whether or not to post them here when I get them back? I'm so glad I have the weight off; there's enough worry that goes into getting pictures made (hair, make-up, wrinkles, dry skin, clothes, etc.) without worrying about extra chins and plumpness. The only issue I had that was band-/weight-related were those new-growth baby hairs popping up everywhere. Maybe they won't be too visible when I get to see the final shots (I didn't look for that too much in the previews).

I hope you all have been having a great week!!

Spin Class and Workin' on My Fitness

I did the spin class at the gym yesterday. I finished it this time. You see, I tried it a week ago (on my b-day) but felt sickish--may have been part of the side effects of turning 30. I had to leave early, or I would've thrown up on the gym floor. The bad thing was that the class was packed on the day I had to leave. There was not even one spare bike. Yesterday there were only about six of us in the class. So, needless to say, I probably would've rather jetted in the small class, but it is what it is. And I'm glad I went back to actually finish the class.

It was an hour long. Then I did 3.25 miles (mostly incline) walking on the treadmill. Later in the day, I did 30 minutes of free step on the Wii. I had more time for workouts because we were off work for a snow day yesterday (although I have done at LEAST an hour at the gym each night since Tuesday, so my fitness routine hasn't been shabby or anything like that lately).

Saying all that, my food intake has not been stellar. There was leftover icecream b-day cake this week. I have been eating subs from Subway--with the bread (how is that possible?). And yesterday, somehow, I ate around 2400 calories (with very few sliders--and the sliders were the good-for-me things like yogurt). UGH!!! Sometimes I just have hungry days! It's hard to believe that I have so much of a fill but can eat so much still.

I Turn 30 Today...

Ugh!

I have been crying all day today and yesterday. Is this normal, or am I just a complete baby?

Update, Being NORMAL, and New Low

I haven't done a post with too much substance in a while, so I figured it was about that time. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I went to a party with some of my old co-workers. I got some nice compliments, but in more interesting news, I had my first drink since being banded (over a year ago). It was my first drink in several years actually. I became really flushed (and, because I was hot in my sweater, I had to change into one of my friend's t-shirts--which never would have fit before surgery) and acted quite stupid with just half a margarita-glass of whatever the concoction was that the hostess made. I obviously cannot tolerate liquor. It could either be my new size, my bandit status, or my long period of abstinence. Who knows?! But I probably won't try it again soon since the type of drinks I like are calorie laden (and my go-to must have is chocolate moreso than drinks--admittedly, probably worse for me than drinks, but I may as well minimize the damage in doing both if I don't feel that necessary compulsion to drink).

Last week, I went to Birmingham for a continuing education class (and will be going back on February 25-26th, so hit me up if you can get together, Alabamians and Atlanta folks). I woke up early to use the gym at hotel. That was the first time I'd ever done the early morning workout thing and one of the first times I'd used a hotel gym. I ran two miles and walked another mile. It felt great to have my workout done and over so early in the day (although I'm not a morning person, I would love to somehow manage regular exercising in the early AM's).

On the heels of that workout, I started at a new gym this past weekend. I received a Christmas gift from a co-worker for a month's free membership there. I like jogging outside and work in a nice area to jog outdoors after work. I also have a new Wii (another Christmas present). However, because it's freezing lately (and for other reasons), I think the gym membership's timing is working out well. I probably won't pay for membership after the month expires (even if it's still a little cold since I'll have the Wii), but I plan to take advantage of some of the classes and machines during the time when I am a member. So far I've only done the treadmill (or, as Gen calls it, the dreadmill :) ). I have jogged two miles on two visits (and walked another 2 1/2 each time at incline) and have walked at incline the other visit. Hopefully, I'll get off the treadmill some and start shaking things up soon.

In other news, I still receive Lane Bryant brochures and mini-catalogs. I can't keep myself from looking through them for good clothes and finds. None of these will fit me, but I still look. Does anyone else have that problem?

Finally, I have been bouncing around Normal (according to some BMI scales, including my Wii's and an online calculator I regularly use) for the last couple of weeks. I would be above Normal and then below it. I didn't want to officially report this news until I had remained there for a bit (as I have fluctuated up--by a few pounds even--in instances where I have lost before now). Well, as of this AM, I am at 158.4 (71.8490 kg). That is my new lowest low. Yea!!!

I hope everyone has a good day!!!!!

UPDATE: After I went to the bathroom this AM (yes, TMI; sorry), I was at 157.2. That's a 24.6 BMI (according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute online) and is my new lowest low. The lowest I was before this AM was 159 even. How exciting!!!

Attention Birmingham, Atlanta, or Birmingham-Vicinity Bandsters

I will be in Birmingham (Alabama) on February 26th for continuing education. I would love to meet any area bandsters. I get out of class a little before 4 (and will come into town the night before).

Let me know if you can meet me while I'm there (or if you know any bandsters from there that might be able to meet).

I hope you're all having a great week.