Two years In the making.

Two years ago I wrote a list of things I hoped to be able to do once I had gastric bypass surgery. 

I will mark, in bold, the ones I accomplished in the order in which I wrote them. 

1. Tie my shoes without hassle

2. Touch my toes

3. Sit in an airplane seat without an extender

4. Feel comfortable sitting in the back seat of a car

5. Play cars with the grandcubs on the floor

6. Ride a roller coaster. 

7. Go down water slides

8. Wear size 10 pants

9. wear a medium top

10. Buy calf boots that fit and zip

11. Purchase clothes from a regular size store

12. Go hiking

13. Walk a 5k

14. Ride a bike

15. Walk up a flight of stairs without panting

16. Walk fast enough not to hurt my hubby

17. Walk the boardwalk and pier

18. Climb a pool ladder

19. Go horseback riding

20. Be told I'm tiny

21. Fit in a restaurant booth

22. Take an Amtrack trip

23. Easily cross my legs

24. Sit Indian/crisscross style

25. Wrap a bath towel around me

26. Pull the car seat forward

27. Wear my husband's clothes 

28. Feel pretty

29. Walk a corn maze

30. Build snowmen in the yard with grandcubs

I'm only missing 6 out of the 30 NSV's I wrote when I began this journey. I plan to finish this list this year. 

Things I did not write down like working a full time job and finishing my college degree…wow. So many more that are not mentioned. 

22 months out

22 months ago I had  bariatric surgery.
Yes, I have lost weight.
No, I have not met my personal goal.
Yes, I am very happy.

It is a day by day challenge.
In the last two months, I have graduated college

Started working full time

And just yesterday, completed my 2nd Coast Guard Festival 5k.

With the best hubby/fulltime support person ever.

I have an amazing doctor

Great friends

The route map

My number and medal 

Official time 

That is 6 minutes off my time from last year. 

I never knew my life would make the turns it has, but I am not complaining about where I am now.

16 Months

16 months post RNY Gastric Bypass

HW: 315

CW: 217.4

Exercise routine: 

100:

Crunches

Push-ups

Windmills

Squats

Cardio: 

5 miles on Recumbent bike at setting 3

I took 3 days off while recovering. 

I will change it up for February and add hand weights. 

NSV's

Seeing collar bones

Smaller wedding ring

Noticing more shrinkles

Shoveling snow

Able to pull off knee high boots without unzipping

I had a esophagus ablation last week. Everything came out ok. 

I'll have a biopsy in 2 months and another ablation a bit after that. 

It leaves me with a husky voice and need of a liquid/soft food diet for a bit. 

I'm not as far as I want to be but each day I get a bit closer. Sometimes I get discouraged because I have not met goal. I have to remember this has not been a straight path for me. I have had procedures since the main surgery. I just need to keep my sight on my goals. Failure is not an option

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve! 

The presents are wrapped and the stockings are ready to be filled. 

I talked with a friend yesterday. I'm still not feeling great about how the RD treated me, but I need to not take it personal. 

I am going to refocus. I need to start eating on a schedule again. 

3 meals at certain times- same every day. 

If I am hungry in between and have had my liquids, then I can have a snack. 

I'm going to keep the meals to 50% protein/veg mix. 

Snacks need to be protein rich like a Greek yogurt or cheese. 

I'm going to get popcorn back to being an occasional thing. 

Water and teas need to become my main drinks again. 

I'm going to try to stick to Whole Foods as much as I can. 

1000 calories... I'm not worrying about hunger, as I really don't feel that. It's being more mindful when I am eating. 

I can do this

Week 60

I got into my husband's jeans

Fully zipped and buttoned! 

This is a huge NonScale Victory!! 

I guess I should say why this is important to me. I bought my first pair of Levi's in 8th grade. They were a mens 40/32. Back then, they stamped the size on the back waist patch. I was happy to have jeans, but embarrassed of the size, so I cut the waist tag off. The jeans I have on here are smaller than my first pair of jeans. These are 36/34. 

Getting in my husband's pants, or more to the point of getting him out of them, has never been a problem. Getting into his jeans has long been a goal. I've never been able to wear a boyfriends or husband's clothes, like most girls just take for granted. It's all new to me. 

One year

One year follow up

I'm not sure what scale to use. Mine said 215 this morning. The bariatric clinic's said 218 and the sleep doctor's said 220. I think it all has to do with the water I had. Ugh! 

Official weigh in is 218 down from a start one year ago at 315. I could have been heavier before that. I hadn't weighed in except at my yearly appointment in years. 

I talked to a behaviorist, basically a phycologist. She seemed happy about my progress and where my head is after this year. She agrees that it is a mental mind fuck and eventually it will even out. I need to work on my journey and stop seeing everyone who has hit goal and comparing. I will get there eventually. I'm actually happy where I am. 

I talked to the exercise therapist about my worry over my legs. She advised I see my doctor about shin splints or possibly stress fractures. (I have an appointment on Monday) and then she advised me to only go to a 2 incline on my treadmill. She also suggested I get a bigger exercise ball to work out with and gave me a bunch of exercises that won't hurt my legs. I'm also to use that for balance. Cardio 3x a week, Strength 3x a week, balance 3x a week. This will be my routine after I am checked out by the doctor about my legs. Until then, I am to rest, ice, compress, and elevate (RICE). I ordered a ball and pump from Amazon. 

Next, I talk to my dietitian. She is a hoot and has the cutest new baby girl! Awe!!

My macros have changed to 1200 calories, 35% carb, 35% protein, 30% fat. My carbs and fats have been too low. She is going to check on me in two weeks to see if I have gotten more even with my macros. Lately I have been all over the place and I need to even out. Buckle down and get my shit together. It's hard...very hard. I haven't gained since June, but I haven't lost either. 

Finally, I talked to the NP I see every visit. She said I'm on track, just need to keep going. I do take my vitamins regularly and everything looks good. (She had me up my iron a couple weeks ago). When I see my doctor, I do need to ask about getting my hormone levels checked. Other than that, I need to have an upper scope (November 17, 7am) to check my esophagus for Barrett's Disease  http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/barretts-esophagus-symptoms-causes-and-treatments 

After I saw everyone at the bariatric clinic, I saw my sleep disorder doctor for a check up. My cpap is now fully auto instead of pressurized at 9-12. This is the last step to hopefully being off the machine in about a year. I know it's a process, I hope I will get there. 

My one year date is on the 30th. 

I've come so far and way too fast. 

The best is yet to come! 

Foods I eat now post RNY surgery

I was worried that I would have to give up foods before I had the surgery. Now I know that it is all about choices. I can have just about anything. I chose to have healthier options. 

These are my go to. 

Chicken tortilla soup 

4 chicken breasts (can put them in frozen or thawed) 

2 15 oz cans black beans (undrained) 

1 15 oz cans Mexican stewed tomatoes or Rotel 

1 cup salsa (mild, med or hot- whatever you prefer) 

4 oz can chopped green chilies 

14 oz can tomato sauce 

1 can corn (drained)

All in slow cooker on low for 8 hours. Just before serving, remove and cut/shred chicken and return to soup. Serve with (or over) chips and grated cheese.

White Chicken Chili

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cubed to bite size 

vegetable oil (about a Tablespoon to cook the chicken in) 

1 Tablespoon cumin 

1 16oz jar of salsa (I use Chi-Chi’s usually, and you can choose how hot of salsa depending on how hot you want your chili. I use mild.) 

1 48 oz jar of Great Northern White Beans, including juice 

1 8 oz block of Pepperjack cheese (jalapeno cheese) shredded (I use the whole block, you can use 4 to 8 oz of it, also depends on how hot you want your chili)

Sour cream optional 

Taco chips optional

Cook chicken in oil just until not pink. Add cumin, stir to coat. Add in jar of salsa, stir in. Add in entire jar of beans, stir and heat through. Slowly add the cheese, a bit at a time. (It can seize up and take longer to melt if you add too much.) Heat through and serve immediately. (If it cooks too long, the beans can get mushy).

Top with sour cream if you want and eat with taco chips, if you want. :D YUM! Fast and easy and tasty. 

Enchilada casserole

1 lb ground turkey- cooked and drained

1 large can red mild enchilada sauce

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 cup diced bell pepper

2 cups Monterey Jack cheese or pepper jack cheese

6 corn tortillas shredded

Mix everything together

Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 or until cheese melts. 

I omit the tortillas and serve on heart of romaine leaves. 

Sammie boat

Cold cuts

Cheese

Veg (tomatoes, banana peppers, olives, pickles) 

Stone ground mustard

Heart of romain leaves. 

Use the leaves for the base, build a mock sandwich

Meat a la King 

1 lb Ground meat- cooked and drained (I like chicken breast or turkey)

Garlic powder\

Onion powder- to taste

Pepper /

1 pkg mixed veggies steamers- cooked

1 can cream of mushroom soup (low sodium)

1 can cream of chicken soup ( low sodium) 

1 pkg egg noodles- (I pull one cup of sauce for me before adding noodles) 

Mix together in 9x13 pan

Topping: 

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs (or crushed pork rinds with Italian seasoning added)

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes 

Pork and beans

1 16 oz bag of dried pinto beans

4 pork chops or 1 lb of ham- chopped up

1 cup onion

2 cloves chopped garlic or 1 tbl dried garlic

1/2 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup celery- chopped

1 tbl dark brown sugar

6 cups water

Add to instant pot or other pressure cooker

Cook as meat setting for well done

When de pressurized, stir. Reset for a 15 minute cook. Let it release on its own. 

Serving size is 1 cup. 

Taco salads- everything you like in a taco, without the tortilla

Egg roll/ wonton pizza

On a parchment lined cookie sheet- spray with oil. 

Place wrapper

Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes

Flip. 

Add pizza sauce and toppings of choice. 

Bake an additional 5-7 minutes. 

Pepperoni chips

On paper prowl, put a dozen pepperoni rounds

Microwave about a minute. 

Pat grease off. 

Let cool. 

Use for chips or eat as a crunch. 

Peppers and cheese

Mini sweet peppers- cut length wise and seeded

Low fat string cheese cut in four 

Pizza sauce

Can add pepperoni

Place one fourth in each half of pepper. 

Put on cookie sheet

Bake 350 for 12-15 minutes. 

Use pizza sauce as dip. 

More I eat/drink: 

Refried beans with taco sauce, cheese, and sour cream

Greek yogurt! A main stay for me!! 

Core power lite protein drink

Alpine sugar free spiced hot cider

Cocotein protein drink

Crystal light

Vitamin water zero

Decaf coffee/tea

Fairlife milk

Links I use: you do not have to be bariatric to eat these foods. Sarge eats with me.

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com

http://www.bariatricfoodie.com

Non scale victories- NSV

A year ago I wrote a list of things I hoped to be able to do once I had gastric bypass surgery. 

I will mark, in bold, the ones I accomplished in the order in which I wrote them. 

1. Tie my shoes without hassle

2. Touch my toes

3. Sit in an airplane seat without an extender

4. Feel comfortable sitting in the back seat of a car

5. Play cars with the grandcubs on the floor

6. Ride a roller coaster. 

7. Go down water slides

8. Wear size 10 pants

9. wear a medium top

10. Buy calf boots that fit and zip

11. Purchase clothes from a regular size store

12. Go hiking

13. Walk a 5k

14. Ride a bike

15. Walk up a flight of stairs without panting

16. Walk fast enough not to hurt my hubby

17. Walk the boardwalk and pier

18. Climb a pool ladder

19. Go horseback riding

20. Be told I'm tiny

21. Fit in a restruaunt booth

22. Take an Amtrack trip

23. Easily cross my legs

24. Sit Indian/crisscross style

25. Wrap a bath towel around me

26. Pull the car seat forward

27. Wear my husband's clothes 

28. Feel pretty

29. Walk a corn maze

30. Build snowmen in the yard with grandcubs

Two-thirds of the NSV's I wrote down have been accomplished. What amazes me is the amount, over the year, that I didn't write down. I think my husband has gotten sick of me pointing out new things I have accomplished. Most people take these small things in stride. I hope I never do. 

Week 51 post op RNY

This has been a wild year of changes for me. A year ago I started my preop diet on the 16th with hopes of making my liver less fatty so the doctor would not refuse me for surgery. 

At the time I thought that I would live a life without worrying about food choices because I couldn't eat anything anyways. Now I know that every day I worry more about food than I ever did in the past. This is a good thing in a weird way. I no longer take it that on a trip we can just hit a restruaunt, I have to look at the menu as much as I can and determine if I can eat there. I need to remember to pack my food, always carry nuts, a protein bar or jerky in my purse. I don't leave home without a beverage. I meal plan and only cook 2x a week now instead of daily like before. I eat different from my husband  but because it is only the two of us, this is not a big deal. 

I think the hardest part of the last year has been meals with our kids. They are completely understanding in my new choices, but because they are not here everyday, I think they forget. When going out to eat, I will ask that a bread basket not be brought to our table if it is just Sarge and I. We have eliminated gluten from our diet. It doesn't Agee with Tazzy and Sarge is happier without it. Our kids and grands however, do eat bread, pasta, pizza, and such. I have found that Mexican food restruaunt is an easy place for all of us to turn to instead of a steakhouse or Italian restruaunt. 

The main thing I have learn in the last year is that the doctor fixed my tummy, not my head. This is a massive mind fuck on learning how and when to eat again. Is it real hunger (I have not had this yet) or is it head hunger? Real hunger is when you feel empty, low on gas, possibly get the shakes. You will eat anything just to get fuel for your body. I eat by the clock about every 3 hours getting in at least 15g protein. I don't let myself get "hungry". Head hunger on the other hand is real. It is when you smell popcorn, when the snacks you bought (even healthy ones) call out to you. I have learned I cannot have certain things in the house , they are outside treats. 

Popcorn, to be enjoyed when we go to the movies or when we plan a movie night. 

Mock cheesecake, only allowed on special occasions and only one serving. 

Wonton pizza, once a month on pizza night. 

Fruit, must eat protein with it. 

This year has not only been about food though. It has been about reflecting on me and my choices. I still say I was not a food addict, I was more obsessed. I turned to food in times of all emotions. Happy, I celebrated with food, sad, I cried with food, angry, I cooked food. I have had to learn how to deal with emotions without food. Food is a fuel, nothing more. I do see that I still try to feed my family. I can't have....fill in the blank, but I can't deny them, so I buy it, they eat it, I'm happy...this is not healthy and I am working on it. 

I am learning we eat to live not live to eat. 

WLS - Michigan Meet & Greet

Met wonderful people are walking the path I have walked for almost a year. 

Too much fun! 

I left home about 8am. After stopping for coffee I was on my way to pick up Deborah and head to the Meet & Greet

A sign at the coffee house. 

This wonderful lady and I shared the same good taste in coffee. She is wonderful and I can't wait to see her again! 

Lunchtime fun. Yummy BBQ 

A picture to capture the group

Had to get the narwhals in the photo too! 

Wish I had talked to everyone more! 

Facebook will help to make friendships stronger. 

Not all flattering for me, but I know I have a bit to go. Keep it real! Friends don't judge! 

A walk on a different pier was a must! 

A year ago I would never have started this walk. The wind was making splashing waves against the pier. 

After, we headed to a bookstore for a cool drink and knitting. 

It was great to catch up. 

Dinner was at a brewery. Food was okay, company was wonderful! 

After, we gathered for more talking and a bit of bonfire. 

(Photo by Kim) 

Hugs all around then I headed out.

 I got home about midnight. 

What a fun day! 

Having people you don't have to explain your tiny tummy to is good.

Making new friends is priceless! 

Hopefully some of us can get together again before another year passes. 

Thank you for allowing me to join your group. 

10 months post RNY surgery- huge NSV!

Today I met another goal. A non-scale victory if you will. 

I finished my first 5k. 

For some, walking a 5k could be a normal occurrence. For myself, it was a goal. In May of 2014 I had knee surgery where I had cadaver parts installed  so I could walk without pain. For more than a year, I pushed to get "stiffy" to bend and move. In June of 2015, I had to go back in and have a bunch of scar tissue removed so that "stiffy" would bend and hold my weight so I could again walk. On September 30th, 2015, I had Roux en Y gastric bypass bariatric surgery to help me lose weight. I promised myself that if I was able to walk a 5k, I would then write to the family of the person who gave me "stiffy" , telling them that movement still happens because of their loved one. 

I got up at 530 this morning with that goal in mind. 

I did not finish first, but next to last. 

At least I finished! 

My wonderful husband was by my side the whole way. 

10 months out from gastric bypass, 1 year out from learning to walk again, 2 years out from reconstructive surgery. I finished my first 5k! 

I did not fail "stiffy". 

Thank you to the person who checked the box as an organ donor. May you rest in peace. 

I will now write that letter. 

You never know someone story when you look at them. 

My journey continues...

Week 43: A goal achieved

I talk about it on my YouTube video but I have finally lost over 100 lbs. 

https://youtu.be/nRJGta6UUyQ

Week 41: When all else fails...

Take measurements. 

I have been feeling sort of down because I'm bouncing the same numbers and have still not hit 100 pounds down. I know I shouldn't compare, but I watch others that lose 100 in 6 months and I get discouraged. I have to remember that the first 6 months everything was the surgery because I couldn't exercise. 3 months in I had another abdominal surgery that took 3 months to heal. But dang it, I have been feeling like a failure. Then, I saw my measuring tape sitting on the table. I may not be losing weight, but I am still losing inches! 20.75 inches across my different body parts I have kept track of. Bust, waist, belly and hips lost the most as well as my thighs. I'm a bit happier. 

Last night I tried a new fruit since surgery. I spent a while with dumping. I love fruit but it just takes tiny Tazzy time to get used to each one. Because I was feeling off, I did not go to college. In the long run, I think I have been stressing too much about school and I need to take a step back and reevaluate how I am treating me. I come first. Yes, I need to graduate but I don't need to graduate so bad I hurt my health. Everything in moderation. 

I have started walking in between classes. I was missing my 2 mile walk and the last 2 days I have walked the campus so I get that in. This has been my happy.

How have you found your happy today? 

My Weight loss journey

I have started a YouTube channel for my Weight loss journey. 

Link: 

http://youtu.be/Fg_lN_wJoCA

Week 40 post RNY. - 9 months

Wow how time has flown. 

This adventure gets better each week. 

Not everything is a basket of roses, I tried sugar free chocolate and dumped so bad I didn't want to move. I just wanted to cry. Next day I was up and use it as a learns lesson. I don't need sugar free chocolate, so it doesn't need to go in my tummy. 

Food however, is becoming easier. I know the choices I am supposed to make and making them is easy. Good food means I feel good. I like that. This last weekend we. Headed out for our first out of town adventure since I had surgery. Yes, sadly we don't go away very often. I took my basics with me. Core power light protein drinks for breakfast, protein bars for lunch or 1/2 for snack time. I had PB thins, jerky, quest chips and other snack if we needed them. I had planned dinners out. The first night we went to Cracker Barrel. Normally I would not think this was a healthy place to eat, but Sarge wanted it so I knew I had to find healthy on the menu. I was able to order a side of pinto bean and 3 grilled chicken tenders. Healthy and yummy. So yummy, I made a pressure cooker pot of beans with ham tonight for dinner: 

In pressure cooker put

1 pkg dried pinto beans (16oz)- rinsed and sorted

8 cups water

1 lb ham- chopped

1 tbl dark brown sugar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 cup chopped onion

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp parsley

Cook on high for 30 minutes at pressure. Let the pot depressurize. Stir, add a bit of dry mustard. Repressurize and cook for 10 minutes. Serve. 

Mfp gives me these stats: 10 servings- 11g protein, 3 fiber, 10 carbs, 5 fat, 126 calories

Other meals we tried out on the road

Qdoba- very good

Dead Bear Brewery- very good- I only had 3 fries. 

Burger King- not good- hurt the tummy even though it was grilled chicken salad.

Grocery store run for turkey meat, pepper jack cheese, yogurt, bai drinks, and nuts. 

We did have grilled meat and chopped salad while at one friends and baked chicken while at another. My tummy handled the adventure vey well and I didn't feel deprived at anytime. 

As to the stats, I started mid September at 315 lbs, surgery 9/30/15 at 302 lbs, my current weight is 217 lbs. my journey continues. 

Week 34 post Gastric Bypass

September, 2015- 315 lbs

October

November

December

January, 2016

February

March

April

Today- 220.4 lbs

I have come so far. 

I have so far to go. 

I am loving the journey!