How Things Be Doing

We were on vacation last week, hence, no update.  It was wonderful and relaxing.  I can't wait to go back.  We both loved it and want to spend another week, or even a long weekend at the cabin.

Despite being on vacation, I lost weight.  In fact, I blasted out of the slump I had been in with a whopping 4.2 lb loss.  I am hoping to keep it up.  I did consistently walk more the past week, although I didn't hit 10,000 steps every day.

I did eat some things out of the guidelines, and I can happily say I won't be eating some of them again.  Two were not as good as I remembered them being.  A couple made me feel nausea, but I never actually got sick.  The only one that I was like "mmm this is so good!" was a soft taco from Taco Bell.

I had my first caffeine yesterday, in the form of a coffee drink.  It was... okay.  Honestly, I probably won't do it again unless I need to poop.  Because an hour later, I was rushing to the bathroom.

My hair is still coming out faster than I am growing it.  My left temple is getting really thin.  I'm almost ready to declare I'm getting a bald spot.  I hate it.  I hate my thin hair in general.  I'm afraid to do anything to it for fear of ripping more out.  I am not even convinced all the things I'm doing for it are helping.

I bought Nioxin shampoo and conditioner.  I am still losing hair.  I take biotin, zinc, and a multivitamin, and have seen no difference.  I started the zinc just a couple months ago.  But since I have seen no difference, I stopped taking it yesterday.  I bought mega bottles of the Nioxin, so I will continue that.  Also, the biotin because I know it works on horses, so it should be doing something for me right?  Besides, I have the image in my head of waking up to find all my hair on my pillow if I stop doing everything.

Six Month Post-op Pictures

It's official, I made it to the 6 month mark.  Yesterday, was the last day of my 6 months.  I have lost 106.2 lbs since 1/08/15.  78.3 lbs have been post-op since my gastric bypass surgery on 5/27/15.

Food-wise this means I can eat anything that is low sugar and low fat.  The biggest additions to my food choices include seeds, popcorn, corn, and nuts.   I've never eaten a lot of any of those, except for corn when I was a kid, so really what I eat will not be changing much.

Mentally, I am still beating myself up over how I look, how I am losing so slowly, and how far I have to go.  When I look in the mirror, I still see the same fat person.  I am waiting for the day when I see my reflection in something and don't recognize myself.  Perhaps that day will never come at the rate I'm going.  (See, the negativity never stops)  One mental bright spot, I haven't had a panic attack since last winter.  They would occur when I was feeling very confined.  Usually in the car, since with my large self, plus clothing, the seat belt holding me, and the steering wheel right touching me, I felt like there was no where to go.  I had to pull off the road more than once and just get some air before I could drive on.  In winter, wearing layers, plus a coat, it happened more than once when I was a passenger.

If I don't think about how I look, I know I do feel better physically.  I can do more and do other things like standing for longer without pain.  My back pain only occurs once in a while.  I fit in a booth now!  A once dreaded experience still makes me a little anxious, but now there is relief every time I've tried.  That has been all of two times, but still.  The steering wheel in my car no longer touches my belly when I'm driving.  In fact, there is quite a bit of distance there.  I can fold a leg up under my other leg when I sit in my favorite recliner.  And sadly, I have no boobs.  I think that this was the first thing I noticed in the pictures below.  But I can see other changes, lots of them, with the pictures side by side.  Just wish I could see them when I look in the mirror.

Photos have been "blurred" by paint.net, no other picture editing has been done.

Sick Jeans

So you know how I was totally sick before, like two weeks ago?

I am again.  It started on Friday, and is still going, although I believe I have taken a turn for the better.  It has totally wrecked my workout plans this month.  I had started going to the Y regularly, and both times I got sick.  I would wonder if I wasn't catching it at the Y except I've been around sick people at home and work.  It's ridiculous.

In better news, I officially am wearing a pair of size 28 jeans right now.  And they are not stretch jeans, oh no, they are Lee jeans with a tapers leg so they are close fitting at the ankle.  I usually prefer a straight leg or boot cut, but I can't pass up free jeans.  I found them at the garage sale my family was putting on this past Fall and snagged them up with the thought that I would fit into them someday soon.  Soon is now!

I did buy a pair of Venezia 28 stretch jeans at Savers sometime in early October, but I should have tried those on.  Whoever wore them before me had them all stretched out and they were baggier on me than the size 30s I was wearing when I bought the 28s.  I really couldn't count those as a victory since they didn't fit right.  But these Lee 28s are a victory!  Yay me!

Feeling Ill

I've been sick since last Tuesday evening.  That is when the sniffles began anyway.  I didn't actually feel ill until Wednesday evening.  Of course, we were supposed to go to a painting class that evening and I pooped out on it.  I am disappointed in that because it was my birthday week the class would have been free for me.  It was going to be a Christmas tree.

It's been getting worse ever since.  Coughing, swollen lymph nodes, green snot, headache, etc.  I coughed so hard while trying to sleep last night that I had a pain in my chest.  It scared me, but didn't repeat, so I am going to pretend it didn't happen.

I've spent almost every day in front of the TV, two nights ago I began sleeping upright in a recliner in the living room.  Laying down causes too much coughing now.  As a result, my bottom has begun to hurt.  I don't know what to do for that.  I can only sit or stand without constantly coughing.

Today started with a pretty good headache.  Since surgery, I can only take Tylenol, no NSAIDS, and it is just not as effective.  For the coughing, Nyquil PM Capsules seem to be helping somewhat.

In any case, I am just feeling pretty miserable and lazy.  The only bright spot is that today my lymph nodes aren't nearly as tender, so hopefully that means this thing will start turning around soon.  No plans for the week until I work Wednesday night, so hopefully I will be feeling a bit better by then.

Milestone

What a glorious way to start November!

I have officially lost 100 lbs!  On January 4th, I started at 361 lbs with my first pre-op visit to the Nutritionist.  I began the pre-op diet at that time.  I had surgery on May 27th at 333 lbs.  Today, November 2nd, my first weigh-in for November, I am at 260.1 lbs!

Almost Six Months

At the beginning of October, in a post, I said that my six months was the end of October and I would post six month pictures.  I was kind of right, but mostly wrong.  Oct 28th started my sixth month, but it is not actually over until 11/24/15.  The week of Thanksgiving!  So I am sorry, but pictures will not be coming until the end of November.  I got ahead of myself.  I am getting antsy for pictures myself to tell you the truth.  I can't wait to put my side by side together!    It is the only time I can really tell the difference in how I look.

November is an eventful month for me.  My birthday, one of my sister's birthday, Thanksgiving, brother-in-law's birthday, going on vacation, a milestone or two in my weight loss journey.  But more about that tomorrow.

Back on Track, All Right!

I am so close to my next goal!  Maybe 1 day away... maybe not!  All depends on how the body wants to treat me this week.  But I am so glad that after the small gain of last week, I am back on track losing.  Over four pounds this week, yay me!

This week starts my new job, tomorrow actually.  I am looking forward to it.  Hopefully, I will sleep well at the kids' house.

Yesterday, I baked over 20 dozen cookies.  That's more than 240 cookies people!  I was exhausted and my back and knees hurt by the time I was done.  It took me eleven hours.  I've already started planning my next cookie escapade.  But maybe a smaller one.

I need to go have a protein shake now.

Addictions

Prior to surgery, I was addicted to sugar and to overeating.  I knew I was addicted, but I was unable to stop myself.  It embarrasses me now to think about some of the things I ate.  I sought that feeling of being stuffed, but not quite sick.  On more than one occasion, as my heart pounded from the sugar rush, I though that I was killing myself and would have a heart attack or diabetes soon.

I still think about sugar, but not about overeating so much.  I miss sugar.  I want sugar.  I don't think that will ever go away.  I will have to be strong the rest of my life to make sure I don't fall back into that trap.  I hope I dump if I eat too much sugar.  I don't know that I will, but I'm not willing to test it at this point to find out.

The Holidays are coming.  I dread the appearance of the usual family favorites.  The traditional foods that we have as far back as I can remember.  Will I stay strong in the face of my grandma's White Velvet Cookies, Lebkuchen Cookies, and Pumpkin White Chip Bars?  Time will tell.  Notice it is only the sweets I worry about?  I have a problem with them.

Whereas I am worried about the family favorites, new recipes, and baking itself doesn't phase me at all.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my replacement addiction is recipes and baking.  I thought I would splurge on clothes or something of that nature.  But no, I can't seem to stop baking.  I get antsy for it.  My husband's work, my nephews, church, and the 6 soldiers I sent baked good boxes to this month no doubt thank me.

I think I must be living vicariously through all these other people.  If I can't have sugar, at least sugar can make someone happy.  Good thing I have only been baking for my family about once a month and focusing on the other people.  Mainly the soldiers really, because I only bake for church once a month too.  And each soldier only gets one care package, then I get a new name to bake for.  So I'm not hurting anyone with all this baking, right?

To reassure myself (without having to taste) that I am not making something crappy.  I've only been using recipes that already have reviews.  Or recipes that I've made before, but are not a family tradition.  The higher rated and the more reviews the better.  And I read all the reviews for recipe changes that are suggested my multiple people.  Even if there are over 500 reviews, I read them all.

My Pinterest dessert board has exploded.  On another website I use, I have over 800 saved recipes.  My favorites has over another 100 recipes bookmarked before I decided to use Pinterest to keep track of them.  I already have planned out what I am making for the next three soldier boxes, my husband's work next week, and the next two times we are cooking for church.  So, yes, I think I am obsessed.  Or is that addicted?

My First Gain

It is only 7AM and so far this is the worse Monday in a long time.  I've gained weight.  0.8 lbs.  I can handle plateaus but gaining?  This is not supposed to happen.

This week I should have my period.  And my protein has been low for the past 3-4 days.  We've been eating a lot of convenience foods due to lack of time.  Canned Turkey Chili, Turkey hot dogs etc.  They just don't have as much protein in them, but they do have more sodium.  So I am going to attribute the gain to both of those.

So I am going to amp it up this week.  Uberprotein, more walking than usual, making sure I am getting at least 8 cups of liquid a day.  I can do this.  With God all things are possible.

It's a God thing

I've got a job!  That can be good and bad right ;)  But, I am excited!

I have been at home since January 2015, by choice.  Due to circumstances, my full time, 40 hour a week job, had me down to one day a week and usually not even a full day because there just wasn't enough to do.

I felt like I was wasting time and resources by going in most of the time.  So I voluntarily quit.  My husband makes enough to support us on just his income, although there isn't a lot of extra.

I enjoyed my spring and summer.  It made adjusting to surgery and my new life easier.  It made it easier to exercise and spend time with family.  But I was starting to feel like, if I would just get a part time job, we could pay off these medical bills so much faster.  And pretty much our "little bit of extra" was eaten up each month by those bills.  

My husband, he's such a dear, he keeps telling me I don't have to get a job.  We made an agreement that once either the house or the credit cards were paid off that I could stay home if I wanted.  We paid off all of our credit card debt in Dec 2013.  It was a glorious feeling!  (We should have the house paid off in 3 more years!)

Anyway, we have a vacation planned (and paid for) for later this year, and I was thinking who is going to hire me knowing I need a chunk time off so soon?  I told my husband that this was the first vacation we would have in 5-6 years, so I wasn't going to do anything that made us have to cancel it.  We are both so looking forward to it.  So I thought maybe I could pick up a little money until after the vacation by babysitting through Care.com.

I applied to several one-time jobs, short term jobs, and part or full-time jobs that didn't start until after our vacation.  But no luck.  Although I did land a pet-sitting job that is over Christmas week, but that didn't really help me now in September/October.

Then on Sunday, I saw this job that was looking for overnight help starting now.  It is for a single parent in the medical profession and is third shift 7 days on, 7 days off.  One of the children is autistic and the ad stated it would be good if  person that was hired has special needs experience.  One of my nephews is autistic.  I thought maybe I should apply.  Then I had second and third thoughts, because 7 nights straight away from my own bed and again, the vacation.  But I just kept thinking I should apply.

So I did, I was up front explaining that I would be unavailable a certain week, but if I was considered for the position I could work out future happenings around the work schedule.  I also said that I didn't have professional special needs experience, but I do frequently babysit for my nephews, one of whom is autistic.

Later that day, I got a message back about the job.  Earlier in the afternoon I had just setup an interview for another job from a family that actually reached out to me.  So I had all sorts of anxiety about the interviews and what if they both want me, who do I go with.  All sorts of scenarios.  Because that is the kind of person I am.  Try to map every possibility out and cause myself all sorts of anxiety.  Ugh.

Finally, I prayed about it and tried to let it go.  I asked that God make it clear where he wanted me and if I wasn't supposed to have either job then that was okay too.  I felt better.  We emailed back and forth a couple times.  I had an interview setup to today and an interview setup for Saturday.

Then Tuesday morning, the second family, with the interview on Saturday, let me know that they had decided to go with someone else.  At first I was bummed, I felt like I had been rejected.  But they hadn't even met me, so really I can't take it personally.  They just liked someone else's job experience/qualifications better because from what I understood no interviews were being held until Saturday due to the parents' work schedules.

So that left me with the Wednesday interview for the overnight position.  I went today, nervous of course, but hopeful.  It was immediately clear that the interview was a more of a "get to know you" interview rather than a "will you work out for us" type interview.  I was told that more than once that the person had been praying about what to do and it was such a relief when I applied after the string of college girls that had been hired before me.  How it would be so nice that I only lived ten minutes away.  We talked for a hour and twenty minutes about the children and ourselves.  There is a possibility that the schedule could be changing in the future so it won't be so hard on either of us.  The week I can't work is one of the off weeks, so it works out perfectly.  We setup a time/day for my first night.

I feel like this must be a God thing.  We both prayed about it.  We are both just what the other needs.  I am really looking forward to this.

Inches

I am so excited to be losing inches!

Since the day of surgery, I have lost...

Bust: 7 inches

Waist: 9.25 inches

Hips: 8 inches

Arms: 1.5 inches

Thighs: 4.5 inches

Amazing, yes?!  My 30 jeans are starting to feel loose.  I expect in the next 3-4 weeks I will be in a size 28.  That size is available in stores, isn't it?  I have 3 pairs of size 26 pants, but no 28s.  I may need another trip to Savers and Goodwill to see if I can find at least one 28.

When I started my waist was bigger than my bust.  Not anymore!  I have always lamented that even though I am overweight, I don't have a big chest.  And with my waist and hips being bigger than my waist, I was definitely a pear shaped person.  Maybe someday I could be a bit more hourglass shaped.  I don't think I need to consider my hips ever being small though!

And for a little more good news, I have two job interviews this week!

Support Group Depression

I really look forward to and enjoy going to support group.  Everyone there has either had a gastric bypass/sleeve or is planning to do so in the near future,  It is nice to here new food ideas and have other people be able to relate to what I am going through.  The doctor that did my RNY is almost always there as well as the dietitian and sometimes even the psychologist that they recommend people see for their pre-op visit.  Usually there is a guest speaker.  Last night, a pharmacist talked to us about medications.  How they can change after surgery and which ones should no longer be taken at all due to our changed anatomy.

And then sometimes, I think if there isn't enough questions to last the whole 2 hour meeting, they have us go around the room introducing ourselves and stating when surgery was and how much we lost.  Everyone gets clapped for. of course.  But I hate it.  All I hear is that the other people that had surgery about the same time as me have lost so much more weight.  It gets me down every time.  It is a seriously mood altering experience.  I know I am losing slow.  My body is fighting me despite sticking to the food plan.  Despite exercise.  Someone on FB was told by her doctor that she could be losing slower due to having PCOS.  I have that, so maybe that is it.  In any case, I just hate it.

Creeping Progress

I am creeping towards 100 lbs lost.  Today, I have lost 90 lbs total.  That is since the start of this process in January.  I am excited to be able to say that.  My hubby reached 100 lb point over a month ago, but of course he is a guy and he had more to lose.  But it will feel good when I can say that too.  I am hoping to reach it by the end of October.  It seems I am averaging just over 10 lbs a month, so that should be a good estimate.

I can't even imagine strapping 100 lbs to myself and trying to walk around all day.  How was I able to do that?  How is anyone?

Last week, I opened the last box of "too small" clothing that was stashed away in the back of the closet.  I was able to fish a few pieces out that are comfortable to wear now.  But for the most part I need to lose another size or two for most of it to fit right.  Still, I'm getting there.  Once I've gone through the box... then new clothes will have to be bought.  I do like to shop, it will be a novelty to be able to buy all the items I need in a store instead of online.

Visually, I admit, I can't see a big difference.  There are little clues obviously.  And I have gone from a size 36 jeans to a size 30.  (BTW: How is 90 lbs only a 3 pant size difference?!?)  I can't deny I'm shrinking.  When I look in the mirror, I just see the same fat me.  I will probably always have body image issues.  You can't instantly change something that has been going on for 30 years, I'm not sure I can ever change it.

And seriously, what is up with my hips and butt?  If they don't start shrinking more soon I am going to be one of those woman with a little waist and hips/butt the size of a Mack truck.  You've seen the pictures online, you know what I mean.  Stupid body, I want to wear smaller pants.  Get with it already!

The end of October will also be the six month mark for my RNY surgery.  I will post new photos of myself at that time.  You can be the judge of my visual weight loss progress.

Poor Fitting Bras

I hate how hard it is to get an affordable good fitting bra right now.  Plus, everything sags as I lose weight, is it too much to ask for something with a little lift?  I've got wrinkly cups or tight cups.  My husband said to me the other day that I looked happy to see him.  I told him that no, it was just my bra.

I can't spend a lot because I won't be in any one size too long.  I found some older bras in my box of clothing that doesn't quite fit.  So I am wearing them.  4 sizes smaller than when I had surgery.  One of them is 5 sizes smaller, and hurts after a day of wearing it.  But I am using that one too.  I can't be too picky right now.

Bringing Back the Negativity

I am still eternally frustrated with my weight loss.  I exercised too hard at the end of the week and ended up gaining almost a whole pound back.  What could have been 3.5+ lbs lost this week turned into only 2.6 lbs lost.  Bummer.  If I really only have the first 9 months after surgery to maximize my weight loss, then I am sucking at it.  I might get down to about 220 lbs by the 9 month mark, if I'm lucky.

Going Down a Size

I could not find any size 30 jeans.  I tried retail stores and I tried Savers and Goodwill.  But, based on the looseness of my 32s and the number of inches I lost in the past month, I am going to officially say I am down to size 30 jeans.

At Savers, I did find a pair of 26 jeans and a pair of 26/28 elastic waist stretch jeans.  I am not thrilled with elastic stretch jeans, but I figure by the time I can wear them, I will really need to be getting rid of the 32s.  I did try both pairs on, because why not?  I can successfully get them on if I squeeze, squeeze, squeeze and then don't mind the feeling of being eaten by a boa constrictor.  So yes, not ready to wear them yet.  But I did not have to lay down to zip the zipper pair, so yay me!  I really couldn't pass up the jeans at Savers.  Even if they don't fit yet, better to spend $5.00-$7.00 a pair then to spend $30.00+ a pair.

Exercising isn't Working

I seem to be losing more weight on the weeks where I do not do as much exercise.  This is the opposite of everything I've read and been told.  The more I exercise, the more calories I should expend and hence the more weight I should lose.  The more I exercise, the more muscle I should have.  The more muscle I have, the more fat I should burn.  Why is this not working?

Yesterday, I took 14,438 steps total, or 6.3 miles.  That included a Zumba class, walking over a mile for exercise, shopping at two grocery stores, and then my usual day to day walking.  According to Garmin Connect, I burned 689 calories through my activity, I only consumed 660 calories, and my total calorie burn plus BMR, including the ones I am burning just by typing this, was 3,314.  Just shy of 3,500, that is almost a pound of calories burned.

So I should have lost like a pound when I weighed myself this morning, right?  No.  I gained weight.  What?

I feel like the week was going great, I was close to already losing 3.5 lbs and I still had three mornings until official weigh-in.  Yesterday, was the first day I managed to get to my goal of 10,000 steps because it has been a busy week.  I felt like I had this week in the bag.  Now, I don't know.

Hair Loss

I am losing so much hair that I am starting to wonder if I can rock a pixie cut.  I guess worse comes to worse I could buy a wig.

I just bought Nioxin shampoo and conditioner.  It is suppose to help strengthen and regrow hair.  Used it for the first time today, and I may not see results for a month.

My hair may not have a month.  :(

Hubby said I could shave my head.  I think that with the weight loss people would assume I have cancer.  And I really don't want to go that far anyway,

Clothing and Weight Loss

I've been losing 10-15 lbs a month since surgery.  Usually right around 12 lbs.  It's great, part of me is jumping up and down at the thought that by the end of the year I will be less than 250 lbs.  But another small part, is still wondering why it isn't more.  Le Sigh.

I bought a shirt and a fall/early winter jacket for my last goal.  I forgot to say anything about it.  The shirt is a little snug about the hips though even though it is a 3x.  I was just telling my husband that I thought I would be getting to a 2x soon... and here a 3x is snug on me.  He said that between cost cutting and fashion being to show off a woman's body that sizes are a little smaller now than they used to be.  I would agree with that.  I have no interest in moo-moos so if I want something more fit to my body, I will have to stay with a larger size longer.  That is kind of disappointing.  But I guess that means I won't have to get rid of clothes as fast.

I pulled a box out of the closet labeled "My almost there clothes."  I labeled it that a couple years ago when I was on Weight Watcher's and managed to get close to 300 lbs.  I tried on almost everything in it over the weekend.  I skipped the panty hose.  All but two outfits fit me.  I am excited by that.  It means I've added 7 pants and about 10 shirts to my wardrobe.  Now, I don't have enough drawer space!  I went through my drawers and found only 3 shirts to get rid of.  In my closet I found, 6 pairs of pants and 2 skirts.  I might be able to get rid of some more shirts soon, both the fold and hang variety, but it is kind of hard to let them go.  I really like some of these shirts and I can't afford to replace them.

I keep thinking I need to make a trip to GoodWill.  Not so much for a bunch of new clothes since my own closet just provided that, but because I want to see if I can find a pair of jeans in a size 30.  I think I am probably getting close to going down a size.  I don't mind wearing my 32s until they are baggy like I did with the 36s, but I do want to know when I can successfully fit into a size 30.  It has been so long since I shopped for pants in a store, that I don't even know if they carry 30s.  It used to be that they only went up to 28s in the store.   I guess I will have to try Walmart.

Anyway, here are the shirt and jacket.

Will I complete all my goals for the week?

•  This week I expect that I will reach my next goal of 289.0 lbs.  That means I need to lose 0.3 lbs this week.  Unless I gain two pounds tomorrow, I am set.

• This week I want to reach 10,000 steps Monday through Friday. 

• This week I expect that I will walk at least 2 miles for purposeful exercise Monday through Friday.  

• This week I want to get 8 cups of liquid in every single day.  

• This week I expect that I will make at least one bag for the craft sale.  Work in progress.

• This week I expect to make Curious George cupcakes for a birthday at church.  See Below.

• This week I will go to an Archery class.  Bruise on my arm to prove it!  Next, buy a arm guard first.

I seem to have caught a cold, it started developing Friday afternoon.  I've gotten very little sleep since Thursday.  I'll be honest, I'm not sure I have enough energy to finish the bag tonight.  Also, cramps, so yes, it's been a great weekend.

Progress Report

•  This week I expect that I will reach my next goal of 289.0 lbs.  That means I need to lose 0.3 lbs this week.  This is my second day in a row that I am below this goal, so I think it is safe to say I made it.

• This week I want to reach 10,000 steps Monday through Friday.  So far so good, two days left to consider this goal accomplished.

• This week I expect that I will walk at least 2 miles for purposeful exercise Monday through Friday.  On track here.

• This week I want to get 8 cups of liquid in every single day.  This one has been tough!  I've even stayed up late a couple times already to make sure I get in 8 cups.  It will be a struggle to reach this one, four more days to go.

• This week I expect that I will make at least one bag for the craft sale.  Not done yet... eek!

• This week I expect to make Curious George cupcakes for a birthday at church.  I need to make frosting today.

• This week I will go to an Archery class.  This is on Sunday, so as long as I don't forget to go... I should be good.

I'm going to a couple crafts stores this morning.  I have a Halloween candy bag pattern, the kind of bag you use to go trick or treating with.  I am missing a few components.  But I hope to make one of them later today.  I feel like I have so much to do today, but today was supposed to be my one "down" day.  Ugh, never enough time.

Weekly Goals 8/24 - 8/30

Nothing much has been going on here to write about.  I passed the 3 month post-op mark and updated my before and after photos.  I had blood drawn last Wednesday to check all my vitamin, mineral, protein levels.  I won't get those results until later this week though.  I am very close to attaining my next goal, but not quite yet.  Maybe tomorrow if I am lucky.  I did stall out for a week with a whopping 0.4 lb change.  It is frustrating, but bound to happen.  I've been asked to babysit for my sister 3 times this week, so that will put a cramp on doing a lot.  I had a phone interview yesterday for a part-time companion/errand runner position, 6-9 hours a week.  I am supposed to find out today or tomorrow if I am going to be chosen to take the next step and meet the family.  We've signed up to participate in two craft sales, one of which is in just three weeks.  So I really need to start working on more of my crafts.  I baked bars and cookies yesterday for a breast cancer awareness bake sale.  It was really fun and reminded me of how much I enjoy baking.  I wish I could have a part-time job where I would just bake things at home for people.  Anyway, on to my weekly goals.

•  This week I expect that I will reach my next goal of 289.0 lbs.  That means I need to lose 0.3 lbs this week.

• This week I want to reach 10,000 steps Monday through Friday.  

• This week I expect that I will walk at least 2 miles for purposeful exercise Monday through Friday.

• This week I want to get 8 cups of liquid in every single day.

• This week I expect that I will make at least one bag for the craft sale.

• This week I expect to make Curious George cupcakes for a birthday at church.

• This week I will go to an Archery class.

Is that enough?  I don't want to overwhelm myself knowing that I am babysitting three days this week.

3 month post-op photos

It has been three months since I had gastric bypass surgery.  Here are some side by side photos from day of surgery to today.  I used paint.net ink sketch effect to make them less likely to be stolen.  No other alterations were made.

Years ago I had an acquaintance on a weight loss website who posted side by side weight loss photos of herself.  Another person found that her photos had been stolen and were being used on a website to advertise some kind of weight loss pill.  Hence the caution I take.

Recipe: Chili Sauce Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey Meatloaf  Serves 6

1 lb ground 99% Fat Free Turkey breast
1⁄3 cup quick-cooking oats
1⁄4 cup FairLife Fat Free milk
1 egg, beaten
1⁄3 cup Heinz chili sauce
1 small onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
A dash salt and pepper
1/2 cup Westbrae unsweetened vegetarian ketchup

1.  In small bowl combine oats and milk--let absorb about 10 minutes.
2.  Combine absorbed oats and all ingredients--except for ketchup-- in a large bowl.
3.  Mix with well, I used my hands.
4.  Spray a 8x4 loaf pan or a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
5.  Shape meat mixture into loaf.  Meat mixture will be very moist and want to spread.
6.  Brush with ketchup.
7.  Insert a cooking thermometer and bake until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
           Anywhere from 30 - 50 minutes depending on what pan you use.
8.  Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

Notes:  1- If you use a 9x13 pan the mixture will spread into a flatter loaf due to the amount of moisture in the meat mixture.  This will take less time to cook since it is spread out more.
            2 - If you change brands of any of the ingredients, it will change the nutrition value.  Nutrition value was calculated using myfitnesspal.com which allows you to look up exact brands when putting together recipes.

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 149
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2 g	3 %
Saturated Fat 0 g	2 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 78 mg	26 %
Sodium 389 mg	16 %
Potassium 80 mg	2 %
Total Carbohydrate 11 g	4 %
Dietary Fiber 1 g	3 %
Sugars 5 g
Protein 20 g	41 %
Vitamin A	8 %
Vitamin C	3 %
Calcium	2 %
Iron	7 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Weight Loss Goal #2 Achieved!

It's official, I weigh less than 300 lbs.  I will never ever let myself go there again.  I am so happy.  For my reward, I went to Torrid and picked up a top I had seen on their website.  I took a selfie, or several, but you can't really see the top very well because it is mostly a head shot.  So here is a picture from their website, although the website only has it with a white lining and I opted to buy the nude lining.

And here is my selfie.

I feel pretty and sexy in it.  I can't wait to surprise my hubby.  I also bought a new bra in 2 sizes smaller than what I am currently wearing.  I love it too.  It is slightly snug, but not tight, so that just leads me to believe I have been wearing too big a size for a while now.

Finally, I tried on my size 32 jeans this morning... and they fit!!  It has been a very happy day for me.  Now, I have to go get ready for our support group meeting.

Table Runner and Quilt

I forgot to post a picture of the table runner I made my mom for her birthday.  I gave it to her yesterday and she liked it.  Both she and my grandma said they wanted one for Christmas, so now I have that to plan.  I used this tutorial for the pattern.

 

And below is the picture of the quilt I made to donate to Project Linus.  I was inspired by this tutorial, but I changed the block sizes smaller and made it a larger overall.

End of Week 8/2/15 Summary

Final progress report this week.

• This week I expect that I will reach a total weight loss of 60 lbs.  I am only a tenth of a pound away from reaching that, so should be totally doable.

• This week I expect that I will reach my next goal of 299.0 lbs.  That means I need to lose 2.1 lbs this week.  I have had some weeks where I have lost less weight; but, I am going to set my hopes high.  Achieved Saturday!

• This week I expect that I will walk everyday, even if it means driving to a store or the YMCA to do so.  I can not afford to miss a day if I want to reach my next goal.  To that end...  Success!

• This week I expect that I will get up between 5:30 AM - 6 AM every weekday this week.  I will be much more productive overall if I get up early and get a walk in right after breakfast.  FAIL

• This week I expect that I will finish the quilt I am working on.  It will be donated to Project Linus.  Did it!  Picture tomorrow, I am too tired right now.

• This week I expect to make muffins or cookies to take to Church Sunday, since it is my day to bring an after-service snack.  I will not eat any.  Banana Chocolate Chip and Zucchini Nut Muffins.

• This week I expect I will use my Walk Away The Pounds (1 mile) DVD to get in two extra work-outs.  I want to get in some extra exercise.  Starting with two extra workouts a week seems like a good place to begin.  That second one was hard!

• This week I expect to make and decorate a cake for my Mom's birthday.  I asked her if I could make something other than white or chocolate and she gave me to go ahead.  In fact, she told me to get creative and anything other than eggplant and avocado.  (In other words, nothing that could be gross as a cake.)  So now I have to come up with something to "different" make.  I have some ideas, just need to settle on one.  I will not eat, or even taste, any of it.  Cake is very tempting.  Cake went over well  :)

All in all, not a bad week, I only failed at one goal.  And hey, I deserve to be cut a little slack.

Hair Loss and WLS

Hair loss, it's real.

A bit more than normal, but not too bad yet.

So I've noticed the past two hair washings that I have had a bit more than normal amount of hair loss.  Not extreme hair thinning like I see some of the gastric bypass patients have, but more than normal for me.  I knew this was a side effect of weight loss surgery going in, but it is one of my most dreaded. (The other being tooth loss.)

I don't want to be an overweight bald woman.  I am 2.5 months out from surgery.  Will this get worse?  I am taking biotin already.  5000 mcg a day.  But I have noticed that when I was taking 2 1000 mcg tablets a day my hair was oilier than now when I am taking 1 5000 mcg capsule a day.  More oil production from our pores is one effect of biotin.  I have considered that perhaps with my altered anatomy and reduced stomach acid, that I am not effectively digesting the capsule.  So I bought some more tablets.  I found them in 1000 mcg and 7500 mcg.  I bought both.

On the recommendation of someone on FB, I bought this OGX shampoo and conditioner.  I haven't started to use it yet, as I was hoping to use up my old bottles.  But I may have to switch now.  It was not that expensive and I found it at the grocery store.  It looks like it may only protect and give hair a fuller appearance.

A better option, according to most, is Nioxin.  It is only available online and at some hair salons.  It has a lot of reviews on amazon claiming it really works to actually help regrow hair.  It is much more expensive.  If I begin losing more hair, I will definitely try it.  But as it stands now, I am going to just try the OGX.

Snickerdoodle Cake with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

I completed my main task of the day which was making a birthday cake for my mom.  The only restriction was that it not be a plain white/yellow/chocolate cake.

I've been wanting to try out the petal technique for decorating the cake.  It was slightly more difficult than I imagined but only because the frosting was so soft it kept wanting to droop before I could get the spatula on it.  Perhaps a shortening based, rather than butter based, icing would have been easier to work with.  Also, the beginning/end point is not the prettiest spot on the cake, but you can hide that in the back I suppose.  It used about 4.5-5 cups of frosting doing the petal technique.  That was more than the recipe made, so yes, I had two batches of frosting.  I didn't use it all though.

I've frozen frosting in the past, works quite well.  I had a small amount mixed with cake crumbs from crumb coating the cake.  I wanted to eat that so bad.  It took everything in me to throw it away.  I can just imagine the hours I would have spent in the bathroom has I done so.  This is the third time I've made the cake.  I love this frosting.  The cake is good.  The frosting... seriously, I could just make it and eat it until I got sick.  I think besides a snickerdoodle cake, it would be awesome on carrot, spice, pumpkin, apple, zucchini, mocha, dark chocolate cakes and probably more.  It's splendiferous and fraught with danger for someone who would dump for eating it.  I don't think I am going to make it again for a while.  The temptation may just be too much for me next time.

The recipe comes to me from The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn.  I have three of her books and having tried about 5 recipes.  You can find the recipe online in multiple places, but here is one.

Because cake mixes have shrunk as inflation rises, I also used this Cake Mix Extender recipe to round the cake out.  I didn't want to have thin layers.  And since I didn't want my extra addition to go to waste, I didn't bother leveling the layers either.  I think it still turned out pretty.

Snickerdoodle Cake with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

When it runs between your toes, like slimy sloppy joes... Another TMI Post.

I am having wicked, wake me up in the middle of the night, diarrhea.  I don't know if it was what we ate for dinner or something else.  We had sockeye salmon.  Granted it is kind of a fatty fish, but salmon is on my list of approved foods.  Also, not the first time we've had salmon.  Maybe it wasn't cooked enough?  Like I said, I don't know, but I need the diarrhea to stop now.  I want to go walk after typing this, but I might have to wait until later in the day.  I might not be able to be that far from a toilet.  The only bright side is that it is not causing me any pain.  No stomach cramps or burning anus.  It's is just there knocking on my sphincter, waiting to be let out.

A progress report of how I've been doing this week.

• This week I expect that I will reach a total weight loss of 60 lbs.  I am only a tenth of a pound away from reaching that, so should be totally doable.

• This week I expect that I will reach my next goal of 299.0 lbs.  That means I need to lose 2.1 lbs this week.  I have had some weeks where I have lost less weight; but, I am going to set my hopes high.  Maybe?  We will see if I fluctuate back up tomorrow.  I have diarrhea to thank for this.

• This week I expect that I will walk everyday, even if it means driving to a store or the YMCA to do so.  I can not afford to miss a day if I want to reach my next goal.  To that end...  So far so good.

• This week I expect that I will get up between 5:30 AM - 6 AM every weekday this week.  I will be much more productive overall if I get up early and get a walk in right after breakfast.  FAIL

• This week I expect that I will finish the quilt I am working on.  It will be donated to Project Linus.  Almost Done quilting the top, then I just have to bind.

• This week I expect to make muffins or cookies to take to Church Sunday, since it is my day to bring an after-service snack.  I will not eat any.  Banana Chocolate Chip and Zucchini Nut Muffins.

• This week I expect I will use my Walk Away The Pounds (1 mile) DVD to get in two extra work-outs.  I want to get in some extra exercise.  Starting with two extra workouts a week seems like a good place to begin.  One down, one to go.

• This week I expect to make and decorate a cake for my Mom's birthday.  I asked her if I could make something other than white or chocolate and she gave me to go ahead.  In fact, she told me to get creative and anything other than eggplant and avocado.  (In other words, nothing that could be gross as a cake.)  So now I have to come up with something to "different" make.  I have some ideas, just need to settle on one.  I will not eat, or even taste, any of it.  Cake is very tempting.  Today's major task.

On Track

I'm on track so far for all I wish to achieve this week.  Today, I reached a total of 60 lbs lost.  I could fluctuate back up tomorrow of course, but I am happy to have finished something for the week.

I did do my first extra exercise of the week.  So yay for me.  Hopefully that will prevent my weight from going up tomorrow.  But in any case, I know it will help in the long term.

Weekly Goals for 7/27 - 8/02

• This week I expect that I will reach a total weight loss of 60 lbs.  I am only a tenth of a pound away from reaching that, so should be totally doable.

• This week I expect that I will reach my next goal of 299.0 lbs.  That means I need to lose 2.1 lbs this week.  I have had some weeks where I have lost less weight; but, I am going to set my hopes high.

• This week I expect that I will walk everyday, even if it means driving to a store or the YMCA to do so.  I can not afford to miss a day if I want to reach my next goal.  To that end...

• This week I expect that I will get up between 5:30 AM - 6 AM every weekday this week.  I will be much more productive overall if I get up early and get a walk in right after breakfast.

• This week I expect that I will finish the quilt I am working on.  It will be donated to Project Linus.

• This week I expect to make muffins or cookies to take to Church Sunday, since it is my day to bring an after-service snack.  I will not eat any.

• This week I expect I will use my Walk Away The Pounds (1 mile) DVD to get in two extra work-outs.  I want to get in some extra exercise.  Starting with two extra workouts a week seems like a good place to begin.

• This week I expect to make and decorate a cake for my Mom's birthday.  I asked her if I could make something other than white or chocolate and she gave me to go ahead.  In fact, she told me to get creative and anything other than eggplant and avocado.  (In other words, nothing that could be gross as a cake.)  So now I have to come up with something to "different" make.  I have some ideas, just need to settle on one.  I will not eat, or even taste, any of it.  Cake is very tempting.

So I want to meet my expectations for myself.  I already walked this morning, so I am off to a good start!  I don't know what my body is doing regarding exercise.  When I do exercise, my legs get random pains throughout the day.  I also seem to lose less weight when I exercise.  Maybe there is a point that I am not reaching where I would lose more weight due to exercise.  Science and anyone who promotes exercise seems to think so.  So perhaps I am just not doing enough.  But why the random leg pains?  It is not muscle soreness.

Anyway, good luck to me.  I'll see how this week goes.

Review: Sugar-free Popsicles

In our efforts to have a tasty guilt free evening snack, we have tried just about every sugar-free popsicle available in our area.  Here is what we think.

Sundae Shoppe's Sugar Free junior pops sold at Aldi:  They come in 4 flavors:  watermelon, raspberry, cherry and lime.  The raspberry and cherry were edible if you are in a fix for a sweet.  The lime is not very flavorful at all.  Then there is the watermelon.  It is only lightly flavored, but it leaves a nasty after taste in your mouth.  Yuck!  These are our very least favorite.  We are never going to buy them again even if they were the cheapest, which I cannot verify as true.  But since we bought them at Aldi's it is likely.

Calories: 20, Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 5 g, Sugar: 0 g, Protein: 0 g

Kroger's Sugar Free iCE PiX sold at Kroger:  These come in 4 flavors: orange, raspberry, strawberry, strawberry-banana.  The orange is the best.  Definitely my pick over the other flavors.  I felt the raspberry was just okay.  I do not like the strawberry or the strawberry-banana.  My husband liked all the flavors except for the strawberry-banana.  These are a bit softer.  Not that they fall apart, but rather you can pretty much starting biting the pops off without licking them.  If I had my druthers, we won't be buying these again either.

Calories: 30, Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 7 g, Sugar: 0 g, Sugar Alcohol: 3 g, Protein: 0 g

Budget $aver Sugar Free Twin Pops sold at Walmart and Meijer:  These come in 6 flavors: Cherry, Grape, Banana, Blue Raspberry, Orange, and Pina Colada.  The blue raspberry is amazing! Followed by orange, cherry, and grape.  I definitely like these popsicles the best so far.  I don't like banana or Pina Colada, but my husband does and says he likes both flavors a lot as well as all other flavors.  But he rarely gets a blue raspberry.  These are also a softer popsicle and the highest in carb so far.  Go figure.  The package is a clear plastic bag with the following print on the front.

Calories: 30, Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 8 g, Sugar Alcohol: 4 g, Protein: 0 g

The Original Brand Popsicle Sugar Free sold at most grocery stores.  They come in Orange, Cherry, Grape,  Tropical Orange, Caribbean Fruit Punch, Hawaiian Pineapple.  These popsicles are the hardest, least sweet in my opinion.  They are my second favorite brand.  They are probably the healthiest choice of all of these.  I do not like the grape as I think it has a funny, ungrape-like flavor.  I am not a fan of pineapple, but my husband is.  They sell the basic flavors in a separate box from the tropical flavors.

Calories: 15, Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 4 g, Protein: 0 g

Slacker

I have been a complete and utter failure at walking for the past... 5 days!  It has been horrible of me.

I took Friday as a day of rest, totally legitimate; I had not had one for 4 days.  I try to get one in every 4-5 days, so it was time.

Saturday, we had plans that included leaving the house very early.  Then, in the later afternoon when I could have walked, I reasoned with myself that it was over 90 degrees out.  And I pretty much didn't think about it again all day.

Sunday, We had another busy morning, but I had some downtime starting in early afternoon.  Again... too hot, didn't want to think about it, then our A/C busted and we focused on trying to keep the house cool via windows and fans.

Monday  I could have walked in the morning.  I just didn't.  I didn't go to any store to walk, although I did venture out to stores.

Tuesday, I told myself that I had to be home for when the a/c people arrived.  So I stayed home in the house the entire time.

Which brings me to today.  Today, I walked and rocked it by being over 2000 steps above goal.  Thank goodness!  I have to get back into the swing of things.  I admit that it was nice resting so much.  At the same time though, I miss the walking.  I can tell in my legs too.  Plus, I worry that my back will start to hurt if I slack off any longer.  So while I am not fond of exercise, I do want to do it.  Hopefully one day I will like it.  Perhaps even become addicted to it.  That would be nice for a change.