Eating, anyone?

So this week has been a bit frustrating in general. I decided to make sure I am eating more healthfully so I invested in some tofu, soy beans, and soy nuts. In case you are not familiar, soy is the only food outside of meat that contains COMPLETE protein so it is a good choice to replace meat. I'm not becoming a vegetarian, per se, but since most meat makes my stomach feel funny, I have been avoiding it. The problem is that the one thing I am REALLY supposed to be trying to get in my diet is protein. Without meat, I've been trying to use soy to supplement. Boca burgers...um...well, they're not bad, but put them on a bun with cheese, lettuce, and other condiments to eat them. Don't have them like a hamburger steak as I did. You'll miss the ground beef. LOL! I haven't tried the straight tofu, but I did have some of the edamame (soy beans). I followed the instructions on the bag and boiled them in a water with a little bit of salt. Then I dressed them with bleu cheese crumbles and blue cheese dressing. Unfortunately, edamame contains a lot of fiber which also made my stomach hurt. I liked the taste, but I may need to watch that I get that in moderation.

So I told my roommate that maybe I should just live on protein shakes and multivitamins. She didn't seem to think it was a good idea. Hehe... Guess I'll just keep trying.

The Hard Way

More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. --Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Ever notice how some of us only seem to learn things the hard way? I am one of those people. I have been trying to learn to eat healthier in general and be mindful of how much protein I consume as well as fats and carbs and sugar. But I worked late last night and asked my roommate to grab a burger for me on the way home so I could just eat when I got home. Big mistake! While I have had burgers without problems since my surgery, it has been a long time. And when I got home last night, I was so hungry, I started gobbling away like I did before my surgery. I ate too fast and without chewing well enough. I paid for that last night. It was a painful experience. But I guess I needed to be reminded that burgers are not a good choice and to eat more slowly and carefully regardless of how hungry I am.

On a side note, today I am going to file my divorce papers. I didn't think I would be so emotional about this, but I have been. I am ready to be divorce and so is Mike, but it's just a sad thing to have happen.

I also have been saddened by the election this week. I have not made too many political statements on this blog, but I was disappointed by the country's choice. I voted, but not enough people felt the way I do. However, the choice has been made, and now, I would encourage everyone to pray for Obama. He has been elected as our president so we should pray for God to grant him wisdom in his duties. God can use any situation for good. And the last thing our country needs is more division. We might not have supported him for president, but let's pray that Obama will do a good job. For us doubters, maybe he will surprise us. We need to pray as hard for him as we would have prayed for a president we wanted in office. I might not believe in Obama, but I believe in God. We are instructed to pray for our leaders, not just the ones we like.

Hrmmm....

So...I had my hair cut short this weekend. Why, might you ask? Well, now is the time for me to be brutally honest. My hair is falling out. I knew it was a possibility, but I have to admit I just KNEW that would not happen to me like it does most gastric bypass patients. Why I thought I would be spared this, I have no idea. And it is difficult to deal with which makes me feel shallow and vain. But my hair has always been one of my vanities. So I have been reading up on hair loss after gastric bypass and found that the multivitamins I have been taking are probably not enough for a gastric bypass patient. Because the stomach has been cut so small and the process is malabsorptive, a regular multivitamin does not get absorbed by my system the way a normal person would absorb it. Therefore, it's almost like I'm not taking a multivitamin. My iron has been very, very low, and again, my hair is falling out. I looked on bariatriceating.com for bariatric specific vitamins and found a brand called Celebrate. I take the multivitamin three times a day. I also invested in a hair, nails, and skin formula multivitamin from GNC recommended by my surgeon's office.

The other thing that has constantly been mentioned in my research is the need for more protein for hair growth and just overall health in bariatric patients. I recently ordered a protein sampler from the above-mentioned website and have been experimenting with the protein powders. Some are pretty good. You can't even tell they are protein blends. I also found a coffee drink with 20 grams of protein in it, but I am trying not to drink that all the time as it still has caffeine.

Hopefully, my hair will start growing back soon. I bought some Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and it seems to be helping with the appearance of my hair. Most information about the hair loss also states that because the body has been through so many changes so quickly, it might just take time for the adjustment. For most people, their hair grows back within the 7th to 9th month after surgery. As of Saturday, it has been 4 months. So I am going to keep doing what I am doing and hoping for the best and look at this as a lesson in patience and discipline.

On a very happy note, I have now lost 86 pounds since June 1 (when I started the pre-op diet). I have lost 4 pants size and the ones I am wearing now are starting to get loose. For the most part, I feel very good. I have so much more energy and confidence (even with my thinning hair). It's amazing! I can shop at most plus size stores now. I hate to admit it, but before the surgery, The Avenue was the only store I could use because their sizes went JUST high enough for me to comfortably wear. Yesterday, I went to Lane Bryant for the first time in literally years. It felt great! Of course, my next goal is to be able to wear clothes from the regular store sections instead of plus size. Frankly, I don't think it should be too long. And I am planning a small girls' night party to celebrate when I hit 100 pounds lost! I want to do something frou-frou. My roommate and I were talking about a night at the Koger Center. Sounds like fun to get all dressed up! Anyway, please keep me in your prayers, and thanks to everyone for so much love and support!

Where Have I Been?!?!?!?!?

Nowhere really. Just plugging along trying to make it. Work has been hectic as well as my personal life, but things are going all right. Mike came down this weekend, and we filled out the divorce papers. Had them notarized and hope to get them filed within the next week or two. I have to admit that this has been weighing on my mind a lot lately. We are really like oil and water. We spent a lot of time arguing this weekend over things that had nothing to do with the divorce. It's frustrating. But things will get better. We will be better off as friends, and I'm trying to use this change to jumpstart myself into reconnecting with who I am. I know, I know. It sounds new-agey and kinda liberal, but sometimes we really need to remember who we are to better serve and love those around us. I am remembering how much I enjoy writing and singing. I remember how much I like to do things with other people and spend time with my family (which I still don't do enough).

I have also been spending time reading more about nutrition and health topis related to gastric bypass surgery. I found a great resource a fellow patient had recommended to me a long time ago at www.bariatriceating.com. This site has a lot of information and products specifically geared toward gastric bypass patients. I feel foolish I have not been taking advantage of this website all along. But I have been very excited with the products I have tried and feel greatly encouraged. I CAN do this. And I can keep the weight off. I have lost 83lbs as of Friday morning. Only 117 to go!

Here is a somewhat recent picture (last few weeks).

More Pics from Allison Woods

Allison Woods

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. --Henry David Thoreau

So last weekend I braved the port-a-potties and participated in a big event in Statesville, NC. At a patch of land called Allison Woods, four types of reenactors converged to put on a show for the public: Revolutionary, Civil War, WWII, and Vietnam. Friday was the school day during which probably about 800 kids were bussed in to the grounds for a tour of the camps and for demonstrations. It was fantastic to see the kids soaking up the displays and having a good time. Of course, the leader of our group is a teacher so he was prepared with flyers and a good lesson when the kids came through. On Saturday and Sunday, there were two public battles: Civil War and WWII. Both went very well. Of course, I am a bit partial to the WWII battle because it's the battle my group participated in. I almost didn't get to see it, but at the last minute some of the Civil War reenactors came to watch our camp so I could go. It was really fun to watch. The crowd booed the Axis group and cheered when the Allied troops showed up. I have to give kudos to the guys in my group. They were incredible and cool under pressure. The public battle went over well. Overall, I really enjoyed helping educate the public, but I also really just enjoyed spending time with the guys in my group. They are such a great group of guys. I learned a lot from them last weekend and am very grateful. If you have an opportunity to see a group of WWII reenactors in your area, you should really try to make the effort. Most of these guys put a LOT of time in effort in making sure their stuff is squared away. Anyway, here's a pic of the group. Not a great shot of me, but...

Whew!

It's been a while. Sorry about that. Things have been very hectic and seem to be continuing that way, but I'm finally starting to at least get back into something of a routine. I have now lost 66 pounds. Since my overall goal is a weight loss of 200 lbs, I am very excited to be making such quick progress. I am taking my vitamins, but finding food that doesn't make my stomach hurt is still something I am struggling with. I am finding things that were not hurting my stomach now are and vice versa. The doctor warned me that it would be hit and miss for a while. I just have to keep at it. I am learning.

On a side note, someone talked me into joining a bowling league. Bowling has never really been my thing, but Monday night was our first night, and I have to admit I had a really good time. This may have pretty good potential.

Also of interest for me right now is that I have a pretty big WWII reenactment coming up in a week or two. I will be in Allison Woods in Statesville, NC. We will be camping there the whole weekend for a big hoohah. Seems like it should be fun. Of course, because it is an ALL WEEKEND camping trip, there will only be port-a-potties there. I am dreading that part. But what can you do? At least I have my air mattress now. AND I should almost be able to fit into a regular sleeping bag again so I don't have to worry about being too cold. Yay!