Getting Ready for Crim Training w/ New Shoes

The Crim Training orientation was last night. Found out there are 1,400 other people signed up for the 15 week training program too -- making it the largest such training program in the world. Cool, huh? Today I stopped at Runnin' Gear in Waterford and got fitted for new shoes. What amazing customer service! I tried on a bunch of shoes and ended up with a pair that actually fit me properly. Can't wait to get out and use them tomorrow - hope the weather holds for me. I've been a bit of a slacker this week on my walking routine. I haven't worked out since Thursday of last week and feel like I'm missing out. Forecast shows rain and 60-degrees tomorrow but I'm taking my workout gear to work with me and hope for sunshine. Next week is the official start of the Crim Training when we get our group assignments. Excited to get started. ~Pam

Chicken is NOT My Friend!

For the second time this week, chicken and I have had a bit of a disagreement. Monday I ordered the Naked Chicken from Rio Wraps and ate the inside of half of it. Bad news! Then today the bosses brought in lunch for us (Chinese) and the almond chicken wasn't very tender - I should have known better than to try it.

I won the battle on Monday. Hope the battle goes to me again today. I really don't want to see this chicken again, just want it to go down (not up).

I really really really want to be friends with chicken. But my pouch is not cooperating with the friendship side of things...

~Pam

Happy Secretary's Day to Me!

I've got the greatest bosses. Four to be exact. One of them had flowers delivered to me today. Aren't they beautiful!? And check out that awesome vase -- that is so cool!

Then later there will be a special lunch brought in for all of us secretaries from the whole executive staff.

Oops... allow me to be politically correct. Happy Administrative Professionals Day to Me!

~Pam

Weekends are Tough

So it's the middle of the week right now... but I am still dwelling on this past weekend and how bad of a job I did with my eating plan. This coming weekend is already jam packed with activities - makes me wonder how well (or how bad) I'll do with eating again this weekend.

Here's my problem: When I'm not on a specific schedule like I am during the week at work, I tend to just throw time out the window and eat whenever I feel like it. Which then turns out to be eating too often or not often enough. And then when I do eat, it's often not real meals but rather little snacks to hold me over for a couple hours until I snack again.

And when I say "snack" - I don't mean bad snacks. I don't really keep bad stuff in the house, so they aren't a temptation. But you can snack all day on healthy stuff and still end up in the "bad" column at the end of the day. Eating fruit all day won't get your protein requirements in. Or eating soy chips for lunch isn't a good choice when it comes to dense protein choices.

So I need to fix what's wrong. I need to establish some harsh rules for myself and stick to the schedule I've set for weekdays. No excuses. No whining. I'm going to work hard this weekend - even through the busyness - to stick to my eating plan and stop the unplanned snacking and skipping meals. The habits I establish NOW will be habits I carry with me the rest of my life -- and I want them to be good habits.

~Pam

High-Protein Pasta

Really?! There's a pasta that might fit into my diet plan? This is exciting! The Diet Blog just has a post about Zone Pasta . Yes, a product of The Zone Diet and Dr. Sears. The Zone Pasta is a specially made pasta that has 22g of protein per serving. Carbs are relatively low too at just 27g of carbs with 5g of those being fiber. So equal protein and carbs is a good thing. Looks like they add soy protein and something called pea protein (not sure what that is) to increase the total protein count. I'll be ordering this to test it out. Looks like it might solve my pasta withdrawl issues. ~Pam

An Article Every WLS Patient Should Read

There's an article published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy about how medications and nutrients are malabsorbed after weight loss surgery - gastric bypass specifically. I found this article while doing some research on how calcium is absorbed in a patient with no stomach acid. But this article contains so much great information about our new digestive system that I think every WLS patient should read it. I also think every doctor needs to read this article as well. I'll be taking a copy of it to my PCP at my next appointment in a few weeks.

Medication and Nutrient
Administration Considerations after Gastric Bypass 

Click the link near the top of the page that says
"manual download" and the PDF version will appear. 

So go read it. Print it. Keep it as a reference. Share it with others and share it with your doc.

~Pam

My First 5K Race

I walked my first 5K race today. The Beach Wellness event was at the Bay City state park ... a bit chilly this morning, but it was a great walk. Finish Time: 54:24 I never expected to get a bit emotional at the finish line. People cheering me on and all the ceremony of tracking my time and stuff. I definitely was near the end of the pack .... but it was a good time for me and where I'm at in my training right now. It felt good to be a part of an official race and I can see that it could become a habit. ~Pam

100 Ways Wednesday

I'm late again this week. Here it is Thursday and I'm ready for bed... but still haven't posted my 100 Ways Wednesday post. I'm documenting 100 ways my life has changed since losing weight - posting 10 new things each Wednesday until I reach 100. HOWEVER............. I kind of feel like I need to take a break from the list. Mainly because I'm not done losing weight. In fact, I just passed the halfway mark to my goal --- so I've got a lot more amazing things coming up soon. So I'm going to put this list aside for a little while and come back to it when more amazing things happen to me along this exciting journey. Never fear though. Great things are happening to me everyday. But how many times do you really want to read on my list that someone told me I was looking great or that I dropped another pant size or that I have energy like never before? That's all been covered in my previous posts, so I'm going to wait to see what else is in store for me. ~Pam

My Body Talks To Me

Isn't it strange how our bodies will figure out a way to send you a signal when it wants (or doesn't want) something? During surgery the nerves in my stomach were cut in order to create my new pouch. Those nerves were used to signal the brain when my body was hungery or full. It takes several months for those nerves to repair themselves and regenerate. Some people never get the full use of those nerves again - some people start feeling those signals very soon after surgery. I personally never feel hunger like I did before surgery - that gnawing, rumbling feeling in the pit of your stomach. It's refreshing not to have that overwhelming feeling anymore. But when my body needs food it lets me know.

 My new hunger signal: lightendedness, slight headache, an "empty" feeling My body also lets me know when I need to stop eating. I don't have that over-stuffed full feeling that I used to get with a normal sized stomach. Well, technically I can get that over-stuffed feeling, but it can happen after just a few bites or it can happen when I have something stuck. But my body tells me when I need to stop eating before that over-stuffed feeling comes along.

My new full signal: a cross between a hiccup and a burp, kind of a tiny, quiet, rumbling mini burp After gastric bypass surgery it is very important to drink 64oz of water everyday. Water is absorbed in the stomach -- and since most of my stomach is bypassed now, I need to be sure that I get all my water intake everyday to make sure the rest of my digestive tract has the chance to do the job my stomach used to do. But if I neglect drinking my body tells me about it.

 My new "must drink" signal: my ears plug up - like what happens when you're on an airplane. Until I drink about 20oz of water in the morning my left ear will be clogged up. Finally mid-morning it'll "pop" and all is right with the world again.

 So even though we have to learn what our new signals are - our body will figure out a way to talk to us after surgery. We just need to pay attention and listen to what it's telling us.

~Pam

5 Months Out

Today, April 13th, is my 5 month anniversary since surgery. I should really take some full-body pictures and I should really take my measurements. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. :-) I saw my Aunt yesterday and she asked me how I was feeling. My answer was: "I'm feeling good. Like a normal person again." Let me explain. It took me about 2 or 3 weeks to recover from the surgery itself. But then it took another couple months for me to learn how to eat and a little bit longer to really find my groove and establish some habits and routines. Now I feel like a normal person. I eat normal food and don't seem to have problems with very many things (chicken is still evil some days). I'm active and have great levels of energy. I buy normal sized clothes (size 18, right now). Everything is fine and dandy. So my official weight loss is 70.8 pounds so far. ~Pam

Protein Shake Recipes

Here are a few of my favorite protein shake recipes. Even though I have a few other flavors and brands of protein powder -- I've pretty much settled down to the Body Fortress Chocolate and Vanilla as my favorites. Strange that they are my favs now --- before surgery this is what I used, but right after surgery I hated their taste. Now I'm back to loving them again. It's fine by me since they are cheap and easy to buy at Wal-Mart.


PROTEIN CHOCOLATE MILK 
1 scoop chocolate protein powder 
8 oz milk 
Serve over ice - tastes just like Nestle Quik chocolate milk!


PROTEIN HOT COCOA 
1 scoop chocolate protein powder 
8 oz hot water 
sugar-free coffee creamer or SF Flavored Syrups


Whiz in blender until smooth -- great hot cocoa!

PROTEIN FRUIT SMOOTHIE 
1 scoop vanilla protein powder 
1/2 c. frozen peaches or strawberries or whaever fruit you want 
1 c. orange flavored crystal lite (or sugar free tang) 
1 big tablespoon yogurt 
Whiz in blender until smooth. If you use fresh fruit, add ice cubes. Great smoothie!


PROTEIN HOT CHAI TEA 
1 scoop vanilla protein powder 
1/2 c. sugar free chai tea mix (heated in microwave) 
1/2 c. hot water splash of sugar free coffee creamer 


Whiz in blender slightly. Makes a great hot chai tea! (You can also do this cold if you like.)  


PROTEIN MOCHA LATTE 
1 scoop chocolate protein powder 
1 teaspoon decaf instant coffee 
8oz hot water 
sugar free coffee creamer  or SF Flavored Syrup


Whiz in blender slightly. Tastes like a mocha java latte!

100 Ways Wednesday

I'm a day late on my Wednesday post - -but it was a crazy day yesterday. So I'm catching up. This is a series of posts about how my life has changed since losing weight. I've done the first 20 ways, now for the next 10. 

21. I fit into a size 18W dress pants this morning! (I started my journey in size 26/28) 

22. People keep calling me "skinny" 

23. My complexion has cleared up and my skin has a youthful glow (or so I'm told) 

24. Still amazed at how easy it is for me to walk 3 miles during my workouts. And I'm cutting time of each new day. 

25. Food is not the focus of my day. I had to consciously stop yesterday and find lunch because I'd forgotten all about eating. 

26. I have made so many new friends since having WLS - the community is tight and so supportive and friendly. 

27. I'm cold. Because of the loss of "insulation" and fewer calories, I'm always cold nowadays. I used to be too hot. My space heater under my desk is my best friend some days. 

28. I walk taller and prouder now 

29. I seem to be getting more attention from the opposite sex. Good thing I'm on a self-imposed break from dating for 1 year otherwise this could be a big distraction. 

30. I can walk by a plate of cookies and not be tempted to hord them for myself. I've come to far to sabatoge myself now.

What did I eat today?

Well technically, this is what I ate yesterday -- but thought I'd share it anyway. Commute protein chocolate milk (Body Fortress chocolate protein powder mixed with milk) Breakfast Sliced strawberries with a dollop of Lite Cool Whip (The strawberries were a bit bland, not quite rip enough for me.) Lunch Salad and part of a Lunchable (the cheese is never any good) Snack 1 mozzarella cheesestick & snack size Zone Perfect protein bar Dinner Double Dip Chicken Zucchini Casserole (Anytime I make one of Eggface's recipes it always turns out fantastic!) Naughty Snack A handfull of Quaker Cheddar Rice Cakes (I stayed up too late last night and had the munchies, this was definitely an unplanned snack that I shouldn't have had.) Calories: 904 Protein: 81g Carbs: 87g Fiber: 14g Fat: 29g Vitamins: Done! Water: Fell short by about 20 ounces Exercise: No. Had a support group meeting last night, so no workout time.

Hurley Bariatric Ball 2008

Tonight was the Hurley Bariatric Ball that my surgeon's office puts on for their patients once a year. It was a good time! Thought I'd post a picture my mom took of me tonight.

A Wet Day of Training

So I just posted about the Crim Training I signed up for. Officially it doesn't start for another 4 weeks - but I wanted to start now with my own training to make sure I was ready to keep up with my group when it comes time to get moving.

I met some members of the Flint Bariatric Area Support Group (see link on right) for walking on Monday evening. In my mind, it was my official first day of training. Even though I've been doing my own workouts with Dance, Dance Revolution at home and doing some weight training at home -- Monday was my first day of training toward the half marathon race. So, no turning back now!

Of course it was raining and cold. But do you think that stopped me? No Way! Talk about dedication - I walked 2.5 miles in the rain and ended up soaked to the bone. And even have pictures to prove it.

I took Tuesday off and will be walking again tonight after work. I'm on my way now!

~Pam

10 Mile & Half-Marathon

Most days I still have problems wrapping my head around the fact that I've signed up for a half-marathon race. In less than a year I will have progressed from morbid obesity to a half-marathon. How is that possible? I amaze myself.

So here are the details.

I signed up for the 15-week Crim Fitness Training Program. I'm doing the "Beginner 10-Mile Walk" program and at the end of the 15 weeks I'll walk to 10-mile Crim race. During the 15 weeks I'll be in a small training group (15 to 25 people) and we'll work our way through a set schedule of walking regimines. I'll be walking with my group on Tuesday evenings and on my own according to the assigned walking schedule the rest of the week. This program begins on April 29th.

Crim is also assisting with the organization of The Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K Race. (For those who care - this is a project created by my boss here at work.) So as an extension of the Crim 15-week training program, they are offering an additional 5 weeks to prepare for The Brooksie Way half marathon. I signed up for this extended training too. Which also gets me registered for the half marathon.

So that means a total of 20 weeks of training and official registration in 2 races. I also understand there are other smaller races available throughout the training that I'll be able to enter for free or at a discount because I'm in the Training Program... still waiting for my packet of information to find out about those.

I'm excited and energized to get started. But at the same time terrified that I'll fail (even though I'm confident I'll finish both races and do fine with the training). I just seem to be having trouble wrapping my head around all this. It's so unlike the Old Pam.

~Pam

(note: photo copyrighted by Crim Festival of Races)

100 Ways Wednesday

The next set of 10 great ways my life has changed since losing weight... 


11. I walked 2.5 miles on Monday (in the rain) and felt great afterward. And I'm going to do it again tonight.


12. I no longer use the handicap stall in public restrooms - I fit just fine in the normal size ones. 


13. I can buy clothes in smaller size than I'm currently wearing and know I WILL fit into them eventually and it's real, not just a fantasy. 


14. Food is not the center of my universe. 


15. I signed up for a half marathon and have confidence that I will be able to finish it with no problem. 


16. My BFF said I was looking skinny today. :) 


17. Even though I carry my inhaler with me when I workout, I never have to use it. 


18. My feet have shrunk so much that I walk like a moron at work because my shoes keep flipping off. 


19. I'm more aware of my emotions lately -- and aware if those emotions have any bearing on my eating habits or not. Learning not to let my emotions rule my life. 


20. My skin is clearer with less breakouts and blotchy skin.