Manic Wednesdays Measurements {June | Week 4}

This week I met my match in having my lap band filled. I had a fill last Thursday, and it was a doozy, what they'd consider two whole fills just to help me out. Problem with that was IT WAS TWO WHOLE FILLS. Sooooo by yesterday I couldn't even get simple foods down, and had to go in and have them remove an entire half of what they put in. On the not-so-great-but-still-a-plus-side I lost almost 4lbs in the few days I was over filled :)

I think it's important to stress staying hydrated right now. Whenever you're working out, especially in this vicious heat we're all experiencing, you can still work out but make sure above all else to STAY HYDRATED!! One way or another, I won't even be picky or harp about what to drink ... just make sure it's something that will keep you hydrated and upright :)

So I'm now officially at 253 .... YAY!! (right? LOL)

Arm: 15

Bust: 42

Waist: 44

Neck: 18

Improvements all around, and to be honest it's because I'm sticking so stringently to making sure everything I'm eating is either a whole food, or isn't filled with nasty preservatives. I'm drinking a lot of water too, and that's been making a huge difference with my skin and just over all complexion. Something I want to share that Charlie and I have adopted is we bought these plastic carry bottles, and invested in Brita pitchers, two of them. We use the pitchers to keep the bottles filled and use Crystal light. This way we aren't filling land fills with water bottles, and we've saved A TON OF MONEY. Just a tip :)



Meg at 14 weeks preggers, holding steady at 257 ~ GOOD JOB GIRL!!!



Adrian at 8 weeks preggers :)



Sonja is on vacation so we'll not have an image from her, and I'm just waiting on the rest :)

Chef Dave ~ Easy Crock Pot Glazed Chicken Wings

What you'll need:

1 - 3lbs chicken wings/drummettes

1/2 cup sugar free imitation Honey (Wannabee Honey) ~ I used organic honey instead

1/2 cup of Splenda granulated sugar in the box

1/2 cup of soy sauce

2 tbs Extra light 100% Extra virgin olive oil

2 minced garlic cloves - OR - already minced in olive oil

2 tbs Heinz One Carb Ketchup - OR - any other low calorie ketchup

What you'll do:

Season the chicken with your choice of seasonings ( I used Natures Seasoning ), and if you want to save time brown them in a skillet first. Afterwards place them in the crock pot.

In a bowl, combine your ingredients, making sure to pay special attention that both honey AND ketchup have mixed properly.

Drizzle your glaze over the chicken, stir to coat if you wish. Cover the slow cooker, set it on low, and let it cook for 6-8 hours if NOT browned first, and about 4.5 to 5 if you DO brown them.

Each will yield 140 calories; 10g fat; 10gm protein; 2 gm carb, trace of fiber; 2g usable carbs.

I haven't decided what I'm going to make to sit next to these, or if I even will make anything. More than likely it'll be some steamed veggie or organic whole wheat spaghetti.

JUST ENJOY IT!!!! :)

Chef Dave ~ Crock Pot Mexican Chicken

This is one of the new recipes I got from my dietician yesterday, and I am sharing :)

What you'll need:

3 - 4 Chicken breasts ( I used frozen )

1 can of sliced & diced tomatoes (Hunts, Rotel)

1 can black beans ( or black soybeans), drained some

4-8 ounces 1/3 fat Philly cream cheese

1/2 pack mild taco seasoning - OR - fresh cumin & other household seasoning

What you'll do:

Place chicken, seasoning, and tomatoes in crock pot and cook. Approximately 6 hours on high, if frozen, only 3-4, if fresh. If you're going low, it's 8-10 hours.

Shred Chicken about halfway though cooking time. If cooking from frozen, towards the end leave a small gap with the lid to let liquid reduce.

In the last hour of cooking, add beans (unless using soybeans, then add at beginning). When tender, turn off heat and stir in cream cheese.

When alls said and done you can put this into a low carb wrap, lettuce wrap, or just eat it in a bowl topped with some cheese (I prefer the 100 calories packs from Kraft.)

For more recipes visit Chef Dave: http://chefdave.org

I'll let you all know how it was!!!! :)

Manic Monday's Measurements {June | Week 3}

I can admit when I'm down and defeated. Wait ... didn't I just do that? Well, you understand what I'm saying. I haven't lost a single POUND in over two months, and although I realize I'm also NOT gaining, and I'm slowly losing inches ... that does not change the fact that I'm stuck. Plateaued. Whatever you want to call it. It didn't help that I was in serious pain for the past two weeks with my TMJ issue. I couldn't work-out at all, because it just hurt sooooo bad. Couple that with the idea that I'm due for my next fill, and I'm MOST definitely going to be having some one on one time with my nurse, and dietician, on Thursday.

I did, however, find this raunch picture of my from September of 2009, and when I saw this I practically died because I just can't believe how much weight my face has carried over the years, and how completely anxious I am to BE RID OF IT!! Check it ...



Can you believe that??? GROSS! This is the one I took yesterday to capture my hair disaster (which is worse the 2nd day, BTW) ... I'm using a wide angle lens, which adds weight to your face when your this close, and I'm leaning inwards. The difference is just ... WHOA (in my best Keanu Reeves voice LOL)



I realize a difference, but I went through surgery to realize MORE of a difference, know what I mean? So I need to get my mental state back in the right place, get my goals and discipline in order, and put the metal back to the pedal. In other words, I need to get my shit together, and try to figure out just exactly what I need to do to lose the rest of this weight, already.

I want to hear about YOU Has been girls!! What's going on? What are your measurements? What's more difficult for you, than other things? What's easier? Are you happy with the changes you're making?? SPILL!!

Images to follow!! :)

Sonja ...



Jennifer ...

Manic Monday's Measurements {June | Week 2}

Good Sunday everyone :)

I hope this finds everyone well rested after a wonderful weekend. I was very busy this weekend, what with a family session yesterday, and dealing with uber pain today ... I'm totally busy LOL I have, what I think is, an impacted wisdom tooth. It's causing me serious pain in the right side of my neck, and it vibrates up through my ear and in my mouth. I have a dentist appt tomorrow in the hopes it will take care of it, and I'm on a pretty strict schedule of Tylenol. Soooo since I've been battling with that, and numerous meetings this week ... I can admit I have not been to the gym. The motion and movement just causes me so much pain right now, and I'm not a masochist, so until I can get this troublesome tooth issue worked out, I'm refraining for now.

One upside to having teeth pain is the reluctance to eat LOL So I haven't gained any weight, I actually dropped two pounds :)



This is a shirt I've had for like 3 years that NEVER even left the hanger. I was too big, and the style was just not having it LOL So I put it on yesterday and it was TOO big. So I had to have Charlie rig it with the plastic straps to my bra so I didn't flash anything indecent ;) Still too big, but very cute :)

Has Been girls and their fabulousness to follow!!

Jennifer looking uber hottie in her new shirt, I LOVE IT!! You are looking fab girl!!



Emily in her awesome bathroom ... sorry, but I totally ♥ your bathroom Em! LOL



Amanda ...



Alexis ...



Christina ...