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HW: 299
SW:  283
TW: 248.8

Down 50.2 total and 34.2 since surgery day

I am very happy overall with my progress.  I still track my food/liquid intake daily, and that has really been the key to ensuring I get proper nutrition.  I'm down two Levi jean sizes (20 now), and I'm cleaning out my closet of 26/28 blouses today.  For the most part, I get my 75+ grams of protein from food, but I still have one Premier Protein Drink every few days when I'm uncertain what the day will hold.  I typically hold about 1/2 cup chili-consistency food and 3 ounces or so of meat.  Beef is harder than chicken, and I haven't tried steak yet.  I'm trying to add more veggies, but it's still hard to "get it all in."

It's be a great journey so far, and I'm looking forward to the future!

I'm doing great!  I'm apparently not as slow a loser as  I thought.  They were very impressed with my loss.  I'm officially 42 pounds down from my first visit (26 since surgery date).  I am cleared for all foods and all forms of exercise now.  Woo hoo!!

Surgery Weight:  283
Today's Weight:  259

I have lost 24 pounds since surgery and 40 collectively since my December 1 preop diet began.  My loss hasn't been as speedy as so many others, but I feel as though I am mastering the appropriate number of calories, carbs, and protein grams to live as healthy as I can.  I am tracking all my meals, and I am averaging 750 calories per meal (sometimes less and sometimes as much as 800), 30-40 grams of carbs, and 70-90 grams of protein.  I only supplement with a protein drink about three days a week.  I feel like incorporating appropriate amounts of food to get my protein in early may have contributed to my slower loss, but I believe that getting my nutrition from food will be healthiest for me in the long run.

I am exercising and walking two miles daily in about 30 minutes, and I'm upping that to 2.5 miles starting today.  I am also spending 15-30 minutes on the elliptical daily, burning about 200 calories in 15 minutes.

I definitely see a slow down or even a gain during my PMS week, but so far I see a decent loss once my period begins.  Admittedly, this is frustrating, but as long as I can see a steady loss, I am trying to not let those things get me down.  My mantra is "trust the process," and I believe that this will work in the long run.

I don't really like to set date goals for weight loss because it's not very easy to control.  Quite honestly, with the amount of calories in versus the calories out, one would think it would be falling off.  My body doesn't really work that way, so no date goals for me.  I would hope to continue to average four pounds a week, but we will see what God's plan is. 

I feel good, and I'm very glad to have had this surgery.  I go to see Dr. Nick this Thursday, and I'm anxious to see what he thinks about my progress.  I also have several questions related to strength training, goal weight, etc.

So, I'm back to work today.  I have lost 38 pounds collectively, including 16 from my preop diet that began on December 1 and 22 since surgery.  I'm very happy with my loss so far, and I'm getting into the groove of my daily schedule. I threw up twice last Friday, and I've chalked it up to eating too fast.  I ate the same things I've already eaten before, but in a restaurant environment, I think I forgot to eat slowly.  Lesson learned!

I am walking two miles a day and jumping on the elliptical for 15-30 minutes daily too.  I hope to add some strength training sometime next week.  All is good.

....I was wearing a delightful hospital gown and waiting for my surgery.  To date, I've lost 18 pounds since surgery and 34 since preop diet began on December 1.  I'm still playing with my daily protein goal, but I have no trouble getting in 60-80 grams from food alone.  I want to up my protein, but I think it will take a Premier shake daily to get there, and that means watching my caloric intake too.  Whew!  I think going back to work next Monday will help me find balance in all the planning I currently do when it comes to my daily menu.  I don't get hungry, but I work really hard at planning my meals so I get the right balance in calories, carbs, and protein. 

My one month date is Thursday, and I'm really hoping for two more pounds to drop off before then so I can say 20 pounds in the first month.  But, what will be, will be.  As long as I continue to lose, then I will be thrilled!

Well, here I am starting 2010 with a new weight loss tool, and tons of excitement.  I have lost 13 pounds since surgery day, December 14.  And, I won't sneeze at the 16 pounds I lost during my preop diet either.  I have started back on the elliptial slowly as advised by my doctor.  Yesterday I did two rounds of seven minutes each.  I also walked around quite a bit.  I am hoping to build up to two 15 minute sessions in the next few days.  I feel fine, but I know I should take things gradually. 

I've enjoyed planning out my meals, and I love using myfitnesspal.com to track my meals.  The last two days I've been right at 800 calories and between 60-70 grams of protein.  Yesterday was the first day I got my protein in WITHOUT protein drinks.  Wahoo!  I added one today because my New Year's Day dinner is just a bit of baked sweet potato and some squash casserole--not enough protein.  I know that when I go back to work it will be a bit more difficult to stay this organized, but I am a planner by nature, so I'm using these weeks off to develop my habits.  One thing for sure, I don't need to make a ton of anything the rest of the family isn't eating.  But, for the most part, I haven't planned anything that we can't all enjoy as my goal is to have healthy but tasty meals for all of us.  

Next week I will start some fish and ground meat dishes, but this week I've really enjoyed being able to have mushy stuff, and I even had a mushed up bean and cheese tamale for New Year's Eve last night.  Granted, it took me 30 minutes to eat it, but it sure was good, and it fit perfectly into my nutritional goals for the day.  Eggs will definitely play a more significant role in my breakfasts as the protein count is significant, and I don't mind one scrambled with some cheese.  I've never been one for reduced cheeses, but Cabot makes a 50 percent reduced that's better than virtually all the normal brand regular cheeses.  I've been mixing 75 percent of the reduced cheese with 25 percent of extra sharp Cabot, and the blend is perfectly cheesy!  

I will be glad to add some veggies and fresh fruits back into the mix, and I'm ready to make some ham and turkey rollups next week for lunch.  I know I can find ways to get my protein in without the shakes, and that makes me happy!

Here's to the new year and an improved me!

Well, yesterday marked week two with a recordable weight loss of about 12 pounds.  That's 28 pounds in one month counting my preop diet.  I'll take it!  I ate an egg yesterday morning, and I had my refried beans with a little cheese and greek yogurt on top for lunch, with a small amount of corned beef hash for dinner.  Potatoes continue to make my tummy angry, so the hash wasn't as big a hit as I'd hoped. 

I went out for lunch for the first time today.  We went for chinese.  I had 1/2 cup of hot and sour soup without the chunky stuff.  It was good, and I didn't mind watching my hubby have his beef and broccoli and rice.  I know that in due time I will be having a bit or two of his entree along with my yummy soup (always a must do when having chinese).  I'm learning to not drink with my meals, and since I love, love, love hot and very spicy things, this will be an adjustment.  But, I'll figure it all out I'm sure.

So, I've baked, and baked, and cooked, and I think we are ready for Christmas.  Sad that I won't be indulging in all the things that are making my home smell so good right now!  But, that's okay.  Not to say that I had to show real restraint last night when I wanted to strangle my family for having such a wonderful time chowing down on fresh, hot tamales.  I had to really have a talk with myself.  I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge I still have self doubt when it comes to my success.  But, I'm gonna give it my best shot.  I know I won't ever be one of the people who completely does without carbs or considers old favorites complete taboo.  The simple truth is, I love food.  I love it too much, which is why I am in the shape I'm in.  But, my goal is to overcome the unhealthy relationship with food and learn to enjoy the blessing of great food and taste in the small but still flavorful amounts that my new tummy will allow.  This is, all quite a bit down the line as I work through the weeks of recovery and months of learning how to eat appropriately.  I am committed to eating right at most meals and exercising on most days.  This is an adventure that I am looking forward to.

I can't wait to come back and review this post next Christmas and see how far I've come. 

And, I didn't feel a thing!  Yah!  Again, I overdid it at the crazy grocery store, but I'm home resting now.  I can't imagine going back to work at one week like some folks do.  I don't think I'd have the physical or mental power to do it!  Still really slow weight loss, and I think I'm gonna try to stay away from the scale until the weekend.  Maybe I will feel better if I see a change in a few days.

So, how weird is it that I woke up this morning with essentially no discomfort on the left side?  It was like I had not had surgery (except for the extra-super attractive drain hanging out of my belly!).  I was able to do my four rounds of walking, and I felt the slightest tinges on the second of a two-time around walk, but that's it.  But, I did have quite a bit of acid this morning, which kept me from finishing my protein drink.  I finally took a nausea pill (after the pepcid didn't work), and that did the job.  I 
added Nectar to my water at that point so I can still get my protein in for the day.  So far today, a 1/2 cup greek yougurt, 1/2 cup miso soup with nothing in it, and 1/3 cup processed cottage cheese.  I may shoot for 1/3 cup soup later on.  My calories have been below 500 each day.  Tomorrow....drain gone!  YAH!!!!