Perfection: Not Found Here

I don't talk about the struggles or temptations very much.. They are there. Anyone who walks through life and says they aren't struggling then beware!!!  I feel like though through all my preparations I was warned that there would be some tough times. I don't hate the struggles and I realize that it's part of the process.. 

It's been four months since I have had a soda. I miss it. I miss it alot. Actually, I only miss Dr. Pepper. I don't try to avoid it because it's everywhere. People say oh take one drink and you will find out it's too sweet or your taste buds have changed. Yeah, I don't believe it and it's not worth the risk! No worries- I do not have any plans to try it out anytime soon. 

I also have cookie cravings. I am not even a cookie fan. It's so weird. 

Then there are days when eating (in general) is so challenging. It's okay to not eat all the time. 

My WLS friends warn you about how awkward clothing shopping can be after weight loss. I can't explain it except that everything that felt "normal" for so long feels awkward now and it's mainly with pants. I am going through the same thing with Lauren. She would be happy just wearing gym shorts everyday.. ha! 

We saw one of Maddie's drs this week. He was in complete shock. He wrote down my doctor's name, my information and he was amazed by the results. I find that most doctors are fearful of weight loss surgery. I make a point to share with any doctor that will listen. Not everyone who has surgery has a miserable experience. Does it happen to some? yes. Can miserable experiences happen as part of life? Yes. 

Some people keep suggesting that I am not losing as fast because I am working out with weights. You know the myth that says muscle weighs more than fat? Well, this article here sums it pretty well.

A pound is a pound is a pound—unless you're defying the laws of physics. No substance weighs more then another one unless it actually weighs more. Simply put: One pound of fat weighs the same as one pound of muscle. “The difference is that fat is bulkier than muscle tissue and takes up more space under the skin,” Greenspan says. In fact, one pound of fat is roughly the size of a small grapefruit; one pound of muscle is about the size of a tangerine. But that tangerine is active tissue, meaning that it burns more calories at rest than fat does. 

Honestly, I don't care about how "fast" I am losing it. I feel pretty awesome at the rate of return. No offense to anyone but, losing weight is a slow and steady process. I have never just lost 10 pounds in one month even when I tried. 

Working out is still a good thing. This past week and next week have been super busy. I only worked out once last week but, I knew it was going to be a challenge to make it all work with our crazy life.  

Eating looks like this:
Egg/Sausage/cheese burrito (we make them ourselves)  or leftover dinner
or if we eat out I eat a few bites of omelet with bacon. 
a cup of decaf coffee or decaf tea

Snack:
Banana

lunch
a little bit of Soup, a little bit of sandwich or a protein bar or smoothie

Snack Protein bar or nuts or beef jerky

Dinner
Hit or miss
Seafood when we eat out. 
a few bites of whatever is cooked 
with a glass of  v-8 juice

So, yeah life is not always a bed of roses but, the results of losing 80 pounds makes it so worth it.   No complaining from me. Just the overwhelming feeling of being happy and blessed to have this journey.