Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is a big day in our home. In the past, we have prepared enough food for an army, even though it was just the two of us. We were wondering what to do today, since I have had my surgery and he has changed his diet due to diabetes.

The first thing we decided was that the chili we always make was still going to happen. The only change we made in it was we purchased a lower sodium seasoning packet (we always add extra minced garlic) and got very lean ground beef. Chili can be very nutritious and protein dense, so we saw no reason to eliminate it from the menu. We are topping it with reduced fat shredded cheddar and fat free sour cream.

For dipping we decided to stick with salsa and baked tortilla chips. We made the chips ourselves from the multi-grain tortillas that we use for wraps. Just give a quick spray of butter flavor Pam to each side of the tortilla and then cut it into wedges. Season in what ever way you like. We sprinkled a tiny amount of garlic salt on them and baked in the oven at 400F for 5-7 minutes. It only took 5 minutes for this batch. They are amazing and are going to become a staple in my diet. I think they will be a great replacement for packaged crackers.

We are both very pleased that we are having some very flavorful foods that we can really enjoy, but not have to worry about busting our diets. I encourage everyone to find a way to make the foods you love work in your food plan so that you don't have to feel deprived. Instead you feel empowered. GO SAINTS!!!

It has been a while

It has been a while since I posted and I wasn't really sure what to say, so I thought I would take a little picture of myself, so you can see if my face looks any thinner. I left my old profile picture up for now, so that you have a before picture to compare it to. I had to take the picture myself, by holding the camera out at arms length, so the quality isn't very good. The quilt on the back of the chair was made by my sister for me. Sooner or later I will try to get a full length picture to post so that you can compare that to my before pictures.

A Wow Moment and Some Annoyance

Friday, I had an appointment with a new optometrist. I had my usual concerns: will I fit in the chairs in the waiting room and will I fit in the exam chair. Oh, and how outrageous is this bill going to be?

I arrived at the office, checked in with the receptionist, and then took a gander around the waiting room. All standard size chairs with arms on them, which I can't fit in unless I cause myself considerable pain squeezing into them.

I decided to try to squeeze into one and hope the wait wasn't too painfully long. I sat down and let out this gasp that startled the receptionist, so she asked if I was okay. I told her I was fine, just having a WOW moment. I fit in the chair! I mean, it wasn't like I had room on each side, but I wasn't in pain from sitting in it. I didn't have to wiggle my hips down between the arms. I just sat down. Ya know....like normal people do!

When I got to the exam chair, that was a different matter. At least the arms swung up so I could have room. The tech felt bad and told me that she barely fit in the chair. I am sure she was just being kind because she looked very fit to me.

The optometrist was very nice, but she responded to all of the eye issues that I brought up with: These things happen when you get close to fifty. I was not happy to repeatedly hear this. Who needs reminders?

The ultimate diagnosis, I now need bifocals. I have to use drops for a dry eye condition. Plus, there were a couple of spots on my macular and with a strong family history of macular degeneration, I will need to have my macular mapped for a baseline so they can track changes. I guess these things happen when you get close to fifty. *insert annoyed look here.*

Okay, so it is time to pay. I have to pay my co-pay and for the bifocals, so they order them for me. I hand them my credit card. Sheepishly, this guy comes back and says it was denied. WTF? Okay, so I give him my debit card. Again, he comes back and says that it was denied. Um, no way! There are funds in that account. I couldn't believe that I actually had to write a check.

I went straight home and there was a message waiting from my credit card company about a fraud alert. I called the company and it turns out the moron had entered the security code incorrectly so they denied it. I then called my debit card company and ditto! So, I call the optometrists office to let them know that this guy needs additional training and they just say that the card equipment is quirky like that.

Oh well, no one can take away my WOW moment. I can't wait for the day when I stop worrying about seating, like normal people, and just sit down.

Yummy!

I have been trying to add back foods to my diet very slowly. I only try one new food at a time, so that there will be no confusion as to which food it is that bothers me, if I have trouble. So far, I have been able to add some tasty stuff, like fat free refried beans, salsa, and even a quarter of a slice of toasted multigrain bread (untoasted can be a problem for me). I have the most difficulty with meat that hasn't been ground. Ground beef, ground pork and ground chicken are fine, but ground turkey seems to be too dry no matter how it is prepared.

Today I tried a whole wheat tortilla, or to be more specific, a quarter of a whole wheat tortilla. I slathered it with tuna mixed with low fat mayo, mustard, minced onion, dried dill and pepper, then topped it with zesty dill slices, fold and enjoy. It was yummy and no tummy troubles! I think I will be substituting the tortillas for toasted bread from now on. Later today I am going to cut a tortilla into chip sizes and bake it so I can have chips and salsa with melted reduced fat cheese. My favorite reduced fat cheeses are from Sargento!

My portion sizes are still quite small. The total volume of food that I consume at a meal is approximately 1/3 of a cup and occasionally I can't finish it all. I eat 4 times per day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening snack. My meals are protein dense and each of these meals are usually between 150 to 200 calories.

Eleven Months to the Day!

February 20th, 2009, I went to a new health care provider, because I had recently moved and I had just been notified that in May 2009, I would have Medicare coverage. I told Kathleen (the afore-mentioned health care provider) that I was determined to have gastric bypass surgery and I needed her to document my attempt to lose weight in advance to qualify for the procedure. She was very supportive and helped to guide me to a 61 pound weight loss prior to surgery.

This morning, I stepped on my scale to find that I have lost exactly 100 pounds since that day! This is a big goal of mine. I have a lot more goals to meet, but I am so glad to have accomplished this one.

Please share with me a goal of yours that you are working toward or that you have proudly achieved. I love to read your comments!