Devine Secrets of the Yiayia Sisterhood

Day 45, 312 lbs. That's 43 lbs so far.

By now most of you know this, but in case you didn't, my sister, Emily, has been on this Journey to get thin with me.  In fact, she also had the Lap-Band surgery done. (She gave me permission to tell people). It's kind of a funny story because we didn't actually decide to do this together.

My Grandmother had this surgery done 4 years ago which is what originally inspired me to go this direction in the first place. I have known about it for years and I even looked into it a few times but it wasn't until my Grandmother did it that I really began to consider it. I knew I couldn't afford to have the surgery done on my own and so I needed to go through insurance. (My insurance is kind of amazing so they actually covered most of the costs) I had to do a bunch of things before insurance would approve me, so when I talked to my mom about my plan, I asked her not to tell anyone until I could get my approval because there was no sense in telling people I was going to do it, if I really couldn't.  I remember talking to my sister about it a year or so ago.  I just kind of put it out there that I was looking into it after seeing the success that my Grandmother had.  She didn't know how serious I was about it all though.

Now Em and I have always been very close and we share a lot of things with each other, but this felt very personal to me back then and I was still very self conscious about the whole thing and, again, didnt want to say I was going to do something that might not actually happen.  So I set off to tackle the list of tasks my insurance set out for me.

Little did I know, Em was considering it too.  Again, she didn't want to say anything until she knew for sure that she could do it, so she told my mom about it, but asked her not to say anything until she had it all worked out.

My poor Mom.  She had this huge secret from both of us.  She knew that we could be each others biggest support system but she was being loyal to our wishes and didn't say a word.  She told us, later on, that it was complete torture.

As I was getting closer to completing my tasks I would talk to my Mom about my progress and she would make comments like, "Are you sure you don't want to say anything to Em about it?" "She would be so happy and supportive to you." Apparently she had been saying the same things to Em. 

When I finally got my approval and I was just waiting to get into the doctor to make arrangements, I decided to call my sister.  I remember the conversation so vividly.  I called her up and said, "Do you remember how I talked to you last year about wanting to look into Lap-Band surgery?" Well I didn't tell you this, but I have been working with my insurance to get approved to do the surgery and the approval just came down today." I am going to make arrangements to get the surgery done before the end of the year."  There was silence on the other end.  Then, "Oh my God, Sarah, that's so wonderful. I'm so excited for you."  She was so happy for me and just kept saying how excited she was.  She was so great to let me have my moment to shine.  Then, after a time she said, "I've have something crazy to tell you. I have decided to get the Lap-Band surgery done as well and I am meeting with my doctor this week to make arrangements." I was in complete shock. I was so excited for her and I was so excited for us.  How crazy was it that we both decided, independently, to make this life-changing decision?  The same decision that was going to save both of our lives.  But then again, we are sisters, and most people think we are twins, so why wouldn't we come up with this crazy idea together.

The best part was when we told Mom that we told each other.  She got so excited she screamed and told us how hard it has been to keep our secrets. She was so proud of the both of us.

I just have to say, that it has been so amazing to go through this experience with Em.  You have no idea what it means to have someone who knows exactly what you are going through, right there beside you to help you.  We have been invaluable to each other.  Losing weight is a burden many people have to face, but not many have had the unique experiences that Em and I have had. The best part is that she did her surgery about 4 weeks before me, so all the experiences I have had, she has usually already had them, so she has been very helpful to me.  I love our daily check-ins with each other. I love being about to call her up at any time, day or night and just talk.  She does the same with me.  We share each others triumphs and listen to each others struggles.  We can talk each other off the ledge, when we have moments of weakness, and boost each others confidence when we think its too hard to keep going.  Each pound lost is a celebration for both of us. 

We decided from the beginning to never let this be a competition.  We are different people.  Both of us have faced plateaus and setbacks, but we never let the others success make us feel defeated. We are in this together, 100%.

I am so proud of my baby sister.  She is doing an amazing job so far!  She has lost 50 lbs as of today!  She works so hard every day on her own personal journey.  She has been a true inspiration to me and has helped me more than you will ever know.  The future looks bright for the King sisters!  Emmy, I love you and I cant wait to see us this time next year!  We are going to rock this! 

Thanksgiving Day                                    Christmas Day

Fill-er up!

Day 41, 314 lbs. That's 41 lbs so far. (Averaged out to 1 lb per day)

So Friday was the 5 week mark, post-surgery.  It was also the day of my first "adjustment." I was told by my Lap-Band nurse that during my 5th week post-op, when most of the post-operative swelling is gone, I will start to feel hungry.  Boy was she right. It was weird because up until then, I was NEVER hungry. I actually had to remind myself to eat because I never felt like I needed to.  But that last week was hard because not only was I feeling actual hunger pains, but I felt like I could eat more than 1/2 cup at each meal, and I started to get hungrier, faster. It was a weird feeling and some of my old feelings about food started to resurface. I started to fix myself "heaping" 1/2 cup-fulls of food, and I found myself taking extra bites of things while I was preparing my meals. I didn't like it. I was calling my sister a lot more for support and I was starting to worry myself.  I knew I just needed to make it to Friday when I could get my first "fill."

At my Dr.'s appointment my Lap-Band nurse asked me a lot of questions about my eating habits and feelings.  I told her about the cravings and hunger pains and about how I was eating more than I should.  She told me that it sounded like I needed a "good fill." She told me that was normal and that these fills are designed to help fix those cravings and hunger pains. 

She had me lie on the table and she prepared my belly for the injection.  Now to remind you what I am talking about, in case you don't know, I have an access port implanted on the inner wall of my abdomen, that allows access with a needle to inject or withdraw saline from the band.  This allows my band to be tightened or loosened depending on the amount of food I am able to consume. Since I was eating more than I should my nurse decided to inject 1.5 ml of saline into my band making it tighter. First she cleans the skin with betadine, then she injects a local anesthetic in the area she will be accessing to numb the area. I could hardly feel the local.  Then with a long access needle attached to a syringe filled with the saline, she pokes through the abdomen and into the port. Here she can draw back saline to make sure she is in the right spot and inject the saline into the band.  It was painless except for a little pressure when she had to readjust.  Apparently my port is slightly tipped due, probably, to one of the stitches coming out.  She said that can happen and not to worry.  Then she had me sit up and drink some water.  They do this to make sure the amount of saline injected was not too much to not allow anything to pass.  She said you can feel it immediately if there is a problem.  None for me so that was it.  The whole process took less than 10 minutes.

For the first 6 months, or so, I will be going in to the office every 2 weeks for adjustments.  This is because there is a lot of change happening to my body at first and as I lose weight, they will need to continually assess my eating and weight loss habits.  I am grateful to have this available to me.  It makes me feel like I am support and options and that I am not doing this all on my own.  That I can keep up on everything.

I have also decided to take monthly update photos. Mostly because I want to see my progress.  Here are a few to share.  The ones on the left are from before the surgery and the ones on the right are from 1 month after.

Wow, I really regret that workout. --said no one ever

Day 34 - 315 lbs - That's a 40 lb weight loss so far!  That's right...40!

I'm so excited! 10 lbs away from Goal #2! 

So now that I am out from my surgery a few weeks and practically all my abdominal pain is gone (minus some tightness around my port), I really need to start the exercise and fitness part. I mean, I have been doing a lot of walking, climbing stairs at the condo, and riding on my stationary bike, but now its time to really step it up and make a commitment to being active.

I feel really fortunate that my condo complex has a small "gym", and by gym I mean a room with a few workout equipment machines in it.  It's not the best, but it will work. The only problem is, I have such a hard time getting my butt off the couch to go do it.  I think most people are like me though and don't really get excited about working out. I mean, there are a few crazy people out there that are all like, "Yay! I get to go to the gym today. I'm so excited!" Who are you people? Seriously. But actually the hardest part is motivating myself to go.  I actually have fun while I'm there. I also, usually feel really good when I'm done. That is, if I'm not puking or passed out next to the treadmill.

So I decided I needed some inspiration and motivation to get me off the couch and into the gym. Someone gave me the idea to start a "goal board" that has pictures and quotes that motivate me. I have decided to make a motivational fitness board.  I found some great quotes and some tips to making my workouts fun and easier to get off the couch for. Here's some of the awesome stuff I found:

Begin with simple goals that make you feel good. Start by walking or jogging at a pace that feels comfortable.
 
 
Your body knows it can do it, but sometimes it takes your brain a little longer to process the information.

Don't let anything or anyone—even yourself—stand between you and your goals.

We've all had moments of weakness during a workout or while trying to adhere to a healthy meal plan. The trick is to remember those key reasons you started in the first place.


Whether you're on a 1400-calorie diet, doing  fat-burning exercises, or working to eat more superfoods, bask in the fact that the more pounds you drop, or areas you tone, the more you're winning!



Each person has their own time and pace when it comes to working out, losing weight, or adopting healthy cooking styles. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it, though!


Fast food and many pre-packaged foods and snacks contain high levels trans fat, sugar, sodium, and carbs.

Choose whole foods such fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins to help lower your fat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes.
 

That craving for a bag of Doritos can be satisfied with the click of a vending machine button. But, the feeling after eating them might not be worth it.

Trade in that craving for a delicious fat-burning snack or workout session with your friend for more long-term and healthier results. 
 

You don’t have to run a sub two-hour half marathon or do a set of bicep curls in under one minute to be successful and achieve your weight-loss goals.

Do what feels comfortable and natural, and always remember: Slow and steady wins the race!
 

Sometimes, your brain can be your own worst enemy. Keep yourself mentally sharp (and thinking positive thoughts) by snacking on nuts, adopting a Mediterranean cooking style, and getting plenty of sleep.


No matter how big or small the workout, you’ll feel energized, strong and confident afterward.


Doing the same workout or eating the same meal might be convenient, but for the results you want, it’s good to spice up your regimen and try different fitness activities, like hula hooping or ballet.



 And I just have to add, that it is totally lame and ironic that when I decide I am only going to take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. They close them down for 6 months for renovations. Seriously??