1-month behind schedule, but...

199.2 !!!

2013 Unprocessed

In keeping with our blogging community tradition, I have chosen a word for the new year...

UNPROCESSED

The theory behing living an unprocessed life (as it relates to food) is to eat food that is as close to it's natural state as possible.  It's not about being "good" 100% of the time and there is no such thing as "failure."  It's really about making the best choice available at the time.  When making decisions about what is and isn't considered unprocessed, I will be using The Kitchen Test devised by Andrew Wilder over at Eating Rules.

Unprocessed food is any food that could be made by a person with reasonable skill in a home kitchen with whole-food ingredients.

I call it “The Kitchen Test.” If you pick up something with a label (if it doesn’t have a label, it’s probably unprocessed), and find an ingredient you’d never use in your kitchen and couldn’t possibly make yourself from the whole form, it’s processed.

It doesn’t mean you actually have to make it yourself, it just means that for it to be considered “unprocessed” that you could, in theory, do so.

I have been leaning toward this type of eating and cooking for many years now and was thrilled to find the Eating Rules site that so closely mimics my own views on food and eating.   

When I cleaned out my pantry last week, I was shocked at how much processed food I was keeping around...sugar, white flour, canned soups (loaded with preservatives), etc.  Once I started really examining the labels, I was again surprised to discover the less-than-natural ingredients in things like a can of Chiles en Adobo (I have since found an acceptable substitute at Whole Foods) and even my sliced water chestnuts.

If you are interested in a lengthy & detailed explanation, you can find it here. 

 

holiday stall...not that there's anything wrong with that

My weight loss has stalled.  But, since I've pretty much been "free-feeding" for the last couple of weeks, I'm not upset.  In fact, I'm pretty stoked that things are holding steady considering all the crap that has gone into my mouth lately (Garrett's Chicago Mix; pound cake; buttermilk pie; fried chicken; Buffalo chicken dip--just to name a few).  Here's a look at my last few Wednesday weigh-ins:

11/21:   206

11/28:   203.9

12/05:   205.9

12/12:   204.2

Overall, not too shabby.  Plus, there's still a chance that I can get below the 200 threshold by the end of the year!

The sleeve has most definitely been my best friend lately with all the holiday parties (and associated yummy-but-bad-for-you food).  I've been able to nibble on a variety of food without going overboard.  The best part is that it since it takes me so long to eat, nobody has even noticed the tiny amounts.

Cheers!

H2(the)O...

I have always known that I was supposed to drink water.  I have always chugged it.  I have always had to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes when I am chugging water.  I can no longer chug water (it hurts!).  As a result, my relationship with water has changed significantly.

Since VSG, it is physically painful for me to do anything other than sip liquids.  So, these days I pretty much have a glass of water near me at all times and I take sips every couple of minutes.  When I do this properly, I wind up drinking around 72oz of water a day.  Sometimes, I sip on hot tea instead of water--and I count this toward my total liquid consumption for the day.  

***WARNING--BATHROOM TALK AHEAD***

When I drink water slowly and consistently, I find that I don't have to go to the bathroom (for #1) quite as often.  I also find that I have fewer problems with #2 (i.e. less constipation).  Most importantly, I rarely have to get up in the middle of the night to go--something that almost always happened previously.  Is it possible that my body is absorbing the water more effectively when I go the slow & steady route?

***END BATHROOM TALK***

I also have discovered that I can tell a marked difference in my ability to eat based on how much water I have (or haven't) consumed.  It is very difficult for me to eat as I should on the days that I don't drink water as I should.  In fact, the majority of the time that I find myself experiencing difficulty in the eating department, it turns out to be on a day when I haven't (or couldn't) sipped on my water all day.  Hmm...

Cheers!

12-weeks post-op

I can't believe that it's been 12-weeks since my surgery!

WEIGHT LOSS:

40lbs

EATING:

I find that it is extremely difficult for me to eat solid (or even soft) food before noon.  So, I've been relying on yogurt and my homemade protein smoothies for my AM nutrition.  Lunch is usually some cottage cheese & fruit.  By dinner-time, I'm generally ready for "real" food and will have a small portion of whatever I am making for my husband--most often, a simple protein & some steamed or sautéed green veggie.

NAUSEA:

I have experienced quite a few episodes of nausea & vomiting.  It is a learning process for sure!  The NUT warned me that I would discover foods that I just can't tolerate under any circumstance.  And, boy was she right!!!  I have to be very careful with anything high fat--which produces almost instantaneous nausea and often violent vomiting even when eating the the tiniest amount.  

Not chewing properly cal also be counted on to produce episodes of vomiting--usually NOT accompanied by nausea.  It's nothing like the PB's associated with the band, either.  This is so much more painful (for me, anyway) as the un-chewed pieces of food are rather forcefully ejected from the stomach/esophagus.

PORTIONS:

I am still learning about my portions.  I have learned that I can eat larger portions for dinner than I can at breakfast.  For dinner, I serve myself about 2-3 oz of protein and about 1/4-cup of vegetable.  Sometimes I am able to eat all of it, but usually I have at least 2-3 bites left over.  Lunch and breakfast usually come in around 1/2 cup each.  Snacks are usually about 1/4-cup (lately I've been snacking on grapes and other soft fruits)

CHANGE IN TASTE:

As I was warned, my tastes have most definitely changed!  I am still very sensitive to sugar...although it no longer triggers my gag reflex.  I am happy to report that just two small bites of pumpkin pie was enough to satisfy me on Thanksgiving Day!

I still find artificial sweeteners to be bitter in most things.  The only exception is the one Splenda packet that I use in my morning coffee or hot tea.

I no longer have a love affair with cheese. :(

I have a new love affair with ginger snaps.

HOT TEA:

Let's just say that I am starting to believe hot tea cures everything!  I drink it when I'm feeling nauseated and it helps.  I drink it if I'm hungry (but can't/shouldn't eat for whatever reason) and it helps.  I drink it when I'm cold and it helps.  My coffee habit is down to one cup a day but I seem to have replaced it with a 2-3 cup a day hot tea habit.  I also have started drinking a cup of chamomile every evening after dinner.

FRUIT POPS:

I eat a fruit pop (or two) almost every day!  It's a great treat; it takes care of any sweet craving I might be having; it is only 40-50 calories; it counts as a serving of fruit.

Cheers!

"typical" day...

FK over at The Secret Diaries asked me in a recent comment to post about a typical day for me as far as food an exercise.  I am happy to oblige, but please keep in mind that I am only 8 weeks post-op and am still learning.  Plus, as I continue to heal my "typical" days are changing.  Here's what I've been doing the last week or two.

Early AM: hot tea or coffee with 1TBSP half-n-half and 1 Splenda packet

Breakfast: home-made smoothie (greek yogurt, frozen fruit, kefir, protein powder, Metamucil powder) or 1 egg scrambled with butter

Lunch:  vanilla yogurt or cottage cheese w/ fruit (or, leftovers from previous night's dinner)

Dinner: 2-3oz meat & 1/4-cup veggie

Sometimes there is a snack somewhere in there and usually another cup of hot tea.

I weigh and measure EVERYTHING!  I serve myself 4oz or 1/2 cup of food per meal (and I usually don't finish).

As for exercise...that's not going as well as I would have hoped.  But, I am making an effort to be more active in my daily life.  I've been doing a bit more yardwork, projects around the house, etc.

I am struggling with my vitamins and supplements.  I am struggling with getting in enough water.  I also know that I am not eating enough overall.  My surgeon is not too concerned at this point.  He says that I will begin eating more naturally as I continue to heal and that as long as I feel good and my bloodwork is ok (including vitamin levels) then he thinks I'm doing fine.

goals checkup...

Shortly after surgery, I set some goals.  Here's how I'm doing so far...

• Start:  244.5
• Current:209.5 
• Oct 2:  218 (achieved Oct 13)
• Oct 16: 211 (achieved Oct 31)
• Nov 4:  205 
• Dec 4:  195 

As you can see, I haven't quite met the goals on time.  But, I'm happy with my progress.  I'm close enough that I think I can still make my Dec. 4th goal.  I've lost 35lbs in the 8 weeks since surgery and I am only 10lbs away from my lowest LapBand weight.  Boo-yah!