Goulash

My doctor recommended that I purchase, read and live by the book,

 Eating for Life by Bill Phillips.

I found it on Amazon for under $5 (and that's with shipping!)

Bill Phillips is a body builder. In this book he teaches to eat six times a day small protein packed foods, including carbohydrates! (from the list he provides) 

The majority of the book is filled with recipes and tonight I cooked American Goulash from this book. I changed is slightly but it was so yummy!

American Goulash

ground turkey, tomato sauce (with no salt) onions, zucchini, green peppers, pink Himalayan salt, chili seasoning, cayenne pepper, fettuccine pasta

 Brown turkey and remove from pan. Cook onions, zucchini and green peppers in a little olive oil. Add back the turkey and can of tomato sauce along with seasonings. heat until hot. Cook pasta and drain. Add a little olive oil. Put a fist size of pasta on plate and pour meat mixture over the top.

On my way

Last week I checked a lot of things off my list when I went to an appointment at the local hospital for and EKG, Labwork, Chest XRay and UpperGI tests.

Next week I see the surgeon for the second time.

I have stopped drinking sodas and increased my water intake. Ive consumed up to 64 oz in a day but thats not an average day.  I consume a very small amount of caffeine and am trying to limit my sugar intake. I now eat six times a day (as instructed by my doctor) in small amounts and a lot of protein.

Making this choice for surgery is not taking the easy way out. Its a lot of hard work, breaking habits, eating a different way, and  exercising, Surgery is simply a tool to help me lose a little faster but with the same hard work!

Review of the past and looking forward to the future

I cannot believe that we are five months into the year 2015. Its been busy thus far but not as busy as 2014.

Last year we started the year by rescuing Lucky-Bear. We bottle fed him every two hours just like a newborn baby! We found and met my husband's son.My children met their oldest brother for the first time. It was an emotional weekend but an amazing time! We cannot wait to see him again in a few months! My oldest child (and only son) returned from Afghanistan safe and sound Memorial weekend (2014) 

My middle daughter, had quite the year as well! She graduated high school and a few short weeks later, after an emergency trip to the ER, she had heart surgery (Ablation) it was scary but it healed her and she is no longer a cardiac patient! She has taken a year off while working part time at a grocery store but will soon begin Cosmetology school! 

Last year about this time we made a drive to Charlotte North Carolina so that my husband and oldest daughter could ride in a real Nascar around the track side by side! Man, those were fun memories! 

I enjoyed a girls weekend with a good friend in the Outer Banks and marked off a few things off my bucket list....  by visiting several lighthouses!  

For so many years Ive battled my weight issues. In 2014 I tried green smoothies. They are actually good and a great way to get greens in but that didn't help me lose weight which is why Ive started this journey in 2015 with the Gastric Sleeve.  While I did make it through a 5K run (walk) in 2014, my goal is to run the entire 5K in 2016! 

If you haven't been  following me for long, you can click on the links above to see my posts from 2014. its was quite the year last year and I think my current journey will compete with last year... but this year its more about "me" about getting healthy, feeling better about myself and losing weight.

Interesting photo/facebook post

I found this photo on Facebook and found it fitting.

My Support System

He supports my decision to lose weight this way and get healthier! 

That means alot! 

 

Dangers in Chicken Keeping

What a weekend! The chicken coup needed a deep clean and I worked on that this weekend. However, when I was in there spreading fresh straw a piece poked right into my eyeball. 

This morning it was still very red and draining. I ended up at the eye doctor before work. After he put a dye in my eye and looked with a special light, he saw I had a scratch on the cornea. 

He put in antibiotic drops and patched it and sent me off to work.

Oh the preschoolers loved that! I was told that I look like a pirate and they asked if my eyeball fell out and all sorts of funny questions. I came home totally drained and with a terrible headache! 

Who knew that chicken keeping could be so dangerous?

My Choice

I know quite a few people who have had the Gastric Bypass. This is where the surgeon cuts part of the stomach out and makes a smaller pouch and then he will reroute or bypass part of the intestines to reduce absorption of nutrients. This is a major surgery and limits the amount and types of foods that you can eat (for the rest of your life) For example, most can no longer eat any sugar in addition to other foods. I DO NOT WANT THIS TYPE OF SURGERY! I don't think I need this one. 

I have chosen the Gastric Sleeve. This is a newer surgery that some surgeons are doing. The sleeve's results are comparable to the Gastric Bypass but its less invasive with shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time. It also has less side effects. 

After explaining to my surgeon that these were the reasons I wanted the sleeve over other options, he agreed that those facts were correct and that the sleeve would be his suggestion for me as well. 

 

EMOTIONS

Today I had my consultation with the Bariatric Surgeon. I was excited until the moment I left work and drove towards the doctor's office, then I got nervous. (butterflies and all!) I arrived and walked towards the entrance of the office and saw someone I knew.  (The office is located at an Orthopaedic Office) I, then, felt embarrassed. She asked if I was hurt and was that why I was there. I just said no, I'm fine and went on about my way. LOTS OF EMOTIONS!

No sooner than I sat in the waiting room I was called to the back. I was weighed (heavy sigh)  height measured, and blood pressure taken. I was explained all the hoops I have to jump through.... such as talking to a Nutritionist, a Psychologist, having a sleep study, and meeting with a doctor who will monitor my weight and help guide me to a healthier eating habit and style of living.

My Surgeon was amazing! He was friendly and talkative. He wanted to know why I wanted this procedure and he talked to me about the side effects and ways it will change my life. Today was also my first appointment for weight monitoring so I have five months to get all tests completed and submitted to my insurance company before surgery is scheduled.

My husband went with me today. He is nervous about me going through surgery, so he had questions. We talked to our children about the surgery and then I decided it was time to tell the first person (outside of this house) and I called my dad.

He thinks it is a big decision but is fully supportive of it.

Im on my way to thinner, happier, healthier ME!!!!

Why I Don't Want Lapband Surgury for Weight Loss

I am no doctor and I do not know everything about weight loss surgeries. If you need information about these procedures, consult a specialist! I am, however, sharing what I have learned from my research (and may or may not be right about everything I say. I hope what what I'm sharing is correct but keep in mind, I'm no doctor) I have gathered my information from various medical websites online.

When I first thought about weight loss surgery, I was interested in the Lapband. Mostly because I might not need to lose as much weight as many do and because it seemed less invasive and shorter recovery time. (I have since decided against Lapband) 

What is Lapband?
A port is affixed under your skin in the abdomen for easy access. Then, a band filled with a saline solution is placed around the upper part of the stomach. Doctors gain access tthrough the port to add or reduce the amount of saline in the band.  The idea is to lessen the amount of food that can be taken in and to create a feeling of fullness. Recovery time is about 2 weeks for full recover and may be done as an outpatient service or needing only up to a 24 hour stay at a medical facility.

Some disadvantages are that weight loss takes longer, there is a foreign object/medical device placed inside your body, the port can leak and need minor surgery and the band can slip. I know two people who have gotten Lapband surgery and one nearly died when his slipped and rubbed a hole in the stomach causing infection etc...  The other person lost some weight and couldn't lose anymore, That person ended up having the gastric Bypass later.

This may be the right decision for some but I don't think Lapband is for me. Id rather not have a foreign device inside me and face the possibility of erosion or slipping. I also want faster and permanent results.

Setting Monthly Goals

Over the next six months I will be making months goals for myself such as......
drink less soda and then drink no soda, drink more water, reduce sugar intake, stop consuming sugar, and exercise daily. Even though my first appointment with the Bariatric Specialist isn't until Wednesday, I intend to begin my first goal of drinking less soda, on Monday. I don't consume as much as I used to but I still consume soda and that has to stop!

Ill soon be taking my "Before" photo

In the past Ive taken so many before photos only to not lose weight and feel horrible about myself later.

 Last year I completed the Dirty Girl Mud Run.

 It was difficult but I did it. I had this grand plan to lose weight and be able to run the entire thing this year....... guess what? Not happening! Ive gained weight and don't think Id even be able to complete the run this year. NEXT YEAR, I WILL FINISH IT AND HOPEFULLY ILL RUN THE ENTIRE THING !  (I have learned that I appear much skinnier when a photo is taken from the front, like the one above)

Y'all don't know how hard it is to publicly post these photos of me but I'm doing it because I know I'm on the road to a thinner and healthier me.

On Monday April 27th (the day that this will post)  I will begin working on my goal to drink less soda (cut back to one a week) and consume more water.

And so my journey begins!!!!!!!!

Spring Formal

 My a baby girl attended her first formal (and with a boyfriend!)

 Her older sister, went to the same formal with her boyfriend.

                                SISTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so proud of my daughters! They are beautiful and smart. I took about 150 pictures that night and while I was not feeling good about myself (and my weight) I stepped in front of the camera for a photo with my girls.

Queen of Delete

I know Im not the only one who hates to see photos of herself. I am the queen of delete. I searched through all my photos for "fat pictures" and these are the only ones i found. (I tend to keep the close up face photos)

 I will be taking my "fat pictures" but it may be awhile before I feel comfortable enough to post them.Until then..... these are the ones I have.... they were taken in 2012.

My Journey Begins

 My History

For several years I have been interested in weight loss surgery. Ive been overweight for many years, many in my family are overweight and this comes with health problems. I have tried Weight Watchers, Myfitnesspal , smoothies and other various ways to lose weight and I never lose more than 10-12lbs. I am at my all time weight high and feel awful about myself. I am very self conscience and hate photos of myself. Like most over weight women, I attempt to find clothes to "cover up" the fat.  One year ago as I was driving to work I listened to a local radio personality, Erica, discuss her journey she was beginning with weight loss surgery. I have listened and watched her as I thought in the back of my mind that I would "one day" like to undergo surgery for weight loss. A few months ago I hit a point in which I was unhappy with what I looked like and how I felt and realized I need to stop putting it off. 

I started my journey by researching various kinds of surgery. I only knew of two kinds. (Gastric Bypass and Lapband) but while listening to Erica, I learned about the Gastric Sleeve. 

The Beginning of My Journey

My journey began when I decided that I NEED to do this. I looked up the requirements on my insurance and discovered what doctors were in network. Then, I looked up those doctors online and did a little research on their website. I learned that I had to attend an informational session that taught about the different types of weight loss surgery and what I needed to talk to my insurance company about. I was happy to learn that I could attend the session online (they also offer one in person but the online session was better for me) Once I completed that session I had to type in a code that I was given and I was emailed a certificate of completion. The following day I called my insurance company with specific questions. Within a few days the surgeon's office called me to let me know that they would be verifying my insurance benefits and once that was confirmed they could schedule my first appointment. In the mean time I continued to research the various types of surgery and learn about the benefits and the disadvantages/complications of each type of surgery. One week later the surgeons office called me and said my benefits were verified and they scheduled my first appointment with them. (Which is in 1 1/2 weeks) 

How Am I Feeling?

I am anxious. I wish I could schedule surgery and just do it right away but this is a process. My insurance company requires six months of medical weight documentation. During the six months I will attempt (once again) to lose weight with diet and exercise with the guidance of a medical doctor. Of course Ill learn more about the process at my first appointment. 

I am excited. I am happy to begin this journey that I have thought about for years now. I am reading and watching others on their journey and talking to friends that have gone through the process.
   
I am guarded. I know that many look at others who have gone through weight loss surgery and say "They took the easy way" or " they are too lazy to do it the right way"  I know how it is viewed by many so I'm not talking to many about this journey just yet. Of course I talk to my husband and my children. I talk to one coworker who has had weight loss surgery. As I get further in to this journey I will tell more people. I do intend to blog about the journey from now until a long time afterwards. 

 
  I will share my thoughts and feelings about this along the way. I will share what I learn from reading and talking to professionals but I am no doctor so please do NOT read what I write and mistake it for medical information. If you have questions about weight loss surgery, see a professional.If you have questions about my personal experience, please email me!

Im back!

Im wondering if I have any readers who will find me on this blog again? If you are there, let me know! I had been thinking about blogging again but then my computer crashed. I recently got another one and have a lot going on in life and in my little brain and writing often helps me. So here I am, Im back!

For 22 years now I have lived my life for my kids. I have spent every hour and moment on them and many times have overlooked myself. I think its time to put a little effort on "me" I have gained so much weight and I feel terrible physically and emotionally. Im self conscious and over all, just dont like what I look like and how I feel. A few months back I started using MyfitnessPal. Its a great app if you stick with it! it helps you see the amount of sugar, sodium etc.. you are consuming and tells you when you consume too much. I lost a few pounds and then Valentines rolled around and there was junk food everywhere and that was that.

I hit a point today that something must be done. I feel terrible, when I gain weight my asthma kicks in. I cant breathe well, acid reflux is in full swing day and night, and Im tired all the time. I hate this!
Once again I will start working on losing weight but Im also checking in to gastric surgery. I know there are a lot of different versions out there but for now Im gathering information and Im going to visit a specialist and talk to them about me and if its right for me.

I am at my all time weight high and an emotional low.

Here goes nothing!

Making Time for Family

We are so very busy (and so very tired) but we are making time for family by having a family dinner once a month. I was overjoyed that my son and daughter-in-law drove a few hours to come visit for the weekend. My daughter and her boyfriend and his daughter . 

(unfortunately we are missing one important person)

 but it was awesome to have

 this many with us. 

 My son brought his bike for us to see and ride.

 My Firefighter missed out on the rides, so she took a little "pretend" ride after it was loaded on the truck!

I love my children and pray that I never take them for granted. One this is for sure, I know how blessed we are that this handsome man is here with us. They complain because I take so many photos but I want to document all our memories. I love these kids so much and all the new family members just as much.