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Post Date: 6/14/09 3:59 pm
Last Edit: 6/14/09 4:13 pm
Firstly, good evening amazing WETEO's, I am so looking forward to reconnecting with all of you as for the last few days we were so jam packed in Vegas we did not post as a usual.  We have missed you all and are so looking forward to catching up. 
I want to share so and I will share but in the true form of, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," I will limit particulars.
AWARDS that were earned:
Andrea - Best friend to all
Anne - dearest mommy and risk taker (only she can elaborate teehehehe)
Barb - biggest winner and party animal
Becky -  greatest dancer
Cathy - most flirtatious
Carmel - too damn cute for words
Dana - our hero (we all hope after 7 years out to have maintained and look so HOT!) Bless you.
Gina  - tipsy hostess, when the sun goes down
Leslie - most amazing sweetheart
Lisha - up all night, sleep all day and best hair ever
Melissa - fierce model
WED - Cathy, Becky and myself stay up all night and chit chat the night away get a little bit of shut eye at my house.  Cathy makes plans for the wedding.  Oh her 6 is marrying mine in 20 years, it's all arranged.  Did I mention that we all slept in my bed while Berto slept in the bunk beds with the kids.  He called the next day telling us that at work he said that there were three hot ladies in his bed the night before.  OMGah!  Teehehhehehe!
THURS - Barb has a nervous breakdown, she has so much luggage she can't even get it all in a car.  She repacks as I threaten her with an intervention.  We all together get Anne from the airport; this is really gaining in excitement now and meet up for check in with Leslie and Zach, the amazingly cutest couple in the entire world.  Love these people.  The excitement is explosive.  I scored free tickets to the strip Planet Hollywood Comedy Show so off we go and in come Carmel and Bruce, simply the best, Carmel is exactly as you dream her to be, loving, caring and mushy.  The mama!  The comedy show was hysterical, oh and the incredible hot, hot, comic didn't hurt things either.  Here comes Lisha it's late and she is pumped, Lisha wow Lisha, the energizer bunny filled with love.  Oh and I want her hair.  Another night of no sleep but we are all having too much fun to even think of letting it slow us tough girls down.  Did I forget to mention Lisha doing calisthenics throughout the evening?  Teeehehehheeh! 
FRIDAY - Melissa and Andrea arrive, Melissa walks in and it appears she walking on a runway so poised and stunning and sweet so awesome.  Andrea my sweet Andrea, the best friend you always want to have.  I feel so spoiled she lives a state away.  I will visit you soon my love.  Dana is off work and all in for the weekend.  Smokin hot Dana  7 years out and saammmmoookkin. We have all arrived and the whole group is safe in Vegas.
SURPRISE!  My breath is taken away as all my amazing WETEO friends kept a great big secret of throwing me a surprise 40th birthday.  Barb organized and did a fabulous job.  I am MOVED greatly.   You are all superb!  So much fun.  I cannot give the details it just wouldn't be proper so I will just list a few words:  music, food, panties, coconut bra, drink, drunk, muscles, and sweat, enough, enough I can go on no longer.  LOL!  OMGah!  LET THE GAMES BEGIN!  The WETEO's 1st Annual Special Olympics, mental and physical a must.  Again just a few choice words to explain the happenings without incriminating:  crawling, drinking, racing, clothes falling off, did someone say boobies out????? blood, rug burns. This was wild even by Vegas standards BABY!  Then just as you wouldn’t have thought the night could have another mountain top, Berto gets a call that the band is going to have a practice at the studio 5 min. away so half of us cramp into Berto's car and are entertained by a live rock and roll extravaganza.  Cathy even got the hot drummer (my hub) to sign a drumstick for her.  She was flushed.  LOL!  The other half ate a smokin hot Mexican dinner and gambled like mad.  A few big winners, Barb takes home the winner award with a jackpot of $3700 dollars on KENO.  Whoooohoooooo!  So much fun and excitement.
SAT - pool and spa relaxation to the hilt.  EveryOne sunning and shopping as we took turns getting facials, waxed, conditioned and exfoliated.  Ahhhhhhhhh!  We all deserved it and felt and looked like a billion bucks.  Then the crazy night set in.  Can anyone say over the top NUTS???  Another stays in Vegas night here are some wo  rds: dance contest, Becky, stage, drinks, hot, hot bartenders, what just happened, no I don't know that man, singing, dancing like girls gone wild for HOURS, singing, laughing, loving........ Kahunaville was on fire and we were creating the heat.  SMOKIN HOT!  Oh did I forget the the bartender poured drinks down our throats while he stood on top of the bar.  I can't even go on too much.  teeheheheh! 
SUN - Very happy but SAD SAD goodbyes.  I could cry right now but will laugh and think of all my wonderful friends and the amazing lovefest we just were so lucky to be a part of.  Blessed people we are.  And, heck we already started planning for next year.  Myrtle Beach here we COME!  Start saving NOW!  HUGS AND LOVE TO ALL!   Gina  : )
B: 1/2 of a cheese and ham omelet a bite of hash browns and 1/4 of a half of an English muffin
L: 3 oz. cheeseburger patty only
D: going to be grilled shrimp and veggies
TOGETHER WE WILL CONTINUE OUR SUCCESS, REACH AND MAINTAIN OUR GOALS TOGETHER!  Share and Care, Post and Host!  LOVINGLY, Gina  : )

The 3 Day LPT does not require special recipes and is only for three days. It does help you get back on track with your eating, AND allows more flexibility with your choices.

Here is the 3 day liquid protein plan for those who may be interested:

Many ask, “What does LPT stand for? What is it?” LPT stands for Liquid Protein Train. It is used by people who have gotten off track (or just plain derailed!), need to de-carb themselves (to get rid of that nasty urge to snack or overeat), or to jump start weight loss again. It also helps you to get in touch with how you feel when you do eat or drink (feeling full, stopping when you have the full sensation, etc.) I searched the message board recently and came up with several questions and responses by others... My final conclusion is that there are really no solid or set in stone rules. However, here are some general consistencies when people decide to do the LPT.

Who Should do the 3 Day LPT?
1. If you have gotten off track (or just plain de-railed in your weight loss journey!), then the 3 day LPT is for you.
2. If you find that you are addicted to carbs, are eating junk food, are snacking and grazing, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
3. If you need to jump start your weight loss once again, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
4. For those who have no weight to lose and are not addicted to carbs, this is probably not necessary.

Before You Begin:
1. How many days will I do this program? Normally it’s done for 3 days. You may choose to continue for up to 5 days. Anything over this might be excessive.
2. Will I drink ONLY protein shakes or will I add a light supper? The choice is entirely up to you. If you are able to get rid of carb cravings by cutting back to eating a light supper (high protein), then you may want to stick with drinking shakes all day but a light supper at night. However, if you are overly addicted to carbs and need a more aggressive approach, the full liquid shake only approach may be the best for you.

Preparation for the Program:
1. Make sure you have plenty of protein shakes available – there’s nothing worse than to be in the middle of a program and run out of products! Stock up on high protein, low carb, low sugar and low calorie protein powders or ready to drinks. Bariatric Eating sells a wide variety of great tasting protein products.
2. Decarb your pantry – get rid of foods that you should not have (crackers, chips, cookies, high carb sugar free products) as these will be a stumbling block to you. Also, the purpose of the LPT is to get back on track and away from those items that cause you to fail. You don’t want to sabotage your own success by having these tempting products in the house. They do have a tendency to call your name at the most inopportune (usually your weakest) times!

How It's Done:
1. Drink a protein shake whenever you feel hunger (whether it be real body hunger or head hunger) – one person said they drink a shake every two hours. I figured that if a person would start at 6 am, drink a shake every two hours, this would allow them to drink up to 8 pm! (Sounds great)
2. Consume a minimum of 800 calories for the day
3. You may drink fluids after consuming protein shakes. The "30 minute wait period" before drinking after food does not apply in this case.

Keep in Mind:
1. Get off sugar products
2. Some people include a few additives in their shakes to help spice them up such as a little peanut butter, or sugar free Davinci syrups, or a little bit of fruit (although fruits do have carbs, so it depends on what your preference is). If the additive causes you to crave more, DON'T add it.
3. You may want to include thin soups with light vegetables, yogurts or custards as they are considered full liquids.
4. It has been suggested that if you are exercising, drink a protein shake right before your workout.

Transitioning Back to Normal:
1. If you are doing full liquids for 3 days, on the fourth day you will want to add a light supper. When comfortable, add a light lunch until you are back to your 3 meals a day. The LPT will help you to be more in tune with how food makes you feel. In other words, you will know when you are full on a meal. Stop there, do not overeat. Listen to your body and pouch when it says its full.
2. If you did liquid all day and a light supper at night during the 3 days, then just add your light lunch back into the routine.

Post Date: 3/21/09 11:10 am

So, I have been reading and doing a lot of research lately and making some dietary changes as I hit a wall, my dr. thinks due to my thyroid.  My thyroid meds have now been increased four times since my surgery 11 mo's ago. I am thrilled as I have lost 92 lbs. and have gone from a 26 to a 14/16 however, can't say I wouldn't like to lose another 25-35 lbs.  However, I am very happy.  I remember being so very heavy and just begging to be an 18.  REMEMBER that? 
Anywho, I have been reading The Thyroid Diet written by a woman who has devoted herself and research to women with thyroid and metabolic disorders.  Interesting rules:
1. Eat only 3 meals a day not 5 or 6.  Stomach needs to be empty to burn fat.
2. Leave 11 - 12 hours between dinner and breakfast.  Stomach needs to be empty to burn fat.
3. Never mix meat and dairy in the same meal.  Meat won't metabolize well with dairy.
4. Never eat fruit with heavy meats, Meat won't metabolize well with fruit.
5. Don't mix proteins.  (No fish with meat or poultry with beef) eggs can be eaten with any meat however.  Body metabolizes more efficiently with one type of protein.
6. Eat an oz. of nuts everyday almonds a top choice but peanut butter is fine too.
7. Breakfast should contain no less then 20. g. protein and mostly all protein and be largest meal.
8. Breath deeply consciously, exercise EVERYDAY for no less then 30 min. per day.  Include weights for strength training and aerobic exercise.
9. Drink a whole lot of water.
That is about it.  There is a lot of info but these were some major points.  I would love to have you, "weigh" in with your opinions. 
Oh and the reason I titled the post the way I did is because this morning I decided to follow these rules and I am so use to my snacks in between meals I have had to tell my head to quiet down every 20 min. or so as it wants a SB bar.  However, I AM NOT HUNGRY!  I love my RNY!  Gina  : )

Geeezzz Mike thanks now I'm in tears now too!  You and your wife were drawn together because together you make a pair that need eachother, want eachother and will conquer together.  Your future is in the mist of change.  Many amazing things happen when you open a single window just ever so slightly and a draft can flow in.  Your future will be remarkable!  I now feel compelled to also share a bit of me! 

About 20 years ago, I was a heavy teen and decided I needed to get thin for what I call my husband finding years.  I was about 18-19 years old and went on Weight Watchers.  I was a complete success by the time I was 21 I was SKINNY I mean a size 5 standing at 5"7 and get this, was hired as a spokes person for Weight Watchers International.  I traveled all over the US did many, many tv shows, magazines, and radio until the one dreadful night.  

I took a shower like usual but this time after losing a hundred and some lbs, I decided to look at myself in the mirror, naked.  Something snapped in my head.  I looked at my body, my face, myself and PURE PANIC set in.  I had no idea WHO was in the mirror, it sure wasn't me! 

The next 6 mo's of my life really is a wash.  I remember wanting to die, I remembering being afraid I would die.  I remember thinking I was crazy and needed to be locked somewhere safe so I wouldn't hurt myself.  I just felt PURE DISCONNECT FROM MY OWN BODY, my head belonged to me but my body just didn't connect to me. 

One day, I finally got myself to a therapists office at like 6:30 in the morning in Manhattan.  She handed me a book and said to me, "You are living your life fearing fear.  Everything you are experiencing that is giving you pain is in your control."  Oh how I wish I could tell you the name of the book but it doesn't really matter, the book was a lay term book giving a full understanding of panic disorder and disassociative disorder. 

I was able to take myself over to the steps of the famous 42nd street Library stairs and there I sat at 8 am with my book in hand.  I sat down and opened the book.  I said out loud, "I will not move from this place until I can leave with confidence that I can live my life without the fear of being crazy or the pain of this disorder."  I sat on those steps for almost 14 hours. 

I read all about how I was fearing something in thought and then how I allowed that fear to compound itself.  I read how not to my own fault, I had used so many defense mechanisms by protecting myself from the people who brought me such great sadness in my life that when I needed to call upon them to deal with something in my life they weren't there and that was the reason that I tripped and fell when someone else might have only stuttered.  It all made sense.  I remember the book explaining that fear without defense mechanisms was like the broccoli without the florets that the fear had no padding and penetrated by bouncing off the hard surfaces of the brain.  I now had something to grasp onto the hope that I needed the fact that I understood that I could baby myself, keep overstimulation out of my world temporarily enough to build defense mechanisms back to grow some florets and branches.

It was almost midnight and literally, triumphantly, I raised my young self from those steps with a plan to not drink any alcohol, coffee or eat any chocolate (all things that add to panic disorder, said the book) I promised myself to live quietly for a little while but to deeply breath myself through the fear, (that worked wonders) and I promised myself to LIVE a LIFE worth LIVING!

It didn't all happen overnight but it might as well have.  Really in almost no time, I got back to interviewing, got a good job and even dated.  I remember being on an interview and thinking, OMG I am going to panic." Then calming myself down and actually getting that job.  : )  I remember being on a date and going to the bathroom and throwing water on my face to calm myself.  I have never since that day on the steps had a panic attack though.  I am grateful for the strength that came into my soul and even though I almost didn't write this strory I am glad I did.   Lovingly, Gina   
*On a side note, I want to report that years later I have read that when one experiences such symptoms that when an MRI is taken there has been evidence of a hairline fracture in the little bean in the base of the skull denoting that there is physical evidence of disassociative disorder, interesting to say the least. 

Mike I send my blessings to you and your family and to all of us who will, through this journey meet many challenges.  May we bring eachother the strength and love to prevail.  I know we will. 

One year ago, I was in a battle with my insurance company, ready to have to self pay and not wanting to live another day FAT!  I feel so blessed to be me.   I feel so blessed to have you all as my friends just a key stroke or phone call away. I feel so blessed to have my RNY!  I thank god for today, for all of us.  Gina  : )

Liquid Protein Train (LPT) [Edit Post]
on January 25, 2009 10:49 pm
Published

 Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot about a “shakes” only diet to get back on track. So I  did a bit of research. The plan is called LPT or “liquid protein train”.

Here’s what I found on the Bariatric Eating website:

Another interesting idea from the Bariatric Eating website, this plan is similar to the five-day pouch test that I posted a few months back... However, this is a three to five day “liquids only” diet to get you over all the bad habits we all tend to slide back into at times. Plus, this plan can also help kick your carb and sugar cravings.

The "3 Day LPT" does not require special recipes and is only for three days. It does help you get back on track with your eating, AND allows more flexibility with your choices.

Here is the three day liquid protein plan for those who may be interested:

Many ask, “What does LPT stand for? What is it?” LPT stands for Liquid Protein Train. It is used by people who have gotten off track (or just plain derailed), need to de-carb themselves (to get rid of that nasty urge to snack or overeat), or to jump start weight loss again. It also helps you to get in touch with how you feel when you do eat or drink (feeling full, stopping when you have the full sensation, etc.) I searched the message board recently and came up with several questions and responses by others... My final conclusion is that there are really no solid or set in stone rules. However, here are some general consistencies when people decide to do the LPT.

Who Should Do The "3 Day LPT"?
1. If you have gotten off track (or just plain de-railed in your weight loss journey!), then the 3 day LPT is for you.
2. If you find that you are addicted to carbs, are eating junk food, are snacking and grazing, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
3. If you need to jump start your weight loss once again, then the 3 day LPT is for you.
4. For those who have no weight to lose and are not addicted to carbs, this is probably not necessary.

Before You Begin:
1. How many days will I do this program? Normally it’s done for three days. You may choose to continue for up to five days. Anything over this would be excessive.
2. Will I drink ONLY protein shakes or will I add a light supper? The choice is entirely up to you. If you are able to get rid of carb cravings by cutting back to eating a light supper (high protein), then you may want to stick with drinking shakes all day but a light supper at night. However, if you are overly addicted to carbs and need a more aggressive approach, the full liquid shake only approach may be the best for you.

Preparation For The Program:
1. Make sure you have plenty of protein shakes available – there’s nothing worse than to be in the middle of a program and run out of products! Stock up on high protein, low carb, low sugar and low calorie protein powders or ready to drinks. FYI: “Bariatric Eating” sells a wide variety of great tasting protein products.
2. De-carb your pantry to get rid of foods that you should not have (crackers, chips, cookies, high carb sugar free products) as these will be a stumbling block to you. Also, the purpose of the LPT is to get back on track and away from those items that cause you to fail. You don’t want to sabotage your own success by having these tempting products in the house.

How It's Done:
1. Drink a protein shake whenever you feel hunger (whether it be real body hunger or head hunger) – one person said they drink a shake every two hours. I figured that if a person would start at 6 a.m., drink a shake every two hours, this would allow them to drink up to 8 p.m.
2. Consume a minimum of 800 calories for the day.
3. You may drink fluids after consuming protein shakes. The "30 minute wait period" before drinking after food does not apply in this case.

Keep In Mind:
1. Get off sugar products
2. Some people include a few additives in their shakes to help spice them up such as a little peanut butter, or sugar free Da Vinci syrups, or a little bit of fruit . Keep in mind that fruits do have carbs. If the additive(s) cause you to crave more, DON'T add it.
3. You may want to include thin soups with light vegetables, yogurts or custards since they are considered full liquids.
4. It has been suggested that when you are exercising, you should drink a protein shake right before your workout.

Transitioning Back To Normal:
1. If you are doing full liquids for 3 days, on the fourth day you will want to add a light supper. When comfortable, add a light lunch until you are back to your 3 meals a day. The LPT will help you to be more in tune with how food makes you feel. In other words, you will know when you are full on a meal. Stop there, do not overeat. Practice and re-learn listening to your body and pouch when it says it is full.
2. If you did liquid all day and a light supper at night during the 3 days, then just add your light lunch back into the routine.

You can and will lose the weight!  Then, there is a 98% chance that you will regain the weight and gain more, you will then lose the weight again although never as much as the first time and you will gain even more.  This will happen many times until you finally go to the dr. and find out that you have comorbitities and then you will, if insurance permits have WLS.  By that time you may be in your 30's or 40's and have spent many years of your life sick and worried about your weight and many of the time in a mental torture about being stuck in a body that does not present your personality.  You may suffer from depression, and humiliation you may have pregnancies that are high risk and pay lots of medications for ailments you will have due to your weight.  HAVE THE SURGERY AND HAVE IT NOW.  My only regret is not having my RNY when I was 20.  I  had mine at 38 and thankgoodness for it.  I have had many thin years, many fat years but I suffered through them all with agitating hunger either way.  Now I am normal.  I am hungry, I eat something healthy and good for by body and boom hunger gone.  It is a dream come true.  You are young and healthy, I can't think of a better time to have the surgery.  Most people begin their path of WLS thinking this is the last case scenario if I CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN however, who has ever asked someone with cancer to try to heal themselves first and then come back and see us for chemo if that doesn't work for you.  It is utterly rediculous.  This surgery IS A LIFE SAVING PRECEEDURE your physical, spiritual and psychological self saving.   This is an incredible place for support and understanding.  Use it well.  Gina  : )

I am on a mission right now and have been for about a week.  I will not stop until I reach my goal.  The goal is to find the magic number of carbs I can eat and still lose and at what rate and also to find what number of carbs I can eat and maintain.  HERE IS WHAT I KNOW:  Carbs do not affect EVERY person.  People who watch their amounts and cals and lose, well, that is great those people more then likely do not carry the bulk of their extra weight in the belly area either.  If however, you are a person that carries a substantial amount of your weight in the belly area then you are more than likely a person who is insulin resistant.  If you are insulin resistant then regardless of low calories intake if your carbs are too high then you WILL not lose weight and may even gain, even on low caloric intakes.  Here is what I have been doing (by the way, this is after month 5.5 which started a 3 month extreme slow weight loss including two stalls):
I eat no more then 20 carbs per day (lost 7 lbs. in 5 days)
took one day off
back to under 20 carbs a day for one week.
After this, I will weight once a week only and on the same day each week.  I will continue to add 5 carbs a week until my weight maintains.  I will cycle this a few times to make sure it is the carbs and not purely accident or TOM or any other variable.  BTW, once you go low carb by the 4th day you don't even crave it anymore at all.  It is a huge energy boost and a wonderful way to live and treat your body if you are a person with insulin resistance. 
What does 20 carbs look like?
4 cups of salad
or
1 south beach bar and 1 cup of salad
or
2 oz. of south beach mixed nuts and 1/2 c. salad or greens
or
1/2 c. cottage cheese and some grapes
basically, one can eat a nice variety and live well on a lower carb diet. 
20 carbs is a little extreme but it is just a beginning to get RID of the carboholic in you.  I love this lifestyle and with the WLS tool we have it is painless to live by in fact, feels great.  It is amazing how full you get from the proteins when you work your tool to its best. 

Gina  : )

Sunday 1/18/09 212 
I have an altime high of 297 lbs.  and also tend to carry the most significant amount of my weight between my pelvis and belly button.  When you carry an enormous amount of your weight in that region it is a clear indicator that you are someone who is insulin resistant.  If you are insulin resistant then your body takes in carbs and fails to use them as energy instead it turns right into fat and does not leave your body.  I lose excellent weight on under 20 carbs a day and lose less weight with each carb I add.  It sucks but that is what it is.  I can eat calories galore (well not since surgery) but even a few carbs over and my weight just sticks.  If this sounds like your body type and issue then start with a number of carbs you think is realistic and then stay on it for a week if you lose great you can try to increase until you don't lose.  That will be your staying tolerance.  Good luck.  SIDE NOTE: The more you control these carbs the more your hunger and desire will be controlled too this coupled with our WLS is a managable and wonderful eating regimen.

OMGoodness WLS peeps, this is a keeper for sure.  Finally a REALLY healthy, convenient breakfast!  A dream come true.

The only place I know you can find this right now is in the stand up freezer sections of Super Walmarts.  YUM! 
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 omelett

Amount per Serving
Calories 150 Calories from Fat 100
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g	17%
Saturated Fat  4.5g	22%
Trans Fat  0g
Cholesterol 225mg	75%
Sodium 480mg	20%
Total Carbohydrate 3g	1%
Dietary Fiber  0g	0%
Sugars  1g
Protein 10g	20%

Vitamin A	10%
Vitamin C	6%
Calcium	10%
Iron	4%

---

Est. Percent of Calories from:

Fat 66.0%     Carbs 8.0%

Protein 26.7%