Where to Start...

Hi Everyone..I am still here...  I know you were thinking..where did she go...  I honestly don't know...  I can truthfully say...I was busy, in a slump, in all kinds of things.  I have started this post many times and just didn't know where to begin...so many things have happened since my last post..  I think I might do better with categories...so here we go...  I started this blog to not only share my journey with weight loss but also to include the ramblings of myself and to include some of my creative side (sometimes I wonder if I do have one..ha ha).  So if I stay close to that...I am on track...(I think I am anyway)..

Weight loss...this is the big one...  September 19 was my 6 month checkup...at that time time I had lost 68 lbs.  The Dr. was very happy with my progress...  I had wanted to lose more....but he stated I am right where I need to be.  I have lots more work to do and I can only take one day at a time.  Since school has started for Grady (and football)...my trips to the gym have become fewer.  My plan was to always be there at least 3 times a week...now I am doing good just to get one day in.  However..football is almost over..and I can't wait to get back to it.  I used to dread going...but for some reason now..I can't wait to get there and take "me" time.  The food is going OK too...  I still  need to be careful and think through what I am having and how much....and to listen to my body.  This will be a continuing battle..and I am up for the challenge.  My biggest fear...is not to keep going and giving up....but I know I make that decision..nobody else.  So I am keeping my head up and will continue on....but I have also realized I need help too...(thanks Dewayne/family/friends for always being there for me and continuing to encourage me....it means so much...and I hate to admit...I still  need to hear the words).

Family/Trip/Summer (pics below)....so much goes into this category...  We had a great summer and great start to fall...my sisters (both came into town)..which is always nice..I love being with them...  We also went on two trips...one was a 2day trip to Bryson City, NC for Railfest (we took a train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad) with my in-laws and the second trip was for Grady's fall break... Disney World.  We had a wonderful time, but are also glad to be home.  We have a couple more weeks of Football and then the holidays will be here soon enough...and guess what....family time again...my favorite!

Add caption

Crafts...  I have made some crafts as well (pics below)...mostly gifts for mom, nieces, etc..but I still enjoy being in my craft room and learning new things.  I have so many things on my project board...wish I could stay in there for days...there is never enough time.  I have added my Flickr account/role...so you can see some of the items have made.  I will always update my items to the roll..so you can see all the goodies.  I have also completed my first swap...(do you know what that is)...I had to ask too..  The particular swap was for halloween/fall items..I joined a group and our names were drawn and paired with someone.  The idea is to make things and send them to your partner....and whoever got my name mailed some things to me.   I have posted below what I had made for mine and what I received...I love it....I think I am now addicted to them...thanks Yvette!  The first pic is the one I sent....I heard back from her...and she loved it...and the second pic is what I received..I loved it too...so much fun!

I know this was a long post...and I am truly sorry...  However...I am back on track and my posts will come more frequently.  I hope everyone has a great week and and great a start to Fall...I love this season...

Love to all,
Loralee

Things I Have Made...

These are some things I have made..  If you are interested in knowing more about them or if you would like to order some for gifts..just let me know.  You can also check my Flickr account below.

Talk soon,

lldbryant's photostream on Flickr.

10 Weeks - Quick Update

Hi Everyone..Just wanted to give a quick update..  First...thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for my dear friend Kim..  Her husband passed away late Sunday night (May13).  Please continue to pray for strength and peace through the days, weeks, months and years ahead for Kim and her son Ty.  Love you Kimbo!

This week is 10 weeks since surgery...my total weight loss is 45 pounds.. YAY..  I am so excited.  I find myself doing better each day...but there are some days that are not so good..ex..not drinking enough water or taking that extra bite..that I am not suppose to (than I feel so yucky afterwards...physically and emotionally)...those days are few. But all in all....I feel good and I am more active than I have ever been.  I am not so tired all the time..  So things are going really good.  My workouts are getting more intense (with the help of Lesa)...which is good too.

POA - Yes...I am still working on the meal planner and daily meal journal.  Really need to just sit down and do it..  Oh well..I will someday.  I am glad summer is here...so is Grady.  Family will be visiting...which I love...and Grady has some football camps/camps coming up too.

I will leave you with a few quotes that I ran across this week...and they always make me stop and think..

• Don't trade what you want most, for what you want at the moment - so true..when I go to the kitchen and think I am going to get something...than I think of this...and I tell myself...nope not going to do it.
• Just because you get the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town. The fight is forever. - Very true...days are definitely getting better but it will be fight I will have forever which is OK..I am learning so much about myself and it has helped me in other areas of my life.
• Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you will land among the stars - Les Brown - To me this is a everyday quote...I have always liked it....Always try your best..
• Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself.  Go forward and make your dreams come true! - Ralph Waldo Emerson - I don't know if I am the only one (I doubt it) that goes through a big change (any kind of change) and starts thinking about other things (changes/dreams/what makes them happy) in their lives and what could they change..I know I am...and I have started making a list.  I am not sure my list will amount to something or not..but I do feel the need to write it down and pray about it...hmmm..something to think about..

I have more..but will save for a later post...  Hope everyone has a great rest of the week...and a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Love to all,
Loralee

Mother's Day

Hi Everyone..I am still here and trucking along..  First..Happy Mother's Day to all... I am so thankful for my mom..she has taught me so much and I am learning more and more from her every day..

I have had a good couple of weeks...I had gotten sick last week with a stomach bug...watch out..when your stomach is smaller...it is much more painful..but we are all better now.  I just had a tupperware party on Friday..I made some yummy appetizers...and did well... I hardly ate any of it... (I have always been worried about grazing) and I always want to have food for everyone..just not for me only.  So I was proud that I did my thing and left the rest for the others..and I didn't feel tempted at all.  Today was another good day...made a big meal for mom for Mother's Day...Roast Pork Loin (with red skin potatoes), steamed broccoli, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms with crab (from scratch..was so proud of myself) and for dessert..apple purses (slice of apple rolled up in crescent rolls with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon (needless to say..I didn't eat that)...but I had my small plate and did what I am suppose too...so YAY!  I am feeling more comfortable around food...still don't enjoy eating out that much..but I love the social part of it...our society today is surrounded by food and it is so much a social thing.  I am losing weight weekly and will give a total update on the 19th (it will be two months).

Projects - I made something this week for mom for mother's day (with some help with my good friend Yvette..thanks so much Yvette).  I made her an ice pack for her back...see picture below.  I hope it helps her some with her back (you freeze the one rectangle and place in the envelope, and then tie around waist.  The boys did great for me for Mother's Day...Grady got a movie for me (Grease on DVD)...YAY...my copies were VHS...they were so old....and money to order the automatic ice cream machine I wanted (I am so excited..I can put my protein mix in and make ice cream...yumo).

One of the dips I had for the tupperware party is the black bean salsa/dip.  I have included the recipe below..it is one of my favorites. 

Black Bean Salsa/Dip
1 can of black beans
1 can of corn (I used shoepeg corn...but you can use either)
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 chopped red bell pepper
a few cherry tomatoes sliced in half
1 chopped sweet onion
2 avocados (cut in half, than score half, and spoon out)
cilantro

Dressing - evoo, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, cumin, and salt/pepper.  I just mix it all together and then pour of bean/corn mixture.

You can use as a dip with tortillas or could put in lettuce cups...either way..it is yumo.


OK...onto POA (my famous plan of actions) - continue to stay organized with my planning and preparation (still haven't made that book...oh well..maybe this weekend).  Also, write down the projects I want to make..they are all floating around in my head...could be that is what is keep me up at night...maybe...but there are others things that have been on my mind...

I am going to end today with a special prayer request...my dear friend (Kim)..who I have mentioned before...  Her husband (Todd (who has brain tumors) was taken to the hospital early this morning...he was sick and barely responding..he is sleeping now but they think it is coming.  They are at the hospital now and plans are for hospice to start tomorrow....please be in prayer for her and Tyler and the family.  I pray for God to give her strength and peace...love you Kimbo!

Love to all...
Loralee 

Trucking Right Along

Hi All...I am still here and trucking right along..  Had a great week and weekend..  I have a week-long goal this week...to have my lunch and snacks prepared and ready to go for the week..  Last week was so bad.. I didn't have anything prepared so it was out of whack..  Having to go to somewhere and pick through the meal is kinda crappy..and eating out is not as fun as it used to be.  So today I have made Shelly's Tuna Pesto Salad...and hope to eat some here and there for the week (it takes me about all week to get through the salad...and sometimes it gets old..so I have to change up my meals)...recipe below..  I have also listed below tomorrow's meal plan..just to give you an idea of what I am eating.

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/02/day-in-my-pouch_17.html 

Monday's Meal
Breakfast - one egg scrambled with peppers/onions and cheese (sometimes meat too)
Snack - plain greek yougart with a fresh strawberries and sprinkle of stevia/truvia
Lunch - Shelly's Tuna Pesto Salad
Snack - String Cheese
Dinner - Grilled fish and vegetables (boys plan to have steaks)
Snack - Protein Shake - Chocolate powder with skim milk with ice (my favorite)
and WATER WATER WATER

Exercising - I had a full week of workout with my trainer (Lesa)..love her..  Monday (worked out for an hour, Tuesday (worked out for an hour after work, then Grady I swam for 45 min), Wednesday (walking), Thursday (worked out for 45 min and than swam with Grady for another 45), Friday (walking), Saturday (walked all over Dollywood...will talk more about that in a minute), Sunday (rest).  This week will be a lot like last week...but now...since it has been 6 weeks..I can now do ab work..I am so excited.

Ok back to Dollywood..  I have to say..all week I was kinda dreading it..  It has been a long time since Dollywood was fun for me..  YES, I do enjoy being with my family but being tired and not being able to ride anything...was not fun at all.  So Saturday...Mark, Anne, Jessica, Erica, Grady, Dewayne, and I all went.  The day was beautiful (anytime in the mountains are beautiful)...  Anyway (back on track Lora)..I still didn't ride any of the rides....but the best part was that I was not tired and miserable.  I walked and kept up with everyone... We had a great time and I am so thankful that I went and knowing that one day I will be riding the rides...makes me happy too. 

So..I am trucking along..slowly but surely..  Hope everyone has a great week...

Love to all...
Lora

Short and Sweet

I had my follow-up (one-month) appt with the dr today.   Everything is good..they are happy with the weight I have lost and my blood work was good too.  They also did a body scan today...was kinda interesting.  I will have another one done at 3 months.  I am still working my meal planner...I was hoping to work on it this weekend..but I was busy with other things I love....visiting a friend and a day in the mountains with family.

I hope everyone has a great week...

Love to all,
Lora

One Month Today

Well today marks a month for me... I had surgery on March 19.  I am feeling really good and started back at the gym this week.  I have lost a total of 38 lbs...I will have my official weigh in on Monday at my one month doctor visit (pics below..not the best but they will work for now...I will get a better picture next time.).  I feel good and looking forward to what the future brings.  I still do have my struggles daily...but I am coming up with tricks to keep going.  It is mostly with my mind...my body tells me I am full...but telling my brain is another thing.  I am doing better...but every day is a challenge. 

I am going to tell a story...quick though...might give you some insight on some things that have gone through my head (and other heads of people that are bigger) .  Today we went to honors convocation at our main campus (where they give awards to students).  Ever since last year..I have dreaded going...but for selfish reasons.  When you are bigger person...there are so many things that go through your mind when you are out in public...but it is not something I have shared with lots of people.  The convocation was held in the auditorium.  Last year..I was very nervous because the seats looked small (for a normal person they are not) but for me they did.  I was able to sit in the seat (relief...in that situation...but there have been times when I didn't (not a good feeling))...but seats are a concern when you are a bigger person.  I was very uncomfortable in the seat and really couldn't move.  My arms didn't even fit on the armrests...I felt like I was on top of the seat and bulging overtop.  This year was different...I about cried.  I sat down and I was like "whoa"...I have more room and my arm fit on the armrest...was a great feeling.  I turned around and hugged my friend Kim. I was so happy and felt good about myself.  I still go into a restaurant and do a scan...looking at the chairs/booths and always wonder...will I fit or not.  It is a horrible a feeling...and I can't wait to the day comes I fit into everything.

before

after

This past week I went to support group (I am so thankful that they offer this)...I didn't say anything...but I learned so much.  I have never been to something like AA but I imagine it is kinda like that.  We sit in a circle, share our name and state if we are post or pre op.  It is an open discussion..and I love how the topics change.  This week I learned so much...that everyone is not perfect and that some of the struggles that I have been having..they are having too.  I always come away refreshed...  This week they did share a blog...http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/.  I love it...she talks about her journey (she had bariatric surgery) and shares tons of recipes.  I tried a few out this week...and the family loved them.  I really liked the pizzas...yumo.  I have listed the recipes below...but you can also find them on her blog.

I have also been doing a lot of thinking...in particular my habits.  One of my habits (it is an old one) but I find myself walking back in the kitchen and grabbing stuff to eat...and not think about it.  Now I still go into the kitchen..but I am thinking more and not grabbing but sometimes the urge is there.  So I have come up with another POA (plan of action) - I have decided I am going to be a planner instead of a grabber.  Meaning...If I have my meals planned out for family and me (I am planning 6 for me a day...which are very small)...I will not go to the fridge or kitchen and just grab something I don't need or shouldn't need.  Just need to stick with a plan....  So I have done some research and I think I have the design..just need to create on computer and go from there.  So I have a plan...love to have plans...and will see what I can come up with.  



Shelly's Italian Chicken Salad

rotisserie chicken
1 cucumber, diced
1 stalk celery, sliced (I didn't have this so I doubled my cucumber amount)
1/4 of red onion, diced
2 green onions, diced
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp of fresh basil, chipped
1/2 of 13.75 oz can of artichoke hearts, chopped (I didn't use this either..didn't have any on hand)
2 roasted red and yellow peppers (I didn't use this either..none on hand)
2 tbsp pistachios

Dressing
3 oz greek yougart (I have Greek God's Greek Yougart, plain)
2 tbsp pesto sauce
1 tbsp of mayo
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
s/p

Mix together and enjoy...next time I will take pictures...

Shelly's Chicken Carbonara Tortilla Pizza
1 Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat 6" fajita size tortilla (I couldn't find this brand but I did find LaTortilla Factory Low Carb High Fiber made with whole wheat..50 calories for one)
leftover chicken..had some rotisserie chicken leftover from the other night
tsp of alfredo sauce
slice of provolone
sauteed mushrooms
1 1/2 slice of pancetta
sprinkle italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese on top

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. 

Shelly's Irish Tortilla Pizza
tortilla (like above)
slice of Havarti cheese
corn beef (from deli)
green onions
sprinkle italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese on top

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes

You can find more recipes on her blog...they were really good...yumo!!!