Amy Braun

Congratulations, lizonaplane!

Congratulations to you! Best wishes as you continue! I'm finding my 7th month has really slowed down with the weight loss, but I expected that. I figure it might take 6 more months to get the remaining pounds off -- unless I can find an additional hour to increase exercise!🏋️‍🚵‍♀️🤸‍♂️🤽‍♀️

37 minutes ago, Arancini said:

Thats awesome! Have people already started to notice/comment? I’m sure you’ll lose those 40lbs I’m still 45 - 65lbs away from my goal weight depending on where I end up.

Just a status report. For encouragement, I hope. It's not been easy, but I feel so much better. Just hoping to stick with it for 40 more pounds and forever.

Sorry about the bare feet in the first picture!

On 2/12/2022 at 3:12 PM, Arancini said:

I didnt know you had to get it checked out every 90 days! Is that just for surgery people or anyone does?

It’s crazy. I abandoned my health and general consciousness of my body for so long that there are so many things I have absolutely no idea about… working on changing that though!

I've always had to do periodic blood tests for thyroid levels (way before surgery). Surgery has not changed anything.

to Arancini - Re: but I just found out that I have inactive thyroid and possibly fatty liver. ...I have been on thyroid medication for 13 years. It has not affected my surgery or post-op. Usually, you have to have your thyroid levels checked about every 90 days

Responding to TonyB "Amy....my surgery was the day before yours and I have experienced the same thing in the past month or so. ...

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I would be lost if I didn't write every morsel down. I think I will always be this way. You are right about the Condiments and little things adding up. I do think I'm careful -- ha ha! although one thing I've never counted is the calories in those calcium chews, which would add 45 every day! I'm glad to hear from you, and hope I will be over this slump soon. I'm trying to add 10 minutes to my exercise daily, but still don't see any difference on the scales. I'll be glad when I can get out hiking again -- too much snow for me now!

Sep 1 reporting in again. I have been in a major stall for 2 weeks, only 2 lbs lost. This is new. I am behaving, was trying to increase to 750 cals but have gone back to 650 cals in hopes of making those scales move. Stuck at 79 lbs lost, can't get to 80. This will be the first month I won't meet my personal goal. Was hoping to lose 12 lbs in this fifth month, not going to happen! Still hoping for 10.

Thank you!

HI, I looked over the topic headings but could not quickly find a matching question. I am 64 years old, soon 65. Since my surgery on September 1, 2021, I have walked or bicycled on a recumbent bike 30-40 minutes almost every day. (I did almost nothing before). Now the cold weather with snow has set in, and the bicycle gets boring. I am looking for suggestions for a good senior training / exercise video, something I can get on DVD. I have some weights. Probably beginner level, but progression would be nice. We are far away from the nearest gym, so I'm hoping to find something I can use at home. I've lost 78 lbs, so I am feeling much better about exercising! Do have knee and balance problems. Thanks!

I am in my fifth month post-surgery, and what I have experienced, especially at night, is period of feeling very cold inside my body. I have covers on and heat on, but still I have these chills. I wake up cold and put on another sweater. Now granted, we are in the mountains and it is very cold right now with snow. And, I have always been much colder-feeling than my husband. But I have experienced these night chills since the surgery.

14 hours ago, Tufflaw said:

Do you have an Aldi's near you? Every so often I buy their Panino Deli Tray, which is basically a few different types of sliced meat wrapped around cheese, I eat about 5 for a meal I think, which is about 4 oz. https://www.aldi.us/en/products/deli/prepared-meals-sides/detail/ps/p/specially-selected-panino-tray-5/

If there's a BJ's near you, try the Caulipower pizza (veggie pizza on cauliflower crust, it's delicious).

ALDI's is about 40 minutes away. We went there yesterday, but finding items others have found there proved impossible. But we will try again, maybe once a month. Never heard of a BJ's. Thank you so much, though.

5 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

Man that stinks. Well I guess I made you feel a little better cause at least you can go back somewhat easily. Did you see the post someone tried to start about favorite ALDI products. I am hoping that it takes off so I can just reference that thread when making a list the first time I go. Are there any must haves that you recommend?

I find this site so cumbersome, the way you can't just reply to a comment, but that's annoying aside. There is a lot to check out at Aldi's. I found some good 100 calorie packs, like the pretzels. Of course, these have to be a once a week treat because I'm still losing and just starting my 5th month. I found some cauliflower crackers, but didn't find much substantial food. I'm going back in a few weeks to look for those shrimp fajita packs. I did see chicken. I wish you the best of luck when you plan your Aldi trip.

On 12/13/2021 at 3:31 PM, ShoppGirl said:

lol. I did a lot of searching food and recipes too. I think it’s cause our bodies are starving. I am jealous that you have Aldi’s nearby. My friend has one that lives about two and a half hours away and I think we are going to have to make a day of it someday. I will just bring a big cooler and meet her there. I imagine it will take me quite a while to shop the store the first time the way we have to reading every label but I am looking forward to picking up some of the products I have seen mentioned on here.

Just got back from our Aldi's. As kind of expected, they did not have the ,No Carb bread, the shrimp fajitas, the Alpen Cereal, or the probiotic Cookies. I guess it's hit or miss in a less metro area. I picked up a few things and will try again when we go that way. Hope you can find everything if driving that far.

On 12/11/2021 at 12:10 PM, HashiHope121 said:

Every week I buy a rotisserie chicken and use that in a variety of places. I also always have a frozen bag of cooked shrimp (TJs Argentinian Shrimp) & frozen chicken skewers (Costco) in the freezer, which just need to be defrosted and warmed. Some of my regular "no cook" meals are: chicken & green Beans, chicken & roast squash (pre cut), Shrimp & green Beans, chicken veg Soup (TJs). They probably sound boring, but I enjoy them and they all end up low carb & under 200 calories for plenty of food. A no cook splurge = Amys burritos (so good! but adds up fast). (For Breakfast I always have coffee w/ unflavored Unjury Protein powder.)

If you are willing to cook a little, I also sometimes make Banza Pasta & shrimp or cauliflower latkes (TJs). And at the end of the week, I turn the left over veggies & chicken into Soup and freeze that.

I will also note that I keep canned veggies on hand. I know they are not as nutritious as fresh, but they also aren't bad (if low sodium, as I understand) and they are still low calorie. In a pinch they are better than Pasta or crackers or a lot of other options. I often don't cook fresh fast enough and I hate seeing them go bad.

Hope that helps. I appreciate seeing everyones suggestions, they help me a ton.

Thank you, these are great ideas. What spices do you like to use with frozen shrimp when you cook it?

Surgery was September 1 2021. So far, I've lost 70 lbs. (since the pre op started on August 21) and have 50 or 60 to go.

Thank you lalforo and NewMe2021. New me, you described my feelings perfectly. There are just two of us now. Thanks for the suggestions.

4 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

There is also a thread on this site called favorite grocery products that lists some ready made foods.

Thank you so much ShoppGirl! I just spent 2 hours pouring over the suggestions on that forum! (Still a little too obsessed with food choices, obviously,) We have an Aldi's about 40 minutes away and will get there nearly one day. Sound like I need to spend some time hunting!

1 hour ago, Candace76 said:

Smart Crust from Foster Farms. I got it at Shoprite.

Thank you for this!

27 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

I also get the Chick-fil-A Southwest salad and eat all the toppings with just a tiny bit of dressing. I am now 8 months out and I add just a bit of the lettuce in and the salad makes two meals. I just picked one up for lunch and thought of you. They have an avocado ranch dressing that I do not like but everyone else I know loves it with the southwest salad.

Thank you!

14 hours ago, OutdoorsGirl said:

When I’m on the go I have chick fil a grilled nuggets with buffalo sauce, 8 mixed nuts, blackened chicken tenders from Popeyes, boiled egg with hot sauce, fruit cup, plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with seasoning, steamed chicken and vegetables from a Chinese Carryout, slices of ham wrapped around a cheese stick, or mashed black Beans with cheese. I usually have a cooler bag with me so I can save the leftovers. I also pack a Protein Water or shake. I haven’t started regular food yet.

Thank you OutdoorGirl!

6 hours ago, SleeverSk said:

I am hearing you !!! My friend said go on pintest which i did I got so inspired lots of yummies but sadly i haven't been motivated enough to cook any yet. But I do this for work I call it roast beef sushi 😁. Get some sliced deli meat my go to is roast beef, cut carrot, cucumber, capsicum and celery into sticks. Get some cream cheese ( light of course 😉) spread on the beef and then add something like mustard or whatever you prefer. Then get one of each of the veggie sticks put at one end of the beef and roll it up 😃 roast beef sushi !! At about 14 weeks I could eat 2 and a bit for lunch. But yes its hard I havent had lunch yet today and racking my brain what to have for dinner tonight. Do you have anyone to cook for? I wish i did or someone to cook for me 🤣🤣

I should be cooking for my husband, who is not on any weight loss plan (but should be!)), but I'm rarely able to figure that out. It is a lot of hard decisions about what to eat. I have some good ideas from this post. I have an added problem of not enjoying many foods people suggest, not sure how to change that. Thank you so much for your reply.

Very helpful list, Thanks And amazing weight loss!

Thank you everyone for great suggestions. Appreciate all the ideas.

I will have to look for these P3 packs. Thanks!