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ajtexas's Blog

A blog by ♕ajtexas♕ in General

  • Entries

    65

  • Comments

    348

  • Views

    33,231

About this blog

ajtexas's Blog, a weight loss surgery blog by ♕ajtexas♕ on BariatricPal. 65 entries on surgery, recovery and progress.

Entries in this blog

Blew past my goal!

Two months ago my doctor said as far as they were concerned I was at goal, 175 lbs. I was happy with that and started onto the maintenance stage of my journey.   Last month I gained 2 lbs, first time I had a gain but hey holidays. Doctor’s office was still very pleased and said that my weight will vary like that on maintenance.   Then a dear friend here on LBT put out a challenge “100 miles in January”. Walk or run 100 miles during the month of January. I was in! I needed something to get me

How I exercise without exercising

I live on a good size piece of land in central Texas. Most of the land is zoned agricultural and therefore we have to make sure that land is used accordingly.   I have always loved gardening and since Texas has two growing seasons we have fresh veggies growing almost year round. We have an orchard with fruit trees (pears, plums, peaches, nectarines & pomegranates) and two years ago we got a flock of chickens. This next year we plan to expand into livestock with rabbits and goats.   Havi

I Can't

I can’t exercise at work. I can park in a parking structure that is a block from my building I can give the elevators the day off and climb the stairs (my office building has 11 floors, my office is on the 8th floor) I can go to the bathroom on the 11th floor instead of my floor (& take the stairs, of course) I can take a break & go for a walk (it’s amazing how refreshing it is to get away from my desk for 10 minutes)   I can’t drink that much water in a day

I love Hummus!

And it is very easy to make. Here is my favorite recipe   Roasted Red Pepper Hummus   1 Can chickpea/garbonza beans (15oz) 1/3 cup tahini (See note below) ¼ cup lemon juice 2 Tbs olive oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed ½ - ¾ cup roasted red peppers   In a food processor, combine beans, tahini, lemon juice and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add red peppers and garlic until desired consistency.   I calculated the nutritional information based on ¼ cup serving: Calories 154 Total Fat 11

A Dogs Life

These are my babies!   Atticus, Black Mouth Cur. He is the biggest baby in town.   Hank, Blue Healer. Gill's dog, follows her around the whole time she is here.   Sophie, Dachshund. Daddy's baby (but he won't admit it) and the BOSS of all the dogs!   Bugsy, Rat Terrier and Dachsund mix. My baby, he is with his best friend Smokey the cat.

Too tight or is it just me?

Is my band too tight? How many times do we see this question? A lot so let’s talk about it.   How tight you have your band is a personal preference. No one (including your doctor) can tell you how tight it has to be. This is something you have to decide for yourself. Personally my band is loose. The last time I had an x-ray my doctor commented that I didn’t have very much restriction. Oh well, it is what works for me.   I have had 2 unfills because I felt my band was too tight, but I know no

Food Stages

I see a lot of newbies asking what they can have during this or that stage of the pre/post op diet. Doctors give different diets to different patients; however the foods on the different stages are often very similar. Here are the 4 stages I had during my post op diet (straight from my post op paperwork):   Stage 1: Clear Liquids · Water · Broth or the clear liquid poured off of soup (strain out solids, no creamy soup) · Black coffee (may be sweetened with artificial sweetener; prefer

Either paranoid or something isn?t right

I have been having difficulties with my eating for about a week, I blogged about my lunch episode on Friday. When I say difficulties I mean, I’ve been getting acid reflex (first time since being banded) and I get a lump in my throat from time to time. I have been able to eat and drink, but it’s been more challenging.   Over the weekend I decided I needed to see my doctor and find out what was going on. Either I am being paranoid or something isn’t right.   So, I was on the phone to my doctor

Lunch anyone?

If my day is really busy I will eat lunch at my desk and continue to work. This was the case today.   My lunch was meat & cheese rolled up and baby carrots, had this many times. So I’m eating and working….about half way into lunch I get the soft stop feeling. Okay, I stop. I then get the heavy chest feeling, something is trying to go down. This feeling stayed with me most of the afternoon.   At 4pm I made myself a cup of hot tea, black tea with cream & splenda (It’s the English in me

No more sand in my sandbox!

Cause I kicked it all out!   I went to my PCP today for a follow up on my high blood pressure. When I was banded I was on 3 different medicines to control it. About 3 months ago my PCP took me off the last one and said we will monitor your pressure and see how you do.   I was so proud of myself, for the last three months I have posted how I went from 3 meds to no meds…   Well, today my doctor put me back on one of the meds at half the dosage. I was so disappointed in myself. I felt like I

Struggling

Do you admit when you are struggling?   Or eat wrong?   Or over eat?   Or do you just hide it??   I feel like I have been successful at my weight loss, I’ve lost 75 pounds in 10 months and I’m at goal. But, was I an A student the whole time? NO!   I slipped more than once during my journey. I had nights where I munched on peanuts and chocolate chips, didn’t measure them out so I have no idea how much I truly ate. I also had times when I ate more carbohydrates than protein and times whe

How To Preserve A Husband

Be careful in your selection do not choose too young and take only such as have been reared in a good moral atmosphere. Some wives insist on keeping husbands in a pickle, while others put them in hot water. This only makes them sour, hard, and sometimes bitter. Even poor varieties may be made sweet and good by garnishing them with patience, well-sweetened with smiles and flavored with kisses to taste. Keep warm in a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with peaches and cream. When thus pre

Is It Worth It?

Yesterday my husband & I were at an extended family gathering and a few of the relatives commented on my weight loss (they had not seen me since my surgery).   I was sitting at a table with one of the cousins and she was asking me about it. I told her I had the Lap Band surgery and she said her daughter was thinking about doing that. Her daughter was also at the table and said either that or the sleeve. We started talking about WLS and I expressed that it didn’t matter which WLS a person d

She Is Always Bragging About It?

At work today I overheard two coworkers talking. They were talking about ME and my weight loss. Now these two ladies are quite overweight themselves. Just saying so you get the picture…   “I can’t believe her” “She is always bragging about it to everyone who walks by”   I casually walk over to them.   “Ladies I couldn't help but hear you talking about my weight loss. I have lost a lot of weight over the last 9 months and people notice that. Often people will ask me what’s your secrete? or

What Size Is That?

I try to measure my food all the time. Not a problem when I'm at home, I use my food scale.   But what to do when eating out like at family and friends?   I was given this chart by my nutritionist, I find it very handy and wanted to share it with anyone interested   servingcard7.pdf

Towanda, The Avenger!

I love the movie Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) with Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, it’s a must see so rent it if you've never seen it. This is one of my favorite scenes…… Just wanted to share it with everyone.   I never get mad, Mrs. Threadgoode. Never! The way I was raised it was bad manners. Well, I got mad and it felt terrific. I felt like I could beat the sh*t outta all those punks! Excuse my language. Just beat 'em to a pulp! Beat 'em till they begged for mercy. Towanda, the avenger! Af

What Is Maintenance?

So my doctor wants me to change my mindset, think maintenance instead of weight loss…   What does that mean?   I am finally comfortable with my portion sizes and my band. I don’t get stuck or pb, I can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, I can eat any foods, I eat 1200 calories a day and I don’t feel hungry between meals.   For me, it means nothing changes. I lost my weight with my band more on the loose side than the tight side and therefore my body will settle and I’ll stop loosing (that’s

We Are Family!

The last few weeks I have seen several threaded where members have gotten heated with topics and each other…   It made me realize that we are a family, a big huge family. We fight just like brothers & sisters, we have those annoying aunts and uncles (you know the ones) but most important is we love each other and support each other to the hill.   We all have one goal and that is to be thin. We are very passionate about our goal; we fight and defend it to all ends. And I for one love that

First To Sit Down?. Last To Finish

Thanksgiving is next week and with that is the all too famous family dinner…   I will have my band portion, 3-4oz of turkey, ½ green beans, sweet potatoes & carrots, ¼ cup stuffing. I will be first in line and first to sit down at the table (my family makes me go first cause it takes me longer to eat).   I will take my small bite and chew chew chew, then I’ll wait about a minute. In the mean time I’ll watch as my family members take bites the size of Mt Everest, chew 3 times and swallow

Another Size Bites The Dust!

I went shopping today for sweaters. It appears that I am cold a lot these days & I don’t have many long sleeve tops that fit.   So I picked out a few tops and walked by the jeans…. Out of complete curiosity I picked out a couple of different style in size 10 (currently size 12).   Holy Sh*t they fit!!!!! I was dancing around in that dressing room and laughing. I’m sure the attendee thought I was nuts (ok I know I am but that’s a different story).   That explains why the size 16 pants t

I?M Allergic To Exercise?.

No really I am. I have to be otherwise I would enjoy it, right?   I truly hate exercising! I’ve never liked going to the gym, it’s boring. I don’t like getting all hot and sweaty, out of breath; heart beating like it will explode out of my chest. Hated PE in school, I was always the last kid picked for the team….   But one of the necessities for successful weight loss is exercise regularly. How do I accomplish this?   I started simple by: Parking at the back of the parking lots Turnin

Lap Band Success

Love yourself again A cup of food per meal Protein first   Beginning of a healthy life Abide by your doctor’s orders No vomiting Don’t deprive yourself   Satisfied Unfill when too tight! Clothes are too big! Confidence increases Exercise regularly Stay in contact with your doctor Support from family and friends

No Grocery Store!

Tonight’s dinner did not come from a grocery store. I made a venison roast from a deer that was shot on my uncles ranch and roasted veggies (butternut squash, turnips, yellow was beans & snap peas) that where grown on our land.   My husband pointed out that nothing on our plate came from the grocery store. This made me think, ok the seasonings I put on the roast and the corn starch to thicken the drippings for gravy are the only items from the grocery store.   That is pretty cool! (Just

Market Days

Yesterday my husband & I rented a craft booth at out town’s Market Days. We make several things (wood bowls & trays, bags, napkins, placemats & coasters) and we wanted to try selling them.   The day started early, we were up at 6:00am. As my husband loaded the truck I packed food for the day. We would be at our booth all day (9am to 4pm) so I needed both breakfast and lunch for both of us. Now my band had been tight the day before, probably due to stress and excitement for the upco

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