Bubie1916

It took me 12 years to finally talk myself into getting the band. I have dropped 18 lbs since surgery and couldn't be happier. I have so much energy. It is great I have alot of support from my husband and kids. My middle son who is 6'1 and 185 has started to drop weight and eat healthier. My husband is watching what he eats as well. We take walks together more often. Before surgery we already didn't eat red meat or pork. No High Fructose Corn Syrup is allowed in my house. And we are gluten free. You would think we all would be toothepicks the way we eat. But I struggled with weight loss for the last 12 years and just had enough of the diets and the scale not going nowhere. I am so happy to have done this and i know to be successful i am going to have to put in alot of hard work. I am already up to 1 hour on the treadmill. i Just had my surgery on Jan 22nd 2013.

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 moving more. I reached the 100 miles on Monday; my total should be around 120 miles for the month. (go me!)
 
Today I went back to the doctor, weighed 171! (lost 6 pounds in 4 weeks) I haven’t seen that much loss since the beginning months of this journey. So, what did I do different? My eating was the same as it has always been 1200 calories a day, etc…. The only thing different is the increased walking for the challenge.
 
I am so happy with myself. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Okay, maybe a tummy tuck and….. Well guess I could ask for more.
 
I love & respect my band. Yellow rose you serve me well, thank you!

I think I have a clot in my nose... if I take a picture can you tell me what you think I should do?
 
Also, I ate chips and salsa in my post-op phase, do you think I hurt my band?
 
Can you tell me what to eat?
 
Why is my cat losing more weight than me... We eat the same diet?
 
OMG PEOPLE... GET SERIOUS. This is not a game. I get so depressed reading this crap! I think I will take a mini vacation. I need a tranquilizer to keep this crap from driving me insane.
 
Do these people think we are not working our butts off to do this? Who the F U C K told them it would be easy?
 
Rant off... sorry having a bad morning... hope yours is better!

I have been going through this process for a very long time. After being denied by my insurance company, I was finally banded Thursday and I'm actually feeling pretty good. I have been walking taking in my liquids and meds and the pain has been very manageable surprisingly!! I'm excited, now I have to continue to learn and work hard!!

Today I went to my post op visit. I am 12 days post op and down 20lbs from start weight on Pre Op diet!!!
 
I am so excited! The scale has NEVER moved backwards 20lbs. I was never one to gain and lose weight. I just steadily gained. My doctor said I was doing very well and being very compliant. He did tell me he did the plication pretty snug so to make sure I take it slow when eating.
 
They also told me to speed up my walking a bit and go a bit further. He wants me to walk for a half an hour for exercise 5 times a week.
 
They changed my diet today. For the rest of today and tomorrow I am on full liquids. Starting Friday I can have mushy food. YAY refried beans here I come!
 
So my clothes are not looser on me. However, my hands and feet are losing or at least lost swelling from water weight. My shoes are loose and I am now able to turn my rings on fingers without it hurting. My daughter says she can see the weight loss in my face but I cannot see it anywhere yet.
 
I am encouraged and very happy right now. At this time I am going to start weighing only once a week. I am sure like most I have been a little obsessed with that and weighing every day.
 
Hopefully, with hard work, the scale will continue to move backwards.

Ok so today is the my last day of the pre-opt diet and what a challenge it was. But I succeed non the less. I will weigh myself tomorrow to give you guys another update on my weight loss. Also, BDay is tomorrow can you say super excited. not nervous at all.

Even after three years I am still losing weight. Its been slow but a loss is a loss no matter how much it is. Even if it's an ounce its a loss. Today I went in to discuss my labs with my doctor and not one number was out of whack. Cholesterol and triglycerides normal. Vitamin levels all normal. I have never had normal tryglycerides which is what is harmful in Cholesterol.
 
I lost two more pounds since last week. My next goal is to be to 150 by summer time and I will get there. Five pounds a month will do it. I love my life with my band and I enjoy traveling with my husband now more then ever because I can walk without getting tired or hurting, enjoy going out with friends for the company not the food.
 
You can do this. You can succeed you just have to want it. I rarely eat meat but today I had a good old juicy hamburger and it was so good. I don't eat junk like that ever but I needed something in that beef. I sleep well at night and wake up feeling good. I eat real food and don't rely on protein shakes.
 
I may get a fill next month because I havent had one in a year but that is undetermined right now because I still feel I have control.
 
My doctor congratulated me for not gaining weight but losing over the holidays. I don't dwell on food anymore but am looking forward to eating some cake for my 50th birthday Saturday even if it is just the icing.
 
I dont obsess over a pound up or a pound down because our bodies flucutate weight throughout the day.
 
I am healthy and happy and could not have made it thus far without my band. 50 years has gone way too fast but hopefully the next 50 will slow down because I have so much left to do.

These questions come up very frequently and they are all normal things that occur after weight loss surgery.
 
Hair loss: Normal! There is really not many products that really work. It will end eventually. If you are having excessive hair loss then consult your doctor.
 
Constipation: Constipation is normal when you are on a high protein diet. Again if you are having extreme issues and a little stool softener is not helping consult your doctor.
 
Weight loss stalling: Normal! No diet in the world will not come with weight loss stalls. You just have to bear with it.
 
Pain after surgery: Now I am not being rude but who has ever had surgery and not had any pain? I haven't. The severity depends on your ability to deal with pain. Some can and some can't.
 
Gas: Normal. Any abdominal surgery you will have gas because your belly is filled with gas during surgery so they can see what they are doing. How long it stays is also indvidual. No one can tell you how long it is going to last.
 
Diarrhea: Normal! Liquids in liquids out.
 
No restriction: Normal! People get restriction confused as anything. Its not about keeping you from eating food its about keeping you satisfied for 3 to 4 hours or longer on small amounts of food. Until you reach your green zone you have to do some or not all of the work. Yeah it sucks but its the truth.
 
Did I hurt my band: Probably not but if you continue to eat large amounts of food, drink and puke, get food constantly stuck because you are eating the wrong things then yes eventually you will hurt your band by causing erosion. Then your band will come out.
 
Port Pain: Normal. The port area can hurt up to three months.
 
Not normal things:
 
Chest pain: this should never be posted in the forum unless you really are seeking attention. Go to the emergency room then tell us how you are doing. The time you spent posting in the forum you could have been on your way to the hospital.
 
 
Leg Pain: Not normal. Could be a blood clot. Again do not post this in the forum go to the emergency room you could have a stroke in the time you posted this.
 
Constant Vomiting: Not normal. Something is wrong and again call your doctor and or go to the emergency room. Throwing up with the band can cause slippage.
 
Any kind of pain that you did not have post surgery is not normal.
 
Constant heart burn: Not normal
 
Not being able to keep any food or fluids down: Not normal. Seek medical attention.
 
 
If you are having medical issues then call your doctor. Care enough about yourself to do that. We are not medical professionals to give you medical advice. Your surgeons are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you are having medical issues. They are getting paid to take your call. Call them, they don't mind after all that is why they chose to be a surgeon and knew what came with the job when they took it. Why fear calling them and distubing them. To this day I still have my surgeons cell phone number and can call him day or night and he will always answer any questions I have if I am having an issue.

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 How did you do it? When they ask I tell them my story, and if telling my story is bragging then guilty as charged!”
 
I then turned and walked away with my head held high and a big huge smile on my face.
 
Now I happened to be wearing my new fuchsia pink skinny pants and my grey high heal boots that hubby said made me look sexy! (Fashion note)
 
I though should I be pissed? Nah, I’m happy!!!
 
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap clap)

Of things I want to be able to do on and after my weightloss journey.

To sky dive (weight limit is 200lbs for my height)
Be able to comfortably fit in an economy airline seat
Be able to ride roller coasts with a "no doubt" mind set that I will fit
Start training for a triatholon
Be back to my high school jean size of 11 and medium top
Learn to play violin (not really weightloss related... but whatev, I want to learn)
Be able to wear high heels longer than 3 hours with out my feet hurting from 270+lbs crushin my tooties
Not have to try on 20 dresses to find 1 that looks ok to wear
Be able to walk up the dry-dock stairs at work with out feeling like I'm dying (literally...my leg feel like they're going to fall off and my heart feels like it's going to explode)
Not having to crop pictures anymore
No more having to retake pictures 20 times to find one where I don't look huge

 
I know I'll come up with more....

It's so close that if I stand on my tippy toes I can just about see it! Currently, I'm at 207. My gosh, I could actually weigh 200 by Christmas OR maybe even before.....
 
I haven't weighed under 200 pounds in a very, very, very long time. I think...no, I'm pretty sure, that I will cry when I get there...
 
Tears of joy!

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

Let me first tell you a little about myself. I grew up as a very athletic and yes a very skinny kid without a care in the world. Then the teenage years hit and I started battling depression. As a result I was put on drug after drug, many of which cause weight gain or atleast an inevitable carb obsession which leads to obeseity. I essentially became my feelings: slow, sluggish. I used food to try to fix my problems. But it didn't work, so I ate more and more.Don't get me wrong even in my teens and twenties there were times when I was healthy and thin, but then I would yo-yo back everytime my medications would have to be changed or tweaked to treat my depression and anxiety. From the time I graduated college 2008 to 2011, I yo-yoed up 100 lbs from 155 lbs weight to almost 257 lbs at 5'4''. This was the position I found myself at when I started my process of approval for lapband surgery in July of 2011. I was over 250 lbs. A size 22 pants and xxl in tops. It was the seemingly little things that made life so miserable as an overweight person. Some of these little things included walking from my car into the schools for work. I got mad at myself everytime I forgot something upstairs because the walk up the steps took my breath away. I would get blinding back pain. And then there were the times when people asked me "when is the baby due?" that really ruined my self esteem. I guess it wasn't there fault. I did look like an egg on stilts with my apple shape and protruding tummy.
I knew right away that a typical diet wouldn't work for me. As long as I was able to each such large amounts of food it wouldn't matter what food I was eating (even healthy food is not longer healthy if the quantity is too large). I needed something to help my control the bottomless pit that was my stomach. Something that would stop my stomach from being treated like the trash compactor that it had become. Most importantly I needed a solution that would allow me to still absorb the medications I needed to maintain my mood. The lapband was the tool I chose to help myself lose weight. Yes, it is a tool not a fix all or miracle cure.
So far I have used my tool along with diet and exercise to lose about 60 lbs. I am now in what some people call "onderland" where that first number on the scale is a 1 instead of a 2,3,4 etc. It has to be one of the best feelings in the world. I now wear a size 14 pants and a large top. Even though I'm not what many people call skinny or what I even consider skinny, I know that the decision I made and the sucess I have earned and deserve is signifigant to my health and wellbeing. I now don't have to struggle so much with the physical and emotional weight that was taking over my life. I can walk, I can even run (a little) and I love cycling. It hasn't been easy. In fact, it has been really hard to give up the food that I was using to comfort myself; in fact I still battle emotions that cause me to overeat, but now I feel like it's a battle I can win.

I had my surgery 9 months ago, February 7, 2012. It seems like just yesterday, but no its 9 months ago. Wow, time has flown and wow things sure have changed. In celebration of being 9 months reborn I made a list of 9 things that have changed (excluding the weight & inches lost):
No more medication – When I started this journey I had to take 3 different medications to control my high blood pressure. Today my blood pressure is normal without medication.


Giving the elevator the day off – I work on the 8th floor, every morning I walk up the stairs to my office and in the evening I walk down. Plus during the day I go up and down at least 3 floors, several times.


Sex – Sex is definitely better. I’ll skip the details…


How my skin feels – I like rubbing my hand up and down my arm, my skin feels thinner (Don’t know if this makes sense to you)


Wearing heels – When I was at my heavies my ankles couldn’t handle heels. Now I’m back to wearing heels again!


My confidence – I walk taller, I smile all the time, I really like being me now!


I like looking at myself in the mirror – dressed or naked, I like what I see. It’s not perfect but I like it!


Finding my extravert self – When I was in high school I was very outgoing; I had no fear of talking to strangers. When I was at my heaviest I was so shy, I wouldn’t look people in the eyes, afraid to talk to them. Now, I’m back to looking people in the eyes and talking to strangers.


The way others look at me – I love seeing guys take a second look; the expression on my friends faces when they see me and how the family responds to me.

After several years (about 10 years) of being overweight I have decided to do something for myself.
I was involved in a bad car accident in 2001 and in that accident a lot of things happened that contributed in my weight gain. In the accident my mother and aunt were killed (and I was the one driving), I suffered a badly broken arm (humerus) and head injury that left me with a seizure disorder. For 3-4 years after the accident they struggled trying to find medications to control the seizures, I was dealing emotionally with the loss of my mom and aunt and the guilt of being the one driving and then I was told I wasn't able to work anymore. I wasn't allowed to drive so I never got out of the house. Plus, I was afraid to go anywhere because I was afraid of having a seizure in front of people. So my life became very restricted. I never left the house, and I found comfort in food. Since the accident I have gained around 100 pounds.
My seizures are now pretty much under control. I have been working a few days a month and have started getting out with my friends and family again. The problem now is I hate that I am overweight! People judge by what they see without knowing everything that is going on. I know when people see me there are people who think I'm lazy and if I really wanted to lose weight I would do something about it. This is why only a few people, who are close to me, even know about my surgery.
I have tried diet after diet and I fail every time. I do great in the beginning and then something happens and I just quit losing. I have worked with personal trainers, dietitian, and my doctors and I have them puzzled too. I have tracked my exercise and my food. I have tried to do everything right and then I fail. I have been so frustrated and have decided I need help.
So, in August I went to my first informational meeting for the lap band surgery. When I was there they went over all the different procedures that are available, the Band, the sleeve, and the bypass. When I left I had decided the band wasn't a choice for me and that I would choose the sleeve. The doctors basically said the sleeve wasn’t very successful and that the sleeve was a much better choice. I had a visit with the surgeon and he told me all the ins and outs of the surgery and what to expect afterwards. I had my cardiology clearance, my phych clearance and then I had to see the nutritionist. Andrea was great and she basically told me about my current diet and what would change. Then we had a group meeting where they went more in detail about EXACTALLY what we should and shouldn’t eat, portion sizes, what will happen with each surgery, etc.
I guess after all these meetings and really spending time researching each type of surgery I got really scared. With the sleeve they actually remove the majority of your stomach. WOW!!! That is permanent ....they can't put it back. Also, Andrea said that in the future if you need a feeding tube (for whatever reason) they would be unable to do one if you have had the sleeve. (She gave the example of being in a car accident and breaking your jaw and having to have your mouth wired shut and not being able to eat.) That hit me like a TON of bricks.
The bypass forms a pouch and they reroute the intestines which changes your absorption. This means I might not be able to absorb my seizure meds correctly and I could be back to the drawing board trying to find a combination that would keep my seizures under control.
So, after long consideration I just have a bad feeling about the sleeve and bypass so even though my doc's don’t care for the results of the band I believe this is the right choice for me. I know weight loss will be slower, and I know the complications that could happen but in my mind they are a lot less than the other two choices.
I am now waiting for the Sleep clearance (had the sleep study just waiting to be 30 days on C-Pap will see doc next week.) and then they will schedule my surgery.
My biggest fear about all this is that somehow I will fail again. I have support from my family and my friends but I have failed so many times before I just can't imagine being successful.
I am only 43, I’m too young to have the medical problems I have that are cause by being overweight. I have high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, feet, ankle and knee problems and low self-esteem. All these can be changed by having this surgery. I know this is the thing I need to do to and this is the First Steps, reaching out to people who know what I am struggling with. People who don’t judge someone by their weight and people who want to help other be successful. I am glad I found this site and I look forward to sharing with you my next steps of success.
Thanks EVERYONE!

I think it's time to set some goals for myself. I've been thinking about what they would be and how much weight I need to lose a lot lately (duh). I think the hardest part is coming up with realistic rewards for myself.
 
First Goal: 25 pounds
Reward: Mani/Pedi
Progress: Achieved! Mani/Pedi scheduled for today!
 
Second Goal: 50 pounds
Reward: Spa Day! Massage, Facial, Mani and Pedi
Progress: 25 pounds to go!
 
Third Goal: 75 pounds
Reward: NEW CLOTHES!
Progress: 50 pounds to go!
 
Fourth Goal: 100 pounds
Reward: Vacation! Kidless. Just the hubs and I. Mexico?
Progress: 75 pounds to go!
 
Fifth Goal: 125 pounds
Reward: Bikini
Progress: 100 pounds to go!
 
ULTIMATE GOAL: 150 POUNDS
Reward: Whatever the hell I want! haha
Progress: 125 pounds to go!

So I'm a little slow......just figured out how to create a blog. That's what I get when I only access LBT from my phone & tablet. There are a lot of features that you don't see on the mobile app. Alex we need to be able to update our status, reply to other statuses and access blogs on the mobile app. (Don't think he heard me.)
I don't do Facebook or twitter so I'm not sure how stuff like this works, oh well I'll wing it.
 
I am amazed at how far I have come this year. January I was in the biggest depression, I hated my job, I hated myself, honestly I disliked my stepdaughter greatly. The only thing I liked/loved was my dear husband. I went to the doctor for my annual physical and got a huge slap in the face. I was on 3 different high blood pressure meds and my blood pressure was still high and on top of that I was diagnosed pre diabetic. I was so upset after that appointment that I stopped at Starbucks for a large Java chip Frappuccino. That solves everything.
 
The next morning driving to work I heard a radio commercial for True Results and the Lap Band, I started doing some internet research as to what the Lap Band was. Talked with my parents about it (my dad is a retired MD so his advice is gold when it comes to medical stuff). My dad researched some and gave me his blessing on doing the Band. My initial appointment with True Results was the second week in January, my surgery was February 7, 2012. Basically three weeks and it was done. I had no time to reconsider. (That’s the difference between self-pay and insurance)
 
It’s funny I didn’t know about LBT or that different doctors had different diets all I knew was what my doctor had me doing, so I did it. I followed the doctor’s orders; I was losing weight and really knew nothing about the band lifestyle. Then in June I found LBT and started reading. Wow there was so much I didn’t know. I read every post I could find, quickly got Jean’s book and read it. Within the month I felt I had a much better understanding of what I had and how it would work for me.
 
Now here it is October, 9 months later, and I’ve lost 65 pounds. Wow I can’t believe I have done so well. I look in the mirror and often don’t recognize myself. I have no regrets at all, even if the future brings complications with the Band. I love this little tool, my Yellow Rose of Texas.

I am now 5 days post-op. I feel pretty good. Seem to have gas after I eat, but pain has been minimal. I have been craving meat and I am a vegetarian. It hasn't been easy getting in my protein because I do get full easily.
Returning to work tomorrow, not really looking forward to going back. I have one more week at this job and will be starting a new job the following week. I am looking for postive change, positive people and a new skinny me. Here's to positve changes in life "toast".

I haven't written in a while so.....What or who is an experienced Bandster? At nearly 6 months post op apparently, not I even though I have dropped 81lbs. Being an experienced Bandster is not all about weight loss....
 
This morning on the way to the Office I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a sausage, egg and cheese wake up wrap and a large decaf coffee. I don't drink with my meal but I wanted to have it for when I got into the office. Well without thinking much about it I proceeded to head to work on the freeway and ate my wrap. Not paying attention I ate it too quickly. Stuck episode on the freeway in traffic is not fun by any means. I ended up pulling over to the side of the road and got out and paced back in forth for about 15 minutes until it passed.
 
With my last fill I am definitely in my sweet spot. I can eat almost anything if I do it correctly. Correctly seems to be a problem still. I am eating the right things for the most part but I am still eating too quickly and not chewing enough. I have spent my entire life eating junk food and binging at times and just shoving it in. I never thought learning to eat properly with the band would be this difficult.
 
I have had probably about 7 or 8 stuck episodes since being banded in April. One episode led to (and sorry for the tmi) vomiting.
 
So a couple of things are going to happen here. I am either going to get this straight and follow proper band rules or I am going to cause a slip.
 
Next week I have another support meeting and I am going to sign up and re-take the hungry head class again. That class focus on binge eating and eating habits. I don't think I need the hungry head class as far as binging but I think being around people and talking about experiences will help me keep focus. My next Doc appointment follow up is 9/25. I am not getting a fill. I am still getting the needed "restriction" from the fill last week.
 
In my opinion and I have said it before the word "restriction" sucks when it comes to band talk/terminology. It's not about restricting at all it's all about appetite suppression and satiety. I got that going on right now, no question about it. Now if I can only learn how to eat properly.
 
I also know my band is tighter in the morning. From now on protein shakes only in the morning even if I am running late.
 
 
***

Here I am one month and 7 days since my surgery. I can say that there are days that I weigh myself and get aggravated because I havent lost or lost more and then realize that I am just a month into my surgery and to give myself a break. I went and got my hair cut into a new short cut and love it and like how I feel about myself with it. I decided that I needed to give myself something for doing so well the first month. I have a friend that is having the lapband surgery the end of this month and she has given me some great "positive" feed back and ideas. I wish she and I lived closer to each other so that we could work on exercise together. She is in Texas and I am in Colorado. She gave her band a name (its Sophie) and said that they are gonna be life long friends and she was going to appreciate it as a friend. I hadnt thought of it like that but she has a point. My band is my life long friend that is going to help me fight my weight battle and I should appreciate my friend and not take it for granted. So as silly as this sounds, I have named my band as well and her name is Gracie.
 
So I go to the doctor on Monday (the 10th) and I believe I will get my first fill. I feel like I need it because I have found that I get hungry more often now. I am working on drinking my water like I am suppose to and I have download the fitness pal ap and love it!!! HUGE help in keeping up with what I am eating and calories/protein. Great help. I worry about messing up but I dont make it my main focus. I do know that eating slower is harder than I thought it would be but I just have to take my time.
 
Hope everyone has a great week and I will get back after my docs appointment.

Tomorrow (August 20, 2012) I am having my lap ban surgery. A little nervous. Not so much about the surgery, but my life changes. I have a really close friend that had it done and has done really well. She still has her social life and goes out with friends for parties and suppers. The week before is awful. But I know it will be worth it.. The more support the better it goes. I have met a couple of other fantastic woman having the same surgery. We talk often and it sure does help.

Got my lapband/plication on Thurs. I guess I did really good. My RN told me he was surprised, people dont usually do as well as i did. I just basically woke up walked to get the xray thing done and went to the restroom ( wished I had went in opposite order lol). Then I got dressed and went home. The gas has been terrible and the port site is extremely tender, but getting better everyday. Planning on going to work on Tues., I can sit around up there just as easy as here. So here I go. Start of new life, Aug,9 2012.

Yesterday was the start of a new journey for me. A client/gastric bypass paitent asked...." When do you stop being a patient and start being a normal person again?" My first answer is that you are always a patient. From a Dr point of view that may be correct. There are many out there that either the band does not take in thier body or eventually some need to have it taken out. I hold a stand so that thes people may have some support to make sure they need no other surgeries, My Life Is My Message. I no longer hold any liquid inside my band, making my stomech normal again. My goal is to maintain my wieght, Concur any new stuggels with this journey. If this can help one person out there, Its worth every step. A great thanks to all of the supportive people out there. Remember One Step At A Time! Be patient with your self. Most of all LOVE YOU! BE YOU!
Tiffany C

Today was a pretty good day. I made my turkey chili and it wasn't bad at all. I was pretty scared of it cuz...well....ground turkey sure isn't ground beef, but it turned out okay. Incredients: ground turkey, black beans, onion, minced garlic, tomato, chile powder, one of those chile seasoning mixes (I forget the brand), bell peppers, corn, salt, pepper, oregano, and hot sauce. It was pretty good! It was really heavy too, so I decided to get a little work out in after. Didn't feel like going to the gym so I just hopped on the kinect and played my Zumba Fitness demo and man oh man, do I really need to work on my merengue pump...lol! After, I decided to have a quick snack and grabbed a yogurt. Just for fun, I checked out the back of the label after the fact, and I had no idea how much sugar/carbs was in that little cup of yoplait (strawberry something or other). Needless to say, I'll be back to no snacking. We're all entitled to a little slip, so I'm not concerned. It's fight night - time to watch Ortiz v Lopez!

So here I am...blogging. It's day five of my pre-op diet and I'm really excited. There have been some temptations along the way, but I've been able to keep them at bay. I feel VERY lucky though, as my diet isn't quite as strict as others I've seen. I'm on 2 protein shakes a day (breakfast, lunch) and then a healthy dinner (moderate amount of a protein, all the veggies I want). Not too shabby, things definitely could be worse. Luckily, this has forced me to eat things other than fast food and I'm quickly re-discovering that I LOVE my own cooking! I grilled an amazing cedar plank salmon the other day and it immediately moved into my top 5 favorite foods (sorry chimichangas, you got bumped). I've also discovered that I absolutely adore grilled asparagus and grilled zuchini. Up until last week, I have never eaten either (well, I've had fried zuchini at the bar, but I'm pretty sure that don't count ). Tomorrow, I'm gonna try my hand at turkey chili! Prior to the diet, I was honestly worried about whether or not I'd be able to do it, but if this first week is any indication, I think I'll be okay Just gotta stay focused. Well, time to soak the beans (that's not a euphamism...remember, the chili).
Best of luck to everybody out there on the same journey! Remember this when tempations creeps up; nobody is making us do this, we're doing this because we love ourselves. I love me some me!