Good morning to all:

The last few days have been very busy for me and yet I feel like I have nothing of interest to share. However, I remain true to my plans to stay prepared and drink lots of water.

Thursday was one of those days that complicates my life. At home, I can drink water and always be close to the "facilities". However, after a Hot Chocolate protein drink, I headed out and had a long meeting with the Events manager at the local hotel(Hilton)...I turned down samples of their cooking and had only peppermint tea. Not easy but necessary.

After signing  the contracts for our big event next Fall, I headed to the highway and up to The Falls to meet an out-of-town friend for HIGH TEA. I had already planned my intake so I was able to eat one sandwich without guilt. Earl Grey Cream Tea was lovely and I managed to ask for a takeout box for the four different tempting cake pieces that came with our "tea"...they survived the trip home and now rest in JB's belly instead of mine. Small stuff but wow, I felt so proud of me.  SMALL BABY STEPS...doesn't sound like much of a big deal but we do need to celebrate our tiny accomplishments as well. 

On the way home, I stopped at a special grocery store and bought myself four huge oranges, two different kinds of apples, a bundle of celery, a package of hemp seeds, and a 1 kilo jar of Skippy Peanut Butter (reg 8.99) for $3.99.

I already made a stir-fry for the weekend with a crazy amount of mushrooms and fresh asparagus with lean beef and now I have the oranges and apples to eat if I get nibbly. I always found it hard to stick to a plan long ago and gave up trying so often. But now, with my new "plumbing", so many things have changed and I am content to just eat the same thing all of the time.

So I have made batches of stuffed green peppers and homemade baked beans...both high in protein and fibre....now frozen in single portions for convenience...I find that, for me, it is the "quick fix" that leads me astray so I must have suitable foods at all times or I get into trouble.

The celery is washed and cut into 3 inch pieces...I can quickly stuff a few pieces with peanut butter or cream cheese, then roll that in my mixture of seeds and nuts. These seeds and nuts, and the Hemp seeds, also make a tasty addition to my rolled oats, on my salad or sprinkled on just about anything i eat. And that is satisfying.

I have TWO 3-day conferences to attend and teach workshops, the last weekend in May and the following week, the first weekend of June, so I know that eating will be a challenge BUT I am excited because these people have not seen me for a year and I am down 48 pounds since then...that keeps me in the "groove" and I can still enjoy participating without focusing just on the FOOD.

Living in a rather large side-split house, my painful knees crunch and grind at every step. As the weight slowly goes, I do find, now and then, a bit less pain as I climb...thank goodness for railings on both sides...but every step that does NOT hurt, I always whisper "thank you"...I am not a religious person but I am always GRATEFUL for life's experiences.

So let's appreciate our own small accomplishments..they may not seem like much to others but they mean EVERYTHING to ourselves.

Hello Ladies! I am probably bringing up the rear, but in part due to a productive day...

Went to assess a client to see if I could manage getting him in shower. He is a sweet guy in his 80s *****cently had a stroke. He did not suffer any paralysis, but he is very weak. I will start his case Monday...finally...after all the pre-employment screening!

So even if the pay sucks I enjoy helping ppl & the hours free me up to do other things.

Speaking of that most of you know I retired early to have WLS bc my obesity & related problems were really causing major problems & concerns in my life. I actually focused on myself all last year as I prepared myself for surgery this past October. 

I did a pretty damn good job changing my diet & exercising. I lost 75 lbs pre-op. But it seems I cannot get back on track since surgery... during the honeymoon period when most post-op are working hard to lose I have been eating at maintenance level with 40 lbs still to lose!

It is frustrating! I think my problem besides self sabotage is I have always underate my sleeve for my 3 main meals, but then have gotten into this snacking pattern w/slider foods bc ... WOW ... I still have 'x' amt of calories left on my plan. So I am basically feeling NO restriction at all except on occasions when I have really gone beserk.

And berserk is feeling a little sick & a little stuffed from snacks like sugar free puddings w/lite cool whip, bread or a few high calorie cookies. SUGAR, SUGAR, SUGAR....the devil!

I can't afford therapy right now so I struggle. Sometimes I wish I had the RNY so I would hurl, but my reasons for choosing the sleeve were valid. But I seldom (physically) regret that one last nite!

Anyhow, enough venting.

Jeannie, I remember when you posted your picture awhile back that you had the most beautiful skin! I will need to try your routine as I have always had bad skin...big pores & those teeny skin tags. My daughter did ask if I had microdermsion done bc it has cleared some in the past year, but you really can't change bad skin much w/out surgery.

And don't get me started on menopause or facial hair! I had my hysterectomy almost 5 years ago & was hairier than average back then. But a wax once a month kept me clear. However these past 2 years my chin hair has become extra course &/unmanageable. I hate it!

Trish, I will pay for your friend. Glad you got a good report from your doctor. 

Well off I go. Everyone take care!

Linda,

I have that thing where I think well, maybe now.....I know that the minute I eat something sweet, I am either going to hurl or I'm going to get that awful salivating thing going on...but every once in a while, when the office has donuts, I try to eat a bite or two and I get so freakin' sick....I shouldn't pu**** because what if one day I could eat the donut or the cookie....there you go.

I'm going to stop pushing the pouch....yep.

Hope your evening goes well.

It's Friday again! I'm feeling very lazy today. I have no appointments and it is another beautiful day. I have a raised veggie garden that I need to water and check. I also need to water in my greenhouse. Of course I still have plenty of home projects too. Food wise I am going to have tuna today for sure. Then later I have our weekly Happy Hour at a friend's house. They always serve a healthy snack. There are unhealthy things too. I will try to keep my intake as healthy as possible without feeling deprived. 

Thanks for the skin tips Jeannie! Right now I have this enormous zit on my upper lip... It is driving me crazy. It might be related to a hair...I don't know about you but I sure do have to do a lot of hair removal, partly because I'm Italian, but also because of menopause. I get threaded once a week but the hair is growing faster than that. I can't stand feeling a hard hair on my face so if I feel one it has to come out.

I keep writing to procrastinate...that's it...time to start my day!

Julia

Good Morning Jeannie and OFF,

Jeannie, I have the same reaction if I eat more than my pouch wants me to.  Also, if my bowels are not working properly, I get nauseous.  I have to take a stool softener then.  

I saw my primary doc yesterday, and except for my iron, he said my labs look great.  He was impressed by my cholesterol, told me my HDL, the good cholesterol, is fantastic.  He was surprised when I told him that for years before my WLS, I was on Lipitor, cholesterol medication, because my HDL was dangerously low.  Between my RNY and not having a gall bladder anymore, I am definitely eating less fat.

For my praying friends, I can't remember if I previously asked for prayer for a friend back in Pennsylvania.  Two weeks ago, when I was back there, a friend from church was rushed to the hospital.  He's been fighting for his life since then.  He's having another surgery today.  His name is Adrian, he's 41, married and has two little boys.  Please pray for him.

Today, I need to thaw some boneless chicken breast, and get to work putting laundry away.

Hugs,

Trish