I am coming up on one year since WLS and it has been a very good year.  I need to get back into the routine of writing on the blog here more often though.  It is a good way for me to have a place to look back and learn from…. And maybe if any new people considering WLS stumble across my page, they might find helpful insight.   

So – here I was, hanging out at the same weight for about 4 months.  And I mean literally the exact same weight.  Then about 2 weeks ago, I started to see the scale creep up a few pounds – so I put on the snack BRAKES, instead of the snack Breaks.  I had been drinking sugared pop and doing eating between meals.  And the food choices being made included far too many carb filled snacks and not enough nutrition.   

For the past 10 days I’ve gotten back to protein, protein, protein, dairy, dairy, dairy and water, water, water.  I quickly lost the few I’d gained, plus 4 ½ more.  I am now at 118.5 lbs lost….. and am very excited to hit the 120 mark very soon. 
The other really delightful thing is that I went and got myself a really nice pair of walking shoes and have started to get outside for some walks.  It feels really great to do that.  Just in time for the Spring weather rolling in (we hope anyway). 
 Spring is the traditional time for renewal - - so I am going to try and be a part of that.  Life is different for me now,  Way different… Way good. 

It has really been a while since I’ve posted, photographed or updated.  There’s something going on every day and it usually entails keeping Cameron’s social life on track!  Basketball is underway, confirmation each week, violin lessons and the miscellaneous shopping trips to keep her in style!  Don’t get me wrong, I really wouldn’t have it any other way.   

 We’ve managed to fit in some fun for ourselves too, of course.  Had a fabulous dinner out at Maggianos with Sandy, Kathy and Julia.  Beef tenderloin that was oh so wonderful… but I have to say I am getting a little skittish of steak - - two times in a row I’ve had dumping syndrome following that type of food.  I’ll have to try again and see if it was just coincidence or if there’s something about beef in particular.  I eat beef so rarely so I am not sure.

 We had Nathan, my niece’s husband, visiting for a night while he did some work with Joe’s company.  He is a really wonderful young man.  I can see where he and Nicole would truly complement each other.   

Christmas get-together at Marilyn & Pete’s on Saturday was really nice.  Their home was decorated in the usual warm and colorful Department 56 style.  Too bad for them (and us) that the Pete’s Dept 56days come to a close in a couple more months.  He seems ready to move on to something new after all the politics there lately – I hope he soon finds a great new place.   

I’ve not been 100% happy with my eating – knowing that I still could make better choices.  Occasionally drinking pop, which is a habit that is decidedly not one for me to get back in to.  I am going to need to give my self a specific limit on those types of ‘treats’ and stick to it.  I am still full after small portions, which is very good.  Need to keep an eye on the snacking, particularly as the holidays have snacks lurking around every corner.  Have found that I can eat some bread now (darn, I was really hoping that would be a problem forever!!).  I am missing the summer produce.  Have been making some soups – which are not a great choice according to the nutritionist, because the liquids go through you easier keeping you less full.  But, I’ve been making them of the heartier variety, like stew, and they’re a great way to get in black beans, chicken, vegetables and other great things for me.

 Exercise??? Well, I can’t say that any of that is happening – but I continue to walk faster everywhere I go, stand for longer periods of time (such as for six hours working at the Santa Shop this weekend) and generally be able to bend, stretch and turn better.

 I weighed myself today and have lost a  few more pounds.  Just shy of 114 lost.  

On day 4 of our ‘modified’ liquid diet.  Again, I really like having the structure.  Last night for dinner we had beef stew, good protein and vegetables… only put a small amount of potatoes in it.  Just today and tomorrow left and then back to regular program again.  I think this has been good for me – reminds me that I do not need to have little snacks when feeling ‘hungry’ … it is more likely that I am THIRSTY.  I have also been drinking more water this week than in past few weeks… before I was finding that I was leaving half bottles all the time and am now drinking them down.  I am feeling the need to become more organized – there are a lot of activities going on with Cameron at this time (more homework with middle school, confirmation, volleyball, basketball starting soon, Girl Scouts and Math League…. Whew)  I know she likes to join everything, but it is a lot to coordinate.  I hardly can imagine how families with several children juggle it all.  Fortunately volleyball and Math League are right after school and done by 4:30 – so they aren’t too overwhelming.

 Then for myself, I am getting involved in some BPWT events and have volunteered to be the Cookie Mgr for GS again this year - - which means a big time commitment coming in January.  
 

I think the fact that I am almost 100 lbs less in weight is going to give me the energy I need to do the cookie mom thing so much better this year…. At least I sure hope so! 
 

One week til DISNEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it has been a long few weeks to lose another single pound.  Five weeks as a matter of fact.  Amazingly I stayed on the exact same weight, to the 1/10^th of a lb for five weeks.  Today the scale finally made the downward budge.  Joe and I were out of town for the weekend to celebrate our 13^th anniversary.  We went on a couple of long walks, including a steep upward climb of Inspiration Peak in Western MN .    I am sure it is the high activity level that finally pushed the scale.

 I am doing a ‘modified’ liquid diet this week.  Am having milk and juice for breakfasts and lunches – and then doing a bowl of a hearty soup for dinner.  One reason is to try and jump start some weight loss, but the two more important reasons are – Joe is doing it with me and I’m happy to see him giving a try to a little more healthy eating and to lose some weight…. And the other reason is that I really liked doing the liquid diet before where my “choices” were limited.  On any given day now, I have so many choices to make - - and I find that to be somewhat overwhelming.  There are too many snacks in the world to have nibbles on – I like this stricter structure, where if it isn’t liquid, I’m not eating it.

 We are just doing this for five days, because it isn’t intended to be a way of life, just a little weight loss boost for each of us.

 Only 10 days til our Orlando trip.  I still hope to lose my 2 ½ lbs remaining to hit the Century Club.  Maybe the liquid diet will help that.  For sure I need to get some more walking in too!