!!!!ONDERLAND!!!!

I DID IT!!! I REALLY REALLY DID IT! I CAN'T FREAKIN BELIEVE IT! Sorry for the caps... BUT I AM REALLY EXCITED! I lost 3.4 again this week! OMG, I am OFFICIALLY UNDER 200 Pounds.

I have lost a total of 71.4 I now weigh 198.6! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NUMBER. I AM IN COMPLETE AND UTTER SHOCK!!!! I HAVE NOT SEEN THOSE NUMBERS FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS!

I feel great about my decision to have WLS! I love my band! This is an amazing tool! I would suggest it to anyone!

So thank you so much to all of you for supporting me and following me along on this wonderful journey! I look forward to more happy successes and I am ready to tackle any bumps that get in my way!

~Mandy

BYOC

1. How do you handle criticism?
I think I handle it well. At least I always get that on my evaluations at work! I don't piss and moan about it b/c if I am not doing something write or not good enough; I want to know! I am not a perfectionist... but I don't mind criticism! Unless it is from MY mother!!! HA HA HA.


2. Who had or has had the greatest impact on your life?
I believe my kids made the biggest impact on my life! I don't know what I would do without them. It made me who I am today. I had to grow up quick and realize what was more important in life! I Love my Hannah & Joshua

3. If you had a friend that spoke to you the way YOU speak to yourself – would you keep them as a friend and for how long?
Probably not. I don't talk bad about myself but I also don't talk to highly of myself either. So if someone was not happy with who I am... then see ya!

4. Do you think crying is a form or weakness or a form of strength?
I say it can be a bit of both.. I cry when I am really frustrated (that is my weakness) and its worse when people see me at my weakest points! I think it can also help clean your soul and help you stay strong and focused! I cry alot! When I am happy, sad, frustrated, aggrivated, irritated, overwhelmed! I am an emotional roller coaster sometimes!

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.
Blog Land... I been reading...NOT commenting. Most times I read while I am at work! I wish we could chat with people on here... or something like a facebook so u can see what everyone else commented!
In real life... Today is my son's birthday! 6 yrs old today! Tomorrow will be busy runnin around getting everything for the party (its tomorrow night) 4-6pm. Then there is also Family Night.. My whole family (grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) we all get together for Family Game Night once a month!
I guess a decision has been made as far as my new CO-WORKER!!! But I am being shut out and not told anything! It's really drivin me nutty!

Well that about sums it up! Have a wonderful weekend and I will see u all at some point for my Weigh IN!!!

~Mandy

Updates, photos and my loves!

I am going to try to take a lot of photos from here on out... My biggest mistake is not doing it sooner, because I really have to look at these photos to see the difference in myself!

Here on the left was me tonight, after my ~AWESOME~ appointment! My new clothes size 18 jeans and xLarge shirt! I could have bought the 16 (yes 16).. but the are still a bit too tight and give me major muffins!!!

So I had another apppointment today; a 6 week check up! They took my weight which was the same a Weight Watchers (Last Saturday) with my jeans on and plenty of fluids in... :) you know what that means!!!! :) I just might meet my Onederland Goal this weekend! OMG! I have to try to relax I am super excited!

Ok back to subject;.... oh yeah my appointment. I left without a fill! The Nurse told me I am doing AMAZING! Even better than most BYPASS patients! Can you believe it? They are thrilled to see that I am really doing what I need to do! The Nurse did tell me that I was tight because of my period...and that as long as it is finally settling down, she would just let me be! We found that the reason I got my first UNFILL is because of the same reason! So I will just be on liquids and mushies those days. NO Biggie! So, they are extreamly pleased with my progress and I was even honest about how I have a little ice cream now and then..and I am not over indulging, but enjoying a little something sweet! :) I am just really happy that they are happy with my results!

Well, tomorrow is my babys' b-day! Joshua will be 6 yrs old! :( OMG really, how time just flies by. I have not told him about his dad yet! However, we did get letters and an amazing photo he drew for Joshua of Superman and Batman! It's really cool. He also ordered him some Trading Cards. Not sure how that works from prison, but I thought it was cool. So Saturday is Joshua's Party. I invited a few of his friends from school. I haven't met any of them yet. I hope they show up! I can't believe how fast the kids grow up now a days. My Hannah Banana will be 11 in Aug. Ugggh to think she will be driving in 5 yrs... oh lord help us. LMAO!


Here is me and my wonderful, supportive, amazing, sexy, loving, and hard working hubby! I am really photogenic and I love getting my pic taken... but I have to be prepared! Ya know what I mean. Make up, hair, clothes, I need to make sure I am lookin good. LOL. I love my husband so much more than words can say! Dario, is an amazing person and just so good to me and the kids! We have been through so much emotionally, physically, finacially, and legally (immigration & adoption) but we always manage to get though it! I <3>

So anyways, I am off for now. Hopefully I will be back with great news on Saturday (Weigh In)! Cross your fingers for me!

~Mandy

BYOC and Weekly Weight

1. Regardless of what stage you are in - in your weight loss, get healthy journey – do you still consider yourself “fat”? Was there a point when you stopped feeling that way? I am just over 3 months out of surgery and still see myself as "fat". I am told it will take sometime to over come that. I may even need some counseling to help that. I looked at my photos (the befores and cry)! It really is depressing that I let myself go.

2. Tell us about your first kiss. My first kiss, I don't even remember! Sad Huh?

3. Describe your parenting style (either current or what you hope to do or what you would do if you ever had kids)? Hmmm... I think I am more laid back, I don't let my kids do whatever they want, but I don't hoover over them. I am open with my kids and try to be honest with them at all times. I am comforting, loving, and I will no longer be the "Fat MOM"!

4. How would your best friend describe you? I don't know! Lately, we haven't really hung out! WE did the other night for the first time since ..... Christmas eve really! But she will tell you I am Shy until you get to know me! I am loyal and trust worthy. I am a Go Getter! I don't know... A great person over all! I should ask her!

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life. Oh real life, what is real anymore! I feel like i am a robot! I go to work, come home, go to work, come home, go to work, come home! I am super busy at work and don't mind it, but I am exhausted at the end of the day! I guess it's good in some sort b/c I am moving more and lost 3.4 this week. So I can't complain! Blog life, been slackin! I read but don't comment. I thank all of you for your input about sliming, pBing and my tightness.

I hope everyone had a wonderful St. Paddy's Day! Here is a photo of me and my kids! WE are very much IRISH!

So, I lost 3.4 this week for a total of 68 lbs! I am 202 lbs right now... Onederland is so close I CAN TASTE IT!!!!!

I am no longer "TIGHT"! Yesterday and today have been ok! I went to my monthly WLS Support Group Thrusday night and shed some tears.

I didn't realize how this would be so emotional. I am a mess at times! I cried because I am so ashamed of myself and disgusted when I look at my old photos! I question what it is my husband saw when he met me! I question things all the time. We discussed relationships and friendships again. The moto is; You have a friend for a Reason, Season or a LifeTime! I loved it!

Here I am trying to be sexy... Ha Ha Ha, Me Sexy! Yeah right! I was messin with the settings on my camera and ta da!

I have so much more runnin through my head but its all good! I will type it up another day!

Well, take care and TTFN~ ta ta for now!

~MANDY

Few Things

This is my son mimitating (meditating). Wanted to share with you all. He is going to be 6 next Friday! My baby boy!

I first of all want to say THANK YOU all so much for the comments! I really do appreciate it! You all keep me motivated especially those of you who are years out and look FABULOUS!

I also appreciate the responses for PBing and Sliming. Those were quite helpful. I believe I have slimed a few times, but just always thought that was phlem! Now that I think of it it had to of been Sliming! It is really grosse but whatever helps. This happens quite often though. Hmm.. I am guessing its not normal and I should talk to my surgeon about it!

I must say I think I am going through bandster HELL!!!! I have this awful tightness. YES, still tight... and I am 2 days done my period. I still can't freakin eat. Today I during my Team Management meeting (very small group - 6 of us) they all heard my stomach and asked if I was starving myself! Umm, not quite...my body is starving itself! LOL.

Uggh..when will it end. I am really hoping soon. I couldn't even sleep last night I was that uncomfortable. It feels like someone is in my stomach, wrapped a string around it and is tying it as tight as possible! Ouch!

Also, I think tonight is another night for Milk of Mag too... I have so many problems its not even funny at this point. But painful is more like it!

Here is to another day of hell!

~Mandy

New Page

I finally did it! I finished my before and after pics page. Check it out and comments are always welcome! Thanks!

What exactly is PB & Slime

More questions and advice~

I am still new to this band thing... its been 3 months now! I hear all the talk about PBing and Sliming! What exactly is that... so maybe I can figure out if I have actually experienced it. Sorry, I am full of questions and advice lately.

Thanks,

~Mandy