Monday Mix Tape


Weekend Wrap up
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I'm happy to say Spring has arrived in the ATL.  It's a shame we got one less hour of weekend but I made sure I got the most of every minute!

Saturday I did only the second 90 minute Bikram yoga class of my life. It was long and it was hot but I survived and I didn't have to take a break. Every class gets better as I lose more and more weight. It's exhilarating!

Sunday I did this.......

This is the donate pile. My closet is almost empty. I currently have 2 pairs of pants (one black one jeans) that fit and a random few tops. This pile represents everything big and black I've hid behind in the last few years. Some plus size goth girl is going hit the jackpot at the Goodwill. 


What are you eating?
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This was the first weekend I've felt "normal" since having surgery. Friday was gorgeous and everyone on our side of town was at the bar on the patio by 4pm. We walked the 3/4 of a mile up there, I had a shot of Patron on the rocks over the course of 2 hours and 1/4 of a chicken finger and 2 tater tots that were on the table. For me, happy hour used to consist of 3 tequilas, 3 beers, a burger, fries and a cupcake on the way home. No walking was involved. It felt pretty good to be back there - being social without even coming close to overdoing it.

Saturday night was my first dinner party since surgery. My friend who hosted it was so sweet and so considerate of my diet and the food was incredible!
This was an Asian style ginger tilapia and a quinoa and kale cake. We also had roasted bok choy. I even had a Milano and peach sorbet for dessert.

I ate more this weekend than I have in a while. It's nice to be able to eat what I want but I'm still tracking everything. Even the 2 tater tots! It's scary in a way. I'm afraid I'll go back to my old habits but there's no way my stomach is capable of even 1/4 of what I used to eat on a bad day. I have to keep the faith in myself that I can practice moderation.

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!






Friday weigh in

Things are still a little slow in the weight loss department - in the pre-surgery days I would have given my right arm for 2 pounds a week so I'm not going to complain!

Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
Mar 8 - 216  -2
34 pounds total! 

Also have a few non-scale victories to share
 
My first shirt without an "X". Just a plain ol' "L"

   
Tracking everything I eat for 30 days. I love My Fitness Pal and My Fitness Pal pals.


Have a great weekend everyone!

Monday Mix Tape

Weekend Wrap Up
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Another weekend gone in the blink of an eye! It was freezing here and it made for kind of a boring weekend. I'm so ready for spring and my garden and our neighborhood deck parties!

Saturday I had my trainers class followed by one of my monthly support groups. I was quite pleased with myself for making it to my class before having to drive to the burbs. The old me would have skipped it altogether - the new me went to class anyway and just left 15 minutes early all good and sweaty for the group :) It was a small group but a good one and I got to see all the people who are a few months ahead of me and their dramatic changes are so inspiring!!

Sunday morning I went with my sister to the hardest yoga class at our studio. 75 minute Hot Vinyasa. I totally rocked it and was practically in tears at how much easier it was to do all those crazy moves. I will secretly be really happy when the extra 20 or so new years resolutioners that are still hanging on drift away and I don't have to be AS close to other peoples feet.

The New Regime
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Now that I'm cleared for all exercise, I sat down and made my new workout schedule. This may be totally boring to some and interesting for others. If you plan on robbing my house or stalking me while I'm working out I have two big dogs and a Scottish husband.

Monday: 45 minutes walk; 60 minutes Core and More (that's my trainers class of cardio, weights and pilates and if you live in Atlanta I highly recommend)
Tuesday: 75 minutes Bikram yoga
Wednesday: 45 minute walk; private session with my trainer 60 minutes
Thursday: 75 minutes Hot Core Power Yoga
Friday: 45 minute walk; 60 minutes Core and More
Saturday: 90 minutes Bikram yoga
Sunday: 45 minute walk; 75 minutes Hot Vinyasa

As you can see, every day has something good going on. I don't usually plan a day off because life has a way of taking care of that for me. I've cut back on my cardio per the surgeons suggestion and I'm worried it's not enough/not too much. It's hard to figure out what my new body wants!
Eventually I'll add back in running and spinning. Right now I'm doing everything my surgeon says.

What are you eating?
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Seems to be everyone's first question! Still having protein shake for breakfast, usually chicken salad made with greek yogurt for lunch, salmon for dinner is still my favorite. I get a green smoothie in during the day for some veggies. If I have room for a snack it's usually cottage cheese or greek yogurt. I tried a small high fiber tortilla - I made a tiny quesadilla and it went well. I plan on trying half of one with some cheese, sauce and turkey pepperoni for the first taste of anything pizza-like I've had in 6 weeks.

I'm averaging 600-700 calories, 80 grams of protein, 35-40 grams of carbs, 10-15 grams of fat.

I had 2 ounces of red wine last night for the first time in 6 weeks. Again it was fine but not something I'm going to make a huge habit of. Liquid calories (that aren't protein drinks) are the enemy of the vertical sleeve patient.

Never in a million years would I have thought my sugar cravings would disappear but they have. I bought a beautiful carton of strawberries and that's the sweet treat I'm looking forward to?!? I feel like I've been freed from a powerful addiction to sugar, fat and salt. The three amigos. Sometimes I don't even know who I am anymore - in a good way :)

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday weigh in - one month update!

I can't believe it's been a month since my surgery. As y'all know, my one month follow up with the surgeon was yesterday and he was genuinely thrilled with my progress. So many of the people I know from support group have surgeons who hardly say a word. I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to sit down with him and have an open conversation about all aspects of the surgery - not just the surgical part.

Let's get right to the stats:
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237 -13
Feb 8 - 231 -6
Feb 15 - 222 -9
Feb 22 - 220  -2
Mar 1 - 218  -2
 
Starting BMI = 48
One month post surgery BMI = 42.6!! - 5.4

The weight loss has slowed - I wouldn't call it a stall but I went from losing a pound a day to 2 pounds a week. His suggestion for speeding it up again is less cardio and more calories. No medical professional has ever said that to me before. It was like opposite day.

Now here's where it gets pretty mind blowing for me. The inches! I had my trainer do my measurements so they would be accurate (thank you Karen for being AWESOME) and I still can't get over the difference:
Waist: - . 5"
Chest: - 1. 5"
Hips: - 3. 5"
Thighs: L - 1. 5" R - 1"
Arms: - 1. 75"
Calves: - 1. 25"
- 11" total 

Okay now pictures. I'm not thrilled with these but we are documenting this honestly and this is part of the process. Hopefully I will grow to love my pictures more each month. 

All in all, it's been a great month. I'm so lucky to have never had a single complication.
I'm totally cleared for everything now - all exercise and solid food. Surgeon recommends weight lifting and yoga with cardio 3 days a week. Of course I will listen to every word he says because it's done me well so far!

This afternoon I'm going to a 60 minute Bikram class to ease back in. It will be good practice for Tuesdays 75 minute class. I cannot WAIT to be back in the hot room - 11 inches and 32 pounds gone since the last time I was there!

Happy weekend everyone!

Bittersweet NSV

Today, as I was getting ready for my first post-surgery training session, it suddenly hit me how easy it was to put my shoes on. Now that's a great non-scale victory!

At the same time, it made me really sad that it was ever hard to put my shoes on. I used to sit on the ottoman at the end of the bed - kinda sideways. Then had to change positions to put the other shoe on.

It makes me realize how much the weight can creep up on you. You gradually buy bigger pants. You start to move differently to accommodate for extra pounds. You blame the dryer for your clothes shrinking or your aging for the aches and pains. It's subtle but it's happening and suddenly your whole life is affected by your weight. I realized that I've been accepting all along something that's completely unacceptable to me. Being able to bend over is not optional. I just isn't.

Y'all know I have the worlds best yoga teacher and she said something that's always stuck with me which was "We all have a choice as to how much we want to be able to move in our 40s 50s 60s and beyond." She's totally right.

God willing, I will never again struggle to put on my shoes.

Monday Mix Tape

Weekend Wrap Up
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Anyone else have a strangely short weekend?!?

Saturday the weather was gross and I woke up with a new injury - sciatic nerve? Ouch! I was totally out for the day. Laying on the couch watching 18 hours of HGTV. It was fine when I was laying down, fine when I was standing up but anything in between was so painful it made me dizzy! I did some research, some hot and cold therapy and I will eventually see the chiropractor - once I clear that with the surgeon. Apparently my weakened abs and lots of walking are the cause and it can be fixed.

I have to admit, I was in a little bit of a bad mood because I couldn't sit around and eat all day. I've decided I'm going to apply a little yoga thought process when things like that come up - recognizing it, acknowledging it and moving on. 

The day ended with a devastating and horrible tragedy on my recorded season finale Downton Abbey. I'm completely obsessed with that show. Hey, at least it's on PBS and not trashy!

Sunday was suddenly spring! I got out of bed slowly hoping the dose of liquid Lortab I had before bed had rid me of the pain - it was still there but much better. I was ready for my first trip back to yoga! I took the restorative class which was super easy and it felt GREAT. The best part? This was the first time I could really tell how much of a difference 30 pounds makes. I can lay on my back and bring my knees to my chest without the giant inner tube around my belly. There's still plenty there but what a huge difference.

Because that class probably burned less calories than I would have burned doing projects at home, I set out for a walk after a quick lunch. Our little village here on the East side is very walkable and totally explodes when then weather gets nice. Everyone is walking, biking and filling up all the patios at restaurants and bars, eating and drinking. I did 4 miles taking in all the sights and smells - cupcakes, beer, burgers, doughnuts, pizza. It really didn't bother me - I felt strong and I felt proud. I saw a few people I know and already people are freaking out when they see me. It's pretty sweet.

This seems to be and extended track on this weeks mix tape but I'll end it by saying I couldn't find my cart at the grocery store because it's unrecognizable as mine. If it weren't for the blue cans of Heinz beans from the British section, I might not have found it.

Tales from the Gym
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Spring lasted one day and it's back to the indoors today. Because I still have 3 gym memberships (this is an issue that needs to be dealt with) I chose to go to the CleanCloseCheapGym. I couldn't face another hour walking on the treadmill so I decided 45 minutes on the elliptical might be good for the old sciatic nerve. It was a good workout - boring but at least house hunters was on and it was close captioned so I could still listen to music. It was great until the parking lot.

Wedged up next to my car is a giant banged up maroon Tahoe sized thing. My side mirror was touching it. In it, a large woman stuffing her face with fries. She was backed in so I was looking straight at her and there was no way I could get in my car. She was not acknowledging me at all but finally got her to roll her window down. I told her to move - she was way over the line and I couldn't get into my car. She looks and says "yes you can" I say in return, "I just had abdominal surgery and can't move like that to get in". What does she do?? She shrugs her shoulders and ROLLS THE WINDOW BACK UP. (I swear I'm not making this $#!+ up people). I should have called the cops but instead I got in the other side of my car, slid across (because I'm skinnier now, so there you big fat french fry eater), flipped her off and drove away.

I love how I solve one problem with my total yogi mindset and the other with sheer ridiculousness. That my friends is the beauty of me :)

Settling in
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I feel like I'm finally back to a routine that's as normal as it gets around here. Most of the time I feel like I never had surgery except during a meal of course or if I take a sip of water that's too big. I'm cooking more than ever - which has benefited my husband as well. He's down 10 pounds! Mostly from portion control and not eating out. I feel great when we cook a full week of healthy meals that both of us can enjoy. We have so much left over these days that his lunches are always taken care of and sometimes the neighbors even get fed!

If you lived through this one and care for more, I will be doing my one month update on Friday. I see the surgeon on Thursday and I'm hoping to end my current stall before then. I will also be seeing my trainer and getting my measurements done so stay tuned!

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday weigh in

Not so exciting this week kids. We might have to plan a non-scale activity for this particular Friday every month. Because boys read my blog, we're not going to talk about periods.

Here are the stats:
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237
Feb 8 - 231
Feb 15 - 222
Feb 22 - 220

2 pounds lost this week. 30 pounds total. I will totally take that - especially on a week where I normally gain 5.  I'm super close to the two-teens which is the lowest I've ever gotten on this blog.

Some non-scale victories to share:
  • I have logged into My Fitness Pal and and tracked every single thing I've eaten for the last 15 days in a row
  • I have at least a dozen pair of pants to get rid of
  • Suddenly I can walk swinging my arms freely at my side instead of them hitting side fat
  • I have walked an hour every single day this week -through cold weather, rain, cramps and all my other usual excuses
  • I have zero cravings, drinking a ton of water and feel constantly satisfied.
  • I have not had alcohol in (or a cupcake) 5 weeks
  • My new stomach doesn't love coffee so I've become a tea drinker. English breakfast in the morning, green in the afternoon. It's rather civilized :)
Next Thursday is my one month follow up already! I'm planning on posting some progress pictures, measurements and maybe even another video post.

Have a great weekend everyone!
     
     

Monday mix tape


Saturday - Tales from the Y 
(This could become a weekly column unless I quit going there which I want to do every time I go.)
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Saturday was a busy day involving a trip out of town for a film festival. I had a huge blister from walking 4 miles on Friday and I had a toe issue from not getting a pedicure for over a month so there was no way I was going to be able to do a big walk. Being the no-excuses workout chick I have become, I decided to go to the pool when it opened in the vain hope of it not being busy. I got showered and in a lane before anyone else and then the guy I now call "big fat water walker" walked in along with his other "pool buddies". He was loud and obnoxious and made a point to yell "sorry John you missed out on your favorite lane today" and "shoulda got here earlier huh?" And then we did this another dozen times during my workout.  He walked. In a lane. Slow as dirt. Talking. I got about 30 minutes in then left.

I love swimming so much. I wish I could find a pool where nobody else went. Or at least lane sharing wasn't allowed.

Sunday - more toe issue
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Sunday I couldn't do anything. Could barely walk. If I had gotten a pedicure this wouldn't be a problem and I was seriously mad at myself about it but I did have surgery and couldn't drive for a while etc. etc. This was the first day since I left the hospital where I got no exercise. I also got a really bad nights sleep because of it. Seriously hurt that much. 


Monday - relief!
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God bless the older, very zen Vietnamese woman at the nail salon. I called this morning, got in right away and she said "I fix you." And she did. And it only hurt a little. I swore to her that I will never go more than two weeks without a pedicure. I am completely cured and the bonus is my feet look great. I wouldn't have got my signature "Chick Flick Cherry" OPI color if I had gone to the podiatrist :)

I can't wait to get out and walk again today!


Quickie surgery update
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I'm still feeling ridiculously awesome. Have tried a few new foods and nothing has caused any problems. It's hard to explain but some things just work and some things just don't work. If it doesn't work it doesn't make me sick at all - it just kind of sits there.

So far my new stomach loves:
salmon
ground chicken
ground pork
greek yogurt
sweet potato
mashed potato
vegetarian refried beans

My new stomach does not like:
toast
pot roast
water on an empty stomach

As you can see most things have been really sucessful. I'm still amazed at how great everything tastes. I can't decide if that's from surgery or just because I haven't eaten anything in so long :)

Have a happy, healthy week everyone!

Friday Weigh in

It's such a nice change to look forward to posting my results!

So far I have lost 28 pounds!!!!!
(that's 2 stone for my British friends and family - I've never understood that system - why would you want to measure weight in 14 pound chunks? Math is involved as well.)

Here are the stats:
Jan 14 - Start of liquid diet - 250
Jan 29 - Surgery weight - 237
Feb 8 - 231
Feb 15 - 222

9 pounds this week?!?! Crazy isn't it? Finally something is working - I feel like my life has been saved.

I'm still incredibly satisfied and rarely hungry. There was a couple of times I would have like a piece of valentines day candy but instead I and had 2 oz of salmon and an ounce of garlic mashed potatoes. Everything tastes extra delicious these days and I often joke with my mom about something my grandfather used to say "my stomach is full but my mouth is still hungry!"

Right now I'm eating about 3 oz of food at a time. I track everything religiously on My Fitness Pal so I know I'm getting in my 80-90 grams of protein. It's a lot of protein to squeeze in such a few ounces of food but It's doable and it's not really that hard. I eat between 500-600 calories and it's steadily going up as I'm able to eat a little more. I believe my goal is around 800.

Walking had become a part of my every day routine. I do 45 minutes to an hour every single day NO EXCUSES. I like to be outside so I've been scheduling it around the weather - early morning is best but it's nice to wait until noon or so for it to warm up a little. Funny, in a few short months I'll be out before sunrise trying to beat the heat!

Hope y'all have a great weekend. Thanks as always for the great support!!

Monday Mix Tape

BEEEEEAAAAUTIFUL weekend here in the ATL. I even got a good bit of sun sitting outside watching our "adopted son" play in a soccer tournament. (Adopted son is the son of a wonderful friend of mine - I figure if you're going to "adopt" a kid, he might as well be a 16 year old good looking star goal keeper. All we have to do is cheer him on, and then his mother drives him home and has to deal with his stinky clothes and teenage craziness.)

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I haven't stopped walking since the day after I got home from the hospital. It's been doing me a lot of good in many ways! I changed the battery in my heart rate monitor all by myself (don't tell the people at Polar - they want you to send it in and pay $20 - and believe me they put the fear of God into you about doing it yourself and voiding the warranty) now I can be sure I'm staying around the 130s which is no problem on the uphill parts but I have to work a little harder on the downhills to keep it up there.

I was working my way up to a 4 miler and completed that goal on Sunday.  4.17 miles actually! Long workouts are a blessing on the weekend. When you're not out eating and drinking there's so much more time for that kinda thing :)

This morning it was pouring rain and because I diligently checked the weather last night, I knew it was going to be nasty out and planned a 7am treadmill walk. I know myself and I know that if I didn't just get up and go to the gym it would never happen. I walked a boring 5k in an hour but now it's done and I feel pretty righteous about that. Tomorrow I may try the pool but then we have the dilemma of the fancy gym vs. the less than fancy Y. Fancy gym is a 30 minute drive. The Y is 3 minutes away but once I saw someone spit in the pool - I haven't been the same since. Oh and don't get me started on lane sharing (shudder). 

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Soccer tournament Saturday started with my first meal in a restaurant since surgery. I wasn't worried because we were going to a breakfast place which makes eating out at this stage pretty easy.  I had half an egg with cheese and half a chicken sausage. I even googled the highest protein cheese and chose the best out of 10 choices even though it was probably a quarter of an ounce that I ate :) I'm happy to say it was a complete success. It wasn't weird, the server didn't get offended that I only ate half my egg. It was just normal. And enjoyable. And satisfying. It's amazing to me how much more you can enjoy the people around you and the good conversation when you aren't obsessing about food. Everyone at my table ate healthy but I was still surrounded by mountains of french toast and it didn't bother me in the slightest.

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Have y'all used My Fitness Pal yet?? I've been using to track every single thing I eat and all my exercise and it's been extremely helpful. I can easily see that I'm increasing my calories every day and getting in my high protein requirement. Yesterday I finally made it into the 600s which is good since I'm burning about 400-500 and feel like I really need some food for fuel.

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I'm gearing up for a busy work week now that I'm 100% recovered and everybody knows it. I must end this extra long mix tape and earn some money to pay the bills! Have a happy, healthy week everyone!