? ? ? Weekend Vows ? ? ?

This weekend I vow to: ? Continue on the protein train (using the plateau busting plan) ? Drink a minimum of 64 oz. of water each day ? Stay OFF the scales until next Saturday (gosh, I'm so tempted to weigh myself!!) ? Clean my house completely to get ready for a bridal shower next Saturday UPDATE FROM YESTERDAY: I only managed to get in 7.9 oz. of dense meat and 1.1 oz. of peanut butter for a total of 9 oz. protein, 747 calories and 61 grams of protein. I also drank 83 oz. of water. My pouch is shrinking every day I'm on this plateau busting plan! Last night I had trouble with the dense proteins so I decided to go with just a bit of peanut butter (to get my protein up) and it went down more smoothly. My office luncheon yesterday was a big success for me. My co-worker (who insisted we had to go and eat catfish) was somewhat wrong about them serving catfish only on Fridays and Saturdays. She thought they served it for lunch but they don't begin serving it until after 4 PM so I got to order grilled shrimp instead and it was yummy! Also, there were six of us who went and the server showed us to a booth! This is in a small town and the restaurant probably seats fewer than 50 people in a VERY cramped configuration (you know the kind we always dreaded maneuvering in). I looked at the booth with instant panic because it was smaller than a normal size booth. I was so shocked when I sat down and I had a good six inches from table to tummy. For the record, even though I'm 2+ years post op from my first surgery, which I figure qualifies me as a grad, I got held back a year because of a staple line disruption. I still have about 100 pounds to lose and at this point my surgeon wants me getting about 600 calories a day and most all of that to come from protein so the "protein train" for me is actually doctor's orders. Staying at 600 calories is not easy and I am rarely successful in keeping them that low but he assures me I'll be happy with the results if I stick to his plan. Because it's been over 2 years since I started this process I'd really like to be more compliant and get to goal! How did you do yesterday? What are your vows for the weekend? Are you committed to sticking with whatever plan you choose this weekend? And who is just planning to just take the weekend off?! Y'all have a great weekend and know I'm right here trudging away alongside of you! DeeDee

Hey DeeDee.. Good luck with your plateau buster... A hint: peanut butter and cheese are items to avoid when trying to lose weight. They are actually considered a fat. Not really high in protein... Peanut butter has a tremendous amount of calories... 200 calories per 2 Tbsps! I vow to clean out my MD office and move those things to storage today and go out and find a pair of black pants and a black top so that I can sing this evening in a concert with my old choir... I vow to have a blast tomorrow at Church Homecoming Service. I vow to clean up my home office and finish the paperwork for a deal I am trying to close for commerical property... I also vow to get in 100 g of protein today and tomorrow... VAL

Val, Believe me, I know what soft foods can do but I only had 747 calories yesterday. My pouch was uncomfy last night and the peanut butter was a good way to give it some much needed smooth comfort. The amount I ate had 8 grams of protein and 16 grams of fat. Actually, I think my body was to a point of needing a little good fat in it as well. It's been months since I've had peanut butter but last night it was needed. I've actually kind of laughed at the fact that peanut butter is on the plateau buster's plan. It states that you can have 3 oz. of ANY of the foods on the list five times a day. If I ate all the 15 oz. allotment in peanut butter that would amount to 2,522 calories for the day. Hardly a chance of losing weight at that caloric intake! I love church homecomings! I hope you have a grand time at yours and that you get all your vows in. Have a fabulous weekend. DeeDee

Good Morning DeeDee! Well what a trip it has been the past two days. I feel like I have been eating tons of food.LOL.....It's just that I'm more aware of what is passing through these lips where as before, all kinds of food was passing through these lips and passing and passing! Just not as aware of the quantity because I didn't want to be accountable. Now I do and because of that I am making better choices. It's not been easy but it will get easier as I get back into better choice making and a better routine like I had down pact for quite sometime before. I still am wanting to have carbs, but I am resisting. I have to give them up just like I did the sugar. They are my downfall. I have to only have good carbs. The crunchy carbs trigger me to want more and more. I wish I could be like some who can discipline themselves to have one or two and that's it. I have proven to myself time and time again that I can't have them in moderation. Something inside me just says feed me more and more of that stuff. God knows I have tried my whole lifetime to not let carbs rule me, but reality is, they do. So the only solution is to abstain from the ones that trigger me. I just have to make the commitment like I did w/the refined sugars. God help me to let You comfort me and not the carbs! Didn't mean to be so long winded, but we need to get things out sometimes and I'm thankful I have a place to do just that. I know I am understood here. And for those who don't understand why I can't discipline myself to having just one or two, all I can say is I don't understand either. Yesterday I had a total of 139grms. of protein, 100oz. water and a few pistachio nuts. I know they aren't on the list but it beats having chips.LOL..... I am very pleased w/myself for sticking to this, but I feel I'm eating too much! Maybe I should start to count calories. I never do. Well, time will tell when I get on the scale next Sat. Anyway, this is only for 10 days and then back to the basics. I still feel this is a good way to jump start a weight loss and a way to detox from carbs. I'm sure some are saying, well if you didn't just eat the bad carbs you wouldn't be struggling w/having to detox. And you know what, they are absolutely right! I wish I never put that first bad carb in my mouth, but I did and now I'm paying for it. For some it comes easy and for others it's a battle. I just hope I don't keep loosing the battle. I wan't to win! I am determined to win! Gosh by golly I WILL win!!!!!!! LOL... I also did 30mins. on my treadmill yesterday and I felt good about it. This weekend I plan to: 1.Get in at least 100grms. of Protein. 2.Get in at least 90 oz. of Water. 3.Do the Treadmill for 30mins. 4.Help out at our Church setting up for tomorrows Ministry Expo. 5.Celebrate my B-day w/hubby and friends. I was out of town so we are going to dinner and maybe a movie tonight. Have a successful and abstinant weekend everyone! Your Gastric Buddy, Jeannie PS I already had two eggs w/cheese and a cup of hot decaf tea and started on my first 32oz of water. Wooohoooo!!!!

Jeannie, I understand, I understand, I understand! I'm the same way with carbs and I don't understand it at all. I just KNOW that if I eat them early in the day then I'm ravenous the rest of the day. You have to love the sanctimonious attitudes of the rare few who are more perfect than us, bless their hearts. I figure I'm paying my surgeon and other medical experts to keep me on track and right now my surgeon recommends 600 calories although I asked him if I could just keep it closer to 800. He told me I could but that I would be more pleased with the results if I kept it around 600. We discussed any long term ill effects of just eating protein (which I'm getting some carbs with that too -- no way to avoid them all). He assured me that while I'm still in the losing stage I'm not going to harm myself. I think once these 10 days are up I'm going to try to do my protein from morning until late afternoon and then at night have salads/veggies/fruits for an evening meal with a small amount of protein. I haven't decided yet, but I know I need to incorporate some good carbs back in and having them at night seems to make more sense to me. You are doing great lady, I'm so glad to have folks like you struggling along with me. I'm honestly feeling fabulous with the detox! The only thing I'm struggling with right now is wanting to get on the scales!! I was 4-5 pounds away from the century club and I'm having mixed feelings about "missing the moment" should it happen before next Saturday. But, I'm still doing my best to not weigh until next week. Keep me accountable! Have fun setting up for your Ministry Expo. Our church is in a temporary building and we have to set up and take down after every service. Can't wait until our new location is ready for us to move in! Keep up the good work, Jeannie. I'm right there with you! DD

You are doing wonderful! I am so proud of everyone that jumped into action and has stuck with it. Each of us has to work our own game plan to suceed. No 1 plan fits all. I have a confession to make. I have not weighed myself in like 2 weeks so I am not going to know if I have lost weight or not. But then again, this week is not about weight, it is about getting control, being in charge of my body and what I am consuming. Maybe I will weigh myself when I start back at the gym. I like weighing first thing when I get up, but never think to because I am still so tired. I am NOT a morning person, never have been, never will be. Thankfully I was given great children that know how to stay out of trouble when I am half asleep. My vow for this weekend is to be good! To eat great, to avoid icky stuff and to be in control. My father in laws bday is next week, the entire family is taking he and mom in law out for dinner at Long Horn Steak House. I will be good and not over eat, I will try to get something that isnt "bad" but I will be sharing my plate with my 4 yr old twins, so it has to be something that there is a lot of and that they like. Of course they like just about anything, thankfully. It is a rainy weekend so I do not think I will get much of physical stuff in, but that will change on Monday! Have a great weekend! Theresa

You are so right; this week is not about the number on the scales but regaining control. I'm at about the same stage I was when my staple line broke and I started gaining. In some ways I'm glad I never made it to goal and THEN have the darn thing break. On the other hand it is frustrating to watch folks here who had surgery after me and are at goal. But, I'm on track and determined... right along with you and others. Your vows are great and I have no doubt you'll be a success this weekend. I wake up each morning now quite proud of myself for having made it another day and I'm sure you feel the same way. Next Saturday is going to be a big celebration --- I just know it! DD

We are going to overcome this addiction. There are too many of us that are determind and are willing to encourage each other. I can't stress enough the incredible amount of support on here. DeeDee, you inspire me and so many others. Thank you for your determination and openess. The set up went well and it felt good to be a part of it. The Expo went well tocday. It was a way of getting people in the church to see the different ministries we offer and to have the opportunity to plug in and volunteer in different areas. We are a large congregation of apoprox.3,000. and it seems that the same ppl.are always volunteering. We need everyone to step up and help in some area or another at least a few times a year, this way the strain isn''t on the same folks. It's a blessing that we are offered so much at our church. The least we can do is give back by lending a greatful hand. That's what the body of Christ is to be to one another. I hope you are in your new building soon! I will see you in the morning DeeDee. Hugs Jeannie

Jeannie, Isn't life odd? We also had our annual ministry fair this past week. Our church isn't quite as large (about 2,000) but we have so many outreaches and offerings that we are always recruiting new volunteers. I believe the Pastor told me it takes over 500 volunteers PER WEEK to keep it all going. One of the most exciting outreaches we have is to the international community here. Odd for the midwest I guess, but Fort Wayne has one of the largest international communities around with the largest Bosnian community in the country. We offer English as a Second language classes during second service and it's nearly tripled in the last 3 years. Volunteers spend one evening a week helping families fill out job applications, insurance forms, etc. and we have a Women's house where we teach them to sew, cook American food, learn the computer, etc. It's been truly amazing! It's like a missions outreach where the world has come to us! The 4th of July ceremony was presented by our Internationals and it brought me to tears to recognize how much value they place on things we take for granted. It's a dynamic that is changing the entire congregation for the better. I trust that God will move in the hearts of the people who visited your Expo and that many will find their place to serve. Have a wonderful day (and the rest of the week too!) Blessings, Julie

Hi Everyone! I wasn't able to get on here until now. Been real busy, but I did want to stay accountable. Yesterday went well except that I wasn't able to get more than 64grms. of protein in. Like I said I was very busy and away from home. I guess I need to plan better when I know I have to be out for awhile. 64grms. of protien isn't bad, it's just that I'm trying to do more at this time. I will share that when we were out for my B-day dinner last night, I was tempted to have a bit of carbs and justify it by saying it was a special occasion. I talked myself right out of it and told myself I made a commitment and I'm gonna stick to it! I did have a salad instead. I even turned down some popcorn at the movies. I'm determined to get detoxed! I got in 90oz of water too. So not so bad after all. Today I had 42grms. of protein so far and 64oz of water. Today I will: 1.Get approx.100grms.of protein in. 2.Get at least 92oz.of water in. 3.Continue to stay away from carbs. 4.Be more forgiving towards my hubby. 5.Enjoy the rest of this Glorious Day! Keep up the good work everyone and don't be discouraged to those who are struggling. There is always tomorrow! Love you guys! Jeannie