The presentation went really well! I had a wonderful time doing it and I got some great feedback. My friend took a bunch of pictures and I'll share them when she sends them. I can't really post the slide show here but I wanted to share a bit of it. A big part of the presentation was about why blogging is so helpful after WLS. There were 5 main categories that I cited for being great reasons to blog, and here they are along with the quotes I used:
Why blog? Journaling…
“It's created a fantastic record… I can see exactly what my progress was, track my fills, look at progress photos, and even see how I was feeling at every point during this process. My blog has become the best diary I've ever had.” Catherine - Chronicles from Band Land
Why blog? Community…
“I have made some wonderful friends through blogging and have been able to see real successes, so when I'm feeling like I can't do it, I go read some of my ‘go to’ blogs for inspiration!” Tessie Rose - Band Me Baby
Why blog? Learning…
“I find that by blogging I can quickly reach a bunch of people if I have a question or need advice. It's been the biggest help of my journey.” Cat - One Slim Cat
Why blog? Catharsis…
“I started blogging because it was a safe way for me to express my feelings and fears while getting feedback from those who have been in my shoes before.” Beth Ann - Beth Ann's Never-Ending Quest for Something
Why blog? Connection…
“Reading your blog, the struggles and successes, has helped me understand and hopefully support you in this journey.” Bonnie (a.k.a. My Mother)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Checking In
Scott pointed out that it's been over a week since I last blogged so I figured I'd better check in before anyone sent out the search party. :-)
Tomorrow is my presentation for my bariatric support group about blogging in conjunction with weight loss surgery. I am so excited! I love talking to people about this, and I am really looking forward to it. I went over the presentation with Nurse Gwen, the program coordinator, earlier in the week and I think it will go well. Thank you so much to the people who gave me input on why you blog - I quoted several people and will share the presentation with you after I do my speech.
Today I did an AWESOME double workout - an hour of Body Pump and an hour of Zumba. I feel fantastic and would NEVER have been able to do that 90-ish pounds ago.
Other than that, things are quiet. I have what I think might be a business idea to combine my love of bariatrics and nutrition...but I'm still working through that so we'll see.
Tomorrow is my presentation for my bariatric support group about blogging in conjunction with weight loss surgery. I am so excited! I love talking to people about this, and I am really looking forward to it. I went over the presentation with Nurse Gwen, the program coordinator, earlier in the week and I think it will go well. Thank you so much to the people who gave me input on why you blog - I quoted several people and will share the presentation with you after I do my speech.
Today I did an AWESOME double workout - an hour of Body Pump and an hour of Zumba. I feel fantastic and would NEVER have been able to do that 90-ish pounds ago.
Other than that, things are quiet. I have what I think might be a business idea to combine my love of bariatrics and nutrition...but I'm still working through that so we'll see.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Why?
Next week, I am doing a presentation for my bariatric support group about blogging to help you be successful with weight loss surgery. The presentation is entitled “Losing It by Writing It” and I am going to keep it pretty general – there are band, bypass, and sleeve patients there.
I have a quick question. Why do you blog and in what ways do you find it has helped you be successful? I know what MY answer is and I’m going to talk about it, but I also wanted to get some other perspectives and have some fun quotes for the presentation. If you’re so inclined, please either answer in a comment or post it on your own blog.
Thank you. :-)
I have a quick question. Why do you blog and in what ways do you find it has helped you be successful? I know what MY answer is and I’m going to talk about it, but I also wanted to get some other perspectives and have some fun quotes for the presentation. If you’re so inclined, please either answer in a comment or post it on your own blog.
Thank you. :-)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Recipe: Spicy Black Bean Cakes
For those who requested the recipe, here you go. These were fabulous!
Spicy Black Bean Cakes
Prep Time: 20 Min | Cook Time: 15 Min | Servings: 8 patties
Ingredients:
Lime Sour Cream:
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 small fresh jalapeno pepper, minced
salt to taste
Bean Cakes:
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 green onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, pressed
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, finely diced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 (14.5 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups grated raw sweet potato
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
Directions:
To prepare lime sour cream, mix the sour cream, lime juice, 1 small minced jalapeno, and salt together in a small bowl. Cover, and refrigerate.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook green onions until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in garlic, 2 diced jalapenos, and cumin; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Transfer contents of skillet to a large bowl. Stir in black beans, and mash with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in sweet potatoes, egg, and bread crumbs. Divide into 8 balls, and flatten into patties.
In the oven, set cooking rack about 4 inches from heat source. Set oven to broil. Lightly grease baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil.
Place bean patties on baking sheet, and broil 8 to 10 minutes. Turn cakes over, and broil until crispy, about 3 minutes more. Serve with lime sour cream.
Nutritional Info:
Source
Spicy Black Bean Cakes
Prep Time: 20 Min | Cook Time: 15 Min | Servings: 8 patties
Ingredients:
Lime Sour Cream:
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 small fresh jalapeno pepper, minced
salt to taste
Bean Cakes:
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
4 green onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, pressed
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, finely diced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 (14.5 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups grated raw sweet potato
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
Directions:
To prepare lime sour cream, mix the sour cream, lime juice, 1 small minced jalapeno, and salt together in a small bowl. Cover, and refrigerate.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook green onions until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in garlic, 2 diced jalapenos, and cumin; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Transfer contents of skillet to a large bowl. Stir in black beans, and mash with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in sweet potatoes, egg, and bread crumbs. Divide into 8 balls, and flatten into patties.
In the oven, set cooking rack about 4 inches from heat source. Set oven to broil. Lightly grease baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil.
Place bean patties on baking sheet, and broil 8 to 10 minutes. Turn cakes over, and broil until crispy, about 3 minutes more. Serve with lime sour cream.
Nutritional Info:
Calories: 219
Total Fat: 6.7g
Cholesterol: 32mg
Sodium: 578mg
Total Carbs: 31.3g
Dietary Fiber: 8.9g
Protein: 9.4g
Source
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Guess What?
I've been keeping a biiiiiiiiiiiiig secret...
I'm going to be an aunt! My baby sister is having a baby. She is 13 weeks pregnant and due in December. This is my niece or nephew.
When I found out, I was in a hotel room with Karin when she was visiting Florida, and I couldn't exactly tell her nothing after screaming and shrieking and sobbing, so she's been the only one who has known for, well, about 12 weeks. It was rather exciting to share this secret with someone I met here because I was blogging about my band and am now proud to call a true friend. Other than that, it has been on the hush-hush until they got out of the scary first trimester.
It is no great secret that I can't have kids. Scott and I tried for a long time and it didn't work and when the option was to do major fertility treatments or not, I decided that I would rather (honestly!) just be a really fabulous aunt one day. So I can't even begin to tell you how unbelievably over-the-moon thrilled I am about this.
Dana and Mike are going to be incredible parents and I am blown away by the love I already have for their adorable little baby bump and I can't wait to get to know him or her.
I'm going to be an aunt! My baby sister is having a baby. She is 13 weeks pregnant and due in December. This is my niece or nephew.
When I found out, I was in a hotel room with Karin when she was visiting Florida, and I couldn't exactly tell her nothing after screaming and shrieking and sobbing, so she's been the only one who has known for, well, about 12 weeks. It was rather exciting to share this secret with someone I met here because I was blogging about my band and am now proud to call a true friend. Other than that, it has been on the hush-hush until they got out of the scary first trimester.
It is no great secret that I can't have kids. Scott and I tried for a long time and it didn't work and when the option was to do major fertility treatments or not, I decided that I would rather (honestly!) just be a really fabulous aunt one day. So I can't even begin to tell you how unbelievably over-the-moon thrilled I am about this.
Dana and Mike are going to be incredible parents and I am blown away by the love I already have for their adorable little baby bump and I can't wait to get to know him or her.
Mom is Fine
Just a quick post to let you know that my Mom's surgery went just fine. She is up and about and feeling pretty good, considering. I'm so glad that is behind us and now we can move on. Thanks for the BOOB love and good thoughts - I'm sure they helped!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Adorable Blog
Oh wow, I am so flattered! Cat over at One Slim Cat gave me The Adorable Blog Award.
10 things about me...
1. I am a knitter. I love to make pretty things!
2. I am fashion-challenged. When everyone is talking about pretty clothes, sexy shoes, and fancy purses, I have no idea what you are talking about. I don't know a Gucci from a Smoochi and my biggest fashion win since losing weight is wearing smaller jeans and t-shirts.
3. I am terrified of driving in the rain. I am even more terrified of riding in a car in the rain when someone else is driving.
4. I LOVE LOVE LOVE roller coasters from the bottom of my heart. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to have weight loss surgery is because I was having a hard time fitting into the coasters. I fell in love with my husband on our first date when he rode Montu, one of my favorite coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa, 37 times in one day with me.
5. I met my husband when I was 22 years old. I had a huge crush on him from the moment I met him - and then moments after meeting him, I found out he had just been hired as my boss! Long story short, he was promoted, we started dating, and we've been together ever since - 13 wonderful years and counting.
6. My favorite movie of all time is Shrek.
7. I'm a gun nut. I used to shoot Glocks competitively. I'm very good with an AR-15 rifle.
8. I am a Deadhead and went on the final Grateful Dead tour before Jerry Garcia died. I quit my job to go the day before my friends were leaving and I don't have a moment of regret. I have also seen Phish dozens of times and lost count a long time ago.
9. I can't stand touching sand, dirt, dust, or anything powdery, especially on my feet. I eat based on texture (hate things like mushrooms, rice pudding, eclairs, raised donuts, and water chestnuts because they all make my teeth feel weird. I can't file my nails because it feels gross. My husband says that he is pretty sure I am autistic.
10. If I could do any job, I would be a registered dietitian. I love learning about nutrition, food, diet, and how they relate to health.
My nominees...
Jen at Just Foolin' Blog Designs because she made MY blog adorable!
Karin at Lap Band Gal
Lacey at This Life of Mine
Grace at Grace's Fat Chance
Sarah at Losing Weight, Gaining Tons
Rules of the Award
*Thank the person who gave you this award, and link back to them in your post.
*Tell us 10 things about yourself.
*Nominate your bloggers.
*Contact these bloggers, and let them know they received this award.
Thank you Cat! You made my day. Your blog is rather adorable too. :-)*Thank the person who gave you this award, and link back to them in your post.
*Tell us 10 things about yourself.
*Nominate your bloggers.
*Contact these bloggers, and let them know they received this award.
10 things about me...
1. I am a knitter. I love to make pretty things!
2. I am fashion-challenged. When everyone is talking about pretty clothes, sexy shoes, and fancy purses, I have no idea what you are talking about. I don't know a Gucci from a Smoochi and my biggest fashion win since losing weight is wearing smaller jeans and t-shirts.
3. I am terrified of driving in the rain. I am even more terrified of riding in a car in the rain when someone else is driving.
4. I LOVE LOVE LOVE roller coasters from the bottom of my heart. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to have weight loss surgery is because I was having a hard time fitting into the coasters. I fell in love with my husband on our first date when he rode Montu, one of my favorite coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa, 37 times in one day with me.
5. I met my husband when I was 22 years old. I had a huge crush on him from the moment I met him - and then moments after meeting him, I found out he had just been hired as my boss! Long story short, he was promoted, we started dating, and we've been together ever since - 13 wonderful years and counting.
6. My favorite movie of all time is Shrek.
7. I'm a gun nut. I used to shoot Glocks competitively. I'm very good with an AR-15 rifle.
8. I am a Deadhead and went on the final Grateful Dead tour before Jerry Garcia died. I quit my job to go the day before my friends were leaving and I don't have a moment of regret. I have also seen Phish dozens of times and lost count a long time ago.
9. I can't stand touching sand, dirt, dust, or anything powdery, especially on my feet. I eat based on texture (hate things like mushrooms, rice pudding, eclairs, raised donuts, and water chestnuts because they all make my teeth feel weird. I can't file my nails because it feels gross. My husband says that he is pretty sure I am autistic.
10. If I could do any job, I would be a registered dietitian. I love learning about nutrition, food, diet, and how they relate to health.
My nominees...
Jen at Just Foolin' Blog Designs because she made MY blog adorable!
Karin at Lap Band Gal
Lacey at This Life of Mine
Grace at Grace's Fat Chance
Sarah at Losing Weight, Gaining Tons
196! And a Great Weekend!
I saw 196 on the scale this morning! I am a sloooooooow loser but it makes me very, very happy that the first number of my weight has been consistently a "1" for awhile now.
I had a wonderful weekend. My little sister Dana and brother-in-law Mike were in town. I haven't seen them since I was in Boston in March and we had a great time together. Dana is a vegetarian and a serious foodie, so we made an incredible dinner together at my parents' house last night - cold avocado soup, black bean and sweet potato cakes, cumin-lime quinoa with zucchini and corn, sweet pickled jalapenos, beef fajitas for the meat eaters, grilled corn, and Mike's amazing sangria. I didn't eat a ton, but I tasted everything except the grilled corn. The black bean cakes were amazing and I plan to make a large batch of them for the freezer.
Good stuff.
Mike made me smile when we were talking about how I want to have another wedding so I can wear a nice dress and look good, and my husband joked that he's already had two weddings and he's done with that unless I want to have a tacky Vegas wedding. Mike suggested that I just have pictures of myself taken in front of a green screen and Photoshopping myself into the old wedding pictures. He then said, "But the only problem is that there will be a big former-Stephanie sized hole in the old pictures since you're half the size you used to be, so that won't really work too well, will it?"
I had a wonderful weekend. My little sister Dana and brother-in-law Mike were in town. I haven't seen them since I was in Boston in March and we had a great time together. Dana is a vegetarian and a serious foodie, so we made an incredible dinner together at my parents' house last night - cold avocado soup, black bean and sweet potato cakes, cumin-lime quinoa with zucchini and corn, sweet pickled jalapenos, beef fajitas for the meat eaters, grilled corn, and Mike's amazing sangria. I didn't eat a ton, but I tasted everything except the grilled corn. The black bean cakes were amazing and I plan to make a large batch of them for the freezer.
Good stuff.
Mike made me smile when we were talking about how I want to have another wedding so I can wear a nice dress and look good, and my husband joked that he's already had two weddings and he's done with that unless I want to have a tacky Vegas wedding. Mike suggested that I just have pictures of myself taken in front of a green screen and Photoshopping myself into the old wedding pictures. He then said, "But the only problem is that there will be a big former-Stephanie sized hole in the old pictures since you're half the size you used to be, so that won't really work too well, will it?"
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
New Blog Design
Electric LadyBand has had a makeover! Thanks so much to Jen @ Just Foolin Blog Designs for being so easy to work with, being so reasonably priced, and having more creativity in her adorable little finger than I have in my whole body. The whole process was a pleasure and I am thrilled with the results.
Monday, June 6, 2011
It Takes Work
I had a really interesting conversation with my husband the other night. He told me that he had been talking to a friend who knew I had gastric band surgery. The guy said that he wanted to have surgery too because then he could just lose the weight without having to do any work. What Scott told me he said made me really, really proud.
Scott said that he has watched me take this journey and work very hard. He acknowledged that he sees me eating the food I'm supposed to eat, avoiding sliders because they're too easy to eat, going to the doctor for follow up visits, and working out. He has seen me get frustrated, plateau for weeks on end, freak out that I'm not losing weight, and bust my butt to make the scale move. He said that I (usually) avoid ice cream and lobster bisque as much as I love them because they're way too easy to eat, and that if I don't do what I'm supposed to, I don't lose weight. It's NOT easy. It's NOT effortless. It's a tool, and doesn't do the work by itself.
Sadly, my band does not get up and go to the gym by itself. I have to get up and go with it. But I digress.
The guy's response was, "Well f*** it then. I'll just stay fat."
Like I said to Scott, the band wouldn't do that guy any good. He would be the one drinking milkshakes every day, not ever going in for an adjustment, disregarding protein and veggies, and then saying that the band failed.
Scott said some things that really made me feel fantastic. He told me that he had been looking at some old pictures last week and he lives with me every day so he knew I had changed but didn't realize just how drastic it was. He really was amazed at the difference when he looks back like that. He said I'm half the size I was and he's so impressed by how I've changed my life.
I love that man. :-)
Scott said that he has watched me take this journey and work very hard. He acknowledged that he sees me eating the food I'm supposed to eat, avoiding sliders because they're too easy to eat, going to the doctor for follow up visits, and working out. He has seen me get frustrated, plateau for weeks on end, freak out that I'm not losing weight, and bust my butt to make the scale move. He said that I (usually) avoid ice cream and lobster bisque as much as I love them because they're way too easy to eat, and that if I don't do what I'm supposed to, I don't lose weight. It's NOT easy. It's NOT effortless. It's a tool, and doesn't do the work by itself.
Sadly, my band does not get up and go to the gym by itself. I have to get up and go with it. But I digress.
The guy's response was, "Well f*** it then. I'll just stay fat."
Like I said to Scott, the band wouldn't do that guy any good. He would be the one drinking milkshakes every day, not ever going in for an adjustment, disregarding protein and veggies, and then saying that the band failed.
Scott said some things that really made me feel fantastic. He told me that he had been looking at some old pictures last week and he lives with me every day so he knew I had changed but didn't realize just how drastic it was. He really was amazed at the difference when he looks back like that. He said I'm half the size I was and he's so impressed by how I've changed my life.
I love that man. :-)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Torturer
Sweat. This is the woman who causes it. That's the Body Pump instructor/torturer/sadist. She makes me lift things up and put them down. Over and over again. After an hour with her, my arms shake, my abs hurt, and I can't walk for 2 days.
(And I love it.)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Fill Kicked In
Thanks for all the kind words and good thoughts for my mom. She'll be having surgery the week after next, so I'll make sure I let you know what's going on.
My fill kicked in - big time - and I get it. Too tight at certain times of day? Yep. Taking half an hour to drink a protein shake. Uh huh. Not looking for food constantly? Yeah. Getting the tiniest bit annoyed when everything is about food (just pick a restaurant already, dammit, I can get protein and veggies anywhere and I don't care where we go). I'd say so.
I get it. a 5 ounce turkey burger without the bun and a few bites of broccoli makes a great lunch. A tilapia filet and some salad will keep me going for hours. Ugh no, I don't want to eat a slice of bread because it will be uncomfortable. I get it.
If this is my sweet spot, I'll take it.
I was watching "Man vs. Food" on the Travel Channel earlier because it was about Chicago and I will be going there to meet with some of my favorite BOOBS and love it there. Two things struck me:
1. Everything being about food is annoying. Yeah deep dish pizza, Italian beef, blah blah blah. Why can't he do some sightseeing when he's there?
2. When I mentioned the above to my husband, he responded, "You're just pissed because you can't eat everything you want anymore." My response was, "HELL no, I'm not pissed. I could have my band unfilled and eat anything I want ANY time. I LOVE my band. I LOVE eating less. I could TOTALLY sit around eating nothing but sliders all day but that would be dumb for me to do that."
Does getting stuck really suck? Yes.
Do I sometimes miss certain things? A little.
Do I have one moment of regret? Nope.
Maybe I can't chow down on an entire deep dish pizza, but duh...wasn't that the point?
(I know he was only kidding, but it struck a nerve. Just something interesting for me to think about.)
My fill kicked in - big time - and I get it. Too tight at certain times of day? Yep. Taking half an hour to drink a protein shake. Uh huh. Not looking for food constantly? Yeah. Getting the tiniest bit annoyed when everything is about food (just pick a restaurant already, dammit, I can get protein and veggies anywhere and I don't care where we go). I'd say so.
I get it. a 5 ounce turkey burger without the bun and a few bites of broccoli makes a great lunch. A tilapia filet and some salad will keep me going for hours. Ugh no, I don't want to eat a slice of bread because it will be uncomfortable. I get it.
If this is my sweet spot, I'll take it.
I was watching "Man vs. Food" on the Travel Channel earlier because it was about Chicago and I will be going there to meet with some of my favorite BOOBS and love it there. Two things struck me:
1. Everything being about food is annoying. Yeah deep dish pizza, Italian beef, blah blah blah. Why can't he do some sightseeing when he's there?
2. When I mentioned the above to my husband, he responded, "You're just pissed because you can't eat everything you want anymore." My response was, "HELL no, I'm not pissed. I could have my band unfilled and eat anything I want ANY time. I LOVE my band. I LOVE eating less. I could TOTALLY sit around eating nothing but sliders all day but that would be dumb for me to do that."
Does getting stuck really suck? Yes.
Do I sometimes miss certain things? A little.
Do I have one moment of regret? Nope.
Maybe I can't chow down on an entire deep dish pizza, but duh...wasn't that the point?
(I know he was only kidding, but it struck a nerve. Just something interesting for me to think about.)
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