Day 5 with band and Reflecting on Past

I wanted to post some pictures of me the last time I lost the weight.  It is great motivation for me to get back to where I was.  I've felt like such a failure for gaining it back...twice....  However...I know how to do it!  I CAN and WILL do it!  This band is the tool I need to help me get back to where I was and to MAINTAIN it.  I've always been able to lose...always been able to gain....never been able to maintain.  At my lowest I was still 20lbs away from my goal.  Anyway...here are some older pics of me...without the black hair. =)

 The above pic was taken in Sept of 2009 at my BFF's birthday party...this night is the lowest weight I've ever reached...and I maintained it for that night only and started going back up from there...I was down to a size 12...only 20 lbs away from my goal.... At least I have less than 100 lbs to get back to there!  Actually I have about 75 to lose to get back to there.  It will happen!!!!  Before I even know it, I'll be shopping at white house/black market again. =)  mmmm how I love that store!

Halloween 2009.  Vamp Jenn was up a bit from september but still rocking the Vamp Attire!  I'd love to get back into that, yes I still have it!

Anyway...I have hundreds of pictures on facebook of me at every size..lol...well not at my ultimate highest weight...I wasn't on fb at that time.  Currently I'm 55 lbs down from my top weight.  A great jump start...so glad I didn't gain it ALL back this time.

I'm taking it easy today still...  the gas bubbles in my chest are the most painful....can't wait to get all of the gas OUT!  If the bubbles hurt so much makes me worried about having a stuck experience...which seems to happen to everyone at any stage of the game at some point along the journey.

Of course I'm still nervous that I actually inserted something into my body...wrapped around my stomach.  And I'm supposed to have it in there forever.  I'm just recently 30.....however...I have to believe that the pros of getting to a goal weight will outweigh any cons.  My back is just to degenerated to exercise as hard core as I was before.  That said, I am looking forward to exercising again.  I had started a 100 mile walking challenge and am excited to get back to it...Taking these 2 weeks off of exercise is just motivating me to get back at it when I get the all clear.

I'm still not hungry at all.  I feel tummy rumbles that are probably hunger...but I don't feel hungry yet.  I just added some choc carnation instant breakfast to my coffee and it is really good and sneaking in protein!  Also adding miralax to my coffee...since...well....there's been no pooping since wednesday!  Yet I keep taking hydrocodone.....  ahhhhh I'm kinda scared about that too!!!

Anyway...I'm taking tonight off of work.  That gives me a whole other week to recover and take it easy. The pain isn't so much what is keeping me from work as the dizziness and fear that I could pass out while teaching class.

Thank you for reading!  I think everyone on here has me on facebook...  I'm Jennifer Hynes Skopecek on there.  I'm currently cuddled up in my recliner with my 3 year old on my lap, a comforter, fan, and protein coffee. =)  My oldest is at school, he's a big first grader now!  <3