BOOBS Survey 2011!!!

1. How did you pick your blog name?

I was looking for something cute...I really wanted to use "I'm With the Band" becuase it also refers to my real life (see #14), but quite a few people had already started using that by the time I started blogging, so I found something else.

2. When did you start blogging?

July 2010-ish.

3. Theme of blog (weight loss, family, circus clowns, sci-fi, erotica, fly fishing, doll collecting, star wars, etc)

I so want to say circus clowns, but that would be a bald-faced lie. I'd say just life with the band....which encompasses a lot of other stuff other than weight loss.

4. Did you go to BOOBs 2010?

I did not. That was the weekend I was banded, so I was not up for travel at that point yet.

5. When were you banded?

Sept 23, 2010.

6. How much have you lost?

I a hovering around 50 lbs down. I am sure my un-fuill earlier today will mess with that.

7. What are you most looking forward to at BOOBs?

Meeting so many other banded people and having a blast! (And trying not to get arrested with Dawnya!)

8. What/who do you hope to find/see/accomplish at BOOBs 2011?

I just want to have a great time! And um, that whole NOT getting arrested thing would be good...I have a busy month after BOOBs.

9. Children? Pets?

None and none. Although I technically have 5 cats that live with my mommy, 2 cats around 2 years old, and 3 kittens than are just under 9 weeks.

10. Who is your roomie?

Amanda and Ronnie! I cannot wait to meet these ladies :)

11. What day do you arrive?

Not 'til Friday afternoon.

12. What airport/flight/time?

I'm coming into O'Hare on United 683 at 3:29pm.

13. What events are you signed up for?

The improv show on Friday night, and the Sears Tower outing on Satirday morning. I wanted to try Jazzercise, but let's be honest...that is just way too early for this girl on a weekend, lol!

14. Hobbies?

My major hobby is being a music fan. My favorite human on the planet is a musician named B.u.t.c.h W.a.l.k.e.r (spaces for privacy, I am a well known member of his fan community, and would prefer to not be found in a Google search). When he tours, so do I. Over the years, we've become friends, and I am very well taken care of by his entire crew. I've seen him over a hundred times, in something like 23 states and 4 countries. If he is playing, there is a very good chance I am getting on a plane to see him. Seeing him perform live fills a hole in my heart somehow. And then it's always a good time hanging out afterward.

And NO, I am not a groupie.

15. Career?

I like Dawnya's answer...no career yet. Job #1 is an administrative specialist in Supply Chain Management at the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world. Job #2 is "Utility Player" (that's my made up title) at a comedy club. I mostly waitress, but I also answer phones, seat customers and on occasion bartend. I've been at job #1 on and off for 10 years, and job #2 on and off for over 12.

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

16. Single? Married? In a relationship?

Very, very, very single. I don't really have a lifestyle that can support a relationship, unless it is with someone with a similar lifestyle. If I am not working doubles 5 days a week, then I'm flying off to go hang out with bands, often backstage or on the bus. It's usually quite harmless, but hard for someone not on the inside of it to understand, and I don't have a whole lot of time to devote to another person. Sometimes I wish I was in a relationship, but I don't think I am ready, anyway. I am "doing me" right now.

17. Your birthday month?

March. I'm a Pisces baby.

18. What do you want other BOOBs to know about you?

I'm a tough broad with a heart of gold. I have a potty mouth. I have an incredible raunchy sense of humor, but will keep it under control until I feel like you won't look at me like I have 8 heads. Hmmm....drawing a blank for now...

Have You Seen Me??

No, no you haven't. Because I have been one MIA chica. Between job #1, job #2, earthquakes, hurricanes, trying to get ready for one hell of a vacay...oh and trying to fit sleep in there...I've been a blog slacker.

OK, so I'm gonna do a quick sum up post...then I have a few more posts planned over the next few days. I am all caught up on blogs...I didn't get a chance to comment on anything, but now that I'm current, I should be able to :)

So, where to begin...weight has been pretty steady over the last few weeks, last Thursday's official weigh-in was 226.6, and my (late) challenge weigh in was 226.4. Mostly because while I am eating like total crap, I am also getting stuck/sliming pretty much every day. I don't know if it's the stress of prepping for my cruise or what...but my band has basically slammed shut and eating is not usually an option. Fun times. I went in today for an unfill, and Dr. F took .7 out, leaving me with 7.0cc. I was so hungry when I left that I got a F.ive Guys burger for lunch...and no, not a little one, haha. It was good and I have no regrets. I AM going to try to keep myself under control for the next few weeks, but I have accepted gracefully that I am going to gain some weight back, and I also want to fully enjoy my cruise. I'd rather do this slowly, with some small gains than lose it in a miserable way. And let me tell you...throwing up from your lower stomach is officially miserable.

I'm going to stay at the 7.0cc until the 13th, then I go in for my previously scheduled un-fill pre-cruise...and we'll talk about if I want to take some more out. After the cruise, I fly somewhere for the next 5 weekends out of 6, and while I don't really get tighter from air travel, it might be better to back off a bit for a while til things settle down.

It's been an exciting week here in NYC (not). We had an earthquake, then a hurricane. I was supposed to go to Los Angeles this weekend, and fly home on the red eye Sunday night. Since that was going to be right in the middle of the storm, the airline told me it would probably be 3-5 days before they could get me back...and while I would be quite happy with that concept...somehow I didn't think my boss would agree. So I cancelled the trip, and rode out the hurricane at my mom's house, with her, my sister and the 5 cats. One of my best friends, her hubby and daughter were evacuated, so they came over too, along with their dog. We were super lucky, and didn't lose any power, cable, water, etc...had no flooding. The only damage was the emotional kind of too many people and animals stuffed into one small house. I spent all day Sunday getting sick, and finally snapped when the 8 year old almost pushed me into the open oven as I was checking on something in it because she was dancing behind me (after I had asked her repeatedly to give me space in the kitchen). I walked out, and went to lay down in my mom's room. Thankfully, when I woke up, the only person there was my mom. I have never been so happy to get home to my little studio apartment as I was last night.

Work's been kinda crazy...job #1 is in a time of transition (well, it always is, but my group/dept is back up for cuts). There's a definite chance I could be laid off. Again. Joy. Hopefully I will get lucky, and if not, I'll just figure it out like I did last time (is it wrong to hope for another 2 months off, paid?). I've been working a ton at job #2 to try to make some extra $$ for all of my fun times coming up. I'm grateful to have the option, but man, I just wanna veg out on my couch. I leave for the cruise in just over 2 weeks. I get back on a Monday, and that Friday is BOOBS. Then my fave musician goes on tour (more about that in my BOOBS 2011 post, coming up next) right after that, so I am all over the place in October. I am going to have a blast doing all of this stuff, but I am also looking forward to November in a big way.

Oy. That wasn't so short. Sorry for the novel, I guess I had more to catch you guys up on than I thought I did!!!

xoxo

Back to Basics Week 8

Hola!

So this morning I was up to 227.4. Originally it was 228, but after some bathroom time, it dropped a teeny bit. I am sort of mad at myself, but really, I know why. First of all, the break up with Gouda was semi-temporary, had a bit of backsliding Friday night. I've been eating like crap, a ton of carbs, not enough protein, not enough water etc etc etc BLAH BLAH BLAH! I've been getting stuck/sliming a lot the past few days, so I don't know if I am resorting to comfort foods. Anyhoo.

I've also been stressed the past few days, my mom had surgery (minor) on Friday and while it went well, it made my sister freak out a bit, and take out all of her shit on me. So the entire weekend has been me trying desperately to not bitch-slap her upside the head. No promises on that - I still have to see her tonight at work.

AND my period showed up on Friday (like I needed more???)

This is all leading to....the pouch test. Time for a reset. Even if I don't follow it to a tee (I am going to try, but we all know how that goes..), hopefully it'll break this awful little cycle I've fallen into of Gouda, cheese crisps, and flagels (flat bagels PERFECT for a bandster, once toasted they are so crispy and perfect - lemme stop...I think I am drooling on my computer).

Oh, and an NSV from the other night - a few friends have a theater company and I went to see their latest play. N.M., the guy from a few months ago (see this post for reference) is part of this group, and I saw him after the play. It was kind of odd, he was staring at me all strangely (I was wearing one of my new dresses - size L, natch)...and he mentioned that he didn't even know I was there. Now, this particular play is what is called site-specific theater, and without going into too much boring detail, the audience is basically sitting 3 feet from the actors for the entire time. We made eye contact several times. So I started laughing, and said "really? I thought you looked right at me?" And he said "I did, but I didn't know it was you...you look so different...have you always been this hot?" And I smiled and said "I've always been hot...I'm just getting hotter.." Too bad he still has a girlfriend. He wouldn't let go of my arm though...nice feeling :)

Re-Post: From My Closet to Yous!

Just putting this back up again - in case anyone missed it the first time around - some of the items have been claimed, as indicated below (if you did claim something, it's all been sent, so please let me know when it arrives!!!)

If I have any of this stuff left in about a week or so, it'll go into the GoodWill bag so I can reclaim my table :)

Original Post:
I'm on a big organization kick lately, and decided to clean out my closet. Finally got around to taking pics of about half the stuff (the warmer weather clothing). Please excuse the terrible pics, I had to take w/ my BlackBerry bc I just figured out that my camera must have been stolen from my suitcase when I went to London a few weeks ago. Lame!!

If you want anything, leave a comment with the #, and then email me at talesfromtheband at gmail with your address. I'll try to get everything out in the next week or so, so you can still wear it in the warm weather!

I'll try to update the post as things are taken.

#1 - Old Navy black top with double v (front and back), banded bottom, split cap sleeves, size XL.



TAKEN! - #2 - Torrid burgundy print empire waist cami, VERY SHEER, size 2.



#3 - Lane Bryant burgundy sheer swiss dot wrap top with attached cami, banded bottom, size 18/20.


#4 - Eci (never heard of brand before, bought from Macy's) teal lace top with smocked neckline, sleeves and waist, attached cami underneath, size 18.


#5 - Old Navy brown and turquoise print skirt, knee length, drawstring to make shorter, size XXL.


TAKEN! - #6 - Avenue black sheath dress with empire waist and front seaming, knee length, pullover (pretty stretchy), size 14/16.


TAKEN! - #7 - Torrid black top, deep wrap V-neck, smocked waist, subtle tonal animal print, size 1.


TAKEN! - #8 - Old Navy black eyelet embroidered dress, mock wrap bust, empire waist, knee length, back zip, size 20.


#9 - Merona light grey sleeveless sweater with ruffled neckline, size 2.


TAKEN! - #10 - INC dark denim trouser jeans, size 16W.


TAKEN! - #12 - Old Navy fuschia top (hard to see color from pic, sorry!), ruffled V-neckline, cap sleeves, size XXL.


(left to right)
TAKEN! - #13 - Old Navy beige capris, size 20

#14 - Old Navy beige linen capris, cuffed hem, side zip, low rise, tags still on, size 18.

#15 - Old Navy heather grey essential slacks, classic rise, size 18 long.

#16 - Old Navy heather grey essential slacks, high rise, size 18 long.

Note, for #15 & 16, as the pants got too big for me, the hems started to drag on the ground, so the hems are a little stained/black. This might be great for someone who needs to take up the hems anyway.


#17 - Lane Bryant Cacique dark brown deep plunge convertible strap bra, size 44DDD.


#18 - Lane Bryant Cacique nude full coverage bra, size 42DDD.


#19 - Flexees black firm control body briefer, style #5356, size 42DD.


TAKEN! - #20 - Gap beige capris, embroidered cuffs, side zip, size 18.


TAKEN! - #21 - Ralph Lauren black slacks, size 16W (didn't take a pic, they're just regular black slacks).

Checking In! (long)

I know I've been quiet this past week - I am still here reading, but have been both busy and kind of overwhelmed by life, so haven't had much to say.

Let's start with the weekly weigh in - 226.6 this morning, .2 from last week, and up 1.8 from the low. It's the cheese. Stupid , wonderful, crunchy aged Gouda. More on that in a minute.

I've been down in the dumps a little bit this week and last - I think I am trying to do too much, and then blammo, I don't want to do ANYTHING. I haven't been tracking, I haven't been getting in my water or my vitamins/meds (the meds were only missed a few days but even still...), I haven't been going to physical therapy, etc etc etc. Not sure exactly what caused the little slump, but I've officially annoyed myself, and so enough is enough. Besides, I am going to be CRAZY busy for the next two and half months, I don't have time to be depressed. My cruise is in less than a month, and then BOOOBS!!!!, and then my fave musician goes on tour for a month (which means I do too in a manner of speaking). Between all the time away, and the picking up extra shifts at the club to pay for all of it, and oh yeah, working my day job AND the daily tasks of normal life...I just do not have the time for slumps and being down in the dumps.

One bright spot of the last week was getting to spend some time with my friend who is on tour with Train & Maroon 5. And by spend time with him, I mean running off backstage while he was working and trying not to drool on Adam Levine's sleeve (I may or may not have been successful with that). Unfortunately, it was a big break in my routine, and only contributed to my off-track-ness. I guess it's part of life, and I need to be flexible and able to adjust my routine, especially for fun stuff that is so worth it like this.

SO. Here we are today. For me, Thursday is always a new start, since it's my weigh in day. (OK, sometimes it's a license to eat like shit, since I don't have to weigh again until Sunday for the challenge..) Today, I am back to tracking. The entire day is planned out, and while it's not 100% great choices, it's only slightly over my calories, and 84g of protein. I'm 1L of water in. I made an appt with the PT for next week.

I'm also taking a look at some goals. Clearly the whole "Onederland by the cruise" thing isn't going to happen, since I leave in 28 days, and would have to lose 27 lb to make it happen. So that's getting scrapped. I was briefly considering a "lose 20 more lb by tour", but that's only 7 weeks, and for 2 of those I will be in Europe with a slight de-fill and unlimited food. Also not realistic. So no more goals related to dates. I'm also revising my final goal weight to 175. While it's not a "normal BMI", it's only 27. That's pretty damn good, and is still a loss of 100 lbs. I really do think that 164 would be too small for me anyway...and if I am not happy at 175, I can always keep pushing. It may even go up to 185, depending on what Dr. K thinks, especially because I am planning on plastics that make take it down a bit afterwards.

Oh, and the Gouda thing? I think I gouda'ed myself out...I've eaten a LOT of it over the past few weeks (thank you new gourmet supermarket that opened downstairs from my apt...) I actually threw a piece of it out last night. Granted, it was a small piece. But I THREW IT OUT.

And finally, I will leave you with a pic from the Train/Maroon 5 show. This is right before I met my new love, haha. Don't mind the skinny biatch in the pic next to me - I only hate her when she eats an entire cake and loses a pound. Which is often.

Damn Cheese...

Well, last night's Gouda episode has reared its ugly head. This morning's weight was up to 226.8. Pfffffft. Clearly not worth it, but it felt like it at the time. Mmmmm Gouda. I'm back.

So I'm back to tracking today. Back to making good choices.

If you haven't seen my "From My Closet to Yours" post, check out the one right before this! Lotsa summer-y clothes up for grabs.

From My Closet to Yours!!!

I'm on a big organization kick lately, and decided to clean out my closet. Finally got around to taking pics of about half the stuff (the warmer weather clothing). Please excuse the terrible pics, I had to take w/ my BlackBerry bc I just figured out that my camera must have been stolen from my suitcase when I went to London a few weeks ago. Lame!!

If you want anything, leave a comment with the #, and then email me at talesfromtheband at gmail with your address. I'll try to get everything out in the next week or so, so you can still wear it in the warm weather!

I'll try to update the post as things are taken.

#1 - Old Navy black top with double v (front and back), banded bottom, split cap sleeves, size XL.



TAKEN! - #2 - Torrid burgundy print empire waist cami, VERY SHEER, size 2.



#3 - Lane Bryant burgundy sheer swiss dot wrap top with attached cami, banded bottom, size 18/20.


#4 - Eci (never heard of brand before, bought from Macy's) teal lace top with smocked neckline, sleeves and waist, attached cami underneath, size 18.


#5 - Old Navy brown and turquoise print skirt, knee length, drawstring to make shorter, size XXL.


TAKEN! - #6 - Avenue black sheath dress with empire waist and front seaming, knee length, pullover (pretty stretchy), size 14/16.


TAKEN! - #7 - Torrid black top, deep wrap V-neck, smocked waist, subtle tonal animal print, size 1.


TAKEN! - #8 - Old Navy black eyelet embroidered dress, mock wrap bust, empire waist, knee length, back zip, size 20.


#9 - Merona light grey sleeveless sweater with ruffled neckline, size 2.


TAKEN! - #10 - INC dark denim trouser jeans, size 16W.


TAKEN! - #12 - Old Navy fuschia top (hard to see color from pic, sorry!), ruffled V-neckline, cap sleeves, size XXL.


(left to right)
TAKEN! - #13 - Old Navy beige capris, size 20

#14 - Old Navy beige linen capris, cuffed hem, side zip, low rise, tags still on, size 18.

#15 - Old Navy heather grey essential slacks, classic rise, size 18 long.

#16 - Old Navy heather grey essential slacks, high rise, size 18 long.

Note, for #15 & 16, as the pants got too big for me, the hems started to drag on the ground, so the hems are a little stained/black. This might be great for someone who needs to take up the hems anyway.


#17 - Lane Bryant Cacique dark brown deep plunge convertible strap bra, size 44DDD.


#18 - Lane Bryant Cacique nude full coverage bra, size 42DDD.


#19 - Flexees black firm control body briefer, style #5356, size 42DD.


TAKEN! - #20 - Gap beige capris, embroidered cuffs, side zip, size 18.


TAKEN! - #21 - Ralph Lauren black slacks, size 16W (didn't take a pic, they're just regular black slacks).