Stop the crunches!!

Yep, you heard me. You can stop them....forever.  That's what I was told last night.  Which would have been great news if they didn't then introduce me to an evil thing called "the plank".

Hi all.  You remember that last night was supposed to be the group meeting "for patients only"? And I was secretly (well, you know, just between you and me) hoping that there was gonna be some deep dark hidden stuff revealed??

I think that was a luring technique.   When I got there....it was a trainer.  Yep.  Not even considered one of my two trainer visits. How's that for sneaking some extra health in on ya??  ;)

So, Tony (the trainer) was the one to tell us that the muscles we help with crunches are only there to keep us from falling over backwards and breaking our spines in half and that there are much better uses of our time. (Yes, Kenny, I know you already told me that)  Crunches were comforting. I knew how to do them. I had really good form.  I knew how much time they took. They were a habit.  Enough whining?  Yeah, I guess so. Anytime something gets comfortable it's time to shake stuff up anyway. Sigh.

Tony tell us there are two major position to all that we do.  The first one, we all guessed, is walking.  Well, actually it was breathing but since that is such a huge subject and involves a lot more than we had time to discuss we skipped that one last night. So yeah walking.  We got pedometers.  So far today I've walked 5115 steps.  Pretty good, huh?? I thought so. Until I googled that anything less than 5000 is considered sedentary. I've barely got that and I did my walk tonight for 20 minutes!!!   And THEN the dietitian said the goal for an ACTIVE person is 10,000!!!  WTF??

Ok, lets move on from walking.  Ahem... so the other most important position? The squat.  He had us practicing them.  No, I did not say air squat.  This was a room full of  fat plump people, remember?? Some of us were lucky to do it with a chair!  Get yourselves under control for God's sake.  Anyway, they say that as long as  you can do a squat the you have the physical capability of living independently.   Don't believe it's that a big a deal?  Try going to the bathroom unassisted at 80 if you can't squat.  Yeah. I thought so.

One of the big benefits is that those of us with "sedentary" office jobs (about all of us there) can do squats in the office.  Don't forget to squeeze your butt! ;)

It was actually a pretty good group.  There was a lady there who had just passed her year anniversary.  She had her bypass on June 3rd last year. She looked FANTASTIC!! Talk about motivation.  She has lost 127 lbs.  We knew she must have been post surgery because she was most definitely not  fat plump!

Today...I had my second visit with Elizabeth.  She went over my food logs. She saw the doughnut.  Did I tell you about the doughnut??  Well, for those of you that don't know, Frosty's bakery just opened in the next town over.  They have the MOST delicious doughnuts ever.  My husband bought me one.  I asked him to so don't judge him.  I am a woman down to two cups a coffee a week.  He usually gives me what I ask for. ;)
I ate chili before the doughnut so I got my protein in.  I won't tell you how many calories were in that doughnut.  I will tell you...it was worth EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! ;)
So, Elizabeth saw the doughnut because I was honest and logged it. Because really, who am I hurting if I am not honest? Only myself.  You know what she said?  My logs looked great! I've been hitting my protein goal for weeks.  I've cut out almost all starches and she could not fault me for an occasional splurge if I was gonna do the work that well.  YAY!  She pointed out that this is life and sometimes you just really want a doughnut.  The work is to figure out if the splurge is worth it.  Some things just aren't.

We talked about how I'm feeling this isn't a diet.  I don't know why but it really makes a difference for me that I'm working toward a goal of preparing for surgery.  Then I'll be getting through surgery.  Then I'll be taking care of the body that went through surgery.  SEE?? NO MORE DIETS!! Is it really that easy? No, probably not.  But most of this battle is mental and this is just my way of using this tool as a weapon.  She was happy with my exercise log too.  She went over all the phases with me and we talked about vitamins.  I was dreading that because they've always made me sick.  We're gonna sample a couple different types but she said there are options and the biggest thing is to be aware of having my blood work done to make sure I'm not getting deficient in anything. We can work out what's best.

Next big step?  The psych test.  Not til July 14th.  She said if the report came back from that before she saw me again they could send right in for approval from insurance.  I could really have a date possibly by the end of August or September!! By next summer I could be half the person I am today!! :)

Quite the ride, huh??  Thanks for coming along with me!

~Mikki

pre-op weight loss...

People have told me (and of course I've read) about people having to lose weight before they can have WLS.  I've read that some people need to lose in order for the liver to shrink and for the doctor to be able to get at the stomach better.  Others have mentioned they knew people that had to lose a certain percentage before their surgeon would operate.

I have not been told I need to lose any before surgery.  However, those sneaky dietitians have their ways.  Giving up bread, chips (sigh) and mixed foods means that I have now lost 9 lbs since I started logging my food.   9 LBS!!!

That's like losing a Labrador puppy! ;)

We went to a baby shower today...I did not eat bread, cake or m&ms...yes, I wanted to.  I walked past the chips.  You people have no idea how much that means.  lol  I found plenty to eat.  I had fun.  This can be done.  Someone even told me my blog motivated them. How cool is that??

One of the biggest reasons that I'm making the choice to have the sleeve done is quality of life.  It is improving already.  I took my son, youngest daughter and two of my grand kids to a wild animal farm yesterday.  It was two hours of continuous walking. If I hadn't started walking for this surgery I know that I would have been out of breath and unable to lift the kids up to see things.  As it was I felt fine!  Of course, last night I was exhausted and slept like the dead... but I didn't have to keep stopping and making the kids wait because I couldn't keep up.

I have 754 days until retirement.  I want to be able to hike and do any activity I want without being afraid of slowing everyone down.  I want to to be able to play with the grand kids and keep up.  ( Well, I want to be able to play without having a heart attack, keeping up might be stretching it)

I want to be able to sit on any chair I want and not think- is this going to hold me? Or worry that I might be squishing the person next to me on the plane.  I want to be able to do yoga and not think - am I going to need a winch to get me up off the floor?   I want to be able to go on family vacations and not have to worry - am I too big for this ride?  But, most of all I want to be healthy.  I want to walk without my back, legs and ankles hurting me.  I want to play without being winded.  I want to be able to have sex in an airplane bathroom... just kidding! Wanted to see if you were still following along...bathrooms on planes are disgusting. :)  But seriously, we all have stuff that happens in life to slow us down.  Being fat  plump is not one I need to keep around.  So it's going down the drain.

Only 78 lbs to go.  :)  Thanks for coming along!

~Mikki 

What was I saying about little steps??

Oh yeah...they lead places.

Yesterday I went down a notch on my belt {{holla!!}}  Today when I stepped on the scale...down 2 more pounds!!  Whoot!

This just proves that even with stress, if I stay strong I can do this.  I didn't want to walk last night but I made myself do it and felt better.

Tonight I was catching up on the bachelorette, so I did my stationary bike.  It's been forever since I've been on that!  The dog was freaking out because he'd never heard it! LOL  It was only 10 minutes, but a strong 10 minutes.  Small steps baby!!

When I went grocery shopping last night it was all about the protein labels...
I think I'm making progress with moving some variety in.  That's important if I'm gonna be able to do this long term, huh?

You know what else?? My husband told me he was proud of me! How sweet is that?? He knows it would have been so easy for me in the past to let stress just give me an excuse.  An excuse to sit on my butt.  An excuse to eat JUNK.

OK - so you want to know what is really, really amazing for me?? its been 8 days since I've even tasted a chip.  I did have a couple on the 10th after eating my pizza toppings at work...but 8 days with no chips?? We're talking big time! HUGE!  I love chips.  We're talking serious romantic affection.  And I love them all...there are very few...like maybe one type that I don't like that much.  Of course, if it was the only one available I'd eat it.  But! NONE for 8 days!!  That's probably that 2lbs right there!  ;)


What else?  Oh yeah, so I've been reading about the issue with hormones.  Apparently when you loose weight really rapidly it gives off a release of strong ones.  People talk about going into complete rages at the grocery store.  Or breaking down and crying over only being able to eat a couple bites of something.  Whoa...People, if I start getting like that, someone reel me in!  I'm sure they have no control and it must be really hard.  Going through menopause is bad enough...I guess it's not really surprising when you think about it...they take away your alcohol, your caffeine, and you can only eat about 8 bites...yikes!!  Better keep up the exercise to wear them off!!

The other thing I've read recently is people talking about needing therapy.  They see this new person in the mirror and start to have all these emotions. Start wondering if the decisions they made in life were what they really wanted or that they made them because they were fat.  Some really deep stuff.  I don't think I will run into as much of this...I wasn't fat  plump growing up and as I've told you before, the image in my head of me is much smaller.  I'm the opposite...I look in the mirror now and say "who the hell is that"??  :)

What are you all doing with your evening?? Are you up to date on your water?  I am! AND I hit my protein goal so I'm gonna make a baked apple with cinnamon and fat free cool whip.  Doesn't that sound yummy?  No?  Well it does to me...LOL

Thanks for coming on the journey!

~Mikki

A very bad day with a better finish

Today started off with an emergency visit to the Vet.  Our cat that had been missing was found but sadly had been hit by a car.  We are very glad he was found and able to spend a night with us eating and being loved but ultimately we had to put him down.

I did not eat well today.

I had no breakfast.  I went into work briefly but could not focus so left after making sure payroll was all set. I had a quick shake toward lunch time.  Then, in the afternoon I had an ice cream with Jas.  Yes, I guess I have some comfort issues with food.  Oh well. It was a bad day.

I laid down and tried to rest. Didn't get much sleep last night.

BUT! Tonight I had decided to go to my first support group. I promised to blog about it... And really, what better time, right?  My son went with me.  It was protein night.  There were a lot of people there! Not an empty seat and only 3 people including Jordan came for support.  ( I know it's kind of sad we need support to go to a support group but that's how we roll.)  :)

We got to try all kinds of proteins.  It was nice to meet some other people who are going through the same stuff.

So rule #1 of Protein - don't smell it.  That's what she said.  It has a strong scent and won't taste good if you smell it first.  The idea is to shoot for products that have at least 20 + grams of protein and 200 or less calories.  If you skew that ratio it's not a good thing.  She told us that after surgery our taste and smell will change dramatically.  Most of the protein products now mix really well.  You can mix them with water, skim to 1.5% milk or almond or soy milk.    She gave us samples of different products and many ideas of how to add flavor to mix things up.  Torani syrups, baker's cocoa, instant decaffeinated coffee... you notice that says decaffeinated.  We learned tonight that anyone having the sleeve or bypass can not have caffeine for at least 3 month after surgery.  Say what???

No wine and now no caffeine??  Jay will be working extra hours for sure. ;)

We also learned that since our capacity will be much smaller, if we are tempted to double up the amount of protein power in the same amount of drink we will regret it.  Our little pouches can only handle so much and the rest the body is going to try and get rid of. Quickly.  By whatever is the quickest exit out of our body.  YUCK!
Also don't try to get a jump on things and make up a bunch of shakes.  Protein products that you mix up are only good for 24 hours.  After that they grow some funky bacteria that will make you sick.  UGH.

Also, you can not use boiling water to make a hot product with the protein powders.  Add a bit of warm water first to make a paste and then you can add the rest of the water a bit warmer.  If you try to use boiling water I guess it makes a solid lumpy mess.  Good to know.
You can take instant sugar free pudding mix, add your powder to it, mix it really well and then add the milk to make a really good protein pudding.  It has to be instant, not the kind you cook. They also make unflavored protein powder and she encouraged us to experiment with that.  You can add it to cottage cheese, chili, or mashed potatoes to increase their protein amount. You can buy a lot of the "New Directions Products" right from them at the bariatric center. And you can order some of the "Nectar" products.  They buy them online and don't charge you for the shipping.

It was a great group of people. Everyone seemed to get involved and speak and ask questions and be in a good space. Even Jordan said it was kind of fun, although he might have just been trying to cheer me up. It was a good pick me up.  When I got home Jordan went on my walk with me.  We talked some so it probably took closer to 15 minutes tonight but it was a good walk.  It helped my mood a lot.

I am still sad and I realize I only got in about half my water today so I need to get working on that.  I hope you had a better day.  Other than the small ice cream I didn't slide into a face full of McDonald's like I would have liked so I guess there is improvement.  I definitely use food for comfort but my family stepped up and made sure I didn't need it today.  Thanks everyone for all your love and support.

I think I might go to next week's support group.  It's for patients only.  I assume that means we're gonna do some deeper discussions.  I think I'd like that.

Thanks for staying with me guys, especially today.  < 3

~Mikki

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's day to all the dads and single moms out there! Hope you're having a great weekend. :)

I'm doing pretty good getting my water in this weekend.  AND I'm doing better at not having bread and mixed foods.  Let me tell you, it's not as much fun eating foods one thing at a time. I'm sure it will get better. I worked on a new recipe tonight. Zucchini Parmesan crisps.  They weren't too bad. :)

I stepped on the scale this morning and I've lost the vacation weight I had regained.  So I'm the lowest since we started this trek in April.

I haven't walked for two days because of the rain (yes, an excuse I agree) but I did walk tonight and got my time down to 11 minutes!!  I impress myself.   LOL  Now, I guess I can move up the distance.  

We have had some stress this week with our cat missing, but we've had a bit of good news that he might have been turned into the humane society!  We can go see if it's him in the morning.  As you all know I tend to gain when under stress so I'm pleased to see I have lost some.

I've been a bit tired...hoping that all this protein will help me with energy soon.

My husband admitted he's a little nervous about my surgery.  Not about me taking this step, he's supportive, but the actual surgery is scary.  Hopefully the kids will be with him when the time comes to keep him calm.  We're trying to figure how I'm gonna sleep when I get home. I do have a wedge my mom gave me when I was having a bronchial issue a couple years ago, but I have read most people need to sleep in a recliner at first.  It's hard to lay down and you can't sleep on your stomach at all.  I guess we'll try it and see how it goes.  He's hoping to take a few days off when the time comes to help me with everything.

It feels like it's been forever since there's been progress...I'm glad the support group is Monday.  I want to feel like steps are still happening.  It makes the waiting easier.  Kind of whiny, huh?  Sorry.  I know it's a process.

People who know I love wine have asked if I will be able to drink it "after".  Yes, eventually I will.  It brings up the topic of alcohol though.  This is not an option for people who are serious drinkers.  You have to be able to give up alcohol for at least 3 months and really limit any consumption after that.  If this is an issue for you then you will have a problem with this surgery. I'm hoping I will still be able to enjoy a half glass a few months down the road.

So, no smoking, no drinking. This is a journey toward health and that means all the way around.  This means so many different things for so many different people.  I hope those reading this can look and see if you are on the road you want to be on.  If not? Take one small step in a new direction.  The whole journey is just made up of little steps.  When we look back 6 months from now, we'll be able to see how amazing all that we've accomplished is. ;)

Thanks for coming along!
~Mikki

Time Passages...

So can you believe it??  It's almost 2 months since this all started!!  I'm making some progress...tonight it took me 18 minutes to walk the same distance that took me 25 minutes last night!  See, progress!!

"I know you're in there, you're just out of sight"

My daughter was telling me about a nice body lotion she found so that I could keep everything all nice.  My elasticity has been pretty good, I'm hoping it hangs in there and shrinks with me. Gross fact I read...as you loose weight that quickly, your skin cells don't have time to shed like they normally would - they build up and cause itching....ewe! I guess I'll need an extra strength loofah!!   The good news will be everything will be easier to reach!  ;)

I'm still reading the forums...the hardest thing for me to get over is how hard people are on themselves...there was a lady who had surgery in March...I can't remember how much she had lost but she was all bummed out that she hadn't lost anything for 3 weeks...but she went from a size 34 pant size to a 20!!  Hello!! That is amazing! How can you be upset with that?  Give yourself a break people!   We need to forgive ourselves.

I'm a big believer in positive power.  Believe in yourself and realize that no one is perfect.  We are all going to make mistakes.  But be honest enough to take a look at them and own it then move to the next step.  No one gets out of this life alive so be good to yourself!

How are you doing on your water today?  I'm doing good!  It's getting easier...of course let's see if I can do that on the weekend.

I'm doing better on my homework.  I have to confess it was harder to get into these rules.  The no "bread or mixed foods" thing is hard.  I find myself already tending to eat Atkins-like already even though I'm still allowed some carbs.  I guess that the idea since eventually that will be my diet.  I'm glad I'm keeping the food diary...it keeps me honest with myself.

So I promised we'd talk about phase 3...2 weeks after surgery (if all goes well) I can move on to soft or pureed protein for 2-4 weeks.

Remember to chew to applesauce like consistency:

• Egg beaters
• Eggs, no more than 1 yolk per day
• Cheese (low fat)
• Veggie cheese (wtf is this?)
• Cottage cheese (low fat)
• Yogurt (light or fat free)
• Skim milk
• Tuna fish - packed in water (as if I'd want anything else)
• Canned chicken
• Fresh white fish- cod, sole, flounder, scallops, imitation crab meat (ewe), shrimp (have I mentioned I'm allergic to shellfish?)
• Legumes- kidney beans, black beans, garbanzos
• Turkey breast or ham
• Tofu, boca burger, soy products (just gross)

Any other proteins must be lean and ground in the blender to baby food consistency.  This is important to avoid blockage that can cause terrible abdominal pains, vomiting or nausea.  No bread, cereal, rice, noodles, fruits or vegetables during this phase.

Sample menu:

Breakfast:  1 or 2 soft boiled eggs or 4-6 ounces of yogurt

snack:  water, crystal light

Lunch:  1/2 cup cottage cheese or 1-2 oz. fish

snack: 4-8 oz protein shake

Dinner:  1-2 oz turkey slices, 1 oz low fat cheese

snack:  4-8 oz protein shake

You'll notice they still include the protein shakes...when you eat so little it's hard to hit your protein goal unless you supplement with them.

I'll have to make sure to get my protein to help promote wound healing and minimize muscle loss.  I won't be enjoying any soy products since I have already entered that merry world of menopause.  :)  

Doesn't really sound that great does it?  I'm sure it will seem like heaven after just having liquids for about a month.  I see other people be much more creative with how they prepare their puree so I'm hoping that I find some blended combos that taste good.  LOL  They say you don't really have much of an appetite anyway, but your head still thinks it wants to taste real food.  AND...you know what isn't on that list? salad.  Not that I never enjoy salad.  Sometimes I even like it...but gone are the days of dieting meaning just salad after salad!!  ( That deserves a happy dance...come on do it with me now! )  

Things are moving along.  Next week the support group and the week after that another NUT(nutrition)  visit and then it'll only be a couple weeks until the psych appointment...things are lined right up...I'm betting the next two months go as fast as the last two (even though I don't want to wish away the summer)!  I'm still excited - and a little bit nervous- I did pretty well at work yesterday.  We had a pizza party and I didn't eat any crust. It wasn't bad...much better than if I couldn't eat any toppings!! ;)

I can do this.  It's a tool.  A tool to help me forever.  I just have to use it and take care of myself.  Easier said than done, right?  Well, just one step at a time.   

Thanks for sharing my voyage.  

~Mikki

too much of a good thing?

I got all my water in today!!  I can always tell because I can barely make the drive home from work without peeing my pants! :)

For those that don't know me, I am a forum girl.  I love forums.  I read travel ones, RV ones, cooking ones (and I don't even really cook)...you get what I mean... so as I mentioned last time I have discovered the OH forum.  I can't leave it alone.  I know the people and their pictures and their stories better than the bachelors on tv.  So you would think after reading all these posts I wouldn't have any more questions.

well, I do!

First off, what the heck are these blood thinning shots people are talking about?? no where in my paper work does it say I will need to give myself shots after...even for a few days...I would notice this!!  And what's this talk of wearing a binder?  Is that so I won't feel like my tummy is falling apart?  How long does that last??  Are they waiting to spring these on me at the last minute?  Because I am not spontaneous about yucky things.  Spontaneity is supposed to be for fun things like jumping in the car and driving to a casino or swerving into Slates bakery because there is a parking space open.  I need to time to adjust to ugly...someone better give me time to plan for that shit.

Whew... went off on a bit of a rant there, sorry.

 The thing I read most often that makes my heart glad is that people say they are so happy they did it and only wish they had done it sooner.  I'm a sooner! ;)

I started walking here at home tonight.  Nothing big, just fifteen minutes around the neighborhood, but hey, it's something.

Have we talked about scars yet?

 

Thankfully I will have the laparoscopic one.  It will mean 7 scars.  Scars are interesting, right?  Don't guys dig scars?  I'm sure Jay will anyway ;) 

I just have to focus on keeping the skin moisturized and healthy.  Hopefully there will be less of it quickly!!

I seem to be rambling tonight so I will end there...we will talk the wonders of pureed food soon I promise! I know you're looking forward to that, right??

Thanks for reading.   ;) 

~Mikki

Sometimes research is scary...

So, I started reading the blog that Elizabeth (the dietitian) had recommended and from there I found a forum that had some great information. obesityhelp.com.

They have a whole section dedicated to people who have had the sleeve.  I was happily reading posts and reeling off stats to Jay about people losing weight so fast...and then I came across someone who was celebrating her 7yr anniversary and someone made a comment about all she had gone through so I (of course) had to look into her back story.  OMG.

She has posted it so I'm going to assume that she doesn't mind people talking about it.  She had her surgery in Canada.  She had to argue a bit with her doctor it sounds like to get the surgery done.  His stats at that time were 3700/3.  By that I mean he'd done the surgery 3700 times and had 3 fatalities.

Let that sink in for a moment.

This lady who was super morbidly obese felt like she was already dying.   She had many, many health issues.  She underwent the surgery...and her stomach didn't feel too bad but her shoulder was killing her.  That's not surprising since the gas they pump in to blow your stomach up while they work on it often travels up to the shoulders.  Well, she was still having pain 8 weeks later. Kept being told it was the gas.  Then that she had pancreatitis, then pneumonia before they realized the had a pulmonary embolism.   She developed 2 abscesses on her staple line that they tried to repair, then she developed another 1...she ended up having the sleeve completely redone.  She started in June and ended up actually starting her recovery in December.
OMG.

I know that this is a serious surgery. Really, I do. But wow that brings it to another level.
I am so grateful to know that my doctor has a fantastic record. No fatalities.  I am so grateful that I am having this surgery before I have any major health issues.  I am so grateful that I have so much support from people that love me.

The really good things I read are that people do lose weight.  I mean like 30-40 lbs in two to three months lose weight! I read things I know will apply to me...like how the nausea made one woman dry heave so much after the surgery she pee'd the bed 3x (lol), and that by two weeks out you are so happy to see pureed food just to taste something different than the liquid diet.  I am a little concerned about how most of these people seemed to have taken a lot of time off from work.  Maybe their health issues made their schedules different anyhow?  But I'm hoping to work this around vacation time.  Fortunately I don't have to do a lot of physical activity at my job, but sitting up straight can be tough and I won't be lifting any computers and moving them around for a bit after :)

so speaking of pureed foods, this is what phase two will look like typically: (you can see why I'll be happy to get to pureed food)

you get to go off clear liquids and have this for two weeks-

Breakfast: 4 - 8 oz protein shake
mid morning:  1cup sugar free flavored water
Lunch:   4 -8 oz protein shake
mid afternoon:  1 cup broth
Dinner:  4 - 9 oz protein shake
Evening:  1/2 sugar free jell-o and 1/2 cup water

plus you start vitamins at this stage.  Doesn't that sound yummy?  ;)

This is also pretty much the two week pre-op diet,  so for about 5 weeks it's this and clear liquids...yeah, I'm hoping its closer to 40 lbs  LOL

Other than shoulder pain the only thing that stood out to me from most peoples' comments about the surgery was that if they were alone they were surprised by how lonely they were. Can I say again how thankful I am to have people that love me supportive in this?

I know it will be worth it.  My first support group will be on the 16th...it's called "protein night" so sounds like a good one to join.

How are you doing on your water?  I'm only through 3 bottles today...I'm telling you...weekends are tougher, but I just have to focus.

Thanks for staying with me!
~Mikki

whoa...vacation is bad news! but oh so fun! ;)

Hi! Did you miss me? Sorry for the break.  The laptop we took on vacation with us is barely breathing and I didn't take the time to blog.

I went in to vacation having lost 5lbs since this all started.  Well, good thing! I gained back 3.5! Yikes! That was easy.

I found vacation brought out good and bad behavior...first the bad...

1. I did not get all my water in.
2. I did get more alcohol in. ;)
3. I did not do my crunches.
4. Portions at restaurants are huge!
5. Apparently laying in the sun does not burn calories.
6. I did not eat breakfast most days.

now, I'm proud to say there was some good...

1. I focused on chewing and eating slow.
2. because I ate slower I left food on my plate.
3. I walked every day.
4. I did not stress about anything for several days (then the cat got an abscess and we had to have our daughters deal with that and the vet, so there was a little)
5. I had some really good food... well I guess that could go under bad as well...
6. I did limit my coffee intake to one a day.

One of the best things?  I got the call to schedule my psych eval!  It's July 14th after work.  Seems so far away I know, but time will go by fast I'm sure.  The "paperwork" online to fill out was crazy.  Took me almost an hour.  They really want to make sure I understand what I'm signing up for I guess.

Now that we're back, what have I done?  Ok, I'm back to the crunches (ouch! should not have taken a week off) and I've started protein shakes.  Just for breakfast.  8 ounces of coconut almond milk, 2 scoops of powder and a pinch of nuts and coconut flakes and 5 or 6 ice cubes.  I love, love, love my ninja that I can mix it up in (20-30 seconds).  It holds me about 5 hours...but then, I am STARVING!

So, vacation life has shown me that I really need to get into good patterns before we retire in two years.  Taking a day to splurge is one thing...a week is something else!

Thank you for taking the time to read and support me.  I can not tell you how much all the wonderful comments have meant to me.  :)

~Mikki