Sannah

Way to go!! You look so great!! Nice taste in clothes!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hello, I am working on losing 15-20 lbs to be safe for surgery. I have participated in dieting prior to this journey and was successful, but for some reason it seems 1,000 times harder right now. I am almost 31 has my body just slowed down? **YIKES** I am on the verge of breaking 300lbs and I would like to get into the 200's!! Here is what I am doing and I would love any constructive help/tips: -Drinking A LOT of Water -Logging on MyfitnessPal -Try to eat frequently with focus on Protein -I DO NOT like meals.I normally eat something about every two hours. Today I had a fat free latte and 1oz of turkey Jerky, a bit over two hours later I had a half sandwhich with low fat cheese and turkey breast -Work out videos at home. -I participate in more physical activity than I used to. - I was a vegetarian, but I am using turkey as a crutch to loose this 20lbs on my own- I struggle with this daily! -chewing 20 times per bite -eating slow -I average 1500 calories a day -70g of protein, all though I should be eating 90 What I know I am doing wrong -sometimes I am fearful of making an unhealthy choice, so I spend what feels like forever deciding what I should eat. Before I know it, my blood sugar is low and we all know what happens from here.. I then make real poor decisions about nutrition. Should I replace a meal with a Protein shake? I would love to hear your suggestions, please be gentle. I am going through a lot and I prefer kindness. Thanks for reading and sharing your strategies with me. Sannah

Any Snacks in between?

Sounds like a plan!!! It may be good for me to see how much I am currently doing so I can set a goal and amp it up!!! I could set up my bodybugg again!! I like the idea of gentle exercise

THANK YOU!!! I feel like everyone gave me some REAL helpful insight into some options for changing!!! I am so very appreciative of your feedback! I have my list here of what changes I will make.

Thank you for taking time to share with me. I have thought about this planning aspect as well. I shall put this into action. I like to cook, but my husband is a meat eater (GALORE) and also does not eat leftover (CRAZY!!! Right?) So, I don't like to cook much. I can only eat the same thing for so long. Also I can only freeze so much stuff. I like your angle with salads!! This is surely something I can and want to do!!! I will make a weeks worth and this should surely aid in health and weight loss!!

So you did all shakes? No food? I have a pre surgery insurance requirement of 6 months medically supervised weight loss. I am supposed to loose my 15-20lbs during this time. But basically I have two months, because I was seeing my PCP and now I am working with the Weight Management Institute on the 6 month diet. The Weight Management Institute, which is where my surgeon is told me about the 20 lbs. So far my surgeon has not mentioned a pre op diet. I am adding this to my list!! I want to be successful and have my surgery asap.. What a bummer it would be to be delayed because I wasn't able to loose my 20lbs!! Great tip!! Thank you!!

Hi! Was this hard for you? Did you have Snacks? Sounds regimented which is surely nice!!! Did your blood sugar stay stable? I think I can add in one shake, but two right now might leaving me feeling CRAZY since I am more of a grazer than a meal person. I would love to hear more about snacks and how you felt? Best, Sannah

Thank you kindly for the encouragement and support! This journey is hard!!! I am so dedicated and ready for these changes, but feel challenged by the little weight that is falling off, for what feels like big changes. Great news is I had the metabolic screening my body is functioning at 94%. So my metabolism is working!! Per the tips and suggestions I am getting I am going to make some more changes!!! I am sure I will get into twowonderland!!! SO EXCITING!

I have read labels for years... A tool that has came in very handy! Thankfully I do not like salad dressing. If I desire something on my salad I use a very little olive oil and a small amount of lemon. Perhaps, cottage cheese is a good thing for me to try!!! I have not had it since I was a child!!! Thanks for the mention. I am an avid coffee drinker! I drink straight espresso, add milk for latte and if I want flavor I have SF torani on hand. I know i will need to cut out or go decaff for surgery. I am okay with this, as I have done it before while I was pregnant.

Hello! Thank you for the reply. Sounds like a lot of small changes allowed you to be successful. I am off soda and it was easier than I imagined. I am working on the carbs, which sounds like it helped you greatly. I do not like Pasta, rice is so so... But wholesome bread is something I like. Perhaps I can wrap lettuce around my sandwich half. I appreciate the feed back!

I am pre op, but none the less THRILLED to find your recipe!!! Thank you kindly! I look forward to making some for my husband and I. Kettlecorn is always good, especially with the up coming FALL SEASON (my fav!!) Congrats on your success!!!

I am curious if post op your chewing as much as is suggested for us pre opers? It has been suggested that I chew each bite 20-30times! I can do twenty now and this took a lot of practicing. However, I am realizing that I do not like a great deal of food when I have to chew this much!!! What has been your experience been?

What does egd stand for? Sent from my iPhone using VST

My surgeon required a three day liquid diet. I am not a smoker so maybe that is why I was not asked about CO1. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Wow. We are certainly on the opposite end of the spectrum. Have you always been that into chewing? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Wishing you wellness!! I hope surgery was smooth sailing for you today!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Most welcome! It smells so good as it cooks!! I hope you enjoy! Best, Sannah

Fall is near! I often double, triple etc this recipes depending on how many people I am serving. You can change what you like, sugar/sugar free, decaf/caff hot/cold garnish with whip and cinnamon stick or not. It's all you!! SLOW COOKER pumpkin SPACE LATTE 2 C Organic Fat Free Milk 2 TBSP Canned Pumpkin 2 TBSP Sugar (i omit this part, but if you have a sweet tooth it may be nice) 2TBSP sugar free French Vanilla Torani Syrup 1/2 TSP Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/2C Brewed espresso (if you don't have an espresso machine you can use 3/4 C really strong brewed drip coffee- I have never tried this) Mix all ingredients in slow cooker on high for 2 hours. Note- I make this and serve warm. I also put it in the fridge and it sort of thickens up a little, and later poor over ice. Why not blend with some Protein powder?! This is one of my favorites I hope you enjoy too!!! Best, Sannah

Thank you for posting! Good to know. 30 chews per bite just seems extreme to me. Sounds like post op it is a good ideato be aware and slow down, but its not important to count your chews.

I know!!! Right??

Oh yeah!! Spent a $100 gift card I received last winter for a gift. Feels so GOOD!! I stocked up on smaller sizes of under garments!! No more Lane Bryant!! Can not wait to no longer fit into the clothes I have from them!!! Cheers to healthy changes!! Sent from my iPhone using VST