Fabulous Fall

60 pounds......4 months and 2.5 weeks!  That is all!  40 pounds from my goal and all the time in the world to go.  I PROMISE I want to post pics but I cannot figure out how to take full body shots from the phone.  Working on it....for real.

I have actually been at the 60 pound mark a few days just didn't have (make) time to post it.  I'm still on a protein mission and clearly it is working. 

Friday nite I spent about an hour in the kitchen making some protein packed yummies!  Saturday I spent the day making fattening food for a Bama game get together I was going to.....but I digress.  On my menu Friday nite was:

-Pumpkin Hummus (recipe below)
-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (fresh from a classroom pumpkin activity today) (HIGH protein snack)
-Ground Chicken Chili (regular chili with beans but with ground chicken)


Pumpkin Hummus
1 15oz can of 100% pumpkin (not pie mix)
1 15oz can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
2 tbsp tahini (sesame seed butter/paste)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp olive oil
sat and pepper to taste
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
1 garlic clove
 Combine all in food processor and process until smooth.

As a side note, I think I completely took a detour today eating tailgating food.  No worries.....

Welcome to my kitchen......

I have been tearing up some cooking in my kitchen this weekend with lots of new healthy recipes.  I am trying to keep my fridge stocked with food I "want" to eat.  I needed to find more meal options.  I have gotten really good at keeping healthy foods in the kitchen but I am still learning how to "cook" meals that are yummy and filling but are high protein and low in all the other stuff I need.  I really want the warm, comfort food stuff with from a very healthy perspective.

I had mentioned in a post back in August that I had spent days and hours searching online for bariatric/post-sleeve surgery recipes.  I made a big recipe book that has categories for snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, side dishes and sweets.  I love this book and add ideas to it all the time!!

Jump forward to this weekend.  I sat down with the book on Saturday and found the dishes I wanted to cook for the weekend.  Made my shopping list, went shopping and came home to cook and watch college football (two things I love...food and football).

So here is what I made.  Even though these were already recipes for post-bariatric surgery peeps, I made some changes on my own.  (Click the name to see the recipe online)

1. Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie
   -For this recipe I used Boca Veggie Crumbles instead of beef or turkey because it is healthier and high in protein.  I used real eggs too.  I have not gotten up the courage to try the "boxed" egg substitute yet.  I am going to "try".  This recipe is YUM.  Would be good to add some chopped lettuce and tomato to make is like a real cheeseburger.





2. Broccoli Cheddar Bake
    -OK.....this looked yummy and is really nothing more than a crustless broc and cheese quiche.  But, I didn't love it.  I ate one serving and threw the rest away.  Mainly because it was sooooo much egg.  Again, I used real eggs and not the substitute for this.  But didn't matter.....this dish is not for me.










3. Peanut Butter Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies
   -These are DELISH!!!  Really yummy and taste like a dessert.  I didn't have the Butter extract so I just added more vanilla extract.  I am not a big fan of chocolate but I did want a few of the chocolate chips in this so I added the tiny little mini-chips.  This recipe gets a thumbs up and I see it on A LOT of the Bariatric blogs so must be a good one to keep around. I think it is easy to adapt as needed too!





I have a few more recipes I am trying this week.  Will be making Homemade Pumpkin Hummus and Hamburger Stew (if the weather gets cooler).  Will post those soon!

Protein....my BFF forever

Protein For Bariatric Surgery Patients (Bariatirc Choice, 2012)

Next to water, protein is the most abundant substance in the human body. The word "protein" is derived from the Greek word meaning "of first importance." This is literally true for the bariatric surgery patient. Protein is undeniably the most important nutrient in the bariatric diet.

Weight loss surgery causes severe trauma to the body. After bariatric surgery, you must take in sufficient protein every day to speed wound healing, preserve your lean body mass, enhance your fat-burning metabolism and minimize hair loss. Foods that are high in protein should always be eaten first during meals. The recommended long term post-surgery protein intake may vary from 55 to over 100 grams per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60 grams per day and men need at least 60 to 70 grams of protein per day. The preferred sources of protein from food include poultry, eggs or Egg Beaters, lean meats, fish, low fat cheese, skim milk, beans and lentils. Some red meats such as beef, pork, lamb or veal can be difficult for a bariatric surgery patient to digest.

It's very difficult to consume enough protein from foods alone during the first several months after weight loss surgery. Most bariatric surgery patients integrate liquid protein supplements such as shakes, cold drinks, hot drinks, soups and puddings into their diet after surgery, and many continue to use them as a balanced, convenient source of protein and nutrition for the rest of their lives.

Protein provides many important benefits to the bariatric surgery patient:

• Protein aids in proper wound healing after bariatric surgery. It helps to build and repair body tissues including skin, muscle and major organs. 
  
• Protein helps keep your hair, skin, bones and nails healthy. 
  
• Protein helps form hormones, enzymes and immune system antibodies to help your body function properly.
  
• Protein helps your body burn fat instead of muscle for a healthier weight loss. When you are trying to lose weight after bariatric surgery, you reduce calories. Unfortunately, the human body tends to view fat stores as more precious than lean muscle tissue, and will burn or "catabolize" muscle tissue, before it goes to fat for energy. By consuming sufficient protein each day, you will spare and preserve your muscle tissue, which forces your metabolism to go to your fat for energy. This particular benefit of protein is often referred to as "protein sparing" or "anti-catabolic". 
  
• Protein supports your natural metabolism so you lose weight quicker. The more muscle you have on your body, the higher your metabolism and the more fat calories your body will burn, even while at rest. Pound for pound, your lean muscle burns 25 times more calories than fat! Conversely, less muscle tissue means a slower metabolism. To illustrate this, one pound of muscle can burn 30 to 50 calories in a day, or 350 to 500 calories a week. On the other hand, one pound of fat only burns about 2 calories a day, or 14 calories a week. Therefore, building and preserving lean muscle tissue not only makes fat loss easier, put more permanent.
  
• Protein curb's your hunger between meals and avoid "snacking temptation". One of the amino acids in protein, tryptophan (a precurser of serotonin) has been shown to work on the satiety (hunger) center in the brain.

Your body is actually made up of thousands of different proteins. Because your body is constantly making new proteins and because you don't store amino acids (the building blocks of protein) as you do fats, you need to intake a new supply of protein each day. The body can make 13 amino acids, but 9 amino acids are essential, meaning they cannot be made by your body and must come from food sources. There are bothcomplete and incomplete protein sources. Complete proteins contain all the essential amino acids needed for the body to make new protein. Incomplete proteins are lacking one or more essential amino acids. A good source of complete proteins is animal protein which includes meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Vegetable or plant protein is incomplete protein.

As you follow your bariatric diet, keep in mind that plant proteins are not "complete" proteins. (A complete protein is one food item that contains all of the essential amino acids). Plant proteins should be used together with animal protein sources to provide you with all of the essential amino acids you need.

Protein Content of Foods

Examples of Animal Protein Foods	Amount	Grams of Protein
Beef, lean	1 ounce	7 grams
Cheese (American, cheddar, provolone, Swiss)	1 ounce	7 grams
Cheese, cottage	1/4 cup	7 grams
Cheese, ricotta	1/4 cup	7 grams
Chicken	1 ounce	7 grams
Egg or egg substitute	1 egg	7 grams
Fish, catfish	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, clams	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, cod	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, crab	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, flounder	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, haddock	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, herring	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, lobster	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, orange roughy	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, oysters	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, salmon (fresh or canned)	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, scallops	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, shellfish (imitation)	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, shrimp	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, trout	1 ounce	7 grams
Fish, tuna (fresh or canned in water only)	1 ounce	7 grams
Milk, skim (recommended)	8 ounces	12 grams
Pork	1 ounce	7 grams
Turkey	1 ounce	7 grams
Yogurt, nonfat or low-fat fruit flavored	3/4 cup	12 grams
Yogurt, plain nonfat	3/4 cup	12 grams
Examples of Plant Protein Foods	Amount	Grams of Protein
Beans and peas (black-eyed, garbanzo, kidney, pinto, split, white)	1/2 cup	7 grams
Cereal, ready to eat	3/4 cup	3 grams
Corn	1/2 cup	3 grams
Lentils	1/2 cup	7 grams
Lima beans	2/3 cup	7 grams
Non-starchy vegetables (tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers)	1/2 cup cooked	2 grams
Oats	1/2 cup	3 grams
Pasta	1/2 cup	3 grams
Potatoes, baked or mashed	1/2 cup	3 grams
Soy burger, veggie burger	1 ounce	3 grams
Soy milk	8 ounces	7 grams
Tofu	4 ounces	7 grams

 

All Aboard......

Finally!  Finally my weight loss train is moving back DOWN the track.  I have lost a total of 59 pounds.  Today is 4 months and 10 days post-op.

As noted in my past few posts, I had been at a stall of not losing any weight and stalling is a natural part of the post-weight loss surgery process but it is still a little stressful and worrisome.    I think anytime someone has struggled with their weight,  there is a sense of panic when you are working hard to lose weight and it doesn't happen. I think I will always fear not being good at this. 

Even though I knew this was natural, I turned to other "sleeve surgery" friends and I just kept doing my research to figure out what I could do to help jumpstart the weight loss train again. 

As everyone knows from reading my posts, I am all about  finding the valid, reliable research and information out there on the Internet.  I am all about the actual "research" conducted by the medical and science community but.....what works best for ME is to find other people (actual real people) who have had weight loss surgery.  A lot of "us" have created blogs to share our info, experiences,  struggles etc.  I'd rather read something a "real" person has to say and share than something from a medical website or articles.  I have found some awesome people to follow and honestly, really rely on their information in their blogs to help me. 

My most VERY VERY favorite awesome person to follow is Eggface.  Yes,  that is her cyberworld "name".  Her blog is The World According to Eggface.....click to check her out!!  She is actually quite famous in our little weight loss surgery (WLS) community. She travels the country, does talk shows, has a huge following on Facebook and Twitter etc.  I don't even care about all that.  I love her blog because:

#1-She had Gastric Bypass surgery (more serious than mine) so she knows first hand the process

#2-She shares info on awesome products that are great for post WLS people like protein supplements, vitamins, etc.  This is a BIG deal because there are a lot of products out there and it is really hard to figure out what is good and what just says it is good

#3-She post the best high protein bariatric friendly recipes with PICTURES!

#4-She has amazing contests and giveaways of bariatric products (I haven't won yet but yall know I will with my crazy good luck)

#5-She also documents her success and struggles like I do.  This is the most helpful!!  I knew she would have a post about stalling.

I was able to use a "search tool" to search her blog for information on stalling.  She had several posts that I was able to read but it all led to the same conclusion......get that protein in every day!  Get that required protein IN!!!  This means about 60-80g a day.   

I have been quite honest in my posts that since school was back in session (teaching) that I had not been eating as much as I should,  I knew I was not getting my protein or water intake in etc because I was so busy and hence, not as hungry.  I knew this but really wasn't forcing myself to do it.  I just nibbled and sipped and clearly that isn't working to my advantage. 

I read what Eggface had to say about stalling and she said GET THAT PROTEIN IN.  I remembered the information from my doctor saying that when I eat, I need to always eat the protein first then eat the fruit, veggies or carb if I was still hungry. Protein, protein, protein!!

I would pack my little Bento style boxes with cottage cheese, cheese sticks, edemame,  hummus and a MEAT.  Actual meat like lean ham or a chicken finger.   I started back drinking my protein shakes every morning or eating my high protein cereals (Kashi Go Lean or Special K Protein Cereal).  I also had to find a way to drink more.  Part of my issue with getting enough to drink is....plain water from a faucet taste bad to me now most times and almost anything with Splenda tastes TERRIBLE!!  Water with lemon gets OLD.  I'm just being honest.  So.....I discovered that the zero calorie Sobe Lifewater and Vitamin Water taste fabulous to me and I don't taste the Splenda.  I bought a bunch of those and would drink one a day. I also love the Diet Green Tea by Publix.  Liquid intake solved.  (Also drink coffee with soy milk in the mornings).

Since I had gained weight with my TOM last week I needed that to come of first and it did!!  I lost those few pounds AND.....lost weight from the stall.  Finally!!  I am one pound away from a 60 pound weight loss!!  Yay!!

I'm a Warrior Princess

Yesterday I challenged myself to do something some of the most fit athletes around the country do.....The Warrior Dash.  The Warrior Dash is a mud-crawling, fire-leaping, extreme 5k run from hell. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with music, beer and Warrior helmets.  Here in Alabama, we have a small town called Warrior.  So.....the Warrior Dash had the perfect place to set up the course from hell and challenge the locals to survive it!

This was one of the most insane adventures I have ever done.  I was lucky enough to share my day with some awesome....but athletic girls.  I decided I was going into the whole experience with no expectations but to #1....finish and #2......have FUN!  I did both and cannot not tell you enough how awesome this day was.  Even though I finished close to last of the over 6,000 participants and in my age group, I FINISHED and that is all that matters to me!!

Here is our picture right after we finished the dash.

I have been working out but even when I was at my fittest, I was not a good runner.  I don't like running, have no desire to ever be a good runner and honestly never signed up to do the Warrior Dash to win anything.  I decided to swiftly walk the course and put all my effort and energy into the obstacles.  That is exactly what I did and I did most FABULOUS!

This is the type of "race" where people dress up in crazy costumes,  wear outlandish clothing and basically look as awesomely ridiculous as possible.  I didn't plan ahead for this because I was so busy with my research work but I had thought it would mean a lot to me to wear an ARMY shirt my brother had given me when he was in Iraq fighting for our freedom. (Army.....hoorah)!!  I found the cutest camo print running shorts so my outfit for the dash was on.  I cut the shirt to fit, tied up the shoulders with pink ribbons, wore a florescent pink tank, pink ball cap and my florescent snow cone style Asics.  Pink is my signature color by the way so I was super Warrior but super girly too.  At the race I put the black streaks under my eyes and and I was ready for the challenge.  

Rock on!!

This course was no joke and seriously not for everyone.  Had a lady early on in my group start to cry and beg to go back to the waiting area.  Bless her heart though, she fell a lot and I don't think she was loving that too much.   I was so friggin excited, pumped, in awe, and motivated.  NOTHING was going to scare me away during the dash.  NOTHING!!  

Click below for info about the Warrior Dash and the course obstacles.
Warrior Dash Course

For my Weight Loss surgery followers, I just want to say that there is NO WAY I could have done this 4 months ago (before surgery).  It is amazing what the body can do when it is almost 60 pounds lighter.  I seriously would have NEVER been able to make it over the first obstacle (leaping over 4 foot barriers).  However, this is the obstacle that shredded my whole forearm with scrapes and bruises.  There was not one time during the dash that I felt weak, shaky, sick, unable to go on, breathless etc.  There were some HELL uphill climbs that were TOUGH but I was able to do it at my pace and my breathing was steady.....not struggling.   I made it with grace every single step of the way.  I was even graceful when I slipped at the top of a mud hill, went flying into the air with legs up, slid on my back the whole way down the mud hill and landed in the water.  I started laughing hysterically and couldn't stop.  Really not sure why it was funny but I was dying laughing just sitting in this icy water.  Got up, grabbed the rope and pulled myself back up the mud hill again. This was the 3rd obstacle so it was way too early to not move forward.


It was a long day, cold rainy day, and I was super tired when I got home so didn't post all this yesterday.  I really expected to wake up this morning and need a wheelchair to move.  However,  I am only achy and tired. I am shocked I can move today so I think that says a lot for where my body is now compared to where it was months ago.  I have some scrapes and some nasty bruises.  Otherwise, I am good today.

Here is our picture after the dash.....and after our showers!!  I will post the pics from the hired photographers later once they are posted this week.

Rock on Warriors....rock on!

Hold Up....Wait a Minute

Ugghhh......STALL!!  Part of the process of losing weight after Gastric Sleeve surgery includes moments of STALLING.  I personally hate it even though I know it is just part of the process.  The body goes through phases and some are ups/losses, some are downs/stalls.  I am in a stall right now.  Nothing has changed with anything I have done.  My body has just decided to take a break.  I guess losing weight is hard work for the bod???

Last week was the "time of month" and that still makes me feel like CRAP!!  I was hoping it would get better and still keeping the faith with some more weight loss. I have severe bloating with it and like I have posted before, I do not weigh during that time.  I had been at a stall for a few days before TOM and now I am still stalling this week.  Vicious cycle...literally. 

I have become the most over analytical person.  I'm sure my family laughs when they read this because I used to be severely impulsive.  Now I am so painfully over analytically that I pick things apart for the worse.  So, stalling stresses me out.  I start trying to figure out what I changed about my eating habits, vitamins, drinks,  exercise etc.  OVER STRESSING this big time but tis my personality.   I have new vitamins but they are actual Bariatric vitamins so those are ok.  I just feel fat.  So girly of me!  But been a while since I could say that so....I feel fat!!

Tonight I turned to some other girls that had the same surgery as I did, with the same surgeon, same time frame etc and  they made me feel better. Total strangers from my support group that I have never met but sister for life for all we have been through.  They all said they have stalled too and it is normal.....and will pass.  Uggghhhh.....next!!