I had my second boot camp tonight. I don't want to give away the ending, but spoiler alert!: I survived.
A couple of people have asked me about boot camp and what it's like. Here's a quick run down of what went on tonight in the hour of class. We started with a warm up of quick side steps from one side of the room to the other and then "high knees" running back to the beginning.
Next, we did a circuit of 5 sets of each (30 seconds on as hard as you could go, then 30 seconds of rest for each set): squat and as you jump up, bounce an 8 pound medicine ball against the wall and catch it; burpees with an overhead press on the jump up (evil, evil move that is a cross between a pushup and a weight lifting move), weighted long jump (hold a weight in each hand and jump forward as far as you can, then take 2 giant steps back, then deep squats (butt to the floor) with suspended stirrups in each hand to pull yourself up.
Holy crap. That took us through about half the class.
Did you know that loose skin bounces around a lot when you jump? Yep.
Next, we paired up, feet to feet, and did sit-ups and threw a medicine ball back and forth for 30 seconds. Then we tossed the medicine ball to each other sideways for 30 seconds. Then we did a thing where we had to run through a ladder maze and then sprint as hard as we could back to the other side of the room. Twice. There were 3 sets of all of the above.
Then we all barfed and passed out. Even the super fit people. (Read: just about everyone but me.) Ok, not really. We just almost barfed and passed out.
There's one other woman there who I think is a weight loss surgery patient - lots and lots of loose skin - but I don't want to ask.
Most of the people there are in VERY good shape and I did a pretty good job of keeping up. I'm pretty proud of myself for just showing up.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Banded Alaska
I went to my bariatric support group tonight, mostly so I could ask Nurse Gwen about my upcoming trip to Alaska. I'm the tiniest bit nervous (ok, more than a tiny bit) that the stress of travel (even though it's mostly good stress), cold weather, and elevation will cause my band to snap shut. Like it did on my last trip.
To paraphrase her advice...
1. I have plenty of calories in storage. I'm not going to starve to death if I can't eat for a few days.
2. If I can't drink at all and can't even swallow my own spit for more than a couple of hours, that's when to worry and get help ASAP. I'm not going to dehydrate and die if it takes me 6 or 8 hours to get help but if I am THAT stuck, I need to get somewhere for intravenous hydration/unfill pretty quickly.
3. I have never been so stuck that I can't drink. I know my body pretty well and the fact that I have only really thrown up once since surgery makes her think that I shouldn't have any issues.
4. Be careful, eat slowly, and don't be stupid. Example: no salmon jerky when in the middle of nowhere. Drink lots before I eat in case I get stuck and can't drink well for a couple of hours.
5. Bring protein powder and soup, and if I get stuck, only liquids/mushies until the irritation is calmed down!
6. She doesn't recommend having an unfill before I go, but if I find that I am overly tight before I leave, call and they'll do an unfill that week.
7. Relax and have fun!
8. If I am so worried about it that I won't enjoy myself, bring her with us and she'll bring the needle to give me an unfill if necessary. :-)
To paraphrase her advice...
1. I have plenty of calories in storage. I'm not going to starve to death if I can't eat for a few days.
2. If I can't drink at all and can't even swallow my own spit for more than a couple of hours, that's when to worry and get help ASAP. I'm not going to dehydrate and die if it takes me 6 or 8 hours to get help but if I am THAT stuck, I need to get somewhere for intravenous hydration/unfill pretty quickly.
3. I have never been so stuck that I can't drink. I know my body pretty well and the fact that I have only really thrown up once since surgery makes her think that I shouldn't have any issues.
4. Be careful, eat slowly, and don't be stupid. Example: no salmon jerky when in the middle of nowhere. Drink lots before I eat in case I get stuck and can't drink well for a couple of hours.
5. Bring protein powder and soup, and if I get stuck, only liquids/mushies until the irritation is calmed down!
6. She doesn't recommend having an unfill before I go, but if I find that I am overly tight before I leave, call and they'll do an unfill that week.
7. Relax and have fun!
8. If I am so worried about it that I won't enjoy myself, bring her with us and she'll bring the needle to give me an unfill if necessary. :-)
Gain
194 on the scale this morning. I could blame any of these things:
Boot camp workout (retaining water/gaining muscle)
Not enough sleep
Not enough water
Too much office work
Not enough exercise
Too much sushi/chips & queso/pizza/frozen yogurt/salt
Whatever it was, I'm not letting those pounds stick around. I'm going in full out attack mode. Buh bye pounds.
Boot camp workout (retaining water/gaining muscle)
Not enough sleep
Not enough water
Too much office work
Not enough exercise
Too much sushi/chips & queso/pizza/frozen yogurt/salt
Whatever it was, I'm not letting those pounds stick around. I'm going in full out attack mode. Buh bye pounds.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Ten Things Thursday
Ten things...
1. Happy birthday to my beautiful friend Lap Band Gal. Thank you for inspiring me every day.
2. Boot camp workout was AWESOME. I can barely lift my arms. I have never worked out that hard in my life. Never. And then I came home and Scott and I went for a mile walk. Just because.
3. I'm snapping up all the overtime at work I can get, which is cutting into my blog reading time. It's for a good cause though. I'm saving up for BOOBs 3.0. I can't wait to get back to Chicago! Speaking of...
4. This will be a year of big travel. Chicago, Alaska, and another trip to Boston are all in the cards for the year. And speaking of...
5. My nephew is so stinkin' cute. (Zombie baby!) I can't wait to see him again next month.
6. I hate that the Healthy Choice dessert always gets in the veggies. And how can they call a pile of apples and oats "dessert"? It is an awfully convenient meal though. I know some people don't like these frozen things, but it's better than the drive-thru.
7. I've been obsessively watching the show Army Wives on Netflix. I have no idea why. I accidentally caught an episode and got hooked. I'm on season 4 and trying not to watch too many episodes in a row so I can savor it.
8. I can't believe how excited I am about hiking and camping in Alaska. A part of me that I thought was long gone has woken back up. I used to love camping. Then I got fat and camping was too haaaaaaaard. Too much woooooooooork. (Imagine me whining that.) I suppose I'll have to wait and see if I really enjoy it or if I just like the idea of it.
9. This is my new favorite drink. I like most of the flavors, but this one, Macintosh Apple Cherry, is the most delicious. It tastes like a Jolly Rancher. And it has electrolytes. Plants crave electrolytes. (10 points if you can tell me what movie that is from.)
10. Happy Friday everyone!
1. Happy birthday to my beautiful friend Lap Band Gal. Thank you for inspiring me every day.
2. Boot camp workout was AWESOME. I can barely lift my arms. I have never worked out that hard in my life. Never. And then I came home and Scott and I went for a mile walk. Just because.
3. I'm snapping up all the overtime at work I can get, which is cutting into my blog reading time. It's for a good cause though. I'm saving up for BOOBs 3.0. I can't wait to get back to Chicago! Speaking of...
4. This will be a year of big travel. Chicago, Alaska, and another trip to Boston are all in the cards for the year. And speaking of...
5. My nephew is so stinkin' cute. (Zombie baby!) I can't wait to see him again next month.
6. I hate that the Healthy Choice dessert always gets in the veggies. And how can they call a pile of apples and oats "dessert"? It is an awfully convenient meal though. I know some people don't like these frozen things, but it's better than the drive-thru.
7. I've been obsessively watching the show Army Wives on Netflix. I have no idea why. I accidentally caught an episode and got hooked. I'm on season 4 and trying not to watch too many episodes in a row so I can savor it.
8. I can't believe how excited I am about hiking and camping in Alaska. A part of me that I thought was long gone has woken back up. I used to love camping. Then I got fat and camping was too haaaaaaaard. Too much woooooooooork. (Imagine me whining that.) I suppose I'll have to wait and see if I really enjoy it or if I just like the idea of it.
9. This is my new favorite drink. I like most of the flavors, but this one, Macintosh Apple Cherry, is the most delicious. It tastes like a Jolly Rancher. And it has electrolytes. Plants crave electrolytes. (10 points if you can tell me what movie that is from.)
10. Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Alaska Bound!
I wrote on this post:
Scott and I are looking into booking a cruise to Alaska for our 10 year wedding anniversary later this year. Any advice would be appreciated as I am a little overwhelmed by all the options.
We were discussing our options and it turned out after some...let's call it "discussion"...ok, "loud discussion"...aw crap...I'm here to be honest, let's call it what it was, an argument....it was determined that Scott doesn't want to go on a cruise. He doesn't want to see Alaska from afar, out of a boat window, with scheduled excursions where we have to keep a close eye on the clock to get back on the boat on time, and only explore those areas that are in or near tourist destinations.
His dream vacation, he said, would be to get dropped off in the middle of Alaska with a hunting rifle, a book of matches, and a large knife. To which I politely replied, no thank you, my darling, I don't believe I would enjoy such a thing.
Ok, honest. Right. You people know me too well. I believe what I said was, "F*** that! I will spend my vacation doing that over my cold, dead body."
So...we compromised. We're doing a 7 day guided camping trip (one night will actually be in a lodge in Seward). They provide all the gear, food, water, transportation to and from Anchorage, etc. All we need to do is show up, hike, canoe, kayak, go for boat rides, and enjoy the scenery.
That sounds pretty good.
I haven't been camping in YEARS but I am seriously excited about being in the kind of shape that I feel confident about hiking and kayaking. I don't need to haul a CPAP around anymore (because I lost my sleep apnea along with the weight) so that's not a concern. Yet another reason for me to be thankful for my band.
We submitted a reservation request for sometime in the last couple of weeks of August. I am so excited.
Scott and I are looking into booking a cruise to Alaska for our 10 year wedding anniversary later this year. Any advice would be appreciated as I am a little overwhelmed by all the options.
We were discussing our options and it turned out after some...let's call it "discussion"...ok, "loud discussion"...aw crap...I'm here to be honest, let's call it what it was, an argument....it was determined that Scott doesn't want to go on a cruise. He doesn't want to see Alaska from afar, out of a boat window, with scheduled excursions where we have to keep a close eye on the clock to get back on the boat on time, and only explore those areas that are in or near tourist destinations.
His dream vacation, he said, would be to get dropped off in the middle of Alaska with a hunting rifle, a book of matches, and a large knife. To which I politely replied, no thank you, my darling, I don't believe I would enjoy such a thing.
Ok, honest. Right. You people know me too well. I believe what I said was, "F*** that! I will spend my vacation doing that over my cold, dead body."
So...we compromised. We're doing a 7 day guided camping trip (one night will actually be in a lodge in Seward). They provide all the gear, food, water, transportation to and from Anchorage, etc. All we need to do is show up, hike, canoe, kayak, go for boat rides, and enjoy the scenery.
That sounds pretty good.
I haven't been camping in YEARS but I am seriously excited about being in the kind of shape that I feel confident about hiking and kayaking. I don't need to haul a CPAP around anymore (because I lost my sleep apnea along with the weight) so that's not a concern. Yet another reason for me to be thankful for my band.
We submitted a reservation request for sometime in the last couple of weeks of August. I am so excited.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Day on My Plate - 1/16/12
I haven't done one of these in awhile, but one of my newest followers, Chris from Banded in the 'Burgh, commented on this post where I detailed what I eat in a day, "Thanks for posting your day's worth of meals - it's very helpful to see what an entire day looks like (I'm pre-op)." So I thought that if just writing about what I eat is helpful, maybe seeing what I eat would be helpful as well.
Here you go...a day on my plate.
8:30 AM: I always start with coffee with milk & Splenda (not pictured).
10:30 AM: My eating for the day starts with breakfast. Several times a week, I have the same thing - a 100 calorie deli flat roll with a couple of tablespoons of crumbled turkey sausage, Egg Beaters, and a slice of 2% milk American cheese.
Here's what it looks like on the inside. Mmmm...melty cheese.
About an hour after I get to work, I always have coffee with milk and Splenda. I keep a container of lowfat milk in the work fridge so I don't have to use the nasty hydrogenated powdered creamer or the half & half. I warm up the milk and make a "latte".
Because I have about 6 hours between breakfast and lunch, I need a "morning" snack at around 1:30 PM. Today I had 1/2 of a Flatout high fiber flatbread (50 calories) topped with a shredded light cheese stick (Weight Watchers brand smoked mozzarella) and toasted:
This is my giant water glass. Throughout the day, I'll fill it 2-3 times with water and sometimes a squirt of Mio (this is my favorite, peach tea) or a squeeze of lime juice.
I almost always have the same thing for lunch on Mondays. Moe's has any burrito for $5 on Monday, so I take advantage of that and treat myself to lunch out by myself once per week. Here is the Moe's website - their nutrition info is super detailed. I can plan out what I'm going to have and determine the nutritional information before I go.
If you can't read it, I get the "streaker" burrito (no tortilla or shell) with chicken, black beans, guacamole, shredded lettuce, jalapenos and grilled onions. I also add tomatillo salsa. If I were to eat the whole thing (which I pretty much never do) the nutritional info is:
Calories: 405
Total Fat: 16g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Dietary Fiber: 12g
Proteins: 34g
Here's what it looks like:
Because of the weird hours I work (usually 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM with lunch around 4:30), lunch is usually my biggest meal of the day.
After all those onions and jalapenos, I have lots of these throughout the day:
I get home from work around 8:45 PM. Dinner is almost always a protein (meat or fish) and veggies. We rarely have starch with dinner. Tonight's dinner was salmon (about 3 oz.) and steamed broccoli. I eat on a salad plate. I still don't love salmon, but I know it's good for me so I try to eat it now and then.
So...that's it. I plan to have a Klondike sugar free, 100 calorie ice cream sandwich before bed. Other than that, food is done for the day.
Goodnight!
Here you go...a day on my plate.
8:30 AM: I always start with coffee with milk & Splenda (not pictured).
10:30 AM: My eating for the day starts with breakfast. Several times a week, I have the same thing - a 100 calorie deli flat roll with a couple of tablespoons of crumbled turkey sausage, Egg Beaters, and a slice of 2% milk American cheese.
Here's what it looks like on the inside. Mmmm...melty cheese.
About an hour after I get to work, I always have coffee with milk and Splenda. I keep a container of lowfat milk in the work fridge so I don't have to use the nasty hydrogenated powdered creamer or the half & half. I warm up the milk and make a "latte".
Because I have about 6 hours between breakfast and lunch, I need a "morning" snack at around 1:30 PM. Today I had 1/2 of a Flatout high fiber flatbread (50 calories) topped with a shredded light cheese stick (Weight Watchers brand smoked mozzarella) and toasted:
This is my giant water glass. Throughout the day, I'll fill it 2-3 times with water and sometimes a squirt of Mio (this is my favorite, peach tea) or a squeeze of lime juice.
I almost always have the same thing for lunch on Mondays. Moe's has any burrito for $5 on Monday, so I take advantage of that and treat myself to lunch out by myself once per week. Here is the Moe's website - their nutrition info is super detailed. I can plan out what I'm going to have and determine the nutritional information before I go.
If you can't read it, I get the "streaker" burrito (no tortilla or shell) with chicken, black beans, guacamole, shredded lettuce, jalapenos and grilled onions. I also add tomatillo salsa. If I were to eat the whole thing (which I pretty much never do) the nutritional info is:
Calories: 405
Total Fat: 16g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Dietary Fiber: 12g
Proteins: 34g
Here's what it looks like:
Because of the weird hours I work (usually 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM with lunch around 4:30), lunch is usually my biggest meal of the day.
After all those onions and jalapenos, I have lots of these throughout the day:
I get home from work around 8:45 PM. Dinner is almost always a protein (meat or fish) and veggies. We rarely have starch with dinner. Tonight's dinner was salmon (about 3 oz.) and steamed broccoli. I eat on a salad plate. I still don't love salmon, but I know it's good for me so I try to eat it now and then.
So...that's it. I plan to have a Klondike sugar free, 100 calorie ice cream sandwich before bed. Other than that, food is done for the day.
Goodnight!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Pickled Radishes
Pickled Radishes
Radishes
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Garlic clove, minced
Oregano, salt & pepper to taste
Slice radishes thinly. Mix all other ingredients together and pour over radishes. Marinate for at least 20 minutes.
Absolutely delicious on a salad, but I could eat a bowl of them as a snack.
(Thanks to my husband, Scott, for taking the pictures.)
Radishes
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Garlic clove, minced
Oregano, salt & pepper to taste
Slice radishes thinly. Mix all other ingredients together and pour over radishes. Marinate for at least 20 minutes.
Absolutely delicious on a salad, but I could eat a bowl of them as a snack.
(Thanks to my husband, Scott, for taking the pictures.)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
190!
I saw a beautiful new number on the scale this morning - a new low. 190. I am so thrilled that I am back on the losing track.
I realized the only way I will lose is if I keep my calories under 1100 per day as an average. At 1200, I maintain. I maintained right around 198 for so long that I thought that was as low as it was going to go, which was pretty frustrating, but I just had to step it up again. I also started varying my calories to trick my body - some days I have 1400 calories, some days 900 of essentially just protein and veggies (and walk around wanting to eat my arm all day), some days I work out hardcore and other days I just go for a 15 minute stroll at lunch time.
At this point, to lose more, I realize I have to be "on a diet" more so than when I started when limiting my portions was enough to lose. Yesterday was a "mid-range" (right at 1100 calories) day which consisted of:
Coffee with milk & Splenda
Deli flat roll (100 calories) with Egg Beaters, Turkey Sausage Crumbles, and a sprinkle of reduced fat cheddar cheese.
Morning snack of 4 Triscuits with whipped cream cheese and jalapeno slices.
My friend Ryan and I went to our new favorite place, Boca Juice & Java, for a healthy lunch. He had a delicious looking tuna wrap and a smoothie...
And I had the goat cheese and tomato pita pizza on whole wheat...it was very thin and crispy and delicious. I ate about 3/4 of it.
For dinner, I had a leftover grilled chicken thigh, which I shredded and placed over a bed of lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots and added a little Bolthouse Farms yogurt bleu cheese dressing (delicious!) and a drizzle of Carolina BBQ sauce.
Between dinner and bedtime, I snacked on a 100 calorie popcorn and a Klondike no sugar added ice cream.
Today, I'm off to the farmer's market (I've been craving my sister's recipe for pickled radishes and the radishes at Whole Foods didn't look great when I went there the other night), the gym, and then down to my parents' house to grill burgers for dinner. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to hit a body pump class in the morning, and then I have a walking date with Jessica, which I'm really looking forward to.
Have a great weekend!
I realized the only way I will lose is if I keep my calories under 1100 per day as an average. At 1200, I maintain. I maintained right around 198 for so long that I thought that was as low as it was going to go, which was pretty frustrating, but I just had to step it up again. I also started varying my calories to trick my body - some days I have 1400 calories, some days 900 of essentially just protein and veggies (and walk around wanting to eat my arm all day), some days I work out hardcore and other days I just go for a 15 minute stroll at lunch time.
At this point, to lose more, I realize I have to be "on a diet" more so than when I started when limiting my portions was enough to lose. Yesterday was a "mid-range" (right at 1100 calories) day which consisted of:
Coffee with milk & Splenda
Deli flat roll (100 calories) with Egg Beaters, Turkey Sausage Crumbles, and a sprinkle of reduced fat cheddar cheese.
Morning snack of 4 Triscuits with whipped cream cheese and jalapeno slices.
My friend Ryan and I went to our new favorite place, Boca Juice & Java, for a healthy lunch. He had a delicious looking tuna wrap and a smoothie...
And I had the goat cheese and tomato pita pizza on whole wheat...it was very thin and crispy and delicious. I ate about 3/4 of it.
For dinner, I had a leftover grilled chicken thigh, which I shredded and placed over a bed of lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots and added a little Bolthouse Farms yogurt bleu cheese dressing (delicious!) and a drizzle of Carolina BBQ sauce.
Between dinner and bedtime, I snacked on a 100 calorie popcorn and a Klondike no sugar added ice cream.
Today, I'm off to the farmer's market (I've been craving my sister's recipe for pickled radishes and the radishes at Whole Foods didn't look great when I went there the other night), the gym, and then down to my parents' house to grill burgers for dinner. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to hit a body pump class in the morning, and then I have a walking date with Jessica, which I'm really looking forward to.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Good Stuff
Just a quickie...
1. One of the new ladies at work (has been with us for a couple of months) commented yesterday that I've lost some weight lately and I'm looking good. She asked how much I've lost and when I replied, "Probably just a few pounds since I've known you, but about 100 pounds overall," the look on her face was priceless.
2. Scott and I are looking into booking a cruise to Alaska for our 10 year wedding anniversary later this year. Any advice would be appreciated as I am a little overwhelmed by all the options.
3. If I keep buying all of the great deals on exercise classes on Groupon, I won't ever have an excuse not to work out.
4. I discovered a wonderful new lunch option a couple of weeks ago called Juice & Java. It's fabulous. Anyone local should definitely try it. I had a salad for lunch today of mixed greens, sprouts, carrots, avocado, tuna (no mayo - just the fish), and light mustard vinaigrette. I went to lunch there with my friend Kelly today - she is a serious runner and we had a great talk over some awesome and healthy food.
That's it for now.
1. One of the new ladies at work (has been with us for a couple of months) commented yesterday that I've lost some weight lately and I'm looking good. She asked how much I've lost and when I replied, "Probably just a few pounds since I've known you, but about 100 pounds overall," the look on her face was priceless.
2. Scott and I are looking into booking a cruise to Alaska for our 10 year wedding anniversary later this year. Any advice would be appreciated as I am a little overwhelmed by all the options.
3. If I keep buying all of the great deals on exercise classes on Groupon, I won't ever have an excuse not to work out.
4. I discovered a wonderful new lunch option a couple of weeks ago called Juice & Java. It's fabulous. Anyone local should definitely try it. I had a salad for lunch today of mixed greens, sprouts, carrots, avocado, tuna (no mayo - just the fish), and light mustard vinaigrette. I went to lunch there with my friend Kelly today - she is a serious runner and we had a great talk over some awesome and healthy food.
That's it for now.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Recipe: Healthier Shepherd's Pie
I managed to "healthify" my shepherd's pie and I have to say...it came out pretty fabulous. It's my best thing that I cook (according to my husband) so I didn't want to mess with it too much...but it was really good and bandster friendly.
Healthier Shepherd's Pie
Meat mixture:
1 pound extra lean (7%) ground beef
Handful of baby carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
Worcestershire sauce
Salt/Pepper to taste
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Topping:
1 package frozen cauliflower
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
1/2 cup + a few tablespoons reduced fat (2%) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt/Pepper to taste
Spray a large pan with cooking spray. Saute carrots and onions until the onions are translucent. Add ground beef, garlic, worcestershire, salt and pepper and cook until the meat is browned. Add the corn and stir. (Optional - you can add a handful of peas at this point too, but I don't like them so I skip it.)
Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower until it is very soft (7-8 minutes). Add the potato and use a potato masher to mash the cauliflower and potato together. Add salt and pepper.
Spread the meat/veggie mixture in a casserole dish. Top with cheese. Spread potato/cauliflower mixture on top. Cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350.
Uncover. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cheese on top and broil until brown and bubbly.
Allow to sit for a few minutes before you cut into it.
Healthier Shepherd's Pie
Meat mixture:
1 pound extra lean (7%) ground beef
Handful of baby carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
Worcestershire sauce
Salt/Pepper to taste
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Topping:
1 package frozen cauliflower
1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
1/2 cup + a few tablespoons reduced fat (2%) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt/Pepper to taste
Spray a large pan with cooking spray. Saute carrots and onions until the onions are translucent. Add ground beef, garlic, worcestershire, salt and pepper and cook until the meat is browned. Add the corn and stir. (Optional - you can add a handful of peas at this point too, but I don't like them so I skip it.)
Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower until it is very soft (7-8 minutes). Add the potato and use a potato masher to mash the cauliflower and potato together. Add salt and pepper.
Spread the meat/veggie mixture in a casserole dish. Top with cheese. Spread potato/cauliflower mixture on top. Cover and bake for 45 minutes at 350.
Uncover. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cheese on top and broil until brown and bubbly.
Allow to sit for a few minutes before you cut into it.
Conversation With Myself
Conversation with myself...
Me: I don't feel like going to the gym today.
Me: Too f***ing bad. You're going anyway.
Me: Um ok. Guess I'd better go put my sneakers on.
Me: Damn right. Just go. Do it now.
See everyone later. I'm off to the gym.
Me: I don't feel like going to the gym today.
Me: Too f***ing bad. You're going anyway.
Me: Um ok. Guess I'd better go put my sneakers on.
Me: Damn right. Just go. Do it now.
See everyone later. I'm off to the gym.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Tagged by Jessica
I was tagged by Jessica and figured I'd play along. :-)
This is from my walk with Jessica yesterday. My husband, Scott, came to the park with us to
do some photography and he captured some nice shots. :-)
The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people!
11 Random things about me:
Do you have any tattoos? If so what are they of?
I do. A purple Grateful Dead bear on my left thigh and dragonflies and flowers on my right ankle. I definitely want at least one more, but not sure what.
What is the most played song on your ipod?
Julius by Phish. It's the perfect pace for running and these lyrics really get me going because it makes me always want to take another step and push myself just a little harder to be at that moment where my past and my future are precisely divided...with the new life winning...so I take another step.
With your past and your future precisely divided,
Am I at that moment?
I haven't decided.
Don't take another, don't take another, don't take another step,
Don't blame it on yourself...
What is your favorite form of exercise?
Lately, it's running outdoors. Who knew I would love it so much?
If you could learn to do anything? What would it be?
Play an instrument well. I played bass guitar for awhile and pretty much sucked. I felt like I was hurting the music so I stopped.
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
Travel, buy a house near my sister, and get my bachelor's degree.
What is the first thing you notice about someone?
It's nothing in particular that I notice first...just a general vibe...how their presence makes me feel.
Describe yourself in three words.
Still in progress.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Antarctica. I dream of one day going to work there for a season. Doing what? I have no idea. I just want to experience it.
What is your biggest fear?
Never accomplishing my goals. That, and cockroaches. Shudder.
If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
A never ending supply of money so I always had exactly the right amount in my pocket no matter what I was buying, perfect health until I die peacefully in my sleep when I am 123 years old, a hundred years with my husband.
Can you keep a secret?
Yep. :-)
My 11 Questions:
1. What is your favorite salad?
2. What was your favorite book as a child?
3. What is the one food that you would love to be able to eat in unlimited amounts without ever absorbing the calories or getting stuck?
4. Do you prefer working out indoors or outdoors?
5. If you're banded, what are your "absolutely not" foods that you will not attempt because they get stuck every time?
6. What is your favorite song/band to exercise to?
7. Have you ever played any sports?
8. What is one book that you could read over and over again?
9. What do you think the most attractive thing about yourself is?
10. Would you go to a bariatric doctor who was fat? Why or why not?
11. Are you going to BOOBs this year?
People I Tag:
1. Shannon
2. Joey
3. Fluffy
4. Rockband Barbie
5. Grace
6. Lacey
7. Lap Band Groupie
8. Camille
9. Catherine
10. Babbling Amy
11. Tessie Rose
This is from my walk with Jessica yesterday. My husband, Scott, came to the park with us todo some photography and he captured some nice shots. :-)
The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people!
11 Random things about me:
- My husband was my boss when we met. I was 23 years old. We didn't start dating for real until he was promoted to a different department
- I hate mushrooms, squid, raised donuts, and rice krispy treats.
- I love brussels sprouts, broccoli, cupcakes, and cheese.
- I am addicted to spicy food. This happened after surgery. I have jars of jalapenos in the refrigerators at home AND work, as well as over a dozen types of hot sauce.
- I went to summer camp in Lake George, NY every year from when I was 8 years old until I was 17.
- I used to think I did, but I really don't want kids. I'm happy to be an aunt.
- I'm a terrible housekeeper. I hate cleaning and decorating and all that stuff.
- I am a roller coaster junkie.
- I love music, lots of different kinds, but can't get into country or super hard metal.
- I'm seriously allergic to perfume, scented candles, cleaning supplies, etc. I need to take allergy meds before I go to any large gathering because inevitably, the person who is marinated in perfume will be sitting right next to me. (I spent most of BOOBs doped up on Benadryl.)
- I used to play poker all the time. We bought our house when we did because I won a "bad beat jackpot" and needed to offset the win. I pretty much stopped playing seriously after we moved.
Do you have any tattoos? If so what are they of?
I do. A purple Grateful Dead bear on my left thigh and dragonflies and flowers on my right ankle. I definitely want at least one more, but not sure what.
What is the most played song on your ipod?
Julius by Phish. It's the perfect pace for running and these lyrics really get me going because it makes me always want to take another step and push myself just a little harder to be at that moment where my past and my future are precisely divided...with the new life winning...so I take another step.
With your past and your future precisely divided,
Am I at that moment?
I haven't decided.
Don't take another, don't take another, don't take another step,
Don't blame it on yourself...
What is your favorite form of exercise?
Lately, it's running outdoors. Who knew I would love it so much?
If you could learn to do anything? What would it be?
Play an instrument well. I played bass guitar for awhile and pretty much sucked. I felt like I was hurting the music so I stopped.
If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
Travel, buy a house near my sister, and get my bachelor's degree.
What is the first thing you notice about someone?
It's nothing in particular that I notice first...just a general vibe...how their presence makes me feel.
Describe yourself in three words.
Still in progress.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Antarctica. I dream of one day going to work there for a season. Doing what? I have no idea. I just want to experience it.
What is your biggest fear?
Never accomplishing my goals. That, and cockroaches. Shudder.
If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
A never ending supply of money so I always had exactly the right amount in my pocket no matter what I was buying, perfect health until I die peacefully in my sleep when I am 123 years old, a hundred years with my husband.
Can you keep a secret?
Yep. :-)
My 11 Questions:
1. What is your favorite salad?
2. What was your favorite book as a child?
3. What is the one food that you would love to be able to eat in unlimited amounts without ever absorbing the calories or getting stuck?
4. Do you prefer working out indoors or outdoors?
5. If you're banded, what are your "absolutely not" foods that you will not attempt because they get stuck every time?
6. What is your favorite song/band to exercise to?
7. Have you ever played any sports?
8. What is one book that you could read over and over again?
9. What do you think the most attractive thing about yourself is?
10. Would you go to a bariatric doctor who was fat? Why or why not?
11. Are you going to BOOBs this year?
People I Tag:
1. Shannon
2. Joey
3. Fluffy
4. Rockband Barbie
5. Grace
6. Lacey
7. Lap Band Groupie
8. Camille
9. Catherine
10. Babbling Amy
11. Tessie Rose
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Conversation With a Co-Worker
The following conversation happened today with my friend/co-worker Jason. It made me giggle so I had to share. He's had a cold/sinus thing going on for awhile and had gone to the doctor before but was still not feeling well. I got the following email today.
Jason: FYI, dr appt, will be out of office from 11am-1pm
Me: I hope they FINALLY get you all fixed up and you get to feeling better.
Jason: Thank you! Of course now that I have an appt scheduled I'm actually already feeling better today... but they still better give me something, antibiotic or whatever.
Me: Isn't that always the way? But YES...insist on blood work and cultures so they can find out what is ACTUALLY wrong!!!!!
Jason: Oh I will! Demanding a CAT scan, MRI, biopsy, CBC, extra x-rays, EKG, strep test, and an autopsy for good measure.
Me: Don't forget the mammogram, pregnancy test, and full fluoroscopy of your digestive system.
Jason: Definitely. But I think a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy might be in order. And a full set of toxicology tests, someone may have drugged me. Tuning fork test too. I am going to decline the proctoscopy.
Me: Of course. Better safe than sorry. I know insurance doesn't usually cover it, but a full phrenology exam may be in order as well. It might provide some good info.
Later, when he got back to the office:
Me: How did it go? When are you getting fitted for your plastic bubble?
Jason: It was pretty good. The pregnancy test was negative, but the autopsy was really painful.
Sometimes working here is really fun.
Jason: FYI, dr appt, will be out of office from 11am-1pm
Me: I hope they FINALLY get you all fixed up and you get to feeling better.
Jason: Thank you! Of course now that I have an appt scheduled I'm actually already feeling better today... but they still better give me something, antibiotic or whatever.
Me: Isn't that always the way? But YES...insist on blood work and cultures so they can find out what is ACTUALLY wrong!!!!!
Jason: Oh I will! Demanding a CAT scan, MRI, biopsy, CBC, extra x-rays, EKG, strep test, and an autopsy for good measure.
Me: Don't forget the mammogram, pregnancy test, and full fluoroscopy of your digestive system.
Jason: Definitely. But I think a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy might be in order. And a full set of toxicology tests, someone may have drugged me. Tuning fork test too. I am going to decline the proctoscopy.
Me: Of course. Better safe than sorry. I know insurance doesn't usually cover it, but a full phrenology exam may be in order as well. It might provide some good info.
Later, when he got back to the office:
Me: How did it go? When are you getting fitted for your plastic bubble?
Jason: It was pretty good. The pregnancy test was negative, but the autopsy was really painful.
Sometimes working here is really fun.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Word of the Year: Go
Many bloggers have chosen a word to represent the new year. I wasn't planning to do so, but when I was out for a walk on my lunch break today, I thought of the perfect word for my year.
My word is: go.
Short, sweet, and simple. It says what I want to accomplish.
Newton's First Law of Motion states: "Every object persists in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled by an external force to change that state."
Sometimes I'll get on a good exercise kick, last a few weeks, and then something will happen where I fall off track for weeks. I don't want to do that this year. Sometimes I just need to put my sneakers on and GO. The first few steps are the hardest.
When my body is at rest, it remains at rest. Watching Biggest Loser on TV is easier than throwing on my sweats and heading out the door.
When my body is in motion, it remains in motion. Usually for about an hour at a time.
I set a goal of 200 hours of exercise in 2012, minimum. I know that time of exercise isn't as important as intensity, but sometimes just getting off the couch and doing it makes all the difference
So my word for 2012...
My word is: go.
Short, sweet, and simple. It says what I want to accomplish.
Newton's First Law of Motion states: "Every object persists in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled by an external force to change that state."
Sometimes I'll get on a good exercise kick, last a few weeks, and then something will happen where I fall off track for weeks. I don't want to do that this year. Sometimes I just need to put my sneakers on and GO. The first few steps are the hardest.
When my body is at rest, it remains at rest. Watching Biggest Loser on TV is easier than throwing on my sweats and heading out the door.
When my body is in motion, it remains in motion. Usually for about an hour at a time.
I set a goal of 200 hours of exercise in 2012, minimum. I know that time of exercise isn't as important as intensity, but sometimes just getting off the couch and doing it makes all the difference
So my word for 2012...
Sunday, January 1, 2012
100 Pounds!
I woke up this morning to a wonderful sight on the scale:
This puts me down exactly 100 pounds from my highest weight. This is not 100 pounds since banding (I have about 10 pounds to go before I get there) but here is my weight log from when I started Weight Watchers...292 pounds as my starting weight...I lost 50 pounds and gained back 40 before I had my surgery.
What a really cool way to start the new year!
This puts me down exactly 100 pounds from my highest weight. This is not 100 pounds since banding (I have about 10 pounds to go before I get there) but here is my weight log from when I started Weight Watchers...292 pounds as my starting weight...I lost 50 pounds and gained back 40 before I had my surgery.
What a really cool way to start the new year!
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