What's on Your Monday Menu, RNYers?

Thank you so much! This really helps... I know about plateaus but the nut even said it was slow which is killing me! I am 100% POP and putting so much work into it, only to have the work increased now that I have to eat most meals away from home.

Good morning everyone!

I was very productive yesterday and I ended up with a pile by the front door of items to donate later today. Four garbage bags full of clothes and a decent sized box of "stuff" that I have no neeSwwd for and should part with. Discovering the wonder that is thrift store shopping was both a blessing and a curse. It got me moving out the old but it also had me googling other store locations and wondering what treasures I'm missing out on by not at least going to look. Fortunately my finances will keep me in check, for now.

QOTD Sweets aren't an issue for me and I have yet to find a sugar substitute that I can stomach the taste of (prep op, haven't tried too much post op) so it's not a trigger for me. The substitutions I will be to be wary of are on the opposite side of the spectrum. When I've been out I have looked around a little for a crunchy, salty substitute that I could have further out and I've been trying to stop that thinking because while my resolve is strong now I'm human and we all have our moments.

B- coffee w/ 1/2 premier chocolate

L- oven roasted turkey strips

D- shrimp, zoodles w/ tomato and red pepper hummus

S- 2 slices rosemary ham, skyr yogurt, 1/2 premier chocolate shake

Totals 573 cals, 96g protein, 20g carbs

Hope everyone has a great start to the week!

Christine

I had to run to the store the other day on my lunch break to pick a few things up. I was on the phone with my husband...he's very supportive...and just about went out of my mind. I do remember saying, "what I wouldn't give for a damned saltine cracker!!!" I went on and on about the crunchy/salty thing. Poor guy had to listen to about 5 minutes of ex-chubby chick style *****ing!

Couple days later, he brought me some cheese crisps. They were amazing. You only need a couple to be satisfied, and you can actually make them at home! Found this recipe online. You can do a search. I think the best ones are parmesan!

I could use some bad weather days off myself. We won't ever get a blizzard but we get lots and lots of rain. Stay safe JB and Grim!

QOTD: I'm not a sweets eater really but the occasional treat it nice sometimes. I catch myself on pinterest pinning sugar/carb free desserts to make one day but I don't know why because I don't crave or eat sweets or need a substitute. If I make something, I will eat the heck out of it so I just don't do it. When I first had surgery I was trying to make "fake" everything. It ended up being super wasteful and too much effort for only being able to eat 2 bites. Now I just try to eat food simply because we have too. I'm trying not to care about what I eat. I'm doing pretty good. Be a machine....like Grim says.

B- Coffee with miralax, fairlife skim milk

L1 - turkey meatballs

L2- Grilled chicken breast

S - mixed nuts

D - Don't know yet.

I'm ready for spring, keep those snow days to yourself!

QoTD: faux sweets are a slippery slope for me, so I avoid them. I do occasionally have SF pudding in these early days, but I barely have that anymore.

B: in a rush, had an unjury shake

L: turkey zucchini lasagne

S: 2 oz canned chicken w/mayo & dill pickle

D: homemade taco salad (no chips)

Lots and lots of liquid today as I had a lot of salty food over the weekend

Good morning! I want a snow day too! That's not going to happen, so I will just have to enjoy the 85 degree weather along with a nice breeze. Going to the gym today and I'm really excited! Can't wait to get in there and do my thing. Trying not worry about being nervous when walking in for the first time...Trying to own it.

QOTD - During my many, many years of low carbing, I tried all sorts of faux recipes and prepackaged 'franken-foods' and I was always disappointed. The savory swaps were always a win with me though. Turnips, cauliflower, zucchini, spaghetti squash, cabbage and lettuce wraps were always great and now I actually prefer them this way.

3+ months since surgery

b-coffee w/ heavy cream and SF hazelnut syrup

b2-bacon

l-cheddar cheese and almonds

d-carnitas

v/liquids - great

e- gym tonight! cardio and weights

Have a great day!

I'd prefer the 85 degree weather!

Hello friends! Welcome to Monday. I am so exhausted. I had a wonderful weekend but the time change and being up late and out of my normal routine has this old gal feeling her bones today.

Weird NSV of the weekend... Saturday evening I was dressed for stage performance as an emcee for a large conference, right? So sparkly sweetheart bodice type top and a short skirt (way out of my normal comfort zone but it was for stage so I went for it). My 'girls' were all sorts of front and center and my arms were uncovered with tattoos and scars and all showing. Backstage this young woman (I'm guessing 25-30) came bouncing up to me and very excitedly said, "Oh my gosh! I WISH I could be as beautiful as you! I want to grow up to be you!!! I mean...look at your guns." She pointed to my arms. I literally could not find words to respond. This woman was basically perfect looking. She was beautiful and truly looked like ideal in all the beauty standard norms ways I can think of. And somehow she is complimenting me???!?!?! Wants to look like me???? I replied slowly, "You arms are beautiful. Like perfect." She had so much definition I could have drawn an anatomy diagram of the human arm just glancing at her. She said, "Ohhhh but yours are so much better! So good. Wish I could work out like you." I was dumbstruck. Her partner was sitting nearby and he and I have known each other for several years. I think he saw how overwhelmed I was which he found amusing and offered, "She is a fitness instructor." I was more dumbstruck. She laughed and corrected him, "I am not! I just teach kick boxing. That's nothing." I simply had no words for any of this and was so glad it was time to go back on stage. Please note that all of that happened about hour after I spent 15 solid minutes in my hotel room bawling my eyes out to my Guy because I felt ugly and fat and terrible and didn't want to leave the room lest I be seen in all of my horribleness. Self image melt down was rough before I managed to get down to the stage area. And here was this perfect woman...genuinely jealous...of me??? Buahahahah. What has become of my life? Soooooo weird.

Menu: I shoved Greek yogurt x3 and a frozen surprise from the freezer into my lunch bag this morning because we got in late and that was all there was in the house; store before I know what dinner is.

Accountability: Fell off the wagon on Saturday and had several cigarettes. Had two on Sunday and then reigned it back in and have been clean since then. Being at an event and performing was really really stressful for me and I caved. Glad to be back home and working my program. Weight was at 125 this morning. Again travel was rough on my routines so I am hoping that goes back down this week once I get into my normal routine. There was no microwave or fridge in our room so I packed coolers with lunchmeats, cheeses, and yogurts...but I also packed pita chips, popcorn, and crackers for my Guy and our friends. I ate mostly chips and crackers. Raise your hand if you are shocked?? LOL

Have a great week you guys!

~Elizabeth

That's amazing! We can tell ourselves, and the people closest to us can tell us that we look great but hearing it from a stranger - and a fit one at that - must really enforce it.

As far as the smoking goes- the weekend is behind you now- you've dusted yourself off and you're officially a non-smoker again. Good luck with the rest of your week.

We are our worst enemy. If only we could see ourselves through others eyes. P.S I think your beautiful too.