Changed Gurl

Why I Hate Resolutions...and Why I Made Some

It's almost the end of yet another year. What they say is true; the older you get, the faster they fly by. And 2013 really did. At this time last year, I was patiently waiting for my health insurance to kick in so I could finally make my appointment with my bariatric surgeon. It's hard to believe this journey of mine has been a whole year. A year ago, I was almost 370 pounds, miserable, and just afraid I would keel over and die of a freakin heart attack. I used...

Merry Christmas!

I've been such a bloggy slacker. But, I work for a Christmas company, and this year has been nucking futs with work. I've been working 80 hour weeks all December. I've totally slacked off on my diet and exercise routine (I've been between 254-256 lbs all month long). I just haven't had time for myself. I'd blame my employer, but I make my own hours. This year, I worked my ass off so we could have one hell of a Christmas, and we are. The amount of $$ I have...

diet, gym, loss

Halfway there...

I'm halfway to my desired weight loss. I've lost 101 pounds so far. I guess it's ok for almost 6 months. I see my surgeon next week and I'll find out if he's pleased with my progress, or not so happy. I have no idea what he'll be thinking. I have realized that I am halfway to my goal. I went into this knowing I'd ideally like to lose 200 pounds. When I started my journey, that seemed like such a daunting figure. Now that I'm halfway there, it still does. I'm...

carbs, food, pizza

Pizza and Me

Meh. I'm not so sure that I can tell that I've lost 100 pounds. I thought it would look so much better than it does. I just expected more. I know I started out really heavy, but come on. 100 pounds is huge. but it doesn't look huge. So depressing. Tonight for dinner,we ate pizza. Let me tell you about me and pizza. Prior to surgery, we would order it at least once a week. It was my favorite food. Pizza with chicken wings was...

100, clothes, tattoo, weight loss

Things

So I finally did it. Lost 100 pounds. I wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen. I'm a really slow loser. My surgery was May 16th. 5 months to lose 100 pounds. I know I know. Some people think that's really good loss. I'm not one of those people. It frustrates me, because I know I can do better and do more. But that's an average loss of over 4 pounds a week. Much better than I've ever done on any diet, or eating/exercising plan. So,...

5K, exercise, failure, gym, race, walking

Dun dun dun...failure!

Well, that was interesting. Since July, I've been looking forward to running/walking in my first 5K. One of my personal goals - and items on my bucket list - is to participate in a 5K. But in my mind, I'd be able to jog more than walk. But, that didn't happen. I started preparation in the gym a few months ago doing the Couch to 5K program. I hadn't ran since high school, and I graduated in '94. So it's been a REAL long time. I would jog 30 seconds or so and...

My Sleeve and Me

Sometimes, I wish I could eat like a normal person. But, thanks to my sleeve, I cannot. I'm not complaining. I'm truly not. I'm happy with how things are turning out. I'm about 20 weeks out and my restriction is weird. Like...sometimes I can eat what I feel is a lot, and at other times, I can barely eat at all. Last Friday, me and the fam went to Pizza Hut. Yep. Yours truly ate pizza. We ordered breadsticks (I ate one), and we each ordered...

Disney, loss, stall, tattoos, travel

Well well well...

So...I WAS stalled. Saturday, hubby and I went to Canadian bingo, and afterwards, hit a local Mexican joint that we haven't been to since around April or so. Now, typically when I go, I'll down more than half the basket of chips with salsa, chug a gigantic strawberry margarita and eat all my food. This was a completely different experience. 1. I drank iced tea, but only drank 2 sips of it. I hate not being allowed to drink while I eat, but I'm getting used to it. 2. ...

after, before, fat, gym, loss, photo, stall

Stalled again. Grrrrr.

Being stalled has got to be one of the most frustrating things in the world. Pre-op, I didn't weigh myself. This was mostly due to the fact that the scale didn't go up as much as I weighed - the cut-off limit was 350 lbs. So, I couldn't weigh myself even if I wanted to. I'd get weighed at the doctors, but tell them not to tell me. Anyhow, now that I CAN weigh myself, I do it every single morning, like clockwork. I really shouldn't, because all it does...

Chugging along...

I feel like I've got nothing to update about, but I haven't updated in awhile. Weight loss is going ok, I think. I'm pretty close to 80 lbs. lost. When I lost 100, I'm FINALLY getting my Hello Kitty reward tattoo. I hope it happens soon. The pool/gym are going well. The gym nearly kicked my ass this morning. I usually eat some carbs in the morning before I go - my breakfast of choice is Cheerios. Today I decided ah, let me try some oatmeal. Oatmeal...

fitness, gym, personal trainer, TRX

Torture Rack

Ever see a TRX at a gym? The "T-Rex" as an old trainer lovingly referred to it. I refer to it simply as "torture rack". My very first experience with this machine from hell was the first time I worked out in the gym. Vince was the trainer. He was big and muscular and a dick. He had me doing squats and lunges and all sorts of things. And after 10 minutes, my legs were jello. I had a hard time walking. I left the gym after that, sat in my car...

exercise, inches, loss, pounds, progress, weight loss

3 Months...

Today marks three months since my life transformation. Or, we can call it my 3-month surgiversary. But truly, I prefer life transformation. Things have gotten a bit easier, diet wise. I no longer feel the need to consult my handbook every single hour to make sure what I'm eating is ok. I like to think I have an ok grasp on my nutrition. However, I am going to see my NUT in a few weeks to just go over a couple things. In my mind, my carb intake is ok, because...

inches, loss, size

I don't know...

Lately I've been feeling frustrated. I don't know if I'm actually doing ok with my sleeve, or if I need a lot more work at getting good at living with it. I'm not losing weight as quickly as I'd like to. Yes, I'm a glass half empty person. I try not to be, but I am. It's just how I was made. It's been almost three months since my surgery, and I've lost just shy of 70 pounds. It doesn't feel like three months, but yet it seems longer. But 70 pounds? ...

dehydration, Journey, Rascal Flatts, travel

Water. And Rascal Flatts

Woo. I just came off of an awesome mother-freakin' weekend. I mean...it was awesome. Thursday, I was able to cross something off of my bucket list. My husband and I got to see Journey in concert. But, this was no ordinary concert. Ohhhhh no. For on Thursday, they were sharing the bill with my all-time favorites, Rascal Flatts. Yep. It was heaven on earth. For those of you who are Journey fans, I have to tell you, Arnel Pineda is...

diets, food, progress, weight loss

Missing Things

During my weight loss journey, there are several things that I have successfully given up. These are things I've tried and tried like heck before to give up before, but was never able to. I was too weak to give these things up. They controlled my life. They controlled my mind. They consumed my thoughts, and helped me pile on the pounds. And yet, I still miss some of these things. So, here's my list of things I REALLY miss. 1. Pizza. Thick, doughy...

5K, size, starbucks

Off My Rocker

Lost 61 lbs...woo woo! I am very excited to be well on my way to my mini-goal of 75 pounds. I don't know why, but 75 just sounds like an awesome mini-goal number. Today bubby and I did swimming, and it was so disappointing. We were late getting to the pool, because I had to run into the office for a bit. (Which, was great, because I got to see a few of my friends who I've missed so much). But anyhow, got to the pool late and encountered all sorts of rude-ass...

fitbit, gym, muscles, progress, squats, tone, workout

Feeling F-I-N-E

It's been a long time coming. A long time. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I felt like this. Felt...good. And shouldn't we all feel good? I mean....we get one life. And we get one body. We should feel good!! And to be honest, I feel FAN-FLIPPING-TASTIC. I do. My weight loss could be faster. I could eat more protein. I can make some improvements. But compared to two months ago? I feel like a completely different...

loss, photos, stall

2 Months

Tuesday will mark two months since my surgery. How my life has changed. Two months ago, I was eating. A lot. Calories, carbs and fat - in unlimited amounts. I ate to my hearts content. I drank a 2-liter of either Diet Coke or Cherry Coke every single day. I ate king size candy bars, and bags of M&M's and then I'd look at myself in the mirror and be SO disgusted with myself. We'd order take out, or go through the drive-thru at least 3 times a week,...

fitbit, measurements, MFP, my fitness pal, stall, weight loss

Loser

Life is good. Life is BUSY. I'm adjusting to my new schedule. I am blessed enough to be able to work from home. But, every morning, we get up and either head to the aquatic center to swim laps for an hour, or we hit the gym. We alternate days, and it works out well because I don't wind up getting bored. Truth be told, I would be just as happy swimming every day, but my husband loves the gym, so we compromise. It'll be interesting to see how the schedule...

NSV

NSV's

This is gonna be a short post...but I just wanted to share a few small NSV's that I've experienced here lately. 1. ALL the pants I own/wear in regular rotation are too big for me. I either need to stop being lazy and clean my closet, and see what else is in there for me to wear, get a belt (yuck, hate belts), or go shopping. My most favorite pair of capris either is completely un-wearable. They completely fall down when I walk. Woo hoo! 2. I was able to finally...

apps, exercise, food

Reasons Why

I am so happy that I FINALLY decided to go ahead and have this weight loss surgery. There were so many times when I thought "I want to have it done", but I chickened out. It was like that with my tonsils too. I actually saw three doctors before I just sucked it up, pulled up my big girl panties, and had it done. When I went to see my second ENT doctor for my tonsils, the Dr. actually said to me "The reason your tonsils are so inflamed is because you are so porked out." ...

milestone, stall, swimming, weight loss

Woo hoo hooooooo!!

Oh yea baby! Not only is my stall broken, but I hit a milestone today. Not only have I lost 50 pounds, but I threw in one more for good measure. Yeoow! 51 lbs. gone for good. It feels SO damn good too. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment today. This morning, I got my son and hubby up bright and early at 6:30. I don't know who was more miserable...my hubby, who is used to getting up at 8, or my little man. But once they were both up and we were...

constipation, exercise, stall, stress, weight loss

What a week!!

Ugh what a week. I'm so damn glad it's about over. Monday our internet went down. This is usually not a big deal, but now since I work from home, it's a VERY big deal. We didn't get it back until freakin Wednesday. So that's put me quite behind on my hours for the week. Dammit. Diet wise, things are going ok. I'm 2 pounds shy of losing my first 50. I've been stalled for nearly a month. I'm pretty sure the weight I lost was poop. Sparing...

bacon, chicken, low carb, pizza, recipe, zucchini

Food...it's good

I've been getting really tired of eating the same old thing, over and over again. I'm always looking for something new, something protein packed and low carb, and something quick and easy. Yesterday was food experimentation day in my house, and I've found two winners! The first one winner would be these amazeballs chicken and bacon wraps. My recipe was tweaked a bit. First of all, it's 20 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes. Then, I...

apple pie, product review, protein, Quest

Product Review: Quest Protein Bar - Apple Pie

In my never-ending "Quest" (ha!!) to find the perfect protein source, I stumbled upon these bars. I had read a lot of reviews and posts about them over at Obesity Help. I thought, well, if so many people like these, they must be good. Of course, that same line of thinking is why I have a tub of Unjury collecting dust in my kitchen. But I digress. This bar was a much less expensive investment to try. First of all, I love apple pie. ...

product review, protein

Product Review: Power Crunch Protein Energy Bar

I really struggle with the protein some days. I have issues with the protein shakes. The main issue is they make me gag. I just can't get them down. Once I smell them, it's all over. And I know the trick about drinking out of a cup with a lid so you don't smell it. But let's be honest...you smell it. The other problem I have is that my taste buds change literally day to day. I bought a tub of Unjury after my surgery, and drank it two or three times...

chicken, low carb, protein, recipe

Chicken "Muffins"

If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm completely, utterly, hopelessly addicted to Pinterest. I find THE coolest shit there. From recipes, to crafts, to..well..everything! Last night I was looking at low carb food, and came across these chicken muffins. I made them for dinner tonight and they were soooo good. Here is the recipe, for the curious... 1 lb. ground chicken 2 egg whites 1/2 cup quick cook oats 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1/4...

calories, food, protein

Meals

What a difference a few weeks makes. I'm talking about pre-op versus post-op meals. My very last meal before my pre-op diet? It was from Five Guys. It was a delicious, greasy fat-laden double bacon cheeseburger, with lettuce, tomato, mayo and ketchup, and a regular french fry. Oh, and a large Diet Coke. I will be the very first to admit. Sometimes, I REALLY miss eating shit like this. I do. French Fries are probably my biggest vice on the face of...

heartburn

OMFG...the burn

Ugh, not having a good time today with the heartburn. There are days when it's just unbearable...like today. The last time I got hit with the major heartburn bug, I had pureed some chicken, and added pasta sauce and melted parm cheese on top to make a chicken parm puree. I ate half of it and then Godzilla decided nope, no tomatoes for you today sister. And I was done. That night, and the following day, my heartburn was frikkin BRUTAL. It's been bearable since then. ...

stall, weight loss

Ggrrrrrrr

I swear, this dang stall on the scale is going to be the death of me. I have obsessively been weighing myself ever since I was a week out of surgery and realized hey! I can weight myself at home again. And there was NO greater thrill than seeing the pounds just come off....sometimes as much as a pound a day. It felt like victory. It felt wonderful!! Then a week or so ago, I noticed the same exact weight, day after day after frikkin day. And I said to myself; "Self,...

headaches, stall, sugar

The Devil and His Headaches

Prior to my weight loss surgery, I used to get frequent headaches. Frequent meaning at least 3 days a week. I used to miss a lot of work because of my migraines. I would get them and just wouldn't be able to function. I would notice things like not getting enough sleep gave me a headache....getting too much sleep gave me a headache...having too much caffeine gave me a headache...not having enough caffeine gave me a headache... I never considered that anything in my diet...