Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Update



The pictures above were taken yesterday.  I can see so much difference in my face. It truly amazes me.   I have a neck and a defined chin.  The side of my face doesn't touch the side of my glasses. My glasses look so much bigger on my face. This is awesome. The comarison picture on the left was taken in July and the one on the right was yesterday. I also put on a ring this morning that I haven't been able to wear in years. It feels so good.

I am 0.9 pounds away from my 40 pound loss goal. I am feeling great.  GOD IS GOOD!!

I have been working on a new baby afghan for a friend of mine. I do enjoy working with yarn and other fibers. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment and it brings me great joy when I see others enjoying what I made.


I start back to ECPI University next Monday.  I am excited to be getting back to school. 

Here is my Bible verse of the day:




Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Just Keep Moving

Today I am happy to say that I have lost a total of 34 pounds since August 6, 2014.  I have been trying to put more effort into being active.  This morning I went outside and trimmed a couple of bushes in my front yard.  I have been going to the gym with my husband regularly and walking on a treadmill. I am able to do 20 mins on a treadmill at 1.5 mph. I am also going to start doing Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home program. I also have to remember hydrate hydrate hydrate.  I am pleased with my progress so far. 

I have also been working on my other hobby.  I love to knit and crochet.  I love to do baby blankets/hats and socks.  I also make blankets and hats for a local hospital's Labor and Delivery unit.  Below are pictures of a blanket I just completed and a sock I started.  The blanket and hat are crocheted and the sock is knit.  One of my pet peeves is people assume that they are one in the same.  They aren't.  I like to knit socks, and crochet blankets and hats.  




Friday, September 12, 2014

Update

Well, it's been a week since I have updated this blog.   I am doing very well.  I have been cleared to walk on a tread mill and have been doing 20 minute walks. I have transitioned from a liquid diet to a mushy diet. I am finding that as long as I follow the doctors instruction and pay attention to eating slower and listening to my body and stopping when I am satisfied that I feel great. I have been experimenting with different soft foods and with different seasonings and staying away from a lot of sodium and sugar. One of my favorites to eat is cottage cheese with peach sauce.  Yesterday I made some chicken breast, potatoes and carrots with ranch dressing seasoning mix.  I will be eating some of that for either lunch or dinner today.  I am now in search of the right protein mix. SO all in all I am doing very well. I have no pain or any other complications. I am now 23 days post op.


Friday, September 5, 2014

Walking

It's been several days since I have posted anything,  I had my post op doctors appointment September 3.  It went fantastically well. I have been moved from clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet.  That means foods like:  yogurt, cream of wheat, cream soups with no chunks, sugar free pudding and apple sauce.  I will be on this for only one week. Then I move on to mushy. 

Things to Remember when Advancing to Mushies

  • Mushies are not necessarily blended or pureed food. Think soft moist and tender foods. Somewhere along the lines of a stew or something you'd cook in a crockpot--the foods are soft and moist, but not pureed.   Definitely DO NOT consume foods with seeds, hard vegetables, fruits, nuts, corn or tough cuts of meat. These can irritate your new stomach and make you sick.
  • Take it slow. Chew thoroughly and eat your meal slow.  You will be learning new feelings and sensations that tell you "you're satisfied"  I want you to stop eating when your satisfied and no longer hungry. Don't wait until you feel full to stop.
  • Measure your portions. Each meal should be 2 oz or 1/4 cup for the entire meal. Note:  1 egg is 2 oz and can be eaten as an entire meal.
  • Each meal needs to be half protein and half produce (fruit or vegetable)  However, if you want an egg for breakfast, don't feel it's necessary to save half of it for later. Just eat the entire than and make sure you get in a fruit or vegetable with lunch and dinner.
  • Use your protein dringks as "snacks" and continue to ensure that you consume 50-60 grams of protein daily from these supplements.
I really hope this isn't to hard for me to adjust to. I think I will be fine.  I am now in search of a good protein supplement. One that doesn't break the bank.

The Doctor also cleared me to walk on a tread mill. I have to take it easy and listen to my body.  Nothing even near to extreme. So today I went to the gym with my husband. I walked 20 mins on a treadmill at 1 mph or less with no incline.  It is a good day!!



Monday, September 1, 2014

Contemplation

The past couple of days I have been thinking about a statement that I have heard many people say. I have heard medical professionals say it and friends and family as well.

"This is not a diet, this is a lifestyle change."   

Now don't get me wrong, I am not here to disagree or disprove this statement. But, it has gotten me thinking a lot over the past several days.  First I had to figure out how I define DIET.  My definition is regularly consuming....  With this what you consume can vary. You can consume food, music, written word.  You can as well be consumed by attitude, feelings, thoughts and habits. (This is not an exclusive list...there are many more things that can be added) You can consume beauty, good, non-beauty, evil, love and hate.  All this is to say that you can consume what is good and nutritious as well as what is bad and destructive.  

So, back to the statement.  "This is not a diet, this is a lifestyle change."  To me this is definitely a lifestyle change, however diet is a part of lifestyle change.  The title of this blog is LOSING MYSELF. I want that title to reflect two things.  I want it to reflect my desire to lose my unhealthy self and become a healthy person.  I also want it to reflect my desire to lose my selfish, sinful soul.  I wish to lose myself in Christ.  I believe this second part is necessary to the success of the first part. These changes also need to be permanent changes. I cannot go back to former habits. So my new statement is


"This is a lifestyle and diet change."

I apologize for not being very eloquent of speech. 

Now to update you on the past couple days.  I have been doing well with sticking to the liquid diet, however, I do tire of it. I will be glad when I can change to pureed/mushy food. I have noticed a change in my taste for sugary things.  I really don't enjoy very sweet tasting things right now.  I think that's why I am having trouble with the liquid diet. The flavors I have are chocolate, vanilla and cafe latte. I have been drinking decafinated tea with very little sweetener. This would have been unheard of just a few weeks ago.

I have past the 25 pound weight loss mark.  I think as of today the loss in 27 pounds.  I am very attached to the scale. I do not rely on those numbers for anything except record keeping. I can judge how I feel, I can judge how my clothes fit. And I am happy with what is happening to my body.  The scale is simply a tool I can use to tell others my progress. And it makes it easier to post on the blog.

I have had two people donate clothes to me to have as I lose weight.  Today I was able to fit into a pair of jean capri pants that are one size smaller than my previous size.  This made me very happy.

Picture Of The Day