niecie54

Hi, I am almost 12 yrs out. Yes 12 yrs. I have never regretted having gastric bypass. I lost 108 lbs and have kept it off. I still follow the program. Weigh and measure my food. Attend exercise classes at the YMCA.
I can eat just about anything in MODERATION. Although high fat foods don’t agree with me and that is a blessing along with to much sweets.
I am hypoglycemic now which means I am very sensitive to carbs. And that is ok. I still have kept the weight off and that is more important to me than eating certain foods.
just do everything they tell you by the book. The first year is when you will loose your weight easily. By then, if you have followed their instructions it will become part of your way of living. I still get cravings and have to fight off the carb demons.
Just remember weight loss surgery is ONLY A TOOL. You need to know how to use that tool to the best of your ability.
Good luck with your journey....
Enjoy the ride.
Niecie

Hi, I am almost 12 yrs out. Yes 12 yrs. I have never regretted having gastric bypass. I lost 108 lbs and have kept it off. I still follow the program. Weigh and measure my food. Attend exercise classes at the YMCA.
I can eat just about anything in MODERATION. Although high fat foods don’t agree with me and that is a blessing along with to much sweets.
I am hypoglycemic now which means I am very sensitive to carbs. And that is ok. I still have kept the weight off and that is more important to me than eating certain foods.
just do everything they tell you by the book. The first year is when you will loose your weight easily. By then, if you have followed their instructions it will become part of your way of living. I still get cravings and have to fight off the carb demons.
Just remember weight loss surgery is ONLY A TOOL. You need to know how to use that tool to the best of your ability.
Good luck with your journey....
Enjoy the ride.
Niecie

Hi, I am almost 12 yrs out. Yes 12 yrs. I have never regretted having gastric bypass. I lost 108 lbs and have kept it off. I still follow the program. Weigh and measure my food. Attend exercise classes at the YMCA.
I can eat just about anything in MODERATION. Although high fat foods don’t agree with me and that is a blessing along with to much sweets.
I am hypoglycemic now which means I am very sensitive to carbs. And that is ok. I still have kept the weight off and that is more important to me than eating certain foods.
just do everything they tell you by the book. The first year is when you will loose your weight easily. By then, if you have followed their instructions it will become part of your way of living. I still get cravings and have to fight off the carb demons.
Just remember weight loss surgery is ONLY A TOOL. You need to know how to use that tool to the best of your ability.
Good luck with your journey....
Enjoy the ride.
Niecie

It’s that time again.

You know, when you come home after work and look in the fridge and wonder “What am I going to eat tonight?” You’re tired and the last thing you want to do is make dinner for you and your family.
We have all been there.
But you also have made a commitment to yourself to eat healthier so gosh darn it, you are going to do it! If this sounds like you, then here are some simple tips to help you save time in the kitchen and get dinner on the table.



Buy precut vegetables
This is a “no-brainer.” Grocery stores offer a wide variety of pre-cut and pre-washed produce which can make your life so much easier. These veggies may cost a little more but they will save you time in the kitchen. And look at it this way: if you are eating the vegetable instead of letting it go bad because it wasn’t pre-cut then you are saving money.
Cut up extra veggies for later during the week
For those vegetables that are not “pre-cut” like onions, it is helpful to cut up extra whenever you need some for a meal. For instance, if you only need half of sliced onion for a recipe, then cut up the whole thing and save the extra for other recipes throughout the week. This only takes 30 more seconds and will save you time later during the week.
Get the right tools
I am a big believer in getting the right kitchen equipment to help make your life easier. Instant Pot? Mandolin? Garlic press? Spiralizer? If you don’t have any of these then you are missing a big opportunity to save time in the kitchen. These tools are fun and make preparing dinner so much faster. WARNING: If using a mandolin to cut your vegetables then wear a cut glove to save your fingers
Make double the recipe
This is huge! If you make a batch of Soup then prepare twice the amount and freeze the extras. Then you will have meals ready to go in the freezer when you are in a hurry. It is just as easy to double a recipe as it is to make one batch (okay… maybe a little more effort but well worth it )
Meal plan
Chances are this is not the first time you have heard meal planning helps save time in the kitchen. But it really does!! Setting aside 20 minutes on the weekend will save you time and most importantly save you from last minute take-out during the week. Once you meal plan you will be able to skip over the dreaded question, “What are we going to eat tonight?” You will open up your fridge with confidence about what you will be eating.
Have a bowl to throw trash in
Keep a large bowl next to you while you are preparing dinner. Then you can throw your scraps and trash into it without having to walk over to the trash can. I know it is a little step, but all these little time savers add up in the kitchen. If you are ambitious you could even create a compost bowl to place your vegetable scraps in.
Don’t peel your vegetables
I don’t peel my vegetables which may come as a surprise to you. I am just too lazy. I wash off the dirt really well and then cut. This can save precious minutes in the kitchen. This strategy works well for carrots, beets and potatoes. Some people complain the skin is bitter but it it does not bother me. Try it out and see if it is for you.
Organize your kitchen
Organizing your kitchen may take more time on the front end but in the long run it’s a time saver. If you are constantly looking for utensils because your drawer is always full or searching for mustard in the fridge because your fridge is crammed with food, it is time to organize. Go through your kitchen and make sure every item has a “home.” If it doesn’t have a home then it may wind up anywhere in your kitchen and you have to find it which can be frustrating.
Get your family involved
How does the saying go? “More hands equals lighter work?” You bet. Embarking on a lifestyle change is a family affair. Get your kids or spouse involved with the preparation of your meals. One person cuts, one person peels, one person cooks. Everyone can have a role in cooking. Plus you will be teaching your kids life skills in the process.
If you have enjoyed these tips please be sure to join my Free Facebook Group where I share recipes, cooking tips and inspiration. What tips are you going to start using today?

Excellent article. Thanks!

Hi I'm from Ma I had my surgery at Tufts Medical in Boston. I am 6 yrs out and wanted to go to meetings in the area. I tried to go to Tobey's and they said I could not join their groups because I did not have the surgery there..... So I have started my own. I have taken a leadership program from Obesity Help and I have meetings at the Sr Citezen Center in Fairhaven Ma We are on break until September. We meet the second Saturday of the month at 9:30. Right now we are a small group but we are there helping each other. Support groups are very important from the get go. All are welcome. If interested please let me know.
Niecie

Lotstolose, I am almost 6 yrs out. I am 5'2 and use to weigh 245 lbs. I was border line diabetic, was taking 3 blood pressure meds a day, had full blown fibromyaliga, and have degenerative disc disease in my neck and lower back from artritas, and severe sleep apnea. I couldn't walk very far and was always tired. For only being 52 I felt and looked like a really old women.
Today I weigh 135 lbs no sign of diabetes, totally off blood pressure meds, fibromyalgia under control, artritas under control (I do take Celebrex for that), and sleep apnea gone.... I have more energy now and always on the go. When I initially asked my primary doctor about this surgery he totally agreed this was the best thing for me. He said if I didn't do something I would not make it out of my 60's.
This surgery saved my life. I too had concerns that maybe I would,t make it through the surgery. But my quality of life was getting worse and worse and figured I would take the chance. I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful I feel. I am finally pain free from my back/leg pain. I even use to go for injections for the pain it was that severe. Even a coworker the other day thought I was 44 yrs old. When I told her I was going to be 58 this year she couldn't believe it.
Bottom line just relax and enjoy the ride. It certainly is amazing. Take a before picture and once a month after your surgery take another. Do this each month and keep them in a book. You will see yourself getting smaller and smaller. Keep a diary of your progress like wt. loss, what you are experiencing etc. also, if you want to keep track go to FITDAY.COM it's free. Keeps track of everything you record.
Please let me know how you are doing.....
Best of luck
Niecie

Lotstolose, I am almost 6 yrs out. I am 5'2 and use to weigh 245 lbs. I was border line diabetic, was taking 3 blood pressure meds a day, had full blown fibromyaliga, and have degenerative disc disease in my neck and lower back from artritas, and severe sleep apnea. I couldn't walk very far and was always tired. For only being 52 I felt and looked like a really old women.
Today I weigh 135 lbs no sign of diabetes, totally off blood pressure meds, fibromyalgia under control, artritas under control (I do take Celebrex for that), and sleep apnea gone.... I have more energy now and always on the go. When I initially asked my primary doctor about this surgery he totally agreed this was the best thing for me. He said if I didn't do something I would not make it out of my 60's.
This surgery saved my life. I too had concerns that maybe I would,t make it through the surgery. But my quality of life was getting worse and worse and figured I would take the chance. I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful I feel. I am finally pain free from my back/leg pain. I even use to go for injections for the pain it was that severe. Even a coworker the other day thought I was 44 yrs old. When I told her I was going to be 58 this year she couldn't believe it.
Bottom line just relax and enjoy the ride. It certainly is amazing. Take a before picture and once a month after your surgery take another. Do this each month and keep them in a book. You will see yourself getting smaller and smaller. Keep a diary of your progress like wt. loss, what you are experiencing etc. also, if you want to keep track go to FITDAY.COM it's free. Keeps track of everything you record.
Please let me know how you are doing.....
Best of luck
Niecie