What's on the menu today, RNYers?

Hi Sara, welcome back!  We have missed you - I was very concerned when you disappeared, but now we know why.  I am glad your FIL is doing better.  I imagine it is hard for him to be less independent but it sounds like there are only a few weeks of that.  

I am sorry that he is a food pusher - can you think of ways to turn it down firmly and not concede?  You certainly don't want to gain 10 lbs when something stressful is going on.  You have done so well, I would love to see you stay the course.  Does your husband's workplace insurance have an employee assistance program?  I know the feeling of holding in all of the emotions and wanting to get them off of your chest.  You of course are welcome to do so here, we are here for you, but perhaps meeting someone in person who is trained in this kind of stuff can help you realize your food triggers and find ways of coping?  I have never seen a therapist but I am seriously considering it.  Last night I was talking to a friend about how I am not ready to start dating and maybe when I get to 200 lbs.  Mind you, I dated all the time in my 300s!  So what has changed?  My messed up mind, that's what!  I am thinking we could all benefit from talking to someone!

So please don't take that suggestion the wrong way!  And welcome back, and I am glad you and Bella got a good walk in!  Em

Sara, good to see you posting again. Sorry to hear about your father in law. I completely get what you're going through; my mother in law can't drive anymore and is completely dependent on her caregivers and us (my husband and me) for getting around, and it's hard enough to do all that without having to listen to her *****ing and moaning as well. I try to be understanding, after all she's 86 with multiple health problems, but she's much, much more fortunate than a lot of older people in terms of the resources available to help her. She just never sees any good side to anything, and the negativity can be very wearing. So make sure to take care of yourself as well as your FIL, I guess is what I'm saying. Emily's suggestion of a therapist is a good one if you're so inclined, or maybe your pastor or if your church has a group to help people through stressful times? And/or of course, you can always come here to the What's On The Menu And All The Other Things In Your Life That You Want To Talk About RNYers thread. 

Hi Sara. So nice to see you are back. Sounds like you are really earning your place in heaven with Mr. grouchypants, lol. Seriously, you are wonderful to be taking care of him but don't forget to take care of yourself. Sounds like you do have a lot going on in your life right now. Many challenges. I will pray that things get easier soon.

I like Emily's suggestion to talk to a therapist. There was  point in my life where I spent many hours with a therapist and it definitely helped me. I highly recommend it. Feels a little strange at first but once you develop a rapport, it gets easier. I wouldn't think twice about going back to therapy as needed. Of course venting to friends is a therapy all its own!

My surgeon says to only expect to lose 60% of your excess weight and considers it a success to keep off 50% of that in 5 years.   I hope that's not accurate.  I already lost >100% of my excess weight and I hope to God not to gain 50% of it back!!!  I found that very discouraging when I was starting out, but I think a lot of people are noncompliant in the losing phase and definitely noncompliant in the maintenance phase.  That's my guess.

Wow, I agree that must have been discouraging to hear! Lose 60% and then only keep 50% off? Jeez, that's not at all what I've set as my goals! You may be right in that people may be noncompliant for the most part, and maybe the surgeons get a little jaded over time. I have to admit, I love my doctor to death...when I was waiting to be wheeled into the OR and he came to see me, I asked him why he did what he did. He got the look of a little kid on Christmas day and said basically "I love what I do! My dad was a mechanic, and this is like working on an engine and tuning it up, only better!" I have to admit, I find his enthusiasm and optimism infectious, and it's only helped me with my "I CAN and WILL do this!" mindset.

Good morning Em and all! My Clinic didn't return my call yesterday about allergy meds, which I find infuriating, but more so because I'm feeling miserable from the allergies! The pharmacist told me she didn't think that taking something like Allegra or Claritin or Zrytec would be a problem, but since she wasn't 100% sure she wasn't comfortable "recommending" anything. So I'm waiting...

The scale finally moved a pound this morning, which does have an amazing effect on my mood and I'm slipped into another pair of pants that didn't fit just a week ago. Such a great feeling!

Emily, thank you for reporting back. One thing I am not sure about is even getting to 800 or 1000 calories on three 4oz meals. Like today I'm just under 700, and mostly it's pretty dense, good protein and some fruit, but I don't know where I could fit another 100 calories if I needed to. AND the 700 includes a pre-work out snack. So many things to consider! The mind boggles!

Times since surgery: 9 weeks

B: 2oz greek yogurt, 1/2 tablespoon wheat germ (this was an impulse buy when I was looking for chia seeds and couldn't find them, it has pretty decent stats though, tasted good, and I felt more satisfied), 1 veggie sausage pattie

S: 12oz Nectar Lemon Tea protein shake

L: Flatout Pizza with turkey pepperoni (or maybe Chiptole, I have a meeting with colleagues who want to go there and I might not be able to avoid it since we're all driving to the meeting together - but I know I'll have good choices there so I'm ok with it)

Pre Work Out Snack: Babybel Lite

D: veggie burger, .5oz roasted chickpeas (couldn't find Saffron Road but got another brand, Pam) applesauce

S: 12oz Nectar Lemon Tea protein shake

TOTALS: Calories 691, Protein 98, Carbs 44, Fat 18

V: started

W: working on it

E: more water aerobics!

I took tomorrow off, so I've got an extra long, long weekend for Memorial Day - it will be a busy weekend - but not super exciting really. I'm heading to my parents' for a quick over night and helping my god parents with some tasks as they are moving to a new condo. Seeing some friends tomorrow night. Hosting the Goose for a sleepover at my house on Saturday night. Monday my sister is hosting a picinc, I'm taking guac (and chips, which I bought last weekend, but left in my car because I couldn't stand them in my apartment LOL). 

Hope everyone has fun plans!

Hey Anny!  A four-day weekend sounds divine!  I am inclined to take tomorrow off because I have no meetings and very little motivation, so we will see :)  

I always bring guac to parties!  I love it so!  I make mine with diced onion, diced jalapeño, salt, and lime juice.  Simple but amazing.  I actually organized a guac-off at work last November and my guacamole won :)  People got so creative too - there was one with bacon, one with mango, one with chipotle salt, etc.  Simple but delicious, that was my slogan!  It didn't help that the judges had a few shots of tequila along the way!

I love Chipotle.  Now you've got me wanting Chipotle lol.

A guac-off? I love it! Can't lie, I bought my guac at Trader Joe's...

Guess what was waiting for me when I ran home after lunch? My Gwynnie Bee shipments! Somehow I ended up with 4 items instead of only 3 and 3 of the 4 are great! The one dress didn't work, so I've already put it in the mail. So I've got two tops (both with peplums) and a really cute dress that I have the perfect cardi to pair it with.

We did end up getting Chipotle - I got a little bit of black beans, chicken, some corn salsa (which I know technically I'm supposed to stay away from corn, but I love it and decided to indulge a little and my pouch seems not to mind too much), and a little bit of cheese. And I have like 3 more meals to go with it. I'm super bad at judging portions when I can't actually weigh or measure, but I sort of divided it in half and then half again and then smooshed the 3/4 all to one end. 

Yay!  So glad that three items worked for you :) It's so nice because you might wear one of the tops 2 or 3 times and then ship it back!  And you don't have to wa**** because of course they have a whole dry-cleaning process.  I am obsessed, as you know.  I am glad 3 of the things worked out for you.  I just sent back 3 shirts today.  One was too polyester, one was a 1x but kind of boxy, and one I have worn a couple of times.  Can't wait to see what arrives next week!

I haven't tried corn either but I will now that I am less scared of carbs.  I usually get a Chipotle bowl with double chicken and then it's 4 meals, with about 3 oz of chicken per meal or just under.  One scoop of chicken isn't enough to spread over 3 meals (protein number wise) so I do double.  And I of course get their guac!!!

Anny, you left the chips in your car so you weren't tempted? HAHAHA, that's AWESOME!! I love hearing about the "silly" things people do to make sure this all works. That's right up there with Dodgergirl jogging in place in the bathroom at work. I love it!

Have you tried the chickpeas yet? How do you like them?