AngieBear

Thank you! I actually got the necklace at Goodwill. And your daughter has excellent taste in critters!

Omg I LOVE THIS

I have a lot of purple going on today. I am in an in-service today - we are focusing on social justice so things are gonna get emotional. Hence the comfy stretchy clothes.

I feel like my life is not conducive to white pants...elementary teacher and mom to two little boys 🤣 Lol. Very similar issues. I work at the university craft Center. Plus I’m a VERY messy artist.

Omg - he’s adorable!

Omg I LOVE this top! And I always envy people who can wear white pants - my job is not conducive.

I love this!!!

That sounds an awful lot like quitting to me! And I’m no quitter.

Best of luck!

Pffff, I can quit ANY time!

Woooooops......

Whoa! That looks amazing, and PERFECT for a disco theme.

I have been struggling with this. My surgeon and nutritionist haven’t mentioned anything, just that they are thrilled with my rate of loss. In my head I have it at 135, which would put me in the healthy BMI range. But, I’ve not really ever been that weight as an adult, so I’m having trouble visualizing it/wrapping my head around it. I think I just need to think in terms of smaller incremental goals. My next one is to be under 200. After that I’m in unchartered territory for adult weights, and have no idea what to expect.

Yeah, it’s not small. I MIGHT have a gadget issue. I ended up getting a hutch thing mostly for my gadgets. Well, in addition to the kitchen counter for the big everyday ones, and a cupboard for others. Okay, I even have a wheat grinder. I have a PROBLEM.

Yep. Same.

This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GRIR87M?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Sweet potato pasta is next.

My fancy new spiralizer came in, and zoodles were accomplished. This thing is SO MUCH better than the crappy handheld one that it replaced. I should have bought it to begin with, it was all of $25. I was being silly. So now, I present to you: Zoodle Perfection with Morningstar Farms Griller Bits, and Black Olives. Topped with a lovely Alfredo sauce. So fancy!

The first couple of weeks, and in particular the first couple of days, can be ROUGH. It will pass. GreenTealael is right, pain management is helpful. You’ll be able to better get rest, etc. Do take little walks. It really can help with the pain.

We have a local gift economy FB page. So I list lots on there. They are always quickly claimed.

That sounds like tons of fun! I was considering doing something like that next year as well. Considering your dietary issues (and hopefully they will loosen up by then), I’d look at investing in a dehydrator and making your own backpacking food. I’ve done it, it’s not difficult. That way you can control portions and not have waste issues. For my last backpacking trip, I did actually just eat jerky (turkey, salmon, etc.) and it was fine. But I was just over 2 months out, which is different. I’m going to start fiddling around with my dehydrator so that I can have more options when I go out again. The standard dehydrated food pouches sold for backpacking would have way too much food for me, and be too carb heavy and protein light. Of course test everything with your stomach first. Being out there with something new could be no fun. There are lots of recipes online. I’m way more than a little jealous of you.

I lost 24 lbs.

I had my first post-surgery backpacking trip this week. It was GORGEOUS, and only 3.5 miles in. There were some interesting elevation changes, though. For food I mostly ate salmon jerky, cheese sticks, salmon pouches, and almonds here and there. That part was fine. Getting enough fluids in was a real challenge, though. The day before my trip I paid very close attention to my intake, I do struggle to get in my water. On the trail I stopped to get down water mixed with nuun tabs (electolytes). As long as I did that prior to having an issue, it was fine. The trouble I had was on day 3. My ability to stay adequately hydrated for my activity level in those circumstances was problematic. I did it. Nothing bad happened. But it became clear that I HAVE to do a better job hydrating in general, and that I need to be patient with myself as my body continues to change. Now, about the trip. It was GORGEOUS. Serene lake, out near Mt. Hood. The wildflowers were in full bloom. The terrain was varied and interesting. On Friday it was warm enough that we were able to play in the lake. The picture of my yellow tarp tent is from the first night’s camp spot. The first photo and the last two are from night #2’s spot. The rocky terrain looked like the perfect spot for pika, but we thought the elevation was too low for them. We were wrong! There were pika right next to our camp spot, meeping their little hearts out. It was wonderful. Some of the things that I enjoyed about it, after having lost weight: clambering over logs and rocks was MUCH easier, going uphill was way easier (even with the added pack weight), my feet didn’t hurt at all afterwards, and I felt more balanced in general. I’m REALLY excited to keep seeing improvements. Now if I could just get my stomach to be less fussy about getting water in, it would be perfect.

It’s in the Mount Hood area.

I would just go over the facts of it. How you do that is dependent on your kids. My approach was very factual, this is why, these are the risks, etc. We talked about the health reasons, but also touched on the societal/professional realities of being extremely obese, etc and how complicated it all is. As I’ve lost, I’ve continued having open ongoing conversations with them. I’m honest, we talk about things in an “isn’t that interesting?” sort of way. It’s what works for us. Your family might be totally different.

Yum! Grilling season is the best season.