I'm such a ditz...it's only my 5 month anniversary. That makes me feel alittle better about my results. I'm still at turtle pace though! I honestly don't care except when people constantly ask me how much I've lost.

Okay, almost 6 months later and I've finally lost 20 pounds. Anyone reading this and contemplating lab band surgery, don't let this scare you. These results are not typical. I'm what the lap band community would call a "turtle".

I'm happy with my results because

1. It's 20 pounds I would never have lost on my own. In fact, I probably would have gained 10-15 pounds over the same 6 months period. (winter and holidays)
2. I feel like I just recently got to the right fill level to lose
3. I'm still learning and struggling with emotional eating. I get so mad when I want to EAT and my body doesn't let me. But I'm working on that and it's getting better.
4. I've learned so much in this 6 months
5. With only 20 pounds gone, I feel so much better physically.
6. I'm starting to feel attractive...despite some pictures to the contrary. Actually comparing my October Charlotte race pictures to my March Bristol pictures I can tell a difference.

Tomorrow will be my 6 months bandiversary. I'm six pound from being out of the extremely obese category. YEAH! I'll try to post some measurement results tomorrow.

Nothing like pictures to bring you back down to earth. I was feeling attractive and flirty this weekend. I went to Bristol for the NASCAR race. We had a group of guys who always camp beside us. And I got hit on all weekend by one of the guys and was really attracted to one of the other. I was feeling on top of the world. Then, today I printed out my pictures..URGH!!

This one is hideous but a very bad camera angle too. How many chins can you count?

This wasn't too hideous. BTW, the rat is named Ralph and everybody in the therapy department takes it on vacation with them.

Out of commission.

Exercise has been really bad this week.

• Monday-had council meeting in the evening.
• Tuesday- power went out at work and home. Worked 10 hours trying to keep residents warm, fed and entertained. Spent the night at my mom's who had power. Didn't sleep well.
• Wednesday - power still off at work. Repeat of Tuesday at work. Came home exhausted. Luckily, my power was on and I got to catch up on my sleep in my own bed.
• Thursday - stepped out of my car at work and instantly felt pain shoot down my legs. Sciatic nerve pain. Got worse as the day went on. Borrowed a Xanax from my step-dad to sleep that night.
• Friday - Still in pain. Went to the doctor and got muscle relaxers & anti-inflammators. Stopped at my cousin's and she massaged my butt (literally, anyone that has had this pain knows) I did work but the pain got worse as the day went on.
• Saturday (today) - Slept like a baby high on muscle relaxers but was in so much pain I could barely get out of bed this morning. It's loosened up a bit and I think I could actually get on the treadmill and take a gentle walk. It might help. I don't think it could hurt any worse.

At least while I'm out of commision, the Y is closed and it's too nasty out to walk outside. Until 4 this afternoon we are under a Blizzard warning. We got hammered last night. My driveway is drifted shut. I certainly can't shovel with my back the way it is. I'll just sit tight until some one takes pity on me and clears out my drive. Only emergency vehicles are allowed on the road at the moment anyway. We're under a level 3, meaning if you not a emergency worker you can be arrest if you're on the road. If I have to get out by tomorrow, I'll put the Jeep in 4WD, put the pedal to the metal and force my way out of the drive. The drifts look high but I think I could hammer my way out if I had too.

I'm trying my hardest to get through the day with out eating everything in the refrigerator. Think I'll take a nap this afternoon to keep myself out of the kitchen. The muscle relaxers are certainly making me drowsy. It's not like I don't have lots of other things to keep me busy.