A normal day of eating

 I am able to eat more these days and I wanted to post what an average day of eating would look like.  Today will be a pretty good example.

Breakfast: 1 cup of multi grain cheerios and 1 cup of organic skim milk

Lunch: 1 of those tuna lunch to go kits with the tuna packet and 6 crackers

Snack: 1 Pure Protein Chocolate Shake (I am still doing 1 protein shake a day and don't plan on stopping)

Dinner: Salad with 3 cups mixed greens, 2.5 ounces of chicken, .5 ounces of dried cherries, 1/8 cup pecans, and 2 tablespoons lite poppy seed dressing. (I may not be able to eat all this)

And, lots of water.  The entire day is about 940 calories, 83 grams of protein, 31 grams of fat, 90 carbs, and 1240 sodium

Some may be surprised at how much I eat or the way I eat (not low carb) but my doctor does not believe in low carb, he likes balanced eating.  As long as I am eating 900-1000 calories and 60 grams of protein I am meeting his guidelines.  The best part is... I feel pretty normal.  I am not deprived and can eat most things in moderation.

Week 10 and the big 4-0

Week 10 and I lost another 2 lbs which brings me to a total of 40 lbs down.  That is an average of 4 lbs per week, though I am most certainly not losing at that rate.  I am pretty much losing 2 lbs a week and I am okay with that.  This coming week has a lot of challenges.  Tonight I have a dinner that is work related, and though I would like to say I will stay 100% on plan, I won't.  The best part of my sleeve is that even if I over do it.. I can't really over do it.  Then on Friday we are going out with another couple to celebrate their newest rental property (drinking will happen) and then Sunday is Easter with my in laws.  Though I can't really over do one day, the extra junk and calories over a week do add up.  I am planning on upping my exercise so I don't have to feel so bad about indulging.

I do feel very different about my weight loss experience this time around.  With my Lap Band I wanted to get to goal as quickly as possible, this time I am much more realistic.  I would love to lose 100 lbs in 6 months... but I know I am not willing to live a "Biggest Loser" lifestyle to get there.  I would love to be 45 lbs down by my 3 month mark but that is only 2 weeks away and I just don't see that happening (but I will try).

I am also only 7 lbs from the weight I was when I had my Lap Band removed.  I was 199 that day.  I look forward to getting back down to 199 because I feel like all the weight I am losing now doesn't really count.  This was the weight I had to gain (plus a bonus 10) to qualify for my sleeve surgery.  I have 43 lbs to lose to be back at my lowest weight (163) post Lap Band.  That was a fleeting weight and I hope to not only get there but pass right by.  My current goal is 160 but I would love to be 145 just to say I am at a healthy BMI (I am 5'4").  If I could get to 145 by January 16th of next year I would be absolutely thrilled.  I am extremely skeptical it can ever happen but I am happy with the positive steps I am taking to long term good health.

Perfect for a Loser

I signed up for a fabulous new service.  It is essentially Netflix for clothes.  It is perfect for someone who is losing weight like me.  The company is called Gwynnie Bee, and here is a link http://goo.gl/vLzwU.  They currently have a 30 day free trial going on so it is great way to try the service with no commitment.  This is sounding a lot like an advertisement, I swear it isn't... I am just really excited about it.  You can pick different memberships from 1 item out at a time ($35 a month) to 10 items out at a time ($159 a month).  You don't have to wash anything, they dry clean everything, and you can keep the item as long as you like.  This is a plus size service so it is from size 10 and up, you super skinny girls are out of luck on this one.  :)  I have been loving the dress selection for work clothes and it is also a good way to try a new style without committing.  Anyway, just thought I would pass on the good word!

Happy Spring/ Week 9 Weigh In

I had another loss of 2lbs this week.  That puts me at 38 lbs down in 9 weeks.  That also puts me at a total of 37% of my excess weight lost, over 1/3!!  I am thrilled with that.  I feel like my body changes a lot from week to week and clothes are always fitting differently. 

In other news, it is the first day of spring here and it is snowing like crazy.  I hope it starts to warm up soon (not likely) because I am dreaming about getting my garden started.

Photos

Just wanted to update with some photos... Me at 210ish. I was 246 when I was sleeved. My highest weight was 260ish.

Week 8 Weigh In

I had a really good week this week.  I lost 4 lbs.  This brings me to a total of 36 lbs lost.  I am very pleased with this week.  I have been exercising regularly and eating well.   I will post some pictures this week.  I just got a new phone and hopefully that will improve my picture taking. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about how the sleeve is different while similar to the Lap Band.  I am not going to lie, I like my sleeve way better.  One of the best parts is that if I eat a little too much I just get a uncomfortable full feeling for about 20 minutes but that is it.  With my Lap Band I would have thrown up.  I also never get "stuck".  This is probably the best part of all.  So far I can eat anything but just in really small amounts.  I am on a pretty normal diet now and even bready things and pizza I can eat, just not a lot of it.  I get full way faster but I don't get stuck or have that, "o shit I'm gonna puke" feeling.  I also have really fantastic restriction which I never had with my Lap Band.  One thing that was better with my band was the length of time I stayed full.  It seems I was able to eat and stay full for 3 or 4 hours while with my sleeve it is only a couple hours.  However, I was also eating more at one time... so I am sure that all evens out.

At this point in my losing I am pretty much on par with what I was losing with my band.  However, with my band it was all will power.  Now I just can't physically eat much.  I am very happy with my decision and delighted with my weight loss so far.  I am feeling better each day and know I will really enjoy my slimmer body this summer.  Things are already so much easier not carrying around the extra weight.

Week 7 Weigh In

I lost a sorta unimpressive 1.8 lbs this week.  However, I will take it.  I started exercising pretty aggressively this week and I am going to contribute that to my low loss.  My clothes are all feeling much looser.  Here's hoping for a big number next week!