My Belated Christmas Present: I lost another 1kg

After a week of not really doing what I should; and eating what I shouldn’t (I can help myself with Mince Pies and Christmas pudding); I stepped on the scales this morning and to my surprise I had lost a kilo since last week; taking me down to 101.4kg. Not that it means that if I do let myself go that this will always be the case…


I think part of it was helped along over the last couple of days of not having much to eat because of where I was working down the south coast. Yesterday A bacon and egg roll; half a sausage roll; and a gourmet pie (along with a few diet cokes and 4 bottles of water) was all I had between sun up and sun down… Not the best diet but when you’re on assignment and stuck with a Satellite dish in the middle of nowhere you can be cant be too choosy


There no New Years resolution here this year either… I had mine early back on 09/09 and couldn’t be happier (not to mention fitter and feeling great)


HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all

The Festive season is almost over

Well I think I survived my first festive season with the band pretty much with no problems… I guess the proof will come when I weigh myself on Wednesday… Christmas Day I must admit I did let myself go a little; grazing most of the day; but hey it’s once a year… and even then I knew when I was full; and didn’t feel like I was the stuffed turkey at the end of the day; like I have in previous years.

Photo at right: Me at the Family Christmas Picnic with my niece Charlotte


I must admit I have to slow down with my eating again… I have been speeding up a bit lately; and then ending up with hiccups… It’s been really hectic of late and I think that has been part of my problem… and if that’s the only problem I’m having it I must be going OK…


I have been picking a bit of late too… you know; a few hours after dinner and you head to the fridge and check out the leftovers… Not every day but at least 2-3 times a week… but I’m still loosing weight so it can’t be that bad although I need to kick the habit again… occasionally when I do that though I don’t chew enough so I tend to regret it after as it doesn’t go down that well and I end up with some pain… Not good...


I got back to walking again this morning and still going my 4.5km in about 35 mins do I’m happy with that one too…


Just under a week now until the New Year and then January starts to heat up with Tennis and looking ahead to another busy year… Winter Olympics, World Cup Soccer, Comm. Games; as well as the other annual events; and that before any natural disasters, bushfires or tragedy’s that we just can’t plan for… and thats just work.

I'm hoping to get a bit done around home next year too... Finish the painting, new grass and gardens front and back and tidy up the garage...


Until next time

Have a Merry (but not too Merry) Christmas

I’m back… It’s been a VERY busy month since my last post and I do apologise that I haven’t been keeping everyone updated on my progress. Now the craziness is almost over I’ll get back to more regular updates a couple of times a week.


Since my last post after I got back from Hobart, my life has been full of V8’s, then culling, packing and moving our remaining news archive and the helicopter to their new homes away from the Epping Studios now its closed down…

It’s actually been a really good month for me despite it being the festive season… Overall I am still making progress with my weight loss, so good in fact that my last doctors visit, he recommended that I didn’t need a fill because my progress was going so well… I was really happy with that; but now 3 weeks on from that visit sometimes I’m finding I’m having to use will power a little more than I have needed to of late; but no where to the extent that I did pre-band… Next doctor’s appointment is early February so I’ll see how the next 5 and a bit weeks go.


Comments on how good I look are also coming thick and fast and I’ve also had a few people say that it’s made me look 10 years younger(thanks Grant); which is always a positive boost. One of my former work colleagues (who moved to the UK 18 months ago) visited on Wednesday and she couldn’t believe my transformation


Food wise I must say Christmas hasn’t been too bad… I’ve had a few functions and haven’t gone overboard (although have probably eaten and drank more than I should have; but that said it hasn’t had any adverse effect on my weight which makes me feel good. At least I know I can indulge a little at these special times of the year and not feel guilty at all… I’ve had Charlotte’s birthday, 7 Christmas Party, 7 Kids Christmas party, Family Christmas and now heading off to Christmas day and I’m still loosing weight.


My main issue has been probably eating a little too fast (to my detriment) and drinking with food. I’m now starting to be able to pre-empt if I’m eating too fast and something going to happen which is good because my hiccups are now happening less often although I still get them a couple of times a week


I’ll let you in on my little secret though… when I over indulge at parties it’s then a couple of days of healthy salads and drop the carbs; which tends to make up for it… I’m really starting to get creative with my salads; thanks to Bathie showing me how easy it is to make an exciting and tasty salad… a few lettuce leaves or baby spinach (those woollies prepacked leaves are great) thrown together with various combinations of tomato, cucumber, shallots, red onion, baked pumpkin, avocado, ricotta cheese, with some low fat balsamic or Kraft dressing; really hits the spot with your protein like steak or chicken… and its quick… I recon this will probably be my staple dinner when I’m in Melbourne for the Tennis next month.


Although my regular walking schedule on the weekends has taken a little bit of a hit with my how busy I have been of late; I’ve still been getting at least one day a weekend in; and V8’s weekend I walked all over Sydney Olympic Park both days and I’m still so surprised that I never really felt tired (although I think the adrenaline of the weekend may have also had something to do with it.


Anyway almost at my brothers for Christmas Day sop I must sign off… wishing you all a Happy and Safe Christmas; as well as a prosperous 2010.


Until next time

over half way

Weigh in this morning has me over half way to my goal weight, and just 100 grams short of the 30kg lost mark. 2.4kg lost this week; and that’s even with the travel and big dinners; so I'm feeling pretty good with myself.


The next couple of weeks are going to be harder as the Christmas party season starts in earnest; buts as long as I’m sensible and still keep up my exercise, there's no reason why I wont stay the same or loose a little - I just don’t want to put on any if I can help it.


Anyway off to work now - with the Sydney V8's only 8 days away there no rest for this little black duck

Eating out

Here I am again at 34,000ft blogging about my Tasmanian experiences of the last couple of days… It’s been both good and not so good… when it came to my food, but its all part of the learning curve of having the band…


Breakfast and lunch were easy as usual; and it’s always handy to keep an Optifast bar in my bag (even if its been there for a month and squished to within a centimetre of its life… still tastes the same – which is average at best…


Dinner on the other hand was a different story. Monday night we went to the Drunken Admiral, which is one of my favourite restaurants in Hobart (I try to go there every time I go down). It’s mainly seafood, with a little steak thrown in as well… I decided Id have the Seafood Mixed grill of Fish, Prawns and Scallops… It was great but in the end I had eaten too much, as it also came with shoestring chips and salad bar…


Then last night it was great; probably because we had eaten over a longer period. We had a couple of small pieces of pizza with our drinks; before heading off to the restaurant for some Steak. I chose the 200g Eye Fillet, while the other boys went for the 500 NY Eye Fillet… Well their eyes were too big for their stomach… 2 of them got through it and 1 didn’t. Funny thing was the one that didn’t was trying to encourage me to go the 500g as well; but after the night before I knew my limits; and even ended up leaving some on my plate…

Every day with the band is a new learning experience… Others on various forums I’m on, talk about issues when they are eating, with regurgitation and feeling / being sick; but now even a couple of weeks into my second band fill; the worst I have had is the hiccups, so I'm feeling good

Anyway were on our decent so I have to finish up…

Until next time

What a week… Again!

It’s just been another one of those crazy weeks (and weekends) as the year draws to a close… So busy I haven’t had a chance to blog… As I blog; I’m sitting at 34,000ft on my way to Hobart for Sunrise. I should be doing some work, but I thought I’d just do a quick post…


What’s been happening? It’s been crazy on the work front with long days all week, getting ready for this Hobart Trip, Sydney V8’s and other projects and day to day crap… The yesterday, while I was on a “pre” catch up day (a day you do to cover what you’d otherwise have to catch up on) I got the call to do a “courier” tip to Melbourne to pick up some gear that was needed in Sydney first thing this morning… there went my catch-up day. Booked my flights at 2pm for a 3.30 departure to Melbourne, before collecting the gear and getting on a 6pm flight back to Sydney, finally getting home at 9.30pm; after dropping the gear at Epping.


One thing I noticed yesterday was how much more comfortable flying is being nearly 30kg lighter (and smaller). No longer do I have to suck my gut in when the tray table comes down, and even working on the laptop on the flight is easier… my sides don’t even touch the armrests anymore, let alone hang over them… Looking in the mirror again this morning I’m really starting to like what I’m seeing.


Ditch the carbs… truly its worth it… After my disappointing weighing last Wednesday where I put on 1/2 a kilo, I started eating salads. Tuesday I had already started with a Greek Salad with Tuna (yum – the Tuna just added that bit of protein); then Wednesday Bathie made a nice chicken & baked pumpkin green salad when I went to give her a bit of a helping hand with her computers, and it just snowballed from there… at least 1 healthy sized salad a day with a bit of protein, and limit carbs to 1 meal… and its worked… I weighed myself this morning and I was 104kg…


Add to this I’m finally getting my water requirements down pat and that’s also helping…. I’m having a bottle of water BEFORE breakfast then one in the morning and another in the afternoon at least; and that’s also helping with the nibble cravings. I’ve even treated myself a couple of times with some “healthy” sweets. There are times that you still need your sugar hit, but if you keep it sensible, it won’t affect your weight loss…


Must go… they are starting to “prepare the cabin for landing “


Until next time…

Where did the week go?

It was one of those weeks… It just went west… After 10 days in Melbourne for the Cup carnival; I was looking forward to a quieter week just catching up on a few things and planning the last couple of events for the year… Not to be


Monday started off quiet; as I had my Band appointments; but by the time I got back to the office, it started and didn’t stop until I left Epping yesterday afternoon. V8’s, TiVo, Sydney Hobart, Tennis; as well as the move out of Epping; not forgetting the normal day to day office chores; and everything needed my undivided attention. I didn’t know where to start; and most of the time when I started something; there’s been an interruption, or I'd reach a roadblock… But a few others were saying the same thing… By the time I got home each night my brain had been going all day that as soon as I’d stopped to vege out in front of the TV, I’d fall asleep.

This morning though was another story, I was awake at 7, and by 7.30 I was out the door on my morning walk (photo on the left was taken this morning while I was walking)… and for some reason I had an extra spring in my step… maybe it was a guilty feeling that I indulged yesterday with Takeaway Chinese for lunch and then Pizza for dinner, or just that it was the weekend. Whatever it was it was a great feeling to get the blood flowing like that first thing in the morning…

After I got home from the walk; a read the paper while I ate breakfast, before heading out to pickup a work car that was in for service. After I picked up the car I headed to the shops for my weekly grocery shop; and boy it was busy… I haven’t done a Saturday shop for a while and add to that it was McHappy day. The car park was overflowing.


This afternoon is just a quiet one catching up with some home stuff that never got done during the week, before heading south tomorrow to visit my brother’s family who I haven’t seen since September when I helped them more into their new house…


Then Monday it’s back to the grindstone – hopefully next week will be a little easier than last; and some progress will be made.


Until next time

What a difference .5ml makes

I didn’t notice it as much with the first fill; but since Monday’s .5ml (now 5ml in the band) my appetite has decreased and I’m feeling satiety again. This will change as I loose more weight and my body composition continues to change; but its good going into the “party” season which precedes Christmas. My next fill is due on 8 December after the V8’s


This morning’s weigh in was good too. 106.7kg; which makes it a total of 28kg lost and almost at the half way point. Its 1.5kg since last Saturday, but the post band fill diet of liquids and then mushies for 24 hours always helps


I know its early this post; but there aint much else to do at 6am when you gotta eat your brekky slowly; so I thought I’d just jump online and blog my good news; especially now the internet is back on.


Until next time

Fill’er up

Finally after waiting almost 2 weeks I managed to go and get another band fill this morning; but it wasn’t without some last minute dramas… The damn daylight saving extension stuffed me up and instead of being half an hour early for my appointments; I was actually half an hour late. You see, I put them in the crackberry during the extension; and obviously some patch or whatever they did didn’t work and now were in the normal daylight saving time it actually had them as an hour late… I was not happy; but the only thing I could blame was an inanimate object – the crackberry… It wasn’t a major problem in the end. 10am was the dietician; so I’ve rescheduled that one for Thursday morning; and I still got the band fill and then saw the psychologist.


Chatting with the Doctor before the fill he asked me how I was going and explained how I’d been going over the last couple of weeks. I explained it hasn’t been easy and there was a lot of will power taking place. He asked about my portion control and I admitted they had been gradually getting bigger; so it said it was definitely time for a fill.


The band fill was a little tricker than first time for some reason… The doctor found the port on the outside; but once he put the needle in; couldn’t find it… he poked around a bit until I couldn’t stand it any more… He put some local anaesthetic in and tried again, still with no luck. This started getting me a little worries; because the first fill was in and out quickly. I mentioned to him the discomfort I was having last Thursday and Friday; but he didn’t seem to think that had anything to do with it. On the third go; he put a new needle on and presto; found it immediately and added another 0.5ml so I now have 5ml in total in the band.


After the fill; I had my first psychologist consultation; and it was different! I’ve never seen a psychologist before; so it’s a little confronting having to talk about things that you don’t even say aloud to yourself; let alone tell anyone else. That said; as we spoke I started to feel more comfortable about talking about the reasons behind why I chose to go down the lapband path. I mean I have been very open in my blogging; but that because I don’t know who’s reading it and when; but when they started asking about family history and my history; why you’re doing it; how your coping; and what your looking forward to at the end; it was some things I hadn’t really even thought about. It was a very worthwhile session and I came away with things to think about…. (more soon on this one)


After the appointments it was back to work; and back into the city (via a couple of other errands) to start getting us sorted for the back end of the year; with Sydney V8’s; Sydney Hobart; Tennis; the move from Epping and other things that keep popping up – not to mention the next issue of AC magazine; the new ACS website and my own stuff… and in between all that I have to find time for myself and my exercise; as well as all the usual Christmas “must do” all in the next 6 weeks before Christmas. Oh it will be fun…


Anyway must get onto some of that now… Internet is still dead; but thank heavens for my work datacard… I hop them get it sorted tomorrow as I can’t update the TiVo at the moment…


Until next time

Health Matters - Podcast

This is the first interview I did with Dr John Darcy 2 weeks after the operation on Health Matters. It went to air on Sunday 20 September, 2009


In the interview I talk about my weight loss history; my medical issues associated with my obesity; and how I'm going 2 weeks after the surgery.



Download Webcast

Keep checking back for more webcasts following my progress

1.8kg lost over the Carnival – so I treated myself…

…to another walk. Yep even after al the walking around Flemington over the last 10 days; I got home last night and first thing I did this morning was put the joggers on and head off for another walk – with added enthusiasm and vigour.

I don’t know how over the last week I have managed to loose 1.8kg since I weighed in the morning I left… I was sure I was going to have put on this week; but I guess all that additional walking around the Flemington course has done me the world of good. As I’ve previously blogged; I was finding it very difficult with portion control and keeping to my regular meal times; but I suppose eating sensibly and avoiding the fatty and sugary types of foods has helped – even though I have been feeling rather puckish for the time…

After nearly 2 weeks away; I’m just going to have a quiet weekend at home this weekend; catching up on all the home chores - I just hope it will stay dry long enough for me to mow the lawns and tend to the tomatoes and herbs.

Back to work on Monday morning to unpack from the Cup and start getting ready for the next big one; the Sydney Telstra 500 V8’s at Homebush next month.

I’ve also got my next set of appointments on Monday with Dietician; band fill and psychologist; so today’s weigh in is a great boost going into these appointments. And what’s even better I am 6kg’s ahead of my success indicator which is another positive boost.

Anyway must go… things to do

Until next time

Cup Week

Where has the last week gone? As usual cup week in Melbourne has been very frantic with not much time to myself.; and when I did It was to sleep… Its been a week since I last blogged, so tonight I thought I’d better let you know how its all going…


In short, its been difficult with my food, but my exercise has been great.


First the food… Brekkie has always been easy… bough some fruit and weet-bix so been having that every morning; lunch has been OK, although probably a little more than I normally have, over the course of a long day on the OB, you do tend to graze a bit as you grab a bit to eat between working… It was less that previously, but still not as little as I should, mainly because dinner was going to be so late… It consisted of sandwich, wrap, crackers and cheese, and fruit… I gave the sweet stuff a miss… the good thing was I drank LOTS of water. Dinner (by the time I got it) has consisted of a combination of cooking and takeaway/restaurants; always trying to eat healthy and without a drink, but sometimes it didn’t happen… My appetite has been getting the better of me, so definitely looking forward to next weeks band fill…


Exercise on the other had has been great; and a lot more than what I normally do. Lots of walking around Flemington instead of using the golf buggies like I normally do; except for when I was moving equipment about…


At the end of the week if I get home without putting on any weight in the 10 days I’ll be happy with myself… If I do put on some; its understandable as I’ve been using will power - and that’s been busy especially when you’re tired. If in the unlikely event I loose some weight it will be an unexpected bonus…; but once I get home its back to normal… As Christmas approaches I want to make sure I go into it in the right frame of mind, so I stay on track with my progress…


Tomorrow its Oaks day; so its no where near as busy; then Friday its packup and head home in the evening…


Even after being here for a week; I’m still getting comments on my weigh loss and how good I’m looking, which makes me feel really good… and now I’ve dropped my weigh; Cup day was so much easier even though I was up at 3.30am and didn’t leave the track until after 8pm; I still managed to have the energy to go and have dinner - normally I just back to the hotel and collapse…


Must go and catch up on my sleep after the last few long days


Until next time

It’s Cup Time

2 days in Melbourne and I haven’t really stopped… Melbourne Cup is probably our biggest annual “planned” news event and this year is no different…


At the end of today I’d almost finished setting up the news operation, although we’re changing things as we go to what we have previously done, but it’s definitely for the better…


Yesterday morning I was a little disappointed with this weeks weigh in. 110.1kg which means I put on 400 grams in the last 7 days, not good going into 10 days away… But that disappointment turned to encouragement following the reaction I received when I walked into the Melbourne newsroom… None of them had seen me (except for photos) since I started on my journey and was surprised at my progress as they hadn’t seen me since the Bushfires in February…


Last night, and I normally do for cup week, I went and did a shop at Safeway to get some breakfast bits, as well as a few meals to save me having to eat out… Most of the time I tend to eat in, as they’re long days , and especially on racedays, all you want to do at the end of the day is head back to the department , take your shoes of and get changed and relax…


I know I’m definitely in need of a band fill, because even though I’m eating the same amounts and in the same time as my first fill, satiety just isn’t coming and it’s just not cutting it… Will power is all that’s standing between me and my appetite, and it’s not easy… I’m not going to let it beat me while I'm away though… I’ll probably have a dinner out a couple of nights and maybe a takeaway or 2, but I’ll just keep pumping the water in, and safe snacks and plenty of veges to see me through… I’m also really happy today that for the first time I had some bread with a sausage on it, and no clog, or even hiccups… That was a good feeling, because lately I’ve been getting the hiccups almost one meal every day; and then none at all today…


Until next time…

Don’t talk with your mouth full

Another lesson learnt today… Don’t be driving, eating and talking on the phone at the same time… Don’t worry I didn’t have an accident in the car, but because I was driving, talking and not concentrating on my chew, chew and chew some more I swallowed a couple of bits of unchewed wrap bread and did I feel it - and got the hicucps… Even when concentrating on the wraps, the ends are pure bread and last time I had one I had a similar experience so I think that the ends now gong into the too hard basket along with raisin toast…


On the whole though, I haven’t had too many issues so far after 3 weeks back on normal foods. The only problem as I mentioned in my last post is I’m not quiet feeling satiety these last few days and am starting to pick again… Generally I would have been going in for my 2nd band fill tomorrow, but because I’m heading off to Melbourne on Wednesday, the doctor suggested I wait until I get back because he would prefer me know to venture to far for 3 days after a fill (just in case there’s any issues). So this being the case, I’ve decided it might be beast to go back on the Blackmores Weight Loss Accelerate (which apart from help reducing fat stores and enhances fat burning; also helps with reducing appetite), just to help me through this period… It helped me through the liver reduction for 4 weeks, so I’m hoping it will help me through 2 weeks in Melbourne


I must sign off now, as a few things to do, including pack for Melbourne, so until next time…

Good Days and Bad Days – my weird appetite

It’s been a mixed bag this weekend… yesterday was a day off and I had a quiet day at home, pottering round, doing the usual weekly chores and not much else. Today the alarm went off at 2.30am for work and I’ve only just got home…


What’s even more confusing is my appetite couldn’t have been more different…


Yesterday, I just couldn’t find satiety for most of the day, and needed to have a couple of snacks through the day – but was always feeling hungry… Today I had breakfast at 11am (I’d had 2 coffees before that) and then lunch at 3 and was fine… I did actually take an Optifast bar with me to work, but in the end couldn’t find it in my bag…

Yesterday I went for my walk in the morning, and then came home and just did stuff around the house all day; nothing strenuous, just a lot of pottering around; Today I didn’t stop between 4am when I arrived at Observatory Hill and 1pm when I finished unpacking at Epping, while it wasn’t a lot of walking it was a lot of stepping into and out of the back of the pantech (Mirage 1.5 – see photo to the right) setting up equipment, running cables and the like… I was covering Breakfast on the Bridge, but didn’t even get near the Bridge… At least Lindy got me one of the souvenir bags with a loaf of bread (fresh white – pity I cant eat it) and a couple of apples It wasn’t u8ntil I was driving back to Epping after I finished packing up that I realized I hadn’t even had breakfast… All this work on an empty stomach and I wasn’t even feeling that hungry – normally I would have been staving by then.


Just when you think you have it sussed, another curve ball comes your way and surprises you…


On my way home, I decided to pop into Trade Secret and Rivers to look at some Pants as everyone keeps on telling me I need to get some smaller jeans (as you can see in the photo my current ones are a ‘little’ big on me). It was great to be able to pick some of the smaller sizes off the shelf to try on… Dress Pants I tried on a 107 & 102… The 107 was snug, and the 102 was a little tight around the waste, but still did up… I haven’t been in 102’s now for over 5 years so it was a great feeling… I didn’t end up buying them as I didn’t like the cut so I’ll see how my other dress pants feel when I try them on later, otherwise it’s off shopping on Thursday night in Melbourne for some black pants for Race days… As for the jeans – Rivers Jeans sale this weekend had left the shop bare, so I could buy any even if I wanted to – so I guess its back to the wardrobe later on to try out what’s in there…


Anyway time to head out and do the grocery shopping before curling up on the lounge to vege seem I’ve been going since the wee small hours of this morning

Until next time…

Another milestone today… 19 years at ATN Channel 7 Sydney

And I hear you say 19 years isn’t a milestone… next year is 20 and that’s a milestone, but when you look at it closer, I have been at channel 7 over half of my life now…


I’m 38 next week and started there a week shy of my 19th birthday… and have been there ever since… There’s not many left at Seven that can say that these days, but this afternoon was able to reminisce with some of my colleagues who have been there even longer than me; and who passed the half life milestone even earlier than I did… It’s also a sad time for us old-timers- or long-termers, as we are gradually seeing our life and our ‘home’ at Mobbs Lane being ripped apart as Seven prepares to move out for good and prepare for the next chapter in its life at ATP in Redfern.


While News officially moved out 5 years ago; I've still been a regular at the Mobbs Lane studios as a lot of our maintenance is still done there; I still have long term equipment storage squirreled away; and not to mention the goldmine that is the News Archive… It’s been very sad over the last 6 months as we prepare for the final move and seeing stuff that has always been there, and put away on the back of a shelf “because it might come in handy one day” be thrown away like it doesn’t mean anything


Every corridor, every office, every edit suite, every Studio has a story (or many) to tell, and to see all this being torn down and thrown out is a very sad time, especially for those of us who have spent the best parts of our lives there… Those big Studio A productions; those mammoth OB’s like Golf and Bathurst; and those major news events that we have downstreamed through Studio C like the Thredbo Landslide, the Gulf Wars, September 11 and Diana’s Funeral; along with the iconic dramas like A Country Practice, Sons and Daughters, Rafferty’s Rules; and current ones Home and Away, All Saints and Packed to the Rafters…


When they pulled the photos off the walls in the corridors earlier this year, that’s when it really hit me that we were moving… I had a tear the night we moved out of the Newsroom in August 2004; and I’m sure when I make that final drive out of the gate next year; it will be a sad day… I’ve had such a great times there, and met and worked with such great people, both on screen and behind the cameras; anyone who’s still at Mobbs Lane and has spent time there in its heyday, will have a tear in their eye the last time they leave…


Seven is only my 3rd fulltime job… my first in 1987 at Westpac and then Channel 10 in 1989; before moving to Seven in October 1990.


While todays blog is off topic; it's something that I wanted to share as it’s another thing that is very important to me and my life

Until next time

25 kilos; and another notch on the belt

This morning’s weigh in, 6 weeks after my banding had me at a total loss over the 10 week period of 25kilograms… astounding… That’s 3.9kgs this week and 11.4kg since the banding… I’m still pinching myself as it’s so hard to believe I’ve done it in so little time… It’s not been easy and it’s only going to get harder as time marches on… And when getting dressed this morning I even managed to do up my belt another notch… I’m starting to think this weekend will be a wardrobe raid for some of my older smaller jeans so my current ones don’t look like tents on me (and fall down) while I’m and Melbourne and when I get back… That will definitely be another positive step in this whole process


So that was almost 4kg in a week, with only a couple of decent walks does have me wondering though if I am actually eating enough… Breakfast is fine, and so is lunch and through the day; with my biggest meal still being at night – not that its big by my old serving sizes… Tonight for example we had sweet and sour chicken… Protein was a heaped spoon and a half of sweet & sour chicken (with veges); carbs was a serving heaped spoon of rice (probably about ½ a cup); and then one of those steam fresh bag of veges… Takes about 20 minutes to eat and I feel fine; but then by about 9pm I’m getting the munchies again, so tonight I had a couple of vitaweets with some avocado & ricotta cheese… Enough to put the hunger at bay… A lot of it I think is the no snacking and grazing through the day; and the no drinking with meals is defiantly helping too; although I’m still having trouble making sure that I have my 2l of water a day


Tonight for the first time I also used my new Portion Perfection Plate which I got last week when I bought my bandbuddies starter pack… 3 months of vitamins and 10 meals… I also bought a couple of books and the plate and bowl which is a constant visual guide of how you should be serving up… They say not to use them every day, but it’s always good to use them regularly as a reminder to correct portion control, which is what Band eating is all about


Blogging has been a bit quiet the last week as it’s been so hectic at work… getting ready for Breakfast on the Bridge; as well as my annual pilgrimage to Melbourne for “the Race that stops a Nation”; so with all that by the time I get home, last thing I want to do is get in front of a computer again… but I’m going to try and keep regular daily postings going, especially while I’m away in Melbourne; as that’s my next big challenge – good thing is that’s a little different from Bathurst as we have a self contained unit and I tend to go shopping the night I arrive and most meals I have in and will be again this time; even if its just because I want to try as much as possible not to blow my current regime.


After such a warm day today; I looked out the kitchen window to see my tomatoes looking the bit worse for wear… I’ve been watering regularly; but 4 out of the 6 plants are now struggling and 2 of them I think are beyond help; so when I get back from Melbourne it might be time to buy some more, so I can ensure an endless supply for our salads over the summer… and with tomatoes being one of those “free” foods, I’m sure I’ll be eating them every day for lunch or dinner… The herbs are going well, and some are even out of control and the chillies are going well too but no fruit yet… one of the tomatoes that’s beyond help has a couple of fruit on, but the other have flowers but no fruit as yet… should be soon as its been nearly 8 weeks since I planted them…




Until next time…

My eyes are too big for my stomach

And its true, with my new pouch being about 15ml in size they were definitely too big for it this morning…


After an extras long week at work – 12 days straight with Bathurst – and a 4am start thrown in the middle of it for Sunrise – it was nice to finally have a day to myself… Caught up with a bit of stuff on the TiVo before heading down to the local shops for my morning coffee while I read the paper… Knowing that when I got home, I had a bit to do outside, mowing, lawns, weeding, and hosing the patio; I though that my 2 weetbix this morning probably wouldn’t last me till lunch, so I thought I’d try some banana bread, seem the raisin toast I had last time, just didn’t cut it so to speak… well this time, the banana bread was fine… no blockages; but by the time I had finished reading the paper; I felt like I had had too much and didn’t even finish my coffee… strike 2 at the coffee shop…


While I was down the shops, I noticed my reflection in the window I realized how much more I like the look of myself now… my gut is disappearing, my chubby face is going; and generally I'm starting to look proportionate for the first time in years… It’s really starting to make me feel good about myself again


When I got home it was into the garden… The lawns haven’t been mowed since we started getting all this rain, and chief kept on getting lost in it; the weeds had taken over the front garden; and the back patio was still covered in dust from the dust storm a few weeks back. That kept me going until early afternoon when I came inside for lunch – what to have when you haven’t been shopping; tin salmon, cherry tomatoes; onion and basil with a cruskit, ah well it was lunch…


Then it was time to start tidying inside as we have a fiend coming over for dinner that I haven’t seen since I started the preparation for the band… I’m sure he’ll be surprised when he see’s me


Anyway must head as he should be here soon… Just getting takeaway tonight as neither of us feel like cooking…


Until next time

Takeaway

First the first time in over 9 weeks I was able to go downstairs and purchase my lunch… a “small” chicken Caesar salad from Feisty salads… It was a nice change from Celery Sticks, Tomatoes, shakes and mush… I'm not going to get back into my old habit of buying lunch every day (I'll go back to mortgage meals as they are much cheaper), it's just I haven't been shopping this week since I got back from Bathurst.

It all felt fine… and I only got through just over half of it in half an hour and I felt full… So the band is working… Before, I could get the whole lot down in about 10 minutes and then have a piece of banana cake to top it off… And no drinks… I’m getting better at that one, although I must admit it’s a hard habit to break… and occasionally I still start my meal and have a drink then remember I shouldn’t…

Finally today I have been able to break away from my desk and do some running around as well… they last couple of day’s its been catching up from being away in Bathurst and getting ready for Melbourne cup, so now that’s almost in hand. I’ve been able to get around to do some other stuff, which means I’ve been out and about walking as well as running up and down the stairs, which makes me feel good when I can do that…

Better run and get back to work… until next time

Another week, another Kilo

I’m very impressed with myself… my first full week back on normal solids after 8 weeks and add to that being away and eating out as well as at the OB, and I still managed to loose over a kilogram in weight (113.6kg this morning)… As I’ve blogged previously it wasn’t easy last week, trying to find food that would go down easy, were low fat, and nutritious, but obviously the combination worked for me…


Melbourne Cup Carnival in a couple of weeks should be easier as we don’t tend to eat out as much, although there is the same type of OB lunch on racedays


I’ve just finished this morning’s mush (soggy weetbix) so I must head off now and finish getting ready for work. Gotta Love the school holiday traffic (or lack there of). Yesterday the usual M7/M2 carpark traffic wasn’t there and breezed through like it was off peak…


Until next time…

Fill ‘er up!

Yep… I had my first band fill today… I was a little apprehensive going in to see the doctor but it was over and done with in 5 minutes… and I almost didn’t even notice the needle…

So what’s a Band Fill?

Basically it adds restriction to your pouch by adding more fluid 0.5ml at a time… When I was banded they put some fluid (sterile saline) into the band so it was snug around my stomach. In my case it was 4ml, and add that to today’s fill, I have now have 4.5ml. While the first fill generally isn’t that noticeable from the intial one; the 2nd a 3rd is when you start to feel it working, and may start having issues until you get used to that fill. My next fill is after I get back from Melbourne on 8 November.

So how’s it done?

Well remember my mention of the port that is located under then skin just below the breastbone… Basically the doctor get’s you to lie on the bed. He then feels round and find the port and puts a mark on your stomach. They then clean the region with betadine, before putting the needle into the port and adding the fluid… I felt a small pin prick, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected; and then before I knew it; it was over and done and he cleaned the betadine off and gave me a glass of water to sip to check I could swallow OK with no pain… I had to have a 2nd glass then before I left the clinic…

Before the band fill I had another appointment with Dr Roy and then my Physio group session. Dr Roy (my surgeon) is very pleased with my progress and was asking how I was going; and particularly how I went last week… He also gave me some photos of the placement of the band in my stomach which was fascinating… a nice little keepsake.

The Physio’s appointment was very informative; and explained the benefits of effective exercise to aid in weight loss… Once I’m back home from Melbourne I’m even thinking of finding a gym to join which will really help with the cardio and abs; although she suggested a cross trainer at home or even Wii fit is just as effective… She also drummed it in to us of the need to ensure the port region is protected at least until week 8, to avoid any problems… That will fit in fine for when I get back from Melbourne. And the exercise will help to get me fit – which despite the weight loss and finding it easier; I’m still not fit, which is something I found out on Sunday in Bathurst when I had to run from the pit garages to the compound a couple of times… after the first run (about 400 meters) by the time I had to do it a second time I had nothing left…

After the band fill, you’re back on fluids for 12 hours and then mushies for 12 hours; so I had a shake for lunch and had some tomato soup for dinner; both of which went down with no problems… Tomorrow morning and lunch is mushies before back to normal food tomorrow night…

Time for Rafters and All Saints so until next time

Bathurst is over for another year after Holden takes the crown

Well after a fun filled week at a chilly Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000 V8’s; I’m finally home… As usual we worked hard long hours, but also found some time to let our hair down…

I’ve just been going through the 800 odd photos I took of the cars roaring around the mountain, which I managed to take while walking around the bottom of the mountain in some downtime yesterday… My media accreditation allowed me to get up close to the track (and the cars) which I haven’t done since I did production camera up there back in the 90’s… I’m in the process of going through them and posting them on Facebook; but above is a photo of the eventual winner of this years Race– Car 2 Garth Tander and Will Davidson from HRT. While I’m a Holden supporter through and through, I did feel a bit of disappointment for Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup who despite looking like they could rewrite history at towards the end of the Race, ended up finishing 5th in their last drive for the Blue oval at the Mountain… Next year they’ll be driving for the General…

At the end of the day we did the news from the HRT garage and managed to meet the boys and get our photo taken with them (left)… One of the perks of working in news which is always great…


Last night was a quiet one, with dinner again at the Church… I ended up having a couple of pieces of Garlic pizza and about half of a 9” pizza with prawns … All was good for that meal; but lunch was another story… I was eating a brown egg and lettuce sandwich… I’d had one half before I went out to take some pictures and then had the other when I got back… About 2/3’s of the way through it I started hiccupping (like I did with the raisin toast the week before); but this time I could feel a bit of pain… A sip of water only made it worse; I tried burping and coughing to no avail so I went up to the fridges in the compound and got some coke… To my amazement after only a sip of it; it was cleared… I sat down for a few minutes before heading back and having a bit of pasta salad for the rest of my lunch… that was fine… - how strange the band can be sometimes…


Today was spent packing up the shed and satellite kit; before heading home to Sydney; along with the rest of those that had been up the mountain… This year we didn’t leave until 11 so I though we may have got a good run; but the usual bottle necks at Kelso and Blackheath, as well as a lunch stop in Lithgow, turned it into a LOOONNNNGGGG 4 ½ hour drive… By the time we got back to Epping all we wanted to do was dump everything out of the vehicles and head home for a well deserved rest…

Before I go tonight, to the left is a photo for Arnie (a colleague of mine who is the News Ops Manager at 7 Melbourne) of me in Bathurst after over 4 weeks banded and 20kg's lighter... It doesnt show a lot as it was sooooooo cold up there and I had many layers of clothes on, but it does show how I am starting to change - especially around the face... The other photo above with the HRT boys probably shows its better...

Ok the media accreditation vest is a little tight, but it was only a large, and its been the first time since I started covering the V8's that I have actually been able to zip the vest up, so I was pretty chuffed about that.


I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again tonight before and early start in the morning prior to my late morning band fill and physiotherapists appointment at the clinic…


I’ll post again tomorrow night after my first band fill… Back to fluids for a day then mushies for another day before seeing how I go with the first fill


Until then

The smell of Ethanol in the morning…

It was a wet morning when I left home this morning; which means we could be in for an exciting day at the V8’s… All I could see on the way to the Mountain was a big low grey cloud hanging over Bathurst…

Even at 6.30am people were streaming in the gates ready for a day of excitement watching the big V8’s, despite the rain…

It wasn’t long and it cleared up, but it’s stayed threatening all morning…

I’ve just got back from watching the start of the race at the end of Pit straight and got some great photos from the start (over 100 in total)… It’s always a thrill to watch the start of the Great Race live and this one was no exception with Jason Bright heading off into the kitty litter as he turned into mountain straight…. and its continued as I blog from our shed in the TV compound while watching the telecast...

The last couple of nights have been great… We finally decided to go out for dinner, so it was my first real test… Friday we went to The Ox and I had entrée size pasta, which filled me sufficiently… Normally I would have had that and then a main; then last night we went to Church Bar where we had woodfire pizza. Again I only had about 5 pieces and some salad… again they weren’t huge toppings, but I felt satiety… I must admit I have been cheating a little, by drinking with my meals – and alcohol at that; but have not been keeping up with my colleges and have been self-nominated as DD (designated driver)…

I’ve probably been eating slightly more than I should be, but I’m sure that will change come Tuesday and my first band fill… Something I’m looking forward to with some slight trepidation, but only because I don’t know what it will feel like, and apart from that I hate needles, and this one goes right into the middle of my chest!

That said, I’ve probably been doing slightly more walking than normal so hopefully that will make up for the extra food… If I get home and my weigh in on Tuesday is the same as last Tuesday when I left, I will be happy… If I’ve put on weight, I’ll be disappointed but it’s currently a learning experience; and if I’ve lost some, I’ll be over the moon…

Anyway, I’m going to head off for another walk with my camera (and my raincoat)… The weather’s threatening so hopefully that will make for some spectacular photos…

Until next time

It’s hotting up at the mountain… even though were in single digit temperatures

Wow… 3 days since my last blog… The time has flown as we get ready for the Great Race on 7…

Since arriving in Bathurst on Tuesday its been frantic… setting up and getting ready for the biggest weekend in motorsport this year… only now that the cars are actually on the track do I get 5 minutes to sit down and blog… and its only because were in the lunch break, although as I blog I can hear the roar of the Fujitsu series warming up their engines for their first race


The weather for the first time in a few years has been rather bitter with minus 2 degrees this morning at 6am when we were on the track doing Sunrise… The days have been mild with a cold wind meaning long sleeves, fleece and jeans are a must; and this morning I even had the thermals on…


Everything is going great too… I have really noticed how much extra energy I have too… We’re based in the Paddock area in the middle of the track, so to go in or out, or over to the main public area, we have to go across the bridge, so there been lots of stair climbing too… Now I’m not saying I haven’t been getting tired (I have), but I’m doing a lot more before I start to run out of steam…


It was also interesting the other day I had to bring some gear in which I recon probably weighed about 20kg… It felt like a tonne, but I though afterwards, that’s what I used to carry around every day so no wonder I’ve go much more energy…


Eating had been relatively easy too; although I am now starting to feel what the full effect of the band is and I just cant eat what I used to and I’m throwing food out which is a good thing.… we went shopping on Tuesday to get some stuff, so I got some bit I can easily eat on transition diet… plus food at the OB compound has been easy too… every meal there’s been some easy stuff… Nachos/Tacos (without the corn chips), san choy bow, pasta & sauce… plus salad and other stuff so it’s been good… Plus I’m getting really good with my water too We’ve had a couple of BBQ’s for dinner and Pizza one night and I only had 3 pieces and a bit of pasta and I was full…


I hoping with all the walking and stair climbing this week, by the time it comes for my weigh in next week, there’s a bit of good news there…


Until next time - GO Holden

The Boys from Bathurst

As the Lee Kernighan song goes


We been running strong
From the east to the west
We been banging fenders
To give you all the best
We been setting records in every state
Well their aint no car
Like a big V8
To the boys from the bush
Were back in town
Well the cars in the back and the shutters down
Were all heading for the Bathurst field
To see Brokky and the boys serving up a thrill


Obviously were not going to see Brokky, but there’ll be plenty of thrills and spills at the Mountain this week once the cars hit the track on Thursday…


Today’s a travel and setup day, before our first News segment tomorrow and then every day through until the end of the race…

My weekly weigh in was bought forward by a day, and unfortunately its disappointing, but not surprising… 114.9kg – an increase of ½ a kilogram… Not good, but the last week or so I haven’t been as active as I should have been and haven’t been for a walk now for a couple of weeks because of the weather. I’ll get back to it in Bathurst…



Anyway just about to have some brekky and then head off, so I’ll blog from Bathurst soon

My first hiccup…

Literally… As I’m heading off to Bathurst tomorrow, I’ve been trying a couple of things on the transition diet the last couple of days and taking it slowly just to see how I go… It’s nice to actually eat something of substance and not feel hungry a couple of hours after…


I tried some toasted raisin bread yesterday and again today and it ended up the same… with the hiccups. No matter how much I chewed it, it ended with the same result – hiccups. I ended up throwing out what I hadn’t finished today. So that’s one off the list. For lunch (and it was a late one after I finished a few hours work) I tried a 6” Chicken and Bacon Ranch Subway… well to my surprise that went down OK… No hiccups, nothing – the good thing with that was there was something to chew… I chewed, Chewed and then chewed some more and it went down nicely… and it kept me full for a few hours – I can start to feel the band working and I haven’t even had a fill.


Tonight I made a pasta bake, which again went down with no issues… 1 cup of the bake (normally I have two) and a few grape tomatoes, onions and fresh basil out of my garden… It took half an hour with a couple of stops in between, but again no issues…


Almost back to normal at work too… Packing the vehicles today was a breeze – except for trying to fit it all in… light lifting with no pain or twinges which obviously means everything is almost back to normal… The internal bruising which I was feeling for a while too seems to have gone, and I’m almost back to sleeping on my stomach for parts of the night which is great…


Anyway better get back and finish packing… just waiting for some clothes to dry… It’s going to be a cold one this year according to the forecast, so I’ve packed some extra woollies to make up for that excess fat I’ve gotten rid of in the last couple of months


Until next time

Health Matters

Yes your health really does matter… as you get older, you really need to take a step back and look at where you’re at, and what you can do to improve not only your day to day; but long term health… That’s what I did; and after 7 weeks I’m feeling like a new person – and people are even telling me that I just look some much better, healthier and happier than when I was 20kgs heavier… and generally not looking after myself.


On his radio show this morning; Doc John asked why I went public with what most people who have got a lap band consider a private thing.


I look at it this way – while the decision is private (although I did speak with Doc and a colleague who has also had one); the actions and results are a very public thing.


People notice – they notice you eating differently and notice you loosing weight – and add to that they offer support and encouragement every step of the way. While there are support networks online that can offer information and advice from people in the same situation as yourself and maybe even via the clinic you go to for your treatment – there is nothing like the support network from family, friends and colleagues.


In the long run; for me it’s much easier to be open about it; that way I don’t have to avoid things and become a hermit just because I didn’t want people to know. I heading away with work next week on assignment knowing that I can confidently do as I need to; be that go out or stay in for dinner – without having hide it from my colleagues that I’m sharing with


My Health Matters to me – the last few years I’ve been kidding myself and not really trying – despite partly following a Low GI diet. I’d had a heart scare a few years back, diagnosed with Insulin Resistance, along with high cholesterol and my blood pressure on the higher side of normal… The signs were starting to show

If this sounds a bit like you – do something about it like I did - It will change your life; and you’ll feel so much better in yourself for doing it…

MIA

It’s been a bit like that the last few days… Missing in Action… Since the Tsunami hit on Wednesday it’s been long days at work covering that, as well as getting ready for Bathurst… Even had to work today to finish packing, just so were ready to go to Bathurst on Tuesday… Tomorrow off, then a few hours work Monday, before heading to the Mountain on Tuesday.


I haven’t had time to check emails, Facebook, or even blog…


It’s been rather interesting the last few days, with the crazy hours I’ve been working, and not being able to have my regular small meals… Wednesday night was OK, as I was able to have a risotto, Thursday night I was stuck in a side street in Windsor waiting for a tow truck until 8.30pm (gotta love the aging Holden suburbans) so I didn’t have anything to eat until 10pm when I got home – and I had lunch at 1… I was staving… And yesterday was another interesting one, which was my own stupid fault. I couldn’t find my house keys for looking, and chased around Epping and Martin Place only to find them in the back of the Suburban in my jacket (which I thought I’d left in my car at Epping) after trying everywhere else… I was so glad it was the end of the week and once I found my keys decided to join the other in the boardroom for Friday night drinks… Just had a beer an tried some nibbles – not too many but what I had went down OK


Friday morning was probably the lowest point I have reached in the last 7 weeks… I was feeling a little off, tired and generally run down… Probably the longer hours and lack of sleep, and other things happening at work actually hit me – lack of food = energy didn’t help either; but I soldiered on, and after a good night’s sleep last night felt much better today…


Tomorrow I’m going to gradually start on the transition diet, to give me a couple of days before I go away to get into a pattern… I’m looking forward to it, as good as the mushies is with a little more variety than the thin fluids, I’m still getting a little board always eating one of the 4 puréed meals I did; so I’m thinking tomorrow I might try some fish; and then on Monday some Pasta bake or something like that


Don’t forget Health Matter’s on Sunday morning at 7am http://www.drjohndarcy.com/listen_to_drjohn.html


Until next time

My first takeaway in 7 weeks

I know it’s a little early, but I’ve had to stay back at work tonight because of the tsunami in Samoa, and I only came to work with my normal rations for the day, so tonight I went an bought myself a small risotto, and so far so good… its well cooked and really soft, and I got a combination of Pumpkin and Chicken, so its not too bad… I’m using the technique I was taught yesterday, and while it’s not easy, especially with a soft food, I’m starting to master the art of ‘Chew to a paste’ and “wait 60-90 seconds between swallows” so it will definitely last the 20 minutes…


I did my radio interview today for Health Matters on Sunday, which came out well – about the only thing that did go right today… Hopefully tonight between updates and the late bulletin, I should be able to get some Bathurst and Melbourne Cup prep done…


I must be off and continue my “chew to a paste” - back to mushies tomorrow

Until next time…

and this morning 20 kilos lost

Yep... that’s right, I've hit the 20kg mark on my weigh in... This morning was my normal weekly weigh in and I've hit the milestone in 7 weeks... Just quietly I'm pretty pleased with myself...



I know from next week when I start back on my transition diet to the "new" normal and having 1500 calories a day, my weight loss will start to slow (remember 2-5 kg a month is progress), but that’s good... to date my weight loss has averaged just under 3kg a week which just cant be sustained for healthy weight loss... that said, I'm now over 1/3 of the way to my goal


The other good thing about gong back to normal, is getting No2 movements back to normal... for the last 8 weeks they have been all over the place and still at only 1 every 3-4 days or so, despite daily Benefibre... Have gone back to Metamucil today as that did seem to work, but the problem with that is it fills your stomach up with nothing... but I'm hoping I can get my 1 weetbix down...


Must go and get ready for work, so until next time...

One step forward – and 20 steps back

No need to worry… Its nothing to do with my progress… that’s still going great guns – today was just one of those days. Everything that could go wrong, and get in the way of getting done what I needed to get done did. People being caught up and delayed, flat tyres, people calling in sick… we had it all – needless to say I got nothing done I needed to get done with the exception of heading off to the dietician to find out all I needed to know about the “transition” diet…


And it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to next week after 8 weeks of Optifast, greens, thin fluids and the mushies… But I’m not going to take it too fast… I can’t.


It was a good session too – a group of just one – ME… so I was able to pick the brains of the dietician which was great. Its interesting that now I will be able to east some of those foods that a couple of years ago I couldn’t on the Low GI diet… That said – I still follow a lot of what I learnt in low GI to this day… and I recon that even though eventually I didn’t loose any weight on it, it definitely helped me from putting on more than what I did…


The transition diet is just that – all about the transition of eating with the band… Small Bite (about the size of a 10 cent piece), chew food to a paste and check with your tongue, Check for fibres and lumps by pressing on the roof of the mouth, swallow AND THEN WAIT 60-90 seconds between swallows. The other thing is to stop when feeling SATISFIED not FULL (which is about 20 minutes) – this is going to be interesting…


Obviously the first week will be without a fill (well actually there already is some in there) but then after that the aim is to get into the Green Zone (just right)… I’ll tell you more about that after my first fill.


Today handouts included a full list of the different levels in the transition diet (easiest, easier, challenging and most challenging) and the different foods in each of these groups…. The plan is to start on the easiest and progress through after every band fill… and it’s interesting where some foods sit… would you have though a banana would have been challenging, or crisp bread and toast would have been the easiest… It was a real eye opener about my new way of eating…


It’s a late post tonight, because I just couldn’t be bothered when I got home after the day I had… all I wanted to do was have dinner and vege out in front of the TV watching Rafters and All Saints…


I thought I had better log on before I went to bed so check my emails and did this quick post…


Another busy day tomorrow, catching up on what didn’t get done today and also my second interview with Doc John (don’t worry haven’t forgotten to post the first – I’m just waiting for it) for Sundays show…


Anyway off to bed so until next time…

Another Notch on the belt- the feeling of Progress

Yep… on the new belt which I have only started wearing since I started loosing weight; I’m now in on the 4th notch… I quite surprised myself this morning when I put it on and then felt something was different… The 3rd notch which I had been on the last few weeks was suddenly bypassed… Yippee… It’s always a good feeling… They way I’m going in a few more weeks I’ll be able to put on some of my older jeans and consign my current ones to the wardrobe for 18months time when I hit my goal weight and want to do that before and after shot… It’s a great feeling – the feeling of progress


I must say I’m actually enjoying wearing jeans (and clothes generally) that aren’t skin tight any more… Because for the last few years that’s all I’ve been able to get… I’m sure the fat around my thighs is dropping off too, in addition to my gut and in my face and neck… It will be interesting seeing people next week that I haven’t seen for 6-12 months, to see what their reaction is…


I’m getting used to using the stairs at work too… sometimes I forget, but hey were all human; but I can now do level 3 to level 5; two steps at a time; without puffing when I reach the top – again that’s another feeling of progress


Tomorrow I’m off to the dietician again, a week early because I’m at the Mountain next week; Tomorrow’s group session is for the “Transition to the Gastric Band style of Eating”… I can’t believe it’s a week already on the mushies… I’ll be starting to get back to the new “normal” before I know it


Anyway, time for my last “meal” of the day… then a bit of TV and bed…


Until next time

Where did spring go?

What a crap weekend… After waking up to another dusting yesterday, it didn’t really get any better… I ended up pulling out the fleece and wearing that most of the weekend… What’s with this crazy weather?


So much for my walking regime too… Yesterday was too dusty and today was to damn cold… I know it sounds wimpy but I’m not going to get the flu while I’m still recovering… Speaking of recovery, unless I stop and think about it (or do something silly like bending over or picking up something heavy) I cant feel any tenderness in the port region and even all the internal soreness and bruising isn’t noticeable either which is great… For the first time last night I was able to sleep on my stomach for a little while without (much) pain…


And my snoring has stopped… Scott mentioned the other day that with all the weight I’ve dropped he’s not hearing my snoring anymore either which is great news for whoever I have to room with at Bathurst…


6 half cups of food a day is not quite filling me now… I’m trying very hard to resist temptation, but now I’m back on normal food all whizzed up, my taste buds are starting to crave… I’m also just making the ½ cup over 10 minutes… Tonight I made a Mild chicken curry in the crock pot for 8 hours… It was mouth watering… and I’ve got another 8 half cups in the freezer… I think I now have enough meals to last me through until the end of the mushies… Chicken Curry, Bolognaise, Chilli Con Carne, and Butter Chicken for lunch and dinner…


My first full week at work tomorrow and it’s a busy one, not only with Grand Final week (go the Eels), but also Bathurst prep and pack, Melbourne Cup prep, and all the usual day to day crap… But it will keep me busy. That’s one thing about the weekend when you’re sitting at home; you sometimes tend to clock watch if you’re feeling peckish… Not at work though… you have to remember to have a break…


Anyway a couple more things to do before Rescue Special Ops comes on

Happy Birthday Sis...


Until next time…