Desperately Seeking Skinny

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First, to all my friends ... I am SO sorry I've been so scare on here.  I have been traveling like a mad person, both for work and then, on weekends, for my daughter's cheer. I feel like I've been living out of a suitcase for months!

On the positive side, that's something I couldn't have done just one year ago, before I had my RNY!!!!  I mean literally ... couldn't have done it.  Wouldn't have fit in the airline seats!  So chalk one up for my RNY!

Some other HUGE wins:
- I am down 134 pounds, from 315 to 181 pounds
- I am down 16 pants sizes, from a 26 to a 10 (sometimes 12), a size I can't remember ever seeing since elementary school, my friends!
- I am down from a 22/24 top to a women's MEDIUM!
- I fit in airline seats easily now, with plenty of seatbelt to spare.
- When I recently visited Disney, it never once even crossed my mind that I might not fit on a ride
- People I worked with a year ago don't even recognize me.  I have to introduce myself. Awkward!
- When I catch my reflection in a passing mirror or a window, I am continually surprised by how normal I look
- I have the energy to keep up with my 2-year-old son (otherwise known as The Human Tornado) and my 9-year-old all-star cheerleader daughter

One negative:
- Now that I am thinner, I really realize how much prejudice I was enduring (overt and subtle) before I had weight loss surgery.  It's left me with a strong distaste for exactly how shallow some people are.  On the positive side, it's left me with a greater appreciation for the people (like my DH) who loved me as I was.

For those of you who are contemplating Roux-En-Y, I've said it once and will say it again:  The only thing I regret about my RNY is that I didn't do it sooner!  I was scared of the risks, but when I look back on it now, they were minimal compared to the way I was killing myself slowly before.

To all of you here on OH, I can't begin to thank you enough for your support, humor, butt-kicking and love during the first year of my journey. I love you all tremendously and count many of you among my very best friends.  Nothing in the world like making more true friends, given that they are so hard to come by.  Who would've guessed that RNY would give me that, too?  ((HUGS))

BEFORE - 315                                                                          


AFTER (1 YEAR) - 181

Wow ... it's really mind-blowing how much has changed in a little less than a  year!

My one-year update is coming soon.  For now, check out my ticker.  But that is SOOOO only part of the story!

I STILL love my Roux-En-Y!!!!!

10-month Update

OK, so I find myself now out to my 10-month weight loss surgiversary.  Wow, it's hard to believe how much has changed in that short span of time!

- I've lost 125 pounds to date

- I've lost 12 pant sizes and top sizes

- Even my feet have shrunk

- I can make it through an hour of my crazy Zumba teacher's class without turning purple

- Flying is fun again

- Shopping is fun again

- I haven't really once felt deprived

- I have successfully retooled all my thinking on food

Here are a couple of visuals for anyone who's been pondering the same decision:

                          

Pre-surgery - Feb 2008        10-months post - Dec 2008                     

It goes without saying that I never, EVER regret my decision to have Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery!

Someone posted on the boards looking for a way to make a lower fat tamale soup of some sort.

Played around with it and came up with this based on what my Mexican friends' mamas taught me about traditional tamale makin':

Tracy's Lower Fat Tamale Soup
1/2 lb pork loin roast
1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 c. water
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1/2 Tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 Tablespoon ground cumin (comino) 
1/2 tsp Tablespoon (or less) black pepper
1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 small can green chilis or anaheim chilis (depending on the heat you like)
1 can creamed corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
2 cans pinto or kidney beans (I use ranch style w/jalapenos)
1/4 c. Masa flour
2 tbsp. warm water
Reduced fat sour cream or plain greek-style yogurt
Reduced fat/2% mexican cheese

Cook and Shred The Meat:

Cut the pork roast and chicken breast into fist size chunks. Put the chunks into crockpot along with water and cook on low setting according to your crock pot's instructions for a 1 lb. roast (probably a couple of hours).  Remove meat from crockpot and allow to cool, but SAVE the juices ... you will use them later in the soup.  After the neat chunks are cool enough to handle easily, shred them well with your fingers or a fork.  Try to remove and discard the fat as you go.  If you have cooked the meat chunks thoroughly, it will be easy to shred into small pieces with your fingers.

Combine Pork and Chicken:

Saute onions and garlic in the bottom of a very large stock pot in 2 tsp of olive oil over medium heat until onions are clear.  Turn off heat.  Add the chilis and both meats and mix together. Make sure that the meats are thoroughly combined and mixed well. You are now ready to add the seasoning.

Add the Spices and Seasonings:

Mix together chili powder, garlic salt, cumin and black pepper in a container, pour over the meat mixture and mix with your hands until it is completely distributed through the meat. It takes a good 3-5 minutes to get the mixture completely uniform.

Add the remaining soup contents:

Add corn, tomatoes, chicken broth, reserved chicken/pork juices and beans and stir together.  Bring to a boil for 2 minutes then reduce to low heat and allow to simmer for for about 50 minutes. (Or, alternately, dump the meat mixure and all these things back into the crockpot and cook it for a few hours).  In a separate bowl, mix together masa flour and warm water to make a paste.  Add to soup and allow to simmer for another 10 minutes.  (In crockpot, another 20-30 minutes)


Serve:

Serve with a dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt and sprinkle of cheese.


Obviously, I haven't tried it yet, but it's soundin' good, so I probably will very soon and will ad pics and a report then!
 

Well, I'm comin' up on my 6 month surgiversary.  Time sure flies when you're havin' fun!

Among just a few of the RNY blessings I've been counting lately:

- Down nearly 90 pounds!
- I finally fit into a pair of SEVEN brand jeans!
- I'm down from a size 26/28 pants to a size 16 or 18 pant
- Down from a 3X top to XLs, 12s & 14s
- Down 2 ring sizes
- Down 5 underwear sizes!
- Down 6 inches on my bra band size, but haven't lost any cup size yet
- Down 1 shoe size
- Able to wear heels ALLLLLLLL day
- Loving traveling again and fitting comfortably in chairs
- Addicted to my oh-so-fun Zumba classes
- Able to cross my legs like a real lady when I sit
- I'm no longer a slave to food or the physical limitations that came with my previously morbidly obese body
- I'm SOOOO close to divorcing Lane Bryant.  As in, the court date is scheduled!  lol
- DH and I are going to Longboat Key for vacation and I'm not hyperventilating thinking about wearing a swimsuit

Some "befores":


Some "nows":


HALLELUJAH FOR RNY!!!!!

Thanks to all of my OH buddies for your day-to-day support and all the laughs!

AND ....

YIPPEE!!! I got to have dinner tonight with Jess L. and Terri R. (from California) in Cincinnati tonight.  We hit an awesome new tapas joint there and had a mahvelous time!

Look at us just burnin' that joint up!

Greek-Style Berry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt

Makes 1 Qt. - 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 container Trader Joe's Greek Style Yogurt

1 contain Fage 2% Yogurt

1 c. Skim Milk

1 scoop 100% whey GNC protein powder

2 tbsp. Sugar-Free Vanilla Davinci Syrup

1/2 block Fat Free Cream Cheese

1/2 c. splenda (divided)

1/3 c. strawberries, sliced

1/3 c. blueberries (fresh or thawed frozen)

1 tbsp. lemon juice

 

DIRECTIONS

Combine 1st 6 ingredients and 1/2 the Splenda using a blender or immersion blender.  Remove Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Freezer Bowl from freezer and set up ice cream machine.  Turn on machine and slowly add mix through the ingredient access at the top.  While machine is working, slice strawberries and stir together with blueberries, lemon juice and remaining Splenda.  After about 20 minutes, slowly add the berry mixture and allow ice cream maker to process for another 5-10 minutes (depending on desired consistency).   Turn off machine and transfer ice cream to airtight freezer container.  Allow to chill further in freezer about 1-2 hours, then scoop and enjoy!

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Greek Style Berry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt	1/6th of batch	114	1g	18mg	205mg	12g	9g	0g	13g

I made a TASTY bean salad today ...

CONFETTI BEAN SALAD
Serves a party!



Ingredients:

• 1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can canellini beans, rinsed & drained
• 1 (10 oz.) package frozen corn, thawed (I like TJ's roasted corn)
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped yellow pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped orange pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion onion
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients.
2. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinegar, oil, chili powder and sugar;. shake well.
3. Pour over bean mixture; toss to coat.
4. Cover and refrigerate for several hours overnight.
5. Serve with a slotted spoon

I served it with some grilled Trader Joe's Pollo Asado and some brown spanish rice.

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Confetti Bean Salad	1.00	195	6g	0mg	242mg	31g	1g	8g	8g

Even my 19-month-old Big Mack Attack (a.k.a Bat Mack) liked it!

I just love making up goofy songs!  Can you tell potty humor was a staple in my house growing up?  lol

My Weight Loss Farts
Sung to the tune of Your Cheatin' Heart (Hank Williams or Patsy Cline)
Dedicated to RickPete/Rick-on-a-Stick                                                                          
Lyrics by Desperately Seeking Skinny

My weight loss farts will make you weep,
You'll cry and cry, and try to sleep.
But sleep won't come, the whole night through.
Because my farts drift over you

Your eyes will tear like falling rain,
You'll toss around, and call my name.
You'll hold your nose, spout cuss words, too
When my farts come over you.

You'll Have to Pardon My Farts

Sung to the tune of I'm Gonna Harden My Heart by Quarterflash                                         

Lyrics by Desperately Seeking Skinny                                                                       

Inspired by RickPete 

Lyin' under covers, listenin' to the rain
I swear I'll never, ever toot again
I gave you my word..but these words for me are lies

Darlin' in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd go
But it's time to let you know....oh...

Chorus:
You'll have to pardon my farts
You'll have to hold back your tears
Cuz the smell ... ain't ... gonna leave here.....

All of my life I've been waitin' for my time                                               

I've been waiting for a smell ... one I could call mine                                 
I felt so close, but it always disappeared....

Darlin', in your wildest dreams, you never had a clue...
That I'd get one up on you ......oooo....

You'll have to pardon my farts
You'll have to hold back your tears
Cuz the smell ... ain't ... gonna leave here.....

You'll have to pardon my farts
You'll have to hold back your tears

You'll have to pardon my farts
You'll have to hold back your tears

Pardon my farts...pardon my farts... swallow your tears
You'll have to pardon my farts .... 

Playin' with the Queen of Farts
Sung to the tune of Juice Newton's Playin' with the Queen of Hearts
Lyrics by Desperately Seeking Skinny

Midnight ...
And I'm a-waitin'
On fart number five
Hopin' it'll empty me
And help me feel a little more alive

Moonpies ...
Were just odorific farts in disguise
Wish I could keep my wind from breakin'
If it's only for a very short time

Playing with the queen of farts
My toots'll make your nose hairs smart
My family are the only fools
Who'll put up with the smell of you
Blastin' out another bomb
Thinkin' it won't smell as strong
'Cuz that's what I have to do
To live with my own self, too

Honey, you know it makes me mad
Why is everybody tellin' everybody
What it is that I have done
Baby, I know it makes you sad
But if I could control it, love
You know I'd have done it, son

Playing with the queen of farts
My toots'll make your nose hairs smart
My family are the only fools
Who'll put up with the smell of you
Blastin' out another bomb
Thinkin' it won't smell as strong
'Cuz that's what I have to do
To live with my own self, too

[Instrumental Interlude]

Lover, I know you've had a few
But I hide my head beneath the covers
And preten I don't a-smella single one
And others, they know just
What I'm going through
And it's a-hard to be a lover
When your stink is spoilin' all the fun

Playing with the queen of farts
My toots'll make your nose hairs smart
My family are the only fools
Who'll put up with the smell of you

Playing with the queen of farts
My toots'll make your nose hairs smart
My family are the only fools
Who'll put up with the smell of you

ANd blastin' out another bomb
Thinkin' it won't smell as strong
'Cuz that's what I have to do
To live with my own self, too


Oh, Mr. Poop
Sung to the tune of "Oh Mister Sun" from the Barney & Friends show
Lyrics by Desperately Seeking Skinny
Dedicated to my Big Mack Attack

Oh Mr. Poop ... Poop ... Mr. Brown Poop
Please come out of me
Oh Mr. Poop ... Poop ... Mr. Brown Poop
Makin' my tummy crampy

My little belly is telling me
It's time for you to come out and be free

Oh Mr. Poop ... Poop ... Mr. Brown Poop
Please come out of ...
Please come out of ...
Please come out of ... me!

No, not THAT kinda pie, you dirty-minded scoundrels!!!! 

Seriously, though, tonight DH mentioned that he'd like to have some key lime pie.  He's been a real trooper about cooking himself stuff when he wants something special that I can't eat, and I could tell from the puppy-dog look in his eyes that he REALLY wanted me to cook for him.  Oh well ... late Father's Day gift, I guess?  

The only problem is that key lime pie is like my BIGGEST dessert weakness, so I thought maybe I'd try to find a recipe that would offer a compromise ... you know .. something we could BOTH eat.  

After scanning the internet for low carb, lower fat (low fat is IMPOSSIBLE) key lime pie recipes, I found them all lacking in some way or another, so I just decided to "frankenstein" my own:

TRACY'S LOW-CARB KEY LIME PIE
Serves 8



Ingredients
3/4 c. Almond Meal
1 1/2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder
1/4 c. granulated Splenda
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 Tbsp. Torani SF Almond Roca syrup
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/2 c. boiling water
1 small (.3 oz) pkg of SF Lime Jello (or 2 packets Knox unflavored gelatin)
1/4 c. Rose's Key Lime Juice
2 8-oz pkgs of 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese, softened to room temp
1 c. Granulated Splenda
Zest from one small lime
1 lime, thinly sliced
Light Whipped Topping (a few dollops)

Directions

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-Mix together first 5 incredients to make a modified version of Eggface's Almond Pie Crust

-Press in bottom and up sides of ovenproof 9-inch pie plate

- Bake for 12 minutes at 350, then allow to cool before filling

- In a small bowl, whip cream until peaks form & set aside

- Boil 1/2 c. water in microwave, then transfer to large mixing bowl

- Add gelatin and mix on low until thoroughly dissolved

- Add lime juice and stir

- Add softened cream cheese 1/4 block at time until stirred well

- Add 1 c. Splenda and mix on high for several minutes until very smooth

- Stir in lime zest

- Gently fold in reserved whipped cream

- Spread into cooled crust

- Chill at least 2 hours until set

- Garnish with a dollop of whipped topping and lime slice

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Tracy's Key Lime Cheesecake	0.13	180	13g	28mg	31mg	3g	1g	1g	5g

It's not set yet, but judging from the pie filling, it's gonna be GOOOOOD!!!!  Enjoy!