Muscles!

Ok. Having done lots of research I think I understand what is going on. I am building muscles and it is apparently normal for the scales to move up when you first start exercising. This must be true because this morning I slipped into a pair of jeans that I have NEVER been able to wear. So I suppose for right now I need to just ignore the scale and concentrate on my diet and exercise. This morning I did 15 minutes of exercise. Things like leg lifts, butt lifts and crunches and then walked 30 minutes. My calorie tracker said I burned around 300 calories. Right now I am trying to keep my diet around 1200 calories. I hope I'm doing this right. It's all new to me. This morning I had a protein shake for breakfast and just finished a can 0f tuna packed in water with a tsp. of low fat mayonnaise and lots of lemon. I have some boneless skinless chicken breasts marinading in fat free italion dressing. Going to grill them tonight. Thinking about mashed potatoes and steamed mixed vegetables for sides. The mashed potatoes are for my husband. He will be home tonight. YAY!!!!
I have to tell you that getting into those jeans really boosted my moral. I was getting so depressed. Afraid that I had done the wrong thing and that all that pain had been for nothing. But I still want to see the numbers on the scale start dropping. My first goal is to hit 249. Then 225. I can't wait!!!!!!!

Feel like crying....

I just don't understand. I am trying so hard. So hard. I have COMPLETELY changed the way I eat. Eating what I thought was a healthy low calorie diet. Lots of grilled fish, veggies, egg whites, grilled chicken...etc. Drinking my liquids everyday. Getting my proteins. I was so proud. I'm getting up and moving EVERY day for at least 30 minutes. I thought that was a pretty good start. The problem is I'm not losing weight. The scale is moving back up. What do I do? I'm trying so hard to do it right. I'm getting so frustrated and scared. I don't know what to do.....

Logan's Steakhouse.

Decided to go to Logan's for my daughters birthday. Was a little worried. I just decided if nothing else I would just sip my tea and have fun. When we got there I told the manager (a great guy) that I had just had my surgery. He was very excited and told me congratulations. I asked him about ordering off the kids menu and he said that was no problem. So I ordered the grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. So good!!!!! We always go to the Logan's in Irondale. As I said before the manager, his name is Daniel, is a really awesome guy! Hannah was wearing her Birthday Girl t-shirt and he sent a little mini-bucket desert over free to celebrate! He told me the secret to their chicken is they marinade in the Italian dressing for 3 days before they cook it. So much flavor!!! Had a lot of fun and didn't over eat. Yay me!!!

FOOD!!!!!

Well I am officially on mushy food. The first day I ate it hurt. No not really hurt. Just very uncomfortable!!! I think I just ate to fast. Trust me when I say lesson learned. Been eating things like canned chicken with just a tiny amount of low fat mayonnaise. Lots of tuna. Cottage cheese. Was starving today at Wal-mart and thought about the tuna salad at Subway. I told them I had just had the lap-band and wondering if I could just get some of the tuna. No salad or sandwich. They gave me 2 scoops with s sprinkle of cheese on top for $1.38 including tax. Just the right amount of food. So glad I asked. Some people have said they don't like to mention their surgery. I don't mind. I'm happy and excited about my new life. And if someone overhears and wants to ask questions.....I will be more then happy to answer. That's already happened a couple of times. It's like this blog. I want to help. I want to share. Ok....I just like to talk!!!!!!
My husband came in this morning and we went to the grocery store. Bought LOTS and LOTS of yummy stuff. Boneless chicken breasts, tuna, cottage cheese, tilapia fillets. Oh and some of that Laughing Cow low calorie cheese wedges.
Tonight I cooked a spaghetti squash for the first time. It was a huge hit. My husband loved it. His favorite part was the cranberries. I picked out some of the squash and few bites of the chicken. It really was VERY good!!!!!!!!
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
1 large spaghetti squash
1 T. regular olive oil
1 T. butter
1 medium yellow onion
1 clove garlic
1 c. fresh mushrooms
1 c. cooked broccoli
1 c. cooked chicken
3/4 c. cranberries
1/2 c. chicken broth
Asiago cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with foil and a quick spray of oil. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and lay cut-side down on baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool enough to easily handle.
In a large oven proof skillet over medium-high heat, add butter and oil and sauté garlic and onions 4 to 5 minutes until onions are translucent. Add broccoli, mushrooms and chicken, and heat until warmed. Add cranberries and broth to skillet and cover. Lower heat and simmer about 4-5 minutes, until most of the liquid is gone.
Scoop out the spaghetti squash innards with a spoon, separating strands. Add squash strands to skillet and toss everything together. Sprinkle with Asiago cheese, and place under a preheated broiler till cheese is melted and toasty.

Back to the Hospital....

Last night around dinner time I noticed that my port site was started to really hurt again. One touch and I knew what the problem was. There was a big rock hard knot under the skin. The fluid had built back up. Didn't sleep much last night because of the pain and was so happy to see the light of day. Went to the hospital with a knot the size of a baseball under my skin and they drained another 10ccs of fluid. INSTANT RELIEF!!! It's still sore from where she was poking around with the needle and pressing on it but I can handle that. The nurse said it might happen again and if it does just come see her again. Why me? Guess I'm just special....Lucky me!
Went to lunch my my mom and Hannah afterwards. Went to Barnhill's Buffet. I had a sweet tea. Before you yell at me. It's only the 2nd sweet tea I've had since the surgery and I needed a little sugar to keep my glucose levels up. I also snuck and got about a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and when the waitress wasn't looking I had my lunch. I just didn't see paying $8 for that tiny amount of food. Was it so terribly wrong of me? To be honest I do feel a little guilty.
Hopefully tomorrow will be like yesterday and I will feel like walking again. Right now all I want to do is rest.

YAY ME!!!!

Today has been another great day! Woke up this morning with almost no pain. It's more just sore now. Thank the Good Lord! Had my protein shake for breakfast and Diet Green Tea with Citrus. But what I'm really proud of is that I finished my first official work out today! I set the timer on my microwave for 60 minutes and hit the floor walking. I walked at a nice steady pace nonstop for 30 minutes. Just back and forth from one end of my house to the other. My daughter walked with me or should I say ran with me! For every 1 lap I walked she ran 2!!! After 30 minutes of walking I did 30 minutes of the basic step workout on the wii. Hannah did that with me to. She got a big book from her bedroom and did every step with me. It was so cute! I have to tell you the last 10 minutes were torture. But I DID IT! I had a wonderful ice water afterwards.
I know I have so far to go but I started the next road of my journey today. I have to be active!!! Every day!!! Even if it's only a little...a little is better then nothing.

A good day!!!!

Swelling is down and pain has been limited today!!! SO HAPPY! Maybe the worst is over and I'm on the road to recovery. Posted a new picture so you could see how it looks. Not too bad. I think I won't even have very bad scars. Not that scars matter too much to me. Trust me I'm not the kind of girl who will EVER be seen in a bikini! Nope not me!! Walked a good bit today. And had another good day with my protein and liquids. Had a protein shake with light soy milk for breakfast. Had a bowl of cream of mushroom soup for lunch. For my afternoon snack I had a sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast made with soy milk (yummy!) Had my other protein shake for dinner and a sugar-free Popsicle for desert. Plus 2 12 oz bottles of water. Will have some more water before bed. Went to the store and bought my groceries for the next week. I know I can stop mushies on Thursday but I think I will wait till next week-end. I'm just not in a hurry. I know I'm a little strange...most people can't wait to start eating real food again. Hope I get some sleep tonight. Rob (my husband) has to leave out in the morning headed to Texas. He was such a big help today. He's being so supportive. Did a great job cleaning the house!!! I'll miss him when he leaves......