shizwiz

I have been rowing the ol 'low carb boat' for a while now...I notice that when I stall on weight loss (or gain!) it is because I am eating too much cheese or dairy. Lawdy, I love me some cheese! I also kind of listen to myself when I think 'OK, what should I cut back on or lay off for a bit?' Usually the first thing I start to defend is what I am having issues with. Cheese or foods with too much sodium are usually the culprits. One of my fave low-carb meals/snacks is a chicken salad with spinach and feta crumbles with an oil & vinegar dressing. Or a slice of turkey with a piece of cheese (see, here I go with the cheese), shrimp cocktail, some almonds...Pinterest has some awesome boards, too! Keep your head up, you are not alone You got this!

You look AWESOME! I love that middle pic with the black outfit!!! Wowza!

Time HAS slowed. I have proof, I have been staring at the clock and the calendar and I swear....and it has turned into molasses in January I am hoping with Christmas and the New Year that time will start flying again!!!

@@Veronica Page I am right there with ya! I feel like I will take a few steps forward, then fall off the side of the road. I will do well for a bit, then getting a case of the 'Last Supper-itis' or feel too lazy to cook or eat my healthy foods. Don't beat yourself up. We can pick ourselves up and keep on a movin' I have found a little bit of success with distracting myself. I got a puzzle (which sucks up my time) and have read 3 books in the last few weeks. I have an adult coloring book and some coloring pencils in the mail. (Disclaimer: Adult as in complex, not X-rated! HA!). Plus, I asked for Legos for Christmas. I figure if I can get myself sucked into little projects, I might be able to keep my mind off of food. Or, I am turning into a 13 year old and just don't know it yet...Hmm... Stay strong, yo!

CONGRATS!!! So excited and happy for you Let us know how you are doing after a while, eh?

@@BLERDgirl OMG I am a list-maker, too! I have been planning out my outfits for travel (& surgery), makeup (or lack thereof during recovery), and list everything by category for packing. Then, I plan where I will be going at the airports (mani/pedi instead of the usual bar or restaurant). Then come the post-op meal plans, snack plans, grocery lists....and so it goes on. Shoot, maybe I should get the meds, eh?

I think it is a good sign to have mixed feelings! It shows that we are mentally sparring with ourselves and having a good, thoughtful internal conversation to determine whether or not we are mentally ready. That is my 2 cents anyway. I know that if I didn't have these mixed feelings, that would mean I was jumping to a decision too quickly and might not quite be ready. But, since I have now been talking to myself for several months, and successfully defending my own decision to myself, I know I'm ready!

@@emmuje875 I got these compression stockings from Amazon. If my doctor gives me some, I will wear the ones they provide...but I have wide calves, so I got a pair just in case. I also travel alot and tend to swell up in my ankles, so I will probably use them even after surgery....until my calves shrink! (Can't wait!!!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A33GCQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Happy Monday

@@emsgirl114 WOW! I thought I was the only one who did that!!!! Jeez, I cannot WAIT to not have that on my mind!

@@Aussie chick Hehe thanks! I was able to get into the page OK...you might try deleting your cookies and going again. The other day I was having issues, too. I gave up after a bit and was able to get in fine about an hour later. Good luck!

I am also going to throw in-- I am NOT going to miss using a TON of lotion all the time. I feel like I use like a 1/2 cup in the morning because of all the surface area. Goal, maybe a few Tablespoons But I'm serious. A full body lotion job once per day (dry, cold climate for me) has me going through a large bottle of lotion about once per month. I basically fund Oil of Olay.

@ Thank you for posting this- I have been wondering the same thing and have been slightly worried!!! But I think @@jess9395 has a good point, though...maybe once we lose some weight, our bodies will not have to be working as hard to get our groove on therfore will not need as much energy (aka food). But I have been worrying because if I don't eat very much...sometimes I get really clammy, hot, shaky and feel like I am going to pass out. I have had labs done and my doc didn't show any issues with my blood-work. I wonder if the loss of ghrelin accounts for being able to work out with little food at all? I guess we will find out, eh?!

@@Kindle Haha you're my favorite! That's funny!!!!

@@Kindle I will probably eventually have to spill the beans to someone. It sounds like it went well with you- so hopefully once the word does get out (after I have had my fun of course!) it will go as smoothly for me as well Cheers!

@@KMendez325 I hate that, too. I had a family member tell me to try doing it the natural way. I was like....have you not watched me yoyo since 1998??? Be strong! I think electing to go with surgery is a strong and resolute action.

I am waiting for this to happen to me when I get back from surgery! I live in a very small town that has no roads going in or out-- and people here gossip more than any other place I have lived. Everyone knows everyone and boyyyyy do people talk. I am SO looking forward to the day when someone finally asks why I am losing so much weight. I am going to have fun with it and pretend like I don't even notice and that they are completely crazy. I am also the Privacy/HIPAA Officer for our only hospital in town, so I know people won't be asking me for my personal information because I am such a stickler for privacy. So cruel, but I gotta have fun when I can!!! Mwuahahaha

I am not going to miss being the heaviest person in the room most of the time when at work or with friends! I am also NOT going to miss thinking about my weight constantly. Oh, and being ashamed to eat in front of normal-sized people. I have no idea why I don't like doing that...I mean, they have to know that I eat...but I always feel uncomfortable at potlucks, company luncheons, etc. Off to go stare at the calendar some more....le sigh....

@@ShannonbKSU I don't have the packets (I got the big ol' tubs), but I believe the individual packets are meant to be a 'one-time use' deal. I think you would use one packet of the Protein powder for one full shake. I use a whole scoop of powder, a full packet of individual Crystal Light mix, and a whole bottle of Water (a 16.9 oz bottle). You could probably use a 20 oz bottle of water and that would work, too. Then, shake it up, add some ice, and BOOM, you're done! I have GENEPRO ordered via Amazon and en route to me...it is a unflavored poweder so I think I am just going to mix it into random stuff and see how it goes. Soup, crystal light, coffee....etc. It has glowing reviews from everyone who has tried it. I will probably post once I try it and give my 2 cents. Also- I bought some Snapware storage containers this weekend for my Protein Powder. The bottles that Syntrax puts the powder in does not fit in my cabinets. I got these for $9 each at my local store and they work perfectly. I just wrote the flavor on a piece of painters tape (removable) so I could tell them apart. Here is a link if anyone is looking for a container that fits a whole jug of Syntrax (or other powder): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004173R76/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Cheers- and happy Monday to all!

@@Chicarossi What do you mix in with the unflavored? I have been meaning to get some, but do you just put it in Crystal Light or something? Or broth?

@@Aussie chick I have the same date as well! Woot woot! Time is surely going by....slowly for me, but it is still going by!

@@wannaBthinsoon Yay 45%off!!!!! Thank you for the heads up! I'm stockin up!!!

I got mine from Drugstore.com. I also use Alaska Airlines Shopping and got 3 miles for every dollar I spent. If you use AK Airlines a lot, it's nice to get miles for online ordering. I have an online shopping problem because of that...hee hee! The Vitamin Shoppe has Syntrax, too....I think even in the to go packets, but they charge for shipping to AK.

@@zmt1990 Whenever I start a new diet (so.....all 6 million times) I have skin changes. One esthetician I asked about it said that zits/acne takes a few days to emerge. She suggested my breakouts might be my body ridding itself of toxins/grease/etc in response to a new, healthier diet. Stress plays big time into breakouts as well. I would still call your doc or a dermatologist to put your mind at ease Also, I tried a baking soda & lemon juice mask I found on Pinterest, it did wonders to help clear up some skin issues I had! Take care

@@wannaBthinsoon Thank you! I got the Cookies and cream and tried it with plain skim milk and....I think I was expecting an Oreo taste and was really bummed. Then I tried with chocolate almond milk and was in LOVE, until my body let me know it doesn't like almond milk (it was painful!). So, I was bummed again. Cocoa powder. Genius. THANKS!!

@@Veronica Page Way to go! I have been doing the shakes 2x per day and am also getting a bit bored. My Syntrax just came in the mail and it is nice to shake it up and get out of the chocolate/vanilla boring-ness. However, when my boyfriend makes his Lean Cuisine for lunch, I catch myself drooling. Since I am not officially pre-op, I am kind of blending the 2x shakes with Atkins dinners, lots of veggies and low/no carb snacks if I get hungry. I gained almost 10 lbs in one week while on vacation, and have lost 7 lbs since being back and sticking to the shake/low carb diet. I can dig that!!! Stick with it, kid! You're doing awesome!