Today’s the DAY!!!

After all these years, I can hardly believe that today is the day I’ve been striving toward for so long.  My surgery day!!!!

I wanted to make sure to post something up here, since I’m not sure how long it will be before I can write a proper post. My surgery was pushed back to 1:45pm, so I don’t need to leave for the hospital until 10:30am (11:30 check in).  Instead of sleeping in, I was up at 5:30.  I took some time to just center myself, watch a few YouTube videos, catch up on Twitter, FB, and MFP, change the sheets, empty the garbage, shower, and now I’m relaxing on the couch.  Life would be perfect if I could have a steaming cup of coffee, but alas, nothing by mouth from midnight on.

I’m still feeling incredibly calm, confident, and just ready to wake up in recovery.  I know that when I do, I’ll have an entirely new life waiting for me, and I just can’t wait to start living it.

I’ll update as soon as I can, but you’ll most likely see me on MFP or Twitter first. See you on the other side!

Less Than Six Days to My New Life!

I’ve been wanting to write a post for the past day, but when I sit down to write, I don’t know exactly how to put what I’m feeling into words.  I keep using works like surreal and amazing, but even those seem to pale in comparison with the experience of my heart beating out of my chest every time I think about the fact that my life is going to change in less than 6 days.

So many people have asked me if I’m nervous or scared or worried about the surgery, and I can honestly say I’m not.  Not even one bit.  Sure, I realize there are risks, even death, but I am certain that’s not my fate.  I know it like I know my name.  The possibility of pain doesn’t faze me, either.  I’ve always had a high tolerance for pain, and I’m in good condition for someone of my weight, so I don’t think that will be much of a factor.

When I used to think of weight loss surgery, before I imagined it as an option for me, I focused on all of the restrictions to the post-op person’s diet.  Back when gastric bypass was the only surgery that anyone ever talked about.  I was so concerned about what “they” couldn’t eat, and couldn’t imagine my life with severe food limitations.  Today, after over 2 1/2 years of research, I know that there will be very few foods that are completely off limits.  Sure, there will be foods that I only enjoy on rare occasions, but I also realize that my life will be about more than food.  It will be full of all the new activities that I’ll have more energy to pursue, and all the people who I’ll have the opportunities to meet.  I’m not at all concerned about what I won’t be able to eat, but rather, excited by all that I will be able to participate in.

So I guess tonight I’m in a really peaceful, reflective mood.  It’s been a long, unsteady road along this weight loss path, but on Monday as I wake up from surgery, I’ll take that deep breath and I will start on the exciting new leg of my journey.

FMM: Questions and Answers

Happy Monday! In exactly one week, I’ll be having surgery!!  I have a lot to organize and prepare for between now and then, but I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  I’m going to write a full post later this evening, so for now let’s get to this week’s FMM.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Questions and Answers

1. Do you use coupons?  I never used to, because I’d always forget to take the paper coupons with me, but now that the store cards allow for electronic coupons, I use them all the time.  And like Kenlie, I definitely bring in the 20% off to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

2. How often do you weigh yourself?  Every morning.  It helps me check in with myself and stay on track. As someone who used to avoid the scale because I was avoiding the fact that I’d gone off program, weighing everyday has been an important part of keeping me mindful of my goals.

3. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?  I had a lot of favorite shows, but the first one that comes to mind is The Cosby Show.

4. How often do you drink alcohol?  Since I’ve been following a strict program for WLS, only twice since January, but before that, I would say a couple of times a month.

5. Have you ever met a celebrity or public figure that you really admire? Not yet…

6.  If you had to choose between only your cell phone or only your laptop all week which would you choose?  My iPhone, because it lets me do most things I can do on the laptop, plus texting, and taking photos.  The only thing that’s a bit tough on the iPhone is typing longer messages/blog posts.

7. What is your favorite brand of detergent?  I use Tide pods.  I love that they’re pre-measured, it makes it so much easier.

8. If there was a movie about your life, who would play the role?  Since I have a lot of life left to live, I think it would be difficult to say just yet.  Ask me again when I’m in my 70s.

9.  What book are you currently reading?  I just finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, which I loved.  It’s very dark, but if you’re in a happy place emotionally, I’d highly recommend it.  Now I’m reading Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart, and I’m still getting into it.

10.  If you could spend one day on vacation anywhere in the world, which place would you choose?  A beach somewhere tropical.

Now it’s your turn to answer the questions! And also be sure to go back to Kenlie’s blog and leave a link to your FMM post in the comments! I really encourage you to comment on as many people’s posts as you can – I’ve met some fantastic people through FMM. You never know who you’ll meet today.

Super Spring Weigh-In: Week 19

Spring has sprung! Which means that the weather is turning warmer, the days are getting longer, and fitting in outdoor activities is a whole lot easier. Spring is a time of renewal, and the spring of 2013 is going to be one where my life is Refreshed. I’m living my life in full bloom! Now that I’ve made my pre-op weight loss requirement, all the pounds I lose this spring are just like extra petals on a flower, making my life just a bit more beautiful. Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend, and will give me a positive goal to begin each new week. I’m embarking on more than just a diet plan, I’m establishing a lifestyle – my new beginning. My Sunday progress updates will be called Super Spring Weigh-Ins.

This week I knew I’d be weighing in at my pre-op appointment today, and I wanted to make sure I not only met the goal weight, but that I was under it.  I was really strict with my eating, and enjoyed lots of fat flush water.

So, what did the scale say?

This morning I weighed in at 277.2, which is down 2.4 lbs from my last weigh in. So this morning when I get on the scale in the surgeon’s office, I’ll be 4 lbs lower than the goal weight, which is great.

This week I’m going to allow myself a week of planned indulgences.  A week of “last meals” if you will.  Not that I’m going to go crazy and eat everything in sight, but I am going to make sure that I enjoy many of the foods that I won’t be able to eat after surgery (or for a long time after surgery).

• Today after weighing in, I’m heading to Noah’s Bagels for a bagel with lox and cream cheese.  Definitely a don’t on most healthy-eating plans, and a don’t for me post-op.
• Tuesday evening my sister, niece and I are going to our local Cal-Mex place to enjoy Swirls (blended margarita + sangria) and some sort of salad.  My niece’s school is having a fundraiser night, so this fits in perfectly.
• Wednesday my parents are taking me out to sushi.  This is going to be one of the foods that I’m really going to miss.  I’ll eventually be able to have sushi, but not for quite some time post op.  And I don’t think rice will be something I’ll be able to easily digest, so it may look more like a handroll with the sashimi and seaweed only.
• Friday night one of my best friends and I are headed to a famously fattening Mexican restaurant called El Burro.  More margaritas along with some enchiladas.
• Somewhere along the way, I’m going to have a grilled cheese sandwich with French fries.

In between these meals, I’m going to stick to my usual healthy eating, and I’ll definitely fit workouts in to counteract all these extra calories.  Then I’ll be back to strict the week before surgery.

What would your “last meal” be?  Choose a few, if you can’t decide on just one.

Until next time, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

Saturday Smiles

As I sit in my classroom and proctor the SAT for the last time this year, I’ve been thinking about all of the things that are making me smile.

Tonight is my high school’s prom, and it’s all the students have talked about for the past couple of weeks. Even the boys get in on the act, figuring out exactly how their going to ask their dates to the dance. Last week I helped my student ask his girlfriend by playing a video he made for her at the beginning of our study hall period. She was floored and so happy, and seeing them relish in their teenage love really made me happy for them. I can’t wait to see the photos of everyone’s dresses, makeup, and hair.

I haven’t been on the treadmill in the morning all week (the 90-degree weather we’ve been having has made me ultra-tired), but next week I’m going to get back to it, no matter what.  This photo is funny because I’m wearing my pjs, but it’s a good reminder that when you want to fit exercise in, you do whatever it takes, even if it means hitting the home treadmill in your jammies.  Hey, that’s why it’s convenient to have it at home, right?  One of the reasons I haven’t been on the treadmill in the morning is that I really dread it.  Not doing the work, but the fact that this treadmill my friend is letting me use isn’t high powered, so my obese body is too much for the belt.  I have to literally push it along with my feet and legs in order for it to move.  So, I’m getting a good workout, and my heart is pumping because of the force, but it’s in no way pleasant or enjoyable, especially first thing in the morning.  So I’ve decided to buy a used treadmill that I’m hoping to find on Craigslist (I’ve seen great deals on there) that will work the way it’s supposed to, even at this weight.

I’ve found a few new food items that are helping keep me on track.  The one above is Amazing Grass’ Green Superfood, and it was recommended to me by one of my friends on MyFitnessPal.  I tried it plain, in water, with a bit of fresh, raw ginger, and I really liked it.  But for those who don’t really like the taste of greens, you might want to mask it in a smoothie or buy their chocolate or vanilla chai flavors.  Right now I don’t have a problem getting my greens in, but post-op I know I will, especially at first.  After the initial healing is complete, I plan to use this to get my greens in.  When you can only fit 4oz, and you’re supposed to go to “protein first,” there’s not a whole lot of room, figuratively or literally, for greens.  Nor are they easily digestible in the beginning.  So this will be a really good solution.  Plus, it’s only 30 calories.

Have you guys tried kale chips?  I attempted making my own once, but the result was awful.  It sort of tasted like green ash.  Yuck!  I’d seen someone on Instagram or FB mentioning how delicious this brand was, so I gave it a try.  I love them!  The one problem is that they’re so expensive.  This 2.2 oz bag was $5.39 at Whole Foods.  I also tried the Trader Joe’s variety, and while they weren’t quite as good as the Kale Krunch, they were tasty.  And the $3.99 price is a bit more affordable. I’m going to the Triple-A Giants team game tomorrow (should be fun on Cinco de Mayo), and I’m planning to bring these with me so that I can have a snack, but still stay on track.

You guys know how much I love clothes, and recently I’ve been having a blast shopping in my closet! I’m able to fit into lots of the  clothes that I’d put away.  I’ve been wearing them to school, and getting tons of compliments.  The other day, a student I don’t even know told me how pretty she thought my dress was.  How cool is that?!  Tinkerbell also shared some clothes that one of her friends had given her in a recent closet purge.  I found some really cute things to tide me over and keep me from going to the store for new, smaller sizes.  Then on Thursday, I got a text from Amber letting me know that she’d just gone through her own closet, and had some clothes to share.  I was so touched by her generosity, because she and I live in two different states, and she’s paying the shipping costs.  She said it was a little surgery gift to me.  How sweet is she?  You guys will remember that I also have clothes from Meghann and Sylvia that I’m excited to wear soon. I definitely plan on paying it forward when the time comes and the clothes are too big for me.  I cannot wait for that to happen!!

The thing that’s making me smile the most right now is that there are 15 days until my surgery!!!!!

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Like Summer in a Glass

Yesterday on MyFitnessPal, one of my friends mentioned that she’d made some Fat Flush Water. She’d seen it on Dr. Oz, and wanted a way to get more water in. The fact that it supposedly helps with weight loss was an added bonus. I was intrigued by the ingredients: 1/2 cucumber, 1 grapefruit (or lemons), 1 tangerine, and a handful mint leaves, along with water.

I went on YouTube to find out a bit more about this water, and saw the option of adding tea bags.  So I chose Tazo Green Ginger tea, which I thought would go well with everything else.

To avoid bitterness, peel the grapefruit and tangerine, add to pitcher.

Add cucumber and mint leaves to pitcher.

I added 4 tea bags, as well.  Because I put them in cold water, the result was very mild, but I liked it.

Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.  Fruit/veggies should be replaced every two days.  Water can be freshened as you drink it.  (On my second batch of water, I brewed hot tea, let it cool, and then poured it over the fruit/water and enjoyed the added intensity of flavors). Eat normal, healthy meals and drink at least 3 glasses of the water per day.

It’s so fresh and delicious! (This is the pic I posted on IG).

I’m on my third 24 oz for the day, and I can say the “flush” part is true – lots of trips to the bathroom.  LOL.

Bottom’s up!!

FMM: ABC’s of Me

Happy Monday! The weather has really warmed up around here – the temperature is supposed to get to 85 today, and reaching in the 90s on Thursday.  Warm weather makes me want to get outside and be active earlier in the day.  I also like eating lighter, because heavy meals just make me hotter.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: ABC’s of Me

 Here’s how it works…you’ll choose topics about yourself, your likes, dislikes, etc.  according to each letter in the alphabet, and share a little with us. Oh shhh…you know you love it.

Ugh, Kenlie is really taxing my brain on this Monday, but I’m sure it’ll be fun by the time I’m done.  Here, goes…

A…April has been a fantastic month, and I’m feeling so positive about all the things coming up for me.

B…Boredom.  I hate it when students, or anyone really, says that they’re bored.  The phrase goes, “only boring people get bored,” and I believe it.  If you take the opportunity to make the most of each moment, you’re never bored.  Read a book, write a blog post, go on a walk.  Do something.

C…Change is in the air.  I know that my life is about to transform in just a few short weeks, and I cannot wait to see where it takes me.  So exciting!

D…Dogs (or any pet) really give you a great perspective on life, especially if you don’t have kids/a partner.  They offer you a chance to set outside of your own little world and worry about something else.  They also help keep you living in the moment, which is a lesson that was great for me to learn.

E…Education is my life. Not only because I’m a teacher but because I’ll always be a student.  I love finding out more about the topics I’m interested in, or discovering new ideas that I wasn’t aware of.

F…Fear is just not in my vocabulary.  I think it’s a pointless emotion and only leads to negative thinking and stagnation.

The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.” ~~Gandhi

G…Grading is the bane of my existence as an English teacher.  It comes to mind because I have so much of it to do in the next few weeks.

H…Healthy living has become a huge focus for me personally, and it’s definitely the direction I want to take my career in the future.

I…Independence is something I value so much in my life and my lifestyle.

J…Justice League – don’t ask me why this popped into my head when I  thought of the letter J, but it did.  While I’m not a huge comic book person, I do love Wonder Woman.  I mean, she’s got the strength, the body, and the beauty, what’s not to love?

K…Jack Kerouac.  I’m a huge fan of all of the Beat Poets, but there’s just something so sexy about Jack Kerouac and his writing. I love his prose and his poetry, and this quote is actually the one I’m using currently for my email signature:

Be in love with your life.  Every minute of it.” ~~ Jack Kerouac

L…  Live in the moment – this is something I remind myself of constantly, because my natural tendency is to plan so much.  One of my friends even bought me this Alex & Ani bracelet because she knows how much I love this idea:

M…May 20th – the date of my WLS and the day that my entire life changes forever.  I am so excited that I cannot stand it!

N…Nirvana is one of the best bands ever. Period.

O…The ocean is a place of comfort and respite for me.  I am so thankful to live so close.

P…Pandora is a great way to find out about new music.  It plays constantly while I’m cleaning the house, grading, or just hanging out.

Q…Quince paste is quite delicious.

R…Red lips and nails (not necessarily worn together) are incredibly sexy to me.  One of the things I love about the retro style is the profusion of both.

S…I can’t wait to explore style and fashion was I start fitting into “normal” sizes.

T…Truthfulness and trust are at the heart of all good relationships, romantic, business, or otherwise.

U…Although I haven’t read his books in a long time, Umberto Eco is a great writer. 

V…Valentine’s Day is one of my all time favorite holidays, because it celebrates love – romantic, familial, and friendship.

W…I drink at least 64 oz of water a day; most days much more!

Y…Yahoo has a fantastic new weather app that you might want to check out. I just downloaded it yesterday. The thing I like, besides the fact that it’s accurate is that it has beautiful photos from Flickr that scroll through as the day progresses.

X…I have Xfinity from Comcast, and I really love it.  I wish it were cheaper, but I can’t complain about the service, speed, or offerings.

Z…Zucchini are plentiful in the summertime, and I love that I’ve found so many ways to prepare them.

Now it’s your turn to answer the questions! And also be sure to go back to Kenlie’s blog and leave a link to your FMM post in the comments! I really encourage you to comment on as many people’s posts as you can – I’ve met some fantastic people through FMM. You never know who you’ll meet today.