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December 10, 2013

After wondering how it would be through the holidays I can safely say that I made it through successfully.  I watched what I ate, how much I ate and ate only what I was supposed to.  If a smell or food seemed to bother me, I removed myself from the situation and went to another room and busied myself.  I've continued to create new items to eat that are so good and healthy.  I never imagined how much things could be so different and for the better.  The one downfall to it all is that it cost so much more to eat healthy.  I think that's what's wrong with our society.  The bad toxic foods are so much cheaper to buy that's why it's easier for us to go for those foods.  It's easier, convenient and faster.  It's insane how much crap goes into foods now.  

Reading the article the other day on the McDonald's chicken nuggets and what was found in them (fibers of some kind and globs of blue that resembled antifreeze)...what is going on in our world?  All this junk being put in our foods and we don't even know it!  You can't trust any food place at all.  But that's behind me.  I don't do that anymore.  But I worry about others and my family (like my little niece) that still eat at establishments and places where there is so much uncertainty.  I hope changes are made soon to fix all this but I know it would take a miracle and it won't happen overnight.  Maybe if all of us can stand up and speak up, maybe we will be able to help make a difference.

November 13, 2013

I'm SO overdue for a post.  I've recently reached two huge milestones!  A few weeks ago I had hit my first 100lbs lost!  And this week I also hit another milestone...I'm now under 300lbs!  It's been a really long time since I've been under 300lbs.  It feels great.  I continue to learn so much about myself and about my new lifestyle.  I feel so many changes going on that it's hard to explain and describe them all.  I continue to take ownership of my health in many ways, exercise, learning to prepare healthier and new foods, learning what my body likes, etc.  I went to my PCP today and was taken off my blood pressure medication entirely!  My A1C has been wonderful for a long time so she said she's not worried anymore about that.  My other blood work will be back in a week or so.  I've been using apps on my phone that my nutritionist suggested, I am always looking up creative ways to cook things, like recently I learned how to make a sugar free crustless pumpkin pie.  It's very low in calorie and it's got a decent amount of protein in each serving.  

I keep learning, keep growing, keep shrinking...and keep on keepin' on.

September 15, 2013

It's been a few weeks since I've posted.  I've had so much going on...vacation, sprained ankle, sprained it again, and then playing catch up with work.  But one thing has not changed...my dedication.  On vacation I took our foreman grill with us.  I'll be darned if I wasn't going to take it with us.  We did eat out two times...and both times, I spoke up and requested what I needed.  Some may think I'm picky and high maintenance but I'm not afraid to SPEAK UP anymore!  

Three main ingredients all places use to cook food are butter, sugar and salt.  And out of those three...none of them are healthy for you.  We cooked our foods, packed them with us, and when we did go out, we made the right choices.  It felt so good.

Today my husband and I were at the other end of town.  My tummy was not happy so I wanted to go home so I could feel more comfortable "going there".  But my stomach had other ideas.  So I saw a Frisch's at the corner were I was turning and remembered my Mamaw telling me about the salad bar.  We pulled in and after I was comfortable I spoke to the waitress at our table.  I spoke up and explained I had just had surgery a few months ago (WLS) and I don't eat much but I wanted the salad bar.  She ended up just charging me for a small side salad (2.00) and I thanked her over and over.

I grabbed a small bowl that is normally for soup, put in some iceberg lettuce mix, mushrooms, a couple strands of green bell pepper, and a bit of cheese (protein).  I found the one dressing they had that was a fat free catalina dressing and used it.  Added some black pepper and took my time.  

As I sat there, I realized that when I bypassed the breakfast bar section of the bar I didn't glance at it at all.  I kept my "tunnel vision" and kept going.  It wasn't important to me.  Six months ago, if I would have told myself I'd prefer a salad to eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, hashbrowns, etc I would have laughed my butt off.  But it's the truth.  I would much rather have the salad I ate today.  I'm so much happier now than what I was.  

The other day I saw one of my great aunts (I talk to her often)...she hadn't seen me since before my surgery.  When she saw me, she started tearing up with joy.  She was so proud of me.  It means the world to have my family proud of me.  It means so much to me to help influence others, even though I don't know it all...and I never will...I can at least share my story and experiences and hope that my support and encouragement to others will help them.

August 27, 2013

Today was weigh in day.  I've now lost 70.4lbs which I am so tickled about.  Every loss is a great success and a milestone for me, but hitting 70lbs just really hit me today on how thankful I am that I did this surgery.  This is the greatest gift I could have ever given myself.  I'm saving my own life and there is nothing better than that.  I also started walking today.  I walked on the treadmill at the gym for 26 minutes and also did 30 reps of Leg Extensions and Leg Curls. 

I was nervous about going into the gym where the equipment was.  Thankfully, my best friend Sherri was right there with me and we did it together.  She's been an amazing support buddy and a great work out partner.  As soon as I got on the treadmill I plugged in my earphones and turned on some tunes that motivate me right now.  I started walking faster and then a bit faster...I was really moving and feeling good. 

After hitting the gym it was tine for water aerobics.  I'm slowly easing my way back to my routines.  It's taking some time.  I get motion sickness when there are a lot of people in the water and there are a lot of waves that are created by them.  I've been staying in the shallow end of the pool and working on cycling using the pool noodle to go back and forth across the section I'm in.  That doesn't bother me anymore....several weeks ago, it did.  Things are moving along and each day gets better and better. 

The protein intake is going pretty well.  I make sure to get in my protein as much as possible each and every day.  I would rather have that than anything else and that's what I do.  I usually start off my morning having a protein shake of some kind, then later having a protein shot (vial) that contains quite a bit of protein in the small vial, then later I have a protein bar that is low in sugar, low in calories (under 200), and has a good amount of protein in them.  That's where majority of my protein comes from each day.  It works for me and you have to find what works for you.  That's the best way for me to make sure I get my protein in.  If I am still low on protein and it's dinner time, I'll go for a vial if I haven't had one to help get my intake up. 

Getting in the protein is key.  It helps you lose your weight and it's necessary to keep the amount the doctor recommends in your system.  I track everything I do through My Fitness Pal.  It's a handy tool and I can take it anywhere since they have an app for the smartphones.  Being accountable is key.  You have to be honest about everything you take in and make sure that the things you take in your body are low in sugar, high in protein, low in calories, etc. 

I almost thought about backing out of going to the gym today...but then I was listening to my songs that motivate me (the ones I've created on my motivational workout playlist) and I realized, there is always going to be that fear.  I've come so far and look at the things I've done to get myself healthier....why let a stupid thing like fear stop me from going further.  I then decided I didn't' care what anyone thought when I went into the gym...I didn't care of people looked at me like I didn't belong.  You have to start somewhere and I had to tell myself, it doesn't matter what others think.  I remind myself of why I do this, and it's because of that, that I walked in with my head held high and went to work on walking.

Having a buddy helps.  You have someone there to watch your back and spot you on other equipment...but more importantly you have that support and encouragement.  My buddy is in the same boat I am.  She's working on losing weight.  She's getting ready to have the lap band done and she and I have made a pact to work with each other to get through this.  It's a journey, a process and a lifetime of change.  There is no stopping it.  Once you've made the decision to have the surgery, you have to follow through on everything else...you can't just stop at the surgery. 

Everything I do is a part of my new lifestyle.  I've made this decision, I've had the surgery, now everything that follows has to be made a part of my new lifestyle...I'm accountable for logging in my food every day, I'm accountable for making sure that I exercise weekly, I'm accountable for standing up for myself when I'm faced with food challenges. 

Food challenges...now that's a big mountain right there.  It's so frustrating to know how much food has a hold on a person.  How much control we've given food over time.  How much it controls us and how we don't have control.  There are food commercials left and right on TV.  Sickening how many you see in a 30 minute show.  I look away and mute the tv.  I refuse to acknowledge the nasty, harmful, deadly food that has consumed me and slowly been killing me for years.  It's not holding me down anymore.  When I'm grocery shopping, I create a "tunnel vision".  Sure, every now and then I see the Little Debbies sitting on the end cap of a store...but I quickly look away and if the image is still in my head, I remind myself of everything those things do to a person.  And how addictive all that junk is. 

As a part of the food challenge, I've learned to speak up for myself.  If someone wants to make something for me to eat, I am honest about what I can and cannot have and how it needs to be prepared.  You CANNOT be afraid to speak up.  You owe it to yourself to speak up.  If you are eating out at a restaurant, you owe it to yourself to SPEAK UP!!!  Ask the waiter to speak to the chef.  Explain the situation to the chef.  Ask them to please omit butter, sugar and salt (the three main ingredients they put in all foods), explain you'd like your meat grilled with light olive oil or none at all, grilled or steamed veggies with light olive oil (like a teaspoon or so and no salt).  Ask for black pepper for seasoning.  Be specific and don't be afraid to ask for what you need.  Only go to places (if you must) that you feel you might can trust that can accommodate you.  No, I'm not talking about fast food places.  Those should be crossed off your list permanently.  I'm talking about nice restaurants like Red Lobster, Applebees, etc.  If you ask the chef for the accommodations and you don't have a good feeling about what they've told you (like they may not do what you ask)...then cancel your request and GET OUT. 

Food is so addictive and most places you have NO idea what is being put into your food, how it's cooked, what all the meat is made of, etc.  The industry puts additives in the food to make us addicted.  Why?  Because they want us to keep coming back and spending money at their establishment.  They don't care about us.  They don't care that they are killing us.  They keep us coming back and that's what matters.  You have to slam the door on the food addiction and the bad foods that tag along with it.

I have to remind myself that I am a strong person.  You may not think you are strong at times, but remind yourself of everything you've been through in life...and the steps that have lead you to losing the weight and taking care of yourself....that is a strong person.  One who takes charge of their life and is accountable and responsible for making sure that they are healthy and happy.  Every one of us is a strong person...sometimes you just have to dig a bit to realize how strong you are. 

August 19, 2013

This is way overdue.  I've been so busy with so many things that I haven't kept up on my blogging.  I weigh in tomorrow.  I'm really amazed at everything my body is doing.  Each day I feel stronger inside and out.  I feel more confident, more feeling of worth.  My clothes are falling off me which makes me so excited.  I'm trying to hold off on buying anything right now until I get a little lower in weight.  Some things I have already gave to my best friend.  

I cannot wait to get out of all these clothes.  I am really looking forward to shopping in any store like most people.  I cannot wait to not worry about flying if I need an extra seat or not.  I have had a couple NSV's (non-scale victories).  I've been able to sit in a booth without struggle or worrying that I can't get in and I'm crammed.  I also got my blood pressure reduced twice. 

My blood work has been really good.  I had to up my intake of iron and vitamin C to two of each a day...but that's okay with me.  I want to be healthy as can be.  Whatever it takes.  I'm so glad that I've made this decision.  I don't regret going through the pain after the surgery or the first week or two...this is SAVING MY LIFE!  And that is the greatest gift I can give myself, and my family.

August 6, 2013

I haven't been able to post on here as the blog has been messed up.  I weighed in today...it's been six weeks since surgery...that's really hard to believe.  I've now lost 56lbs!  I am so happy and thankful for each and every second since my surgery.  I will continue to kick butt in this journey to a new, healthier me. 

July 23, 2013

I weighed in this morning as I do every Tuesday...I lost 4.4 this week which brings my total to 45.6lbs!  I cannot believe it!  I don't know the last time I weighed this...It's a great feeling.  I went to my regular PCP yesterday for blood work and to review medications.  My blood pressure was 106/70.  She did take me off one of my doses for my blood pressure.  I get the results in one week on how all my blood work is. 

I've started to use the foreman grill.  We've grilled shrimp, chicken, red bell peppers, mushrooms, squash... (not all at once of course).  Every time we go to the grocery we examine everything.  We are going over all ingredients, calorie content, etc.  Its been very educational.  I'm so happy that I made the decision to save my life.  I go to the surgeon next Tuesday and I'm hoping to get cleared for water aerobics.  I'm ready to kick it in high gear!

July 9, 2013

I weighed in this morning to discover a loss of 9.2lbs since July 2nd.  That brings the numbers to:

- 20.7lbs lost since surgery June 25th
- 37.2lbs lost total since pre-op diet started on May 27th.

My incisions are still sore some but getting better every day.  I am so excited and so happy.  I started cream of wheat today...it was really good.  I'm kicking butt and taking names.

July 2, 2013

Today I had my one week post - op appointment with the surgeon and my first weigh in since surgery.  I have lost 11.5 pounds since last Tuesday and 28 pounds since I started the pre-op diet which was a month ago.  I am so excited!  I cannot believe I am doing it.  I can do it and I know I can.  I am stronger than I ever have been before and more determined than ever.  

My appointment went great.  Everything is looking really good.  Meds are hard to get down, especially the larger ones.  They get stuck.  They told me it will get easier.  I am waiting for that time.  I got to start on my second step of eating.  I tried the cottage cheese and it hit my tummy hard.  I'll have to try that again later.  I'm trying to get my protein in every day.  It's hard but it will get better.  I've got some sugar free syrups coming to help me...I'm still sore in my incisions but every day is better.  I cannot lay on my side yet so that hurts and frustrates me some but I know it will be okay and I will get to lay on my side soon enough.  

I am going to kick butt at this.  I will succeed!

July 1, 2013

This is my first blog post since I was sleeved last Tuesday, June 25, 2013.  I'm doing really good.  I've had some gas pockets trapped but I'm working through it.  The gas pains are rough.  Hard to breathe deep, cough, etc but I know it will go away soon.

Drinking warm items (like chicken broth) have helped me to burp some which is a good thing.  :)

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a good one.  I got to see my Mom, Mamaw, my husband, my fur baby and a friend of mine, Kellie.  It was a nice way to spend the day.  And it wasn't revolved around food!