get approved for surgery and get to a healthy weight, finally!

Almonds, 1 oz (about 24) with a clementine (tangerine) = 199 cal; 7g pro
Baked chickpeas w/savory seasoning, 1/2 c. = 135 cal; 7g pro
Edamame, 1/2 c. shelled or 1-1/8 c. in pods = 100 cal; 10g pro
Protein coffee (1 scoop body fortress, 1/2 c. 1% milk + coffee) = 151 cal; 28g pro
Protein Smoothie w/ fruit and 1% milk = 216 cal; 28g pro
Cottage cheese, 1/2 c. 2% with fresh fruit & 1/4 c. Kashi = 202 cal; 19g pro
Fage Greek yogurt, 1/2 c. mixed w/ 1/2 c. Cool Whip & fresh fruit = 189 cal; 10g pro
Kashi TLC Crunchy bars = 180 cal; 7gr pro
Wheat Thins whole grain, 11 crackers, with 1 wedge Laughing Cow Light = 125 cal; 3.5g pro
Yoplait Thick and Creamy Light Yogurt = 100 cal.; 5g pro

"Cheap" snacks that don't break the "calorie budget":

Claussen's mini dills = 5 cal.
Jello SF cups = 10 cal. 
Cool Whip (for jello) = 25 cal/2T
SF fudesicles:  40 cal.
Shaved ice w/ Crystal light = freebie ($25 for ice shaver from Walmart)
Green tea = freebie
waterwaterwaterwaterwaterwaterwaterwater

Healthy Snacks - wanted to keep these in a safe place.

Wanted to keep this somewhere safe:

#1 Do for 10 days to break plateau

#2 Drink 2 quarts of water a day

#3 You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamin
& mineral supplements each day.

#4 You may consume up to 3 oz. of the following high-protein foods,
5 times a day:

* beef,
* pork,
* chicken,
* turkey,
* lamb,
* fish,
* eggs,
* low-fat cheese,
* cottage cheese,
* plain yogurt (or artificially sweetened),
* peanut butter,
* beans/legumes.

#5 You may also have:

* sugar-free popsicles (avoid juice popsicles),
* tea or coffee,
* sugar-free sodas,
* sugar-free Jello,
* broths & bouillons,
* Crystal Lite drinks.

For Vegetables eat from only this list:

Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, spinach, Brussels sprouts,
Asparagus & Cabbage

For Fruit choose only from this list:
Cantaloupe, honey dew, watermelon and strawberries

#6 IF IT IS NOT ON THE LIST YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT!

#7 Keep a food diary and try to get 30 minutes of exercise daily. 

I think I might try this soon.

I think I'm down about 22 pounds now. I joined Curves by my work a couple weeks ago. Wouldn't you know it - I joined on a Friday and on Wednesday  we had to close our office due to some crazy person in our colocation. I'm working from the other girl in my office's house. I can't work from home because I live in the country and can't get DSL so I have service through Hughesnet a satellite company and my VPN is so slow. I hope we get a set office soon. I haven't been driving to Curves because gas is so expensive and it's about 13 miles one way to the Curveslocation. I drive an Expedition and the gas is killing me already. I think if I could get back to Curves I'd be doing better. My dad called me this week and told me that my grandmother said I could have her treadmill. I just need to go get it. I haven't gotten it yet because I don't have room in the car for it and my 5 boys. My husband has been out of town all week and just got home last night for the weekend. Hopefully, I can get over there for the treadmill. Maybe that will help. I'm still struggling with food and liquids. I'm really looking for easy, quick healthy food ideas. Please send me any suggestions. I appreciate it. I did get my 2nd fill this week and met some great ladies there. Going to the doctor seems to be a support group in itself. Maybe I should go more often (lol). I hope everyone is doing good and will update soon.

Ok - so I finally got my 1st fill last Friday after the doctor called and rescheduled. I joined Curves last Thursday through a benefit at work and didn't have to pay a registration fee which is too great. I worked out the 1st time on Friday after my fill. I went on Monday and today. I hope this is the key. I'm feeling restriction and have had some problems getting food in at all. I just don't want my hair to fall out. I'm hoping this is the key and I'm going to start losing faster now. I'll try to update every week or so. Hope you have a good week!