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I had a spiritual experience during my morning run, and I want to share it here because if it helps just one person through a tough moment then 🙏 amen.
I am supposed to skip days between my running according to the C25K program, but in my infinite wisdom I decided that I felt great and since I was off for the 4th I would just run today and take tomorrow off. I know not very smart.
So I am coming up on the third run sequence and my muscles are really screaming at me and the self doubt starts in my head, "what made you think you could ever be a runner?" you are just going to hurt yourself.
And then Just about the time I am thinking about walking the song "Blessings" by Laura Story comes on in my ear buds. It wasn't long before I was running through my tears. This was the message I needed this morning. 
If you are hurting, doubting yourself, sad, lonely, whatever you may be going through, know that the Lord is with you. 
What if the trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights, are his mercies in disguise?

Well...I just got my first lesson on how this surgery is a tool, not a miracle. Went grocery shopping hungry, bought some "extras", came home and made some poor choices for the rest of the day. It is scary how quickly the calories added up, and how quickly my sleeve feels empty after eating. I ate a lot of food 
I feel bad, but I'm gonna use this as a lesson. First off, it's not the end of the world. I'm 6 weeks out tomorrow, and this is the first time I've fallen off the wagon. That level of adherence to my diet was unheard of preop - I always broke within a week or two. Also, I went back and re-read my NUT materials. It's a good time for a refresher. I'm gonna learn what I can and just move on. Yesterday's poor decisions have no control over my choices today. 

Went to the movies with my hubby this morning. (We're taking advantage of a kid-less day) I did have some popcorn (no extra butter--never get that stuff anyway) and no, it wasn't the end of the world!! Lol. I enjoyed every little bite I had (obviously it wasn't much). I did not die. I did not gain a lb and I did not crave more either. It was good. 😁

Monday will be 7 weeks since my surgery. A lot has happened in this short amount of time, so much, that Sometimes I just shake my head in amazement. I have lost 46 pounds since January 1rst and 21 since surgery. I am down to a size 12 from a 14-16 in January, and I am so close to wearing a large top I can taste it...lol..
I am exercising almost daily and last week I started the C25K program. I never thought I would be running, but I absolutely love it! I have so much more energy now and I feel so much better about myself. The scale does not stress me out at all. It is just a number I record every week. I am much more confident in myself as I know I am eating right and moving my body.  
my dh and I are headed to D.C. Today to meet up with his brother and sister and nephew. They are in town for a few days and it is so close to us we couldn't miss this opportunity to spend a couple days with them. My husbands sister is a marathon runner so it will be nice to pick her brain about getting started with running. This will be the weekend getaway that we didn't get to have for our anniversary last month. 
Have a great weekend everyone😃
 

I loved the Bariatric Advantage calcium chews until two days ago....all I taste is a metallic chemical taste. So gross. Guess I'll be changing my calcium here too. 

I have a new-found respect for cottage cheese. 4oz is 100cals and 15grams of protein. Super filling for my sleeve too!

Yesterday was my last Omeprazole pill.  Today I start my journey believing that acid reflux/heartburn isn't for me.  Certain types of food always brought it on before.  If I stay away, I should be fine.  Besides, I'm claiming it isn't for me.
 So i decided to eat some diced peaches.  Totally forgot the one I have is sugar free and it's the worst tasting peaches I've ever had.  Took it to the trash.  NASTY!!!  Should have brought a fresh peach instead.
Oatmeal it'll be.....
 

YASSSSS! Finally! I went to see my bariatric Counselor and she told me she faxed my evaluation letter. Paperwork is almost done. I'm so close :-)

I am now 1 month and 2 days out from surgery. Down about 25 lbs. Now that i am on solid food, I find myself eating smaller portions as chicken and beef fill me up so quickly. I was bad and tested out tortilla and bread. My body did not like it. Did not like it AT ALL. But that's ok. I don't need them anyway. Considering trying out the Trim Healthy Mama or Keto diet. I see my nutritionist on the 7th so I will broach with her. Not sure which one fits me better though. I want something I can maintain for life.  

Well I'm happy to report ,,,down to 255.. yippy ! 70 lbs to date.  I admittedly am not eating a whole lot. I have my few favourites and everytime I try something new I turn my nose. up at it. I am still avoiding anything carb/gluten related...My Nut. isn't to thrilled about that she says a little bit of carbs are good for you ...sorry as soon as I eat anything carb ie. bread... my blood sugar goes up. I have found some gluten free alternatives. As well if I feel like pasta I use a spaghetti squash just as good with sauce and cheese.
when I started this journey I had a 48-50 inch pants waist now down to 42 inch and my shirts were a 4XXL now XXL is my new size.  
I do get to buy some new clothes ( yippy I  finally get to shop at Old Navy ...love that store... cheap and cheerful) and donated a lot of my bigger stuff to a local used charity clothing/ and other stuff store. They also give you 30 % off if you buy something .

Happy Monday all! Well, I hit my step PR today during my walk - 4k steps. It's not much, but it's progress so I'll take it. And I wasn't dizzy after I got home. I wish I could have stayed out longer since it's so beautiful out, but I started feeling a bit woozy so it was time to pack it up. 
I also increased my calories from 800-950cals, so I'm wondering if that's what is helping with the dizziness. In the grand scheme, I know it's a low amount of calories for anyone, but it's like I almost feel guilty for eating "so much". I'm only 5 weeks out as of tomorrow, and I've seen people posting 600-800cal/day at 5weeks. I'm 6'0 and I'm wondering if that may have anything to do with it. I don't want to undereat if that could be what is making me so tired and dizzy, but I also have this fear that it's a slippery slope and before I know it I'll be back to overeating. Of course, I'm doing all that I can to prevent that, but this is something I feel I'm gonna worry about until I learn to trust my sleeve more.

What is the best way to wake up on a Sunday morning? With your 10 month old granddaughter snuggled in close sharing your pillow of course. My dh and I had a busy day yesterday watching our little angel and we decided to keep her overnight to give our daughter and son-n-law a little break. I have really started to notice the NSV more this past week and yesterday I definitely had more energy. 
I wonder if my scale is accurate? I weighed 187 on Friday and yesterday the scale said 185.2. I find it hard to believe I lost that much in 24 hours. ...lol.. ah well it really doesn't matter because I feel great and my clothes keep getting looser.
 

What is the best way to wake up on a Sunday morning? With your 10 month old granddaughter snuggled in close sharing your pillow of course. My dh and I had a busy day yesterday watching our little angel and we decided to keep her overnight to give our daughter and son-n-law a little break. I have really started to notice the NSV more this past week and yesterday I definitely had more energy. 
I wonder if my scale is accurate? I weighed 187 on Friday and yesterday the scale said 185.2. I find it hard to believe I lost that much in 24 hours. ...lol.. ah well it really doesn't matter because I feel great and my clothes keep getting looser.
 

Well it's about bloody time. I'm down a couple of pounds...257 lbs from 260 lbs after almost a month. 
By the way does anyone snack on nuts like almonds or peanuts or cashews or sunflower seeds...I know there fattening but aren't they healthy fat ?

So today while I was watching this female Asian longhorned beetle oviposite her egg I was thinking about the science behind WLS. How many experiments aka..clinical trials have been done, are still being done, and will be done in the future to help doctors figure out the complex mysteries of this disease we call obesity. It blows my mind to even try to think of all the variables involved in the design of these trials.
My research focuses on this beetle, a much simpler organism, and yet it can take days of thought and reading current published research to determine the variables that need to be considered and controlled during a planned experiment. Sometimes we even design pre-experiments just to figure out whether something is going to effect something else before we run the main experiment. All of this thinking has made me realize how little we really know. Why has my diabetes gone into remission after surgery? This surgery has done what following a low carb diet alone could not do, normalize my blood sugars minus any medications. I haven't had time to read all of the published literature on this subject, but I would like to.
My mind is trained to looked for patterns in data so of course this is the way I am approaching my journey after this surgery. I am logging everything I eat, drink, and my exercise. I will export the data to excel and graph it to see if I can figure out how my body works now in relation to theses things and weight loss.  I know for some people, maybe most, this is not something they would want to do. It may seem excessive and time consuming, but I hope to learn something that will be useful to me during the maintenance phase. 
I am increasingly more convinced that low carb is going to be the best diet for me to follow long term. I just don't see any reason to test the waters when I am doing so well right now. I have zero cravings for sugar, bread, rice, pasta... my energy levels are good, my bs are excellent, and I am losing weight.  These are my musings for today, 5 weeks post-op.

So today while I was watching this female Asian longhorned beetle oviposite her egg I was thinking about the science behind WLS. How many experiments aka..clinical trials have been done, are still being done, and will be done in the future to help doctors figure out the complex mysteries of this disease we call obesity. It blows my mind to even try to think of all the variables involved in the design of these trials.
My research focuses on this beetle, a much simpler organism, and yet it can take days of thought and reading current published research to determine the variables that need to be considered and controlled during a planned experiment. Sometimes we even design pre-experiments just to figure out whether something is going to effect something else before we run the main experiment. All of this thinking has made me realize how little we really know. Why has my diabetes gone into remission after surgery? This surgery has done what following a low carb diet alone could not do, normalize my blood sugars minus any medications. I haven't had time to read all of the published literature on this subject, but I would like to.
My mind is trained to looked for patterns in data so of course this is the way I am approaching my journey after this surgery. I am logging everything I eat, drink, and my exercise. I will export the data to excel and graph it to see if I can figure out how my body works now in relation to theses things and weight loss.  I know for some people, maybe most, this is not something they would want to do. It may seem excessive and time consuming, but I hope to learn something that will be useful to me during the maintenance phase. 
I am increasingly more convinced that low carb is going to be the best diet for me to follow long term. I just don't see any reason to test the waters when I am doing so well right now. I have zero cravings for sugar, bread, rice, pasta... my energy levels are good, my bs are excellent, and I am losing weight.  These are my musings for today, 5 weeks post-op.

So today while I was watching this female Asian longhorned beetle oviposite her egg I was thinking about the science behind WLS. How many experiments aka..clinical trials have been done, are still being done, and will be done in the future to help doctors figure out the complex mysteries of this disease we call obesity. It blows my mind to even try to think of all the variables involved in the design of these trials.
My research focuses on this beetle, a much simpler organism, and yet it can take days of thought and reading current published research to determine the variables that need to be considered and controlled during a planned experiment. Sometimes we even design pre-experiments just to figure out whether something is going to effect something else before we run the main experiment. All of this thinking has made me realize how little we really know. Why has my diabetes gone into remission after surgery? This surgery has done what following a low carb diet alone could not do, normalize my blood sugars minus any medications. I haven't had time to read all of the published literature on this subject, but I would like to.
My mind is trained to looked for patterns in data so of course this is the way I am approaching my journey after this surgery. I am logging everything I eat, drink, and my exercise. I will export the data to excel and graph it to see if I can figure out how my body works now in relation to theses things and weight loss.  I know for some people, maybe most, this is not something they would want to do. It may seem excessive and time consuming, but I hope to learn something that will be useful to me during the maintenance phase. 
I am increasingly more convinced that low carb is going to be the best diet for me to follow long term. I just don't see any reason to test the waters when I am doing so well right now. I have zero cravings for sugar, bread, rice, pasta... my energy levels are good, my bs are excellent, and I am losing weight.  These are my musings for today, 5 weeks post-op.

So today while I was watching this female Asian longhorned beetle oviposite her egg I was thinking about the science behind WLS. How many experiments aka..clinical trials have been done, are still being done, and will be done in the future to help doctors figure out the complex mysteries of this disease we call obesity. It blows my mind to even try to think of all the variables involved in the design of these trials.
My research focuses on this beetle, a much simpler organism, and yet it can take days of thought and reading current published research to determine the variables that need to be considered and controlled during a planned experiment. Sometimes we even design pre-experiments just to figure out whether something is going to effect something else before we run the main experiment. All of this thinking has made me realize how little we really know. Why has my diabetes gone into remission after surgery? This surgery has done what following a low carb diet alone could not do, normalize my blood sugars minus any medications. I haven't had time to read all of the published literature on this subject, but I would like to.
My mind is trained to looked for patterns in data so of course this is the way I am approaching my journey after this surgery. I am logging everything I eat, drink, and my exercise. I will export the data to excel and graph it to see if I can figure out how my body works now in relation to theses things and weight loss.  I know for some people, maybe most, this is not something they would want to do. It may seem excessive and time consuming, but I hope to learn something that will be useful to me during the maintenance phase. 
I am increasingly more convinced that low carb is going to be the best diet for me to follow long term. I just don't see any reason to test the waters when I am doing so well right now. I have zero cravings for sugar, bread, rice, pasta... my energy levels are good, my bs are excellent, and I am losing weight.  These are my musings for today, 5 weeks post-op.

So 31 years ago today I married my best friend and we are still as in love today as we were back then. We have had our ups and downs as all couples do, but I wouldn't trade my dh for anything or anyone. We are opposites in so many ways, but we bring out the best in each other. I am missing him tonight since he is away, and Saturday can't come soon enough. 

So 31 years ago today I married my best friend and we are still as in love today as we were back then. We have had our ups and downs as all couples do, but I wouldn't trade my dh for anything or anyone. We are opposites in so many ways, but we bring out the best in each other. I am missing him tonight since he is away, and Saturday can't come soon enough. 

Happy Sabbath!!!
I must be in the zone right now with weight loss. I have been losing a pound to a pound and a half a day the past three days. I was at 192 yesterday morning and today 190.5! I guess my body likes what I am doing right now so I will keep at it. I decided I want to get a haircut and style before my dh gets back from his trirp. I want to surprise him with a new look. I am thinking about getting highlights and going a little shorter. I am excited and nervous at the same time..lol..

Happy Sabbath!!!
I must be in the zone right now with weight loss. I have been losing a pound to a pound and a half a day the past three days. I was at 192 yesterday morning and today 190.5! I guess my body likes what I am doing right now so I will keep at it. I decided I want to get a haircut and style before my dh gets back from his trirp. I want to surprise him with a new look. I am thinking about getting highlights and going a little shorter. I am excited and nervous at the same time..lol..

TGIF. I made it through the first week of my hubby's two week trip. I have had a hard time cooking just for me and I ended up with a lot of leftover food that I did not want to eat. My chickens were happy though..lol..  one more week till hubby gets home. Tomorrow afternoon my daughter, granddaughter, and I are gonna have a girls day out and have lunch and a mani/pedi.  
i cant believe Monday will be one month post-op already! I think the time has flown by and I feel like my stomach has healed quickly. I have not had any problems at all eating soft meats and vegetables. I am planning to add tuna salad, and I would like to try some tender steak next week. 
I cleaned out my closet of all the size 14 and above pants, and the 2x-3x tops. I am comfortably wearing a size 12 jean and extra large top. I have pants in size 10, 8, and 6, that I saved, and I have medium and large tops, so I won't need to do any shopping right away. I stepped on the scale this morning and it was 192. if I lose another pound before Monday that will put me at 17 pounds lost this first month. I am very happy with that!!.
Time to go hop on the elliptical and get the heart pumping,,,

Happy Sabbath!!!
I must be in the zone right now with weight loss. I have been losing a pound to a pound and a half a day the past three days. I was at 192 yesterday morning and today 190.5! I guess my body likes what I am doing right now so I will keep at it. I decided I want to get a haircut and style before my dh gets back from his trirp. I want to surprise him with a new look. I am thinking about getting highlights and going a little shorter. I am excited and nervous at the same time..lol..

TGIF. I made it through the first week of my hubby's two week trip. I have had a hard time cooking just for me and I ended up with a lot of leftover food that I did not want to eat. My chickens were happy though..lol..  one more week till hubby gets home. Tomorrow afternoon my daughter, granddaughter, and I are gonna have a girls day out and have lunch and a mani/pedi.  
i cant believe Monday will be one month post-op already! I think the time has flown by and I feel like my stomach has healed quickly. I have not had any problems at all eating soft meats and vegetables. I am planning to add tuna salad, and I would like to try some tender steak next week. 
I cleaned out my closet of all the size 14 and above pants, and the 2x-3x tops. I am comfortably wearing a size 12 jean and extra large top. I have pants in size 10, 8, and 6, that I saved, and I have medium and large tops, so I won't need to do any shopping right away. I stepped on the scale this morning and it was 192. if I lose another pound before Monday that will put me at 17 pounds lost this first month. I am very happy with that!!.
Time to go hop on the elliptical and get the heart pumping,,,