LynRN

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

So, I am an RN and studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. In my Health Promotion class, we were discussing obesity and weight loss surgery. Many of my classmates, all RNs and soon to be primary care providers, had negative opinions of WLS. They all knew someone or took care of someone that had WLS and gained all the weight back or had complications or eating disorders or whatever, which may be true. But I was completely taken aback by the negative attitudes, and frankly, ignorance and misinformation about WLS that still prevails, even among healthcare professionals. My position was that, for the right patients ( those that are mentally prepared and willing to do the work), WLS should be viewed as a viable option in the treatment of obesity. BTW, they don't know that I had VSG.
So, a little about me. I am a 32 year old wife and mommy of 3 and 5 year old little boys. I am 5'2 and at my highest, I weighed 276 lbs. That is a BMI of over 50. I am just shy of 4 months out and am down to 208. While I still have a ways to go, I am already smaller than I have been in nearly a decade. I had no real comorbidities to speak of, but I know it was just a matter of time. I am a black woman with a horrible family history of diabetes, heart disease and renal failure. My own mother has been ill for most of my life. She was diagnosed with Lupus in her 30s. Soon to follow were hip and knee replacements, renal failure (she's had TWO kidney transplants), diabetes, hypertension and TWO heart attacks. And most of this was before age 50. And guess what, while she is overweight, she was never the size that I was. My grandmother also died from complications of diabetes at age 57. My mother's youngest brother is also a brittle diabetic and on dialysis awaiting a SECOND kidney transplant and he's not yet 50. I was heading in the same direction and decided I needed to do something drastic to change my fate. So excuse me for taking "the easy way out" to save my own life and health, to spare my kids the fear of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" that I experienced growing up with a mom that was constantly in and out of the hospital.
Also, I wanted to lose weight before I become an NP. I just don't know how effective I could be at advising patients to lose weight or exercise or eat right when I was so heavy. So, I decided to help myself before I try to help someone else.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Rant Over!

I am really excited about the Breakfast I had this morning.
I made pumpkin spice steel cut oatmeal in the crockpot overnight. I had it this morning with a couple of ounces of vanilla Greek yogurt and a half tbsp of pecans. It's a keeper.
The whole meal came to 141 calories,
17.3 carbs (a little high, but really not bad for oatmeal.)
9 g Protein
Much better stats and taste than the instant.

Did you make any adjustments to the recipe?

Glad to hear it. I still have some frozen, it may be my Breakfast tomorrow.

Hey Jen, have you tried the pumpkin spice oatmeal, yet?

I can't stand when people put a random apostrophe in a word when they really just needed an "s." Example: I ate two Protein bar's. Drives me nuts. My other pet peeve is the word "irregardless." I am kind of a grammar Nazi, though, and that drives my husband nuts.
Oh Well!

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

I have a Mirena and my period never stopped completely. I always had some light bleeding during my period and that's it. Also I have mittelschmerz (ovulation pain) pretty bad. Well since surgery, my periods are long and while they're not heavy, there is actual bleeding. My annual is in May, but I might go in sooner to get an ultrasound to make sure it's in place. But my OB did tell me that this is normal with the weight loss.

I used the hydroponic butter lettuce from Walmart because it makes beautiful little "cups." I added the steak some grilled onions a little cheese and taco sauce. But if I had some pico de gallo or good fresh salsa, I would have used that with a little cilantro, a squeeze of lime and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. I think I'll be having this again today.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.

So I know lots of you can't do steak. But for those that can, you should try this.

I found it in the freezer section at Walmart. I try lots of fully cooked frozen meat (mostly Tyson) because of the convenience and this one is my new fave. It's really tender and well seasoned. I made lettuce wrapped steak tacos tonight. So good. Each 3 oz serving has 150 calories and 18g Protein. Try it and let me know what you think.