Sumer Stylin' and Clothes Pilin'

This week I finally hit a 40lb loss and also got a few more pieces of EXTRA LARGE size clothing. Yes all caps, it's from the regular section of the store, not the plus sized section. Not to mention only $14.99 AND the leggings are XL sized as well.

I felt super comfy and cute in this outfit which is more than I can say for alot of my shorts and capris right now. They are all either too big or too small with my weird deflated lower belly roll.

In the words of the wise Homer Simpson....I won't look like a freak, I'll just wear a muu muu.

But I have to be happy when I look at pictures from almost exactly a year ago when we were in NYC, also wearing a dress.

I really truly have loved that black and white dress but today I threw it in our garage sale pile, along with everything else in size 2X or 22. I'm sure it will find a good home with somebody who love it but for me...it's time to move on.

8 Week Progress Pics

On the left is my pre-surgery pic. The right is 8 weeks post op, minus 38 lbs and one full pants size.

I've been feeling pretty darn good lately. I guess I haven't blogged much because there isn't much to report. I've gotten used to my new stomach size and can eat almost all regular food now. The trick of course is still not eating tons of junk because even in small amounts...calories are calories.

My only other hardship at the moment is when our days get really busy and I forget to drink adequate protein. I'd say I hit it about 5 out of 7 days. Not bad odds, but still I'm not a fan of the idea of my hair falling out so I could probably do better.

I was reallly realllllly hoping to hit 40 lbs in 8 weeks but my dang menstrual cycle seems to have kept me on hold the past week. It would seem that even surgery can't change some biological truths, like menstrual bloat. 

Overall I'm feeling happy with the decision and progress. I'm starting to forget what life was like before my new stomach, and now it's just part of  my every day life. We've been making some new recipes and such which I promise to post more of.

In the meantime, I'll direct you to my favorite bariatric foodie blog. I love her 'bite' recipes: www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com

Small Goals-- My Sunday Shirt

Back before surgery, someone suggested that I buy myself a goal outfit. Like it doesn't fit me now but someday it will. I didn't much care for that idea because I didn't want to waste money but I did buy one $20 shirt at Old Navy in size XL. It's been a long time since I could wear XL in a blouse or nice shirt (as opposed to a tightly fitting men's XL sports sweatshirt).

 But today...I got it on! And it's not even tight. It fits perfectly. Could it be that I'm starting to move out of plus sizes?I would say barely. I'm straddling the cusp.

Sorry for the dorky picture. I tried to get the six year old to take a pic of me and they were all blurry. This is my best attempt at a selfie that shows my shirt.

Oh....hello! I could have tried taking a picture in the mirror like everyone on Facebook. Oh well.

A small step in the right direction!

Bariatric Pizza and Painful Bike Seats

Doesn't it look like heaven? Trust me, after all of the baby food I've eaten it IS heaven.

It's half of a flour tortilla made into pizza with a few olives and some low fat cheese. Just over 100 calories for the whole deal.

Changes like these are VERY welcome at this point, especially because I still can't have bread or anything like pizza crust and I've been missing the 'normal' flavors of food. 

I did pretty well during the wedding vacation last weekend, although I think I consumed perhaps too many bites of Charley's chicken strips and too much full fat cheese. Oh and the occasional glass of wine. The digestive repercussions were mostly minimal, but I also stalled on my weight loss. Back on the wagon this week!

And by wagon I mean bike, which I rode around my neighborhood yesterday. And man does my butt hurt! Any suggestions on a comfortable bike seat for big butts? I feel like I need to shove an ice pack down my pants.

Flying Bariatric Style

Tomorrow we leave for our first big trip since my surgery. To my sister in law's big fancy East Coast wedding!

I think it will be hard at times, but I know it will be MUCH easier than it would have been a couple of weeks ago when I was eating purees. I should be able to find something to eat in most circumstances...chicken, pasta, fruit, eggs, etc. That being said, I'm still packing quite a bit.

I portioned my protein powder by day. I packed unflavored so I can mix it with whatever works that day...orange juice, milk, coffee.

This will only give me 50 grams per day which isn't enough, so I will have to focus on finding edible protein in other places. Normally I also have some clear gatorade-style Isopure to reach my protein goal, but that's just too hard to pack. Could I pack more powder? Yes...but frankly I don't want to. I think I'll live just for a couple of days.

I'm shoving all my baggies of unidentified white powder inside of my friend the blender bottle and packing it in my checked bag. I don't even want to mess with it in the security line.

It's protein powder officer, I swear!

I used my snack taxi bag to hold all of my vitamins, and shoved it in my purse. I use these little bags for all kinds of things in place of a ziploc. Perfect for kid lunches or snacks, or packing hair bows and bobby pins.

I was happy at Target when I found these puppies, which I plan to shove in my insulated bag inside my purse for the plane or whenever. I can't eat the apple skins and I also can't eat the WHOLE thing, but I figure if I share with one of the kids I'll be alright. It's a nice little 'meal' option in the airport.


And of course the kids got exciting treat bags for their carryons as well (containing some things you can't see in this pic like M&M trail mix and fruit snacks....forbidden for Mommy!)

At the rehearsal dinner and wedding, I plan to pick off of Jeremy and Tessa's plates. He ordered fish which is something I can have, and being that I'm still restricted to 3 oz at a sitting he doesn't have to worry about me taking that much.

I'm looking forward to this trip. It's been a long winter and spring and it will be nice to see family and have a bit of a vacation. Here's hoping my new stomach can keep up with the rest of me!