Weigh In Day

Hello all,

this week ive lost another 2lb!  2 seems to be the magic number post sleeve!

I cant help but yearn for a 5lb loss!!  Mind you, with this hot weather my diet hasnt been as good as it should have been.  Ive had a twister every day (bad i know) and last week i had a buttons easter egg (oops). 

The difference i guess is that i would have about 5 chocolate eggs over the Easter holiday, and id be eating junk every day as well as those twisters!  So 2lbs is a fair weight loss me thinks x

Weigh In

What a glorious day its been today!  My first bbq of the Summer (cant believe im saying Summer in March haha!).

During the BBQ i had chicken skewers, potato salad and salad leaves.  But i did also have some ice cream mmmmm!  It tasted so nice during this hot weather!  I think i had a little more than i should of really, but sometimes you have to right?!

Anyhoo, todays weigh in....ive lost 3lbs!  I am now in the 14 stones bracket - its unbelievable!  Another 3 stone and i will have met the target i set myself!  I've figured that i should loose the next 3 stone by November this year.  So i should look shmokin for the office xmas party!!

x

Whoop!

Hello world (ok the 2 or 3 people who read this blog because they are wonderful people!)

I am in a happy mood this wonderful eve.  Pray why?  I hear thoust ask...oneself has lost a whopping 3 stone as of today!!!!

I cant believe this op is actually working - im so used to failure that even having this operation, it never really occured to me that it would work.  Im taking photogrpahs of myself every month, so that in a year or so, i can see exactly where the junk from trunk has gone!

The future is bright, the future is lighter!

x

Tattoo

Id like to celebrate my weight loss ( a bit premature i know but always good to have goals!) with a tattoo.  Id like something with my highest weight 'in it' somehow - like maybe roman numerals / binary or even a barcode!  Not to sure at the moment but it needs to be in the tattoo somewhere! 

I have also discovered a fabulous artist who goes by the name of Pinkytoast.  I love, love love her style!  So much so that i want a Pinkytoast tattoo!  The hard part is choosing which one??  I've added a small selection of her art below, but you can find her blog here and her shop here.

At the moment im really liking the unicorn and rainbow - its a firm favourite!

x

Weigh In

Well howdy world!  Hope we are all doing well?

Today was weigh in day, and ive lost another 2 lbs!  Im elated at the way things are going..infact if i loose 2lbs a week, i should be 11 stones (154lbs) my target weight, by the 5th November!  So the skinny wench within, shall be let loose in time for christmas! 

Having been overweight since i was about 10, i have never been an appropriate weight for my height.  I really cant wrap my head around the fact that one day, i will be 'normal'.  Its just such an immense thing!  Being a fat hepherlump has meant that ive carried this burden and self loathing for a loooong time - last year i just couldnt pretend anymore.  I was utterly miserable.  I am so glad i had the balls (trust me i was shitting myself hah!) to go through with this op.  Im halfway through my journey and even though im technically still a hefferpotamus, i have practically lost 3 stones since starting this journey.

My confidence is slowly increasing and im actually looking forward to my life!

Ive got a few things on my 'to do' list for this year

1. snag me a man *gets her club out*
2. get a tattoo to mark my WLS
3. look half as hot as the cavewoman down there!

(2 out of 3 would work for me!)

x

Weigh In

Hello all!  Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine! 

Id like to start this post by saying i have had an extremley bad week at work which resulted in a bad food week.  Some of the bad things ive done this week include the following:
Alcohol, an easter egg, chips, bread and no excercise argh!

Anyway, for these sins i will suffer next week!

I weighed myself on Saturday and ive lost 2lbs!  Im very pleased with that!  Especially as i know next weeks results will be bad!  Will be good again from tomorrow!

x

Weigh In

So this week ive lost 4lbs!  Im most chuffed!  Feel like i should be loosing 2-4lbs a week, so i am happy.....for now anyway hah!

Last night i had my first proper big night out.  I had one cocktail (a strawberry woowoo) and then i drnk water for the rest of the night!!  Considering i wasnt drunk, i had a very good night!  While drinking my one woowoo, i did feel tipsy.  But im not sure if that was the drink or just good company and a good night! 

All in all i had a good night, and an even better morning!  Hope this weight loss continues!

x

Weigh In Day

Well im feeling better this morning.  I lost 2 lbs!  I should stop feeling so sorry for myself hey.  Maybe i am due on!

I've been up walked the dog and done an hours zumba and its only just gone 9.30!

Lets hope i have a better day!

x

Food Diary - Day 7

I have the blues today

This morning i got on the scales to have a peek, and ive lost nothing and gained nothing.  The weights not likely to change overnight so that means that for 2 weeks ive not lost anything.  Ive been down today anyway so this news has not helped my mental attitude (maybe im due on?).

I was very naughty today in terms of my food but i felt crap - i had a bag of crisps and KFC small popcorn chicken for dinner.  Not the end of the world you might think, but its a step in the wrong direction.  I felt like 'fuck it'. 

I have surgery, i eat about 1000 calories a day, and ive not lost weight for 2 weeks.  I mean what the fuck?  Maybe i can eat too much?  I read earlier about a sleever who is a few weeks ahead of me...she says she can only manage a third of a large tin of soup.  I think i could manage the whole tin!!!  Is it that she just stops at a third?  Or that i just keep going?  It's kind of frustrating.

I did an hours zumba on Monday, even jogged a teeny bit.  I did half an hour of Zumb yesterday too.  I mean what the fuck has a girl got to do to loose a few pounds?

As ive mentioned, im feeling blah today.  The no loss has tipped me over the edge.

I have also realised that i no longer have any coping mechanisims - i gave up smoking in January.  I've been missing it this week.  I know thats stupid, and i wont go back to smoking, but in those certain times where it all just gets to much, a faithful friend wouldnt go a miss.  Also i can no longer fall into the arms of my lifetime lover, food.  I cant mae myself feel better by eating or smoking.  Ive never really been a drinker but im thinking maybe this is the time to start!! I used to smoke the odd joint, and i cant tell you how a joint would sit perfectly with me right this second.  Hoever, the inevitable munchies would not be good post sleeve.

So im left feeling a little lost and blue today.

Anyway, heres today stupid food diary  x

Food Diary - Day 6

So yesterday and today i didnt have a protein shake.  I am very nearly hitting 80 grams of protein just by eating food!  I think this is a good thing!

Today i had a pub lunch with the girls from work - i chose a small jacket potato with tuna and some grated cheese on top.  I think because the food was 'soft' i ate too much which left me feeling quite sick, bloated and uncomfortable.  For about an hour after i kept thinking i would chuck up...then suddenly the icky feeling just vanished.  Lesson to be learnt there me thinks!!  I wont do that again!!

Anyway, heres todays food diary

x

Food Diary - Day 4 & 5

Hello all,

heres my food diary for yesterday and today x

Food Diary - Day 3

Ok back to work and no food dramas today!  Did an hours intense zumba at work with the girls and bloody loved it!! Just had to remember to sip water rather than gulp it down!  I then took my lovely girl for a walk, and you wont believe me, but i actually jogged!  Yes me!  In daylight too!!  2 mins jogging up the road, and 2 mins jogging back!  (Little steps!)

And heres my girl!

Heres todays food diary x



Food Diary Day 2

Ok so before i post yesterdays food diary, please note it is NOT a typcial days food!  My best friend invited me out to lunch where i made the unwise choice to have the breaded mushrooms...Anyway, when i got home i researched the offending meal only to find out i had polished over 500 calories worth of mushroomy goodness.  Im still not feeling ready for bread, so avoided sandwiches etc.  Should have gone for a jacket potato with tuna mayo...

Lets just say lesson learnt...i shall now thoroughly research the menu BEFORE i go to an eatery!!



So here it is....yesterdays food diary eek!   x





Food Diary Day 1

In a bid to see where i may be going wrong, i will be posting a food diary on my blog for a week. 

So yesterdays food consumption is as follows:

My dinner calories were quite high (i blame that gorgeous susage) but i should be aiming to have between 800-1000 calories a day now.  So overall, its still quite low.  Is there a chance im not having enough calories???!  Onwards and upwards

x

Weigh In Day

Well frankly, i wish i hadnt bothered!  I have lost FUCK ALL! Zero, Nada!  Arghh!

Now i know why normal dieting was never going to work for me -  i've had surgery and im loosing weight soooooo slowly, especially compared to others who've had the same op.  Ive been walking between 20-40 minutes a day, trying to encourage things along too!

It's just such a frustrating process!  I almost miss my one pound losses now hah!

I must be going wrong somewhere me thinks, so im going back to basics and recording everything i eat on fitness pal and posting it up on here.

Im not happy about this not loosing malarky, but at least im not putting on.  Always a good thing!

x

Constipation...

I dont know about you, but i have no problem talking about poo, so if you cant cope, skip this post!

A couple of weeks ago, i went 3 days without pooping - i started to get worried so i emailed Michael from Cosmetic Bliss, asking for advice.  He told me to try Movicol and make sure im drinking plenty.

So i bought some but nature took care of itself and there wasnt a need to movicol myself.

So yesterday morning, i got the urge to go as normal.  I sat on the loo, and waited as per usual.  A few minutes later i was thinking hmmm....things are not as they should be.  I have never been a strainer, and thought im not going to start now.  So i grabbed my phone and went back to try again.  5 minutes later and nothing.  I realised at this point that i was going to have to work for this poop.  After much straining, i finally squeezed it out.

Honestly, my bum ached the whole day and made me very sad.  I really thought i'd have the same problem today, as i dont know how this constipation works.   I freely admit, i have never suffered from constipation and totally underestimated it!  Last night i drank as much water as i could and had a movicol.  This morning i had a weetabix with milk (that was not nice) and some fruit juice.

It came to 'that' time again - i sat on the loo in fear and anticipation of the pain that potentially lay ahead.  You'll be glad to hear that there was nothing to fear today!  Pooping was a pleasant affair!!

The moral of this tale is to:

Drink plenty of water!

Eat plenty of veggies!

Eat fibre!

x

Weigh In Day

Good morning world! (or my lovely 10 followers hah!)

Today is weigh in day, and i have lost 5lbs!!  So pleased after 2 weeks of 1lb losses! 

This week ive been mainly having:

Protein shake for breakfast
A muller yoghurt around 10.30am
Spanish chicken and a light baby bel cheese thing for lunch
Spanish chicken and cauliflower cheese for dinner
A cadburys light chocolate mouse at about 7pm

I cooked up some chicken with tomatos and olives on Monday, i used approximately 2 chicken breasts, and its lasted me all week!  Ive not had it everyday, infact i tried some home made mashed potatoes with chicken pie (i just ate the inside of the pie) - it was lovely, i have to admit, but it really sat heavy on me.  I think i may have got excited and eaten more than i should of really.  It was worth it though, it was lovely mmmmmm

I am actually enjoying my protein shake for breakfast.  I am currently using MuscleFury Designer Whey in chocolate.  I dont usually like chocolate flavoured anything, but this is really sitting well with me. 

I am still feeling really good in myself - im shocked that i am feeling so well!  Especially with such little food.  Clothes are beginning to feel loose, i can see that my giant gut and the junk in my trunk are going down. 

I really do have a weird shaped body, im all tummy, ass and thighs! -  im hoping that when i loose weight it will start looking normal!

x

Quorn Mince - Devils Delight

In the never ending search to increase protein, i had noticed that quorn was high in protein and low in fat.  How fabulous!

So today i thought id batch cook for next weeks mushy phase!  Bolognaise and shepherds pie.  I cooked for an hour, it kind of smelt ok and kinda looked ok.

I have just had bologanise sauce with mash potato and it was DISGUSTING.  Now i love most foods, but i seriously couldnt take the quorn, twas vile!  I then tried the shepherds pie, and again, urgh! Im gutted ive firstly wasted good money on quorn and secondly, my batch cooking has gone to waste! Ive decided on a light chocolate mousse instead.  I suppose at least ive tried quorn mince, and i know we do not get on.

I've tried quorn pieces in things like fajitas and curries, and it was passable.  I just love my meat too much! x

2nd Weigh In

And ive lost another pound!  It's going slowly, but its coming off!  I'm feeling good about this one little pound, because i will never see it again! 

I've not been hungry this week and ive been feeling good in myself, so i really cant complain.  I'm a gonna catch me my monkey x

Looking Good

Maybe its because i straightened my hair today, or because i wore leggings and a long jumper, but lots of people today (including those that dont know ive had a gastric sleeve) were feeding me compliments of how good i was looking.  I must admit, i lapped up the compliments!  So far ive lost 27lbs (this includes the pre op diet).

Yesterday my skin on my inner thighs felt weird when i crossed my legs...i couldnt figure it out.  I went to moisturise and noticed my skin was different there - when i crossed my legs before, the fat kind of bulged out.  Now there is no bulging..its so very strange i cant really describe it!  But it goes to show me that im loosing weight!

As ive mentioned before, last week was a slow loss week.  But im feeling positive about it all - any weight loss is fine by me.  Im looking forward to eating healthily and normally, not worrying about calories etc.  I think this sleeve has acted like a key.  Its opened this door to a food reality.  I honestly never realised exactly how much i consumed in terms of calories - i didnt always eat mountains, but i certainly ate high fat, high calorie junk food.  So now i physically cant eat loads, it makes me want to try and eat well instead, so that what i put into my body is good.  I accept that there will be days where i dont eat as well as i should, but i imagine these days to quite rare.

Today, all is looking like unicorns and rainbows! x

Hunger

Before this op, i did months of research.  The most valuable feedback came from the array of weight loss surgery forums out there.

One of the things i had read about the gastric sleeve, was that post oppers rarely felt hunger if they felt it at all.

The surgeons remove two thirds of your stomach.  The part they remove is responsible for creating a hormone called ghrelin.  Grehlin sends signals to the brain that say 'oo im hungry, feeeed meeee'.

Now the thought of not feeling hungry is fantastic!  So it was something i was looking forward to post op.

Speaking post-op, the reality is slightly different.

I dont feel hunger like i used to, but i do feel it.  Before, you feel hungry, your stomach starts chruning and you cant get food off your mind until you've satiated the beast by stuffing your face with whatever it is you are craving.

Now my brain goes 'hmmm, i could go something to eat'.  My tummy growls a little and i get this hollow feeling in my stomach.  After ive eaten, the hollow feeling goes away.  So technically, its not the hunger im used to, but it IS hunger.  Those feelings dont go away until ive eaten!  Of course the good thing is i can now no longer polish off a whole pizza, garlic bread and ice-cream!  If i were allowed real food right now, i think i could just about polish of 2 slices of garlic bread!

One more week of pureed food (urgh) then im onto mushy food (yay!)

Weighed myself again today (i know, i know) and havent lost anything from Saturday.  A mild fear is setting in!  Keeping my fingers crossed for a couple of pounds loss by Saturday! 

x

Weigh In Day

So yesterday was weigh in day - i lost an astounding 1lb!  Thats right, i lost 1lb.  I was initially pissed off, after all, ive pooped turds that have weighed more than 1lb, but its a 1lb that will never darken my door again.  This time, every pound i loose, wont be coming back, and that feels really nice.

It's also common after weight loss surgery, to have the '3 week stall'.  Roughly every 3 or so weeks, your body goes,

'oh noes!  i am being starved!  Hold onto every molecule of fat starting...now!'

This lasts between a week or two.  In these times i need to remember its taken me over 20 years to get this big, so im lucky its not going to take me 20 years to get slim!  Slowly, slowly catchy monkey...

On a side note, i am utterly hating the puree stage.  I had read that everyone pureed everything and that it tasted ok - well it doesnt!!  Ive tried chicken caserole, chilli con carne and roast chicken which have been so grose i have been barely able to eat a teaspoon of it!  What has been ok is pureed veg (although its pretty much soup) and bologanise sauce (which again just feels like glorified soup).  I have also started eating ready break which is quite nice actually.  I'm not even looking forward to mushy food anymore, i jsut want to get it on with solid food!  But alas, i am a good girl these days therefore i will stick to the rules and follow the post op diet urgh.

x

2nd Weigh In

My 2nd weigh in is due tomorrow - im freaking out because ive lost NOTHING so far this week!  I was aware that your body naturally stalls for a couple of weeks but as far as i knew, this happened around 3 weeks.  Im gutted. 

After loosing 10lbs last week, the scales have become my obsession - and its so disheartening when the scales stop moving downwards!!

Its usually this point in a diet where i think 'oh fuck it all' and go out and pig out.  So i guess something positive is that i cant do that anymore so i won't be gaining any weight!

This is definately a roller coaster of emotions - i just want to get to being slim, so i can eat properly, look good and feel good!

Also got a SPA day booked with the two girls i had my op with on Friday 29th July - i cant wait to see what we'll look like!  ( i better have lost some major weight by then lol)

x

Day 15 - Post Op

Good news folks, i pooped today!  Was quite a dense poop but out it come!  Didnt need to take anything in the end.

For the last 3 days ive had what is best described as 'furry teeth'.  It feels like the inside of my teeth are rough, mainly the top two centre teeth.  When i brush my teeth, the feeling eases up a bit but within half an hour, im furry again!  Ive brushed my teeth so often in these last few days that my gums at the top, have become inflamed and are now bleeding everytime i brush!

Im hoping that when i start real food, this horrible feeling should go away.  If it doesnt go away, i'll...just worry about it later!

Today i had a very nice dinner, even if i do say so myself!  I had my pureed bolognaise sauce, with watery  instant mash topped with parmesan cheese mmmmm  it tasted so nice!  I ate 90% of the little ramekin i used.  I feel comfortably full.  I did have a moment where i forgot i cant drink and eat at the same time and that felt heavy on my chest.  I gave it 5 minutes then carried on eating

I have to say im so afraid of vomitting!  It's become a little phobia of mine - you'd think after all that puking at the hospital, i'd be used to it!  BUT i dont want to know what it feels like to eat so much that you vomit...it looks like its something every sleever does at least once...but im scared!!

Today i have eaten...

Day 14 - Post Op Constipation Blues

Probably too much information, but, i havent pooped for 3/4 days.  Im feeling a little bloaty today and thats when i realised i hadnt carried out any business for a while.

Ive been reading that i need a stool softner, rather than a laxative.  I'll give it another couple of days and if i still havent pooped, then off to the chemists i go!  Ive just heard back from Michael at cosmetic bliss, and hes suggested lots of water, to sip fruit juice and if things still arent happening to try lactolose (to soften it up) or a proper laxative (extreme measure but shouldnt affect my sleeve).

Im generally feeling well.  I quit smoking 4 weeks prior to surgery and thats going pretty well consdering!  I cam off patches after the operation.  It's a weird feeling really, id love a smoke right now but the thought of inhaling puts me off!!  Lets hope this is it and that i dont return to smoking!

Ive been having the most random dreams for at least 3 weeks - i'd put it down to fears about the oepration, but im still having them!  Will have to start writing them down because i forget within 5 minutes!

Today i tried pureed roast chicken - it was quite disgusting!  Roll on the 7th March where mushy becomes my new best friend!

x

Day 13 - Post Op

So today i returned to work.  I work in a school and as its half term, the place was dead, which is nice for me.  No hecticness or stress all that comes next week

I met a friend today for lunch.  I wasnt happy about meeting over food, especially when i couldnt have any!  But actually it wasnt as bad as id thought it would be.  I had spicey parsnip soup and she had a chicken new yorker baguette with chips (used to be one of my favourites!)  It felt horrible not being able to eat such lovely food while i sipped on crappy soup, frankly i was gutted.

Only now im home, and im thinking about it, do i realise it was that kind of eating that got me to being a big fat blob in the first place.  Still miss it, but im over it.

Today im starting pureed food (woohoo!).  It's a day early but honestly im sick of cup of soups, muller yoghurts and hot chocolate!!  Now that puree day has come, im not feeling as enthusiastic!  It's going to be like thick liquid, and im just not digging that.

So tonights culinary delight is bolognaise sauce, pureed to death mmm.  It took me 40 minutes to eat approximately 120ml of bolognaise sauce and mince!  And twice i had to re-heat it!  It started off well but towards the end i could feel a pressure on my chest, which i guessed was my new tummy saying 'woah there!'  Im actually petrified of being sick and this has made me eat very slowly, and follow the blending rules!  Still cant imagine what eating real food will feel like though...

On a positive note, ive finished my heparin!

Now please give me the strength to get through these 2 weeks!! x

Today i have eaten:





Foooood

I am really craving solid food tonight...im not hungry but i want something hot, chewy and tasty!!  My brother has ordered himself a Dominos pizza with all the extras.  This used to be one of my favourite fat meals and god it smells good. 

I was looking forward to pureed food but not at the moment - i dont think it will satisfy my tastebuds.  I know i had this surgery to help me loose weight but i do hope there comes a point again in my life where i can have a slice of pizza, or grab a burger sometime!

Food my friend...i miss you x

The Importance of Protein

Everywhere i look, the most important thing i see is 'get all your protein'.  I should be aiming to get 60-70grams of protein per day.  It's important to remember that the body cannot absorb more than 30 grams of protein per meal!  It is also important to avoid high protein & saturated fats (eg red meat).

Ok so im beginning to understand just how important protein is.  Why? 

• Because the body does not store protein which makes it easier to loose weight from stored fat
• It is vital to growth, maintenance and repair of all body cells
• When dieting, your body will pull protein from muscles (which you dont want)
• Without enough protein, you can loose some hair (common with WLS paitients)

I'd say that during the 6 weeks following surgery, i wont worry so much about getting my protein in.  The focus during this time will be getting my liquids in.  However, if i can, protein from the start is good.


High Protein Foods

1 large Egg                                    6 grams
Skimmed Milk (100ml)                  3 grams
Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup)              14grams
Cottage Cheese low fat (1/2 cup)   16grams
Soft Cheese (Brie, Mozzarella)       6 grams per oz
Medium Cheese (Cheddar, swiss)  7 grams per oz
Hard Cheese (parmesan)                10 grams per oz
Low fat yoghurt                              4 grams


Tofu (1 oz)                                    3 grams
Most Beans (1/2 cup)                    8 grams
Baked beans (1 tin)                       9 grams
Soy Milk (1 cup)                           8 grams
Chickpeas (1/2 cup)                      7 grams


Peanut Butter (2 tbsp)                    8 grams
Peanuts (1/4 cup)                           9 grams
Pumpkin seeds (1/4 cup)                8 grams


Tuna (1 tin)                                   33 grams
Sardines in water                          22 grams
Cod fish fingers x 3                       13 grams


Chicken breast (100 grams)          31 grams
Chicken leg/wing (6 oz)                 9 grams


Turkey breast (100 grams)            17 grams


2 pork sausages                            15 grams
2 chicken sausages                        19 grams    


Sirloin Steak (150grams)               38 grams
Lean Mince (100 grams)               21 grams
                        
Whey Protein & skimmed milk      22 grams (250ml)
Banana Slimfast & skimmed milk   14 grams (250ml)

Wholemeal bread (1 slice)             4 grams
Readybrek & milk                         5 grams
Oatso simple & milk                      9 grams
Weetabix & milk                           4 grams


Those are a few examples.  I have started to use http://www.myfitnesspal.com/  When you log what you have eaten, apart from the traditional calories, it also works out how much protein youve had.  For those of you who like your apps, there is one available for fitness pal x

1st Weigh In

Saturdays are my official weigh in days.  I lost 4lbs while i was in hospital which narked me since i hadnt eaten for 3 bloody days!!

Anyhoo, today is my first proper weigh in and i have lost 10lbs! 

Thats right folks, stick your eyes back into you head, mamma gone lost herself 10lbs in a week!! To say im pleased, is a mild understatement.  I am aware that this is my first proper loss so the next losses wont be as much, but im still really chuffed!!

The Food Bible

Ive been searching forums again today to help me answer some food questions

Q1  What is the difference between pureed and mushy food
A     You can eat the same thing on both stages (eg lasagne), however on the puree stage, you must use a blender to blitz your food.  On the puree stage, you may also need to add extra liquid (eg gravy) so it slips down.   Mushy stage would be the lasagne chopped with a fork, no major hard bits in there either!

Q2   How much protein do i need to be eating?
A     I need to be eating between 60-70grams of protein a day (this is going to be tough!)

Q3   How much should i be able to eat in the first year?
A     I should be able to manage 4-6oz a meal (thats a fourth of a pound of food), a small container

It seems that the golden rule post any weight loss surgery is:

Protein first, then veggies, then carbs!!

Now i need to find out how i will manage 70 grams of protein in a day urgh x