Dry ingredients:

3 Cups of raw oats (not instant)

4 scoops whey protein powder (about 1 cup)

¾ cup blended Splenda (the baking kind)

A lot of cinnamon

½ stick butter

½ cup crushed pecans

½ cup unsweetened dried cranberries or other dried fruit

½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

½ cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all dry ingredients and mix with a fork. Add in Nuts and dried fruit. Add in Butter and combine until all of the butter is blended with the dry mixture. Texture should be some still dry and some lumps. Gradually add water, and constantly mix together. Don’t get it too wet, but just enough to make nice size clumps.

Spread out ingredients on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 7-12 min. Remove from oven and mix up granola. This allows for toasting other side of granola so it can dry out a bit. Place back in oven for 5 min.

Remove and eat with milk or on top of yogurt.

A few posts back I said that my teeth REALLY hurt. Well, at the time I thought that it was because of a possible vitamin/mineral deficiency. Then I found out that I was actually Vitamin A and D deficient.  A few days ago I went to the dentist and got xrays and stuff. Well he said that my pain was because of my wisdom tooth coming in wrong. He couldn’t/wouldn’t pull it and sent me to a surgeon. Today, I had it pulled. 

This time last year I was recovering from my gastric bypass RNY surgery that I had at 8:30 am. It's hard to believe that a year has come and gone. I have gone from weighing 271 pounds to 152 pounds. I still have a few pounds to lose yet, but I know that 145 isn't that far away.

Overall, I feel that my 1st year has been pretty amazing. I loved all the attention that I received from all sources that make me feel like local celebrity. Everyone has been amazed with my transformation. I look back on all my pictures, before, during, and now, and I am really in disbelief. I look like “me.” The “me” that I always knew was there, but couldn’t see.  The physical appearance is only the icing on the cake. The "me” that was lost underneath almost 120 pounds of fat was a healthy, happy, exciting, sexy, vivacious woman. I feel like it just took off a 120 pound fat suit.

I got up this morning at 5:30 and thanked God for another day to get it right. I went to the basement again to go to our gym and decided to lift weights to work on my legs. They are looking really skinny! Anyway, I set up the machine to do curls and extensions. Well, the equipment I was using is for my hubby and for some reason I couldn't get it situated for my size. I fiddled with it for a good 20 min, and still couldn't get it right. Of course, prior to WLS, I fit in the machine just fine. Well, I ran out of time before I had to get my kids up for school and for me to hop in the shower for work. So no real workout this morning. I did resort to doing stretches, but that was about it. I'll ride the bike again when I get home, or run with the dogs if it's not raining.

NEW GOAL:
I really want to tone up. I have large muscles, which is why I think I don't have a lot of hanging skin issues. I have always liked it when I could actually SEE my muscle groups: Abs, thighs, calves, back, butt, arms. You know, sort of like a Ms. Fitness or ballet person. So, that is my new goal. Not to get bulky like a body builder.

I have to look for some pictures on the internet so I can print them out and have something to focus on. I'll put them up in the gym and maybe my hubby will be inspired as well. LOL.

***updated later*** Here is my goal/focus picture.  
 
I am still in awe that I am sooo small. I just have a hard time believing that I can wear a size 4 (in some things). Like today, I am wearing size 4 jeans... to work. 
 

Today's Foodies:

Pre- Breakfast: large coffee with creamer
Breakfast:  3 wing-dings, granola
Lunch: 1 sushi roll, 1 piece of artificial crab meat, handfull of raw almonds, 1 oz. of turkey breast. (salad bar for lunch today)
Snack: Hot tea.