First photo taken in Paris. Down 80 pounds in 12 months!

I feel like I am getting back in the swing of things since coming home from Paris.  I feel a little lazy – maybe it’s just the jet lag?  I’ve been back for one week, and when I got home, I went straight to work and then came down with this cold.  I haven’t been to the gym all week, which I’m going to change really soon.  I can definitely feel a difference with not getting as much cardio done as I was.  The weight is still dropping (officially hit my 80 pound mark!) but it’s more than just the pounds – it’s how I feel and it’s the reality of a lifestyle change.  I got a gym membership at an AMAZING discount, and I haven’t belonged to a gym (other than the one in my apartment building) in a few years.  But I got such a great deal on this gym membership that I couldn’t pass it up.  So, my goal is to go to the gym soon!  Tomorrow night I can’t, but maybe this weekend?  Soon though!  

It’s been fun getting back on Facebook and having old friends and new friends see me.  Even if some of them haven’t noticed the weight loss, I just feel like I’m so much happier and healthier looking in my photos.  

I don’t know about you, but I’m SO ready for Spring to arrive!  I am ready for longer days, so when I come home from work, it’s still light enough for me to go on a walk or jog.  I’m ready to see flowers blooming.  I’m ready to buy some new Spring clothes!  

I’ve taken a long minute to get back to my Blog.  I thought I’d be able to update it while in Paris, but unfortunately our internet didn’t work in the hotel.  But I am here and rolling right along!  I am definitely ready to start kicking my butt again.  And you can feel free to kick it for me, too  I am so excited to be down 80 pounds in 12 months…I ACHIEVED MY 1-YEAR GOAL!!!  But I want to keep the momentum going, and I’m afraid if I get to excited, I’ll get too comfortable where I am.  My next goal is to be down 100 pounds by July.  

Paris really was amazing.  I had a very hard time with some of the food, but over all, I made good choices and walked A LOT.  I actually lost 5 pounds!  I couldn’t eat the sandwiches, which are a staple to their diet.  So lunch time was a bit difficult.  And I did throw up twice.  My Lap Band just got weird with 2 things I ate.  No fun, but just part of the territory!  It was an amazing trip!!!  And there’s so much more to focus on in Paris than the food.  Although this one night, m y friend and I ate at this amazing restaurant and had this 3 course meal which really was one of the best meals I’ve ever had!  I enjoyed the food (when it enjoyed me) but didn’t focus on it.  I did eat a few croissants, which was really weird for me, since over here I’d NEVER eat one!  But over there, it was just kind of all they had.  And they were a normal size, not a HUGE AMERICAN super sized croissant.  All in all, very wonderful experience and I can’t wait to travel again soon!  

At the Eiffel Tower

Enjoying having one, but not going croissant crazy

Oh!  January 15th was my one year “bandiversary” and I celebrated it by walking to the top of the Notre Dame – which required me to walk up and down 400 steps!  I’m not sure I reflected as much on this day since I was in Paris and it was go-go-go, but it was very special and surreal to see how far I’d come!   

Walking up 400 steps on my 1-year "bandiversary"!