Restriction???

On the forum that I frequent, there has been some interesting debate recently about 'restriction' (a term I, personally, do not like with reference to gastric bands).  Geldof (my band) has never restricted me from eating and nor would I like him to. 

I much prefer the 'red, green and yellow zone' terminology used by the company who manufacture the band.

Optimal band adjustment

I urge any bandits, or would be bandits, who are not already familiar with the Adjustable Gastric Band Systems Manual [clicky clicky] to become so.

Since being banded I have had three small fills (two before I reached my goal and one since). I was offered 3 or 4 other fills but turned them down because I was already in the 'green zone' and did not want to 'fix' something that was already working.  Getting a fill when I was already in the green zone would likely have pushed me into the red (not a place I EVER want to be). 

My band adjustment history:

• My surgeon put 4.5ml in my band when he positioned it.
• My first fill added 1ml and took me into the green zone.
• My second fill added a further 0.5ml.
• My most recent fill increased the amount in my band by 0.25ml. Taking the total amount of saline in my band to 6.25ml. 

I requested fills only when I slipped into the yellow zone and was experiencing more hunger and feeling less satisfied with small meals.  each small fill took me well and truly back into the green zone (satiety and satisfaction NOT restriction).

BeBea xx

PS I've noticed my blog has become less focused on band stuff and eating recently - I guess that reflects me :D  I too am much less focused on eating and dieting.  I'm busy getting on with living as a slimmer person :) :) :).

My first ever coat (as an adult) that fits perfectly :)

My coat arrived this morning :)  I love it :)

New coat, new coat, BeBea-BeBea-new-coat

Bandboy's blog

You might want to check out bandboys  blog.

He is fairly recently banded (August 2012) and his blog looks set to be an informative and honest read.

X

Cheaply and simply altering a coat

Losing weight can be a costly business especially when good quality clothing, that is now too big, needs to be replaced. 

I am no seamstress but I can work a sewing machine (the basic features at least) and I can crudely sew by hand.  Even if I didn't already own a sewing machine I'd be tempted to purchase one because the cost of a machine is more than paid for by the savings involved in altering, as opposed to replacing, good quality garments.

I have given lots of clothes to charity shops but have altered a few key pieces.  The alterations are far from professional but they are not visible when the clothes are on so they are good enough. 

Yesterday I altered the coat pictured below.

Coat before adjustment (hangs shapelessly from my bust)

On the inside I pinned left and right seam (from under arms to hem), taking the coat in by 10" (5" each side) at the hem and gradually decreasing the amount to meet the original seam directly under the arms. 

I tried the coat on to make sure the pins were correctly placed. 

Unfortunately the coat (it is fur lined) is too thick to fit under the foot on my sewing machine so hand stitching was the only option. I used thick thread doubled then quadrupled through the needle. 

Pinned then sewed a new seam - 2.5" in at coat hem and decreasing
 to meets the original seam under the arm.

The excess material will fold neatly inside the coat
and be invisible when I wear it

The seam does not look 'pretty' and anyone inspecting it would know it was altered by a complete amateur.  However, the alteration was free, I get to keep my coat and when it is worn it is not possible to see the crude alteration. What do you think?

The altered coat fits much more flatteringly

close up of the seam

front view

I have altered a-line skirts and simple dresses using this same crude, yet inexpensive, technique.  It is gratifying on numerous levels to do so :)

Happy sewing.

BeBea xx

Cheap, cheap, cheap new dress.......

I didn't manage to buy a coat this weekend.  I've ordered one online - the FatFace parka pictured in my post below.  The shop didn't have a size 12 in stock - the 10 fit but was tight across the chest (I am looking forward to owning coats that are not tight across the chest thus limiting arm manoeuvrability :)).

I did get cheap dress from Matalan though (I'm usually more of a White Stuff, FatFace, QUBA or small boutique gal when it comes to clothes).  It was only £16!  I may well venture into the clothing department of Matalan more often.

In my new dress Hubby thinks I look like I am going to a Star Trek convention :)

Last night I sat and sewed crude new seams into another coat that I already have (effectively taking it in).    I'll post before and after pics of that later. 

Bx

Going winter coat shopping today :)

I'm hunting for this :) (this one is FatFace)

I am very excited to be going winter coat shopping today. It is brilliant to be able to walk into any shop and pick a size 12 (or even 10!!) off the rail and for it to fit!  Even across my chest :D.

Buying a winter coat, in the past, was an especially miserable business and I never got what I actually wanted.  I always had to 'settle' for any coat that fastened over my chest.  Or, more often, a coat that fit elsewhere but didn't meet across my chest (my bust would spill out and need to be covered with a scarf on colder days).

The coat that I adjusted, and blogged about below, was an example of that. It now fits nicely across my chest :) 

I have numerous other coats that are too big now.  They will 'do' but are far from flattering - and I figure that I have worked so hard to lose the weight, and a coat is such a significant piece as it is worn most days, that I deserve to have one that I love and one that fits well :).

I'm looking to buy a casual coat today (preferably the FatFace Parka pictured above); A couple of months ago I treated myself to a smart coat from White Stuff (as pictured below).  I love it but as it doesn't have a hood, and is pale in colour, it is not suitable for dog walking and the likes..

Lovely White Stuff coat that I treated myself to earlier this year.

Wish me luck with my shopping trip :). I'll post pics later if I find 'the coat'.

Bx

Knobs - they complete things nicely :)

The knobs arrived for my cabinets today.  Hubby and I fitted them this evening.  I'm very happy with the overall look :).

Close-up

Bedside cabinet complete with crystal knobs

I covered a few scatter cushions with unused fabric - one of them can be seen on the chair in the
photo above (can't have too many scatter cushions!) 

I'm thinking a project such as this might be a good way for bandits to use up pretty fabrics from clothes that are too big for them (a wonderful way to concretely depict such positive transformation). Denim / old jeans would work great (especially if a slightly different shade were used for each drawer).

All you need is:

* fabric;
* heavy duty stapler (mine cost £6 from B&Q);
* glue (mod podge) and glue spreader;
* pinking shears (the ones that cut fabric in a zig/zag to prevent the material from fraying over time - you could instead hem each bit of material);
* iron and ironing board;
* chalk and measure/straight edge (for marking material where it needs to be cut).

The method:

1) remove any drawer handles and make sure the cabinet is very clean and free from grease etc (sugar soap and elbow grease);
2) measure height and width of drawer front (or cupboard door) to be covered, then add double the depth of drawer front AND an inch to each dimension (this will allow 1/2 inch to fold over onto back of each drawer for fixing);
3) mark out and cut material to the above dimensions and iron it;
4) spread glue onto drawer front and sides;
5) place material to the drawer front and shuffle it into place;
6) smooth well onto front (removing wrinkles and ensuring the pattern is straight);
7) pull the material tightly and fix with staples to the back of the drawer;
8) repeat for each drawer;
9) when glue is dry (approx. an hour) you can attach handles.

If your cabinet drawers are easily removable all the better as you can bring the drawer to a convenient workspace. Mine weren't (that meant I didn't need to empty the drawers but did end up laying in some awkward positions to staple the underside of the bottom drawers). 

It really is that easy. Very gratifying though.

BeBea xx 



Bx

Altering clothes so they fit my slimmer frame

Some clothes I am reluctant to get rid of despite them being too big. I am not, by any means, good at sewing but I can work my sewing machine and I can do a few stitches by hand.

With a few simple dresses and a-line skirts I have reduced their size by turning them inside out and running a line of stitches an inch or two inside the existing seams (this turns size 18s into size 10/12s).  It is not a professional job but it is free and when turned the right way around it is not possible to see the alterations :).

This weekend I unpacked my winter coats. I was apprehensive about trying on a coat I bought, thankfully not when at my biggest, as I knew it would be too big and I love it. It was was pricey and purchased from a gorgeous boutique on a memorable visit to Warwick with hubby. I loved it so much I bought it despite it being being a hot and sunny August day!

As predicted, when I tried it on this weekend, the coat was unflatteringly loose on my new frame. It fitted well across my bust (which is great as it was always very tight there) but was way too big around the middle. I looked at how I could alter it and realised that a few simple stitches to the back (either side of back waist band) would nip the coat in by 8" at the waist and create two flattering pleats into the bargain :).

The alteration to the coat took 10 minutes.

A few stitches added to the back of my beloved winter coat has nipped
it in at the waist nicely (creating two new pleats at the back) :)

Front

Back

Forgetting to eat!

Yesterday I spent the day renovating my old bedroom furniture. I was so absorbed in my project I totally forgot to eat. I ate literally nothing until 10pm at night (when I had a yummy omelette).   Pre-band I would not have forgotten to eat for an entire day!  

I promised myself when I got to target I would decorate my bedroom and revamp my wardrobes (to accommodate my lovely clothes). I spent last weekend decorating and yesterday I covered two chests of drawers in contasting fabrics. I am rather pleased with the results (see pics).  I have ordered some little crystal handles to finish them off. 

My bedroom is almost complete - a new carpet is needed (as you can see from the photos below!) and a pelmet needs to be added to the new sliding wardrobe doors (hubby has that in hand - that is next weekends' project :)).

My Saturday creative project :)

I decorated the bedroom without assistance - before I lost weight my arms would have been screaming their protest at having to paint an entire ceiling and 4 walls (the walls required 3 coats of paint as they were a hideous orange previously).

Each drawer front is covered in contrasting fabric (using glue and staples) - small crystal
 drawer knobs will be added to the centre of each drawer to complete the look :)

Dobby (my gorgeous chocolate lab') rather likes the new decor :)

"I think I'll have a snooze here to give me enough energy for my big sleep later :)"

Rewarding myself with time to indulge my creative side is so much more enjoyable, and fulfilling, than buying myself chocolate and junk to eat (as I would have done once upon a time.......) :D

BeBea x

My sanctuary and Dobby's too (a new bed I made for him this
weekend can be seen at the bottom left of the photo) :)

Controlling emotional eating

In the past, like many overweight and obese people, I would often eat when I was not hungry. Infact, prior to being banded, I hardly ever ate because I was hungry. I rarely went without food long enough to physically become hungry. I craved food, I obsessed about food and I wanted food but not due to physical need (not very often at least). 

The experience of being banded has had the unexpected, but very welcome, result of my recognising and conquering my emotional eating habits. Interestingly I don't think I would have been able to address them pre-band because it is the experience if being banded that has enabled me to recognise how I used to use food. 

My emotional connection to food was at serious odds with the very basic rules of being banded, namely: 

• only eat when hungry;
• eat slowly and consciously;
• eat small portions, off a small plate;
• and stop eating when no longer hungry. 

None of the above allowed for emotional eating and, as a result, I became aware that I used to eat for reasons other than hunger. I read a book on emotional eating and that helped me to identify what my triggers are (mostly work stress, sadness and boredom).  

I learnt to chant the mantra "if the problem is not hunger the solution is not food" in my head whenever I felt a compulsion to eat.

Now when I feel the urge to reach for food when I am not physically hungry I address it thus:

Step one: if the problem is not hunger then what is it?

Step two: what would be a more appropriate response to the problem?


Ultimately I have had to come to terms with the fact that food can be a lovely distraction from stuff I don't want to do or think, can entertain me when I am bored, can comfort me when I am sad etc. BUT only temporarily and after I have eaten I am still overworked, sad, bored etc. but I have the additional problem of my having overeaten and that makes me feel bad (and physically I know the consequences that overeating have for me). 

I have to remain vigilant and sometimes resisting the urge to soothe my emotions with food is very, very difficult. But it's becoming easier and easier - practice makes perfect afterall..........