Food Boredom

If you’re like me, you get sick of foods very quickly and easily. One thing about me though, is that if I find something I like, I want it over and over again until I get sick of it, which is usually a few meals.. then, I run out of ideas! I’ve found a few meals that I an handle having every so often, and can change up enough to not get super sick of it.
Spinach Salad - I LOVE spinach salad, and I finally felt like I was eating a normal meal when I had it. Here’s a few ways I make it: Raw baby spinach, cold cubed chicken breast (I HATE hot chicken on salad, it ruins the leaves!), Kraft Mediterranean Crumbles (cheese crumbles with Feta, Provolone, and Mozzerella I believe, but don’t hold me to it!), Mandarin oranges packed in water (or even better if you slice fresh oranges, but I’m a creature of convenience!), and spray Raspberry Viniagrette dressing. Other options, adding ham, turkey, nuts, salad toppers, strawberries, etc.) I don’t know about you, but I’ve been missing my salads.
Tortilla Pizzas - You can be as creative as you want here. I preheat my oven to 350 degrees and then start my creation. I get the Mission Low Carb tortillas (the smaller ones), fat free mozzerella cheese, pizza sauce, and then top with a variety of things, whatever is leftover from previous meals. Canadian Bacon, Red Onion, Mushrooms, Pineapple, Crumbled Hamburger Meat, whatever, you name it! I just keep it in the oven long enough to melt the cheese really good. Usually about 8 minutes. Warning - this will not be a crispy slice of heaven if you add lots of sauce or cheese - but we get our protein in the cheese - and I can deal with it not being so crispy, although I LOVE crispy pizza! If you look at Eggface’s blog - she has an unbelievable amount of great ideas for all sorts of pizzas! Food porn included! The link is on my page in the right hand column.
Macaroni and Cheese - Miss macaroni and cheese? You don’t have to! My friend found this website on sparkpeople, and she edited it to make it healthier. 1 Box of Dreamfields Low Carb Pasta, One small low fat velveeta package, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of tuna or chicken, one cup of milk.. Make Pasta, drain, add everything else, let the cheese melt, and enjoy! How easy is that!? You can change this up to add different items as well… Maybe some ultra lean ground beef or turkey?
Those are a few ideas for today… I’ve gotten lots of great ideas from people and I’m happy to share to help anyone else avoid food boredom. As I know from the past, I eat when I’m bored.. so let’s just avoid that altogether!

Getting Closer.. But DENIED!!!

Well, I still haven’t made it to the 100’s yet… I’m 201.8 as of this morning.. I’ll probably be 203-205 tomorrow morning.. My body loves to bounce back and forth, back and forth on me!
Does anyone else have a case of the blahs? I have for about a month now, and I can’t get rid of it.. It’s crazy! I’m usually such a cheerful person, but I’ve just been so bitchy lately.
Ok, back to work for now…. I may post again later about grocery shopping!
If not, tomorrow it is!

So Close... Yet So Far!

Yep.. I’m stuck again.. I’m at 207.. just 8 lbs from being in the 100s and I just feel like those 8 pounds will want to stick to me forever and never let go. I’m really noticing the weight slowly creep off now so I need to get back into my gym routine.. I was doing so great for awhile, but of course, I have slipped. Maybe going to Dallas this weekend and seeing my Size 8 sister will help inspire me to work out more and help this weight melt off a little bit sooner!
Ok this bitch session is complete for now!

Two Blogs for the Price of One!

Today I met with Dr. W for my 6 month follow up appointment. My labs were good for the most part - my Vitamin D was still a little low, but much improved over last time. My liver functions were on the high side, which he said is likely from working out the day before. He sent me over to Labcorp today to check those levels one more time. My blood pressure was perfect.. everything was great!
Then, I asked him about my knee xray that I had in January - I never got the results for it. Come to find out, I have arthritis in both knees! That totally sucks! He said that losing weight may help it, and just keep working out.. when it hurts, lighten up! I can also take liquid Tylenol before my workouts to help with pain.
He said that my progress was “remarkable”, so I’m excited for that. I guess i should stop getting frustrated so easily!
Ok - just wanted to give you all an update!
Till next time,
Laurie

Monday!

Well another weekend came and left.. Friday I had a half day at work, and I went out to Katy and moved out of my storage unit.. What a relief! Now I’ll save $105 a month which will likely go to my clothing fund.. It took until about 6:45 to finish unloading everything, and thanks to Michelle’s help (Hooray!), I’m still alive to tell the tale! :) Now my phase II is getting rid of a lot of things either through my upcoming garage sale, or one of the reusing programs (Freecycle or Re-Use-It).. I’ve been trying to be a more thoughtful of the environment lately!
Here are some of my finds lately - some of you may find very interesting!
1) TJ Maxx has the shopping bags for only $0.79 - cheaper than Wal-Mart - and these bags are easier to carry than plastic bags.. no more spinning and cutting off the circulation of your fingers… or is that just me that happens to!? hehe
2) Avenue is having a great sale now! They have a $4.99 sale going on. My jeans that I’ve been wearing since post op are now only $4.99. There was only one pair I could buy though. But, I bought 5 pairs of jeans total - spending about $80. I got 2 in size 16 and 3 in size 14.. then I will have to bid farewell to Avenue. YAY!
3) When grocery shopping, I found Hormel Compleats - they are little complete meals in the boxed food section. I got the Beef Steak and Peppers - it only has 4 sugars for the whole meal, 20 g of protein, and 210 calories. Not bad, eh? I’ve gotten a few Weight Watchers meals and can’t eat the whole thing, but it’s a good way for variety and I always make sure I eat all the protein… just watch those suckers for sodium content!
I got to see my stepdaughter this weekend.. she stayed the night with me Saturday night and I took her back to her mom on Sunday. We had a great time! I really think she’s more mature than me, but she told me I’m a little bit more mature.. not a lot though! haha
Well…… I’m done with my lunch so I better get back to work!! :) I hope everyone is doing well, and I’ll be sure to post my garage sale info here for you locals! I know Jil is interested.. I hope I have some goodies!
Love to you all!
Laurie

Accountability Day = Late! EEK

Ok I finally got my measurements done… it’s about damn time, isn’t it?
Last measurements on 3/3/08
Waist 38
Hips 48.5
Neck 13.5
Right Thigh: 29
Right arm: 15.5
Today:
Weight: 209
Waist: 37
Hips: 46.5
Neck: 13.25
Right Thigh: 26.5
Right Arm: 15
Here’s a pic taken last weekend… it’s gross.. sorry!

A Mini Goal Reached

Over the weekend, I hit 100 lbs lost, just shy of my 6th month post op! I’m so very excited! :) I have pictures taken but I still need to get them off my camera, and hope to do that soon! I also need to do my measurements again! I’m so bad about remembering to do those pesky things.. I think it’s been about 2 months now though.. I reckon it’s time!
My shopping addiction has been bad. I spent about $120 this weekend on clothing and a wallet. So, I’m grounded from anywhere that takes Visa, Mastercard or Debit Cards! I must keep myself away!!! I do have plenty of clothes now with the exception of jeans. All my jeans except one pair are too big, but I can get away with wearing them a bit longer, so I will do that!
Ok, I’m just blabbering so I will stop it for now! I’ll post again soon - hopefully with a picture and measurements!

Slacker!

I’ve been really bad at posting lately.. Work has been on the busy side, and I’ve just been overtired lately. I’m still teetering around the same weight, but hopefully I’ll drop again soon. I did my labwork over the weekend and I go in to see Weinstein on the 28th for my checkup. I hope my lab reports are wonderful! Last time I just had a vitamin D deficiency.. hopefully that gets better!
Oh, good news! I’ve noticed that my hair loss isn’t as bad as it has been.. I still lose some, but it’s not coming out in clumps anymore.. So YAY! And I never noticed the loss by looking in the mirror. Hopefully it’s not just slowing down to start going out like crazy again, but it seems to be getting better for about a week now.. I’ll keep you all posted!
Have a lovely day!

Accountability Day

Wow, I remembered on my day, but I of course still need to do measurements. *sends email home to remind myself to do that tonight* This morning my weight was 216.8. My total loss so far is 93.2 pounds.Upcoming Milestones:100 lbs lost in 6.8 lbsI’ll be in the 100’s in 16.9 lbs
The aspect of those happening are super exciting, but it still feels like it will never get here! GRR!Rosanne joined the gym, so I am making it there more often again. I don’t think I went at all last week, and I felt terribly guilty and lazy for not going. I went yesterday and did 30 minutes on Carter (I name my elliptical machine after Carter Oosterhouse from Carter Can!.. I know, I’m weird. He is just perfect to me though! Woo hoo! I thought naming a piece of gym equipment after perfection would make me go more often.. hehe) - and then I did 80 crunches, several arm and leg machines.. and I totally feel it today. Today will just be cardio. My body was screaming at me last night and this morning. I’m glad I love the smell of Icy Hot!
Anyways - I’ll try to remember to do measurements.. I’m pretty curious myself!

A Case of the Mondays

I don’t really have a case of the Mondays, but I just liked giving my blog that title!
My weekend was quite lazy and boring, but I think I’ve needed one of those weekends for quite some time.
I hopped on my best friend and worst enemy - the scale! - this morning, and I was at 216.6. So it budged a little! Just 7 more pounds and I’ll be at 100 pounds lost! Then, my next goal will to be in the 100’s!! Wow, I haven’t seen the 100’s since my very early 20s..
Has anyone started losing their hair yet? Mine is coming out like crazy! I can’t tell when I look in the mirror yet, but OH MY, I sure can tell when I shower, or look at my clothes. I have a pet lint brush at work to get all the hair off my clothes. I ran my fingers through my hair, and probably 20 strands came out! I’m ready for this part to end.. QUICKLY! I have thin/fine hair as it is, so this scares me!
If I ever remember, I’ll post some before/so far pictures. They can’t be called before/after just yet!
Hope everyone is having a great day!

To Kim Hawkins

I can’t even comment on your blogs while at work anymore because the image verification is blocked… GRR!!I wish you luck on your interview and hope you are feeling better!

Momentary Lapse of Reason?

As in a previous post, I’ve noted that I’ve been weird lately.. Well, I’ve always been weird, but extra weird I guess.. haha I realized this morning that I didn’t weigh myself at all yesterday. And today, I didn’t weigh first thing after I woke up like I usually do.. I realized that I didn’t weigh myself after I was clothed, so I went ahead and weighed with my clothes.. Maybe I’ve finally unclenched and am loosening up a little bit? Hmm.. I highly doubt that. I guess this little funk I’m in just has me caring about nothing. It may be a good thing for me actually. Losing a little bit of my obsessiveness can be a good thing.My blogging friends haven’t been blogging as much lately.. What’s going on everyone?If I care enough this weekend to put some makeup on, maybe I’ll post some recent pics!Ok… I’ll touch base soon.. xoxox to all!

Ugh!

I’ve been weird the past few days. I have absolutely NO interest in food, people are getting on my nerves easily, and I’m just over all grumpy. No, it’s not PMS. Has anyone else gone through this?
I’m forcing myself to eat just b/c I know I need to get my protein in… But if I didn’t need that, I probably wouldn’t have had anything in the past 2 days. I hate getting irritable.. I’m usually such a happy person.. Maybe I just need to take more naps! haha

Hoppy Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I had a very lazy day yesterday… it was actually quite nice! :) My sister and her family came into town this weekend too, so it was really nice to see them.
T-Minus 9 pounds to the 100 pound mark! I am so excited!
Rosanne and I went to visit Jil on Friday - we went for a walk and chatted for a bit.. It was great to see her and I’m so glad that she’s doing well and in good spirits!
Sorry for the short blog for now - I’ll try to blog some more later. Hope everyone is doing well!

Belated Accountability Day

Yesterday I took the day off. I’ve been divorced for over a year and a half, and I FINALLY got my last name back yesterday. I got my social security, drivers license, bank, and all my credit cards switched over finally. It’s quite freeing!
I did weigh in yesterday (multiple times as usual!), and my weight was at 219.4! So, I have surpassed the 90 pound mark! WOO HOO! Just 10 more to go and I will be thrilled! I go in for my lab work in a week or two, and then visit Dr. Weinstein again a week or two after that. Hopefully I will hit the 100 lbs by then.. That would be wonderful!
Yes - I need to do my measurements again.. I’ll post those as soon as I do them.. It’s been a crazy week! Am I the only one working on Good Friday?
I am going to get a massage at noon though.. That’s how I reward myself.. I don’t want to buy more clothes just yet.
Hope you all have a happy Easter and great weekend

Update on Jil

Hello, readers! :) Jil had her surgery yesterday and came through just fine. I’m going to visit her today at the hospital so I’ll have more news then. Rosanne visited her yesterday but I wasn’t able to, unfortunately.
I’ll post again tonight after giving her a visit.

It Broke!

Finally… the plateau has busted… hopefully it will stay that way.. I’m now at 222.2.. in 2.2 more pounds, I will be at 90! and 12.2… ONE HUNDRED pounds lost! I would love to lose 12 lbs before my next appointment with Weinstein.. that would rock!
I went to the gym yesterday and I am hurting today.. Even my armpits are sore! I did 3 reps of 12 on several different arm and leg machines.. and that damn stomach crunchy thing..
Word to the wise.. don’t take a gulp of water and proceed to do stomach crunches.. I almost lost my cookies!! Had to sit up a few minutes and just close my eyes for the nauseated feeling to pass.
Hope you all had a great weekend!

My World

My work installed some web blocking service…. No longer do I have access to a lot of my favorite sites… Meebo… Ebay… *sobs uncontrollably* Those that message me on meebo during the day - sorry, I can’t access it anymore… I’ll be on it when I’m home on evenings and weekends though.
Oh, how I miss ebay.. On a brighter note, maybe my paychecks will last me a little longer..
Till Next time… maybe I’ll be blogging 1400 times a day now… hehe

Accountability Day

Since one of the main reasons for me to create this blog was to hold myself accountable for my actions, I’ve decided to declare Thursday my Accountability Day! It will be like a holiday.. especially if it’s a good weigh in! I’ll update later with my measurements since I’m at work right now, but my weigh in this morning was… drum roll…. 224.4! I’ve been teetering back between 224 and 227 so I’m not too excited yet. If 224 sticks, my total weight loss in 5 months is 85.6 pounds.I feel like the biggest tool for not taking my measurements pre-op. Pre-op I weighed 310 pounds, wore size 28 or 30.Currently, in tops I wear a 16 or 18, and size 18 or 20 in jeans. My feet have gone from size 8 1/2 to size 8.

My Vitamin Intake

Lacy asked that I blog about the vitamins I take. From right after surgery to last week, I was taking Flintstones 2X a day, Twinlabs Calcium Carbonate, and Biotion, and a monthly Vitamin D supplement. My 3 month labs showed that I was very low in Vitamin D so my doctor got a custom supplement made from a compounding pharmacy.. I had never heard of that before!
So here’s my breakdown1X a month (around the 15th, but that doesn’t matter! hehe) - 50,000IU of Vitamin D.. I open the capsule and drop in a teaspoon of applesauce. Thank the lord it’s just once a month!Morning and Evening - Bariatric Advantage Multi Vitamin in Passion Fruit - 1 in the AM and 1 in the PM
10AM ish, Noonish, and 2PMish - Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Cinnamon Lozenges - 1 at each time.
Daily - 1000mcg of Biotin - Nature’s Way sublingual. This doesn’t taste too bad, but not too good either.. very tolerable! I take this for hair and nails. My hair is very fine and I am definitely going through the hairloss portion of the journey. It scares me to bits! So, anything I can do to help that, I will do.
One thing I need to start taking is an Iron supplement. The Flintstones had plenty of iron in them, but the Bariatric Advantage multi-vitamins do not. I will be ordering those from BA very soon.
My doctor told me that people who take the BA vitamins generally have excellent labwork. That’s what I want to hear! :)
Now, if they’ll just put protein in those yummy cinnamon lozenges!