Monday, December 31, 2012

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Shake

Adapted from The Vegan Stoner's Oat Shake Recipe


Blend together:
12 ounces of almond milk
1 banana, chopped and frozen
1 apple, sliced
3 tablespoons of peanut butter
1 cup cooked old fashioned oatmeal
2 scoops of soy protein powder - vanilla

Makes 2 full glasses of shake.  Share with a friend or save one for later!

I replaced the soy milk with almond milk due to my own preference.  Feel free to use soy instead if you wish.  Instead of the pinch of cinnamon that the original recipe calls for, I added the peanut butter to give the shake more calories and good fats from the nuts.  Vegans sometimes struggle to get their calories in and nuts are a great way to get some healthy fats.  The original recipe didn't call for adding protein, which seems to be a big oversight.  Getting enough protein every day is vital!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Eating Out With Realistic Portions

No, I didn't eat this all by myself!
Shortly after weight loss surgery, when I would go to eat out, I would order a cup of soup, a house salad or some small appetizer.  More often than not, I had leftovers to take home.  Those first few months you can't eat much, so keeping your portion sizes under control is fairly easy.

After a while, it's possible to eat more and restaurants are more than happy to oblige.  Portion sizes for meals at most restaurants are 2-3 times the correct size.  Eating twice the food that you should is not a great way to lose weight or maintain your weight loss.  Fortunately, I have developed a few strategies that are simple and work for me.
  1. Split a meal with someone.  It's cost effective.  It always surprises the waitress, but no one needs to eat that much food by themselves.
  2. Eat the foods that "don't keep well" first.  Anything that will turn soggy or will not reheat well gets eaten first off my plate.
  3. Declare aloud and to yourself that you're done eating when you feel full.  Stop eating, no more nibbling at this point.  This is a hard one for me.
  4. Ask for a to-go box for your leftovers as soon as you can flag down the waitress once you've decided that you're full.



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

My Providers

I'm posting this in case this information is helpful to people considering weight loss surgery.

My health insurance company at the time of my surgery: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Empire.  My approval only took a few months and was pretty painless.
www.empireblue.com

My surgeon:  Doctor Moran.  Doctor Moran's office hosts free informational seminars about the three types of weight loss surgery he performs, the positives and negatives of each and the journey to getting approved for weight loss surgery.  They give you very detailed information about your pre and post dietary needs, especially for the first few months after surgery.  If you go, make sure to write down that Melissa Moritz referred you so that I get some free vitamins!
http://alasurgery.com

My nutritionist:  Jennifer Hunt.  Jennifer is right on track with her recommendations and I highly recommend that anyone looking for help with their diet in the Raleigh area contact  her for an appointment.  Most insurance companies will pay for a few visits per year to a nutritionist.
http://healthydietsinc.com


Monday, December 3, 2012

150 lb Goal Met!

Healthier & Happier

I hit my goal weight this morning. I now weigh 150 lbs.  According to the government and my health insurance company, I am no longer overweight but at the top edge of "normal".

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Spicy Sausage and Bean Soup

I made this soup on the fly the other day with ingredients on hand.  My friends were impressed, so I thought I'd share the recipe!

Ingredients
  • 1 lb of spicey sausage
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 cloves of sliced garlic
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3-4 cans of beans various beans of your choice
  • 4 cups chicken broth 
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons caynne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Directions
  1. If using ground sausage, break into small pieces.  If using sausage in a casing, slice into 1/2 inch coins.
  2. In stock pot, saute sausage, onion and garlic in the olive oil until sausage is browned over medium heat (approximately 5-7 minutes).
  3. Deglaze pan by adding 1/2 cup of chicken broth.  Add the beans.
  4. Stir in spices, pepper sauce and soy sauce and simmer for 30 minutes to incorporate the flavors and heat the soup.

Friday, June 8, 2012

1 Year Out, 15 lbs From Goal


165 lbs and dress shopping!
Tomorrow will be one  year from my surgery.  I was hoping to hit my goal weight of 150 lbs by then, but I will not make it.  I am at 165 lbs this morning and that is fine.  I know if I had worked harder and joined a gym, I could have made the goal on time.  Fortunately, this is a life long change for me and I know that I am still making progress.  My weight loss has slowed down significantly and I will have to put forth more effort if I want to hit my target weight.
My first Ralph Lauren!

Friday, March 30, 2012

Down 100 lbs and Wearing Size Medium Shirts!


Down from 280 on day of surgery to 180 lbs now!
I'm now officially down 100 lbs from the date of surgery.  I'm also no longer Obese, but rather Overweight.  Bought my first size medium shirt the other day.  Progress is wonderful!

My new "sexy boots" rock!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Stalled at 185 lbs


Stuck at 185 lbs.
I've been hanging around 185 for a month now.  This worries me quite a bit.  I've been eating out far too often.  Currently, I walk 4-5 days per week.  I'm going to be adding bicycle riding to my routine to try to move off this plateau. 

New Dating Profile Photo!
On the plus side, I have taken new photos and am starting to see a bigger difference in myself.  I'm quite happy with my body when I'm fully clothed now but looking in the mirror naked is rather depressing due to the loose skin and saggy breasts.  I really hope some of this bounces back during the next year.

I had to include one with my cat, Venus

Monday, January 23, 2012

Down 120 from my Highest!

I'm down 89 lbs from the day of my surgery.  Extra Large shirts are fitting nicely now and I'm wearing size 18 jeans!  It is nice to feel better about myself out in public.  I still hate what I see in the bathroom mirror before I get dressed though.  Hopefully I get past that emotional barrier as I get closer to goal.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Below 200 For the first Time in Over a Decade!


230 lbs - I'm down 30 from this photo now!
Woke up this morning to a pleasant surprise.  The number on the scale didn't start with a 3 or even a 2.  I'm at 199.6 and couldn't be more thrilled about it!