Catching Up

Well I didn’t really mean to disappear for 14 months.  I meant to just back off for a while and then pick back up once I wasn’t busy anymore.  I started realizing that the blog was actually taking up a lot of my time, of which I don’t have much.  In addition to posting regularly, there was the time-consuming task of reading everyone else’s stuff and taking the time to leave comments—which was really important to me because I think, to some extent, that’s why we ALL wound up here…for the support and encouragement.  So I would work all day, then come home and make a healthy meal and do some prep for other meals (because NOTHING CONVENIENT is good for your body.  Like pretty much nothing.  It sucks.), try to get some exercise in, and with any luck still have some time for myself to just unwind and think and maybe watch Top Chef.  And before I knew it the blog became an obligation, an added stress instead of a helpful resource/journal. 

What brought me back?  Something happened at work yesterday that bothered me, and I felt the need to write about it.  It was basically just a journal entry, but then I decided to post it on my lap band blog.  It just felt appropriate.  And now that I’ve actually shown my face round these parts, I’ve started wondering how all of you are doing, and wanting to hear about your struggles and successes and failures and the wonderful meal & snack ideas I used to get here all the time!  So I’m gonna try to ease my way back in.

Since I last posted (with the exception of just a couple hours ago) things have been pretty up and down for me.  After the initial 30-something pounds lost, they just started to creep back on little by little.  And then I’d lose a few and gain 5 more.  And this went on for probably 7 or 8 months.  Finally in April, just over a year after my band surgery, I made an appointment with an endocrinologist.  I just knew there was something wrong on the inside—my body had to be working against me.   At least I hoped that’s what it was…because if not, then it was just me sucking at life.  She seemed to be reading my mind!  I would mention something and she’d finish my sentence for me.  That first day in her office I almost cried.  I thought, I was meant to find you.  She started me on a combination of Metformin and Spironolactone.  That was just over four months ago and I’ve lost 30+ pounds since then.  I’m taking it one day at a time and just trying to appreciate the way my body feels a little stronger each day. 

Oh yeah, I also got engaged.

Ha, that would be great if I just left it at that but I can’t.  We set a date for October 17, 2015.  We both really wanted a fall wedding but this October just isn’t enough time for me to not freak out all over everything trying to plan it.  The ceremony & reception are being held in the same venue, which is an old brewery in my hometown of Washington, MO.  There’s lots of natural stone walls, exposed brick, cedar beams, just tons of great natural elements we’re both super excited about.  Since it’s still over a year off, there’s not a whole lot of planning being done at this point, but over the last week I’ve been working on a game for people to play at their tables during the reception, and it’s a wedding-themed Cards Against Humanity/Apples to Apples type game (less vulgar—more or less suitable for a mixed crowd!).  It’s been a blast coming up with different questions & answers, and fulfills my need for a wedding-related project that I could actually do NOW.

That’s about it for me.  I really am looking forward to seeing how all of you are doing, which ones still post regularly, maybe see some new faces here and there.  Adios for now.

-Mon