9/6/10 – What I Ate Today

I am still pretty tight since my fill.

Breakfast: Low Carb Slimfast Shake

Lunch: Homemade tuna salad (1 single serve pouch of tuna, 1 Tbsp mayo, 1 Tbsp relish, a few chopped grapes) – I ate 1/2 of the whole thing

Snack: a few bites of tuna salad

Dinner/Snack: I eventually finished off the rest of the tuna salad. I’m not hungry but I know I need to try and get my protein in. I was very lacking in that department today.

Drink: Sugar Free Lemonade, Chai Tea

Exercise: 30 minutes of walking (1 1/3 miles)

You can also read this post at my new blog: Party of Five

God Bless!

Becky <><

Update Since My LapBand Fill

Well it been 2 days since I had my fill. I am still feeling pretty tight but I am able to keep down most liquids so far, although coffee seems to be the best thing I have tolerated. I have tried a few bites of smooth chicken salad, pureed vegetable soup, and ice cream but they have all came back up as a PB (productive burp). My weight this AM was 224.8 pounds – WOOHOO!!! I have lost a total of 73 pounds! I don’t even remember ever weighing this weight.

Today was a busy day. My 13 year old DS had to have surgery on his toe today. We weren’t sure til about 9am today that he was even having surgery. We didn’t leave the hospital until around 4:30 this evening. Up to that point I had just sipped on coffee and a couple of hard candies all day. I am still feeling good, tired from the busy day. I have had a couple bites that have stayed down today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Have a great day!

Becky <><

You can also read this post on my new blog: HERE

What A Day!!!

I went in for my (1 month overdue) 1 year post-op visit for my lapband today. I also needed a fill today. The doctor had some trouble with my port (again) and needed to do the whole procedure twice. Last time I had a fill I had a total of 7.6cc’s in my band. Today when he started I had 7cc’s in there – I must have drank the other 0.6cc

This time he put in a total of 10cc’s. I seemed like I was ok at the time but started bringing everything back up soon after I left the office. I thought it would settle down on its own but it didn’t- got worse instead. About an hour after I left I ended up going back to his office and getting 1cc taken out. Now I am supposed to drink clear liquids the rest of the day today. I have done ok, if the liquid is warm and if I take tiny sips. I don’t feel too bad, all things considered.

On top of that we have been dealing with a health issue with one of our boys. I think my brain is starting to get tired out.

But, I am glad to know that God is in control…I refuse to worry. At the end of the day, I can rely on the fact that I serve a great God – not only does He call me friend, I am His favorite (don’t worry, you are His favorite too).

By the way, my official “doctor’s office” weight today was 230.0 lbs. WOOHOO!!!

May God bless you!

Becky <><

You can also read this post at my new blog HERE

My New Blog

Please visit my new blog at: http://beckyson25.wordpress.com/

My new blog combines my 2 blogs. It includes all of the posts and comments that are already on plus new stuff too :-)

Blessings to you!
Becky <><

Homemade Protein Bars

I haven't tried any of these but I wanted to share some posts with homemade protein bar recipes that I found on some other blogs. Please note that these were NOT weight loss surgery websites that I found them on. I don't know how "pouch-friendly" they will be.

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/11/nourishing-protein-bars-a-great-whole-foods-snack.html

http://thenourishingapron.blogspot.com/2010/02/protein-bars.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/08/homemade-protein-bars.htm

Enjoy!
Becky <><

One Year Bandaversary

I was banded one year ago today. I am so happy with all the changes in my body over the past year! I am feeling much better. My overall health is much better too!

May God bless you!
Becky <><

End of Day 4 of the 5 Day Pouch Test

I am feeling so good!!! I have much better control and not obsessing about food all day. Here's the food I've been eating. Not exactly 3 meals along with snacks; more like when I am hungry I eat as much as it takes to feel satisfied.

Morning
Coffee with creamer
Crystal Light lemonade

Afternoon
Yoplait yogurt
Slim fast shake
Homemade chicken salad

Evening
Friend's b-day party
Ate a Fiber One yogurt on the way to the party
Had a little fruit punch and a freezee-pop at the party
About 1/2 serving of leftover Impossible Cheeseburger Pie after I got home from the party

My weight this morning was 231.6 lbs!!!
Hallelujah!!!!

Day 3 of the 5 Day Pouch Test

OK, so I am on day 3 of the 5 Day Pouch Test. Here's an update so far:

Monday 7/19
Protein shakes blended with frozen fruit
Tomato soup mixed with milk and saltines that were crushed down to little tiny crumbs
Yogurt
Coffee with cream
Lo Carb fudgesicle

I did fine all day - no cravings (actually felt much better than I have been feeling), except late at night I got really hungry. I ended up eating some "mashed up" turkey meatballs I had made on Sunday for dinner. I could already feel my stomach was tighter - I was full after about 5 bites!

Tuesday 7/20
Same stuff as Monday plus I had a couple of bites of some of the meal I made for my family for dinner but literally maybe about 3 bites of rice and 3 bites of watermelon. I also had a tiny bit of eggsalad late at night - I was getting really hungry again but that satisfied me.

Wednesday 7/21 (so far)
Coffee with cream
Slim Fast ready made shake (I can't find the Low-carb ones anymore but I had a few stray cans of this that I need to use up)
1/4 cup homemade egg salad
Sipping on Crystal Light

Amazingly, I have no cravings. Not really hungry but, just like after a fill, when I do get hungry I need something right away, not in 10 minutes. My band seems much tighter. I kind of feel like in the "early" days of having my band. I have heard mixed results about the 5 Day Pouch Test but it is working for me so far. Here's my weight stats so far (although I really must say, it isn't as much about my weight but that I feel tighter and more in control of my eating again):
Monday AM: 239.0 lbs
Tuesday AM: 235.6 lbs
Wednesday AM: 232.2 lbs

I will update tomorrow.
God bless!
Becky <><

Going to try again...5 Day Pouch Test

I am going to try this again starting on Monday, July 19. I had some "life issues" come up midway through day 2 last time I tried but even just doing it for 1.5 days I could feel that it would have helped me some, physically and mentally. If you are interested in doing it too (starting on the same day) please leave a comment on here and let me know. Maybe we could support each other throught it. Here is the link for the 5 Day Pouch Test. I don't have a copy of the book but I am going to do it following the instructions on the website.

Blessings,
Becky <><

Day 1 of the 5 Day Pouch Test

This morning's weight: 239.8 pounds

I was on liquids today so I didn't really have "meals" but here are the types of liquids I had:

Sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast made with 1% milk and a coupe of frozen strawberries blended in
Crystal Light Iced Tea
Turkey and gravy - pureed in a blender - consistency of a smooth cream soup
Coffee with 1% milk and SF DaVinci Vanilla Syrup
Cream of Mushroom Soup made with milk
Egg Drop Soup
SF pudding

I tried Unjury Chicken Flavored Soup blended with a little chicken - this had a yucky consistency and I ended up not drinking it. I will say though that I LOVE both of those seperately - just apparently not blended together.

Blessings!
Becky <><

Before & During Pictures

 

Going to Do a 5 Day Pouch Test

The details are here. I am going to start tomorrow (6/10/10). I will post each day on here and let you know how it goes.

Blessings!
Becky <><

Weight Watchers???

I have been at a weight stand-still for a LONG time. I am considering trying doing unofficial Weight Watchers, meaning I will use the materials I already have from Weight Watchers instead of going to the meetings, etc. I was doing some research about doing Weight Watchers with the Lap-Band and most people recommended following the Flex Plan rules for 150 pound woman. Please leave a comment if you have any suggestions/recommendations.

Thanks!
Becky <><

Cha-Cha-Changes!!!

I have been meaning to post this for a long time but life always seems to get in the way. I wanted to post some of the changes I've noticed and some other non-scale stuff.

Here are some NSV (non-scale victories):
I have been in a size 26/28 or size 3X (unless it's from WalMart - then it's a 4x - thanks for making me feel even worse than before, WalMart). I now wear a size 18 or XL. This was a huge victory for me since they sell some XL in non-plus-size stores. I haven't been able to buy something from a "regular" store anytime in my adult life. I remember shopping in the plus-size stores even when I was in my middle school years.
We went camping this past weekend and I went on the "jumping pillow" with our 2 year old. The "jumping pillow" is a kind of cross between a trampoline and an inflatable jumping thing. Anyway, I went on it and I didn't hear one negative comment. Nobody even looked at me to see why a "big woman" would be on there. During the camping trip I even went swimming too!
I have been wearing make-up and earrings again, almost everyday - even if I'm not going anywhere.
Today, for the first time in way too long, I went and walked for 30 minutes. Guess what I did too...I ran!!! It wasn't pretty and it was only maybe for 30 seconds each time but I ran 4 short times during my walk. Also, I walked over 1.5 miles today and I wasn't even out of breath!

A few problem areas I have identified:
Out of the mouth of babes: we were listening to a Christian radio program the other day in the car. The woman who was speaking talked about Moms eating a diet of whatever is leftover on their kids' plates. She called it the "Leftovers Diet". My son looked at me and said, "Boy Mom that's what you do!" I have been more conscious of it and now I am seeing it too! I usually don't make myself lunch because I pick at whatever I am making for the kids while I make it then proceed to eat whatever my 2 year old leaves on her plate! Or {gasp} I will make something for myself for lunch too!
I am still not exercising. I keep saying I am going to but I never do. I did go walk tonight though. I need to make it a habit.
I find that I have hardly an appetite all morning, I really have to make myself eat something for breakfast. Then I am a little more hungry as the day goes on. By nighttime I am STARVING! It's like "Katie bar the door"!

These are areas I am working on but I thought I'd share with you in case you have been there before and have advice.

God bless!
Becky <><

Homemade Instant Breakfast

I came across this recipe and it looks pretty interesting. Camping - Instant Breakfast

Even though we are going camping for the weekend, I think I'll try tweeking this recipe for home. I'm going to try using the sugar free Wally-world orange drink mix instead of the regular Tang.

Bariatric Eating website

I just found the Bariatric Eating website and I LOVE it - so I had to share! They have a great food journal (free). The journal has some useful guidelines for getting your protein in. Also they have TONS of bariatric-friendly recipes. I can't wait to try the journal and some of the recipes! Before you visit the website, I do need to mention that Bariatric Eating is an online store geared toward bariatric surgery patients. I have never ordered anything from there, nor am I endorsing the website. I just saw it today and I like the info they have on their website.

God bless!
Becky <><

Yummy Chai Recipe

My aunt gave me this recipe. I love it hot or over ice!

Steep a chai tea bag in hot water. I use Lipton Spiced Chai tea bags. After removing the tea bag, add a splash of skim milk and a splash of sugar free vanilla syrup, I use DaVinci brand. Enjoy!

Monday 4/19/10

My weight is now 236.5 pounds...60 pounds gone - WOO-HOO!!! I am feeling much better since I have been able to add regular foods back. For the moment, I have good restriction. I have been eating small meals and staying full for several hours. My favorite thing is that I am not even thinking about food between meals. Before my last fill I felt like I was looking for food all day long.

By the way, I am looking for some ideas of quick foods to keep on hand to either take with me or grab in a hurry. It seems like I go so fast from not even thinking about food to starving. Those are the times I am most apt to grab "junk" to just take the edge off my hunger. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks and God bless!
Becky <><

4/15/10 - 2nd (and last) Day of Full Liquids

Weight this AM was 239.6 pounds. I am feeing a little "washed out" from being on full liquids for the last couple of days. I'll be glad to have some mushie foods tomorrow. Here's what I sipped on today:

1 Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast
Pureed Bean and Bacon soup made with milk (this tasted pretty good)
1 Atkins Carmel Cafe Shake
Pureed homemade chili (with a tiny bit of melted cheese and a small dollop of sour cream stirred in)
Crystal Light
A popscicle
Coffee with cream

God bless!
Becky <><

Update for 4/14/10

I am still on full liquids today. Here's what I sipped on throughout the day:

Unjury Chicken Soup
Click brand Vanilla Latte - this was great over ice and also wonderful hot
Cream of Mushroom soup - made with milk and put in the blender
Sonic unsweetened peach tea
Atkins Cafe Carmel Shake

The scale was at 242.2 pounds this morning. I never did get to exercise today :-(

Becky <><

Fill #4

I went yesterday and had my 4th fill done. As of yesterday's MD visit, I have lost a total of 52 pounds. The doctor had a little trouble finding my port but he did end up finding it. My port site is a little more sore than usual today. He gave me a large fill (3 cc) bringing me up to a total of 7.6 cc. I hope I will have good restriction now. After my fill I was on clear liquids the rest of the day. It wasn't too bad since I didn't leave my appointment til around 4:30 or so. The rest of the evening I sipped on a Sonic unsweetened peach iced tea and a 1/2 packet of Unjury chicken soup.

Now I will have 2-3 days of full liquids then 2-3 days of mushies/puree.

I also did a short weight loss pilates video last night. The weather is gorgeous here and I'm planning for a walk after we finish with homeschool this afternoon.

God bless!
Becky <><

Some good grocery items...

I wanted to share a few things I have found that I like. First of all, you need to know that I am frugal. I also like food that is easy to make and that my whole family can eat. I try and focus on high protein and healthy carbs. That being said, I love to shop at Aldi. I love Aldi's Fit & Active brand foods!

Here are some of my favorite foods from Aldi:

Fit & Active Multi Grain Wraps - these are my latest find at Aldi. They are pretty large and square (instead of round). They can be found near the blocks of cheese. Price: $1.99 for 6 wraps. Each wrap has 100 cal, 9gm protein, 17gm carbs, 8gm fiber. I love how these taste and the texture is good. I haven't had any trouble with getting them "stuck".

Fit & Active Nonfat Yogurt - available in 4 flavors: Key Lime Pie, Peach, Strawberry, and Cherries Jubilee. Price: 37 cents for 6oz. Here's the nutrit info on the Key Lime Pie flavor: 90 cal, 6 protein, 15 carbs, 0 fiber, 0 fat.

Fit & Active Whole Wheat Penne - I only eat about 1/2 serving of this at a time. What I like is that I can serve it to my whole family. Price: 99 cents for 12 oz. Nutrit info: 210 cal, 7gm protein, 41gm carbs, 5gm fiber, 1.5gm fat.

Here's some other good stuff I've found at other grocery stores:

Kroger CarbMaster yogurt - I can't remember how much these cost but I really like them. I don't get to Kroger very often, but when I go I always get a bunch of these. Here's the nutritional info on the raspberry flavor: 80 cal, 12gm protein, 4gm carbs, 1gm fiber.

While on the topic of yogurt, I LOVE Chobani Greek yogurt. It is too pricey for me to get all the time but I do get it as a treat for myself if it's on sale.

Hormel Compleats Roast Beef & Gravy - these are a great food to have on hand just in case life gets too busy to make something else. I can't remember the cost of these but I have found them on sale and they often run coupons on these too. When I have good restriction, I am able to make 2 meals from 1 container of these but the nutritional info is based on eating the whole thing. Here is the nutritional info: 230 cal, 23gm protein, 27gm carbs, 3gm fiber, 3gm fat.

Kashi GoLean Hot Cereal Creamy Truly Vanilla - each packet has 150 cal, 9gm protein, 25gm carbs, 7gm fiber, 2gm fat.

I hope this helps you on your journey!

Becky <><

Meals for this Week

This post is a cross-post from my other blog, Party of Five. It can give you some meal ideas. On Tuesday I'll mostly just eat the filling out of the calzones. Otherwise, I usually eat whatever I make for the rest of the gang, just less of it.

Monday: Spinach Chicken Pasta
Tuesday: Calzones (choice of pepperoni, spinach, mushroom, etc filling)
Wednesday: Sausage & Vegetables over Rice
Thursday: Meatloaf
Friday: Chili, Chips, and Cheese
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday: Easter (getting together with my family; not sure what I am bringing to share)

Have a great week! You can also check out lots more menus at orgjunkies Menu Plan Monday!

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Becky <><

Update for this week

My weight today was 241.0 pounds. I have a few pounds that I have been fluctuating between - going between 242 - 245. This is my lowest weight since, um, as far back I can remember. I weighed about 260 pounds when I got married in 1992 (I was 19 years old back then). The only time I remember being lower than that was when I got down to 244 pounds 9 years ago with Weight Watchers. Immediatly after I stopped Weight Watchers, the weight came back. Now, I have been stuck around 244 since around Thanksgiving. It seems that 244 is a stumbling block for me. As you can read from my previous post, I am getting back to being committed. I know what I supposed to do, I need to do it. I don't have good restriction right now. I'm scheduled to get another fill in a few weeks. My short-term goal is to see the 230's on the scale.

Becky <><

A New Week...Back on the Band-Wagon

"If you are doing the Will of God, it is always too soon to quit" this quote is from my pastor, Jimmy Inman, during a service a few months ago. It struck me so much that I wrote it down and have kept it closeby. I was having some quite time with the Lord today and he reminded me of this quote. Making the decision to get the Lap-Band was something I prayed about for a long time. My pre-op journey actually took about 3 years. It is a long story but after a lot of prayer, a new baby in the midst of the 3 years, jumping through lots of insurance hoops, etc, I did finally have the surgery. I remember during those 3 years pre-op and in the first several months post-op how I could see and feel God at work with the process. Since around Thanksgiving, I have not been following through with my part of the process. I started eating what I wanted, when I wanted, didn't chew my food slowly, didn't take the small bites, etc, etc. I have my doctor's list of the 10 Band Rules for success, I have not been following any of them. As of today, I am back on the "band-wagon". I know that God has not moved from where He was, it was me that moved away, not Him. I am so thankful that when I give up on me, He doesn't!

May God bless you and your family,
Becky <><

Life is finally getting back to "normal"

Well, I think I can see light at the end of the tunnel. My husband has gone back to work. The kids and I are getting back to our usual schedule. In regard to my lap-band surgery, I am at 244 pounds, which is about where I was before my husband fell. The good news is I have been able to maintain my weight through this and I am eating much less than I was prior to surgery. The bad news is that I have reverted back to several bad habits: I have been eating alot of the "wrong" foods, I have been "pigging-out" at night, I am eating way more than I should be post-op, I have been hungry more often, and I haven't been exercising. I called and made an appointment to see my doctor to get my 4th fill and for my 6 month post-op follow-up (was due in Jan but I had to cancel under the circumstances). I had my 3rd fill just a few days before my husband fell. I haven't noticed any difference since I got my 3
rd fill. I am able to eat ANYTHING (and trust me, I have). Basically, I need to get my head back in the game. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Becky <><

Update...

I know I haven't posted in a while but things went from really busy to a whole new level of busy! On Jan 2 my husband fell down a flight of stairs and broke 2 vertebrae in his neck, C6 and C7. By the grace of God he is still alive and did not damage his spinal cord. He did a lot of damage to the ligaments in that area though. He is now recuperating at home with a neck brace on. He is improving each day although he has had some problems with swallowing (a temporary side effect of the surgery) and his blood pressure (related to the injury). Needless to say that between juggling taking care of him, homeschooling, taking care of our 3 kids, working on the weekends, etc, etc, etc, my life has been spinning pretty much out of control! As far as my lap-band and the recent fill I had, his accident happened on what was supposed to be the last day of mushie/pureed food after my fill. Since his accident I haven't been able to be as strict with my food choices or timing when I eat. I pretty much eat "what I can, when I can". I don't eat nearly as much as I would have been though. Had this accident happened before my lap-band surgery, I am sure I would have gained at least 10-15 pounds. At this point I have held steady at 244 pounds.

I've got to go for now, the baby just woke up from her nap - time to get busy again!

God bless you and your family!
Becky <><