Life's been good to me so far! Joe Walsh!

The meeting was another monster!
Attendance was so big, that they had to open up the adjoining room. There were people lined up and down the walls!
Amazing!
The speaker was a Post Patient from Lifespan, which is a social worker/therapy type clinic. Her discipline is of course Bariatrics.
She spoke about the changes that happen to us and the people around us before, during, and after the surgery. Her boyfriend was there to offer his viewpoint from time to time.
They were very interesting, informative, and entertaining.
We never got to break into groups and that was a disappointment to me.
Not to belittle the speaker, but this is supposed to be a support group, not an informative talk. It's good to have these people speak to us, but I really feel that I need to hear others around me offering tips and tricks, personal experiences as well as understanding about what we are going through. I will express this to the team and suggest to them that they consider having an extra meeting just for post people to do that.
On a similar note, I am making two changes in my medical team:

1. I have found another family doctor, and am leaving my present one. I did this because I have not been satisfied this doctor has been meeting my needs. I found one closer to my home and it is actually within walking distance. I had my records copied and had to pay a pretty penny to have them done. But, now I actually have them and have read them. An eye opening experience. I bought a multi-function machine to copy them into my computer so I will have them in the future.
2. I am in the process of looking for a psychological counselor familiar with post Bariatric problems. I have spoken with counselors before when my son and I were dealing with ADD and all the other letters, and found it very helpful. I am not ready to check into the funny farm yet, though!

There are so many things I want to do, and have no idea of how to do them. So, I am working as hard as I can, and trying not to burn myself out.
If anyone would like to help, I have a list! I plan to make some real money in the next few years, as well as fulfill some of my dreams and goals. Money has never been my motivator, but I am looking forward to making some and getting out of debt, and feeling good about my life and my accomplishments.

I have many things that I want to do, and I have said this before:

Last year, I was getting ready to die. This year, I am getting ready to live.

Meeting notice

March 5th, tomorrow night (Thursday) is the next support group meeting.
This time, it's being held at the Lancaster General Hospital, instead of the Health Campus.
This is because of the large number of people (not the number of large people!) who have been showing up. The room we were in at the Health campus is full to over full.
So, until they open up the new office, we will have to bite the bullet and hang out in the thriving metropolis of Lancaster City (UGH!). I hate the city, any city, but I guess I'll be there.
They have information available about where to park and it is free, so you don't have to drop your hard earned money.
So, show up, and learn something, and know that you are not alone in your quest to lose weight and keep it off!

The Daily (under Links)

I use this as my home page. I listed the main page so you can pick which one you would like.
I use the Daily Bikini, of course.
This page has so many listings for searching that you can spend lots of your free time surfing around. There are lots of links listed too. Some are for interest, and others for information.
If you like it, send copies to your friends. If you don't like it, send it to your enemies!
Enjoy!

Mike the Post poster!

His name is Mike, and he is posting comments throughout the blog. His first comment is on the post before this one.
Remember, your experiences are different than his. He is an expert only in that he had the surgery way back before many of us.
Take what he says with a grain of salt. Take everything I say with a grain of salt too while you're at it. I am not an expert either.
Feel free to email me and ask questions. Or, you can find both of us on Facebook and ask us there.

Facebook!

I guess it's time to talk about it since so many people are there.
Face Book!
I was able to find many of my old classmates, and connect with some friends I haven't seen in way too long.
I have traded stories with folks, and debated stuff there, and avoided the games and gifts. I also caught a virus that my computer hasn't forgiven me yet.
Now, I found a fellow Post Bariatric patient. He is much further down the path than I am, so I asked him to comment about some questions, and see if I could pass them on here. He said yes, so I will do that as it happens.
If you go onto Facebook, you can join his group: the Staple Club. He asks many of the same questions, so people from both here and there can see them.

Holding pattern

Life has been at a stall speed for almost a month now.
I need to make more changes in order to move into the second phase of my weight loss.
My insurance company assigns a nurse to oversee things and to make comments.
This week, after talking to me for about an hour, she sent me a glucometer with instructions on how to use it. I am not interested in doing that, and am resisting. I can tell my blood sugar is dropping and take measures to correct it on my own.
She also has to make these disclaimer statements after everything she says to cover her butt for the insurance company.
I don't know how she can make any suggestions when she doesn't have my medical history in front of her.

Also,
I found a Facebook friend who just told me he had the surgery done back in 2000. I asked him to write some stuff for this blog and he said he would. I was interested in what it feels like after 8 or 9 years and he agreed to do that. I don't know if he will, but I'm hoping.

And,
I have another new FB friend who is making some very interesting suggestions about types of food. This person is from another part of the country, and they use different ingredients. All of the food here in Central PA is so bland, so this should really be a welcome addition to my diet. Maybe it's what I need to move on?

Next

Ok, the Doctor had a situation requiring him to reschedule the appointment.
So, I made an appointment with my Chiropractor for tomorrow, and will see Dr. Brader next Monday.
That gives me time to further recover from my hospital stay. I feel strong, but have taken some time off to think.
I had a visit tonight from the "Scootin Fool". He came over to introduce me to his son, and to show off his new lights. I would have liked to take a ride with him, but I tried to start my Helix, and it was too cold and too long between runs, and she wouldn't kick over. I have to get a trickle charger to keep the battery charged. It's much smaller than a car battery, and harder to get to. I have to remove the seat and make sure the cables don't lay over onto the metal and short out.
I took some pictures of the scooter in the dark to show off the LED blue lights. Now, I will try to send them to him so he can post them. I am not real good at doing that, but I'll try until I succeed.
So, I thought today:
If it took me all these years to learn how to eat wrong, and get set in my ways, how long will it take me to break all those bad habits and replace them with good habits?
I know the answer......but I ain't tellin you!

Health roadblocks

I have another appointment tomorrow with the doctor and dietician.
This is a follow up. I am supposed to have lost another 5 pounds since I didn't lose enough weight during this time period.
I should be around 212 now instead of the 224 that I weighed in at.
I had the blood sugar problem that I am working on and was talked about in a previous post.
I still have the Celiac problem.
Pretty soon, I'm not going to be able to eat anything. I'll just sit around and look at food, and get sick.
The above sentence is just my ranting. Things really are going well. I am losing weight and getting into shape. I feel good.
I am changing family doctors at this time. I will send my previous doctor a letter explaining my decision.
My Bariatric doctor is very good. I will keep him and his team. Good people all!
I am getting a glucometer to measure my blood sugar levels.
I will be going to a psychologist to make sure I don't have any problems that would prevent me from continuing. I've worked with shrinks before, and found them helpful. It allows me to make statements I wouldn't normally make to my family or friends.
I am hoping for warmer weather soon. I want to get outside more often, instead of working out in the basement all the time.

Up to date!

I did a workout today for the first time since my hospital stay.
I got on the treadmill and started chugging along to the music.
I went up and down hills, with no problems at all. I walked/jogged at speeds up to 3.1 mph, according to the screen. Hills were 6.0 and went down to 4.0 degrees.
I felt good. I drank my Crystal Light, and stopped the machine to fix the wheels, which were allowing the treadmill to travel across the floor.
I stopped the machine around 9 minutes left, and went over and did a workout on the Total Gym.
When I finished the Total Gym, I felt dizzy, so I took a glucose pill, and I felt better.
Then, I got back on the treadmill and started up again. This time, I took 2 dumbbells with me and did wing sprints with my arms while walking. I kept my heartbeat up to the level I need to be, and felt good, so I kept going.
When I finished the walk, I went over and re-arranged the weight bench, and set up the barbell so that I could do bench presses. I did a few with very light weights just to get a feel for the bench. I also did some leg exercises with light weights.
I will start to use the weight bench as a way of mixing things up. I will gradually work up to heavier weight, but for now, I am a wimp.
I did, however, like the fact that my biceps looked pumped when I finished.
I have been dealing with loose skin, and am not a happy camper about that, but all things considered, I'll take that over being fat any day of the week.
I now know that I can exercise without worry, as long as I am careful.

I looked at Kayaks over at one of the local stores, and found the price range as well. I think I can do the Kayak, and will try to buy one later this spring.
For now, I have to look for a "real" job instead of school bus driving, so I can make some money to pay the bills. I am looking into doing my DJ work again. I would like to make the circuit of the local clubs to see what is offered and if I can do better. I don't have the funds to start looking for weddings, and I don't feel confident to do one just yet anyway.
I am also starting to play my guitar again. I blew out the basement walls once this week, and plan to do that a lot more. Maybe attend a jam and get into a band???
Oh Yeah!

Balance

I was really looking forward to attending the Bariatric Support group steering committee meeting last night.
Unfortunately, I ended up in the hospital over the weekend.
I was walking on Saturday morning about an hour after breakfast. it was a nice day, with little wind, and I was feeling good.
I got chugging along and was thinking about what i was going to do with the rest of my life when all of a sudden, I ran out of gas. I had walked about 1 and a quarter miles at that point. I came to a dead stop because my arms and legs stopped working.
I looked up and saw a man and woman walking a dog coming towards me, and I decided I didn't have the energy to talk to them or interact with the dog, so I turned around right there and started slowly walking back towards home.
I managed to walk about a quarter mile slowly, very slowly, to a guard rail where I could sit down and rest. I sat there for a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. My mind was a bit mushy, and I felt disconnected to the world, but I was able to reason things out.
I hate to admit when I am really sick, so I had a tough time trying to figure out if this was real, or I was just watching too much TV.
I decided this was real, so I got out my blue tooth and had to toss an imaginary coin to see if I should call my wife who was still sleeping, or 911. The emergency service won and I punched the number into my new phone.
Before I had done this, I remembered to look at the street signs to know where I was. I can't imagine trying to explain to someone where I was when I didn't know the street name.
I spoke to the operator who stayed on the line with me until the ambulance arrived, preceded by the local police. They did a quick assessment and decided I should take a ride to the hospital.
The paramedic gave me some liquid sugar in a tube, and I began to feel a bit better. I didn't make the connection to low blood sugar until two days later, however.
I spent all day Saturday in the ER, and they then transferred me to a room. I didn't get to eat anything until 8 that night, so I was fasting from 7 in the morning. That's no fun at all! Not my choice, they just never got around to feeding me. I had one cup of water and a bag of D5W.
They did tests on me all three days. I had brain scans, Cat Scans, Dog scans, ultrasounds (I'm not pregnant!), and they also took 10 tubes of blood during my stay.
They did sugar level tests and my fingers feel like pin cushions!
All circulation tests came out just fine, and that is a relief. My heart and arteries are fine.
My blood sugar got low again on Monday and they managed to do a test to monitor it and figure out the problem. It's not diabetes.
It's just my body adjusting to the loss of weight. I burn too many calories because the body is used to having 89 more pounds on it.
So now, I have to carry some sugar around with me, and monitor my blood sugar levels with a thingy that poke holes in my body, mostly fingers.
...................But, I'm feeling much better now!

The dumbing down of America!

Today the congress will vote on the worst bill ever in the history of our country.
The Democrats will vote "Yes".
The Republicans will vote "No".
The three fools who think they are doing the right thing will vote against their party lines and the bill will become law.
I listened to Glenn Beck this morning and I think he has the right idea. He quoted George Washington who said that a party system will be the downfall of the country.
He suggested that the individuals in congress should be vote yes or no, but they should at least read the bill before they vote.
Many of the people in congress have not read it or been given time to read it.
Our new President is too naive and new to really know what he is doing yet, so he deferred to two of the most insane members of congress, namely:
Nancy Pelosi
Harry Reed
When history of this time is reviewed in 200 years, I can't imagine what people will think about us.
The bill they pass tonight or tomorrow, will affect my future as a bariatric patient. health care is going to change drastically.
Socialized medicine is on it's way!
I dare you to convince me otherwise.

Pick a diet, any diet!

Richard Simmons had a "Live it" because he said diets were finite. He was correct!
You start a diet, and finish a diet. They work while they are there, and then stop when they are done.
Before I get to my favorite list, here is a short list of things you should do before starting to do any weight loss plan:

1. Talk to your family doctor about getting a sleep test if you snore. If you have sleep apnea from being overweight, you can lower your blood pressure, and actually lose weight by getting it taken care of. Make sure you are getting enough quality sleep. I use a CPAP machine (ask me about it by email) and I love it. I breathe filtered air at night and sleep much better than I ever did before. If your doctor won't go along with the test, find another doctor.
   
2. Get an endoscopy/colonoscopy. Make sure you ask them to check you for Celiac Sprue. If you have it and eliminate all wheat/gluten products from your diet, you will lose weight and feel better. If you follow the guidelines even if you don't have Celiac, you will lose weight. But, be careful that you get enough fiber from other sources or you will get constipated.
3. Get a full round of blood tests to eliminate any other problems. When I went for the colonoscopy/endoscopy, they took 11 tubes of blood and got 20+ test results from them. That gave them an idea of what I needed to work on to improve. The blood tests for the bariatric is even more intense. 15 tubes of blood and a bunch more results.

If you do all of the above, keep notes or records so you have a starting point of reference in the future. If you get discouraged, you can look back and see the improvement/changes. Keep track of your progress.

So, here are some ideas for anyone reading this blog, who doesn't want to go through gastric bypass, or band surgery:

• Eliminate sauces from your diet. Use seasonings instead. They have fewer calories, and less fat overall. Instead of making a fatty gravy, use spices, seasonings, vegetables, or fruits. You would be amazed what an apple or orange can do for chicken.
• Get a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day. They cost around $10.00, and work really well. You don't have to buy the expensive fancy ones to get the benefits. Buy a decent pair of walking shoes. If you don't like the cold, go to the mall. Or, buy a down coat, rabbit fur hat, and gloves with liners. One of my diets called for walking 4 miles a day above what you normally walk. It's not easy, but you can increase your activity and not kill yourself, and still lose a few pounds and get into better shape.
• Eat more fiber. There are many fiber rich foods. Fiber One makes some decent cereal. I can't eat it now with my celiac disease, but you can. Fiber One makes yogurt too. I can have that. Metamucil is a high fiber material that is safe to take every day. Add a teaspoon or two to a glass of juice or iced tea, and drink fairly quickly. It gels very fast, so you have to consume it before it does. Quaker Oats weight loss oatmeal is very good, and I can eat it.
  
• Eat more protein. When you sit down to a meal, eat protein first, then your veggies, then any fruit. The protein breaks down into sugar the slowest, so it stays in your stomach longer and keeps you full.
• Don't drink anything with your meal. Drink your liquids 15 minutes before you eat, or one hour afterwards. The liquid tends to wash the nutrients out of your stomach faster, and you don't get the full benefits of a full stomach as long. Nor do you get the extra nutrition.
• Eliminate or cut down on potatoes. Gee, how do you spell it? They are basically empty calories.
• Eliminate sugar. Eat fruit because it has what my dietitian calls "binding" sugar. This sugar binds to other things, making it OK. Use sugar substitutes. I have been using Sweet and Low ever since they told me about the rats getting cancer. I stay away from aspartame, but not completely. Some of the others don't satisfy me. You can get rid of the aftertaste if you stop using all sugars for the first two weeks you are on your "diet". After about two weeks, you won't be able to tell the difference between sugar and sweeteners. Amazing, but true.
• Cook your own meals. Then, you can add what you want, and not include all the additives the processed foods have. If you don't want salt, don't add it! Simple and it works.
• Drink lots of water. I use Crystal Lite powder mixes. Iced tea, red raspberry, all with no calories. I bought a gallon container over at Wal Mart. It has a spigot on the bottom, and a lid on the top. I drop in two powder containers, add water, shake, and put it in the fridge. I bought a case of Fruit 2,O water, and as I finish the bottles, I refill them with the Crystal Lite! Cheaper than the bottled water, and tastes better to me. A good sign you're getting enough water is when you urinate during the day, it should be almost clear. The darker it is, the more you need to drink. Don't drown yourself.
• Take vitamins. Find out what you need according to your doctor's report and take them.
  
• Eat fruit after every meal. This adds fiber, and gives you the sugar you crave, instead of eating a dessert filled with calories.
  

I think that's enough for now. Let me know if you have any ideas to add to the list. I know I have more, but this is a rather long entry.

Diet fads and snake oil

I have been through the mill as far as dieting, exercise, and fads. I have seen many, many, many diets that I know won't work, or will work if you can maintain them over time. Once you reach your "goal" weight and go back to "normal" eating, you lose the fight and gain the weight back.
The only people who lose weight and keep it off for life are imaginary as far as I can tell. I haven't met any of them in real life yet, because, if they lose the weight and keep it off, they have solved their problems.
I haven't solved my problems yet, but I am moving in the right direction.
The gastric bypass gave me the head start.
The Dietitian gave me the tools.
Now, it's time for me to correct a few things that are still wrong in my life, and I should be able to solve my problems for life.
Prayer, diet and exercise are the keys.
Proper eating, having my head in the right place, and no major outside disasters will allow me to win this race. But, there is no end for this race. It will continue until I am dead.
The race will never end until I leave this body behind.

I had a teacher in 7th and 8th grade who told a story of the king who would give away his daughter in marriage to the man who could tell a story that would never end. We heard the story every day for two years, and the story never ended. We kept waiting for it to end, and it went on and on.
This is that story. It will never end.

Now, on to the snake oil:
I have a friend who sent me some chocolate that has ingredients in it to help you lose weight. It is part of a multi-level marketing system that is moving up the ladder rapidly.
I looked up each ingredient, and read about them to see if there was anything harmful in it. There wasn't.
So, the diet chocolate will work? Yes and no.

1. The stuff is expensive as all diet plans are.
2. There is not enough quantity of each ingredient to make any difference in your diet.
3. The diet required you to drink one glass of water with the chocolate before a meal. If you were 100 pounds or more overweight, you had to drink 3 glasses of water!
   
4. The main active ingredient besides dark chocolate was xylitol, which is a natural diuretic. So, you drink the water, and the xylitol makes you pee! Guaranteed weight loss. Xylitol also has benefits as far as your teeth are concerned. If you chew gum with xylitol, it has the effect of neutralizing the acid in your mouth that would cause tooth decay. This is something I learned from a dentist friend of mine. But, the amount of it in this chocolate, plus the fact that you get rid of the chocolate pretty quickly, negates it's benefits.
5. When you stop the diet, you lose the race, as I said before.
6. Some of the other ingredients haven't been tested long term, so their benefits/dangers may not be known. I do know that xylitol loses it's diuretic effects with usage, so it may not work after awhile. Your body gets used to it.
   

I have never met anyone who could lose 100 pounds or more and keep it off for life by eating one little chocolate piece. Or even 3 pieces!
Now, the water is a good idea. But three glasses? No wonder they lost weight. They were bloated with water! 3 glasses could be dangerous too.
If you want to make money with a multi level marketing company, Google "Send out Cards". This is the only company I know that has a legitimate product that will work if you work at it.

Last night's support group meeting

I gave out a pile of cards with my blog on it, in the hopes of growing my contacts with bariatric people.
This is a selfish thing on my part. I want to learn from as many as I can about what they do and how they do it.
I was surprised that many people didn't know what a blog is.
Well, in this world, a blog can be anything you want it to be.
So, back to the meeting.
The team and one other person took a walk around the grounds. I was in the lead for no special reason. I took us up and down the stairs and back and forth about 3 times. The building has 3 floors, and we saw all 3 of them twice.
I helped to move chairs and benches into the meeting room. That gave me a bit of a workout. I wanted to wait until the end of the meeting and help take them back, but I was tired from the snowy week. I shoveled two mornings in a row, and made two full batches of chili, along with everything else I did normally, so I am beat.
I was amused when one of the people mentioned that the meeting would have few people tonight because of the cold weather. I know that us fat and formerly fat people don't give a hoot about the cold weather. I also know how important this meeting is for me, and others. We learn so much, and we get the chance to ask questions that can't be answered anywhere else. It is worth it's weight in gold to be there.
THE PLACE WAS PACKED!
In fact, they had to go get more chairs. There was no room at all for more people and a few even stood in the doorway. One sat on the floor.
Wendy, our team RN and post patient gave a talk on resolutions. Very positive stuff with lots of encouragement for everyone. The Q&A afterwards was good too. Lots of questions.

The groups of people will probably have to be broken down into smaller groups. I will make that suggestion and others when the steering committee gets together later this month.

• Pre Surgery
• Post Surgery
• Pre-Band Surgery
• Post Band Surgery
• Family and friends support

There can be further breakdowns, but these are the main ones. The band people have different problems to deal with, and I would like to learn more about them in a few years, after I finish with my problems.
I was able to get into the post surgery group last night for the first time in 3 meetings. I really enjoy talking with the pre people and answering their questions really helps me to understand myself. But, I missed hearing from the people who are going through the post process.
Boy, did I pick up some tips and tricks! That was the best part of the meeting for me last night.
I managed to buy two bottles of calcium chewables for a song since the person selling them didn't like them and didn't want to take the time to return them. Now I have enough for another month or more.
I also met a few people that I am recognizing. This is good for my memory, since I have trouble remembering names and faces. It's tough at these meeting, though, because these people were heavier when I last saw them. The changes are amazing!
I let my hair grow out a bit because I haven't gotten to the barber in a few weeks, so I looked different as well. People still knew me....a great boost to my ego.
I am hoping people make contact through my email and this blog. It keeps me busy and the support is something I really need. I hope to support them too.

Next steps

Well, now I have to clear my head, and get back on track.
If you think that I am perfect, you had better think again.
I fell off the wagon the past month or so. I stopped eating properly thinking that the stomach surgery would take care of me. Well, it did, but not the way I wanted. I wanted it to do all the work, and I got lazy.
Now, I have to get it right. Fortunately, my "pouch" only allows me to eat so much before it stops me. But, what I put in the pouch is more important than how much.
So, I only lost 10 pounds between my last official weigh in and last week. I should have lost another 12 pounds on top of that.
This time, I know what I did wrong, and I can fix it.
When I lost weight before, I would look at this time as the end of my diet plan, and would have to find another excuse.
Now, I have a team to straighten me out.
I have reviewed my diet sheets, and taken some hard advice from Dr. Brader.
I am walking outside when I can, and working the treadmill and total gym inside when I can't get outside.
It's supposed to snow Monday night into Tuesday, so I will have time to do some things here in the house. That will work well towards my "between the ears" recovery. Getting the house cleaned up and some projects finished always makes me feel good.
At Thursday's meeting, we will hand out little pieces of paper with my name and blog site listed. If you know of anyone who is a Bariatric patient, or someone who could use some tips on how to lose weight the right way, send them my way.
I hope this site helps more people every day.
Now, you know I am not perfect. I am pretty close, but not quite......

Overwhelmed

Every Once in awhile, I have good things happen to me, and sometimes bad things.
I get overwhelmed.
That's where I am right now.
Too much is happening, and I want the good feeling to last, so I shut down.
I have to overcome that feeling and move ahead.
When I do, I will know I've arrived!
I will be posting some new websites to help both you and I to save money, and still get the bariatric stuff we want and need.
Stay tuned......

Next meeting.

The next meeting of the Lancaster General Hospital Bariatric Group is Thursday, February 5, 2009.
7pm. to 8:30pm. at the Health Campus.
I haven't heard what the topic of discussion is going to be, but the support of the fellow Pre and Post people is worth it's weight in gold.
If you are going, feel free to let me know. I will be there about an hour early to walk with anyone who is interested. We walk inside the Health Campus and it's enjoyable. We cover all three floors. Nice and warm with good company.
See you there.

This is me and Lilly now!

January, 2009.
We took Lilly to an indoor playpark. I could never have done this a year ago! I was too fat and out of shape.
Now, I can move around.
I can bend down.
I can smile.
I can stand up again.
I can stay on my feet much longer than I could.

One of the things I wanted to do was to visit Eric and Shona, and Lilly once a month and take Lilly so Eric and Shona could have a few hours of free time.
I can do that now.

What's changed?

Well, that is a tough one because in order for me to answer that, I have to go back and look at the past posts. Because, I am not really concerned with change anymore. Obama can screw that up, I mean, worry about that for me.

• I changed my chili recipe. I use it as a main meal now because I can prepare it in quantity and keep it frozen until needed. If I am lazy that day, or just need to do something else, I can grab it and heat it up in a few minutes without fuss.

My chili recipe doesn't have sausage in it anymore. I had to switch over to turkey or chicken sausage, and I don't really like either one that much. I will buy and eat other sausage in my other meals, but not add it to the chili.
I also don't use two different kinds of beef. I use ground beef now because I like the way it works smoothly into the chili. I still make up a batch with just beef cubes, but I don't mix them.
I don't add spinach to the mix anymore. I will make a stew with spinach, beef cubes, and beans, but it won't be chili.
I do add celery, onion, and carrots now on a regular basis. I also still use Lima beans and corn once in awhile. I can use them in other foods separate from chili now.
Chili was my main meal every day for awhile since it had all of the main food groups in it, and it is easy for me to prepare, but now, I am working towards incorporating other foods into my diet.

• I started to lose weight again. My plateau is now over. This is the first plateau, not the last. I started cutting back on quantity of some meals. I standardize some meals, and change things only once in awhile. This works for me, so I do it.
• I don't bother with the scale as much as I did. Since I started working out, I am not concerned as much with weight as I am with fitness. I want to feel strong and feel good.
  
• I am not too worried about my looks. I have some sagging, and I can see that I will have a lot more to worry about soon, but I am looking so much healthier than I did. I've seen some folks lose weight too fast (non-bariatric people) and they look like death warmed over, even though they are healthy. I am concerned with making sure I lose at a rate that doesn't allow that to happen to me. I will worry about cosmetics in the future. Not my concern now.
• I passed another round of blood tests with flying colors. I am now a fanatic about making sure I stick to my diet, and vitamin/mineral plan in order to be the best that I can be.
• I really am starting to believe that I can finish this successfully. This is the first time I can remember feeling like this. I am sticking to my exercise plan, and not feeling like I'm going to die anytime soon. Yippie!

So, what's next? Well, for now, I will continue to move forward, and not worry about when I'll get there.

15 tubes of blood and a Yo Ho Ho!

That's a new record for me, as I think I said earlier.
Got the results today.
Keep in mind that before I lost the weight, I was taking tons of pills for all kinds of medical conditions, all related to my weight.
I am now taking zero pills! None, Nada, no dope!
My BP was almost normal (just a bit high).
My other tests were all well within the normal range. I have never been normal, so this is a real experience for me.
The only test my family doctor doesn't like, is my cholesterol, which is high. So, he gave me some pills to take for 6 weeks until I can take another cholesterol test. I am hesitant to take them, and will resist if I can justify the risk, versus the rewards.
I hate Statin drugs. They probably were responsible for me gaining weight a few years back. They made my joints ache, and they still do. I will never take them again. Never!
Now according to the reports on this other drug, there is really no way to determine if it is working. That is because the results don't show up on any tests. Also, it came back a few months ago, that they weren't even sure the stuff did anything.
So, now I will begin a search for a new family doctor that is more interested in me, than in supporting the drug companies.
He better not mention chocolate......

Cold ? It's a 3 dog night!

I fell off the wagon for a bit. Things were going so well, and I decided to treat myself, so I had a little more food, and goodies than I should.
I also let my mind wander a bit, and should have stayed focused. Well, that wasn't to be.
So now, I am still at my plateau, and starting to get a little antsy.
I am working out more, so my muscle tone is improving. "Antsy" is good for workouts!
I found an indoor baseball park. I like baseball, so I am going to try my hand at a batting cage in the next few days. It will be part of my exercise plan if I can afford it. Otherwise, I will stay in my basement and work out there until it gets warmer.
Anyone who wants to join me is welcome.
I managed to clean out the dryer vent, since it was totally clogged. I also assembled 6 large, and 2 small boxes so I can do more "reading up". I have an area that is 10' by 5' and about 3 foot high of trash to be brought up from the basement to be stored on the porch until I can afford to have it hauled away. If I really get to it, I will break everything down and just take it down with the trash every week until it's gone.
I need to put up a tarp on the porch to cut down on the breeze. The wind comes through and blows everything all over the place. I have to keep hunting for the trash can.
This past week, we had a snow scare. The weathermen were all wrong and we just got a dusting, so moving everything around on the porch to pull the car up was really not necessary.
I took my scooter (Honda Helix) for it's weekly ride yesterday. It was really cold for that. I covered 30 miles and it took a few minutes to thaw out afterwards. I was dressed in layers and a goose down coat, so I was fairly comfortable for the whole trip. I would like to get a head to toe coverall that is down filled along with some glove liners, and a full face helmet, but that will have to wait. The wind gets into all the little spaces I can't cover up. I have a "buff" and that does well for my neck and head, but I could use a little more.
So now I am on my way to more weight loss, and much better health after a normal "pause" in the routine. All work and no play......

Stop sign ahead!

I thought I had it all figured out.
I was well on my way to losing the weight, getting into shape, and feeling great.
Then, I ran into my first stop sign. Blam!
My weight loss stopped.
I have been feeling great, but all of a sudden, I have to go lay down. I am beat. Blam!
I have been following my diet to the letter with a few cheats, but not calories as much as....well, I love chocolate, get the idea? Dark Chocolate, Yummy. I eat one small square.
I've also eased up just a little on my Celiac diet. I don't eat bread, but I did have a piece of pizza. Just one.
So, I wrote an email to my team at Lancaster General Bariatrics, asking them what was up. Was I having a problem, or is this just normal.
I got an answer. I reached my first plateau. It's a normal part of the weight loss process.
I honestly thought that would occur much later in the process, but it caught me off guard.
It got me!
But, with the help of the team, I am back on track.
I made it to 224, but have been all around that number from 226 down to 222. That's OK, I can live with that.
I have been walking. I took to the rail trail this past week. I covered 4 miles, 2 out, 2 back. I kept moving the whole time. I only stopped long enough to take a few sips of my Crystal Light Red.
It felt funny to walk. My legs felt so stiff without all the fat flopping around. I keep hearing my joints popping and adjusting.
I also have been giving my clothes hanger a workout. You know, the one they call "Total Gym"? I found out it was fun if I play some great music on my DJ outfit. As long as I shake the walls, I can go forever! Same thing with the treadmill. I climb hills and actually jog for a few minutes.
I used to run in my dreams and wake up out of breath. Now, I will be able to do it for real.
Wow. Bring it on! I'm ready for it all!

Happy New Year

I have been reviewing my life up until this point, and I hate writing things like "Happy New Year" for whatever reasons I have.
So, I wrote it many times today, and everytime I did, it made me think of things I hadn't thought of in years.
But in this new year, I will make some of the most important decisions of my life so far.

1. I really, really mind the cold for the first time I can remember. I am tired of the cold, so I will try to move to a warmer climate.
2. I was never a "jock". This year, I will try to become interested in exercise and non intellectual pursuits.
3. I will re-examine every aspect of my life, and try to change some of them.

So to all who are reading this......Happy new Year!

Rotisserie Chicken

While I cook the chicken, I listen to Jazz on the TV set. It's Comcast digital, and sounds great with my surround sound system that was very cheap.
Tools:

• Ron Popiel Rotisserie

• Paint brush. I use a 1" unfinished handle nylon brush. I wash it as soon as I'm finished with it and let it air dry.

• Teacup

Seasonings:

• 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic (you may use powder, salt, or fresh)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1/2 stick Butter (yes, I still use butter)
• 1/4 cup Vinegar

1. Put butter in teacup and microwave until the butter is melted and warm. About 45 seconds to 1 minute.
2. Add all ingredients to the butter and mix with the brush. Store the cup on top of the rotisserie to keep the butter soupy and warm. You may take it off if it gets too hot.

Use one or two 3.5 pound chickens of your choice, cleaned and rinsed with cold water. You may add stuffing to the chicken, but not if you are a Celiac like me.
Mount the chickens on the rotator and tie the legs so they don't flop.
Mix the liquid and seasonings together and paint the chicken before you mount it. Pay attention to the inside edges so they will brown and not burn too much.

• I set my alarm for every 10 minutes and I paint the chicken with the seasonings. When you run out of seasonings, you may clean up.

The rotisserie works well if you read the instructions. you run it 15 minutes for every pound of chicken. Keeping checking it, and especially around an hour. You should use a meat thermometer to check internal temp to make sure it is cooked inside. It will continue to cook after it is taken out of the oven.

Serve with vegetables of your choice.

Thoughts

I was watching a young women today at the Wal Mart riding in one of those scooters, because she was so heavy that she couldn't walk for long on her own.
I felt like yelling at her at first, that she was stupid for letting her self get that fat. Then, I thought about the fact that I had just spent an hour walking around the Wal Mart, and I was not tired or sore from standing.
Last night, I was able to trim my toenails without contorting myself, or getting out of breath.
If I had not gotten the surgery, I would probably be in a scooter right next to her, or even worse, been on my way to the morgue.
Everyone has to find their own way past the prejudice they accumulate over the years, and the stereo type thoughts that fat people are stupid.
I was really surprised at my reaction. I guess I have a bit more road to travel.

The end of the year.

So, how many others are thinking about this time of year right now?
Every year, I go home to Levittown and remember the "good old days".
I go past all 3 of the homes I lived in, and think about the people I knew. I think about the friends, and the not so friends, and I wonder how they are and where they are.
I miss them.
But this year, as all previous years, is different.
Through the world wide web, I have made contact again with many of them. I have touched base with them, and have actually met new "old" friends that remember me, even though I don't remember them.
The good feelings I get from knowing these people, has helped me through this very difficult time.
It is tough for me for two big reasons, and a variety of smaller reasons.

1. I miss my Parents. My father died this past summer. My Mother died when I was around 23. (55 now)
2. The Christmas holiday has never been my own.
   

• I haven't achieved what I was put here to do.
• One of the smaller reasons is because I miss being young. I wish I could go back and do it all again sometimes. And of course, sometimes, I wouldn't change a thing.
• I haven't found everyone I want to meet up with again. That makes me sad. I have seen a few who haven't lived this long, and that bothers me.
• I would like to correct old mistakes that still affect the way I think and do things. I have corrected many of those mistakes.
  

So, in the next year, I plan to:

• Continue to lose weight and change the way I do things. My mind is the number one obstacle to that goal. My stomach has already been taken care of. The rest of me has to get in line, or it will all be for nothing.
• I need to get out of debt and manage my money so I can do more of the things I want, and less of the things I have to do. Busy work has to be eliminated, although that will be an ongoing goal. Busy work can never be eliminated. It's one of the things released from Pandora's box.
• I need to develop a system that I can keep track of people places and things.
• I want to write my books.
• I want to run a marathon.
• I want to Kayak.
• I want to live in the warm climate year round. I'm tired of the cold temperatures.

I think I'm done writing for now.

So much to learn

My brain memory banks were full until I had this surgery. I didn't think I had anything left to learn that was worthwhile. Now I know I was wrong.
Food, diet, exercise are all new to me again. Vitamins, minerals, are all new to me again.
I am down to 229 or so, and feel good.
I am still sore from the cold temperatures, but I can live with that.
I got on my treadmill today and was swinging my arms so wildly while I was talking into my microphone, that I accidentally pulled the panic cord and reset my program. I had it set for 45 minutes at various speeds, and it reset! I hate that. I was able to start up again, but didn't bother to reprogram it. I just set it and adjusted the speed as I went along.
The microphone is so that I can dictate my book into the recorder. I kill two birds with one stone. I get exercise and write a book at the same time.
Now, I am listening to Jazz playing on my TV and run through the home theater. The music fills the house and I can wash the dishes, make dinner, and run a load of wash while listening. I ran the Dyson this morning, but didn't have the music playing because of the machine noise.
Dinah Washington..... great music!

UGH

My Hard drive crashed on Saturday morning, so I went over to Cyber Warehouse. They offered me one that was twice the size as the one I had, and gave me a good price to reload XP pro since I didn't have the disc.
They told me it would be Thursday or Friday until I got the computer back. I went back home and they called me an hour later to tell me it was finished and I could pick it up! Wow!
The computer is now flying since I found a cable to connect it directly to the DSL line instead of using a wireless connection.
I have been working all weekend to reload the computer so I can restore my files. I use Carbonite, which is an online storage service. It is very reasonable, but I am having some trouble reloading my files and will have to contact them to figure it out.
In the meantime, I have a new "twice as nice" hard drive, and renewed energy in my lappy, so I am happy.

Tools of the trade!

How about the Magic Bullet?
It's a great help when you first start the post surgery diet. It also helps for mixing drinks and other foods.
The book that comes with it really adds to the experience.
The machine is solid and works very well, as advertised.
One thing you can't mix is protein drinks. They tend to blow up into some kind of foam. They expand like crazy and make a real mess.
Veggies, fruit, all mix together nicely.

Baby spoons?
Yup, I use them for yogurt, and soft foods. It allows me to still feel like I'm eating faster than I actually am. I use regular utensils when I'm out eating in a restaurant, but don't fill up the fork or spoon as I used to.

Storage containers?
Well, I found plastic and glass containers with lids that are very small at Wal*Mart. I can fill them up after making a meal that I can spread out over several days. Or, I can take them to work with me. When I travel, I take them along. Saves the hassle and expense of eating out.
I also use lots of larger containers. I can make my killer chili in a very large crock pot over about a 6 hour period. Then, I transfer it to 6 or more equal size containers. I then freeze all but one. I eat one meal of the chili each day. On the second day, I remove another container from the freezer and let it sit in the fridge. If I am in a hurry, then I can pour out what I need into a bowl, and nuke it, saving the rest for another day. Works for me.

Drink containers?
Oh yeah, I buy a case of Fruit 20 (two O). Then one day, I will drink the water in the bottle. Rinse it out, and then refill it from the fridge with Crystal light Tea. I buy the Crystal light at BJs, so I have 3 choices in flavors. Iced tea, Raspberry ice, and lemonade. I don't like the lemonade, so I use the other two a lot. Never get tired of them. I bought two gallon size containers from Wal*Mart. These containers are narrow and rectangular. They have spigots on the ends, so I can fill them up, and pout them out, as I wish.
So, I empty the bottle out, rinse it, and refill it from my fridge. No one has to know the liquid in the bottle cost a fraction of the price of a bottle of flavored water!

I plan to buy a second coffee maker so I can set up one for my wife (high test) and one for me (decaf).

I also bought a shaker bottle, which to me became a waste of time since I prefer to stir my protein, rather than shake it. They are also hard to clean. I have large glasses that are smooth, so i can wash them out easily. Protein powder, no matter how hard you mix it, has a tendency to stick to the container. The smooth glass solves that problem.

Staying the course.

I have been getting ready to record my thoughts so I can write my first book. I gotta tell you, it's really tough for me to think thin.
I am so used to being sore and tired, and worn out all the time.
I'm still sore, but I'm not tired.
So, what's so hard about writing a book?
The itch is in a place I can't reach.
It's in between my ears, and behind my skull!
Ever feel that way?
I do all the time. My weight loss hasn't changed that at all. I don't know why, but I am going to find out.
My basement is a playground for me. But, it's cold down there. I am broke, so no space/supplemental heating for now. Even working out on the treadmill doesn't get me warm. My fingers are so cold and sore!
Now, I'm done complaining. I feel better already!

• I need to schedule my day
• I need to follow that schedule, every day
• I need to keep up with a variety of foods, so I don't get lazy or bored, and cheat

My basement has a large multi purpose bench for workouts with free weights. It has a leg and arm unit attached to it.
I also have a Total Gym. If you can only get one thing, that's the one! It is actually fun, although I still get a bit of motion sickness. I don't have all the attachments for it, but it serves it's purpose.
And, I have a professional treadmill. This unit has everything, but not all of it works. I bought it from a resale dealer. It has extra padding in the tread, and is wide and long so I can move around on it. I usually walk about 3 mph and raise the grade up to 2.5 or 3%. I can jog on it for a short way, but I'll get better. The funny thing is that I almost fall over when I try to walk on the floor afterwards.
My leg muscles are used to carrying 75+ or more pounds than I actually have on me now. So, my legs over-react, and I end up stumbling around until I lose my "sea legs". So now, I stand on the treadmill and hold on after I'm done walking, until I can stand without falling.
On the far wall, I have two amplifiers, my PA system, DJ box, an extra mixer, various pedals, mics and stands, and my two guitars. I will post a picture of that.
When I walked yesterday, I played Steely Dan on my DJ outfit. It's about 1400 watts flat out, but I was about half that. Tonal quality in the basement is very good, and since I'm alone, I can play it loud........and.....I DO!

Look behind!

From time to time, I will find variations, or mistakes in my blog, and I will go through and edit them. Simple things such as spelling or grammar don't matter much as long as you can understand what I write.
But, I found a variation on a recipe that I wasn't aware of before, and I posted that. Look back in November's posts and find "Coffee recipe".
Try it and enjoy.

Resume Resume

http://supremeresume.blogspot.com/


Please feel free to read my new blog, which is about resumes, as if you couldn't tell.
My friend wrote a letter of introduction for his service, and he sent me my finished resume, which is fantastic.
I did some minor editing, and will send it back to him for approval.
I am going to send out a blanket email in case anyone would like to have a resume written by my friend.
The Email address below is in case you would like to talk to my friend about having a resume done for you. His rates are very reasonable, and he will work with you until it is to your liking.

careermarketingandresume@comcast.net

Milestones, the words!

Milestones

I thank Wendy, Greg, Kristin, and Dr. Brader for allowing me to speak tonight.

Now, a little background on me.

My name is Lee Feldman

I was born in 1953, in Philadelphia, raised in Levittown.

I have two grown children and 3 grand kids, with another on the way.

After getting married in 1976, we moved many times and finally ended up in East Petersburg, where we have been since 1992.

I was involved with the Lions Club, East Petersburg Fire Company, and the East Petersburg Day Committee, all volunteer.

I have driven some kind of bus since 1974 for my main source of income.

I am/was a Disc Jockey since 1994 or so.

I have played guitar since I was 11.

My hobbies are music, listening and playing, researching my past, including finding old friends and acquaintances through the Internet, riding my Honda Helix, and writing my memoirs.

I am 5’7” tall.

When I started my quest to lose weight and keep it off, I weighed in at over 305 pounds. I have lost weight many times, but have never been able to keep it off.

I had my surgery on July 31^st.

I now weigh in around 230 and my goal is to go all the way back down to 155, which is what I weighed when I got married 32 years ago.

I feel great!

So, what is my definition of a milestone?

A milestone along the road marks the starting point in a journey. Every mile, there is a new mile marker showing how far you have gone, and how much further you have to go.

If you want to go 5 miles, you have to pass by markers 2 through 4 in order to get to mile marker 5.

The mile markers may go by un-noticed, but the milestones I want to concentrate on here, are the ones that affect you. These are the ones you notice along the way.

Unlike a road that has a beginning and an end, this type of journey has a starting point, but it can go on as long as you are here on earth.

Your decision to get the surgery is milestone zero. This is the point where you decided to finally lose the weight and keep it off for life. But more than this, it is the point that you will change your life forever. You are not going back in time; rather, you are starting over, with a very good chance of success.

Your surgery date is mile marker zero. This may or may not be a milestone for you.

A mile marker is a point along your path.

Look for the first thing you will remember for the rest of your life. That’s the Milestone.

A Milestone is a memory on your journey.

The points along the way from mile marker one are:

• The hoops you have to jump through with the insurance company to qualify for the surgery.
• Deciding whether to tell your friends and loved ones about your decision.
• Preparation for the surgery.
• Changing the way you think about foods.
• Planning exercise.
• Gathering the items you need for after the surgery.
• Making the decision to do it right this time.
• Reading everything you get instead of just putting it aside.

Your milestone is something that you decide. In order to get there, you have to travel along a path that is different from everyone else, and yet, there are many who are on this same journey. You are not alone.

Something simple:

• Your pants are too big

• You aren’t recognized by a friend you haven’t seen for awhile

• You fit into a booth at the local restaurant

• You buy a pair of shoes that tie, instead of slip ons.

• You are able to stand up from the couch without moaning, or planning ahead.

• You can climb into the back seat of a car.

• You no longer have to buy double or triple X clothing.

• You can actually fit into an airplane seat and actually fasten the seatbelt.

• You can trot up the stairs without causing an earthquake, or getting out of breath.

Here are some ideas for you to think about.

• If you were shy, will you still be that way?

• If you used coping mechanisms to hide your emotions, will you be able to let go of them? How will you do that?

• Will you still get angry at the same things?

• What are you going to keep and what will you discard? What are you going to change?

• Will you still think of yourself as fat?

• Will you ever think of yourself as “normal”?

• Will you let anyone stop you, or change your mind?

• Will you stay here, or will you move and start over?

I can hear myself say “oh, I would never do that!”. Or, “I really don’t like to do that”. That’s my coping mechanism at work. I was really saying, “I’m too fat” or out of shape to do that.

So what do you really want to do that you couldn’t do before? When will you be able to do it?

I think that milestones may be different for younger people than with older folks like me.

I am starting over, with more energy, the ability to do more than I could in years, yet, I have experiences and excess emotional baggage than the younger folks.

I would like to hear from those younger people so I can get a feel for the differences and similarities.

I am listing my email and blog address. I would like as many people as possible to contribute to the blog so that we can help each other through what will be an exciting journey, not without it’s roadblocks, and potholes.

Please feel free to write to me. I will keep your names private unless you give me permission to publish it.

I would like to see recipes, ideas for exercise, stories, milestones reached, and if you would like to meet with others to celebrate your achievements.

I have already gotten some great ideas from some Post surgery people. I would like to get more. We all need all the help we can get.

Someday soon, I will be able to leave the nest and walk on my own through the world.

I wish you all that same great feeling.

I like to Cook!

Over the next few weeks or so, if I can get the time and energy, I will be modifying this website to cater more closely to Bariatric and Celiac needs. I may also expand it for other medical conditions, but that may be a bit of overkill.
I only have so many hours in the day to do things, and I am goofing off on the computer instead of working out. I am going to break that chain right now.
The website was started by a good friend, and it is a generic catch-all recipe site. You can log on and post your recipe, or copy one for yourself.
The ads are what keep it going. If you buy something through one of the ads, then the owner makes enough to keep it going. It is not really very lucrative, but it wasn't meant to be.
The owner gave me control of it, and I will decide what I want to do when the time comes.
In the meantime, if you send me recipes, I will be able to continue to eat.

www.ilike2cook.com

Catch all post!

This post is my catch all in order to catch up. I will bullet the highlights, and maybe fill in the details over the weekend.

• I reached a new milestone this afternoon. I am going to write down a schedule for the next few weeks, taking into account the holiday. I am hoping it will help me stay on track and accomplish some of the great things I am capable of doing. I am ADD and find that I am goofing off too much. I get lots of stuff done, but my mind is moving so fast, and I am frustrated.
• I have 3 books in my head and will try to write down the first one over the next month.
• I have 2 songs that a friend has co-written with someone else. I told him i would finish them so we could record them and release them to the world.
• I have not started my exercise program as I should have two weeks ago. I have to find a way to carry a portable recording device with me so that I can start walking, and eventually, jogging. I may have the device with me now, but I have to check. If not, I will have to improvise because I can't spend the money to do that.
• I have to develop a website with a friend so I can start to make money.
• I am on a job search. I have a friend doing my resume for me and I have to decide where to go with it when it is finished. He is the guy that I started the other blog for.

Ok, next....

1. The new links I posted about music, are for another friend. He has an indie music website, and has found some great new talent. If you go to the website (www.ilike2rock.org), you can download a toolbar that will play a variety of songs. You can decide if you like it for yourself. For myself, I enjoy hearing new music that I have never heard before. There are too many stations out there playing the same old thing over and over....how boring.
2. Michael Paul is a guy who is an up and comer in the music business. He has written to me for a while, and I offered some suggestions to him. I like his stuff, and enjoy hearing a good writer as well as performer. I dare you to tell me I am wrong. If we are lucky, he will become mainstream and everyone will be that much richer for hearing him.
3. Resume resume is the thing I started for my friend. I wrote the initial post and then decided he was right and deleted it. I have time to finish it another time. In the meantime, if you need a resume that will get you a job, email me and I will put you in contact with him.

One thing I forgot to mention about the meeting last night. It was the first time in years that i was able to stay on my feet for over an hour. Wow!
Now, I promised myself to clean off the 6 foot work table tonight, so that's what I'm gonna do.

Last night's meeting

Things worked out well last night. I will be posting the written part of my talk, and will try to figure out how to post the powerpoint of the other speaker.
The room was packed again, and I couldn't get out to spend time with the post people once we split into groups.
I was able to run the powerpoint program while I was reading the other information, so people were able to read and hear two different ideas at the same time. After I was finished with my talk, I moved to the picture part and the people enjoyed the jokes I threw out there.
So often, informational meetings are dry and somewhat boring. I try to add a bit of levity to break things up.
I am hoping some of the folks there will join the blog and share their experiences.
Bariatric Patients are all aiming towards the same goal, which is losing weight and keeping it off for life. We are all on a different path, however. We are all doing it for different reasons. We all are arriving at different times. We are successful at different levels.
So, it will be worth it to hear from them and compare notes.

Meeting reminder again

I will be speaking tomorrow night along with Elaine M Neidert, MSN, APRN, BC, M*O*U*S*E (sorry, couldn't resist!),who will be speaking on the subject of Self esteem.
Our talks will fit together nicely, and you might even stay awake for both of them.
If you are interested in pre surgery information, the meeting should be right up your alley, even if you don't bowl.
I will stay around afterwards as I always do in case you want to ask anything about what it feels like, or anything else on your mind.
You can send me an email also if you would like. I will give you my side of the story.
Things change everyday. They didn't used to do that before.
I was so used to losing ground everyday, and now, it's just the opposite. I am moving forward everyday.
I just bought T shirts in Large, as well as some thermal underpants and shirts. I never needed them before, but now, I feel the cold.
Tonight, I ran a load of wash, and put it in the dryer, did the dishes, made dinner for myself, and am waiting until my Wife gets a little closer to home to make her dinner.
6 months ago, I would have left the wash alone, as well as waiting for the dishes to fill the sink before doing anything about them. And, I would have stuck something in the microwave for dinner. Then, I would have raided the fridge for some junk before eating a full meal.
I'm heading off now to get a cup of decaf prepared as listed in another thread below. Then, I will watch some TV before finishing up the wash and putting the dry dishes away.
I have energy now that I didn't ever think I would have again.
Wow!

The List!

1. Finding the right foods and variety.
With the Celiac Sprue, life becomes a bit complicated. I have had dreams where I started to eat something the had Gluten in it, and then went into a panic trying to get it out. It is a constant thing for me to concentrate on both the correct amount of protein, making sure it is gluten free, and having enough fiber.
I go through periods where I have a certain food every day until I can't stand it anymore. Now, however, I am learning to look for variety. Things happen that open up those doors for me.
Over the holidays, I will be looking at cookbooks, and making a list of possible things for me to eat on a regular basis.
The world spins too fast sometimes, so it is tough for me to want to take the time at the end of it, to prepare something. So, I have to prepare foods when I have the energy, and save them.
We still eat out on the weekends as a means of breaking up the usual patterns of the week. I do all the cooking right now because my wife is working overtime and doesn't get home until late. So, eating out is a good way to take a break and learn what I can eat and can't. We have a great Italian restaurant close by and they make all kinds of foods, not just pizza and subs. So, I read their menu and find something new almost every time I go.

2. Exercising.
This is the toughest for me. I find that starting a program is as hard as quitting smoking is for some folks today. I just can't get started.
What makes it worse for me is that my wife doesn't exercise because of her health and won't go with me for support. She doesn't really support anything else I do either, so it feels like I'm being rejected by my best friend after all these years.
I never was one for running on a treadmill, or using equipment. I have it in the basement, but the weather hasn't been all that bad recently, so I would rather go outside than down to the dungeon.
Yesterday, my Son came over with his work truck and I helped him clean up the yard for the winter. I had been raking the leaves into a pile, but I hate putting it into bags. The bags are clumsy for one person, and a real pain to fill. It's not fun.
I raked all the leaves into a pile around my Silver Maple in the back yard. He came over and sucked them all up with a machine that chops them, and spits them into the back of his truck.
One of his friends grabbed a backpack blower and did the rest of the leftover leaves into more piles. They got the whole lawn.
My Son also cut and trimmed all the bushes. He cleared out the ones from the front bay window in order for us to see out better and for any sunlight to get in. The areas around the bushes got raked too and cleared out a pile of stuff.
Then, he hauled it all away.
I helped by taking Esmerelda for a long walk over to the park to play, and then bringing her home (nice guy, I am). Then, I helped grab some of the bushes that he cleared out. I also did a little raking.
He helped out the neighbor next door by sucking up his leaves, and he hauled them away.
So, I got a long walk and some bush carrying and raking done. I had to take a nap afterwards, but I felt good.
So, I did get some workout, and warmed up a bit, but it was not a formal workout. I continue to lose weight, and feel good, but I am worried that I will get lazy and not get into shape.
Today, it is raining, so I might spend some time finishing my verbal presentation for the meeting next week, and send off a copy to my partner who is also giving a talk.

My Picture

How about sending off some before and during pictures to me so I can post them.
My new profile picture is from about a month ago when my webcam was working. I have to use something a lot in order to remember how they work. This is true of my webcam.
Anyway, I am wearing an extra large T shirt, and I am now wearing large or even mediums. So, the pocket on that old T goes just about down to my belt!
I love losing weight like this!!!!
On another note, I am finished with the pictures for my presentation next week at the support group meeting. I just started editing the notes.
I know the pre surgery folks will have lots of questions, so I will make time to listen to them and answer the best I can. I know I had lots of questions. It made me feel a little less apprehensive after the Post surgery people answered them.
Dr. Brader did great job as did the other team members. They still do. I ask them questions even today.
So, now I have this huge Powerpoint Presentation, and I can't figure out how to condense it to send it through email. AOL restricts the size, and my winzip is mysteriously missing.
Paul, I know that you are reading this. Maybe, you can send me a hint?

Yippie, I survived!

The birds flew around while we ate yesterday.
I had turkey - no problem. I ate the Dark Meat and it was soooo good.
I had stuffing. Celiac didn't let me know it was there, so I got away with it. Good stuffing, although it was about a tablespoon.
I had asparagus. Yummy.
I had cranberry sauce. The kind that comes out of a can and looks like jelly. I was concerned it might be too much sugar, but again, I survived.
I had smashed Potatoes. There were pieces of unsmashed in it, along with a mushroom gravy, and it was scrumptious.
Dessert? Nope.
I ate slowly and was full after about 15 minutes. I didn't eat all that much, but I enjoyed every bite.
We got to play with Lilly afterwards, and I had fun watching her eat. She doesn't use utensils yet, but is so delicate in picking things up and carefully placing them in her mouth. So cute.
She crawled all over us, and played peek a boo. Such a happy kid.
On the way home we stopped at a Dunkin Donuts for coffee, but they were closed. We made it to a Turkey Hill in York, and stopped there for some coffee. I got my usual decaf, and enjoyed every drop. My wife did the frothy stuff with extra flavoring.
Today is Black Friday. Were broke so we will ignore it for the most part. I hate crowds anyway.
I am going to finish raking leaves into a pile and my son is supposed to come over and clean them up for me. I put that at 40% chance of happening.
I am letting my wife sleep in this morning, so I will go get breakfast and then go outside.

Adsense and goof

I goofed.
I wasn't supposed to click on the ad, but I couldn't resist. Now, I think the world is going to come down upon me, and I might even be famous for 15 minutes or so.
The adsense police are on their way right now to arrest me and force me to watch the ad that I clicked on for the rest of my life! Oh no!
The adsense ads are fairly unobtrusive, and someone might even be interested in them. If you find one interesting, click on it and they might send me a check for a few pennies every 10 years or so.
I have been working on the content of the blog without worrying too much about how the damn thing worked. So, I signed up for adsense and then promptly forgot about it.
Today, I finally started reviewing things about the blog other than the color scheme, and I made a few changes. I learned a few things, but I'm still not up to speed on a lot of things in this crazy world of blogging.
So, if I ever become bedridden and can't go outside and enjoy life, I will take the time to learn this stuff.
If I don't, screw it all. I'm just gonna write and not worry about the frills, bells, and whistles!
Happy Thanksgiving again!

Happy Thanksgiving Milestone

This is my very first Thanksgiving.
I am going to see my daughter, son in law, and grand daughter.
We are going to eat turkey.
I had trouble eating chicken, and I imagine I will have some trouble with turkey too, but we will see.
I will put aside my celiac diet for one day too. But, there will be other foods there that I can eat, so any wheat products will be small portions.
This is a milestone for me. Since food has decreased in importance for me, will I be able to concentrate on other more important things?
I guess I'll find out in a few hours.

Food Choices

I'm looking for new stuff.
It's tough sometimes to remember what I can't eat because of all of the restrictions. So, I tend to forget that I can eat something, but I can't eat something else.
I started eating small amounts of potato chips last week. They are Gluten Free, and the ones I get are usually salt free too. I don't get the ones cooked in lard, even though they taste good to me.
Snack foods and crunchy stuff is my favorite. If I don't have something crunchy with a meal, I feel like I missed something. Celery, or carrots don't do it for me. It has to be crunchy like potato chips. I only eat 3 or 4 of them, so it's not that big a deal. It's just that I feel satisfied after eating them. I always save them for last so I can get the maximum crunch! :)
So, next, I will be compiling a list of foods so I can refer to it in case I get stuck. My memory is terrible, and if I don't write things down, I forget. Or, did I say that already?
I still don't like veggies, but if they are mixed into the food, I can tolerate them.
I still need more fiber than those who eat wheat and flour products.
I had rice based pasta last night, for the first time since my surgery. I loved it. It really added to the eating experience.
I'm looking forward to getting more feedback here so I can expand my food list. I need new ideas.

Coffee recipe

I have been taking lots of things for granted, so I started to think about stuff, and came up with something I have been doing for years. I thought I would pass it on to you.
I combine things.
You already saw my coffee and oatmeal combo, now for something to drink.
That way, I feel like I'm treating myself to something special, and many times it is.
So, here is one of my specials, along with suggestions for variations.
I guess it should be noted that this works well with bariatric people because it has extra protein in it.
If you are on a diet, or your doctor has given you restrictions, be careful with my recipes. Some are loaded with stuff you may not want to eat.

Coffee:
1 cup of decaf coffee
1 packet of sugar free instant breakfast
1 packet sweet and low
2 teaspoons of liquid creamer (Coffee mate with chocolate, or other flavors are fine)
(If you are not a choco-holic like me, you may use vanilla flavored instant breakfast)
I make a pot of coffee every morning and let it cool. Then I heat it in the microwave and drink it all day. I know coffee has caffiene, even the decaf, but I can live with that. Chocolate has caffeine too, thank God!

Heat the cup of coffee for 1 minute, 20 seconds in the microwave
Add the instant breakfast, and sweet and low. Stir until dissolved.
Pour creamer into coffee.
Drink and enjoy!
Tip:
I like to use a ceramic mug because it also heats up in the microwave as well as the liquid inside of it. That way, my hands stay nice and warm while drinking.

Stop the presses!
I found a variation that I was not aware of. Feel free to add a scoop of vanilla, or chocolate protein powder to the coffee in place of the instant breakfast. Make sure you stir it up very well. It will make a super drink, especially if the coffee is hot. Try it and let me know.

Great weekend

After having a very interesting weekend, during which I broke my Celiac diet, I still feel good.
I don't plan to do it too often, but I now know I can if I have to.
I went home to Levittown one last time, and don't know if I'll ever go back again. I always thought that if I won the lottery, the one thing I would do would be to buy all 3 homes that I grew up in there.
Instead, I didn't win, so I took pictures of them and posted them on my facebook.
I got to visit two old and dear friends. One taught me how to play guitar when I was 11 or so. The other stood by my side through all of my trials and tribulations.
I took pictures of my old school, and some street signs. This is an effort to tie up loose ends in mind, and I still have a few left to go.
I am not getting ready to die, I am living! The stuff in my head is organizing itself, and for the first time in years, I am thinking clearly. I still can't remember names half the time, but that's ok.
I got home and went to see my friend play in a new band last night too, thus proving two things to me:
1. I can go somewhere and be able to control my energy levels, so I don't collapse.
2. I can enjoy myself again.
I almost have the presentation together for the meeting. I need to figure out how to zip the powerpoint file so I can send it out. It is too big for AOL right now. I'll keep working on it.
Time for bed.

Next meeting

December 4, 2008 is the next meeting, held at the Lancaster general health campus on Harrisburg Pike.
7pm to 8:30pm.
I think we will be meeting ahead of time to walk. If you would like to walk, meet at Dr. Brader's office at 6pm.

Milestones coming up

I will be one of the featured speakers at the next Bariatric Support group meeting, at Lancaster General health campus.
I will be talking about milestones.
Originally, a milestone was a stone that was placed along the road every mile, so that people would know how far they've journeyed.
My milestones will change that definition just slightly.
I won't give out the information I will speak about in December, so you will have to show up and pay attention.
I did write about this in an earlier entry on this blog, so fee free to review.
Suffice it to say that there are things happening to me that I never expected. Not just in the things I do, but in the way I react to things. I am also starting to notice a change in the way people who don't know me, treat me.
I am the same person inside, but people see a much thinner version of me on the outside.
I am trying to do up a PowerPoint presentation for the meeting to keep things fun. I am finding almost everything I need on the Internet, and I look forward to seeing the reaction to my presentation.

Who am I?

I looked in the mirror this morning, and I realized I don't know who I am. Listening to Glenn Beck on the way home from the Chiropractor didn't help either.
Now, I have to figure out who I am.
Thanks, Glenn!
I know what I am not.
I am not a fat man anymore.
I am not a kid anymore.
I am a scared older man.
I am happier than I have been in awhile....well maybe years.
I walk funny.
I talk quieter. I don't have to show off to call attention to myself anymore.
I react less externally than I used to.
I am able to see thing more clearly than I could even a year ago.
I was waiting to die a year ago. Now, I am looking forward to living, and I am even living as I write this.
Things I didn't consider 6 months ago, I am reconsidering. Can I really do this if I want? Most likely, the answer is "YES"!
I am going outside to chop the leaves, and I just got back from the chiropractor. Before, I would have taken a break to recover.
I am looking for myself.
I am looking for myself.
I am looking for myself.
I think I see myself now.

Starting over, again and again.

Yesterday, I spent in the basement. I have been exercising by carrying things up and down the stairs all week. I took my music equipment downstairs, one piece at a time, and brought up boxes and bags of stuff I am going to throw out.
If I took everything up at once, the trash guys wouldn't take it all, so I bring it up a few pieces at a time.
I am making slow but steady progress.
I also had a conversation with my wife while she was down there, and we cleared up a few things.
The phone rang and it was one of my kids, and I let her do the talking while I got on my treadmill, and then went over to the Total Gym. I have it set up for light work. I can use it for heavy work too, but this allows me to get a longer workout. I do more reps with less weight.
I pulled on that thing for what seemed like forever. I was tired when I got off, and figured I would be really sore today, but I got out of bed at 6:30am and feel fine.
The cold weather is taking it's toll on my joints. I walk like an old man when I first get up from the couch, or have been sitting anywhere for awhile. Then, I start to loosen up a bit.
I walk funny now too. I am so used to dealing with the swinging belly, that I can't walk straight. My legs are busy trying to compensate for what isn't there anymore.
My wife can't walk with me, so I have yet to go out and really talk a long walk to see what I can do. I hit the treadmill, a little, and now around the house, I walk back and forth a lot. I actually get up and do what I have to, where before I would just stay seated if I forgot something.
I still have the mental block that I am fat and can't do stuff, but I have been steadily fighting that.
So, every morning now, I get out of bed, and start over. It's a good feeling most of the time.
How about you?