Stalls...

Hi guys!  It's a little over 5 months post-op and I'm feeling great.  Sadly I am not moving the numbers much right now, but that's ok...that means they're not moving up either. ;)

Let's talk about stalls for a minute.  I have had several since the surgery.  You know...that dreaded feeling when you step on the scale and see no movement.  It happened about 3 weeks out and several times since then.  What I notice about those times is that even though the scale doesn't reflect anything, my clothes still tend to feel different.  Things are still getting more loose and I can see my face changing. So while we may call it stalling out, really I think it's just more of our bodies adapting to change.

I've started having veggies in my morning shakes...some kale and spinach in with some strawberries. I have changed up to adding water when I do this rather than the skim milk.  I don't get quite as much protein but I just can't wrap my head around adding milk to this mix.  I have added greek yogurt a couple of times.  That brings the protein back up, BUT it also brings up the calories once you add in your protein powder.  Not in a scary way, but you can definitely see the increase.  It also tends to give more of a yogurt taste to the shake instead of just the berries.  Yeah, you don't really taste the veggies much at all.  I think because both kale and spinach are pretty mild tasting the berries just out weigh them in flavor.  Definitely an easy way to add veggies if you're not getting enough now.  And really, who is?  :)

Some off topic really great news this month...my mom's book came out on the shelves! It's a pretty big deal for us!  Kind of nice to have an author in the family! ;)  If you like to read and enjoy a good mystery with a little smatter of romance thrown in I highly recommend it!
                               www.northcountrypress.com/distant-cousin.

I know, shameless plug, right?  But hey, we need to exercise our minds as well as our bodies so while you're walking on the treadmill or riding the train to work it will add to your day!

I'm re-reading it (again!) while I wait for this other 17 lbs to fall off me! :)   I'm still waiting for spring! How about you?  I hear even my friends in Florida are shivering a little this week! I'm not sure why I never plan a vacation this time of year! So silly!  I should be somewhere warm and sunny right now!  Alas, I have to wait until the end of May to head to Florida.

The other exciting trip we have planned is for September! We'll be heading to Southern Baja for my son's 30th birthday celebration! (I really can't believe he's gonna be 30!!)  Those of you that know me well know that our plan is to full time RV in retirement after next year.  Southern Baja is one of the places I really wanted to spend some time so this will give us an idea if it's worth braving the border crossing to go down there some day in our RV!  Cabos looks gorgeous and I really, really hope it's a wonderful trip for my son.  Now I just need to get that other 17 lbs off so I will look good in my bathing suit!! ;)

Don't let the cold keep you from hydrating peeps! We all know how important this is, not just for weight loss but overall health.  Big props to my cousin for giving up her diet soda this week!  Hope it's still going well! Soda is a tough one, but well worth the rewards of giving it up!

I~ again this past week~ had someone ask me if I regret not being able to eat more... 5 months out?? NOPE! Still loving my sleeve!!  Happy Saturday everyone!  Thanks for sharing my journey!

~Mikki

waiting for spring...

Good morning people!! How are you all doing??

We have snow up to our...ears... and it does not make me want to exercise!  Can't wait for warm weather!!

Let's catch up! How is everyone doing?  Getting your water in? Moving at all or stuck on the couch having winter blues?

I'm somewhere in the middle.  I have 20 lbs left to hit the "big" goal.  You know, the one that leaves me a window to gain some back eventually. These will be the hardest I'm sure.  We went to Boston at the end of January for the dental convention and I got some great walking in. Over 13000 steps each day.  It felt really good to get out but oh so cold!!

Went to see my NUT on Wednesday.  She was pleased with my progress. I am hitting my protein consistently with no problem. Water is always a challenge but we just keep plugging away, right?

She is encouraging me to get more veggies...since my capacity for food is still really good...so how do I eat more?  She is recommending I put them in my morning protein shake.  Hmmmm... not sure that I'm excited about this...but I'm gonna give it a try.  I'll let you know what kind of results I get.

One very exciting thing? I moved down to the skinny bracelet that came with my fitbit!  How cool is that, right? :)  I am now moderately overweight...which is tremendously superior to morbidly obese.  Found a yummy new bariatric snack "tasty bites" pizza flavored! They are a good size bag that is 140 calories and 10g of protein! Those are some good numbers!  I've also ordered something called "carbquik".  It's like bisquik, but has 90% less carbs.  We'll see if it's gross or not.  LOL

Elizabeth (NUT) also said my calorie intake is somewhat low.  I'm still averaging between 600-700 a day.  She wasn't too concerned but mentioned if I go into a stall and stop losing that I might need to kick my calories up a little to make sure my metabolism has enough fuel to work properly.  Obviously, on the days I have a glass of wine calories are not an issue!! ;)

I have a friend that I want to give a shout out to that has her surgery on Monday!  Good luck Lady!! I know you will do great! So proud of you for getting this far!  (She has already lost 25 lbs in her preparation for surgery!)  I know not all of you that read this blog need or want to have surgery, but for those of you considering it remember that those months of prep really, really help you to be successful!

Did I mention I got a new swimsuit?  Love it! ;)  Just 20 more pounds to go! Hang with me people...then we will enter the scary "maintenance" phase~ YIKES!

Have a great weekend everyone! Squeeze your butt!

~Mikki