I need to put this video on my iTouch... A reminder for the days that I need a little bit of push... On the days that I give myself excuses... Just part of the journey... I'll get there... We all will...
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Ten Pounds.
Yup, just a measly ten pounds away...
From weighing less than my boyfriend, John!
Yesterday we both got on the scale, I'm at 213lbs and he is at 204lbs. Soooo close! And with me starting a gym work out 1-1/2 weeks ago, I feel like I'm on a good roll to weighing less than him very shortly!!! I can't wait for this NSV! (See below posts if you are not familar with this term.)
We've been dating for four years and I've never weighed less than him - ever!!! This calls for a celebration, but I'm not sure what?
I need to start brainstorming a good way to celebrate! He's just as excited for me, which is totally refreshing. He really is amazing. I guess I shouldn't try and sabotage him by buying him Costco-sized bags of Doritos. I'm joking... Well, sort of! They are his kryptonite, lol!
Surely I can hit this goal in the next month. Yippeeeeeeee!
UPDATE ON THIS POSTING:
It has now been nearly one month since posting this, and although I'm sad to say that I haven't beaten John, we are now only 2 pouds away from me weighing less that him. It will happen any day. We started thinking of was to celebrate it. The old us would go out to dinner, maybe the movies with a tub of butter popcorn, or a drunken bar night with friends. We finally found a proper way to celebrate it: John and I will be renting kayaks from Boston Harbor Marina, and have a little outting on the gorgeous inlets and waters of Puget Sound! Its healthy. And plus, I figure that way this reward isn't food related!!!
From weighing less than my boyfriend, John!
Yesterday we both got on the scale, I'm at 213lbs and he is at 204lbs. Soooo close! And with me starting a gym work out 1-1/2 weeks ago, I feel like I'm on a good roll to weighing less than him very shortly!!! I can't wait for this NSV! (See below posts if you are not familar with this term.)
We've been dating for four years and I've never weighed less than him - ever!!! This calls for a celebration, but I'm not sure what?
I need to start brainstorming a good way to celebrate! He's just as excited for me, which is totally refreshing. He really is amazing. I guess I shouldn't try and sabotage him by buying him Costco-sized bags of Doritos. I'm joking... Well, sort of! They are his kryptonite, lol!
Surely I can hit this goal in the next month. Yippeeeeeeee!
UPDATE ON THIS POSTING:
It has now been nearly one month since posting this, and although I'm sad to say that I haven't beaten John, we are now only 2 pouds away from me weighing less that him. It will happen any day. We started thinking of was to celebrate it. The old us would go out to dinner, maybe the movies with a tub of butter popcorn, or a drunken bar night with friends. We finally found a proper way to celebrate it: John and I will be renting kayaks from Boston Harbor Marina, and have a little outting on the gorgeous inlets and waters of Puget Sound! Its healthy. And plus, I figure that way this reward isn't food related!!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
And... she's off!
For the past few weeks I've been seriously thinking of joining a gym... Sure, I have options of walking around downtown Olympia or riding my Townie (most amazing bicycle ever!)... but I've been thinking that I need to be accountable. Gyms do that. It gives me a reason to get off my butt and exercise. Call it my competitive streak!
In high school and a bit of college, I did some weight training, so I feel somewhat comfortable on the machines at gyms. Then again, I graduated high school in 1997, making that nothing to brag about. It is also sad to admit that its been about four years since I've had a gym membership (adding to my overall fat-ness!)
Yesterday, the guy and I toured our local 24-Hour Fitness. Having such an oddball schedule at 'Bux (one day I'll be opening at 4am and the next night I'll be scheduled to close until 10pm) makes for a horrible routine, and I was attracted to the idea that I can work out any time of the day I wanted too. For someone who is also very self-conscious (i.e. ME!) its awesome to go at 11pm - when there are barely any other members there. Added bonus: 24-Hour Fitness & Starbucks have teamed up to give partners a better rate and no joining fee. Score!
And the shoes! Oh, I treated myself to a fancy pair of gym shoes yesterday to go along with my membership. For my first work out they were lovely... and much better than the pair that I've had since... well, since... probably 1997! Ha!
And so begins the next chapter of my weight loss journey... I'm off and running! Not literally, figuratively, but maybe one day literally!!!
In high school and a bit of college, I did some weight training, so I feel somewhat comfortable on the machines at gyms. Then again, I graduated high school in 1997, making that nothing to brag about. It is also sad to admit that its been about four years since I've had a gym membership (adding to my overall fat-ness!)
Yesterday, the guy and I toured our local 24-Hour Fitness. Having such an oddball schedule at 'Bux (one day I'll be opening at 4am and the next night I'll be scheduled to close until 10pm) makes for a horrible routine, and I was attracted to the idea that I can work out any time of the day I wanted too. For someone who is also very self-conscious (i.e. ME!) its awesome to go at 11pm - when there are barely any other members there. Added bonus: 24-Hour Fitness & Starbucks have teamed up to give partners a better rate and no joining fee. Score!
And the shoes! Oh, I treated myself to a fancy pair of gym shoes yesterday to go along with my membership. For my first work out they were lovely... and much better than the pair that I've had since... well, since... probably 1997! Ha!
And so begins the next chapter of my weight loss journey... I'm off and running! Not literally, figuratively, but maybe one day literally!!!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Seattle!
Last weekend, my guy and I went to Seattle for an overnight trip... Spent most of the weekend walking around, window shopping, checking out Pike Place Market and just enjoying the city. Brrrrr, it was cold and rainy, which was the only downside, then again - what'd we expect? It is winter in the Pacific Northwest!
On Saturday, we spent several hours at the 9th Annual Emerald City ComicCon (John studied comic book art at Kubert)... and that was an interesting experience! Definitely something I've never experienced before. But hey, my new life (thanks to my pouch) is all about trying things I've never done before, right?
Here are just a couple pics that I wanted to share! In these photos, I am down 50 pounds since I started my weight loss surgery journey (the scale is just under 220lbs). Yay!!!
On Saturday, we spent several hours at the 9th Annual Emerald City ComicCon (John studied comic book art at Kubert)... and that was an interesting experience! Definitely something I've never experienced before. But hey, my new life (thanks to my pouch) is all about trying things I've never done before, right?
Here are just a couple pics that I wanted to share! In these photos, I am down 50 pounds since I started my weight loss surgery journey (the scale is just under 220lbs). Yay!!!
(Got to love the self-portraits, at the side entrance to Pike Place Market.)
(Hotel MAX. Totally awesome boutique hotel in downtown Seattle that features tons of local art.)
(Each room had a unique full-sized photograph... This one happened to make me thirsty. Too soon for alcohol post-op, but a girl can appreciate, right!)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Da Na Na Na Na Na Nah
Yesterday I realized that my upper arms are getting a bit floppy. (For that matter, my whole body!) Its like, at my highest weight, I was a balloon... My skin was tight and stretched to its max, and now that balloon is being deflated.I see bat-wings in my future.
Then I had a revelation that made me laugh out loud so hard. So much so, my fellow partner (Starbucks for employee) asked me what was so funny!
Embracing all the changes coming to my body with this surgery, bat-wings and all: I'll be doing the most badass 'Chicken Dance' at weddings this summer!!!
Da-Na-Na-Na-Na-Nah
Da-Na-Na-Na-Na-Nah
Da-Na-Na-Na-Na-Nah
Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Smoked Pork Chop with Pineapple and Creamed Spinach
First of all, if you have never eaten a smoked pork chop - I suggest you run to your local butcher and get some for a family dinner! So tasty!!!
They are succulent and juicy (so different from the dried out 'chops I've made in the past) and they have an amazing flavor to them. I baked mine in a 350 degree oven for about thirty minutes, and they came out juicy and flavorful from the pre-smoking process... Didn't even need to salt and pepper those suckers.
Of course, since my pouch and I have only had two months to get to know each other, I was careful and a bit reserved, but am happy to report that my pouch loved it!
I'd never heard of smoked pork chops before finding them at my local meat shop, Stewart Meats and I doubt I'll ever eat a regular pork chop again. For those of you who may be reading this from Washington state, Stewart Meats is located in Yelm, a short trip from Olympia - and a fun outing for Sunday drives that my guy and I like to do occassionally. It is an old-time meat market, before society adopted the one-stop-for-everything-under-the-moon super-centers that have become the norm for our society. I like shopping local when possible, and Stewart Meats is about as local as you can get, without owning your own pigs and cows in the back fourty!
Getting home and starting the Smoked Pork Chops recipe from Eating Well, I found it a simple and quick recipe to follow. Many of the ingredients I had in my pantry, proving that this would be a great recipe to make on a busy weeknight. The finished product was delish and tasty. I will admit that the pineapple 'salsa' per the recipe could have used a bit of tweaking. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I would recommend for those creative cooking types to go ahead and experiment, maybe add an additional ingredient to it. Perhaps finely diced jalapeno or another herb added to the mix? And even tho I mention playing with the warm pineapple salsa ingredients, I must say that there were no complaints in my household: John loved it! A great introduction to the Eating Well cookbook, and a good promise to the other recipes that are held in its pages.
Then again... with a smoked pork chop, you can't go wrong!
Accompanying the Smoked Pork Chop with Pineapple, was the cookbook's side dish of Creamed Spinach. I don't think I've ever had creamed spinach before, but I was pleasantly surprised. I ventured away from the recipe a bit, using Tofutti cream cheese and lactose-free milk, and in the end I couldn't even tell it wasn't real cream cheese.
Next from the cookbook will be a dill salmon recipe. Pacific Northwest all the way, yum yum yum! On a side note, John and I will be spending the weekend in Seattle. It will be my first time away from home since the surgery and I'm looking forward to two days of walking around Seattle and exploring. I can't wait to share with you all the pictures of our weekend adventures!
And now, what you are all probably curious about: the pictures from my first experience cooking with Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery:
(A snapshot of the Creamed Spinach recipe.)
They are succulent and juicy (so different from the dried out 'chops I've made in the past) and they have an amazing flavor to them. I baked mine in a 350 degree oven for about thirty minutes, and they came out juicy and flavorful from the pre-smoking process... Didn't even need to salt and pepper those suckers.
Of course, since my pouch and I have only had two months to get to know each other, I was careful and a bit reserved, but am happy to report that my pouch loved it!
I'd never heard of smoked pork chops before finding them at my local meat shop, Stewart Meats and I doubt I'll ever eat a regular pork chop again. For those of you who may be reading this from Washington state, Stewart Meats is located in Yelm, a short trip from Olympia - and a fun outing for Sunday drives that my guy and I like to do occassionally. It is an old-time meat market, before society adopted the one-stop-for-everything-under-the-moon super-centers that have become the norm for our society. I like shopping local when possible, and Stewart Meats is about as local as you can get, without owning your own pigs and cows in the back fourty!
Getting home and starting the Smoked Pork Chops recipe from Eating Well, I found it a simple and quick recipe to follow. Many of the ingredients I had in my pantry, proving that this would be a great recipe to make on a busy weeknight. The finished product was delish and tasty. I will admit that the pineapple 'salsa' per the recipe could have used a bit of tweaking. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I would recommend for those creative cooking types to go ahead and experiment, maybe add an additional ingredient to it. Perhaps finely diced jalapeno or another herb added to the mix? And even tho I mention playing with the warm pineapple salsa ingredients, I must say that there were no complaints in my household: John loved it! A great introduction to the Eating Well cookbook, and a good promise to the other recipes that are held in its pages.
Then again... with a smoked pork chop, you can't go wrong!
Accompanying the Smoked Pork Chop with Pineapple, was the cookbook's side dish of Creamed Spinach. I don't think I've ever had creamed spinach before, but I was pleasantly surprised. I ventured away from the recipe a bit, using Tofutti cream cheese and lactose-free milk, and in the end I couldn't even tell it wasn't real cream cheese.
Next from the cookbook will be a dill salmon recipe. Pacific Northwest all the way, yum yum yum! On a side note, John and I will be spending the weekend in Seattle. It will be my first time away from home since the surgery and I'm looking forward to two days of walking around Seattle and exploring. I can't wait to share with you all the pictures of our weekend adventures!
And now, what you are all probably curious about: the pictures from my first experience cooking with Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery:
(A snapshot of the recipe.)
(The smoked pork chops resting on the cutting board before carving.)
(The ingredients for the warm pineapple salsa include: diced fresh pineapple, chilli pepper, water with a smidge of pineapple juice added, chicken broth, brown sugar subsitute and balsamic vinegar.)
(All of the above ingredients reducing into a yummy warm salsa for the smoked pork chops.)
(Frozen and thawed spinach, Tofutti cream cheese, Lactaid milk and sliced shallots.)
(After sautéing the shallots and creaming together the milk-type products, I stirred in the spinach.)
(Fresh grated nutmeg makes all the difference in the world - especially in cream sauces, yum!)
(John's dinner portion, including the Creamed Spinach. Although I can't have portions this size anymore, I still enjoy plating recipes and love the presentation of it!)
(My portion, about 1/4 cup all said and done!)
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