Just returning home from attending a support meeting with the Bluebonnet Group in Clear Lake. I am so grateful that I went tonight and also that Susan and Dr. Kalia are such thoughtful listeners. The support group is made up some very intelligent and kind people who all want to have healthier bodies. As I walked into the house tonight, I was thinking that in some ways I feel like I have stepped into a dream and I hope it never ends. I know that this is the right time combined with the right way of eating-the stars seem aligned for success.
I made a public commitment tonight and so I will record it here. Goals that are written and spoken become successes. I committed to giving up any sweet (cookie, cake, pie or ice cream-any dessert made with refined white sugar) for one year beginning on New Year's Day. I just told my sweet husband and he responded that the goal seems too tough. I am determined. It was an epiphany on my way home. I have been talking about giving up sugar for forever and that just seemed too sad to even consider. But for a year? That is not forever. I can do that.

I the Husband.....Dec. 14, 2009

Last blog weight was 358 and today is 354.
I thought at one point recently that I would love to have 350 as my goal weight before Christmas week. I think that would represent a loss of 30 lbs from the beginning. Did not think I could lose that much in a couple of weeks when I was 362; but now it seems not only as a possible goal but even likely. The new clothes I purchased on Black Friday after Thanksgiving were tight in anticipation of the "body to come". Started wearing them now and they are already fitting me just right. Really starting to find that all of my old clothes are noticeably baggy. I feel so much more comfortable at work all day in clothes that have room to spare.
Eating is going well. Still focusing on drinking lots of water all day long.
Had some good experience this past week of moving my freestyle meals to match activities going on in my life.
Looking forward to the long week off for Christmas and the relaxing fun cruise we are taking with family. Have discussed plans for staying on program during the trip with the wife. First time in my life that I did not feel stressed about how to stay on target during a holiday trip. I feel completely confident. Maybe I should not be so confident? I see the upcoming cruise eating as simply eating at a resteraunt every day. Having the experiences over the last two months of eating good while at a resteraunt is going to help. I know you can order from the menu choices and ask for things to be prepared differently to align with the program. Gone are the days I let myself feel trapped by a menu and don't want to "bother" asking for a special preparation or substitution.
I think main meals will be easy. I'm thinking that snacks may be more of a challenge. Have talked about what we could bring with us for snacks. Certainly don't want to be snacking on ice cream on the lido deck! Or downing drinks by the pool. Anytime dining on this ship should allow for walking in a dining room and ordering even just a snack when its time. Like some drinks but not a regular drinker so even on a cruise this will not be a temptation or problem for me. In fact I have become so addicted to water with lemon that I can already feel myself laying on deck with the ocean in front of me and i'm thirsty for my water and lemon!

This whole trip could be more of a challenge for the kid. He will probably be in the kid's program allot. He loves any type of social club with other kids. I can just imagine they will have ice cream breaks etc. We always talk to him before situations that we know will be a challenge to make good decisions; but he is a young child and I know its tough. I'm pleasantly surprised how many times he does make a healthy choice or at least shows effort to make a better / modified choice.

Wife and I have talked about her going to the group meeting tonight. I am interested to hear the group advice on taking the cruise next week; suggestions and thoughts on having "happiness" all week and not so much "pleasure".

The real scoop... and poop?

Sharing means really sharing... right?
I think I need to begin to chart my weight loss by the month. I think I might see a pattern. Right before I started my period, I had POWERFUL cravings for sweets. I indulged on my free day. This is one step down the wrong path. My period began last Wednesday and I have eaten one kind of sweet or another almost every day. This is bad-real bad. I am trying to get off sugar but it is HARD. I have written before that sugar is like alcohol to and alcoholic or cocaine to anyone but for real-it is addictive for me. If I indulge once-I am hooked. If I buy something sweet from the store and bring it home or bake something sweet, I won't stop until it is all gone-regardless of how much that may mean that I will eat. I was worried tonight after eating a few dark chocolate cookies but after throwing up (stomach acid + bypass + poor nutrition ='s vomit) I am at 198. At my lowest, I have been at 196. We are leaving on a cruise in 2 weeks and I want to do as much good as I can for my body before then as possible. I am determined to re-give up sugar this week and renew myself. It is devastating to think I can never eat sugar again-I love it so... It is also sad to think that I don't have better control.
On to other... more stinky subjects. For a bypass patient, poop can be a sore subject-literally. Without careful nutrition, one can become impacted very easily. Before surgery I would "go" almost every day. I know this might sound weird but I miss that. It felt strangely cleansing to me-like my body was effectively handling my food intake. Now, if I "go" once a week, I celebrate. I know some people get very worked up about this bodily function, take pills, feel pain-that is not me. I just go with the flow. I try to drink lots of water to help (painful process if not!).
I may get in trouble but my sweetie has the opposite problem-he has IBS and a day he doesn't have to go is a celebration! Funny how everyone is different. Our new way of eating has made a HUGE difference in this area for him.
Anywhoo random thoughts-I share this for my doctor and nutritionist-the more whole the picture, the easier to treat.

I the Husband.......12/6/09

Last blog weight was 365; now current weight is 358. Was very interested to see my weight today.
Had the situation where friends had invited me for some live music at a local bar. My intentions were not to eat there because I had been before and knew there were not allot of good options. Did know that I would probably have a few beers; last time I did not. The plan was to eat before I left the house but that did not work out. So did eat a hamburger with onion rings. Good news is I ate half the burger and was so full it was not even an option to try the second half either physically or mentally. Probably the first time in my life I let that big of a burger go back to the kitchen for the dumpster. Substituted the onion rings for the fries, let's hope that helped. I prefer onions anyway. Had several beers; one of those places with lots of beers on tap. Its an english pub type place. Sunday was also a challenge. Had committed to taking lunch to a friend who had recently had major surgery. Wanted to take something more healthy but they are not on a program and figured their kids would turn their nose up at anything healthy. Also again ran out of time coming right out of church and rushing to get on the othe side of town for lunch with the goods. So ate a couple bites of pizza.
Was worried about the effect of these two days. I had dropped back to 362 a few days ago.
Unless its going to take longer to see the effect on my weight, looks like I have continued to lose.

The son did well and lost another pound over the weekend. He is now at 145.

I the Husband.....Part 2

So the previous post was about successes. Wanted to add comments on my challenges.
Its a journey I am sure; discovering what works and does not work I have to admit is sort of fun and keeps you focused. We have acknowledged that freestyling is a challenge because we do not do it correctly. So we listened to Dr. Kalia and Susan at the group meeting and really understood for the first time what freestyling really is suppose to be. We started freestyling by making the meal or the day a free for all, all day. Now as we see the result from the food fest; it disappoints when you step on the scale and gain rather than lose. Then you think was it worth it? So this past Sunday we had a much better freestyling. A sensible meal as best you can then add something you really like. For the first time I saw no weight gain after the Sunday freestyling.
I remember Dr. Kalia sharing that you may love pizza but its not a good freestyle food because its also a trigger food that encourages to eat more. So even with this advice my son and I wanted pizza at the first freestyling and had it. Then we moved on and next time wanted honey barbeque chicken wings. Our favorite food for the Sunday Texan's football game. Again a trigger food. This week first of all I am not even feeling like a freestyle meal on Thursday. The desire to eat healthy all week and see good results is stronger than the craving for any of my favorite foods. By Sunday I can only imagine myself eating a hamburger and onion rings. Not a trigger food and maybe even try a type of bun other than white bread. Freestyling remains a challenge but I can see it getting better and better as we go along.

Second challenge for me pesonally is hunger pains and mental hunger about 2 hours after dinner. Let me admit fully that I know my worst habit ever is the "grazing" after dinner to relieve stress and relax from the day that I had really worked into a big bad habit the last two years of my life. So now I restrain from the desire to eat after dinner; however I notice now I actually get real hunger pains. So just about since the beginning I have been eating a snack about 2 hours after eating dinner. My goal has been to make it a healthier snack. My future goal is to reduce the snack smaller and smaller until maybe eliminating it all together. The best snack that seems to stop the hunger pains quickly and taste good and satisfying is either trisquits or Doctor Kracker with humus. I like to add lemon juice, splash of olive oil and sea salt to the humus. I know that sounds like a lot of stuff being added to the humus but it is SO satisfying to me. Instantly pleases the taste buds and satisfies and then the grainy hard crackers quickly fills up and adds the crunchy chewing that also makes me feel full. So not sure if there is a better solution or better foods to be snacking on; will be interesting to see if the weight loss continues even with the later snack. Mentioned in a previous blog that our goal was to hit the bed earlier to perhaps avoid the snack. However this has been just about impossible with the schedule. I'm usually up later either working, conversing with the wife on the day; or just simply trying to relax and do something for myself that is entertaining.

One last note; for the first few weeks I was drinking lots of water. Even Crystal light at times. Lots of weight loss. The last two weeks I just realized have not drank as much water. In fact allot less water because of the sickness and then because I was away from home. Just a bigger pain to cut lemons and fix a glass of water. Even was busier at work with all day meetings one day after another which didn't allow me a break to grab some water. Starting to notice that for my body and for me; water could be a big key for weight loss. Just get this feeling that this big ole body of mine really uses and needs water to flush the calories and food out. I just felt a difference. Going to really focus on drinking lots of water over the next week or so and see what happens.

I the Husband.....

So last report was 362 and tonight 365. So here is what has happened over the last couple of weeks. So forgot to take my IBS medicine a Tuesday morning, better known by me as "the Sand". It literally will not dissolve in anything but apple sauce. So felt okay all day and by nightfall I was starting to feel the nausea and discomfort. By midnight it was in full explosion; immediately I remember last month when the same thing happened and I ended up in the ER with no vision, sweat drenching my shirt and blood pressure of 50/13. Was told by the doctor to eat chicken soup and pedialyte only for 3 days. He also increased the Lomitrol from 2 pills to 6 a day if needed. Well eating soup for me has always been like not eating at all. I honestly think soup increases my appetite. All I can think while eating soup is I'm eating water and how deprived I am going to feel afterwards. So anyway; initially because of the diarrhea and horrible stomach pains that accompany IBS, I dropped to 355 in those first few days. By the time things were getting better on Sunday I had gone back up to 368. Then came Turkey Day! Because work is slow and being the Finance guy and I made the entire company take all their vacation time so the company could accrue less expenses at end of the year; I myself had just about the entire Thanksgiving week off. So out of my routine. Good news is I maintained the weight and did not go up. We did our best during the time at the inlaws. Breakfast was easy. Closed my eyes and told myself it was a mirage I was smelling; it was not really hot bisquits, pork sausage patties with butter and jelly. So like the wife said, we watched what food was presented for everyone else and tried to add better choices for our family. The main Thanksgiving lunch came. I served my plate with turkey first; tried to put more turkey than a normal portion thinking that if I filled up eating more turkey that was better than eating other stuff that was less healthy. So I passed on the cream corn; although the entire family is from the "country" and were literally moaning and bragging on how good the corn was. Passing the corn around time after time insisting everyone have some of that good corn. This was my biggest success over Thanksgiving; not only was Mechiel's family loving and bragging on the corn but I am from a cajun family who also loves corn although they cook it completely different. All I could think as I looked into the bowl bright yellow gook, was BAD CORN! BAD CORN!
However I did serve myself dressing and cranberry sauce. It was really good. I avoided the ham at this meal. I resisted the white flour yeast rolls for almost the entire meal. At the last minute I grabbed one and enjoyed it. It got harder the second and third day to stay away from the ham and other choices. So I lost an extreme amount of weight during the four days or so I was sick then put that same weight and a little more back on. During Thanksgiving things stabilized which I consider a success. Now back home after Thanksgiving and back into the routine, the weight has come down from Sunday of 368 to 365. Okay even more success here is after two major hurdles; 1.) getting that sickness and having to eat differently; 2.) a holiday away from home surrounded by others eating the bad choices; the minute I got back home we got back into the better routine without hesitation, not begrundingly; but the wife and I both anxious to get back on the program; there was not the usual fat devil sitting on your shoulder telling me to give up; you had a few bad days or weeks; give up and give in to the old ways of eating. There was never a doubt we would be back on a tight program and looking forward to doing what was right and shunning the bad habits and less healthy eating. That is a true miracle and huge success for an overweight person. The ease with which an obese person gives up on the program and themselves is scary. We have no history of success, we have no real faith in our abilities to stick and be strong; and as a result we overwhelmed and incapable of getting back on track. Not any more, this program gives you quick, simple success and is just as simple and easy to get back on after a holiday or sickness as examples.

It really works

I go through cycles of LOVING cooking, preparing, chopping and then maybe a week, week and a half of losing the loving feeling. I am back to loving it. Funny how well it works. I am at 196.5 this morning! Yeah. The boy weighed last night and is down 2 pounds from the 1st of December.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a nice break-mine was the bestest evah.
We were with my family in Conroe. That means my Mom, my Dad, my sister and her family (husband, son and daughter) from Monroe, LA plus two aunts and 1 uncle from Granbury, Tx.
My husband and I totally hit the black Friday sales and it was fun to spend time together but I don't know if I will do it again. I told him I liked the after Christmas sales when I focus on myself and not getting for others! Sounds selfish but there was a lot of self imposed pressure to get what was on our list!
So, food-We did ok, not perfect but ok. I rolled a huge igloo with me filled with the kinds of foods we can and should eat. At each meal I would look at what was being cooked and decide about whether I needed to add to the choices.
The results? Today I am at 197.5 which is AWESOME!! I have been floating between 200 and 199 for a while and it is getting frustrating. I am focusing on 190 as a new goal.
I have to share the most exciting thing that happened. Ok, my sister has been on a diet/exercise thing for a while and she looks AWESOME-I mean like healthy and skinny-so good.
All of the ladies went into my moms bedroom and my sis was going to try on some jeans my mom had stored away. It ended up that my sis is a size 14 ( I was insisting that she looks like a 10-what do I know!) anyway-guess who inherited all of her 18's?! Me! I left with a pile of jeans that fit just right. So lovely and also so great to see that with continued dedication, I am only a few steps away from her current size. "Skinny" doesn't seem like and impossible dream anymore.
We have decided to focus on adding back exercise so I am going to go to Fit Club tonight.

The week

This has been a weird week. I felt very lazy about prepping and cooking for us. We ate as we should but it was very random. I enjoyed going to the session on Tuesday-it was motivating. My husband was sick this week with some major gastric intestinal distress so Thursday night free night ended up being Chick Fil A for the boy. I had sampled at Pappasitos Wednesday night when I hosted a educational night there. Tonight is Saturday and I am back at 199 and so happy. I have eaten a small bag of dark chocolate covered almonds-so not good. The husband is right-the extra, unstructured time on Saturdays and Sundays can be difficult. What to celebrate? I made two really good meals today. The boys has been eating "chili dogs" (Ezekiel buns, organic hot dog and chili beans with mustard). I made myself a sloppy Juan (lean beef with beans and lots of Mexican spices over 1 hamburger bun + cheese and mustard). For dinner I did Uncle Ben's mushroom wild rice with cubes of chicken breast and zucchini. Yum.
Our plan for free choice tomorrow is breakfast out (this may not happen), the boys will have chicken wings and I will get some Mexican in for dinner. We have talked about small treats instead of a free for all-I hope our bodies are fooled and we don't gain too much.
We will be with my family after Tuesday. My sister is on a major health kick and my mom has a black belt in weight watchers so healthy eating won't be too much of a challenge.

Reflections

Well, yes I had those cheese enchiladas and lots of sweets on Sunday. Yes, I gained some weight. I am trying to get it back off. Today I was 200.5. What a bummer. Dr. Kalia is so smart. I will never again over eat during a free day. I will have my enchilada, I may even have 1 sweet but I will never again have a free fest.
I loved the meeting tonight. I loved how everyone was so open, sharing about where they were. I LOVED how Susan and Dr. Kalia listened. That is so rare these days. So many people want to be heard-so few can give the gift of listening. I felt very edified from the evening. I had a great opportunity to reflect with my sweetie on the way home. He is sooo incredibly supportive- I am so thankful.
So- I think this is the beginning of me boycotting sweets for a while-I just can't control myself and once I have one-I have the craving on my tongue for too long. It really is like crack cocaine for me. Did you know that I grew up drinking many Dr. Peppers a day my entire life? Two years ago I decided to give it up and I thought it was going to be impossible. It turned out to be easy. I can give up almost anything but sugar is really my mountain to climb.
My sweet husband is feeling hungry after dinner. He is looking for solutions.
I have been a bit lazy this week about dinners and lunches. I need to motivate myself to work ahead-things work so much better when I do.
Recipe we love:

Cinnamon Apple Bagel
Toast one half of an Ezekiel bagel
While it is toasting, chop one apple into very small cubes and sprinkle with cinnamon.
When bagel is ready, spread with natural peanut butter and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of apples on top.

198

Well, this morning I did it. I have been at 201 and 200 for a while. I am totally spoiled-losing about a half pound each day. I know it will end or even slow down at some point. I have been telling my sweetie that I just wanted to get below 200 and also telling my bestie at work. Well this morning when I hopped on the scale, I saw 198.5. Whoo hoo! I did the happy dance right then and there-just for me.
It washed the stress and strife I have been dealing with at work just wash away. Tomorrow is a free day dinner. Mmmm cheese enchiladas. I wonder if I will be back to past 200 after that?

I the Husband.........

So the wife so kindly lets me now log into her blog to report.
I am now at 362 which is a total loss of 18 pounds. Being the accountant I weighed the clothes, keys, blackberry, and shoes I was wearing at my first weigh in; so you have to subtract about 5 lbs from that total for a net loss of 13 pounds. I am really excited about that; not sure if that is good or bad but for me it feels great! I don't feel as if I am depriving myself; I feel happy; and the choices are not really that hard. Probably the first program that did not add stress to my day worried about how I was going to stay on the diet. I love what I am eating, I like the choices.
Besides my lovely wife working so hard to shop and prepare dinners and lunches; my favorite change has nothing to do with the food but a change in habit. We decided to make sure we had dinner together all gathered at the table at the same time. We play music, we read articles, talk about our day; and compete to see who can eat the slowest. Tonight was really fun when we teased my 8yro son about his crush on Taylor Swift. I have learned that eating slow really does work to make you feel full. I'm 44 and never really knew this. We ate fast and furious as a child. When I first heard Dr. Kalia's talk about eating slow I tried it. It did not seem to have any affect. What I have learned now is it really is sloooooww. I have to put my fork down between every bite. Talk or read something. Its slow eating, not just a delay in eating. Originally I had tried taking 15 minutes to eat my dinner. It takes at least 20 minutes and longer for my body to start feeling the fullness. It works! I always start to feel full before finishing a meal and its a really full satisfied feeling. I notice the taste of every bite; things that I thought I really did not like suddenly take on a whole new flavor and interest. I have to wonder how many other obese folks could do so much better if they just learned to eat slow and pay attention to every bite?

Last week was a huge success for me. When your overweight; every challenge is an excuse to be lazy and eat unhealthy. I had three business meetings over lunch. Two of them were outside the office. The first was at a Mexican restaurant. Not only did I not partake of the chips before the meal; I made a good choice I think in having the ceviche. Just seafood marinated in lime juice with onions, cilantro and tomatoes. It was so good and satisfying that when I had another lunch meeting, I chose the same place knowing there was a dish I would like and be healthy.
Is it really that easy to not eat the torilla chips? Evidently so!

The other big challenge is wanting to "graze" after dinner. That was my previous way of relieving the stress of the work day and entertaining myself. I think it had little to do with actual hunger. So the wife and I have decided to make that habit our project this week; let's just go to bed earlier! So our new goal is to be in bed by 9pm. I'm running a few minutes late tonight so off to bed we go!

This week... so far

Well, other than work stresses and menstrual cramps, the week has been slow but wonderful. We received our scale (just like the one our nutritionist uses) and I am proud to report that this morning I am at 201!!!!! Can you believe?! Thrilled-I am thrilled. My sweetie has lost as well but I will let him report that.
I am very thankful and appreciative of the additional help my husband has given me this week. On Sunday he could hear my sighs of frustration about chopping and preparing and came to help. What a difference that makes! He also has continued to make our breakfast each morning and that makes my morning so much easier. We have all been involved in dishes and he has helped me prepare some dinners as well. Food this week has gone well for us. I had been craving sweets (probably the time of the month) and had had a square of dark chocolate each night but that has past and for the last 2 nights have had none.
We do have a couple of questions....

1. Someone in our house struggles to drink water and wants to know why Crystal Light is not ok.
2. Our son has eaten what we have eaten for breakfast and dinner. For lunch he has had a sandwich with Ezekiel bread, mayo (light) or mustard, turkey and this week a slice of processed cheese. He has not lost any weight. I am astonished. We have been reflecting and perhaps he needs to eat a smaller portion size or maybe the we need to look closer at his lunches. I try to do something healthy but also easy to PRE-prepare because we are so busy and the morning can be our most stressful time.
3. When can we meet and receive guidance on eating past our apprenticeship?
4. When is our first "free" meal? There is a debate in our house on whether it is Sunday or Thursday.

The weekend

Well, the weekend went very well. My better half and I were able to stay on track for most of the weekend. We both indulged in a sliver of wedding cake but otherwise, we did great! I am so grateful that he is dedicated to the plan. As the leader of our family, I don't know if he always understands the effect he can have on all three of us. I, the mom, have a similar affect but I look to him for strength when I want to eat that giant bar of chocolate or just eat something less healthy because it is easier.
I am wondering about when we should get together with Bluebonnet health. Ideally for us, this weekend to weigh, check in and get marching orders for the future. We could probably skype after that. My sweetie has order the same scale so we should be able to report weight online.
I weighed today and I was at 204.5. My scale at work is a bit lighter than Susan's but I have probably lost between 5-7 pounds.
I "treated" myself with some window shopping. Once I am below 200, I can begin to shop in normal sizes for some things. That spells success for me.

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday was a much better day food-wise. I didn't think that I liked pita pockets but my husband made me one for breakfast the day before and I found that I love them-they just need to be toasted. So, we had scrambled eggs with cheese in pita for breakfast, our designated snacks and we both LOVED the chicken pita for lunch. I made both a bit different. My husband eats more veggies than I. I had in mine, hummus, chicken, artichoke hearts chopped fine like a relish with grilled peppers, lemon and pepper and grated cheese. DE-Lish. Dinner was left overs. My husband ate his but I had a heavy load of personal stuff to do (birthday party stuff for the boy) and then work stuff. I ate a few "chips" made from the Ezequiel tortillas and humus. I had no hunger pangs at all. I wasn't trying to avoid dinner-I just hate left-overs and I was working on my feet till 9:30.
Today, Wednesday, is the boy's 8th birthday! We are almost out of food and I have not had a minute to go to the store for the next series of meals. The husband made scrambled eggs in pita (we are all still loving them!) and I was able to scrounge up the rest of the snacks for the day but I had to improvise lunch for my husband. I made sauteed zucchini pasta ( zucchini cut in small strings like pasta) with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, shrimp and chopped olives and artichoke hearts. I hope he likes it. Tonight we will be in Conroe at the boys birthday at a pizza place. We have both decided to have salads. I was able make and take cupcakes to the boys school without eating one or evening licking a bowl. This is major hard for me because I LOVE sweets. Come on free days!
I have been weighing and have seen a drop. I have only weighed once.
We ordered a medical scale last night.
When we return from San Antonio, we will shop better for the foods, chop a lot in advance and be better prepared for week 2.

New Day

Wow! I was really tired last night. I had a bit of a headache that followed me into the night. I eventually took some Advil and now I am better. I am on a fresh page today and I hope all goes well.

At the end

My rope that is....
I am TIRED. I picked up the boy at school at 4:00 and it is now 15 minutes until 9:00. I have been on my feet the entire time. Not to mention the regular work day. I have been chopping, cooking or cleaning up kitchen mess that entire time minus our dinner together. I know next round I will have a better understanding of what needs to be done. If I knew then... I would have bought even more produce and I would have chopped my heart out on Sunday. I spent a bit of time prepping dinner for tonight and the cooking it. After we ate (together and slowly and then had our wonderful man of the house open his birthday presents) I then cleaned (with help) and started all over again on our two lunches. Wha Wha Wha
Enough pity party
Today's food was not my favorite. I was leery of the peanut butter and did not put enough on the toast. They boy is enjoying both or at least one of us sitting down to have breakfast in the am. He did confess that he ate breakfast again at school (biscuit, yogurt and chocolate milk). He tried celery and peanut butter at lunch with his sandwich and didn't care for it. I added a boiled egg to my salad (I was craving it). I forgot my dressing and tried to do a lemon and olive oil dressing but I just lost the love for the salad (I just started eating lettuce this year. Before that I NEVER ate lettuce) three meals in two days have been salad so I was done. I ate enough to be satisfied and then later had to throw it up (gastroplasty). It was just not going to stay down. I probably rushed while eating.
I have a headache, I am exhausted and am irritable. Must go have some mindless TV time.
Am also overwhelmed with things to do outside of work this week. Tomorrow-cupcakes for the boys' class, wrap presents for the boys' surprise party, load in car, make Halloween treats for office staff, finalize all laundry for trips and pack for the boy. Thursday, rendezvous for the boys party in Conroe and then leave boy with grandparents. Go home and pack. Friday, leave for San Antonio for wedding/husbands "relaxation" trip. We have not talked about how to handle food. I think we can travel without going wild but I am unsure how we will do the plan as outlined in the book. Ideas?
The husband has asked that I report that today he was served key lime pie (his favorite) and brought a birthday cake and he had none of either. He is SO proud of himself and so am I.

Monday

Well, today started off well. I was able to eat the scrambled eggs without getting ill. I sometimes have a hard time with that. I think I have too much stomach acid in the morning. I do better with crunchy carbs. Anywhoo, off to work I went. I was very hungry for my snack and took a l o n g time to eat my lunch. I was able to eat 3/4 of the chicken which is MAJOR and almost all the lettuce-of course keeping it all down is key and I did. I then went into the meeting and filled my plate so as not to get harassed by the person in charge of food. I threw away the sandwiched when she turned her back and managed to eat only water and almonds. But, I could NOT resist the sugar cookie. I was only going to eat half but before I knew it, it was almost gone. Let me find reason to celebrate. I did not take home a plate of cookies like others and I did only have one. I am going to enjoy my snack before dinner and then enjoy our first sit down dinner in a while. Since almost everything is prepared-easy!!
Night is challenging because my sweetie and I typically graze in the bedroom while watching TV after the boy is in bed. I have plenty of projects to address and of course I could use some sleep!

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday-We all three went to see our doctor and nutritionist on Saturday. We attended at 3 hour session for the grown ups and then a 30 minute for the boy. As with all things we want it to "work" so badly-it is not discipline that stands in our way-it is not desire-it is the long term.
We spent the day in Kemah and enjoyed hanging out as a family.

Sunday- I went to whole foods and purchased the Ezekiel bread, pita pockets and tortillas and the headed over to Randalls for our regular stuff. I was able to find everything easily. I spent about 140 on groceries-pretty typical for us. I then spent about 2 hours getting the protein cooked and gathering the ingredients for our breakfast, lunch and dinner. I felt a but frustrated at spending the time on food when I could be doing other things but now, in the evening, I am glad. "Failing to plan is planning to fail". I know tomorrow will go well because I have laid everything out. I have decided not to continue my work outs with the fit club (a three day a week sweat fest with a trainer) but I will go to the gym and do the tread mill. As with all things, we can only mentally focus on so many things at one time and I feel good about editing a bit so I can carve out time for other things.

File under unbelievable-the boy and I started to talk about what I needed to make for his lunch and things got tense-a few tears started (his) and I said "we are not ready to talk about this-go away and I will call you in a bit". He and I ended up running a few errands and I shared with him that I had thought about it and we would compromise-he can choose to have a veggie a lunch or dinner-his choice. AND I told him he can choose between two veggies each time. This is such a stumbling block for both of us! We went to the binder made just for him (so smart!) and I read over the veggies he could choose from. He CHOSE a SALAD for LUNCH. I would not have believed this had I not seen it with my own eyes. That boy has NEVER eaten a salad in his life. He even suggested that I have a teacher sign off that he ate it and didn't throw it away. We made a Cobb salad variation. Lettuce, avocado, salsa, boiled egg and ham with sun dried tomato vinaigrette. When he finished making this big salad and then understood he got to have that AND a sandwich his overeating little heart almost burst. He said some kids were going to make fun of his salad but he said he was going to tell them "you obviously have not read about healthy eating" -hilarious! He then asked to read over the notebook again and hear all of the ideas. He asked if we could make the "ants on a log" (celery with pb and raisins) tomorrow-this was what had him crying just hours earlier! Kids are so resilient. We celebrated at the end that we got through it with no tears and his Dad and I both told him how proud we are of him.

So... concerns. Tomorrow we have a big meeting and I KNOW there will be sugar cookies and I LOVE sugar cookies. What's a girl to do??! I plan to take a baggie and take some home for a "free day" in 2 weeks. I am concerned about my wonderful hubband-he has "offsite" meetings and I am sure there will be lots of tempting food for him. I am worried about whether he can get away from work and meet us for dinner at the dinner table with no TV. I hope he can-I wish we did this already.

This is us, Sunday night.

Is this the beginning, middle or end?

A little background-and I DO mean little!
There are three of us; me, the husband and the boy.
The two adults have been over weight our entire lives.
We have both had gastroplasty and lost weight-but not all we needed to.
We have tried every diet and fad under the sun.
We have had trainers and gyms and all manner of things.
We are on a new journey.
Follow along.