Wendy's "I'm Going to SCOTLAND!!!!" Weight Loss Journey(Scotland Trip Report Pg 10)

[whgrn]

I woke up feeling really icky. DD was also complaining. I called her out of her session at Sylvan, and we both went back to sleep. The whole house slept until 9:30!! (including DMom and DSis). I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. Not in pain, just de-energized, sluggish, and heavy.

By the time I ate breakfast, it was nearly 10:30. I had oatmeal with peanut butter, and OJ. Needless to say, I didn't bother with a morning snack. After the kids left with the ex, I just sat reading. By 12:20 I needed SLEEP! So I actually went and got in bed. Woke up after 45 minutes (I set the alarm on my cell phone) and had actually slept soundly. I got dressed, ate a WW baked ziti for lunch (hey, it was fast, easy to eat, and tasty) and an apple, and headed off to Neuromuscular Therapy.

It was very good. Not the same as Gail at Canyon Ranch--this was more like a massage that used trigger points, as opposed to just working trigger points. All I know is my neck is alot looser now!! I told her what Gail had done, and she said next week she will do that, and also work on my lower back some more. Sounds good to me.

I stopped at Foodtown for my daily grocery run--just a few things really. Then I spent the afternoon reading and relaxing. No gym for me--I don't think I could climb up on the treadmill, let alone actually walk. Had my yogurt and flax snack with some mango in it. That stayed just fine.

For a late dinner I had some split pea soup with added ham and croutons. Very tasty, but kind of light. I just sat and read after dinner until the kids came home. Now I've had my cheerios and I'm working on getting in my evening supplements. Other than feeling tired, I do feel much better now. Hopefully tomorrow I can get back to eating normally, and then Monday get back to the gym. I also need to get more water, as i've been low for 2 days now.

 

[whgrn]

Well, here I am again with a 3-day catchup. Time just flies too fast!

For starters, the big bummer. I somehow managed to GAIN 2.5 pounds this past week. I have no idea how or why. I've eaten what I'm supposed to, exercised, drank like a fish, but still I gained. Water retention? Maybe. I sure haven't taken in an extra 8750 calories!!

I actually think I'm eating too much. I have been really struggling to get in all the food I'm supposed to eat, so maybe that's a message. I mean, whatever happened to "stop eating at the first sign of fullness"?? So I'm backing off a few exchanges, I'll stop eating when I'm full, and I emailed Judy from Canyon Ranch to ask her what I'm supposed to do here.

So, the last 3 days I did well. No gym Sunday, but yesterday and today I was there. 30 minutes on the treadmill Monday, 18 minutes of interval on the elliptical today. Sunday we had pizza for lunch. I ate 2 slices and nothing else. Today we went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch, and I got only the salad bar. Made a nice salad with cheese, egg, and cottage cheese for protein, and just dipped my fork in the salad dressing (a very yummy honey mustard).

I shopped at Whole Foods today, making a list of exactly what I use, so Tracey can shop for me in the next month or 2. I got yet another Raspberry Viniagrette dressing, and again I don't like it. I guess I'll just have to make the Canyon Ranch version myself--at least I know I like that!!!

Sunday for the Super Bowl I am making chili. Of course, now I can't find my chili recipe!! No biggie, I'll find one online or in my crockpot cookbook. I will of course make it all organic, but not tell anyone (except maybe Deb). Then, when they all love it, I'll tell them and they can be surprised!! The kids want snacks too, franks in blankets and other stuff. I think I can handle it. One frank for me, and then I'll stick to hummus and veggies! (which I will also make). Deb is coming Thursday, so we can plan the extended menu.

Trying to keep my chin up, but it ain't easy. Well, there's always next week.

 

[whgrn]

I spent the day with Laura today, taking her to the neurologist for her EEG and checkup. On the way, she wanted a snack. (she'd already had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast...) So she stopped and got chips and a soda (I NEVER let her have junk like that except when we're going to the neuro). I ate my apple and 1 ounce of cheese. After the doctor, she asked for M&Ms at the snack shop downstairs. (She let me have 7, which I nibbled slowly and really enjoyed.) Then it was off to lunch. Pizza was her choice, and that was fine since 2 slices of plain pizza works for me. She had pepperoni on hers, and another soda. I drank water. On the way home, she wanted to stop at Dairy Queen, which we usually do on these occasions. So she got a vanilla cone. I got one bite--it was YUMMY!!!!!! Once home, she had a bowl of fruit, some cheese, and heaven only knows what else. I had my plain yogurt with flaxseed in it, and a V8. She had lasagna for dinner at her dad's, and apparently ate quite a bit. I had a horrible salmon burger, which I gave up on after 3 bites. Then I made and eggwhite and cheese omelet, which was good. I also had a salad, which was great. I tried to have some whole grain bread and peanut butter, but it was too dry to eat.

So where is the justice in all of this? She eats like a horse and at 12 years old weighs about 85 pounds. I eat like a bird and have lost 3.5 whole pounds in 4 weeks! UNFAIR!!!!

Oh well. I did go to the gym today and did the treadmill interval thing. It was VERY hard today. Not sure why. I do know I won't be trying that again before surgery--now that the Mobic is on hold, there's no way I could do it. I figure I'll do the elliptical tomorrow while I still can, and then just shoot for 30 minutes on the treadmill at my slower speed. I'm hoping to be able to keep that up until Monday, but we will have to wait and see how my knees and hips feel without the Mobic.

I heard from Judy at Canyon Ranch. She said it's ok to drop back on the calories if I am gaining. if I get hungry I should add back 100 calories at a time. Works for me!! I think 8-10 proteins is way more manageable and reasonable than 12, and 4-5 veggies is better than 6. We'll see how it goes by Tuesday!

I did 5 loads of wash tonight and it seemed so easy. I guess my stamina really has improved. I was beebopping all over the place, hooking up all the new phones, running laundry and hangers back and forth, checking the kids' computers. I never even sat down until after 9:00. Pretty good for this old broad!!

Oh, and the big news is that I had a very nice poop this AM,thanks to the Get It Going tea I drank last night. Meant to have more tonite and I forgot. Guess I'll have to have some in the AM....

 

[M&N]

Keep up the good work. Don't get discouraged...the scales are just numbers. You know you're making good food choices and that's good for your body. I've just gone back to WW and trying your lead to think some food I crave is YUCKY. Some of it is a mind game for me---talking myself into good food choices. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[whgrn]

Keep up the good work. Don't get discouraged...the scales are just numbers. You know you're making good food choices and that's good for your body. I've just gone back to WW and trying your lead to think some food I crave is YUCKY. Some of it is a mind game for me---talking myself into good food choices. Thanks for the inspiration.

M&N thank you SO much for your encouragement! It really means alot to me. My WISH buddies just rock out loud!!!

 

[magsnden]

hey wendy! i just finally came over to check out your journal. but now i have to go back downstairs to the kids, so i wanted to say hi!! i'm only on the first page, but wanted to say what a great job you're doing! your entries are consistent and honest, and i know that is a great help. i finally lost my baby weight (took almost 2 years), and i KNOW you can do it!!! i just know it!

so keep it up! and i'll be back tonight to read more.

 

[whgrn]

hey wendy! i just finally came over to check out your journal. but now i have to go back downstairs to the kids, so i wanted to say hi!! i'm only on the first page, but wanted to say what a great job you're doing! your entries are consistent and honest, and i know that is a great help. i finally lost my baby weight (took almost 2 years), and i KNOW you can do it!!! i just know it!

so keep it up! and i'll be back tonight to read more.

Hmmm, baby weight. Welllllll, I always say I gained 50 pounds with each of my kids. Not so bad, you say? Well, remember, they're ADOPTED!!!! And I currently weigh ALOT less than I did before DD came along! (like, about 130 pounds or so less...) Nice thought though!!

Glad you're enjoying this. I know I find it helpful.

 

[magsnden]

that's very funny!!

seriously i really did gain 50 pounds with each of mine. and i'm barely 5'1"!!! so that's B A D!

so keep it going, you're going to scotland in 5 months!!!
i forget if i talked about this on our killers thread, but i went to ireland, and i have never seen anything more beautiful. i figure scotland will be absolutely breathtaking. how fun for you!

 

[whgrn]

What a difference it makes when you eat the right amount!

For breakfast I had an egg white omelet with cheese, and OJ. Then I hit the gym for what was likely my last round on the elliptical for a good while. I only lasted 16 minutes--I was exhausted! The lack of Mobic is definitely beginning to show.

Off to the foot doctor to get my new orthotics--they feel pretty good. I checked the time and noticed that my watch was dead, so I had to run and get a new battery before I hit the grocery store. I got all the stuff for making chili for the Super Bowl, plus a bunch of other healthy, organic foods. And I got 2 boxes of franks in blankets! That sure didn't look like it belonged in my bag!!

Back home I met up with Deb and we went to lunch at SaladWorks. I've never been there before and it was great! You basically can choose one of their salad selections, or make one of your own. I had Spring Mix with tomatoes, carrots, turkey, cheddar cheese, and eggs. I got the raspberry viniagrette on the side, and it was yummy! So I brought home the leftover dressing to use tomorrow! FINALLY a good dressing! I am going to have to make my own using the Canyon Ranch recipe, since I can't find any that I like.

Our next stop was the dentist. He went over all the work I need to have done, and for what it's going to cost, I could buy a car!! (OK, not a fancy one, but a car nonetheless!!)

For dinner I made the apple chicken that the kids had made at cooking school last year. We had all liked it, so I kept the recipe and decided to make it tonite. It was awful. For starters, even though I used about 1/2 the thyme it called for, there was way too much. Also, it said it made 4 servings. Try 8 or maybe even 10!!! None of us liked it, so I tossed it--no use keeping what we won't eat. But I had also made couscous with half water and half apple cider, and that was great. I figured since I had salad for lunch I'd have V8 for dinner, and that worked well. I finished my entire meal and didn't feel stuffed! All that's left now is my bedtime snack of Cheerios, and a couple of supplements. It's nice to be taking just a few, rather than the whole big group of them (due to upcoming surgery). MUCH easier to get them all in!

The hygienist at the dentist's office had gastric bypass 3 years ago, and goes to a support group. She told me that there is a new procedure--NOT surgery--where they can go in like a gastroscope and "vacuum" your stomach to make it small again like a new post op. It basically gives you a new "honeymoon period" of faster weight loss. I am SOOOO there!!!! She will get more details and let me know. I would LOVE to do that--and this time I would NOT screw up and eat too much and stretch the pouch. I've learned my lesson and would eat nice little portions. Of course, then there's the issue of not getting in enough protein. I suppose maybe I need to find a protein drink that I can stomach. Well, if I end up having to go dairy free and/or wheat free, I don't suppose I can get a whole lot worse!

Now I'm off to make a cup of "Get It Going" tea, so I can get it going!!

 

[whgrn]

Oh my, Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore...

OK, so the day started off fine. Had breakfast (Kashi, banana, and cottage cheese--remember that...), hit the gym and did 31 minutes on the treadmill--probably the last time until after surgery, since I'm very stiff and sore without the Mobic for 4 days, did some errands and came home for lunch (a hamburger, couscous and salad--remember that too...), had a lovely massage, and then...it happened.

The results of my food allergy testing arrived. And eating for me will never be the same.

For starters, the results are given a number from 0 to 6. 0 means no allergy or sensitivity. 1 means a slight sensitivity, but no big dea. 2 means sensitive, but only a problem if it's something I eat all the time. 3 is very sensitive. 4 is allergic. 5 is very allergic, and 6 is extremely allergic.

Well, who knew I'd end up with a 6 for egg whites??? Yolks were only a 3, but I have been getting quite fond of my egg white omelets! So eggs are a permanent no-no for me. Not sure yet if I have to eliminate anything with the slightest bit of egg in it, or just not eat eggs.

I highly suspected that milk would be on the lsit, and it was, at a 4. So that's more than a sensitivity. Crap! I was hoping for a temporary elimination. The odd thing is that cheddar cheese and yogurt are only 2s. So maybe I can add them back in eventually?? No mention of goat's milk, so I may get to keep my goat cheese. (of course, I really like that in salads and in OMELETS, which I will NOT be eating!!) I have no idea where to go with dairy free--there really are not acceptable substitutes for me.

At 3, besides egg yolks, we have processed cheese (like American) and BANANAS. Huh? NO ONE is allergic to bananas!!! It's what they give babies as their first food along with rice! OK, banana free is pretty easy, although I will miss my favorite fruit.

The 2s that I eat all the time (and will therefore have to eliminate for a few months) include wheat bran, cheddar cheese, wheat, and yogurt. So not only dairy free, but wheat free too? Eggs, milk and wheat...what else IS there???????

Well, at least I won't have to be totally gluten-free. THAT would be a nightmare!!!

Remember I said to remember what I had for breakfast and lunch? Well, breakfast is a goner--Kashi has wheat, cottage cheese is dairy, and bananas, well, that's gone too. And lunch? Bye bye couscous. And I'll have to read labels for salad dressings. Fortunately, my 3 favorites--the organic honey mustard, my homemade raspberry viniagrette, and my homemade apple cider viniagrette, are all clean. So I won't have to give that up.

So, dinner tonight. Well, I'd been feeling icky and full ever since my snack (yogurt...), and after cooking school I came home and up came my snack, my lunch, and God knows what else. So not a big dinner night. I did eat some mac and cheese (for the last time...), and an apple. Later I will have my beloved cheerios, but I may use yogurt instead of milk. Or not....

So, I've ordered some info about food allergies and eating dairy/egg/wheat free. Like it isn't already hard inough just sticking to a food plan, now I have to do it without many of my regular choices. Milk, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, couscous, bulghur, Kashi, whole wheat wraps, Cheerios (yup, they have wheat bran in them...), and even the healthy canola oil mayo I just got--all gone.

I will have my phone consult with the doctor from Canyon Ranch on Monday morning. Then I will cry. I will speak with the nutritionist on Thursday, and then I will REALLY cry!!!

Well, tomorrow I'm going to Mom and Dad's and I guess I'll be making a slight detour to Whole Foods. Gotta read some labels and see what I can do with this mess.

This is NOT the life I signed up for!!!!!!!

 

[whgrn]

The GIANTS won the Super Bowl!!!

We actually ran out to Dick's Sporting Goods as soon as the game was over. They had said that when the Giants won, they'd reopen and stay open until midnight to sell all the Super Bowl Champion stuff. So at 10:15, after Mom and Dad left, DSis and I loaded the 3 kids into the car and off we went. (yes, I'm the totally coolest Mom on earth right now!--but I'd figured the game would go until 10:30 or 11, so it was still "early").

The kids got short sleeved T-shirts, I opted for a long sleeved one. And DS actually found me a car magnet!! Even DSis and DNiece got Tshirts--and they aren't even football fans. (well, European football--soccer...) So we will all be dressed alike tomorrow!!

I did pretty good with food today. My last kashi/cottage cheese/banana breakfast .A slice of pizza for lunch (I'd planned on 2, but really only wanted the one), and an apple. Dinner was my VERY yummy chili (everyone raved about it--there's barely anything left for lunch tomorrow!!) with a little cheese over rice, some homemade hummus that I didn't love, with raw veggies, and about 6 tortilla chips. Oh, and that one obscenely wonderful chocolate chip cookie that DMom baked fresh just for my last hurrah! And, for the last time, my bedtime snack of Cheerios and milk. (Gosh, I'm gonna miss that!!) I was low on veggies, had almost no fat (other than in the cheese and hummus), and my water was lower than usual, but it was only one day.

Tomorrow I begin with the arduous task of starting my new life without dairy, eggs and wheat. I will speak with the doctor at 10 and ask hiim my many questions (if I remember to write them all down!)

I really feel ready for this. I'm up for the challenge. I am going to be a VERY healthy traveller when we head to Scotland in July!!! I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!

 

[magsnden]

you definitely CAN do this!!! way to go! just caught up with the entire journal and had to say, you have a great, positive attitude. that is a huge part of all this.

i hope your talk with the doctor was good. was it the one to help you with a menu without all the dairy, wheat, etc.? i wasn't sure, maybe it was the doctor for your surgery.

keep it up, wendy! you're doing great, and somehow managed to exercise without the meds.

i'm enjoying reading your journal, and it sounds like a GREAT time at canyon ranch.

 

[magsnden]

 

[M&N]

You're doing great. I think much of the battle is in the mind and a positive attitude is essential. Keep it up.
Did you wear your Giants shirt to the DR?

 

[larry's girl]

Hi, Wendy!

I do gluten and dairy free. It is definitely doable if you need to do it badly enough! I feel better than I have felt in years. I bet you do, too, once you get started on it. If you need any suggestions, I'd be happy to share what works best for me.

Stay strong - you can do it!

Susan

 

[whgrn]

You're doing great. I think much of the battle is in the mind and a positive attitude is essential. Keep it up.
Did you wear your Giants shirt to the DR?

Thanks M&N, and you too Magsden, for the support and encouragement. And yes I wore my Giants shirt today! But the Dr. was a phone consult, so he didn't see it. When I called, and he said "how are you?", I said I was a mix between dismayed and confused over the dietary stuff, and ecstatic that the Giants won the Super Bowl! (he lives in Mass...) His response? "I hate you!!" I laughed and told him I'd feel the same way if the tables were turned!

Hi, Wendy!

I do gluten and dairy free. It is definitely doable if you need to do it badly enough! I feel better than I have felt in years. I bet you do, too, once you get started on it. If you need any suggestions, I'd be happy to share what works best for me.

Stay strong - you can do it!

Susan

Oh Susan, honey, I'll take all the suggestions you can give me!!!!!!

 

[whgrn]

Well it was a BORING day food wise!! This is gonna take some getting used to for sure!

Oatmeal made with water is boring. Even the peanut butter didnt' make it tasty. But I ate it anyway. Lunch was chili without cheese, and V8. Boring again. I tried my best all afternoon to keep it down, but around 3:15 there was no help for it, and up it came.

For dinner, I made mac and cheese and franks in blankets for everyone else (yummy, but SOOOO unhealthy!!), and shrimp with rice and veggies for me. Boring.... but at least it seems to be staying put for now!

Tonite I will miss my Cheerios and milk so badly when I'm nibbling on 2 oz of turkey, 1/2 a mango, and 2 T of granola. Probably the yummiest food of the day!!

I am SOOOOOO stiff from being off Mobic for a week. Even walking is difficult and painful now. Glad I can take it tomorrow after surgery! I have to be up at 4:30 to leave at 5 (ugh). Gotta remember to pack the CPAP, and to get weighed before I get dressed!

I talked to Dr. Murray today for an hour about all the test results. It's NOT as bad as I thought with the food sensitivities. They are NOT allergies! They are sensitivities that cause inflammation, etc. So I WILL be able to eat eggs again someday, but not for at least a year, and not on a regular basis. I can live with that. I have to give up all of my 2s and up at least until I talk to him next month. I will redo my CRP and Vitamin D levels then. He also added a bunch more supplements to cover the multiple deficiencies. I need more protein, especially certain amino acids. They are going to make me an amino acid powder that I will have to mix into water and drink. YUCK!!!! But I'll do whatever I have to do to get well!!

The Dr. said that if I take care of these deficiencies, and avoid the foods I'm sensitive to, I will be able to say goodbye to sinus problems, eczema, arthritis, and even anemia, and also my abdomen will heal at last!! So I will do whatever he tells me to do.

So now I'm heading off to get things tied up around here so I can get to bed early in preparation for my VERY early morning!!

I'll try to keep this journal up as much as I can with one hand for the next several weeks. At least a line or two daily I hope.

 

[magsnden]

did i miss something along the way? what happened to your abdomen? how come it needs to heal?


good luck tomorrow, wendy! i'll say a prayer for you.
i know we'll all be thinking about you, and i hope you'll be able to take a tiny break from your diet and eat something yummy while you recover!
hope you're in bed already!! if not, go to bed!

 

[whgrn]

did i miss something along the way? what happened to your abdomen? how come it needs to heal?


good luck tomorrow, wendy! i'll say a prayer for you.
i know we'll all be thinking about you, and i hope you'll be able to take a tiny break from your diet and eat something yummy while you recover!
hope you're in bed already!! if not, go to bed!

6 hernia repairs. my body doesnt like the mesh. many infections and leaks. last repair november 2007--did not close/heal. but much improved since canyon ranch

 

[whgrn]

Surgery yesterday was a success. we were home by noon. not much pain. I can do more than I expected but still need lots of help. Ezmin, my dear helper, arrived today. so good to see her again. Deb left for Turkey I miss her!!

Lost 4.9# last week!!

Appetite way down after surgery. As usual. Will talk to nutritionist tomorrow for advice. Got amino acid powder today. Not good but also not bad. I can do it ok. Still have not pooped--percocet makes it worse!!

Going to bed early tonite...