Phoenix79

Ok, I just found an amazing song of encouragement for sleevers (and most everyone!) by Suzie McNeil called "Believe". Some of the lyrics follow.... I'm standing before you, taking my chance on Everything I never thought that I could be 'Cause you can do almost anything If you just believe You can move mountains with dreams The higher you climb, the better it gets 'Cause you will see things, you'll never forget If you just believe It's like I'm falling through my own fears They used to haunt me, but now they're not here There's no looking back, my future is clear No giving up And I'm holding on when it gets rough 'Cause you can get through most anything If you just believe No one says it's easy And no one says you have to be perfect But as long as you try, you're always gonna find It was worth it if you just believe

This is a before and "during" picture....3 1/2 months out from surgery. Went from a size 26/28 to 18/20 and shrinking! Height 5'5 1/2, age 34. Just starting C25k working around my AS (type of arthritis). HW 330 SW 289 CW 238

Great words of wisdom Gamergirl! I have found what you said to be true for the dinners I make- I was worried I wouldn't be able to be a foodie anymore, but I still enjoy eating and cooking 3 months out from being sleeved as much as I did before. Just less food! . We're going to Arizona to visit family soon and that will be our first vacation since my surgery. I hope our vacation goes as smoothly as yours is! Have a great time in Mexico!

That would be great to have a partner for C25k! I have a feeling I'll be on week 1 for a while...yesterday I did 30 minutes and 7 1/2 were spent running in 1.30 increments...not a runner at all so it will take time to build up. Let me know if you want to start...and sorry for hijacking your thread!

Thanks! I just realized myself that I am 8lbs from a total of 100lbs lost from my high weight as I was typing the first message to you. Can't believe it- but feeling so good- working on C25k now... Not sure how it will work with my arthritis and running but I'll give it a go!

I've always wanted to wear Life is Good shirts but the ones that had the hobbies I wanted were in the Women's section- gardening! No way at a 26/28 was I going to fit in even an XXL with the way the shirt is cut. When I knew I was going to have the sleeve I bought a Life Is Good shirt and thought of it as a goal shirt. I kept trying it on over the months and it finally fit last week- just in time for my monthly garden club meeting! Hooray! I also a Muse shirt from a concert of theirs I attended earlier this year and a t-shirt of Mickey I bought at Disneyworld in 2006 that both never fit and now they do!

Here you go Gamergirl! I posted on inspirational pics too but things tend to get lost quickly there. sx July 2nd ' date=' height 5'5 1/2 (hey- gotta add what I can!) HW 330 SW 289 CW 238

This is more of a before and during than an "after". Three & 1/2 months after sleeve! Went from a 26/28 to a 18/20 and going down baby! Surgery July 2, 2013 HW 330 SW 289 CW 238 Height 5'5 1/2

Soon! I'll take a few shots hopefully later this week!

You are looking great Gamergirl! So much progress in so little time. . Funny what you said about your boobs being more prominent now...fiddleman said something like that to me the other night. I was wearing a new t-shirt and I asked how it fit- he said it looked a bit tight. I was puzzled because it didn't feel tight at all to me. Then he said that maybe it was just because the part across my chest was "tight" and that my boobs were sticking out more! Lol. It feels nice to lead with your chest and not with your stomach anymore! Great job!

You are looking great Gamergirl! So much progress in so little time. . Funny what you said about your boobs being more prominent now...fiddleman said something like that to me the other night. I was wearing a new t-shirt and I asked how it fit- he said it looked a bit tight. I was puzzled because it didn't feel tight at all to me. Then he said that maybe it was just because the part across my chest was "tight" and that my boobs were sticking out more! Lol. It feels nice to lead with your chest and not with your stomach anymore! Great job!

Thanks! It is yummy. I'm trying to duplicate a casserole my grandmother used to make all the time, replacing the rice for cauliflower "rice". Recipe coming soon on Gamergirl's blog- this was a test run for my stint as a guest blogger on her blog.

I was able to hit all my protein goals and liquids goals right after surgery, so don't worry, you're not odd! Good job and keep it up...and walk, walk, walk!

Retro Cheesy chicken & "Rice" casserole

Good luck with surgery- I know you'll do great!

Great idea and not weird at all! Fruit trees take between 2-3 years to produce a crop of fruit from when you plant them, so plan ahead and plant now! Also be sure to check if what you plant needs a pollinator - you may have to plant 2 different trees that bloom at the same time to get fruit. If you don't have lots of space, look for self pollinating fruit. A lot of produce won't be ready until August & September so figure out what other veggies and fruits to use from early Spring thru late summer. Zucchini is good, rhubarb, strawberries (ever bearing), raspberries, blueberries (some varities may need a pollinator), lettuce, peas, asparagus, bok choi, beets, Swiss chard will be great to fill in holes too. Herbs will give you the most bang for your buck- a little organic package will run you $3 and usually you don't use all if it. Growing your own you can just go outside and snip what you need. . Garden organically...safer for you and pets...you can eat any of your produce without worry. Chickens would be great too- I want some! Great eggs, bug control in the garden, and compost! Have fun...gardening is a great hobby!

You could probably do it without the topping and it would taste fine- maybe a little less buttery but ok. I like the combo of the crispy, creamy, salty etc that comes from everything put together including the topping, and it really doesn't add that many carbs- 1 1/2 cup for the whole 9x13 pan. Another alternative would be to add it and scrape it off the portion you're eating- easy to do.

Anytime! If we Seattlelites ever get together as I hope we will and do a potluck, this will be the dish I bring.

http://www.lovewithrecipe.com/recipe/313.html Link to chicken Cordon Bleu recipe. Only bread item is a light topping of panko and bit of flour in the sauce, otherwise it's all protein- ham, Swiss cheese, chicken breast! I edited it a bit- kept the butter called for to make the roux in the sauce the same, but cut the butter in the panko topping to 2 Tbsp. I also subbed alpine lace reduced fat Swiss cheese for regular Swiss, and used lowfat milk instead of whole (don't try nonfat- you'll lose the creaminess factor). Makes a large 9x13 pan...would probably freeze well after chilling in the fridge. Cut into individual portions and defrost as needed! Very very tasty!

chicken Cordon Bleu casserole!

I stumbled upon a pretty tasty treat when I combined 1/2 cup Fage 2% Greek yogurt with 1/4 scoop of Syntrax Cappuccino Protein Powder. The tangyness of the Greek yogurt paired perfectly against the cappuccino Protein powder and actually made it taste like creamy mascarpone cheese. Topped with a sprinkle of cocoa powder, it makes a pretty delicious Breakfast.