Calorie, Protein, Carb Chart......

I ran accross this chart, and it has some useful information, if we ever really want to look at it.

Protein Content, Carbs and Fat Content of Chicken, Steak, Seafood.

Meat Calories Protein Carbs Fat 8 ounce beef brisket 352 48 0 17 8 ounces corned beef 448 32 0 34 8 ounce flank steak 352 48 0 16 4 ounces ground beef  95% lean 152 24 0 6 4 ounces ground beef  90% lean 196 24 0 11 4 ounces ground beef  85% lean 240 20 0 17 4 ounces ground beef  80% lean 284 20 0 22 4 ounces ground beef  75% lean 328 16 0 28 4 ounces ground beef  70% lean 372 16 0 34 1 ounce beef jerky 116 9 3 7 8 ounce beef liver 312 48 0 8 8 ounce porterhouse steak 560 43 0 42 3 large beef ribs 474 34 0 37 4 ounce roast beef 106 14 1 5 8 ounce top sirloin 456 48 0 29 8 ounce T-bone steak   496 44 0 35 8 ounce tenderloin 560 48 0 25

Lamb Calories Protein Carbs Fat 4 ounces ground lamb 320 20 0 27 8 ounces lamb chops 472 40 0 32 8 ounce leg of lamb 472 40 0 32

Pork Calories Protein Carbs Fat 3 slices bacon 311 8 0 31 1 large pork chop 205 20 0 13 4 ounces ground pork 300 20 0 24 8 ounces cured ham 464 48 0 30 4 ounces smoked deli ham 186 21 1 11 1 rack baby back ribs (roasted) 810 53 0 65 1 Italian sausage 391 16 1 35 1 link smoked sausage 265 15 1 22 8 ounce pork tenderloin 312 48 0 12

Chicken Calories Protein Carbs Fat 6 ounce chicken breast 185 39 0 2 4 ounce chicken breast deli meat 95 21 0 1 1 chicken thigh 82 14 6 3 6 chicken wings 366 34 0 22 1 Cornish game hen (roasted) 295 51 0 9 6 oz duck, domesticated        (Meat only) 226 31 0 10 4 ounces ground ostrich meat 188 23 0 10 6 ounce turkey breast 189 42 0 1 4 ounces turkey deli meat 104 22 2 0 4 ounces ground turkey 170 20 0 9 1 ounce turkey jerky 101 19 1 1

Egg Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 whole large egg 74 6 0 5 1 whole extra-large egg 85 7 0 6 1 whole jumbo egg 96 8 0 6 1 large egg white 17 4 0 0

Seafood Calories Protein Carbs Fat 6 ounce bass 194 32 0 6 6 ounce catfish 230 26 0 13 6 medium clams 66 11 2 1 6 ounce cod 140 30 0 1 1 crabcake 160 11 5 10 1 Alaskan king crab leg 144 31 0 1 6 ounce flounder 154 32 2 3 6 ounce haddock 148 32 0 1 6 ounce halibut 188 36 0 4 1 medium lobster 135 28 1 1 6 ounce mackerel 268 34 0 13 6 medium mussels 84 11 4 2 6 medium oysters 57 6 3 2 6 ounces salmon (Atlantic) 312 34 0 18 1 can sardines (in oil, drained) 191 23 0 11 6 ounces scallops 150 28 0 2 6 ounces sea bass 164 32 0 3 6 ounce sole 154 32 0 2 4 ounces shrimp 120 23 1 2 6 ounce swordfish 206 34 0 7 6 ounce trout 252 36 0 11 1 can white tuna (in water) 220 41 0 5 1 can light tuna (in water) 191 42 0 1 6 ounce whitefish 228 32 0 10

Cheese Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 slice low-fat American cheese 38 5 1 1 1 slice cheddar cheese 113 7 0 9 8 ounces low-fat cottage cheese  (1%) 163 28 6 2 8 ounces cottage cheese (small curd) 232 28 6 10 1 slice low-fat Monterey Jack 88 8 0 6 1 ounces mozzarella, part skim 72 7 1 5 1 slice provolone cheese 98 7 1 7 1 slice low-fat Swiss cheese 50 8 1 1

Milk Product Calories Protein Carbs Fat 8 ounces nonfat milk 83 8 12 0 8 ounces low-fat milk (1%) 102 8 12 2 8 ounces reduced fat milk (2%) 122 8 11 5 8 ounces whole milk (3.25%) 146 8 11 8 1 tbsp.nonfat sour cream 11 0 2 0 1 tbsp.reduced fat sour cream 20 0 1 2

Vegetables Calories Protein Carbs Fat 20 asparagus spears 60 6 12 0 1 can green beans 52 3 12 0 1 cup chopped broccoli 31 3 6 0 1 cup Brussels sprouts 38 3 8 0 1 medium carrot 25 1 6 0 1 cup chopped cauliflower 28 1 3 0 1 medium celery stalk 6 0 1 0 1 cup canned corn 133 4 30 2 1 cup eggplant 20 1 5 0 1 medium onion 46 1 11 0 1 cup peas 118 8 21 1 1 baked potato, medium 161 4 37 0 2 cups salad (greens) 44 3 8 0 1 medium sweet potato 103 2 24 0 1 medium tomato 22 1 5 0 1/2 cup tomato sauce (marinara) 92 2 14 0 1 cup sliced boiled zucchini 29 1 7 0

Breads Crackers Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 medium plain bagel 289 11 56 2 1 medium bran muffin 305 8 55 8 1 plain dinner roll 84 2 14 2 1 English muffin, plain 134 4 26 1 1 English muffin, whole wheat 134 6 27 1 1 plain hamburger roll 120 4 21 2 1 slice multigrain bread 65 3 12 1 1 large pita bread (white 6.5 in) 165 5 33 1 1 large pita bread (wheat 6.5 in) 170 6 35 2 1 slice pumpernickel bread 65 2 12 1 1 slice rye bread 83 3 15 1 6 Saltine crackers 154 3 26 4 1 slice white bread 66 2 13 1 1 slice whole wheat bread 70 3 13 1 6 whole wheat crackers 108 2 18 4

Cereal Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 cup Cheerios 111 4 22 2 1 cup corn flakes 101 2 24 0 1 cup grits, cooked 143 3 31 0 1 packet cream of wheat, instant 102 3 22 0 1/2 cup Grape Nuts 208 6 47 1 1 cup cooked oatmeal 147 6 25 2 1 cup Raisin Bran 178 5 43 1 1 cup Rice Krispies 108 2 24 0 1 cup Special K 117 7 22 0 1 cup Wheaties 106 3 24 1

Pasta (cooked) Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 cup egg noodles 221 7 40 3 1 cup macaroni and cheese 370 16 68 4 1 cup rice noodles 192 2 44 0 1 cup soba 113 6 24 0 1 cup spaghetti 221 8 43 1 1 cup whole wheat pasta 174 7 37 1

Rice (cooked) Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 cup brown rice (medium grain) 218 5 46 2 1 rice cake 35 1 7 0 1 cup white rice (medium grain) 242 4 53 0 1 cup white rice (Long grain) 205 4 45 0 1 cup wild rice 166 7 35 1

Legumes (cooked) Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 cup baked beans 239 12 54 1 1 cup black beans 227 15 41 1 1 cup chickpeas 286 12 54 3 1 cup soybeans 254 22 20 12 1/2 cup hummus 207 10 18 12 1 cup kidney beans 225 15 40 1 1 cup lima beans 216 15 39 1 1 cup navy beans 255 15 47 1 1 tbsp peanut butter 94 4 3 8 1 ounce peanuts 166 7 6 14 1 cup Pinto beans 245 15 45 1 1 cup refried beans 237 14 39 3

Nuts Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 ounce almonds 169 6 5 15 1 ounce cashews 163 4 9 13 1 ounce hazelnuts 183 4 5 18 1 ounce macadamia nuts 203 2 4 22 1 ounce mixed nuts 168 5 7 15 1 ounce pecans 201 3 4 21 1 ounce walnuts (English) 185 4 4 18

Condiments Calories Protein Carbs Fat 1 cup couscous (cooked)   176 6 36 0 1 tbsp jams and preserves 56 0 14 0 1 tbsp ketchup 15 0 4 0 1 tbsp fat-free mayonnaise 11 0 2 0 1 tbsp light mayonnaise 50 0 1 5 1 tbsp regular mayonnaise 57 0 4 5 1 tsp or packet mustard 3 0 0 0 1 tbsp salad dressing     fat-free Italian 10 0 2 0 1 tbsp salad dressing oil/vinegar 72 0 0 8 1 tsp sugar 16 0 4 0

FitNutz - Product Review - Powdered Peanut Butter....Seriously!

Ok, I rarely do this, but OMG I just tried one of the sample packages I ordered from FitNutz and it was delish....

I put about 1 teaspoon in my chocolate shake this morning and it added peanut flavor without adding more sweetness.

I tried it with my finger first and it tasted like peanut butter....oh man! I am seriously thinking about everything I can make with it.....marinade, dipping sauce, and of course just plain.....

The product comes in powdered form, you can add a little water to make a paste and use as peanut butter.  It has 75% less calories, and way less fat......check them out at http://fitnutzbutter.com/  you can order a sample pack they send you 1 of each in picture below, and you can try them out.  I tried the regular this morning and I am sold.....will go back and buy some more!

Lord....please save me from becoming a "Scale Ho!"

My weigh in day is Friday....why do I want to get on the scale every time I pass the closet (where my scale lives)......and then Friday comes around and I have scale anxiety......

I am really wanting to step on it today...but am totally holding back.......

I can do it....I can hang out 'till Friday......I know I can!

HELP

Don't you guys feel like that sometimes counting out protein and carb grams?

My tiny antennae!!

So the last few days I've been noticing little points of what looks like fishing line poking out of 2 of my incisions, right on the corners.  So I was scared and wondering and wanted to know what they were.

I researched online, it it apparently is just a reaction from our bodies expelling the sutures.  They are supposed to dissolve so when they take a little longer the body sort of spits them out.

Today I called the Dr. in Mexico.  Dr. Carmen.  She is so nice....but I hate calling with retarded questions.

She is so used to them, that she doesn't blink.  But she told me that it was exactly that.  That they should take care of themselves, but if they got a little too long to where they may cling on to clothes or they bother me, to take a nail clippers and clip them down to skin level.

She's like in a few days you won't even see them......so there you go....my antennae will go away!  YAY!!!!

TOM......why didn't I ask them to remove these parts too!!!

OMG!!!!!  I am having one of the worst periods in my life.  I have no idea if it has anything to do with the surgery.....

WARNING: TMI coming up!

So here I am having my cycle.....but HELLO!  can it be any more painful....I am having a super duper flooding period!  I am soaking through my tampons and pads, and am having the most horrible cramps!!!!

Thank goodness for leftover surgery pain meds and my heating pad!~

Not much more news to report....Oh yeah! wait!

I got my spin cycle shoes on yesterday and went for a SPIN!  I didn't go to class, but did an interactive class from my ipod on the gym SPIN bike.  I felt great, no surgical pain whatsoever....but boy did my butt and vijayjay feel like they had been taken and abused.....why do these parts lose their "bike seat training" so quickly???

I ventured out.....had lasagna tonight!

So my husband made lasagna tonight....I figured if it was soupy enough or watery enough I could consider it mushy......so I tried....

He cut me a piece (about a 3 inch square) and it was soupy....and yummy.....

I cut it up into little pieces and ate....

I chewed the dog out of it, and it went down without a hitch.....what was amazing is that I got about 5 bites in and I was full....not sick full, just satisfied!

It is so great to not feel deprived, eat the food I love, and enjoy it without feeling like I have to eat half of the lasagna pan....today I ate about 1/3 of my portion and I was done!

Yay!

A-Chooooooooooooooooooooo I'm full?

So here's a weird nuance, just when I am getting full or think I'm getting full, I sneeze...like full on sneeze.....AAAAAA-CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 I read around and asked people about it, and they say it's a way of our body starting to "train" our minds to when we are full, some people get hiccups and some get runny noses.....I sneeze....

I hope this alarm thing keeps working until my brain realizes that 2-4 oz and I am full!!!  LIKE OMG, one more bite and I'll puke full......

So here's to sneezing......

Week 2 - Weigh In - I think I finally felt "restriction"

I woke up this morning and could hardly stand it.....I hate, hate, HATE! scale anxiety......but good or bad, I had to do it....so there I was....hoping to have to pee, or maybe even poo before getting on the scale....want to get rid of all excesses.......

But I did it!  I really did!  and.....

8 lbs!  Yahoooooooooooy!

Also, last night I had mushy beans (lentil and barely soup that I made, put in the blender and ended up with a consistency of refried beans)....boy was it great to have something thicker than soup!!!!  I had maybe 5-6 teaspoons (YES! you heard right, teaspoons - the little ones for dessert or coffee) and I was full....I had one more teaspoon and I was stuffed, probably around 1/2-2/3 cup.....wow it felt good to feel "full"....I don't think I have felt full in years.....or I didn't know what full felt like....I am so glad I had this surgery!!!!!!!!!!

I think I am headed back to my normal cardio next week  - Spin and C25K start-up.....I'll let you know how that goes.  Today I'll get another 30-40 minutes on elliptical, and then a facial and waxing.....my mustache is starting to look more like "Pancho" than "peach fuzz"  ha!

Incisions....the good and the bad....

So, I have had zero, nothing, nada.....no pain from my incisions.

Most of the steri-strips are on their way to come off or have fallen off. (steri strips is what the surgeon used to close me up, little tape pieces).

ok, this one is upside down, check out my belly button, but this one is on my left side....also, look at the gross tape residue.....one of these days I'll scrub it off......

this one is the one between my boobs, right above my bra line (check out the random hair in the picture)

But one incision, has lost it's steri strips, they just came off, but my sore looks like a crater....like a tiny puncture wound.  It is the smallest of my incisions, but still a pain in the butt!

This one is on my right side, it looks gross, but it doesn't hurt....awsome stretch marks!

I discovered, after a few days of a bandaid a day, and dealing with changing them and getting sick of them not sticking to my gut, a "new" type of bandaid....they stick to the sore, they are waterproof and have some special ointment or something in them for help with rapid healing and with keeping moisture to the "right" moisture.

Here's a picture of my crater with the Extra Special Bandaid.....

It's hard to see, but you may be able to tell, in the middle it has a darker shade of white, that is the "special" healing solution.....we'll see....but in the meantime, at least it'll stay on for a few days.

Soups, Soups, Soups!!!! Which one should I choose?

Still on liquids so I've discovered the magic of blended soups....

I am in love with my blender and have created a soup buffet in my refrigerator.....

Here are some of the best options so far:

Progresso (ready in can soups) - I always add about 1/2 can to 3/4 can of water or chicken broth to make a little less thick.  Seriously before surgery I would down one of these cans as a snack or "pre-meal".  Now I get about 2 if not 3 servings.....yay!  So much money savings!

Italian Wedding Soup - Seriously, I think this soup tastes better blended than whole.  All of the ingredients get mashed together to form a perfect "wedding" of flavors.  I love love love this soup!

Sirloin burger soup - OMG, this one is awesome, I spiked it with a few drops of tabasco and man o man, this was great.

Tomato: a standy and as usual super delicioso! add a little milk, half and half, whatever you have handy for an extra creamy taste.....

If you have a Randall's/Von's/Fry's nearby...they have a soup section right next to the deli/bread service station.  They have a bunch of delish flavors....

Red Thai Curry with Chicken - WOW! this one is tops!  For me I miss my Thai food and rice, the blenderized version of this one is magic in my mouth.  Like all creamy soups it is higher calorie (240 cal/1 cup) but I usually can't eat a whole cup, also I water it down, so it's 50% soup/50% FF milk or water.....but it hits the spot and the taste buds....

Creamy Tomato Basil - What more can I say, I also water down but it is sooooooooooo great.....


Now I have a ton of containers in the fridge, choice of flavors and soups...variety.....

I can't wait to try more soups....play around with it, really it is amazing how many choices we have on this liquid phase if we really start looking at different soups.....

Next week mushy.....so I can food process chicken, stew, etc....basically pre-chewed food....ha!  I'll let you know what I discover.....

Restaurant Card...Really?

Ok, I don't know if I will ever use this card, but hey you never know right?  Why not be allowed to order a child size portion instead of an adult.  The real problem is that most children's menu items are really poor choices, high carbs and high fat (which is another story)...

So here's the card info.....maybe you guys can print it out.....thanks OH for having this for us.....

WLS friendly Restaurants:

Golden Corral	Olive Garden	Chili’s
Applebee’s	Red Lobster	Denny’s
Cracker Barrel	Outback Steak House	The Keg

*Many of these establishments are privately owned. Contact your local restaurant in advance to see what they offer.
Cards are not accepted at all restaurants

WLS Card:

1. Print this card on heavy paper.
2. Fill in the blanks.
3. Cut the card out.
4. (Optional) Laminate the card to protect it for future use.

Suggestions for those who would rather not ask:

 · Doggie Bags are a wonderful thing! Take home leftovers and have a great re-heated lunch the next day!
 · Just order soup or an appetizer.
 · Split a meal. Most restaurants will provide a second plate for free or just a buck. Always ask first!

Food Industry Facts:

 According to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Forecast, 2004:
 · On a typical day in 2004, the restaurant industry posted average sales of nearly $1.2 billion dollars.
 · The number of restaurants in the United States totaled 870,000 in 2003.
 · The restaurant industry employs more than 11.7 million people, making it the nation’s largest private-sector employer.

The Rules!

So I was looking around and ran into this "Sleeve Guide" from the Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery.  It really makes sense....to think of our new tiny stomachs as "a sink" is really a good analogy.....

Here are the rules.....


THE RULES
The best analogy that we have found to help explain to patients why these rules are important is
the “Sink Analogy”. We compare your Sleeve Gastrectomy operation to a sink. Think of your
new small stomach (pouch) as a very small sink. Imagine pouring liquid into such a sink – if you
pour the liquid too fast it will overflow, but if you pour it slower or wait for a minute the liquid
will eventually drain thru the sink hole. Now imagine putting thick, dense sludge into such a
sink – the sludge may never make it down the sink hole unless we add water and stir.


ALWAYS AVOID DRINKS / LIQUIDS WITH CALORIES
The reason why this is a rule is because it does not matter how small we make your pouch (sink),
liquids will always pass through fairly quickly without giving you any satiety or satisfaction
from that liquid. But every calorie of that liquid will be absorbed. Your pouch will not stay full
on liquids, you can drink a lot of liquids without being full, and you will be hungry very soon
after drinking liquids.


CHOOSE SOLID FOODS OVER LIQUID-SOFT FOODS
The reason why this is a rule is because the denser the food you are able to eat the more it will
plug up the sink (pouch), the longer your pouch will stay full, the less you will eat, and the better
your hunger and cravings will be controlled. The thicker and denser the sludge the longer the
sink stays full. If you were just to eat meat, the sleeve would work very well because meat is the
densest food we have.


DO NOT EAT AND DRINK AT THE SAME TIME
The reason why this is a rule is because we do not want you to liquefy the food as you are eating
it. Do not wash the sludge down the sink hole. We want you to stop drinking about 15 minutes
before your meal – to make sure the sink is empty of water before putting food in it. Once you
start eating, no drinking with your meal – do not liquefy the food you are eating. You will be
able to eat more, and you will be hungry sooner if you are drinking while eating. Never put a
glass of any liquid next to your meal – the habit to eat and drink at the same time is very strong.
You may not realize that you are even doing it until it is too late. We also do not want you to
drink for at least 90 minutes after your meal. Do not help mother nature – your pouch can
liquefy the food on its own without your help. Your pouch will take longer on its own, thus
giving you prolonged satisfaction and hunger control.



Find the entire document here.
http://www.iabsobesitysurgery.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf

San Francisco - Overnight and business dinner.....

So yesterday (Sunday) we drove up to San Francisco, no big deal, I got my protein shake in, packed a can of coconut water and a bottle of Sobe 0 calories....and we're off.  We had a business dinner that night and I had already looked at the menu and knew I was going to have the tomato soup for dinner.....Even though I think it was a test of mental toughness, we went to an Italian restaurant, if you know me, you probably also know that you can poison me with pasta, and I'd gladly ask for more....

I'm still on full liquids, so decision for dinner was made up...no probs....

For the drive up I drank my coconut water....and I was pretty satisfied, both in fullness and in calories...I felt good....

Once we got to the hotel though I was hungry!  I knew I needed to eat and find soup or smoothie or something. It was 4:30 most restaurants are closed so I called in room service.  They were offering tomato bisque or lobster bisque.  I ordered the lobster bisque and waited, and paced and waited....Finally it got there.....I was so hungry!

I spooned out the chunks of lobster, and about 1/3 of the crock of soup onto a plate and gave it to my husband so he could eat and dip the delicious sourdough into it.

I slowly started spooning in the bisque.....it was heavenly....I knew it was rich and my stomach was asking all sorts of questions in the fashion of noise and acceptance to some creamy richness.....I was full and I knew I was full but took that one extra spoonfull.....

No I didn't puke, but I had to lay back, my upper lip was developing an awesome sheen of sweat, and my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest....I guess I was REALLY full.....

I need to figure out that I need to listen to the "full" signal better, otherwise when I get to mushy or solids, I am going to puke.....and once I start, I don't stop.....

So after about 15 minutes I felt back to normal.  We met our business acquaintances in the lobby and off to dinner.

About 8:30 is when I finally got my tomato soup (tomato and eggplant with a mint creme fraishe (sp))....it was good and I ate about 1/2 of it, before I pushed it back....I didn't want to feel grossed out again.

When everyone ordered their dessert and after dinner drink, I ordered some chamomile tea.....all in all a successful night, contract signed and I managed to eat out without screwing myself up....

This morning we woke up, and started our drive back home.  Stopped by a Jamba Juice and I got a berry/banana protein smoothie.  It feels good on my stomach but heavy.  I think my tummy is still mad at me because of the lobster bisque, or maybe it doesn't like the banana (too heavy) or both.....

I'll slowly sip on my smoothie on my way home.  I have 2 1/2 hours to plow through it.....


I am going to do this...I can even go out to dinner and be ok with it.....who would have thunk?

Bean Soup....yay! Emotional, why?

So I think if I have one more cup of chicken soup, borth or puree of chicken veggies and broth I am going to lay an egg.....

So I made a bean soup.....so yummy, at least something different....

I sauteed in a little Pam, onion, garlic, tomato, a couple of low fat beef franks (I didn't have ham or bacon - but wienies work),and chile (I like spicy), a little Knorr Suiza and into the blender with a large can of Pinto Beans, juice and all.  Blend until smooth, and pour into pan....I added water to the blender to rinse of and put into sauce pan....also this waters down the soup...OMG this was so super delicioso!!!!!

Then this afternoon I went to the gym, elliptical and treadmill, and I got pooped after about 20 minutes, weird yesterday I was able to do 40, but ok...then all of a sudden I just started tearing up, like out of now where, and I didn't even have sad feelings or scared feelings, just all of a sudden started crying.....like bad PMS crying.....

2 things, I'm either starting to release some fat and therefore hormones, or I am starting to seriously PMS, I'm not due for another 10 days, but hey you never know....or it could be both....awesome, there are times when I really don't like being a girl!

Week 1 - Weigh-In......Drum roll please!

So here I am....ready......

10 lbs!!!!!!!  woo-hoo!


I was sort of scared to get on the scale, I had already made up my mind that it would be ok if I didn't lose, that it would be because of the IV fluids, or because I was having chicken, or because I hadn't killed myself at the gym....so I had all of the mental excuses ready.....I closed my eyes, stepped on the scale and Voila!  I can't believe it...I am doing the happy dance.....yay.....

So from 303lbs to 293lbs.......

Yay!

Ricotta - Can't wait for "mushy" stage....

I bought the ricotta and Parmesan, I can't wait to make it.....I bought a good jared sauce to top with.....I might try the desert too, but am totally sick of sweets so who knows when I'll try it!

RICOTTA BAKE:

1 – 15 oz. Container of low fat Ricotta
1 frozen pkg. of spinach thawed/drained (squeezed) well - you can also use any veggies (e.g., zucchini and/or eggplant and sauté till soft)
1 C Parmesan cheese (split in 1/2) (Use the fresh grated from the grocery store, the stuff in the can is too dry)
1 egg

Mix all together - except for 1/2 C of parmesan -- put in a baking dish – (I used a 1 quart size) add another ½ C of cheese on top and bake @ 350 till golden & bubbly - about 30mins
Add marinara or pesto sauce on top once done.
Reheats quite nicely!

DESSERT:

1 15oz container of low fat Ricotta
1 small tub of Fat Free Cool Whip
½ package of SF Jell-O (instant) cheesecake pudding mix
½ package of SF Jell-O (instant) chocolate pudding mix

Combine all – let set overnight – ENJOY. 

Where to order protein samples.....

I probably should have ordered before surgery, but in case anyone ever wants them here they are:

Unjury
https://www.unjury.com/ssl/purchasing.php
Samples $1.75 each

Chike
http://www.chikenutrition.com/half-samples.html
Sample all 5 flavors for only $3 shipping

Netrition Protein Sampler Pack
http://www4.netrition.com/netrition_protein_sampler_pack.htm l
Includes samples of 14 different proteins, including a New Whey 42 g protein bullet and Champion Nutrition Pure Whey Stack. 17.99.

Nectar Syntrax
You can get a box of all 11 nectar protein flavors directly from Syntrax for $4.99 plus $5.99 for shipping. Contact Rick Davis Medical Sales Manager nectar@si03.com1-866-333-7403 ext. 803

Vitalady
http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&keywords=protsamp&SortK ey=sku&SortOrder=ascending
Tons of samples of lots of different protein products 

Smart Forme Early Phase Bariatric Surgery Nutrition Starter Kithttps://www.smartforme.net/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p =6
One carton each of Chocolate and Vanilla Ready-to-Drink Shakes, Chicken Bouillon Soup, Cream of Tomato Soup, Wildberry Cold Drink, Peach Mango Cold Drink, Orange Cold Drink, Hot Chocolate, Cappuccino, Chocolate Pudding/Shake, Vanilla Pudding/Shake and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. $19.99.

Getting used to this new body....tummy, etc....

Yesterday was day 6.  Wow time flies....I am feeling more and more like myself, less tired and really having to hold myself back from just going full blast......

But here's the one deal.....I STINK!  Everything about me smells.....smells differently and "loudly".....my pee smells like a mix of strong Vitamin B and Amonia, my B.O., is also a very different smell.  I've looked around and it looks like I am detoxing, and it may the ketosis, or when your body starts using your stored fat as energy, the waste product or ketone comes out in your urine, sweat and breath....AWESOME!  So hopefully that won't last long...and if I do...oh well....bring on the super strength deodorant!

I went to the gym yesterday, for the first time....yay!  I felt great!  I did about 25 minutes of cardio, not super strength or anything, or anything close to speed and time as before surgery, but it felt good to get back to the gym.  My trainer "L" was awesome, and as he trains "AK", he gave me instructions for 5-7 minutes/machine - 3 machines (elliptical, treadmill, bike).  Yay...every few days I'll increase a minute and should be back to my 45 minutes pretty quickly.....

So dinner last night, I was ready to try something that wasn't clear broth....I took a can of ready made cream of potato soup, added about the same amount of chicken broth and thinned it out and blended....it felt like heaven on my mouth...yummmmmm.....I was able to drink about a 10 oz mug over about 35 minutes...so sip sip sip slowly...I new I got really full and even felt a little heaviness on my chest.....but still...it felt like heaven....

So Wednesday here I come!.....Today I woke up and did my usual, protein shake (I added frozen mango to the vanilla powder today...yum....- I still like the chocolate better - )

I messed around the house a little while, and went of to the stores....COSTCO, and 2 grocery stores....my life never changes....

At COSTCO, they were sampling individual To-Go yogurts, so I thought that would be a great idea to try....man was I wrong...it felt like I swallowed a knife, pointy side down and I could actually feel when it hit my stomach, don't know if it is the yogurt or the lactose, but whatever it is, I don't think I'm ready for yogurt yet.....I'll figure out this new tummy one way or another right?

Then at TJ's they were sampling a marinara sauce....now I can have tomato soup and marinara sauce, and starting next week I'll be able to have ricotta and cream cheese, so I thought....hmmmm, I should try that sauce to see if I like it...that way next week I can have a ricotta cheese and marinara sauce bake for dinner......I took a tiny taste, and it was heavenly...it did hurt a little, not as much as the yogurt, but I got me some of that fo' next week.....wooo!

So I'm back home, eating a little jello and some iced tea, making my tummy feel better, I'll take some Gas-X and take a nap....

It's going to take a while, but I'll figure it out....fo' sho!

Day 4 - Monday after Surgery

Today, I felt like myself again.

I had a protein shake for breakfast (still don't know if it is considered clear, but hey....I can tolerate it so why not).  Went on my rounds of shopping:
Grocery Store, Dry Cleaner, UPS Store, Battery Store and Bed Bath and Beyond!.....phew!  I was in and out of the car and drove no problem.......

Came home, and did feel a bit tired, so I heated some chicken broth and went to lay down for a little bit.

Now I'm watching TV, and eating sugar free jello (orange) with a scoop of unflavored protein powder, I dissolved it while I was making, so it sort of tastes like creamsicle....if you don't think about it....but it's good....

Batch of chicken soup cooking on the stove.....yay, will puree most of it, for full liquids, starting Thursday....and use the broth the next few days....

Yay....starting back to reality....

Check out my checkerboard belly after surgery....

Ha.....I can't believe I had so many sores..... the dark spots around by belly button and side are bruises from the shots they gave me against clots....

Before Pictures....

The day I traveled, I had my husband take before pictures....I know that it's crazy, but hey, now I can have a visual of body changes.....I'll try to post on a monthly basis....

Hospital Room Pictures

Here are pictures of the hospital room....

Saturday - July 17, I get to go home!

I wake up Saturday morning and I am feeling pretty good, I had slept most of the night, but had a huge headache, my head was thumping and I started feeling a little nauseated, migraine here it comes!

The nurses were immediately on my case, they took my BP and it was super hight, they gave me a medication to bring it down, and kept observing to make sure it got back to normal.  I don't normally have high blood pressure so they knew it was a reaction to anesthesia....in the meantime, I am ready to get the heck out of there....I don't want to be held back because of BP...I mean I feel great!  I can go, right, but oh yeah!  I have a wicked headache and I can barely keep my head up....ok...so maybe I need a little time out....

Thank goodness, my BP normalized, instead of leaving the hospital at 10am, I left at 12:30....there was a little line at the border, like 20 cars, so it took about 45 minutes to get across....as soon as we were across, in traditional Carol style, I asked him to stop at the first McDonald's I was about to pee myself.....

I got to San Diego at about 2pm, and immediately took of on my 6 hour drive home....my head was still killing me....

I drank Gatorade 03 all the way home, the one that has protein in it......

When we got home around 8pm, the ole husband heated up some chicken broth and I downed 2 cups of it....I think part of my headache was hunger.....

I fell asleep at about 10pm...and woke up at about 1am with a huge headache......I broke down, took 2 Excedrin Migraine, obviously, cut up and let them dissolve in my mouth before I swallowed, magically my headache went away.....

Went back to sleep woke up at 10am, had a protein shake and have been chinking around all day....

My incisions don't hurt at all, I slept on my side no problem....I have already gone up and down the stairs a few times, and now I think it's time for a nappy poo......

Yay....I feel good, and will take a shower before I take a nap.....

I'll post pictures of hospital room and checkerboard stomach.....ha!

Surgery.....I made it!

So they took me down to the OR at about 12:00 noon, as they were rolling me down the hall and into the elevator, I started getting super anxious....and emotional, and all crying, scared, etc.....the nurses were awesome, they kept telling me what a hottie I was going to be, that I was brave, they even started singing and dancing, until they got me to crack a smile.....

I got down to the pre-op room, and the anesthesiologist came by to see me, when the nurses told him I was a little nervous, he immediately gave me a tranquilizer shot, and I started feeling a little more relaxed....

They rolled me into the the OR, and there I went...the room was super clean, people were moving around, as soon as I got in, the anesthesiologist, hit the stereo...for a second I thought I was on the set of "scrubs"....the nurses and the Dr's were singing and dancing, as they coordinated me moving from one stretcher to the operating table....

The anesthesiologist was holding an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth, gave the nurse instructions to put something in my IV, and then I was out....the next thing I remember is them waking me up in post-op and me telling them to leave me alone, that I was too tired to wake up.....they all smiled and left me alone...(well not really alone, but with oxygen and laying down and resting.......I must have dosed off and on, and in a little bit, they were wheeling me back to my room......

I was sort of out of it.  The surgery lasted longer than I thought.  I was under "the knife" for a little over 2 hours, and then 2 and a half hours in post op.....

In my room by 5:30.....

That afternoon I was ok, I got help getting up and walking and going to the bathroom.....but that night....

HOLY MOLY....talk about my own private hell...!!!!!

It's not like I was sore or hurting, I felt like I had the worlds worst indigestion.....I kept trying to walk, burp, go to the bathroom, and nothing.....

The nurses came in like clockwork to administer antacid, and pain killers via my IV.  At about 11 at night, they gave me another dose of pain killers, they gave me an ativan sleeping pill sublingual, and then a shot in my arm for pain.....that was it...I was out...I was asleep, I woke up again around 4 in the morning, they gave me more pain medication, went to the bathroom, and went back to sleep.

At 7 am Friday morning I woke up feeling a million times better....I started walking on my own, I started moving around and getting the "air" out.......I was taken downstairs for a barium test, where I had to swallow some nasty tasting liquid, and the Dr.'s watched it through the X-ray machine as it made it's way down....they later showed me, it was kind of neat to see it....pretty cool.....

At about 3 they let me take a shower (or made me take a shower)....with no help, they basically disconnected my IV for a little bit, gave me towels and a new robe and voila....I took a shower and felt a gazillion times better!!!!  Born again!  Our bodies are amazing things.....

By that evening I had made friends with the security guard and a woman whose daughter was having surgery (the same kind I did) at that time.  It made her feel better that 24 hours after surgery I was up and about the hospital....

The doctors came by 3 times a day, so did the nutritionist and psychologist.  I had awesome care, with very caring nurses.

I felt so much better.......yay!

Things I look forward to doing:

So I'm killing time, but these things give me goals or rewards for losing weight....

I can't wait until:  (I'll keep adding, and then maybe even crossing out!)

• I can cut my toenails and not run out of breath
• get on an airplane and actually pull my seatbelt tight, instead of hoping I don't have to ask for an extender
• being able to go to the bathroom in said airplane...I don't ask for #2, but just to pee and wipe without acrobatics, since I can't get my legs open enough to get my hand in for a wipe
• Speaking of #2, while out and about, not choosing the handicap bathroom so that I can actually wipe
• being able to shop anywhere on the planet for clothes, and not spend a week in travel clothes because my luggage was lost and there is not a store in the country that caters to the "plus size"
• going to a restaurant and not worrying if I'll fit in the booth, or if the hostess will try to sit me in a booth just to see me struggle, to finally rest my breasts on the table.
• looking down while standing up and seeing my toes
• being able to use my lap as a lap.....not like some weird ill stable table
• having my boobs no longer be my crumb/drip tray
• crossing my legs

July 15....Surgery Day....

So...here I am, 5:30 am, the nurses came in to start my IV, and give me some meds......surgery is planned to be closer to noon so 6 hours to go.....Ayyyyy.....

So here's the schedule so far today:  (I'll update as I go)

5:30am - Start IV, put on super elastic anti-clot hose....the IV went in on the first try! and pulling up the hose....well, all I can say is that I'm glad I just laid there and had the nurses sweat to get the super tights over my thunder thighs!

9:30am - The infection control lady came by, made sure I wasn't feeling anything, I guess she's the "head nurse"....the cleaning guy came by, cleaned, changed towels, etc....room smells clean not sterile

I am going to nap now...let's see if that brings anyone else into the room...it's been working so far.....

and guess what!??? it worked!

10:00am - met lead surgeon, and the entire surgery team came by, answered questions, and set me at total peace!~  here I go, a few more hours.....

10:30am - anticoagulant shot, now when the Dr. said I'd get it under the skin, I expected my arm or butt, but no!!!! I got a shot on my belly!!!!! it didn't hurt while it was happening, it stings a little now.....

ok, let's see what happens next....I think it's OR time.....

July 14th, 2010....Travel Day....

So the last week, I've been on a high protein, liver shrinking diet.  I struggled with the no carbs, because I missed the sugar.  I could totally tell when I went to work out, I got tired faster....hmmmm I guess my body has to figure out, that it can draw on stored energy instead of eating energy....

So this morning I took off....left home on the 12:30 flight and arrived in San Diego at 5:30.

I was at baggage claim and all of a sudden a man came up to me, and said Carol?  How did he know, I mean I wasn't the only fat person there....but whatever....got my suitcase...and drive south across the border to Tijuana. The driver's name was Rafael, he was very nice, professional and we were at the hospital in no time at all.

I was ushered into reception, they took down my info, made copies of my ID, I guess I got a little jittery when they asked me my religion, in case they need to send a priest down???

Anyway....I was promptly taken to Labs and XRAY, by 7:15 I was in my hospital room and connected to my computer.

The hospital room is beautiful, I keep calling it hotel, because it looks and feels like a hotel room.  Wood Floors, Marble Bathroom, TV, Internet, etc.

The nurses are great and really nice.  I got an EKG done in the room, and was brought up dinner.

I laughed out loud, since I've been on protein pre surgery diet, and my dinner is a ham sandwich on white bread, apples, a yogurt and apple juice....carb heaven.....My first sip of apple juice felt like heaven, and I HATE apple juice!

Anyway...I'll post pictures.  So far so good.....

The Anesthesiologist will be coming to talk to me tonight.  I already talked to the surgery assistant and tomorrow morning I meet the rest of the surgical staff.

So far so good.  I am nervous, but am ready to have my sleeve....


Yay!

Mexican Surgery.....Part 2

So....Yikes....after researching and researching and researching some more.   I completely changed my planned surgery....

Instead of having aVGS, where they cut out your stomach, I am having a "new" procedure called Vertical Gastric Plication.  I thought about this for a long time...so here's the low down....

Basically, it is the same procedure as the "sleeve", but they fold 80% of my stomach onto itself to form a sleeve without cutting.  Instead they suture it up.

It's fairly new so the downside is that there isn't a huge history, the upside is that it has shown to have same results in terms of weight loss as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.

Here are the study results:
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/lap.2006.0128?journalCode=lap

I am now having surgery on July 15th, with Dr. Corvala at Angeles Hospital in Tijuana.

http://www.angeleshealth.com/procedures/weight-loss/gastric-sleeve-plication.aspx

This Dr. is one of the first few to offer, and he is a proctor of bariatric surgery.  I am now confident in my decision....and ready to go!

Surgery in Mexico? Really?

So......after not wanting to wait another 2 months to start the process, I started researching ALL my surgical options.

I discovered the ObesityHelp.com (OH) website, I was on a Mission. I went to the VSG forum, and started reading people's stories. I started falling across Dr. Alberto Aceves's name numerous times. All of his reviews were positive, and I just really felt compelled to find out more.

I found a blogger that talked about her experience with surgery, but better yet, how to research a Mexican Surgeon. I discovered that Dr. Aceves was one of the best if not the best in Mexico, he is President of the College of Bariatric Sugeons of Mexico, so I started getting some sense of comfort.

A Friday night (honestly I'd had a few drinks so I was brave) I sent Dr. Aceves a "need more info" email. The next morning Saturday, I had a call from Nina (the patient coordinator), I called her back, got comfortable with her on the phone, she gave me all the details I wanted (cost, recovery, post-op care, pre-op tests, etc)...and that was it.

I SCHEDULED SURGERY FOR JULY 14, 20010! YIKES!

I had to go to my PCP, to get some lab results, and told him I had jumped on his suggestion, and that I was scheduled to go on July 14th. I also told him I was going to Mexico (I was so prepared with all of Dr. A's info and qualifications); he gave me a hug and was so excited for me. He thinks it's the best thing I could give myself. He upped my Antidepressant so that I can start loading before surgery and for post op (he knows it'll be hard dealing with the "loss" of food as my frenemy); he thinks that I can go back to a lower dose, to maybe even going without once I lose some weight. He made me promise to come see him 1 month post op so he could supervise, since my surgeon is in Mexico......Yay!

So here I go....it is now less than 2 weeks away and I am nervous, anxious, a little scared.....but I am going to do it and I am going to kick bootie!

It has been a while since I posted. Seriously...I have tried everything in the past few years.

I work my butt off at the gym, log my calories on Calorie King, have been tested for everything...hormones, thyroid, metabolic disorders, sleep disorders....and guess what....I am HEALTHY! yes....HEALTHY but a whopping 300lbs!!!!!

So last month I was again at my Dr.'s for my annual and I was up in weight from 295lbs to 300lbs, I was crying with him telling him I didn't know what else to do? I work so hard and I get nowhere on the scale. I tell him I know I'm healthy, but I'm fat! how long was I going to be able to keep up my health, I'm 38 years old!

So he looked at me and said: "I think you should talk to a surgeon"

He wasn't judgmental or mean, he wasn't looking down at me, he just held my hand and said. I know you have tried everything, and for some people, they just need an extra tool. Sometimes you gain so much weight and the more you try to lose the more you gain, because all of your systems are now confused. Your fat cells have memories and they are the keepers of a ton of hormones. He said: "really what do you have to lose?"

I had done research on WLS for years, I had started reading about the gastric band instead of bypass. I was scared of the lack of nutrient absorption, and then I was scared of the band...after reading about it...I didn't want to deal with the maintenance, the fills, what if it slipped, what if I got an infection (I have a history of not tolerating anything on my skin, etc). So anyway....I started my research again.

I talked to my local surgical option (he is one of the best, Dr. Cirangle form Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco). I live in a small community 200 miles from San Francisco, so the Dr. couldn't see me until he came down for his next local clinic in August. I was also told that given my insurance there was a high chance that my insurance wouldn't cover the cost of surgery, at least not the surgeon's costs (He's out of network), and that the process would take anywhere from a few months to 2 years. My deductible is super high (10K, I am self employed). But whatever, I was ok with this, I knew I wanted to talk to them more and talk about the surgery. In that same phone call, the patient coordinator (that's the appointment lady and the one that deals with your process) told me that there was a 3rd option for surgery. The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG or Sleeve). This surgery is where they basically cut out a large portion of your stomach and take it from a football size stomach to a banana size stomach. They didn't mess with your intestines, and basically left you with your original organs, just a smaller stomach. Hmmm this peaked my interest. Basically you lose weight based on restriction. So I was excited and looking forward to my appointment 2 months away.

Then a fried published a picture of me on facebook, we had gone to a Happy Hour and took a picture. I rarely let people take pictures, but I was happy to see my friend, ok picture taken. Then posted. When I saw myself, I knew I couldn't wait any longer. I had to do something NOW. I had made up my mind....I was having surgery and I was going to do it sooner than later....I mean why not. I don't have a project that I'm working, I can take some downtime. So my research began.

Here's the picture - Guess who I am.....

So traveling.....again

I've been in Houston for almost 2 weeks and will continue on to Monterrey, Mex. for another week. I am madly going to spin classes, because I have again lost control of my food intake. I try to be careful and order lower calorie options, but still I can feel the salt, I can feel it in my shoes.

The other day I tried to go and buy some shoes, I couldn't slide them over my tamale size feet. Even the ones that looked like nurse shoes....UGHHHHHH no wide no double wide, nothing slid over my feet.

SO great. I am still going to spin class almost everyday while I am here. I was going to continue tri training while here, but the pools just looked nasty, I figured why risk getting in, I'll do spin class and on the weekends the ellyptical.

So still not budging on the scale, but! I was able to order clothes online, and slide them right on, yay, me!!!!

Triathlon? Me?

Ok, so I have decided to work my butt off, if nothing else it makes me feel better. I am now working out 6-7 days a week. My gym added a triathlon training class, Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 1/2 hours...it kicks my butt. Bike-Swim-Run. Well. Uh...run, I can't so I walk, I still to heavy to run, and am scared to mess up my knees.

So here's the schedule for the week:
Mon - Tri class and then kickboxing
Tue - Core/Body Pump
Wed - meet with trainer for 1hr and Tri class
Thur - bodypump
Fri - Spin
Sat and Sun 60 minutes of elliptical training!

But here's the deal, I still have lost almost no weight, I've lost a grand total of 2lbs in the last month and a half? I get stressed about the scale, even though I know that my size is going down, so yeah building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat, and bla bla bla....but it is discouraging to lose no pounds. I am watching my diet and keeping myself under 2000 cals. So what gives, I know eventually it will come off. But for now....keep working out...

Plus I have a cool new pair of spin shoes....as I say....Fake it till you make it!

Wow!!! It's July...

So after all my wondering and trying to figure out my body, I have decided to drop all programs and go with the old standard, calories in calories out. I downloaded software to track from www.calorieking.com and am tracking my food intake and workout calories.

I am overweight, I know, and all I can do to fight it is watch what I eat and move more. My grandfather always said that the best diet in the world was eat less, move more. So I have decided to move more, and in a big way.

I joined a triathlon class at the gym, I train swim/bike/run in addition to my regular workout class schedule, spinning 2x week, kickboxing 1x week, and body pump 2-3x week, I have also hired a personal trainer and meet once a week to torture my body.

I feel myself shrinking, tomorrow I'll step on the scale and see where I am on the poundage.....

I will be more diligent in writting here, it gets things off my brain and helps me talk through the weekly grunt!

So cool....I have switched weight loss tools....

Now I am following weight watchers. The 6WBMO was totally working, but I got sick of the foods. I needed choices and I needed the ability to eat in restaurants, since I travel so much for work.....

So after 1 1/2 months I have managed to lose 7lbs.....so not great, but not bad either. I am totally working out and I know something will eventually give.....

AK is now dieting, so he is journaling on www.calorieking.com he is totally loosing and has lost 14lbs in 3 weeks....

So why do men lose faster than women? it will be another non answered question that will annoy the dog out of me forever.....

I think I am on a monthly schedule.....

Well.... HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yes I am still trying but have been traveling most of December and since the year started. And with Christmas and New Year's dinners in between. Thankfully I was able to only gain 1lb, but still it is a gain and not a maintain.

So I'm thinking???? If I am on the road so much, why not buy some sort of food that travels? I really don't care for shakes as meal replacements since they seem like a drink to me. I drink it and then think? so where's lunch. I'm thinking of ordering NutriSystem and carrying the meals with me when I travel and then doing the 6WBMO when I am at home. I'm still debating....I'll think about it this week and see.

Next week I'll still be on the road and won't get home until the end of the month, then I leave the first week of Feb. again....

I'm also thinking of joining the gym, so many questions......??????

Ok...it's been a while

I just have been in a rut for weeks. Can't seem to get motivated to get going again, it's almost like I lose 3 and gain 3 constantly. Maybe it's Christmas, who knows......ugh????

This week I'm in Houston again, my life is ok.....

Mi sis and I went for indian food, the food was in my body about 40 minutes and I had major gut wrenching pain and barely made it to the lobby BR at work. So if the food isn't in your body longer than an hour, does it have to count towards your calories????? hmmmmmm

New week.....major detox!

Ok, I gained 3lbs while out of town. Phew! For a second there I thought that I would have done worse.

So I started back up yesterday, and by last night my body was aching, I mean headache, feeling queasy! I know it's just my body complaining and needing more sugar, salt, fat. It gets used to all of these things so easily and hates letting them go! Wow!

I am a bit more conformed after blowing steam about the job, I while trudge along and get things done, and then that's that. One of these days things will change or not, until I make them change.

Just like dieting, it has to be done by me, change is brought on by me and no one else....

RIGHT????

OK.....will take advantage to complain....

I am so sick of work....I can virtually say that I am bored, un-challenged and have lost the little respect I had left for the leadership of the company. My most loved and hated boss, just got the boot, he was the big cheese, so I know changes are coming. AK doesn't want me to quit until I have something else, but I am afraid that if I don't do something soon I will not only sabotage all I've done diet-wise, but will lose my mind....

Why can't people (men) understand that I don't need a corporate career, I just want a secure (whatever that means) but I want to have fun at my job again. Maybe the realization that I hate what I do.....or that I just want to change careers, or who knows....

I had to take the time to blow steam....last week I sucked I mean mega sucked at staying on any diet.

This week I will do better.....I know I will!!!!

Weekend and a baby for a husband !!!!!

Well I did sorta ok this weekend. I really need to stop letting my husband sabotage my dieting. He gets all pout-y like a 3 year old and starts complaining how he can't do this diet and that food isn't fun any more....does he not get the point.....FOOD Is NOT supposed to be fun, it's supposed to be nourishing...right??? I haven't weighed since my 5+ on Friday, so I'll wait until Wednesday and see how bad we are doing or maybe how great.....The power of the mind and amazing thing!!!

SO anyway, I gave into him again this weekend....I think going out of town this Wednesday and being away from him for a while, will at least help me keep on track even if it is eating out and restaurant food that I have zero control over cooking methods, I just basically cross my fingers and hope they listened when I ordered, and then I dab the shine off my fish or chicken when they bring it to the table.... So we'll see how I do until Wednesday and then I'll weigh again when I get back on the 6th.

I know I can. I know I can. In know I can! I KNOW I CAN!!!!!!

OK, Friday and I'm up five pounds!!!!! GRRRRR

I know it is probably due to my period and water retention. But it has also been a not so on program week....and YES! I am blaming my period. It started last Saturday night, we really wanted burgers, so we got McDonald's and no I couldn't just get a regular homestyle, I had a BigMac and fries (and then they supersized them for free, since we had to wait, and threw in an apple pie...and yes I ate them all)....then Sunday, I wanted pizza, so we made our own....I bought dough at the local pizza place and put on my own toppings...goat cheese, blue cheese, ham and mushrooms.....mmmmmmm.....then the rest of the week was pretty on plan, except that Tuesday I wanted something sweet and had 1/2 cup of mocha almond fudge ice cream, and then Wednesday I went to the grocery store and walked by the fried chicken and had to have a piece.....so yeah! My diet was totally off last week, and between that and my monthly.....I'm up 5 lbs......

I'm seriously back on the program this week, it's easier without the mad cravings.....I travel for 10 days starting Wednesday, but I think I have the travel thing down. I'm making pumpkin muffins to take as breakfasts and I should be fine.......

GRRRRRRRR, but it's my own fault.....but then I know I can jump back on... I still want to lose another 20 lbs by the end of the year.... I think I can I think I can I KNOW I CAN!!!!!

Ugh,.....cramps and all!!!!!!

I hate being a woman sometimes. Well specifically once a month....Yes I got my faithful friend last night and I am in pain.... I have cramps, I am in a bad mood and want to eat everything on the planet, as long as it is breaded, fried or sweet and creamy.....

I often wonder why women get PMS and cramps and pain. I wish there were a magic pill, I think it's the reason why I won't stay faithful to my diet plan this week. I am going to try, I am making ground turkey spaghetti sauce and having it over rice noodles. I guess if it sucks I can always throw cabbage and other calorie light veggies to make some sort of stew soup, which I normally like but today I am just not in the mood to watch my calories, I really want a gigantic bowl of real spaghetti, or lasagna or pasta of some sort....mmmmm mac and cheese even sounds great, and a big bowl of ice cream.....

I'll let you all know what I really end up eating later.....

23.8!!!!! yahooooo!!!!!

OK so I can say that being back on the program has totally helped. I'm down 2 lbs from before vacation. A total of 23.8#'s!!! I never thought I could do it and continue to lose weight, this program is working, and it's been easy enough - as long as I am organized -

I have been trying new types of foods, yesterday I made mexican chicken and cilantro casserole. I cooked enough for a latino family and extended family. So needless to say I have enough for a few days of meals, thank goodness for the freezer, so that when I get sick of it I can freeze it in portion controlled packages for a later date. I also made meatloaf, yes turkey - god I've had enough turkey and chicken lately you'd think I would grow feathers - and it was rather tasty. So I'm excited about keeping cooking and eating my way to thin-ness.

I have also tried to walk everyday. I hate exercise, I really really HATE it!!! but I am trying to walk everyday and today I promise I will do my rubber-band weights.....

Now the next dilemma, finding winter fruits???? Is there anything that's not an apple or pear?

Woo-hooo!!!! Vacation #'s gone!

Yes!!!!! It's only Tuesday, I am down 6lbs since Friday and am 1/2lb below pre-vacation weight. I am being totally stick (with the exception of some salt, I need flavor) and AK and I are walking every day..... Today I'll have to do bands and walk, but it's coming off!!!! yeah!
AK is still complaining about feeling like "he has a stone in his stomach" and then rubs it like Budah....it drives me crazy.........but then his problem....he has to do this on his own. I can't make myself responsible for his dieting, but he's sticking to it. I think he will lose weight and would lose faster if he actually believed in himself.....

As for me......down 21lbs~!~ and counting.....

Back from vacation......sniff.......

Ok after two weeks of vacation...and boy did we have a great time.....and no diet...I was totally scared to get on the scale, I mean just think I had to recheck my luggage from Wednesday to Thursday and my luggage gained 4 lbs over night...yes I yelled at the airlines, I figured that AmericaWest is the airline who said I can't! but all in all, aside the airtravel....we had a great time.....so anyway back to weight, I onlu gained.......

5lbs!!!!!!

All in all not too bad.....huh! I was expecting a higher weight gain, so today I am back on, totally on the program, and I will lose thes 5lbs this week if it kills me. I already told AK my reward for the next 20lbs is going to be a day at the spa...and since it will be 40lbs I also get a trip to Vegas......so yeah rewards that are not food for once....I have to make other rewards available......

So anyway....I loved Cancun, next year though we have to go somewhere else.....without so many newlyweds (who by the way are so super miserable, never seen so many unhappy young people) but it was pretty, and fun and now ready for a next place to visit.....

Work is killing me, but it's a job, I want to be wealthy and not really work.....but then again, I would go crazy!!!! without work.....

Midway -Vacation.....

I have been on holiday for the last 7 days....and yes.....7 to go...... I think I've stayed pretty much at weight, no big bulges growing and my clothes are fitting the same if not maybe, possibly a bit loser..... though I must admit the food here is awesome, and then the ever flowing tropical beverages that with or without alcohol can be lethal to any diet......

On vacation we have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! yeah relaxing by the pool, floating, reading, maybe a little walking on the beach, but really minimal effort. As the days go by I start noticing we are waking up later and going to bed earlier...the true sign of relaxation......

Tomorrow for sure I'll go sailing a bit and maybe walk to the nearest town......

I have had to heal a bit, I got sun poisoning, yeah once you get it you get it every year, went to the hotel doc, got an antihistamine and cortisone shot 2 days in a row, and taking some antihistamine and some lotion against the rash...the rash is gone so I still have to be careful, but then again and excuse to find a shady spot in or near the pool and read....or nap....or nothing.......

I'll post more later....maybe even pictures (which we by the way haven't taken since we got here)

Scallops.....Mexican style...

Last night I made scallops, I figured I could do it mexican style...

Sliced onion, bell peppers, chopped garlic, sliced mushrooms, stewed tomatoes (NSA), a small jar of NSA tomato sauce, a bunch of cilantro barely chopped, two serrano peppers, and a bag of flash frozen scallops I found at the grocery store, the bag was 12 oz raw, so I made 4 portions out of it, and the juice of a couple of lines. Anyway....let it stew for a while....and over rice.....delicioso! if I say so myself. I got 4 portions out of it......

ok, back home and getting ready to leave again!!!!

I just got back from a week away. I was cringing at the thought of getting on the scale, since I wasn't totally on program last week, I mean I tried to make "good choices" but how can you resist chips at a mexican restaurant, or ordering something yummy with coconut milk at a Thai restaurant??????

So after a week, I got on the scale this morning and had actually lost 1.6lbs. I have no lost officially 20.1 #'s!!!!!! yahooo!!!!!

Now I have to think of strategy when vacationing. I am going for two weeks, yes I know, spoiled, but I need a vacation, a break and beach...so CANCUN here we come!

I'll try to go for the seafood and lean protein and stay away from mexican delicious-ness as much as I can. But will I be able to stay away from tropical drinks? I mean I know they are totally empty calories and I could save for other stuff, but a pina colada does taste good in the pool.

I'll try to post from the beach, but may be gone for a while..... ha!

Thank goodness for Airline seatbelts????

So I traveled yesterday....and this week is going to be tough since I have zero to no control over the preparation of my food. But I received a wonderful surprise when I sat down in my seat on the airplane......

I've lost 4 more pounds so that makes a total of 18.5...yahoo, but I can't really tell the difference, I have so much to lose, and my clothes are baggy to begin with, or stretch, so anyway, I had people ask me, "I bet you can tell" The truth is NO! I can't, or not yet....but anyway.....

Yesterday I sat on the airplane in my seat (on one of those little swamp hoppers) and I tugged at the seatbelt to let it out as loose as it goes, sucked it in, and buckled.....well letting my breath out and opening my eyes, I realized that the seatbelt fit just fin, I actually had to tighten it a bit.....and I fit perfectly... I mean my butt didn't touch the person's sitting next to me.... I had room.....Yahoooooo for me....

Today I went out for lunch, Mexican, my downfall. I ordered a chile relleno - at this place they don't fry it or cover it with stuff, or maybe they do, but I asked for it not fried, no cheese, no sour cream, no beans and extra lettuce tomato. It was great, covered in a tomatillo sauce. I ate 1/2 at lunch and will eat the other half as an afternoon snack......


So coolness.....I fit in the airplane seat!

Update on the scale saga....

I finally told AK that unless he was 400+ pounds (I researched on the scale we have it goes to 380lbs), that the scale should work...so after debating, I brought the scale over to him, was going to make him stand on it in front of me...he clicked and was about to step on....unitl....I yelled..."wait for the zeros".....

Ok it's not that he was too big for the scale...but to much of a M-A-N to know how to use it.....a bit on the retarded side too....but it was funny......

Also, last night I made some beef slime...bell peppers, onions, lean beef, etc. Enough to make 6 portions....but had to rinse the beef after cooking, I guess the mix of spices just made it taste so NASTY!!!!!, it reminded me of when we were kids rinsing the "Irish Stew" mom made under the sink...I laughed at myself, dumped back into the pan and stewed with just cayenne and lime. Irish stew.....I'll never forget.....

So anyway, I did bands yesterday...today I don't feel like walking or bands, so tomorrow I'll have to do bands and walking, too bad so sad....

Scales.....

AK wants to buy a new scale, the one we have doesn't work for him (yes, he is a bit on the heavy side too, and I think he goes over the scale max...heeeee......few seconds), I keep telling him to keep trying to use it and one day, it would record his weight. But I also understand him wanting to see even gradual little steps in weight loss. At our size, really we could lose about 20-30 lbs and still wear the same size clothes, so it's hard to tell by just your clothes.......

Why are we so totally dependent on the scale? I know it's just a number. Part of me wants to change the scale to kilos, so that at least the number is smaller. It gets smaller every week, but I want a huge drop and fast, and at least weekly drops keep me motivated.

I am totally bored at work this week, I fly to H-town next week so that will be a challenge again on my diet, but I know I can do it.....

AK and I go on vaca on the 21st, we're going for two weeks. I know it will be hard to stay on program, but then I just hope I don't gain my entire loss back.....If I could stay flat those two weeks...... I AM NOT GOING TO START GETTING ANXIOUS ABOUT EATING ON VACA, IT IS STILL 2 WEEKS AWAY .......... plus it is vaca!

not much more, we made slimey shrimp on rice last night, a bit bland, but looking forward to some more cooking adventures.......

Going to the spa for waxing.....ayyyyyyyyy

Learning to cook.....

I was getting sick of just a place chicken breast and 1/2 rice or shrimp and rice noodles. I wanted some combination food (food that has different foods, protein, carbs, veggies, all in one) so I tried and made delicious shepherd's pie..... I was so excited. I don't think it was anything like traditional shepherd's pie, but I tried and succeeded in making 8 portion, 2 oz protein, 1/2 cup carb, 1/2 veggie meal.......

I made it spicy by adding some serrano peppers and cayenne......

Oh an my secret weapon.....celery seed....it actually makes food salt without being salt....YES!!!! I am a salt addict!

So anyway....I am not stepping on the scale until Sunday.....or at least that's what I say now!

AK is back to being normal....so at least one less worry.......

I'm sick of work....I'm grouchy.....I think I'll go for my walk now....get this crabby-ness out of my system.......

I loved my dinner last night.....it looked like a ton, and it was just my portion that I am allowed on the program....yahoo!!!!!!

Weekend.......No movement on the scale.....6 more inches!

Ok 2 things that frustrate me.......

After AK left Friday morning, about mid-day I get an email that says..."peace? you know I love you!!!" - So after his acting like a baby in the morning he is a baby mid day, he couldn't call me like a grown up???? whatever....I I packed and off we went to San Francisco...more on the trip later.....

I weighed myself in the bathroom....283.5lbs! Yahoo down 13.5lbs!!! I decided to move the scale to the garage, flatter surface and not in the way (my bathroom is weirdly designed, so the garage is a better option for me.....) anyway, I moved the scale from the bathroom to the garage, 288.5, exactly 5lbs more....So, I move it back to the bathroom 283.5...hmmmmm.....well I guess there is a 5lb difference from the garage to the bathroom. So now I am 5lbs heavier than I originally thought, I guess I still am down 13.5lbs, but my start weight was over 300lbs....I though I started at 297, but no!!!!! I started at 302! OK I'm on my way down, so no worries about the starting point anymore....but looking towards a finish line.....slowly but surely.......but still.......ok one thing I know for sure...I will never be 300 anymore, or 290.....so at least something.......boooo-hooooooooo!....ya-hoo!!!!???? (For those of you who didn't know my exact starting weight, now you know....but don't spread the word....it's embarrassing enough to admit to myself - but "admitting there is a problem was the first step to fixing it" - so don't remind me of the number I was but the number I'm becoming)

San Francisco - I totally blew my diet out the ball park......the good thing is I still am at 288.5lbs as of last night, I am back on the program and will start going down, again.....so I didn't lose anything over the weekend but didn't gain either..... I did measure and have lost 6 more inches off my body, that is 12 inches since I started on Aug 3rd. So hey not bad right???? I think I am probably retaining fluids from this weekend change in diet, more salt, more sugar, more fat....so this week I'll be down for sure!!!!!

BTW...AK decided to stay home today...so he could "keep me company". So he keeps asking me, when am I going to make the chicken and turkey sausage I make for our protein snacks..... finally I said "when the meat defrosts" so yeah...back to "why is he such a baby".....probably because I let him, and/or make him one!

So off I go to meet my new best friend (my pressure cooker) and make some tender, juicy chicken breast and rice.....

Do men just look for arguments sometimes????

I've been wondering about this for sometime......

This morning AK was ready and on his way out, he had already said goodbye and from bed I said goodbye. I just wanted 5 more minutes. 2 minutes later he stops into the room and tries pulling the covers telling me it's time to get up. I have to wonder....WHY??? I said, I want 5 more minutes, I'll start doing my deal in a minute......

So from there we go to....."if you have nothing to do, look around the house, it's the little things that need attention".....

Of course I blew him off and told him to go to work, ahhhh but no! he had to keep mumbling and making snide comments until I finally got pissed!.....WHAT DO YOU WANT!!!! WHAT LITTLE THINGS!!!!

SO I get something like there's been an ice chest on the back porch "drying" for a week and it's still there....those kinds of things you NEED to notice.....

SO I started down my inventory of little things I do and he doesn't like.....

1. wash clothe
2. clean kitchen (he messes up as the cook)
3. unload dishwasher (since dieting there are alot more dishes and pots and pans to clean)
4. answer the phone/deal with all utilities/supplies/water/garbage/insurance/etc......

So as I kept going down the list he was all about "I better go now" yeah he better!!!!!

What is it....wanting to argue...I mean if you know me, you know I love to argue...and usually I win...so what's the point?????? "Negative Attention" ????? Like a 3 year old.....I'll have to pay more attention to the wonderfulness......

whatever......

UGH....and I'm sore from the freaking bands yesterday..... and I have to go to deal with one of those little things I don't do....the water delivery guy is here!

Body Sculpting Bands....Eeek!!!

OK, I did this for the first time today...I need to do twice a week according to the program.....

First I needed a straight back chair...to begin with I have no real chairs, I have a barstool....so it's taller than a regular chair but can adjust the movements, etc......

So logistics in place, I get started.....

Movements that seem so easy are so hard!!!! OUCH!!!!! But I did it!!!! Upper body check, lower body tomorrow....

I also started walking....so later this evening I'll go on my walk....I basically go around the neighborhood, bit it's all hilly so I go down, then up and down, the around and 30 minutes later I am out of breath and at home.......I'm hoping next week I can start doing to lookps in the same 30 minutes....or not....but I want to do two loops.....

On AK....why why why???????? So tomorrow we leave for the weekend, san Francisco... All he talks about are the wonderful restaurants and wants ME to plan out the weekend, basically around food...... I've pitched it back to him, for him to come up with....I'll struggle enough at restaurants, much more if I end up picking the restaurant for stuff I like....(noodles, cream, sauce, vitamin "G")

So anyway......more later......