LynRN

So, I'm traveling to Boston in a few months. I'll be in the Longwopd Medical area. Do any of you Bostonians know of any places to eat that are yummy, healthy, and inexpensive.

I'm Down about 50 pounds from my pre- surgery weight and while I know I've lost some inches from my waist, my tummy is still as round as ever. I still have 85 lbs to go, though. If anyone else has more pics, I'd love to see 'em.

I emailed Quest earlier today for free samples of the PB&J Bar and the Cookies & Cream. I just checked my email and they've already been shipped. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is my fave but I've heard good things about these 2 and haven't been able to find them in my area. Really looking forward to trying them.

Okay. So I just watched the Penny episode today. All I can say is "wow!" What a waste and could she be any more in denial. She makes excuses like they re going out of style. I just hope that she is not beyond help, but it sure seems that way. Some of the other stories made me sad. She made me mad.

Jen, did you make it?

I was also 253 on the day of surgery. Things have been going a bit slow, but I hope to have similar success.

This seems silly to me, but I'm struggling to space my meals over 20 minutes. I'm a nurse and am used to eating quickly. Anybody have any tips to help me pace myself? I'm 3 months out and was doing better in the beginning, but now that I'm eating real (good) food, it's harder. Old habits die hard. Thoughts?

They seem to have the best nutritional stats in general, or at least in my experience.

20-21

I am in the middle of a love affair with Quest chocolate chip cookie dough bars. I heat them for 10-15 seconds and add a dab of fat free reddi whip and I eat with a spoon really slowly. It's like a warm chocolate chip cookie. Best part of my night.

Jen, let me know how you like it and if you made some of your own tweaks. By the way, I have watched some of your episodes in the past. I'll keep an eye out for this one.

Let me know how you like it. You may have to tweak it to your liking, though.

No need to credit me. I actually got the recipe from here: http://greatist.com/health/pumpkin-spice-steel-cut-oatmeal-healthy-recipe I did make some adaptations, though. I used a full cup of pumpkin purée (I really wanted to taste the pumpkin) and omitted the maple syrup and added 1/4 cup of granular Splenda (use whatever you like to sweeten). I also used two teaspoons of vanilla extract. It still was not very sweet, so if you like it sweet you'll need to add more sweetener to your bowl when it's done. I cooked it in.a crockpot (with a slow cooker liner) overnight. Super easy clean up. I took it out, put a new liner in and made a roast right after. I ate it with half a container of vanilla Greek yogurt ( to bump up the protein) and a sprinkle of chopped pecans. It made 12 - 2.75 oz servings (the perfect size since I had it with yogurt) or 8 - 4oz servings. the stats for the oatmeal alone ( 2.75 oz serving) with my tweaks to the recipe are: Calories: 69 Fat; 1.1 Carbs 12.1 Fiber: 1.8 Sugars: 2 Protein : 2.5 Lastly, this morning, I portioned out the remainder of the oatmeal and rolled it in balls and stuck them in some freezer bags. When I'm ready, I'll pull out a ball and nuke it with a splash of milk or Water. Voila, instant oatmeal.

I have the back boobs, too and am just under 40 lbs down since surgery as well. I really hope I lose the back and side boobs. I was actually told, when I was being fitted for a bra at Lane Bryant, that the side/back boobs were the reason for my large bra size (band not cup).

So I have chosen to keep my surgery secret. Only my husband, mother, sister, and aunt know. I did, which I am regretting, talk to a few coworkers who have had the surgery by the same surgeon, so they know. I am an OB nurse and I work with my OBgyn, so she and one of her partners know. It's not that I am ashamed, but I am private and I don't constantly want questions about my weight loss. Well, it's starting to show and the questions have begun. I just usually say that I'm eating a lot less and exercising a little more, which is true. But I feel like its only a matter of time before someone spills the beans and then I'm going to look like a liar. Why do I feel obligated to tell them the whole truth? And why don't I want to? Why do I care so much? Help?

I love the Surgeon on the show. He does not accept their excuses and tells them the truth. I really like to see his reaction when they tell him that the weight they gained is water weight. He told one girl that she would have had to drink 300 gallons of water to gain the 17 lbs that she put on. I like that he calls it like he sees it

Chipotle burrito bowls! Yum and YUM!I eat at Chipotle probably once per week. I get a burrito bowl with double meat (usually steak and chicken), fajita veggies, pico, green salsa, lettuce, and cheese, and sometimes I add plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. So yummy and I usually get four meals out of it which is great for my 12 hour night shifts.

So I have been making this awesome little lunch for the past few days. 1/3 large portobello cap (about 1 oz) 2 oz imitation crab meat, chopped 2 laughing cow cheese wedges (I've used garlic herb and queso fresco chipotle) 0.5 oz Cabot Sharp extra light Cheddar, grated Season portobello ( I used a steak seasoning blend). Bake until softened. Mix crabmeat and laughing cow cheese wedges (I warmed in the microwave to soften before mixing) Mix in 1/2 cheddar cheese Top Portobello with crab/ cheese mixture Top with remaining cheddar. Return to oven until cheddar is melted Makes about a 5oz serving 165 cals 11.2 carbs 4.2 fat 14.9 Protein And really yummy!

I was actually not nervous at all. My hubby was with me. I said a prayer and put my faith in God and my trust in my surgeon. It all went well with zero complications.

That half inch is important when you're short. I've been 5' 2.5 since the seventh grade. Although I recently was measured at 5' 2. ( no half) I'm too young to be shrinking (well vertically, anyway). Mrs. RRn, you look beautiful. I've been following your progress for several months and you are such an inspiration. I also showed my hubby your pics and he thought you were really pretty, too. Keep up the good work. Lastly, I love the meal pics that you include in your gallery.

So I am 11 weeks out and down about 32 pounds since surgery. I know we shouldn't compare, but that seems really slow compared to some of the numbers that I've seen on here. I acknowledge that I need to get going on my exercise ( plan on doing 30 day shred today). I am eating about 800 calories per day and 60-80g Protein and around 60 carbs ( I know some people really reduce carbs but my Nut wants us to have some whole grains). I haven't lost anything in about 10 days and I feel like I've been stalled more than I've been losing. I am just really frustrated. Also, I feel like all of my weight loss has come from my boobs. So they're getting smaller while my gut still looks like I have a 30 week fetus in there. Also, this may be TMi, but my periods have been lasting two weeks or more, which is especially odd since I have a Mirena. I wonder if this is affecting my weight loss. Does anyone have any insight to share. HW: 276 Day of Surgery (11/25): 253 CW: 221 GW: 130

I didn't take anytime off. I only work weekends and I have every 4th weekend off. So I scheduled my surgery so that I could recover over that time. I went back to work on Day 10 post op. That worked for me as I had no complications and literally no pain. My only issue that I'm still working on is the constipation. So I was able to be really incognito about the whole thing.

I just did 30 day Shred. Glad I got it in for today. Lumpy, we should be buddies so that we can encourage each other. What are your stats, if you don't mind sharing. Height 5 ft 2 HW: 276 Start of Preop diet: 262 Day of surgery (11/25): 253 CW:221 ( a little slower than I hoped) GW: 130 (normal BMI is 136)

So I am 11 weeks out and I have been getting all of my Protein in with my meals (at least 60 grams, but sometimes even more). I have Protein shakes and bars in my kitchen, but I just enjoy real food more. Should I still be trying to get a Protein shake in? I do eat small meals frequently, usually 3-4 meals per day and 1-2 Snacks and I'm sticking right around 800 calories. I'll include some MFP screen grabs to show what I'm eating. Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks. Sorry for all the pics but this was the only way I know how to post my MFP food log. It's seems like a lot of food but I did list every single ingredient.

I'm a nurse so I am kind of a people pleaser by profession. I need to work on it in my personal life, though.