QwnBee2007

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Okay, I just opened up another one of those statement of benefits from Kaiser that shows charges for surgery related expenses and this one is for $6,010.00 The first one was for $58,854.70. So in total Kaiser paid $64,864.70 for my procedure. *No wonder they try to screen folks out with that 6 months Options Program.  LOL

~When I realized that my stomach is no longer grazing the steering wheel when I drive my car.

~When I discovered that I am able to sit “Indian Style” comfortably to clip my toenails.

~When I was able to zip my new mid-calf length boots all the way up.

~When I realized that I was no longer going to go pee every hour (no more Diabetes- heeeey!)

~When I went to Bj’s and my titties weren’t sitting on the table when we sat in a booth.

Quick Update:
Well today I am 8 weeks out (For real this time… LOL) and this past Saturday 01/26/08 was my 2 month Surgiversary. As of this morning, I weigh 309 (on the dot). So, to summarize: I started at 388, so I have lost a total of 79 lbs (40 pre-surgery and 39 since surgery 2 months ago on 11/26/07). When I started my BMI was almost 65, but now it is 51.4. It’s almost under 50 yall!  I now have a mini goal to get down to 298 lbs by my 3 month surgiversary on 02/26/08. Wish me luck on staying motivated and continuing to hit the gym AT LEAST 3 x’s/week(right now I go faithfully on Thursday, Saturday, and Sundays- so I can afford to throw another day in there).

I decided to do this post because I have been approached by a few pre-op OH Family members inquiring about what I did for my pre-surgery weight loss. So, I tried to summarize as best I can what I did. Here goes:

I Swam at least 10 laps in the pool at least 3x’s a week. I love love love this form of exercise because it is real easy on your joints because it is no impact, but you get the ultimate cardio workout. I can’t wait until the summer months return!

I made sure that I drank between 64 to 80 ounces of water per day.

Joined Bally’s and started working out on Saturdays and Sundays- started out doing 20 minutes on the treadmill for cardio and 45 minutes to 1 hour on the resistance machines. You have to START somewhere. So don't worry if you can only do 5 or 10 or 15 minutes in the beginning. Do what you can and it will get better as you build up your stamina. I promise.

I began taking walks during my 15 min breaks at work.= 30 min/day

I invested in a good pair of athletic shoes (nikes); and wow that made a difference when it came to working out and going for walks. When I was wearing my $9.97 Wal-Mart Specials I would get and stay fatigued for long periods of time after walking/working out. BUY SOME QUALITY SNEAKERS! You won’t be sorry. Take it from a woman that NEVER wore athletic shoes before because I thought I was too cute and girlie and felt like sneakers were for TomBoys (which I never wanted to be). I was strictly a heels, sandals, and mules type of girl. LOL. However, I have found that wearing a good pair of athletic shoes even when doing things like running errands makes a world of difference with how you feel at the end of the day; no achy lower back, no achy throbbing feet and ankles- I could go on and on… Bottomline is having the proper foot/ankle support takes away so much of the pain and fatigue that you eventually stop DREADING getting out there and using your body like it was meant to be used. Get out there and get/keep moving! J

I replaced breakfast M-F with a protein shake (46grams of protein, 220 calories when mixed with water or 310 calories if mixed with 8oz of NONFAT/Skim milk). I pretty much ate what I wanted for lunch and dinner without going over 1200 cal total for the day (within reason- I cooked/had dinner at home  waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more). I tried to limit my going out to eat to once/week for lunch; before that I was going out for lunch at least 4x’s/week. When I did go out I made better choices, because for me it was not about depriving myself, but more about lifestyle changes. Don’t get me wrong, I did slip up occasionally; like when I went to the Orange County Fair. I acted a damn fool that day! LOL. I sampled everything that my little heart desired, fried Twinkie, fried Snicker, fried avocado and tomato, a giant Turkey Leg, Funnel cake, and French fries. Okay! I did say a damn fool right? LOL. If you had not figured it out it was my first time going to the Fair. In my defense though I have to say that of all the naughty foods that I had that day, I only literally had one to a couple of bites of each because we would buy 1 item and then all have a taste of it (there was 3 adults, 1 teenager, 1 little kid, and 2 toddlers). So we all went home bloated and crashing from the sugar rush. LOL. Anyhoo, DON’T get discouraged if you slip and have a “free” day. Just turn it around and get back on track the next day. No time to wallow in regrets.

I began (as a requirement of the OPTIONS Program) using Food Diaries/Log. These really helped me because it keeps you accountable. Plus, sometimes we are truly unaware of how much we are really eating during the day. Not only are we not aware  how much we eat but also how high in FAT, SUGAR, and CALORIES a lot of the foods we eat daily contain. So, I started READING FOOD LABELS. Also, we think “oh I’ll skip lunch today” then by 3:00 pm when you are STARVING you are likely to make the wrong choice for a snack. My downfall would be those Hostess Chocolate Zingers (that the darn Social Committee at my job so conveniently sells on the floor I work on). The day I went to write the Zinger info down on my Food Log was a big reality check. My little (almost daily) afternoon treat was 440 calories. WOW! Needless to say I had to choose a different snack to curb afternoon hunger. But also, I made an effort to NOT SKIP MEALS (especially breakfast) because that can wreak havoc on your metabolism.

I also learned what true/correct portion sizes are and started to eat accordingly. 

I started using Splenda instead of sugar in everything, in tea, on cereal, in my grits etc

I began to faithfully take my vitamins and Diabetes medication. Believe it or not the Diabetes Meds can help with weight loss because it lowers/stabilizes your blood sugar, and when your blood sugar is too high you hold on to fat. No joke! When I got on my Diabetes Meds (Glyburide) I lost 9 pounds in 1 week. When I would test my sugar before meds it would average between  300- 400 (which meant I was real close to a damn Stroke and/or Diabetic Coma). Once I got on Meds it was averaging between 115- 210ish. So, if you have “Diet Controlled” Diabetes keep testing daily and stay on top of it. Don’t procrastinate and stay in denial if your numbers are off the charts like mine were. Take your behind to the doctor! 

Another thing I began in regards to diet is I stopped drinking anything that has sugar. I was never really a soda drinker, but I was a Hawaiian Punch and Kool-Aid fanatic. So I now stay away from those two and I avoid fruit juices and sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade also. I have replaced those drinks with the following choices:

-Crystal Light

I just opened some mail from Kaiser and it's a Statement of Benefits. It basically shows the cost of surgery and how much of it that I am responsible to pay. The total cost of the surgery and hospital stay was $58,854.70, and of that amount I was only responsible for my co-pay of $100. I just feel so truly blessed that I had to share that with someone. Thank GOD for health insurance. For Real!

I received this in an email today and thought I’d share it with my OH family. Hopefully it will inspire someone else as it did me…

Tips for an Exceptional NEW YEAR!!!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the
ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you must.

3. Buy a DVR, tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,

'My purpose is to___________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are
 manufactured in plants.

11. Drink plenty of water.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and
flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply
part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.    

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid
with a maxed out charge card.

17 .Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is
all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy underwear because today IS special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this
matter?'

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay
in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36. Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

'I am thankful for __________.'

Today I accomplished _________.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly
don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.