Clarence rack jeans

I was poking around the BX today.  I desperately needed new pants.  When I say desperately, I mean DESPERATELY!!!!!! All the ones I had were either sweat pants or huge on me!!!!!  A gal gets tired of wearing sweats all the stinking time.  I was poking around with a friend of mine.  She  picked out the most perfectest pair of jeans.  I was super excited until I saw the size.  They were a size 16. Those wouldn't ever fit me yet!  She pushed me to "just try them on".  I did.  THEY FIT!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy non-sweat pants, Batman!!!!!  I was astounded!!!   I did the happy dance right there in the dressing room in the middle of the BX!   People looked at me like I was a crazy person, but I didnt care!!!  I am in a size 16 jeans!!!!

I got to add my sparkly bead!!!!!

I got to add my sparkly bead to my bracelet. Which means..... I HAVE LOST 100 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 100 pounds, can you believe it? I can't! I am still in awe that this is me! WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

More NSVs!!!

Hello kiddies!!! I want to remember all my non scale victories!!! Here are some of the latesest... * not being the fat friend anymore! * shopping in the non plus size department * not dying when it gets above 50 degrees outside * crossing my legs. I have NEVER done that before. * having the energy to do things * off all my meds, except vitamins. * can do a 5K These are just things I can think of off the top of my head!!!!!

My mom was right!!

When I get up in the morning, breakfast has become part of my routine. Before WLS, I rarely ate breakfast. I'd rather sleep, than eat breakfast. Then I woud gorge myself the rest of the day. My mom always told me that breaky was the most important meal of the day. She is right. Yes, it gives my metabolism a jump start, but more than that, it seems to jump start my day and me. When I take the time for breaky, I am telling the world that I am worth it. I AM WORTH IT!!! Yes, I am. Sometimes, I get a bit bored with the usual protein shake. Well, what's a gal to do when she gets bored?!?! Shake it up, of course. This morning, I didn't want a shake. I wanted something warm. And y'all know how much I love anything ooey and gooey. Here's what I had... I took some turkey, you know the kind you normally use for lunch and some pepper jack cheese. I rolled the cheese in the turkey, popped it on a griddle and warmed the rolls up. The cheese got all melty and the turkey got warm and tender. Voila!!! Breaky is served!!! Pure protein and a few minutes to myself. It is going to be a great day!!!!

"One"derland here I come!!!!!

What is "one"derland? Well, let me tell you. It is when there is a 1 as the first number on the scale!!! I am almost there. I have almost lost 100 pounds so far. I have 5 pounds to go and 6 pounds for "one"derland!!!! I am still feeling really great. I think I will from now on. I wake up every day and just marvel. I am enjoying a life I was meant to. Be kind and get outside!!!!

Oooey, gooey yummy!!!

Tonight I had pizza. Not just any pizza, but oozing, cheesy goodness. I made polenta pizza!!! I used prepared polenta (you can get it at any supermarket, and it has a great shelf life), fresh mozzarella cheese and some fresh Parmesan cheese. First, I cut the polenta into half inch rounds. Then I lightly pan fried them in some good olive oil! Next, I prepared a cookie sheet with foil, makes for super easy clean up. I put the polenta rounds on the cookie sheet and topped them with the fresh cheeses. I put them under the broiler until the cheese was all melting and crispy!!! And there ya go... Polenta pizza. You can top them with whatever you like, I simply felt like cheese today!! You may be wondering about the pan frying... I only used about a tablespoon of oil and I really like the texture it gives the polenta!!! It makes it all nice and crunchy. I didn't think I would like polenta. I thought it would have a weird texture. It doesn't. I really do love polenta. It is a nice alternative to bread for me. I don't eat it very often, but it is a nice treat!! Try it, you might find that you can add something new to your menu rotation!!!

New territory for me....

It is finally getting to be summer here. Whoop Whoop!!!! Summer = hot sticky mess. Is it that way for everyone else? No? Just me then. It is ok though. This summer isn't as bad as previous ones. I am not sweltering and dying. I am just moderately hot and not dying is a good thing! It doesn't take hours of cold to cool me off these days. In the past, I haven't ever really worn shorts. I figured I was never a shorts kinda gal. In truth, I never wanted to show off my legs. Who knew that all that would change!?!?!? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm still not super Keenan showing off my legs, but I am not totally embarrassed either. And it makes for keeping cool, too. Well, this evening, I didn't have any clean shorts. Hubbers did. So I stole a pair of his PT shorts, cut the liner deal and and tried them on. Oh holy fire balls, Batman!!!!!! They fit. I did a happy dance. He just lost his shorts, so to speak!!!! Alright, y'all... I just had to share!!!! Be kind to each other and enjoy the summer!!!!

Stay the course...

This hasn't been the easiest of weeks, let me tell you. I have been sicker this past week than I have in a really long time. I am sick to the point of being in bed for almost a week. A friend of mine came to visit the other day and she told me to "Stay the Course". I have grabbed on to that and held it close to me. Because I have been so sick, I haven't been exercising and I am starting to feel really down. Those words, "Stay the Course", have reminded me that I will get through this. I will be ok. I think I have grabbed onto those words because they remind me to keep my end goal in mind. Regardless of what happens, I can do it. So let me pass this on to you... STAY THE COURSE!!! You can do it, whatever it is, whatever your goals and dreams. You can do it.

Double take

Hey kids... Guess what? I am 90 pounds down! Can I get a what what with a side of fries!?!?!?! Woohoo! GO ME! I am feeling better than I ever have in my life. That is saying something. I catch myself in a reflection and it startles me. I don't realize it is me. I find myself doing a double take. Yep. It is me. I am so excited, I had to share. Be kind to one another and get your groove on!

Catch up and a 5k

I got an IPad... I am learning how to tpe on this thing. It is interesting, for sure. Let me catch you up... I did my first official 5k on Saturday. My friend Keri saw a flyer for it and said we needed to do it! I agreed. I was game. I walk on most days anyway, why not do it for a 5k!?!?!?! On Saturday morning, Hubbers and I woke up and got ready. We started the walk to base, as we have no car. Walking works for us! We got mostly to the front gate and I realized I forgot my id. Oh no!?!?!?! I had to turn around and go home. I didn't give up though... I would have before, but, DANGIT, I wanted to do this... So, id in hand, I turned around and walked my happy behind back to base. Woooohoo, score one for Kelli Ann! I got to the gym and met my gal pals, Keri and Crissy. We were ready. I got myself signed in and received my race pennant thingy and t-shirt. It was the tortoise and hare race. I wasn't a hare, for sure. It was windy, but sunny, for once. We walked the race with some jogging bits! I finished the race in 47 minuets and I wasn't even the last person. Let me tell you, I ran, yes ran, across the finish line with my arms raised above my head. I did it. One down and many more to come... I feel like I am on top of the world, even now, 3 days later! I am running/walking another 5k next week on the 4th of July. My new life is amazing. I realize that I am so blessed that I can now do 5k races and not die in the process. I am making the most of this second chance. BRING IT ON, LIFE!!! I'm ready for ya!!!!

A bit of a struggle this week...

This week has been a bit of struggle for me.  Nothing major, simply a struggle with some food choices.  I am wanting things that I shouldn't have.  I guess that won't end because I had surgery.  Someone once said "They operated on your guts, not your head!!!" There will always be the "head issues".  Some days are harder than others. 

I have come a LONG way!  A very long way.  I am remebering that when I struggle.  It makes it a bit easier.

I hope you all are having a great start to your summer!!!

We love Cake

MMMM... Cake!  Everyone loves cake, right?!?!  I know I do!  Last night, I made a sugar free cake.  I adapted the recipe from a cake that I made and loved before surgery!!!  WOO HOO!!!  Bring it on!  Granted, I am freezing most of the cake and only leaving a tiny bit out.  It was AMAZING.  Moist, flavorful and you couldn't tell it was sugar free!

I promise.... I am still here!! :)

Hey Kids!

Long time, no see... I know!  I haven't had a computer for a bit.  Ours died completely and I can't blog on my phone!

So much has been going on since we last chatted!  First and foremost... I am officially down 80 pounds!!!!  WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!  Go me!!!!  :)  I am in full training mode for my 5K.  Sparkly skirt and all!  I have been really working hard for this!  I WILL DO IT!!! :)

Something else... I am now getting B12 shots.  My recent bloodwork said I was a bit low and so my doc prescribed the shots for me!  I actually had to research B12 because I had no idea what it was or why I needed it!  I found out some good stuff.  I know... Big Dork over here! :)  Hey, If I have to put something in my body and I don't know what it is... I am SOO going to research it!  Wouldn't you?!?!?

I have been reading some interesting books lately... about clutter in both your body and your house!  I know I've said this before, but I am clearing it all out!  My house has been clean and I mean CLEAN for almost 2 weeks.  It makes life easier, for sure.  I can come down in the morning and see that I have a shiny and clean sink and it makes me smile.  That starts my day off right.  I am creating routines for myself.  Ones that I can work with and continue.  Something has been occuring to me lately... I AM NOT PERFECT!  Shocker, I know... I know, I have burst some people's bubbles!  I can't help it! LOL!  However, I am not perfect.  In realizing this, I can let go of some of my perfectionisims.  It is freeing.  EXTREMELY! 

I have also learned about the HALT principle.  I am trying to implement it into my life.  HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.  I am trying to asses myself now based on these things.. am I truly hungry, or am I Angry, Lonley, or Tired?  If I am truly hungry, I will eat.  If I am anything else, I will distract myself untill I don't want to reach for food.  I am learning to be good to myself.  I AM WORTH IT!  I am.  It has taken me a long time to figure this all out.  Now, that I have, I am never going back!!!!

OK!!!!  That was Heavy, Deep and Real.  We had a lot to catch up on! 

BE KIND to yourself!  Be Kind to others!

Education?!?!

Hubby and I were watching a show last night.  "My Big, Fat weightloss story".  The premiss of the show is of a family that needs to loose weight and they are going to do so as a family.  In theory this is a good thing, right?!?  In theory, communism is a good thing too!

I am not knocking these types of shows, well, not really.  I wish they would show that they are educating the participants of these types of shows.  They might be, but they aren't showing it.  Yes, it is all stuff we may have heard before, but repetition never hurts!  Also, I would love to see the medical professionals in some of these shows being portrayed as people caring about their patients.  Telling someone that they are fat isn't helping them!  Maybe they could work with the participants to come up with solutions that work for the individual.  Simply telling them they are fat and need to loose weight does more damage than good.

I understand that producers are in a time crunch and need to figure out what sells, I do.  I simply want to know what goes on behind all the cameras.  Are they educating the participants about nutrition?  Are they under the care of a doctor?  And most importantly, are they giving them the tools they need to continue making the life changes that are necessary!?!?!?!?

Summer is HERE!

The title says it all!  SUMMER IS HERE, finally!  This makes me so happy.  It is warm, it is clear, it is sunny.  What more can a gal ask for?!

Guess what?!?  The heat doesn't bother me as much as it used to.  WOO HOO!  That is good news, people!  GOOD NEWS!  I used to dread the heat.  Heat was my enemy.  Now, the heat isn't my enemy and a warm day is something to be treasured and enjoyed.

I hope you all had an amazing 3 day weekend.  Happy start of summer, ya'll!!!

Weekend Inspiration

I hope everybody is enjoying the long weekend.  Get out, enjoy time with your fam.  Here is some weekend inspiration for you!

Keep it moving!

Today I went to my first Zumba class, post-WLS.  For those of you who don't know, Zumba is latin aerobics.  It is a dance class, it is aerobics, it is Jazzercise, who cares what it is... IT IS FUN and it gets ya moving.

I think that is one of the keys to weight loss, well for me anyway.  The moving part.  Prior to surgery, moving wasn't a pleasant experience for me or anyone around me, for that matter!  Ok, forget moving, just walking wasn't a good experience.  NOW, moving is a good thing.  A really good thing.  I enjoy it.  I am not even moving a turtle speeds anymore.  I am not at rabbit speeds, but I am not at turtle speeds.

I kept up with my class today.  I didn't have all the moves down, but I kept up!  If I messed up, I just laughed and kept moving until I caught up again.  I turned beet red and had a blast doing it!

Get out there, take a chance, and KEEP IT MOVING!

Better with Protein

I forget sometimes how much I NEED protein.  I always, always, always feel better when my meal/snack is loaded with proteins!  I stay fuller longer and when I do need to eat again, I WANT to eat more protein!

I bring this up today because I just had a bowl of chili.  Chili is LOADED with proteins.  I feel great, right now!  I had been feeling a bit sluggish and just a bit outta sorts!!!  Nothing awful, just a bit off!  I realized it was because I wasn't eating enough protein.

Some of you may know where you can find proteins, some may not!  There are some surprising sources.  I put together this list for ALL our knowledge!  :)

Beef
Chicken
Fish
Pork
Beans
Eggs
Dairy
Nuts
Seeds

These foods come in MANY forms.  You aren't stuck with ONE dindin every night.  Also, I find that if you mix it up, you can get the most outta the protein.  You don't get bored, either.  When I get bored, I find myself reaching for something with maybe less protein and less nutritional value.  Since I can't eat much, packing my meals with protein is SUPER important!

Get yourself some protein and go to town!!!!  Get creative with what you have!  MOST OF ALL, ENJOY YOURSELF!!! :) :) :)

New uniform? YOU BETCHA!!!

Do you all know what an infinity dress is?  Well, I have decided that it will be my new uniform, so to speak!  It is simply a circle skirt with two very very long straps attached.  You can wrap it around yourself in a TON of different way to make it look like a different outfit!  How cool is that!?!?!?  You can wear it as a skirt, a tunic top, and a dress.  

I bought an infinity dress and a few pairs of leggings.  EVERYTHING else is gone!  Yep, you heard me right gone, donezo, bye bye, and so long!  It is exciting to realize that I am getting smaller and I have more options, it seems, in my clothing choices.  However, until I level off a bit, it can be challenging.  Challenging to find something that isn't a tent or not too tight.  

This dress/top/skirt thing is great because I can wrap the straps as tight as I need.  It will work with me instead of against me!  Pair it with a pair of leggings and some fun jewelry, or a fun cardigan and a tank top.  The options are endless.  You don't have to have WLS to get an infinity dress.  I think this is an essential piece for EVERYONE!!!!

Another one bites the dust!

Guess what kids?!?!?!?  Another milestone has come!  I am down 75 pounds! Yes, you heard me right!  A whopping 75 pounds!  Do you know what weighs 75 pounds?  I'll tell ya!


1) $34019 US dollar bills (around $453 per pound)
2) Average Alaskan Malamute Husky Dog
3) Average Weight of 11 year old boy
4) 100 cans of Beer
5) a little less than a bag of concrete
6) 2 1/2 cinder blocks
7) 12 1/2 red bricks
8) 300 apples
9) 37,500 plain M&Ms
10) 5 High Performance Racing Bicycles
11) 247.5 Wigs
12) 960 Matchbox cars
13) 300 average weight kittens
14) 1440 AA Batteries
15) 3600 comic books
16) Around 54 bibles
17) 4037 gum balls
18) 300 Sticks of Butter
19) 5-10  Large Hams
20) 262,500 Bees


That is some list, if I do say so myself!!!  I am going to keep grooving and moving along!!!  WOOT WOOT!