Lapband and Dating Part 3: Next!

Please note, this post was written under the influence of a few glasses of wine. I’m not actually as bitchy or slutty as it may portray me–cheeky, yes; bitchy no.

Ok, time for the third post in my series (out of who knows how many in the series) on Lapband and Dating. In my last post, I talked about my “Hamptons Hookup” turned boyfriend. That was all well and good for a few months, but well, while I can’t say he’s out of the picture, I will say the relationship as it is is hanging on by a thread. Or, in other words, we’re still sleeping together, but that’s about it. And I mean, what can I say, he’s a hot Aussie with the cute accent and a…well, a lot of other perks that I’ll not go in to detail on, but point is, he’s worth keeping around for a bit longer. Well, and I don’t want to sound like an asshole, the reality is, I like him. I like him a lot. But he has a lot of issues–like real issues–and a plan to move back to the land of Oz by fall. So I guess I’m weening myself off.

That said, I’m keeping my options open and completely on the market. Note: I’m not sleeping with anyone else, but I’m being open to dates. And dates I’ve had. A lot of them. But only first dates, really. Maybe one or two who made it to the second or third call back–but that’s about it. The fact is, I like to be open…be open to love. So that sometimes puts me on dates where I knew outright he’s probably not the one, but lets give it a try. I’ve always been like that, and will continue to be. I guess the difference now, -90lbs, these guys are more interested in the follow-up dates than they were before. This means I’ve written more than a few saying NEXT! Not, really, they say something more like “you’re really great, but I don’t see this going anywhere” emails. Keep in mind, this is mostly through online dating.

Meanwhile! In the midst of this dating, I’ve also had a few encounters with ex boyfriends, or guys I previously dated. I mostly did this for the kicks of showing up looking much different, without them having any clue. Nothing has come of those situations, other than the fact that, A. we are not together for a reason and B. they already liked me for me–but we still won’t work. That’s been all the case except for with the BIG ex. The only one I’ve ever really been in love with. The one who I’ve gone back and forth with for over four years. The one who I think is as scared of me breaking his heart, as I am of him breaking mine–and so therefore, we’ve each done some immense damage over that time. That said, I do still love him. I’d love to see something work. Butttttt, he lives in SF and I live in NY. I’ve made it clear, I’m willing to make some bold changes and moves, but he has to jump those hurdles with me. I don’t expect that; but I wanted to have the clearance that I was honest with him and honest with myself…and did what I could.

So the moral of this story is that I do think that it’s made a difference, weighing 90lbs less and all, but in all honesty, it’s the same ole bullshit. 😉

Before and After

If you’re friends with me on Twitter, or Lapbandtalk.com or just read my (sporadic) blog posts, you’ve probably noticed that I don’t show my face. I guess I feel I’m out there enough in my career that it’s for the best. Or if for no other reason, my blog references sex, which my mom doesn’t think I’ve ever had (really).

But even so, I would like to share some before and afters.

At my highest weight, I was 268. When I started the actual weight loss surgery journey I was at 262.4. This photo was taken probably somewhere between the 240 and 260 range.

I’m now teetering between 173-175lbs. A size 10/12, I sometimes just stare at the tags in my clothes, as I’ve never before been smaller than a size 14. It’s nuts to me. And even when I just look at my body, it all looks the same. Like the “problem areas” I had before are still the same “problem areas”. But then I see photos and it hits me!

My Ongoing Fight With My Treadmill

I’ve mentioned before how I have actually done two half-marathons in the past two years. It was completely a random hobby for the overweight girl to pick up, but I did it. And in ’10 even cut 20 minutes off of my race time in ’09! That being said, I completed both races as a walk-runner.

Many people who walk run go in very specific intervals, which is what my coaches advised. I was more so the type to walk 10 minutes, run two minutes, walk another six minutes and then run five minutes. I was completely sporadic, but it worked for me.

One of my non-scale goals is was to run a mile straight without stopping. I’m happy to say that while in San Francisco, running along the Marina (my happy place!) I worked myself in to a groove while listening to a Bassnectar remix and started running, with a treeline as my goal–I made it to the treeline and even turned back and KEPT RUNNING! That day I ran 1.7miles straight without stopping. It was such a victory for me.

Since that I’ve picked up the pace–pardon the pun–as I’ve started training for my third half marathon (Austin, February ’12). Winter running is kinda horrid and every weekend I feel like the long run is just this thing looming over my head, but that said, I’ve progressed immensely.

First, I ran the Brooklyn Bridge, and then some, without stopping. Totaling 3miles without stopping.

Then yesterday, I had my best run–ever…in life! It was a frigid day, literally below freezing, as I set out to run up the west side highway. I did the first mile walking to warm up, meanwhile decided I wasn’t getting warm enough, so my plan became to do just 5 miles, instead of the 10 I needed to do and try again the next day (which would be warmer). So I picked up the pace and started running…and next thing I knew, I had ran from Battery Park City up to 60th street, and then turned around and KEPT running. I could run no more around 10th street, but that puts my consecutive run at 7 MILES!!! Wow, who am I.

Well, today I’m super sore, and can’t say I’ll be able to recreate this on a regular basis. But it feels good to have such a bold nonscale victory!