UPDATE ON ME!!!

Hey lovely folks and curiosity seekers!! I am feeling very, very good! However, it seems that right now I may be sentenced to a life of potted meats and crackers!!!! My tummy LOVES potted meats (be careful, tho it is a life saver some of it is alot higher in fat than others!! So far Wal-mart brand wins but I haven't been able to find any Bryan....) The only REAL meal I have eaten and kept down is my mexican hamburger, rice and black beans (Thank you, Crystal, thank you!). Last night I tried my hand at center cut pork chops, brown rice and gravey and creamed spinach - figuring I'd already had brown rice and it was okay, and creamed spinach (YUM!) is just mush anyway. Didn't work.....I ate about two bites and it didn't sit well. Up it came.....Later, I had to settle for ground up turkey spam on low-carb bread and pepperoini chips....ah, well....It helps that I have done nothing but crave potted meats....something I normally do on occasion, but I NEVER have craved it for this long! So the only real food I can eat on a daily basis is crackers and low-carb bread. I am gonna try the Mexican thing again today (leftovers!) but I am afraid it was one of them good-deal, one-time onlies..... I also am craving nice fresh tomatoes...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......We have a hydroponic green house near, but am reluctant since they are so acidy.....I will eat my salsa, tho! Over the weekend, the big boy was home and he said he could see weight loss in my belly and face....love that kid!!! I looked real good at myself in the mirror this am and I can see it in my face!!! Yesterday washing my hands, my wedding rings slipped off!!! And last night, when I was laying in bed talking to Angie Bea, I could slip my wedding rings off and on with no problem - normally it take soap and water to get 'em off! So there is progress!! Gang, I have to admit that the hard part of all this is trying to get all that protein in and all tha****er (fluids) in. It is like a full time job and you have to be on your toes constantly!! The carbs and fats kinda take care of themselves when you find high protein food, but it is amazing how hard it is to meet that 64 grams of protein goal per day.... But all is going really well and I have had virtually no trouble! If I could just get my knees to quit hurting, I would be walking ALL day. You guys that are pre-op, hurry up and join me!!! We gonna be great!!!! Smoochers Arlies PS Have I told you guys lately just how much I love you???? You guys are wonderful, beautiful and I love you dearly!!!!

Hi Queen! Your continued upbeat posts are what is keeping me going these days! I am getting really scared about my surgery. I know we only hear about the "bad" ones outside of this forum, but with the bad one's that we have had, it's so good to hear good, good stuff from you! Keep posting your eating tips, they are great! and I love potted meat! My pre-op appt is Feb 7 with surgery scheduled for Feb 17. I am very confident in my doctor and the hospital staff, if I can just manage to stay UPRIGHT, and not on a sidewalk somewhere! I am finally walking without a cane, (most of the time) and Sunday I wore real shoes, not hiking boots, to church! I'm looking forward to being on the loosing side for good! I wanna wear clothes that come from regular stores, not the fat shops! Hope to meet you someday soon, Susan Hughes

Don't be skairt!! It only hurts for a few days!!! Then it gets much, much better....remember to chant Kristie E's mantra in the hospital, "TOMORROW WILL BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER." The more you repeat it, the better you feel and the quicker tomorrow comes! You will do great!!! WOOHOO Real shoes!!! Smooch, Arlies

Susan, Hi!! How are you? I bet you are busy since it is tax season. I hear you met one of my co-workers. She is a strange individual. Girl, dont you worry about this surgery. You are gonna do perfectly. Be very very careful walking around. I would hate it if your surgery got postponed again. I am very excited for you. I will come visit you in the hospital. Its just a little over 2 weeks away. Woohoo!! Christine 275/266/196/160 70 pounds gone since surgery!! 36 til goal!

Thanks for the informative update! Potted meat huh? hmmmmmm - I'll have to start giving it a try and see how I like it first. Are you doing protein shakes at all? I was talking to my cousin - 1yr po - and she said her doctor didn't really encourage the shakes because he wanted you to actually eat the food. She said it was so hard in the beginning, but as everyone says, it only gets better from here! I'm so excited that you are able to see some results already! How extremely exciting! HUGS Kimberly

We are subtly encouraged to eat REAL food, but to be honest, there is NO way yet that I can get my protein in without at least 1 or 2 shakes a day....usually one....And Banana Creme from Susan Maria's site www.barieatriceating.com is my favorite. It tastes like you took a REAL banana and ground it up!!! I am gonna order more today! Smooch Arlies

Hey Arlies.. YUCK is all I can say about potted meat. haha... I hate it. My stepdad used to make potted meat sandwiches. Ugh, they were good back then but I couldnt do it now. But I am glad you like it. I do like spam though and vienna wienies. I have had to have my rings sized once already and they need it again. They spin all the way around. It does feel good! I crave tomatoes too and I always want fruit. Pineapple, strawberries, etc... I think its because they are juicy and sweet. It is very hard to get the protein in. I bought some Designer Whey Protein shakes the other night. I bought Strawberry Banana and Peach. They are VERY VERY good. There are 20 grams of protein in them and only 120 calories. This is less calories than the slim fasts and coffee shakes. There are 8 carbs but 7 dietary fiber so really only 1 net gram of carbs. Plus they are tasty!! You are doing so well, Arlies. I am so proud of you. Cant wait to see you at the meeting in Meridian... Christine 275/266/196/160 -70 pounds gone from surgery -79 pounds gone from highest 36 til at my goal 21 til at my docs goal!

heh...heh...heh....I grew up on potted meat!!! I love it, but NOT all the time. I hate to tell you this, but vienna sausage is pretty much the same thing and tastes the same - just a different texture!!!!! Now, I ruined that for you, didn't I? oooooo Strawberry banana....yum......I am stuck on Susan Maria's banana creme....ahhhhhhh.......... Can't wait to see you guys!!! Smooch, Arlies WAIT A MINUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 36 LBS TO GOAL??????????? Girl, I think I hate your squishy, LITTLE BITTY guts!!!!! You go, CC!!!!

I know my weenies are the same thing but.... just doesnt look like cat food like the potted meat. haha... Dont hate me... Love me!!

CAT FOOD!!! CAT FOOD!!!! CAT FOOD!!!!! oh, no!!! I must be shopping in the wrong section of walmart!!!! I thought ocean fish flavor potted meat sounded a bit weird!! lol Girlie you KNOW I love you dearly!!!