Three Day Weekend - Hallelujah (05-23-08)

I am so delighted that the weekend has finally made it here! I am ready for a long weekend and catching up on some much needed rest! Last night, our Pioneer girls took 2nd place, losing to Woodland High girls softball team. It was a great effort on both sides, but a little sad to see our girls so beaten down after losing the championship.

I have discovered that certain places bring back cravings of certain foods. For example, Sacramento Softball Complex is the first place I tried french fries with mustard and ketchup on them. So, as soon as I walk in the front gates, I am craving those fries. But, I wasn't going to buy them only to eat two and besides, I don't want to get started on the junk food or I know that I will be sorry. I had eaten before we went to the game, so I wasn't hungry. They just smelled soooooo good when people would walk by with them! Ha ha

I'm down another pound today. I've been working really hard to get my waters in because I've had some blood in my urine. I know that the blood is from the kidney stones that I have in my left kidney. And, not drinking enough water is probably causing some irritation in my kidney. So, drink, drink, drink is my new motto. Too bad it can't be a margarita every now & then! lol

I also figured out that the only time I get angry now is if I have to go through a drive thru because fast food places offer nothing that I can eat that is both nutritious and satisfying, so I am going to work harder at preparing meals at home so I don't continue to feel like I'm left out when it comes to my meals. I only eat twice a day with breakfast being my protein shake. My cravings are few and far between at this point. And, they are not overwhelming like they were in the beginning. This new self-control that I have come across amazes me. This "tool" of a tiny stomach is working wonders! I'm also inspired by one of my BFF's, Cathy, who is down 64 lbs. since her surgery in January and she looks amazing! She's always been beautiful, but now she just glows and her self-confidence shines brightly. Love you girl! Keep up the great work, I'm so proud of you!! By this time next year, we'll be the skinny bitches we've always tried to run over with our cars! Ha ha ha ha...

Enjoy your three-day weekend people! Happy eating! ha ha

Wait...it fits? (05/21/08)

Okay, sooo....When you undergo Weight Loss Surgery (WLS), you become familiar with the different lingo that the forums and blog sites use. One of them that I've used here and there is what is described as a "Wow Moment". You see, when you gain a lot of weight, you see yourself differently that the slim people in the world. When you lose the weight, you still think like someone who is overweight. Often, you don't realize how well you're doing but then, something wonderful happens, even if it's suddenly being able to sit in a chair comfortably, that makes you realize just how far you've come in your weight loss journey. So, yesterday I had my first real "wow moments", and now I'll share.

I went to Walmart after work, kind of in a hurry because I still had to make dinner for Lou and I, and then the two of us were heading over to Sacramento to watch our daughter, Brittany, play in the semifinals for TCC Sections (she's a varsity player for Pioneer High School & only a sophomore...but, I'm not proud or anything). Anyways, I got sidetracked there...Okay, so I go into Walmart looking to get some household supplies and stuff. Since WLS, I've discovered that I get cold much easier than I used to. Prior to the surgery, I was hot if it was over 70 degrees. Now, I get cold if it's under 85. Just one of the many wonderful changes (no, really, I'd rather be cold than sweaty!!) of WLS! So, I've been looking for a cheap sweater and haven't been able to find one anywhere since it's now hot outside. Well, I see this cute little beige number lying on top of a rack and I see the size (12/14) and think there's no way that's going to fit. I mean, I was a 18/20 or 1X prior to the surgery, I don't think I've shrunk that much. But, what the hell, I try it on and it's a perfect fit!!! Okay, so now I'm wowed and of course, I grabbed it and threw it in my basket.

So, I'm walking over to the hair supplies, you know shampoo and the like which is supposed to make my unruly curls gorgeous and irresistible, only to pass these cute little shorts. Well, I see there a size 14 and I think, "I'll probably be in these in another 6 weeks", so I throw them in the basket. I found some size 16 jean shorts last week at home and they were a little snug, but I can wear them. Well, when I got home, I tried them on and they fit perfectly!!! Wow # 2!! lol...So, I'm down from a size 20 to a size 14 in 7 weeks!!! Yahooooo!!!! I know, it doesn't seem like much and I know all about different brands run different sizes, but the fact remains that I haven't been in a size 14 shorts in at least eight years!! And so far, all is going well, body wise except that my round, bubble butt is now going flat! lol...Never had that issue before but if it means smaller clothes, who cares???

On to other things....This week has been softball every night and so, I am getting pretty darned tired and not wanting to cook at home. This makes my life difficult because I cannot eat out, really. I mean, I can have stuff but who wants to spend five bucks on a meal to only eat fifty-cents worth? lol....Me, suddenly becoming frugal? What's with that??!!!!

Okay, just wanted to share...enjoy your humpday and until next time.....

Hot Days & Water Consumption (05-17-08)

My daughter had a softball game today in Sacramento and it was 101 degrees out there! I am a little concerned about how well I am going to handle the heat during Lou's and Britt's baseball games this summer because not being able to chug ice cold water is hard! I have to sip, sip, sip or I barf, barf, barf. Then Britt ended up having a heat stroke and we had to lay her down in the shade and put iced towels all over her and just trying to help her and not sipping my water made me almost have a melt down! I was so dehydrated and my lips were dry. It was horrible. I told Lou that he would definitely have to put the EZ-Up at all of his games because there was no way I was going to be able to sit in the sun at any of the games. Not that I liked to anyways!



The good news is, I am down another pound, which makes me at 34 lbs. since surgery & 49 lbs. overall. I am noticing changes, obviously, but the my ass is sagging which is driving me crazy! lol. I've always had a big round ass and now, suddenly, it is flat and I have these little flappy like areas under my butt cheeks! It's crazy! Of course, the one thing I want to go down first is taking the longest - my gut! I can't wait to be able to wear dresses again and cute little tops, but can't do that yet without looking pregnant! Well, off to bed I go...sweet dreams!!

31 lbs. & Counting! (05-11-08)

The scale has decided to be my friend again and I reached 31 lbs (46) lost as of this morning - Happy Mother's Day to me! lol...Went to our friends for dinner last night and had a couple ribs and a little chicken (maybe 2-3 ounces total). Again, problems with the chicken. Had to go throw up, but just a little. Kept most of it down. Chicken is soooo healthy, I've got to conquer this issue my pouch has with not wanting to keep it down. I think part of the problem is that I don't recognize that I am full. I will be eating and be fine and then suddenly, one bite later and it goes to hell. Ugh! Brittany woke me up this morning with a hand made card that was soooo sweet - I loved it! Lou's taking me later to the Dixon May Fair. That will be interesting since I'm not eating any fair food (waaahhhhh) and I don't really do the rides, but maybe I'll find some cute jewelry since that seems to be my shopping item of choice right now. Can't buy clothes cuz the sizes will change quickly, so I'm buying shoes and jewelry, when I get the chance! lol Well, hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's day! Enjoy!

Stress = Major Dump (05-07-08)

So, yesterday afternoon I got really stressed out and was being pulled in three different directions at the same time and didn't have time to sit down and eat properly. I had gone through the drive-thru for Lou and got myself a grilled chicken sandwich, plain. However, I had to run Brittany across town and then get back to do something at home so by the time I finally got to eat (just the meat, no bread), I was totally stressed out. So, I ate way too quickly and I paid the price! I threw up four times over the course of an hour and my stomach continued to hurt for another hour after that! And this time, the vomiting was pretty intense. Still not like a flu vomit, but definitely stronger and very uncomfortable. The worst part is that food particles try to go out your nose! Yes, that sounds gross and it is!! The three times I've been sick have always seemed to be with chicken. I think chicken is usually so tender, I forget to slow down because it tastes so good! This time, however, I know it was because I had three people wanting me to do something and not enough time in my day to do it all! So, I gobbled it down quickly and paid the price for it. To top things off, Brittany and her boyfriend broke up around 11:30pm, so I sat in her room with her until midnight while she cried her eyes out and that, of course, breaks my heart. Plus, she didn't want to tell me what happened so now I'm not feeling needed...boo hoo.....Needless to say, I'm pretty tired today. The good news is, I'm down another pound so at least I've lost two pounds this week! Til next time....

The Scale Finally Moved! (05-06-08)

Well, as some of you know, I have been a bit frustrated over the past week (or two) because the scale suddenly stopped moving! So, in talking with my friend Cathy, who is my backbone in this journey, she suggested two things: 1) I need to get more fluids in and 2) I need to eat a little more because I've been averaging around 400-600 calories a day. So, yesterday was a good day and I did get in my fluids for the day, which is very hard for me, but when I got up this morning, the scale was down a pound. I know it doesn't seem like much to those of you that have never tried losing weight, but a pound is cause for celebration! It's one more pound off that will never, ever come back on! I'm also planning on finally getting back to the gym now that my doctor has given me the green light to start working out again. Woo hoo! Never thought I'd actually start feeling like working out, but I do. I want to start doing some resistance training to start toning my muscles. This past week has been better as far as when it comes to eating. Before, whenever I'd start to eat something, I'd feel a little uncomfortable in my pouch. So, I'd have to wait a little bit and let it pass. This week, I seem to be eating more comfortably. I don't get that immediate feeling of something stuck in my belly. I also figured out that I need to add some moisture to some of my foods, especially like chicken. If they're too dry, I feel more uncomfortable quicker. I guess that's because your pouch is so small that there isn't much natural juices, like stomach acid, in there so if the food is dry, it takes a lot longer to process. It kind of just sits there until your mini-tummy can process it. Well, that's it for now...til next time!

Weight Update, etc. (05-02-2008)

Hello hello! I went to see my doctor yesterday and I am down another 5 lbs. This makes 27 lbs. since the surgery and 41 lbs. altogether. The past two weeks have been a bit of a challenge emotionally, but I am doing well. The cravings haven't stopped entirely, but for the most part are not an "all-the-time" kind of thing like they were in the beginning. It is true what they say about the "head hunger" being a bitch. I am beginning to see the changes though that are happening to my psyche. I am finding that I am no longer thinking about food every waking hour, which excites me. It used to be, I'd be eating lunch and thinking about what sounded good for dinner. I'd do that all day long. I also didn't think of myself as much of a snacker but have discovered that is not true. I used to snack on a bag of chips in the afternoon and then go home and eat two raw hotdogs after work or stop for an ice cream and then eat a large dinner. I am waking up to just how badly I did actually eat. I have now graduated from pureed foods to soft foods, which is wonderful. Sometimes, because I am feeling so good, I will begin to eat and go a little too fast and then, if I don't realize it in time, whatever went down comes back up. It's not fun, so I have kind of set up a little routine for my meals so that I won't forget that my eating style has now changed and their is no over doing it without hell to pay! lol This morning was a mini-wow moment because I'd pulled out a pair of pants that I'd been wanting to get into only to discover that they are a bit too big. I was able to wear them, but they are a bit loose! lol...Gotta love it!! It is still hard to picture myself mentally for being a thin girl, I've been fat or "chubby" since I graduated from high school, so my brain just can't imagine it yet. But, I am 59 lbs. from my goal weight and am quite positive I will achieve my goal and perhaps, exceed it. Well, that's it for now...til next time! Tootle!