Reporting in ...

Hi, everyone!

No, I haven't fallen off the planet.  It's just been a very busy couple of weeks for me, with last week being the busiest.

Pebbles (my avatar) blessed me with 4 beautiful tri puppies on Monday afternoon.  She didn't wait for me and by the time I arrived home (at 3:30 pm) she'd already had 2 puppies!  Panic set it as she was working on one and the other was not out of it's sac!  He was HUGE (14 oz) and I worked on him for about 30 minutes before he took his first breath (he was up to 24 oz as of yesterday afternoon).  The other two were born without any complications and she was finished delivering by 5:30 pm.  She's an AWESOME mother and they are the most beautiful and uniform Collie puppies I've bred in 20 years!  I can wait to watch them grow up.

Now, about me:  Had my 6 week follow-up appt on Friday with Dr. G.  I'm down 50 lbs. and three dress sizes - they all thought I looked fabulous.  I no longer have restrictions on lifting and/or exercise.  I feel great and have had no complications or pain.  Also, I met with the nutritionist and she shared some quick, high protein lunch ideas along with protein shake add-in ideas/recipes as I'm still having trouble getting 60 grams of protein a day.  I'm incredibly tired of protein shakes and look for other sources of protein (refried beans w/melted cheese, soups and yogurt).    Am beginning to try new foods to see how my pouch handles the transition.

Found a great "thrift" store on the north side of Charlotte - can you believe I found the most adorable skirt for 99 cents!?!?!?!?  Picked up 4 items (3 tops - one of them is from Chico's - and the bargain skirt) and a couple of puppy toys and spent $20!!!!  Need to clean out my closet and take the sizes I'm not wearing over to the consignment shop on East Blvd that caters to larger sizes.  I've been asked by co-workers if I'm having fun shopping.  My reply is "yes, and I don't have to go far - I'm shopping in my own closet!"

Cheers to everyone!

LORI!!!  Good to see you, girl!!!  Been thinking about you, and glad to see that you are doing so well!  Congrats on the wt loss and the puppies! 
I know what you mean about shopping in your own closet!  I am still doing that!
I am proud of you...keep it up!
Lisa

Thanks, Lisa!

Hope you are well, too .... and, according to your ticker you're moving right along!

Yippeee!!!!!

 

Something i have been eating for breakfast and/or snacks that may help you in South Beach Diet cereal bars (they are in with breakfast bars on the cereal aisle at the grocery store)   They are 140 calories and 10 grams of protein.  

Good luck and keep up the fantastic work.   That is a lot of wt or 6 weeks so you must be doing something right.

Pam

Hi, Pam ...

Thanks for the suggestion of the South Beach Diet cereal bars.  Lisa put some in the protein basket she delivered to me in the hospital, but I've been a little hesitant to try them as I'm just over the "soft food" stages and beginning to try new things.  Small bites and being sure to chew everything very well ... don't want anything to get stuck, ya know!?!?!?  I'm going to take one to work with me tomorrow and see how I fare.

Thanks, again ... keep those suggestions coming!

 Wow you have had an exciting week!  How neat to see a dog you love have puppies.  Kind of like becoming a grandmother!  :)  To all of the grandmother's out there, I know it's not really the same, but you can see the similarities!  

And a huge congrats on your weight loss so far - obviously you're doing great!  Enjoy the shopping in your closet, because it'll end soon.  Then you'll be able to continue to enjoy that thrift store shopping.  :)

Thanks, Deb!  And, congratulations to you and your DH on your "soon-to-be" and newest addition!  AWESOME!!!

Believe it or not, I have a closet upstairs that has all my business / dog-showing suits (sizes 8 and 10) and I can't wait to move them downstairs.  I'm still wearing my baggie sweatpants and sweatshirts (mostly, because they are comfy for working with the dogs and puppies), but those will have to go soon because the are barely staying up!!!  LOL!

Have a GREAT week!

 

Hi Lori,

It's so good to hear from you and I'm delighted to hear that you are doing so well. As Deb said, be sure to enjoy shopping in your closet while you can because soon you'll need to use the thrift/consignment network to replenish your wardrobe.

If you haven't found 'eggface' yet, please google her blog and check out her many WLS friendly recipes. I just made some cottage cheese pancakes for brunch today at my daughter's request and Ben enjoyed them as well.

Congratulations on the lastest arrivals and I look forward to hearing how you, mom and they are doing as they mature.

Wishing you continued success,

Hi, Barbara!

Thanks for the suggestion.  Where would I google "eggface"?  Can I find her in the recipe section of OH.com?  Cottage cheese pancakes sound divine! 

Glad to know that Ben is doing well ... my best wishes to you and to him!  What a wonderful journey we are on!

Hi Lori,

Here is the url for 'eggface' ... http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the good wishes and you are right, this is a wonderful journey.