Overachiever, much?

4.

That is the number of 5Ks I have committed to in the next 3 months.  I guess if I'm going to overdo something it's better that it's exercise rather than food, right?

So this week I took my handy dandy smartphone and downloaded the C25K app (that's Couch 2 5K). Yeah I know, so 2 years ago but it's helping me.  Last night I completed my first run: 5 min warm up followed by 20 minutes of jogging/walking intervals.  To add to that, my team leader has decided to start a running club at work.  Of course I joined.  So Mondays & Wednesdays I'll be using my super cool app to get my butt in gear for my first 5K on March 15.  I intend to run at least half of that 5K while be covered in multi-colored foam.  Afterward I fully intend to shake my ever-shrinking booty to the music.

Soon I'll be adding "runner" to the list of words to describe me.  That is something I would have never thought could happen and now I intend to ensure that it does.  Although, I'm sure what I think I look like running and what I actually look like are two completely different things!

I'll be a busy girl, running 2 days a week and boxing 2-3.  I told my boyfriend I hope he doesn't get tired of this, but he's super dreamy and supportive of the whole thing.  I'm so glad he gets it - that makes me feel better about "me" time.

Yeah, I'm a boxer.

2 months, 2 weeks.

41 lbs.

18.875 inches.

I am doing this.  

I've taken up boxing, which I love.  It's a tough workout but after only (roughly) 10 classes I already feel stronger in my core, more defined in my arms & legs.  Not to mention I'm one tough chick!

I have biceps!  Who knew?

After obsessively weighing myself daily I've decided my weigh in day will be Wednesdays.  My scale is now tucked away in the corner of my bathroom to help me avoid temptation.

I have accomplished so much in these few months.  Just 59 measly lbs until I reach my goal.

I can do this!

Still here...

Been crazy busy lately.  I'm training at work for underwriting so my focus has been on that.  In addition, I just closed on my very own home!  This is a huge accomplishment for me since I did it on my own.  Although I am very excited to share the joy with my love & my son.  We'll be moving on 2/10.  I hired movers but I have yet to start packing.  I'm procrastinating hard core!

Not much change in weight.  I've been able to eat more these past few days.  That or I've just been pushing which isn't a good thing.  I'm down 34 total since Nov.  66 lbs to reach my goal of losing 100 total.

No new recipes to share as of yet - I haven't been cooking a lot, though I really need to.  I feel terrible eating badly & feeding junk to my family.  I know it isn't good for any of us, I just struggle with finding the time/energy to cook at the end of the night!  I really should make use of the crockpot more often.  Hmm, maybe I'll work on a crockpot turkey meatloaf.  That seems doable.

I've been weighing daily but I think I need to change gears & weigh in 1x per week... officially.  I'm sure I won't avoid the scale completely but maybe it's time for a change.

We adopted a doggy this past weekend.  She's a Neapolitan Mastiff / Boxer mix & totes adorbs.  Yep I just typed that... I took her on a walk tonight & she does so great on a leash!  I am going to start my morning walks again with her as my walking buddy.

I'm beat after a long busy weekend... here it is 8:30 and I'm ready for bed!  On that note, I'm off!

Ch-ch-changes! And a recipe...

My friend who had lap-band surgery a few months ago wil be joining my blog to share recipes, tips, nsv, etc. Together we'll share our journeys - ups & downs.

I hope you stick around to see what's coming. 

The other night I had a craving for something a little crunchy but still fitting my "mushies" stage so I thought potato pancakes would be good. I took it a step further and made sweet potato pancakes. These delicious morsels pack 12.9 g of protein per serving (2 pancakes) and only 85 cals. 

They turned out really tasty, just a little bit sweet, and everyone who tried them loved them!  The recipe below makes 16 pancakes, 8 servings. 

2 med yams/sweet potatoes (or 1 pouch of Organics Steamers from Costco)

1 1/2 c egg whites

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Mix all ingredients and cook on a hot griddle. These may stick so use spray if needed. The tops will bubble like pancakes but keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Each pancake is 2 tbsp batter. 

Enjoy!

Week 3

I'm a week into the "mushies" and boy it's been great to have more variety!  I was having issues with the liquid phase simply because I felt empty & needed to feel satisfied.  I was NOT hungry, just felt like I needed something with more substance.  I've been enjoying cottage cheese, avocados, soft cheese (Laughing Cow), sweet potatoes, etc.  I have 3 more weeks of this (4 weeks total) then I can eat more normally.  I won't be able to have steak, but soft meats like fish and ground meats.  Now I can pretty much eat anything that doesn't require chewing.

Since pre-op (11/21) I've lost a total of 23.5 lbs.  Since surgery on 12/5 I've lost 13.  It's a lot to lose in a few weeks yet I can't help but feeling like it's slow.  I know, it's completely ridiculous to feel like that.  I am so happy I made this decision & I can't wait to see my progress over the next few months.

I'll try to be better at posting, I just haven't felt like I have much to say recently. 

I'm sleeved!

I was sleeved 12/5 - wow that feels great to say!  I've lost 5 lbs since surgery, 16 total.  Small start but still re-cooperating.  The most walking I've done is the trip to the grocery store last night which wore me out!  Every day gets easier though and I'm less sore now.  Not really hungry yet, just feeling empty.  The hardest part so far has been the pre-op diet.

The worst part, for me, has been the gas pressure.  Walking helps more than gas strips, but they have helped some.  This people warned me about. 

Now for the stuff nobody talked about... the taste in my mouth from the sugar free everything.  It leaves a funky aftertaste that I can't seem to get rid of so I'm trying to drink more decaf tea and plain water instead. 

Diarrhea.  Yep, I wasn't expecting it & in all of my reading I never once had someone mention it.  Finally after asking one of my fellow sleevers said she had it 10 days or so after.  So as badly as I want to pass the gas while walking I can't because I'm afraid of passing more.  LOL sorry if TMI but it's blunt truth.  That has also gotten better as the days pass though.  Everything is getting easier and despite the discomfort and unpleasantness overall it's WORTH IT.

The shots suck.  My doctor prescribes an anti-clotting injection for 14 days after surgery.  I give myself a shot in the belly (well below my incisions) every night around 8pm.  Most often its no biggie and doesn't hurt but last night's injection wasn't fun. And even though I know it doesn't hurt I still have a hard time with it.

Day by day is easier and I'm so grateful for this new beginning.  I'm still in disbelief that it's really happening. 

On a side note, I got pre-approved for a house!  Today will be my 2nd outing: going to see 2 houses my realtor found in my price range.  Here's to new beginnings!

T- minus 2...

The site has been uncooperative these past few days so I've been unable to post. I had to improvise and am using the mobile app instead. 

Surgery is the day after tomorrow. Just. Two. Days. Or one, I guess. Today is my last day in the office. I'm working from home tomorrow. People warned me that the pre-surgery antibiotics will have my bowels screaming and I'd rather not share that with my team members at work. It'll be good anyway to be home so I can get laundry done and get some last minute stuff ready. 

Remember that nesting stuff I was talking about? Yeah that passed. My house is dusty and covered in dog hair again, as it should be. Although it's not as cluttered I haven't been staying on top of the dusting etc. 

My fridge is stocked with clear protein drinks - which I'm told taste like ass - and my pantry is fully stocked with chicken broth, protein powder, calcium chews, and so on. My prescriptions are all filled and I have my gas strips on hand. 

I am ready. 

My new beginning is Thursday. 

Tomorrow night I'll take the dreaded "before" pictures and finally update that section of this thing!

Wish me luck. <3