Weight loss surgery to baby Feb update

It's already February.. Time is flying- So- a few weeks ago I was at a fellow staff member's home and saw a newsletter on the fridge talking about how we spend our time. It got me to thinking.. 1% of the average day is roughly 15 minutes. Do you spend 1% of your day working out? reading your bible? praying? working toward your goals? Often times when I say I just don't have time for _________.. I stop and think umm- is this important? If so then I make time for whatever... I mean we all have 2% of our day to take time for ourselves..


I had my 2nd appointment with the baby psychiatrist doctor this week. I was in a mood- first I was a few minutes late.. then the scales weight me in at 10+ pounds than usual... I told the doctor I thought his scales were crap- he says well, actually we occasionally adjust the scales to panic folks. Looks like it worked on you... Umm yeah, I did not think it was funny..  then he kept on with his humor- calling the baby (that is not been created) the "twinzies".. He thinks red headed twins would be so fun. I didn't really care for his humor- and he didn't stop calling the baby "twinzies".. I am rolling with it on the outside- but, inside I am like not one bit funny. Haha. I love babies but, the thought of having twins is overwhelming.. We did a lot things at the appointment- blood work and psych evaluation- He talks about stuff I never think about- like the plan to lose weight post pregnancy- He is committed to working with me. I guess I can get over his funny sense of humor.  haha.. I am totally off melatonin and using essential oils. I am a fan of Young Living essential oils- I hope to keep tracking my experience so I can share with you. I know to some folks it's hocus pocus- I understand. 




I have pretty "relaxed" about losing weight- it's been a while since i have made real progress. It's time to step on the train- and seriously finish what I started- how many times have I said that?? So, I am pretty much going hard core with weight loss the next 30 days. I have been making changes and not seeing weight loss- if this continues I will probably start checking in with doctors..  I need to do my part- tracking calories, seriously working out and and following the plan post surgery. 

My hubby John is a beachbody coach and has purchased the 3 day refresh for me. I start it Monday- Shakeology says: In just 3 short days, you can get your health, energy, and vitality back on track—all without starving. Don't worry, I am not expecting miracles- I think of it more like a cleanse. Then I plan to do a higher protein diet- which is what I am suppose to be doing.. I also am committing to 4 days of working out a week. I hope to do more.  I have worked to hard to not finish what I have started!!!  And, since I will gain weight during pregnancy- I need to be in shape before we get started.As far as our goals for 2015- we are standing strong. We finished our foster parent classes. We are eating better at home..  We are "gazelling" our way through debt. If you have not taken the time to learn about Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University- then let me step upon my soapbox- we did it as a part of our premarital counseling process- it is great. We got off track for about year or so but, we are more committed than ever- because we are committing to our budget we are able to travel and do things we had planned. By committing to our budget we are hitting our goals by decreasing debt- You can do it too!
So I know what you are thinking.. Rhonda is like one big networking scammer.. Haha. It's okay to think that.  More updates coming soon. Make sure you take time to make your goals happen!  

8 months post op

So, I started several posts and never actually completed them. I am not doing a very good job at blogging. Motherhood, Full time school, a "part time" job that is really full time and life is my excuse.

In my post that I never posted I said this:

Okay, top right was Oct. 2012,
Bottom left was July 2013,
the other photo was Feb 2014.
This shirt no longer fits!!!!

I feel that I am doing okay. I am 7+ months post op from the Gastric Sleeve Surgery at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. And I am celebrating 105 pound GONE.  I was barely fitting in a 26/28 and now I am in a 18/20.

 I feel like I spent 2 months trying to clear the 100 pound hurdle. But, I woke up one day I was actually out of the 250's and was down 105 pounds. One year ago, I was 353 pounds. I was in a bad shape. I wasn't honest with my life or myself a year ago.. I was merrily surviving.  I have 3 friends who are going through pre op preparing for surgery. I have to keep myself in check because I want to jump up and down and scream "You are making the BEST decision of your life"!! And for me, it has been the right decision for me.

--------------

So, we are 8 months post op today and I still wanna scream "best decision ever!!" How do I feel? Great. I am so thankful to be where I am at today. My PCP and my ob/gyn also feel that I am doing good. We are all in agreement that I am in a much better place health wise.  I am very close to being at the size I was in high school. I have no idea what I really was weight wise. I am also going to bypass my husband and my brother's weight and I have a feeling there will there will start some healthy competition begin.

My wedding weekend in May 2012 (size 3x shirt) and Feb 2014.

People are concerned my stomach will stretch back out. Well, here is what I know: Somedays I can eat a lot. I mean like a lot. Like breakfast, non fat latte, skinny cow bar, smoothie, half sandwich, chips, popcorn and a dr. pepper. Somedays 2 bites of any meal I choose and I am in misery. There are more meals that are a few bites than than the "eating a lot" days. I definitely make bad decisions some days. Snow days at home with my family are a guarantee bust. But, you know what my worst day now eating is probably better than my best day 1-2-3-4-10 years ago. So, I do not dwell on it. Plus it's all in moderation. My sleeve/stomach has attitude and sometimes I eat something and have no problems and a week later- I eat the same thing and feel miserable.

So, what is the progress like?  Remember they say you do the best in the first 6 months. So, I am on the "slower" period of weight loss. I am very happy with my progress thus far though. The truth is it's hard to tell when I lost 50 pounds but, now people can tell every 10 pounds I lose. That's good cause I need encouragement!  

I am in the 240's. (it's silly to post an exact number because it changes every day up and down) (110 +/-  pounds lost)
I am in a size 18 but, can wiggle my hips into a size 16. I am in a XL shirt but, still feel self conscious. My 2x shirts is too big. I have quite the chest and we do not expect I will lose as much there. That's ok I am not afraid of breast reduction surgery!! I also have some extra skin to pass along to anyone needing it.

The non scale victories are lots of fun!

February 28th and December 28th

Ring size was a size 8 and had to resize my ring to 6.5!!!!
My photos from 2 months ago show major progress. Check out the photo --->
I am down at least half size in shoes.  (was a 10 and now between 9 1/2 and 9). One foot is bigger than the other..
Unofficially (my husband isn't home to measure me) I have lost 56 inches in various parts of my body.
My chest, hips, belly 13+ inches gone.


It's becoming challenging to measure the inches with the loose skin and I could really wear spanx all day and be okay. That means I have a lot of firming up to do. aka I need to get back to working out on regular basis..

I still miss food. But, food doesn't comfort me or make me feel better. People have told me I make the journey look easy. I am glad to hear that. It's much easier than being fat but, I would not use the term easy. Nothing about weight loss is easy. It's hard work. It doesn't matter if you have 10 pounds to lose or 200 pounds it's hard work. I want to continue to encourage people to step up to the challenge and do something stop surrounding yourself around negative people/haters. I once read:  “Success is a journey, and the road to get there isn’t easy. There will be those who say you can’t make it, ‘it’s too tough’, or that you’re not strong enough, others will try to challenge your strength and try to knock you off and some will refuse to get out of your way. Success is a journey, and for me – it was worth the wait”

To my supporters who encourage me often- thank you. It's means a lot to me and as my dad always says keep on, keeping on. 

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Near Death By Fish Oil

So, fish oil. What is it? Well it’s Omega 3s Essential Fatty Acid. Hundreds of studies suggest that omega-3s may provide some benefits to a wide range of diseases: cancer, asthma, depression, cardiovascular disease, ADHD, and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. According to lots of websites: Omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients that are involved in many bodily processes. The body cannot make these fatty acids and must obtain them from food sources or from supplements. Three fatty acids compose the omega-3 family: alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in English walnuts, in some types of beans, and in canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, and olive oils. The other 2, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish, including fish oil and supplements.

Well, I was told it would improve my itchy skin. For whatever reason my skin is way more drier than ever and I have tried all sorts of creams, lotions, oils to help out. (side affect of surgery) But, one week on fish oil and it improved.. So, these fish oil pills are huge and swallowing post weight loss surgery is hard. I haven’t struggled with swallowing pills as much as some but it is more complicated.

So, I am week 4 of taking these fish oils. Wednesday morning I swallowed a pill and it got stuck in my windpipe, larynx or or somewhere close. I could move it my massaging my neck but, it wouldn’t go down. So, I tried taking a drink. No help. I took a bite of food and it made it worse. I started gagging and then proceeded to throw up. Several minutes later and lots of vomiting later it went “down”.  It was scary. I defiantly am somewhat fearful or anxiety ridden about swallowing large pills especially when I am home alone.   I am now experiencing some slight pain in my throat (more like my neck) mid-way down. Maybe it’s a sinus infection. Maybe I hurt something in my near death by fish oil.. Maybe I am a hypochondriac.  I plan to give it till Monday before inquiring with my local doctor.  

It got me to thinking that would have been an interesting cause of death.  Till next time, beware of large pills!

BatWings!

So, my least favorite part of my body?  My batwings! (Batwings also know as upper arm fat.) I own it and I know they are something I inherited genetically from Granny Duckett! Yesterday, while shopping at Boutique (yes, I can shop in them now!) I saw a shirt and thought I can pull it off with my already present batwing arms and maybe I can do it with leggings! Umm NO. Sometimes, you need to know just because you have lost a lot of weight, they carry the outfit in your size and a style looks good on  others doesn't mean you should wear it. I feel like my arms look even bigger.  I am NOT sad or depressed- it actually reminds me the journey is not over. So, for my friends and coworkers and pull off the style please rock it for me. 

A time to be thankful!

The holidays have arrived! Like so many I have so much to be thankful this year. I bring to you.. 

10.  Remembering last year's Thanksgiving.. Maddie had been to the ER twice and already had one hospitalization. The one in November was related to strep that moved in to her mouth. We were in the hospital for several days over that. We thought that was the worst thing ever. As most of you know, through many more ER visits and hospitalizations and our time in ICU that we learned that truly each day with Maddie is a gift.  We continue to be thankful for Arkansas Pediatric Facility, our doctors at Arkansas Children's Hospital and our for Maddie's extra time on life.  (I should also be thankful that God put my friend Angie in my life. She introduced us to APF! She has been an incredible for to me.)


9.  I spend many hours of my day at Aftercare Express. I have a great staff that I work with each day. I have a really supportive board that I report on a regular basis. We are also blessed to have so many awesome families in our program. Each day, 70 kids come to AfterCare Express (after school program) and we hope that each child feels loved, inspired, maybe learns something and experience Jesus. What a super cool thing God is doing at ACE. Glad he has me there. There is a saying "A chain in only as strong as its weakest link".. I am thankful for a team of people who work together and help us especially in our times of weakness.   They also keep me feeling young and hip. 


8. I am so thankful for each of the 89 pounds I have lost this year. I am thankful for each of those pesky 14 BMI points I have lost along the way too. 

7. Speaking of, I can be thankful without mentioning my supportive friends, family and medical people. I hear stories of people who have weight loss surgery and their family doesn't support them. I am blessed beyond belief. My family is cheering loud and clear and my husband is awesome. I am not sure that I would be successful without support of each of you! Each step- the therapy, working out, learning to eat again has been vital in me becoming a healthier person. 

6.  My husband. John is an incredible man- I think he is crazy but, I am grateful God placed him and his family in my life. 


5.  Lauren Emma-Claire. This child teaches me so much about life. I didn't ever know much about "children with autism" but, I have learned a lot from this kiddo. She has taught me the meaning of "unconditional love". If you work or know someone with Autism please check out the book called The Reason I Jump.  “The Chicago Tribune says this "Please don’t assume that The Reason I Jump is just another book for the crowded autism shelf. . . . This is an intimate book, one that brings readers right into an autistic mind—what it’s like without boundaries of time, why cues and prompts are necessary, and why it’s so impossible to hold someone else’s hand. Of course, there’s a wide range of behavior here; that’s why ‘on the spectrum’ has become such a popular phrase. But by listening to this voice, we can understand its echoes."  If you have a nook I would be happy to "loan" it to you. Your local library should have it to. It's a short read! 


4.  Our whole family is so thankful for Camp Aldersgate and Camp Barnabas! Lauren loves camp and the friends she has met there have been such a blessing!!!!!! Thank you to each of my friends who support these great organizations. Both of these camps are geared toward special needs kiddos. 

3. This is hard to admit. I am thankful for my aware of my brokenness.  My brokenness continues to humble me. A lot of days I feel like I am in a battle with the “I have it all together” mentality.  This insane thought that I might actually have all my ducks in a row- You guys all know through my blogging that is not true.  A friend/pastor one time asked me what I needed during some difficult times. I told the friend I was sick and tired of "Christian" people saying: God won’t give you more than you can handle. She says that is such a stupid cliché!  Anyways, I went on to read this blog and thought it was so helpful for those of you might be tired of the cliché. Anyways, I went on to read this blog and thought is was so helpful for those of you might be tired of the cliche. I know people mean well.....  Click here to read it. 

2. I am thankful that I live in a country where people get upset that people are shopping on Thanksgiving or people think you have to eat massive meals to have a real thanksgiving or as I call those first world problems. I get both sides of the great shopping debate. People love a good bargain whether it be through coupon(ing) or holiday sales.. Where do you draw the line????? I don't know and frankly, not sure I care. I care more about helping those who didn't have food on Thanksgiving. I love Cabot Community Thanksgiving (Click here to read about it). What does the bible say about helping the less fortunate? Actually, a lot- check out some verses here. 

1.  I am thankful for the verse Jeremiah 29:11. God understood his plan for me long before I did. Thank goodness! 






I hope you had a nice thanksgiving with those who you love. Whether it be eating yourself into gluttony, shopping for bargains, playing games with your siblings or going to the movies or whatever you did.. I hope you don't forget to be thankful for blessings in your life! 

Thank you for reading my blog!

Mama Rho

Breakfast Casserole

I should tell you.. I got this in my D1 notebook.  Easy breakfast and keeps well!

INGREDIENTS

4   large eggs

4   large egg whites

1 cup  nonfat milk

2 tablespoons  Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon of dried italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon  freshly ground pepper

5 cups  chopped spinach, wilted (see Tip) or 10 ounces f frozen spinach

4 cups  whole-grain bread, crusts removed if desired, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1/2 pound, 4-6 slices)

1 cup  diced ham 

1/2 cup  chopped jarred roasted red peppers or pimentos

3/4 cup  shredded  Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 7-by-11-inch glass baking dish or a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray.

2. Whisk eggs, egg whites and milk in a medium bowl. Add mustard, rosemary and pepper; whisk to combine. Toss spinach, bread, ham and roasted red peppers in a large bowl. Add the egg mixture and toss well to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and push down to compact. Cover with foil.

3. Bake until the custard has set, 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and continue baking until the pudding
is puffed and golden on top, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Tips:
Tip: To wilt spinach, rinse thoroughly with cool water. Transfer to a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and punch several holes in it. Microwave on High until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture before adding the spinach to the recipe.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare casserole through Step 2; refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. Bake as directed in Step 3.

NUTRITION FACTS

Calories 290, Total Fat 10 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Monounsaturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 167 mg, Sodium 813 mg, Carbohydrate 23 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 23 g, 

Hear Me RoaR

Here we are! Month two post weight loss surgery!
The best month yet! 

August proved to be very challenging! I spent 2 weeks stalling because I was not eating right. (I was not eating enough!) Happy to report the stall is over! My friend, Andrew, reached out to me and encouraged me to give D1 a shot! 

Victories:
Clothing.. Everything except socks and shoes hardly fit!!!  Remember those capri's in this picture (photo taken in late July then today)! They are now loose on me! That shirt is very loose and almost too big feeling (check out the arms)! I also  had to buy workout clothing! 

Energy... Working out (and Physical Therapy) IS changing my life. I am the most uncoordinated person but, I feel great!  Strength and Balance has improved too.. Not too mention I feel more confident. (Thanks Nick for reminding me of that!) 

Another major achievement: My face. (I have no make up in the current photos- actually we just got back from a walk!)  Notice how it is "toned"? When I shared with my friend Leslie that I needed product to help my face remain youthful during the weight loss journey... Picture after picture of weight loss patients have faces that droop and age!  She shared with me actual photos of someone who went through WLS and used Rodan and Fields... I wasn't sure if it would be worth the investment but, I knew I wanted a youthful face.. I can hide sagging arms and belly! Rodan and Fields is keeping its promise!!!  You can learn more about Rodan and Fields by clicking here or ask me about it! I will wear makeup in next month's photos!

You want the details and numbers... Here you go! 

Highest weight 353

Current Weight 293

Total Inches Lost since 6/21/13 (Measuring fat is hard!)
Arms (right) 4.75 
Bust 7 inches
Hips 7 inches (1 1/2 in 30 days)
Thighs 3 inches

According to my phone app that Monitor's my Weight loss.. My BMI value has went down 8 points! 

Where I feel the most difference? arms!

Goals for August! COMPLETED

To be never in the 300's when I weigh-in (praise the Lord-D1 took care of that!)

More exercise!! (major improvement- worked out 4 days this week!)
More Protein! (Much improved!!)

Get medications straightened out!! (also better but, back on reflux meds)

Continue therapy!  (It's going well too!)

In this picture- this is the shirt I bought at The Rack (Nordstorm's) in Seattle in March (did not fit) and here is the difference! This was a proud moment! You can't tell but, in July my arms (and obviously my belly) were bulging out! 

New Goals!

-Continue new ways to find protein

-Drink 100 ounces of water a day

- Workout 5 days a week!

-Jog 4 laps around the d1 track without stopping!!! (When I started I could jog 1/4 of a lap and just the other day I did almost 2 laps)

-Encourage anyone who will listen to make a plan to be healthy. DO something today. 

March 2014 Run a 5k!!!! No desire to run on a regular basis but, my friend Sarah encouraged me think about it and I think WHY NOT????

My friends (and I want to name specifically name my facebook fam, Brent, Angie, Shana, Sarah, My staff at work, Andrew, Sonya, Jessica, Leslie, D1 people, my family, my husband and my blog readers) your encouragement has meant so much me and truly carried me through this month. Thank you. 

The next blog will be about my current food choices and life with no "medical" restrictions.. 

Lots of Love from the Losers Bench!!!