Monday 31 October 2011

Bread

Bread = bad.  I've probably said it before.  I have a tendency to forget the difficult things and try them again because I love them so much.  So uncomfortable.  I purchased a turkish pide on the weekend and was going to make myself a) a mini BLT, b) smoked salmon dip with toasted turkish bread and c) egg and lettuce mini sandwich.  Yeah, that didn't work out so well for me.  In fact, every time I tried to eat it I ended up throwing out the turkish bread and just eating the protein and salad.  Boo.  I was so looking forward to it.
I think that bread will prove difficult regardless of what stage I get to.  Perhaps because it swells or perhaps because of the gluten?  I can eat absolutely everything else but bread always makes itself a problem and I feel absolutely blerk after I've tried.  Cake and other wheat products are fine (in tiny quantities).  Multigrain toast was ok for a while (in saying that I haven't had it for about a month), and although I can't get through a full piece of toast, I could eat most of it.  I had 2/3 of a ham, cheese and pineapple toasted wrap the other day and it was delicious! So no problem with the wraps either! 
So I guess I'll be saying goodbye to bread.  Our affair is over.  I will mourn for you...  You and your fresh, fluffy goodness, teamed with butter, honey, egg, ham, or any other kind of spread will be banished to the back of my mind as just a distant memory.  Oh the sacrifices we make...

Thursday 27 October 2011

The Dreaded Plateau

I think I've hit it.  The plateau.  Shit.  That dreaded place where the easy part is up and now I really have to watch my calorie input and energy output if I want to keep losing weight.  Bugger.  I haven't lost any weight in about 2 weeks and now sit at allllllllllllllllllllllmost 27kg total loss (26.8kg is close enough to 27 if you ask me).  I've given up weighing myself everyday because the numbers jump around so much it is getting a little confusing, not to mention disheartening.  I said tonight that consciously I knew I would have to work if I wanted to get the weight off, but subconsciously I was hoping it would happen without doing anything but sitting back and enjoying 3 tiny meals a day.  Shit.

In other news I have finally started swimming.  AND. I'M. LOVING. IT.  I'm going 3 mornings a week (the 5am start is a little rough) and smash out 1.5km in about 20 - 25 minutes.  I have in my arsenal: flippers, hand paddles, swimmers snorkel, goggles and kick board.  Just going back to the swimmers snorkel, that is dead set the best thing in the world.  It is so peaceful under the water with nothing to hear but the sound of bubbles and your own breathing... SO relaxing!!  I might whinge that it's too early, too cold, too sunny, too windy, too noisy or too wet but once I'm in, try stopping me!!
 One downside to swimming though is that since starting swimming I am finding myself SO much more tired.  When I say tired, I mean 8:30pm and I'm nodding off.  This from someone who typically goes to bed at 10:30 - 11pm most nights - highly unusual!!  Last Friday night I had a couple of wines after work (to help erase the memories of a very bad week) with husband and I was in bed, asleep, by 7:50pm.  I didn't even get to finish the tiny bowl of lamb rogan josh that had been whipped up at my request.  WHAT THE?!?!?!  I haven't done that since I was 7!

Anyway, it's time to focus on protein and veg and say goodbye (again) to carbs and try and get (at least) another 15kg off.  It's not unreasonable and really should be very easy, but now I'm going to have to jump in and put my mind to it and the chocolate down.  I'm hoping my swimming and walking and Just Dance 3 (Wii) and chasing the dog around will help me along... In the mean time, to help me feel better, I'm going to do a spot of online shopping!  If only that counted as exercise!!

Tuesday 11 October 2011

3 Month Surgiversary!

Time flies when you're having fun!  I cannot believe that 3 months ago today was my surgery!  It honestly feels like yesterday!  I am 26kg down which is AMAZING!  To break that down mathematically (I am seriously challenged in mathematics so if I'm wrong, I'm not surprised) I have been losing about 280g a day!  I now weigh almost the same as I did when I was in grade 11 which was 18 years ago. 

I am waiting patiently for it to warm up just a tiny bit more to start swimming again.  The other day I bought new goggles and a swimmers snorkel (no more stiff neck for me!) to accompany my gear bag, fins and kick board. These are all essential if you are going to 
a) look like a pro and 
b) totally tone up the bod, ready for summer!  
Maggie (the fur baby) and I have been walking every day and chasing each other around the house.  Husband and I are also thinking of getting bicycles so we can go riding together.  That could be a good Christmas pressie I think.  Although if I'm going to be riding a pushy, I want an original stackhat to complete the look.  Hmmm... EBay? 
I'm definitely feeling more energetic these days.  I rarely wake up during the night anymore and get a solid 8 hours (at least) every night which I'm sure is a huge part of feeling so energised!  It's the first time in YEARS that I have slept through the night.  It feels great!  Previously it wasn't unusual for me to get up 3 or 4 times to go to the loo or get a drink.  Now, nada.  Peaceful, uninterrupted sleep... Bliss!

One thing that has been concerning me of late is dizzy spells.  It is probably only low blood pressure but they are worrying me a little bit.  I have tried to google gastric sleeve and dizzy spells and most suggest blood pressure or lack of food.  It's definitely not the latter so it's either low blood pressure or a tumour.  We'll see!  Note to self: Visit GP about dizzy spells asap!

Ah, that's what I wanted to mention... I have established a daily routine for all my tablets, now that I am back at work:  Wake up, 'accidently' wake husband (when he's home) to say good morning, get out glass and half fill with icy water, add berocca.  Assemble line of tablets to consume - women's multivitamin, wild krill oil, somac and and other one that eludes me at the moment.  Drink and swallow (swallowing a whole tablet isn't a drama anymore) and then wait 20 minutes before thinking about breakfast!  It's good that I am remembering to take them everyday!!  It was a bit hit and miss before!

So this time 3 months ago I was waking up in the high dependency unit, in shock that I had ACTUALLY followed through and had the op done.  To be honest, I still am shocked.  I remember hearing about the procedure and thinking to myself, "this could be the solution you have been looking for since you were 14!"  But I never thought I'd follow through with it.  I think the difference between all those other diets that I failed at and this procedure is that now I never feel as though I'm missing out on anything.  If I really want it, I can have it.  Just in teeny tiny amounts.  And, most importantly, I can see and feel the differences in myself that I have wanted to see and feel for so long.  And you know what? Best decision. Ever.

Saturday 1 October 2011

Grazing

I must stop grazing!  I find it is easier to eat more food if it is "nibbles" type food.  For example; chips, dips, popcorn, jatz with cheese and kabana, nuts etc.  I can graze for ages until I feel full.  It's small amounts of yummy things that I like the most about nibbles.  Although when you're grazing, those small amounts turn into not so small amounts!  When it comes to meal time I can only eat a small amount of food (about half a bread and butter plate) and then I feel ridiculously full.  When I'm grazing I mentally feel more satisfied but not physically.  I really like being social and sitting around with a glass of wine, chatting with friends.  Thank goodness I'm back to work on Monday and the snacking will end - at least until the Christmas break! 

In other news, I had an appointment with my surgeon who is exceptionally happy with my progress.  I've lost 11.9kg since I last saw him 7 odd weeks ago.  He reminded me that I should be having 0 calorie liquids frequently during the day.  Hmm.  Mental note: Start on 0 calorie liquids and not apple juice as of now!