My plan / my menu / my stats

things are going well for me, and I am finding that i am starting to get more consistant writing down everything in my "Dietminder". this week i've also decided to try something different for me, instead of the end of the day writing everything down that i eat..... i plan my menu the night before or during my breakfast "shake". This way i can look in advance see how my protein numbers are and my calorie number, and i can add or subtract as i need. AND if i stray off my meal plan, i can erase and add.......but i find the last couple days it is nice not thinking about what i should eat, i just look in my dietminder and know what i need to eat. for instance this morning i precooked everything..... and have my lunch packed and ready to go for this evening.
today:
Breakfast:
1% milk 6 ounces
protein powder
raspberries 1 cup
Cold packed Flaxseed oil 1 TBS
added fiber 10grams

set watch for 3 hours:

Lunch:
Gilled Tilapia 4 ounces
Broccoli Cheese Soup 3/4 cup *Christina's soup
2 Tbs of light shredded cheddar * added to soup on top
Dark Chocolate Pomegranit 1/2 serving

set watch for 3 hours.

Dinner:
Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken 4 ounces * Patti's recipe
Lettuce/ Tomatoes/ Spinich leaves/Arugula
LF individual cheese 3/4 oz.
Red wine/Olive oil Drsg * meme Glady's recipe

set watch for 3 hours

Snack:
Prunes 1/4 cup
Choc Mouse sugar free 2 ounces

I weigh and measure everything

Calories are approx :1155
Protein is approx: 107 grams

and if you all promise not to laugh...... i started using the Wii fit + to increase my activity level until i can regularly get out on the trails. again don't laugh unless you've tried it.... my muscles feel like i've worked out with johnny, or when i tried the Firm video's a few times years ago. Yesterday i did Cardio and Strength Training, and Abdominal. Today i did 45 minutes of steady Cardio activities. it's cool how most of the strength exercises are Lunges and Squats, something that Johnny incorporates with every workout. The balance board scale is right on track with the doctors scale in regards to my weight...... and it will keep track if i want it to as my weight drops or goes up. i picked the boy trainer for the exercises........cause Jillian has just annoyed me lately. besides my little wii guy reminds me of my brother Johnny :0).
Well i am going to get a bath, get dressed and head to work..... that is if i can talk this very sore body into moving..... have a great day today

Baby Paige

With this baby's mama's permission, a crop, and a blackout around the face, i am able to post this picture of this very precious baby. I LOVE BABY FEET! I love this baby...... please understand i love my many many babies, i just happen to see this little peanut more. After all, this is Christina's beautiful granddaughter.
Paige is such a joy to be around, there is something about this little girl. she dances, sings and talks all the time. she is so happy and so much fun, haven't seen her in a while so today knowing she was at grandma's ....... i had to go down and see her.... so when i get there, get her out of her high chair, she gives me this huge hug, says in her sweet baby voice..... " hi Sandi". and pats my back..... my heart just melts., she'll be playing and she'll just look at her mama, or her meme, and just again in her sweet voice say....... hi mama, hi meme. This baby is so much like her Mama.... if she loves you..........she loves with all that she has, and if she is pissed........ well you know that too ;0). Next to my three children, Christina's kids follow..... how could they not. Chris has been my dearest friend for two + decades...... And Chris will be the first to tell you, she lucked out with the son in law and daughter in law she has. Okay now back to my little "title" girl. If you tell Paige something one time.......... she remembers it even weeks later........ gee the girl will be 17 months in March, and sometimes she acts like she is 13. I wish i can explain how sweet this baby is, ...... but i just can't get the words out..... i just know, when you've been with her, you smile more, laugh more, and love more!!. Thank you Christina for sharing this baby with me, and i promise to share my grandchildren with you someday...... no hurry Katie, Drew or Sam...... i can wait and enjoy Christina's grandchildren as they come :0)

i know i already posted today but i just had to show you....

isn't this the cutest little plate..... it is much smaller than a salad plate. 4 maybe 5 inches in diameter. i actually take it with me to work..... today i had 3 0z of grilled tilapia with 2 TBS of Alfredo sauce (not the 1/4 cup serving size suggested) with old bay seasoning. on top of the mixed greens.... no dressing. and with this i had 4 oz of Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup of Red Raspberries. and that was MORE than enough for me, and i did not get hungry even after my watches alarm went off after 3 hours. the plate has gray letters all over, no order. and as you see in Red, I "love" you!! what a better way to remind myself to be good to ME, gotta love Me first before i can love others right???.
Okay folks enough plates for a while, i promise ~ i think everyone knows how i am eating since my last adjustment.... so i think i'll move on to bigger and better things.
I had a wonderful chat with my dear dear friend Patti today, i sure miss her :(, i am looking forward to figure out when i am going to get out there.... i will make arrangements before i lose the next 15 pounds... that is a goal of mine, to at least figure it all out before then........ even if it is several months away ....... and i gotta start looking for that Bike too.... oh so much to do.....
love and blessings

"forced" to eat healthy

okay i haven't posted in a day or so, but Christina was aware that i was wondering if my lapband was okay.... because as i've blogged lately, i eat very little, i can't even think about trying white bread, pizza, steak, heavy pasta. So i was a good girl and contacted my surgeons office~ spoke with the wonderful physicians asst. who informed me that NOW my lapband is doing exactly what it is supposed to. although 10 lb weight loss in two weeks is high, it is normal considering i hadn't had an adjustment in so long. Now that it is leveling off, i should lose 1-2 lbs a week. like i've said i drink more than fine, can chug a cold glass of water like before. and if i am in pain at all it is after i've eaten something wrong or too fast, once that part gets resolved, i am fine and feel no pain what so ever. i am sure that i have readers thinking............ not enough calories, too drastic,..... not healthy...... actually what everyone is thinking doesn't really affect me, it is what i am thinking, and what my doctors are thinking that impacts my thoughts and decisions. I am eating a healthier 1000-1200 calories than someone eating an unhealthy 3000 calories. It is like this. I knew what i was getting in to, and with God's Grace, i will continue to have success with my Lapband surgery. notice i didn't say speedy results, i said SUCCESS!!! :0).
So this is where the "forced" to eating healthy comes in right now.. so right now my tummy holds about 4 to 6 oz of food, every 3 hrs. i could fill it with 4 oz of ice cream and 4 oz of Pecan Pie, or i could fill it with 3 oz of grilled fish, and 3 oz of Greek yogurt with a few berries and maybe a few greens. If i want to get healthy there really isn't an option. Oh the Doc office also said it is perfectly normal to be tighter in the morning, and looser in the evening..... so she thought a high protein, high fiber (20g), 1/2 cup of berries, 1 TBS of cold packed flax seed oil, and 6 oz of skim milk....... is a worthy breakfast, that nobody could really argue with.
So i am doing fine,........ and my labband is doing what it is supposed to be doing..... and for the record the weight has slowed down....... i lost 2 pounds this week....... i think that makes a 12 lb weight loss since my last adjustment which was 2 weeks ago ........
Have a great weekend folks.........and enjoy the moment!!!

presentation

okay, let me explain before i show you the pictures.... I always make a point to put my food on my dessert size plates, make it look all pretty, and then i take a picture, to put on my blog. i just bought several new tiny plates, a few salad plates, and a few what they call desert plates. i even put my sugar free jello in a little dessert dish. if i am eating 1/2 oz of cheese and 3 whole grain crackers, they go on a plate.... right now i have to really focus on how i eat, so i sit down and enjoy the food slowly, it makes it easier when i have something pretty to look at. So be patient with me for the next few days while i show off all my new little plates.

this photo is my lunch, it is 1/2 of a burger, with 2 TBS of cheddar cheese, Arugula, Spinach and Romaine lettuce, with cherry tomatoes and one tsp of Italian dressing. with 1/2 cup of organic low fat yogurt and a few raspberries.


sadly though i found out that i can't do beef as easily, this came back up, but the yogurt went down well.

this photo is my dinner. it is a homemade crab cake with minimal bread crumbs (1/2 cup in the entire recipe (made 8) each cake weighed approx 3 ounces. Bill had surf and turf, so he had a grilled steak with his crab cake. I didn't even try the beef this time.

I had to eat this slowly, but it stayed down.

Now i can't resist putting this last picture up, Katie and Bill were making fun of me...... so they "Vanna Whited" my plate........ silly silly family i live with, but I love them tons


this morning i had my high fiber shake 20grams of fiber, with 1/2 cup of berries and 6oz of skim milk, and 1 TBS of cold pressed flax seed oil.
snack tonight will be Greek yogurt and maybe a sugar free jello pudding.....
and that is my day of eating with a lap band

about 1000-1200 calories

My last lapband adjustment has been considered a success~ I feel good. I am able to drink without any difficulty, and i am able to eat about 60z of food at every meal. I am trying to eat 4 meals a day. after i eat a meal, I set my alarm on my watch to beep 3 hrs later, to remind me to eat again, and to not eat between meals . I eat until I am full, as soon as i get that "full" feeling...... I STOP!!! This is how the Lapband is supposed to work :) , i must admit i was a little worried last week, that i'd need to go back to the doctor and have the adjustment........ re-adjusted. i have been forced to eat more mindfully yet again. and i am choosy as to what foods I eat. i mean i'm not going to fill my little tummy with a cupcake, no nutritional value there..... but i will fill it with grilled fish and veggies and greek yogurt. :0). i am so ready to head outdoors again for my daily hikes........ i am loving the snow i truly am, but i think when Spring pushes through...... i'll be happy.

My life is going well, And the kids are doing great. Katie has jumped into school again head on. She goes to class mon through fri. but she is forever doing homework. Andrew's senior year is half way over. he does both, the dual enrollment, high school and college classes. he also works at our local grocery store. Sammy is in 9th grade, and loving being a kid.

Getting ready for the second wave of Snow, School has already been closed for Saltsburg yet again. . . . i always enjoyed snow days, i loved having the kids home when the weather was in question. and that hasn't changed.

Have a great day today.........stay warm and safe

Sunday Morning at Seclairer

for my regular blog readers i posted these photos for my co workers to view, i'll blog later!

the first picture is the walk way for our patients, there are two and three foot drifts- not sure what is going to happen........ do we have a snow shovel anywhere????

the last picture is of my yard....... early this morning..... i have 4 and 5 foot drifts...

it has been years......

it has been years since i remember snow like this. the last time i can remember something like this, was January 4,1994. The day my Dad died, it was such a hard time figuring out how to get to my mom..... I almost ended up going with Larry on a snow mobile... however, i got a ride from my home to Saltsburg then from Saltsburg to Apollo, and then Apollo to Brownstown.

Because i live on top of a hill, there was a lot of wind and drifting~ some of the drifts went mid waist if not deeper. Thank goodness for Christina's husband Larry, he came up with his big farm tractor and plow, and got us dug out! He is such a wonderful guy. Chris and I are such lucky women having husbands like we do :) Even though there are days i don't want to even look in Bill's direction........guess i'll keep him.

This morning when Izzy first went out, she did a leap off the porch..... maybe thinking like Patti does, that one can walk on the snow...... however she went into a snow drift way over her head, she panicked and high tailed it back to the porch.... ( just what Patti did too) but after a little while, as noted in the picture above.........she was lovin it. :)

I think i am going to head back into my room, put in a movie, or curl up with a book. I've got supper in the crock pot...... it is going to be a nice day!

~~> honestly

not that i am not honest in my blog anyhow, But i guess i've had the lapband for ten months, and just now am understanding how it really works. Pizza at this point isn't even possible, not even a bite. I am not having problems with drinking fluids, or taking soft foods at all, so there isn't an issue there. They have told me all along that when the lapband is working, at least for a while, the stomach usually holds 1/2 to 1 cup of food.... this morning i made an omelet, using one egg, one egg white, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and 0.5 oz of Havarti cheese. i am weighing my food now, and my eggs weighed in at 5 oz., I ate 3 ozs. and had the "full feeling". lunch I ate 4 oz light yogurt, 1/4 cup of raspberries, and one Jello mousse pudding ( 2 oz). and i tolerated this quite well. IF I EAT TOO FAST, IF I DON'T CHEW MY FOOD WELL.... I THROW IT UP! and that is how it is. I told Christina that i am not going to exercise this week, as i let my body adjust to the decrease in calories, and i also told her that if i start dropping weight too fast... that i will go get a small adjustment (removal of fluid) my goal isn't and never has been to drop weight at high speed. Sometimes after an adjustment, if it is too tight, it is difficult to swallow liquids, that is obviously not a problem as i am taking in 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. i plan on taking an extra protein shake while i am adjusting too........ we shall see.
Well i am at work now, i brought my rotisserie in, Jeff one of my co workers brought in a duck, and i brought in a chicken. the duck was first..... don't know how Jeff talked me into trying this, but i tasted the heart, the gizzards and a bite of the duck....... not bad, Jeff said Duck is usually greasy, but by cooking it on the rotisserie, it seems to drain the grease as it cooks. my bites were the size of the finger nail on my pinky... and i chewed and chewed. the Chicken is cooking now, i'll eat about 2 oz of this, and i will eat my Greek yogurt. and when i get home, i'll make my protein shake......
We are supposed to get several inches of snow this weekend......... so i may not go anywhere :0) and that is okay by me.
Oh and Patti, in regards to your comment on my last blog entry, if you ever watched the movie Ground hog day........... that is what is Happening to Christina, she must be reliving New Years Eve...... over and over again,.. i know we are neighbors, but i've moved into February...honest

~> 4 to 6 ounces <~

This is a photo of my lunch, just to illustrate how much i am actually eating. This is a desert plate. and i have 4 oz of Whole wheat, Fire roasted vegetable lasagna with about 1/2 cup of salad using 3 cherry tomatoes and 1 tsp of Italian dressing. As soon as i finish my meal, i set my 3 hour timer on my watch, and i will not eat again until it goes off. And i am FULL!! i am not miserable and i am not having that "stuck", mouth filling up with saliva, feeling that i usually get. I must also eat very very slowly too. This morning i had one scrambled egg. couldn't even eat my yogurt with breakfast. Drinking fluids is NO PROBLEM, I had 5 glasses of water before noon. i also snuck on the scale and have dropped two more pounds, making a total of 9lbs since Thursday night when i weighed myself before my next day appointment. I figure i'll wait to exercise next week when my weight loss stabilizes, and maybe i'll be able to eat a little more. IF for some strange reason, i can't drink, or the amount of food i can digest decreases. I will call the office and make sure this is all cool. i am feeling good though.... speaking of which, I am heading to work soon, so i better get my butt in gear. dinner is going to be 4 oz of grilled fish and if i can 40z of mixed steamed veggies, or carrots and hummus...... maybe i should try carrots and hummus, because it has more calories and protein. and my 4 th meal will be 1/2 serving of my protein shake, with 1/2 cup of berries and 1 TBS of cold pressed flaxseed oil... .sounds good to me.

Getting "stuck" vs "sweet spot"

above is an illustrated photo of a Realize band in place, the upper pouch is what makes my new stomach, the food is then processed there and continues into the rest of the stomach, with a lapband there is no alteration in the digestive process as would be with a gastric bypass. the access port in which they adjust the tightness of the band is to the right of my abdomen just below my ribs. this is where they inject fluid to tighten the band. ... so when i go for "an adjustment" this is what i am getting done.
For reasons beyond my surgeon's office control, (two Physician assistants leaving, and one in a terrible car accident.) it has been about 6 months since my last adjustment. there are different kinds and makes of lapbands available. some hold as little as 4 cc's of fluid, these bands are tighter in the beginning, and people usually experience the "sweet spot" ( which in Lapband pt terms, means the point in which you are able to drink fluids with ease, and eat about a cup of food and then you get the full feeling) after the first or second adjustment. With the Realize band that I have, it holds 11 cc's of fluids. which is good that i have much more room for adjustment. However they told me on friday, it also takes several adjustments to find that "sweet spot". all these months when i'd eat and get that "stuck" feeling. I just assumed it was the "sweet spot". and i have decreased the amount of food i've drastically ingested. We went over what i am eating, and it is a really healthy balanced diet. and when i go on maintenance, it will be the perfect amount of calories ( 1600 -1700). However it was explained that the lapband isn't doing it's job if I can eat 6-8 oz of baked fish, 4-6 oz of veggies, and 4 oz of potato or rice, and 4 oz of sugar free pudding that ='s almost 22 oz of food which is about 3 cups of food......... seems like a lot when i look at it that way. The doctor that did my adjustment on Friday explained to me, that getting stuck does not mean finding the sweet spot. i can get the first bite stuck if i don't chew well. which makes sense. it will be one year in March. and I just found my sweet spot this weekend.
and it is amazing to finally understand what that means.
i can drink fine, i can chug 12 oz of water with no problem (sometimes a too tight band, and you cannot drink) HOWEVER to my surprise, i can eat only 6 to 8 oz of food at a meal. today we took the kids to get clothes and take them out for lunch, i ate chopped chicken and veggies that equaled about 6 oz's of food. I didn't experience pain or a stuck feeling, it just felt like i just enjoyed a thanksgiving dinner, and i could NOT take another bite. Supper today i ate 60z of greek yogurt but i could only eat less than 2oz of my grilled turkey burger. today was the first day i could eat something other than soft foods. and it worked fine. I ate dinner at 6pm, it is almost 10 pm and i am full, and i have no desire to eat before bed. I haven't had the stuck pain, or throw up urge. I must admit i had a miserable day yesterday..... my chest hurt from back to front... the doc said there are alot of nerves surrounding my stomach area, so when she deflated my band completely to check the fluid level, then she filled it back up aggressively (cc when they usually fill 1 cc at a time) that i may feel sore, but as long as fluids where going down, and if i did not throw up i would prob be okay. Because of her aggressive adjustment she told me if i threw up even once, i was to go directly to the ER. {{ yeah, didn't happen}}.
AND bottom line ... i've dropped 7 lbs since i weighed myself Friday morning before my appointment. :)
I KNOW that my calories are low, I know Vitamins are a must right now, and I know i must eat 4oz of protein before i eat the other food..... BUT i did get the lapband to help me lose weight. If i drop weight too quickly they will remove a little fluid, if i start to maintain again or even gain, they still have room to add more......... I love this decision i've made, and i am doing well.
I know this blog entry is quite boring, so hang in there. i had a couple people ask exactly what is the lapband, and what is an adjustment......... so i thought i'd just explain it here.
Love and Blessings, Think i'll drink a few more cups of water before i go to bed. Good Night

a calorie is NOT a calorie~a fat is NOT a fat

one of the main things i've been doing to prepare for the next leg of my weightloss journey is focusing and becoming more "mindful" on what i am eating again. so i started writing everything down, keeping track of calories, fat, protein, fiber and carbs. Now understand this is my opinion, and i am not a registered dietitian. But Calories in = Calories out (exercise, metabolism, activity level) is a crock of crap. 1000 calories worth of Twinkies is not the same as 1000 calories worth Salmon and steam veggies. By body will metabolize each meal totally differently, my glucose levels, pancreas, liver, kidneys and endocrine system will respond in different ways. many weightloss and diet websites use the percentage way of measuring just can't be accurate. In the morning when i take one tablespoon of cold packed Flaxseed oil that equals 11 grams of fat. will immediately throw my "balanced percentages" off not to mention the 1/4 cup of roasted organic sunflower seeds I have as an afternoon snack at 14 grams of fat. so with two small additions to my daily intake, i've already ingested 25 grams of fat. AGAIN 25 grams of this type of fat is NOT the same as 25 grams of fat coming from bacon, pastries, crackers and such. A "lowfat" diet is lost before my day even begins. Yesterday was a great day. my calories ended up 1700, and my protein intake ended up 100 grams, had 5+ servings of fruits and veggies ( need to increase that just a little, ) had 3 servings of the heart healthy fats, 4 servings of lowfat dairy. My 100 g of Protein came mainly from grilled fish, turkey breast, nuts. my Carbohydrates came from 100% whole wheat bread, and Light wraps, fruit and veggies. all good sources of fiber too :0).
Friday is my 3rd adjustment to the lapband, i haven't had an adjustment in 6 months, and i haven't even hit what they call the "sweet" spot yet. the adjustment i was supposed to have at the end of October, was supposed to help get to that spot. Dr. Mike left, and then the other doctor who does adjustments was in an accident....... and the waiting list for an adjustment was long..... So my goal is to eat the same foods. but instead of 1/4th cup of seeds, i'll eat an 1/8 cup . instead of 4 to 6 oz of salmon or tilapia, i'll eat 3 to 4 oz of tilapia. I had an extra meal last night which i did not need which gave me another 400 calories. I should realistically with the lapband stick to 4 meals a day. So my calories should decrease to about 1200 after the adjustment, and protein may go down to about 80 grams a day. a little low. but very dense in nutrition. and don't forget. Next year at this time i'd like to drop a good 50 to 75lbs more.
well enough of this chit chat.... looking forward to Friday. Christina, Megan and Paige are going to escort me to Pittsburgh. we will meet up with Jeanine and i am hoping to stop at Trader Joe's. a great day in Pittsburgh. even though "trader Joe's" isn't Katie's cup of tea, i wish she wasn't in school 5 days a week, cause she'd have fun too........ then it would be ALL the girls. not only is she in school full time, her work doesn't seem to understand she wanted to cut back on hours.. so friday she goes from school to work......... what a good girl

Christina Said....................

okay Christina, the woman that last wrote on her blog LAST YEAR just told me i needed to change my blog, she doesn't like clicking and seeing herself working out.......... So i guess i will :0).
I have been doing really well doing 4 meals daily....... i eat slowly, and i eat until i am full one meal is my protein shake with berries, two are my meals, and the fourth can be Greek yogurt, lowfat cheese, sugar free pudding... or something like that. in the 3-4 hours between meals i make sure to drink 3 glasses of Water.
Our big screen TV in the living room died this weekend, my brother Johnny gave it to Us about 7 years ago, and he had it a few years before that....... i didn't even skip a beat. for some reason it didn't bother me much. I brought the television out from my bedroom to the living room. and for the first time since i can remember, i do not have the TV in my bedroom. and i can't say that i am missing it....... I am a reader, so when i go to bed, i read a while, and then fall quickly asleep... and i've slept quiet well for two days in a row. I am not sure why I've been having really vivid funky Dreams that i have NO idea why i am dreaming them, and wonder even more why i remember them when i wake up. Last night i dreamt , i was raising my kids in my childhood home, and in the dream we had a GIANT cat living in our basement.......... and when i say giant, i mean Clifford the big red dog size Giant...... 30 feet long..... and every time my boys and i had to get in the car, the cat would try and smash us............. what is up with that???
Tuesdays are my long days at work, so i'll be getting home later tonight. It is so nice to have a job to go to that i do not mind....... there is NO stress!!!! I love it !!! I don't go until 330, so i'd like to get the house clean and in order. i should get down to CM Gym. and get a shower too......
Oh and one other thing poor Patti is now going to have Verizon........ which means..... i can talk and talk and talk and talk......... poor girl..... Look out
Have a great day... I AM Going down to the gym........... that has to be a priority.
I'll come back and clean..........
see you later

~country meadows gym~

Well, our very own private "gym" in our back yards. and i must admit, Christina and I worked our A** off. Funny how much learning from Johnny has stuck in our minds. we have a treadmill, and elliptical, and weight machines and benches and free weights, and exercise balls and exercise bands A huge TV and the ability to do many exercise videos, yoga and dance. I think we are set :0).

I think you are going to hear more about my weight loss journey than normal on the blog. just because i am switching gears a little higher, as i am heading into the next "mile" of my journey.

past couple weeks i began to really pay attention to my eating again...... being mindful of how what when and where i eat. Me working at Doctor Chaudhary's office is keeping me an honest girl LOL.

Yesterday's food was the berry shake in the AM

Lunch was grilled turkey burger ( homemade and pre frozen so i just pull out and cook) mixed veggies steamed (cauliflower, pea pods, carrots) light yogurt with mixed berries

Supper was a light wrap 90 calories 9 grams of fiber, turkey breast, 1 slice of bacon, crisp, tomato's, onion, 1 slice of LF Cheddar, and light mayo oh and a few black olives.

I was "allowed one more meal.......... but i didn't get to it........ and i was not hungry.

I made the men...... "oat meal" pancakes. my x mother in law sent me some "powder" made up and i just added eggs, oil and water. a relative of hers has heart disease, and these are what he eats..... they are made with oats, whole wheat flour, Cinnamon, some brown sugar, and some powdered milk..... and maybe cream of tarter, and maybe some soda...... it makes 10 cups of mix. and is stored in an airtight contain, and you use it as you need it. Bill and Drew Loved them. Bill said when he could normally eat 8 pancakes....... he could only do 2. and he wasn't hungry later on in the evening either. the left overs i froze, and i can take one out, warm it up, put some almond butter on it, or some fruit, or some peanut butter and there is a quick high fiber healthy breakfast ( hi Patti, love ya)

Speaking of Patti...... this girl lives so far away and i must say she is one of my dearest and best friends. just knowing her helps me to stay on tract. Thanks Patti.

Well i should get going............ didn't do a thing at home, but hey got my exercise in, that is way more important. have lunch made ( refried bean/ green chile's/chipolte seasons/ shredded cheese baked in oven. i'll then add a dollop of light sour cream and chopped tomato's on it at work. more mixed steamed veggies. and a light yogurt or sugar free chocolate pudding (*the only sugar free thing i eat )

Have a great weekend everyone.......

Transitions

Dr. Chaudhary is really looking into the over all health of his patients, mentally, emotionally, physically. He has and is in the process of looking into the decline of nutrition in the human population. He is a psychiatrist, he believes in pharmaceutical medicine BUT he refuses to just throw these medications on his patients, He wants to show them what is out there, he believes in DBT therapy, and yoga, and mindfulness, and exercise, most Americans when given a blood test are deficient in many vitamins and minerals now.. the big study out there now is Vitamin D. which they are saying is almost a hormone in keeping the body working. Well i recently started taking the multi vitamin, vitamin D and the Calcium....... these are all isotonic formulas that work with my lap band ( they quickly bypass my stomach, and go directly to the small intestines where they are processed for the body. With the Lap Band i find that early mornings are harder for me to take food in. So i started doing a protein shake...... (much better than nothing). When i saw the "numbers" on this shake, it shocked me. Surprisingly most shakes have minimal if any dietary fiber in them, and for instance the Slim Fast Optima Powder has 2 grams of protein it.

Here are the numbers for 5 types of powder containers i had in my home... (and yes after i did this i threw them away. except the muscle milk and the transitions. I am just giving my opinion and i am just reading the numbers........ not meaning to offend any company.

Slimfast Optima

calories 110

fat 1.5

carbs 18

fiber 5

sugar 6

protein 2

EAS soy protein

calories 170

fat 1.5

carbs 19

fiber 0

sugar 17

protein 20

Curves Shake

calories 115

fat 1.5

carbs 10

fiber 1

sugar 5

protein 15

Muscle Milk

calories 195

fat 6

carbs 11

fiber 1

sugar 2

protein 25

Transitions

calories 200

fat 6

carbs 18

fiber 10

sugar 2

protein 18

now i did not include the liquid, (milk, water, soy) and i didn't deduct the fiber from the Carbs. as fiber does Nothing but travel through the body collecting floaty things such as cholesterol and carry them out the body..

In the morning i take this protein shake (chocolate) with 8 oz of skim milk, and 1/2 cup of frozen berries. i put this in my Bullet blender... and it is delicious. i could use ice, frozen 1/3 of a banana, frozen spoon of almond butter. frozen pineapple chunks i can use the vanilla with a frozen apple and dash of Cinnamon.... so many idea's.

This DOES keep the hunger away for a good 3 or 4 hours. , and i must say that my intestines are getting used to starting my morning with such a great fiber number. If you do protein shakes, this is definitely worth investigating. :0).

I so need a lap band adjustment. I CANNOT EAT FAST ANYMORE but i notice i can eat a little more that i used to but slowly... but not nearly like i ate even 3 years ago.

We have Country Meadows Gym up and running.......... i've been there twice. and my body notices it. i miss my woods........ and i am ready for that.

I need to step back, focus..... and tweak myself, cause i would really like to lose as close to the last 75 lbs by New Years Eve 2010, that would mean it took me 4 years to lose the weight that was killing me........ going on 4 years now........ WOW....

well i am heading out the door in a few to head to work....... make it a great day.

~ my JEEP ~

This is the first JEEP that i have ever owned, and i don't think I'll drive anything else but a Jeep from now on. This little Jeep Compass does beautifully in the snow, sleet, rain, ice...... haven't even had to use 4 wheel drive yet. It has some kind of electronically computed steering.. so if the steering wheel is steering left........ and my car starts to go right..... it fixes itself. sometimes i can feel the tires do something , i can sorta tell i am sliding on ice, but i haven't fishtailed yet. something about positive traction....... so if one tire starts to slip..... the control is taking away from it and put on the tires that have the traction....... Now how in the heck do they make it do that. :0). Well needless to say for the past 4 evenings, coming home from work, i've experienced lots and lots of snow and ice on the roads. oh an other safety feature that the car has, which by the way Bill hates. Is when you take the foot off the gas, the Jeep automatically begins the stopping process...... so if you want to take your foot off and just coast, it ain't gonna happen. So Thursday night, driving home i realized i was coming down the hill on ice a little too fast... i knew i couldn't put on the breaks without skidding... must admit i was nervous.... but as i started down the hill, the car started to slow down without me putting on the breaks..... it was at that moment... after years of having a van, and missing my mini van........ that a new love was established....... and i realized....... I LOVE MY JEEP!!!
So Bill, Katie, Sam and I went early this morning to get groceries, take care of Bill's mom. and then we went to the Drs. Office to clean that building. Sammy does help speed the cleaning process.... yes he can be a help when he wants too , We made it home at 3pm...... the only place i plan on going in the next day or two is to Johnny's IF he is going to be there. it's been so long since we went there, i do need him there to "remind" me what to do again.
I think i am going to leisurely put my house in order, and put in a movie........ and chill.......
Have a great day folks.....

Who Forgot to tell God!!!

Where does time go? This picture was taken when i was 4 years old, wow that was almost 20 years ago ;0) *wink!!! okay okay, this picture was taken almost 39 years ago this May.
I should give a blog update. I have been happily busy at work. I've been getting home no earlier than 7 pm all week. This was the first week i got to speak with patients as a "future" wellness coach. and i am loving it! The Doctor spoke with me yesterday and he is pleased with how things are working out. I am seeing this direction more clearly...... it was a vague vision 3 years ago when I made a promise to Melody, my angel in Heaven. and it has always been dormant in the deep corners of my mind ever since.
Now, may i please ask? Who forgot to tell God, that our world is supposed to be going through a global warming. I think when it snowed during the Global Warming Summit in Copenhagen, and Obama had to leave early to deal with DC Snow storms........ i should have known then and there that God has a sense of humor, and he isn't afraid to use it. It has been snowing daily for over a week now. the temperature hangs around 20 degrees but doesn't mind dipping in the teens. they are talking about most of US being blanketed in snow and freezing temperatures... and Meteorologist aren't just sure when we are going to get a decent break. I do not mind Winter. And actually i agree 100 % that we need to take care of our beautiful world, The World is and will always be forever changing... that is just how it is!
With me being so busy, I must say Bill has really taken on the home, and he is doing it with a smile, and yes i call him when i leave for work so that he can time me and make sure i don't get stranded in these snowy/icy/blizzardy roads. I walk in the door to a hot cup of coffee and a hot bath ready. gee, we are going on 9 years of marriage, ....... that would have warn off if it was going to right? We do not have a perfect marriage........ But we do have a great marriage. You know my life isn't always easy, and I've been through a lot. Even the crumbling of my first marriage when i was so devastated..... BUT i choose to take what God Gives me...... and i decide to make it a joy and blessing, it is just how i am, and how I always will be...... i got it from my mother. That woman loved life....... and even when God took her best thing in the world early ( my Dad, died when he was 52) She mourned........ and loved.......... and mourned...... and smiled. she never got bitter, or angry or hateful. And she somehow found the blessings that God gave her, and reminded me about them all the time..... Mom followed Dad 6 years later........ I sure do miss her. Christina will verify the joy my mom's face gave, even on her dying days ... as she was able to visit her before she died
Well I am not sure how i got on that subject......... wasn't planning too. but my Dad died on Jan 4, 1994 when the weather was just like it is now.... i had a heck of a time getting to my mom because the roads were so bad... wow 16 years ago,
So my first husband left me when i had 3 children ages 4 to 8, my dad died when he was 52, my mom died when she was 58.... i have a wedding picture of me and my first husband and my mom and dad... i remember looking at it shortly after mom died........ and it hit me..... at that moment, those where the MOST important people in my world...... And I lost them all in a period of 6 years!!! i think that would be enough to make someone pretty depressed. But God Blessed me, and it is only by his Grace..... that i didn't look at life that way..... it was by God's Grace that I got a second Chance for a wonderful marriage...... and it is by God's Grace that I have a Happy Marriage, (* even though my dearest friends know how there i times i want to sew his eyes and mouth shut, lol i am just saying)
Yes it is all by God's Grace.............

2010

Pretty good start to a new year, a new decade. it has been a nice and relaxing couple of days. I think i mentioned to Christina, i've had too many nice relaxing days, i am beginning to feel lazy. She reminded me to just enjoy it, cause usually i am so busy i don't have time to just chill!!! Spoke with Johnny, he wants me to just do low impact Cardio this week. and start with him on Sunday, Christina was thrilled with this info, as she just isn't ready this weekend for Johnny. So Cardio it will be..... i will do the eliptical today for 15 minutes. my muscles are not as sore today as they have been the past few days. I think johnny thinks i tried to put to much in ~too quickly, trying to make up for lost time. that is why he told me to just do Cardio this week.
I went back on my blogs from a couple years, it was a reminder on how far i have really come. I haven't made the usual "lose weight" new year resolutions for the past couple of years.... didn't need to since i am just living it every day. two new years ago, my nephew Alex had just died that Thanksgiving, and my nephew Michael was at deaths door.. any new years resolution would have just been trivial, Last new year.... i was well on my way getting ready for the Lapband, i was heading to Pittsburgh on an almost weekly basis participating in the intense program preparing for the Lapband surgery. I also looked back in my ancient journal beside my bed, you know the type that uses pen and paper. it was during this time that i found out who my true friends were...... funny the two i thought would cause problems about my decision (hi Christina and Patti) were the ones that became my greatest supports, and they remain such today. The one Friend who i though would support me, smashed me down immediately... i'll never forget the day i told her.... she yelled at me, and i mean yelled at me telling me that i was taking the easy way out, i was no longer the team player.... and i was leaving her behind. .. I was devastated, and although the friendship tried to survive...... the damage was done... and after much discussion with my Wellness Coach/ Phycologist who was assigned to me through the program in Pittsburgh. i came to realize that all friendships aren't meant to last a life time... and some are here for a short season... it does not diminish the value of that friend... and I learned that all friendships are not healthy.......... there is no blame, some personalities just clash. oh i will not lie and say i don't think about this old friend, or that i don't remember the wonderful times we had. But for me, it was just too much work, and the lapband is a big part of who i am right now........and i can't and would not change my decision for having the Lapband surgery. . . . this journey has been so much fun. . . Christina disagrees with me ALOT, but she will always be my friend no questions asked. and i pretty much think even though Patti lives in Arizona and Kellie lives in Ohio.... they'll always be my friends..... i just know this :0)!!! New friends will come, old friends will go...... that is just life.
So the LapBand was a big thing in 2009, and made many changes in my life. The other BIG thing in 2009 was getting a job at S'eclairer. this too is making drastic changes in my life, and i see God using me for wonderful things....... the Wellness Coach, the Nutrametrics Vitamins and Transition weight loss program, the DBT training....... Dr. Chaudhary.... all awesome things in my life.
I am looking forward to 2010, i think i'll lose the last big chunk of my weight.. this spring i plan on getting a Bike........ and Biking to work several days a week....... i'd like to do more hiking... and more outdoor events.......... it's gonna be a good year.

Dear 2009,

Dear 2009,
It has been a pleasure knowing you, although at times you made my life stressful, you have been a dear friend that will not be forgotten. Thank you for giving me the gift of the LapBand... it has been a fun journey, and a journey that has just begun.( thanks for taking those extra pounds so far, you can keep them) You also provided me with this really cool job, with so much potential and promise. yeah i realize you also brought a Strike that lasted 3 months, any you brought a loss of a son whom belonged to me for 5 years. Your friendship caused a financial struggle at times. But there wasn't a day that i didn't want to greet you, and when i went to bed, i never wished you gone. I know that our time is about up, and it is just a fact of life, i cannot be your friend much longer, you see a new friend is coming tomorrow, he is 2010, oh the plan's i have for him :o). But i cannot keep you both. oh i know people who will try to keep you..... but living in the past just is a waste of time for me. This is a sad day for many, it feels like an ending. it is a happy day for many because they may be glad to leave you behind. I am neither happy or sad. what i do feel is content........ i am at peace with you my dear friend, and i thank you for that. oh although I will not see you anymore, please know that a part of you will always be with me because so much good has happened in my life since i met you. Well 2009 It is time that i get going. one more thing, Thank you for the beautiful last morning you gave me, I woke up to a blanket of fluffy snow........ what a nice gift.

With Fond Memories,
Yours truly,

Sandi

Wellness Coach/Vera Bradley/no connection

Katie and my niece Ashley went shopping today and picked me up a Vera Bradley tote...... as you see in photo above. those who know me, know that i like BIG purses and totes. this one is perfect, the pockets on the side are wide enough to easily hold my 32 oz water bottles. i am quite happy and pleased with the design and the style and colors.... they did great.
So I've been doing a lot of checking things out, talking to my brother, and the office manager. i plan on getting Certification in Wellness Coaching/ Life Coaching. i am looking at online courses, as well as looking into some local collages that may have this. I can do this with a Nursing background as well as the courses I've taken for DBT training. i am excited but also realize that i am going to have to step up my own Wellness a notch. The best teacher is by example. And I do believe i have a wonderful start. i'd like to eventually get a personal training certification but that will be after i finish my last 75 lbs. i am in no hurry, but i do see myself going in this direction, i am being pulled in this direction. I did my workout on Monday, and today, and my body hurts.. ALOT. I plan on getting back up to Johnny soon too, and when we can coordinate my men and Christina's men we should get the gym up and running first of the year....
Well speaking of wellness, I am feeling so good, can i say it is the vitamins? maybe, esp if they are being utilized in my body and not sent away with my waste, but i will say this, i just went through having my "bad time of the month", and it wasn't bad. i noticed I've been happier, have more energy, had no need for my Migraine preventative medication this week,....... I just know that God has this brilliant idea for me, I just don't know all of it yet, so i just go with the flow, and accept that God Knows what he is doing, and i only have the as you need to know basis.
Well i am really into Harry Potter again, so i think i am going to head to bed and read book 6. i made homemade bread, and a huge pot of Holiday ( Italian wedding soup) Soup, that everyone devoured. my kids are content to be home, and i am content to have them home...
I think i will just rejoice in this moment......... Good night to all

Christina's View

Okay, I know you gotta be tired of seeing the view from my hill, so the other day i went to Christina's porch, when everything was icy and took a photo from her house..... ain't it pretty?

I had a wonderful Christmas, i would say almost picture perfect. Now the kids don't get up before the Sun to open presents, so when Albert got here at 8 am, we opened gifts, and I made Breakfast, French Toast, Sausage, Bacon in the rotisserie, Hash browns, and cut up Oranges....... yummy...... The kids were thrilled with everything they got. And Katie was not her normal moody self :0). What was really cool this year, The kids were so excited watching each other open the gifts they got for them. Even Sammy has been coming to help me clean so he could pay for really cool Penguin shirts for Katie and Andrew. Andrew pulled out his "dusty" money to purchase everyone a gift ( he got Bill and I a Red Lobster gift card, which we used today) He told me a couple weeks ago that it was so exciting anticipating us opening gifts from him, than anticipating what he got....... welcome to the Christmas Spirit Drew) my children are growing up and i am so so proud of them. beside a great dinner, my favorite gifts were a Columbia jacket and a Pocket knife, yes you heard me, a pocket knife....... I joke with Christina that it will someday come in handy when i am out in the woods during one of our hikes... you never know. i am an odd girl of sorts, give me a pocket knife, kitchen appliances, warm hiking socks (g0t those too) and I am thrilled..... Jewelry, fancy clothes and that kind of stuff just isn't for me. Oh i also got the book Blindsided, based on the new movie, and the Harry Potter Movie........ which i've watched twice already. Well i am going to get going for now, i work tomorrow, and Tuesday. but then i'll be off for the next six days. I certainly have not over done it with the eating, and i even did my squats, lunges, and exercise band...... but in all honesty, i am not exercising how i am normally used to. so I am going to start documenting what i do, and i am not waiting for the first of the year.... I start tomorrow :o)

Have a great day, and Many Blessings

Let Us Not Forget.

For Unto Us a Child is Born, Unto Us a Son is Given: And the Government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 6)

During this awesome family time, filled with laughter, good food, presents, old movies, Christmas music playing in the back ground, lights and color and trees. i must remember the reason for my Joy. I would not be this happy without the Birth of this beautiful baby. and i know that life isn't easy, but i do KNOW , that i never have to be alone during the storms in my life. And i thank God for His wonderful gift to Us.

I think i told Patti, or Christina, not sure which one, I am so happy and content right now, i don't even think anti depressant medication works this way...... i almost think that maybe somebody is slipping me something... Maybe it is those high quality vitamins that i seem to tolerate very well. maybe it is me learning so much about living in the moment without dwelling on past or present at my office.... I quit wondering, i think i'll just enjoy :0)

Yesterday after work Bill Sam and I ran to the Mall to see if Sammy's phone could get fixed (easy fix) well at one point, i accidentally bumped into this man, and He gave me such a dirty look, bill joked that i didn't have a licence to walk....... the man had such a mean look on his face, I said to Bill..... "leave the miserable man alone, and then i looked at him and said, Sorry you are so grumpy, but Merry Christmas and God Bless. He turned away!! I wasn't mad, I just was sad for a moment, looking around seeing so many miserable people going through the motions.... How so sad to go through life like this, face it folks, we only live once, and the world is going to continue to spin whether we are content or miserable.... it is your choice.

My wish is that we can all find and experience our own peace in our lives..... ( i do not say perfection, i say peace)

Have a Merry Christmas, And May God Bless Us All, Everyone!!!

No Wagon for Me

my dearest friend Patti, has this thing about the statement " i fell off the wagon..." when talking about a health and weight loss plan. And i was one of those people who "used" to fall off the wagon ALL the time, at holiday's, kids birthdays, my birthday, the weekend, I'd fall off the wagon when i was happy or sad, content or frustrated...........weight watchers,....... fall off the wagon. South beach......fall off the wagon. Slim fast........ fall off the wagon..... Dang I was getting bruised falling off that Wagon so much!!!! So HOW does one fix that? actually it is quite easy. 2 and 1/2 years ago, i decided to NOT get on the wagon anymore! Now that doesn't mean I don't have setbacks, of course i do. but you see I am on this path, this journey.... sometimes i speed along this path to better health and weight loss....... but sometimes I walk really slow, and just enjoy the "walk". 2 years ago, I spent almost 2 weeks in the hospital ( not consecutive weeks). had a tough time walking and breathing at the same time, I was ALWAYS sick. i had stomach problems. I was 40 years old and had the body and health of a 70 year old. On so many medications, steroids every other month, inhalers, antibiotics, antihistamines............ i had NO energy.... Well I haven't been in the hospital since that decision to get off and stay off the damn wagon. I've dropped 100 pounds, might have used the inhaler two or three times during peak allergy season out in the woods ( with Christina's encouragement) haven't needed steroids or antibiotics, or other medications for a couple of years. Now during this journey... there have been month long stints where i stayed the same weight..... might even gain one or two during PMS.... but they come back off. I have 75 more pounds to lose, I am figuring another year or two to lose that....... but i don't have a time frame for it........

it is the holiday season......... and yes I've eaten a cookie or two, or three. but it is a decision that i make. and i am picking and choosing. Like for instance, they had a Pizza party at work yesterday, i chose NOT to participate i packed my Fish and Greek yogurt and Sugar free 60 calorie Jello Mousse and cherry tomato's. I did not have one bit of pizza, and i feel i didn't miss out on anything. it is just a decision to remain in control during the holiday season........ and let me tell you, i am surrounded by yummy baked goods, and such at the office. and if i do indulge in a piece, i make sure it is a favorite, i am not just going to eat cause it is there. will i lose weight this month? maybe/maybe not. will I gain weight this holiday month, prob not :0)

Before and After

BEFORE

look at this kitchen, after making 9 dozen sugar cookies, and a rotisserie turkey breast with ALL the trimmings, and three kids decorating the sugar cookies, all of this at the same time.... not sure what hit my kitchen.
But no fear, it cleans up easy.

AFTER:

i looked at the kitchen and didn't even get upset, all five of Us pitched in, and then i finished it up in the morning. Yes Bill does dishes, actually with my work schedule he has been doing them quite often. He is a good hubby. This week i work today from 4pm to 8pm and tomorrow 10am to 3 pm, and then i am off for 5 days :0), I do not mind going to work, but i am really looking forward to Christmas this Year. and having 5 days off.
Well I don't want to spend too much time on this computer, I don't get the house to myself too often, so i am going to crank the volume up on my Christmas Music, and clean. so when i come home from work tonight, it will all be done.......

First Snow

I went to bed last night to green, and woke up to White, and let me tell you, the snow hasn't stopped yet. Bill, Katie and I went for groceries early this morning, and my Jeep did wonderful, and i didn't even need the four wheel drive. .. the wheels have something called positive traction, where the wheels spin according to the surface, i can't explain it, even though there where a few spots where it felt like we slid, the car maneuvers straight as possible, and doesn't " fishtail". Home now and trying to do Boogie Man Bill wings in the rotisserie instead of Bill being out on the grill, i think it might work!
We had a meeting at work yesterday, and the Doctor has great great plans for me, If God agrees with him, then I see a great future as i am going to get trained in being a Health Coach, And i have several patients that are already interested in speak to me..... I Know i will be okay, cause I know God will bless me, as i give this endeavour totally to Him.... I must have Faith, if God takes me to it, He'll see me through it!!!
Well i am going to go get going and do some laundry, and house work, we are invited to a friends for a Christmas gathering and Christmas Caroling....... tomorrow morning I'll go clean my office, and spend the rest of the day chilling, Not sure if we are going to Johnny's or not, and Monday Bill and I should finish up with our shopping......
Have a beautiful and safe weekend...... blessings to you.

Don't sweat the small stuff ~>

it is either i am getting older (which i am). Or my work environment is rubbing off on me ( which it is). But i am really getting the hang of not sweating the small stuff. three mornings ago, we woke up to our Christmas Tree down, ornaments, lights and tinsel strewed every where, I didn't even blink...... I am like oh....... tree is down, wonder if it was an act of nature, i.e. cat or dog. or if it just happened? of course we couldn't leave a 12 foot tree lying in the middle of our living room, Bill and I managed to get it back up, very crooked i might add. I just put the displaced ornaments on the coffee table, as Bill and I both needed to get ready for work. So after a long day at work, Bill the Kids and I attempted to get the tree straightened up and in its place.. just when we thought it would work..........it fell again. The boys thought it was hilarious. It is a beautiful tree, and is still quite fresh, but why even bother with this hassle. So i made an executive decision (cause lets face it, if the woman in the house, isn't happy, nobody is happy) since the "men" wouldn't dare suggest this........ lets take the tree down. They were thrilled that we weren't going to spend the late night hours trying to get the tree resurrected. Sammy went over to my little Christmas Village, and placed a tree, with our tree topper, and placed it on the presents, i took a picture with my phone, and used the "embossed" button which i playing with since i found this feature last night. so you could see how cute


can you make out the tiny tree, huge star on top of the presents?

I have been so busy at work the past few days, and i have not been able to leave the office until 7 or 8 at night for the last few nights. lots and lots of paper work. But you know what? I am really feeling okay, sleeping well, getting up at 6am and starting again. I have not felt any major fatigue, no head aches.... I am enjoying the moment, appreciating the moment, and enjoying the holiday season, Christmas day will come, and i will wish Jesus Happy Birthday and rejoice in what i have, mainly my family.... everything else is secondary.... what my menu is , what the presents are, what my schedule is. Christmas day Albert's parents usually do the dinner, so i'll provide Brunch...... and Bill and I will spend the day chilling, i'll watch Videos and read.... sip tea....... and be Thankful.......While the kids come and go.... ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!

~THE CHRISTMAS TREE~

For some reason, My daughter and I think that a bigger tree the better, this tree is huge..... when Bill and the Boys set it in the tree stand and stood it up, It did NOT fit by 2 feet.... so we cut to fit, it is prob 11 to 13 feet, as it just makes it to the peak of our Cathedral ceiling. I have no rhyme or reason as to how I decorate it, it is color and history. Ornaments that have been passed down through the years, some from when i was a little girl, ornaments that the kids made from preschool / up. To be honest, i don't think i'll ever have a tree with a theme....... cause it just isn't me, and i couldn't imagine not using these ornaments. I love the holiday season, and as i keep telling my kids, I am my mother's daughter........ i love decorating, i love baking cookies, and listening to Christmas carols all day, i love snow and cold and twinkling lights. This Sunday we will bake Sugar Cookies, and my kids will " make me happy" and go along with it... and help decorate the cookies... ( i've been doing that since I was 4 years old....... why stop now! Now when December 25th is over........ I will be ready to take it all down, and re organize my house again.... i've always been that way.

So briefly let me tell you how yesterday at work went. Yesterday was the first day that i actually saw patients, and i was nervous, and it went great.... as usual my instinct kicked in and i felt comfortable, and it was nice to "visit" with real human beings, and not hide away with paperwork, forms, computers and phones. I also have about 4 or 5 patients that the doctor wants me to "evaluate" for the Wellness program, we will prob get that up and running after the holidays....... keep this in prayer, as I feel that this is the direction that i am meant to go. I can't wait to check in and let you know how these vitamins are working for me, the isotonic form which bypass the sitting in the stomach, and goes directly to the first part of the small intestines where it is absorbed, is really a bonus for me and the Lap Band, I am looking forward to see if it works, and if i notice a difference in my overall wellness.

Now i am going to close this entry, with a picture of OLD Boy Louie, who loves to sleep under the tree, isn't he just so cute.........

i might be Nervous....

I think i just might be a little nervous, and under some stress, I am seeing patients today. The doctor wants me to work Tuesday evenings with him, and while i am with him, he wants me to see pts and do medication checks, which i can do under my scope of practice, i just never have before~ we talked about this before, I think it was in June. but it never transpired, which I think is God's way of saying I am not ready, and i need to get more comfortable with my job. Again like everything in my life, i am putting this in God's hands, and i am trying (notice i said trying) not to be nervous knowing that what will be, will be. I am content sitting in my little office and doing the paper work, and talking to pts and insurances on the phone, But i also love being with people, that i just may like this too. Christina said i always do this, i get nervous, and then i come back and tell her how great it went, and i always ask her ........." why was i nervous in the first place?"
I started on the NutraMetric vitamins last week, so i am anxious to see if I notice a difference in a few weeks. I know that for me now, Vitamins are really important, mainly because I am not eating as much food right now. My lapband is working exactly how it is supposed to, and actually if i did have an appointment, i couldn't have an adjustment anyhow....... I am NOT sure how this worked... Maybe it has just been a "God Blessing" and he thought he'd help it along so i didn't lose control over the holidays........ which by the way.... i am not even close to losing control.
and i am happy with this. I did attempted to get up to see Johnny my trainer brother on Sunday morning, however, Ice covered roads prevented me from making it up there, but Christina and I tried. Johnny wants us to try really hard to get up there next Sunday...... the majority of people, want to "start fresh at the first of the year" he thinks we should not wait.
I had a wonderful but very busy weekend..... and i just want to say I have 5 brothers and 1 sister. we are all different and i just adore everyone of them. My mom and dad had to be in heaven on Saturday watching us, and laughing..... and being so proud of the family they raised.
Well I should get going, i want to pack my dinner, do a load of laundry, vacuum my floor, feed the dogs, and put something in the crock pot before i leave at 3:30 today......
Have a blessed Day..................

.....The meeting

I've been so busy today, went to work, came home and left again to do errands. The meeting went really really well, and i see a great future in this direction. does that mean tomorrow? No, does it mean next month, No, who knows when? When it is right, it will be right to launch a comprehensive wellness program from our office. The Doctor feels that the future of doctors, health care, and insurance companies, is going to be wellness and preventative measures. That is why he not only orders psychiatric medications for his patients, but he has them look at the entire picture of wellness, because if you are stressed, tired, lacking proper nutrition, lacking skills to cope with Everyday living, these increase the likelihood of Mental Illness, Depression, Anxiety etc. Now there is so much to get into, and i will over time explain everything eventually. But i will slow down just a little......... ;0) Right now he is looking into finding and studying the effects of proper vitamins and nutrients for Us, that help the body be at its best. The Company he is looking at: (nutraMetrics) have vitamins that are delivered in an Isotonic form, which is what i need having the Lapband Surgery. i am forever trying to find Chewable and Gummies that work with me, knowing full well, that my body isn't processing and metabolizing much of these. Vitamins, in an isotonic form i put in water ~ drink~pass quickly through the stomach~ and begin to metabolize in the small intestines (i think the first 10 to 12 inches of the small intestines is where most of the nutrients are broken down and metabolized) Well anyhow......... i'll try them and let you know if i feel a difference( for my other lapband followers) okay again more about that later. This is what the Doctor sees in my future..... i would be the wellness coach/ advocate. pt's that show an interest in weight loss, or an interest in proper nutrition, exercise, healthy living...... would come and see me, and I would help tailor a plan just for them., there is so much more to this...... But patients may feel more comfortable talking to a person that has been extremely morbidly obese, who has "tried" everything, who has dealt with the emotional issues of being heavy, and who is still in the process of losing weight. I think this may have more acceptance, than if the wellness weight loss advocate is a size 3, was a size 3 and will always be a size 3. ...... BUT the bottom line, and truly the ONLY line. I do feel that God wants me to go in this direction, I want to help people release the bonds of Obesity, and poor health, and poor self image ......so they too, can someday fly with the Eagles!! God Here I am........... Send Me!!!
There is so much going on right now, and I have put it into God's Hands........
I will love to incorporate losing my last 75 lbs while i am working to get the wellness program launched. How exciting is that....
I am tired, and think I am ready for bed....... Have a great night, and God Bless Your day tomorrow.

OPPORTUNITIES

This morning I have a meeting at work, not quite sure what it is about, but it has to do with some nutritional counseling, i've known since i started at S'eclairer that someday i would be used in some form of counseling, to help people deal with obesity. I am not sure this is the time, therefore i put it in God's hands, and when IT works out........IT WILL BE THE TIME!!! I think i'd do okay at it, yes i have about 75 lbs more to lose, But yes I've lost way over 75lbs. and i have since learned we are all different, and we need different tools to help direct someone to better health, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig,South Beach, Curves, Calorie King, Xenical, Slim Fast, and yes even the Lapband, all can work...... IF you work with it, they all succeed, and they all fail. It has been a long journey but i also realized that as soon as I accepted myself for being Me, obesity and All, and as soon as i realized that there isn't a "time frame" to better health..... the easier it was for me to make small changes. Even with the LapBand, I quickly learned that it will NOT work if you do not work with it, it is nothing more than a tool to help with the weight loss journey. In a way i am sorta glad that I didn't get an "adjustment" before the holidays, i think it was God's way of telling me........ "Sandi girl, get a grip, this is your journey and not the lapband's" i think for a while there, NO, i KNOW that for a while there i was eating over the lapband so to speak, but after i realized i wasn't going to get an adjustment, i knew i better start mindfully listening to my hunger, the lapband, and how i was eating. And i must say right now i am doing dang good. and it seems since i stopped eating or trying to eat the simple carbohydrates, my lapband seemed to kick in. like i said yesterday, i am able to eat less than a cup of food at a meal. and i am eating 4 meals a day....... muscle shake, lunch, supper, Greek yogurt.
Speaking of which, Bill and I went to eat at a Restaurant we never tried Pugleano's, it was the best food i've had anywhere!!!! Bill kept saying so too. We shared a Crab cake, it was all Crab and just a touch of bread crumbs..... and i had a cup of Creamed Crab and Asparagus soup. and my dinner was Jumbo scallops Au gratin ( broiled with olive oil, garlic, bread crumbs and Romano cheese.) and i had a side of garlic mashed potato's I gave Bill half of my scallops and enjoyed the rest, had a few bites of the mashed potato's. i was stuffed. you see, i did not concern myself with a Lowfat/low calorie meal such as grilled chicken salad with light dressing.... eating like that all the time is a precursor to failure. Instead i enjoyed a very small amount of delicious rich creamy foods and left very satisfied. this has been my moto since before i had the lapband.
Well, I am sure lucky to have Christina to talk to sometimes, she's the bestest friend ever :::: ;0)
Thanks for listening to my dilemma,
Have a great day today