Iron Deficiency? Old wifes tale?

(Me after my training with Karly, but hey, I look thinner in the face... it kinda took me by surprise) - (a good surprise!)

As I have written before, ever since my Lap-Band Surgery, I have REALLY struggled around my "period" with foggy head and migraines. It is all new to me so I am just trying to figure things out. Went to see my primary Doctor about it and he said that I would just need to treat the symptoms for now.. because while I am losing so much weight my body is in turmoil and there is not much they can do for me. : ( I even went and had my eyes checked.... (I have perfect vision)

Well.. last night while I was working out with my trainer... I kept mentioning how light headed I felt. Especially when I went from exercises on the floor to standing up. Finally she asked if I was anemic? (iron deficient) I said, I didn't think I was but I haven't taken my iron pills in months because they are not chewable. She said that one of her nutrition classes told her that you can take a "real" gold ring and rub it on the cheek of the person who is in question and if it leaves behind a mark then that person is iron deficient.

When I got home I tried my husband's wedding band.. and low and behold... I got a black mark on my cheek. I went around and tried the kids, my sister and my husband. Nothing! I went and washed the mark off and tried again with my wedding ring.





What do you think? I am thinking that this girl needs to take her iron pills. I really have been feeling so horrible around my period. Fatigue, foggy in the head, lightheaded and migraines... I don't know why this works but I am a believer. All my symptoms hit at a iron deficiency being my problem.

It may not be scientifically proven but I am going to treat myself for anemia. I'll start with taking my iron supplements and if I don't see any improvement... I'll visit with my Doctor about it.

So there you have it. VERY INTERESTING! : )

Something you don't know about me...

I don't feed my family artificial colors or artificial flavorings.

I have seen a huge improvement in my son's behavior just by cutting out certain unnatural food additives. If you think I am crazy, look at what the U.K. has just implemented:

http://www.tampabay.com/features/consumer/article636211.ece

or

http://www.squidoo.com/DieDye

or

http://www.feingold.org/


Whew! O.K. so maybe I am crazy but I am mostly crazy about the positive impacts this diet (of no artificial colors and dyes) has done for my family! Just sharing a bit more about me!

OUCH! a pain in the foot!

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!... I am going crazy over here! My foot is killing me! I have plantar fascitis and pre-band I would dope up on Ibuprofen.

What is a banded girl to do??? I am icing it and wearing my inserts... thinking that a visit to the foot doctor is in order. Maybe a cortisone shot would help?

The problem is... I refuse to stop working out. I am opting for low impact workouts for the most part... but I refuse to take a few weeks off just to get back to normal. I can't!! I need to work out! I need to keep moving!! sigh.

I am so frustrated right now... any ideas? Any non NSAIDs anti inflammation meds out there? (maybe a good question for the Dr?)

Clothing Give Away... Question?

So I saw on another blog a few months ago, someone posting clothing that didn't fit and then sending it off to those (on her blog) that wanted them... just wondering how that works?

I have some clothing, vitamins (that are to big for me to swallow without problems)... that I would love to donate to another Bandster.

How does shipping work, who pays for it? Once the item is posted, do I take everyone who is interested and pull a name from the comment of those interested? or does it got to 1st one who comments? Ah, that's it I guess...

Have you done it before? Is it a pain in the butt? Should I just donate to my local donation center? Just wondering???

Looking for bandster blogs....

If I don't have you in my rolling blog list, I might not know about you.

This is your chance to let me know who and where you are located on the world wide web... I would love to add you and get to know you better. (just leave a comment with your web address)

Happy Banding!

My Favorite Things - GNC Low Carb Protein Powder

Gave this a try and yum! Pretty darn good... (I have only tried the dutch chocolate so far)

I like to have a protein drink in the mornings, it holds me over until lunch and gives me some extra protein.

It has 50g of protein, 3g carbs, and 220 calories per serving. It's on sale at GNC until the end of the month.

Just passing it on.... : )

Fill Update

I now have 4.5cc in a 10 cc band... on liquids for the next 24 hours.

If I have another fill within 2 weeks of today's fill then my second fill will be free. So I am thinking, I'll do that... of course, 1st I need to see what this fill does to me.

So that's it. Another fill... O.K., baby, now it's time to lose some weight. : )

To fill or not to fill, THAT IS THE QUESTION!?!

WOW! talk about a crazy couple of weeks. Had lots of fun... saw lots of friends... and ate lots of food. GULP! That's right, I ate LOTS!

It took me a few days of band friendly eating to realize that I need another fill...

I don't know about other bandsters, but it get's tricky to realize when a fill is needed. I haven't felt much restriction in the last few weeks. But, then again... my understanding is that the goal of the band IS NOT to feel restriction but more about staying full between meals.

I am paranoid of getting my band to tight... but after being a good girl this weekend and eating proper. I realized that my appetite is back and I am not staying full between meals. I am hoping that a small adjustment will make the difference and give me that extra push to get to 50lbs lost.

So I have another Fill tomorrow!! I'll keep you posted!


Side Note:
After eating a lot of party foods (aka junk) I was scared to weigh myself... low and behold, I am down a 1 lb. There is something sick and wrong with that. Maybe it will catch up with me this week. : (

Lap with Me - Quote of the Day

You can't have Excuses and Results. YOU must choose.

Stupid Scale!

Weighed in today...

0.00 loss... sniff, sniff.



I'm thinking that my between meal snacking has done me in! IT'S NOT FAIR!

O.K. it is fair.. I just wanted to say that. sigh. It's nice to blame someone or something else sometimes.

Time for a game plan....

eat on schedule... count calories.... keep working out.

GO TEAM ME!

Dang it!

I hate getting stuck. Last night I was up until midnight... I was hungry and decided to eat a couple slices of deli ham before going to bed. BAD IDEA!

I'm not sure what it is about late night snacks but I swear that is the time that I almost always have my "stuck episodes".

It was pretty much horrible!!

I can eat deli ham during the day just fine, so the natural conclusion would be that I could eat it at night just fine too. sigh. NOPE!

I've been trying to figure out what the trigger was. The only thing I can think of is that when I am sitting down eating a meal, I follow all the bandster rules... but when I am grabbing a snack late at night, I am probably eating too fast and not chewing well enough.

I think that next time I stay up late, that I need to just go to bed hungry... it is SO not worth getting stuck and then having to stay up 30 mins longer pacing the house with pain and discomfort.

Another WIN for Mrs. Band! Another lesson learned!

Great Post from - The Dash - Got me thinking...

http://carasquest.blogspot.com/2010/07/indelible-footprints.html

Her post has me thinking... (dangerous I know) : )

Just yesterday, I was thinking to myself... What if this is all I lose? What if having the band is really like being on another diet after all? What if I lose 40 lbs only to have the weight start to creep back on? What if I actually get to goal weight and then the weight packs on again? What if, what if, what if....

It was so nice to hear that it IS possible to reach goal. And to actaully say... it is time to maintain.

Maybe part of my "what if's", come from the fact that I have never maintained in my life. It is such a foreign concept.

I know this isn't just "another diet" and in some ways... losing weight scares the *** out of me. What if people treat me different, can I handle the "different"?

I guess for the moment... I just need to put the "what if's" out of my mind and keep moving forward. If I "what if" everything I might not get anywhere out of fear or sabotage.

I needed to read The Dash's Blog today.... it REALLY IS possible.

Kids, say the sweetest things....

(Look! No water!)

CUDDLE BUG: Mom, how come you have water in your arms?

ME: Because I am losing weight

CUDDLE BUG: I don't have any water in my arms...

ME: I know you don't, maybe someday I will have that part taken off and I will have nice arms like you.

CUDDLE BUG: (in utter horror) OH, NO! YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE YOUR "MEAT" TAKEN OFF????

sigh... I won't continue the conversation any further... but thank you Cuddle Bug for reminding mommy that her arms are jiggly and apparently look water filled.

AND YES! Someday I hope to have my "meat" taken off. LOL!

It hurts so good!

Met with Carly, my personal, trainer yesterday. It was fun and painful. ; )

I loved that she started with one muscle group and worked my WHOLE body. When I workout I almost always leave some muscle group out. It was awesome to be so precise. SHE ROCKS!

She and I came up with a workout schedule for the next six weeks... here it is:

Monday - Cardio* (strength training if I did not make it to boot camp)
Tuesday - Cardio* (Elliptical)
Wednesday - Strength Training (full body- personal training)
Thursday - Cardio* (Bicycle)
Friday - Strength Training (full body- personal training)
Saturday - Boot Camp (or cardio*)
Sunday - A day of rest!!!!!

*Cardio - 30-40 min, heart rate held at 140, up it to 150 for 1-2 min and back to 140

Having trouble with my thighs today... they are burning, baby! But, it hurts SOOOO good!