It's been a while.

The team 10 challenge is going well. I've not lost as much weight as I'd hoped to have lost this far into it. But I'm still working it. I think I'm not getting enough calories..so the goal for this week is to up my caloric intake to 1200 a day...I've not been getting even 1000 calories a day..and I think my body is holding on to everything I have.

I've been doing really well on exercise. I go Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5am for 40 minutes of cardio and then isolated weights (arms on Mon, abs on Wed, legs on Fri) then on Saturday and Sunday for 1 hour of cardio and all of the weights.

I've lost inches...and some weight..every loss is a step in the right direction, even if it's not coming off as quickly as I'd like..but then does it ever come off as easily as it was to put on.
Monday's are my weigh-in/measure days. It'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow morning when I go in.

Thanksgiving went well I think. I had my FIL and his girlfriend here. I had my step-son John here. I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner and I think it was a success.

PMS has kicked in with a vengence. I'm cranky ... no make that pure bitchy. I need to talk to my doctor about that. I do alright with my anger and rage until this time of the month. Maybe there is something she can give me to help with that as well.

I am just walking on air right now..

I started Team 10 on 2 November...and since then I've lost 9.5 pounds. The challege goes until sometime in December..and I'll be well over the challege mark (10 pounds) I so need this. I've been to the gym every scheduled day this past week. Tuesday and Thursday are non gym days just because it doesn't open until 7am in the morning and I'm on my way to work by then, AND the plan is supposed to be to walk to CCD and Brownies with Rachel (1.86 miles for each night). However, we got home late Thursday night and it rained and rained and rained on Tuesday..

I'm pretty sore tonight. Did my gym workout: 1 hour on the cross trainer and then every freakin' weight machine in the place. I expect I'll be sore tomorrow just by the way I'm feeling now. But it's worth every ache.

I also am having a problem with my need. I suspect it happened on the trip to Michigan in September..but I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that its uncomfortable. Not necessarily PAINFUL unless I kneel, but it feels like it needs to 'pop'. When I do get it to pop, it doesn't work for long. So, with that said, I'll get an appt Monday with my orthopedic doctor..and we'll see what's going on.

So far soo good...It's the 9th of November

and since I started this, I've lost 7 pounds..
I'm exercising and eating better than I have in MONTHS. I can't wait to see what the scale says when I have to update status on Monday! I'm hoping for an even 10 gone..but we'll see.

I've managed to do something to my knee. It feels like it needs to be 'popped'. I sure hope I haven't damaged it - I want to keep exercising. It only hurts when I kneel on it..If it's not doing better by Monday I'll call the orthopedic.

Lisa

Okay, here's what I've done..

I've joined what we're calling Team 10. I've had gastric bypass surgery and originally lost 141 pounds in 1 year. However, with some really stupid and destructive behaviors, I managed to pack on 50 pounds.

Once I had a change in some medication, the incessant snacking went away and I dropped 11 pounds pretty quickly. So, I accepted a challenge on the WLS Support Board that I'm a member of.

10 pounds in 5 weeks.
60 grams of protein minimum - 100 grams optimal a day.
no more than 20 grams of carbs each day.
64 oz of Water.
2-3 protein drinks (helps get that total protein grams up)
and exercise.

I've done really well, I started this last Thursday (2 November) and have dropped 6 pounds in 4 days. I've done some sort of exercise almost every day last week. I walked to and from the church on Thursday to take Rachel to RE...and we did quite a bit of walking on Tuesday for Halloween, I've been to the gym every day since Friday....and even got my behind out of bed this morning at 445 to go.

and to make be feel a little better, I got my hair cut and colored last night. My red was fading quickly and my hair was IMPOSSIBLE to keep styled..I've chopped it all off again.

I'm really looking foward to seeing where I end up at the end of week 5..since I'm more than half way there now..

I'll show that therapist...or maybe me...who doesn't want to be a size 10 again.

stay tuned..

OH OH OH! I devised a menu plan for this week, and I've STUCK to it..

all week long. Amazing. The only meal we've eaten out this week is lunch on Sunday while we were emptying the storage unit..and then last night..but that's date night so it's allowed.

I'm starting the new menu plan today for next week. I might actually have found a way to do this.

Lisa

I've pledged to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks

I am a member of a Weight Loss Surgery site and there is a group of people that are committed to losing 10 pounds in 2 weeks.

this is how we're planning on accomplishing this feat

No carb (less than 20 grams a day) for 2 weeks and lots of water. High protein 6 times a day. 170-200 grams a day. Anyway 10 will be gone in 2 weeks. (I HOPE)

Now I've been told that this is how you get in 200 grams in one day. I haven't had that much protein a day since the very beginning ... time to get back to basics. 3 isopure shakes spaced out thru day. 3 cups of egg whites thru the day scrambled. A chicken breast or 2.This is easy spread out for 6 meals.Calories : Egg whites 350Protein shakes: 400Chicken breast: 380It is that easy if it's rich in protein. If not you will have a hard time. Gotta want it.

I have to get some protein that I like...and that will be 'filling' so that I don't snack. I need to keep busy so that I don't snack. I need to add a walk in every day - even if it's cold. I plan on doing the gym for 1 hour on Saturday and on Sunday.

My therapist told me this week that *I* was the reason I'm not a size 10, that obviously *I* don't want it enough... 10 pounds is my first goal. We'll go from there.

Monday therapy...

We talked about my relationship with my parents and how it 'should' have evolved. Seems as though it's time for me to 'grow up' and change MY relationship with them. At this stage in my life they should be on the same level as friends...not that I should disrespect them ... but they are no longer my "mommy and daddy" since I don't need them for day to day 'support'

I got another homework assignment.
It's on how to "forgive" more to release ME than absolve others from their wrong doings. For ME to let go.

Well, Fred didn't come back last night.

I did put food out for him since he wasn't around by bedtime. The bowl had been eaten from, but I'm not sure if it was him or another neighborhood stray. I'm almost positive the 'cat lady' down the street has him. She came up Sunday and asked if she could take him, she has 14 cats and he'd fit right in. Nosey people.

I'll keep the bowl out for a few days and see what happens. I did get a litterbox and litter for when/if he comes back.

Seems as though we've been adopted...

We got up Sunday morning and left for church..and found this BEAUTIFUL cat in our yard..Rachel called him and he came right over and let her pick him up. He looked hungry..so I gave him a can of tuna...and when we got back from church he was still in the lawn chair..apparently waiting for us to get home. He spent the day playing with the kids in the yard...all of the kids just LOVE him. He is the most beautiful cat, he's velvety gray, and very clean. He appears to have been someone's cat and he's either gotten loose or they put him out. he's very loving, and gets along well with us and the kids. After J left to take his kids home to their mom, I looked out the window and he was just sitting on the porch looking up at the window..like he was waiting. I fed him again ... I left him out for a bit for a potty break. When J got home, he brought him in and that's where he stayed for the night. He did really well. he pretty much stayed downstairs until he heard us moving around upstairs. he walked up the steps and started to meow...almost like he was telling us he needed to go outside.

J and I decided that we''re going to take him in. I'm stopping on the way home today to get him a litter box and food. He spent the night in the house last night, and is outside today...but as soon as we get him set up inside, I doubt he'll go out much. We're not really supposed to have fur bearing animals in the rental, but hell, we didn't want to be in this house next year anyhow.

Now, my only dilema is trying to get him to understand that the guinea pigs aren't snacks!

Great weekend with all the kids..

We've had the kids since Thursday night. I think all went well. No anger issues this weekend ... just a bit testy here and there (me) but for the most part doing okay.

J took the kids to the Fall Festival at the boys' school on Friday night, which left my girls and me having a easy night at home. It was really nice not having to go anywhere, or do anything.

Saturday we went to Graves Mountain Apple Harvest. GREAT day. We brought home a bushel of apples, the kids did the hay maze and hill, Tori rode a pony, all the kids went on the hay ride. We met my parents and neice there, my cousin Billy and his wife Laura were there with their pocket puppies...they were the cutest chihuahua's...one of them only 9 ounce! I think my parents are going to buy the other one (she was 20 ounces). I'd love to have one, but until we get out of this crappy rental house, that's not going to happen

Sunday we went to church and spent the day cleaning up and getting the kids ready to go back to their Mom's house. We hate Sundays! We found what we think is a cat someone has lost, he's beautiful...grey, very well groomed, not just any stray. We've fed him tuna and some milk..and the kids just love him. We're hoping he'll stick around as an outside cat, but we'll see. Again, we'd keep him in a heartbeat if we could.

Organizational Skills..

where do you learn them? How do you develop them?

The house is a wreck.
I have no idea what were eating until I'm forced to cook.
Laundry is a chore.

I've got to get this under control. My todo list is growing by leaps and bounds..but keeping track of it all is nearly impossible.

HELP!

Therapy - who knew it would be such work???

Started seeing a psychotherapist for my anger issues and much much more. I've seen Ray twice now, and been given my first assignment. I'm supposed to realize that I'm Okay. We'll see how that works out for me.

Long time no visiting...

Life has been busy since I was last here.. Lots to catch up on.
Our trip to Michigan in August was a huge fiasco. Let me back pedal for a bit. I've been working with my doctor to determine the best course of medication for me to take. My moods are very unstable - from happy, depressed, to raging.

I had just started Risperdal the week before we left. It wasn't working well at all ... so fast forward to our trip. The kids were unbelievable..they fought the entire time we were there. It's almost like they got stupid on the car ride there. They couldn't find socks, clothes, couldn't keep their hands to themselves. They were nasty to each other, never having a kind word to anyone. And I just lost it. I was cranky, grumpy and just plain old pissed off..and everyone knew it.

The last night we were there, I listened to J's mom scream about how awful me and my children were. I got up and started packing. I told J that I wasn't spending another night in that woman's house...We were supposed to leave Saturday morning, we left Friday morning instead.

We didn't tell the kids anything ... until they asked. When they asked we told them we left because we wanted an extra day with them at home before they were returned to their Mom's in MD.

We get back from Michigan and that's when the $hit hit the fan. J's sister emailed the ex-wife and told her how abusive we were, and that she was going to file a report with CPS. The ex-wife refused to allow us our weekend with the kids as the court order states. We filed a show-cause motion with the courts for her repeated violations of the court order.

CPS came to visit..and all but laughed walking out of our house. The report states that this was an ASSESSMENT..not an Investigation..and that there was no cause for an investigation - there was no abuse.

We've since had no contact with J's family in Michigan. J's mom has said that she doesn't even want J notified when she dies.

It's just a huge mess.

All the best laid intentions....

seep right down the drain when you have children..

Sunday, I just didn't make it to the gym.
Monday - I made it and it almost killed me. The anemia is getting worse I think, I have an appt with the doctor for the 20th to try to get it in check. by the time I got home, I was really nauseous and light headed...took all I had to get through feeding my family and entertaining a family friend who came by to get some furniture we were giving away.
Tuesday - didn't make it to the gym. We have (had) a standing Tuesday night get together and traffic was just awful, so I didn't have time to do the gym, get the girls, pick up the sitter and get to the restraunt on time...
Wednesday - MUCH better day at the gym. I did the entire work out (45 Minutes).
Thursday - didn't make it. My daycare situation is deteriorating rapidly, and I had an interview with a fabulous woman who will be the girls' new daycare provider. She's a bit more expensive, but I think it will be worth it.
Friday - Rachel's been running a fever for 24 hours now. Up and down the thermometer...I've been lazy all day, I'll try to get it together to go, but it doesn't seem likely, I will pry my butt out of the house in the morning though.

Johnie and I are finally talking again. It was a difficult weekend

with his feelings being hurt and me feeling like I had to defend myself, we just weren't communicating.

Life is much happier when we can talk without yelling at each other.

I did make it to the gym on Monday...Tuesday we were out in the heat and humidity for HOURS ... and then walked for miles (it seems) to view the national fireworks from the roof of the RDF at the Pentagon; so I didn't make it Tuesay. I should have gone yesterday, but I was just too damn tired. I have my things here at work with me, so that I can go right after work tonight.

We'll see how this goes. I added daycare to my gym membership to take the 'excuses' out of the equation...now I have absolutely NO excuse not to go. I kept my tanning package...as a reward for working out each day. I don't plan on getting as Day Glow as I got the last time I tanned but a nice base tan would be perfect.

With 40 pounds to lose...

here is a picture of me now. The best way to keep track of your progress is through pictures...so, here goes...a photo montage of where I'm re-starting...


First, my wedding day. Apr 17, 2006


And just so that I don't lose sight of the goal...and to prove it CAN be done... One of where I want to be again...

Oh Monday...the morning breaks with such enthusiasm...

and hope.

Isn't it great, how 'come Monday' you can do anything? Why do we wait until Monday to start a new diet, start a new exercise plan, start saving money? Why do we believe that Monday will be better than perhaps FRIDAY?

Well, today, Monday is my day...I'm committed to eating the way I'm supposed to eat as a gastric bypass post op. I'm commited to exercising to firm up this saggy body. At almost 40, gravity sucks!

Not intended on frightening anyone but perhaps myself, I'm posting a picture of where I started...back in March of 03, when I weighed 312 pounds. The shirt I'm wearing is a MENS 5X. I never wore anything but those damned stretchy leggins..thinking they looked OH so good and made me look smaller (smaller than what? a whale?)

My goal for this week is to achieve Ketosis (Ketosis (IPA pronunciation: [ki'tosɪs]) is a stage in metabolism occurring when the liver has been depleted of stored glycogen and switches to a chronic fasting mode during long periods of starvation.
During the chronic stage of starvation (after glycogen has run out), fat (triglycerol) is cleaved to give 3 fatty acid chains and 1 glycerol molecule in a process called lipolysis. Most of the body is able to utilize fatty acids as an alternative source of energy in a process where fatty acid chains are cleaved to form acetyl-CoA, which can then be fed into the Krebs Cycle. During this process a high concentration of glucagon is present in the serum and this inactivates glucose kinase switching the primary energy source of most cells from using glucose to fatty acids. At the same time, new glucose is synthesized in the liver from lactic acid, glucogenic amino acids, and glycerol, in a process called gluconeogenesis. This glucose is used exclusively by cells such as neurons and red blood cells.
Ketone bodies, from the breakdown of fatty acids to acetyl groups, are also produced during this fasting state, and are burned throughout the body. During the initial stages of starvation the brain does not burn ketones, since they are an important substrate for lipid synthesis in the brain. But after several days of starvation, the brain transitions to burning ketones in order to more directly utilize the energy from the fat stores that are being depended upon, and to reserve the glucose only for its absolute needs, thus slowing the depletion of the body's protein store in the muscles.
The brain retains a residual need for glucose, because ketones can only provide energy when used during aerobic respiration in mitochondria. In the long thin neurons, much of the metabolically active cellular membrane must derive its energy from glucose via anaerobic respiration without the assistance of mitochondria.)

My diet will consist of water (enough to float a ship) diet green tea and protein...and lots of it, and vegetables. For now, no fruit and certainly no carbs or sugar in an attempt to rid my body of these toxins. I don't expect this to be easy..and I've given fair warning to my family.

Having never done this before, but needing a place to journal

vent and celebrate the joys in my life...here goes!

Mom of 3
Step mom of 5
Wife to 1 very patient man that loves me even if I am a dork sometimes.

Trying to Succeed