JustWatchMe

Congrats on your success so far! It's not easy and you're doing it!

Debbie, you look amazing!

@@Sharpie said, "bet I could fry a shoe and he'd eat it." Mmmmmm. Fried shoe.

My annual Thanksgiving ritual was to cook the turkey the night before, and then when nobody was looking, eat all of the crispy turkey skin. Off of a 20 pound bird. Every year. Ah, the good old days.

Way to go! I started out at 302. I told only my boss at work about my surgery. At one point he told me privately that I looked great and I must have lost 20 pounds! I smiled and said thanks. It was 60 but I didn't tell him that.

My daughters returned home from college a couple of weeks ago. One was out of state and one was out of the country. Yesterday they both gave me a stern lecture about my eating habits. It took me aback, but I realized they are right. They watched me basically reclaim my life last year and drop 100 pounds, which is 2/3 of my excess weight. I made enormous life changes and they were part of it. But since that time, I've gotten complacent. I deluded myself into thinking that the recent changes I made in exercise (joining a gym and actually going) were enough to offset the food choices I was making. My girls pulled no punches. They told me if I kept eating the fried and fatty food I've been eating, sooner or later the weight won't stay at this number anymore, and I'll regain what I lost. I'll gain it all back and go back to my old way of living. I was shocked, but I can see their point today. I haven't wanted to change from fried food to broiled food. I haven't wanted to give up these delicious things, and I rationalized it by calling it Protein. Well, protein battered and deep fried isn't protein, it's protein soaked in fat. My younger daughter said I need to train myself to like healthier versions. I need to train my palate to enjoy home cooked broiled chicken instead of Popeye's fried chicken strips. I need to make my own chili instead of drive thru Wendy's chili. I'm doing 1000 times better than I did before WLS, but they are right. Unless I change what I'm eating, the dramatic reduction in the quantity I'm eating will have only partial and temporary effect. I still have a lot of "I don't wanna" going on here. I don't wanna give up my high fat, high calorie foods. I already gave up volume! It isn't fair!!! Well, true. It isn't fair. Too bad. If I stay in this mindset I'm going to return to the high volume as well. My kids saw the food wrappers from Popeye's and Wendy's in my car garbage bag. Just like the old days. But but but I'm not eating as much and it's protein!!! Yeah. Right. I was surprised at how angry and how disappointed they were with me. I sat there defending my 100 pound weight loss. They weren't buying it. Both of them told me they saw me deluding myself right back to where I started. When they both came home from school, I had made a big Pasta dinner with dessert. Both of them yelled at me for bringing pasta and sweets into the house. But but but it's for you! Yeah, right. Both of them told me to cook for me, not for what I think they want. They didn't want the calories or sugar either. They both pointed out that I don't cook anymore. Which is true. I get takeout and eat weird pieced-together meals. They encouraged me to cook instead of takeout. Simple and obvious, right? But I have a million excuses why I need to grab fast food. My girls watched me get my life back last year, and it started with my surgery. They came with me when I left an abusive marriage and began the long battle of a divorce with their uncooperative and hostile father. They were really upset with me seeing me make crappy food choices after so much positive change. I'm still taking this in, but I realize this is the kick in the ass I need now. I cut my volume. I added exercise. Now I need to lose the fried and high fat and high calorie crap. I had mentally adjusted to this weight as if it was inevitable that I wouldn't be able to lose my remaining fifty pounds. Well, I can lose it. But it takes the next change to get there. A big change. I don't wanna. But I gotta. Man, they are a pain in my ass.

I didn't get that warning but if it's not the size of the vitamins, could it be the irritation to the stomach? Iron is hard on the stomach. Just a guess.

Wow! Gorgeous!

I hate raw onions due to the lasting effect they have on me for about two days. Headaches and horrible breath. Cooked onions, sautéed onions, onion rings, onion soup, no problem. Love 'em even.

I love love love NSV posts! Some that come to mind: Crossing my legs in a bar like the hottie I am. Wearing blouses with buttons. They don't gap anymore! Jeggings. Enjoying exercise. Not sweating profusely with every exertion. Taking stairs with ease. No back pain. No foot pain. Wore heels for the first time in ages. Leaving food on my plate on a regular basis. Choosing food as fuel instead of entertainment on a regular basis. Caring about my hair and nails and skin and general girliness. Saying yes to social invitations more and more. Waking up early even on my days off ready to fill my day with activity. So much room between me and the steering wheel. Not worrying about weighing too much for furniture to hold me. Sliding into a giant restaurant booth with a bunch of people. Feeling more energetic and youthful at age 54 than I did at 34.

You are an incredibly strong and wise woman. I will take your advice.

Can't wait for pics Julie. @@Sharpie you look beautiful! The bride ain't so bad either.

Love my band!

*just took a deep cleansing breath* Yes, it feels good.

I'm so happy for you! Enjoy every minute!

Off to a summer festival tonight with carnival food. Tomorrow I'm volunteering at a food pantry. Sunday I will be outdoors with friends in a forest preserve all day. Busy busy. My trainer wants me to log my food for him again. Oh well. It's a little annoying because it's on paper but I'll do it. The first time I logged, he had no issues with my choices. Just my timing of meals. He wants me eating something every three hours. My daughter has a third upcoming interview at my company for a summer internship. Two different departments are interviewing her. Nice problem to have, huh? I hope she gets the first one because our hours would be the same and carpooling would be a breeze. Have a great weekend, everyone!

I'll look at anything - once.

I could make a catty remark, but I'll puss. I mean pass.

Because you're AWESOME!!!!

@@Miss Mac, good luck! That's a big change. I recently heard that even artificial sweeteners mess with your insulin levels. The only one I used to consume was in the occasional diet soda, so I've pretty much eliminated them from my diet after giving up soda. But I never really had a sweet tooth, so I'm lucky.

Four grilled cheese sandwiches in one sitting, in a bathrobe, on the couch, watching TV. Regularly and always alone. And I wasn't a kid either. I'm so glad I don't do that anymore. (Slobovian pro tip: grilled cheese leaves a very distinct aroma in the house. Plan your binge early in the day accordingly.)

Great question! I'm going to the gym and I'm loving it!!! Why why why did I wait over a year to do this? Everybody said exercise grows on you and I didn't believe it. Using a personal trainer is excellent for two days a week, but my real victory is going there on my own on the off days. I'm learning the machines and I walk the treadmill too. I feel like a new person. As for food, I have two victories. I'm leaving some food on my plate nearly every day. Secondly, when I have a treat like sweets or a cookie, a taste usually does the trick. And if I indulge (like I did with popcorn twice last week), I own it and move on. I love my band!