Hello, Dolly!

While it sucks that a hurricane has hit the coast of southern Texas, it sure is nice to get some rain. I'm on the 10th floor of the building where I work and have a nice view of the storms blowing through. I love when it rains sideways as long as I'm not standing or driving in it! People seem to forget how to drive when it rains.. it's ridiculous! This weather makes me want to curl up in bed, cuddle with my little Roxcee and read a good book or take a nice little nap...
But no, I'm at work! *sigh*
I have a whole lot of nothing to say.. but figured I would just say that I'm enjoying the weather and glad the grass will survive another week or two :)
Hope all is well with everyone!
xoxo

RSS Hugger

Through one of my fellow bloggers, http://greentshirt.blogspot.com/, I stumbled across a great site called RSS Hugger. It's basically a service to help you promote your blog and get more exposure. I figured it would be a great way for me to spread my wings throughout the world and share my story. Check out the site when you have a moment! http://www.rsshugger.com/. Hopefully it will be a great way to get trafffic and spread the word about weight loss surgery!

Love to you all! :)

In a Funk and Other Stuff

I've noticed that since I have had WLS, I've gone through a rainbow of emotions. Most days I am in a great mood, with a completely sunshiney positive outlook on the world that may make other people nauseated. (Hi Jil!) Other days, I feel like an insensitive jerk. Other days, I'm very moody and bitchy. It's annoying! I don't know if it's hormones, since my body is freaking out and doesn't know what to do with itself anymore.. Or maybe my fat covered up that I was always sometimes an insensitive jerky bitchy girl sometimes.. Who knows? As they say, this too, shall pass!

My mom is doing well. She has her first follow up appointment today with her surgeon. I did go fill her pain medication prescription yesterday. She was feeling bloated and it was making her feel like her incisions were going to pop. The pain medicine they sent her home with helped, so she had me fill it up. I'm glad she's doing so well. She's off all of her medications already, and her sugar and bp levels are doing great. Her bp is better than mine even! :)

I've been feeling like crap for the past few days as well. I think I was so focused on making sure my mom was ok, that I wasn't eating well (not enough) and I know I wasn't drinking enough. So, leave it to me to get dehydrated and just feel horrible overall. Also, I forgot to take my birth control pills 3 days in a row, so I started again... That always makes me get a headache! So... here we are Day 4 with a headache.

My goal rewards I set for myself were massages. I was due for another one when I got under 200 lbs that I haven't redeemed yet. Maybe it's time for that! Unfortunately, my wallet doesn't allow for that right now. Hopefully within a week or two.. I have had incredible amounts of tension lately!

Ok, this bitch session is over for now.. hehe

Love and hugs to you all!
xoxo

Update on My Mom!

My mom had her surgery today. It went without a hitch... the surgeon said she did great and to keep up the good work. She was walking around this evening like she owned the hallways... better than I did, that's for sure! When they brought her into the room out of recovery, she was smiling and joking around. HUH!? LOL She claims it's because she's old and just had a good nap. :o)
See, I come by my craziness honestly!
Anyways, she's doing well. Thirsty, but feeling great otherwise. Tomorrow she has her swallow test and then she can start the sip sip sip process that we all know and love.
Just wanted to post a quick update! :)
xoxo to you all!

Laurie

The Move Is Complete...

Well, I've been trying to play with my blog on wordpress, and I am starting to believe that wordpress is not for novices. Everything seems so much harder! So, instead of spending the time to learn how to do things, I figured I'd move my blog to a place that I understand and can easily make look how I want! :) So here I am at blogger.
I'm keeping the old one but not adding more to it... I hope this one is easier for all to navigate! It is certainly easier for me to use!
xoxo

Sparkpeople

Does anyone else out there use Sparkpeople? It’s a free site that has recipes, exercises, motivational articles, food and exercise logs, and more! If you haven’t used it before and are interested, I will forewarn you that you get lots of email. I switched off of my main email address and added a different one, just to avoid the whole influx on my main account. I do actually read the emails and find them inspiring and helpful! If you are a member, please add me as a friend! My user ID is LAURIE9797. If you haven’t looked, please use me as a referral!
Let me know what you think. Is it lacking in any areas compared to other sites? The message boards aren’t great in my opinion, but I go to Obesity Help for the message boards.
I’ve been trying to update my site and make it prettier, but I will have to do it from home. So many little things are blocked through work, so anything can add to my frustration levels!
I’m bitchy today! I got to sleep around 12:30 or so, and the quality of sleep sucked! My friend rides with me in the morning and I finally got OUT of bed, when she was on her way to my house! I took my dog out, and noticed someone had written on my windows of my car with some shaving cream or something.. WTF? I’m 32 years old, I know none of my friends do that kind of thing anymore.. Stupid Kids! LOL I washed that off, and got ready faster than ever have before! :) I am ready for a nice long nap though!
Wow, 2 blogs in 2 days.. Maybe I’ll get back into the swing of this!
xoxo to all!

Bad Blogger!

I’ve been a terrible blogger lately. I have so much running through my head ALL the time, but just haven’t put it into words for the world to see. Honestly, it’s probably a good thing. You’d be bored to tears I’m sure!Hmm, what is new with me? My mom is having her RNY this Thursday. I am so thankful that she was approved, and so hopeful that it will help make her healthier. She has had Type II Diabetes for quite some time, so long, we’re not sure how long. We found out she had it through a foot infection which turned into a partial amputation. So, being able to overcome diabetes is the primary reason she is having the surgery. That along with sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disease, you name it! I know she is in good hands both spiritually and through her surgeon! Please though, if you are a spiritual person, pray for my mom this week! I’d greatly appreciate it!
As far as my weight goes, I’m stuck again. This time, at 188.2 I believe. I weigh less than I did when I met my ex husband, which was my first personal goal. Back then I think my highest ever weight was 230 and I was on Meridia and made it down to 201.. then met him and started going out to eat, doing the whole dating thing, and ballooned up to 270 by the time we got married. Well, I got rid of the excess weight in both senses.. him, and the weight on my body, and I don’t miss either! hehe
As far as personal life goes - I’m dating a great guy, spending lots of time with my awesome friends, and just loving life in general! I put a deposit down on my mini season with the Houston Aeros, and next year I have a season ticket to Broadway Across America for Austin.. hey, the shows are better! I’ll get to see Rent, Legally Blonde, Avenue Q, Spamalot, and Wicked! Great lineup! :) The one I’m really interested in for Houston is Spring Awakening! My visit to New York made me fall in love with the theater and going to see all of these great shows! If I had more time and money in New York, I would have gone to see a show every night!
I am also going to a great church now, that I found through my boyfriend. It is a very spirit led church, and I feel at home there. So, I think my search is over for a new church!
Well, it’s almost time to leave work, so I guess I should get back to it for awhile!
Hope all is well with you!Hugs to all!Laurie

To The Bloggers I Read

I visit a lot of blogs on a daily basis - and my work prevents me from visiting a lot of sites, or posting on them.. So, I’m sorry I can’t leave comments.. I try and they are blocked from me submitting, or just don’t work. I have full intention of leaving comments when I get home - but my desktop is dead and my laptop is temperamental. Once I pay down another hundred or so on my Dell account, I may take advantage of their 1 year no interest, but we shall see.. I should just make due with a laptop.
Ok.. bye for real now!

Post Vacationitis!

Well, I had a fabulous time in NYC. We did as many of the touristy things that you can possibly do in just 4 short days. I mastered the subway system, and my legs and butt are unforgiving for all of the stairs that I put them through. There are stairs EVERYWHERE in NYC. We stayed with my friend’s cousin, and guess what? He lived on the 3rd floor of his building. So, I definitely got a lot of walking and stairs in. My body was so sore, but now I actually miss it! I retired from stairs for a few days, and now the elevator in our parking garage is broken, so I get 10 flights in round trip. WOO HOO! Wow, I’m rambling today.. lol
I got back to Houston on Tuesday morning with full intentions of going to work right afterwards.. that did NOT happen. I had to get some sleep! So, I had a nice 2.5 day week last week, and a 3 day week this week.. NICE! :)
Over this past weekend, my boyfriend took me to the Hill Country.. Wow, it was beautiful. We stayed at a little bed and breakfast called Little Goose Lakehaus, at Canyon Lake and it was soo nice! We went out and explored the hill country, got some tasty Fredericksburg peaches, visted Luckenbach, and just had a nice, relaxing time! He’s from NYC and he ended up buying a cowboy hat! YAY a new convert!
Ok, that was the good stuff… The bad - I stepped on the scale and I was at 198… So about 3 lbs gained.. I would love to think its from my new stair muscles, but I know I didn’t eat as healthily as I could have on either vacation. So, it’s back to visit Carter tonight, and start dating him 3 nights a week as well. For those of you who don’t know Carter - that’s my elliptical machine, named after the gorgeous Carter Oosterhouse. A girl needs motivation to go to the gym, right? What’s better than going on a hot date 3 nights a week! hehe
I’m seriously on my getting back on track mode. I’m tracking my meals on Sparkpeople again, and will be getting super serious about getting my ass back to the gym, and using my videos and wii fit. Yes, the Wii Fit is still in the box… I started dating my boyfriend right after I bought it, and I’ve actually been getting out of the house a lot! Time to take care of me now though - I have been losing weight a lot slower lately, and now it’s time where I have to step it up a notch or three!
Ok, I can go all day, so I better stop here.. Another goal is to blog more often - how can i be held accountable if I don’t post a thing, right? I’ll be catching up on blogs as well - I miss keeping track of my wls sisters and brothers!

Vacation Time!

Tomorrow evening, I am headed to NYC with two of my dear friends. We’re going to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway on Thursday, visit Yankee Stadium during the last season there and catch a game on Friday, and fill our time exploring and taking in the city the rest of the time! I know we’re planning on going to Coney Island, Central Park, etc. I want to go to Tiffany’s and H&M, even if I don’t buy a thing! :) We’re also going to spend a day in Boston, as that’s where we’re flying in and out of to meet our friend.I am so excited! I’m overdue for a vacation, just as we all are, and this will be very refreshing. I love big cities, and you can’t get bigger than NYC, at least in the US!
As far as weight loss goes, I’ll be getting more exercise there than I’ve gotten in awhile. We’re not going to be driving, but taking the subway and walking instead. I’m not going to be hard on myself if I have a drink or two, but I will NOT have any sodas. For me, and my personality, soda is far more addictive and bad for me than any amount of booze! That’s somewhere where I don’t plan to go. One of my friends that is going has also had gastric bypass, so we can share meals! YAY!
I will take lots of pictures and post some of my favorites. See you all when I get back!

Finally!! It's HERE!!

I am finally in the 100’s… My scale decided to stop being so evil and sadistic and finally dropped. I really think it used to laugh at me and taunt me. But now, I’m officially 196.8!
Besides my scale tormenting me, life has been good, but incredibly busy! I worked about 50 hours last week, so that will be a nice check, just in time for my trip to New York City next week!
I have my Wii and my Wii Fit, but haven’t had a chance to play. I can’t wait to!
I’m going to see Sex and the City tonight with 4 of my girlfriends.. can’t wait! :) It will be a great little treat!
Hope all is well with everyone.. I will update more later.. still pretty busy at work!
xoxoLaurie

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!