ms.sss

Had a NEED to eat something salad-y after that bit of corn dog and threw this together. Cole slaw from a bag + vinaigrette + 2 oz grilled chicken + 1 oz feta cheese. (Semi-pro tip: I grill a whole bunch of chicken breasts at a time, chop it up and leave in the fridge to top salads for this very reason) 147 calories. Will eat the rest later.

On a posting spree... My favourite carnival food hands down is the Corn Dog. I used to be able to eat two giant sized ones slathered in mustard and ketchup. Tried my hand at them this morning and unfortunately left them cooking for a tad too long so they are a little over-browned 🤨. And I haven't mastered art the dipping of them, hence the deformities, lol. Nevertheless, still delicious, just like I remember them to be (carbs and all!). Each one was made with 1/2 a hot dog dipped in the cornbread batter with diced crispy bacon mixed in. Had some extra batter left over and made some fritters out of them. 298 calories for one corn dog. I ate 1/2 of one with almost 1 tsp of Dijon mustard (after pic below)

For me the full feeling is nothing like it was pre-op. Before it used to be a bloated/stretched feeling in the area behind my belly button, now its a tightness in my chest bust behind my boobs. I felt this immediately after surgery when I ate/drank, but didn't know what it was until a month or so later.

WHoooooo-Hoooooooo!!

yaaaaay!!!

On a lighter note, I finally got around to dealing with a pumpkin I bought weeks ago. Meant to make a jack-o-lantern for halloween but got lazy (surprise, surprise). Anyhoo, I ended up making a pumpkin carbonara for the fam (no pic, sorry!..plus I didn't eat any of it anyway) and roasted the seeds with various spices. Pretty tasty. Ate about 1/4 cup: 134 calories

I hit two years out a couple weeks ago. And can attest to the ease of gaining weight. I have been gaining and losing the same 4-6 lbs since March. It's quite annoying. I'm not sure its because the surgery is losing it's effectiveness as much as its really just me eating higher calorie stuff and not being as regular with the exercise. If/when I put effort into my food quality consumption and exercise routine, I can still lose the weight (and I have, like 2-3 times the past 8 months, geez). I have been averaging closer to 120 more than I've been closer to 115 for months now. This morning I weighed in at 119.8, and while this is still under my red line, I've been hovering near my upper limit for what seems like forever. I think I'm coming around to the idea that I can accept 120-ish being my maintenance weight, as it takes practically no effort to maintain....but then this means my upper limit moves to 125, and I dunno if I'm comfortable with that. Well, we'll see I guess, I'm currently giving it another go to get (and stay) at 115-ish...but I admit, I'm not trying very hard. My clothes still fit so there isn't much of a motivating factor for me other than the number on the scale. I realize this may sound ridiculous, that I am fussing over 5-ish lbs that can't really even be seen. I always found it baffling when my slim friends would fuss over 5 lbs. *shrugs*

I see you are the littlest in your fam, too ❤️

*raises hand* My first period after surgery was VERY heavy (compared to pre-wls) and very LONG (it lasted over a week!). It continued (and still does - I'm two years out) to be comparatively heavier than before surgery, but the duration has gone back down to "normal" (for me, that's about 3-4 days). Another thing of note is that it comes like clockwork. I used to be very regular before I became obese, but then it became very irregular after the weight gain. The 1-2 years before surgery I would go months without it. I thought I was going through menopause or something, but I guess it was just being fat? Edited to add: I'm 49

@BayougirlMrsS : the green dress is super flattering on you. Your. Boobs. @sarahSingh91 : pretty lady, looking FIT. @JAKE H : mighty fine, J. Your muscle definition is now showing through your shirts. LOL. @Sophie7713 : congrats on the WIN!. The place turned out great! I particularly like the tile you chose for the tub/shower walls. I can't zoom in close enough, but is the kitchen backsplash tile textured/raised? Or is that just an optical illusion? I'm looking to change the backsplash tile in our kitchen...when I first chose it, I thought it was clear/white...but when it was put up its giving off a blue hue. Drives me nuts. Also, love the airplane seat shot...if I ever stop being lazy, I should start an thread about that, LOL. Here's mine. It was taken last summer (haven't been on a plane for like FOREVER. Sigh. Eff you Covid.). Prior to weight loss, my thighs would be digging into the arm rests, and my upper arm would spill over to my neighbours "air space" if I wasn't mindful.

Was 22 degrees this afternoon...in NOVEMBER! Patio lunch: Teriyaki salmon on a bed of broccoli and romaine salad. According to the menu, is 580 calories for the whole thing. I ate 1/2 the greens and almost 1/4 of the fillet...leftovers put in the fridge and was eaten by someone in the house...lol (also had a vodka caesar beforehand (not shown), approx 150 calories)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you know what you need to do to try turn it around?

What the?!?

Assorted sashimi, seaweed salad, wasabi and soy sauce: 250 calories. Its all in my tummy.

Honestly, it used to take me soooooo long to eat a meal that I eventually just got used to eating lukewarm/cold food. I'm two years out, and even now I'll just eat leftovers straight from the fridge. But if this not for you, there are mini crock pots you could use (or the aforementioned mug warmer). Also, you could try to eat out of insulated bowls?

@skyewolfe : Congratulations, great job!! P.S. your pirate costume is AWESOME

Yet another bowl of random stuff from the fridge: Butter sautéed cremini mushrooms seasoned with garlic salt/pepper/smoked paprika, with diced tomatoes, topped with 1 slice of bacon bits, shaved Parmesan and fresh cilantro (preceded with a coffee martini, not shown): 268 calories. This concoction turned out to be like my favourite thing i’ve eaten in a couple weeks! Sooooo yum...ate it all.

Well it looks delicious to me!

YUUUUUMMMMMM

My Kid was 13 when I had the sleeve done. I told her that I was having surgery to help me lose some weight. She literally replied “Oh, ok” and that was pretty much it. I was prepared with a bunch of answers for the questions I anticipated from her, but didn’t even need them *shrugs*. Your kids may or may not react the same way, but i would *think* that if you are prepared to answer/address their questions or concerns honestly and confidently they would trust that you know what you are doing? On the other hand (though I personally wouldn’t recommend it, as keeping WLS a secret from people u live with could be challenging), is NOT telling them an option for you?

I looooooove this dress!!!!!!! I. WANT. IT. Now. It is super flattering for your shape. Can u get it taken in? Sooo pretty. ❤️❤️❤️

Glad all is well and you are on the path to recovery Can't wait to see some pics (if you are comfortable sharing)!

Broccoli cheddar soup. This was the Kid’s bowl. Mine was about 1 cup serving, sans croutons. Ate it all. 268 calories

You look so tall ! 4 days...very exciting! Hope it all goes smoothly! P.S. That bench in the background has some cool legs...is that another one of your creations?