6 months out and still a loser!

I know its been forever since I've updated this blog but here goes. I have lost 67 pounds so far!! Things have slowed down as I ad more things to my diet and get down to within 20 pounds of my goal. I had a great summer and averaged 3 pounds a week but now fight for two a week. I now weigh 166 pounds. Hope to get to 150 by New Years. This is slower than the Doctor said I would do but I eat more carbs than I should and am fighting stress related cravings more and more. I have started uping my exercise to combat that and need to get more good choices and just shut my mouth more. I feel real good now and love being about to cross my legs, tie my shoes and so many other accomplishments. I'll try to come back here at least weekly nd keep you informed. Bye for now.

2 Months out!

Well I have made it two months and hit a new milestone today after a week of not much headway. I am at 196.5 or 37 pounds off! We got an elliptical machine last weekend and I have been doing 15-20 minutes on it a day. I did a couple days in the pool as well. I also have started using the livestong website's MyPlate Food diary to track my eating and exercise. It is pretty easy to do and helps me see that I am doing ok in that department.
Have noticed that it really bothers waiters when you say no to any drink including water! They keep coming back to see if I'm thirsty now. I found that if I had water in front of me I will drink it while I eat without thinking. So its easier to just not have it around. I finally say ok to water then move it to Paul when they bring it. It makes them happy. My mom in law also is constantly asking me if I have enough to eat and do I want something when we eat with them. We had spagetti the other night with zucchini and garlic bread. I passed on the bread, cut 1/2 a zuc into little pieces and topped it with sauce trying to get more meat than sauce. I put about 1/4 c of pasta on my plate and nibbled at it too. I was fine but she thought I was starving. Oh well.
Really enjoying having fresh fruit, watermelon has been great as is the bounty of berries available now. We do lots of fresh green beans, zucchini and mushrooms too.
My peach tree is starting to produce and I have added one of them to my shakes and even made some taste syrup out of one with a teaspoon of lite maple syrup and a touch of vanilla. I splurged and made french toast out of low carb, high fiber and protein bread and an egg and dipped it in the peach syrup. It was wonderful and got me through a carb craving.
Next week I will be at Gleanings for the Hungry processing peaches with 21 of my closes friends (teens and another mom). I hope to report that it was a weight loss bonus week! Back in a week!

Onederland at last!

Its been a week of runing around since I last posted but today is a celebration day for me! I finally crossed the border into onederland! (under 200 pounds). It was a busy week with Jennifer flying in late Wed night, family barbeques on Friday and Saturday nights, brunch for the Jr Highers (150) on Sunday morning and then a quick run to L.A. to drop Jen at Biola for the summer and back Monday for a 6 pm meeting at work. Wish I could chill for today but am off and running again around town, work and then dinner here tonight with Paul's folks! Glad I don't get hungry!

Getting to this weight (down 33 pounds) has been a challenge and I can't believe I feel so good. I have struggled with craving carbs of late and had some controlled slips - a corn tortilla with fajitas, a couple chips out at Mexican food, 1/4 of an english muffin. But generally the diet end is going well. I nibbled on too many green beans and brussel sprouts Sat night and couldn't eat my chicken so need to watch that.
Anyway I think that getting into the 100's will be motivation enough to keep me on the straight and narrow diet path. This also marks 1/3 of my weightloss journey!

cami

Getting better all the time.

Things are moving along for me. Nothing really new but am at 31 pounds now. Hope to hit "onederland" by the weekend! It finally got hot here and I dug out all the clothes I had in the attic. All the shirts fit and some of the pants. Some shirts are almost too big already. May do some shopping with Jen this weekend while she is here. Still relying on Milk of Magnisia for regularity (every three days.) Been extremely busy the past week and only made it to the gym one time so I don't know if its worth joining, at least until after summer and all the trips we have to make. May have to work harder at walking and now using the pool. Forgot to sip a few times and felt the pain of it. Also having more cravings for carbs. So that's about all from here. Hope I have a big update this weekend!

cami

Still a Loser!

Well its been a long week full of computer viruses, work and family activites! Sorry to be gone so long but our home computer is sick sick sick. So I come to you from work! (on a break of course!)
I have enjoyed more exercise this week and hope it helps at the scale. As of this morning I have lost 28 pounds since April 10th when I went on the preop diet. That is 21 pounds since I got out of the hospital.
On the negative front I'm still having trouble with constipation and now my Blood Pressure has been creeping up. Took BP meds last night and this morning. Kind of depressing since I've been getting lots of exercise. Paul and I took two 3 mile walks this weekend and I did 10 minutes of cardio every other morning.
On a positive note; I went through my clothes and filled a huge black bag with things that are too big. So even if the scale isn't being friendly I must be losing something somewhere!
Goals for the week are to get exercise everyday, Drink all my water, get my computer fixed and get more stuff out of my house. (kind of spring cleanings again)
Eating meat and veggies is getting very boring for me. I really crave a salad and a taco. several times I planned a great meal only to have the meat too dry and feel like I was swallowing rocks. Was encouraged by a couple at church who had gastric bypass, he has lost 255 pounds and she has lost 180. They say they have a new life together!
So I need to stop complaining and eat my protien and walk walk walk.
Hope you all had a nice weekend!

Great Day with my son today!

Today Peter and I participated in the AmGen Tour of California Bike Race! No we didn't give Lance Armstrong a run for his money but we did walk the Breakaway from Cancer Mile on the race course with many other cancer survivors and family. It was a wonderful event and we even got tshirts, hats, banners and special seating to watch the bikers come flying in for the finish. It was fun to celebrate the deliverancy the Lord gave us with Peter's childhood battle with Luekemia. He was asked to help carry the banner and lead our parade. We had a local high school marching band and flag twirlers too! I hope Peter got a feeling for the gift of life the Lord has given him. I sure did.
Tomorrow is my 1 month doctor appointment and weigh in. I haven't weighed in since Sunday and hope I'm doing ok. I did see a difference in the pictures taken today! And I took a smaller t shirt than I would have last month! So I will change my picture on this blog tonight too.
Still battling the constipation with prunes and stool softeners. Hope I lose that before my appointment. :-)

I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. I'm tired out tonight, but very happy.

Been a long week.

Its been a long week without much to say. On the eating front I've found I am still dealing with eating too fast and trying to slow down. Getting meats moist enough messed me up a couple meals this week. On the positive side still haven't found anything I can't tolerate and enjoyed a fajita dinner at home last night with family. I ate the chicken mixed with a little refried beans and a dab of cheese. nibbled on green beans, tomato cubes, olive slices and a little avacado. Even ate 1 1x1 inch chip slowly. No tortillas but after reading the package on the flour tortillas I don't think I'll ever be eating them again! 250 calories a piece and lots of fat. 5 grams of protein at least.
Looking forward to getting the gym/workout ok next week. Haven't been walking as much as I should but more than last week.
In the weight department I've lost 4 more pounds since last Friday. Still going up and down all week but I guess the downs are winning. Still dealing with the constipation issues and am eatng prunes to see if that helps.
I went to my first post op support group meeting on Tuesday. They had some good suggestions. Most there are several years out from surgery.
Goal for this week is to walk walk walk and sip sip sip.
Wish I could say I've had a great week with lots of revelations but I think this is going to be the norm for me, just plugging along.
So to sum it up here are 5 good things from this week.

1. took on att and won.
2. All my new plants are still alive!
3. packed up 2 shirts and a pair of pants - too big.
4. only took Blood Pressure meds 1 day.
5. Lost 4 pounds for a total of 20 pounds since surgery (3 weeks).

Into Week 3 we go

Well I am actually halfway through week three now and doing well. Having trouble with constipation and so not losing much. Definately getting a little frustrated with that. So what have I learned? Well, there isn't much you can eat at a family Mother's Day bash. I'm glad my dear one made a big batch of veggies so I could eat some chicken and them. Ate watermelon too in hopes of moving things along. Did't help. So we went home and watched tv. I helped Paul build a great planter for my tomatoes and zucs on Saturday and planted a bunch of stuff; veggies, fruit trees, blackberry bushes and flowers. Don't know why they call that a green thumb, mine were mostly brown from the dirt. We also bought some baby clothes for out expected granddaughter.

My blood pressure crept up tonight for the first time in 12 days and I took half my meds per doctors instructions. So not in the best mood.

I hit 210 on Sunday but back to 212 today. I'm a bit frustrated. So I guess this is not the best blog to read. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Night all.

A Day off from logging!

Well, yesterday started early, busy and hectic. I drank my tea too fast, ate my egg in the car and that pretty much was the pace for the day. So I stayed home from youth group last night and chilled. I just can't get all the water and protein in when I am rushing about. Even with staying home last night I never caught up. Didn't even take my Blood Pressure all day. Its still down this morning so its been a full week since I came off meds. Will keep watching it and take it a few times a day. So today I started earlier and calmer and will pace my day and log my food etc.

Its funny how we work, when we get one area of our life on track, my weight for example, then you want to get the rest togerher as well. Paul and I have been reading a book called The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. As I come to an undertanding of the freedom one can have from debt free living and as we start to plan our budget with this goal I can see that we got here just like I got fat. It happens a little at a time but since you dont lose/pay off these excesses they compile until you can't see a way out. I had my gastric bypass in part so that I could be physically able to do whatever God has for me in the future and this is the same reasoning behind getting debt free. Also to be able to enjoy my family fully. Of course each reduction of debt and weight encourges me to continue the "program" and frees me from bondage. So what will be the next area of my life to get "fixed"? The Garage and Attic? The garden and yard?? Now those are truly scary thoughts!

Have a great day! I am truly blessed to have you all as friends. thanks.

Nutrition Class today

I went to a two and half hour Nutrition Class today for post op folks. It was very helpful and informative. I then went to lunch with Paul. First time out for me. We shared some wonton soup, chicken and broccoli and veggies. I didn't eat too much and we brought some home. It was kind of hard to decide what to order.
this evening we had a nice family dinner on the porch. We had the salmon we got at costco. I ate my whole portion! You don't understand, I dont eat fish! but this was good. We had some veggies and jello and strawberries for dessert. It was nice. got all my calcium and protein today. Well it is late and the morning calls early so I bid you all good night!

Back to work!!

I had a great weekend at home and church. Got to start eating last Thursday afternoon and can't find anything I can't tolerate! I do blend the meats in my bullet with a little water or broth and they are just fine. Last night Hubby did a steak and asparagus on the bbq. I tried cutting the steak real fine but got nervous so I blended it with a little of the onion and mushrooms he had sauted. I closed my eyes and it tasted just devine. At least I know if I lose my teeth I will still eat! the only problem I am having is constipation (sorry but I said this was a reality blog) Haven't gone since Friday morning. So I haven't lost any weight either. I am writing everything that passes my lips down and can't come up with more than 500 calories a day, I'm getting all my water and walking and taking my vitamins, so what gives?? Today I am doing two shakes and all clears again to see if that sparks anything. I don't know what to do but will see a nutritionist tomorrow for a 2 hour class and talk to him about it.
Back at work and feeling normal! Blood pressure still down so its been since last Wed that I had meds. A true miracle!!

Thank you to all you great prayer warriors, I am sure it was you that have made this such an easy trip!
Hope you are all well and having a great day!

Cami

Friday - Costco, Vitamin Shoppe and Family Dinner

Been a busy day today but a nice one. Visited with a friend and planned summer ministry events, went to the Vitamin Shoppe and got new protein powder,ran into Costco and bought lots of meat and veggies. Couldn't get dog food cuz it weighs too much for me to lift right now. (see, I can obey) Made it home, unloaded, repacked the meat, browned the roast for dinner, made some chiken salad for lunch, with green beans. Then I ate and took a nap. Tonight I made a big roast with potatoes and onions, green beens, potatoes and salad for the family. I pureed some meat with a little of the drippings and fork smashed some carrots and green beans. Was nice to sit together and eat. I really don't mind the pureed food, it has all the flavor and the family appreciated a good meal after a week of fending for themselves. Still have to fight the urge to nibble while I cook. Actually spit out a piece of cucumber that snuck in my month. Don't want to break my no puking record, especially on a nibble of the wrong food. Now enjoying a of cup of tea. I am finding its harder to get the water in with eating the waiting afterward. Doing it but I have to drink all evening.
I also learned that I shouldn't try new things (chewable Calcium) without being near a bathroom soon afterward. I made it but barely. Think it had too much citrus acid.

My scale said 211 today. Maybe I'll be shopping for more than food soon. :-)
Now where is that tea..

Week one down! Hello food!

Just got back from the doctor and am happy to report a 14 lb loss since surgery. They said I can eat starting today (pureed diet), go back to work and start my vitamins in the morning. The blood pressure issue is a little more complicated but I will watch it and when it gets to a certain point (probably later today) will take half my regular meds and continue that for a while unless it goes way down again.
I am currently nibbling the pork roast (1 oz) I pureed and froze last week mixed with 1oz babyfood green beans to keep it smooth. delightful! Later I get a protein shake and then dinner. Think I'll try to poach some chicken breast in broth and puree that. Should have enough to freeze up for another day. I'll have a bit of cottage cheese with that. I know, I'm fixating but its been 8 days since I ate!!
The PA said that given my weight and build she expects me to be at goal by October!
I cried!! It is just so much more than I could have hoped for. Are my spirits up? You betcha!!! No gym till the 1 month mark but I am to walk and stretch every day. Any one want to walk in the mornings?
God has been so good to me through all this and I can't thank him enough for getting all the approvals done in a timely manner. At times it was frustrating but I didn't give up!
Well off to wash my little dish!

A Breakthrough Day!

Today is Tuesday, Day 5 since surgery and seems to be a breakthrough day for me and my blood pressure. It started pretty normal this morning and has gone down with each testing of it. As of noonish it is 124/71. It has made quite a difference in my emotional health too. I slept well last night, all night. Maybe because I dreamed I was eating. Weird. You know how some people see dreams in color? Well I am sure I smell and taste in mine! It was devine. Not really feeling hunger but getting a bit weak on this 25 calorie a day diet! Still little pain or nausea - good. Went to the store with my son today and walked all the aisles of a big grocery store. Found a few things to save for next week; frozen peach slices, more sf popsicles and lots of red jello. Also got some canned soups to strain for the rest of this week. Got some Progresso ones that looked like they had some good flavor. I am taking the solids and running them through the Bullet (not any pasta or potatoes, rice) and them putting them in ice trays for next week. Also froze some broths in 3/4 oz cubes to add to meats and veggies next week. Never spent so much time planning for such a small amount of food but it makes me feel like I can do this and get there!
New weight this morning. Down about 13 pounds since discharge. Starting to see it in my face and feet. "All this is worth it for skinny feet!" Not!
Sadly I woke up thinking it was Wednesday, even took Weds pills and then realized I was wrong. two more full days of this. I can do it!
The walk through the store tired me out so we came home and I have been puttering here and now will get a nap in. Not really tired but probably not a bad thing and it passes the time.
Never thought I could miss my protein shakes so much. I really like them!

New revelations for today:

Dreaming of food is not quite the same as eating, but was fun.

I hate peach jello, threw it out.

Warm jello is nice. Just not peach.

Breakfast of gastric Bypass heros - Decaf Chai tea and a cherry popsicle!

My family hates me or why did they leave a gooey cinnamon roll on the counter!!

I hold onto the thought that I will be so much healthier and able to enjoy my family, my soon to be first grandie- a girl, we think, and able to go wherever God might lead.

So far a great day!

I'm a loser!! Its Saturday now and I am home. I had hoped to put up an entry from the hospital but didn't feel like it. Here is a play by play as I remember it.

Thursday morning we went in at 9 am. At 9:30 they took me over to preop and got me ready, you know the drill, cute gown, no back, IV and lots of questions. Very nice folks there. Weighed in at 222.0. Met the anethesiologist and talked to the surgeon. At 11:20 I was rolled into surgery said a few things and then woke up in recovery.

Feeling no pain at that stage. A little disoriented and determine not to throw up so I closed my eyes and just listened to all going on around me. As I became more aware of my surroundings I checked out my belly and found my five staple lines. Cute.
After about two hours I was wisked (these beds are motorized) up to the surgery ward and got to my room. 5 kids and a hysterectomy and finally my own room!

They got me situated and folks came and went and finally Paul and Pete got there. Then others came to look upon my sorry state. Not much fun that evening. Felt pretty good and walked the halls before trying to sleep.
Had a painfree but also sleep free night, machines, phones and just general hospital noise kept me up. Slept in 10-15 minute spurts and finally at 5 am gave up, sat up and read my bible a while.
First meal arrived: jello, lemon tea, crystal lite, beef broth. Ate it all. Kept it all down.
Yesterday went pretty well, they pulled the cathetor in the morning and I sat up and walked the halls and entertained guests. By night fall I was pretty tired and determined to get some good sleep. Paul came up and we watched a Giants game then he went home. I closed my door. Slept from about 11 to 3. At 3 they capped my IV and I went back to sleep till 6. Woke up in a bit of pain. Didn't want to eat and was cold. No fever but my BP was up so they gave me meds for that and told me I could come home today. I rested and dozed and wished I still had the morphine pump I had yesterday morning. Came home around 1 and took a nap in my own bed. Yes! Got up at 3 and took stock of what I had and what I needed. Sent Paul to the pharmacy and now I am caught up.
This adventure is real and I know it will have some down times but I think it was the right thing to do. I am off 3 of my 5 BP meds so far and my chlorestrol meds.

Here is what I learned today.

1. I don't like being in pain and cold.
2. I don't think I like peach jello.
3. I tire easily.
4. I weigh 6 pounds more now than when I went to the hospital (water).
5. I'm very happy to be home.

The Day before surgery 4-21-10

Well here it is,the last day before surgery. Like to say I did a lot today but with the rain falling without pause I chilled with thepete and made jello and got the bills in order.
The sun came out at about 6 pm and is lovely.

Things I Learned today....

I like JELLO
Magnesium Citrate is not my beverage of choice!
and it seems kind of sad that it is my last carbonated beverage!
and my last use of a straw.
Stress makes my stomach acid go and that is why I eat when I'm stressed
Getting in touch with why my body is doing things is interesting
Magnesium Citrate goes in like a very bad soda and leaves as fire water. Ouch

I am not looking forward to the events of tomorrow but do anxiously await the adventure to follow. So for now. See you on the losing side.

Good Evening. It's Tuesday night and I have had my last dinner. It worked well to have a shake this morning and then just safe liquids all day and then had a great dinner with the family. Made chicken stirfry with lots of fresh veggies, rice for the family (didn't even think of eating it!) We also had a nice salad and sugar free jello with sliced strawberries and grapes and a spot of sugar free cool whip. Very nice meal. I took what I knew I could and wasn't tempted to over eat at all.
After our nice meal we piled in the van and pop's truck and went and picked up my "new to me" twoin recliner. So now I have a nice leather double recliner to come home to on saturday. Very nice.
Anyway, here a few things I realized today:

1. I have lost 10 pounds in 10 days,
2. I can survive without coffee!!
3. I still have a personality without COFFEE!!
4. I can cook a meal for the family without eating half of it before serving it. (though I did have a couple pieces of mushrooms and cucumbers)
5. I am totally ready for this surgery.
6 I have a great group of friends and relatives who will be there for me.
7. I am blessed!!

Good night all, tomorrow is preop day!! Here we go!

I have been thinking of writing a blog about my weight loss adventure and after getting so much joy out of the blogs of others I am going to do it!

First about me, I am Cami, wife of the best guy ever for almost 30 years, mom to five wonderful grown kids and 2 wonderful inlawian kids, mom/owner of Solomon the great dane, and most important; soon to be grami cami.

I am 54 and fat. I have been battling high blood pressure and cholestrol. So after many many diets and failures. I began to seek a new tool. Gastric Bypass surgery.

Well, long story short, I have been researching this for about two years and now I am two days from Surgery!

for the past 8 days I have been on a very limited preop diet and losing about a pound a day. Feels good. the preop diet is 4 oz each of lean meat, fruit, and veggies and 2 protein shakes each day. It hasn't been too bad, I also get sugar free popsicles and jello. Yum. Tomorrow is my last day to eat for a while so I plan on enjoying it, withing the diet.

Anyway this is the place I will try and journal about this new stage of my life. My family is here to help me and I have lots of supportive friends. I will be in the hospital till Saturday afternoon and hope to blog that night about the hospital adventure.

Night for now.